Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report! (2/27/18)
All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Sami Zayn w/ Kevin Owens VS Baron Corbin; Corbin wins.
- Naomi w/ Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair VS Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad; Ruby wins.
- Aiden English w/ Rusev VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins.
- John Cena VS AJ Styles; Cena wins and joins the WWE Championship match at Fastlane.
PLAY BY PLAY
JOHN CENA returns to SmackDown!
HE'S BAAAAAAACK on #SDLive!
How is @JohnCena going to forge a path to @WrestleMania? Let's find out… pic.twitter.com/K0xANBPdKz
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The Face that Runs the Place is back on the Blue Brand. He didn’t punch his ticket to Wrestlemania with the Elimination Chamber, but he promised to be here to find a new path. Cena encourages the LA fans to make some noise, because this IS SmackDown. Allow Cena to remind you why he is here: like 99.9% of the SmackDown roster, they want a Wrestlemania match. The only one with a guaranteed match is Shinsuke Nakamura, so yes, even Cena is trying to find his way. He’s heard of this Fatal 5 for Fastlane, and “I want in.” But he isn’t here for a handout, he’ll do “whatever it takes” to earn a spot. So to get right to business, he asks someone come out to tell him what he must do. As such, SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon appears!
Check out the footwork.
Commissioner @shanemcmahon is LIVE in Los Angeles! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/ZfDBKGgzO9
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
Shane O’Mac welcomes Los Angeles to the show, as well as John Cena. Cena, one of the most decorated superstars in the history of WWE, right here on SmackDown. Now, everyone knows what Cena said last night on Raw. A superstar of Cena’s magnitude wants his part on the Grandest Stage of Them All, but what Cena wants puts him in the path of the WWE Championship. The fans duel, “Let’s go, Cena!” “Cena sucks!” Cena knows the fans are divided, so this is just a great idea to put him in. Shane reminds Cena he’d be “smack dab” in the middle of a match only two weeks away. And if Cena won, he’d not only main event Wrestlemania–fans chant for “Rusev Day!”–Cena would make history by becoming the unprecedented 17 time World Champion. Now, SmackDown is the Land of Opportunity, but there’s– Daniel Bryan!
Well, if there's a match to be made… THIS is the guy that's going to do it!#SDLive @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/shZPyh5DYO
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The SmackDown General Manager gets another great ovation of “YES! YES!” from the WWE Universe, and for once he’s in agreement with Shane. The Land of Opportunity let each of the challengers earn their spot. If Cena wants it, he’ll get his opportunity in the main event. If Cena wins, he’s in. Main event of SmackDown to main event of Fastlane. So who is Cena’s opponent? Someone Cena is very familiar with: the WWE Champion himself, AJ STYLES! Everyone except Cena loves the sound of that! Can Cena beat the Phenomenal One to then earn a chance to beat him and four others at Fastlane?
If he WINS, he's IN!@JohnCena will need to earn his way to #WWEFastlane in tonight's #SDLive main event against… @WWE Champion @AJStylesOrg! pic.twitter.com/AT8AWS3e2S
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
Sami Zayn w/ Kevin Owens VS Baron Corbin!
Is @SamiZayn at all apprehensive going into this match against @BaronCorbinWWE? Doesn't seem that way… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/yWIl69LgtX
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The Underdog promised his best friend that when the time comes, he’ll “do the right thing”. For now, Sami just has to see if he can defeat the Lone Wolf 1v1 to gain some momentum before the furious Fatal 5 at Fastlane!
He brings the darkness.
He brings the thunder.
He is the LONE WOLF.#SDLive @BaronCorbinWWE pic.twitter.com/tebrORcU7r— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
The bell rings and the two tie up. Corbin powers Sami to a corner, but then Sami shoves him back. Sami puts Corbin in the corner, then tauntingly pats him as he breaks. Corbin chases Sami out of the ring, but gives him time to return. Sami baits Corbin into a shoulder and slingshot, but Corbin runs him over with a shoulder. Corbin glares at Kevin on commentary, but Kevin brushes it off. Sami slips out and then counters Corbin with strikes. He bounces Corbin off the table, Sami pursues him back into the ring. Sami bounces Corbin off buckles but Corbin rocks Sami back with a right hand. Corbin goes out to fetch Sami, putting him into barriers. Sami ends up near the timekeeper’s area, but then dumps Corbin up and over into the fans!
There seems to be some dispute about @FightOwensFight being allowed on commentary for this match…#SDLive @shanemcmahon @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/ztXtF5PCs1
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
Daniel Bryan watches backstage with Shane. They’re doing this again? Doing what? Letting Kevin be on commentary. Whether Shane likes him or not, Kevin does great. It’s entertaining, if you like interference. Unless Bryan promises Kevin won’t interfere. Why would Kevin interfere? While they’re talking, Sami refreshes the ring count at the last possible moment, then returns to brawling with Corbin on the outside. Sami puts Corbin back in the ring while we go picture in picture.
Sami clobbers Corbin with elbows, then hits him while he’s down. Corbin takes crossface after crossface punch, and then haymakers. Sami wraps on a chinlock but Corbin works to pry his way out. Sami hammers away with more crossfaces before putting the lock back on. Corbin uses power to stand up with Sami on his back, then throws him off! Corbin runs but Sami drop toeholds him onto ropes! Sami comes back and stomps Corbin, grinding his boot into Corbin’s chin. He lets up at the ref’s count, and takes his time stalking Corbin. Corbin hits back, but Sami clubs him on the back. Sami tries but can’t suplex Corbin, Corbin suplexes Sami instead!
The two stir and slowly get to their feet. Corbin runs in but into a boot, then Sami clobbers him with a clothesline. Sami rains rights on Corbin, but Corbin makes his way back up. Corbin powers Sami all the way into a corner, but then runs into an elbow. Sami hops up and boots Corbin away, before flying crossbody! TWO! Sami keeps his cool, and wraps on another chinlock as we return to single picture.
Corbin endures the hold, but works his way up and out. He fires body shots but Saim hits with elbows. Bryan is still watching as Corbin rocks Sami. Shane returns with popcorn while Corbin misses and runs into a post.
#SDLive Commissioner @shanemcmahon has his ? ready… pic.twitter.com/4FIURAbY7u
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
Sami gets tot he apron, climbs up top, then flies again. Corbin catches him, into the Choke Slam Backbreaker! Corbin puts Sami on the top rope but Sami fights back. Sami grabs Corbin but the tornado is denied with power! Corbin tries to long dart but Sami slips out, so Corbin slides out and in for the wicked lariat! Cover, TWO!
Kevin applauds his friend’s resilience. Kevin doesn’t pay too much mind to Cena potentially being added to the WWE Championship match while Sami dumps Corbin out. Sami slingshots but Corbin catches him again, and looking at Kevin, he tosses Sami on the announce table! Kevin and Corbin trash talk before Corbin goes into the ring. Sami surprises with a small package, TWO! Sami boots Corbin, chops then goes acrobatic for the tornado DDT! Cover, TWO! But while Kevin focuses on the match, Dolph Ziggler comes out of nowhere to SUPERKICK him in the back of the head!
Normally, @FightOwensFight would have the best seat in the house in that chair…
NOT TONIGHT! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/HAMtdn12VG
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The Show-Off gets more retribution for last week by slipping away into the shadows. Sami sees his best friend down on the ground, and this allows Corbin to come back, End of Days! Corbin wins! An assist to Ziggler, no doubt, but then he even gets Corbin with a ZIG ZAG! The Show-Off is determined to be WWE Champion, will anyone get in his way this time?
A loss to @BaronCorbinWWE followed by getting UPSTAGED by @HEELZiggler?
Not a good night for @SamiZayn! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/C5vCpvJWpW
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
#ShowOff OUT. ?#SDLive @HEELZiggler pic.twitter.com/O0DhQArAY5
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
More backstage with Shane and Bryan.
Seems Bryan’s boys got what was coming to them. Maybe Bryan should go check on them? No that’s okay. Can Bryan go home early to be with his wife and kid? Go ahead, tell them hi for Shane. With Bryan taking his leave, what will happen to SmackDown with Shane going solo?
Sami & Kevin regroup backstage.
They would like to know what just hit them at ringside. Where did Ziggler even come from? Sami was about to beat Corbin but then surprise, surprise. Speaking of, Shane comes by and they ask if he saw that. Yep.
"DID YOU SEE WHAT JUST HAPPENED OUT THERE?" – @SamiZayn
"Yep!" – @shanemcmahon#SDLive pic.twitter.com/Fo9nex9oYW
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
But before they talk conspiracies, Bryan left, so maybe they should go after him. Brie doesn’t like it when they’re late for dinner. It never ends with Shane! Is there anything #Kami can do to stop this grudge?!
Naomi w/ Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair VS Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad!
TIME TO RIOTT.#SDLive @RubyRiottWWE @YaOnlyLivvOnce @sarahloganwwe pic.twitter.com/rygpFwtq6e
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
After pinning the inaugural SmackDown Women’s Champion, The Squad Leader is primed to challenge for the title at Fastlane. Before then she looks to take down another former champion, but her Squad will have to worry about the Lass Kicker and Queen being ringside. Will Ruby #StartaRiott or will she #FeelTheGlow?
CAN YOU FEEL IT?!@NaomiWWE is bringing the GLOW on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/ecrKViNC3z
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
The bell rings and the two get in each other’s face. Ruby shoves but Naomi gives forearms. They go back and forth but Ruby whips Naomi to a corner. Naomi goes up and Twerk Attacks back! Then Naomi slides to slap Ruby right out of the ring. The Squad regroups but Naomi slips out to pursue, her friends in tow. Sarah and Liv stand with Ruby as they stare down #RoyalGlowFire but the ref keeps the peace. We go to break while the tension mounts.
