Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Reports! (10/22/21)

Welcome the new roster!

Published

2 years ago

October 22, 2021

Steven Mitchell

SmackDown moves forward with the Draft taking effect!

Roman Reigns is STILL WWE Universal Champion, but now SmackDown has an influx of new faces thanks to the Draft! Will they all be aiming for his throne?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Open Challenge: Drew McIntyre VS Sami Zayn; McIntyre wins.
Mansoor VS Mustafa Ali; Mansoor wins.
Hit Row VS Dustin Lawyer & Danny Williams; Hit Row wins.
Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs VS “Happy” Corbin w/ “Mad Cap” Moss; Corbin wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns is here!

Of course the Tribal Chief opens the SmackDown after Crown Jewel, as he is triumphant once again thanks to his Special Counsel. Paul Heyman carries the title for Roman, but Roman raises his finger for the pyro, much to Heyman’s confusion. They go to the ring, and Roman again cues pyro with his finger, not the belt. Fans duel between cheers and jeers and Roman takes it all in. Heyman has the mic, hands it over to Roman, and Roman asks, “Are you holding that title for me? Or for Brock?” Roman knows Heyman did the right thing tonight, but last night, Heyman just kinda threw the belt in the ring. “Shall we work on this?”

Roman holds out his hand, Heyman puts the belt in hand. Pretty easy, right? Roman puts the belt on his shoulder, and then says Heyman’s not great at his job. But Roman is! Roman can’t deny that he’s the best of the best! Roman has carried the WWE on his back for over a year and a half now. Roman’s the Tribal Chief! Roman’s the Head of the Table! Roman’s the greatest Universal Champion of all time. And wanna know why? Because he’s smashed everyone. The list is so long now, they can’t even go back to the beginning, so just start at Mania. Bryan and Edge? Smashed ’em. Cesaro? Smashed ’em. Finn Balor? Smashed ’em. John Cena? Smashed ’em!

And Heyman’s boy, Brock Lesnar. Well Saudi Arabia saw Roman smash ’em! But what did Lesnar say on social media? What’d he say? Hurry up, Paul. Heyman gets it on his phone to show Roman. Read it, then! “Brock Lesnar said, and this is Brock… ‘The moment I arrive at SmackDown, I will beat Roman Reigns senseless.'” Fans like the sound of that! Roman grins and then slaps Heyman’s phone out of his hand. “Man, I whooped Brock Lesnar so bad, he’s Tweeting now. Good God.” But fine! Roman runs SmackDown, he runs the WWE, he’s standing right here! And he’s not going anywhere!

Do the fans wanna see Lesnar tonight? He does, too! He doesn’t mind smashing Lesnar two nights in a row! If Wichita wants to see Roman whoop Lesnar, #AcknowlegdgeMe. He then hands the mic to Heyman and dares Lesnar to walk out to the ring. He looks to Heyman when Lesnar doesn’t show up. “Brock Lesnar must be scared of me, y’all. Alright, let’s make this very clear. I’m not leaving this ring until Brock Lesnar comes out here.” Roman puts Lesnar on the clock, will The Beast show up? SmackDown goes to break while we wait.

SmackDown returns and…

Roman says he can’t blame Lesnar for not showing up against the Greatest Of All Time. Take a picture: Lesnar fears Roman! We’ve been waiting and Lesnar’s a no show. Why’d he go run his mouth then not show up? Roman’s given the people far too much time. The Tribal Chief shows up, takes care of obligations on SmackDown, but Lesnar’s a no show. There’s nothing for Roman to do here. Fans chant, “We Want Lesnar!” and Roman lets us hear it by holding his mic up. Roman wants Lesnar, too, but Lesnar don’t want none, he’s scared! Roman’s smashed everyone, nobody wants it anymore. So this is where he and Wichita part ways. But now the music hits! Lesnar IS here!

Roman takes the belt off his shoulder as he stares down with Lesnar. Heyman gets out of the ring as Lesnar heads down the ramp. Lesnar then bolts into the ring, dodges Roman’s belt attack and CLOBBERS Roman! Then he clotheslines Roman out of the ring! Roman staggers about, but he and Lesnar brawl at ringside! Lesnar RAMS Roman into steel steps! Lesnar looms over Roman, looks over at Heyman, and heads Heyman’s way. Heyman is deer in a headlights but Lesnar pulls the steel steps apart. Lesnar RAMS Roman with the steps! Then he TOSSES the steps into the ring with ease! Lesnar pulls the announce desk’s hood off and stalks over to Roman.

But referees rush out, as do the Usos! The Usos save Roman from an F5 but they get knees and haymakers for it! Lesnar POSTS Jey, then TOSSES Jimmy into the timekeeper’s area! Then he tosses Jey in there to join him! Roman fires back but Lesnar RAMS Roman into the post! Management rushes out to talk Lesnar down but he grabs a cameraman’s camera! Then shoves the cameraman! Lesnar aims with the camera, but Roman ducks! The camera busts against the post! So Lesnar throws referees AND management around!

Adam Pearce empties the locker room! But they get clobbered by the Beast!! The Bloodline and Heyman regroup on the ramp but Lesnar has the title belt in hand! Lesnar says he is the rightful champion, but will he have to suffer the consequences for his actions before ever getting another title shot?

SmackDown returns again, and Adam Pearce speaks.

“No single individual can come out here and hold this show hostage, or cause the kind of chaos we just witnessed. Make no mistake, Brock Lesnar’s actions were completely unacceptable, completely irresponsible. And not just the property damage. He endangered our crew, he endangered our officials, he endangered his fellow superstars, and worst of all, Brock Lesnar endangered the WWE Universe, and that cannot happen.” Not on Pearce’s watch! Therefore, Pearce has the unfortunate duty to inform us that due to these actions tonight, Pearce is INDEFINITELY SUSPENDING Brock Lesnar! Fans boo but Lesnar storms back out from the back!

Pearce is a deer in the headlights now as Lesnar returns to the ring, saying he isn’t sure he heard Pearce right. Pearce tries to defend his decision but Lesnar grabs him by the shirt collar. “I’m not sure I heard everything. Am I crazy? Tell me again.” Pearce says he doesn’t have a choice, he has to suspend Lesnar indefinitely. Oh is that so? Lesnar puts Pearce in a corner, lets go of his shirt and smiles as he straightens it all out. Then he fireman’s carries and hits him with an F5! And then he gets Pearce up again and gives him another F5!! Lesnar then picks up the mic and says, “I can’t hear you. Tell me again, please?”

Pearce barely sputters so Lesnar leaves it at this. If this is what he did after being suspended, will the Beast even abide by the punishment the WWE handed down?

Sonya Deville tries to get things back in order.

She keeps Kayla from asking questions, but stops at Naomi stepping to her. Naomi says that was some bull last week, she wants a fair match with Sonya. Of course, make it about yourself, Naomi> But Sonya has other things to handle other than beating Naomi up again. So get out of her face, NOW. Naomi backs down but then Sonya turns around to see Drew McIntyre. How can she help? Well he is now on SmackDown and there’s chaos already> But that’s okay, he’ll do her a favor. He will issue an open challenge, with her permission or not, and he will take on whoever has the BALLS to face him. He puts the locker room on notice and then heads to gorilla!

Open Challenge: Drew McIntyre VS ???

The Scottish Warrior fell short against Big E for the WWE World Championship, but he and Angela the claymore are more than ready to go again! Who steps to the motivated McIntyre on this first SmackDown with a new roster?

McIntyre gets a mic to asks the fans, “Enough with the BS, who’s ready for a match already?” He doesn’t care if you’re a Viking or a Maharaja, someone get their ass out here so he can kick it! And the one to answer the challenge is… Sami Zayn! And his new theme song! But Sami says, “Oh, Drew, y’know, it’s so funny, I hear you back there rattling off the list the different kind of superstars. I couldn’t help but notice you left off ‘master strategist.'” But that’s okay, Sami’s used to being forgotten about. But here’s something people might not know, so shut your mouths. Sami is the longest tenured member of SmackDown. He’s a locker room leader, the gatekeeper, the elder statesman of SmackDown!

