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Mitchell’s WWE NXT TakeOver: Chicago II! (6/16/18)

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NXT takes over Chicago once again! Johnny Wrestling and the Psycho Killer look to end their grudge where it all began, in a Chicago Street Fight! Who will stand tall at the end of this ruthless rematch? Plus, can the Embodiment of the End make the Leviathan #FadeToBlack? Or will he suffer another Freak Accident?

 

All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • NXT Tag Team Championships: The Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch; The Undisputed Era wins and retains the NXT Tag Team Championships.
  • Ricochet VS Velveteen Dream; Ricochet wins.
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler VS Nikki Cross; Shayna wins and retains the NXT Women’s Championship.
  • NXT Championship: Aleister Black VS Lars Sullivan; Aleister wins and retains the NXT Championship.
  • Chicago Street Fight: Johnny Gargano VS Tommaso Ciampa; Ciampa wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the NXT TakeOver Kickoff Show!

Charly Caruso, Sam Roberts and Pat McAfee are in Chicago to make sure everyone watching knows exactly what to expect tonight.

EC3 joins the Kickoff panel.

Mr. Top One Percent presents his first bit of #NX3 merch, and says he loves the “Windy Apple.” The NXT Universe is buzzing with the #OneAndOnlyDream match, but what does that do to EC3? EC3 gives the shirt to McAfee to teach Sam a lesson. He does admit that the star-studded match could dictate the future, but The Top One Percent dictates fate just by showing up and getting fans to chant. EC3 doesn’t need to be in a match to change things, he just needs to be here.

McAfee supports EC3, he has the second best tan in NXT. Who has THE best? Drake the Ref. That’s true. EC3 does special things in the ring, too. EC3 has had victory after victory after victory, “stupid Sam.” The Million Dollar Man with a Billion Dollar Body is ready for the future, when will he get to make his next TakeOver mark?

Adam Cole appears to join the Kickoff Show!

He’s surprised to see McAfee, seeing as how he’s doing worse being here than being a punter. Cole is not concerned about Lorcan & Burch taking the tag team titles from O’Reilly & Strong. In fact, he’s annoyed those two are even challenging his friends at all. Seems Cole is taking the night off, though. “Taking the night off”? He’s the NXT North American Champion. He’s not the best in NXT, in WWE, but all over the world! Cole does what he wants and when he wants. His boys are opening the main show, so he’s going to go help them prepare. Will the Undisputed Era keep hold of those NXT Tag Team Championships against the one-two combination?

 

TakeOver: Chicago II begins!

“Pain.” Physical or mental suffering. It targets the weak and strong alike. Pain is a weapon. Pain is a motivator. And pain is at the root of all conflict. “But ultimately, pain leaves you with a choice: You can either feel it, or you can inflict it.” Pain takes over the Windy City, but who will overcome it to leave the winners?

 

NXT Tag Team Championships: The Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch!

Roderick Strong betrayed Pete Dunne in New Orleans to #ShockTheSystem and take those titles from the Authors of Pain. But the brawlers from across the waters look to shock them back with their one-two combination. Will the Undisputed Era continue their TakeOver streak? Or will they be knocked out by the underdogs they underestimate?

Chicago is thunderous for “Undisputed!” as the bell rings. Strong starts against Lorcan, and they tie up. Strong gets down and around, and toys with Lorcan. Lorcan and Strong tie up again, and Strong gets the headlock. Lorcan powers out and pushes Strong to a corner, but Strong goes up and over. Things speed up, and Lorcan runs Strong over with a back elbow. Burch tags in and takes Strong’s arm. Strong turns things around with a facelock, and backs Burch down to tag in O’Reilly. O’Reilly headbutts and headlocks Burch, then throws him with a takedown. O’Reilly throws hands, but Burch stands up. Burch hits back with body shots, then powers out, but O’Reilly rolls and boots Burch back.

They run again, but Burch catches O’Reilly’s leg as he leaps to bring him down. Burch then drags O’Reilly up and around for a European Uppercut. O’Reilly hits back but Burch knocks him down. Tag to Lorcan, and they double whip O’Reilly into double elbows. Strong comes in but they’re ready, and double snap suplex Strong onto O’Reilly! Lorcan & Burch coordinate, and go corner to corner with clotheslines. They go back to back as O’Reilly & Strong stagger, to then clothesline them both out. The one-two is in control while the Undisputed Era regroups with Cole. O’Reilly goes back into the ring with the fans behind them.

O’Reilly uses his ground stance but Lorcan wants nothing to do with it. Strong reaches at Lorcan, which is enough of a distraction for O’Reilly to kick away on. O’Reilly backs Lorcan into a corner and throws muay thai knees. Lorcan turns it around and CHOPS. O’Reilly tries but Lorcan dodges to CHOP more. O’Reilly grabs Lorcan in a headlock, Lorcaon powers out, but O’Reilly runs him over with a shoulder. Things speed up, the kitchen sink knee takes out O’Reilly. Burch tags but O’Reilly fights them both. He runs but into double low dropkicks. Strong comes in but Lorcan gets him with an uppercut! Burch runs in for a EuroUpper then lariat and kick! Burch hops up, flies with the missile dropkick, then kips up.

