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Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report! (1/29/18)

Published

7 years ago

on

All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter.

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Elimination Chamber Qualifying, Last Man Standing Match: Kane VS Braun Strowman; Strowman wins and enters the Elimination Chamber Match.
  • Second Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: WOKEN Matt Hardy VS Elias; Elias wins and enters the Elimination Chamber Match.
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: The Miz w/ The Miztourage VS Roman Reigns; Miz wins and retains the WWE IC Championship.
  • The Revival VS Heath Slater & Rhyno; The Revival wins.
  • Sasha Banks VS Asuka; Asuka wins.
  • WWE Raw Tag Team Championships: The Bar VS Titus Worldwide; The Bar wins and retains.
  • Third Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: John Cena VS Finn Balor; Cena wins and enters the Elimination Chamber Match.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Royal Rumble truly made history!

No one was ready for Asuka in the inaugural Women’s Rumble match, but not even Asuka was ready for the surprise appearance of one “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey! “Hot Rod” Ronda walked right up to the Queen, the Empress and the Goddess to let them and the world know that she was going to Wrestlemania, too. She set the world on fire and blew up the internet with a smile and a handshake, will she burn the house down at Wrestlemania 34? And against who?

 

The Raw Commissioner, Stephanie McMahon, heads to the ring.

The Billionaire Princess enjoyed the inaugural Women’s Rumble in person last night, and now welcomes Philly back. Last week was the celebration of #Raw25, and now we start a new 25 years! She commends Sasha Banks for lasting almost an hour, Nia Jax for proving she is an Irresistible Force, and every legend from Lita to Trish Stratus for making impressive appearances. Then “The Game changed” when THE Ronda Rousey appeared. But all that aside, Stephanie wants to celebrate THE winner, the undefeated Empress of Tomorrow, ASUKA!

Asuka walks out to the ring and the fans give her a huge ovation. Stephanie congratulates Asuka personally and would ask whether Asuka is facing the Raw or SmackDown Women’s Champion, but she must first inform us that there will now be an inaugural Women’s Elimination Chamber match! The fans like the sound of that. Stephanie lets Asuka enjoy her moment now. “Arigato, Stephanie. Arigato, WWE Universe!” Asuka uses her native Japanese to explain that she is the one and future champion! She points to the Wrestlemania sign, and everyone knows what that means. “At Wrestlemania, I will become the Champion! Because no one is ready for Asuka!” But now The Legit Boss, Sasha Banks, heads to the ring.

Sasha says hello and apologizes for the interruption. Last night was a dream come true as every woman made history and main evented again. Sasha was in the ring with 29 other great women, including Asuka, and congratulates Asuka for her win, too. But the part Sasha doesn’t like is that Asuka brags “no one is ready” for her. Sasha is ready, tonight! Stephanie keeps the peace and makes the match: The Boss VS The Empress! Which woman will be better prepared for the other?

 

Elimination Chamber Qualifying, Last Man Standing Match: Kane VS Braun Strowman!

Or rather, a Last Monster Standing as The Monster Among Men takes on the Big Red Machine. Strowman brings out all the props the moment he hits the ring, is he about to slay a demon!?

Raw returns to the match already underway! Strowman scoops Kane but Kane slips out to shove him into a post. Kane stalks Strowman around the ring then SMACKS him with a kendo stick. He rocks Strowman with an uppercut and now the behemoths move into the audience area. Strowman fights back and they slug it out near the extra special seating. The Monster brings the Machine over to the production area and bounces him off desks before he SMACKS Kane with a chair! They keep moving, and now they’ve come very close to the commentary area. Strowman takes a trunk and rams it into Kane’s head against barriers! Another chair comes into play and commentary already wants to get away. Kane is prone on the ground as Strowman jabs that chair into his ribs. Strowman considers his options, calculates the logistics, and makes a decision. HE DEADLIFTS THE COMMENTARY STAGE ONTO KANE!!

The Philly fans lose their minds, and this match is over already! Strowman victoriously walks onto the stage while referees and medics panic to save Kane. Strowman roars, Strowman leaves, is the Big Red Machine gone for good?

Staff manages to uncover Kane.

Somehow, someway, the legendary demon is not crushed into nothingness, but he needs a stretcher all the same. That’s when Strowman returns!! Corey Graves talks with him. “That’s a human being, what did you just do!?” “I did my job, Kurt Angle said ‘Last Man Standing’.” And Strowman is standing. The Monster enjoys watching the medics attend to Kane. Now that he is in the Elimination Chamber match, will anyone else stand a chance?

 

Kurt Angle encounters Braun Strowman backstage.

Do they really have to keep talking this over?! With the whole world watching, Strwoman continues to endanger everyone else! Can he give Angle just one break!? Strowman says Angle’s right. He’s right that Strowman didn’t do more! He won like he was supposed to! And now at Elimination Chamber, he’ll do it all again to be the last one left! Then Strowman promises to do the same to Lesnar at Wrestlemania!!

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.”

The Drifter is still in Philly and still plays his guitar. He once again asks, “Who wants to walk with Elias!?” Not that he cares what they think. Elias sings for himself, and to hear his own voice. Elias was disappointed to be eliminated in the Rumble by John Cean, but promises John will get what’s coming to him. We must look to the future, and that means the WWE Elimination Chamber and Wrestlemania. And of course, WWE means “Walk With Elias!” In order to qualify, Elias must defeat The WOKEN One, who he has a song for. “On the Road ot Wrestlemania, got Brock Lesnar in my sight. It’s Elias’ night. After I win the Chamber, it’s Brock Lesnar who will be in danger. It’s Elias’ night.” The fans boo and jeer while Elias enters the chorus. But then “Ye-e-e-e-e-e-e-es~!”

Second Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: WOKEN Matt Hardy VS Elias!

The time has come to DELETE! Will the WOKEN WISDOM carry Hardy’s mortal vessel through to the Chamber’s contender opportunity?

Raw returns as the bell rings. The two circle, Elias powers Matt to a corner but Matt turns it around. They scrum in the corner and the ref counts, but Hardy lets up. Elias kicks but Hardy counters, and laughs! He shouts “DELETE!” at Elias, but Elias puts on the headlock and takeover. Hardy endures, gets to his feet and fights back but Elias holds on. Hardy gives more body shots and a back suplex to break free. He kicks Elias while he’s down and then goes after him in a corner, but Elias fights back while a new table is being constructed. Elias denies the Side Effect with elbows and Hardy staggers to a corner. Hardy evades and “DELETE” chops Elias over and over. Hardy brings Elias out and gives him a neckbreaker, cover, TWO! Elias endures a cravat hold from Hardy, and Hardy laughs and shouts “DELETE” the entire time. Elias fights back with body shots then knees. He chops Hardy back then whips him to ropes but Hardy kicks. Hardy goes for the Twist but Elias counters and then runs Hardy over with a lariat. Hardy staggers to a corner, Elias runs in and unloads strikes. The referee backs Elias back but Elias is enraged, he gives Hardy one more stiff stomp. The Drifter drags Hardy around and swings the arm into the post!

Hardy writhes in pain, Elias refreshes the count, then slams the arm into the post again. Elias returns into the ring and grins while we go to break.

Raw returns again to see Elias working over that arm while the announce table finishes assembly. The fans rally for Hardy, and Hardy slowly stands up. Hardy fights back, Elias throws Hardy to ropes but Hardy hits back. But then Elias yanks the beat up arm to slow him down. The two brawl back and forth, Hardy unleashes headbutts, then whips to back elbow Elias down. Russian leg sweep and cover, TWO! Hardy gives Elias “DELETE” buckle bumps!

He then hits the corner clotheslines, then another, but Elias powers out of the bulldog. Hardy elbows back and hops up for a flying ax handle. Side Effect! Cover, TWO! Just as Hardy calls for his Twist, Bray Wyatt makes his presence known. The Eater of Worlds is nowhere to be seen, Elias pounces with a boot and the Drift Away neckbreaker! Elias wins! Elias becomes the second of six men to qualify, can he make the others #DriftAway on this Road to Wrestlemania?

Bray Wyatt appears on the titantron.

He simply laughs at the failed WOKEN One. Will he have the last laugh at the end of the Great War?

 

The Miz speaks via social media.

“Roman Reigns is owed an Intercontinental Championship rematch?” Really? What about what The Miz is owed for being the one who brought back the prestige and honor to the title? He is owed rose petals when he walks and silence when he talks. On top of that, he is owed a standing ovation. Kinda like the one Brady will get when he defeats the Eagles. Super Bowl aside, can The Miz keep his title from ending up back in The Yard?

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: The Miz w/ The Miztourage VS Roman Reigns!

While everyone else wants a shot at the Universal Championship, these two men know the legacy this championship holds. The A-Lister won the IC Title back only last week at #Raw25, can he hold onto it to the end of tonight?

The bell rings and the two circle. Miz rushes Roman, but runs right into an uppercut! Roman keeps The Miztourage back before rocking Miz with more right hands. Miz flounders to a corner but Roman is on him with headbutts. The Miztourage get close again but Roman scares them off before whipping Miz corner to corner. Roman runs in but Miz boots him away. Miz chops but Roman just absorbs it. Miz tries again, but still no effect. Roman rocks Miz with another right hand uppercut, Miz goes down! The Miztourage coach their leader up but Miz gets clothesline’d out of the ring! The Miztourage check on Miz but Roman slips out to the outside. Roman walks over and The Miztourage back off, and then Roman throws Miz into steel steps. The Miztourage bark at Roman but he backs them down again. Roman returns to The Miz and they both reenter the ring, only for Roman to clothesline Miz out again. The Miztourage return to check on Roman, and the referee begins a count. Roman slips outside again, but now the Miztourage gain some courage. So Roman grabs a chair!

Bo and Axel have less courage as he walks over, they run for the hills! Roman keeps his eyes on Miz now but he still has the chair in hand. He raises it, the referee stops him, this will disqualify him. Roman throws the chair away, then refreshes the count. Miz shoves Roman into a post! The champion has some control while we go to break.

Raw returns and Miz has Roman in a chinlock. The fans duel while Miz squeezes and stretches Roman. Roman wills his way to his feet, powers out and lifts Miz, but Miz wiggles and slips out. Miz grabs Roman in the full-nelson but Roman breaks it, to then Samoan Drop Miz! The two men are down but slowly stirring while the ref starts a ten count. They brawl on their knees then up to their feet. Miz throws haymakers from both sides with Philly’s support, but Roman blocks and lariats back! Roman rallies now, hitting the leaping lariat off the reversal. The Big Dog fires up and gives Miz all ten of the close-range clotheslines! Roman runs and boots Miz down, then gets to a corner while Philly gets loud both ways. He locks, loads and aims,… But Miz chop blocks the leg out! Roman goes down, clutching his knee, while Miz catches his breath. Miz starts up the “It Kicks!” He prepares the buzzsaw, Roman blocks and lifts! Miz sunset flips and into the Figure Four Leglock!

