Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE 205 Live Report! (12/26/17)
All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Hideo Itami VS Jack Gallagher; Itami wins.
- Tony Nese VS Akira Tozawa; Nese wins.
- The ‘Zo Train VS Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali; Alexander & Ali win.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Cruiserweight Champion is a Certified Tyrant.
Last week, Enzo Amore “taught Tony Nese a lesson” when he had everyone else in the ‘Zo Train beat him down in the middle of the ring. But before Enzo could elaborate more on the Premier Athlete’s position in the stable, the #1 contender to the Cruiserweight Championship reminded Enzo that their match was on the horizon. Enzo decided not to listen to Cedric Alexander until he was “a real one” like Enzo. Alexander laughed that off, Enzo can’t be “a real one” if he needs The ‘Zo Train to get things done. In fact, Alexander thwarted the ‘Zo Train by defeating Drew Gulak again and then getting to Ariya Daivari before Daivari got to him. Alexander vowed to shatter Enzo’s false reality and show the Bonafide Stud who is truly S A W F T. Will the New Year bring a New Cruiserweight Champion?

Drew Gulak encounters Cedric Alexander backstage.

The #1 contender wonders if Gulak is waiting for an important call from “the boss.” Why would Sasha Banks call him? And Cedric may have things against Gulak’s “best friend”, but Enzo won’t even be here tonight, hence waiting for the phone call. The same “best friend” who called Gulak a “sugarplum fairy”? Enzo doesn’t seem that concerned about Gulak. Well, Alexander shouldn’t worry so much about Gulak’s friendship with Enzo, and more worried about surviving tonight’s match so he can make it to New Year’s Raw. Wait, do you here that? It’s peace and quiet. Alexander is reminded of the Christmas classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Imagine it, Drew: a world where Enzo isn’t Cruiserweight Champion. And having Alexander would be better? To Gulak, Enzo is George Bailey, for he has shown Gulak this IS a wonderful life. Alexander paints the picture for Gulak: no more talking down to Gulak; no more mocking the PowerPoint presentations; and no more making Gulak dress up as his elf. Enzo Amore losing means a #Better205Live, for everyone, but especially Drew. Is Alexander getting Gulak to reconsider his allegiances?
Hideo Itami VS Jack Gallagher!

The newest addition to the Cruiserweight Division gave The Man with a Plan a GTS and a fractured orbital bone for Christmas, sidelining THE Brian Kendrick for some time. Can the Ungentle Gentleman get payback in return or will he also be made to respect Itami?

Actually, Gallagher comes to the ring with a microphone to speak his mind. “Mr. Itami, last night I learned that you are no stranger to a little bit of cruelty.” Itami drove that knee into Kendrick’s head, and Gallagher heard his nose break and orbital bone shatter. Gallagher promises to teach Itami and “these ignorant Chicago pillocks” a lesson: “cruelty knows no bounds.”
The bell rings, Gallagher and Itami circle. They tie up, Gallagher pushes Itami to ropes, then slaps Itami out of the break. Itami slaps Gallagher back then gives him knee strikes before whipping him to ropes, kitchen sink knee and a stiff kick to the back! Itami gives Gallagher another kick and then demands Gallagher “respect me!” The referee has Itami hold back in the corner, but Itami still drives in knees. He snapmares Gallagher down, drops knees on Gallagher’s head, and pulls the knee pad down for the jumping foot scrape. Itami mocks Gallagher’s mustache tweaze before demanding that everyone show him respect.

The knee pad comes back up, Gallagher trips Itami up but Itami kicks Gallagher all the way out to the apron. Gallagher throws in a shoulder but misses, Itami kicks at him again and again. Itami then hops up to the second rope, takes aim and hits a flying guillotine leg drop!

Itami continues to demand respect, Chicago shows him some with their cheers. Gallagher tries to escape but Itami is right on him. Itami drags Gallagher back into the ring but that pulls the ring skirt up. Itami tells Gallagher again, “Respect me!”, but Gallagher ducks the Penalty Kick and gets out of the ring. When Itami walks over to the ropes, Gallagher uses that upended skirt to trip him up! Gallagher then drags Itami and tucks him under the skirt before stomping away on Itami’s head. The referee counts and Gallagher stops stomping at 4, then climbs up to embrace the heat while Itami gets free. Gallagher climbs down and stalks Itami, sitting him up to drive knees into his spine. Now Gallagher applies a chinbar and neck wrench. Fans rally for Itami, Itami endures the hold and feeds off the energy to get to his feet. Itami elbows Gallagher but Gallagher puts him in a corner for European Uppercuts and a knee grinding right into Itami’s chin. Gallagher backs off, mocks the fans booing and jeering, then stomps Itami again. The referee reprimands Gallagher, Gallagher brings Itami out for the cravat hold. Snapmare to face scrape, Gallagher trolls Chicago more. Cover, TWO, back to a chinlock. Fans rally again, Itami gets to his feet, Gallagher yanks him down by his hair. Gallagher goes for a neckbreaker, backslide counter, TWO! Gallagher goes to boot, Itami blocks and counters with a dragon screw. Itami and Gallagher are both slow to standing up, but it is Itami who rallies on Gallagher. He kicks, snap fisherman suplexes, then fires up. Gallagher elbows Itami away, then goes corner to corner into a boot. Itami hits a tornado hotshot, then a flying clothesline!

