Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report! (4/16/18)
All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh VS ???; Jeff Hardy wins and becomes the new WWE US Champion.
- Bayley VS Sasha Banks; no contest.
- Heath Slater & Rhyno VS The Authors of Pain; the Authors of Pain win.
- Tag Team Eliminator: The Revival VS WOKEN Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt; Hardy & Wyatt win and will face The Bar for the Raw Tag Team Championships at the Greatest Royal Rumble.
- Ember Moon VS Mickie James; Ember wins.
- Mandy Rose w/ Sonya Deville VS Natalya; Natalya wins.
- Breezango VS The Bar; Breezango wins.
- 10 Man Tag: The Miz, Miztourage, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman & ???; Balor, Rollins, Lashley, Strowman & Roode win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Raw General Manager, Kurt Angle, heads to the ring.
"SHAKE-UP! SHAKE-UP!" That's what they're saying, right?
Welcome to the first night of the #SuperstarShakeup on Monday Night #RAW, and here's your General Manager @RealKurtAngle! pic.twitter.com/2wNSTM2qj2
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The Hall of Fame Olympic Gold Medalist welcomes Hartford to the show and to the Superstar Shake-Up. There will be new faces and big surprises, Angle promises. But before he can continue, Sunil Singh walks out to introduce the WWE United States Champion, who is now on Monday Night Raw! Yes, it is the Modern Day Maharaja, Jinder Mahal!
The #ModernDayMaharaja and #USChampion @JinderMahal has ARRIVED on Monday nights! #RAW #SuperstarShakeup pic.twitter.com/GaEPSG6wY4
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Mahal enters the ring to tell Angle “Congratulations” on the “greatest decision” of Raw. Raw is truly the A-Show, but now, Mahal wants to know why he was brought here via such low class means. Angle welcomes Mahal to the roster, but points out there was no such agreement. Mahal says he already proved he’s better than everyone SmackDown, and says he’s already better than everyone on Raw. Angle isn’t sure about that, but Mahal says “This is my kingdom”, and he expects the same perks as Brock Lesnar. Fans tell Mahal, “You Suck!”, but not in the nice way they tell Angle. Mahal demands respect!
Angle wants Mahal to email his list of demands instead. Sunil agrees, he can send it right now. “Kurt.Angle@NoFreakinWay.com”. SmackDown isn’t Raw, you settle things in the ring here! If Mahal wants to prove he’s better, prove it! But Mahal doesn’t just think it, he knows it. Then maybe someone will step up to prove him wrong! It’s an open challenge for the United States Championship!!
WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh VS ???
The one to answer the challenge is… JEFF HARDY! The Charismatic Enigma is ready to get extreme with the Modern Day Maharaja! Can Hardy grab up a title just a week after returning to action?
Things are about to get EXTREME!@JEFFHARDYBRAND is on the verge of challenging @JinderMahal for the #USTitle RIGHT NOW LIVE on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/7WDgshjI7p
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The bell rings and the match is real. Hardy and Mahal circle, Mahal knees low. Mahal keeps on Hardy with stomps in a corner, then talks trash in Punjabi. Fans cheer for Hardy and Hardy fights back. Hardy puts Mahal in a corner then whips him corner to corner for the forearm smash. He clubs Mahal down, then snapmares Mahal for a dropkick. Mahal knees back and elbows Hardy down before talking more trash. Mahal whips Hardy, Hardy holds ropes and boots Mahal back, then dropkicks Mahal out of the ring. Hardy takes aim and hits a wrecking ball dropkick before going to the apron. Hardy takes aim again for a flying lariat! The challenger and champion both go down while we go to break.
The #CharismaticEnigma @JEFFHARDYBRAND came READY for the SHAKEUP! #RAW #USTitle pic.twitter.com/3sf8VejmfD
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Raw returns to see Mahal in control now. He has Hardy grounded with the half-nelson chinbar. Fans rally for Hardy while he endures the bend and wrench. Hardy wills his way to his feet and fights out but Mahal kicks out a leg to bring Hardy back down. Hardy feeds off the rally again, and fights out with a jawbreaker. Mahal staggers back, Hardy runs in but Mahal hotshots him off the top. Mahal drops springboard knees, then grinds one into Hardy’s chest and throat. The referee counts, Mahal backs off at 4 to embrace the heat. Hardy gets to the apron while Mahal takes aim, Mahal hits a clobbering haymaker! Mahal mocks the fans for liking Hardy, then grins as he watches Hardy slowly stand up.
Fans tell Mahal he sucks again, but Mahal keeps focus on Hardy. Hardy stands up and shoulders back in a couple times. Hardy hotshots Mahal in return, then gets back up to the top rope. Mahal trips him up before he can do anything. Mahal climbs up to join Hardy and stands him up. Hardy resists and fights back, sending Mahal down with an elbow. Hardy stands up, for Whisper in the Wind! Both men are down but stirring. Fans rally again while Mahal gets to ropes. Sunil distracts but gets a dropkick for it! Hardy fights Mahal back, but Mahal reverses the whip, only for Jeff to knock him down and hit the leg-splitting leg drop! Dropkick added, cover, TWO! Hardy keeps focus as he kicks, but Mahal denies the Twist. Mahal gets a kick for it, but then clobbers Hardy with a knee, ROPEBREAK!
Mahal still grins, he is confident he has Hardy where he wants him. He stalks Hardy while fans rally again. Mahal drags Hardy up, in position, but Hardy fights back, victory roll cover! TWO! Mahal kicks Hardy right down! TWO, and Mahal can’t believe it! Fans keep rallying as Mahal drags Hardy up again. Mahal lifts Hardy, gutbuster drop but a cover! TWO! TWIST OF FATE!! Hardy keeps going, he climbs up, and hits the SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Hardy wins!!
