Coverage

Mitchell’s Ring of Honor Report! (11/18/17)

Published

7 years ago

November 24, 2017

Steven Mitchell

ROH WRESTLING TELEVISION, EPISODE 322

All images courtesy of ROH’s official website video stream

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Jay White VS Matt Taven w/ The Kingdom; Taven wins.
ROH World Television Championship Contender Series: Shane Taylor VS Cheeseburger; Taylor wins and joins the ROH WTVC Elimination 4 Way at Final Battle.
Dalton Castle VS “Hangman” Adam Page; Castle wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jay White VS Matt Taven w/ The Kingdom!

The Kingdom still claims there’s a conspiracy against them in ROH, and claim they should be the #1 contenders the the ROH World Tag Team Championships, not Best Friends, Trent Baretta & Chuck Taylor. As such, it makes perfect sense to the ringleader to have a match against Team Search & Destroy’s Kiwi Kid. Even before the bell, Taven gives White a stiff right punch and many stomps. After the bell and the official start of this match, the ref backs Taven off, Taven keeps on White with more stiff rights. Corner to corner whip reversed but Taven goes up and over, White gets him with an uppercut. Now White chops and whips but is reversed, he gives a big forearm to floor Tavne, then more stiff chops. Taven chops back but White is pretty tough, he dropkicks Taven right down. White puts Taven in the Indian Deathlock and bridges, Muda Lock!

Taven endures the stretch, The Kingdom cheers for their leader, and Taven gets the ropebreak. The Kingdom applauds and then rallies for Taven, they’re the only ones. White puts Taven in a corner, gives a stiff chop, then whips but is reversed, White goes up but Taven catches him to hang him up on the top rope by the kiwis. Taven then triangle jump enziguri knocks White down! He embraces the heat as fans build to a rally, Taven runs but White dodges the dropkick, White builds speed and DIVES! Both Philly and White are fired up as we go to break!

Upon return, Taven has control again as he and White brawl, Taven whips White to a corner but then misses his corner splash, White rolls him up, stiff chop to Taven’s chest. Taven ducks the next one, snapmare but then stiff strikes from White right back, both men down from exhaustion. Fans applaud as White gets up, the Kingdom rallies for Taven but White gets Taven on the apron, European Uppercut after European Upperct rocks Taven, The Kingdom protests but the ref is telling them to keep back. The Kingdom decides to take action, but Vinnie Marseglia takes a EuroUpper, and then so does TK O’Ryan. With the Horror King and the Sassy Wild Horse taken care of, White returns to Taven, brainbuster to the apron!

The fans are loving White’s merciless use of the apron’s edge, chanting his name as he gets back in the ring. The Kingdom gets Taven back in, but White is ready, big EuroUpper in the corner, Saido Suplex! TWO, but White is not frustrated just yet. He drags Taven up, Taven blocks the suplex so White chops Taven again. White lifts Taven but Taven rakes the eyes, then gives stiff strikes of his own. Taven runs, ducks, heel kick knocks White down. Taven gets to a corner, runs, springboard but misses the Lionsault, White get started on his single underhook Three Amigos. First amigo, second amigo, and for the third… Taven powers White to a corner.

White still holds on and wants that third, but Taven slips out into an arm wrench. White breaks the connection then brings Taven in for a DDT! He stalks Taven, deadlift waistlock, German Suplex! TWO, and now White is frustrated. The ref tells The Kingdom to stay back as White gets up again. He brings Taven up, O’Ryan is on the apron and spits at White! Vinnie slides O’Ryan’s baseball bat to Taven, Taven takes a swing at White but White ducks and rolls Taven up, TWO!

White rocks O’Ryan, Taven spins him around, spinning neckbreaker! Taven gets up and climbs to the top rope, takes aim, Frog Splash hits knees! White covers Taven, TWO. Vinnie distracts but gets knocked down, Taven goes for Climax but is pushed away, White brings Taven into the Sambo Suplex, TWO! So very close, but White keeps going as he goes up top. Vinnie again with that Ax, but it’s O’Ryan with his bat that trips White up! Taven drapes White out for a SUPER Climax! Cover, and Taven wins one for the Kingdom!

Winner: Matt Taven, by pinfall

However, The Kingdom isn’t done, Taven sicks Vinnie and O’Ryan on White. They stomp and choke White, and Vinnie even readies his ax!! Thankfully, Team Search & Destroy comes to the rescue of their friend! Jonathan Gresham and the Motor City Machine Guns run The Kingdom off! The Kingdom may cry conspiracy, but they’re the ones plotting against anything related to Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin. Will the MCMG shut The Kingdom up in time to prepare for the Best Friends?

Flip Gordon looks to recruit ROH talent to the #FlipArmy.

And he starts with guys who understand being beaten up and beaten down by The Bullet Club, in Team Coast 2 Coast. Flip asks Leon St. Giovanni and Shaheem Ali to help out, because Flip is sure sick and tired of The Bullet Club bullying him. He is looking for guys with nothing to lose and everything to gain, and his first choices are them. What do they say? Did it before, do it again. And seeing as how Flip’s from the West Coast and they’re from the East, now these three truly are Coast 2 Coast. However, to match The Bullet Club, they need a fourth man, and they all have someone in mind. Who will the Flip Army’s fourth man be?

ROH World Television Championship Contender Series: Shane Taylor VS Cheeseburger!

The K I N G of ROH wants competition, and he already knows Punishment Martinez will meet him in New York, New York. Will the Notorious Hitman or the lovable underdog be the second contender to step to the throne? Caprice Coleman is ringside on commentary for this one, as he is an old friend to Taylor and wishes to support him. Fans are strongly behind Cheeseburger, the bell rings and Taylor tells Burger to get out now while he can. Burger wants to fight, so he shoves Taylor. Taylor keeps trying to make things easier on Burger, but another shove from the smaller man and Taylor shoves him to the corner with one arm! Taylor feels a bit bad about that, but he tried to tell Burger.

The fans rally for Burger, Taylor says that’s not a good idea. Burger slaps Taylor, that was worse. Taylor whips Burger, Burger tilt-o-whirls into a sleeper hold! Fans are fired up as Burger keeps that hold on tight. Taylor uses pure power to snapmare Burger off, SUPERKICK from Burger! Yet Taylor stays standing. If anything, that’s only upset Taylor more. Another SUPERKICK, then Burger powers up and runs, ducks, SHOTEI! Taylor staggers to a corner, Burger wants to keep going. But this time, Taylor puts Burger down with a Choke Slam! Standing pin, TWO! Fans are fired up for Burger and his super sized heart. Burger gets to his knees, daring Taylor to finish this. Stiff haymaker from Taylor, one handed cover, Taylor wins.

Winner: Shane Taylor, by pinfall

Fans boo but there’s nothing they can do, the Hitman is coming for Kenny King’s ROH World Television Championship.

However, The Dawgs, Big Rhett Titus and Lil’ Willie Ferrara are here to ask Taylor for a favor.

The Dawgs have a proposition for the Hitman. Ferrara has a “tall pint of pennies” all for Taylor, if he ends Cheeseburger for good! What does he say? Taylor doesn’t do anything for chump change from a chump, he takes that pint and pours it out on Ferrara’s head. Ferrara doesn’t appreciate his “copper shower”, The Dawgs will dig into Burger themselves. But Taylor gets in their way! The Dawgs have second thoughts about this, they decide to wait for another time and place. Will Burger be bullied by Big Rhett & Lil’ Willie? Will Taylor get a major payday at Final Battle?