Cover, TWO! Itami keeps focus, he brings Gallagher up for a strike fest, which staggers Gallagher into a corner. Itami again demands respect before running corner to corner, but Gallagher avoids the dropkick. Gallagher hotshots Itami, runs in, takedown into the Captain’s Hook!

Gallagher honors his comrade by using his submission hold. Itami endures, reaches, crawls, and gets the ropebreak. Gallagher lets go, then brings Itaim up. Gallagher has the double underhook but Itami shovels Gallagher up and over. Itami gives more strikes to rock Gallagher, then finally hits the “Respect Me!” dropkick. He fires up, stands Gallagher up, but instead of a fireman’s carry, Itami drags Gallagher down into a modified Rings of Saturn.

Gallagher taps, Itami wins! He may not have made Gallagher #GoToSleep, but did he earn Gallagher’s respect?

Backstage interview with Tony Nese.

The Premier Athlete was beat down by The ‘Zo Train in order to “teach a lesson”. Is Tony even still part of The ‘Zo Train? “The next time I see Enzo, Daivari or Drew Gulak, part of me wants to just lay them out right where they stand.” At the same time, part of Tony understands Enzo is a “global superstar”. Like him or not, you can’t deny that “the money, the fame” helped Tony go up. That said, what will Tony do next? That’s the real question. And that’s when Akira Tozawa walks over.

“Hey, Tony, are you on the train or off the train?” Tony decks Tozawa! That isn’t much of an answer, perhaps their match will tell more of where The Premier Athlete stands.
Tony Nese VS Akira Tozawa!


The Stamina Monster is still sore physically and mentally after that sucker punch from The Premier Athlete. Will Tony regret his actions when he doesn’t have “friends” backing him up?
The bell rings, and Tozawa goes right at Nese with a boot and hammering hands. The ref backs Tozawa off while fans chant “AH! AH!” Nese takes advantage by running Tozawa off with a back elbow. He stomps away on Tozawa, then gives clubbing crossface punches. Tozawa chops back, and so does Nese. It becomes a chop fight, Tozawa fakes one to jab and rock Nese. The fans continue the “AH! AH!” battle cry as Tozawa whips Nese. Nese sunset flips but Tozawa rolls through to then give Nese a Penalty Kick and a screaming back senton!

Tozawa fires up with more “AH! AH!” and the fans join in while Nese gets out of the ring. Tozawa builds speed and launches the Tozawa Torpedo, which Nese intercepts with a kick!

Nese drags Tozawa to the floor and stomps away out of anger. He even mocks the “AH! AH!” before flexing. Nese puts Tozawa in the corner, covers, TWO, so Nese gives leg drop after leg drop. Another cover, another TWO, so Nese wrenches Tozawa’s head. Tozawa reaches for ropes, gets the break, Nese lets go before stomping Tozawa again. Nese brings Tozawa up but Tozawa fights back. Nese slows Tozawa with knees, then whips him corner to corner hard. Cover, TWO, Nese puts Tozawa in the bodyscissors and chinlock. Nese puts the squeeze on Tozawa as fans rally, but Nese keeps Tozawa grounded with crossface punches. Tozawa manages to break free of the bodyscissors but that chinlock is on tight. Fans rally again, Tozawa feeds off it, “AH! AH!” starts up again but Nese clubs Tozawa down. Nese mocks “AH! AH!” again but takes too long setting up his suplex, Tozawa suplexes Nese instead! Both men are down, Nese rolls to ropes and the apron. Tozawa fires up, forearms Nese down, “AH! AH!” and now he hits the Tozawa Torpedo!

