Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Report: AXS TV New Beginnings in Sapporo Part 1!

Published

7 years ago

February 23, 2018

This review of NJPW: New Beginnings in Sapporo Part 1 will be as broadcasted by AXS TV.
Therefore, all images are courtesy of AXS TV.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

From January 27th, 2018- Six Man Tag: The Bullet Club’s Elite VS Chaos’ Jay White & Roppongi 3K; The Elite wins.
IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Minoru Suzuki; Suzuki wins and becomes the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

AXS TV and NJPW take a look at what led to this intense match-up!

The Once in a Century Talent was victorious through four IWGP Intercontinental Championship defenses, but is badly battered. Meanwhile, the Man with the Worst Personality lost his NEVER Openweight Championship to Hirooki Goto, and even sacrificed his hair. However, it was at New Years Dash that Suzuki chose to strike the weakened Tanahashi, with Suzuki-Gun by his side.

The Meanest Man in the World clearly wants the IWGP IC Championship, and is willing to completely dismantle The Ace of NJPW to do it. Can Tanahashi hope to survive the wrath of THE Minoru Suzuki!?

From January 27th, 2018 – Six Man Tag: The Bullet Club’s Elite VS Chaos’ Jay White & Roppongi 3K!

We join this match in progress as Matt Jackson of the Young Bucks breaks free of Sho’s waistlock. Matt leaps and tags in The Cleaner, Kenny Omega! Omega runs in but Sho gets him with a German Suplex! Sho holds on, but Kenny gets the standing switch and snap dragon suplex! Then Yo comes in, he gets a snap dragon! White runs in, Omega blocks his punch with a kick then grabs him in a full-nelson. White elbows out, swings, but Omega still gets him with the snap dragon!

Omega fires up with the fans as the Bucks return. Sho is alone against them, and turns around into a TRIPLE SUPERKICK! Cover, but White breaks it up. Yo returns but Nick Jackson is upon him. He throws Yo out while Matt throws White out. Nick climbs up quick and somersault splashes to wipe them both out. The Elite regroups with Sho in position. Matt puffs, puts it out and lifts Sho, Omega and Nick are there for the buckle bomb kick combo! Tag to Nick, and Matt brings Sho back up. Matt drapes Sho on the ropes while Nick climbs up. Nick hits the draping swanton bomb! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud while The Elite are frustrated.

Nick waits for Sho to stand up, but Sho blocks the superkick. He spins Nick around, German Suplex but Nick lands on his feet. Nick gets the takedown, then the “Cease” Sharpshooter! Sho endures but drags himself towards ropes. Matt and Omega keep White and Yo back, respectively, while Nick drags Sho away from ropes. White pushes Matt away then kicks Nick to end the hold. Omega returns, lunges in but White avoids V-Trigger to respond with a stiff forearm smash. Matt returns to SPEAR White! Yo returns, but Matt rallies on him and Sho.

He runs but RPG3K take him down with double knees. Nick returns, but Sho catches him into a backstabber, that feeds him into Yo’s shotgun knees! The fans fire up for RPG3K, Sho pops Nick up for Yo, but Nick counters with a tornado DDT!

Omega returns to V-Trigger Sho! Nick officially tags Omega in, and Omega rallies the fans. He fires up and says, “BANG!” for Sho. Omega runs and hits an even bigger V-Trigger!

That’s not all, he brings Sho up and onto his shoulders. Omega wants One Winged Angel but White returns! Sho slips down and feeds Omega into Switchblade position, but the Bucks double SUPERKICK White from behind!

Yo returns, he turns Nick’s kick into Matt, then dragon screws Nick. Omega gets up and rocks Yo with a forearm. Yo yo-yos back in to SUPERKICK Omega! But then Yo takes double SUPERKICKS from the Bucks! Nick feeds Yo into Matt’s tombstone piledriver position, and Omega helps pop Nick up for the Indietaker!

Cover, The Elite wins!