Strong staggers but reverses the throw to throw Burch out. O’Reilly kicks but Burch blocks, only for Strong to wreck him with the dropkick! Fans fire up as Strong puts Burch into the LED apron. Strong puts Burch in the ring, tags O’Reilly, then drags Burch up for them to kick and chop in the corner. O’Reilly brings Burch out to give a shoulder breaker, then the back suplex, into the heel hook! Burch works the counter, but Strong tags in to stomp Burch out. Strong rains down rights, then mocks the one-two fingers. He stomps Burch more, then gives Burch the pendulum backbreaker. Cover, TWO, so Strong throws more hands. Strong brings Burch up, then whips him into the corner. Tag to O’Reilly, and they whip him even harder.

Strong goes side to side for the forearm, then O’Reilly adds the kick. O’Reilly brings Burch out again, but Burch denies the shoulder breaker to throw hands and chops. O’Reilly trips him up then drives in elbows and knees into those ribs. He throws hands back and forth then tries for the armbar. Burch holds on, reaches around, and gets the ropebreak. O’Reilly lets go, then toys with Burch. He brings Burch up and puts him in a corner. Strong tags in but Burch throws forearms back. Strong dropkicks Burch! Cover, TWO, so Strong wraps Burch up in a seated abdominal stretch. Burch bleeds just a bit from the top of his head but he keeps fighting. He stands and fights, but Strong rocks him with elbows. Strong runs into the corner, but misses! Back drop from Burch, and both men are down.

Hot tag to O’Reill, and O’Reilly kicks Lorcan down. O’Reilly ax but Burch the headbutt! Both men are down again, and crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Strong and Lorcan! Lorcan rallies on Strong with those haymakers and chops. Lorcan runs, for the big lariat! He keeps going, for a EuroUpper! Strong gets uot but O’Reilly comes in, to get chop after chop. Lorcan hits Strong, then dropkicks O’Reilly, and then FLIES! He takes them BOTH down, and fans fire up for him.

Lorcan puts Strong in the ring, dodges, Half ‘n’ Half to Euro Upper! High stack cover, TWO! O’Reilly returns but Lorcan just chops away on him and Strong. Lorcan is on fire as he hits back elbow after back elbow in the corners. One to O’Reilly, one to Strong, back to O’Reilly, but Strong catches him. Lorcan slips out to shove Strong into O’Reilly, then hits the DOUBLE Blockbuster! Tag to Burch, and they drag Strong up. Hanging DDT! Cover, O’Reilly breaks! Lorcan throws him out, then goes up while Burch lifts Strong onto his shoulders. O’Reilly returns to disrupt that, Lorcan hits the apron! Burch has Strong alone, but Strong turns him around. Boot, enziguri, and tag to O’Reilly to kick and club away.

O’Reilly knees, sweeps but Burch headbutts and knees. Burch runs, but into a knee. O’Reilly suplexes, cover, TWO, into the armbar! Burch resists, holding on to his hands tight. O’Reilly fights Burch’s grip, and it comes down to the last finger. Armbar is on! Burch flails, reaches, sits up, and gets the ropebreak! O’Reilly lets go but he goes to tag in Strong. O’Reilly goes back to Burch and brings him up. He whips him to a corner and Strong hits the shining wizard. Bakc suplex slam to shining wizard! Cover, TWO!

The Undisputed Era is furious, but they have something more. Strong tags O’Reilly, and Strong brings Burhc up. He runs, but Burhc headbutts! Burch dumps O’Reilly out onto Strong, then tags Lorcan. Lorcan on the apron, another double blockbuster! Lorcan puts O’Reilly in the ring, Burch grabs him and puts him on his shoulders. EuroUpper for the Showtime! Cover, but Cole drags O’Reilly out! The referee saw that, and EJECTS Cole!

Cole argues and fumes the entire way while Burch and Lorcan get O’Reilly back in. They bring O’Reilly up but those bad arms. Lorcan takes O’Reilly, lifts, but Strong trips Burch! Strong puts Burch into the announce desk while O’Reilly gets teh guillotine!! Lorcan endures but O’Reilly is wrapped on him. Lorcan gets out with a Northern Lights! Fans are loving this as Lorcan and O’Reilly get up. O’Reilly boots Lorcan, Strong tags in, but runs into EuroUpper after EuroUpper. Lorcan runs, but Strong knees. Lorcan slips out of the suplex to chop block! He lifts Strong, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO, into Half Crab!

Strong crawls, but Lorcan drags him awya. O’Reilly kicks but it doesn’t do anything to Lorcan! So O’Reilly puts Lorcan in the guillotine, but Burch comes in to grab O’Reilly in a crossface! Side-by-side submissions, the champions flail and reach, but O’Reilly rolls aruond to kick Lorcan off the hold! All four men are down but the fans are at a fever pitch. The teams regroup and stand up. And a brawl erupts! O’Reilly takes out Burch, but Lorcan takes him to SLAP SLAP SLAP! Strong knee smashes! Ax and SMASH, to the high-low combo! Cover, Undisputed Era wins!

Winners: The Undisputed Era, Strong pinning; still NXT Tag Team Champions

What an opener! Both teams brawled with all they had, but in the end, the minor influence of Adam Cole tips the scales. The Undisputed Era get this one, will they continue their takeover of NXT?

 

Ricochet VS Velveteen Dream!

