Coverage

Mitchell’s Ring of Honor Report! (12/23/17)

Published

7 years ago

December 28, 2017

Steven Mitchell

ROH WRESTLING TELEVISION, EPISODE 327

All images courtesy of the Fite.TV app and streaming service, gifs courtesy of http://tdewrestling.com/

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The Dawgs VS Simon Grimm & Flip Gordon; The Dawgs win.
10 Man Christmas Surprise Tag Team Match: Team Cody VS Team Dalton Castle; Team Castle wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

ROH celebrates Christmas, but Cody doesn’t look happy.

Cody wants the fans to imagine his “burning excitement turn to a smoldering lull” when he learned about the randomized 10 Man Tag he and Dalton Castle are going to captain. The names of ROH stars are inside the gifts, so that means Cody can’t choose his own team. He’ll be surrounded by this “artificial, superficial, material holiday”. But with no way out of it, Cody chooses his first gift. That’s when Dalton comes by to asks who he got.

“None of your business,” Cody says with a scowl. Cody’s being a Grinch. Just make your pick, Castle. Castle does, and seems very pleased with who he got. Who will join the American Nightmare and the Peacock to wage war this holiday season?

The Dawgs VS Simon Grimm &

“Ho ho ho and a oh hell yeah!” Rhett Claus and Little Willie the Red Nosed Rein-dawg are here to spread Christmas cheer, but is their fun going to be ruined by another wrestler’s ROH debut?

The bell rings, Grimm and Ferrara start. However, Ferrara is a bit busy taking off the reindeer costume, so Grimm goes for a full nelson right away! Actually, Grimm is just zipping Ferrara back up. Ferrara gets upset, Grimm spins him around and flips his hood. Ferrara gets madder and runs at Grimm, but ends up in an arm wrench and elbow lock. Lil’ Willie wants to unzip, but Grimm keeps him zipped up. Ferrara gets even angier and swings on Grimm, but Grimm hits the arm-drag takedown into an armlock. Grimm stands Ferrara back up for an arm-wrench and wristlock takedown.

Grimm goes back to an armlock, Ferrara gets up and arm-drags out. Things speed up, Ferrara gets a wheelbarrow but Grimm stalls it, into a full-nelson drop down!

And the rear naked choke!

Ferrara flails, he elbows his way out and up. He reaches for Rhett, Grimm reels him in for a back suplex. Grimm fires up as he flexes, then covers, TWO. Tag to Flip, Grimm gives Ferrara a European Uppercut and Flip gives him a haymaker. Ferrara asks Flip to help take the costume off. Flip unzips Ferrara just enough to chop directly on chest! Flip chops and chops, then snapmares for a running kick and standing moonsault. TWO, Rhett Claus cheers on Lil’ Willie. Flip stands Ferrara up and rocks him with a forearm. Flip whips Ferrara corner to corner but is reversed, Ferrara runs in but gets a back elbow. Ferrara runs back in, Flip jumps up and over and handsprings to a dropkick. Cover, TWO, Flip dares Ferrara to tag Rhett. Ferrara crawls, Flip uses him as a step stool to forearm smash Rhett down!

Flip gives Ferrara a stiff knee to the face before going to the apron. Rhett swings but Flip cartwheels over to then mule kick, Rhett grabs that foot to trip Flip up. Flip hits apron and tumbles to the floor, Rhett rebounds off ropes to clothesline Flip into the barriers. The Big Dawg taunts while the Lil’ Dawg finally gets out of his costume, and we go to break.

ROH returns, The Dawgs still have control. Rhett backs Flip into his corner and tags in Ferrara. The Dawgs technically work together as Rhett stops Ferrara from whipping him into Flip and instead whips Ferrara into Flip. Ferrara gets upset, but Rhett still makes him into a human battering ram to boot Flip down. Then Rhett dumps Ferrar onto Flip for a splash, cover, TWO. Ferrara taunts Flip with barks, then stomps him down. Grimm and fans rally for Flip while Ferrara stands him up. Flip blocks the suplex, Ferrara gives body shots and tags in Rhett. The Dawgs double suplex Flip down, then take time taunting, and arguing. Rhett shoves Ferrara over, then uses a catapult to give Ferrara a boost into another splash.