Tozawa gets Nese in the ring, covers, TWO! He brings Nese up but Nese resists the back suplex with back elbows. Nese blocks a kick, pumphandle into Michinoku Driver, TWO! Both men are showing signs of exhaustion, but Nese is up first. He brings Tozawa up, Tozawa gives body shots and chops. Nese shoves Tozawa then hits a stiff forearm, but Tozawa responds with a boot. Nese ducks Tozawa’s punch to give a mule kick to knee lift to roundhouse. Tozawa jumps the sweep, Nese slips out of the back suplex and folds Tozawa in a pin, TWO! Tozawa rocks Nese with the spinning roundhouse! Nese goes down, Tozawa climbs up. The fans chant “AH! AH!” while Tozawa takes aim, Nese springs up with the Southpaw Shoryuken!

Nese dumps Tozawa down, brings down the knee pad, and hits the Premier Kneese!

Nese wins! ‘Zo Train or no train, will the Premier Athlete find himself climbing the mountain to the championship?

Is the Cruiserweight Champion smitten with a certain Brutal Beauty?
It seems that way given the Christmas Raw mistletoe kiss that almost was. Enzo Amore and Nia Jax were moments away from locking lips when Nia’s friend, Alexa Bliss, interrupted the moment itself. If Enzo is lucky, can he be there to kiss Nia into the New Year?
The ‘Zo Train VS Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali!

From losing members to losing matches, Enzo Amore’s Certified Stable is losing steam in the Cruiserweight Division. Can “Gabba Gulak” and “Daivari Dinero” get things back on track before the New Year arrives?
The Cruiserweight Crusader wishes to speak first. “How are you doing?” He and Daivari are representing the ‘Zo Train without Enzo tonight. Another year is coming to a close, so Gulak feels it is time to reflect. Not just on the bad, but the good, and the best way to do that is with a “Best of” list! The fans chant for “PowerPoint”, and that’s fine, because Gulak is going to present the best of his presentations with a new edition of hiiiiiiiiiiiiis… POWERPOINT! PRESENTATION!!

So please turn your attention– to Cedric Alexander’s and Mustafa Ali’s entrance.

Alexander and Ali have their own microphones and wish to speak their piece. “Drew, I’m sorry to interrupt. But Mustafa, aren’t we in your hometown of Chicago?” Gulak did have a large presentation to give, but Ali has some valid points of his own. Chicago cheers for Ali, Gulak shouts down their chanting. Ali goes over his points. First: nobody believes Daivari & Gulak would be friends without the ‘Zo Train. Alexander agrees. Daivari looks down on “blue collar scrappers” like Gulak. It’s why Daivari threw Gulak under the bus with Enzo. Ali defends Daivari, because Gulak is always stealing the spotlight with those PowerPoint presentations~! Thumbs up!

“Don’t you dare mock my PowerPoint presentations!” Gulak shouts back. Daivari, admit it. You were Enzo’s right hand man until “Captain Underpants” join. Gulak doesn’t want Daivari to listen to this. But in the end, these two were being played all along. First by each other, now by Enzo. So, if Enzo had to choose the ‘Zo Train and Nia Jax, who do you think he’d prefer? Just saying.
The match finally begins, with hometown hero Ali and Privileged Persian Daivari. The two circle, Ali gets the waistlock but Daivari backs him down. The ref calls for a break, Daivari dirties it up with a mule kick. He keeps on Ali with haymakers, then says “Chicago sucks!” before giving even more. Daivari whips Ali corner to corner but Ali goes up and over, handspring to arm-drag, Ali puts Daivari in an armlock. Daivari endures the hold, gets to his feet and pulls Ali’s hair. He brings Ali into the ‘Zo Train corner, Gulak tags in. Ali fights back, Gulak knees low, then gives a running knee strike to Ali’s head. Gulak whips but Ali reverses and throws Gulak with a body drop. Tag to Alexander, double whip to double hip toss. Cover, ONE, Alexander wrenches Gulak’s arm. Gulak gets up, reverses the wrench onto Alexander, but Alexander reverses it back. Alexander whips Gulak, then sends him flying with another body drop. Cover, ONE, so Alexander tags Ali back in. Ali climbs up while Alexander wrenches the arm, double stomps to that arm. Ali chops Gulak to a corner, fans cheering him on. He whips Gulak, Gulak reverses but Ali kicks Gulak away. Ali runs but Daivari blocks his path, allowing Gulak to clobber Ali from behind and snapping him off the ropes. Gulak drags Ali over, tags Daivari, Daivari stomps a mudhole into the hometown hero. Daivari gives Ali a neckbreaker and covers, TWO. Daivari wrenches Ali’s neck, fans chant “Ali! *clap clap*” which upsets Gulak. Ali feeds off the fans’ energy and fights back against Daivari. He goes for a tag but is blocked and hit with a spinebuster!