The #RiottSquad doesn't want any of THIS trio!#SDLive @NaomiWWE @BeckyLynchWWE @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/qwtf5IkfXN
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
SmackDown returns and Ruby thrashes Naomi about in a seated full-nelson. The fans rally for Naomi as she endures. Meanwhile, Carmella is in the Social Media Lounge, #AskCarmella.
Keep using #AskCarmella to get YOUR questions answered by Ms. #MITB @CarmellaWWE! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/a9m9zbYC0w
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
As for Ruby, she throws Naomi down to reapply a chinlock. Naomi gets up again and fights out. Ruby suplexes but Naomi slips out. Each woman throws a kick to duck a kick, but then double roundhouses bring them both down! The Squad shout for Ruby to get up while Becky & Charlotte cheer Naomi on. Ruby is up first, but Naomi kicks back. They kick, and it’s Naomi turning up the volume, step-up enziguri and rallying with elbows! Naomi dodges then kicks back to throw Ruby to ropes, springboard roundhouse! Cover, TWO!
Naomi keeps her cool but the Squad reach out for their leader. She jackknifes, TWO, so she whips Ruby. Ruby avoids a Rear View to then mule kick Naomi down! Ruby goes over to Naomi, but Naomi is on an apron. Naomi kicks back and then climbs up top. Naomi flies, but Ruby gets under. Ruby runs but into the scorpion kick.
OK, @NaomiWWE… OK!
? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Uc7hGeqsZK
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
Naomi goes for but is denied her corner bulldog, and Ruby brings her in for the Riott Kick! Cover, TWO! The Squad Leader is 2-0 on #RoyalGlowFire, can she get the 3-0 sweep by beating Charlotte at Fastlane?
SUCCESS for @RubyRiottWWE as she defeats @NaomiWWE on #SDLive..and The #RiottSquad LOVES IT! pic.twitter.com/mxDK8DYRrH
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The Fashion Police are visited by Josh Duhamel.
The star of @UnsolvedUSA, @joshduhamel, crosses paths with a couple of guys who solve EVERY case… @MmmGorgeous & @WWEFandango! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/bTB48Kx9Un
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The star of Unsolved: Tupac & Biggie! They’re each big fans of the others. Though, at least Breezango solves cases. No they’ve done parodies. Shh, before they parody his show. They’re gonna give you a closed case, with Big E. Or, the New Day, at least. Guys, no, it’s Biggie Smalls, not Big E. Yeah they knew that… But Big E here is a notorious rapper. “12 job applications, all blank, I’m lazy. Two babysitters, no babies!”
THOSE BARS!!! #SDLive @WWEBigE @TrueKofi @XavierWoodsPhD pic.twitter.com/7f5f4oJD0i
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
Uh, yeah… But Duhamel isn’t a real detective, either, “it’s all make believe, man.” But they looked up to him… What do they do now? Well, The New Day is excited for the series premiere. Existential crises aside, will The New Day best their old rivals in The Usos ahead of their title rematch at Fastlane?
“Awwwwww… LA~!“
Clap for your world famous, four-time champs, and feel, the powah~!
This can only mean ONE THING…
HERE COMES THE NEW DAY! #SDLive @WWEBigE @TrueKofi @XavierWoodsPhD pic.twitter.com/XBenVqJaIF
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods bring boxes of New Day pancakes as they hit the ring. And “ya boys” are going to secure their position on the Grandest Stage of Them All, aka Wrestlemania. But to do that, they go to Fastlane to take on their greatest rivals. Those two guys pushed them to their limits from Money in the Bank to Hell in a Cell. Who? Who who? Jey & Jim Uso! That rivalry is hotter than Big E’s inner thighs in the summer, and winter. Spritz please. More spritz. They defeated Gable & Benjamin to become the #1 contenders to the W, W, E, SmackDown, Tag Team Championships. The New Day respect the Usos, but that won’t stop them from beat them, either. They’re gonna go down to New Orleans and swivel hips with everyone because, “New! Day Rocks!” But to respond, The Usos appear!
The @WWEUsos have seen this before.#SDLive pic.twitter.com/lyyXanHs2c
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
“There they go again”, spreading positive power through pancakes. But yes, they went to war, and the one team left standing with the titles, and that was The Usos. They don’t look back. The Usos used to be just like the New Day with the dancing, singing and running around like a box of skittles. Jey got tired of it. It didn’t get them to the next level. Power of Positivity? Here’s some reality: nine years, the Usos were grinding; nine years, blood, sweat and tears; nine years, the Usos worked to prove they belonged at Wrestlemania. But that’s the thing: Wrestlemania, year after year, the Usos got passed over. Nine years, zero ‘Manias! From 27, to 28, to 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 #SIDELINE. But this year, this ‘Mania, #OURTIME! The fans agree with that.
"YEAR after YEAR, we've been getting passed over…NINE YEARS in the game, ZERO WrestleManias!"
The @WWEUsos are more motivated than EVER to compete on the grandest stage… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/l0xqTzPwtf
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
At Fastlane, that’s Goal Line, 4th & Inches, but the Usos are gonna run right through the New Day. They’re gonna be MVPs, first round draft picks, the starting line-up! That’s the difference between them and the New Day: the Usos adapt and overcome, but the New Day stands still. Fastlane to Wrestlemania, Welcome to– But the New Day speak up. Five years, they’ve been kicking down doors and setting records. The New Day hosted while the Usos ate catering. And they ain’t here because of their daddies! The New Day rushed the field and took what they wanted. At Fastlane, they’ll take those back, and become not one, two, three or even four, but FIVE TIME tag team champions! “And there’s not a damn thing either of you can do about it.”
It ain't enough…@WWEBigE needs FIVE…in the form of FIVE @WWE #TagTeamTitles at #WWEFastlane! #SDLive @TrueKofi @XavierWoodsPhD pic.twitter.com/CLWcWyq2am
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
The mics drop but everyone gets in each others’ faces. However, another duo appears. The Bludgeon Brothers, Harper & Rowan!
Mallets in hand. Destruction awaits.#SDLive #BludgeonBrothers pic.twitter.com/7p2ZRsnixx
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The harbingers of havoc walk into the ring, armed with their heavy hammers. They stare down the Usos and the New Day, but the Usos and New Day give them space. The fans ask, “Why you scared?” but neither the Usos or New Day pay it any mind. Harper & Rowan may want after those titles, but when will they get their chance?
Shane McMahon was visited by Team Rusev Day.
Aiden English & Rusev say that there have been no Happy Rusev Days the last few weeks. That is because Shane doesn’t want these two to show their skills. Shane must be jealous of them. Shane decides that there will be a match, but just for English. And against who? Shinsuke Nakamura! Will the Drama King stand a chance against the King of Strong Style?
Sing it, @shanemcmahon!@WWEDramaKing will go one-on-one with @ShinsukeN TONIGHT on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/hHeNXiqCtD
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
Dolph Ziggler speaks.
“I didn’t come back to SmackDown Live to get lost in the shuffled.” The Show-Off is the “most decorated superstar and greatest athlete” ever. He’ll rise up above everyone at Fastlane, even the “Golden Boy” Cena. Will Ziggler prove it and truly make that reality?
REALITY = @HEELZiggler is THAT good. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/VEZ2nINfE3
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
Backstage interview with Bobby Roode.
How does the GLORIOUS One feel about defending against The Viper, Randy Orton? He’s excited! Roode said he wants to be the best United States Champion ever, so he’ll test himself against one of the best. Though, Orton does seem to have an issue with Roode. After everything Orton has done, it surely can’t be because of the SmackDown Top Ten, right? Speaking of, Orton comes over and eyes that championship. It’s not about the list, it’s about the title that he’s never had in the 16 years he’s been here. Roode’s just the guy he has to run through to take it. Will the Viper become a Grand Slam Champion at Fastlane? Or will the US Championship remain GLORIOUS?
"You just happen to be the guy I gotta run through to TAKE IT!"@RandyOrton on @REALBobbyRoode's #USTitle… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/QDZnFoz6aQ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
In less than TWO WEEKS at #WWEFastlane, #TheViper @RandyOrton will challenge the GLORIOUS @REALBobbyRoode for the #USTitle! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/ZYvFC4JtvF
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
Aiden English w/ Rusev VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
SING ALONG, @WWEUniverse!#SDLive @WWEDramaKing @RusevBUL pic.twitter.com/WP1no36tRt
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The fans chant, “Rusev Day!” for the Bulgarian Lion and his friend in the Drama King. English is Ryan Gossling but “LA is smog-filled and bland~!” There are false artists, and Shinsuke’s the least. Everyone knows there’s only one true Artiste. The fans agree, but English must say, no one here is worthy to celebrate RUSEV DAYYYY~! That all said, the violins kick in and the Rockstar arrives! Will Nakamura make a masterpiece out of English’s face hitting his knee?
The #RusevDay celebration might be about ready to come to a SCREECHING HALT, because here comes 2018 Men's #RoyalRumble match winner @ShinsukeN! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Ln1DfAut15
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The bell rings, English and Nakamura circle and the fans are thunderous already. Nakamura gets a waistlock but English elbows out. English gets a wristlock but Nakamura rolls and reverses the hold. Nakamura brings English to a knee but English stands up to whip. Nakamura reverses but English knock shim down. English bows but gets a kick, then can’t get hold of Nakamura. Nakamura dares English to “C’mon!!” He runs in but gets a knee then a knee drop from Nakamura. Nakamura goes to stomp but English rolls out! That doesn’t stop Nakamura, he comes out to go after English. He puts English in the ring but Rusev roundhouses Nakamura down!
All @RusevBUL wants to do is celebrate #RusevDay, @ShinsukeN! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/9n05pneZO2
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
The Drama King may have a chance, while we go picture in picture.
English slips out to fetch Nakamura, then climbs up top. He flies for the artistic headbutt, cover, TWO! Nakamura winces while English throws hands on him. English snampares and wraps on a chinlock. He sings while he grinds and squeezes Nakamura. Rusev cheers English on, but Nakamura moves around to work his way up to his feet. Nakamura fights out with body shots, but English mule kicks him to a corner. English throws hands and stomps, then backs off at the ref’s count. He drags Nakakmura up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Nakamua falls to the mat. English keeps stomping while we return to single picture.