Winner: Hardy, by pinfall; NEW WWE United States Champion
The rosters get a shake-up, but so does the US Championship! Hardy completes the Grand Slam with this acquisition! With Hardy the Champion of the United States, has he rendered Mahal OBSOLETE?!
#GrandSlamHardy!@JEFFHARDYBRAND delivers a #SwantonBomb to @JinderMahal to capture his first #USTitle on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/Qk4QNyK035
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
Backstage interview with Jinder Mahal.
He blames Angle for setting him up to fail! But at the Greatest Royal Rumble, Mahal wants his rematch to get that title back! And if Angle tries something like that, he’ll show them all why Mahal is…
The #ModernDayMaharaja @JinderMahal is invoking his #USTitle rematch against @JEFFHARDYBRAND at @WWE Greatest Royal Rumble…so he is in NO MOOD for @WWENoWayJose right now on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/iQIBRG9Yxj
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
No Way Jose’s conga line comes through. The Fighting Fiesta wants Mahal to put a smile on that face. Then he invites Renee to join the party. Will Mahal get his revenge on Hardy and Angle in Saudi Arabia?
Bayley VS Sasha Banks!
We're all about the HUG LIFE right now on Monday Night #RAW! @itsBayleyWWE pic.twitter.com/tX9FS9qJ1S
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The bond between the Huggable One and the Legit Boss is fracturing, will this 1v1 rematch break things once and for all? On top of that, will one of them end up going to SmackDown via the Shake-Up?
The bell rings and Bayley tries to work things out with words first. But Sasha doesn’t want to hear it, she kicks and whips Bayley. Bayley elbows back but slips, Sasha takes advantage by throwing her down. Sasha toys with Bayley then slaps her! Sasha wristlocks then goes acrobatic but Bayley throws her down to then throw her out. Bayley then builds speed to hit a wrecking ball huricanrana! Sasha goes down while we go to break.
Oh, yeah. They're pulling out ALL the stops tonight!#RAW @itsBayleyWWE @SashaBanksWWE pic.twitter.com/cyfLQPry0H
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
Raw returns to see Sasha holding Bayley down in a straitjacket stretch. Bayley endures then works her way up and out while the fans rally. She powers Sasha back into a corner and the buckles, then throws Sasha off. Sasha goes after an arm but Bayley whips her off, so Sasha hits a back elbow. Sasha runs but into Bayley’s back drop! Bayley’s arm slows her down but she still throws Sasha to the apron for the hotshot. Sasha gets to a corner, Bayley hits the shoulder, then rolls back for the wacky waving back elbow. She rolls Sasha then hops up but Sasha barely gives her time. Bayley retaliates with the tornado inverted DDT, cover, TWO! Bayley looms over Sasha but Sasha kicks her away, then throws her out of the ring.
Sasha catches her breath while Bayley climbs up to return, Sasha rocks Bayley with a big knee then swinging meteora! Sasha puts Bayley back in the ring then climbs up, flying meteora! Cover, TWO! The Boss keeps her cool, she’s faced Bayley enough to know what she’s made of. Bayley flounders but Sasha asks, “You think you’re better than me?!” Sasha is better than Bayley! She slaps Bayley, Bayley slaps back, and it’s a brawl! They go back and forth, fast and furious, and fans love it! The brawl goes all over the ring, Sasha rocks Bayley with a knee, then more double knees! Cover, Bayley reverses, but Sasha puts on the Bank Statement!! Bayley reaches, endures, but then out of nowhere, it’s the Riott Squad! The Squad has made the move to Raw!
No Contest
Fans boo, they just ruined this great match! But they don’t care, they make a statement with Sarah’s Pop-UP Headbutt and Liv’s leaping code breaker!
There's a RIOTT on #RAW!@RubyRiottWWE @YaOnlyLivvOnce & @sarahloganwwe have made their presence known to @SashaBanksWWE & @itsBayleyWWE… #SuperstarShakeup pic.twitter.com/822sxxf0Gw
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The Squad then goes after Bayley, feeding her to Ruby’s Riott Kick! Whether or not Sasha and Bayley are still friends, this cohesive unit has come to shake things up thanks to the Shake-Up!
Heath Slater & Rhyno VS Authors of Pain!
The One Man Band & ManBeast are ready for another rough and tough challenge to get even with Akam & Rezar! But seeing as how they didn’t fare so well last time, can they hope to do any better this time?
The ? of PAIN is now OPEN on Monday Night #RAW.@Akam_WWE & @Rezar_WWE are ready to write their latest chapter… pic.twitter.com/KU3NqDdTn5
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
Slater & Rhyno take the fight to the AoP! They dump Rezar out then gang up on Akam, then back off to their corner. The bell rings and Slater goes right after Akam. Slater tags in Rhyno, Rhyno keeps the fight on Akam. Rhyno tags Slater and Slater jumps up for the flying ax handle. But then Slater runs into the flapjack hotshot! Akam tags Rezar, who bum rushes Slater off his feet. Rezar hammers away on Slater, then drags him up to tag in Akam. They lift Slater up, for the double gutbuster! Cover, TWO! Akam bounces Slater off the mat then tags in Rezar. Rezar drags Slater up, taunts Rhyno, but Slater slips out and tags Rhyno in!