Cover, TWO! Daivari drags Ali up while Alexander gets the fans rallying again. Tag to Gulak, The ‘Zo Train brings Ali out and up, but Ali slips out of the double back suplex. Alexander tags in, and hits a 2-for-1 springboard missile dropkick!

Alexander kip-ups and fires up with the fans. He rallies on Gulak, blocks the kick to hit the back elbow. Alexander runs, handspring but Daivari trips him up and Gulak boots him down. Gulak boots Alexander all the way out of the ring, then tags Daivari. Daivari fetches Alexander and bounces him off the announce desk. The referee counts, Daivari puts Alexander in the ring. Cover, TWO, so Daivari drags Alexander back to ‘Zo Train territory. Tag back to Gulak, Gulak hits a running stomp. Cover, TWO, Gulak gets frustrated. He drags Alexander back again and stands him up for a chop. Alexander resists but Gulak still throws him out. He keeps the referee distracted a moment, but Daivari still gets caught creeping over to Alexander. The referee orders Daivari to stay by the corner, Alexander meanwhile climbs up and in. Gulak is upon him, Alexander shoulders him away to then hit the step-in springboard complete shot!

Alexander and Gulak are both down, fans rally as they crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Daivari and Ali! Ali rallies on Daivari with the crowd behind him. Daivari reverses the whip but Ali turns that into a flapjack dropkick! Ali fires up, builds speed and FLIES!

Down goes Daivari from that corkscrew plancha! Ali puts Daivari in the ring, rolls and hits the facebuster! Gulak barrels in and breaks the pin, then he takes out Alexander on the apron. The referee gets Gulak to go back to his corner while Daivari goes after Ali. Daivari puts Ali on the top rope, Gulak disapproves given his rules. Daivari still climbs up, but Gulak protests. Gulak and Daivari argue, Alexander slips into the ring and gives Gulak a Lumbar Check!

Ali dumps Daivari down, and hits the 0-5-4!

Ali and Alexander win! Chicago cheers on their hometown hero and the #1 Contender. With momentum on his side, can the Carolina Kid become the new Cruiserweight Champion in the New Year?

As for The ‘Zo Train, they’re still arguing on the outside over whose fault it is that they lost. Is The ‘Zo Train headed for a complete train wreck this close to the close of 2017?