English puts Nakamura in another corner, then hoists him up top. The fans duel while English climbs up. Nakamura fights him off, then adjusts, but Rusev distracts. English pounces, then fireman’s carry to a reverse Death Valley! Cover, TWO! Rusev is frustrated on English’s behalf, and English insists “It’s Rusev Day!” He stomps Nakamura to a corner, and insists “I’m the Artiste!” He whips Nakamura corner to corner, then runs in, but Nakamura puts him on the top shelf! Nakamura rolls back and goes for the knee, but English evades. English climbs up, flying crossbody but he rolls off. They run, Nakamura hits with the Dynamic Dropkick!
Being on the receiving end of a kick from @ShinsukeN is NOT the #1 way to celebrate #RusevDay…#SDLive @WWEDramaKing pic.twitter.com/wTkXF0LYbA
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
Both men are down and Rusev can’t believe what he’s seeing. He coaches English to stand up, but Nakamura unleashes a strike fest. Nakamura kicks away on English, then rocks English with the other side. He whips English corner to corner for the knee, and Good Vibrations! Nakamura drags English up and onto that top rope, Top Shelf knee! English goes down and Nakamura fires up. KINSHASA! Nakamura wins, proving the King of Strong Style is greater than the Drama King. The Artist has a match at ‘Mania, but who will he face for the world title?
VICTORY for @ShinsukeN! He'll be watching closely at #WWEFastlane…#SDLive pic.twitter.com/9E0wOQXfnB
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
John Cena appears, and crosses paths with Nakamura.
Cena points to the Wrestlemania sign, letting Nakamura know that he means to see him there.
Eyes are firmly on the prize for @JohnCena…
He battles @WWE Champion @AJStylesOrg NEXT on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/eT2CusFumR
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
Can he defeat the Phenomenal One here to take a step closer to that incredible match-up?
John Cena VS AJ Styles!
This main event is going to be nothing short…of PHEMOMENAL!#SDLive @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/tP1kacf93a
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
For the leader of the Cenation, it’s “win and you’re in” in terms of the Fastlane WWE Championship match. However, defeating THE WWE Champion is no easy task. Will Styles be able to keep out a familiar foe to keep things to only a Fatal 5?
The fans are already dueling at the bell. Styles and Cena hear out the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “AJ Styles!” echoing while Kevin & Sami watch from backstage. Cena and Styles tie up and push each other around. Styles gets a waistlock but Cena works his way out with a stiff back elbow. Cena throws hands then snapmares Styles to a cover, ONE. Cena keeps on Styles with a chinlock. Styles works his way up and out, then powers out. Cena runs Styles over, covers, ONE. Styles goes to a corner but Cena is upon him with heavy rights. Cena stomps before backing off, but comes back to snapmare and cover again. TWO, but Cena stays close. He puts on another headlock, trapping an arm to turn it into a half-nelson.
The fans keep dueling as Styles stands up and fights out. Styles chops and punches Cena into a corner, then whips corner to corner. He runs in but into Cena’s boots. Cena hops up, tornado DDT! TWO, and Cena grows annoyed. The champion is in a bad way as we go to break.
SmackDown returns and Styles escapes Cena, only to get hit with the spin-out powerbomb! And everyone knows that means, “You Can’t See Me!”
You know what this means…@JohnCena is IN CONTROL of @WWE Champion @AJStylesOrg! #SDLive #CenavsStyles pic.twitter.com/uOt5VqQ08V
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
Five Knuckle Shuffle hits, then Cena lifts Styles. Styles grabs ropes to deny the finish, then fireman’s carry for Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO! Styles is a bit frustrated, but he simply stands up and brings Cena around. The fans duel as Styles prepares, but Cena trips him up to catapult him! Styles bumps buckles, then Cena scoops Styles for a TKO cutter! Cover, TWO!
Corbin watches backstage as Styles crawls to a corner. Cena brings Styles up to the top, then climbs up to join him. Cena prepares the fireman’s carry from up there but Styles fights out! Styles then puts Cena in the torture rack, for a towerhacker bomb!
Moves like THIS are why @AJStylesOrg is your @WWE Champion!#SDLive #CenavsStyles pic.twitter.com/GK3oOTidkp
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
TWO! The fans are thunderous while Ziggler tunes in to watch. The fans declare “This is Awesome!” while Styles brings Cena up for the Clash. Cena denies, shovels Styles up on hsi shoulders, Electric Chair facebuster! TWO! #Kami also watch as Cena slowly backs up. Cena glares at Styles, and tells him it’s better to not get up. Styles still stands up, so Cena runs him over with a lariat! TWO! Cena is running out of ideas on what to do to Styles. He shakes his head and dares Styles to get up so they can finish it. Cena runs but Styles Pele kicks him down! Both men are down again, we go to break.
SmackDown returns once more, and both men are down again. Styles gets to one corner while Cena goes to the adjacent. Over the break, Styles actually hit Styles Clash, but Cena kicked out! Then Cena would dodge the Phenomenal Forearm, hit the AA, and Styles would kick out. That brings us to the two world champions standing up, and Styles bringing Cena down with a clothesline! Cover, TWO! With few ideas left, Styles springboards but misses the lionsault! Cena hits Styles with a Code Red! TWO! But into the STF! Cena has Styles in his submission and in the middle of the ring! The fans chant both ways but Styles has nowhere to go. So he rolls sideways to a cover, TWO!
They get up, Cena runs in but hits buckles. Styles springboards, Phenomenal Forearm! TWO!! But how?! The fans are going wild while Styles gets to his feet. They chant “This is Awesome!” while Styles positions Cena. Styles goes back to the apron, takes aim and springboards again, the 450 hits knees! Fireman’s carry, another AA! Roll through, to a third– no, Styles slips out! Cena pursues, but runs into steel steps!
He's in the FAST LANE alright…to a collision with the STEEL STAIRS!#SDLive #CenavsStyles @JohnCena pic.twitter.com/MQEaNOtkHc
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The referee checks on Cena and Styles, somehow they’re both okay to continue. Styles gets in the ring first, but he chooses not to wait for Cena and the ring count. He goes back out, but Cena grabs him for an AA on the table!!
??????????#SDLive #CenavsStyles @JohnCena @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/zufUCZNbZN
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
The fans lose their minds at the wreckage before them! Cena gets back in the ring and leaves Styles to the mercy of the count. Styles crawls towards the ring, but the count is at 8! He gets in at 9! Cena doesn’t want to accept it, but the match continues. Frustration boils over for the 16 time world champion as he drags Styles up. He wants that third, but Styles slips out to the Calf Crusher! Styles bends that leg back as hard as he can! Cena endures, reaches, but looks at the Wrestlemania sign. He rolls, lifts Styles up, and hits a Reverse AA! CENA WINS!! Through grit and determination, Cena makes the WWE Championship a Six Pack Challenge!
It's officially a SIX PACK CHALLENGE for the @WWE Championship at #WWEFastlane as @JohnCena DEFEATS #WWEChampion @AJStylesOrg on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/32sBOlPp77
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2018
But Kevin & Sami return.
But Baron Corbin beats them to the sucker punch! The Lone Wolf goes right after Cena, but #Kami joins in. Styles stands up but Kevin and Corbin go after him, what with Styles being champion and all. That’s when Ziggler returns! He rushes the ring and SUPERKICKS Corbin! Kevin goes after him, but Ziggler fights him off. Sami comes over, SUPERKICK to Sami! Ziggler, Cena and Styles stand tall, but then Ziggler takes Styles out! Cena picks Ziggler up, AA!
Thanks for clearing the ring of @BaronCorbinWWE @FightOwensFight & @SamiZayn, @HEELZiggler… but now YOU get an AA! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/ijC2ycyWmz
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2018
It’s chaos to end SmackDown, how much more chaotic will the championship match be?!
My Thoughts:
What a wild SmackDown to have this close to Fastlane! But not perfect. Cena appears as promised, and as expected, he says he doesn’t want his star power to just gift him what he wants. It felt like Shane was going to say Cena couldn’t be part of the WWE Championship match, but Bryan came out to make it happen anyway. Sadly, Shane and Bryan continue to go against their original vow to not make SmackDown about them, but what happens next? We keep cutting to them during what was a solid Sami VS Corbin match. Ziggler hitting Kevin was a great surprise, and it gets revenge on him and Sami at the same time. And of course, Shane has to put himself into things by rubbing the screw job in the face of #Kami. Bryan leaving is also an interesting detail, perhaps we’ll get more on that next week.
The Women’s Division was alright this week. Naomi and Ruby put on a good match, but we get another random cut to Carmella. We all know she’s Ms. Money in the Bank but she had no immediate relevance to the match because Charlotte wasn’t active. I do see that they’re building to something with Fastlane: Charlotte is 2-0 on The Squad, and Ruby is 2-0 on… well those Charlotte is friends with. The winner at the PPV gets the 3-0 sweep on the other side, along with the title. Maybe then Carmella cashes in and moves towards Wrestlemania, but not sure. The Tag Team Division is on fire, though, given how Usos and New Day tore into each other, only for Bludgeon Brothers to silence them both with just appearing. With the little time left, I hope Harper & Rowan find their way into the match to really make it interesting.
Roode and Orton have a good exchange in regards to the US Championship, and while Orton finally becoming a Grand Slam Champion would be great, that really should be more of a Wrestlemania Moment. Maybe Jinder Mahal will end up interfering and then we go to ‘Mania with it. Rusev Day continues to be over but poor English is no match as Nakamura’s warm up jobber. Cena pulling a Finn and interrupting Nakamura’s celebration was pretty interesting. Then Cena and Styles have an almost PPV level match, and #CenaWinsLOL. But I do like the subtle signs of Cena turning, like his death glares at Styles and slamming Styles through the announce desk. It’d be something if he lost at Fastlane to turn Heel and open him up to facing all sorts of opponents in a whole new way.