Rhett covers, TWO. The Dawgs are frustrated, but Rhett keeps on Flip. Fans rally again, Flip feeds off that energy to get up and fight out. Rhett gives a body blow, Flip follows him on the run, Flip hits the Spring-Blade!

Both men are down, the fans rally as the two crawl for their corners. Rhett grabs Flip’s foot, but gets an enziguri. Ferrara tags in, Flip tags Grimm! Grimm rallies on Ferrara with big EuroUppers, one after another, and even against the ropes. Grimm runs rope to rope and clobbers Ferrara with a forearm smash before throwing him overhead! Ferrara tags Rhett back in, Grimm is ready, he turns Rhett around for a EuroUpper to the back of the head. Then, straitjacket hold to a wristlock spin-out boot! Grimm double underhooks, tiger bomb! Ferrara breaks the cover, Flip returns, Ferrara puts him on the apron. Flip swing-kicks Ferrara back then slingshots up, Ferrara shoves him down! Grimm runs Ferrara over with a clothesline. Rhett returns, grabs Grimm in the waistlock but standing switch to roll up, TWO, Grimm is sent into Ferrara’s package! Er, present.

Ferrara tags in, Rhett lifts Grimm and they hit Who Let the Dawgs Out!

The Dawgs win! And they ruin Christmas for Grimm & Gordon. Will Rhett & Willie ruin the New Year for other ROH tag teams, too?

The American Nightmare continues his Christmas Surprise selections.

This time, Cody looks much happier with his present.

“I’m getting greedy! Here we go.” Wait a minute. “Does this guy even work here?”

Cody continues selections after the commercial break.

Cody’s been a good boy, hasn’t he? He can turn this around. He thinks about going for the big stuff but realizes that could be a trick. Last year, Cody got Cheeseburger, he’s not falling for that again.

Cody goes with the smallest gift but, no, it doesn’t look good. Not a single one of his friends will be on his team.

Who did Cody get as teammates for Christmas? Can he still turn it into a winning hand?

The Peacock has his turn with the Christmas Surprise.

“One more gift.” Castle carefully considers his options and… “Well this certainly makes things interesting.”

Castle clearly likes what he got for Christmas. Is this going to turn out to be Cody’s own Nightmare Before Christmas?

ROH takes a look back on the Women of Honor in 2017.

First, the Exotic Goddess, Mandy Leon, graduates from the ROH dojo and joins the Gatekeeper, Kelly Klein, on excursion to Japan’s Stardom Wrestling. Within the WOH Division, Kelly Klein would go back and forth with The Virtuosa, Deonna Purrazzo. Controversy created personal grudges between the two women, and even a third woman as Karen Q made her WOH debut and found herself entangled in Klein’s and Purrazzo’s feud. Karen would take advantage of this and make a name for herself, at the expense of her friendship with Purrazzo. Karen Q and Deonna Purrazzo would wage their own war in a Street Fight, and things naturally got vicious. The Virtuosa would tough it out and make Karen tap out, establishing herself near the top of the WOH Division.

With 2018 coming, that means new women graduating the dojo. But biggest of all, a WOH Champion will finally be crowned! Who will climb the mountain to stand at the very top of this premier women’s wrestling division?

10 Man Christmas Surprise Tag Team Match: Team Cody VS Team Dalton Castle!

“In the spirit of the holiday,” Cody will give a gift to the loudest ROH fan in the building tonight. Everyone makes noise, Cody looks around, but it is tough to tell who is the loudest. “I’ve made my choice. Nobody gets it!” And he stomps on the gift!