Winners: The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks)

Omega and The Bucks all win together, but will be facing White and RPG3K separately later in the Sapporo event, all defending their IWGP championships. Will Omega defeat Chaos’ Switchblade 1v1? Will the Young Bucks throw a Superkick Party against the duo formerly known as the Tempura Boyz?

But wait! White attacks from behind!

He gets Omega with the Switchblade driver! White gets away clean, having once again gotten the drop on the IWGP United States Champion. Will he do it again to The Cleaner when the title is on the line?

Jay White regroups with Chaos backstage.

“Forgive me if I’m a little off at the moment.” Chaos has started a war with Bullet Club, but White promises to “bring all new kinds of chaos to New Japan.” He hopes they’ll be with him. He wants them to think about this: Yes, Okada leads Chaos now, but he’s holding Chaos back. Has Sho gotten a chance against Will Ospreay? Yes, the team of RPG3K wants tag team titles, but even Yo could challenge for Ospreay’s championship.

Rocky Romero points out Chaos doesn’t work like that, but White says it’s not about breaking Chaos apart, it’s about everyone doing their best to be the best. That way, NJPW can take over the world. Omega wants to change the world, but Bullet Club aren’t the ones to do it. Chaos will. White will. He will do Omega’s work for him, whether or not he has someone backing him. “I am the Switchblade, and everyone will breath with the Switchblade.” White’s newfound edge is making him a bit scary, but can that be exactly what he needs to change the wrestling world?

IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Minoru Suzuki!

Suziki makes his entrance.

The time has come! Accompanied by Suzuki-Gun, the Man with the Worst Personality in the World wants to make up for losing the NEVER Openweight Championship by taking away the Ace’s. How far will the ruthless Suzuki go to hold gold again?

The “Ace” of New Japan heads to the ring.

As is customary, the challenger is shown the belt he fights for before it is put aside.

With that, the formal introductions finish, and the match begins. The fans already chant as the two circle. Suzuki and Tanahashi feel each other out as they tie up. Tanahashi powers Suzuki back to the ropes, then gives him a clean break. He and Suzuki tie up again, and Tanahashi gets the wristlock. Suzuki reverses into his own wristlock, then the hammerlock. Tanahashi drop toeholds and floats to a headlock then facelock. Suzuki powers his way up and puts Tanahashi against the ropes. This break is tense, but clean. They circle again, and Suzuki lunges in for the waistlock. Tanahashi gets the standing switch, but Suzuki counters into the wristlock. Suzuki brings Tanahashi to a knee, but Tanahashi gets back up to his feet to roll and takedown Suzuki. Tanahashi holds onto that foot, then drops into a leglock, but Suzuki counters with a leglock!

Suzuki has the Achilles hold but Tanahashi drags himself to ropes. Tanahashi gets the ropebreak, but Suzuki doesn’t let go! He drags Tanahashi back to the center of the ring and drops down again. Tanahashi stands up and gets his toehold back on, then transitions into a seated knee wrench. Suzuki endures the bending while trying to grab Tanahashi. Tanahashi bends the leg more, but Suzuki starts to power his way out. With that, Tanahashi stands up and goes after the hamstring with stomps and knees. He drops an elbow and puts the toehold on again. Suzuki responds by grabbing Tanahashi’s hair and pulling back.

He seems to be talking trash in order to intimidate Tanahashi, but Tanahashi doesn’t give in. Instead, he continues to wrench and bend Suzuki’s leg. Suzuki gets frustrated, but Tanahashi keeps on his knee by grinding in his own, then stomping the joint. Tanahashi stomps and stomps, but Suzuki just laughs, egging him on. Tanahashi grabs both legs and knots them, but Suzuki resists. Even so, Tanahashi gets a standing Deathlock!

Suzuki endures as Tanahashi bends and pulls the legs. When it is clear this won’t make Suzuki quit, Tanahashi lets the hold go and stomps the thigh. Tanahashi walks around and brings Suzuki up, but Suzuki hits back with body shots. Tanahashi hits back, then puts on a headlock. Suzuki works to bring Tanahashi down to a knee, and then gets a headlock of his own. Tanahashi powers out but Suzuki grabs his hair! Suzuki uses the hair to bring Tanahashi into a headbutt. Suzuki whips Tanahashi but Tanahashi reverses. Tanahashi sees Suzuki hold onto the ropes, so he rushes in, only to be caught into Suzuki’s hanging triangle!