Roman flails and writhes from the pain in the knees! He reaches for ropes, but Miz slowly drags Roman away. Roman endures while the fans duel again. He gets his second wind, and Miz puts more pressure into it, but Roman manages to roll it over! Now Miz takes the pressure and has to endure! Miz reaches for ropes, and gets the break. The hold is undone and both men clutch their knees as they gain space. Roman and Miz stand up, but Miz kicks out the bad leg! Miz hobbles over and goes for it again, but Roman rolls him! Deadlift into the sit-out powerbomb!

TWO! Both men are down again, but Miz rolls his way to a corner. Miz goes after a turnbuckle pad, just like #Raw25! The referee catches him, then Roman storms over and goes after Miz. The referee pulls Roman away, Miz pokes Roman’s eyes, and hits the Skull-Crushing Finale! TWO!? The Miz cannot believe Roman survived! But he won’t stop there, he hobbles up and around while fans continue to duel. He drags Roman up for another try, but Roman powers him to a corner and throws in an elbow. Roman hobbles away but then runs into a post! Miz runs, SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO! Both men catch their breath while the fans acknowledge “This is Awesome!” Miz and Roman crawl to opposite corners, but The Miztourage return! Axel distracts while Bo gets Miz out of the ring. Roman clobbers Axel, then sees Bo. He hobbles out and walks over to uppercut Bo down. Miz swings but msises, he gets an uppercut! Roman puts Miz back in the ring, but Miz exaggerates to distract the ref and Bo goes after Roman! Roman elbows Bo away, then throws him into the ring! SUPERMAN PUUNCH for Axel, SPEAR for Bo!

Roll up from behind, Miz steals the win! The A-Lister retains his title once and for all–with help, of course. Who will The Miz move on to now? And where does The Big Dog go from here?

 

Paul Heyman shares his thoughts on the Elimination Chamber announcement via Twitter.

 

The Revival VS Heath Slater & Rhyno!

The #TopGuys got even with the Good Brothers in the Rumble Kickoff show, and look to further reestablish themselves. Can they break the One Man Band and his ManBeast here tonight?

Raw returns to this match while in progress, Rhyno has a headlock on Dash Wilder. Dash powers out but Rhyno runs him over. Rhyno tags in Slater, the “Wild Man” hits a flying ax handle. Slater yanks on Dash’s arm again and again, and fans chant “E C Dub!” for Rhyno. Dash whips Slater but Slater fires out with a forearm, then a forearm smash in a corner. Dash escapes the ring and regroups with Scott Dawson to talk this through. Slater has the fans cheering “Heath’s Got Kids!” while The Revival flank him. Slater fights Dawson off but Dash comes from behind with an armbar DDT. Dash hammers away then tags Dawson to stomp away on that arm. Dawson gives Slater a hammerlock back suplex to further attack the arm. Rhyno rallies fans, Dawson drives in knees. Slater crawls but Dawson drags him over and tags in Dash. Dash gives a flying knee to the arm, then wrenches it with a keylock. The fans continue to chant “E C Dub!” for Rhyno and Slater, but Dash keeps Slater down with knees. Dash suplexes Slater but Slater lands on his feet to counter with a neckbreaker! Dash tags Dawson, Dawson denies Slater a tag, but only momentarily! Rhyno gets in and rallies on The Revival. He whips Dawson but Dawson reverses, Rhyno elbows him away before giving him a flying shoulder tackles! Rhyno rams in shoulders and then gives a belly2belly. Slater takes out Dash, but Dawson chop blocks Rhyno’s leg! Slater goes down, Dash tags in, Shatter Machine!

The Revival win!

In-ring interview for The Revival.

“We just defeated the first-ever SmackDown Tag Team Champions,” so perhaps, how do they compare to the legendary Graham Brothers? Charly isn’t familiar with them. That’s no surprise, because no one seems to care about the old days! Fans chant “E C Dub” trying to get themselves over. Unlike the fans, The Revival learn from the past instead of just leaving in it. Strong words and impressive wins, can these #TopGuys make their way towards the Raw Tag Team Championships?

 

The newest WWE Hall of Fame Inductees: The Dudley Boys!

Bubba Ray & D-Von ruled and revolutionized tag team wrestling from ECW to WCW to WWE and all around the world! Now they finally enter WWE’s HoF and truly immortalize themselves and Dudleyville!

 

Finn Balor speaks via Twitter.

The Extraordinary Man lasted an extraordinary 57 minutes in the Men’s Rumble this year. But John Cena was the one who ended his run. Now he’ll step up to the Face that Runs the Place and then step over him to get another chance. Can Balor Club dethrone CENAtion tonight?

 

Backstage interview with Sasha Banks.

From first woman in the Women’s Rumble to facing the Empress tonight, Ssaha is “moments away from defeating Asuka.” She’s waited for this opportunity for a long time. Asuka may have made history, but Sasha vows to do the same.

Sasha Banks VS Asuka!

The Legit Boss has all the confidence in the world, but does she have what it takes to give the Undefeated Empress her first loss?

The bell rings, and the two circle. They tie up, Sasha puts Asuka in a corner and gives her a shove with attitude. She then rolls Asuka, ONE, and Asuka gets a headlock on. Sasha fights out but Asuka runs her over. Asuka runs, rolls and hip-tosses Sasha but Sasha counters with an armlock. The fans have mixed reactions while Asuka gets up to her feet. Sasha powers her to a corner, then throws forearms and stomps. The Legit Boss backs off, then runs back in, but Asuka puts her on the apron. They trade blows but Asuka kicks Sasha between ropes. Asuka runs, hip attack sends Sasha down tot he ground. The referee starts a count on Sasha while Asuka catches her breath in the ring. The count reaches 5 before Sasha stirs. Sasha crawls up and in at 8, Asuka drives her hips into Sasha some more.

She threatens Sasha in Japanese before grinding a boot into her chin. The ref has Asuka back off now, but she comes back with kicks and a yank on the arm. Asuka puts Sasha in an armlock, but Sasha endures. Asuka makes it part Fujiwara and even bends the fingers. Sasha is grounded while fans enjoy Asuka enjoying herself. Sasha gets up and forearms Asuka, so Asuka hits back and whips her to a corner. Asuka walks into Sasha’s elbow, Sasha counters a kick with a knee, then double knees! Cover, TWO, but Sasha keeps her cool as she taunts. The Boss boasts while we go to break.

Raw returns and Asuka unloads her vicious kicks into Sasha. Sasha ends up in a corner but evades and turns Asuka sideways. Stock Drop knees! Cover, TWO, but Sasha comes back with stomps. She drives knees into Asuka’s back and bends her arms back in a half-surfboard. The fans slowly build to a rally for Asuka, but Sasha puts Asuka right into the mat as she pulls harder. Asuka refuses to quit, she gets back to her feet. Sasha throws Asuka down by her hair, then taunts her again. She drags Asuka up, snap suplex to cover, TWO. Sasha grows frustrated, but she keeps on Asuka with a snapmare and running slap! The fans boo and jeer, but Sasha keeps toying with Asuka. Asuka stands up and fires up with open hand strikes! She whips Sasha, tilt-o-whirl takedown into crossface! Asuka endures Sasha’s signature submission and makes it a cover, TWO! Asuka rolls into a backslide, TWO, crossface! Sasha pulls Asuka back but Asuka endures and again shifts her weight. Asuka gets to her feet but Sasha knees low. Sasha throws Asuka out, but Asuka lies in wait while Sasha runs. Sasha DIVES but gets kicked out of the air! The Boss crash lands onto the ground! Asuka drags her up and into the ring, but Sasha revives. The two brawl with elbows but Asuka gets the edge. She shoves Sasha, pop-up knee! Spinning backhand after backhand then the back heel kick! Asuka runs, Shining Wizard! Sasha gets to a corner, big hip attack from Asuka! Asuka won’t let up, she climbs up top! Big missile dropkick and cover, TWO!! Sasha survives hit after hit, but Asuka is not deterred. She lifts Sasha, Sasha rolls, TWO, takedown to the cross armbreaker! Sasha reaches, flails, rolls, TWO! Asuka stands up and runs while Sasha is on the apron, but now Sasha sends Asuka tumbling! Sasha takes am, and hits big double knees!

She drags Asuka up and in now, then climbs up top. SUPER Double Knees, TWO!! Sasha is at a loss for what to do! The fans cheer both women on, and they both stand up. Sasha blocks but Asuka counters, chickenwing but Sasha rams Asuka into buckles for the Back Stabber to Bank Statement crossface again!

Asuka reaches and crawls for ropes! Sasha denies the break and rolls Asuka, but Asuka adjusts for her Asuka Lock!! Now Sasha is trapped, body scissors on, she taps! Asuka wins and remains undefeated!! This instant classic is truly proof of the Women’s (R)Evolution!

 

John Cena speaks via Twitter.

Only the Rumble Winners know they’re going to Wrestlemania, so even Cena himself has to wonder, “How do I get to Wrestlemania?” He knows he can gain a spot in the Chamber, and then the Chamber will lead to Wrestlemania. Why is that important to Cena? Well because he wants to answer the question “When are you done?” with “I’m just getting started!”

 

WWE Raw Tag Team Championships: The Bar VS Titus Worldwide!

While the Swiss Cyborg & Celtic Gladiator won back the titles from The Architect & The Gold-Blooded Son, they did lose a couple times to The Real Deal and his top client. Can Titus & Apollo shock the world with a win here tonight?

The bell rings, the belts are raised, and we start with Sheamus and Crews. The two circle and Crews rolls up quick, TWO. Sheamus bails out and regroups with Cesaro to keep his cool. They don’t want to get flustered against the other team already. Sheamus clubs Crews and whips but Crews slips out to another roll up, TWO. Crews runs at Sheamus in a corner but Sheamus shoulders him away. Sheamus locks on a headlock but Crews powers out, only for Sheamus to run him over again. They speed up, Crews dropkicks Sheamus and covers, TWO. Crews brings Sheamus over and tags in Titus, they double whip and double elbow. “Worldwide~” boasts while Cesaro complains. Sheamus elbows Titus away, then gives him a European Uppercut. He clubs away on Titus, but then Titus uses his power to turn it around and unload on Sheamus. Titus chops and uppercuts, but Cesaro tags in. Cesaro goes after Titus and even talks trash before giving his own EuroUppers and body shots. The Swiss Cyborg gloats but the Gator carries him corner to corner! Titus unloads more chops, then throws Cesaro across the way! The fans fire up and bark along with Titus, big corner splash. Sheamus distracts, Titus backs him down, but then Cesaro runs at him. Sheamus tags in, Titus slams Cesaro but gets clobbered by the Gladiator. The Bar has control again while we go to break.