And McIntyre might be a former world champion, here on SmackDown, he’s just the new kid. But if McIntyre is looking for someone brave enough to accept the challenge, maybe everyone’s forgotten or holding Sami back, but he is the BEST superstar on SmackDown! So Sami accepts the challenge! And when he beats McIntyre, Sami will remain the best on SmackDown! McIntyre is all for it and Sami gets in the ring. The bell rings, Sami bails out. McIntyre is annoyed but Sami takes his time going around the way. McIntyre goes out, Sami slides back in. Sami then goes back out as McIntyre slides back in, his trolling strategy working well.

But then McIntyre fakes Sami out, then catches him off guard to throw him into barriers! McIntyre smirks and says, “Oh, I’m gonna hurt you.” Fans fire up and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Sami stomps McIntyre down. Sami goes up the ropes and drops an ax handle! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Another cover, ONE!! Sami gets frustrated but he sits McIntyre up to throw hands. “You’re on my show now, punk!” Sami throws more haymakers, McIntyre gets up and RAMS Sami into a corner! McIntyre fires off stomps and haymakers, then clinches to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplex! McIntyre seethes and runs to CLOBBER Sami with clotheslines! McIntyre whips, and hits another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Then a NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up and fires up, then aims from the corner.

Fans fire up and McIntyre runs, but Sami bails out! McIntyre grabs at Sami and drags him up the apron but Sami hotshots! Sami gets in to reel McIntyre in, but McIntyre’s too big for a Blue Thunder Bomb! Sami throws elbows over and over on McIntyre’s head and shoulders, then brings him back up, BLUE TH- NO! McIntyre slips out to GLASGOW KISS! Sami falls into a corner, McIntyre runs in, Sami dodges and McIntyre POSTS himself! Sami drags McIntyre up to POST him in the other corner! McIntyre is down, Sami aims from a corner! Sami mocks the countdown! But he gets a CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

And that’s how you put a roster on notice! Is SmackDown going to be Claymore Country once again?

The New Day is here!

The ring crew prepares the scene for a coronation! Kofi Kingston heads out first, as we’re all about to celebrate the true crowning of KING Xavier, after the break!

SmackDown returns and after a recap of how Woods won over Finn Balor, Greg Hamilton introduces Kofi, and Kofi says, “Hear ye! Hear ye! We are gathered here today, we are gathered here today, for the grandest of coronations! Please join me in showing your adoration, your admiration, your adulation for our NEW King of the Ring! King Xavier Woooooods!” And with that, King Xavier makes his entrance with a brand new and very regal tron. But he still plays his trombone. Kofi says, “Your Majesty, allow me to bestow upon thee thy cloak.” This cloak will represent the protection Woods shall place over his kingdom! Fans chant, “You Deserve It!”

And then, Kofi wishes to bestow upon Woods his scepter that represents the power he shall wield over his kingdom! Woods holds the scepter up high, but of course, Kofi shall bestow upon Woods the crown, which represents the respect Woods has earned and will receive until the end of time as king! Long live his reign! Kofi puts the crown upon Woods’ head and fans cheer as the regal music plays. Woods takes the mic and cannot express how much this means to him. He knows the fans have shown him so much love, and they helped him turn a dream into a reality! He thanks us, but guess what? While his reign will be fun, it will be fair. There will be opportunity.

So then let’s give the the fine people who are part of his kingdom, the fine people in Wichita, a chance to hear “the king’s gospel.” ALL HAIL KING XAVIER WOODS, FIRST OF HIS NAME! BRINGER OF NEW DAYS AND YOUR NEW KING!! “HAIL! KING WOODS!” Woods holds up the scepter and Kofi makes the cape flap in the wind! Will Woods be the greatest King of the Ring yet?

Becky Lynch speaks.

“This title is still drenched in history from last night. Let me remind everyone, I never did lose that Raw Women’s Championship.” So instead of a title exchange, #BeckyTwoBelts makes a comeback? Is The Man going to change the WWE’s plans and take the title from Charlotte Flair rather than be handed it?

SmackDown, prepare for Xia Li!

The first Chinese born female superstar in the WWE, and she has sharpened herself to a deadly edge! Who will be the first on this brand to taste her brand of brutality?

Mansoor VS Mustafa Ali!

Victorious in Saudi Arabia, but still eager to prove himself, Mansoor will gladly take on Mustafa Ali again! Will this rematch put a pin in the animosity between them? Or will The Beacon us this as both redemption and revenge?

SmackDown returns and Ali makes his entrance. The bell rings and Ali runs at Mansoor! Mansoor dodges and Ali’s dropkick crashes into the corner! Mansoor fires off, bumps Ali off buckles then CHOPS! Ali CHOPS back but Mansoor CHOPS again! Mansoor whips corner to corner then back drops Ali away! Ali gets up but Mansoor clotheslines him out! Fans fire up, Mansoor goes out and chases Ali back into the ring. Ali drops an elbow but Mansoor dodges! Mansoor then dumps Ali out of the ring, drags him up and throws forearms! Ali gets in the ring, Mansoor climbs up and leaps to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!

Ali crawls to ropes, Mansoor storms after him, but Ali throws him into ropes! Ali goes up, leaps and sunset flips, but then rolls to get Mansoor up for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Ali kicks at Mansoor, slaps him around and talks trash. Ali drags Mansoor up, reels him in and turns him, but Mansoor turns neckbreaker into waistlock. Ali fights but Mansoor chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX! Ali is all folded up but Mansoor isn’t done! He drags Ali up but Ali throat chops! Ali dodges Mansoor but Mansoor LARIATS on the return! Fans fire up with Mansoor but he runs into a BOOT! Ali goes up again and leaps to sunset flip, only for Mansoor to sit on it! Mansoor wins again!!

Winner: Mansoor, by pinfall

Ali is furious that he lost, and even faster than yesterday! Has this proven that Mansoor is ready for the big time?

The newest members of SmackDown speak.

“I’m Ridge Holland. And if you’d told me as a little lad, fighting, scrapping on the streets of Yorkshire, that I would end up on Friday Night SmackDown, I would’ve said, ‘I believe ya.'” Will Northern Grit crush all in his way?

“My name’s Aliyah. And I’m gonna give this place a makeover! SmackDown is about to get a whole lot more bougie.” Will Bougie Bad make sure SmackDown looks good on Friday nights?

Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza fist bump before Garza says, “Remember these names.” They are the hottest tag team. When you look this good, winning is so easy!

And Sheamus says, “I don’t need to introduce meself to anybody. Because no one delivers in the ring like the Celtic Warrior. And everybody knows I deliver banger after banger after banger after banger… after banger.” Will the Fella bang out hit after hit with that Brogue?

Hit Row heads to the ring!

B-Fab has the music cut because we all know that y’all done heard about Hit~ Roooow~. That’s three MC’s, one producer. Three beasts, one beauty. Ashante “Thee” Adonis, and honestly, the details are crucial. This is the ritual: R-I-C-H-U-A-L. When money speaks, nobody checks grammar. That’s why this is Top Dolla, cuz that’s what he’s worth. Pay him, he shows up. Bank account’s robust. Swerve Scott ’bout to go nuts! Isaiah’s been around the world, changing the game, winning championships, streaming numbers doing silly, and he’s your worst nightmare. This is B-Fab. Every time you see her, she be fab! She needs a big bag, that’s why they big mad.

They’re a really big team who needs really nice things. We all know Adonis is pretty from afar. Swerve is a ring vet and B-Fab’s the star. They all know that Dolla’s the silliest with the bars! But the WWE Universe just got for bright new stars! And if you didn’t know, now you know! And speaking of that money, Swerve’s about to earn some in his SmackDown in-ring debut! Who gets an education that doesn’t just make sense, it makes dollars?

Hit Row VS Dustin Lawyer & Danny Williams!

SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and Swerve KNEES Dustin down right away! Swerve brings Dustin around, bumps him off buckles, throws uppercuts then goes up. Dolla tags in, Swerve hits the FALLING UPPERCUT! Dolla drops the BACK SENTON! Cover, but Danny Williams breaks it! He thinks he’s smart but Dolla looms over him! Two-hand pop up to a fireman’s carry! Dustin jumps into Dolla’s arms! Dolla talks some smack before he asks, “Who hotta than Top Dolla?” DOUBLE SLAM! “NOT NADA!” Dolla kicks Danny out then drags Dustin over. If you didn’t know, now you know! Tag to Swerve, Dolla scoops Dustin, HOUSE CALL SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, Hit Row wins!

Winners: Hit Row, by pinfall

NXT knows and now so does SmackDown! Now that Hit Row is here on Fridays, is it only a matter of time before it all belongs to them?