This #OneAndOnlyDream match has been the Patrick Clark Experience claiming anything Ricochet can do, he can do better. But Ricochet also turned that back on Dream with “Prove it”, before doing a front flip out of the ring and to the floor, seamlessly! Can Dream keep his word while keeping the spotlight all to himself? Or will the King of Flight trump this Prince of Charisma? Speaking of Princes, Dream’s attire seems rather familiar for Ricochet…

Dream takes his time joining Ricochet in the ring. The fans duel as the bell rings. Ricochet and Dream get face to face, questioning the other’s attire. The two back off and circle, feeling it out. They tie up, Ricochet powers Dream to a corner but Dream turns it around. Dream backs off to pose and flex, brother. He and Ricochet circle again, then tie up. Ricochet gets behind but Dream gets a takedown, only for Ricochet to put on a headscissors. Dream works against the hold, then pops out, to throw his bandanna before going for the headlock again. Ricochet puts the headscissors back on, and still holds on.

Dream endures the squeeze and wrench, then rolls around to slip out the back. Dream grabs the headlock again, but Ricochet pries his way out into an armlock. Ricochet grinds Dream into a corner, TWO. Dream gets up but Ricochet gets the headlock. Fans duel while Ricochet holds on as Dream tries to power out. Dream rolls Ricochet to a cover, ONE, and they stand up again. Dream grabs Ricochet and gets the headlock. Ricochet fights back, powers out, but Dream runs him over with a shoulder. Dream soaks up the cheers and jeers, then speeds things up. Ricochet lifts but Dream tilt-o-whirl headscissors, but Ricochet handsprings to land on his feet!

Dream poses, thinking he threw the King off, but Ricochet runs back in to roll off the back. Ricochet rolls, handsprings, and superhero lands! Fans are all fired up after that. Ricochet and Dream stand up as they stare down. Dream slaps, Ricochet slaps and rolls him up. ONE, and Ricochet gets the waistlock. Dream fights out but Ricochet rolls and handsprings to then headscissor, kip up and dropkick Dream down! Dream flounders to a corner, but Ricochet runs in corner to corner. He ends up on the apron but he hits Dream away. Ricochet then springboards, but Dream trips him up! Ricochet hits the apron then the ground while Dream catches his breath. Dream then comes out to fetch Ricochet, putting him in the ring. Dream puts Ricochet in a corner and throws hands and stomps.

The referee backs him off, but Dream just rushes back at Ricochet with more hands and stomps. Dream backs off and tells the referee not to touch him. Ricochet staggers up, but Dream clubs him back down. Dream drags Ricochet back up, to hotshot him on the top rope. Ricochet drops, so Dream goes to the apron, for the knee-board senton, a la Ricochet himself! Dream stalks Ricochet on the mat, then brings him up for the hip-swiveling neckbreaker. Cover, TWO, but Dream keeps his cool. Dream dares Ricochet to get up, but then drops the ax handle. Fans rally, and Ricochet hits back. Dream clubs him more, but Ricochet throws and elbows Dream at the ropes. Ricochet runs, but Dream pushes him out of the ring! Dream builds speed, and FLIES!

Dream hits Ricochet with the springboard tope conjilo! He then puts Ricochet in the ring, covers, TWO. Dream drags Ricochet up and puts on a chinlock. Ricochet endures the thrashing and grinding while fans rally up for him. Ricochet stands, but Dream wrangles him back down. Dream puts his weight on Ricochet, but Ricochet feeds off the fan energy. Ricochet stands while fans duel, but Dream rocks him with that forearm. Dream shoves but Ricochet kicks him away. Ricochet back elbows, then boots from a corner. Dream blocks but Ricochet slips out. Ricochet throws Dream out but Dream drags him out. Fans love “Both These Guys!” as Dream grabs a foot. Dream ducks the enziguri, but Ricochet flips to throw him. Dream runs into a corner but into boots, Ricochet rolls to dropkick him out! Ricochet then takes aim, builds speed, and… DIVES!

Tope suicida hits, but Ricochet keeps going. Ricochet FLIES! The backflip attack hits, but Ricochet puts Dream in the corner. Ricochet runs corner to corner to EuroUpper and haymaker Dream. He bumps and 619’s Dream out of the corner, then climbs up to springboard back elbow! Cover, TWO! Dream flounders but Ricochet keeps focus. Ricochet gets up, then Dream, and Ricochet whips Dream to ropes. Dream kicks him away, then runs, but Ricochet follows for the neckbreaker and shooting star! Cover, TWO!

Both men are down but fans rally up. Ricochet stands first, lifts Dream in the fireman’s, but Dream falls off. Dream asks for mercy, but he throws Ricochet out. Ricochet speeds up to the top rope, but Dream trips him up again. Dream rocks Ricochet with a right, then climbs up to join him. Dream wants but Ricochet denies, and they brawl up there. Down goes Dream, but Ricochet adjusts. Ricochet aims, for the fake out! He rocks Dream back, then sits him down. Ricochet climbs up again, but Dream counters! SUPER ROLLING DEATH VALLEY!

Dream crawls to a cover, high stack at that, TWO!! The fans say “This is Awesome!” as both men slowly stir. Dream crawls his way back to the corner, and drags himself back up top. Ricochet sees him, then ducks the counter, to rock Dream with an uppercut. Ricochet drags Dream back up, but it’s Velveteen with the SUPERPLEX to the FLOOR! Fans lose their minds, and the referee checks on them. Both men are okay to continue, so the 10 count begins. It reaches 5 but both men are barely up. Dream gets in at 9, Ricochet at 9.5! The match continues and the fans applaud. Dream and Ricochet crawl towards each other, and then slowly get up together. Ricochet swings but ends up in a second Rolling Death Valley! Cover, TWO!!