Rhyno goes after Rezar but Rezar reverse the whip. Rhyno keeps moving and takes Rezar off his feet! He also hits Akam, then shoulder tackles Rezar in a corner, belly2belly! Cover but Akam breaks it. Slater runs in but gets thrown out hard, Rezar clobbers Rhyno again before tagging Akam. Akam brings Rhyno up, for the Last Chapter! Cover, AoP win!
Winners: The Authors of Pain, Akam pinning
The LAST CHAPTER spells the end for @HeathSlaterOMRB & @Rhyno313 once again as @Akam_WWE & @Rezar_WWE dominate on #RAW! #AOP pic.twitter.com/DN2Uv51frC
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
Their story of ruthless aggression continues without much difficulty, who will be the first team to even tire out the AoP?
It’s Time for Miz TV!
Welcome to the most must-see @WWE talk show, welcome TO…#MizTV! #RAW @mikethemiz @TheBoDallas @RealCurtisAxel pic.twitter.com/T7GGz4ObAs
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The Most Must-See Talk Show in WWE and its Most Must-See host recap the great Shake-Ups already happened. But this next one will be a “seismic shift”, because the newest members will be… Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens! What?! But they were fired! Kevin & Sami still hit the ring and they celebrate with The Miz. And Hartford still welcomes them fondly.
WHAT A NIGHT…#KevinOwens & @SamiZayn are the NEWEST members of Monday Night #RAW! #SuperstarShakeup pic.twitter.com/BWQHdrelxK
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
“Standing before you is the finest collection of talent ever assembled in one place.” This is bigger than the nWo! Between The Miz, Kevin & Sami, there’s more talent than the Dream Team or even The Avengers! And no one will hold these superstars back, because together, they will change the landscape of the WWE to make Monday Night Raw in their image! They will put the entire locker room on notice because– Wait, Kurt Angle comes out to address this.
Angle says Miz has no control around here, plus Kevin & Sami lost their match last week. Kevin points out a certain email that was just set, and bottom line: things have changed. Sami takes care of reading the email for Angle, in printed form, too. “Kurt, in light of recent events” and in the light of Angle’s “emotionally motivated decisions”, a certain someone reconsidered his decision. Sami & Kevin proved they belong on Raw, and letting them walk away is a mistake of “epic proportions”. Therefore, Angle was overruled, and now Sami & Kevin have Raw Superstar Contracts. Who is it that overruled him?
"Warmest regards, @StephMcMahon…"
With one letter, #KevinOwens & @SamiZayn are BACK on #RAW! #SuperstarShakeup pic.twitter.com/Okd9SuPSvY
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Stephanie McMahon! The Commissioner and Angle’s boss! Yep. So then, Sami & Kevin are officially back on Raw and no one can do a thing about it? YEP!!
Seems Angle’s world is crumbling around him. No, Angle is just surprised Stephanie had time to write a letter, with her around-the-clock rehab after Rousey ripped her arm off. “But what’s done is done.” Angle has no choice but to welcome them to Raw. But say good-bye to the Miz. Oh, right, that’s why Angle came out here. Shane McMahon and Paige called, Bryan wanted Miz to come over to SmackDown. Fans really like the sound of that! Miz raises his hand to shut mouths, and says Angle can’t do that! But Angle did. DOes Angle have any idea he did? Because now SmackDown will be THE Show! Miz and the Miztourage will make SmackDown the Most Must-See show of WWE! Wait, who said you and the Miztourage? Miztourage stays on Raw!
But as a going away present, it’ll be a 10 Man Tag: Miz, Miztourage, Kevin & Sami VS Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman & another Raw debut. “We’re gonna miss you, Miz.” It’s a star-studded tag team match, but who is that mystery partner teaming with Team Balor?
TONIGHT: @RealKurtAngle has announced that @mikethemiz will bid farewell to #RAW by teaming with @RealCurtisAxel @TheBoDallas @SamiZayn & #KevinOwens against @FinnBalor @WWERollins @fightbobby @BraunStrowman and a Superstar making his #RAW debut! pic.twitter.com/vA8dTkzjuF
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
Bray Wyatt speaks.
“Hartford. I knew you’d come~!” And it is WONDERFUL~! Woken Hardy & Wyatt are here~!
They're HEEEEEEEERE…#RAW @WWEBrayWyatt @MATTHARDYBRAND pic.twitter.com/K9YIQ1wLQK
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
Tag Team Eliminator: The Revival VS WOKEN Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt!
The DELETER of WORLDS has arrived…@MATTHARDYBRAND & @WWEBrayWyatt battle #TheRevival RIGHT NOW on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/HHsaQttJMV
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The #TopGuys have their work cut out for them going up against this yin-yang of bizarre and baffling superstars. The Bar watch this from commentary, wanting to know first hand who wins this match to face them for the titles at Greatest Royal Rumble. Will the Expedition for Gold go the way the “Deleter of Worlds” wish?
The commentary bar is about to be raised…@WWECesaro & @WWESheamus will find out which team will face them for the #RAW #TagTeamTitles at @WWE Greatest Royal Rumble! #WWEGRR pic.twitter.com/11UDfkIles
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
The bell rings and Hardy starts with Scott Dawson. They circle, feel things out, and Dawson backs Hardy to their corner. Tag to Dash and Dash punches on Hardy. Hardy reverses and gives DELETE buckle bumps to Dash in the open corner. Hardy laughs but runs into a back elbow. Dash runs out but into a hip toss. Hardy tags in Wyatt, and Wyatt boots Dash right in the head. Wyatt stalks Dash, but Dawson bails him out of the Sister Abigail. Dash goes after Wyatt, then runs, but Wyatt’s Spider-Walk freaks Dash out.