There is dissension and tension between the Briscoe Brothers.

It has always been Mark Briscoe’s dream to become ROH World Television Champion, the same way his brother Jay was once ROH World Heavyweight Champion. Mark earned a 1v1 title match with Kenny King, and thought his brother was on his side. Turns out, not so much. Jay literally threw in the towel for Mark before the match had even lasted 30 seconds! Mark couldn’t believe it, Kenny King couldn’t believe it, the fans couldn’t believe it, and everyone just wants to know, “Why, Jay, Why?”

The Last Real Man speaks on his upcoming match with Jonathan Gresham.

“It’s not every day that Ring of Honor World TV title opportunities come knocking” on Silas Young’s door, but when they do, he’s ready to “kick it in and take what’s mine.” Gresham is the one man between Silas and that opportunity. As good as The Octopus is, he’s still going to wake up and see Silas with his hand raised, and know why Silas is the Last Real Man. Will Silas do as he said? Or will Search & Destroy’s Octopus surprise him?

Flip Army finds their fourth man!

It’s Scorpio Sky! They explain the situation, and he knows first-hand how bad The Bullet Club can be, so he’s in! Can this army of four humble The Bullet Club once and for all?

Dalton Castle VS “Hangman” Adam Page!

Seeing as how The Peacock wants to challenge the American Nightmare for the ROH World Heavyweight Championship, the ROH World Heavyweight Champion is on commentary. The American Nightmare wants to watch his Problem Solver take care of his contender before every coming close to a match at Final Battle, will his Christmas wish come early?

Cody comes over to give Page one last pep talk, but before he can, The Peacock DIVES! The champ runs away, so Castle keeps on Page all around the outside, putting Page hard into barriers! Then a suplex to the floor, Castle is all fired up and so are the fans. Castle puts Page in the ring and stalks him at the ropes, single underhook suplex. Page gets out, Castle runs again, not to dive but to strut! Peacock has Page on the defensive, we go to break.

We come back to see Page throw Castle into a barrier, in return for what Castle did to him earlier. Page drags Castle up and throws him into more barriers, then resets the ring count so he can climb up top. SUPER Asai Moonsault topples Castle down! Cody applauds, as do the fans, and Page gets Castle up and into the ring. Page keeps on Castle by putting him in a corner but Castle crawls out, Page stomps him down. Castle fights back, but Page keeps him cornered with strikes, then grinds a forearm into Castle’s face. The ref backs Page back, but Page winds up to yank Castle into the top rope. Page fish hooks Castle’s jaw, but lets go at 4 and Castle gets away from the ring.

Hangman pursues, ripping Castle’s shirt off to give a stiff chop. Castle is whipped at the apron but he spins around for a lariat, which Page sees coming, ducking it to ram Castle back into barriers. Castle is bent back on that barrier, Page drags him back into the ring. Page chops Castle again, putting him in a corner, then gives him an even sharper chop. Castle gets mad now, putting Page on the apron, but Page forearms him away to climb up, only for Castle to kick out a leg. From the apron now, Castle runs corner adjacent for a big knee strike that sends Page tumbling down! Castle throws Page into more barriers, then gives him a back suplex onto the apron edge.

Page is sore as Castle joins him in the ring, The Peacock glares at Cody. Cody tells him to focus on Page, Page runs in at Castle but gets a waistlock suplex, then a gutwrench suplex, and then a single-leg suplex! Castle’s all fired up again and tells off that “son of a bitch” Cody! Cody keeps his cool as Castle keeps on Page, waistlock hold but Page resists. Castle grabs an arm, hammers away on the hand, and then brings that arm around for a keylock. Page fights against whatever Castle is after, getting a ropebreak as we go to one more break.

We return this time to find Page has turned things around during the commercials and is now in control of Castle. He tries to get Castle up but Castle resists, sunset flip but roll-through, stiff right from Page. Waistlock but standing switch, German suplex but Page lands on his feet, SUPERKICK! Page spins around for a forearm but Castle blocks and spins him into a back elbow and forearm, saido suplex on top! Corner to corner, but Page boots Castle away, runs out but into BANGARANG! Castle covers, but Cody yanks the referee out of the ring before the obvious three count that was coming! The referee is furious with the ROH WHC, Page gets himself to a corner as The Peacock pursues the American Nightmare. Cody doesn’t want a fight right now, he runs away and Castle gives chase around the ring, Page with the Shooting Star shoulder tackle!

Fans are going wild as Page puts Castle in, slingshot for the Buck– no wait, BANGA– no! Page slips out, gets Castle up for Rite of Passage but Castle slips out of that, as well. Cody on the apron as Page lands out of the gutwrench to give Castle a stiff forearm. Castle staggers back, Cody grabs hold of him for Page! But The Peacock ducks, Cody takes the forearm! German Suplex Bridge, roll over, into a Keylock Sleeper! Page taps, Castle wins!

Winner: Dalton Castle, by submission

The Peacock stumps the Problem Solver, and he points right at Cody. The world champion knows Castle is still coming for him at Final Battle, so he gets on the apron and acts like he’s going to face Castle himself now. But that really is only an act, Hangman gets a chopblock on Castle! Only now that Castle is vulnerable will Cody get in the ring. Cody stomps away on Castle, he shows off his ring of honor and has Page stand Castle up. A stiff punch with the ring to Castle’s head, and Cody makes him kiss it. Cody and Page take their leave and leave Castle behind, has Cody cleared his calendar all the way to Christmas?

ROH takes a look at Bully Ray’s situation in Pro Wrestling.

The shot to the head he took from Jay Briscoe was perhaps the straw that broke the camel’s back. After a long career of extreme matches, the ECW original and former ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champion can’t risk anything more. Tommy Dreamer voiced his own guilt over his part in all that. There is nothing more Bully would rather do than say he’ll get his revenge on Jay, but Bully isn’t even sure if he can ever wrestle again. For the first time ever, Bully is considering retiring. He wanted to be a part of ROH so badly, but now, no one can be sure. If his last match really was his last match, Bully Ray wishes to thank God he was able to have it in an ROH ring. The fans replied, “Thank you, Bubba!” as they are just as unsure.

But Bully Ray is here!

Philadelphia is the city where it all began for him, so he wants to say what he has to say while ROH is still in town. Bully made it a point to be on the street to greet fans of ROH and Bully alike, to remind himself that he never forgot where he came from. Everyone talks about Madison Square Garden, the Tokyo Dome or the Staples Center, but 2300 Arena is “the building that changed professional wrestling forever!” Philly knows exactly what he means, “E C DUB!” echoes throughout the arena. Bully Ray is proud of those three letters, and is just as proud of the letters “R O H.” Fans agree and chant for ROH now. Bully has a formal list of notes to address. He gets his “reading” glasses out, too.

Bubba is truly back as he realizes after writing all this down, “Who the Hell needs a script?” He’ll do what he’s always done, every single time, “shoot straight.” He really doesn’t have much else to say, everyone knows the deal: “It’s time.” Be happy for him, because he is happy for himself. Fans let Bubba/Bully know “We will miss you!” and he appreciates that, because he’ll miss them. He’s still under contract to ROH to stick around and help out where he can, because he “truly, truly” believes in ROH just like he did ECW, “there’s nothing but great things on the horizon”, thank you everyone. A bow and tip of the hat from Bubba gets a standing ovation from the fans, and in comes Mr. Joe Koff, COO of ROH.