My Thoughts:
205 Live’s not-quite Christmas edition was pretty solid. I didn’t know THE Brian Kendrick was legitimately injured on Christmas until tonight, and I feel that is part of why Itami won without the GTS. Until WWE can be sure Itami can safely use the move he invented, he won’t be using it at all. Though, that seems fine by Itami, he already added a submission finisher to his moves. Itami’s time in the Cruiserweight Division will unfortunately be spent spinning his wheels while he waits for the title scene to open up.
The rest of the night was spent developing the expanding ‘Zo Train saga, as now Tony Nese must decide whose side he is on and what he’ll do once he’s made that decision. He and Tozawa put on a great match, as well, so I’m hoping they take some time with this while he has matches with other Cruiserweights. In fact, why not have Nese go up against Itami to intertwine their stories as well as just give us an incredibly stiff and competitive match? Then everything with Alexander and Gulak was great tonight, both Alexander (and by extension, Ali) making some valid points about how awful and unappreciative Enzo is to Gulak, and then the main event tag team match. Great to see the usual hometown curse was undone for this occasion, but it was mostly because story dictates Alexander needs one more win to stay strong before facing Enzo for the Cruiserweight Championship on Raw. I still expect Gulak to be pivotal to the ending of the match, and hopefully it results in Gulak’s Face turn.
My Score: 8/10
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Who will get what they want?
The Wyatt Sick6 want to end things with Solo Sikoa & MFT, and they will put the WWE Tag Team Championships on the line to do so!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Carmelo Hayes VS Ilja Dragunov; wins and
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS Nia Jax & Lash Legend VS Giulia & Kiana James; win and will challenge for the titles.
- Jade Cargill VS Chelsea Green w/ Alba Fyre; wins.
- Damian Priest VS Trick Williams; wins.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis w/ The Wyatt Sick6 VS MFT; win(s) and
PLAY BY PLAY
Sami Zayn is here!
Montreal cheers their hometown hero as he makes his way out, and he high-fives the fans along the narrow aisleway. Sami goes to the ring, he grabs the mic, and the fans not only cheer for him, but they sing for him! “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! OLE, OLE~!” Sami nods, and in French, he welcomes the fans, and in English says, “Damn it feels good to be home!” Sami continues in French and English that momentum is a funny thing in the WWE. But he’ll be damned if he doesn’t feel he has all the momentum in the world right now! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sami has the chance here in Montreal to become the #1 contender to- Trick Williams interrupts!
The fans boo as Trick makes his way out, mic already in hand. Trick has them cut his music, and he says one thing for sure, two things for certain, Sami Zayn and Trick Williams are NOT on the same level. Trick is Mr. 250, Sami is Mr. Too Many Chances. Trick is Mr. Streetwear, Sami’s Mr. Street Corner. The fans tell Trick off, but Trick says Sami is Mr. Almost, but Trick is Mr. Let’s Toast, cuz Trick Willy knows how to get the job done, let’s talk about it! Trick steps into the ring, and he says Sami’s problem is like he just said: Sami can’t get the job done. Which reminds Trick, the last time Sami had an opportunity at the title was right here in Montreal.
And Sami didn’t get the job done. That is the difference between them. Trick knows how to get the job done! He said it before, he’ll say it again, here in Sami’s city, Trick is going to become WWE Champion. The fans boo Trick and cheer on Sami, and Sami says a couple things Trick said are true, can’t argue with them. Sami did lose a WWE Championship match here in his city, a bitter pill to swallow. Sami had to swallow it, but yeah, it happened. And Trick is also right, he looks like a million bucks and might be a future champion. But one thing Trick said that he’s absolutely right about is that these two are NOT on the same level.
The fans cheer as Sami says to remember that when you step in the ring with Sami, you are dealing with the best of the best! Trick has all the potential in the world, but maybe he’ll reach it in five, ten, fifteen, IF he’s lucky, he’ll be HALF as good as Sami! Trick gets mad but Sami tells him that if Trick thinks he is wrong, do something about it. The fans cheer Sami while Trick looks around. Trick says, “No.” Trick has other things on his mind. He has his match with Damian Priest in the main event. This here, they take care of business tomorrow. And speaking of, Damian Priest makes his way out here!
The fans cheer as The Outlaw has a mic of his own and he joins Trick and Sami in the ring. Priest says, “Trick Willy! Y’know, last week, I told you you’re the guy that does a lot of this (talking). You’ve been on SmackDown what? A month now? And you’ve stepped to everybody and done this. I mean, you just did it to Sami! Last week, I came to your face and you didn’t say a word to me. So I have a theory. I believe you’re afraid of me. I believe you think if you say the wrong thing to me, I’ll drop your ass where you stand. You afraid, Trick? You afraid?” Trick stares Priest down and Priest dares him to say something.