Cody hates Christmas! Fans boo his lack of holiday spirit. Cody protests that he didn’t get to be with his friends on Christmas, so just go ahead and introduce his “team”. On Team American Nightmare, it’s Scorpio Sky, Josh “The Goods” Woods, Chris Sabin of the Motor City Machine Guns, and… Punishment Martinez!

With Cody’s team fully introduced, The Peacock finally makes his entrance.

And on his team: The Last Real Man, Silas Young; War Machine’s Hanson; The Octopus, Jonathan Gresham; and… THE VILLAIN, MARTY SCURLL!

What irony it is that Bullet Club members are on opposite teams. In fact, neither of them is very happy about this, especially Cody.

Marty wants to be on Team Cody but has no choice but to be Team Castle, the teams sort out and settle in while we go to break.

ROH returns and the match finally begins.

The Bullet Club isn’t the only stable stuck on opposite sides. Team Search & Destroy must face itself as The Octopus goes up against Chris Sabin to start this Christmas Surprise. They circle, tie up in a test of strength, and Gresham slips out and aruond but Sabin is right with him. Sabin goes for the throw but Gresham lands on his feet to wrench the arms. Gresham brings Sabin down but Sabin pops right back up to spin and roll, arm-drag to takedown. Gresham pops back up, Sabin kip-ups for another arm-drag. The fans applaud the stand-off but it’s only for a moment as Sabin runs and Gresham trips him up. Gresham runs, Sabin dodges, things speed up even more, Sabin stops himself and goes arm-drag for arm-drag with Gresham. Sabin pops out of a headscissors and the two stand-off again, “Bang Bang!”

Fans applaud and chant “Merry Christmas!” while the two shake hands in respect. Gresham tags Castle, Sabin tags Scorpio Sky, but then Silas tags himself in. Fans boo but a tag is a tag. Silas and Scorpio circle, tie up, Silas powers Scorpio to a neutral corner. The referee calls for the break, Silas tries a sucker punch but Scorpio ducks and gets around behind Silas. Silas swings but Scorpio dodges. Scorpio kicks, Silas blocks. Silas swings but Scorpio ducks to chop Silas. Silas dares Scorpio to “be a man!” Scorpio hits him with a forearm, so Silas hits back with his own. Silas gets running, Scorpio dodges and speeds things up. Dropkick drops Silas, but Silas gets up and dares Scorpio to try again. Scorpio runs in, but into Silas’ backbreaker and lariat! Silas drags Scorpio up but Scorpio gets away to tag in Cody, Castle tags himself in!

Team Captains finally enter, like a flashback to Final Battle. However, Cody swerves and tags out to The Goods. Mr. Top Prospect 2017 circles with The Peacock, Castle takes off the holiday sweater. Castle swings the sweater around and around and around, to then sling it at Cody’s team! Cody grabs a chair, but calms down as Castle and Woods start shoving. Woods puts Castle in a corner, Castle comes out with a waistlock to put Woods in the other corner. Fans applaud because Cody’s put on Castle’s sweater! And blows friendly kisses to The Villain across the way.

Scurll of course returns them, but then argues with his teammates. Castle is upset Cody is wearing his sweater, but this distraction allows Woods to get a waistlock slam on The Peacock. Castle gets up and Woods is ready for more, so Castle comes in and dumps Woods on his head! Woods gets up and gives Castle an arm-wrench takedown, then brings him up to his feet. Woods tries to gutwrench, Castle counters with his own gutwrench, waistlock again but standing switch, another standing switch, Castle bucks Woods off, Peacock Pose!

The fans applaud the charismatic Castle while we go to break.