“Every day is a dream for me when I’m in Ring of Honor, but when you came into the organization,” Koff realized more of his dream. He welcomes Bully into this company and everything Bully has to offer, because “We love you, Bully Ray”. However, one man who might not welcome Bubba is Jay Briscoe, who is coming down the ramp.

Things are suddenly tense now as Jay gets in the ring. Jay can’t believe Bully Ray, the legend, is going out like this. Jay tells Bully that he’s nothing but a bitch. He disrespects Bully by tossing his hat off. Koff tries to get security out here but they’re slow to responding, so Bully gets ready for a fight! Koff tries to keep the peace but fans want to see Bully beat up Jay one last time. Jay escalates by spitting on Bully’s face! Koff shoves Jay?! The boss is trying to get Jay to stop, everyone from ring announcer to security comes in to keep Koff safe from Jay, but they leave Bully open to a blindside from behind!

Bully goes down in a heap, Jay isn’t done there! He grabs a chair, brings it into the ring, and as Philly boos, in comes Tommy Dreamer! Not only that, but Velvet Sky, Bully Ray’s girlfriend, comes in to shield Bully from whatever Jay might do. Dreamer tries to talk sense into Jay, Jay won’t back down. Dreamer vows Jay better stop now or else, and even Mark Briscoe comes in. Mark takes the chair from Jay and tosses it aside, backing Jay down as a brother. But then, Mark kicks Dreamer in the balls!?

Down goes Dreamer, “Why, Mark, Why?!” But it doesn’t matter why, the fact of the matter is that Jay is open to SMACK Dreamer with that chair. Somehow the Briscoes are on the same side as they scare and intimidate Velvet. “Do you know who we are?!” Velvet is tossed aside, she can only watch helplessly as The Briscoes take aim at Bully Ray. Bully somehow stands up and turns around, to be put into his own legendary move, The 3D!! Bubba is down again, and Jay even blows his nose on him! This is the most extreme example of “adding insult to injury”, Philly is furious with the Briscoes, what will be the consequences of life-threatening disrespect?!

My Thoughts:

What a great episode of ROH with quite a powerful ending. The Kingdom continues the trend of going after MCMG’s friends, this will surely egg Shelley & Sabin into a tag team title defense they don’t have to give, winner moving on to face Best Friends at Final Battle. I estimate it’ll end up being The Kingdom winning to make Final Battle a Heel VS Face match to make it all the better when Best Friends win the titles.

Obviously Shane Taylor was going to beat Cheeseburger, but I like that he’s staying in Tweener territory as he won’t let full Heels like The Dawgs manipulate him or get away with Heel things like beating up Burger. Given that Kenny King is face and Martinez is Heel, Taylor joining means Silas Young will likely win against Jonathan Gresham, especially with The Kingdom messing with Search & Destroy members. This will make the Fatal 4 Way a mostly 2:2 Heel to Face ratio, and still anyone’s win as all four guys are definitely at the top of the ROH mid-card.

I like Flip Gordon’s choices for his #FlipArmy, because it is logical Scorpio Sky, Shaheem Ali & Leon St. Giovanni to want at The Bullet Club and are on good terms with Gordon, they’ll make a great combination against The Young Bucks and any other two Bullet Club members in next week’s episode 323. Castle VS Page was a great match, Castle still wins even with Cody trying to screw him over but Cody beats Castle down to keep the 50-50 booking tied this far out from Final Battle. Still hoping the Boys have an epic return myself.

And then I did not see Mark Briscoe’s swerve and Heel turn coming, I thought this was going to be Briscoe VS Briscoe since they couldn’t have Briscoes VS Dudleys. Instead, Bubba takes two nasty bumps (which means his head trauma concerns must not be that bad in reality) and Dreamer is also dragged further into this. Perhaps Dreamer will find an ECW original to join him in a match against the Briscoes to be the blow-off for Bubba’s story with them. I’m hoping for D-Von, it just makes sense.

My Score: 8.5/10

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Coverage

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Will Tiffy Time be cut short?

Published

2 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Steven Mitchell

DING DONG, Hello, Tiffany!

Tiffanny Stratton just won the WWE Women’s Championship but she’s already defending it against Bayley! Will the Role Model be back on top?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae; Bianca & Naomi win.
Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes; Jimmy wins, by disqualification.
Motor City Machine Guns VS Los Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma; MCMG wins.
Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green VS B-Fab w/ Mia Yim; Piper wins.
Rey Mysterio VS Kevin Owens; wins.
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Bayley; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

Rey Mysterio is here!

San Diego fires up for the hometown hero as he makes his entrance! The King of Lucha high-fives fans along the ramp, and hugs his wife and daughter, before stepping in the ring. Rey grabs himself a mic, the fans chant “619! 619!” and he smiles. Rey tells San Diego, “Bien venidos, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! This is the home of the 6! 1! 9!” The fans cheer, and Rey says no cap, it feels great to be back home in front of his people, his Raza, his city, and his familia. Rey requested to be here tonight because he couldn’t think of a better place to reminisce as he gets ready to do the impossible once again.

Rey officially declares for the 2025 Royal Rumble! The arena is shaking hearing that! Rey wants to look back: 2006, he entered the Rumble at #2, outlasted 28 other superstars, and became the Royal Rumble winner! And it didn’t end there. he went on to main event WrestleMania, and he became the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Now, Rey won’t lie, he will be realistic. The competition is heavy this year: Drew McIntyre, who fans boo. CM Punk, who fans cheer; Seth Rollins, who fans are torn on; Roman Reigns, who fans cheer; John Cena, who fans also cheer. It will be tough, but let’s remember back to when he won.

It was 2006, and Rey did it for a friend we all know very well. The fans chant for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” But wait! Kevin Owens makes his way out here! The Prizefighter, still holding onto the winged eagle title belt, showing off his new shirt: The Canadian Dream, Son of a Security System Technician. Kevin has a mic, too, and while fans boo, he tells Rey, “Lemme start off by saying I’m very sorry for coming out here and interrupting you> I mean it, okay? But I had to come out here. Because I heard you just now talking about how you were gonna win the Royal Rumble.

“And Rey, I mean this from the bottom of my heart. It’s never been a secret. There’s a lot of people in this industry that I respect quite a bit, but very few I respect as much as I respect you. In fact, I’ll even go so far as saying there’s nobody in this industry that I respect as much as I respect you.” The fans do cheer that, and Kevin says he has had an incredible career, he’s accomplished things he’s dreamed of since he was a kid. He has main evented WrestleMania with Steve Austin. He won the tag team titles with his then best friend, Sami Zayn. He won countless other tiles, and now he gets to stand here with THIS title!

The fans boo but Kevin says this is the title that as a kid, he saw all his idols win. This is the title he dreamed of winning, and now he stands here as the TRUE, RIGHTFUL WWE Champion! The fans boo again but Kevin says there is one thing left for him to accomplish so that he can truly feel his career is complete. And that is to step into the ring and have a 1v1 match with the legendary Rey Mysterio. The fans like that idea, and Kevin says face to face, man to man, he hopes Rey wins the Rumble! Kevin will root for Rey with everything he has! Rey can and will beat “all those other idiots.”