But tell you what, Trick can always do something. The fans cheer as now Trick is stuck between two top stars. Trick says y’all need to mind your business while grown folks is talking! And secondly, Priest thinks Trick is scared? You think he doesn’t know what to say? You think he’s scared to pop off?! Watch this. Trick then SUCKER PUNCHES SAMI! The fans boo, then Trick tries Priest! Priest fires haymakers in return! Priest has Trick in the corner, but Sami gets in there, too! The fans cheer, but Priest backs Sami off. They argue, but Trick CLOBBERS them both! And then he runs for it!
The fans boo but Trick only has until later tonight to prepare for Priest. Will he survive Friday’s main event to make it Saturday Night’s Main Event? Or will he face the Punishment for his actions?
Randy Orton watches this backstage.
Cathy Kelley walks over to ask his take on the situation. He stayed back here to watch rather than get involved, is that strategy on his part? Orton says with all due respect, what in the Hell kind of question si that? 2026 is the Year of the Viper! He has every intention of taking world title gold for the 15th time in his career! And it starts tomorrow night, in the Bell Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in a Fatal 4 Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event! Orton will beat Sami, he will beat Priest, and he will Whoop Dat Trick! Then he hops on a plane, flies halfway across the world to Saudi Arabia, and fight Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble for the World Heavyweight Championship!
Orton will then beat Drew the only way he knows how: With the three most dangerous letters in all of sports entertainment, R K O! The Apex Predator is all fired up, will he punch his golden ticket to Saudi Arabia?
Carmelo Hayes talks with Ilja Dragunov.
Melo asks Ilja if he’s alright after last week’s match with Sami. Ilja says he has had better. Melo says keep your head up, nothing to be ashamed off after that great match. The Open Challenge is Ilja’s if he wants it. Ilja says he just lost to Sami Zayn, his chance at the Undisputed WWE Championship is gone, and he is beat up and bruised. Does Melo think Ilja is so stupid as to compete in this condition for the US Championship? Melo says no, that’s a good point- Ilja pats Melo on the shoulder and says, “You know me so well. See you in the ring.” Well them, challenge accepted. The Miz walks in and says Melo and Ilja are boys now, huh?
This is what Miz can’t stand of this generation. “I look forward to wrestling you.” “Oh, it’s gonna be a great challenge!” Whatever happened to the times when people actually hated each other? Oh, like when Melo hated Miz? Miz says Melo is what the French call easy competition. And take some advice from the adult in the room: Don’t hand out opportunities. What’d Ilja ever give Melo? More of a chance Miz ever did. Melo leaves Miz speechless, but will he still leave with the title? Or will the Mad Russian Dragon make the most of this rematch?
WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Carmelo Hayes VS Ilja Dragunov!
SmackDown returns as Ilja makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if pain will entertain!
The bell rings and Melo dodges! Ilja blocks the First 48, but Melo avoids the stomp. Ilja blocks a boot, back suplexes, but Melo lands out. Melo CHOPS Ilja to the ropes, then CHOPS again. The fans rally and Melo CHIOPS again! Melo whips, Ilja reverses and HIGH ANGLE GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on but Melo scuffs him with forearms. The fans rally but Ilja HEADBUTTS away on the back of Melo’s head. Melo still rises up, fires more elbows, but Ilja spins him to CHOP him down! Ilja clamps on with a REAR BEARHUG and squeezes tight. Melo fires elbows again, fights back to his feet, and pries at the grip.
The fans rally, Melo opens the waistlock, and he switches to shove Ilja. Ilja uses the ropes but Melo avoids the Constantine Special! Melo springboards, but Ilja dodges the Fade Away Jumper! Both men keep moving, DOUBLE LARIATS bring them both down! The fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Ilja and Melo stir, rise up, and Ilja reels Melo in for a CHOP! Melo sits back, and Ilja BOOTS him down! Ilja fires up and storms around, but Melo CHOSP! Ilja CHOPS back! Ilja whips corner to corner hard, then runs in for a KNEE! Ilja goes side to side to BOOT Melo through the ropes! Ilja then goes out to the apron to bring Melo up, pushes him against the bar, and CLUBS him! Ilja steps in, brings Melo around, and suplexes for a BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Melo survives but Ilja clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Melo endures, fights around, gets his arm free, but Ilja keeps on the facelock. The fans rally as Melo fights to his feet.
Melo slips around, SAIDO! Ilja flounders away to a corner while Melo shakes out the bad leg. Melo stands, runs up, but into a BOOT! Ilja then brings Melo around to scoop and SLAM! And then SENTON! Cover, TWO! Melo is still in this, but Ilja hauls him up and reels him in. But Melo BACKDROPS free! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY JUMPER! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives but Melo stays focused, he knows how tough Ilja is. SmackDown returns to single picture as Melo checks his bad leg again. Ilja crawls but Melo is on him with forearms. Ilja UPPERCUTS back, but Melo ROCKS him! Ilja CHOPS! Melo ROCKS Ilja!