Raw returns and Titus pries his way out of a headlock to back suplex Cesaro down. Cesaro tags Sheamus, he blasts Crews away before running Titus over. Tag back to Cesaro, The Bar whip and Bar Lariat Titus down. Cover, ONE, but Cesaro keeps Titus down. The fans build to a rally, Titus stands up but Sheamus tags in. The Bar mugs Titus, then throws him out to the floor. Sheamus distracts the ref, Cesaro stalks Titus. Titus sees him coming and boots him down! Sheamus is shocked but he goes after Titus himself now. Titus rocks him with a right hand, then another. Titus gets the hat-trick then hotshots Sheamus back. Sheamus stands up while Titus reenters, and rock shim with a knee, only for Titus to respond with a big clothesline! The fans rally with Titus Worldwide. Hot tags to Crews and Cesaro, Crews rallies! Crews mule kicks then boots, Cesaro ends up in a corner. Cesaro puts Crews on the apron but Crews knocks him away before climbing up. Flying crossbody, TWO, standing moonsault landed on his feet. Cesaro whips Crews but Crews goes up and over and handsprings back for a big leaping lariat! The fans fire up with Crews, then standing shooting star hits!

TWO! Crews drags Ceasro up but Cesaro fights back. Cesaro escapes the trophy lift then tags Sheamus, double hip toss but Crews lands through. Crews comes back, pop-up to what may Crews have meant to been headscissors but it’d double-edged as Crews hits the ground hard. Cesaro drags Crews up, but Crews revives and throws Cesaro out. Sheamsu rolls up, TWO, enziguri from Crews! Standing moonsault once more, Cesaro breaks the cover! Titus returns and throws Cesaro back out, but then Sheamus boots him down. Cesaro tags in but Crews doesn’t know, flying crossbody, roll-through, TWO! Cesaro rams Crews into a post, then feeds to Sheamus, A-Swiss-ted White Noise! The Bar wins and retains in furiously fast action!

 

Third Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: John Cena VS Finn Balor!

Either The Face that Runs the Place or the Extraordinary man who does Extraordinary Things, only ONE will go to the Elimination Chamber match!

The bell rings and the two circle. Cena hears the “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!’ chants. They tie up, Cena powers Finn to a corner but Finn turns it around. Finn honors the break and grins as he backs off. The fans cheer for Balor, which Cena takes note of. They circle again and FInn gets the waistlock, but Cena powers out to a wristlock. Finn rolls but can’t get away, Cena puts him on the mat. Finn handsprings and arm-drags to an arm-lock on Cena. Cena stands up, fans duel again, but Cena pushes Finn to ropes. They both honor the break but Cena whips. Finn reverses and arm-drags Cena a couple more times, and returns to the arm-lock. The fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!” again. Cena gets up and lifts Finn, Finn slips out and runs but Cena runs him over. Cena puts Finn in a headlock and gets the takeover. Finn headscissors but Cena pops out and hits another takeover. Finn headscissors again and Cena pops out again for a third takeover. The fans duel again as Finn goes for a third headscissors. Cena blocks but Finn turns that to a ghost pin, TWO! Cena bails out and cools off while the fans fire up. He lets them know he hears them, then gets back in the ring. The two tie up again, and engage in a test of strength. They’re deadlocked but Cena eventually brings Finn to his knees. Cena glares at the booing fans but Finn gets to his feet! Finn spins around and rolls him up, TWO, Cena decks Balor with a right hand. The 16 time champion has control and Finn is dazed as we go to break.

Raw returns once again and Finn rallies but Cena runs him over again. Cena lifts Finn and slams him, then covers, TWO. Finn gets himself to a corner, Cena walks over and whips him corner to corner hard. Cena watches Finn as he slowly gets up. He whips Finn corner to corner again even harder! The fans boo and jeer and Cena plays dumb as to why. He brings Finn up again and whips him a third time, but Finn boots back now. Finn rallies with forearms on the run, then trips Cena up for double stomps! The fans fire up for Finn as he gives Cena a running chop. Then they go corner to corner but Cena fires out and rallies with his shoulder tackles. Spin-out bomb, and fans know what that means.

“You Can’t See Me,” but Finn evades the Five Knuckle. Finn says “You Can’t See ME”, then elbow-drop DDT!

TWO! Finn keeps focus, the fans are behind him as he drags Cena up. Cena counters with a fireman’s carry but Finn slips out. They brawl, haymaker after haymaker, with Philly on Finn’s side. Finn shifts to forearms and gets an edge but Cena shoves him and boots him down. Cena keeps Finn in place as he drops the Five Knuckle Shuffle. He picks Finn up, but Finn pops out to PELE! TWO! Finn keeps moving, Slingblade to Cena! Then he aims from the corner, and runs out, but into Cena’s clothesline! Philly boos and jeers again. Cena runs at Finn, Finn boots back, Finn goes for another, but Cena blocks to cradle Finn up and onto his shoulders, “Too Sweet” AA! TWO!! Cena is shocked!

The fans give back “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!” while Cena thinks on what to do. Cena makes his way out to the apron and lets the fans boo and jeer. He climbs up, but Finn kicks him down! Finn blasts him with the dropkick, then heads up top himself. He takes aim, COUP DE – No, Cena evaded, trips Finn, STF! Finn endures, flails, and crawls! He powers himself and gets to the ropes! Cena must let go, but the damage may have been done. Finn kicks him from the apron, then drags himself up top again. Cena revives, grabs Finn, and the fans freak out as they know what’s coming. SUPER AA!! Cena wins and moves on to Elimination Chamber! He has his ticket to Elimination Chamber, will Cena punch a ticket to Wrestlemania?

 

My Thoughts:

This was a damn good episode of Raw for following up the Rumble. Sasha logically carries over her animosity from the Women’s Rumble and heads right at Asuka, that was an incredible match the two had. Those spills Asuka and Sasha took were a bit scary, though, I almost thought Asuka was going to win by a referee’s stoppage. The Boss and Empress raise the stakes for what it takes to finally defeat Asuka even once. The Revival at least build themselves up and I continue to appreciate some of the things they say about how fans make it about themselves–see tonight’s off-camera Beach Ball Mania incident–when they should find a way to keep it about the talent. I don’t know when they’ll get tag title chances but they going up against The Bar could be a lot of fun even if neither side turns. Speaking of The Bar, they and Titus Worldwide have a great match themselves, and Crews looks like the way he did when he first arrived on Raw. The Bar wins out because there is meant to be a Raw Tag Team Championship rematch with Rollins & Jordan, but I sense the rematch will only serve to further divide the haphazard team. After that, then I wouldn’t mind seeing another chance for Titus & Apollo.

The episode also makes big inroads towards the next PPV with the Chamber qualifying matches. Braun Freaking Strowman opened tonight with the moment of the night by doing yet another thing I’d never even heard of: flipping the stage onto someone! Strowman in the Elimination Chamber is amazing in itself, he can do so much in such a structure. Social media and commentary did well to sell Kane’s side of things, but hearing the updates made me wish they would’ve done an Attitude Era style hospital scene so everyone could see Kane do the Deadman sit-up and then somehow “escape” the hospital. Elias gets quite the nod for being included in the Chamber match, and the Wyatt VS WOKEN angle continues in a somewhat logical way as Bray costs Hardy via the distraction. WWE is probably trying to build up the anticipation to when they finally present us with The Great War theatrical match, but they have to get going much faster with this or the anticipation will deflate into boredom. Then the main event was great, but even without “Cena Wins LOL”, it seemed inevitable Cena would win since Elias is in the Chamber match. Cena and Elias need to have their feud, since Elias is being the stand-in for Samoa Joe, but I just wish it wasn’t at Balor’s expense. Balor looks strong even in losing since it took the Super AA, but I’m not sure where he is going just yet. Roman VS Miz was a great match, but with Miz retaining, perhaps he and Finn can have a program with The Miztourage and Club at their sides.

My Score: 8.5/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (3/21/25)

Venerdì Sera SmackDown!

Published

23 hours ago

on

March 21, 2025

By

SmackDown’s in Italy and that’s no bologna!

SmackDown’s in Italy and that’s no bologna! Well, they are in Bologna, Italy, and Seth Rollins is looking to crash CM Punk talking with Roman Reigns! Will the Visionary #BurnItDown?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Damian Priest & Jimmy Uso VS Drew McIntyre & Shinsuke Nakamura; Priest & Jimmy win.
  • WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Jacob Fatu VS Braun Strowman; Braun wins, by disqualification, and will challenge LA Knight for the title.
  • Zelina Vega VS Piper Niven w/ The Green Administration; Piper wins.
  • Jade Cargill VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; Liv wins.
  • The Street Profits VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; The Profits win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Randy Orton is here!

Bologna fires up and sing along with Voices as The Viper makes his way to the ring. The fans especially cheer when Orton does his signature pose on the corner! Orton grabs the mic as the fans keep singing. The music stops, the fans cheer, and they cheer on “RANDY! RANDY!” Orton goes to speak, but KEVIN OWENS is here! The fans boo but Kevin says he knows what Orton wants to do, but hear him out first. Kevin has something important to tell Orton, so please listen. Kevin was wrong. The fans tell Kevin off but Kevin says they heard him right: he was wrong. Kevin was wrong for attacking Orton and hitting him with a piledriver, he did not deserve that.

Cody Rhodes deserved everything Kevin did to him. Sami Zayn deserved everything Kevin did to him. But not Randy. Look, Randy, you picked Cody over Kevin and that angered Kevin. That angered Kevin to the point of doing something he regrets. And if anyone can relate to letting their anger make them do stupid things they regret, it’s Orton. Orton’s spoken on it! He talked about his anger making him do things he wished he hadn’t, and that’s the same for Kevin. They’re just human. Kevin wants Randy to understand, he means it. Kevin can forgive Orton for picking Cody if Orton can forgive Kevin for what he did. Then they can put all of this in the past where it belongs.

Speaking of leaving things in the past, does Orton wanna know why Kevin pulled Carmelo Hayes out of the ring last week? It was because Kevin was trying to save and protect Orton from himself! Because Orton surely doesn’t want to go back to the man he was, who used to kick people in the head. No one wants to see that! That’s not who Orton is anymore! Orton has grown, and he has changed for the better. But what they should do now is look to the future, and that future is WrestleMania! Kevin thinks he and Orton should become WWE Tag Team Champions! Think about it? They were so close just a few months ago! They should’ve been champions, but they let stuff get between them.

So Kevin wants them to get past that and go for the titles! The fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” but Kevin tells them to shut their stupid faces. Orton, don’t listen to these idiots. Kevin asks what Orton says to his idea. The fans tell Kevin off again, but Orton says this is what he says. What he should do is run up the aisle and beat Kevin’s ass all over the arena! But… What Kevin said is intriguing. Orton has never heard Kevin admit that he was wrong. Orton wants to think about it for a minute. Hmm… Nope, scratch that. Take that halfhearted apology and shove it! The fans cheer, and Orton says Kevin can say whatever he has to in order to sleep at night.