Something tells us @DashWilderWWE wasn't ready for this…#RAW @WWEBrayWyatt pic.twitter.com/IIXq9Fv9po
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Hardy also spooks Dash, Dash runs into an uppercut. Wyatt tags in Hardy, they double whip Dash into double elbows. Back senton and leg drop, then Hardy gets Dawson as he comes in. Wyatt suplexes Dawson onto Dash, “That was Wonderful~!” The fans applaud while The Revival regroups on the outside.
Hardy grabs Dash but Dash pulls his hair. Hardy fights his way out but Dawson tags in. They double lariat Hardy down, then Dawson stomps away and drops elbows on Hardy. Dawson gives punches right to the forehead, “Delete that!” He brings Hardy up for a clobbering clothesline, then cover, ONE. Dawson keeps on Hardy with a chinlock, but fans rally for Hardy. Hardy stands up and fights back, but Dawson pulls hair and punches Hardy down. Dawson trash talks Wyatt, Wyatt slithers in, but Dash and Dawson still get shots in on Hardy. Cover, TWO, and The Revival grows frustrated. Tag to Dash, they double headbutt Hardy. Wyatt rallies the fans while Dash tags Dawson. Dawson whips Hardy, Hardy boots back, Side Effect! Both men are down but crawling. Hot tags to Dash and Wyatt!
Wyatt rallies on Dash, turn-around lariat wipes Dash out! A throat chop and uppercuts have Dash in the corner, then Wyatt knocks Dawson down. Wyatt goes corner to corner for the clothesline, then he slams Dash with a yurinagi! Fans cheer, and Wyatt gives us another Spider-Walk! Tag to Hardy, Sister Abigail for Dawson, then an assisted Twist of Fate to Dash! Cover, Hardy & Wyatt win!
Winners: Deleter of Worlds, Hardy pinning; will face The Bar at Greatest Royal Rumble
They will…DELETE YOU!@MATTHARDYBRAND & @WWEBrayWyatt defeat #TheRevival to head to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to battle @WWECesaro & @WWESheamus for the #RAW #TagTeamTitles at #WWEGRR! pic.twitter.com/mjwrKmGxIM
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
With these forces of light and darkness fighting on the same side, do the Celtic Gladiator & Swiss Cyborg stand a chance of becoming Raw Tag Team Champions again? Or will the Expedition of Gold have its first true success in Saudi Arabia?
The Bar talks strategy.
They’ve never seen a weirder looking tag team than Wyatt & Hardy. That is, until just now. The Fashion Police are on Raw! Tyler Breeze & Fandango see The Bar, and as their first assignment, they’re here to ask Sheamus if he has a permit for the Mohawk. And these outfits just clash all over. They write up Sheamus & Cesaro, then move on. The Bar is furious! Who else will be cited for crimes against fashion now that Breezango is in a new precinct?
The #FashionPolice have been transferred to a new precinct…#RAW @MmmGorgeous @WWEFandango pic.twitter.com/VWOP4yPiZ7
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Raw looks back to last week’s “Rousey After Mania” moment.
After defeating The Authority at Wrestlemania, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey appeared on the Raw After Mania. Stephanie tried to make up for everything but Rousey saw through the lies. Rousey went right after Stephanie’s arm, and again put it in the armbar!
In present, Rousey talks with Angle about everything she’s been through to get here. Angle says that’s the beginning. Rousey surprised everyone, but Stephanie surely has something planned. Oh, here’s a nice surprise for everyone, it’s Natalya! She’s now on Raw! A training buddy of Rousey’s, the Queen of Harts is a great addition to the Women’s Division. Natty is excited for this fresh start to show she’s the Best There is, The Best There was, and the Best There Ever Will Be. Or at least, second best. Now adding Natty to the mix, the Raw Women’s Division gets even more competitive!
The #QueenOfHarts @NatbyNature has arrived on #RAW, and @RondaRousey is very happy to welcome her to Monday nights! ?? pic.twitter.com/MqgebnhRN2
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Nia Jax joins commentary for this coming match.
UP NEXT: #RAW #WomensChampion @NiaJaxWWE and FORMER champ @AlexaBliss_WWE join the announce table for @WWEEmberMoon vs. @MickieJames! pic.twitter.com/h3EdibNsOQ
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The Irresistible Force will watch this upcoming match alongside the Goddess to see how the newest addition to the Division does against the Six-Time Women’s Champion. Or, she would be, but it seems Alexa Bliss opts not to appear.
Ember Moon VS Mickie James!
One ember sparks a ???…@WWEEmberMoon is LIVE on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/CIIqZspN3Q
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The Prophecy of Flame Eclipsed a former Raw Women’s Champion last week, can she do it again to an even more accomplished former champion in #KickieJames?
Looks like @MickieJames has some words for #RAW #WomensChampion @NiaJaxWWE on her way to the ring… pic.twitter.com/GP913dYCnA
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
The bell rings and the two circle. Mickie gets the headlock, but Ember breaks out and reverses to a wristlock. Mickie cartwheels and forearms but Ember sweeps the legs. Ember keeps on that arm, but Mickie headscissors. Ember pops out but Mickie rocks her with a right! Mickie kicks Ember while she’s down, then whips, but Ember tumbles through to arm-drag Mickie. Ember dropkicks Mickie down then runs into a corner. Mickie evades but Ember elbows back. Ember climbs up but Mickie yanks her off! Cover, TWO! Mickie keeps on Ember with a half-nelson.