Dream can’t believe it, but he’s too sore to show frustration. He and Ricochet are slow to getting up, but Ricochet needs the ropes to help. Ricochet and Dream stagger over, and throw wild haymakers and uppercuts. Ricochet first, then Dream, and back again. Dream clubs away, but Ricochet uppercuts. Dream kicks, but so does Ricochet. Fans rally up as Dream EuroUppers, then another. Ricochet answers with his own, but ends up in position. Dream goes for the sidewinder but Ricochet counters into a Northern Lights, roll through to the deadlift. Ricochet’s back won’t let him, so he settles for strikes. SUPERKICK from Dream, but bicycle kick from Ricochet.

Ricochet runs but into a back elbow. Dream hops up but misses. Ricochet rocks Dream with the discus! Ricochet keeps going, fireman’s but Dream slips out, SIDEWINDER! Cover, TWO!! But fans are giving a standing ovation! Dream and Ricochet stir, and Dream slaps Ricochet as he says “You belong in a bingo hall!” Fans again say “This is Awesome!” but Dream says HE is the awesome one. Ricochet lifts Dream, and steals the Rolling Death Valley! Ricochet hurries over to a corner, up to the top rope, and poses! Purple Rainmaker! Cover, TWO!! Dream will not die, certainly not to his own move.

So Ricochet will go for his move, as he drags Dream over. Ricochet climbs up again, with Dream in the drop zone. Dream slowly rolls away, so Ricochet just goes with… a shooting star! But into knees! Dream covers, TWO!! And Dream is shocked! Dream gets himself up top, he wants to end this. Dream goes Coast2Coast, but misses the elbow as Ricochet rolls! Ricochet climbs back up while Dream writhes. Fans are at a fever pitch, as Ricochet hits the 630!! Cover, Ricochet wins!!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

The One and Only Winner is the King of Flight! The spotlight was stolen by both men, but it shines brightest on Ricochet. With such a spectacular performance, will this springboard Ricochet all the way to the top?

 

NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler VS Nikki Cross!

The Queen of Spades loves breaking her opponents’ arms, legs and even spirits. However, you can’t break what’s already broken, and the Loony Lass lost her marbles long before meeting Shayna. When fear doesn’t work, will pain be the only thing that cuts through the chaos?

The bell rings, and the two stare down. Shayna tries to intimidate with her stance, but Nikki just stares at her. It unsettles Shayna just a bit, but then Nikki ups the ante by again daring Shayna to “do it!” Shayna doesn’t put her sleeper on, but she does shove and trip Nikki. Nikki just kicks and laughs like an excited child. Nikki continues to dare Shayna to “do it”, then she scurries over and spooks Shayna. Shayna is at the ropes, so Nikki backs off. Shayna can’t comprehend why Nikki is leaving herself wide open. She steps closer, but Nikki spins around to laugh. Shayna lunges in out of frustration, but Nikki gets around and hops on! Nikki puts Shayna in a sleeper!

Nikki thrashes and growls as she brings Shayna to a knee. Shayna gets back up and throws Nikki off, then drags Nikki up. Nikki powers Shayna buckles, then stomps away. Shayna silps out, but Nikki chases her. Nikki ducks the apron kick to trip Shayna, then tucks her in to wail away! Fans cheer for the Crazy Cross but Shayna retreats. She doesn’t get far before Nikki hops on again! Shayna drops Nikki backwards on the ramp! The referee checks on the challenger, but she’s somehow okay. Shayna gets up and goes back to Nikki. She drags Nikki up and into the ring. She sits Nikki up for a stiff knee shot! Cover, TWO, and Shayna grows frustrated.

Shayna grounds and pounds, then brings Nikki up and around to smother her! The referee backs her off, but then she grinds a forearm into Nikki’s face. Shayna smothers Nikki again, but Nikki just smiles through it all. Shayna drags Nikki up for a facelock, then a chinbar. Nikki endures, and fans rally up. Nikki fights out with body shots and big forearms, but Shayna knocks her back with another knee! Shayna sits Nikki up, for a third! Yet Nikki grins! Nikki wants more, so Shayna gives her a fourth. Nikki sits up again, still grinning. She slaps herself, then blocks the fifth knee. Nikki forearms Shayna, then again, but Shayna ducks to go for the Kirafuda. Nikki back suplexes Shayna!

Fans fire up while Shayna rolls to ropes. Nikki gets herself up, and then Thezs Press and frantic hands on Shayna. Nikki rallies with lariats and forearms, then stomps a manic mudhole into Shayna. She won’t let up, even as the referee counts. Nikki stops herself at 4, but she’s still going. She climbs up, aims, and leaps for the crossbody!

Cover, TWO, and Shayna rolls to the apron. Nikki still slaps herself as she follows. She drags Shayna up, for an inverted DDT to the apron! She rolls Shayna over, covers, TWO! Nikki is a bit surprised, but not upset. She just drags Shayna up, swings, but Shayna slips out to hit another knee. Cover, TWO! Nikki rolls away but Shayna stalks her. Shayna grabs Nikki, sleeper hold, but Nikki rams her into buckles! Nikki hoists Shayna up, hanging swinging neckbreaker! Cover, Ropebreak!