But just promise Kevin one thing. After Rey wins the Rumble, promise that Kevin is the champion he picks for WrestleMania so that Kevin can have his dream match. Rey takes a moment, and he tells Kevin that we all know Rey loves competition. But… Kevin’s not the champion. The fans cheer that! Rey means that with all due respect, but Cody Rhodes is the champion. But, but, here’s this. If Rey wins the Rumble, and if Kevin wins the title, then yes, Rey will gladly face him for the title. Kevin takes a moment, and repeats, “I’m not the champion? I AM THE CHAMPION! This is my title! I earned it! I deserve it!”

The fans boo but Kevin says Cody has Rey brainwashed, too! Does Rey have bleached blonde hair under that mask? Is it seeping into his brain? Rey wants Kevin to calm down. What’s going on? Drew McIntyre, now Kevin, he’s acting so delusional! It’s reminding him of Dominik. Oh…! Kevin swings on Rey! Rey dodges to fire hands in return! They brawl, Kevin shoves Rey but Rey dropkicks the legs! Kevin is on the ropes, but he bails out before the 619! The fans boo but Kevin is the one offended. Will Kevin be able to let this go so he can focus on Cody?

Bianca Belair meets up with Naomi backstage.

Bianca asks if Naomi finished with Nick Aldis. She did. Any updates? No! No lead on Jade’s attacker. Nothing? Wow. But that’s okay, they’ll keep pushing forward. They will handle Nia & Candice, but Bianca just wants to make sure they’re good after the mishap last week. It wasn’t on Bianca, that was Candice. Naomi knows that. Plus, they have to focus. It may not be Tiffany, but they can at least get some lick back on Candice & Nia. And they still have their gold! Bianca says that’s true. Ready to go? Naomi says maybe Bianca should wrap her up. That way, last week won’t happen again. Bianca agrees, and she hurries to wrap the braid into a bun.

Now they’re good. The StrongEST Glow heads out, will they be able to get past the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie? Or will they soon be owing some golden tickets to the Queen of the Ring and her new sidekick?

Nick Aldis talks with Rey Mysterio.

After what we saw with Kevin, and since they are in San Diego, we have to have Rey on the card. Rey VS KO happens 1v1! Rey thanks Aldis and promises to handle business. And then Cody Rhodes walks in! The American Nightmare tells Rey he saw what happened while he was going through his physical. Cody says he would’ve been out there to help, but Rey says it’s nota big deal. It is handled, Rey VS Kevin is happening. Cody just needs to heal up. Rey can handle his problems, and will leave something for Cody at the Royal Rumble. Rey fist bumps and heads out. Aldis tells Cody that Rey has a point, Cody needs to be careful.

That said, what’d the doctors have to say? Cody says he has a clean bill of health, fully cleared, and Aldis can read the report himself. Aldis says he trusts Cody, he just doesn’t know if that’s good news. There is a lot of time between now and the Rumble, and even more so to WrestleMania. But with that in mind, Aldis has an addendum to the ladder match. Cody needs to sign it, as does Kevin, because they cannot have what happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event happen ever again. Cody asks if Kevin’s signed it yet. Kevin was Aldis’ next stop. Then Cody will sign it once Kevin has. Cody heads out, will Aldis be able to get what he wants out of this?

Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!

SmackDown returns as Bianca & Naomi make their entrances. The teams sort out and Nia steps to Bianca, only to CLOBBER Naomi! Candice joins in to mug Bianca, but the fans boo. The ref reprimands, Candice backs off, and Nia soaks up the heat. Naomi throws Bianca down, talks more trash, then HEADBUTTS Bianca down. Nia drags Bianca up, tags Candice, but Bianca fights back. Nia CLUBS Bianca, Candice wrenches, but Bianca runs Candice over! And runs her over again! Bianca suplexes, holds Candice up, then SLAMS her down! The fans fire up as Bianca kips up, and she runs up to RAM Candice!

Bianca then climbs to rain down fists! The fans count along, Bianca goes all the way to TEN! Nia storms in, but Bianca flips up and over! Nia runs into Candice, then turns around into Bianca’s DROPKICK! Bianca runs up but Candice BOOTS her! Candice goes up, but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca military presses Candice, and she THRWOS her out onto Nia! Nia & Candice fall, the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Bianca flexes, then waits on Nia & Candice. Bianca’s braid has unrolled so Bianca swings it to rally the fans. Bianca then goes out to fetch Candice, shoves her into the ring, but Nia anchors Bianca’s feet! Candice DROPKICKS Candice down! Cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS away on Bianca, then scuffs her. Candice stalks Bianca to a corner, KNEES her down, then steps on her to DOUBLE STOMP! Tag to Nia, and Nia stalks Bianca. Nia makes Bianca smile with fishhooks, then HIP DROPS her down! Nia swings the braid around to mock Bianca, and even intimidate the ref. Bianca gets her braid free to SMACK away on Nia!

Bianca LASHES Nia more, backing her down, then she runs. Bianca SHOTGUNS Nia, Nia rebounds, but Bianca avoids the elbow drop! Cover, ONE!! Nia CLOBBERS Bianca at the ropes! Nia argues with the ref, taunts Naomi, then soaks up the heat. Tag to Candice and Candice kicks Bianca around. Candice SMACKS Bianca off the apron, pushes her in, then CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Candice CLOBBERS Bianca again, then digs her knee in for a half Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch! Bianca endures, fights around, reaches back, and she pulls Candice’s hair! Bianca and Candice fire forearms, but Candice DECKS Bianca! Cover, TWO!

Candice is frustrated but she KNEES Bianca in the side. Candice stomps Bianca more, KNEES her down, then has her on the ropes. The ref counts but Candice bends Bianca back! Candice lets go at 4, SmackDown returns to single picture,. and Candice brings Bianca up. Bianca rolls Candice up, TWO! Candice ENZIGIRIS Bianca down! Candice hurries to a corner and goes up, to then CROSSBODY! But Bianca rolls through! The fans fire up as Bianca lifts, but Candice slips free! Candice pulls the braid! Bianca uses that to reel Candice in for an ELBOW! But Candice grabs the braid to throw Bianca down! Both women are down and the fans fire up!

Bianca and Candice crawl, Candice goes to Bianca! STEP-UP- NO! Bianca avoids the senton! But Nia YANKS Naomi down from the outside! The fans boo but Nia sends Naomi into barriers! Candice stands Bianca up, but Bianca rolls her again! TWO, and Candice SUPERKICKS Bianca down! Candice hurries to the corner, tag to Nia. Nia storms up on Bianca, mockingly reaching out to Naomi, and then CLUBS Bianca! Nia whips, LARIATS, and SAMOAN DROPS! Bianca sputters and goes to the corner, but Nia runs up! Bianca BOOTS Nia first! Bianca ELBOWS Candice, dodges Nia, then RAMS into her! Candice grabs the braid!

Bianca whips Candice into the POST! Bianca climbs, but Nia ROCKS her! Nia climbs up after Bianca, fireman’s carries, but Bianca CLUBS away! Bianca is safe, she shoves Nia away, then CROSSBODIES! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Naomi returns! Bianca crawls, hot tag to Naomi! The fans fire up as Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Nia away, then slingshots for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia still has a lot left in the tank but Naomi HAMMERS away on her! Nia shoves Naomi away, runs up, but Naomi dodges! Nia POSTS herself, falls back, and Naomi goes up! SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Candice breaks it!