The referee, “Red Shoes”, counts Suzuki, and he lets go at 4. He grabs Tanahashi’s leg, but Tanahashi fights him off. Suzuki hits barriers, and the champion catches his breath, while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns, and Suzuki stands up to drag Tanahashi out of the ring after all. He whips Tanahashi into the guard rails, rocking the barriers. Suzuki opens the gate to go around and confiscate a chair! He heads back to Tanahashi and jabs that chair into Tanahashi’s ribs. Suzuki raises that chair high over the crawling Tanahashi, to SMACK him across the back!

Tanahashi writhes while Red Shoes takes that chair away. Suzuki doesn’t care, he just brings Tanahashi up to bump him off the apron. Then he kicks Tanahashi against the barriers like he’s a heavy bag. Tanahashi collapses, and Suzuki returns to the ring to let the 20-count climb. It gets halfway before Tanahashi gets to his feet. Tanahashi beats the count at 12, and the fans applaud his heart. Suzuki, however, toys with The Ace, even kicking him while he’s down. The fans rally for Tanahashi as he takes more kicks, and Tanahashi responds with right hand palm strikes. Suzuki responds with his own overhand chop, then waits for Tanahashi to chop back. Suzuki swiftly chops three times, then catches Tanahashi’s counter into a Fujiwara armbar! He bends Tanahashi’s arm back but Tanahashi endures.

Tanahashi crawls around and gets a ropebreak with his foot. However, Suzuki continues to bend the arm! Suzuki lets go at the referee’s count, but comes back to kick and stomp Tanahashi. He wrenches that arm, then kicks it, letting Tanahashi feel that pain. He kicks Tanahashi again, and Tanahashi falls back against ropes. Suzuki kicks again, Tanahashi fires up and dares him to do it again. Suzuki obliges, kicking and kicking and kicking. Tanahashi fires off forearms in return, but then Suzuki kicks again.

Suzuki’s next kick is caught, and Tanahashi fires off more forearms, then body shots and a European Uppercut. He whips but Suzuki reverses, Tanahashi knocks Suzuki down with a flying forearm smash! The fans applaud while Suzuki checks his nose. The fans rally as Tanahashi scoop slams Suzuki. He then hops up, and hits a second-rope somersault senton!

Cover, TWO, but Tanahashi is not deterred. He gets back up and brings Suzuki to his feet. Suzuki fights back with body shots and knees, but so does Tanahashi. Tanahashi backs Suzuki down into the corner, then whips him corner to corner. Suzuki reverses and runs in for a boot in the corner! Suzuki snapmares Tanahashi and kicks away on that back. He then runs, Penalty Kick CAUGHT. Tanahashi stands up, but Suzuki punches him away. Tanahashi throws in a forearm, but Suzuki comes back with one of his own. They go back and forth with heavy rights, and Tanahashi starts to stagger. He still hits back, but Suzuki doesn’t back down.

They both laugh as they continue to brawl with forearms. Tanahashi starts to fade, but he fires back up to keep going. Suzuki keeps laughing as he and Tanahashi speed up with forearms! Tanahashi swings, misses, but blocks Suzuki’s kick to counter with a dragon screw! Both men are down while the fans applaud, and cheer for Tanahashi. Suzuki clutches his leg, so Tanahashi grabs it for a grounded dragon screw. Tanahashi keeps on that leg, even as Suzuki is on his stomach, and dragon screws the other way. Suzuki rolls away but Tanahashi keeps on him. Tanahashi knots the legs and rolls Suzuki into the Cloverleaf!