Ilja SLAPS Melo, Melo SLAPS back, and the fans rally. Ilja ducks a haymaker to waistlock, but Melo ELBOWS free! That got Ilja in the nose or maybe the bad eye. Melo storms up to Ilja again, but Ilja CHOPS, CHOPS CHOPS! The fans fire up as Ilja CHOPS, SPIN CHOPS, then CHOPS the leg! Ilja lines up a shot, BOOTS Melo down, then stomps him! Ilja stomps Melo again while the fans rally. Ilja drags Melo up, runs the ropes, and BOOTS him again! Melo rebounds to ROCK Ilja! Ilja jumps up to ENZIGIRI! Melo returns, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and Melo is a bit frustrated, but the fans continue to rally up.
“This is Awesome!” as both men rise. Melo has Ilja first, but Ilja fights the suplex! Ilja has the COBRA TWIST, and throws down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Melo fires elbows from below! Melo is free, then sidesteps Ilja, but the CONSTANTINE SPECIAL finds him! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Ilja is stunned but the fans fire up again! Melo goes to a corner, Ilja goes to the other, and Ilja climbs! Ilja aims, and he goes COAST2COAST into the FIRST 48, BUT ILJA BLOCKS IT?! DEADLIFT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and the fans are fired up again while SmackDown goes to break!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.22.26
After a great Genesis PLE…do we continue the momentum? Please let us continue the good…
So TNA must’ve let Kazarian model the last two shows after a Metallica song because holy hell do I have WHIPLASH. The Debut sucked on ice, Genesis was tremendous, I don’t even know what to expect this week. Will it be another pile of cow turd? Will it continue off the momentum of Genesis? Will it be something completely different leaving me bereft of words?
Time to find out.
Are @milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE back on the same page?!#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/vCG9AhKutL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 23, 2026
Ratings:
- Cedric Alexander vs Moose w/Lish: Cedric wins via Double Legged Cradle – *** 1/2
- M by Elegance w/Elegance Brand vs Indi Hartwell: Indi wins via Roll-Up – ** 1/2
- FEAST or FIRED: Eric Young #1, Steve Maclin #2, Eddie Edwards #3, Trey Miguel #4 – ** 1/2
- Mustafa Ali w/Order 4 vs Jeff Hardy w/Matt Hardy: Jeff wins via Swanton Bomb – *** 1/4
Results:
Cedric Alexander vs Moose w/Lish
Collar and Elbow, into the corner, Chops around the world, Moose gets to feelin himself too much, wants 10 Count Punches or something, Cedric Snake Eyes him, Gamengiri…but Moose responds with a Dropkick and Cedric powders to the apron. Moose follows, Forearm Exchange on the apron, Cedric hits an STO on the apron, Moose is selling the back and has been moving stiffly during the start. Moose wants an Apron Bomb, Cedric shakes him, PK, into Dive to break the 10 count.
Cedric tries to feed Moose back into the ring but Moose turns it around and sends Cedric into the steps. Moose breaks the count, wants a Vertical Suplex but sells the back, a few chops and a Pump Kick from Moose as he tries to make his suplex easier, but Cedric plays the Uno Reverse and Suplexes Moose. Cedric climbs to the top, Frog Splash from Cedric for two. A couple of PKs to the back give Cedric another near fall, but Moose fights back, a few big chops, eats a Boot and Swinging Flatliner from Cedric, but Moose tries to fire. Cedric hits Moose and Moose does his Trucker Horn Pull signature taunt to try and get support to fire. Uranage into a Kip Up, Cedric tries to perch and reclaim momentum but Go To Hell, gives Moose a near fall.
Moose goes for a Spear in the corner, but misses and eats buckles, Michinoku Driver from Cedric, but only a two again! Strike Exchange again, both guys have crowd support, Moose goes for the Discus, but eats a straight forearm from Cedric. Cedric bounces off the ropes, eats a Big Boot, Spear from Moose gets countered into a Spanish Fly! Cedric goes up and Moose catches him with a Headbutt. Moose wants Lights Out again, Sunset, Single Leg, Moose stands, goes for the Jacknife, but Cedric pulls off the Body Scissors Double Legged Cradle for the flash victory again!
Mike Santana comes out, comes through the crowd in all his Latino DDP glory and comes out to cut a promo.
.@AJStylesOrg passed the torch, handing @Santana_Proud the keys to lead TNA Wrestling into the @AMC_TV era. #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/MvpaXrKvxC
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 23, 2026
M by Elegance w/Elegance Brand vs Indi Hartwell
M retreats to the safety of Rope Break like she’s Toru Yano. M catches Indi’s foot, wants to step on her toe for the incredulous actions at Genesis, but misses the stomp and Indi steps on M’s foot again. M gets in a few dodges, but no offense as Indi is in control. Chops and repeated Stomps to the foot, Uppercuts and a kick on the apron. M dodges the Big Boot, and they stomp on the other foot. Personal Concierge even takes off his Shoes and they hammer her boots with shoes.
Commercial break will probably end when Indi is starting her comeback. Interesting note through the match, ASH keeps stopping the rampant cheating. She hinted at a face turn during the Genesis desk, so maybe she meant it. As we return, Indi is throwing Elbows to break out of M’s Headlock and then connects on a Spinebuster to stop the heel’s offense. Just like I said…classic 90s wrestling TV logic.