Naomi ENZIGIRIS Candice for it! Tag to Bianca and the tag champs go after Nia. Nia fights back, SAMOAN DROP for Naomi! The fans boo but Nia looms over Bianca. Nia runs, Candice sneaks a tag, and Bianca dodges! Bianca SPEARS Nia! Bianca runs, handsprings, but Candice DROPKICKS her down! STEP-UP SENTON! Nia rises, she adds a SENTON of her own! Candice covers, TWO!! Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Candice can’t believe it, but San Diego declares, “This is Awesome!” Candice storms around, snarls, then runs up at Bianca. Bianca ALLEY-OOPS her onto buckles! Then SPINEBUSTERS her down!

Bianca runs, handsprings, and MOONSAULTS! But Nia runs up! Bianca dodges, LEG DROP hits Candice!! Nia panics, runs up on Bianca, but Bianca tosses her out! LARIAT and down goes Bianca! Naomi tags for the BUBBA BOMB! Gedo clutch, Naomi & Bianca win!

Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall

The tag champs find a way to survive, but now they’ll have to meet NXT’s Meta Four on January 28th! NXT goes on the road to Atlanta, Georgia, will Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson be bringing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships home as souvenirs? Or will they only feel the StrongEST Glow?

Pregame interview with Bayley.

Byron Saxton walked through an empty Pechanga Arena with The Role Model before the show, and noted how last week, Bayley won the Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s match. Now, we’re in San Diego, with a sold out crowd as Bayley challenges Tiffany Stratton for the title. What does this match mean to her? Well, sold out here in her home state, that is what dreams are made of. We all dream about being in the main event and fighting for a championship. This is a huge night for her. Thinking on her career, this time last year, she won the 2024 Royal Rumble and earned a guaranteed championship opportunity.

Bayley would challenge former friend, Iyo Sky, someone she respects so much in this business. That felt like the peak of Bayley’s career, where she was going to do something different and change the world. To be honest, she isn’t sure she fulfilled her potential during that reign. Yes, she defended the title, took it all over the world, but she always felt she was just winning by the skin of her teeth. She’s a perfectionist, she loves wrestling so much. And so, that reign was certainly cut short when Tiffany helped Nia take that title from Bayley. Tonight is a big night for her.

Then how does tonight feel different from past opportunities in regaining the title? Well, we’ve seen what Tiffany has done this past year, and she just showed she’s willing to turn on her friends to get to the “Tiffy Top,” as she puts it. Part of Bayley respects her, but the other part wants to beat Tiffy that much more. Tonight, it’s personal. Byron wishes Bayley luck and they shake hands. Will this be a big first defense for Tiffy? Or will it be a big comeback for the former Grand Slam Champion?

Mia Yim talks with B-Fab backstage.

Michin just knows she would’ve had Chelsea Green if not for Piper Niven. They always gotta use numbers! B-Fab knows how they do. That US Championship should’ve been Mia’s! B-Fab tells Mia to keep her head up, because she’ll get another shot to take down sleazy- Piper Niven walks in being all Secret Service. Piper says the room is clear, no threats to the champion. Chelsea walks in, thanks “Spicy Service,” and says B-Fab and “Mimi” should stand up and properly congratulate her as the only woman to successfully defend this title. B-Fab says Chelsea please. We all know that if it wasn’t for Piper the Mall Cop, Chelsea would not be champion.

Piper steps up and tells B-Fab that if she takes another step closer, it’ll be her last. If that’s how Piper wants to play it, then how about this? B-Fab will talk with Aldis, then she and Piper can handle their problem tonight. Then after Piper, Chelsea better watch her back. Mia says that is a threat. Mia follows B-Fab, Chelsea tells Piper to neutralize B-Fab. Piper agrees. But just how will this shake out when Piper’s the one in action?

Jimmy Uso heads to gorilla.

“San Diego! The goal tonight is to make sure Carmelo stays missing. Hey, ya boi got something to prove! Hey, I’m proud of The Yeet Man. My brother got his own title match coming up, and it’s time to go get mine. But it starts tonight with Carmelo. Hey yo, Uce, between me and you, Big Jim is Him!” Jimmy heads out to the ring, will he prove he’s just as worthy of golden opportunities?

Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes!

SmackDown returns as Melo makes his entrance. Melo has a mic to tell Big Jim that he wants to get this straight. Roman’s in the Rumble, Jey’s got a world title match, and what’s Jimmy got? It just seems like Jimmy is living in the shadow of his brother who is living in the shadow of Roman Reigns. But for some reason, Jimmy’s taking shots at H1M? Then here’s a serious question: How can Jimmy take shots when he’s sitting on the bench? Do Melo a favor: Lace up those shoes real tight, Unc, because you’re about to see that Melo Don’t Miss. But then Jimmy TOSSES Melo into the ring! Jimmy borrows those sunglasses, then he fires haymakers!

The fans fire up as Jimmy pops, locks ‘n’ ROCKS Melo! Jimmy whips, but Melo avoids the superkick! Melo bails out, the fans boo, and Jimmy grins. Jimmy hurries after Melo but Melo HOTSHOTS Jimmy down! Melo storms in to CLOBBER Jimmy, and he stomps away at the ropes! The ref counts, teh fans boo, but Melo lets off at 4. Melo soaks up the heat, then he CHOPS Jimmy against ropes. Melo stalks Jimmy, CHOPS Jimmy in a corner, then brings him around for haymakers. Melo whips, Jimmy reverses, QUICK DRAW! Melo is in a corner, and the fans join Jimmy in chanting, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Melo dodges the hip attack!

Melo comes back, but Jimmy puts him on the apron. Jimmy UPPERCUTS Melo, Melo sputters, and Jimmy goes out to join him. Jimmy suplexes Melo onto the apron! Melo writhes, Jimmy refreshes the count, and then Jimmy builds speed! Jimmy DIVES, and Melo is sent into the desk! The fans fire up for Jimmy while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Melo KICKS and CLUBS and stomps away on Jimmy in a corner! The ref counts, Melo lets off, and the fans boo. Melo drags Jimmy up, CLUBS him on the back, then hoists him to the top rope. The fans rally for Jimmy but Melo climbs up. Melo soaks up the heat, brings Jimmy up, but Jimmy fights the suplex! The fans fire up as Jimmy fires elbows! Melo hits back with shoulders! Jimmy and Melo go back and forth, then Jimmy fires elbow after elbow! Melo falls back, Jimmy WHISPERS IN THE WIND, but Melo dodges! Then FADE AWAY DDT! Cover, TWO! Jimmy survives and Melo grows frustrated.

The fans rally up while Melo gets his confidence back. Melo adjusts the kneepads, but he hears the fans rally for Jimmy. Melo brings Jimmy up, but Jimmy suplexes! Melo fights that to suplex, but Jimmy fights! Melo wrenches, dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS hit hard! A double cover, TWO!! Both men are still in this, but they rise slowly. The fans rally behind Jimmy, he UPPERCUTS Melo! Melo blocks a kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Jimmy then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Jimmy UPPERCUTS Melo, Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Jimmy survives and the fans rally up again!

Melo thinks on what he has to do, but the fans rally up more as Jimmy rises. Melo storms up, CHOPS Jimmy, then whips. Jimmy reverses to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and Jimmy is beside himself! The fans rally up for Jimmy as he climbs up, USO- FIRST 48! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives and Melo can’t believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Melo hurries to a corner and climbs. Melo wants Jimmy to stand, and he takes aim, for- NO, Jimmy avoids the three pointer! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO?!? Melo survives again and shocks Jimmy! Melo flounders away, checking his jaw.