Kayla Braxton waits by the doctor’s room.

She’s waiting for an update on Adam Pearce’s condition but Sonya Deville walks out. Kayla asks Pearce’s status and Sonya says he will be okay, eventually. he’s a bit fragile, and not a spring chicken. Unfortunate, too, because Sonya said she’d be the one to give the suspension, but Pearce insisted on doing things his way, and well, we saw how that went. But the show must go on. Tonight we have Charlotte and Becky exchanging titles, which also could be pretty combustible. That is now on Sonya to handle alone. But he remains in her thoughts. Is Sonya going to be able to handle the pressure? Or will she have her own chaotic situation to handle soon enough?

Rick Boogs is on stage!

The rockin’ bard makes the introduction for the Intercontinental Champion, Shinsuke NakamurAAAAAAA~~! The King of Strong Style makes his entrance, and he once again faces Baron Corbin for the first time since Baron’s roller coaster ride from down in the dumps to cracking up like a chump! Will Corbin get a semblance of revenge as well as get on track towards the title? We find out after the break.

Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs VS “Happy” Corbin w/ “Mad Cap” Moss!

SmackDown returns and Corbin makes his entrance, Moss jogging up behind him. The bell rings, the two circle and tie up. Corbin pushes Nakamura away then throat chops! Corbin gets Nakamura up and ROCKS him with a right, then puts him in the corner. Corbin throws body shots, brings Nakamura around and runs, into a KNEE then a ROUNDHOUSE! Nakamura runs and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Nakamura rams knees into Corbin over and over, then stands Corbin up to snapmare for a knee drop! Cover, TWO! Moss coaches Corbin but Nakamura bumps him off buckles. Nakamura throws forearms, Corbin ROCKS Nakamura back!

Nakamura fires off a strike fest, KNEES Corbin into the corner, then fires off haymakers! Fans fire up and Nakamura brings Corbin up again for more knees. Corbin flounders to ropes, swings but misses and Nakamura throws kicks! Nakamura knees again, puts Corbin in the corner and gives him GOOD VIBRATIONS~! Boogs rocks out as he does, and Nakamura joins in on the air guitar! Nakamura runs corner to corner but Corbin dodges! Corbin blocks Nakamura’s boot and dumps him to the apron! But Nakamura hits back, takes aim, and grins as he goes to superplex! Corbin blocks and THROWS Nakamura down! Boogs checks on Nakamura as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Corbin grinds Nakamura with a chinbar and half nelson. Nakamura fights up, throws body shots and is free, but Corbin shoves him to the corner. Corbin runs in, Nakamura dodges so Corbin slides out then back in and LARIATS Nakamura down! Moss is fired up as Corbin covers, TWO! Corbin rains down fists, but then he grins as he lets off. Corbin drags Nakamura up, scoops, but Nakamura slips off and dodges Corbin to DYNAMIC DROPKICK! Nakamura waits for Corbin to get up and he says, “C’MON!” Corbin swings but into the strike fest! KICK after KICK but Corbin blocks, only for Nakamura to ENZIGURI!

Nakamura whips, Corbin reverses but Nakamura dodges in the corner! ROUNDHOUSE to the back, then he puts Corbin up top! TOP SHELF KNEE! Cover, TWO! Nakamura aims from the corner and Corbin slowly rises, Nakamura runs in but Corbin catches him! Nakamura slips through End of Days to kick, but Corbin gets under to ripcord SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Boogs rocks out to rally the fans to give Nakamura power. Nakamura stands, Corbin choke grips but Nakamura KNEES free! Roundhouse misses but the WINDMILL KICK hits! Nakamura goes to the corner, but Moss goes after Boogs’ guitar! That’s not cool! Boogs shoves Moss, Nakamura BOOTS Moss down!

Nakamura talks trash but Corbin throws Nakamura into steps! Moss does the same to Boogs! Corbin puts Nakamura in and reels Nakamura in, END OF DAYS!! Cover, Corbin wins!

Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall

Corbin and Moss have the last laugh! Will they be even happier when Corbin gets to go for the gold?

Charlotte Flair speaks.

“Becks, of course you’re not going to hand over the title. Just pretend it’s my suitcase you spent half your career carrying, and hand over the title.” The Queen is still talking down to The Man, but will things not go Charlotte’s way?

It’s time for the Championship Belt Exchange!

Big Time Becks goes to the ring first, holding her SmackDown Women’s Championship up high. But with what she said earlier, will it be so easy for her to let go the belt she won a Triple Threat to keep? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Sonya Deville has joined Becky in the ring. Charlotte makes her entrance now, then she gets a mic. Sonya says they’re gathered here for a special transaction. Becky is SmackDown Women’s Champion but is heading to Raw. Charlotte is Raw Women’s Champion but is coming to SmackDown. As number one, let’s not forget. Sonya says they are going to trade the titles so that they will go to their respective new brands as the champions. Sonya gives the signal but Becky holds onto her belt while Charlotte still wears hers. Fans chant, “Becky Two Belts!” but Sonya gets Charlotte to take off her belt.

Becky grabs at the Raw title but Charlotte drops it. Sonya makes Charlotte pick it up and hand it over to Sonya. Becky wants to grab the Raw belt first but Sonya refuses. So Becky throws the SmackDown belt at Charlotte! Sonya hands the Raw belt to Becky, Charlotte holds up the SmackDown belt. But wait, Becky wants to be Becky Two Belts, right? Then what about a match tonight? Fans like the sound of that! But wait, here comes Sasha Banks! The Boss is also here on SmackDown through the Draft, and she was the one woman not in the decision at Crown Jewel!

And she says let’s make one thing clear, The Boss, the Standard, the Blueprint runs this blue brand. If Charlotte thinks she can just show up and take over, “Bitch, you’re out of your damned mind!” Sasha goes right into the ring but Charlotte says this is PG, that wasn’t nice. But aw, is she feeling left out? Becky says she’ll just go to Raw and see someone at Survivor Series. Becky leaves, Sasha asks if Charlotte is jealous. Fans still cheer for Becky, Sasha says bye to her, and says Sasha Banks is the star of any show she’s on. Title or no title, she’s still The Boss. Fridays are #BossTime! Oooh~, Sasha~! Charlotte mocks the move, and asks if anyone even remembers Sasha’s reign!

Sasha DECKS Charlotte! Charlotte gets out of her robe and the two brawl! Sasha avoids a boot, but Charlotte avoids the backstabber with a butt bump! Charlotte bails out of the ring, Sasha goes to the apron and leaps, METEORA! Direct hit! But Sonya returns to separate these two! Charlotte scrambles up the ramp to get away, but Sasha dares her to come back. Will Sasha make sure the SmackDown Women’s Championship is #LEGIT once more? Or will the Queen still reign all the way to Survivor Series?

My Thoughts:

This is a rare case where a SmackDown after PPV is a bit of a letdown. For one, as many dreaded, it was just a title swap between Raw and SmackDown in the women’s division. I do appreciate that Becky and Charlotte were both dressed in ring gear and they directly teased #WinnerTakesAll, but sadly they did it with barely any time left on the show. If they’d managed to do all this at even a quarter ’til, it would’ve been more believable. Sasha getting in on things was also a sign they were just moving on to Survivor Series. Charlotte VS Sasha 2021 could go either way, and we know either one makes a great match-up for Becky come Survivor Series.

Maybe they’d have more time if they were faster about the Roman and Lesnar stuff. Roman questioning Heyman was fairly logical, there was a lot of ambiguity at Crown Jewel so Heyman still has to dig himself out of this one. Lesnar going wild and getting suspended works, too, since we all know Lesnar is a part-time kinda guy. At the same time, Lesnar could surprise us and “ignore” the suspension by showing up more and wreaking more havoc. But it still feels like we’re heading for Big E VS Roman at Survivor Series, so it’s not like Lesnar is going to cause so much destruction that he earns a title match. That will have to wait until after, at the Royal Rumble.

We did get a great match out of McIntyre VS Sami, which was a great follow-up to the promo heavy stuff with Roman and Lesnar. As I said for Crown Jewel, McIntyre is certainly on the list of contenders for Roman, he might get his shot at WWE Day One, the New Year’s Day PPV WWE is giving us instead of TLC. Which I would’ve preferred because then we could get Roman VS McIntyre in a TLC match. The Mansoor VS Ali rematch was alright, not as good as Crown Jewel’s, and not really needed. At least, not tonight. We could’ve gotten slightly more out of Hit Row or even a match out of one of the other call-ups like Ridge Holland or Aliyah to get them going already.

