Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Clash of Champions Report! (12/17/17)
All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service, and WWE’s official Twitter
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match: Zack Ryder VS Mojo Rawley; Rawley wins.
- WWE United States Championship Triple Threat: Baron Corbin VS Bobby Roode VS Dolph Ziggler; Ziggler wins and becomes the new WWE US Champion.
- WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way: The Usos VS The New Day VS Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable VS Rusev & Aiden English; The Usos win and retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
- WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Lumberjack Match: Charlotte Flair VS Natalya; Charlotte wins and retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
- Breezango VS The Bludgeon Brothers; Bludgeon Brothers win.
- Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, Double Special Guest Referees: Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon; Kevin & Sami win and keep their jobs.
- WWE Championship: AJ Styles VS Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers; Styles wins and retains the WWE Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with AJ Styles.
The WWE Champion won his title overseas during WWE’s UK Tour. Ever since then, former champion Jinder Mahal has tried to get his title back any way he can. Styles saw through his tricks, such as making it seem that The Singh Brothers were switching sides. Is Styles concerned about any new tricks up Mahal’s sleeve? Styles admits that while he saw through the lies, he shouldn’t have turned his back on the Singhs, because that allowed Mahal to blindside him. Styles will do what he always does: defy the odds. He’ll be ready for everything and anything, like the Great Khali returning, or the Singh Brothers being annoying as usual. He knows he to be better than good, and better than ready. He’ll be phenomenal! Will The Phenomenal One live up to that name and remain THE WWE Champion?
Backstage interview with Naomi.
A former SmackDown Women’s Champion in her own right, #TheGirlwiththeGlow speaks on the Riott Squad beating her down and being Charlotte Flair’s only ally in the Lumberjack match. Naomi is familiar with haters, like The Welcoming Committee’s Carmella and Tamina. She also admits The Riott Squad are dangerous, sidelining Becky and almost doing the same to Naomi. She warns the rookies: stay away or “in the worst way possible”, you will #FeeltheGlow. But speaking of The Welcoming Committee, they appear to speak with Naomi in person.
This is only to “welcome” Naomi back. These four haven’t seen eye to eye, but have a common enemy in Riott Squad. If Naomi doesn’t cross them, they won’t cross her. But then The Riott Squad appear in person.
Welcome back, Naomi. How about they welcome you to a broken jaw? Things break down into shouting, referees have to keep the peace. With this much tension in the SmackDown Women’s Division, will that Lumberjack match simply turn into a powder keg?
Charlotte Flair joins the Kickoff Commentary.
The Queen of Flair and SmackDown Women’s Champion has a “very busy night” ahead of her. One on one with Natalya is one thing, but how does she feel with the rest of the SmackDown Women’s Division ringside? The former champion is a threat, but so are all the other women. How will Charlotte deal with only having one ally on her side? Charlotte doesn’t politic like Natty, but she admits The Riott Squad is probably the biggest threat out there, even with Carmella being Ms. Money in the Bank. Speaking of the Queen of Harts, she appears!
Natty is so happy to see everyone, especially Charlotte, and Natty’s championship. The Queen of Harts hopes Charlotte gave that title a nice big hug, because this is the last time she’ll get to hold it. After tonight, “baby’s coming home to mama.” Natty takes her leave to prepare, Charlotte “loves” her confidence. Charlotte takes her leave now, will she leave the TD Garden with the title?
The New Day visit the Social Media Lounge.
The four-time WWE tag team champions want to become five-time champions, inside a SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tag Fatal 4 Way. They are ready for the questions! “Will you guys start officially selling New Day branded ‘Booty Powder’ pancake mix”? Yes, given supply and demand. The New Day provides for the people. “Will becoming the Five-Time WWE world tag team champions be the best Christmas ever?” Yes!
Today is @WWEBigE's FIVE YEAR, FIVE YEAR, FIVE YEAR, FIVE YEAR, FIVE YEAR anniversary in @WWE!!! #WWEClash @XavierWoodsPhD @TrueKofi pic.twitter.com/WRC6ZF7djB
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 18, 2017
The number five is fitting, because five years ago, “yo boi” Big E debuted to run over and slam down John Cena, with Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee at his side! The others give applause for this great moment. “What is the game plan for tonight”? Why would they give it away!? They’re four-time champions for a reason: their opponents never know what’s coming! All these questions, and you ask that one? They will never slip up! They will never crack up! You will never see New Day’s crack. The New Day is confident as ever, can they make the SmackDown Tag Team championships their early Christmas presents?
Kickoff Match: Zack Ryder VS Mojo Rawley!
The Hype Bros came together to become tag team champions, but fell short when Ryder fell from a knee injury. They reunited, but had missed their window, and Mojo blames Ryder for it all. The Hype Bros “are dead”, so who will come out the survivor of this friendship’s fallout?
Ryder dropkicks Mojo right at the bell! He hammers away, Mojo shoves him, runs, Ryder clotheslines Mojo and tumbles out with him. The brawl continues on the outside, Ryder backing Mojo down, but Mojo rams Ryder into the LED apron! Mojo puts Ryder back in the ring but Ryder comes back with a wrecking ball dropkick! Ryder puts Mojo back in the ring then dodges the shoulder to kick Mojo away. Ryder gets in the ring only to get a spinebuster from Mojo!
Mojo looms over Ryder, then picks him up for a right hand that puts him in a corner. Mojo continues with a headbutt then a corner to corner whip with a corner splash. Cover, TWO, so Mojo puts Ryder in a chinlock. The fans rally, Ryder feeds off the energy but Mojo rocks him with a right. Mojo puts Ryder in a corner, runs but gets knees from Ryder, Ryder hops up only for Mojo to shove him down to the floor! The referee counts as Ryder crawls but Mojo goes out to gain speed and then run Ryder over!
Ryder collides with barriers, Mojo trash talks while we go to break.
#WWEClash returns, Mojo grinds Ryder down with another chinlock. Ryder fires himself up and fights against the hold, jawbreaker frees Ryder, only for Mojo to boot him down! Mojo trash talks again, “Show me your killer instinct!” Mojo toys with Ryder now, “that all you got?” Ryder wills himself up and then rocks Mojo with a right hand, then a back elbow. Ryder rallies, but Mojo grabs his throat, Ryder breaks free to slap Mojo!
.@MojoRawleyWWE at #WWEClash: Is THAT all you got?@ZackRyder: pic.twitter.com/Gi7RKyY0iR
— WWE (@WWE) December 18, 2017
The fans fire up as Ryder rallies, big forearm smash in the corner and then more right hands before the Broski Boot! Ryder keeps going, a second Broski Boot against ropes, Ropebreak! Ryder can’t believe it, he brings Mojo up but Mojo holds the ropes. The referee backs Ryder off, Mojo chop blocks out the leg! Mojo fires up, runs, Hype Arm! Cover, Mojo wins! He shouts in Ryder’s face, because he proved he didn’t need Ryder. It is #MojoRising, who will be the next to feel his fury?
“All will be defended or lost.”
Everyone wants to be champion, but not everyone can be champion. Pride and glory combine in this “clash of champions” tonight, who will come out still holding on to theirs?
WWE United States Championship Triple Threat: Baron Corbin VS Bobby Roode VS Dolph Ziggler!
The Lone Wolf didn’t want to defend his title, but at a Pay-Per-View where every champion must defend their title, he has no choice but to take on both The GLORIOUS One and the Show-Off.
The bell rings, the three men circle, Roode and Ziggler decide to take care of the big bad Lone Wolf. They corner Corbin and pounce with mudhole stomps! Corbin bails out but Ziggler and Roode pursue, giving him haymakers and a double clothesline that send him out into the crowd. Roode then turns on Ziggler with haymakers and puts him in the ring. Ziggler almost hits the Superkick, Roode almost hits the DDT, Ziggler powers out and sits, TWO. ZIggler kicks low, jumps but Roode dodges, atomic drop to Russian side leg sweep. Cover, TWO, Roode slows the pace but Ziggler throws him out of the ring. Corbin returns to run Roode over!
Ziggler grabs Corbin but Corbin rocks him with a right hand. Corbin throws Roode into barriers, then drags Roode up and into the ring. Roode gets to a corner while Corbin reenters the ring, COrbin runs in for a big corner clothesline and standing STO before giving a stiff right hand on the run. Fans boo and jeer, Corbin embraces it all before bringing Roode up again. Corner to corner whip, Roode hits buckles hard and Corbin watches him writhe. The Lone Wolf drags Roode up again, to ram shoulders into Roode’s back. Corbin rocks Roode with another right, then goes out to fetch Ziggler. Ziggler goes back first into barriers! Corbin returns to Roode in the ring, stalks over but Roode kicks and chops back. Roode backs Corbin down, runs, but into a sidewalk slam, cover, Ziggler breaks it. Ziggler grabs Corbin, Corbin hits back. Corbin stomps away on Ziggler in a corner, fans boo and jeer whiel Corbin runs at Roode. Roode dodges, Corbin slides out then in, keeps going for Roode but Roode ducks so that Ziggler takes the lariat. Roode throws haymakers and chops again, Corbin shoves him but is kicked away, Roode runs Corbin over! Now Roode goes on a rally, corner to corner whip reversed but he gets the boots up to then hop up, blockbuster!
Cover, TWO! Corbin rolls out of the ring, Roode stalks over, Ziggler returns for the Zig-Zag but is bucked off, Roode rallies on him now. Ziggler back elbows Roode, but runs into boots. Roode hops up again, takes aim, jumps but Ziggler dodges to then kick out a leg and hit the Famouser!
Corbin breaks the pin just in time! All three men are down, fans rally as Corbin tears away his shirt. The champion sees his challengers in opposite corners, he runs in and clobbers Roode, then clobbers Ziggler, then runs at Roode but takes a back elbow and then a dropkick from Ziggler! Roode slams Ziggler, then gets slammed by Corbin via the Deep Six!
TWO! Corbin is frustrated, he, Roode and Ziggler are down on the mat. Fans cheer for Roode, which upsets Corbin, so Corbin picks on Roode first. Corbin hoists Roode up onto the top rope before climbing up to join him, Roode fights back and knocks Corbin down. Ziggler appears outta nowhere, Roode resists so Ziggler hammers away. Ziggler tries again, but Corbin has returned, Tower of Doom!
Corbin covers Ziggler, TWO! He goes over to Roode, TWO! The Lone Wolf feels frustration creeping in, fans cheer “this is awesome!” Corbin grabs Ziggler, choke slam escaped! Ziggler dodges, Corbin hits a post! Ziggler sees Roode all alone. The Show-Off tunes up the band, fans react in a mixed bag, Roode dodges and hits a SPINEBUSTER! Roode winds it up… GLORIOUS! But ZIggler escapes the DDT, satellite DDT from Ziggler! TWO! Ziggler cannot believe it, and now Corbin has returned to throw him out. ZIggler stays on the apron, Roode dumps Corbin back out, Ziggler returns for- No, Roode blocks the Superkick, to trip Ziggler and catapult him into a buckle! GLORIOUS DDT!