Shayna survives thanks to ring awareness. But Nikki just revs up again as she drags Shayna by her hair. Nikki crucifix but Shayna gets the Kirafuda!! Shayna has Nikki stuck in the middle of the ring, with the body scissors added. Nikki reaches, endures, rolls around but she can’t get free. Fans cheer for Nikki, but she’s still stuck in the center. Nikki just smiles as she fades away?! She’s out, Shayna wins!!

Winner: Shayna, by submission; still NXT Women’s Champion

The Queen of Spades may not have scared Nikki, but she still put her to sleep. Shayna’s Reign of Terror continues, what will it take to end it?

 

NXT Championship: Aleister Black VS Lars Sullivan!

The Leviathan earned his shot at the top after barreling through every opponent put in front of him, especially Ricochet and Velveteen Dream. The Embodiment of the End has yet to be pinned or submitted, will Lars that change tonight? Or will Aleister find a way to make this genetic anomaly #FadeToBlack?

The bell rings, and the Rocky Mountain Monster stares down with the Dutch Destroyer. They slowly circle, and Lars says that “one shot” won’t be enough. They get face to face, and Lars vows he’s gonna take Aleister out. Lars swings but Aleister hits first. Lars kicks low, lifts but Aleister gets out. Aleister swings his kick, but Lars blocks it, just like on NXT TV! Lars spins Aleister but Aleister roundhouses Lars out. Aleister pursues and forearms on the run. He throws furious hands, but Lars shoves him. Aleister runs back in but Lars alley-oops Aleister onto the apron. Lars swings but Aleister hops over to then hit Meteora! Lars goes down, then flounders his way back into the ring. Aleister pursues and throws hands, but Lars counters with his own clubbing arms.

Lars clubs Aleister into a corner, then runs, but into the jumping knee! Cover, ONE, but Aleister keeps Lars down with an armbar. Lars endures the bending, then powers his way back up. Lars pushes Aleister off, but Aleister boots back. But Lars stays up, and uses one hand to shove Aleister to a corner. Aleister evades, then runs back, but is put on the apron. Lars blocks the forearm and twists Aleister’s arm, before hauling him up onto his shoulder! Aleister slips off but Lars runs through the lariat to then run Aleister over. Aleister rolls out of the ring, but Lars pursues. Lars hauls Aleister up, then throws him, but Aleister reverses to put Lars into the post. Aleister gets back on the apron, and climbs up, for the SUPER Moonsault.

Lars catches it! To then snake eyes Aleister on the LED, and push him into barriers! Aleister is down, but Lars drags him back up and in. Lars stalks Aleister as he flounders. Lars runs in and squashes him in a corner. Cover, TWO, but Lars is only mildly annoyed. Lars stretches Aleister back, clawing the face then clubbing it with a crossface forearm. Lars roars “Who’s the man!?” Cover, TWO, but Lars just wraps Aleister in a heavy chinlock. Fans rally for Aleister while he endures the massive squeeze. Aleister turns red, but he refuses to quit. Lars puts his weight on him, but Aleister keeps moving. Aleister gets a second wind, and uses body shots.

Lars knees low, then whips Aleister. Pop-up, but Aleister slips out to try and roll him. Lars blocks with strength, then hauls Aleister up, for a powerslam! Cover, TWO! Lars grows a bit frustrated with Aleister, but he still mocks him. “This is your champion?” Lars dares Aleister to stand. Aleister does, and throws a forearm. It doesn’t do much, so Aleister throws another, and another, and another! Lars grabs Aleister’s hair, but Aleister ducks the clothesline. Aleister runs, but into the pop-up powerslam! Cover, TWO! It was close, but Aleister did get out.

Lars decides to shift plans, and goes up top. Aleister springs up to rock him with a boot! Aleister climbs up now, but Lars resists. Lars holds on even as Aleister elbows away on his neck. Lars staggers to the apron, but then trips up Aleister, and then club him off the top! Aleister is dazed while Lars climbs up. Lars basically falls into the diving headbutt, but Aleister gets a knee up!

It was double-edged given Lars’ weight, as Aleister clutches his leg. Fans fire up while both men slowly get up. Lars is first, and he drags Aleister up. They brawl, Aleister unleashes kicks and elbows. He can’t knock Lars down, but then he sweeps the legs, and sliding knee! Aleister kips up, Lars flounders around, and walks into Aleister’s strike fest. Quebrada! Cover, TWO, but Aleister doesn’t slow down. Aleister walks around Lars, and lifts him up with a foot. Lars grabs that foot, and flips Aleister, before using a chop block on the bad leg. Aleister still boots Lars, but then he kicks with the bad leg and it hurts him more than it does Lars. Lars takes Aleister down, for the Stretch Muffler lift! Lars tortures that leg and bends Aleister all sorts of ways.

Fans rally again as Aleister endures. Aleister gets out to a cover, TWO! Lars kicks low, grabs Aleister, but Aleister turns the slam into a DDT! Both men are down, but Lars gets himself to the apron. Aleister sits up, then walks over, but into a choke. Aleister back elbows but Lars clobbers! Lars drags Aleister onto the apron, but Aleister hits back with a stiff boot. Then another, and another, only to run into an apron powerslam!! Lars puts Aleister in the ring, then climbs up top. FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!? Lars cannot comprehend this. He stands up again, and waits for Aleister. Aleister wobbles, but jumps over the chop block to double stomp! BLACK MASS!! Cover, TWO!? Was that only a grazing hit? Or is Lars really that tough?