Hip Attack into Bulldog from Indi only gets a two count. M tries to counter the Hurts Dontit, but its a little over rotated. They repeat the spot, done better and it’s a Roll-Up into a reverse Roll-Up, and did Indi grab tights?
Elegance Brand attacks, ASH stops them, M shoves ASH. ASH stands her ground, Double Xias come out for to back up ASH. BUT IT WAS ALL A SCAM! ASH attacks Lei Ying Lee, hits a DDT and all the elegantos stand tall.
FEAST or FIRED
Trey Miguel and Rich Swann square off for the first possible briefcase scramble, AJ Francis cuts off Trey, so Swann and Trey work together to Powerbomb AJ. EY then appears to stop all of the attempts, he poses in the middle, eats 4 Superkicks and then gets wiped out by Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers. They do a cut away to the back, then we see Trey jump into a pile of idiots, Home Town Man does the same. The everyone stand there and get jumped on spot if moronic. Home Town then grabs a briefcase, but EY cuts him off before his feet hit the floor. Unmasks HTM to cause him to drop the briefcase, EY picks it up and officially has Briefcase #1. Great Hands try to work together, Maclin cuts them off, grabs Briefcase #2 and walks out. SDL stops Eddie Edwards, Mance grabs a few chairs and starts lighting up Eddie. Eddie fights back, Blue Thunder Bomb onto the chairs. AJ Francis hits the Down Payment into the apron on Rich Swann. Trey stops AJ, Ryan Nemeth cuts off Trey, then Trey hits a Spider Suplex when Ryan tries to shortcut over him. Trey Miguel grabs briefcase #4 and hits the floor with it. Brian Myers clears out everyone else, Eddie grabs case #3, throws it at AJ since he was missed and then Dropkicks into the Briefcase so AJ drops and flops it.
Elayna Black talks like Xanax feels. She talks like she’s bored even if she’s trying to punctuate things. She’s hot, sure…but she’s about as interesting as licking drywall.
Mustafa Ali w/Order 4 vs Jeff Hardy w/Matt Hardy
The commercial break starts things, so we’ll actually see most if not all of the match. Go figure?
Jeff gets the best of Ali early, a little mat wrestling toying, and is just straight, out wrestling Ali. Jeff lets Ali gather himself and re-enter the ring, a small rope run, Jeff feigns a punch and Ali retreats and throws himself over the top rope. Tries to come back, Jeff raises the fist, Ali cowers, so Jeff Low Dropkicks the feet and Ali stomps around like a child on the outside.
Ali finally gets back in the ring, puts together a couple moves but eats a Lariat, Ali counters the Jawbreaker and dumps Jeff to the outside. Matt handles Great Hands, Agent Zero lands a Kick while Matt is jawing with Tasha. Oh…another commercial.
During the commercial, Great Hands struggled moving the bottom steps into position so Zero did it himself. They set up a spot, but Jeff counters and Twist of Hate onto the steps. Both men sell the toll the match has taken, count gets to 9 and they both slide in. Jeff hits his combo, Manhattan Drop, Leg Drop, Low Dropkick, near fall. Jeff tries another Twist, gets pushed off, Jeff wants Whisper, but Ali Dropkick says no. Ali charges and Jeff Leap Frog’s Ali into the buckle. Splash by Jeff, into a Twist of Hate but only for two!
Ali trips Jeff into the ropes, heads to the tag belts and wants to use one, Matt pulls the belt away and fights off the Great Hands. Zero attacks but Matt pushes him into the post. Ali tries the Rolling Neckbreaker but gets cause with a Twist! Swanton…missed! Ali positions Jeff, 450! Jeff kicks out! Elijah’s strum hits, and Ali gets distracted, Twist! Swanton is good! Jeff wins.
So the newest member of the Main Event Mafia…I mean…The System will be revealed today since JDC retired at Genesis. Bear Bronson gets introduced as the new member, and the connection is because Brian Myers trained him. Eddie, Bronson and Myers attack Dango and Moose! Cedric comes down to clear the ring but then hits Moose with a chair. The old…Quadruple Turn. Eddie, Cedric, Myers and Bronson are the new heel system.
Overall Score: 7.25/10
The show breezed by, there were decent matches and we got to see a fair amount of them instead of an avalanche of promos, video packages and ill-timed commercials ruining matches. The System also never felt right as a Face Faction. So leave it to Eddie to put the Japanese flair on the Faction Reboot. I like this new look System, makes more sense how its built. Moose also had the huge hero moment at Genesis, so keeping him babyface and having them kick him out was very correct. Moose is hopefully going to be line for a title run, be it X or World, if he keeps up this babyface momentum, he’s got something in the bag.
ASH pulling the double swerve with faking a face turn just to show she’s cleared for action. At this point, I hope we never know why she was truly out and it’s just a giant scam because she didn’t want the bad optics of losing a title match. Feast or Fired feels like Maclin is getting fired…and that’s gonna suck. TNA has to stop building newer guys who aren’t known from WWE, and then just losing them to bigger dollar signs. Josh Alexander, Ethan Page, Mike Bailey, Ace Austin, The Rascalz…pay these damn people to stick around and build your brand with consistency.
But that’s theory crafting, and we have to wait til next week to see if I rant. This week…was surprisingly really good.

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