Kevin can say this guy deserves this, that guy deserves that, but the only thing anyone deserves is Kevin having Orton kick him so hard that Orton gets a pat on the back from Roberto Baggio! The fans cheer that! Orton says Kevin used to be #FightOwensFight, but now he’s all “B*tch Owens B*tch.” The fans cheer that, too! Orton says Kevin regrets dropping Orton on his head with that piledriver and that he was saving Orton from himself. Well it’s a good thing Kevin dropped Orton on his head! Because now, Orton hears voices in his head! They counsel him, they understand! And does Kevin wanna know what those voices are saying now?

The voices say that whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But not for Kevin, because in Vegas, at WrestleMania, Orton kicks Kevin’s head clean off his shoulders! The Viper is ready to strike, will he have far more than just an RKO in store for The Prizefighter?

 

Damian Priest & Jimmy Uso VS Drew McIntyre & Shinsuke Nakamura!

The Punisher teams up with #BigJim team up in a rather crisscrossed grudge match. Will Priest & Jimmy make McIntyre pay for his cheap shots and cheap tricks? Or will The Scottish Warrior & The King of Strong Style stand side by side as sinister manslayers?

SmackDown returns as Nakamura makes his entrance, followed by McIntyre’s. Priest doesn’t even wait, he just runs back up the ram to go after McIntyre! The fans fire up as these two brawl, #OnSight! Priest ROCKS Drew, Drew hits back, and Nakamura joins in! They mug Priest, but Jimmy FLIES! Direct hit on Drew and Nakamura! T he fans fire up and Priest helps Jimmy stand. They drag Drew up and into the ring, the bell sounds, and the fans fire up. Jimmy is the legal man but Drew still swipes at Priest. The ref keeps these two apart, Drew says up Priest’s, but turns around into haymakers from Jimmy! The fans fire up as Jimmy then mule kicks Drew!

Jimmy pops, locks ‘n’ UPPERCUTS! Jimmy gets the fans to shout, “UCE! OH!” but Drew takes a swing! Jimmy dodges and CHOPS in return! And CHOPS! And then whips corner to corner, runs in, and SPLASHES into Drew’s arms! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Drew finally puts his kilt aside. Drew taunts Priest, then stalks Jimmy. Drew has Jimmy on the ropes and CHOKES him! Drew stops as the ref counts, only to get the legs. ROPE GUILLOTINE! Jimmy sputters, Drew taunts Priest, and then Drew drags Jimmy up. Jimmy JAWBREAKERS free, Drew staggers back and Nakamura tags in.

Jimmy dodges Drew, ROCKS Nakamura, then UPPERCUTS Drew! Jimmy runs but Nakamura trips him! Nakamura drags Jimmy out, SMACKS him off the desk, then runs up to DYNAMIC DROPKICK! Jimmy flops onto the desk! T he fans fire up as Nakamura CHOKES Jimmy, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Nakamura puts Jimmy in the ring, but drags him out along the apron. Nakamura runs up to KNEE LIFT! Jimmy sputters, Nakamura storms in, and Nakamura stalks Jimmy to the corner. Nakamura CLUBS Jimmy, puts him up top, and then backs up to run in, TOP SHELF KNEE! Jimmy flops back down, Nakamura pushes him to a cover, TWO! Nakamura stays focused as he drags Jimmy up with a facelock. Nakamura puts Jimmy in the corner, tags Drew, and then Nakamura gives Jimmy BAD VIBRATIONS! Drew adds a stomp, then he CHOPS Jimmy down! Jimmy sputters, Drew drags him around, and Drew stomps Jimmy’s hand!

Drew clamps on with a chicken wing and chinbar! Jimmy endures, reaches out, and fights to his feet. Drew throws him down by his hair! Drew then sucker punches Priest! Drew deadlift suplexes Jimmy! Jimmy writhes while Drew seethes, and Drew mockingly tells Jimmy to go tag out. Drew stands Jimmy up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Jimmy runs, but Drew CLOBBERS him! Cover, TWO! Jimmy shakes his head, he’s tougher than that. Drew drags Jimmy into a top wristlock and he leans on the hold. Jimmy endures, fights up, and reaches out. Drew keeps him from Priest, KNEES low, then he sucker punches Priest again!

Drew taunts Priest, but turns around into a SAMOAN DROP! SmackDown returns to single picture while both men are down! The fans rally up while Drew crawls, tag to Nakamura! Nakamura drags Jimmy up, but Jimmy kicks! Nakamura blocks, but Jimmy hits the DRAGON WHIP! Jimmy rises up, hot tag to Priest! Priest BLASTS Drew, then dodges Nakamura to ELBOW! And FLAPJACK! Priest runs corner to corner to ELBOW Nakamura, then runs to CLOBBER him! The fans fire up and Priest brings Nakamura up for a knuckle lock> The fans rally for Priest as he goes up the corner, and gives us some OLD SCHOOL CROSSBODY!

The fans fire up and Priest powers up his arm! Priest runs, but Nakamura BOOTS the lariat, then WHEEL KICKS! Nakamura aims from a corner, “YAO~!” But Priest LARIATS Nakamura down first! Cover, Drew breaks it! Drew drags Priest up to POST him! Jimmy steps in and SUPERKICKS Drew! Drew bails out, Jimmy WRECKS him with a dropkick! But Nakamura KINSHASAS Jimmy off the apron! But Priest then grabs Nakamura, SOUTH OF HEAVEN! Cover, Priest & Jimmy win!

Winners: Damian Priest & Jimmy Uso, by pinfall

It was a fast ‘n’ furious finish, but Drew doesn’t let it end here! He CLOBBERS Priest! Drew rains down fists, and reminds Priest that every time he sees Priest, he’ll- Priest grabs Drew by the neck! Drew breaks free to HEADBUTT Priest, then he DRIBBLES Priest off the mat! Drew rains down furious fists while the fans boo, but then Drew stomps Priest as he lets off. Priest slowly rises, Drew gives us the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAYMORE against the ropes!! Priest flops down in a daze and Drew tells him that he still blames Priest for having nothing. Every time Priest gets up, Drew will put him down until Priest stays down.

Drew slithers away, his rage never ending. Will nothing stop the Scottish Terminator from terrorizing Priest?

 

LA Knight finds Braun Strowman backstage.

The Monster of All Monsters is warming up for his match, and The Mega Star says #OneBigSOB is getting one big pump on. And Knight thinks about Braun VS Fatu, Braun better smack Fatu back to factory settings. And here’s the thing, these guys work with numbers, so Knight will be keeping his eyes on that match. Knight turns to go but Braun has him hold on. Braun will say, if there’s one thing he can’t wait for, it’s to #GetTheseHands on Fatu tonight. But you know why? Because Nick Aldis told him a bit ago, that the winner will get their shot at the US Championship. And as Braun sees it, winning that title punches his ticket to WrestleMania.

Knight says oh yeah? Braun says yeah. Knight says YEAH, and heads out. Will Knight have to fight Braun or the Samoan Werewolf on this Road to WrestleMania 41?

 

Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton have video interview.

Joe Tessitore welcomes the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble winner and the WWE Women’s Champion and thanks them both for taking this time. To start with Tiffany, we saw last week that there is a fire in her we haven’t seen before. What is the mindset just four weeks away from WrestleMania? Tiffany starts to speak, but Charlotte speaks up to say The Queen should speak first. And she couldn’t agree more, Tiffany finally looks like a star. Charlotte had a hard time trying to buy into the hype, but Charlotte always brings out the best in others. Tiffany speaks up now, saying Charlotte couldn’t see it?

Charlotte condescendingly says, “There she is!” Tiff is just like day one: Pick me! Pick me! Charlotte says she chose Tiff because Charlotte pities her. Tiff came out with a sob story about the comparisons to Charlotte, but Tiff’s the only one delusional enough to make those comparisons. Newsflash: Everyone is compared to Charlotte. Tiff is not special. Tiff feels special, being the one with the title on her shoulder. Charlotte points out Tiff got it via a cash-in. Oh, well, Tiff still earned it, and has proven worthy of it week after week. Oh, really? Earned because of a cash-in? Delusional, just as Charlotte said.

Here’s the thing: WrestleMania 41 will be the pinnacle of Tiff, while Charlotte gets to shine her light on some undeserving girl who, just because she’s blonde and can do flips, thinks she compares to Charlotte. No, Tiff has not earned that. Wow, delusional? Does Charlotte forget how at the start of Tiff’s career, Charlotte was actually one of her biggest supporters? Charlotte told Tiff she’d be a star, and Tiff looked up to Charlotte. But then they were in the ring together, and Tiff saw the real Charlotte. Charlotte couldn’t even look Tiff in the face because Charlotte knows Tiff is the woman to take her throne.

Charlotte mockingly says she’s tearing up. Yes, Tiff, Charlotte said Tiff was a star in the making. But what? Did Tiff expect Charlotte to come to the ring, give her a high-five, a big hug, and say, “Yes! We can do this, girl!” No, Charlotte is the only woman in the locker room that tells the truth. She is not here for friends, she is here for competition. Tiff says this is what Charlotte does! She finds the hottest ticket and throws water on it. It worked in the past but it won’t work on Tiff. Charlotte says Tiff’s not even the hottest ticket on SmackDown! Let alone this entire company. But tell Charlotte, what does she do?

Tiff says she just said, Charlotte finds the hottest new thing, pours water on it. The thing is, Tiff, you have never been across from Charlotte, only underneath her, struggling to catch your breath. Tiff says the only one struggling is Charlotte keeping up with the fans that don’t even want her back. Charlotte says the fans are either wooing or booing, take your pick. Tiff has her entire career to beat Charlotte’s accolades and- And Tiff will lucky to even have a job at Charlotte’s age. Tiff says this year, WrestleMania, she cements what she already knows: The WWE Universe does not bow to Charlotte, they run on #TiffyTime. See you at Mania.

The Princess has stepped to the Queen, but who will be on the throne atop the WWE Women’s Division?

 

WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Jacob Fatu VS Braun Strowman!

As if this match wasn’t one to watch before, now there are championship stakes on the line! Will the Samoan Werewolf #GetTheseHands? Or will he bring down #OneBigSOB to go after LA Knight?

SmackDown returns as Braun makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. Braun and Jacob circle, and then Braun RAMS Jacob into a corner! Braun fires hands, then HEADBUTTS! Braun runs corner to corner, Jacob dodges and Jacob ROCKS Braun! Jacob RAMS into Braun again and again, stops as the ref counts, and the fans fire up. Jacob runs corner to corner, but Braun CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up again as Jacob flounders to a corner. Braun runs up, but Jacob BOOTS him back! Jacob runs up, but Braun BACKDROPS him away! The fans fire up while Jacob tumbles. Braun runs up to LARIAT Jacob up and out!