Speaking of, Hit Row did very good on the mics again, and Swerve teaming with Dolla was not what I expected, but maybe Hit Row can be a Freebird Rules kinda tag team like the New Day. Woods’ coronation segment was good, though I’m not sure what more they could’ve done other than have someone “interrupt” it, and that wasn’t going to happen since this was a well-deserved moment for Woods. I could also see Woods trying to get in on the Universal title match scene now that he’s king, but maybe he and Kofi have a tag team feud while they wait on things. And I should’ve figured Corbin and Nakamura have a new feud now that they both have sidekicks. The match was good but I really hope Nakamura wins. I can’t even stand the idea of Happy Corbin and Mad Cap having that belt.

My Score: 8/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.18.2024

Motor City Machine Guns either go out on their backs, or head to Rebellion as champs! Lets see how they finish their current run in TNA!

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Andrew Balaz

No burying the lead here! The Main Event is The System versus Motor City Machine Guns, and it’s the Go Home episode before Rebellion! So we’re guaranteed a damn good tag match, and we should get either new wrinkles, or ways to keep the storylines cooking going into the Pay-per-View.

With all the rumors and innuendo about the Guns being on their way out, I think we all assume that MCMG is losing, but my inner fanboy is still excited.

Part Three: Acceptance @TheJonGresham #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/NE9FPzCCz2

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Ratings:

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone: Hammerstone wins via Torture Rack – SQUASH
LSG vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – SQUASH
Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno: Ali wins via 450 Splash – ** 3/4
Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Rosemary wins via Spear – ***
Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards: System wins via Roster Cut + Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

So we kick off the match with Josh coming out to commentary again to watch Hammerstone’s match. They really need a new way to try and keep heat without reusing the same tired gimmick of “ring side seat” to a Squash match.

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone

Guido tries to shoot the half, but Hammerstone shrugs him off, lifts him like a child and runs him into a corner, few short shots and then just tosses him across the ring. Hammer gets a little distracted talking smack to Josh and eats a foot, but then tosses Guido with the ole Sack of Shit move and keeps working over Guido.

Hammer shoves Clayton, and provokes him to push him back right in front of the referee. She ejects them, Guido tries to take advantage but when he goes for the pinfall Hammer kicks out immediately and presses Guido out of thing through the ropes. Continues to dog walk Guido, puts the head gear on the ECW Original and then Torture Racks him while staring directly at Josh, and of course picks up the submission victory.

.@XiaBrookside and @Ashamae_Sebera face off NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/Q0S3wSRpeu

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

LSG vs Joe Hendry

Hendry cuts a little promo, mentioning the Fat Uncle Phil joke…something about shopping at the TOP Dollar Store. Solid mic work.

LSG is a damn good local talent, he’s been seen in ROH and AEW in the past (perhaps others, but that’s what comes to mind immediately for me), but we all know this is an enhancement match. A few nice chain wrestling spots early, but Hendry uses his power to stop the smaller wrestler, Sack of Shit into Standing Ovation and the match is over quickly.

Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno

Well okay, having Deaner ask the crowd if they wanted a 3v2 or their third member…RHYNO…is pretty much a no brainer in Philly. But at least the gimmick isn’t quite as cringe as I expected.

Jake starts with Zack Gibson and throws him around. Jake goes for the tag and Deaner asks the crowd who Jake should tag, and the crowd picks Rhyno. Rhyno Whips Gibson into a corner, Drake actually softens the impact, allowing Gibson to fire back, tag out, but Rhyno levels both GYV members and then even knocks Ali off the apron. Rhyno tries to call to the crowd to tag in Deaner and that goes over like a fart in church. He tags him in anyway, and the crowd is kinda dead and doing whatever it wants after the obvious ECW chants when Rhyno tagged in.

GYV take a couple lumps but they of course start to work over Deaner and capture some momentum. Solid tandem work from GYV, they cut off Deaner from making a tag and goad Jake a little to cause the ref to block off the babyfaces so the heels can take a few shortcuts. Cody eventually makes the tag to Rhyno, hot tag, he tries to set up the Gore but the GYV manage to stop him in his tracks and hit an Enzuigiri to daze the Man Beast, he falls to his corner and Jake tags himself in. Jake literally runs them all over, tags in Cody and Launches him from the Top Rope into Zack Gibson. Ali makes the save and Jake tries to get his hands on Ali, but the GYV keep throwing themselves at him, literally. The triple team finally gets the best of Jake, they hit 3 Dives and then post Jake, so they gather around Cody like hyenas.

They forgot about Rhyno, he’s set up for a Gore, he Gores Drake, Gibson and Ali take out Rhyno, but then Cody starts to fight back. Ali stops Deaner’s offense with an Avalanche Sunset Bomb, then hits his 450 Splash. Jake barely misses being able to break up the pin.

.@TheEricYoung channels "The Sickness" as he prepares for FULL METAL MAYHEM with @FrankieKazarian at #Rebellion! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/tm1TqxZBLo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

Jody tries to start quickly with Shoulder Tackles, Lariats and Scoop Slams, and it does seem somewhat effective. Rosemary is having trouble finding offense against the intensity, but she keeps kicking out. Shotgun Dropkick finally gives Rosemary an opening, she goes into full mount and rains down strikes. Rosemary shoves Jody into a corner and Bites her in the corner. Jody tries to fight out, they go across and Rosemary catches her with the legs and puts her in the Upside Down. Splash in the corner from Rosemary, Exploder Suplex and Jody is eating a lot of offense.

Rosemary looks like she’s caught after she gets tripped up into the ropes and Jody goes for her Rope Knee into the German, but Rosemary dodges. Rosemary hits her own suplex and pulls out a beautiful Last Chancery! I haven’t seen her do that in a long time. Jody manages to fight to the ropes, Rosemary is a little slow to capitalize and eats a Pump Kick. Rosemary goes flying into the ropes, Jody hits the Double Knees into the German this time for 2, and they trade a few haymakers after that. Jody folds Rosemary with a low Lariat, Zombie rise spot a few times, Jody goes for a pinfall and Rosemary kicks out.

Havok jumps up on the apron, Dani meets her and they decide to step down, but the distraction was enough. Jody turns around and eats a Spear. Rosemary wins!

Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards

Eddie and Shelley start off, and its a very simple slow start. Mostly an early stalemate, the typical Japanese style the TNA seem to love to employ. Starters tag out, but then Shelley with the blind tag, Sabin Baseball Slides out, picks Eddie’s ankle and sends his face bouncing off the apron, while Shelley sneaks up being Myers and they hit a tandem move before we cut to commercial. Off of the commercial it looks like Eddie and Myers regained control. But a nice Jawbreaker from Shelley sends Eddie falling back into the MCMG corner. Dragon Screws to both legs from Sabin and Shelley, and we get the Dragon Screw dissection spot for the Guns.

Myers gets sick of things, tries to get involved, but Simultaneous Figure Fours from the MCMG makes The System look silly. Alisha does the classic “push the rope forward” gimmick to assist Eddie in breaking the hold. She keeps chirping at Shelley until she finally grabs his foot. Shelley doesn’t take kindly, tries to grab her by the hair but she gets away, Shelley eats a strike and falls back to the ropes so Lish can just throttle him with the rope, Sabin walks over and acts like he’s going to PK her and the look of disgust on her face is hilarious, like “how dare he threaten to kick her”. Would I be mad is Masha decides to team with Lish and they win the Knockouts Tag titles? No, because the Knockouts Tags are trash. But I still prefer Lish as valet/manager.

Shelley starts fighting back after another commercial break, Eddie tries to cut him off, but Sabin clocks Eddie and Shelley manages to make the tag and Sabin comes in. Lights up both System members, Kick off Tornado DDT, into a Running Gamengiri. Eddie tries to counter but Shelley assists, tandem strikes, Double Baseball Slide into the classic MCMG spot 5 Hole Dive! Keeping up with the classics Shelley stacks the System members on each other and hit the Missile Dropkick/Flatliner spot. As the Guns are rolling, Sabin accidentally catches Sabin with his foot and The System take control! They hit their pieces of the System Overload spot, but Sabin kicks out. Roster Cut attempt from Myers, but Shelley is back. High Speed Dirt, Machine Gun Sandwich, but Lish grabs Shelley’s foot when they’re setting up Skull and Bones. Shelley gets dropped on the turnbuckle and thrown out, Sabin eats the Roster Cut followed up with Boston Knee Party and System retains!