Corbin returns to throw Roode out but gets thrown out isntead, cover, Corbin drags Roode out! Choke Slam Backbreaker on the outside!
Corbin drags Roode back into the ring, brings him back up, End of Days and a Zig-Zag!!
Ziggler wins!! He is the NEW United States Champion!! Ziggler played the odds and won, is this a new resurgence in his WWE career?
SmackDown GM and Commissioner receive their referee uniforms.
Daniel Bryan feels his is a bit too big for him. He requests a new one, but Shane’s fits. Shane has been “going a little bit bonkers” with this. He respects Bryan, but the plan was Sami & Kevin were supposed to be gone. Shane made himself special guest referee, yet Bryan makes himself the other? What is Bryan thinking? Bryan wants to protect SmackDown’s integrity and protect Shane from himself and his grudge. Shane admits he has a temper, so let’s play it out. Two referees, one in and one out? No both inside. Unprecedented! Any ideas how that’ll work? Yes, and Bryan wants to talk about that in private. Shane will fetch Bryan a shirt that fits, then they’ll discuss a plan that fits. Will these two be able to get along once the bell rings?
Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
Between losing the US Championship and failing in his Money in the Bank cash-in, does he sense he’s building a reputation as someone who “squanders opportunities”? Corbin didn’t “squander” anything! He was cheated! Ziggler didn’t belong, Ziggler stole that title, and will pay for it in the rematch!
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way: The Usos VS The New Day VS Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable VS Rusev & Aiden English!
“And because today is Rusev Day”, it is a great day to become SmackDown Tag Team Champions. “On the 12th day of Rusev, my partner gave to me~!” 12 months of Rusev, 11 Russian Medals, 10 Lanas leaping, 9 second winning, 8 Aiden songs, 7 boards a breaking, 6 Machka Kicks, 5 Pluvtive keys~! 4 of the lads, 3 unhinder Jinders, 2 Rusev shirts, and a tag team title victory~! But no time for encores, the match must begin!
Why is Aiden English still singing? This ain’t American Idol or the Voice. The Usos give a remix, feel free to sing along! 12 days, LOCK DOWN! 11 days, LOCK DOWN! You know the rest. The Uso Penitentiary has the SmackDown Tag Team Division #OnLock, but can it stay that way when practically the entire division is in one match?
Four men must start, one from each team, so it is Gable, Jey, Kofi and ENglish at the bell. They circle, pair off, Gable rolls Kofi but English rolls Gable but Kofi rolls English but Jey rolls Kofi, TWO! All four men find themselves by their corners, so they all tag in their partners and it is an eight man brawl!
Teams spill out, the New Day’s Kofi and Big E control the ring, Kofi gets a boost to FLY!
Kofi wipes out Gable & Benjamin, Big E runs but is dumped out, Jey runs and FLIES onto him and English!
Jimmy climbs, Benjamin springs up to join him, SUPER OVERHEAD SUPLEX!
Benjamin covers, Big E breaks the pin. Big E drags Benjamin up for body shots and a whip, then a big shoulder into the corner. Kofi returns, “time to turn up!” The New Day stampedes on Benjamin, two rotations until Kofi has to dropkick Rusev down. “Who? Who who?” Kofi gets whipped to dropkick Benjamin, then back around for Jimmy! Rusev MACHKA Kicks Kofi, and then sends Big E into a post. Rusev solos the Usos, covers, TWO. Cover on Kofi, TWO! The fans chant for “Rusev Day!” before he tags English at the same time Benjamin & Gable focus on Kofi. Gable & Benjamin hit the back suplex bulldog, Gable covers, TWO. English drags Jimmy up and bumps him off a buckle, then gives a forearm to his back. Gable puts on a keylock while English puts on a chinlock, they stare each other down as they do it. Benjamin tags in, he and Gable isolate Kofi. English keeps Jimmy down, Benjamin suplexes Kofi while Rusev kicks Jimmy down. The two teams hold a tense truce as they pick apart their prey, Gable tags back in while English tags in on his end. They keep Kofi and Jimmy isolated, English covers but TWO. Benjamin asks for room as he whips Kofi, big back body drop sends Kofi flying. Benjamin knocks Jey Uso down while English suplexes Jimmy, cover, Benjamin breaks it. English tags Rusev, Benjamin tags Gable, they continue to isolate and pick apart Kofi and Jimmy, Rusev breaks Gable’s pin. Benjamin tags back in, as does English. Gable tags back in to help with double knees and kicks, as well as knocking Big E down and out. BIG heel kick from Kofi outta nowhere!
Big E and the fans rally as Kofi crawls, Benjamin is dumped out, but the hot tag to Big E is denied by Benjamin. Gable hits a rolling kick, English breaks the cover. The truce ends as Gable and English shove each other, Jimmy tries to take advantage. His dragon whip kick is sent into Gable, English knocks him down, Kofi returns for double stomps! The fans rally on New Day’s side, all four men are down but crawling, hot tags to Jey and Big E! They rally on the others, mule kick to uppercut to overhead for Gable! English takes a Samoan Drop! The #UceTruce allows Jey to hit Gable with the running hip attack, and Big E to hit English with the Big Splash!
Double cover, double TWO! Jey and Big E stare down now, the #UceTruce breaks down! They throw heavy haymakers, Jey SUPERKICKS Big E! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Kofi! Rusev comes in, SUPERKICK! ENglish in, SUPERKICK! Benjamin & Gable, double SUPERKICKS, but then blocks into a powerbomb for Jimmy, Texas Cloverleaf for Jey!
Benjamin guards Gable, Jey endures, Kofi springboards in for a powerbomb! English drags Benjamin out, DDT! MACHKA Kick to Gable, then the Widowmaker, TWO! Rusev Day almost had the titles! English tags Rusev, Rusev targets Gable, stomp to Accolade!
Gable endures the Bulgarian Brute’s signature hold, Big E returns to throw Rusev to ropes, scoop Rusev up, and with Kofi on the top rope- No, English shoves Kofi down! Then a hotshot for Big E, roll-up, TWO! MACHKA KICK! TWO!! Rusev can’t believe it, but he won’t slow down. “MACHKA!!” Another Accolade!
Big E endures, Woods begs that he keep it together, Big E finds a second wind to power up, but he’s back in the hold! Big E fades, but Gable appears to give Rusev a German Suplex!
English returns, he bumps off a buckle, roll into a German! Gable aims at Big E now, shove into another rolling German!
THe fans fire up with Gable, he’s far from over. He grabs Jey but Jimmy tags in and makes the save, SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! Jey tags back in, Uso Splash!
The Usos win and retain the titles! Can the Uso Penitentiary keep SmackDown’s Tag Team Division on Lock Down forever?!
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Lumberjack Match: Charlotte Flair VS Natalya!
The Queen of Flair may be champion tonight, but can she remain atop the SmackDown Women’s Division when a former champion is her opponent, the entire division is ringside, and Ms. Money in the Bank is among them?
The bell rings, Charlotte and Natty tie up, Charlotte gets a standing switch but Natty elbows out. Natty runs to run Charlotte over, poses, then runs only to run into Charlotte’s back elbow. Charlotte boots Natty out right in front of Naomi, Naomi gets hers with kicks to Natty before feeding her to Charlotte. Charlotte grabs Natty, Natty bumps out and gives Charlotte a haymaker. Natty throws Chalrotte to her Welcoming Committee, who now get theirs. CHarlotte fights back, the Riott Squad helps put Chalrotte in the ring, Natty is upon her. Natty trash talks before throwing haymakers, whips but Charlotte kicks back then gives a Flair Chop and stiff neckbreaker. Charlotte boots Natty down, covers, TWO. Natty gets to a corner, boots Charlotte away then throws her into buckles before posing again. Fans boo and jeer, Natty embraces it as she clotheslines and stomps Charlotte down. Natty kicks Charlotte out, The Riott Squad is upon her. The Welcoming Committee wants some, but THe Riott Squad keeps them away as they feed Charlotte back to Natty. Natty feeds Charlotte back to the Lumberjacks, the Riott Squad and Welcoming Committee beat her down.
They put Charlotte back on the apron, Natty uses a baseball slide dropkick to send Charlotte back down, and the two stables beat Charlotte down again. Natty enjoys toying with Charlotte, giving a stiff kick to the ribs and then a slap across the face. Charlotte returns the slap so Natty clubs her down and wraps on a chinlock. Natty tells fans to “shut up!” before she thrashes Charlotte around on the mat. Charlotte endures, Natty keeps on the squeeze. The champion endures, Naomi the only woman ringside on her side. Fans rally, Charlotte feeds off the energy, but Natty throws her down, walks over her and hits a dropkick. Natty keeps it up with another kick to the back, then a choke at the ropes. The referee counts, Natty backs off at 4, then goes for another dropkick but Charlotte gets up to let Natty fall out of the ring. Natty worries what’ll happen to her, but Carmella does nothing more than help Natty back into the ring. Charlotte gives Natty a Flair Chop, then another, and another, and another. More and more chops, Charlotte then whips Natty for one big double chop! Charlotte styles and profiles, goes back to Natty but her whip is reversed, but she manages to hit Natty with a backbreaker and buckle shot. Charlotte puts Natty in position, climbs up but is yanked down by Natty! Natty drags Charlotte around, tries the Sharpshooter but Charlotte slaps her away. Roll-up, TWO, boot! Charlotte has Natty now, FIgure Four shoved away, Charlotte falls out on top of Ruby!
Ruby’s Riott Squad pounces on Charlotte, The Welcoming Committee come in to get theirs, now the Lumberjacks fight each other! Naomi appears to springboard onto all of them!
The Lumberjacks are all down, Charlotte finds Natty and gets her back in the ring. Ruby anchors Charlotte, Natty wants after her but the referee backs her off, so Tamina has an opening for a SUPERKICK to the champion! Natty embraces the heat before putting Charlotte into the Sharpshooter!
Charlotte endures the Hart Family signature, but powers her way to the ropes! Natty drags her away, The Riott Squad and Welcomign Committee watch Charlotte suffer. Charlotte tries again, crawling towards other ropes, and gets the ropebreak! The Lumberjacks drag her out and attack! They fight against each other agani, it is chaos at ringside! Charlotte ends up in the ring, Natty finds her way out of the chaos but it is Carmella who enters the ring! With her MITB briefcase!!
Natty and Ruby stop Carmella, but the Lumberjacks flood the ring, too! They move out of the ring, Natty has Charlotte but Charlotte throws Natty out. Natty fights her way out while Charlotte climbs up, SUPER Moonsault onto the Riott Squad and Welcoming Committee!