The fans cheer as Braun paces, and then Braun goes out after Jacob. Braun puts Jacob back in, storms back into the ring, and he stomps Jacob. The fans rally and sing, Braun whips corner to corner hard, and Jacob falls in a heap! Braun enjoys the singing, and he runs in at the corner to SPLASH! Jacob falls in a heap again, then bails out. Braun says it’s time and the fans cheer! Braun is on the tracks, STROWMAN EXPRESS is sent over the desk! Braun tumbles, Jacob goes to the apron, and Jacob aims, to FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Braun at the Hydration Station! The fans fire up and Jacob grins while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Jacob looms over Braun, drags him up, and SMACKS him off the desk! Jacob refreshes the ring count, then stalks Braun. Jacob HEADBUTTS Braun, brings him around, and SMACKS him off the steel steps! Braun staggers away, Jacob storms over, and Braun UPPERCUTS! Braun brings Jacob around to send into the other steel steps! Jacob tumbles to the floor and the fans rally up. Braun stalks Jacob, stomps him against the barrier, then refreshes the ring count. Braun conducts the Bologna choir here, then goes back out after Jacob. Braun shoves Jacob into the ring, but Jacob KICKS Braun in the ropes!

Jacob fireman’s carries!? Braun fights free, runs, but Jacob dropkicks the legs out! Jacob keeps moving, and he LARIATS Braun down! The fans rally more while Braun writhes. Jacob soaks up the cheers, then he stalks Braun. Jacob CLUBS Braun, eggs him on, then twists Braun with the neck wrench. Braun endures, fights around, but Jacob puts on the pressure. Braun powers up, rises to his feet, and he pries Jacob’s hands away! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Jacob fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT on Braun! Jacob storms up on Braun but Braun CHOPS! Braun runs, into a SUPERKICK!

Jacob fireman’s carries to SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up as Jacob adds a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and the fans rally up again. Jacob stalks Braun, goes to the corner, and he runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK! Braun sputters, Jacob geeks out and the fans fire up! Braun rises up!? Jacob runs in and SPLASHES, then he tells Braun he’s done! Jacob goes corner to corner again, but Braun runs to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Braun rises, but so does Jacob! Braun ROCKS Jacob, ROCKS him again, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! The fans fire up and Braun stands Jacob up, for a CLUB to the chest!

The fans fire up more as Braun rips his shirt away! Jacob falls out of the ring while the shirt is a free souvenir to a fan! Braun then gets on track, STROWMAN EXPRESS sends Jacob onto the desk! The fans fire up while Braun catches his breath. Braun storms around to bring Jacob up and into the ring. Braun slides in, but Jacob runs up! Braun dodges and SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up with Braun, but then TAMA TONGA is here! Braun TOSSES Tama! Braun scoops Tama, but SOLO SIKOA ATTACKS!

Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE US Championship)

The fans boo and even Jacob is upset. Solo & Tama hand Braun the win! That means Braun is going to face Knight! But Solo and Tama keep beating up on Braun, and Jacob joins in. But Braun gets up to CLOBBER Solo, TOSS Tama, only for Jacob to BODY CHECK Braun! But here comes LA KNIGHT! The Mega Star runs out here, he DECKS Tama, then he jumps into the ring! Knight dodges Solo to fire off JABS on Jacob and Solo! Tama CLOBBERS Knight, then he fires hands! The fans boo while Jacob runs in, but Knight dodges! Jacob POSTS himself! Knight HOTSHOTS Tama, and Braun CLOBBERS Solo!

Braun ROCKS Jacob, then Knight LARIATS Jacob up and out! The official announcement is now made, it will be Knight VS Braun for the US Championship in the UK! It’s London calling next Friday, will the Knight still be the champion?

 

Backstage interview with Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez.

Cathy Kelley is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and last week, these two interrupted the interview with Jade Cargill, and got themselves into this match tonight. But now that we know it was Naomi who attacked Jade, why do Liv & Raquel keep bothering Jade? Because, Cathy, if you were paying attention, you’d know Jade allowed everyone to still think it was Liv & Raquel who attacked her. Meanwhile, Jade had all the time in the world to update her Instagram, yet not enough to clear Liv’s name. So this is personal now.

Probably like how it was personal when Liv & Raquel beat Jade’s former friends, Bianca Belair & Naomi, to become the first-ever, history-making, record-breaking and GREATEST Women’s Tag Team Champions of all time! But she will say, she is impressed with what Naomi did. Too bad she didn’t finish the job. Tonight, Liv will do that for her. #WatchMe. Liv & Raquel leave, but will they survive the storm that’s headed their way?

 

Jacob is furious backstage!

He kicks and throws random stuff, but Solo tells him to calm down. Calm down?! Jacob CHUCKS a trash can and asks calm down about what?! Is this better?! He CHUCKS boxes, but Solo wants Jacob to listen. From what he and Tama saw, it looked like- LIKE WHAT?! What’d Solo “see?” Solo says they were just trying to help! Help who? Help yourself, Solo?! That match wasn’t nobody’s business, and it damn sure wasn’t Solo’s business! When Jacob is taking care of his, Solo better watch himself. Jacob storms off, Solo looks to Tama, and Tama stays silent. Is Solo only tearing down his own Bloodline?

 

Zelina Vega VS Piper Niven w/ The Green Administration!

La Muneca, the inaugural Queen of the Ring, wants to reign once again, and that starts with going after the Women’s United States Championship. But to get to Chelsea Green, Zelina has to make it through the Head of Security! Will Piper shut down the opposition? Or will we be seeing Vega heading for Vegas?

SmackDown returns and Zelina makes her entrance, an all new song, tron and gear to show this is her next chapter. The bell rings and Chelsea already talks trash on Zelina. The fans rally, Zelina and Piper step to each other, and Piper easily bumps Zelina back. Zelina laughs and SLAPS Piper back! Piper grabs Zelina, TOSSES her to a corner, then runs up. Zelina dodges, runs, dodges again, but Piper scoops! Zelina slips free, waistlocks, and they go to ropes. Piper bucks the O’Conner Roll, but Zelina avoids the elbow drop! BASEMENT KICK! Zelina fires up, runs and tilt-o-whirls, to then RANA Piper into the corner!

Zelina runs up, kicks low, then reels Piper in! Zelina hops on but Piper pops out of Code Red! Zelina whips but Piper blocks with ease! Piper then CLOBBERS Zelina with a shoulder tackle. Piper drags Zelina up, CLOBBERS her again, and then drags her back up. Piper CLOBBERS Zelina a third time, and she salutes her champion. Piper drags Zelina but Zelina spins to TWEAK the arm! Piper staggers, Zelina UP KICKS her! Zelina hurries to run the ropes, but Piper TOSSES her out! Zelina gets up to KICK Piper’s leg! Piper staggers, Zelina hops on, SLEEPER! Piper endures, reaches out, but Zelina squeezes tight!

Piper THROWS Zelina down into the drop zone! Piper stomps Zelina, then goes up the corner. The fans rally, and Zelina YANKS Piper down! Zelina fires hands, the fans fire up, and Zelina climbs up the corner. Zelina rains down fists and fans count all the way to sette (seven in Italian) before Piper DUMPS Zelina to the apron! But Zelina GAMANGIRIS back! Chelsea & Alba shout at Zelina, Zelina shouts back and storms into the ring, but Piper is there to URENAGE! The fans are torn while Zelina flounders, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Piper has Zelina in a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, even as Piper thrashes her around. The fans rally, Zelina pries at the hold, but Piper ripcords, only for Zelina to duck under and roll her up! TWO, and Piper CLOBBERS Zelina! Piper frowns as she looms over Zelina. Piper drags Zelina up, whips her into the corner, and then Zelina falls in a heap. Piper paces, then storms back up to stand Zelina up. Piper THROWS Zelina into the neighboring corner, then she storms back up. Piper drags Zelina up to TOSS her into another corner! Piper soaks up the heat, Chelsea reprimands the fans, but Piper drags Zelina to a cover, TWO!

Zelina stays in this but Piper stalks her. Piper drags Zelina right up into the COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Chelsea gets annoyed. Piper ripcords and HEADBUTTS Zelina down! Piper soaks up more heat, then she stalks Zelina. Piper drags Zelina up, whips her to a corner hard and Zelina falls in a heap! Zelina crawls, Piper tells the fans to go to Naples, then she rains down fists on Zelina! Piper YANKS Zelina right up into a scoop, but Zelina fires elbows! Piper puts Zelina in a corner, but Zelina BOOTS back! Zelina goes up, but Piper SMACKS her first! Piper then military presses for the- SLEEPER! Zelina gets Piper again!

The fans fire up while Piper endures! Chelsea is upset, Piper reaches out, but Zelina holds on tight! Piper RAMS Zelina into a corner, is free of the sleeper, then she runs back in. Zelina slips around to crucifix for an IRON OCTOPUS! Chelsea panics while Piper endures! Zelina then slips into a sunset flip, TWO! Piper stays in this but Zelina SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Zelina hurries to get Piper up, but Piper grabs Zelina by the hair! Zelina ELBOWS free and Piper goes to a corner! Zelina runs in and METEORA! The fans fire up as Zelina kicks Piper out. Zelina goes up, up, and METEORA! Cover, TWO!

Piper stays in this and Zelina isn’t sure what she has to do! Zelina waits on Piper to rise up, and then she hops back on! CODE- NO, Piper slips free again! Piper runs, but Zelina drop toeholds Piper onto ropes! Zelina dials it up, but Piper gets up, so Zelina tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Cover, TWO!! Piper survives, Chelsea shouts at Zelina, but Zelina DECKS Chelsea! So much for having her Secret Her-vice out here! Zelina redials and 619 on Piper! But Alba storms up! Zelina KICKS Alba, but Piper CROSSBODIES!! Cover, Piper wins!

Winner: Piper Niven, by pinfall

Despite what the card says, Zelina was basically up against three opponents tonight. Will anyone ever get a fair fight against the Green Administration?

 

Backstage interview with Jade Cargill.

Cathy apologizes for last week because of Liv & Raquel, but tonight, Jade faces Liv 1v1. Is Jade feeling ready for Liv being this is Jade’s first match back? Jade says, “How do I feel? You was right there, you could see exactly how I feel. Liv tried it that night. And since she wants to try and disrespect me and run her mouth, I’ma show her. And when I’m done with her… Naomi, all eyes on you. So I know you’re watching right now, and this is just a little preview of what I’ma do to you.” Will the storm be fiercer than ever before?

 

The darkness is looming.

The smoke is back, and is that a glimpse of dice? The number 4 is back, but what does it mean?

 

Jade Cargill VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!

The whodunnit may have been solved, but the problem still remains that Jade left everyone wondering, pointing fingers and making accusations. But while Jade had her reasons, will she also shut Liv up about her bad reputation being further tainted? Or will it be Judgment Day’s night here in Bologna?