Its a little weird to have had the two commercial cuts and the fact there’s still Nic Nemeth to follow. So it feels a little flat, I hope this wasn’t their swan song match, because it was nice to see some classic spots, but it was entirely too abbreviated.

Nemeth comes out, goes into the crowd and finds a kid with a kendo stick and borrows a beer from someone, so he does a bit of a Sandman tribute. Moose cuts off his promo basically immediately. He throws out the “can’t beat the system” line again, and Nic rolls with the punches well. Moose uses a few cute analogies about Nic having a failure laden past, but Nemeth bites back and its really damn good. He says he can see it in Moose’s eyes that he thinks he’s getting in the ring with Dolph Ziggler, but no, there is no more old Dolph Ziggler, just the new Nic Nemeth. And Moose’s cool seems to be slightly shaken after those words. Good promo.

Overall Score: 6.5/10

So this was okay, if it didn’t end as strongly as it did, I would’ve rated this much lower. Two squash matches in the beginning, reusing the Josh comes out to the announce table to watch trope is boring, hell even Clayton’s shove to Hammerstone was super lame looking. The Deaner match was luke warm at best, but things picked up around the Rosemary match.

Lets also not overlook the segments with ASH & Xia, Jonathan Gresham’s whole deal and EY having to return to the violence/sickness/world class maniac, whatever you want to call it, were all great building blocks. This definitely wasn’t what I would call a strong Go Home, but it didn’t hurt things for Rebellion. The whole injury of Cardona was addressed, which honestly sounded weird since Jordynne basically said she was expecting them to have a backup plan so she has a backup plan. I don’t really like how that video package came across.

But who knows, all I know is, this wasn’t an awful episode, it just wasn’t really strong either. Here’s to hoping Rebellion Saturday is still strong.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/18/24)

Time to Man Up!

Published

16 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will the Ivy League MVP earn a title shot?

The NEW ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe, is here to step onto the Proving Ground with one of Maria Kanellis’ baby boys, Griff Garrison! Will Griff make Maria proud? Or will he reach for the sky?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Bryan Keith VS Aaron Solo; Keith wins.
Six Man Tag: Lance Archer & The Righteous VS Jon Cruz, Savion Truitt & Damian Chambers; Archer & The Righteous win.
Lee Johnson VS JD Drake; Lee wins.
Abadon VS Allysin Kay; Abadon wins.
The Infantry VS The Iron Savages w/Jacked Jameson; The Infantry wins.
Six Woman Tag: Diamante, Leila Grey & Taya Valkyrie VS Kiera Hogan, Leyla Hirsch & Trish Adora; Kiera, Leyla & Adora win.
The Beast Mortos VS Nick Comoroto; Mortos wins.
Lady Frost VS Marti Belle; Frost wins.
The Dark Order VS Zak Patterson & Frank Milano; The Dark Order wins.
ROH World Championship Proving Ground Match: Mark Briscoe VS Griff Garrison w/ Cole Karter & Maria Kanellis; Mark wins and denies Griff a title match.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mark Briscoe speaks.

“Now House of Black, I’ve been doing this dance with y’all a little while now, and I’m starting to understand how y’all operate. Starting to understand y’all’s M-O. You try to intimidate me. You try to strike fear into the hearts of men. Well I done told you, I fear no man, I fear no evil. And ancient wisdom says the violent take it by force. Now lemme tell you, Eddie Kingston, Adam Copeland, and Mark Briscoe, we some violent men! And at Dynasty, we bringing the violence, babeh! So heed my advice, House of Black! Be afraid, be very afraid!” The Sussex County Chicken is ready for a fight, will he, the Rated R Superstar and Mad King tear down The House of Black once and for all?

Bryan Keith VS Aaron Solo!

The Bounty Hunter is still looking for a prize, but he’ll gladly fight to earn his shot. Will Keith be heading for a golden opportunity on the other side of Dynasty? Or will Solo shoot first?

The Code of Honor is upheld with sarcastic enthusiasm by Solo, and Keith shoves him away. The bell rings and Solo SLAPS Keith! Keith TACKLES Solo and rains down fists! The fans fire up, Solo gets away then knees Keith low. Solo ROCKS Keith, whips him to a corner, but Keith comes back to run Solo over! Keith scoops to SLAM Solo, then stands on Solo’s face! The fans fire up for the KNEE DROP! Keith then SLAPS Solo! The fans rally for “BK! BK!” Solo storms up but Keith kicks low. Keith reels Solo in, suplexes, and he holds Solo up! Keith marches around, then SLAMS Solo down! Solo bails out and the fans fire up as Keith aims.

Keith builds speed, slides, but Solo ducks! Solo sends Keith into steel steps! The fans boo as Solo leaves Keith behind. The ring count starts, fans chant “SOLO SUCKS! SOLO SUCKS!” Solo counts along but wants it to go faster. Keith stands at 8 of 20, slides in, but Solo stomps and HAMMERS away! The fans boo more, but Solo stands Keith up to bump him off buckles. Keith CHOPS in return! Then CHOPS again! The fans “WOO~,” then Keith ROCKS Solo with a forearm. Keith CHOPS in the corner, but then Solo dodges. Solo tries but Keith dodges the chop to CHOP Solo down! The fans fire up while Solo is stinging.

Keith whips Solo, Solo reverses and CLOBBERS Keith! Cover, TWO! Keith grits his teeth but Solo knees him in the back! And again! The fans rally, Solo taunts them, and then ELBOWS Keith in the head. Solo stalks Keith to a corner, digs his boots in, but again the fans chant “SOLO SUCKS!” Solo stomps away on Keith, digs his boots in again, but Keith fights up! The fans fire up as Keith fires forearms! Keith fires forearms again and again and again, winds up, but Solo dodges! Solo comes back, but Keith ROCKS him after all! The fans fire up as Keith runs in to BOOT! Solo sputters, Keith runs, but then Solo SUPERKICKS! Keith just roars!

Solo swings, but into a T-BONE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Keith keeps calm. Keith waits on Solo as fans rally behind him. Solo staggers into a fireman’s carry, but he fights free! Solo shoves, goes to a corner, but then Keith comes back. Solo ELBOWS Keith, whips, but Keith reverses! Solo goes up but gets caught, for an USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again as Keith slashes his throat and aims his finger gun! Keith underhooks, but Solo fights the lift! Solo back drops, Keith sunset flips but Solo stays up to DOUBLE STOMP! Solo then runs up, catches Keith and hits a T-BONE! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up but Solo hurries to a corner. Solo climbs fast, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Keith survives that coup de grace and Solo isn’t sure what to do. Solo kicks Keith around, drags him up and reels him in to underhook. Keith fight that lift, Solo CLUBS away on him, but Keith Alabama Lifts! Solo grabs ropes so Keith lets him down, and ENZIGIRIS! But Solo SCREW HIGH KICKS! Solo goes up top, but Keith RISING HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up with Keith and he climbs! Keith reels Solo in, for DIAMOND DUST!! Cover, Keith wins!

Winner: Bryan Keith, by pinfall

A big win for BK! And he gives back that sarcastic handshake. Will the Bounty Hunter be hot on the trail of a championship after AEW & ROH pass through the Gateway City?

Mark Sterling speaks.

“If you ask AI to create the perfect professional wrestler, it wouldn’t even come close to you. If wrestling is a body business, then you’re a multinational corporation. Biology defying symmetry, no fat, all muscle, no waste. As functional as you are aesthetic. High-flying? You got it. Ground ‘n’ pound? You got that, too. Striking, brawling, submission, technical, there is not a single style you have not perfected. For the last 20 years, you’ve been one of the most consistent and proficient wrestling specimens for any company that’s been willing to throw money at you and begged you to stay. And now, it’s time for them to beg for mercy.

“You are Tony Nese, and you are a Premier Athlete.”

Now Mark Sterling & The Premier Athletes are here in person.