Natty finds Charlotte and throws her into a post. The Queen of Harts grins as she stomps the Queen of Flairs, but is stuck dragging dead weight into the ring. Natty returns, grabs Charlotte again, Sharpshooter reversed into the Figure Eight!
Natty endures, Natty taps! Charlotte wins and is still the SmackDown Women’s Champion! She defied the odds and the numbers, can anyone hope to dethrone THE Queen of SmackDown?
In-ring interview with Natalya.
How is she feeling after this “disappointing outcome”? Natty did nothing wrong. Tonight, Charlotte did what she does best: using her family name to cut corners! “I have given the WWE Universe some of the best matches the women in this company have ever seen!” Natty has carried the Division for 10 years, yet all of them have treated Natty with nothing but disrespect. Fans boo and jeer even now. “The WWE Universe wants to turn their back on me?!” The Women’s Division wants to turn their back on her? Natty will turn her back on them! Natty leaves, tears of frustration in her eyes. Is this the last time the Queen of Harts will be seen in a WWE ring?
Backstage interview with The Singh Brothers.
This was meant to be an interview with the former WWE Champion, Jinder Mahal, but Samir & Sunil will not let anyone interrupt the Modern Day Maharaja in his “deep, deep, deep meditation”. Jinder Mahal did hear what Styles said, however, and Mahal’s reaction? Laughter. AJ Styles is mistaken if he thinks he’s going to defy the odds tonight. Mahal & The Singhs humiliated Styles, and are all very confident Mahal will become a “two time two time” WWE Champion. Mahal is so confident, he won’t even need The Singh Brothers. Does that mean they won’t be ringside? Watch and find out.
Breezango VS The Bludgeon Brothers!
The Fashion Police have been tracking down who trashed their headquarters, and finally cracked the code: 2B means The Bludgeon Brothers. Can Fandango & Breeze arrest Rowan & Harper? Or will they be two more lambs to the slaughter?
Harper and Breeze start, the bell rings, Harper rocks Breeze with an uppercut and scares Fandango off. Harper tags Rowan, Rowan pursues Fandango, then returns to Breeze. Breeze gives an enziguri that rocks Rowan, tag to Fandango, double boots knock Rowan off the apron but not off his feet. Breeze jumps, Rowan catches him, Fandango saves Breeze from worse, Rowan stops himself from going into a post while Harper boots Breeze down! Fandango fights alone against Harper & Rowan but his tornado DDT is denied, Rowan clobbers him in the back. The Bludgeon Brothers put Fandango in the ring, then bring Breeze up for an apron facebuster! Breeze crumples to the floor, Rowan squashes Fandango. Harper tags in, full-nelson lift to the sit-out powerbomb. Harper tags Rowan back in, they lift Fandango up, double crucifix slam!
Rowan covers, The Bludgeon Brothers win. They aren’t done, they take to the mic.
“The future holds more bludgeoning!” “More pain!” “More fear!” “The end of the beginning.” “The beginning of the end.” Harper & Rowan have issued their mission statement, can the SmackDown Tag Team Division survive?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.
Earlier, Daniel Bryan claimed that he is the second guest referee for the sake of SmackDown’s integrity, but Shane claims it is for “ulterior motives”. What is this about “ulterior motives”? They know the real reason Bryan became the second referee. Bryan is the only reasonable authority figure, and they know why he jumped into SmackDown’s main event to count the victory for Kevin Owens. People forget that Shane has a history of screwing people over as a special guest referee. Shane did it to Kevin over the Summer when he “screwed” Kevin out of once again being the United States Champion. Bryan knows he has “A+” talent, and wants tonight to be a fair fight. The Sami & Kevin Show isn’t being cancelled any time soon, and the #YepMovement rages on. But what if they lose and are fired? They’re speechless. Kevin & Sami leave without a word, will they be forced to leave the WWE tonight?
Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, Double Special Guest Referees: Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon!
This grudge dates all the way back to the Summer, became extremely personal after The Prizefighter brutalized Vince McMahon, and hit an all-time high when Kevin & Sami ruined SmackDown’s chances in the Survivor Series 5v5 Elimination Match. Now Shane O’Mac looks to finish it off, losing here means Sami & Kevin lose their jobs in the WWE!
Bryan already keeps the peace between Shane, Kevin and Sami, the teams sort out who starts. Sami starts against Orton and the bell rings. Sami talks trash to Orton before they circle and tie up, Orton powers Sami to a corner, but then Sami turns it around. Shane counts for the break, Sami gives it. Orton and Sami tie up again, Orton gets a headlock, fans serenade Sami with “Ole~ Ole~!” Sami powers out but Orton runs him over, both refs count but the rhythm is off, but it is still a TWO! Sami gets Orton to a corner again, dirties up the break with body shots, Shane backs him down. Orton kicks and European Uppercuts Sami to the other corner, then wrenches an arm before tagging in Nakamura. Nakamura gives Sami body shots and an arm wrench, Sami grabs Nakamura’s hair. Shane reprimands Sami, fans duel in a chant, Sami puts on a headlock. Sami wrenches Nakamura again, fans keep dueling while Nakamura reverses with spins and a cartwheel, Nakamura wrenches Sami. Bryan points out the ropebreak, Nakamura lets go, but is right back on him. Sami powers Nakamura to his corner, Kevin tags in and fires off shots, Shane and Bryan both back him off. Kevin and Shane argue, Kevin gives Nakamura another shot. Kevin stomps and chops Nakamura, Nakamura turns it around to fire off shots. Bryan has to be the one to back Nakamura off, Nakamura snapmares Kevin for a knee drop. Another double count that is off-rhythm, but still a TWO. Orton tags in, he stomps Kevin’s foot. Orton gives Kevin EuroUppers and haymakers, then stomps. Bryan has Orton bring it out, Ortonw hips but is reversed, Orton throws Kevin down by his head, the double count again gets confusing. Sami thinks this is a joke. Shane and Bryan work out territory of the ring, Shane will take the half with Orton’s & Nakamura’s corner, Bryan will take Kevin & Sami.
The match continues, Sami swings on Orton but gets rocked, Kevin gives Orton a SUPERKICK! That’s Shane’s side, TWO! Kevin argues with Shane, then stomps away on Orton. Sami tags in, they mug Orton in their corner but Bryan makes sure they cool off. Kevin gets a cheap shot, Bryan is right on it. Orton gets to Shane’s side of the ring, Sami grinds an elbow into Ortno. Shane backs Sami off, Sami chops Orton. “You wanna try and take my job?!” Sami says as he chops more. Orton fires back with a EuroUpper! Tag to Kevin, Kevin grabs Orton and brings him back, then clubs him down. Kevin backs Orton down to his corner, stomps away, Sami trash talks while Bryan counts. Kevin argues with Bryan about Shane’s count before giving Orton a knee. Sami tags in again, Sami stomps on Orton before locking him in a chinlock. Orton has an arm locked behind him, Kevin starts up the “YEP! YEP!” chants. Sami keeps Orton from getting away, but Orton reverses the suplex to hang Sami out to dry on the top rope. Both men down, the referees check on each of them. Bryan begins a count, Sami tags Kevin, Kevin intercepts Orton and knocks Nakamura down. Shane reprimands him, Kevin drags Orton out for the back senton! Shane counts, TWO! Kevin gets upset, he wanted Bryan to count, but it wasn’t Bryan’s side. The chinlock returns, fans rally, Orton gets up and fights out. Orton backs Kevin down with right hands, Kevin kicks back and has Orton on his side again. Tag to Sami, Sami chokes Orton on the ropes. Both refs have Sami back off, Sami returns to the chinlock. Sami talks trash even as Orton reaches, but Sami denies the tag, only to take a back suplex! Both men down, crawling for their corners, hot tags to Kevin and Nakamura! Nakamura rallies, Dynamic Dropkick!
Nakamura unloads kicks on Kevin’s chest, enziguri! Kevin takes knees from Nakamura, Nakamura gives Sami a forearm. Corner to corner knee smash, then more knees, Nakamuar sits Kevin down for Good Vibrations! Kevin is set on the top rope, Top Shelf Knee! Cover, Shane counts, TWO! Nakamuar drags Kevin up, Kevin slips out, swings and misses, Nakamura swings and hits on the second! Shane counts, TWO! Nakamura brings Kevin up again, Kevin resists the inverted exploder. Kevin elbows Nakamura into his corner, Sami comes up but Nakamura knocks him down, Kevin runs into a boot. Nakamura hops up, Kevin goes at him, tornado takedown into the triangle hold!
Shane and Bryan both check on this, they move around while Kevin props himself up, it’s a cover on Nakamura! Bryan goes over the line to count it, TWO! Shane and Bryan argue over what was happening, Nakamura runs into a SUPERKICK from Kevin! Shane counts, TWO! Both men down, they crawl for their corners, tag to Sami. Sami knocks Orton down, then takes aim, corner to corner for the- Nakamura boots Sami, runs out, but gets caught in the Blue Thunder Bomb!
Bryan counts, TWO! Sami is frustrated, Shane is relieved. Sami tags Kevin, they both go after Nakamura, Shane reprimands while they double whip. Drop toehold to back senton, Orton breaks the cover. Orton rains hands, Shane and Bryan reprimand him, Sami tackles Orton to rain down hands. Shane backs Sami off, Sami throws Orton out. Bryan keeps peace, fans start dueling again. Kevin goes for another back senton but meets Nakamura’s knees! They crawl, hot tags to Orton and Sami, Orton is the one to rally. Sami swings, misses, fakes out the powerslam but then gets caught into an exploder from Orton! Orton finds Sami on the apron, drags him up, Sami hotshots Orton away. Sami flounders his way to the top rope, Orton trips him up! Bryan reprimands Orton for a moment, but Orton doesn’t care, he climbs up. Sami resists but Orton still hits the SUPERPLEX!
Kevin drags Orton out and puts him into steel steps! Nakamura goes after Kevin with a strike fest! Nakamura throws Kevin into a barrier and keeps going, Sami clobbers Nakamura down. Both Shane and Bryan try to bring this match back in order, Nakamura won’t stop going after Kevin but Sami makes him pay for it with a bump off the announce desk. Kevin & Sami clear off that table, and then mug Nakamura. The referees both try to stop this, Shane accidentally pokes Bryan in the eyes? Sami drags Nakamura up onto one table, Kevin takes aim from the other, running splash!
Kevin and Nakamura crash through the table!! The fans are losing their minds! Shane checks on the two men, Sami asks him and Bryan “What’re you gonna do? DQ us?” Sami in the ring, powerslam from Orton! Orton stalks Sami to the apron, pulls him through the ropes, and with the fans in a fever pitch, draping DDT!
Orton hears those voices in his head now! Shane is fired up for The Viper as he watches Sami staggering to his feet, RKO!