The bell rings and Liv runs up, into a BOOT! Jade dusts her boot off while Liv flounders of the ring. Raquel helps Liv stand, but Jade storms out after them both! Raquel tells Jade to watch herself, but Jade still storms up on Ricky Desperado. Liv runs up, but Jade SMACKS her first! Jade THROWS Liv into barriers, THROWS her into the ring, then flexes. The fans cheer, and Jade storms in after Liv. Liv kicks low, runs, OBLI- NO, Jade stops that to scoop Liv! Liv slips free, but Jade ducks the enzigiri! Liv avoids the boot, but Jade stops the Code Breaker! Jade tosses Liv, scoops her, and FALL AWAY SLAMS! Then kips up!

The fans fire up and Jade revels in it. Liv says they should just go. Raquel & Liv hurry away but Jade chases them up the ramp! The fans fire up as Jade CLOBBERS Liv! Raquel doesn’t even realize it, and Jade drags Liv back to ringside! Liv fights back, Jade SMACKS her again, then puts her in the ring. The fans cheer, Jade stalks Liv to a corner, and she runs up, only for Liv to dodge! Jade hits buckles, Liv back body blocks! Liv comes back, SHINING- NO, Jade catches Liv to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Liv survives but Jade is rather amused. Jade drags Liv up and clamps onto the arms, but Raquel says to leave Liv alone!

Jade shoves Liv down to storm up on Raquel. Raquel gets away, and Liv runs up! BACKSTABBER! Jade tumbles, Liv hurries to get her up, and Liv POSTS Jade! Jade flops to the apron then the floor, the fans fire up, and Liv smiles as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Liv has Jade down with a chinlock. Jade endures, fights around, and fights up to her feet. Jade fires body shots, but Liv jumps on for the SLEEPER! Liv brings Jade down, but Jade fights around! The fans rally as Liv squeezes tight, body scissors wrapped on. Jade still fights, still rises, and she RAMS Liv into a corner! And again, and again, and again! Liv lets go, Jade runs back up, but Liv BOOTS her! Liv reels Jade into a facelock, and manages a snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga, and Liv hits Dos Amigas! The fans are torn as Liv brings Jade up for THREE AMIGAS! Liv gives some Latina Heat and the fans fire up!

Liv runs to ENZIGIRI! Jade flounders to ropes, Liv runs in, but Jade again denies Oblivion to hit a GERMAN SUPLEX! Liv flops out of the ring and the fans rally up again. “This is Awesome!” as Jade kips up again! Jade then CLOBBERS Liv! And CLBOBERS her again! And then FLAPJACKS, to SUPERKICK! Liv ends up in a corner, Jade runs in and ELBOWS her! The fans fire up as Jade goes again, ELBOW! Jade says one more, and she catches Liv to SPINEBUSTER her! The fans fire up as Jade smiles and grabs an arm. Fans cheer “MAMMA MIA!” as Jade RIPCORDS Liv into a fireman’s carry! F5!!

Jade kips up a third time and the fans fire up again! Jade finally covers, TWO! Liv survives, Jade showing off a little too much. Jade decides to just finish this, and she chicken wings Liv. But NAOMI is here! The Glow has a caution tape based outfit, a very clever reference, and Jade runs at her! Naomi gets away, and INTO OBLIV- BACKBREAKER!! Jade still refuses to let that happen, but now Raquel distracts the ref! Naomi CLOBBERS Jade with a title belt!! Jade is down, the fans boo, but Naomi hides! Liv rises, and runs INTO OBLIVION! Cover, Liv wins!

Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall

A huge assist from Naomi, and now Naomi picks the bones! Naomi rains down fists on Jade, the fans boo, but nothing is stopping Naomi from beating Jade down! Naomi stops just to talk smack, and then she SLAPS Jade! Naomi grabs Jade’s wrists to sit her up, and STOMP her down! Naomi then puts Jade in the ropes for the HEATSEEKER! Jade flounders, stands up on the apron, and Naomi BLASTS her down! Jade hits the desk then flops to the floor! Naomi shows her dark side, will Jade have no choice but to #FeelTheGlow?

 

Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.

Cathy catches Drew on his way out and brings up his pattern of attack on blindsiding Damian Priest. Where does this end? Drew says he didn’t start this, but he will end it. He explained things so simply last week that even a five-year-old could understand all the problems Drew has with Priest. Every time Drew got screwed over the past year, Priest was there like a vulture to pick the bones. In fact, Priest would probably brag how, “I beat Drew McIntyre in a tag team voice!” Drew mocks Priest’s voice, and says that what Drew would love for anyone, but especially Priest, though he’s probably not capable of it…

Drew would love for someone to verbally explain to him how he’s wrong. Drew tells the truth. Try to poke holes in his logic, but you can’t. But to Priest’s credit, he is as tough as he is stupid. Priest will surely pick himself up like he does every time, but Drew will put him back down. You know where to find him next week, in the land of the first and only British WWE World Champion. See you in London, mate. Arrivederci! Drew reaches the parking lot, only to cross paths with Seth Rollins. Rollins smirks, then continues on to gorilla position. The fans already sing for The Visionary, will Rollins have his face-to-face-to-face with Roman Reigns and CM Punk?

 

The Street Profits are here!

Bologna fires up for the NEW WWE Tag Team Champions, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins, who have a new theme song to go with their newest reign. Ford & Dawkins get the mics as the fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Ford tells Bologna, he’s heard they’re very generous and beautiful. But he’s got some news for you: For the first time in FOUR YEARS, the Profits are the NEW WWE Tag Team Champions! The fans cheer, and Dawkins gets everyone to join in on “HEY! HEY! HEY!” Dawkins says, “I mean… It’s about damn time. SIUUU~!” The fans join in on that, too, and Dawkins smiles.

But real talk, for the past four years, a lot of doubts have been creeping in. The Profits were questioning each other. But them holding these titles right here… “You Deserve It!” Dawkins says the Profits holding the titles now made it all worth it. Ford knows they’re celebrating, but to be serious for one second… For the past four years, the fact that no matter what happens, peaks and valleys, highs and lows, he can always count on his brother. The fans cheer that and the Profits do the secret handshake. But wait! Legado Del Fantasmo comes out here. The fans boo as Santos Escobar leads Los Garza to the ring to ruin the fun.

Santos says, “Signore e signori <ladies and gentlemen,>” it is an honor to be here in Italy. And this, what a moment. The Profits finally capture gold again. Beautiful. Too bad it will end abruptly! His familia, these two handsome, chiseled Latinos are pissed! They are angry just like the fans, but they are ready to take those titles off- “YES BOY~!” Pretty Deadly joins in now! Kit Wilson & Elton Prince have the mics, fans join in on “YES BOY~!” Kit tells Santos that he can run his mouth all night long, but what he’s forgetting is that a few weeks ago, Pretty Deadly earned the right to call themselves the #1 contenders.

The fans cheer, and Elton says what Legado needs to do is step aside. Santos shouts they will NOT step aside! Pretty Deadly says so scary~! Santos says the Profits chose to believe Pretty Deadly’s pathetic gossip, that is why they’re in this mess. By the way, Profits, Santos offered them the chance to apologize and you didn’t, so now this is personal! So Pretty Deadly should STAY OUT OF IT! Ford tells Santos, “Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. Whoa.” The fans cheer, and he tells to listen here, “mi amore.” Pretty Deadly have their title shots. But y’know what? Legado looks feisty tonight, wanting to get in a fight, right here in Bologna!

The fans like where this is going, and Ford says how about he says something they can all understand: Tonight, let’s get it on, chicos! Because the Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! Santos & Los Garza are fired up, but will the Profits get caught in a trap game? Or will they use Angel & Berto as tune-ups for facing Pretty Deadly?

 

The force of nature draws closer.

Fire, thunder, and now a silhouette, as well as glimpses of this mysterious newcomer. Is WWE ready to ANIMO?

 

The Street Profits VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!

SmackDown returns, the match already going, and Ford drags Angel down to a cover, ONE! Angel is tougher than that but Ford keeps on him. Ford runs, and ROLLING THUNDER SPLASH! Ford SMACKS Angel off the mat, covers, ONE! The fans rally while Ford paces. Ford runs, and he KICKS Angel to ropes! Ford then stands Angel up, but Angel stomps a foot! Angel CHOPS Ford, tags Berto, and they mug Ford. Berto taunts the fans, but Ford CHOPS! The fans fire up, Ford ducks a kick but not the GAMANGIRI! The fans boo but Berto drags Ford up to CHOP! Berto tags Angel, they shove and double hip toss for TU LO SABE! DOUBLE SUPERKICK!

The fans boo but OFF COME THE PANTS! Angel throws the pants at Dawkins! The fans boo, the ref stops Dawkins from storming in, and Angel KICKS Ford! Angel puts Ford on the top rope, then climbs up to CLUB away on Ford’s neck! The fans boo but Los Garza just soak up the heat. Angel puts Ford in the Tree of Woe, then tags Berto. Los Garza stomp a double mudhole into Ford! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Angel steps out. Berto tags Angel back in, they mug Ford more, but the fans rally up. Angel swaggers, mocks the clapping, so the fans boo. Angel runs back in, but Ford dodges! Berto hurries to tag and stops Ford.

Ford kicks, Berto YANKS Ford up, but Ford lands on his feet! Ford then dodges Berto, and Berto almost runs into Angel! Hot tag to Dawkins! The fans fire up as Dawkins rallies on Los Garza! Then CYCLONE SPLASH for Berto, followed by the ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up as Dawkins whips, but Berto reverses. Angel distracts the ref while Dawkins hurdles Berto, and Santos DUMPS Dawkins out! The fans boo as Legado gets away with one! Berto builds speed and he DIVES! Down goes Dawkins and Legado fires up, only for fans to boo more. The Profits are down right now while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Angel has Dawkins in a chicken wing stretch. Dawkins endures and the fans rally up. Dawkins fights up, fires body shots, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Angel covers, TWO! Santos is annoyed but the fans taunt Legado as Angel stands Dawkins up. Tag to Berto, Berto taunts Ford, and Los Garza hit a LEAP FROG ATTACK! Berto feeds Dawkins to Angel’s HAYMAKER! Dawkins falls, Berto drags him to a cover, TWO! The fans rally for the Profits but Santos makes the pecs dance as a way to stay cool. Berto CHOPS but Dawkins ROCKS Berto! Berto kicks, CLUBS, and scoops, to then SLAM Dawkins!

Berto soaks up the heat, rolls back and MOONSAULTS! The fans fire up, that was a good move. Tag to Angel and Los Garza put Dawkins in the ropes. Angel KICKS Dawkins’ leg out! Angel taunts Dawkins, but he sucker punches Ford! The ref has to stop Ford, Angel BOOTS Dawkins down, and then Angel taunts Ford. But Dawkins ROCKS Angel! Angel blocks a kick, spins and lifts Dawkins into a Gory Especial! Angel marches to the ropes, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, Ford breaks it! Berto protests, but then he whips Dawkins to the corner. Dawkins BOOTS Berto, ELBOWS Angel, then FLAPJACKS Berto!