They stand backstage, Sterling’s guys in matching tracksuits, and he says the last time he looked into the camera, he told everyone he had a plan. The very next day, they enacted that plan. Sterling took them off the road, they entered a professional fight camp. They got the best coaches, best trainers, best doctors, and these three started to do what they do best: go to work. Supercard of Honor, against two former ROH TV Champions, PA got an impressive victory. Fruits of their labor. Ariya Daivari is back better than ever. Josh Woods is bigger and better than he was when he won the National Championship. And Tony Nese is in the best shape of his life, which is saying something.

In fact, what’re we even talking about? These three are the most underappreciated athletes in the company. They walk like stars, they move like stars, they present themselves like stars, and by the end of this year, they will be champions. Supercard was just phase one of this plan. Phase two… starts tonight. Then just what happens when the Premier Athletes start making moves?

Lee Johnson VS JD Drake!

Even though he lost at Supercard, Big Shotty stays positive! He got close to the ROH World Television Championship, will he get back there for another shot? Or will Scrap Metal be another speedbump in Lee’s momentum?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, JD HIP TOSSES, and Lee scrambles to ropes. JD flexes and fans cheer, which surprises JD. Lee gets up, he and JD reset. They tie up, JD arm-drags, but Lee gets up. Lee keeps calm while JD talks some smack. They circle, tie up again, and JD scoops! JD carries Lee around, with one arm! Then SLAM! JD dusts off his hands and the fans fire up more. Lee is a bit frustrated, but he fires himself up. The fans rally with him, he and JD circle to tie up. Lee goes to hip toss, but JD blocks! JD tells Lee he knows that’s not gonna work!

JD goes to hip toss but now Lee blocks! Lee arm-drags, then he goes to feint, but JD blocks with a headlock. Lee shoves JD, tries another arm-drag, but JD blocks that. JD whips Lee, Lee ducks ‘n’ dodges and arm-drags again! The fans fire up as Lee tries to scoop, but JD’s too hefty! JD SLAPS Lee, ROCKS him, then whips him to ropes. Lee ducks ‘n’ dodges again, shoves JD and hurdles! Lee drops, then DROPKICKS! JD staggers to a corner, Lee fires up, and the fans fire up with him! Lee runs up on JD in a corner to CHOP! JD barely flinches! JD puts his arms back and dares Lee to try again. Lee CHOPS, but JD puts Lee in the corner!

JD swings, Lee dodges and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Lee whips, JD reverses but Lee ELBOWS back! Lee runs up but into a lift, and FLAPJACK off buckles! Lee falls, the fans rally up, and JD dusts himself off. JD storms back up on Lee, brings him up, and the fans rally. JD ROCKS Lee, stands him up in the corner, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” while Lee sputters. The fans want that “One More Time!” so JD stands Lee up. JD winds up, to JAB! The fans boo JD trolling them, but JD stands Lee up to CHOP him after all! Lee is stinging, but JD brings him up. Lee throws body shots but JD ROCKS Lee!

JD whips, Lee sunset flips! JD stays up, but Lee avoids the hip drop! Ghost pin, TWO! JD gets up, kicks low and whips, to SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Lee stays in this and the fans rally up. JD sits Lee up, KICKS him in the back, then paces around. The fans rally for Lee but JD pie faces him around. Lee rises, JD brings him up and Lee CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! JD throat chops! The ref reprimands, JD claims he jabbed to the chest. JD then scoops and SLAMS Lee, to then FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Lee is still in this but JD CHOKES him! The ref counts, JD lets off, claiming he was just checking the pulse.

JD clamps on a chinlock, digging his knee into Lee’s back. Lee endures, the fans rally up, and Lee fights to his feet. Lee throws body shots, but JD knees low! JD suplexes but Lee slips free! Lee ROCKS JD, ROCKS him again, but JD CHOPS! JD runs, but Lee SUPERKICKS! JD flops out of the ring and the fans fire up! The fans rally as Lee builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up even more! Lee puts JD in, climbs a corner, and JD stands. JD staggers around, into the CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but then bails back out. Lee thinks on what he has to do and the fans rally up.

Lee runs, to slide, but JD gets under! JD pops Lee up to CLOBBER him! JD puts Lee in, aims from a corner, and Lee goes to the opposite end. JD runs up, but Lee moves, CANNONBALL hits buckles! Lee hurries up while JD is down! The fans cheer as Lee aims, FROG SPLASH, but JD moves! Lee rolls through, runs back at JD but JD puts him on the apron. JD ROCKS Lee, goes up, and he brings Lee around. The fans fire up as JD brings Lee up, but Lee fires body shots! Lee GAMANGIRIS, then climbs! Lee sunset flips for the POWERBOMB! The fans fire up and Lee climbs back up, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Lee wins!

Winner: Lee Johnson, by pinfall

Big Shotty’s got range, and he hit the mark! Will Lee take this momentum and turn it into another chance at a championship?

Abadon VS Allysin Kay!

Speaking of second chances, The Living Dead Girl got screwed out of the ROH Women’s World Television Championship when Mercedes Martinez & Diamante conspired against her. And while AK Don’t Play, she knows the OG Badass well. Can Abadon prepare for revenge by taking down Martinez’s greatest rival?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, but Abadon holds on, to BITE Allysin’s arm! Abadon then laughs, dodges Allysin to HEADBUTT low, HELL STAB, then mule kick! Abadon runs to SHOTGUN BOOT! Allysin goes to a corner while the fans rally up and Abadon shrieks! But Allysin BOOTS Abadon down! Allysin rains down fists, covers, ONE!! Abadon sits up but Allysin brings her around to fireman’s carry. SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Allysin drags Abadon up to TOSS her to a corner! Allysin fires body shots, then she CHOPS! Allysin whips corner to corner hard and Abadon bounces off buckles!

Allysin takes a bow, puts pinkies up, and SPLASHES in the corner! Allysin CHOPS, whips, and runs up again, but Abadon BOOTS her! Abadon runs to BULLDOG! The fans rally as Abadon slithers out to the apron then climbs up the corner. Allysin crawls, Abadon aims, CROSSBODY! Abadon runs to KNEE Allysin back down! Abadon storms up on Allysin, reels her in, BLACK DAHLIA! Cover, Abadon wins!

Winner: Abadon, by pinfall

Abadon smiles, then shrieks into the night! Will Mercedes Martinez make sure to stay far, far away from the frightening Living Dead Girl?

Backstage interview with Taya Valkyrie.

Lexi Nair is with La Wera Loca and brings up her trios match alongside Diamante and Leila Grey. But this is also the first time we’ve seen her since Supercard, where Johnny TV lost to Dalton Castle. The question is: where is Johnny? Uh, recovering from that vicious attack by Dalton Castle and his “special boy,” Paul Walter-Whatever! Taya is gonna call up Fran Dreischer to file a complaint! For someone so TV Ready, Castle and Paul sure don’t look it. So yes, Johnny is rehabbing. Wait he’s in rehab? Ew, no, who do you think they are? Johnny is rehabbing the abs! This is an aesthetics business so he has to look amazing!

So tonight, Taya will carry the weight of the TV Family in trios action. So run along, Lexi, Taya has things to do. Uh, this is Lexi’s interview space. Oh, well, her apologies. Taya bumps Lexi on the way out, but will Taya’s team win some major points in the title chase tonight?

The Infantry VS The Iron Savages w/Jacked Jameson!

Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo may not be the ROH World Tag Team Championships, but they are not deterred. Will they get through the jacked ‘n’ juicy juggernauts to go after The Undisputed Kingdom once again?

The teams sort out, #BadNewsAndTattoos starts against Beefcake Boulder, and they keep the Code of Honor. They tie up, Bravo tries but can’t push Boulder back, but Boulder pushes Bravo back! Bravo resets with Boulder, beefs up, and they tie up. Bravo wrenches to wristlock, but Boulder WRINGS Bravo out! Boulder talks smack on Dean and Bravo, but Bravo pie faces. Boulder scoops Bravo, but Bravo slips free to DROPKICK! Boulder stays up, runs up, but Dean is there to GAMANGIRI! Bravo tags Dean while Boulder throws a fit, but DOUBLE DROPKICKS send him reeling! Bulk Bronson tags but runs into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS!

The fans fire up as the Infantry crisscross and SPLIT the wishbone! Bravo gets fans going with “OORAH!” Dean runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson bails out, Boulder is there to help him, and Dean builds speed, only for Jacked Jameson to stand in the way! He wants Dean to sip the Savage Sauce! Dean says no thanks, but in comes Bronson! EXPLODER! Bravo protests but Bronson drags Dean to a cover. The ref is busy arguing, he finally sees the pin, TWO! Bronson is annoyed, but he mocks Bravo’s air machine gun. Bravo then tags Boulder before he brings Dean up. The fans rally but the Savages still hit a SHOULDER TACKLE SUPLEX COMBO!