Orton covers, Shane counts, Kevin barrels into Bryan to fall onto Shane?! Shane gets furious with Bryan, that was going to be the finish! The referees argue as Orton glares down Bryan, Kevin comes in, RKO for Kevin! Orton wants Bryan to “pay attention”, Sami surprises Orton and Bryan counts, but then Orton rolls onto Sami and Shane counts, then back again, then back again, TWO! Orton rushes Sami, Sami rolls, Shane counts but STOPS!?
Everyone realizes Shane just screwed Sami out of a win. The referees argue again, fans are on Bryan’s side with this one. Orton gets up, RKO denied, roll up, Bryan with a fast count!! Shane tries to hit Bryan but misses, Sami & Kevin WIN!! They keep their jobs!
Orton and Nakamura are furious, Shane is beside himself as well. Commentary argues over who did what first, what will be the fallout of this screwed-over screwjob?
WWE Championship: AJ Styles VS Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers!
The Modern Day Maharaja became the 50th WWE Champion ever, and immediately deemed himself the greatest champion ever. However, he did anything and everything he could to stay champion against the likes of Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura. The Phenomenal One found a way around those underhanded tactics and became the new WWE Champion in Manchester, England, and now Mahal wants his title back. Can Styles defy the number game again to stay THE Champion?
Fans already chant for Styles before the bell. The bell rings, The Singh Brothers give some last advice before Mahal circles with Styles. The two tie up, Mahal powers Styles to a corner, then backs off. Styles comes back at him, Mahal still powers Styles back. Mahal honors the break and dares Styles to try again. They circle again, Styles gets a waistlock but Mahal elbows out hard. Mahal dares Styles to get up, fans boo and jeer. Styles stands up, checks his nose, Mahal flexes his muscles. Fans duel, more for Styles than for Mahal, the two men tie up but Mahal kicks, which Styles blocks. Styles picks apart Mahal’s leg, Mahal gets out of the ring, Styles pursues and kicks out that leg! The ref counts as Styles slams Mahal’s leg into barriers, then brings Mahal up and in. Styles makes sure the Singh Brothers stay back before getting in the ring, single-leg takedown and Styles stomps away on Mahal’s leg. Mahal endures a knee-wrench while he scrambles to ropes, he gets the ropebreak and the referee has Styles let go. The SIngh Brothers protest, Styles goes back at Mahal’s leg, Mahal shoves Styles away to then give a sharp throat chop! Styles gasps, but gets running, Mahal catches him to then toss him to the ropes!
Styles snaps off the rope and tumbles to the floor! Mahal rests as a ring count begins, but fetches Styles as Champion’s Advantage won’t let him win the title this way. Mahal brings Styles back up but Styles kicks at that back leg. Styles gets to the timekeeper’s area, Mahal grabs him by his hair, Styles ends up pulling off a barrier pad in the process. Mahal throws Styles into other barriers, then refreshes the count. Things return inside the ring, fans chant “Jinder Sucks!” Mahal spots something, then drags Styles out. He throws Styles into the exposed barrier!
Styles crashes and burns into the timekeeper’s area, the referee tries to regain order but Mahal refreshes the count before going over to Styles. Mahal sees Styles crawling out, so he brings him up and into the ring. Mahal grins as he stalks Styles, then drives in a knee to Styles’ back. A springboard knee drop and more stomps keep Styles grounded and gasping for air, Mahal kicks Styles right out of the ring. The Singh Brothers stay back, the referee fails to keep Mahal from going out again and slamming Styles on the announce desk!
Mahal refreshes the count again before further stalking Styles. Back into the ring again, Mahal kicks Styles while he’s down. The former champion stretches the current, clubs him with a crossface punch and then stretches him again. Fans chant “U S A!” at Mahal, Mahal stomps and snapmares Styles before putting on a bodyscissors. Styles endures the powerful squeeze, fans rally and cheer for him, Styles has to keep his shoulders up so it isn’t also a cover. Mahal keeps squeezing, Styles fights his way out and gets to a corner. Styles fights back with kicks and haymakers, he backs Mahal down with each shot. Corner to corner whip reversed, Styles goes into the buckles to batter his ribs again. Mahal brings Styles up to elbow him down, then brings him around for a kneeling abdominal stretch. Fans rally, Styles gets up and fights back, Mahal grabs Styles’ hair to put him in a corner. Mahal rams his shoulder into Styles once, then twice, then hops up to the second rope. The Singhs cheer Mahal on as he hits the flying ax handle but fans boo and jeer. Mahal grins as he aims at Styles from the second rope again. Mahal jumps, into Styles’ dropkick! Styles is down while Mahal rolls out of the ring, Styles crawls over to that side. The Singh Brothers distract Styles, he swipes at them, then slingshots over but Mahal moves. Mahal tries to trip Styles up, Styles lands on his feet and ducks the swing to then mule kick Mahal in the stomach. Styles rocks Mahal with a haymaker before putting him back in the ring, then rocks Mahal again as Mahal tries to intercept. Styles jumps up but Mahal trips him up so that Styles ends up hung up on the ropes again. The Singh Brothers cheer Mahal on, Mahal drags Styles up, fireman’s carry into the gutbuster drop!
Cover, TWO, Mahal and The Singh Brothers are upset that didn’t finish it. Mahal stalks Styles to a corner and keeps up the attack. Styles is set on the top rope and rocked with a right hand, then another. Mahal climbs up now, taking his time bringing Styles up. Styles resists, slips out, Mahal catches him by the jaw! Styles still spins around, Electric Chair drop!
Both men down, the ref begins a count, fans begin a rally. Mahal and Styles stir, stand up, Styles blocks and counters, but then Mahal rams in a knee. Styles comes back, Phenomenal Blitz! Sliding forearm! Both men are down again, Mahal gets himself to a corner. Styles gets to the opposite corner, runs in, big splash, then the fireman’s carry. The bad ribs limit Styles and Mahal gets down, Styles lets him run past and uses momentum for the Ushigoroshi!
Cover, TWO! The Singh Brothers are relieved, and Styles is too sore to show frustration. The champion gets up and has his challenger in position for the Clash, but Mahal powers him back into a corner. Mahal rams shoulders into the bad ribs, backs off but gets boots, Styles runs but is tossed! Cover, TWO! Now The Singh Brothers are furious, as is Mahal. Mahal drags Styles up, suplex escaped, spin around, Northern Lights! TWO! Both men down once again, the referee checks on both of them. Styles stands up, Mahal grins as he sees the damage done in effect. Styles runs, but Mahal blocks the forearm with boots from the ground. Mahal glares now, fisherman lift into Shell Shock!
TWO! The Singhs are at a loss for how Styles is still in this match, but Mahal is not upset at all. He grins as he calls for his finish, grabs Styles but Styles breaks free, ducks under, PELE! Styles drags Mahal up now, but Mahal powers him back again with heavy shoulders. Styles gets a knee in, Tornado DDT denied with power, running kick! Cover, TWO! Now Mahal feels the frustration, fed up with Styles’ resiliency. The Maharaja grabs Styles again, and brings him to a corner. He lifts Styles up in that cobra clutch, Styles breaks out for another PELE! Styles yanks Mahal right off the corner and Mahal crashes to the ground. Styles gets to the apron, takes aim, springboard 450!
It connects! But Styles’ ribs keep him from making a cover, and the Singh Brothers work to save Mahal! So Styles slingshots onto them! Even with bad ribs, Styles gives Samir a Styles Clash!
The Singh Brothers are taken care of, Styles returns and hotshots Mahal. The fans fire up, springboard for the Phenomenal- no, Mahal gets under Styles’ jump and then gives him a knee to the back of the head! Cobra clutch into the Khalas!
Mahal drags Styles to the center, covers, TWO!? Somehow Styles survives?! Mahal is at a loss, but the fans cheer for Styles. Mahal drags Styles up again, he wants to steal the Clash! Styles counters, rolls, Calf Crusher!!
The bad leg suffers the submission, fans are thunderous as Mahal flails and reaches. Styles wrenches as hard as he can, Mahal keeps trying, Styles rolls him away! They’re in the center now, Mahal taps, Styles wins! Styles remains the WWE Champion! Mahal’s game plan failed, Styles proved he is Phenomenal! With the Modern Day Maharaja defeated, ho will be next to step up to the Phenomenal WWE Champion?
My Thoughts:
The concept of “Clash of Champions” may be obsolete since almost every PPV has every champion defend their title anyway, but the execution of it tonight was spot-on. Every match was excellently done from the first to the last, and in the end went the way that was best for SmackDown in the coming weeks. Mojo wins because his Heel Turn needs to remain strong, Bludgeon Brothers win because they’re just too strong for Breezango, and both of those feuds can continue on the way to the Royal Rumble. Ziggler wins the great triple threat and becomes the new United States Champion not just because it was a big surprise to the fans, but because WWE wanted to give Ziggler a reason to still stick around. The Usos stay champions after an incredible Fatal 4 Way, all four teams are super talented and the Boston fans love Rusev Day. The SmackDown Tag Team Division can go any which way WWE wants, because pretty much all the teams in it right now are very talented and entertaining.
The Women’s Championship match went exactly as I’d hoped. Natty tries to use the Lumberjacks to her advantage, the Lumberjacks end up fighting each other, Carmella attempts an MITB cash-in only for the Lumberjacks to prevent that, and Charlotte stays champion with her options open for the Royal Rumble. Kevin-Sami win because that was the obviously inevitable outcome, but the way the match wrote the story for it was great. Shane did exactly as we expected, i.e. trying to screw Sami-Kevin over with the stopped count. Likewise, Bryan did as expected in response, i.e. siding with Kevin-Sami by giving them the fast-count win, I can’t wait for SmackDown to see the aftermath. Styles remains champion, as everyone was hoping, and he did it in a great underdog fashion as Mahal looks the most legitimate he has his entire time being around the WWE Championship. Mahal had a plan, Styles toughs it out, and now Styles is also open to face anyone at the Royal Rumble.
My Score: 8.5/10
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The Last Time is Now on SmackDown!
LA Knight is in the Last Time is Now Tournament, determined to meet John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but who is his opponent?! Time to find out, YEAH!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz; Jey wins and advances.
- WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom; Ilja wins and retains the title.
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS Zack Ryder; Knight wins and advances.
- Jade Cargill VS B-Fab; Jade wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman; Cody wins, by disqualifications, and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley AND Iyo Sky are here!
Albany, New York fires up as Mami & The Genius are both here on SmackDown following the chaos on Raw. Because at Survivor Series, Rhea said it herself: WARGAMES! Rhea & Iyo each get a mic and the fans cheer them both on. Rhea says, “Since I’ve been out with a broken nose, the Kabuki Warriors, they’ve been causing a little bit of chaos. And now that they’ve managed to get their hands on the Tag Team Championships, they think they’re pretty much untouchable.” The fans boo, but then Rhea says throw Nia Jax & Lash Legend into the mix, which the fans boo also… “And now they think they are untouchable again because they have the ‘numbers advantage.'”