The fans fire up while Dawkins crawls! Hot tag to Ford! Berto runs up, but Ford GAMANGIRIS! Ford LARIATS Berto, BLASTS Angel, then dodges Berto to LARIAT again! The fans fire up with Ford and they pump up with “HEY! HEY! HEY!” Ford runs corner t corner, Berto puts him on the apron! But Ford ROCKS Berto back! Ford climbs, Berto staggers around, and Ford leaps over! Berto comes back, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Ford covers, TWO! The fans rally, Santos is getting frustrated, but Ford puts Berto in the drop zone. Ford climbs, Angel grabs at him! Ford kicks at Angel, but Berto runs up to GAMANGIRI!

Los Garza both climb up to get Ford, and they hoist him up for the M T- NO, Ford lands out on his feet!! Everyone is shocked and Bologna is electric! Los Garza hurry down but Ford still BLASTS Berto! Angel grabs at Ford, Dawkins CLOBBERS Angel! Angel dangles in the ropes while Ford goes up after Berto! Santos panics as Ford hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men are down, Ford reaches out to cover, TWO!! Berto survives and the fans are thunderous again! Santos coaches his team while Berto and Ford flounder. “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Dawkins tag in! Angel dodges Dawkins to DROPKICK!

Angel runs, but Dawkins SPINEBUSTERS! Berto runs up, Dawkins TOSSES him out! Los Garza regroups outside, the fans rally for Dawkins, but Santos gets on the apron. Dawkins DECKS Santos! Dawkins fires up with “SIUUU~!” and he builds speed! Ford tags in as Dawkins FLIES! Direct hit on all of Legado! Dawkins puts Angel in, Ford goes up! FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, Profits win!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall

Ford hit Angel from on high, and the Profits are rolling into their tag title defense! Will they still be golden through this tour? Or will Kit & Elton finally be crowned WWE Tag TEam Champions?

 

A car pulls into the parking lot.

The door opens, and Paul Heyman steps out! The Wise Man tells his Tribal Chief to wait just one moment while he goes to check things. Will everything be in order for the return of Roman Reigns?

 

DIY finds Pretty Deadly backstage.

Tommaso Ciampa sarcastically says, “There they are! Pretty Deadly, the #1 contenders to the WWE Tag Team titles.” Johnny Gargano says they must be excited. Actually, they are. Very excited. Because they’re getting to challenge The Profits next week, in the motherland, in London’s O2 Arena! Ciampa again sarcastically says, “Cheerio, mate! That’s great! Seriously, we’re happy for you guys.” They may have had their differences in the past, but if anything, this just made their relationship stronger. So how about some quid pro quo? Next week, DIY will make sure Pretty Deadly wins against the Profits, and they’ll be the champions!

A career defining moment in front of their home crowd. And in return, DIY take their rightful place as first in line for a match for the titles. Oh, so what DIY is saying is, a little “You scratch our backs, we scratch yours.” Exactly! Gargano had his heart broken in his hometown, and he’d hate for that to happen to Pretty Deadly. So what do they say? #YESBOY? Clever! But NO BOY~! Pretty Deadly says see you around. They leave, and Motor City Machine Guns walk in, spooking DIY. Sorry, but it just didn’t seem like that went well. But DIY, welcome to the back of the line where guess who’s waiting! A team you deceived and pissed off, just waiting for a chance to beat your asses.

And it’s MCMG, by the way, in case you weren’t sure. Sabin & Shelley head out, DIY argues about what to worry about more, but one thing at a time. Will Kit & Elton become the champions in London? Or will the Profits stay up on this Road to WrestleMania?

 

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

Bologna puts the ones up for the OTC, YTC, THE Tribal Chief, as he walks out with Paul Heyman. Roman raises his finger, the pyro goes off, and Roman continues down the ramp. What will he have to say to CM Punk and Seth Rollins? We’ll find out in moments, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Roman finishes his walk into the ring, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Roman raises his finger for more pyro! The fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” and Heyman hands off the mic. Roman nods, the fans sing for him, then the fans cheer. Roman finally says, “BOLOGNA! Acknowledge Your Tribal Chief.” The fans cheer, and Roman says, “Your OTC loves you. So that’s why I’m gonna tell you what’s been on my mind. Last month at the Rumble, CM Punk screwed me.” The fans boo that, and Roman says last week in The Garden, Roman screwed CM Punk! The fans cheer that, but Roman says that’s not all.

Because also at the Rumble, Seth Rollins tried to kill Roman! But it’s okay, because in The Garden, Roman tried to kill Rollins! The fans cheer and chant “O T C! O T C!” Roman says here’s the deal: The OTC came a long way, so he’s going to take his time. He’ll be here for a good 15, 20 minutes, so if anyone wants to come confront their Tribal Chief, then PLEASE… let Roman know. Roman paces and waits, and “BURN IT DOWN!” The fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary struts his way down the ring in a cross between blue suit and raincoat. Rollins steps into the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans keep singing.

Rollins tells Roman, “You messed up! You don’t understand how dangerous CM Punk is. You don’t understand how dangerous he is to the future of this industry, to the future of this company. You should’ve let me finish CM Punk when I had the chance!” The fans are torn, but Rollins says he gets it. This isn’t about Punk. It’s never been about Punk. This has always been about Roman and Rollins. They came into this company together. There is no Roman without Rollins, there is no Rollins without Roman. And they cannot coexist in the same space at the same time. The fans cheer that, and Heyman has a rather sinister smile on his face.

Rollins says this story of theirs has a lot of pages written, and it is about time they added another chapter. Fans like where that is going. Rollins unbuttons his jacket, but here comes C M PUNK! The fans fire up and Heyman is upset that Punk couldn’t wait. The fans sing along with Cult of Personality as Punk walks out on stage. Punk kneels and says, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” The fans cheer as Punk continues down to the ring to join Rollins and Roman. The mics drop aside already, but Punk grabs a mic for himself. Punk then climbs up onto the corner, and he holds up the mic to show the tape wrapped around that hand.

As the song fades out, Punk says, “This right hand is not taped up to hold a microphone. But before the circus kicks off, let’s talk about some facts. Big Chief, Grimace, neither of you have ever beaten me without the other one’s help. Think about that! Because you can’t! And Roman, I didn’t screw you. I know it’s been awhile since you’ve been in one, but in the Royal Rumble, it’s every man for himself. Your Wise Man should’ve clued you into that. And you wouldn’t even have made it to the Royal Rumble if I didn’t save your family’s ass in WarGames. Of which, by the way, I am owed a favor, Paul…” The fans like the sound of that.

Punk says no, before that, he wants to thank Heyman for delivering the Tribal Chief here on a silver platter for Punk. Punk appreciates that. Roman scowls as he looks at Heyman, and Heyman defends his innocence. But then Punk CLOBBERS Roman from behind, using the mic! Punk rains down fists, Heyman gets out of there, and Rollins is conflicted. He doesn’t really like either guy, so doe she let Punk just beat Roman up for him? Well, Roman turns things around, but Punk turns it back around, so Rollins goes after Punk! The fans fire up as Rollins and Punk scrap, but Roman THROWS Rollins aside! Roman fires hands on Punk!

The fans fire up as Roman fires hands and even HEADBUTTS on Punk in a corner! Rollins JUMPS onto Roman! The fans fire up, refs rush out here, Rollins stomps Punk! “This is Awesome!” as Roman puts Rollins in a SLEEPER! Roman puts Rollins in a corner, Punk storms back up, and Roman RAMS into Rollins! Rollins CLUBS Roman, Punk throws hands, and as the refs try to stop this, the fans chant “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” It is a three man scrap, Rollins KNEES Roman but then rains down fists on Punk! Producers and security step in, the fans boo, but Punk goes out to the desk! Punk is all fired up, as are the fans!

Punk tells Roman and Rollins that PUNK is Best in the World! And then he points to WrestleMania! Heyman says no! HELL NO! Rollins and Roman go after each other again, and then Punk grabs at them both! Punk drags Roman out, throws more hands, but Rollins DIVES onto everyone! Rollins bowls Punk, Roman, and the cluster into the desk! Jamie Noble tells Rollins to leave it at this! Rollins tells Punk and Roman that if they want a piece of him, they’ll do it at WRESTLEMANIA! And then he DROPKICKS Punk down! Rollins fires more hands on Punk, Punk throws them back, and Aldis says to stop this! Roman has steel steps!

Roman CLOBBERS Punk! And he CLOBBERS Rollins! The fans fire up as Aldis tells Roman to stop! Roman stands tall over Rollins and Punk, and even HE says WrestleMania is where to go! Rollins and Punk get back up, this chaotic brawl continues, but SmackDown has to call it a night! Will these two brawl all the way from here to the UK and beyond?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode for SmackDown, but something felt a bit odd about how things were arranged. While there are many times the main event is “made” thanks to some promo segment, I don’t think it should happen the way they did it tonight. The Profits’ segment should’ve started the second hour. We’d still get the good promo segment we got, and the great match from Profits VS Garza, followed by those additional promos with Pretty Deadly, DIY & MCMG. Then, Jade VS Liv could’ve been the de facto main event match before going into the triple threat promo closer.

Profits win tonight to have momentum, but does that mean Pretty Deadly wins in London? Profits being transitional champions doesn’t feel right, unless we get some tag title hot potato going into WrestleMania. And speaking of Jade, Naomi getting involved did a good job in protecting Jade in the loss, and then Naomi got to do damage to Jade. That grudge match is going to be great, and this could probably go either way. Naomi started this with the attack, Jade got her revenge at Elimination Chamber, and they’ve gone back and forth on SmackDown already, it probably depends on the go-home match going into what I would assume WrestleMania.

Very good opening promo from Orton and Kevin to set up their WrestleMania match, but hopefully this build doesn’t hit rough patches like we’re seeing some of these other ones. The main example is Jey and Gunther, but another example might be this Charlotte VS Tiffany one. Last week was very exciting because of the brawl, but then the video chat interview was clunky. I can’t be sure, but it felt like Charlotte was going out of her way to bury Tiffany by mostly just speaking over her and not really letting Tiff get her point across. Tiff did finish strong, but I can’t be sure how much more they can do with a literal month left before Mania when we’ve had the brawl and the promos.

Very good match from Priest & Jimmy VS Drew & Nakamura, and a very good win for Priest & Jimmy, only for Drew to attack. They might as well make Drew VS Priest official for Mania already, Drew even said in his promo that he doesn’t need to say anymore. Priest can surely have his retort promo, but he’d again be saying Drew is his own worst enemy. If nothing else, Priest VS Drew should also be more than just a standard match given the heat between them. Priest is Street King of New York, make it a Vegas Street Fight so these two can go all out. Very good showing from Zelina against Piper, but of course Chelsea & Alba help Piper win. I’m still thinking Six Woman Tag: Zelina, B-Fab & Mia Yim VS The Green Administration.