Looks like @AlexaBliss_WWE isn't going to join @NiaJaxWWE at the commentary table after all… #RAW pic.twitter.com/EW81k1uGud
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Alexa joins via video call to explain she’s not on commentary because she just learned Nia is out there. She won’t sit next to a bully, and she won’t be hurt about it all over again. Alexa refuses to give a bully satisfaction. Ember fights out while Nia says Alexa is twisting words. Mickie won’t let Ember go, and knees her low. Ember reverses but Mickie elbows her down. Cover, TWO, but Mickie keeps on Ember with knees to the spine. Mickie puts Ember in a chinlock, but Ember fights up and out again. She goes to clothesline but Mickie hits a neckbreaker. Cover, ONE, another try, ONE again. Mickie grows frustrated with Ember, but Ember slaps back and headscissors Mickie down. Mickie comes back but Ember mule kicks and knees her away. Ember reverses Mickie into a forearm of her own, then goes for a suplex.
Mickie blocks but misses her kick, Ember doesn’t miss. Now Ember hits the half-hatch suplex and roars with a kip-up! Handspring forearm brings Mickie down, and Ember goes up top. Ember takes aim, ECLIPSE!!
Consider @MickieJames ECLIPSED by the SHENOM @WWEEmberMoon on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/3COvmuJP2V
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
She drags Mickie to a cover, Ember wins!
Winner: Ember, by pinfall
WHAT a victory for @WWEEmberMoon on Monday Night #RAW… pic.twitter.com/SmX2AHoN4G
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
The #Shenom is victorious, showing she is already ready for this main roster level of competition. Will Nia have to worry about Ember Moon rising up to challenge her in the near future?
Kevin & Sami talk backstage.
This 10-Man match is a rocky start to their return to Raw. They need to take Strowman out first. But what about the mystery man? This could be a lion’s den, but Angle doesn’t even give them time to prepare! If they wanted to be treated like this, they could’ve stayed on SmackDown with Shane!
Speaking of Shane, Miz would like a heads up on how Shane is these days. Is Miz serious? Shane is the worst! Miz knows that part, but what about how Shane will treat him? Let’s not worry about that, focus on this match first. Right, of course. Though, Miz should also focus on his Miztourage. “Mourn tomorrow, focus today.” These five should ignore the talk of monsters and mysteries, and more on Miz’s Raw Finale. They need to make it #MustSee! Will that motivation be enough for these five to win against a top tier collection of talent on the other team?
"This is MY #RAW finale, and we need to make it MUST-SEE!" – @mikethemiz pic.twitter.com/n6lfgcyHqj
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Dolph Ziggler is here!
The #SuperstarShakeup continues…with The #ShowOff @HEELZiggler! #RAW pic.twitter.com/Iljjg1Lj45
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The Show-Off returns to Raw! A lot of things are the same and a lot of other things stayed the same. He still steals the show, and is sure the best wrestler to ever walk that aisle! But one thing that’s changed is… Titus Worldwide comes out?
Titus welcomes Ziggler to Raw! And yes, a lot of things have changed. Such as the brand known as Titus Worldwide~! Titus hands Ziggler his card, aka he’s recruiting Ziggler to the team. They can go next level, both in and out of this ring. Ziggler is a multi-platform star. And if he joins Titus Worldwide, they can conquer the world. That’s nice, Titus, thanks for the offer and interruption. But what Ziggler was going to say, was the change he mentioned, is that Ziggler isn’t here alone. DREW MCINTYRE!?
Things are different for @HEELZiggler this time around, because he didn't come back to #RAW alone…
HE'S WITH @DMcIntyreWWE! #SuperstarShakeup pic.twitter.com/CLzEF8nK3N
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
He attacks Apollo and Titus from behind! NXT’s Scottish Stud and Ziggler both throw Titus into the post! And the fans lose their minds, as Ziggler SUPERKICKS Titus! Ziggler gives Apollo to McIntyre to rain down rights! Fans chant for McIntyre while Ziggler stands Apollo up for the combination Claymore Zig Zag!!
Looks like there's a new duo to be reckoned with on #RAW… #SuperstarShakeup@HEELZiggler @DMcIntyreWWE pic.twitter.com/OUswkF4y3q
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The Show-Off and the Stud shut down Titus Worldwide! What will they do to the rest of Raw?!
.@HEELZiggler & @DMcIntyreWWE… OUT.#RAW #SuperstarShakeup pic.twitter.com/9dE6DZJkep
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Roman Reigns heads to the ring.
THE. BIG. DOG. HAS. ARRIVED.#RAW @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/8FopiQFmFw
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The Big Dog didn’t win the WWE Universal Championship at Wrestlemania, but he gets one more shot inside a Steel Cage Match! As for tonight, with fans both cheering and jeering, Roman says he’s here, but Lesnar isn’t. Roman will face Lesnar again, but it won’t happen like it did at Wrestlemania. He vows to leave Lesnar in that cage and return as the full-time Universal Champion. But with the Shake-up happening, he will get this out of the way now. Except he won’t, with Samoa Joe appearing.
Guess who's back…#RAW @SamoaJoe pic.twitter.com/7FaNGA3Bq9
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The Destroyer interrupts like he did last week to tell Roman, “You come out here and you’re so quick to brag about showing up for work”. But Joe noticed something: Roman doesn’t brag about getting the job done. Because Roman hasn’t gotten it done, and never will. Joe says the cage match isn’t with a normal man, but with The Beast, the beast that beat Roman every time they’ve met in the ring. He almost feels sorry, but doesn’t, because Roman still doesn’t realize his place. Roman gets beat again and again, but he won’t learn until someone puts him down “for good”. Joe brings that sweet mercy, because at Backlash, Joe will put the Big Dog to sleep, once and for all. But if Roman wants to talk about what he’ll do, Joe will show everyone what Lesnar has done to Roman.