My Score: 8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Honor Club hits a new landmark!
ROH on Honor Club hits Episode 100! And to make this big deal a bigger deal, QT Marshall challenges Komander for the ROH World TV Championship! Will QT bring the DOOM~?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Katsuyori Shibata VS Shane Taylor w/ Shane Taylor Promotions; wins.
- Taya Valkyrie VS Lady Frost; wins.
- The Beast Mortos VS ???
- The Gates of Agony VS ???
- Leila Grey VS ???
- The Outrunners VS ???
- ROH World Television Championship: Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS QT Marshall; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
The Bruv and Best Bout Machine have some business to handle.
While The Hurt Syndicate goes for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, Will Ospreay wants to talk with Kenny Omega about The Don Callis Family.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Tag Team Championships: Private Party VS The Hurt Syndicate; The Hurt Syndicate wins and becomes the new AEW World Tag Team Champions.
- Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS AR Fox; Swerve wins.
- Hangman Page VS Tyler Shoop; Hangman wins.
- Julia Hart VS Jamie Hayter; Hayter wins.
- Adam Copeland VS PAC; Cope wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tony Schiavone is in the ring.
He welcomes us to Dynamite in Knoxville, Tennessee, then welcomes out the Aerial Assassin, Will Ospreay! The fans fire up as Ospreay makes his way to the ring, and then Schiavone says Ospreay asked for this face-to-face, so here is… KENNY OMEGA! The fans cheer again as now The Best Bout Machine makes his way out here! And he gets a lot of pyro! Omega joins Ospreay and Schiavone in the ring, the fans chant for “KENNY! KENNY!” Schiavone says it is his honor to be in the ring with two of the greats. Ospreay wanted to have this talk, so the floor is his. Ospreay tells Kenny thanks for coming out to join him here. And glad he’s not dead.
Ospreay can’t remember the last time they were in the same ring and not throwing punches at each other, but a lot has changed since Omega’s been away. Ospreay has got nothing to do with the Don Callis Family, and has been trying to change AEW from within. Ospreay didn’t like how Callis was doing business, so he is doing everything in his power to stop it. And to be honest, Omega’s come back at a really bad time. Moxley holds the world title hostage, Ospreay has been trying to get after them, but he keeps running into the Callis Family, and he can’t do this on his own anymore. The fans like where this is going.
Ospreay knows he and Omega have had their differences, but- Omega takes the mic for himself. “Stop. Stop. You said you didn’t remember the last time we faced each other in a ring? Well, Will, let me remind you. It was Forbidden Door. And in that match, not only did you drop me on my head and almost break my neck, but you stabbed me in the head with a screwdriver, the same one that Don had used months before. As far as I’m concerned, that makes you no better than him. And why did you do it, Will? Why? All because you were trying to prove that you were the best. You were trying to prove that you were better than me.
“Well, Will, not only did I not believe you were better than me back then, but I sure as hell don’ believe you’re better than me now. And it took diverticulitis to almost kill me for people to even know that you existed. So now that I’m back, Will, now that I’m back… Congratulations on being number two, because number one is standing right here in front of you. So if you’re here to apologize and ask for my help, the answer is no chance in hell. Because I will never trust someone like you, bruv!” Ospreay gets in Omega’s face and tells him, “Listen here, you little p*ick!” Ospreay makes sure Omega doesn’t look away, but then here comes Don Callis himself.
Omega and Ospreay are still mad with each other but Callis says, “Well look at these two prima donnas!” But like before, Omega rushes him at the ramp! The fans cheer, but here comes Konosuke Takeshita! The Alpha brawls with Omega to keep Callis safe! Ospreay is conflicted, but then Kyle Fletcher attacks Omega! Ospreay hates Kyle more than he does Omega, so he goes after the Protostar! The fans fire up as the brawl just gets bigger! Ospreay puts Kyle in the ring, ducks ‘n’ dodge shim, then RAN- NO! Kyle stops that to pop Ospreay up! But Ospreay pops free, dodges, and handsprings! NEURALIZER KICK!
The fans fire up as Ospreay fires off on Kyle in a corner! But Konosuke drags Ospreay down! ALPHA ELBOW! But Omega gets Konosuke! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Omega fires up and the Terminator Drums begin! Omega builds speed, but Kyle SUPERKICKS him down! The fans boo while Kyle seethes. Kyle drags Omega up to toss him out, but fans tell off Callis. Kyle BOOTS Ospreay over railing! Callis and Konosuke mug Omega! Kyle grins, and he uses a chair to LAUNCH himself into Ospreay! The fans boo while Kyle stands Ospreay up, and whips him, only for Ospreay to reverse! Kyle is sent into barriers and Ospreay beats Kyle down!
But wait, the rest of the family is here! Lance Archer goes after Ospreay! The fans boo but the Murderhawk hauls Ospreay up for a CHOKE- NO, Ospreay goes to the railing! Ospreay fires hands, but Archer LOW BLOWS! Then he DECKS Ospreay into the upper deck! The fans boo as Archer climbs up with ease, but Ospreay fires hands in return! Archer CLUBS Ospreay, they go up into the crowd, and cameras do their best to find where they went! They go down the stairs at the back! Brian Cage has appeared to beat up Omega, and Archer sends Ospreay into the merchandise stands! But Omega fires hands on Cage, and on Konosuke!
Archer CHUCKS a table, Ospreay dodges it! Ospreay ROCKS Archer, fires more shots, but Archer ROCKS Ospreay in return! Archer slides Ospreay along the merch table like it’s a bar fight! Cage CLUBS Omega, Archer drags Ospreay up, but Omega throws trash cans at the others! Omega CLUBS away on Archer, but Archer just grabs him now! But Ospreay and Omega work together! They mug Archer, then DOUBLE SUPLEX him through the tables! The fans are thunderous, but then Cage returns! He CHUCKS a trash can into Omega’s face! Cage, Konosuke and Kyle mug Ospreay and Omega 3v2 while Callis checks Archer.
The brawl goes around the back side of the bleachers, Konosuke puts Omega in a SLEEPER while Kyle and Cage CHOKE Ospreay! Omega breaks free, but Konosuke CLAWS Omega’s eyes! Konosuke reels Omega in, but Omega fights free of the suplex! Konosuke ROCKS Omega again, but now security has appeared! The brawling keeps going, but Ospreay breaks free to ROCK Cage and ROCK Kyle! Ospreay runs up, but Kyle ALLEY-OOPS him, only for Ospreay to grab the railing up above! Ospreay kicks Kyle away, then wait! Omega is climbing the lighting truss! They coordinate, and they DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULT onto the Don Callis Family!!
The fans are losing their minds as Omega and Ospreay stand together! They climb up the truss so they can see Callis as he cowers on stage! Omega has a mic again, and he tells Callis, “We saw what you did to your boys! You saw what we did to your boys! Don Callis, the next time we get a chance, it’s gonna be you we put six feet down under! And speaking of down under, oh boy do I have an idea. Will, you wanted an apology? Maybe it’s me that should apologize. I should’ve trusted you from the beginning. So what do you say, Will? What do you say, people? Let’s restore that feeling we were looking for, in Brisbane, Australia!
“Grand Slam is gonna be me and Will against the hometown boy~, Kyle Fletcher, and Takeshita. Oh yeah, Takeshita, my little young boy! Takeshita & Fletcher, Ospreay & Omega, Australia, LET’S GO!!” The fans love that! Omega says it has been awhile, but let’s say it together, shall we? Goodbye, MWAH! And good, night, BANG!! Now hit his music, cuz he’s scared of heights. The music plays, Ospreay & Omega climb down, but will they tear the Callis Family down once and for all?
The Death Riders speak.
Jon Moxley says, “Tonight, we bring you AEW in Knoxville, Tennessee. The elite, the best of the best, we bring you Pac in the main event. Adam Copeland went to sleep in 2011, woke up in 2025, in a world where he doesn’t belong, in a world that he doesn’t understand. Where the animals are bigger, faster, stronger, meaner, and smarter. But there are plenty of weak, pathetic creatures around here, and we’d be glad to just throw your carcass on top of the pile, Adam. Adam Copeland’s neck is handing on by a thread, man. Bryan Danielson’s neck was hanging on by a thread, too. I finished the job for him. Darby Allin had a death wish for his career. I gave it to him.
“What I’m saying, Cope, is that maybe the next time you go to the doctor, you get some bad news. Maybe your next doctor’s visit is a worse case scenario. And in that case, I won’t lose even a little bit of sleep over it. I don’t sleep much, anyway, I don’t have time to sleep. I don’t have time for relics from the past, there’s too much work to do. We’re building a future.” Moxley leads the way out, will this be the last night AEW goes Rated R?
AEW World Tag Team Championships: Private Party VS The Hurt Syndicate!
Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy won these titles after putting it all on the line against The Young Bucks, but now they might have to do that all over again in this title defense. Can they keep the party going even against men who hurt people? Or will the All Mighty & the Standard of Excellence make good on their SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and who are the real VIPs in AEW!
The teams sort out and the fans duel as Lashley starts against Quen. Lashley stares Zay down, then circles with Quen. Quen slips around to headlock but Lashley powers up to SLAM Quen down! Lashley then runs, but Quen dodges the lariat to PELE! Lashley staggers, Zay tags in, and we get some PARTY IN MOTION! Lashley staggers some more, but he comes back to LARIAT Zay! Lashley hushes the fans, then he drags Zay up. Lashley shoves Zay to the corner, LARIATS him again, then tags Shelton. Shelton stomps Zay, brings him up, and DECKS him! Shelton looms over Zay, scoops him, but Zay slips free to shove Shelton into a shoulder from Quen!