Fans rally Aleister up, but Lars follows. Aleister tries but Lars blocks Black Mass again, to then wallop Aleister with a lariat. Then, FREAK- No, Aleister shoves out to hit Lars’ jaw with the knee. Then another BLACK MASS! Aleister got all of that one, but he won’t cover because Lars is still conscious. Larts bleeds from the mouth but he starts to sit up. So Aleister gives him a THIRD Black Mass! Cover, Aleister wins!!

Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall; still NXT Champion

The Embodiment of the End had to do more to The Leviathan than to anyone he’s ever faced in NXT. Lars may not be human, but Aleister shows he himself is superhuman. If not even Lars can conquer Aleister, who can?

 

Chicago Street Fight: Johnny Gargano VS Tommaso Ciampa!

It was over one year ago that one of the greatest tag teams in NXT, DIY, lost more than just tag team titles. The Psycho Killer, in a moment of paranoia and anger, betrayed Johnny Wrestling to break up their team, end their friendship, and ruin Gargano’s life. This grudge has escalated ever since, and Gargano won the Unsanctioned Match in New Orleans. With another match that throws caution to the wind, who will walk out of the Windy City with a win?

Before he heads out, Gargano’s wife, Candice LeRae, who at first was completely against this rivalry going down this path, makes sure Gargano is prepared for this battle. She gives him the broken crutch he used back in New Orleans. Then she tells Gargano to “Kiss his ass!”

But the Psycho Killer is just as prepared, because he has his own crutch.

Both gladiators are prepared, and this match begins!

Ciampa rushes the ring and the start swinging! Gargano blocks, the crutches are tossed, and Gargano tackles Ciampa to throw hands. Ciampa gets away, but Gargano clotheslines him out. Gargano is on the apron and mule kicks Ciampa away. Gargano then leaps, cannonball to the floor! Fans fire up as he drags Ciampa up and puts him across the announce desk! Ciampa takes out Nigel! Gargano pays no mind to the casualties, as he stalks Ciampa to the timekeeper’s area. Ciampa gets into the stands but Gargano hits him more. They fight right up to a fan who has a sign for Gargano. Ciampa stomps and kicks Gargano, then takes that sign! Ciampa tries to rip the sign, but realizes the sign has a board in it. Gargano kicks Ciampa, takes that sign, and as the sign hoped, Gargano uses it to SMACK Ciampa!

The board, was a STOP SIGN! Which Gargano uses to SMACK Ciampa more. Smack and smack and smack, Gargano shows no mercy. He doesn’t have to, it’s a Street Fight. Gargano high-fives the fans, then stalks Ciampa. Ciampa goes down, but Gargano goes up. Gargano takes aim, and LEAPS onto Ciampa! They crash and burn, but Gargano gets up first. Gargano stalks Ciampa while the fans lose their minds. Gargano rains downs rights while fans chant “Johnny Wrestling!” Things return to ringside, and Ciampa flounders back towards the ring. Gargano follows him over, but decides to get supplies from under the ring. First, a trash can, then its lid, and even a standard chair. Gargano has an arsenal to choose from, and he swings the lid.

Ciampa ducks, and German Suplexes Gargano! Ciampa puts Gargano’s face on the chair, but misses the stomp. Gargano throws haymakers while fans duel. Gargano clubs and clubs Ciampa, but Ciampa reverses into another German Suplex. Ciampa holds on, then drags Gargano up again, for another German! Ciampa still holds on, doing his own version of #SuplexCity. Gargano reaches for ropes, but gets thrown with another German Supelx. Ciampa grins as he keeps his grip, but Gargano reaches around again. Gargano standing switch, and he throws Ciampa with a German Suplex! Ciampa rolls out but Gargano runs to DIVE onto Ciampa! Direct hit and Ciampa rolls to the ramp.

Gargano brings him back over, then whips him into steel steps. Gargano goes back for supplies, but Ciampa hits Gargano with the braced knee! Ciampa drags Gargano up and throws him into barriers. Ciampa moves the steel steps over, because he’s planning something truly sinister. He kicks Gargano while he’s down, but ignores the fans booing and jeering. Ciampa checks under the ring, and finds a second garbage can. He also brings out another chair and another lid. Ciampa goes with the chair, and jabs it into Gargano’s ribs. Gargano crawls, but Ciampa puts that chair around Gargano’s neck. Ciampa throws haymaker after haymaker, then brings Gargano up, to throw him at the steel steps! Chair hits steps, and jams into Gargano’s throat!

Gargano flails in pain while gasping for air. Ciampa simply watches from the ring. Fans continue to duel while the referee checks on Gargano. Gargano refuses to quit, so Ciampa goes back out to SMACK Gargano with the trash can. Ciampa grins at his former friend, then positions him against the steps to hammer him ito the steel. Ciampa grabs the trash can and just chucks it at Gargano’s head! He then puts Gargano back in the ring, and pulls off his shirt to use it to choke and smother Gargano! Ciampa even drives in an elbow to top it off. Ciampa stomps Gargano, but fans still say “You Suck! Woop Woop!”