Suzuki endures the bend, and drags himself to the ropes for the break. Tanahashi lets go, then stomps on Suzuki. Suzuki eggs him on, so Tanahashi keeps stomping. Tanahashi drags Suzuki up from the outside and then grabs a leg. Suzuki senses what’s coming, and fights Tanahashi with right hands. When Tanahashi refuses to let go, Suzuki grabs handfuls of his hair and headbutts away. That still doesn’t back Tanahashi down, and he hits the dragon screw between the ropes! Suzuki tumbles into the ring, but both men are down. Tanahashi gets up first and gets running, but runs into a powerful dropkick from Suzuki!

The fans applaud as both men go down again. Suzuki stands up first, then drags Tanahashi up and into the sleeper hold! Tanahashi endures and backs Suzuki down, but Suzuki holds on. Tanahashi snapmares Suzuki off but Suzuki comes right back with a stiff knee to the stomach. Suzuki puts on a facelock for the front choke, but Tanahashi slips out and spins around to hit Suzuki with a swinging neckbreaker! He brings Suzuki up for a second swinging neckbreaker! Then a third!

The fans applaud the trifecta, but Tanahashi doesn’t cover here. He calls for something big, gets running, and hits the Slingblade!

The Ace isn’t done there, he climbs up top. He takes aim as Suzuki stands up, and hits the flying crossbody! Still no cover, as Tanahashi’s leg bothers him again. Red Shoes checks on the champ while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns, and the fans are rallying while Tanahashi clutches that bad leg. Red Shoes also checks on Suzuki, but both men are okay to continue. Suzuki stands up but falls back while Tanahashi gets himself back to a corner. Tanahashi climbs up, takes aim again, High Fly Flow splash!

But into Suzuki’s knees!

Then Suzuki gets that bad leg into the Kneebar! And then, the full Heel Hook!

Tanahashi endures the torturous combination of holds, but practically tears his hair out. The fans rally for Tanahashi but Suzuki just bends that foot back more. Suzuki goes so far, that foot looks to be facing the wrong way! Tanahashi refuses to give in, and uses Suzuki’s legs to help him roll to ropes.

However, Suzuki drags Tanahashi back the other way, and wrenches that foot ever further! Suzuki shouts for Tanahashi to quit, but instead, Tanahashi slips around and grabs those ropes for the break! Suzuki lets go, but then drags Tanahashi back out, for a Figure Four leglock!

Tanahashi endures this new hold, but won’t give up, even as Suzuki uses his arms for leverage. Suzuki twists the foot as part of the hold, but Tanahashi won’t give up. Tanahashi works to roll, and gets some of the pressure off. The fans rally again but Suzuki rolls it back into his favor. Suzuki wants Tanahashi to give, but Tanahashi refuses. One more extra bridge and wrench, but this still doesn’t make Tanahashi give up.

Tanahashi grits his teeth and pries at the hold itself. Suzuki and Tanahashi talk back and forth, but Suzuki rolls it back the other way. Tanahashi uses that to roll it back in his favor. Sweat drips off Suzuki’s face but he won’t let this beat him, either. They roll again, Tanahashi gets another ropebreak!

Red Shoes helps undo the leglock, and Suzuki dares Tanahashi to get up. The fans continue to cheer for Tanahashi as he slowly gets to his feet. He grits his teeth and brawls with Suzuki, but Suzuki fires off nearly endless strikes, both to body and head. Tanahashi is dazed, and Suzuki puts him back in the sleeper hold! Suzuki squeezes tight, and Tanahashi fades, but then springs back to life. He reaches, but fades again.

Tanahashi fades, and fades, but Suzuki won’t let it end with that. He spins Tanahashi around and puts him into position and puts on the Gotch grip, but Tanahashi resists! Tanahashi uses all his strength to keep that piledriver away, but Suzuki lifts him up! Tanahashi flails and gets back on his feet, then takedown to the Cloverleaf! Suzuki resists the turn, but Tanahashi still gets it back on!