Jimmy goes corner to corner, HIP ATTACK! Then SAMOAN- NO, Melo manages the crucifix takedown! TWO! SUPERKICK from Melo! Melo runs, Jimmy SPEARS!! Jimmy hurries to a corner, but JACOB FATU has appeared! Jimmy tells Jacob not to even try, but it’s TAMA TONGA who shoves Jimmy off the corner! The fans boo as Tama & Jacob attack!

Winner: Jimmy Uso, by disqualification

The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Jacob hits a HIP ATTACK on Jimmy! Jacob then drags Jimmy up, and feeds him to Tama’s VENOM DDT! Jacob adds more stomps, and Melo says thanks for the assist. But then Jacob CLOBBERS Melo! Tama puts Jimmy back in a corner, Jaco hits another HIP ATTACK! And here comes Solo Sikoa! He may not be THE Tribal Chief, but clearly Solo still has authority over the rogues. We hear from the would-be Head of the Table, after the break.

SmackDown returns and…

San Diego is booing hard as Solo has the mic. Solo decides not to speak, which the fans cheer. Solo then goes out of the ring, takes off his fancy red jacket, and slings it over his shoulder. Solo leaves, and even his followers seem confused. Is Solo giving up after losing everything? Or is this just more arrogance? Jacob grabs the mic and says, “So this is what it comes to, huh? This is it? I’m tired of the disrespect! I’m tired of the hate! Oh no! You know that I’m tired of the envy! But check this out: envy me all you want, because even on a bad day, y’all still can’t touch me! I don’t give a damn if you cheer us, I don’t give a damn if you boo us.

“But one thing I will not let you do is try to act like I ain’t ever got mine! What, y’all thought I was crazy? Y’all thought I was off the hinges? HUH? Y’all thought I was losing it? The crazy thing about this situation… is that I’m just getting started!” The Samoan Werewolf is all fire dup, but here comes LA KNIGHT! The fans fire up, Jacob & Tama wait, but Knight comes in from the crowd! Knight CLOBBERS Jacob, CLOBBERS Tama, then he stomps away on Jacob! Tama runs up, but Knight tackles him! Knight throws down hands, Jacob is up, but Knight fires hands on him! Tama traps Knight’s legs, and Jacob CLOBBERS Knight!

The fans boo as Tama & Jacob beat Knight down, but BRAUN is here! The fans fire up as the Monster of All Monsters returns! Tama PLANCHAS, but Braun catches him, and TOSSES him! Then Braun stares down Jacob. The fans are going nuts seeing this, and Braun rips his shirt off! But then Tama has Jacob retreat! The Mega Star stands alongside #OneBigSOB, will they get their payback on Tama & Jacob soon enough?

Los Garza gets ready backstage.

Santos Escobar tells Angel y Berto that last week, they exposed Pretty Deadly for the pretty little liars they are. And everything they said, Angel & Berto made them choke on every word. That is what Santos expects. Lopez reminds them that just one win doesn’t make them champions yet. Agreed. Tonight, Motor City Machine Guns, men with reputations and who were former champions, Los Garza will take their momentum away. Why? Because remember: There was no red carpet rolled out for them, and no one is just handing them respect. So if they want respect, they have to take it! Take it from their hands, from their throats, from their pride!

Legado puts all hands in, and say “Familia!” La Madrina accompanies Los Garza, will they take that title opportunity for their own? Or will MCMG be on fire as they go back after DIY?

Motor City Machine Guns VS Los Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma!

SmackDown returns and Los Garza makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Shelley starts against Angel. They tie up, Shelley headlocks, and holds on as Angel powers up. Shelley grinds the headlock, Angel powers up and out, then he reels Shelley in. Shelley ducks the elbow, Angel drops down then hurdles over, then Angel rolls off Shelley’s back. Shelley trips, covers, ONE! Angelo knocks Shelley down, covers, ONE! Angel kneels and offers a handshake! Shelley is wary, but he accepts. Only for Angel to SLAP him! Angel CHOPS Shelley against ropes, then headlocks. Tag to Berto, Angelo holds Shelley out on the ropes, LEAP FROG ATTACK!

Angel KNEES Shelley down, Berto SOMERSAULT MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE! Angel shouts for respect, the fans are torn, but Berto CLUBS Shelley. Shelley CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Shelley tags Sabin, whips Berto, and MCMG DOUBLE BACKDROP! Angel runs up, but into double kicks! Atomic drop, dropkick, DREAM SEQUENCE! MCMG snapmare Berto, Sabin covers, ONE! Sabin clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Berto down. Berto endures, fights up, and he powers up. Angel tags in but Sabin ducks ‘n’ dodges. Sabin tilt-o-whirls, but Berto keeps it going so Angel can KNEE Sabin down!

Berto drags Sabin to the apron, and Angel TAKES OFF THE PANTS! He SMACKS Shelley, then runs to KNEE ENZIGIRI COMBO on Sabin! Los Garza is in control while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Sabin fights out of a cobra twist! But Angel blocks his kick, spins him around, Gory Especial! Tag to Berto, SLINGSHOT NECKBREAKER GORY BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Sabin survives but Berto seethes. Berto goes to the far corner, runs up, but Sabin dodges! Sabin elbows Berto, Berto traps Sabin, and Angel runs in. Sabin slips away, Angel RAMS into Berto! The fans rally up, Angel grabs legs, but Sabin ENZIGIRIS free! Sabin crawls, the fans rally up, and Sabin hot tags Shelley! Shelley fires hands on Berto, then whips, but Berto reverses. Shelley CLOBBERS Berto!

Shelley BLASTS Angel for good measure! BOOT to Berto, then a tilt-o-whirl RANA! Berto ends up in a corner, Shelley runs in, but he blocks a boot! Sabin tags in, Shelley hands the foot off, DRAGON SCREW! Berto is stuck in ropes, Shelley DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS the other leg! Sabin hops up, MCMG coordinate, DROPKICK to one leg, KNEE DROP on the other! Berto falls, Sabin covers, TWO! Berto survives but Sabin brings him up. Sabin has one of the legs, tag to Shelley, and they hand off the leg to ENZIGIRI and trip! Shelley steps through for a FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~!” while Berto endures!

Sabin intercepts Angel, trips him up, and he has a FIGURE FOUR! The fans fire up as Los Garza endure the same hold! Lopez panics, but Berto crawls, ROPEBREAK! MCMG lets go at 4, and Angel crawls away. Shelley stomps away on Berto’s legs, then steps through again. Lopez distracts, Berto BOOTS free! Roll up, deadlift and SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Shelley survives but Berto tags Angel in. Los Garza brings Shelley up, Sabin runs in, but Berto LARIATS Sabin down! Angel fires knees into Shelley, Berto hoists Sabin up to add him on! Berto runs, FLYING CHUCK into the POWERBOMB POWERSLAM COMBO! Cover, TWO?!?

Los Garza can’t believe it, but this is why MCMG are a highly decorated tag team! “This is Awesome!” as Angel stalks Shelley to ropes. Angel KICKS Shelley in the chest! Tag to Berto, they double military press! But Sabin saves Shelley, then runs up. Angel catches Sabin to a full nelson but he BOOTS Berto away. Sabin then arm-drags free, kicks Angel, and he kicks off Berto to TORNADO DDT Angel! Los Garza bail out, Shelley opens the way! Sabin DIVES and he takes Los Garza down! Sabin sends Berto in, Shelley runs up, LARIAT in the corner! Tag to Sabin, but wait! Pretty Deadly is here, and they’re distracting the ref!