We relive both Wrestlemanias 31 and 34 and every moment in between with a highlight reel of Lesnar dominating Roman Reigns 1v1. Roman brushes that off, because Roman wants to see what Joe’s “lazy, fat ass can do.” Joe heads to the ring, but stops short. He’ll do this on his time, which will be at Backlash. Though, on the other hand… Joe turns back around and marches to the ring, only to still wait for Backlash. The Destroyer doesn’t sweat Roman Reigns, but Roman doesn’t sweat Joe. Which man will prove themselves superior when the co-branded Backlash comes? And will Roman finally be Universal Champion when it does?
Mandy Rose w/ Sonya Deville VS Natalya!
Are you ready for @WWE_MandyRose & @SonyaDevilleWWE on #RAW?
You ABSOLUTELY are… pic.twitter.com/ga3VMdMq8Y
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The Gladiator and God’s Gift are now flying on their own while Paige is now SmackDown General Manager. But without Paige’s guidance, how will Mandy do against such an experienced opponent as the Queen of Harts?
BACK IN ACTION on #RAW… none other @NatbyNature! #SuperstarShakeup pic.twitter.com/T2BosJ4O8N
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
The bell rings, they tie up, and Natty rolls Mandy, ONE. Mandy shoves Natty, then slaps her. Natty headlocks Mandy but Mandy headscissors. Natty trips Mandy and throws fast hands. Mandy manages to bail out, but Natty pursues. Natty goes after Mandy but Mandy slips back out of the ring, BIG knee from around the corner! Mandy puts Natty in the ring now, covers, TWO. Natty gets to a corner but Mandy is upon her with a mudhole stomp. Mandy backs off but comes back for more, then brings Natty up for a snap suplex. Cover, TWO, but Mandy keeps on Natty with clubbing forearms. She wrenches Natty into a standing abdominal stretch. Sonya taunts Natty but Natty endures.
Natty finds her way out and then throws Mandy down. Natty slaps Mandy back for earlier, then shoves Mandy. Mandy ducks the discus but ends up in the takedown! Natty goes for the Sharpshooter!
SHARPSHOOTER = VICTORY for @NatbyNature on her first night back on Monday Night #RAW! ??? pic.twitter.com/16cpoD0uHp
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
It’s in deep and she has nowhere to go, Mandy taps!
Winner: Natalya, by submission
But then Sonya pounces! She goes after Natty with muay thai knees, then feeds her to Mandy for them both to club down. But out comes Rousey! The Rowdy One won’t let her friend be bullied, she backs Absolution right out of the ring.
ROWDY @RondaRousey to the rescue! #RAW pic.twitter.com/gmVZn081CU
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
Absolution decides to go for the big prize, and Sonya steps to Rousey. Rousey is ready for Sonya’s moves, and takes her down with a clubbing STO! The Baddest Woman on the Planet makes sure her friend is safe. Will Absolution have to worry about their place on Raw without the Glampire to back them up?
Baron Corbin joins Raw!
The Lone Wolf is another of the Shake-Up trades made from SmackDown to Monday Nights. He is a former United States Champion, Mr. Money in the Bank and an Andre the Giant Battle Royal Winner. Will he bring the #EndOfDays to the Raw roster the way he did on SmackDown?
Breezango VS The Bar!
UP NEXT: #Breezango's @MmmGorgeous & @WWEFandango square off against #TheBar @WWECesaro & @WWESheamus on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/FCqseNWvPy
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
This match is a result of the Celtic Gladiator & Swiss Cyborg taking offense to the Fashion Police saying their outfits were an offense to fashion! Before taking on WOKEN Hardy & Bray Wyatt in two weeks, can The Bar make sure Tyler Breeze & Fandango have a rough Raw debut?
It's time to meet THE BAR, #Breezango…#RAW @WWECesaro @WWESheamus pic.twitter.com/4NXhXOHuyB
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
The bell rings and Cesaro starts with Fandango. They circle, but Fandango confiscates one of the Bar’s jackets. Cesaro protests but Fandango tries it on. Cesaro attacks him all the same, but Fandango powers out of the headlock, only for Cesaro to run him over. Things speed up again, Cesaro sunset flips over Fandango, Fandango wobbles then swivels those hips. Fandango hits a leg drop covers, TWO. Tag to Breeze but Cesaro shoves him away. Breeze dodges Sheamus but not Cesaro’s pop-up European Uppercut! Cesaro tears Breeze’s shirt, then tags in Sheamus. Sheamus brings Breeze up to mug him in the corner. Cesaro gets a cheap shot in, but Fandango protests. Fans say Sheamus, “You Look Stupid!” Breeze fights back but Sheamus powers him back, tag to Cesaro for Super Saiyan Kicks!
Teamwork at its finest, unfortunately for @MmmGorgeous…#RAW #TheBar pic.twitter.com/kveY2WeeSJ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Cesaro covers, TWO. Cesaro keeps on Breeze with a chinlock, but Breeze works up to his feet. Sheamus tags in and the Bar whips Breeze for the Bar Lariat. Sheamus puts Breeze into a new chinlock, making him pay for the mockery backstage. Fans rally, and Breeze breaks free with a jawbreaker, only for Sheamus to clobber him down! Sheamus also hits Fandango for good easure, tag to Cesaro for the backbreaker elbow drop! TWO!? Cesaro is furious! He lifts Breeze up, but Fandango trips Sheamus! Sunset flip, BREEZANGO WINS!!