Suzuki endures a submission now, but he drags himself little by little. Tanahashi walks forward to drag Suzuki away, but Suzuki grabs hold and pops out into a small package cradle! TWO, into SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi was so close and he knows it. The fans are thunderous as he brings Suzuki up. He puts on a full-nelson but Suzuki breaks it. Suzuki mule kicks that bad knee! But Tanahashi hits back with a left palm strike. Suzuki staggers back and Tanahashi catches his breath while the fans rally again. He runs at Suzuki and rocks him with a forearm smash at the ropes. He throws more forearms, then fires up to run again. That bad leg slows him down, and Suzuki dropkicks it out! Both men are down while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS is back once again, and Suzuki has the Kneebar-HeelHook again! Tanahashi endures the torture all over again, and his foot is twisted all around again. Tanahashi rolls but that only eases some of the pressure. He reaches and gets the ropebreak! Suzuki lets go again, but he waits for Tanahashi to stand. Red Shoes wants space to check but Suzuki pushes Red Shoes aside to kick away at the bad leg! Suzuki kicks and kicks all around the ring, and doesn’t stop, even after Tanahashi falls to the mat. Suzuki brings Tanahashi back up for palm strikes, then drags Tanahashi into position. He puts the Gotch grip on, and lifts Tanahashi, for the Piledriver!!

But no cover, Suzuki goes for the KNEEBAR HEEL HOOK! He wants it to work this third time! Tanahashi endures, grabbing Red Shoes in desperation. Suzuki wrenches as deep as ever, and the fans are so loud for The Ace. Tanahashi doesn’t want to, hates to, but Suzuki is doing everything he can to get Tanahashi to. Red Shoes asks, Tanahashi shakes his head “NO!” But he can’t even get away as Suzuki has his legs in a Deathlock knot on top of everything else.

The fans rally for Tanahashi once more, and he desperately reaches for ropes. He drags himself around, but Suzuki rolls him away! Suzuki gives it all he has, and Tanahashi holds on with everything he has. The hold is released, only so Suzuki can drag Tanahashi further away from ropes and reapply the Kneebar. Red Shoes pleads with Tanahashi, but when there’s no response, Red Shoes has to call it! Suzuki wins and is the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion!

Winner (new IWGP Intercontinental Champion): Minoru Suziki

He takes the belt that was once Tanahashi’s, and stands over him with it as if to add insult to injury.

Suzuki-Gun joins him in the ring again to celebrate his victory while medics tend to Tanahashi.

Minoru Suzuki speaks.

“Hey, Tanahashi, you asked me to make it exciting, right?” Suzuki takes offense that Tanahashi, “injured all over”, yet thinking he could beat Suzuki. “Even if you performed a miracle by reviving a New Japan on the verge of collapse,” Tanahashi won’t get a second miracle. Suzuki says “Power is the only thing that matters!” He’ll find any excuse to beat you down. Suzuki dares Tanahashi to come back and try again, he’ll “beat your ass once more. You can count on it!” Then Suzuki turns on Sapporo, asking “what the hell are you clapping about?!” Suzuki mocks the “dopes” sitting at ringside. They thought this was a good match, right? But now he has their “precious Intercontinental belt”! And he made sure that “your other treasure, Hiroshi Tanahashi, will never stand in the ring again.” Go ahead and tell everyone how bad it hurts. Suzuki says his knee and ankle joints “made the most delightful sounds a moment ago.” Snap crackle, pop! But that’s right, only those who have “battled in the ring” know that sound. “Idiots who will never set foot in the ring have no right to criticize!” Suzuki-Gun is NUMBER ONE! Cannons fire to rain streamers down on the victorious Suzuki.

Meanwhile, Tanahashi is taken away on a stretcher. After all the damage Tanahashi endured, what is the state of his legs? When will he be able to return to action?

Suzuki-Gun has a post-match press conference.

With both his IWGP Intercontinental Championship and Rev-Pro Wrestling Undisputed British Tag Team Championship on the table, Suzuki shakes up and cracks open a beer.

The NJPW belt, THE IWGP IC belt, is now his. And he’s coming after those who “stepped on my head”. “This won’t go the way you think. You’ll see. I’ll show all of you. And remember, Suzuki-Gun is NUMBER ONE! He leads his team in spraying even more beer on the reporters. Suzuki is now the Champion with the Worst Personality in the World. What more sadistic damage and destruction will he and his faction inflict on the rest of NJPW?