Shelton staggers, Zay runs up, and Quen is there for some SILLY STRING! Tag to Quen and he brings Shelton back up! Zay climbs, Private Party hit the SWANTON NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, ONE!! Shelton is tougher than that but Private Party keeps on Shelton. But Lashley grabs Quen at the ropes! Quen fires elbows, Zay CLUBS away on Shelton, then Zay runs to triangle jump STUNNER! Lashley falls, but here comes Shelton! Private Party DUMP him out, then they both build speed! DOUBLE DIVES, but into clinches! DOUBLE OVERHEAD SUPLEXES! MVP says they’re throwing a Private Party! Get it?
MVP tells the guys to bring Zay over. Shelton whips Zay to Lashley, and he SPINEBUSTERS Zay through the desk!! MVP says, “We Hurt People!” The fans are thunderous, and The Hurt Syndicate stalks Quen while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
The ref wants the Syndicate to back off, and then he checks Zay. Doc Sampson also checks, and we get a quick replay from high above to see just how hard Zay hit the desk. The Syndicate stands down for the moment, and Quen also checks on Zay. Zay is stirring but MVP wants Doc to call it now. Shelton storms back out to scoop and SLAM Quen on the floor! Shelton puts Quen in the ring, Lashley RAMS into Quen again and again! The ref counts, Lashley stops at 4, and he lets Quen sputter in the corner. Lashley looms over Quen, Dynamite returns to single picture, and Lashley fires elbows! Lashley whips corner to corner, runs up, but into a BOOIT!
Quen goes out, Lashley ROCKS him first! Lashley runs to BLAST Quen off the apron! Tag to Shelton and he runs up on Quen to send him into apron, then railing, and back again! Quen hits railing again and he falls to the floor! Shelton drags Quen up and fans want that “One More Time!” Shelton obliges and he THROWS Shelton into the railing! Quen falls in a heap while Shelton refreshes the ring count. Shelton puts Quen in, the fans rally behind the Syndicate, and Shelton TOSSES Quen overhead! Cover, ZAY BREAKS IT! Zay still lives and the fans are torn! MVP says he’s not even mad, that is impressive.
Shelton drags Quen up while Zay goes back to the corner. Tag to Lashley, and Lashley throws elbows and haymakers! The ref counts, Lashley stomps Quen down, and Lashley digs his boot in! The fans fire up while Lashley scuffs Quen. Tag to Shelton, he drags Quen up, and fans duel as Shelton DECKS Quen! Quen stands, kicks, but Shelton blocks! Shelton FLIPS Quen, but Quen lands on his feet to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up while both men crawl! Hot tag to Zay! Shelton runs up but Zay ROCKS him first! Zay fires more shots, but Shelton knees low! Shelton whips, then pops Zay up, but Zay DROPKICKS back! The fans fire up while both men rise.
Zay clinches, but Shelton SHOVES Zay into the corner! Shelton runs in, but Zay dodges! Shelton hits buckles, then Zay goes up! Zay hits a FLYING FLATLINER! Quen adds a 450 SPLASH! Zay covers, Lashley breaks it! Lashley goes back to the corner, Shelton kicks! Zay blocks, but gets the DRAGON WHIP! Tag to Lashley and he storms right up on Zay! Lashley scoops, Zay slips free, and Zay shoves Lashley into Quen’s forearm! Zay SUPERKICKS, Quen GAMANGIRIS, Zay rolls Lashley up! TWO!! Lashley is up to SPEAR Zay inside-out!! Cover, QUEN BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, but here comes Shelton!
Shelton waistlocks Quen to GERMAN SUPLEX! Then GERMAN SUPLEX again! Quen flounders, Lashley hauls Quen up for the MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Shelton runs at Zay, STEP-UP KNEE! Then Lashley SPEARS Zay again!! Cover, Hurt Syndicate wins!
Winners: The Hurt Syndicate, by pinfall (NEW AEW Tag Team Champions)
They certainly hurt people! They just crashed the party, crushed the party, and now they have the gold! Will nothing stop the Hurt Syndicate from owning AEW?
Mariah May speaks.
“I am the most disrespected champion in AEW history. I have raised this title to a level it had never seen before. Every match, every moment, every massacre. And I made it all look so good! And how does this company repay me? By enabling a deranged woman, for a second time. This is what you have for your champion? A woman I played like a dysfunctional fiddle and beat without blinking an eye? Fine. Let’s play your game, and I will scramble her shallow brain even worse than I did the first time! And when she’s gasping for air whilst I’m grasping my gold, every fan and every person in AEW will realize one thing: You don’t deserve me! Toni Storm? I can’t wait to ‘meet’ you.”
Backstage interview with Toni Storm.
Renee Paquette is with said challenger, and says this Saturday Night Collision, Toni will meet Mariah face-to-face ahead of their AEW Women’s Championship match at Grand Slam: Australia. What does Toni anticipate will happen? Toni says she’s just so nervous and excited! She doesn’t know what she’s gonna say. Harley Cameron walks in and says yes! Excellent! Harley says from “one non-quirky Australian to another,” she just wants to wish her good luck. Toni says there’s no reason Harley can’t wrestle in Australia, too! Really? Yeah!
Toni knows people think she’s a bit of a Bogan, but mate, they put on one hell of a match for two Sheilas fat assing around in a couple of budgie smugglers, don’t you think? And then Harley busted out the guitar, Toni was like, “Good on ya!” Harley says cheers, mate! She admits, when she first met Toni, she thought Toni was a bit of a neg, but Toni sure had one bloody ripper of a show! Good on ya! That’s the type o’ Sheila she’d do a shoey with! Toni says, “See you in Australia.” Harley says yeah, see you in Australia! The Aussies are bonding, but will the Homecoming in Jacksonville go smoothly? Or will The Glamour be spewin’ (real mad) on Collision?
Backstage interview with Jeff Jarrett.
Alex Marvez is with Double J and brings up the heinous things MJF had to say. Before Marvez can ask more about that, Karen steps in and wants a minute with Jeff. Marvez steps aside and Karen wants him to remember what they talked about. Last week, getting down in the mud with MJF, that is not who Jeff is anymore. Karen didn’t like it, she was upset by all that, and it reminded her- He knows, he knows. He gives her a kiss on the forehead, then heads to the ring! The fans cheer for The Last Outlaw, and he puts his guitar aside so he can get the mic. “What’s up, Knoxville?” The fans cheer and Jarrett says it is great to be back in the Volunteer State!
Jarrett was driving up the I-40 and gathering his thoughts, figuring out how he’d address things from last week, another fellow Tennessean came to mind. One of his greatest mentors, none other than The King, Jerry Lawler! The fans are a bit torn on that name, but Jarrett brings up a tag match early in his career. Jarrett was on right before Lawler, and Lawler was watching that match. And for the better part of 30 minutes, these two guys candidly beat Jarrett’s ass. But not only physically but verbally. As Jarrett was making his last ditch effort throwing some haymakers, he threw some verbal jabs himself.
As Jarrett was returning to his dressing room, right there was The King. He shut the door and got in Jarrett’s face. Lawler told Jarrett, “What the hell are you thinking out there? Don’t ever get in the gutter with your opponent.” Jarrett will just say this: Sometimes, it’s great to come back home to remember who you are. The fans cheer that! Jarrett tells MJF that he will find out exactly who The Last Outlaw is! “Max, we’re gonna settle this Southern style. Somehow, somewhere, some place. No lights, no camera. As we say around here in Knoxville, I’m gonna take you out to the woodshed and beat your ass!”
The fans cheer, and Jarrett says enough about the one hit wonder! Let’s get back tot he fans! Because the fans inspired Jarrett, gave him that juice, to get in the Owen Hart Cup last year. And let’s get real, the fans have given Jarrett a gift. You ask what that gift is, and well, that gift is of a 57-year-old man believing in himself that he can become the AEW World Heavyweight Champion! The fans cheer that! So then, let’s get to business. AEW World Champion, Jon Moxley…! Let’s get out here and talk. The fans are surprised Double J is calling out The Maniac, but here come The Death Riders!
Specifically, CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI slips into the ring! He spins Jarrett around, and he UPPERCUTS Jarrett right off his feet! The Swiss Superman grabs the mic. Claudio tells Jarrett, “Nobody gets to Jon Moxley without getting through me first. Let me give you one piece of advice, Outlaw. Stay out of our business.” Claudio leaves Jarrett behind, and he even punts the AEW mic box into the crowd. But Jarrett grabs another mic to tell Claudio, “Turn your ass around! You know me better than this. You’re gonna have to kill me to stop me!” The fans fire up as Jarrett stands back up.
Jarrett says Mox is his target, so Claudio, how about this? If Jarrett beats Claudio next week, he gets that title shot! Claudio says, “Beating you lifeless? An interesting proposition. See you next week.” Jarrett says it’s on! It’s on in Huntsville, Alabama! Can The Last Outlaw make it through Moxley’s “emissary” so that he can go right for the king?
Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS AR Fox!
The Most Dangerous Man in AEW has put The One & Only Ricochet on notice, but it seems he has someone else from his past to deal with first. Will Swerve bury his past so he can focus on his future? Or will Swerve’s House soon belong to the Whole Fox’n Show?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Fox and Swerve circle, then they feel things out. Swerve dodges a boot to headlock, but Fox fires body shots. Swerve CLUBS Fox, the forearms start flying, then Fox kicks low. Fox suplexes, Swerve fights that to suplex! Fox fights that, they both fight for suplex control, and then Fox ends up on the apron! Swerve blocks a shot to ELBOW Fox down! Swerve then slingshots up and out, to then MOONSAULT onto Fox! The fans fire up while Swerve stands over Fox. Swerve drags Fox up and into the ring. Swerve goes up the corner while Fox sits up, FLYING- NO, Fox BOOTS the uppercut away!