Gargano sits up but Ciampa brings him up to put him in a corner. Ciampa stomps away, then slingshot guillotines Gargano into the bottom buckle! Gargano writhes in pain again, but Ciampa is far from done. Ciampa goes under the ring in search of something. And he finds a pair of handcuffs!? Ciampa has another sinister idea. He goes over to Gargano, cuffs one wrist, but Gargano fights back. Gargano back elbows and the cuffs fall off. Gargano slingshot spears Ciampa down! But between the bad neck and the rage, Gargano doesn’t cover. Instead, Gargano takes off his belt to then whip Ciampa across the back. Fans tell Ciampa “You Deserve It!”

Gargano whips and slaps Ciampa over and over, then makes it a leather fist to punch Ciampa down. Gargano grabs a trash can and puts it on Ciampa, to then DIY SUPERKICK it! Ciampa is dazed but Gargano isn’t done with that trash can. Gargano wedges the can into a corner, then drags Ciampa up. He scoops Ciampa, but Ciampa slips out and rakes the eyes! Ciampa lifts Gargano, Project Ciampa bomb! Then with the trash can lid added, he gives Gargano shotgun knees! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa is furious, but he just wants Gargano to get up again. Another trash can lid knee sends Gargano out to the apron!

Ciampa follows Gargano out there, and returns to those steel steps. Ciampa lifts Gargano but Gargano resists. Gargano elbows Ciampa’s neck and head again and again and again, but Ciampa still lifts him! AIR RAID ON THE STEPS!! Ciampa puts Gargano in the ring, covers, TWO!? Gargano has proven he has an insane amount of guts, but this is even crazier than that. Ciampa decides to bring out something more, and finds a pair of clippers? He clips the strings on the ring cover? What is he planning now? Ciampa unties more string, and pulls away the canvas, then the padding, to reveal the wood! He SMACKS Gargano with a chair for good measure, then waves good-bye.

Ciampa finishes exposing a corner of the ring, then drags Gargano over. He hoists Gargano up, and fans are starting to grow concerned for both men. Ciampa bits Gargano’s ear, then climbs up top. Ciampa prepares the lift, but Gargano flails! Gargano sunsets through, and Ciampa holds on for dear life. Ciampa punches, misses, Gargano tucks him in for a SUPERKICK! Gargano crawls, skipping the crutches to instead brawl with Ciampa. They go back and forth, fans strongly on Gargano’s side. Both men stand, and the brawl continues. Both men stagger, but neither backs down. Gargano gets the edge, then spins, but into a boot! Ciampa spins, but into an enziguri!

Gargano grabs a lid but Ciampa hits a knee strike. Ciampa grabs a crutch but Gargano hits a SUPERKICK! They both swing, they both connect! Ciampa falls, Gargano falls on him for a cover, TWO!! Fans declare “This is Awesome!” while Ciampa crawls his way out to the steel steps. Gargano aims, slingshots, but Ciampa SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Ciampa staggers away while the referee checks on Gargano. Gargano is okay to continue, so Ciampa runs in, but the knee goes into steps as Gargano evades! Ciampa clutches his bad leg, and undoes the brace. Then he tightens it, remembering New Orleans.

But too late, Gargano is upon Ciampa and punches away at the knee! Gargano takes a chair and SMACKS the leg!! And jabs it, and jabs it, and jabs it and jabs it and jabs it! Fans fire up with Gargano as he drags Ciampa’s back leg around. Ciampa shoves Gargano into the corner can! Then puts Gargano in the GargaNO Escape! Fans boo as Ciampa steals Gargano’s hold.

But Gargano reaches around, and gets a crutch! Ciampa bails out when he sees that, and shifts to a STF, wanting to use the broken crutch the way Gargano used the brace at New Orleans. Ciampa clobbers away on Gargano to get him to stop resisting. Gargano is limp, and Ciampa finishes strapping his brace. Fans duel as Gargano props himself up on the crutch. Ciampa knees him down! Ciampa takes the broken crutch, takes aim with it, and RAMS it into Gargano’s neck from behind! Cover, TWO!??! Ciampa is furious, he doesn’t get how Gargano survives. He throws Gargano out and Gargano slumps to the ground.

Fans chant “We Want Tables!” Ciampa watches Gargano crawl, but he won’t let Gargano get away. He drags Gargano up, and walks his old friend up the ramp. “We were like brothers!” They were family! Ciampa says Gargano did this to himself. Ciampa recreates their moment last year, saying Gargano has to say “bye bye” to Candice, his family, and his career! Then Ciampa throws Gargano into the LED stage wall, a la TakeOver: Chicago 1! Gargano is dazed and rolling, but Ciampa adds another braced knee strike! But Ciampa says “It’s not enough!” This rage, this anger, this hate, it’s far deeper than anyone could have imagined.

And just as fans wanted, Ciampa spots tables, and brings Gargano over. Ciampa drags Gargano up with him on top of the stack of trunks. Ciampa stands up, and takes Gargano’s wedding ring from him! To spit on it, and throw it away! Ciampa drags Gargano up, but Gargano lifts Ciampa, for a SUPER AIR RAID THROUGH THE TABLES!!! It is utter carnage in Chicago, and Chicago loses its mind! The referee says this is enough, and he calls for medical attention. The medics respond, and check on both men amid the wreckage. Gargano somehow gets back up onto the trunks, and looks down at his fallen foe.