My Thoughts:

This is my first time covering and even watching a full NJPW program, but I have always been pretty aware of the major players. I was surprised to see even just part of the Six Man Tag from this same night, but even just part was great. The Elite wins to keep themselves established in the trios divisions, but then White drops Omega to keep things even going into their IWGP United States Championship match coming up. White’s press conference promo was great to help us understand his new mindset as “The Switchblade”, as well as his missing. Having covered ROH where he went on “expedition”, I know White is a great talent and could be champion easily. I also had the fortune of seeing Minoru Suzuki when he faced Cody in ROH. Just that one match gave me an idea of how cutthroat Suzuki was, and this match upped that even more. The story told in the ring was incredible on both sides, with Tanahashi fighting through the pain while Suzuki wants to sideline Tanahashi to get back at him and everyone in NJPW. I really do expect Suzuki to do more of the same to anyone and everyone put up against him next.

My Score: 8.8/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/17/25)

Will Tiffy Time be cut short?

Published

3 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Steven Mitchell

DING DONG, Hello, Tiffany!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Rey Mysterio is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bianca Belair meets up with Naomi backstage.

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

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

Nick Aldis talks with Rey Mysterio.

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

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

Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall

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

Pregame interview with Bayley.

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

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

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

Mia Yim talks with B-Fab backstage.

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

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

Jimmy Uso heads to gorilla.

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

Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Jimmy Uso, by disqualification

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

SmackDown returns and…

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

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

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

Los Garza gets ready backstage.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: Motor City Machine Guns, by pinfall

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

Aldis finds Kevin backstage.

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Piper Niven, by pinfall

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

WWE mourns the loss of Bob Uecker.

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

Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

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

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

Rey Mysterio VS Kevin Owens!

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

The bell rings and obviously the fans rally behind Rey. Kevin is annoyed by that but Rey says he asked for this. They tie up, Kevin powers Rey to a corner, but the ref counts. Kevin lets off slowly, and then says, “This is MY show!” The fans boo more but Kevin and Rey reset. They tie up, Kevin waistlocks and SLAMS Rey down. Kevin flips Rey over, but Rey arm-drags Kevin! Kevin gets upset and the fans boo him more. Kevin and Rey go again, and the chants of “619! 619!” are loud as ever. The two tie up, Kevin kicks low! Kevin CLUBS Rey, wrenches an arm to the wristlock, but Rey uses ropes to flip through! Rey KCIKS a leg, then fires forearms!

Kevin headlocks, Rey powers up and out, then he drops down. Kevin CLOBBERS Rey! Rey tumbles out to the floor and the fans boo more, but Kevin just waits on Rey. The ref starts the ring count, and Rey stands at 3 of 10. Rey takes his time to return, and he’s back in at 6. The fans tell Kevin off in Espanol, and Kevin wants to know what that means. Rey says Kevin knows what it means. The two reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Rey avoids the leg hook to then lift Kevin, jump up, and sunset flip! ONE, but Rey dodges a lariat to waistlock. Kevin switches, Rey fires elbows, and then Rey runs. Rey ducks ‘n’ doges, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS!

The fans fire up as Kevin tumbles! Rey ROCKS Kevin at the ropes, whips him, but Kevin reverses. Rey tilt-o-whirls again, but Kevin blocks to SLAM Rey down! And then SENTON! The fans boo but Kevin huffs ‘n’ puffs. Kevin drags Rey up, whips Rey to a corner hard, and Rey staggers back. Rey falls over, the fans tell Kevin off more, but Kevin stays cool. Kevin whips Rey hard to another corner, runs up, but into a BOT! Rey ELBOWS Kevin, goes up, jumps back, and is on Kevin’s shoulders Electric Chair style. Rey throws down hands, then he RAN- NO, Kevin stops Rey from throwing him over! Kevin KNEES Rey down!