Wait, picture in picture lets us know that Ricochet is in the building, golden scissors in his lapel pocket! Where’s he headed? Fox CLUBS Swerve, then wraps an arm around the ropes. Fox KICKS the rope to jam the arm, then he CLUBS away on the shoulder. Fox runs, but Swerve follows and runs Fox over! The fans fire up while Fox flounders. Swerve grabs legs, spins Fox around, and gator rolls Fox to deadlift suplex! The fans cheer on “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Swerve seethes, even as Nana keeps the chants going. Swerve stalks Fox to a corner, then ROCKS him! Swerve digs his boot in, the ref counts, but Swerve steps off to stand Fox up. Swerve turns Fox for a NECKBREAKER! Swerve holds on, drags Fox back up, and hits another NECKBREAKER! Swerve then drags Fox up and puts him through ropes. Swerve brings Fox out and turns him again, for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Swerve completes a vicious take on the Three Amigos, then covers, TWO! Fox survives and Swerve is annoyed, but Swerve also knows his old rival is just that tough.
Swerve stalks Fox to ropes, and he CHOPS! Fox is stinging, but Swerve fireman’s carriers him. Fox grabs ropes, gets himself to the apron, and he HOTSHOTS Swerve away! Fox runs to BASEMENT CUTTER! Fox soaks up cheers and jeers, Nana rallies the fans, but Fox grabs the bad arm to SLAM it on the mat! Swerve goes to a corner, Fox fires body shots and forearms, then bumps him off buckles. Fox hammerlocks Swerve to RAM that shoulder into the buckles! Swerve staggers away, drops to his knees, and Fox soaks up more heat. Fox even scares Nana off! Fox scuffs Swerve, taunts the fans, but Swerve snarls.
Fox scuffs Swerve again, but Swerve stands. Fox BOOTS him down! Fox taunts Swerve, kicks him again, and Dynamite returns to single picture. The fans rally again but Fox gives more taunting kicks. Swerve stands, blocks a kick, then slips around to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Fox scrambles away while the fans fire up. Swerve storms out after Fox, but Fox scurries back into the ring! Swerve pursues, but Fox catches him in the ropes with a DRAPING DDT! Fox strikes like a Viper and Swerve flops to the floor. The fans boo but Fox goes to the apron, and he uses the corner, MOONSAULT ATTACK! Down goes Swerve!
The fans are torn but Nana is worried as Fox puts Swerve in the ring. Fox slingshots, springboards, and RAN- NO! Swerve hoists Fox up, POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Swerve and he watches Fox flounder. Swerve runs up to UPPERCUT in the corner! Then he mule kicks, snapmares, and goes up the corner, for the FALLING UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Swerve hits the Griddy! Swerve then aims as Fox flounders, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” But Ricochet runs up with the scissors!! Swerve dodges, then he swings on Ricochet! Ricochet runs away, laughing at Swerve, but Nana has a pipe! Pipe beats scissors, boy!
Ricochet dares Nana to come get him, but Fox BOOTS Swerve in the corner! Fox puts Swerve up top, then goes up, ARABIAN PRESS FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Fox is furious and he goes up, up, and 450Â FLOPS as Swerve moves! Swerve hurries to stand Fox up! Half nelson and BIG PRESS- NO, Fox victory rolls through! TWO!! Swerve escapes, but Fox goes Matrix! But Swerve rebounds and somersaults, FLATLINER! And then the HOUSE CALL!! Swerve isn’t done, he’s going up top again! KILL STOMPS!! Cover, Swerve wins!
Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall
Ricochet tried to ruin everything, but he only added fuel to the fire! However, even after all that, Swerve shows Fox respect. They shake hands, but Ricochet grabs a camera to get on the tron! Ricochet tells Swerve, “The risks you take… These are the risks you take when you think it’s okay to bully and embarrass people. Like last week, when everybody though tit was okay to boo me and take away my time to speak whenever I got something to say. But that’s okay, I’ll give you that one. Because next week, you all will be forced to hear everything that I’ve got to say, and believe me, I’ve got a lot to get off my chest. Ain’t that right, Prince Nana?”
The camera pans over, and Ricochet is holding those scissors to Nana’s throat! Ricochet says he could gut Nana like a fish for what he did last week, thinking he could embarrass him! But Ricochet needs Nana to tell Swerve that this may be his house, but there is a new landlord, and rent is due! Swerve is fuming as he storms to the back! Ricochet laughs as he leaves again, and Nana is able to breathe again. Ricochet says he’s the dangerous one now, but is he really just playing with fire?
The Learning Tree speaks.
Chris Jericho says, “Hi, guys~! Welcome to another New York Minute, coming to you live from Knoxville, right here, nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. But unfortunately this week, we’re a little bit more dour, a little bit more somber, because The Learning Tree lost last week on Maximum Carnage: Collision. We were essentially beaten by The Outrunners and Powerhouse Hobbs, even though we tried to take Will Hobbs out before the match. But we failed at that, didn’t we, Bill?” Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, ‘Failures are the signposts on the road to success.'” Jericho looks at Bill with disappointment.
Is that really what Bill’s going to say? Is he really comfortable with losing, and then trying to attribute it to a learning moment? Well, learning moments only work if you learn from them! When is Bill going to start using the knowledge Jericho is bestowing upon him!? They lost because of Will Hobbs! So what’s Bill gonna do about it? Bryan Keith also asks what Bill’s gonna do! Bill says “LT” is right. No more New York Minute, and Bill says that he and Hobbs went face to face. Hobbs may have won the match, but he did not beat Bill! And that is because Hobbs can’t beat Bill!
And you wanna know why? Because Big Bill is the biggest and baddest man in this entire company! Hell, the entire industry! So you know what he’s gonna do? Saturday, Jacksonville, Bill is going to find Hobbs! Jericho & Keith nod, will The Redwood crush The Powerhouse?
MJF is here!
But wait, he’s not the one scheduled for a match, is he? He’s certainly not dressed for it. MJF has them cut his music, and then he steps into the ring to tell whoever that is to get out. The fans boo but the guy does as he’s told. MJF tells Jarrett that he wants to say, “from the bottom of my heart, you deserve to give every single wrestling fan an apology after your actions last week. But if anybody deserves an apology more than anybody else, it’s me. Let’s face it, Jeff, when I offered to help you win the AEW World Championship, as long as I was first in line for a world title shot… I didn’t do it because I believe in you! No no no.
“I did it because I thought you would be the easiest to manipulate, and damn sure the easiest to beat.” The fans boo but MJF says the fact Jarrett actually thinks that in the year 2025, that he will be the next AEW World Champion without MJF’s help goes to show that Jarrett’s about as senile as he looks! The fans boo more but MJF tells Jarrett this: If Jarrett isn’t yet, by the time Claudio is done beating him next week, Jarrett will be. MJF knows Jarrett thinks that if he grinds hard enough, if he works hard enough, he’ll earn himself more time in the only sport and occupation Jarrett has ever known and loved.
But Jarrett, MJF is going to tell you the truth: Pro-wrestling doesn’t love Jarrett anymore. These fans don’t even love Jarrett anymore! The fans boo, then they chant, “DOUBLE J! DOUBLE J!” MJF takes off his sunglasses to get serious. The hicks can chant all they want, but it doesn’t change the fact that Jarrett is about to find out the hard way that sometimes, you’re better off making a deal with the devil instead of defying him! MJF drops the mic, soaks up the heat, and clearly isn’t done with The Last Outlaw. But wait! Hangman Page makes his way out here! And he is scheduled for a match.
The Blackhat Cowboy storms into the ring, and he tells MJF to get outta here. MJF says okay, okay, and then he leaves. Hangman is coming off winning that brutal Texas Death Match with Christopher Daniels, will he just keep the violence going?
Hangman Page VS Tyler Shoop!
The bell rings and Hangman BOOTS Tyler Shoop down! Then he stands Shoop up, whips him, and LARIATS him down! Cover, Hangman wins!
Winner: Hangman Page, by pinfall
Shoop da whoop, that was fast! But Hangman isn’t done as he just hammers away on Tyler’s head! Then he underhooks for ANGEL’S WINGS!! The ref reprimands but Hangman uses Daniels’ finisher on this poor kid! WAIT! Daniels is here!? The Fallen Angel has a mic but also a neck brace. Hangman storms up and asks if he wants to get his ass beat again! Daniels says no, he isn’t here to fight. He never wanted to fight in the first place. Daniels swears, all he ever wanted to do was be a friend. But perhaps he messed that up. Every time he approached Hangman, it was like pouring gasoline on a fire.
Then Hangman attacked Daniels, said what he said, and Daniels let his own ego escalate this to the point where he accepted the most violent match against the most violent man. Daniels does regret that, and he will for the rest of his life. Because after that Texas Death Match, that last Buckshot, all that damage to his neck over the years… Daniels has been advised to never wrestle again. The fans don’t like hearing that, but Daniels says he is here to tell Hangman face to face that Hangman wins. Hangman won Daniels’ last match, so this is goodbye. And sorry. Daniels hopes Hangman can be happy now.
Daniels moves on, and Hangman is rather stunned. He tells the cameraman to get out of his face, what is the Cowboy to do knowing he retired The Fallen Angel?
Mercedes Mone is here!
The CEO is backstage as she tells “Knoxvillllle~! Say hello to your C E O, Four Belts Mone!” Renee Paquette finds Mone and congratulates her on the win at WrestleDynasty. Mone is now also the Rev-Pro Undisputed Women’s Champion! She has four belts in her collection, but from the minute she walked into AEW, she’s been talking about taking things global. She’s done just that, but we’re still early in 2025. What else does she have planned? Mone says Renee is so right. She is a global champion now, having wrestled all over the world! The UK, Japan, and she’ll soon wrestle in Australia! Mone cannot wait to see who gets on the Money Train next.
Wait, that guitar… It’s Harley! Harley sings her hello to Mone, and that if she wants a challenge for Australia, Harley’s here to say G’DAY! Harley is a local, so you know she will not quit! You may know her backstage as the woman with the tiiipping point! Yeah! She’s crazy! A little insane~! Her point is, what she’s getting at, is she’ll right the Mone Train! Feel the wrath! Feel the wrath! Four belts is a little much, it can’t be good for your back. Feel the wrath! Harley will make it plain, she’ll ride the Mone~ Train~! So what does she say? Mone smiles and says Harley, darling, she has wrestled all around the world, fighting the very best!