Sabin has Berto while Shelley climbs! Elton keeps the ref’s attention so that Kit can DECK Shelley! Berto rolls Sabin up and Kit shouts to the ref! Elton is arguing with the ref too much now! Berto gives up on the pin, tells the ref to pay attention to the match, and Sabin BLASTS Kit! Shelley tags in, Berto runs up, but into the BOOT ENZIGIRI COMBO! And reset, SKULL ‘N’ BONES!! Cover, MCMG wins!

Winners: Motor City Machine Guns, by pinfall

Pretty Deadly tried to screw Shelley & Sabin out of this one, but they were too dramatic about it! Will nothing stop MCMG from taking those tag titles off of Gargano & Ciampa?

Aldis finds Kevin backstage.

Kevin says, “Can’t you see I’m taping my wrists, Nick?” Aldis does, but this shouldn’t take long. He needs to show Kevin the addendum to the title match contract. Kevin doesn’t like the sound of that. And wait, Cody didn’t sign it. Well, Cody isn’t going to sign it until Kevin signs it. Then guess what? Kevin’s not signing it until Cody signs it. And Kevin doesn’t even trust Aldis anyway, he needs to read this addendum first. And he isn’t doing that until after his match so stop trying to distract him! Kevin storms off, and Aldis says that went well. Will Aldis be able to find a way around this stalemate between champion and challenger?

Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green VS B-Fab w/ Mia Yim!

The Hot Mess is having her “Spicy Secret Service” fight her battles for her again, and that means a fight with one Briana Brandy. Will B-Fab be fab when she drops Piper like she drops the beat? Or will B be mad when P takes the W?

SmackDown returns as “B-Fabulous” makes her way to the ring. The bell rings and the two circle. Chelsea talks smack, B-Fab gives it back, but then B-Fab dodges Piper! HEEL KICK in the corner! B-Fab talks smack on Piper, whips, but Piper blocks! B-Fab still tries, but Piper wrenches. B-Fab wrenches and DANGEROUS HOOK KICKS! B-Fab turns Piper, then spins her for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Piper goes to a corner, B-Fab runs up, but Piper picks her up! URENAGE! Chelsea wants to make sure everyone saw that, then Piper runs. B-Fab avoids the senton! Chelsea panics, B-Fab runs up, and she floats around to a DDT! Cover, TWO!

B-Fab waits on Piper as Piper flounders to ropes. B-Fab then runs up, and she BOOTS Piper out of the ring! Chelsea is freaking out again, but Piper gets back up. B-Fab BOOTS Piper off the apron! B-Fab goes out after Piper, puts her in the ring, but then she steps to Chelsea. Chelsea backs away, talks more smack anyway, so B-Fab LARIATS Chelsea! The fans fire up, B-Fab slides in, but Piper SENTONS! Piper shoves B-Fab to ropes, pops her up, and then pops her into the PIPER DRIVER! Cover, Piper wins!

Winner: Piper Niven, by pinfall

Even after talking it out with Mia, the number game still gets the better of B-Fab. But then Chelsea beats down B-Fab just because she can! SO here comes Mia! The fans fire up as Chelsea runs! Mia dodges Piper to SMACK her with the kendo stick! Mia swings again, Piper blocks, and she SLAPS Mia! Piper takes aim, but Mia YAKUZA KICKS her first! Mia grabs the kendo stick, and she warns both Piper & Chelsea that payback is still coming. Mia helps B-Fab to her feet, will they be united against the #RedWhite&Green?

WWE mourns the loss of Bob Uecker.

Mr. Baseball also had his love of the WWE, being part of memorable moments in those early days, such as calling Hogan VS Andre at WrestleMania 3.

Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

Byron says we saw Tiff make history two weeks ago, but she stops him there. She didn’t make history, she made “Tiffstory.” Uh, sure… She made Tiffstory when she cashed in on Nia Jax and became the WWE Women’s Champion. But now it gets real as she defends that title against Bayley, who is extremely driven to win. What’re Tiff’s comments? Tiff heard that, and Bayley is right, she had a ton of big moments. Bayley’s had a career of big moments, really. But guess what? So has Tiff. Tiff’s been on SmackDown for less than a year, became the youngest Miss Money in the Bank, and now is the WWE Women’s Champion.

And unlike Bayley, Tiff doesn’t need to recreate moments, because Tiff IS the Moment. Sorry, Bayley, but you’ll just have to sit back and watch your little dream die, because right now… It’s Tiffy Time. Tootles. Tiff heads out, confident as ever, but will that confidence all fall apart going up against a woman that paved the way?

Rey Mysterio VS Kevin Owens!

The King of Lucha just wanted to enjoy his homecoming, and The Prizefighter had to interrupt it. Rey tried to explain that officially, Kevin isn’t the champion, and Kevin blew up on him! So now, in an ironic twist, Kevin is getting his dream match with Rey here in Rey’s hometown! Will Kevin make his dream of defeating Rey Mysterio come true? Or will the 619 make it all a nightmare?

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25

The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let’s see what happens!

Published

24 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Andrew Balaz

So Genesis is Sunday, followed by next week’s Live Episode of iMPACT! Let’s see exactly how we get to Genesis and not to bury the lead, the fact the WWE/TNA partnership was extended for a few years is very big news for TNA. More visibility for a nostalgic brand and the younger NXT wrestlers get more opportunities with potential sprinkles of a big name here or there (yes I only really mean AJ Styles, but that’s what we all want to see one more time).

Let’s get to the show and see if it’s a Go Home worth anything.

After her shocking appearance on @WWENXT, @mashaslamovich steps into the confessional with @WeAreRosemary…

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswj28 pic.twitter.com/YSTXfJZw6X

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025

Ratings:

Trent Seven vs Leon Slater: Slater wins via Swanton 450 – *
Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin): EY wins via Macho Elbow – ** 3/4
Laredo Kid vs Jake Something: Jakes wins via Avalanche Something Bomb – **
The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO): Hardys win via Crouton Bomb – ***

Results:

Trent Seven vs Leon Slater

British on British violence! I just appreciate that Trent’s theme is a down tuned remix of Seven Nation Army.

A little back and forth until Slater hits a Reverse Gamengiri, Trent tries to climb back to the apron after the powder, eats a Shotgun Kick. Trent dodges the dive, and Suplexes Leon down the steps at Center Stage. I feel like Slater over sold the spot, but I suppose using your surroundings is always interesting. Leon slides in at 9.5, Trent gets a little cocky and Leon hits two Flash Cradles for near falls, as Trent is reeling from the quick pinfall attempts he eats another Shotgun Kick for a near fall. Trent sells to the corner, eats a Jumping Bootwash, Leon perches Trent, goes for possibly a Spanish Fly but Trent turns it into an Avalanche Flowsion for two!

Bop and Bang, 7 Star Lariat, Piledriver with flourish and…still a two. Birminghammer attempt but Slater flips out of it, Crucifix pinfall for two, Uppercut by Trent and Birminghammer is hit! But Slater…kicks…out? He sells a Suplex where he slides down steps like death, but eats huge signature and finishing moves and kicks out. The psychology in this match is non-existent. Trent does the Finger Break, Leon sells away, hits another Shotgun Kick and Trent powders. X Plex gets reversed into a DDT from Slater. Trent powders off the Ramp, Leon goes to the entrance way runs and jumps off the ramp, then hits the Swanton 450.