Bronson flexes, Boulder taunts Bravo, and then Boulder whips Dean to the corner. Boulder wraps Dean’s arms around ropes to HEADBUTT again and again and again! Tag to Bronson, he brings Dean around, and they visit #TIDDYCITY! But Dean reverses, it’s Bronson who dives in! Boulder panics, runs up, but Dean DUMPS him! Bronson swings, misses, hot tag to Bravo! Bravo rallies on Bronson with big forearms! Bravo whips, Bronson reverses, but the CARLIE CROSSOVER takes Bronson down! Boulder gets up, Bravo fakes him out to SCISSOR KICK! Bravo then kicks Bronson, and manages a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Bravo pounds the mat, but now Jameson wants Bravo to sip! Bravo says no, get outta here! Bronson runs up again, Bravo dodges, and Bronson barely avoids hitting Jameson! Bravo aims, Bronson dodges, the SUPERKICK hits Jameson! Jameson spews sauce! Boulder catches Jameson, Dean goes up, and Dean CROSSBODIES to wipe them both out! But Bronson rolls Bravo up! TWO, and Bronson grabs Bravo, only for Bravo to kick low! Bravo reels Bronson in, tags Dean, and TORNADO- NO, Bronson stops the DDT! Dean gets in, Bronson scoops, but Dean slips free! Feed to a SUPERKICK!

The Infantry coordinate, for BOOT CAMP! Cover, Infantry wins!

Winners: The Infantry, by pinfall

Dean & Bravo redeem themselves from Supercard and are ready to get back on track! But wait, The Premier Athletes make their way out here! Is this what Smart Mark was talking about for phase two? Daivari & Nese rush the ring and start throwing hands with The Infantry! Woods tips the scales as he DECKS Dean, then DECKS Bravo! But wait! Here comes Dalton Castle! The Peacock won’t stand for there to be bullies, and he takes off his sandals to weaponize them! The Premier Athletes dare him to, but wait! Here comes Mark Briscoe, Bryan Keith and Lee Johnson! They run The Premier Athletes off!

Sterling shouts, “Who do you think you are?!” but he’s shouting at THE ROH World Champion and many other big names around here! Will The Peacock, the Chicken and the rest of ROH humble Sterling’s stable once and for all?

Six Woman Tag: Diamante, Leila Grey & Taya Valkyrie VS Kiera Hogan, Leyla Hirsch & Trish Adora!

The Cuban Diamond has staked her claim at challenging for the ROH Women’s World Television Championship, but so has The Hottest Flame. But let’s not forget The Last Baddie Standing, La Wera Loca, the LEGIT One and The AfroPunk! Billie Starkz still sees herself above all six of these women, but which trio takes the lead in the title chase with a win tonight?

The teams sort out, Taya starts against Kiera and the Code of Honor is upheld. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Kiera gets around to waistlock. Taya pries the hold, backs Kiera into a corner and throws elbows! Taya stomps away on Kiera, then says who’s the hottest now? Taya snapmares, covers, ONE!! Taya drags Kiera up, whips her to ropes, but Kiera holds ropes to BOOT back! Taya runs up again but Kiera drop toeholds her onto ropes! HIP ATTACK! Taya flounders, Kiera runs to step-up and LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Kiera keeps cool as she brings Taya up, but Taya ROCKS Kiera then throws her by her hair!

Taya tags Diamante, they stomp Kiera, then Diamante sucker punches Leyla! Diamante runs in to DROPKICK Kiera, then drags her to a high stack cover, ONE!! Kiera is tougher than that but Diamante says it’s just a matter of time. Diamante runs, PLANKING SPLASH flops as Kiera moves! Hot tag to Leyla! Leyla gut wrenches Diamante to GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Tag to Adora, then Leyla wrenches so she can hand it off to Adora. Adora WRINGS Diamante’s arm, drags her up and wrenches again, but Diamante ROCKS her! Adora swings, Diamante dodges to tilt-o-whirl and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Diamante snarls and pushes Adora down to rain down fists!

Diamante storms around, brings Adora up and CHOPS her on the back! Tag to Grey and she NECK SNAPPERS Adora! Cover, TWO! Adora is tougher than that but Grey rains down fists! Grey drags Adora up, bumps her off buckles, then tags Taya. Taya and Grey dig their boots in, then Taya stomps a mudhole. Taya sits Adora down to METEORA! Tag to Diamante and she stomps a mudhole! The ref reprimands but Diamante tags Taya back in. Taya steps over Adora and mockingly has Adora reach out to her corner. The ref has to keep Hirsch back so Grey gets shots in, then Taya drags Adora up.

Taya again mockingly holds out Adora’s hand but the fans rally up. Adora fights up, but Taya pulls her into the motorcycle stretch! Adora endures the knee in her back, fights up to her feet, and then arm-drags Taya away! Taya gets up, ducks ‘n’ dodges and mule kicks! But Adora ducks the buzzsaw to BASEMENT GERMAN! The fans fire up while both women are down! Adora and Taya crawl, hot tags to Kiera and Diamante! Kiera rallies on Diamante with big forearms, then a SUPERKICK! Turn and NECKBREAKER! Kiera goes up a corner while Diamante flounders around. Diamante stands, into a MISSILE DROPKICK!

Diamante flounders, Grey tags in but Kiera dodges to fire off forearms! Grey shoves back, but Kiera returns to SHOTGUN! Grey flounders, Kiera fires up, and says kiss this! HIP ATTACK in the corner! She sits Grey back down to run and BOOT WASH! Kiera drags Grey to a cover, Diamante breaks it! Diamante gets Grey outta there, and Taya tags in. Taya runs up to mule kick, KNEE LIFT and wrench Kiera, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Leyla also gets in, she pushes Taya around. Leyla drags Taya up but Diamante runs in. Leyla gets around to SAIDO! Taya gets Kiera up but Kiera SUPERKICKS!

Kiera brings Taya over, tags Adora, and they feed Taya to the BUBBA BOMB! Body scissor and GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Hot tag to Grey, she runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! Grey is frustrated but she gets Adora up. Underhooks, but Adora breaks that to fireman’s carry! Adora storms over, tags Hirsch, but Grey slips free! Leyla dodges Leila and feeds her to Adora’s BOOT! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Grey survives but Hirsch tags Kiera. Kiera runs, but Taya trips her up! Diamante distracts so the ref misses that! But then Leyla DIVES onto Taya! Diamante CANNONBALLS Leyla!

LARIAT TUBMAN from Adora to Diamante! Kiera dodges Grey to ROUNDHOUSE! And then “That’s all, PERIODT!” FACE THE MUSIC!! Bridging cover, Team Kiera wins!

Winners: Kiera Hogan, Leyla Hirsch & Trish Adora, by pinfall

It was fast ‘n’ furious in the end there, but the Hottest Flame burns it down! Will she be first up to strike a match with Billie Starkz?

Backstage interview with Maria Kanellis, Griff Garrison & Cole Karter.

Lexi is with the First Lady of Wrestling and her baby boys, the Diamond in the Rough wearing the stolen mask from Serpentico. Lexi congratulates them on their win over Spanish Announce Project at Supercard, but it seems there might be some unfinished business. Are they ever going to give Seprentico his masks back? Karter takes the mask off to say hell no! Griff says Serpentico’s masks mean a lot to him and his lucha libre culture. But uh, they don’t care! It got them the attention that they deserve, and those wins have been a stepping stone in this company.

If Serpentico wants his masks back, he doesn’t need to trick them into a match. They’re happy to beat the crap outta him anytime, anywhere! Maria loves the confidence, and says Griff will need it in his Proving Grounds match against THE ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe. Griff is all fired up, will the Ivy League MVP pass the test with flying colors? Or will he fail to #ManUp?

The Beast Mortos VS Nick Comoroto!

Black Taurus has evolved into something even more menacing than before, and he is looking to stampede all the way to the top of ROH! But Mr. Freak Beast has changed a lot about himself, too, in hopes of finding success. Whose transformation will prove to be for the better as these behemoths collide?