The fans boo but Kevin storms out after Rey. Kevin stands Rey up, and he ROCKS Rey in front of the fans! Kevin fires more forearms, the fans rally for Rey, but Kevin puts Rey on the apron. Rey fires forearms and a KICK in return! The fans rally for Rey as he gets up to FLYING RANA! Kevin hits barriers and the fans fire up! Rey gets in the ring, throws off his shirt, and the fans fire up as Rey builds speed! Rey SLIDES and SPLASHES! Both men are down from that hard impact, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Kevin has Rey down with a chinlock. Rey fights up and the fans rally, but Kevin throws Rey down by his mask! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Kevin mocks the 619 chant, and says “SUCK IT!” Kevin stalks Rey to the corner, brings him around, and whips him corner to corner. Rey hits buckles and staggers back, into a back suplex! Rey lands out, dodges Kevin, and Kevin POSTS himself! The fans fire up as Rey goes to the apron. Kevin staggers around, Rey goes up the corner, and Rey FLYING SEATED SENTONS! The fans fire up as Rey keeps moving, and he wheelbarrows to BULLDOG! Cover, TWO!

Kevin stays in this but Rey stays cool. Rey runs, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS Kevin onto ropes! The fans fire up as Rey dials it up! But Kevin SUPERKICKS! Kevin whips Rey to POP-UP, but Rey slips free! Tilt-o-whirl DDT! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and both men are down, catching their breath. Kevin goes to a corner, Rey fires shots, then Rey hoists Kevin up! Rey climbs, but Kevin fires body shots! Kevin HEADBUTTS Rey down! Kevin adjusts, and he gives some Latino Heat before he FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Rey knows that move too well, even if Kevin’s a bit bulkier than Eddie ever was.

The fans cheer for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” while Kevin stalks Rey. Kevin stands Rey up against ropes, then he fires forearm after forearm! The ref counts, the fans boo, but Kevin brings Rey to the corner. Kevin puts Rey up top, climbs up to join him, but Rey fights the suplex! Rey fires body shots, then climbs up and over, SUPER SUNSET BOMB! Kevin stagger sup, into a CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Rey can’t believe his shoutout to Amazing Red didn’t get it done, but the fans know “This is Awesome!” Rey stalks Kevin, whips him, but Kevin reverses. Rey springboards but Kevin gets under the crossbody! STUNNER!! Cover, TWO?!?

The fans fire up as Rey survives and Kevin is the one stunned! Kevin drags Rey to the drop zone, and he goes up the corner. Kevin aims to SWANTON but onto knees! Rey also knows that move! Rey hurries to dial it up, 619!! Kevin flounders away, and Rey climbs a corner! Kevin stagger sup, bumps the ref, and the ref hits the ropes! That trips Rey, and Kevin whips Rey for the POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, Kevin wins!!

Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall

To think Kevin steals one away from the living legend! “The Canadian Dream” then decides to show some respect, and he helps Rey to his feet. Kevin shakes Rey’s hand, but then kicks him low! And tucks Rey in! But here comes Cody!! The fans fire up as Cody and Kevin brawl! Cody gets the better of Kevin, stomps away on him, but refs and producers rush out here! San Diego wants to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but Kevin bails out of the ring, winged eagle title in hand. Cody slips free to go around thew ay, and Cody TACKLES Kevin against the desk! The fans fire up as they brawl behind the desk and almost knock Wade & Joe over!

Kevin slips away again as producers pull Cody back! Security rushes out here to also stop this! Cody stands in the ring, Kevin stands on top of a road case. February 1st is still on the horizon, will Cody and Kevin be able to wait these next two weeks?

SmackDown returns and…

Cody and Aldis are in Aldis’ office. Aldis says he tried very, very hard to be patient with Cody and Kevin, but enough is enough. They are out of control! And they won’t even follow simple instructions, like signing a contract! So Aldis has no choice. Next week, Saturday Night’s Main Event, Cody and Kevin must relinquish their respective championship belts so that they can be suspended above the ring at the Royal Rumble. Then they will sign the amended contract in the middle of that ring. And since Kevin doesn’t trust Aldis, and Aldis doesn’t know what Cody’s thinking anymore, Aldis made a call.