Ciampa needs a neck brace now, like a flip-side to Ciampa’s brutal attack on Gargano a month ago, as well as last year. Medics carefully put Ciampa on a back board, but fans want Gargano to “Do it! Do it!” Ciampa is put on a stretcher, still groaning and screaming with pain. Gargano sees his ring is missing, and fans want him to “Jump! Jump!” Ciampa is being wheeled out, but Gargano won’t let him get off that easy. Gargano rushes over, Chicago cheering him on, and he shoves the medics out of the way! Ciampa begs for mercy as Gargano wheels him back to ringside. Gargano takes off the straps, beats on Ciampa, then puts him into the ring.

Gargano’s rage takes over as he undoes the neck brace, and puts Ciampa in GargaNO Escape! Ciampa taps, but there’s no ref to count it. The security pull Gargano off, Gargano fights THEM off! Garagno grabs the handcuffs! He binds Ciampa’s arms behind his back, then sits him up for a SUPERKICK! Then another! And another! And another! More and more and more, then the GargaNO Escape. Ciampa manages to tap, but the referee is nowhere in sight. Gargano shouts “This ends when YOU do!”

More security come out to pull Gargano away from Ciampa, but Gargano is not satisfied. He breaks through, then fights the security off again. Gargano runs around the outside, and they end up near the bare wood. Ciampa gets Gargano with a draping DDT on the wood!! Cover, Ciampa wins!!

Winner: Ciampa, by pinfall

This match was over five times before, but only now does it end. Ciampa endured torture, but it’s everyone else that feels the agony of defeat. However, given how much it took out of both men, will this prove to be a double-edge victory?

Candice LeRae comes out to check on her husband, but as always, Ciampa waves good-bye. The series may be tied, but is this the end of the war between Ciampa and Gargano?

 


 

My Thoughts:

NXT is truly the best of the best of what WWE does. The kickoff was fun with EC3 and Adam Cole being great in character for their appearances. Great to see Keith Lee in attendance, that means he’s ready to debut at any moment. The matches started hot and just kept going to perfectly climax at the very end. Lorcan & Burch may not have won, but it was an amazing feat for them to turn the crowd into their favor before the end. They also get a great ovation even after the match for the effort they put in. I don’t know about Raw or SmackDown, but those two would be amazing additions to the 205 Live roster as a tag team to really energize that budding tag division.

Ricochet VS Dream was even better, which seemed impossible at the start but was undeniable by the end. Dream is cheeky coming out in a fusion of Hulk Hogan and Prince Puma, aka Ricochet’s persona from Lucha Underground. Ricochet goes over, because it just makes sense. As I expected, Shayna goes over, but it was genius to have Nikki lose because she passes out, not because she taps out. Shayna won the match but Nikki won the mind games, expect Nikki & SAnitY to finally be on SmackDown. Aleister VS Lars, that was also incredible, like NXT’s version of Batman VS Bane or something. Aleister wins this on sheer grit and determination, but also because I expect EC3 to be gunning for him next.

That Chicago Street Fight, was probably the best Street Fight of all Street Fights, WWE or anywhere. It made sure to reference all the story going into this, had a nice surprise in that stop sign inside the sign, scared me for Nigel’s sake, and then for both Gargano’s and Ciampa’s sake. This has gone from personal grudge to archenemy territory and beyond. Ciampa continues to be best heel as he wins more by luck than anything. The fans just hated him, aside from the contrarians. But since their overall series is 1-1, this has to continue one more time in NXT, or even bleed onto the main roster, this rivalry is that great.

My Score: 9.5/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)

The Final Boss is back!

Published

on

IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!

As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
  • The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
  • Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
  • Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
  • WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
  • Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
  • Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.

They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?

 

Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!

The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?

Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!

Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.

The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!

Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!

Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.

Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!

Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!

Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall

Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.

Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?

 

A car pulls into the parking lot.

And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.

Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?

 

Carmelo Hayes is backstage.

R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?

Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?

 

Zelina Vega speaks.

“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”

 

The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???

Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.

Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!

Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!

Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!

Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!

The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!

Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall

Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?

 

Charlotte Flair speaks.

“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…

 

Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!

The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?

Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.

Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”

Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!

Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.

The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.

Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!

Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!

Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!

The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!

Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall

Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!

The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?

 

Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.

Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?

Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.

Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?

 

Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.

Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.

Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?

 

Alexa Bliss speaks.

“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?

 

Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!

The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!

Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?

 

The Rock arrives!

His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!

 

SmackDown returns and…

Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?

Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?

 

The Rock heads to the ring!

Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”

The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.

The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!

Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.

Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.

They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.

The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.

Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.

The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.

Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!

The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!

No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.

Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.

What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?

 

WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!

Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?

But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.

Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!

But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!

Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!

Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!

Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles

Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!

Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?

 

Kevin Owens speaks.

“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!

Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?

 

Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!

Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?

SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?

The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!

Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!

Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!

Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!

Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.

Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!

Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!

But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!

Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall

Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?


My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.

As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.

Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.

Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.

Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?

Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.

My Score: 8.9/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 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


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Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025

So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?

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Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.

This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!

Ratings:

  • Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
  • Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
  • NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
  • Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
  • Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4

Results:

Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show. 

Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin

Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.

Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.

It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.

After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3. 

Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.

This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis. 

Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary

Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!

After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well. 

Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with. 

NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC

I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”. 

Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.

JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.

Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.

The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba. 

The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match. 

Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore

Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.

Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded. 

Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA. 

Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons

Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.

We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.

Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two.  Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!

Overall Score: 6/10

Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.

Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.

So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.

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!

All Shows On Demand


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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