But Harley, you haven’t even won a match on AEW TV yet! Not this year, last year, or ever. So that’s gonna be a hard “noru!” Now get away from her. Mone leaves, still singing the song, and Renee says it was pretty good. Will Harley turn her fortunes around by getting a win on TVÂ and then facing The CEO?
Julia Hart VS Jamie Hayter!
Speaking of Harley’s losses, she lost to The Princess of the Black Throne, and that match only started because Julia misted her in the face instead of Hayter! Julia and Jamie look to settle things in this rematch, will this be another Hartless victory? Or will Hayter Hit Harder than ever?
The bell rings and both women run up! Hayter BOOTS Julia down! Julia bails out, Hayter pursues, and she brings Julia around the way to THROW into railing! The fans fire up and Hayter brings Julia back up. Hayter whips Julia all the way into the LED barriers! The fans cheer, Hayter refreshes the ring count, and Julia staggers up. Hayter storms back up on her, but Julia kicks low! Julia RAMS Hayter into the apron,. RAMS her into the barriers, then whips. Hayter reverses and Julia hits the steel steps! The fans fire up again while Hayter storms up on Julia. Hayter puts Julia in the ring, goes up a corner, and she leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK!
The fans rally, Hayter covers, TWO! Hayter keeps on Julia but Julia JAWBREAKERS free! Julia ROCKS and whips Hayter, then runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Julia goes side to side to ELBOW Hayter! Julia runs again, but into an ELBOW! Hayter goes up, but Julia YANKS her down! Hayter hits buckles, Julia DRIBBLES her off the mat! Cover, TWO! The fans rally again while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Julia stomps Hayter around, CLUBS her, then clamps on a chinlock. Julia grinds Hayter down but Hayter endures. Hayter fights up, fires body shots, and she’s free! Hayter runs, sunset flips, TWO! Julia sits on the cover, TWO! Hayter sunsets again, TWO! Julia SUPERKICKS Hayter down! Julia then puts Hayter on ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Julia stops at 4, and Hayter sputters. Julia drags Hayter up, SCRAPES her face against the ropes, then SCRAPES her face off more ropes! The ref reprimands but Julia fires a forearm. Hayter fires back! The two go forearm for forearm, but Hayter hits harder!
Julia throws Hayter by her hair! Cover, TWO! Hayter is tougher than that, but Julia CLUBS her down! Julia rains down fists from both sides, but Hayter fires elbows! Hayter gets on Julia with a rain of fists! Julia does her best to guard but Hayter stands her up! So Julia throws Hayter by her hair again! And she drops a leg! Cover, TWO! Julia snarls as she clamps onto Hayter with a motorcycle stretch! Julia digs her knee in while she pulls Hayter’s arms back! Hayter endures, fights up, but Julia throws her down again! The ref reprimands but Julia covers, TWO! Julia grows frustrated but she drags Hayter up to put her in a corner.
Julia fires hands, but she lets off as the ref counts. Julia stomps a mudhole, digs her boots into Hayter’s face, then steps off to stand Hayter up. Wrench and STO! Julia puts Hayter in the drop zone and stomps her while Dynamite returns to single picture. Julia then climbs the corner, but Hayter anchors her feet! Julia kicks Hayter away, but Hayter comes back to CHOP BLOCK! Julia sits down on the corner and Hayter CLUBS away! Hayter climbs up, pulls Julia’s hair, and hits a SUPER BACK SUPLEX! Both women are down but the fans fire up! The ref checks, both women are still in this, so a standing count starts.
Hayter and Julia slowly rise, and they stand at 6! The forearms go back and forth, but Hayter gets the edge! The fans rally, Hayter whips, but Julia reverses. Hayter throws Julia by her hair now! And then again! Hayter then gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Julia staggers up, into another GERMAN SUPLEX! Julia staggers, into a third GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up while Hayter roars! Hayter pops Julia up for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Julia survives but Hayter clamps onto a leg! HALF CRAB! And she sits deep on it! Julia endures, reaches out, and claws her way forward! ROPEBREAK!
The fans are torn but the ref counts. Hayter lets go at 4 and stalks Julia. Hayter CLUBS Julia, whips her, and then scoops her! But Julia tilt-o-whirls into an IRON OCTOPUS! Hayter endures while the fans duel, but Hayter powers up to BACKBREAKER! Hayter bends Julia back, but Julia powers free with a hair pull! Cover, TWO!! Hayter and Julia stand, run up, and Julia slips around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Hayter survives and Julia staggers to her feet. Julia runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Julia drags Hayter up again, but Hayter clinches! HAYTBREAKER!! And then the ripcord, HAYTERADE!! Cover, Hayter wins!!
Winner: Jamie Hayter, by pinfall
The rematch is Hayter’s revenge, and we’re tied! When and where will we see these two give us the rubber match? Wait, Hayter gets a mic to tell Julia that time after time, after attempted murder, is she feeling like that tonight? Hayter isn’t one to “butter someone else’s bread,” but she has a very heavy respect for women like Julia who do what they wanna do, no matter what anyone says. Julia moves to the beat of her own drum. Even if it’s spitting that crap in Hayter’s face, or trying to kill her with an arrow. But no matter what, Julia has the people behind her, and two big men standing by her side. Except here she is, all alone, and she’s still “a tough b*tch.”
The fans cheer and Hayter says they’ve each won one. Whenever Julia wants number three, she’s got it! Hayter heads out, when and where will Hayter VS Hart Round 3 happen?
“Powerhouse” Will Hobbs speaks.
“Hey, Big Bill, word around town is that you plan on lookin’ for ole Powerhouse Hobbs this Saturday on Collision. Well guess what? Jacksonville’s where I got my start, and you don’t have to look for me very hard. Cuz I’ll be waiting for ya in the parking lot.” The challenge was thrown out, will The Redwood fight Hobbs on the streets?
Swerve regroups with Nana backstage.
Swerve is pacing, and he says, “Oh, yeah, Ricochet, you big and you bad. You think you big and bad with those scissors in your hand now, right? Yeah? GOOD! Because that’s what you’re gonna need against the most dangerous man in AEW! Two weeks from now, Atlanta, Georgia, the chase is done! The lion finally gets his hands on that freakin’ rodent! And maybe, just maybe, I catch it a little sooner than that.” Ricochet is pushing all the wrong buttons, is he going to have Swerve blow up even before AEW reaches Atlanta?
The House of Black speaks.
Brody King walks with Buddy Matthews and Julia Hart, as well as his Pitbull, and he says, “For years, we’ve had a voice to guide us. That voice was all but deafening. Now, that voice has gone silent.” Buddy adds, “And we are done living in the shadows.” Julia says, “It’s time to honor ourselves.” No rules, no leaders, no gods or masters. Just… violence! When they bark, they bark together! When and where will these three release the hounds?
Adam Copeland VS PAC!
The Rated R Superstar was given a warning, a not so subtle threat, from The Death Riders’ leader, Jon Moxley, ahead of this match. Will The Bastard make good on The Maniac’s promise to put Cope back in retirement? Or will this simply be Cope clearing out a pawn before going for the king?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Cope. The two circle, tie up, and Cope powers Pac to a corner. The ref counts, Cope lets off cleanly, and the two reset. Pac and Cope circle again, then feel things out. They knuckle lock but then Pac KICKS a leg! Cope shakes that off as he and Pac circle again. They tie up, Pac waistlocks, then he trips Cope and has that leg. Pac then floats to a facelock, but Cope slips out to hammerlock in return. Pac reaches back, stands up, and he switches the hammerlock onto Cope. Cope drop toeholds and he floats to a chinlock. Pac has the ROPEBREAK, and Cope lets go cleanly.
The fans cheer as Cope backs off, and Pac steps back in. The two go again and tie up with knuckle locks. Cope trips Pac, covers, ONE! The two back away and the fans cheer. Cope and Pac reset again, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Pac puts Cope on the ropes. The ref counts, Pac lets off slowly, but then he kicks low! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Pac whips. Cope goes up and manages to RANA Pac out of the ring! The fans fire up and Cope builds speed, but Pac returns! Pac puts Cope on the apron, he builds speed, but now Cope puts Pac on the apron! Cope swings but Pac RAMS him low! Pac slingshots up and over, but Cope bails out!
Cope blows snot while Pac takes aim, and then Cope trips Pac up! Cope drags Pac out to the apron so he can wheelbarrow, and FACEBUSTER off the steel steps! The fans fire up for Cope and he drags Pac up by his hair. Cope whips Pac hard into the barriers, then refreshes the count. Cope storms up on Pac, the fans want that “One More Time!” Cope stands Pac up to GOURD BUSTER onto the barriers! Pac flops down, the fans cheer, and Cope refreshes the count again. Cope goes back to Pac, stands him up, and brings him around. Cope SMACKS Pac off the desk! Pac staggers away but Cope puts him in the ring.
Pac bails out the side but Cope pursues. The fans boo Pac but he suckers Cope into a kick to the leg! Pac SMACKS Cope off the apron! The ref reprimands but Pac snarls while Cope clutches his neck. Pac attacks with stomps! Pac digs his boot into the neck but the ref counts. Pac backs off and the ref reprimands him more. The fans boo but Pac just acts like he can’t hear them. Pac goes into the ring while the ref checks Cope. Cope slowly rises, but Pac is watching like a hawk! PLANCHA! Down goes Cope and the fans boo more, but Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Pac eggs the fans on while Cope is dazed. Pac goes back to Cope, drags him up, and brings him around the way. Pac whips Cope into railing! Cope falls in a heap but Pac leaves him behind. Pac goes up to the apron to soak up the heat, and he even mockingly applauds. Pac goes after Cope again, puts him in the ring, and pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Cope’s tougher than that but Pac clamps on with a chinlock. Cope endures, even grabs at Pac’s face, but Pac holds on. Pac stands Cope up to snap suplex! Cope flounders but Pac watches him closely. Cope goes to a corner, stands himself up, and Pac runs in! UPPERCUT!