But the funny thing about numbers is you just end up with more enemies. Iyo says, “A lot of enemies. But they always catch up to you. And now, there is nowhere to hide! WARGAAAMES~!” The fans cheer as Iyo & Rhea go wild for that. Rhea says, “And y’know what? We’re not going in alone. So I would like to introduce two of our teammates: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!” The fans cheer as the former tag team champions make their way out to the ring, Charlotte in a modern art suit with her pyro, and then followed by Alexa in her goth preppy fusion. #Charlexa stands with Rhea & Iyo in the ring, mics also in hand.
The four hug it out and the fans “WOO~!” Alexa says if the Kabukis wanna play dirty, fine. If Nia & Lash wanna jump in, too, great! And they can get all four at once, it is so on! Those four started this fight, these four will end it! The very second Rhea said, “WarGames,” Alexa knew they were in. Right, Charlotte? The fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte says, “Lexi, I can’t do this. I can’t pretend anymore.” What? “Look, Rhea. I don’t like you.” The fans boo and Iyo is shocked. Charlotte says she doesn’t trust Rhea, and she thinks Rhea is a snake. But Rhea doesn’t like or trust Charlotte and probably thinks she’s the snake, and Charlotte doesn’t blame her.
There is too much history here, too much bad blood. Just because they have the same enemies doesn’t change that. Charlotte cannot look past it. Alexa is Charlotte’s friend, she trusts Alexa. So if Alexa wants to do this, that’s fine. But count Charlotte out. What!? The fans boo as The Queen steps away, but Alexa calls after her. Charlotte goes up the ramp, Alexa apologizes to the others and tries to figure out why Charlotte did this. Can Alexa get Charlotte to change her mind before it’s time to go to war?
Jey Uso is in the concourse!
And he asks them to please, please, play his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up and bounces along as Main Event Jey Uso makes his entrance, ready for The Last Time Is Now! But will it be Albany, New YEET? Or will the Hollywood A-Lister put all that fire from last week to good use?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz!
SmackDown returns and the fans continue to YEET, and then they want the encore! But instead, The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Miz KNEES low! Miz CLUBS Jey, then talks some trash. The fans rally for Jey but Miz brings Jey around. Jey blocks the buckle bump to fire off haymakers, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Miz reverses, and Miz hits a kitchen sink KNEE! The fans boo but Miz soaks up the heat. Jey goes to ropes, Miz storms up on him, and Miz fires haymakers of his own! Miz soaks up more heat as he backs p, then he runs in, but Jey turns lariat into backslide! TWO!
The fans fire up as Jey stands, but Miz blocks a kick! Miz spins Jey, the DRAGON WHIP hits! Miz ends up on the apron, but he slides under Jey to sunset flip! TWO, and Miz catches Jey now! Jey fights the Finale with ama r-drag, but Miz avoids the superkick! So Jey LARIATS Miz up and out! The fans fire up and “YEET!” Jey builds speed and DIVDSE! Miz is send into the desk! Albany fires up while Jey snarls and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Miz stalks Jey. The tide has turned and Miz storms up, but Jey ELBOWS him away! Jey goes up, but Miz kicks the legs out! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Then a DDT! Jey gets spiked! Miz covers, TWO! Jey survives and Miz is stunned! Miz snarls as Jey sits up, and then Miz KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, and Miz winds up, only for Jey to duck the buzzsaw! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and crawls to a corner while Jey shakes his head. The fans rally as Jey goes to the other corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs up, but Miz dodges!
Miz runs up and SHOULDER TAKCKLES! And SHOULDER TACKLES! Miz parodies John Cena with the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Miz says when his hand goes up, your mouths go shut. “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! The fans are torn as Miz now fireman’s carries Jey! But Jey fights free, shoves Miz, SUPERKICK! Then a fireman’s carry in return! Miz slips free, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and everyone is shocked, especially Miz! Jey flounders, stands, and goes to a corner. Albany is thunderous for Jey but Miz storms right up on him.
Miz puts Jey up top, then climbs up after him! Miz full nelsons again! But Jey fires elbows! Then he fireman’s carries Miz! The fans are thunderous as Jey hits a TOP ROPE RACK DROP! Then he gest moving, SPEAR!! Jey doesn’t stop there, he goes up the corner again! USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Albany YEETS again as Jey stays alive in the tournament! But who else will join him, Sheamus, and Rusev on the road to Washington, DC?
Ilja Dragunov talks with Nick Aldis.
The Mad Russian Dragon is glad he gets to have another Open Challenge, but then in walks Tommaso Ciampa. The Sicilian Psycho hopes Aldis is explaining to “our so-called fighting champion” how to respect the rules of an Open Challenge. Aldis says the champion has every right to dictate the rules how he sees fit, but Johnny Gargano asks if Ilja has the right to call his best friend a jackass. Candice LeRae asks if Ciampa looks like a jackass! Enough with calling him a jackass! The only jackass here is Ilja denying the one man answering the challenges! Make it make sense! Well, they were just discussing this, so listen very carefully!
When Ilja took on the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, Ilja promised to do things the right way. And the right way mean sto not give opportunities to… jackasses! But to fight warriors who are willing to fight with respect and honor. And there is nothing honorable about Ciampa. So tonight, Ilja will give this opportunity to a man who fights with honor, and someone Ilja respects. Oh no, seriously?! AXIOM steps in! Ciampa accuses Ilja of cowardice, but Axiom thanks Ilja for this opportunity. Aldis wishes them both the best of luck, then moves on, only for Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed to be waiting outside his office.
Heyman smiles, a big contract folder in hand, and he asks Aldis, “How’re you doing? We need to talk to you for a minute.” Aldis says please, step inside. These three go into the office to talk, but what exactly about?
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis calls in extra security for his office. He tells Heyman that before The Vision is escorted from the building, what can he do for them? Heyman says that’s awfully dramatic, Aldis. But this is the WarGames agreement, which allows Heyman to “take any talent that is under WWE contract across all brands. Tha tincludes SmackDown, your brand. My heads-up to you, you’re welcome.” Any talent across all brands? Yes, thank you for coming all the way to Albany to confirm what was already in the paperwork. This could’ve been an email, Heyman. So unless there’s anything else to discuss, he would like to ask them kindly to leave. Because The Vision will NOT be disrupting Aldis’ show.
And security steps in on cue. Heyman says oh goodness, look who it is! Cody Rhodes steps in, and Heyman says, “It’s the golden goose who’s being afforded all this protection.” Cody asks, “Mr. Heyman, what do you wanna talk about?” Heyman wants to talk about Cody getting involved with Vision business on Raw. Cody doesn’t know about this golden goose stuff, but he saw on Raw that they were putting his friends in the fire, which means he was next through the flames, but Heyman already knew that. But this is Friday Night SmackDown, and the business of today… is right here. “And if you’re not here to fight, then you should leave.”
Bronson says he’ll fight. Cody asks Aldis to make the match: Bronson Reed VS Cody Rhodes… TONIGHT! Aldis says that works, but Heyman asks why they’d give this away and not make it a title match? Cody says fine, book it. Aldis gets worried now, but Cody says, “BOOK IT!” Then it is official. Cody VS Bronson for the Undisputed Championship. Heyman smiles and thanks both Mr. Aldis and “Champ” Cody. Did Cody just get goaded into losing the gold? Or will the American Nightmare find a way to slay the Colossal Aussie?
WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom!
Speaking of titles, The Czar didn’t appreciate the Sicilian Psycho getting salty all over again, so he again passed on Ciampa to face Axiom. But will Ilja be able to deny the Undeniable Truth? Or will Axiom finally have singles gold on SmackDown?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Axiom rolls to wrench and wrangle Ilja. Axiom has the armlock but Ilja fights up. Ilja wrenches in return, then cording holds for a HIP TOSS! Cover, ONE, but Ilja holds onto the arm. Axiom kips up, slips around, and spins Ilja to snapmare and headlock. Ilja slips out to armlock in return and the fans cheer the technical exchange. Ilja knuckle locks to straight arm lever and SLAM Axiom! Axiom fights up but Ilja wrenches him again. Ilja whips Axiom to a corner, but Axiom dodges the lariat! Axiom waits on Ilja and he says it was that close. Ilja and Axiom reset, knuckle lock, and Axioim headlocks.
Axiom hits the takeover but Ilja keeps his shoulders up. Ilja CLUBS at Axiom from below, then fights up. Ilja powers up and out, Axiom RAMS him, but Ilja RUNS Axiom over! Cover, ONE, and Ijoa gets moving! Axiom trips Ilja up, but Ilja blocks the hip toss! Ilja slips through but Axiom fights the backslide! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and then they spin around. Ilja ROCKS Axiom with a forearm! Axiom ROCKS Ilja! Ilja BOOTS Axiom down! The fans rally, but Axiom catches the hammer into the ARMBAR! Ilja fights to stack, and he deadlifts Axiom! Axiom lets go, but Ilja ducks the enzigiri to SLAP Axiom down!
The fans rally and Axiom dodges to then DROPKICK back! Ilja staggers, Axiom GAMANGIRIS him up and out! The fans fire up while Ilja sputters, and Axiom takes aim. Axiom runs, GOLDEN- NO! Ilja stops the triangle moonsault as he CLUBS Axiom on the back! Axiom is stuck up top, Ilja CHOPS him! Axiom kicks at Ilja, Ilja CHOPS, and repeat! The fans rally as these two brawl on the apron. Ilja HEADBUTTS Axiom right back into the ring! Then Ilja climbs, aims, and SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives, Ilja is a bit surprised, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Ilja snarls as he rises up, and he paces around Axiom. Axiom slowly sits up, Ilja fires up, but he turns around into a CHOP from Axiom! So Ilja CHOPS Axiom right off his feet! Cover, TWO! Ilja keeps close and brings Axiom up to CHOP again! And again! And then HEADBUTT! And CHOP! HEADBUTT! CHOP! Ilja then reels Axiomi in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Ilja still keeps axiom down with a facelock. Axiom endures, fights around, and he wrenches out to headlock back. Axiom waistlocks, Ilja bucks the O’Conner, but axiom kips up, into a CHOP! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives again but Ilja stays focused.
Ilja puts Axiom in a corenr, CHOPS him, and Axiom flops against the ropes. Ilja drags Axiom back up, whips corner to corner, and Axiom hits hard! Ilja runs up to KNEE low, then he runs side to side to BOOT WASH Axiom right outta the ring! Ilja roars and the fans cheer. Ilja goes out to BOOT Axiom, then follows him around the way. They go back into the ring, Ilja brings Axiom around, and Ilja waistlocks, only for Axiom to fight the lift. Axiom switches, Ilja fights the lift, and Ilja wrenches out to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And then Gotch lift POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Axiom is toughing it out bu tIlja is not deterred.