ROH returns, and now the Monster and the War Beard have tagged in. Hanson and Martinez circle while fans–and Cody–rally. They run in and collide, but neither one goes down. They back up and collide again, but still neither falls down. Martinez kicks low, whips Hanson but Hanson cartwheels. Hanson swings but Martinez ducks the clothesline to run and hit a clothesline of his own. Hanson gets up, ducks the kick and runs Martinez over this time, but then Martinez gets up again. Martinez lifts Hanson and hits a back suplex, but then Hanson gets up and gives Martinez a back suplex of his own. Martinez stands up again, and the two behemoths stare down.

Cody is upset with Martinez, he throws Castle’s sweater at him. Martinez picks it up to throw it back at Cody. Martinez is the bigger man, why isn’t he finishing Hanson already? Well, if Cody is so fired, he should try it. Martinez tags Cody in! Marty mouths off at Hanson on the other end, so Hanson chops Marty for a tag! The Villain and the American Nightmare must face each other! But as Hanson and the fans say, “Rules is rules!” Hanson hip tosses Marty into the ring, he and Cody come face to face. Sabin starts a “FIGHT! FIGHT!” chant, the fans join in. Marty gets an idea, and Cody plays along: the two Bullet Club members give each other a Christmas One Sweet.

Castle doesn’t care for their friendship, he gets in and shoves Scurll into Cody! Cody gets mad, he thinks Marty did that himself. Marty takes offense and is ready to fight Cody for real. The two bark at each other as they circle around the ring, then run in, for a hug.

Fans applaud the power of their friendship, but the others on their teams feel let down. Therefore, the others get in and attack the man not on their team!

Fans boo, they were enjoying the friendly gesture. The referee tries to regain order but the other eight men decide instead to whip Cody and Marty at each other. Cody and Marty do-si-do and spin around, and end up on the same sides as their teams. The ten men stand against each other 5v5, but then Castle stops them all. “This is NOT the spirit! Everyone’s hitting each other, it’s CHRISTMAS for God’s sake.” That doesn’t seem to bother the others, because another brawl breaks out! Things spill out of the ring while fans chant “Merry Christmas! Ho ho ho!” The chaotic pairings soon regroup on one side, Castle runs but fakes them out. The Peacock struts!

Sabin sneaks in, mocking the strut, kicks Castle and throws him out to join the cluster. Sabin gives Castle a Penalty Kick from the apron then strikes his own pose, but The Villain knocks him down. Marty builds speed now, slips out to the apron and SUPERKICKS Sabin. Marty flaps his wings “woop woop” but Scorpio Sky knocks him off the apron now. Scorpio builds speed and FLIES!

Everyone topples down, the fans are thunderous. Gresham gets back in the ring and builds speed, but Woods follows to stop him with a kick. Woods lifts Gresham in a powerbomb, and throws him onto the others!

Silas drags Woods out and hammers away while Cody gets in the ring. The fans chant for Cody as he runs corner to corner to then jump and FLY!

The American Nightmare wipes everyone out, but now the Monster returns to the ring. Martinez runs, Martinez FLIES!

The fans are thunderous but this isn’t over! Hanson climbs up to the top rope, takes aim at the cluster, and JUMPS for a meteoric cannonball!!

The fans again chant “Merry Christmas! Ho ho ho!” as Hanson rises from the human wreckage. Marty even gets up and celebrates with him while we go to break.

ROH returns once more to find the teams have regrouped back in the ring. Scorpio Sky is in a corner, Marty coordinates a “choo choo” corner train. He whips Gresham in for the forearm smash, then Silas for another, then Castle for a third. Hanson goes in for the fourth, Marty runs in but gets a boot! The train goes around a second time, Gresham hitting, then Silas hitting, then Castle and Hanson. Marty tries again, but gets another boot! They go a third time, with success from Gresham, Silas, Castle and Hanson again, but still a big boot for Marty! The team doesn’t understand, they try and help the dazed Marty find his way, but he just flops like Flair.