Cope falls, Pac covers, TWO! Pac is annoyed but Cope’s highly decorated for a reason. Pac stomps and kicks Cope around, then he taunts the fans. Pac goes up the corner, and he watches Cope rise. Pac leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Pac kips up, and he again taunts the fans by acting like he can’t hear them. Cover, TWO! Cope is still in this but Pac stays on him with stomps. Pac clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Cope down. Cope endures, Dynamite returns to single picture, and the fans rally up. Cope fights around, but Pac squeezes tight! Cope pushes up off the mat, the fans rally harder, and Cope fires body shots! Pac suplexes Cope!
Cope flounders back to a corner, Pac runs up, but Cope BOOTS him! Cope runs up to SHOTGUN Pac! Pac tumbles to the opposite corner and the fans fire up! A standing count begins, but Cope and Pac stir at 3 of 10. They sit up, and Pac uses ropes to stand at 5 of 10. Cope follows, then runs in, but Pac ELBOWS him away! Pac runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the FLAPJACK finds him! The fans fire up again while both men are down! The fans rally as both men stand, and Pac goes to the apron. Cope hobbles over, but Pac HOTSHOTS him away! Pac then springboards, but Cope gets under! Cope comes back, Pac ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Cope hits a SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO!!
Pac survives and shocks Cope! Cope drags Pac back up, reels him in, but Pac is a ragdoll. Cope huffs ‘n’ puffs but the fans fire up behind him! Cope stands Pac up, but Pac pushes him away. Pac flops back down and the fans boo, but Cope won’t let off. Cope drags Pac up but Pac wrenches and KICKS the leg! Pac KICKS away, then SOBATS! And KICKS! And SOBATS again! Pac runs, but Cope follows! Cope then LARIATS Pac inside-out! The fans are thunderous as Pac is in a daze! Cope hauls Pac up, IMPALER DDT! Cope then goes to a corner, wild look in his eyes. Pac rises, Cope takes aim, and Cope runs in! But Pac jumps over!
Cope keeps from hitting buckles, and Pac runs in! But Cope pops Pac up to a fireman’s carry! Pac makes it a STANDING BRUTALIZER!! Cope endures as Pac pulls on the arms! Cope falls into the ROPEBREAK! Pac lets go in frustration but the fans rally up again. Pac watches Cope slowly sit up, and then he waistlocks! Deadlift- NO, Cope fires elbows! Pac shoves Cope and BLINDSIDE SUPERKICKS!! Pac then runs to BOOT Cope in the back! Pac shoves Cope and SNAP GERMANS! The ref reprimands Pac about the neck, but Pac clamps on the BRUTALIZER!! The Bastard shows no mercy! Cope is fading, but he powers up!
The fans rally as Cope manages to lift Pac, and shifts him around into an AIR RAID CRASH! Both men are down again and the fans rally again! Cope goes back to a corner, takes aim at Pac, and he BLINDSIDE SPEARS him! Pac writhes, the fans want that “One More Time!” Cope obliges and he SPEARS Pac head-on!! But the neck is holding Cope back! Cope crawls over, but Pac rolls away. Cope stalks Pac to the ropes, brings him up, and he fireman’s carries for a spin and T K O!! Cover, COPE WINS!
Winner: Adam Copeland, by pinfall
That was a brutal battle between Bastard and Rated R Superstar, but that swinging cutter gives Cope the win! But wait, Marina Shafir has commandeered a camera! She films The Death Riders mugging The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express while FTR is forced to watch! Moxley says it’s like he told Cope: it’s a jungle out here. CON-CHAIR-TO for Ricky Morton!! Moxley tells Cope to stay right there, they’ll be right out. The Death Riders go to the ring from the crowd side! Cope realizes he’s all alone with his friends tied up backstage! Moxley and his minions surround the ring, then they storm in! It’s a 3v1 mugging! The fans boo but Pac is back up, so now it’s 4v1!
The neck is the target of every punch and kick, but wait! JAY WHITE is here! The Switchblade wants his pound of flesh, and Yuta runs up! White LARIATS Yuta, then he fires forearms on Claudio! Claudio shoves White, runs up, but White DUMPS him into the crowd! White then gets in the ring, TOSSES Pac, but Moxley kicks White! Moxley says this is what White gets! But White clinches Moxley! YUTA LOW BLOWS WHITE! Just like the Casino Gauntlet! Now White gets beat up 3v1 as Marina joins in! Pac and Claudio return, they drag White back and make him watch as Moxley sits Cope up. Moxley reminds Cope that the neck’s holding on by a thread.
BULLY CHOKE!! Moxley cranks on the neck as hard as he can! Cope is sputtering, turning red, and Claudio keeps White down! The fans boo as Cope can only suffer! Cope is fading out! Moxley lets go and he tells Cope he will break him!! The Death Riders leave Cope behind, their ultimatum being issued. Can no one stop this reign of terror?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for Dynamite, even with some unexpected changes. Tony Khan put on social media that the extreme winter weather made for some travel issues, so we did not get Samoa Joe VS Nick Wayne tonight, that will have to wait for a later time. But even with that, they adjusted well, to where you wouldn’t even think something had changed. The opening segment might’ve gotten more time for that brawl because of Joe VS Wayne no longer happening, but it was still all a very natural move for Omega and Ospreay to be united against The Don Callis Family. We’re already getting word of Omega & Ospreay VS Konosuke & Kyle, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we still got Omega and/or Ospreay against Brian Cage and/or Lance Archer over the next few weeks.
Very good promos to hype Homecoming this Saturday. Mariah referencing Toni being delusional again was good stuff, and I loved how extra Aussie Toni got being around Harley. And clearly Toni inspired Harley as Harley went right up to Mone to challenge her. But Mone also has a good counter point, Harley has to win for once. I don’t even think that’s a “wins and losses matter in AEW” kind of thing, either, that’s just standard pro-wrestling logic. I would think this means Harley either gets a win at Homecoming or some show between now and Grand Slam. Surely Harley will get a match for Grand Slam, and Mone will of course want to be on that card, so it just makes sense.
Very good tag title match, but a shame Private Party’s reign had to end already. There’s an argument to be made that more former WWE guys get over AEW homegrown talent, but this would fit a lot better if Daniel Garcia was still part of the story. Then Garcia would be fending off The Hurt Syndicate as they go for the TNT Championship, with Private Party and even Menard & Parker backing him up. But it isn’t the first odd story pivot TK’s done, and it doesn’t seem to be the last, as we might be getting that out of MJF and Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett has a good promo, and he does seem to be getting away from MJF for the time being, instead having a match with Claudio to see if he gets that title match with Moxley for what I would think is Grand Slam: Australia.
MJF meanwhile might be pivoting to facing Hangman Page. MJF does have a good promo on telling Jarrett they’ll get back to their feud eventually, but then Hangman makes sure to still have his squash match. It was mostly so Daniels could come out and tell us all that he is done with in-ring competition. It was also done well to kayfabe the reason, and use that to affect Hangman. After all, causing someone’s retirement could be what rattles Hangman back into being a more reasonable cowboy. And it’ll be something MJF can prey upon in their potential feud. There’s also that link of “Fallen Angel” Daniels and “AEW Devil” MJF, Hangman fighting his inner demons, all that.
Good promos from The Learning Tree and Powerhouse Hobbs, and while we are possibly getting some sort of parking lot brawl match from Hobbs VS Bill, I hope Jericho being angry with Bill gets us back on track towards Bill ditching Jericho. They were so close to it months ago when Jericho was feuding with Mark Briscoe, and they could really make a fan favorite Face out of Bill. A lot of fans already like Bill, and Bill turning on Jericho would definitely win more over. Bill and Hobbs could even learn to respect each other and be a duo of big meaty men. And as it stands, the endgame is probably Hobbs VS Jericho, ROH World Championship optional.
Very good match of Hart VS Hayter, and naturally Hayter won here to tie things up. Hayter had her own “You don’t need to be House of Black” promo with Julia, and even showed her respect so that we can definitely expect the tiebreaker for Grand Slam: Australia. But given Hayter said all that, it seemed a bit redundant for the formerly House of Black to have their promo tonight. They should’ve saved that video for Collision, when Brody King & Buddy Matthews are going to face The Gates of Agony and could debut the group’s new name at the same time. I mean, we’re still getting that latter part, but this promo would’ve really added to that.
Very good match from Swerve VS Fox, but of course Ricochet tried to screw Swerve over. Swerve still wins, but I do like that he showed respect to Fox to move past that betrayal last year. Good promo from Ricochet as he “threatened” Nana, and it’s a shame WWE never saw this in Ricochet, because he’s doing pretty good as psycho Heel. Swerve’s follow-up promo was good, but maybe a touch redundant in how he said he wants to end this before Atlanta. He said that last week, but clearly this is going to go to Atlanta, so no real point in saying it. What should happen is Swerve asking to escalate that match to some kind of stipulation. But one way or another, it feels like those scissors are going to come into play.
And then very good stuff with the Death Riders story. Moxley is a good promo guy, but his promo once again went one debate point longer than it needed to. He could’ve easily just left it at “And I won’t lose any sleep over it.” But no, he added on and it just felt weird. Great match from Cope VS Pac, and I’m a little surprised the Death Riders didn’t try to screw Cope over. But then clearly we see why: they mugged FTR and Rock ‘n’ Roll Express! Then they do the same to Cope, and even Jay White as White goes for the save.
I do appreciate that there’s room here for Cope and White to make amends from their feud given their common enemies, but I feel like we need Austin & Colten Gunn back so that they can help with the numbers game. Then we can get Bang Bang Gang VS Death Riders for the trios titles while Cope and Moxley fight over THE world title.
My Score: 8.8/10
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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