Ilja clamps on with a rear bearhug and he squeezes tight, Axiom endures so Ilja ELBOWS him down! And ELBOWS again and again and again! Ilja just HAMMERS away on Axiom, then clamps back on with another bearhug. Axiom still endures, fights back to his feet, but Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, drags Axiom back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Fans chant for “One More Time!” and Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja still holds on, Albany wants another, so Ilja drags Axiom up. Axiom switches, but Ilja again bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, but he ducks the chop to NORTHERN LIGHTS!
The fans cheer while both men are down! The fans rally as Ilja stands, and he swings, but Axiom CROSS COUNTERS! Ilja falls back, Axiom goes to a corner, but Ilja storms up. Axiom BOOTS Ilja down, hops up the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and Axiom grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Axiom rises, Ilja roars to give him more, so Axiom KICKS! And KICKS! Ilja wants more so Axiom KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Ilja blocks to SLAP, ROCK, boxing elbows, and BOOT! Axiom falls and the fans fire up again! Ilja powers up, runs, CONSTANTINE- NO, Axiom catches him to an ARMBAR!
Ilja fights, ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD, but he works to stack Axiom! Axiom fights that off, but Ilja deadlifts Axiom again! POWERBOMB! Axiom flounders, Ilja snarls, and Ilja aims from the corner. Ilja powers up, the fans rally, H-BOMB FOR- NO, Axiom uses that to spring up and MOONSAULT DDT!!! Cover, TWO!?! No one can believe what they saw, nor that Ilja survived! “This is Awesome!” as Axiom has Ilja in a corner. Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS and hoists Ilja up. Ilja fights back with SLAPS and Axiom staggers. But then Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom goes up after Ilja, but Ilja fires RIDGE HAND CHOPS!
Ilja and Axiom go to the very top, but Axiom hits the SUPER DUPER SPANISH FLY!! And then GOLDEN RATI- NO!! TORPEDO MOSCOW!! AND H-BOMB FOREARM!! Cover, Ilja wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Championship)
It was all in a blink of an eye, but Ilja snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Another instant classic is under Ilja’s belt, and he shows respect to Axiom for giving him this fight. The fans cheer that, but who will be next to challenge The Mad Russian’s reign?
R-Truth meets with Nick Aldis.
Truth knows last week that it was a heavy load, and Truth’s load was lost in the shuffle, but he is imploring to Aldis as employee to boss, please put Truth in the John Cena tournament. Aldis tries to tell Truth again, but Truth says don’t worry, he shined up his (lottery) balls so they’ll look real nice on TV. All he asks is Aldis handles them with care. Aldis again tries to get it through to Truth but Truth says just take his balls. FINE! Aldis takes them, and then Chelsea Green walks in. She asks if she heard John Cena’s name dropped. She did. Then speaking of legends, she has no idea why SHE didn’t get pyro when she won the Women’s US Championship.
But putting a pin in that, when is her championship celebration happening tonight? Aldis goes to say it’s not but she says that’s right, he CANCELLED it! She’d all of it prepared and ready to go! But all will be forgiven if this “injustice system” that is WWE would just give her a celebration next week, with pyro. Yes, he can make that work. Just for right now, hold onto these for him. Aldis hands Chelsea the Truth balls, and Alba says they do look nice. But will The Hot Mess really get everything she demand- er, wants?
SmackDown shares footage from the break.
As Axiom was on his way back up the ramp, Tommaso Ciampa attacked him! The Psycho Killer took out all his anger out on Axiom, only for Frazer to chase him off! Ciampa is only showing everyone Ilja is right about him, but will Ciampa not stop until he gets his opportunity?
Sami Zayn is here!
The fans cheer and sing along with the song as #BigMatchSami heads to the ring. Sami gets a mic and asks, “How we doing tonight, Albany? We good?” The fans cheer, and they chant for “Sami! Sami!” Sami takes a moment before he says, “I gotta tell ya. Since I’ve come to SmackDown, there have been some extremely high highs, and some extremely low lows. As soon as I came over to SmackDown, the first thing I said I would do is I said I would beat Solo Sikoa for the United States Championship.” The fans cheer that, and Sami says he did do that! He got to do amazing things with that title, like wrestle John Cena in his last match on SmackDown!
Sami got to go toe-to-toe with the best talent SmackDown has to offer week in and week out. The fans cheer again, and Sami says that was all great. But he won’t lie, the last four weeks have been extremely challenging. he has had to watch from the sidelines, hurt and not medically cleared, as Solo & MFT run roughshod every single week! The fans boo, and Sami says he’s had to sit and watch, unable to do anything, while MFT attacked Sami’s friends, those Sami liked and respected. And Sami gets it, Aldis told him not to get involved, don’t get hurt, and so Sami did. He sat back week after week. But he is here to tell us that that ends TONIGHT!
The fans cheer and Sami continues by calling out Solo! He knows Solo has a problem with him, and he sure has a problem with Solo, so let’s deal with it face to face! Solo & MFT make their way out here, and Solo has a mic in hand. Solo tells Sami, “You really think you knwio who you are, huh? You think you know, but you don’t. I know the real Sami, I know the real you. Yeah. He’s pathetic, a liar, desperate, and when you’re desperate, you do desperate things, which makes you so damn selfish!” The fans boo, but Solo says Sami only cares about Sami! Sami doesn’t care about the guys in the back, or even the fans here in Albany.
The fans boo, but Solo says for himself, what he cares about is his family. Solo cares about the men standing behind him and their loyalties to him. Unlike Sami! Sami knows nothing about loyalty when it comes to family. In fact, watch who you’re talkinga bout before he gets in there and kicks Sami’s ass! Don’t forget, Sami, you’re still wounded. The fans boo as MFT now flanks the ring, and Solo says this can end very badly for Sami. Solo could drop Sami right here and now, but he won’t. He will wait until Sami is 100% and medically cleared. Then once that happens, understand this: Solo is coming after you!
The fans boo, but Sami says, “Well, the good news for you, Solo, is you’re not gonna have to wait very long. Because as of tonight, I am officially 100% medically cleared! So if you wanna do something about it, go ahead and do something about it right now!” Sami calls Solo’s bluff, so Solo takes off the jacket But then Sami says before that, Solo needs to know this: Sami didn’t come here alone. And just as he says that, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns all YANK MFT off the apron! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! Solo panics, Sami shrugs, and Solo takes a swing! Sami fires counter punches!
The fans fire up as Sami fires off on Solo in a corner! Sami stomps a mudhole, then he goes to the far corner! The fans fire up, but Talla gets Solo outta the ring! The fans boo but then JC Mateo CLOBBERS Sami! JC, Tama & Loa all mug Sami, but Sami’s friends get them! They TOSS the Guerrillas and even LARIAT Loa up and out! The fans fire up as now Fenix goes up, up, and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES MFT! Fenix regroups with Sami and friends! Will Sami and his team soon cut down Solo’s “Family Tree?”
Cody Rhodes prepares backstage.
Jey Uso says hey and Cody congratulates him on the win in the tournament. Jey says he just heard about Bronson’s title shot at Cody tonight. It might get a little slimy, so Jey’s got his back. Of course! Cody and Jey shake hands on that again, and then Jimmy Uso steps in. #BigJim says hey, Uce. Any time you can get your hands on The Vision sounds like a party to Jimmy, so count him in, too. They shake on that, and Jimmy says he spoke with Punk earlier. Count him in for WarGames, too! The three shake hands, The Usos head out, but will Cody be able to fire the first shot in that war? Or will a Tsunami end the reign of the American Nightmare?
Solo Sikoa argues with Nick Aldis backstage.
Solo demands that with Sami 100% healthy, he wants a match with him tonight! Aldis says first, there’s no more time on the card, that can’t happen. And second, Solo clearly has more enemies than just Sami. So how about this? In two weeks, SmackDown before WarGames, it’ll be MFT VS Sami, Fenix, Nakamura & MCMG in a 5v5 Survivor Series style Elimination Tag! Now if you’ll excuse him. Aldis leaves, and there’s a Wyatt Sick6 glitch on screen. And in fact, Uncle Howdy is lurking in the shadows. Will the Wyatts be watching that 10 Man Tag very, very closely?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS ???
The Mega Star knows what this tournament is all about, and he knows everyone wants to be John Cena’s final opponent, but what he doesn’t know is who will be his first round opponent! We’re all about to learn that in the matter of moments, but will it not matter when this is LA Knight’s game? Or will what you don’t know actually hurt you?
Everyone waits and watches the stage. “WOO! WOO! WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” It’s Matt Car- well, no, he’s ZACK RYDER again!? Long Island Iced Z returns to the WWE, but will he prove he’s #AlwayZReady? The bell rings, the fans cheer and “WOO WOO WOO!” Knight and Ryder circle, Ryder gets the “WOO WOO WOO!” going hotter, and the two tie up. Ryder rolls Knight, TWO! Ryder says it was that close, and Knight says yeah, okay. They go again, tie up, and now Knight wrenches Ryder to YANK, YANK, YANK the arm! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight wrenches, Ryder ducks, but then Knight switches.
Ryder bucks the O’Conner, but Knight avoids the Rough Ryder! Knight returns, but Ryder tosses him out! The fans cheer as Ryder smiles, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ryder whips corner to corner. Knight hits buckles hard, then drops to his knees. The fans cheer Ryder as he pushes Knight to the corner, then whips him again. Knight reverses and BACKDROPS! The fans fire up while Ryder flounders, then he goes to the apron. Knight storms over, Ryder ROCKS Knight first, and then Ryder goes to supelx! Knight supelxes but Ryder slips free! Knight dodges to JAB, JAB, and JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Then ROLLING ELBOW! Knight clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, Ryder hits buckles hard, and Knight hits the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Ryder survives but Knight nods. Knight brings Ryder up, kicks low, then fires hands. Knight bumps Ryder off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Knight scoops, Ryder slips free, and Ryder ROCKS Knight! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! And then whips, but Knight reverses. Ryder turns backdrop into FACEBUSTER! Big forearm in the corner, and Knight sits down! The fans pump their fists with Ryder, “WOO WOO WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” BROSKI BOOT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the fans rally up as Ryder aims from a corner. Ryder hooks Knight’s arms, turns him, but Knight RAMS Ryder into buckles! Dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight then rolls back to his feet and the fans cheer. Knight goes up the corner, and he spells it out, “L! A! KNGIHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW- NO, Ryder moves, runs up, ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans are shocked! Ryder is also surprised, but he hurries to watch Knight. “This is Awesome!” and Ryder reels Knight in, Knight wrenches out and kicks, B F- NO! Ryder rolls Knight up, TWO! Knight runs up, but into KNEES! Ryder goes up, up, RADIO SILENCE into a POWERBOMB!! Then Knight hauls Ryder up, B F T!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
YEAH! Knight didn’t care who it was gonna be, he fought and won his spot in the second round! Knight, Jey, Sheamus, Rusev, who else will advance in this historic tournament?
Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky talk backstage.
They still can’t get their heads around why Charlotte just walked out on them. Charlotte also isn’t texting back or anything. Rhea knew they had beef, but she thought Charlotte would put it all aside like she did. Tonight just shows they gotta now find two more people for the team. Alexa says she has someone to call, Iyo says Charlotte was their best bet, though. But then Asuka, Kairi, Nia & Lash all attack! The brawl is on, Rhea HEADBUTTS Kairi down, but Lash DECKS Rhea! Then Nia sends Iyo into Lash’s KNEE! Lash then sends Iyo into a road case! And then same for Rhea! Security rushes in, Asuka says okay, okay, they’re good.
Nia says bye, losers~! The Irresistible Four just did a lot of damage. Will they even need a fifth woman to finish off what’s left of Rhea, Iyo and Alexa?
Jade Cargill VS B-Fab!
The Storm finally reigns on the mountaintop of WWE, and she is not playing nice with anyone. Will she strike down someone who was once a friend? Or will B-Fab truly be fab when she gets a win on the champ?
SmackDown returns, B-Fab makes her entrance, Michin staying backstage to let her handle things on her own. The bell rings and Jade dares Fab to try something. They tie up, Fab goes for a leg, but Jade spins her around. CHOKE- NO, Fab slips free and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Jade is in a corner, Fab runs up, HEEL KICK! Fab fires ELBOW after ELBOW, then fires up! The fans rally, Fab runs up, but Jade blocks the boot! Jade DECKS Fab with a forearm, then drags her right back up. Jade scoops Fab to FALL AWAY SLAM! Jade kips up, fires up, and the fans are with Jade on this one.
Jade waits on Fab, brings her around with the guzel, CHOKE SLAM! Jade tells Fab to stand down, but then she brings Fab up anyway. Jade revels in the cheers, then lifts Fab to POWERBOMB! Jade paces while she tells Fab to stay down, but Fab manages to sit up. Jade says fine, and she brings Fab up again. Fab fights, Jade lifts, POWERBOMB! Jade stands over Fab as she tells her to stay down, but the fans want to see that “One More Time!” Jade drags Fab up, has the chicken wings, and then JADED! Cover, Jade wins!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall
Jade mockingly checks her imaginary watch, and she says this is who she is! Michin is here now to make sure B-Fab is okay, but then Jade tells them both to get outta here. Mia is upset Jade would be like this just because she’s champion now. Jade tells Mia to know her place, then SHOVES her down! The fans boo but Mia wants after Jade! The ref keeps them apart, Jade steps out, and she smirks as she leaves. Jade says she is #ThatB*tch then, now, and forever, so just keep ’em coming.
Nick Aldis announces the final four first-round entrants.
“Last week on SmackDown, four superstars were selected at random to compete for the most prized career-altering opportunity: To face the Greatest of All Time, John Cena, in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tonight, fate will once again decide the superstars that will compete in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. First up, it’s a former first-round draft pick, Carmelo Hayes, taking on The Vision’s own Bronson Reed. And finally, the high-flying luchador, Penta, will go one-on-one with The Prince, Finn Balor. The only thig I have left to say, gentlemen, is good luck.” No Truth, but will the vision be clear as we approach December 13th?
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
Cathy Kelley is with H1M and brings up him going on record as to how he idolized John Cena growing up and would love this opportunity to go 1v1. What would a win in the opening round mean for him? Melo says first, he has to address this Miz situation. “Mike, you might’ve won the battle, but the war’s just begun. I will see you when I see you. And John Cena… The GOAT, the Last Time Is Now Tournament, you got a long line full of heavy hitters, killers, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna put you down, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna hang your jersey from the rafters. And respectfully, John, I’m one of ’em.
“50% of people might overlook me, 50% of people might think I can get the job done, but 100% of me knows that if I get that shot, I won’t miss.” But then in steps Bronson Reed. He tells Melo that he’s gonna end Cody Rhodes, then he will end John Cena after he ends H1M next week. Bronson heads out, Heyman nods towards Melo, and then The Oracle follows. Will Auszilla be taking it all on the road to the end?
Aleister Black speaks.
“Fear, Damian? That’s so silly that even you don’t believe that. No, no no no. You threw me on top of a table. You tried to throw me through things. And then you took the bottom part of the steel steps, and you tried to crush my head. The only person that fears anything is you. Fear of what we have made you become.” Zelina Vega says, “We said that we would force you to break your code. We said we would corrupt you. And I think we did exactly that.” But enough about him. They have their eyes set on greater things. That brings them to the entire locker room. Namely, those who hold world titles.
Aleister left fear behind the day he stepped foot back into the WWE, and he has become the one thing no one wanted him to become: everyone’s enemy! Does that mean the Dark Father is watching tonight’s main event very, very closely?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman!
The American Nightmare and The Colossal Aussie are both preparing for WarGames, and while it is Cody, Punk & The Usos at four against Bronson, Bron Breakker & Logan Paul at three, this could still tip the scales back in The Vision’s favor. Will a Tsunami wash away the reign? Or can Cody escape from New York with the gold?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can carry that weight!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Bronson shoves Cody to a corner, but Cody dodges! Bronson hits buckles, Cody fires hands, then kicks to RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs to ROCK Bronson, but then Bronson responds with a BODY CHECK! And ELBOW DROP! The fans boo but Bronson covers, ONE! Cody shows toughness and goes to the outside, but Bronson runs in around the way! BODY CHECK! The fans boo, Bronson snarls, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Bronson drags Cody up, HEADBUTTS him, then stalks him around the way again. Bronson storms in after Cody, but Cody BODY BLOWS! Cody fires a forearm, but Bronson HEADBUTTS him down! Bronson raises the one but the fans don’t acknowledge their Tribal Thief. Bronson whips and CLOBBERS Cody! Cover, TWO! Bronson drags Cody into a chinlock and leans on the hold, but Cody fights around. Cody reaches out, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. The fans rally as Cody ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson scoops to SLAM Cody! Bronson snarls again, but Cody avoids the elbow drop! Cody rises up, goes to a corner, but Bronson SPLASHES!
Cody sputters against the ropes but Bronson CHOKES him! The ref counts, Bronson steps off at 4, and Cody sputters again. Bronson storms up and ROCKS Cody! Bronson puts Cody in another corner, BODY BLOWS, then whips corner to corner hard! Cody staggers, falls over, and Bronson drags Cody back up. Bronson has a chinbar, and he stretches Cody with the chinlock. Cody endures, fights back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally but Bronson CLUBS Cody, then back suplexes! Cody lands out, ducks a haymaker, and springboards! BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK!
The fans fire up and Cody rises, but so does Bronson. Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop, and fly! BIONIC- NO! Fireman’s carry, JAGGED EDGE! Cover, TWO! Cody survives but Bronson goes up! The fans freak out for the TSUNAMI, but it FLOPS as Cody moves! Cody hurries to springboards again, SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO! Cody fires up and the fans are with him! Bronson is outside, Cody runs and DIVES, but into a forearm! Cody stumbles and staggers o the outside, Bronson runs up, but Cody TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up again and Cody refreshes the ring count.
Cody clears off the desk! HE even topples the belt pedestal! But BRON BREAKKER FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Logan Paul is here, too! They mug Cody, SMACK him off the desk, then put him back in the ring! Was this the real plan all along? The fans boo as Bron rains down fists, then Logan gets his turn! Bron rips his shirt away and wants Logan to set Cody up. Logan does as told, but THE USOS hurry out here! Jey & Jimmy said they’d have Cody’s back, so they get in the ring to brawl with Logan and Bron! The fans fire up, but Bron shoves Jimmy! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Bron! Jey joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Bron falls, Logan runs up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Then the ONE D!! That’s one and done for The Maverick!
The fans fire up as now Jimmy decides to GET THE TABLE! The fans are thunderous as Jimmy puts that in for Jey, Jey sets it up, and the fans are all fired up! Logan is put on the table, the Usos go to the corners, but DREW MCINTYRE SHOVES JIMMY! Isn’t he suspended!? Jey runs up, but he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!! The fans boo as Drew saves Logan’s bacon! Aldis storms out here, asks what the hell Drew is doing here, and Heyman claims this is per the WarGames contract! Heyman could recruit anybody under WWE contract, even suspended superstars! Drew sets the table up in a corner, and he drags Jey Uso!
But Jey breaks free to SUPERKICK! The fans cheer as Jey now lines up a shot, but Drew KICKS first! Bron returns to SPEAR Jey through the table!! Jimmy is back to throw hands, but Logan uses ONE LUCKY RIGHT to knock Jimmy out! The fans boo, but now Cody is back! He throws hands on Drew and Logan, but a CLAYMORE takes Cody out! Drew throws off his shirt, he stares down with Bronson, and then Drew puts Cody in the drop zone! Drew step on Cody before the TSUNAMI hits!! The fans are either booing or desperately calling for CM Punk, but it is clear The Vision was thinking ahead.
Drew takes the contract from Heyman and they shake hands on the deal. The numbers are even, but will the odds be in The Vision’s favor now that they have a Scottish Terminator on their side?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, with quite a lot of surprises and big moves as perhaps a response to the sinking ratings and sinking interest. Charlotte not automatically being onboard with the team-up was certainly surprising, but given that 4v3 ambush backstage, that will surely compel Charlotte to join up. She’ll see it’s not about her and Rhea getting along so much as as it is them getting to beat up on their enemies, as we knew going into this. Then I would think they still bring in Stephanie Vaquer and Nikki Bella as the fifth members for each side, to help build the title story on top of everything else, jus as I said on Monday.
Obviously Cody wasn’t going to lose the Undisputed Championship tonight, but that was a great move to bolster the show’s card and give an excuse for all the Men’s WarGames build tonight. Logan & Bron being here to help Bronson was a given, and Heyman using a unique WarGames contract to bring Drew McIntyre onboard was certainly a clever move. As I figured on Monday, Jimmy Uso was a natural addition to Team Cody, or maybe it’s Team Punk. And I would certainly think Roman Reigns will also be a natural addition to this match, but I’m curious as to the fifth man for The Vision. Would Lesnar really want to be in WarGames? Well, granted, he’d be the last person to enter the match and “clear house,” but he’d still have to get in there.