Cody’s team returns to drag out the others, Scorpio gets out of the corner and regroups. They say it’s their turn, as they whip Scurll corner to corner. The train starts with Scorpio, Sabin, Woods and Martinez, who all hit. However, Cody hesitates; he and Scurll are still friends. His team encourage him, though, but he stops short. The others tell him to just do it, Martinez makes him run in, but Scurll dodges and Cody hits post. The teams regroup at their corners while fans rally. Marty and Cody crawl, tags to Scorpio and Castle. Castle blows up Cody’s corner but goes after Cody, not realizing he isn’t the legal man. Castle gives Cody a big single-leg suplex, but in comes Martinez. Martinez runs at Castle but is dumped back out. Sabin comes in, gets a waistlock, standing switch and German Suplex! Woods comes in, he gets a single-leg suplex! Legal man Scorpio comes in, runs to a corner and jumps, but Castle catches him for another overhead suplex! The fans are fired up and cheer Castle. Castle goes after Scorpio again, bringing him up into position, but Scorpio slips out in the spin. Scorpio sends Castle to a corner but Castle elbows back before hopping up. Scorpio jumps up to SUPER STEINER Castle down!

Castle rolls all the way out, Gresham comes in. Things speed up, Quebrada onto Scorpio then a DIVE onto Sabin! Gresham puts Sabin in the ring before climbing up. He jumps over Sabin as Sabin rushes in, but then runs back to try for the Octopus Stretch. Sabin counters with a modified torture rack slam! Gresham rolls out, Silas returns, he gives Sabin the full-nelson spin-out. Then, fireman’s carry and spin but Sabin slips out. Silas rolls him up, knee to the face, low DDT into the mat. Woods returns, Silas trash talks too much but still ducks the kick. Silas brings Woods up in the fireman’s but Woods slips down, and catches Silas in the saido suplex. Hanson returns and heel kicks Woods right down! Martinez returns and climbs to the top, to hit a flying heel kick!

Hanson stays in, Martinez whips him, Hanson hits the handspring back elbow! Cody returns, runs at Hanson, Hanson scoops but Cody slips out. Hanson runs and cartwheels to avoid Cody’s counter, so Cody cartwheels to void Hanson’s lariat. They both cartwheel, Cody spins Hanson around for Cross Rhodes!

Hanson rolls out, Castle returns, Cody wants another but Castle shoves him away. Cody springboards for the Beautiful Disaster Kick! Castle is out on his feet, Cody runs in but into BANGARANG!

Scorpio returns while Cody rolls out, takedown and roll to the jumping neckbreaker! Castle is dazed, but he still fights Scorpio off with a back elbow. Castle runs in but Scorpio boots him back, Scorpio runs into another BANGARANG!

Team Castle wins the Christmas bonus! The Peacock and his team will go home a little richer, will the New Year bring more success for each of them?

My Thoughts:

A fun Christmas episode for ROH, but this was clearly recorded before Final Battle yet meant to be considered after Final Battle. First, Cody’s hair isn’t bleached blonde like it was for Final Battle. Second, even though he is no longer ROH World Heavyweight Champion and Dalton Castle is, Cody still had the ROH WHC belt. Third, they don’t even refer to either man as the ROH WHC, as they probably didn’t even know which man was going to be champion at this time. Fourth, The Boys returned at Final Battle but were not present in this episode. Continuity aside, they managed to make this a great episode.

The Dawgs win a Christmas filler match, but great to see the man formerly known as Simon Gotch has found somewhere to be. Character/gimmick isn’t as important in ROH, so if Gotch/Grimm can keep up in the ring, he’ll definitely have a home here. Meanwhile, The Dawgs are slowly building wins and may one day be able to challenge for the ROH World Tag Team Championships, or at least be in a #1 contender’s match to put another team over. Then the 10 Man Tag was incredible, mostly for story. Cody and Castle were great in their selection promos, and Cody-Marty were great being reluctant opponents. In the end, Castle wins because whether it was before or after Final Battle, the Peacock needs to stay strong to be a believable ROH WHC.

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.

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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.