Completely stupid match with spots that make no sense. All sizzle no steak, so dumb my IQ dropped 5 points.

The Elegance Clique have a “Pre-Launch Championship Celebration”. Tom Hannifan hates it, the crowd hates it, and the Personal Concierge uncovers a cardboard cut out with a Knockouts Title around their waists…and they are size accurate. Heather is like a My Size Barbie. Ash gives a very cringey speech where she thanks everyone except Heather, the Concierge passes the mic to Heather, Spitfire interrupts of course, and at least Dani cuts the promo to start so it’s tolerable. Yeah this is painfully bad cringe, as much as I didn’t mind the Ash gimmick to start with, this is lame. The only thing saving the segment is the crowd is hot for the the Elegance Clique getting their stuff ruined. So it was lame, but the crowd was into it and Ash sold the destruction of cardboard cut outs like Spitfire just murdered her puppy.

.@PCOisNotHuman and @TheSamiCallihan take on The Hardys! If they win, they’ll secure their spot in the TNA World Tag Team Title match at #TNAGenesis!

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswQRG pic.twitter.com/fO9P2F5d9d

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025

Well the first 40 minutes of this show are making me wish for a stroke instead of watching this. So hopefully it picks up somewhere.

Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin)

KC flips out of two of EY’s Back Body Drops and does his “First Class” taunt, so EY just slaps him upside the head and tags in Maclin to start beating on Navarro. I do really like KC’s work. He’s like WWE Lio Rush, but likable and talented. Maclin is beating the hell out of KC though, Lariats him out, goes for the SCUD, but AJ low bridges so Maclin crashes to the outside, KC hits the Tope con Hilo with blind tag so AJ is now legal and they start working over Maclin in the corner. Tennessee Whiskey, and there does seem to be a few First Class fans in the crowd.

Navarro is back in for the 305, quick tags though to keep Maclin eating offense. Splash into Big Boot into Assisted Splash while AJ leans on Maclin literally. KC starts picking on kids in the crowd near Judd Normand, he shoves the actor, the actor shoves him back and AJ comes over to mad dog the actor. Maclin takes advantage of the distraction and drops AJ on the way back in with an Olympic Slam, tags in EY and EY comes out hot. KC tags in, EY levels KC and they start messing around in the corner, AJ tries to break it up but eats a Busaiku Knee from Maclin and then a SCUD. EY manages to throw KC off the turnbuckle and then hit the Macho Elbow for the win.

After the match Eddie, Lish and Brian Myers stand at the entrance way to send a message but not cause any real chaos.

Josh Alexander and his two bitch boys come out to cut a promo on Santana or something. I am about as interested in this as I am in Norwegian Dog Sledding. Josh trying to say Santana is too hurt to go at Genesis when we all know this was filmed the same time like a month ago. You really can’t do doofus attempts a story when you’re promoting the first live episode in nearly a decade or something for next week. At least the match should be good because this build is lame, the jabronis are useless, “Bald Ass Head” is the big insult…sheeeesh.

Laredo Kid vs Jake Something

Well…someone has to win this match, so there’s that.

Nothing special start until Jake comes off the ropes and runs over Laredo sending him flying over the ropes onto the ramp. Jake panders to the crowd, Laredo tries to get something going but Jake steps on his foot to stop any Lucha things, and mollywops him. Jake runs him corner to corner until Laredo moves, strings a few moves together, tries to fly and then gets knocked out of the sky with a Forearm. Only a two count for Jake, but Laredo is definitely doing his best impression of a pinata so far in the match. Laredo gets a desperation Satellite DDT, misses his big attempt, but Jake misses the Spear in the corner, La Magistral gets a 2, a few bad spots from Laredo where it looks like he missed a Satellite Facebuster and sloppy Essex or Canadian Destroyer. Laredo goes to the top, Jake bear paw slap, goes up top and Avalanche Something Bomb for the win.

The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO)

Before the Hardys intro, the 23 thing flashes a few times again. So at least they didn’t forget that.

Sami starts with Jeff and gets in a few early shots and goads Jeff with Hardys taunts, then all four get in, throw hands and we go to commercial. We come back from commercial to Matt Delete Turnbuckling Sami, and then Poetry In Motion the classic way! A few quick tags, but Sami eventually knocks down Matt, tags in PCO, Matt’s moves aren’t very effective, Jeff throws himself in too and they get their asses beat by PCO. PCO tags in Sami, Sami slaps around Matt, drags his face across the ropes, tags PCO back in and uses PCO as a battering ram into Matt’s chest. PCO keeps Matt in their corner, tags back in Sami, some simple tandem work and a short 2 count for Sami. Sami calls PCO back in and they’re formulating a tag move, they try the Double Back Drop, but Matt turns it into a Double DDT instead.

Jeff tries to fight them both off, Sami grabs Jeff, PCO goes for the Lariat, malfunction at the junction, Whisper in the Wind mostly hits PCO so Jeff Splashes Sami. Twist of Hate, Twist of Fate, Swanton Bomb from Jeff and the Hardy Boys win!

Before the obligatory contract signing on the Go Home before a PPV, Jordynne walks over to the announce table with the contract for her match with Tessa. Says she’ll leave it with them so she can’t miss it, but hey, “if she doesn’t show up at Genesis it wouldn’t be the first time”. That’s funny.

Joe starts the promo saying he has to win, but its on him to take the title from Nic. There’s an intensity, so it’s not all cornball jokes and shenanigans. That’s kinda nice to start with. Nic takes the babyface angle of “you’re not wrong but I don’t think you’re ready yet kid”. Then he plays the JBL clip from Bound for Glory. Nic tries to use the video to clear his name because Ryan got attacked too. Joe is about to poke a hole in the defense but then Hollywood Abyss Mokuba shows up. “MY BROTHER SETO” Ryan interferes, Nic tries to stop the stupidity but Ryan plows through is about to eat a Standing Ovation but Nic Superkicks Joe to save Mokuba. Nic does stand there as the crowd chants “kick your brother”, but Nic doesn’t pull the trigger but you can tell he’s contemplating.

OH! Sexy Tessy shows up, signs the contract but Jordynne was waiting for her and leaves Tessa laying with a Grace Driver and solid intensity. Okay most of the show was kinda mid but the ending was pretty solid.

Overall Score: 6.25/10

As I said at the very end, most of this show was mid…or mediocre for the older crowd. Indie Spotfest Dumbassery to kick off the show, a few segments that made me question if I was tasting pennies, a decent match with First Class, the stalled push never relevant squad match between Jake and Laredo, and at least the main event match was fun.

The video packages always feel lackluster because the only people really watching TNA currently are hardcore fans. I never really see too many people pull the whole “whoa first TNA episode in 11 years and I decided on the random Go Home instead of the first live episode since 2015”. See, this is why logic matters in booking. WWE gets to have the mentality of “it could be someone’s first time watching it” every week because they the biggest show in town. The name alone will garner random views or transient lapsed fans if they get a whiff of something. However when it comes down to TNA, people are only surprised its still alive.

Even with many questionable hours it wasn’t terrible. It did fine…plus like I just said, there’s opportunity for more random eyes thanks to the WWE merger AND a live episode next week. So the Go Home format won’t change, but hopefully the exposure gives us more congruent storylines.