Very good stuff with this US Championship story. Jacob VS Braun was really good, and the interference from Solo & Tama was a great way to have Jacob lose without really losing. Knight VS Braun for the US title will be great, and there are clearly more signs that Jacob VS Solo is coming. I’m thinking Knight beats Braun somehow, and then Jacob will get his turn. The question will be when and how things fall apart for Jacob and Solo. Solo could cost Jacob another opportunity, or screw him over during the actual title match, but there’s time to build all of this for a great WrestleMania moment.

And a very good promo segment to close, but a much better brawl. I feel like part of the problem was they were getting really close to the end of the show, and SmackDown does not get to do overrun or anything like that while still being on USA Network. This of course sets up a Triple Threat of Punk VS Roman VS Rollins, though I hope that doesn’t end up the “favor.” The “favor” should be either Heyman compelling Roman to let Punk win, or having Heyman politic this into Night One’s main event so Punk can say he’s had a Mania main event, the thing Rollins vowed to make sure Punk would never get. And at this point, hard to say who wins, depends on what title plans await for Backlash.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 3.20.2025

Coming off a Sacrifice with a few moving pieces and mixed reception we get to see how iMPACT follows it up!

Published

2 days ago

on

March 20, 2025

By

We’re coming off Sacrifice with a couple really good matches (Tessa vs Lei & Mustafa vs Santana), some solid story implications with Nic Nemeth’s heel turn, Elegance Clique winning the Knockouts tags and having Meta-Four members show up to make a claim, and Mustafa adding really great heat at the end of his match with beer spot.

So while not everything was great wrestling, things were pretty logical. Now let’s see what we get moving forward.

Ratings:

  • Northern Armoury w/Eric Young vs The Rascalz: Rascalz win via Feed Em to the Lions – ** 1/4
  • Mustafa Ali vs Mike Santana: Santana wins via Count Out – ***
  • Rosemary & Savannah Evans vs Xia Brookside & Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
  • The System w/Lish vs Guitar Guys (Elijah & Joe Hendry): Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – ** 3/4

 

Results:

Oh God, Masha comes out to talk. She has literally zero aura speaking English. Yes she needs to cut promos to get better, but hot damn is she a charisma vacuum. Thankfully Tessa cuts her off and gets a resoundingly negative crowd reaction but she looks like a complete snack in the casual black and glitter covered outfit. Tessa makes her claim, but it’s just a distraction and Jacy Jayne blindsides Masha. I do like this concept of using Tessa’s legit heat to steer into her being a heel gateway for NXT female wrestlers to attack. 

Santino comes out, scolds Jacy a little and says next week is Masha vs Jacy. He then runs down Tessa and bans her from ringside next week during their match. 

Northern Armoury w/Eric Young vs The Rascalz

We know I don’t find the Armoury jabronis interesting, so I refuse to learn their names as they’ll never amount to anything. 

Wentz and Trey get early tandem offense against Jabroni with hair, a few quick tags, PK kicks, Dropkicks, the loser children need to take short cuts and distract the referee poorly just to get an advantage. Very basic tandem offense from Jabronis with Arm Wringers into stomps and a near fall that means nothing. Bald dork has Wentz in a Rear Naked, but Wentz breaks out of it and pulls off the Back Handspring Knee Lift so he finally tags out, Trey comes in hot, Missile Dropkick kills bald, hair gets knocked off the apron, Rascalz go for a tandem spot but more cornball heel distraction tactics, it back fires on the loser squad, Rascalz with some locomotion corner offense. Mayu Launcher into a Spinebuster from Trey, Feed Em to the Lions and the Rascalz win with ease.

Post-Match, Armoury and EY surround Rascalz, but Ace runs down with a chair to make the save. 

Fir$t Cla$$ Penthouse, KC and AJ playing with the crowd who hates them. AJ calls the crowd “muy pobre”and Chavo walks out to a huge pop, then Frankie Kazarian even pops out. Oh Frankie is still bitter about 2012 when him and Daniels lost the tag titles to Chavo and Hernandez. Turns into a Trios Match next week, Chavo, Octagon & Laredo vs Kaz & First Class. 

Mustafa Ali vs Mike Santana

Santana charges immediately, Ali slides out but Santana dives after him and connects! The bell hasn’t even rung yet and Santana is sending Ali spilling over tables and equipment. Santana keeps beating his ass, asks the crowd “Should I kill this puto?” gets a big pop, Ali tries to slip the Brainbuster but Santana stays one step ahead. Santana thinks he’s the Rock and tells Ali his soul belongs to him, and Ali tries to run away into the ring, Santana catches him, the bell finally rings, and Ali manages a Frankensteiner for space, Santana powders and Ali connects with a Dropkick on the bad arm. Ali continues his first bits of offense just wrapping the bad arm against the ring post, throws Santana back in, Outside In Rolling Neckbreaker and then a Key Lock on the bad arm. Ali is slowly things down masterfully since he did eat a fast beating for the first few minutes.

The crowd fires Santana, he manages to Arm Drag out, connects with a Round Kick, looks for the Rolling Neckbreaker again but Santana catches him on his shoulders, Spicolli Driver. A few move counters from both, Ali tries a Victory Roll but Santana holds on and turns it into the Rolling Buck Fifty for a two count! Santana goes to the top rope for the Frog Splash, Ali powders, walks to commentary says he already won and he’s the addiction that Santana will never beat, and walks out into the crowd and allows himself to be counted out.

Clever wrinkle to set up a rubber match.

RYAN NEMETH TIME! OUR LITTLE BROTHER! Nic lost his voice or smoked a pack of Marlboro Reds before the show. A pretty stock standard heel promo claiming that the Nemeths were the reason for the TNA buzz a year ago and the Hardys show up late to take all the credit. Leon Slater also has zero aura and no speaking ability, but referring to Ryan as Nic’s “Bug Eyed Brother” was a little funny. Nic versus Leon is hinted at for next week but a brawl starts anyway and Nic Superkicks Leon after Leon takes out Ryan. 

Rosemary & Savannah Evans vs Xia Brookside & Lei Ying Lee

Xia calls out Savannah to start the match, a few overhand chops gives her some steam early, but she tries to charge, eats a Back Elbow, Savannah tags in Rosemary, and Rosemary barks at her to get some aggression out. Headscissors, into Broken Wings into a Snap DDT for two. Xia tags in Lei, Rosemary decides to tag out immediately, so Lei is trying to chip down the tree, but she catches a Round Kick and lands a Sitout Chokebomb for a near fall. Savannah puts her on the shoulders, Lei fights it off, but gets caught in the Samoan Drop anyway for another near fall. Savannah tags out in the heel corner but chokes Lei a little to get the referee’s attention so Rosemary puts her in the Upside Down, and then continues to isolate Lei. Splash in the corner into an Exploder Suplex for yet another two. A few Vader Hammers into a Sleeper Hold from Rosemary. The crowd tries to ramp up Lei, but Rosemary cuts off the comeback attempt, looks for a Heel Hook, but Lei kicks her off, gets stopped but eats an Enzuigiri.

Simultaneous tag and Xia is taking it to Savannah. Xia and Lei have some nice Tandem strikes, only two. Savannah grabs Xia, Rosemary tries to mist Xia, but Xia ducks and the mist hits Savannah. Lei knocks out Rosemary, attempts the TKO on Savannah but doesn’t get all of it, and apparently the Thunderstruck has been changed to a Spinning Heel Kick…and I hate it. Okay match with a bad finish.

ASH and Heather come out for their celebration with cake, nice dresses and bootleg Chippendales. But Meta-Four interrupts, thankfully. Jakara Snackson in the house! Spitfire also comes out, and I’m never mad at Dani. OH, Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley also. Business picked up…or something went up…yeah…this is good entertainment. And there was something for everyone with the Chippendales early and then 4 women’s teams. 

The System w/Lish vs Guitar Guys (Elijah & Joe Hendry)

Well at least they didn’t bring up Hendry 32 times during the show and still end on him. I’ve loved the gimmick since Day 1, but overdoing it is bad for anyone.

Myers and Hendry start, Myers tries to mouth off but Hendry pops him with a Slap, Scoop Slam, Arm Wringer, tags out to Elijah and Myers scatters to tag out. Elijah with a few Lariats and the Rope Walk with Elijah. Hendry and Elijah clear the ring as we go to commercial. When we get back I’m gonna guess the System will have magically won back the momentum through heel commercial tactics.

Holy wow! Hendry has Eddie in the Stalling Suplex and lands it! Somehow the heels weren’t winning, but Eddie does kick out at one. So Hendry tags out, Elijah a few Arm Wringers into a Double Duck Jumping Lariat. But now Lish mouths off and Eddie connects on a Sliding Dropkick. So they delayed the heel team taking over for right out of the break. Look at that, changing it up. Eddie throws Elijah into the steps, rolls him in, tags out and Myers goes for the Sleeper Hold slow down heel thing, then hits a Dropkick into choking him with his boot. Eddie tags in, choke on the ropes, Lish gets involved in the choke too, and System is staying in control. Quick tags galore have Elijah gasping for air and Hendry is getting frustrated.

Elijah finally manages something to tag out, Hendry hits the Sack of Shit Kip Up on Eddie, Myers tries a Crossbody but he’s caught into Sack of Shit and Kip Up, the turn around and now calling for the Standing Ovation. But Eddie takes out Elijah, Rolling Forearm from Eddie into a Spear from Myers for a near fall. Myers looks for Roster Cut, but Elijah picks the ankle, Hendry fights off Myers, but Eddie catches him. They want System Overload, but Hendry gets out of the Backpack Stunner, catches Myers with the goozle and Elijah keeps Eddie out of the picture. Standing Ovation and we’re done!

 

Overall Score: 5.5/10

Full transparency, this was an easy watch. It didn’t feel like two hours, but it also didn’t really accomplish much. A very empty calories show with a bunch of set up for next week. I will say I totally loved the Ali and Santana match and finish. Ali forcing an unsatisfying finish can’t have Santana feeling good about the “win”, and I love how he’s saying he’s the one addiction that Santana can’t beat. So if Ali gets re-routed to a different feud or two and Santana starts acting like an addict going through withdrawal and NEEDS a rubber match at Slammiversary, I think that would be great to acknowledge Ali’s intelligence, plays in the addiction thing without being overly insulting since it’s focusing on a metaphorical addiction and not making light of something more realistic.

So regardless, a very inoffensive show. Jacy Jayne, Meta-Four and Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley showing up makes the Knockouts Tag feel less pathetic. And of course, Chavo was fine, the Dom mention was hilarious and Kaz being so petty he still hates Chavo because of 2012 is a level of petty I wish I still had in me.

Tolerable show, but nothing really worth the two hours.

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