Winners: Breezango, Breeze pins
The Fashion Police sneak out the win! It’s a major upset as Breeze & Fandango defeat former Raw Tag Team Champions, does this get the Fashion Police near those titles in their own right?
Welcome to your new home, #Breezango! #RAW #SuperstarShakeup@MmmGorgeous @WWEFandango pic.twitter.com/ueWLflG6Sv
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Backstage interview with Elias.
"If he ever does interrupt me again, he's going to learn what everybody here already knows, that @WWE stands for…"@IAmEliasWWE has a message for @fightbobby! #RAW pic.twitter.com/ahdSIfh90B
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
The Drifter is in Hartford, but chose not to perform tonight. After all the big shows and major venues, he realized something: he’s not small time anymore. He does only the big cities. Hartford doesn’t matter. For that matter, Bobby Lashley doesn’t matter. Elias has become the biggest star in the WWE, Lashley doesn’t deserve to be anywhere near him. He should just worship Elias with the fans. But if Lashley ever does interrupt Elias again, Lashley will learn that WWE really stands for, “WALK WITH ELIAS!” Elias won’t perform for the fans, but he can tell Renee is a big fan. He is willing to give her a private show. No, there’s no time. That doesn’t matter to him. Renee cuts him off, and sends it back to ringside. Will Elias really be Mr. Big Time over the Alpha Male, Bobby Lashley?
10 Man Tag: The Miz, Miztourage, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman & ???
Time to get reacquainted with Monday Night #RAW for #KevinOwens & @SamiZayn… pic.twitter.com/kFWH2KZONF
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
ONE MORE TIME.#RAW @mikethemiz @TheBoDallas @RealCurtisAxel pic.twitter.com/F8sdAZuuNo
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
It is a star-studded main event for Miz’s “Raw Finale”, with the A-Lister, his cohorts, and the #YEPMovement going up against the Extraordinary Man, the Architect, the returning Alpha Male, the Monster Among Men and…
HANDS are about to be gotten.@BraunStrowman is HERE on Monday Night #RAW! pic.twitter.com/zwi1rTrjUE
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
#BalorClub UNITE. #RAW @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/2B9lZZFhqE
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
?#RAW @fightbobby pic.twitter.com/MP9hZy4ucM
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
YOUR #ICChampion @WWERollins is about to turn this show into #MondayNightRollins! #RAW pic.twitter.com/Im7fKXjZGn
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
THE GLORIOUS ONE, Bobby Roode!
#RAW is officially… GLORIOUS! @RealBobbyRoode pic.twitter.com/DAy0l8CVgI
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
As if the team wasn’t spectacular enough, it becomes GLORIOUS with the former NXT and United States Champion joining in! Does Miz’s team have a hope of winning at this rate?
The teams sort out on their corners, the bell rings, and it comes down to Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins starting. They circle, and Kevin suddenly clubs and stomps away on Rollins. He gets Rollins into an open corner as he rams in knees. He whips corner to corner but Rollins gives Kevin a buckle shot. Rollins springboards for the flying clothesline! Rollins throws Kevin out, then takes aim to slingshot over! He knocks Owens down but his team comes to his side. It’s a stand-off between both teams as we go to break.
Raw returns once more to see Curt Axel in control. Rollins powers out of the headlock and things speed up, Rollins dropkicks Axel down. Tag to Roode and he snap suplexes Axel up and over. Cover, TWO, but Roode keeps on Axel with a wristlock. Tag to Finn, Finn climbs up and hits the falling ax handle. Finn wrenches Axel’s arm but Axel hits back. Finn reverse the whip and rolls through the sunset flip for the dropkick. Cover, TWO. Fans want Strowman, so Finn brings Axel over, but Axel powers him back to his corner. Kevin tags in and throws hands on Finn, then tags to Bo for mudhole stomps. Everyone in that corner gets a cheap shot in, then Bo gives more body shots. Tag to Miz, Miz adds stomps, then Kevin gets a cheap shot in.
Miz just taunts Finn with the flex, then boots Finn down. Cover, TWO, so Miz puts Finn in a chinlock. Fans rally for Finn and Finn fights up and out. Miz still gets his A-List combination, backbreaker to neckbreaker. Cover, TWO, but Miz keeps his confidence. Tag to Sami, Sami body shots Finn. Finn ends up in a corner and evades Sami to tag in Lashley! Big Lashley rallies as he throws Sami over head then hits clothesline and shoulder tackles in the corner. Lashley lifts Sami in the torture rack but has to deal with Kevin and Axel first.
Sami comes back with rights, then runs, but Lashley shows off agility as he jumps up and over. Lashley lifts Sami and holds him up there! Then brings him down hard. Miz runs in, he gets lifted and thrown onto the others! Fans are all fired up for the Dominant One while we go to break.
Looks like @fightbobby just sent @mikethemiz all the way to Tuesday nights a little early! #RAW #10ManTag pic.twitter.com/kWsILW0062
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
Raw returns one more time, to see the two teams arguing on the outside while Kevin puts Rollins in the ring. He rains down crossface punches then puts Rollins in a chinlock. Rollins endures the squeeze while his team rallies the fans. Kevin holds on tight, but Rollins starts working his way up. Kevin throws him down and hits the back senton, TWO. He won’t let Rollins get away, though, and drags him back to tag in Miz. Miz stomps Rollins, then rips him into his corner. He stomps away, but then Rollins fights his way out! Miz kicks low, DDT! Cover, TWO, and Miz grows frustrated. He keeps on Rollins, and knowing where he’s headed, he starts up the YES Kicks! Fans chant, “NO! NO!” each time, but Miz goes for the buzzsaw. Rollins rolls him up instead, TWO, but he gets a big back suplex.