Great stuff with the US Championship, such as Ilja continuing to troll Ciampa. Ilja VS Axiom was awesome, through I swear I heard one drunken idiot slurring the word, “BORING~!” That person is the kind of American fan Gunther (and therefore Zack Sabre Jr.) was talking about, IYKYK. But in the end, I figured we’d get more DIY VS Fraxiom, and maybe after that, Ciampa finally gets his match with Ilja. Great promo from Sami with Solo, and great ambush from Team Sami on MFT to set up their own 5v5. I figured that if they weren’t doing the WarGames, they’d get to do the traditional Survivor Series match, and the go-home SmackDown continues to be a substitute for the kickoff show, but in the best way possible.
Another hilarious promo with Truth and Aldis, and Chelsea joining in so we can hype up a celebration certainly teases someone interrupting. Either Giulia is going to crash the party to demand a US Championship rematch, or they plug NXT Gold Rush by having Thea Hail & Joe Hendry get the better of them ahead of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship match. I’m leaning more towards the former, they’ll build the tag match plenty on NXT. And speaking of Truth, a shame he doesn’t get in on the final part of the bracket, but Melo VS Bronson and Penta VS Finn will be great matches. With Bronson busy with The Vision’s story, I would hope Melo wins, and it’d be great if they teased a Boston VS Boston showdown.
Jade of course beat B-Fab tonight but that was pretty good for what was basically a squash match. Michin probably gets a match with Jade next, and likely loses that. Jade’s first title defense could be Survivor Series to basically be a buffer between the WarGames matches but also to just get one on the books. There’s a lot on hold for right now with the WarGames matches having a lot of great contenders involved, but I would think we get some Charlotte VS Jade build on the other side of Survivor Series.
And of course, great matches for the Last Time is Now tournament. Jey VS Miz was a great match, and Miz hitting Cena’s moves was an appreciated reference. But I figured Jey would win, they wanna tease a rematch of the Royal Rumble finalists from earlier this year. Matt Cardona was a great surprise, though him being Zack Ryder was perhaps even more surprising. People have been talking about Knight being punished and that he was being set up to lose, but if commentary is talking about that concept, then you know that is not the case. Great win for Knight, great showing for Cardona/Ryder, and here’s hoping Ryder gets to do more in WWE from here on.
My Score: 8.9/10
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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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Live! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.13.2025
With a month off, does TNA come back hot or with 87% talking and a show that should’ve been an email?
So last week was the definition of a filler episode with nothing really to speak of except for validating the Dani Luna versus Indi Hartwell match tonight. This is the first real iMPACT! episode since Bound For Glory and…it’s probably opening with Mike Santana talking. TNA needs to stop following the cookie patterns of WWE and you know…start with something interesting after nearly a month off. But let’s listen to talking…
Rascalz vs. The System at #TNATurningPoint!?@TheMooseNation @Myers_Wrestling @TheEddieEdwards @MrsAIPAlisha @DirtyDangoCurty @TheBadReed @ZacharyWentz
WATCH #TNAiMPACT LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/OPjzyXNgY5 pic.twitter.com/cwwHo3IbwL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 14, 2025
Ratings:
- Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell: Dani wins via DQ – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander: Cedric wins via Lumbar Check – ** 1/4
- TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c): Kelani retains via One of a Kind – (-*) – yes that’s Negative 1
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth: No Contest – NXT Attacks
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz: Kazarian wins via Roll-Up – * – TITLE CHANGE!!!
Results:
Oh look, it does open with Mike and the crowd gives him the “You Deserve It” and it’s a sparse few minutes and Mike starts his promo in Spanish, so that’s a good way to make people ignore the show in three minutes. I understand Spanish, but let’s be honest, the bulk of people who watch are whiter than copy paper, so the whole “Champ is here in Orlando, for Puerto Ricans, and others…blah blah” is not a smart way to open after a month with no real content. So after Santana says nothing in two languages, Ryan Nemeth comes out to Nic’s music because Nic isn’t there. Ryan tries to talk some shit and go for a cheap shot, Santana catches his hand, emasculates him and then tells Ryan he’s going to tell Santino to make a match between the two of them tonight, and he’s going to drop Ryan. So we’ve got a squash match to look forward too and maybe Nic showing up at the end for a beat down.
Kelani is going to have to go through Heather tonight and M tomorrow at Turning Point. So we get another crappy promo from heel Kelani, giving her free title defenses. Yikes…this is bad, I do kinda like the gimmick of Xia translating for Lei since Xia, Lei and Mara crash the interview. But it just makes me angry that one of those three don’t have the belt. Kelani ain’t worth a damn.
After the commercial we get Santino, Ava and Arianna to promote Gold Rush. And then they showed a video package of it, so a complete waste of 4 minutes aside from noting that Arianna got a chant from the crowd. She’s gotten herself over decently to the TNA crowd.
Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell
It has been 30 minutes and we get the first match…sheesh.
Indi with back to back Double Legs, Dani is getting worked over, Dani tries a Sunset Flip but Indi stops it and drops an elbow. Dani eats Chops, tries to Whip Indi to the corner, Up and Over and Indi takes Dani down and goes back to the chops. Dani finally blocks a Scoop Slam, but Indi blocks the attempted German Suplex so Dani drives her into the corner and finally gets some offense in. A bit of a botchy looking rope straddle where Indi had to lift herself back up to eat the Lariat. Big Power Whip bouncing Indi out of the corner, sliding Lariat for a near fall.
Jaw Jacker by Indi but she misses the Yakuza Kick, gets hung up, Dani tries to turn it into a Powerbomb but a Frankensteiner Counter and a few strikes forces Dani to powder. Indi tries to throw her into the steps, Dani stops herself and turns back into the Spinebuster. Indi to the top as Dani crawls into the ring and eats a Diving Elbow to the back for a near fall. Dani counters Hurts Donut, Shotgun Kick levels Indi. Dani is on the outside looking for a weapon, throws out the Time Keeper, grabs the chair, Indi catches Dani in the Small Package for 2. Indi grabs the chair and lays into Dani.
Indi…has no facial expressions to make sense of this. This is stupid, poorly acted by Indi but the crowd is eating it up like morons. That was the most boring “take out your aggression” I’ve ever seen. Indi cuts some mid ahh promo in the back about an NoDQ match or something at Turning Point and now The System comes out to guess what? If you said TALK, you’d be correct! Assuming this isn’t a rib, the most interesting thing to come from this is Dango announcing he’s retiring after Genesis, but then The Rascalz music hits.
They say they should give the people what they want, and Dezmond Xavier returns to The Rascalz for a 4 on 4 match. They never mentioned Dez by name, but that is the implication. So with JDC retiring and Dez potentially returning, at least that’s interesting.
Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander
Shoulder tackles and a quick Cruiser style start, Hotch powders mid running to pose and act smart so Cedric Dives to wipe out Jason and hits the Flatliner in the middle of the ring for a near fall. Cedric tries to continue and Hotch pulls the tights to send Cedric through the ropes, Skyler takes a cheap shot. Hotch with the Irish Whip, Cedric puts the brakes on, so Hotch hops the ropes and trips up Cedric, but Cedric comes back when Hotch continues, Dropkick to the back of the head, Lumbar Check attempt, but nope, back and forth, Hotch tries the Chaos Theory but Cedric blocks the Suplex, they throw into the corner, Hotch hops the rope, wants the Gamengiri, but Cedric blocks it and backs up, Rolling Neckbreaker from Hotch gets countered into a Lumbar Check! Cedric wins!
Order 4 attempted beat down, but Hardy Boyz make the save, Swanton on Ali is teased but they pull Ali out for foreshadowing.
TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c)
Well talk about mental gymnastics to try and make this match make sense, and list this under “who asked for this” – because I’d rather drink bleach in traffic than watch this match.
Color by numbers powder moment, commercial break immediately and I can feel the coma sinking in. Kelani with a bad kick, Heather with a bad Hip Toss right off the commercial…Christ, end this. Lei, Xia and Mara are watching from the back and they look as bored as I do Heather with a clunky Drop Toe Hold into a Hesitation Dropkick for two. Jaw Jacker from Kelani…I wonder how the Patriots and Jets game is going. Hmm, 14-7 for the Pats, closer than expected.
Heather and Lani do a dumb strike exchange since there’s no hatred, heat or fire in this match, Kelani with a Cartwheel move, Facebuster, all near falls, locomotion Cradles into a bad Super Kick. Heather botches a Satellite DDT, this is one of the worst matches I’ve seen all year. Sloppy, slow, clunky and botchy. One of Kind is hit, no one is surprised. This was a waste of 10 minutes.
Great, now we sit through an Elijah concert for prolly about 10-15 minutes since the Ryan vs Santana match isn’t gonna be a real match. I like Elijah, he’s actually a pretty good singer and the gimmick is fine. But this episode has been complete garbage, so more non-wrestling on the wrestling variety show is too much.
Ali comes out to interrupt and challenge Cedric and Hardyz, Elijah wants to pick the fight, but Ali cracks him in the face with the mic and then guitar shot on the injured triceps. Meh.
TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth
Ryan grabs a mic and yells at the crowd because they won’t cheer for him, and Santana lets happen because Santana isn’t taking the seriously. Ryan even tries to ask the referee to make them cheer. Eventually the bell rings and Ryan attacks immediately, punches into an Irish Whip and Dropkick. Ryan tries the Whip again, but Up and Over, Santana catches the foot, Ryan shakes his head when Santana berates him and drops him, throws him to the other corner, Cannonball! Ryan wants to Spin the Block, but Nic’s Music Hits, he’s carrying the trophy but someone attacks Nic.
Then a bunch of NXT people spill out of the crowd and attack. Charlie Dempsey, Lexis King…and others. I think Robert Stone is directing traffic for NXT. But this…this is what the show was hinging on, an Invasion/Overrun angle? Bad booking is bad, ya know?
TNA World Champuonship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz
Kaz’s music hits, he calls his shot, Fade to Black, but Santana Kicks out. Frankie tries the Chicken Wing, Santana slams him into the corner, wants Spin the Block, but the beatdown stops him from being able to execute the move, Roll-Up, and Santana…loses. Frankie Kazarian is the new World Champion.
Overall Score: 3/10
There was something interesting with Dango being on the retirement tour, The Rascalz bringing Dez home and Lei Ying and Xia’s gimmick is endearing. Plus like I said in the rundown, I enjoy Elijah’s musicianship, but I don’t appreciate a Wrestling Show basically no wrestling. Is it variety? Sure, but it’s a wrestling show first. So a show that has 3 squash matches and a 5 minute X Division match that could’ve been much better with time…the wrestling was forgotten tonight. A month off and they lost the plot on the rebound. Ugh…I’ve had diarrhea more enjoyable than this.
The Invasion/Attack is corny but Kaz managing to pull off the Cash In, is…okay I didn’t see it coming, but it doesn’t save the show being awful.
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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
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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