Someone else is going to moderate the contract signing. And how perfect for San Antonio than to get their favorite son. Yes, Cody, it’ll be the Showstopper, the Headliner, the Main Event, the Heartbreak Kid, SHAWN MICHAELS! HBK is going to be on Saturday Night’s Main Event, but will he be able to maintain order between American Nightmare and Canadian Dream?

BREAKING NEWS for Saturday Night’s Main Event!

As if San Diego didn’t explode seeing it earlier, San Antonio might erupt as we see Braun Strowman VS Jacob Fatu! Will the Monster of All Monsters be able to slay the Samoan Werewolf? Or will Jacob tear down #OneBigSOB?

Pretty Deadly regroups backstage.

Kit & Elton are confronted by DIY, and Tommaso Ciampa asks what the Hell was that out there! They practically handed the win to MCMG! Elton says admittedly, that didn’t go as planned. But Kit wants Ciampa to see the bright side. Who’s beaten MCMG? DIY! Ciampa says, “Do they think we’re scared of them? We’re not scared of anyone! This isn’t even about them!” Ciampa tells Pretty Deadly to look in the mirror. Just a couple long-haired Englishmen happy to be here, right? Ciampa hates people like that. They are a joke, and everyone is laughing at them! If Pretty Deadly wants a shot at the tag titles, “become nightmares.”

Gargano says that’s tough love. Ciampa is just saying that stuff because DIY believes in Pretty Deadly. But they do need to get their acts together. Pretty Deadly has to make life easier for DIY so DIY can make live better for Pretty Deadly. Chin up, see you next week. Gargano heads out, but Apollo Crews walks in. He pats Pretty Deadly on the shoulders, they shrug him off, but he says he was trying to tell them before. They keep letting DIY string them along, and look where it’s gotten them: Nowhere! Pretty Deadly don’t wanna hear it, Apollo wishes best of luck to them, but then Gargano comes back to attack Apollo!

Johnny Wrestling HAMMERS away on Crews, and says to keep DIY’s name out of his mouth! Gargano throws Apollo down again, then storms off. Will Apollo have to watch what he says?

A Queen is on her way back.

The FOURTEEN-TIME Women’s Champion is almost ready. Will the WWE be ready for a renewed Charlotte Flair?

WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Bayley!

We heard from both sides of this match, and oh look! Roxanne Perez is in the crowd. Bayley’s made a full lap through the WWE this week, from Raw to NXT to SmackDown. Will Bayley make this a homerun? Or will the clock keep ticking on #TiffyTime?

SmackDown returns and Tiffany makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to have some gold in the Golden State!

The bell rings, Tiff and Bayley circle, then they tie up. They go around, Bayley puts Tiff in a corner, and she lets off cleanly. The fans rally and duel, the two tie up again, and Tiff puts Bayley in the corner. The ref counts, Tiff lets off at 4, and she ties up with Bayley. Tiff hits a headlock and takeover, but Bayley headscissors. Tiff kips free, headlocks, but Bayley powers out. Bayley waistlocks, Tiff switches, but Bayley bucks the O’Conner. Tiff trips Bayley, covers, ONE! Bayley trips Tiff and covers, ONE! The two back off and the fans cheer. Bayley and Tiff tie up, Bayley snapmares, and runs to ELBOW Tiff in the back!

Bayley keeps moving, but Tiff CLOBBERS her! Tiff says it’s her time, but Bayley avoids the handspring! Tiff sticks the landing, then swaggers. Tiff even goes Matrix to dodge! But then Bayley clinches! Tiff fights the suplex, throws Bayley to a corner, then runs up, Bayley ELBOWS Tiff, goes up, leaps, and arm-drags! Bayley keeps moving, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Tiff gets free, and she SLAPS Bayley! Bayley gets mad, and she LARIATS up and out! Bayley dares Tiff to slap her now! The fans rally behind Bayley while SmackDown goes to break.

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Coverage

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

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

Published

1 day ago

January 16, 2025

Andrew Balaz

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025

Ratings:

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

Results:

Trent Seven vs Leon Slater

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

Laredo Kid vs Jake Something

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6.25/10

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

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

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