Both men are down, Rollins takes the long way around. Miztourage take out Lashley and Finn! Roode and Strowman chase them off but they miss the tag. Rollins slips out, PELE to Miz! Rollins and Miz crawl again, fans rallying, but Strowman stops Kevin & Sami! Hot tags to Axel and Roode! Roode rallies on Axel, then hits Bo just because. He gives Axel a corner clothesline and whip corner to corner, then a neckbraeker. Roode climbs up top and takes aim, for the flying clothesline! Then he gets the fans into it, winds it up, GLORIOUS Pose! Kick, but Axel denies the DDT. Roode boots him away, hops up, and hits the GLORIOUS Blockbuster!
The GLORIOUS @REALBobbyRoode is ROLLIN' in this #10ManTag! #RAW pic.twitter.com/frkzylYmch
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
Cover, but Bo breaks it. Bo goes to throw Roode but Roode throws Bo, Axel chop blocks! Tag to The Miz, and he goes for the legs. Roode small package counters, TWO, but Roode clotheslines Miz down. Fans fire up, they know who is there. Hot tag to Strowman! And Miz is afraid. Miz runs but Strowman pursues, runs over Kevin and still wipes out Miz! Strowman rocks Sami with a right, but Miz stomps away. Miz runs, but into a big paw, and the deadlift choke slam! Fans are all fired up, Strowman throws Bo and Axel into a corner. He runs in but misses them to hit the post.
Miztourage beat down on Strowman, but Finn makes the save. Slingblade to Bo, but Axel throws him out. Rollins clotheslines Axel out, builds speed and dodges Sami to DIVE! Roode gets Sami with the GLORIOUS DDT! SUPERKICK from Kevin! Lashley comes in, blocks Kevin’s kick and gives Kevin a SPINEBUSTER! Miz throws him out, then goes after Strowman. Miz runs in for dropkicks a la Bryan, but runs into a dropkick from Strowman! The Miztourage return to the corner and Miz heads their way, but they leave Miz high and dry.
What are @TheBoDallas & @RealCurtisAxel doing?! #RAW #10ManTag pic.twitter.com/f6NjJxu7ja
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 17, 2018
Miz has no Miztourage, and Strowman is ready! Miz senses the danger he’s in, but he can’t get away! Strowman steamrolls him then scoops him, for the MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, Strowman’s team wins!
Winners: Balor, Rollins, Lashley, Strowman & Roode, Strowman pins
The first half of the Superstar Shake-Up is over, and it was already a huge success! Miz goes to SmackDown, and knows what waits for him there. Will he be able to turn things around when he goes over to the Blue Brand? And who will come out on top with the shifting landscape of the Red Brand?
The #MonsterAmongMen @BraunStrowman wins it for himself, @fightbobby @REALBobbyRoode @WWERollins & @FinnBalor to close out @mikethemiz's FINAL Monday Night #RAW! pic.twitter.com/leuu2kyExd
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2018
My Thoughts:
What an awesome Raw, and this first night of the 2018 Superstar Shake-Up feels a lot better than last year’s did. Most of the SmackDown stars sent to Raw didn’t have major stories to worry about so they made nice, clean jumps. Opening with Mahal moving to Raw while champion, then losing to Jeff Hardy in an incredible match, could foreshadow quite a few things. Rollins might go to SmackDown with his Intercontinental Championship, or Miz wins that title back to bring it with him since we learned he was the first superstar being sent to SmackDown. The Riott Squad makes it so that we still have no resolve to the story of Bayley and Sasha, so I’d imagine Bayley and Sasha stay where they are. Absolution had an interesting moment with Rousey and Natalya, so Mandy and Sonya might not be joining Paige on SmackDown, either.
The Authors of Pain dominate again while WOKEN & Wyatt win to face The Bar, who just got shocked by The Fashion Police. Ziggler and McIntyre really surprise everyone with showing up together and doing what they did to Titus Worldwide, but I’d expect those two to want singles titles for themselves rather than tag, even though that Claymore-ZigZag combo is awesome. Either way, Raw’s Tag Team Division is getting a bit crowded, so they might be giving SmackDown the teams that lost, aka The Revival, Titus Worldwide and even inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Heath Slater & Rhyno. Samoa Joe continues to verbally dominate Roman Reigns on the mic, but assuming Roman wins the Universal Champion, what are the chances Joe wins it off Roman? Fans would love it, but WWE doesn’t always give fans what they love.
That main event was great, though. Interesting to have both GLORIOUS Bobby and Dominator Bobby on the same show. The best part of the match might’ve been Miztourage ditching Miz. Without Miz in charge, maybe Bo will finally go Wyatt and join Bray to eventually turn on Hardy, and we can get Hardys VS Wyatts in a Brothers of DELETION event. Again, Rollins might be headed to SmackDown in order to even out title counts. If he doesn’t, that has to mean Miz wins the title back. At the same time, Strowman hasn’t established a new story just yet, he might be headed to SmackDown. If so, getting the pin on Miz tonight is a great way for both men to say good-bye to Raw. Of course, Balor’s been wearing blue lately, maybe he’s pitching for Balor Club joining Styles. That’d be cool, if Nakamura also gets a team.
My Score: 8.5/10
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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
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)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.

Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
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)
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 Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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Mitchell’s WWE Battleground Results & Report! (5/25/25)
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AEW Coverage6 days ago
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