The Code of Honor is upheld reluctantly, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. The two tie up, go around, and Comoroto shoves Mortos down! Mortos gets up in a huff, gets in Comoroto’s face, but Comoroto pie faces him. So Mortos SLAPS Comoroto! Comoroto runs up, Mortos dodges, and they RAM shoulders! Mortos ducks ‘n’ dodges and jumps to RANA! Comoroto goes to a corner but Mortos runs in to UPPERCUT, CLOTHESLINE, and GAMANGIRI! Mortos wrenches and hits an ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Comoroto staggers, but he blocks the whip! Comoroto shoves Mortos, runs up, but Mortos dodges to then roll off Comoroto’s back!

Mortos tries to hip toss but Comoroto blocks! Comoroto LARIATS Mortos down then rains down fists! Fans are torn as Comoroto huffs ‘n’ puffs and stomps Mortos around. Comoroto digs his boot into Mortos’ face, lets off to soak up heat, then he drags Mortos up. Comoroto scoops to SLAM, then he runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Mortos pounds the mat in frustration. Comoroto slashes his throat, but Mortos throws body shots. Comoroto CLUBS Mortos, Alabama Lifts, but Mortos sunset flips! Comoroto stays up, hauls Mortos up, but Mortos JAWBREKAERS, KNEES and ROCKS Comoroto!

Mortos goes to suplex but Comoroto’s a big guy, too! Comoroto suplexes Mortos, but Mortos knees free! Mortos goes to a corner, Comoroto runs in but Mortos dropkicks the legs out! Comoroto hits buckles, then Mortos runs in, CORNER 619! Comoroto staggers away and Mortos climbs, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Comoroto still has power to spare and he storms up on Mortos. Mortos UPPERCUTS first! Mortos goes to whip but Comoroto blocks again! Comoroto whips Mortos to a corner, runs up, but Mortos slips out to the apron! Comoroto hits buckles, Mortos goes up, and the fans rally! MORTOS TWISTER! Cover, Mortos wins!

Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall

Comoroto is big and bad but this is a beast of a different breed! Will nothing stop the modern day minotaur from making ROH his domain? Will Jacoby Watts’ teachings ever pay off for Comoroto?

Backstage interview with Nick Comoroto.

Lexi is with Mr. Freakbeast as he returns backstage, and she asks him what his strategy will be moving forward after this tough loss. Jacoby Watts walks in to say, “Turn the page. Start a new chapter. Nothing changes if nothing changes, Nick. It’s a harsh reality. But I am your answer. Your beacon of hope in the darkness. Follow me and I will lead you into the light! For I am Jacoby Watts, the one and only, praise be to he, and he is me.” Watts waxes poetic while making himself the focus, but will Comoroto accept his guidance?

ROH World Championship Proving Ground Match: Mark Briscoe VS Griff Garrison w/ Cole Karter & Maria Kanellis!

The Sussex County Chicken won this title after a war with Eddie Kingston at Supercard, and those two are still going to be friends taking on The House of Black this Sunday! But will Mark be able to focus on tonight with Dynasty on the horizon? Or is this where Maria’s baby boys start building their kingdom?

Mark shows off the belt and its new camouflage patterned leather! The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans cheer on Mark as he circles with Griff. They tie up, Griff headlocks, but Mark powers up and out. Griff sunset flips, but Mark rolls through to drop on the headlock! Griff moves around, fights up, and powers up, but Mark holds tight! Mark hits the takeover, Griff headscissors, but Mark kips free. Roles reverse as Griff headlocks for the takeover, and Mark headscissors. Griff kips free, but Mark shows Redneck Kung-Fu stance and Griff scrambles away! The fans cheer but Maria coaches Griff back up.

Griff cools off, he and Mark reset, and the two circle again. They knuckle lock but Griff kicks low. Griff UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS again, then whips corner to corner. Mark goes up and out, SWATS the haymaker to REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUT! Then Mark gets in to BOOT Griff down! Griff is on ropes, Mark runs in to BOOT WASH him right outta the ring! The fans fire up as Mark builds speed, and he DIVES onto Griff! Not the cleanest landing but Mark borrows a hat to put it on! The fans fire up with Mark, he gives the hat back, then drags Griff up to DECK him! Mark drags Griff up again, to scoop and SLAM!

Griff sputters, Mark goes to the apron, and the fans fire up as Mark takes aim. But then Karter and Maria stand in the way! The fans boo, Mark sighs and steps inside, and Maria coaches Griff up. Griff flounders up, the fans rally behind Mark but then Karter and Maria each get on the apron! The ref is busy arguing with Maria but Karter distracts Mark. Griff sneaks in to CLOBBER Mark! Griff fires forearms while the fans boo, but then Griff stomps a mudhole into Mark. The ref counts as Griff digs his boots in, but Griff lets off at 4. But then that lets Karter CHOKE Mark behind the ref’s back!

The fans boo as Karter gets away with one, and Griff drags Mark up. Griff UPPERCUTS, but Mark CHOPS! Griff sputters, Mark CHOPS again! Griff knees low, whips Mark to a corner, but runs into an ELBOW! Mark runs up, into a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Griff clamps onto Mark with a chinlock and he grinds Mark down. The fans rally as Mark endures and fights up. Mark throws body shots, then fires up to CHOP! CHOP! And CHOP! Mark runs, but into the ROLLING ELBOW! Griff then torture racks for the TOWER HACKER BOMB! High stack, TWO! Mark survives and Griff is frustrated but Maria coaches him up.

The fans continue to rally behind Mark as Griff aims again. Griff goes up but Mark REDNECK UPPERCUTS! Griff gets caught up in ropes, Mark lets him loose so he can fall to the floor. Karter hurries over, but Mark goes up to PLANCHA both baby boys! The fans are thunderous, and Mark cracks open a can of WOOOOO Energy! Mark chugs it, bangs the can against his head, then gets Griff in the ring. The fans fire up as Mark runs corner to corner, but Griff BOOTS him! Mark comes back to LARIAT! The fans fire up, Mark reels Griff in, but Griff wrenches out, only for Mark to LARIAT! Mark hauls Griff up again for underhooks!

Mark lifts, for the JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!

Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (denies Griff Garrison a title opportunity)

Maria is upset but there’s nothing she can do, her baby boy wasn’t man enough to stop the NEW ROH World Champion! Will Mark continue to carry on his brother’s legacy and become one of the best champions in ROH history?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode of ROH for being 92 minutes. I still skipped some very clear filler, but Marti Belle got a good showing in her loss to Frost and The Dark Order got a good match out of Zak & Frank. Cruz, Damian & Savion got an okay showing but c’mon, they were against Archer & The Righteous, those guys have been running through everyone. It hasn’t really led them to anything yet, but maybe after we get undisputed AEW & ROH World Trios Champions after Dynasty, Archer & Righteous challenge the winners. And real good wins for Bryan Keith and Lee Johnson, each guy looking good towards midcard titles at some point.

Really good match from Infantry VS Savages, with the Savages being a bit more Heelish this time. Good win for Infantry, but I didn’t think The Premier Athletes would be going after them first. And I didn’t expect Faces like Keith, Lee and Briscoe to run out to get at them. Maybe the Premier Athletes can also position themselves to go after the trios titles after Dynasty. If The Acclaimed win, they’ll need Heel opponents. Archer & Righteous can play either side, but fans really like Archer so I kinda want him and Righteous to be Faces when facing Bang Bang Gang.

Good match and good win for Abadon over Allysin. Good win for Kiera, Leyla & Adora, though things got a little sloppy in the middle, Leyla’s timing wasn’t quite there. Athena & Billie are both Heels, so while Queen Aminata is in the mix, the champion she doesn’t choose still needs a good Face challenger so you can take your pick of the winners from tonight. Really good match from Mortos and Comoroto, and Mortos winning also helped serve Comoroto’s story with Watts. Watts keeps insisting he’s the answer, but this has to lead to Comoroto breaking free and beating Watts up for his arrogance.

Good promo from Maria, Griff & Karter, and they just kinda copy-pasted Mark Briscoe’s promo from Collision that same Saturday. Really good match for Griff against Mark but of course Mark wins. Mark getting involved with Premier Athletes, maybe Woods or Nese get a shot at Mark only to lose and be Mark’s solid first defense. Not sure who could be a more prolonged feud with Mark, but there are plenty of possibilities, and I’m just happy to see him showing up on ROH TV as the ROH World Champion should.