Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report! (7/3/18)
While there’s still two weeks left, SmackDown is gaining speed towards Extreme Rules! First, Team Hell No is promised to kick off the show now that they’ve reunited AND been granted a shot at The Bludgeon Brothers’ tag team titles. Then, The Phenomenal AJ Styles will take on MC Artiste as a warm-up before Rusev Day!
All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Independence Day Open Challenge: Jeff Hardy VS ???; Hardy wins and retains the WWE United States Championship.
- Asuka VS James Ellsworth w/ Carmella; Double Count Out.
- AJ Styles VS Aiden English w/ Rusev; Styles wins.
- Becky Lynch VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay; Becky wins.
- The Usos VS Team Hell No; Team Hell No wins, keeping their SmackDown Tag Team Championship match against The Bludgeon Brothers at 2v2.
PLAY BY PLAY
Renee Young welcomes us to SmackDown!
And she welcomes to the ring, Kane & Daniel Bryan, Team Hell No!
OH, HELL YES! We're kicking off #SDLive with the newly-reunited #TeamHellNo! @WWEDanielBryan @KaneWWE pic.twitter.com/8cfnjOYNzi
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
The Big Red Machine has indeed returned, and he did so by saving his frenemy from the Bludgeon Brothers, Harper & Rowan. After five years, these two are back together and are set to challenge Harper & Rowan for their SmackDown Tag Team Championships at Extreme Rules! Their reunion and the “Hug Felt Around the World” made headlines. They’ve been successful despite their dysfunction, but that’s the beautiful part. Sometimes they fight, sometimes they hug, but they always deliver and are unstoppable! Kane and Bryan fought blindfolded and arms tied behind backs, and even fought The Shield in a TLC Match. They even graduated from Anger Management with Honors. Kane & Bryan have been through Hell, but they are back and better than ever!
But why did Kane come back? Well, Bryan has a bit of a temper. When he was attacked a couple weeks ago, Kane knew Bryan would get himself in trouble. Whether Bryan realizes it, he always has a demon watching over him. Well maybe not always. Bryan is excited to have Kane back and vows they will become the NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions! Fans chant “YES! YES!” because they hope so, too. But when Kane said he has always watched over Bryan, that’s not exactly true. The last time they were in the ring together, it was as opponents. But as friends. Were they? Kane tried to end Bryan’s career. Well everyone wants to win. Kane tombstone’d Bryan three different times, outside of a match!
Kane wants to keep things focused on the present, not the past. If they are to win against Harper & Rowan, they need to focus on what unites them. But, Kane tried to kidnap Brie… “Tried”. They’ve had their differences, but Kane has always had Bryan’s back. No he hasn’t. Yes he has. No… Yes… No…! Yes…! NO. YES. NO! YES! Repeat. The Usos appear?!
Jimmy & Jey knew this was gonna happen. The Big Red Machine and #SweetBeats D-Bry, back in the tag team division. The tag team division just got hot! Remember when those two were the hottest team? Hell Yeah. But also argued a lot. Hell Yeah. And then the “YES YES” shirts versus the “NO NO” shirts. Hell Yeah! Is everyone excited for them to be back as a team? Hell Yeah! Do they deserve an opportunity at the titles? Hell NO!! Because The Usos know a lot has changed in five years. They’ve got SmackDown #OnLock, welcome to the Uso Penitentiary! Paige gave these two a shot at Extreme Rules just because they hugged!? The Usos have been hugging since they were two years old. They hug now! As a matter of fact, bring it in three more times. There, that’s four hugs, which is four more title shots!
It must be hugging season on #SDLive!@WWEUsos isn't too happy that #TeamHellNo was granted an #SDLive #TagTeamTitles opportunity at #ExtremeRules… pic.twitter.com/KFeaajfCL5
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
That’s not what hugs mean. But if the Usos disagree, why don’t they come in and fight Hell No right now? Kane speaks up, because “what Daniel means” this is a team consideration and will get back to them. Kane doesn’t think he’s ready? Or is it that Kane thinks Bryan is the weak link?! Bryan has done so much since Kane was last here! But here comes GM Paige!
She didn’t mean to interrupt, but as GM, the Glampire has the obligation to do what’s right for the WWE Universe. Therefore, Team Hell No will face Harper & Rowan for the titles. But they do need to prove themselves, against the Usos in the main event! By the way, Jimmy & Jey, if you two win, you’ll be added to the match for a Triple Threat Tag! Fans are the ones who love that the most! Will the Penitentiary #LockDown Hell No and another chance at the Bludgeon Brothers? Or will Kane & Bryan say #HellNo to that?
Got it LOCKED DOWN, Uce?!? If @WWEUsos defeat #TeamHellNo TONIGHT, they will be added to the #SDLive #TagTeamTitles Match at #ExtremeRules! @RealPaigeWWE @WWEDanielBryan @KaneWWE pic.twitter.com/gnhwWEZkvE
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
Jeff Hardy speaks.
“The bald eagle is a powerful, aerial beast, soaring on thermal convection currents” with eyes able to spot prey up to two miles away. It is also a symbol of America’s ferocity, so as we celebrate this great nation’s independence, Hardy will carry this other symbol with great pride. “I am in search of my next prey.” And in exchange, he offers up the symbol. The challenge is now open! Who will accept!?
Proud to represent the 🔴, ⚪️, & 🔵… #USChampion @JEFFHARDYBRAND will hold an #IndependenceDay #USOpenChallenge… NEXT! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/JkHbO7T2zI
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
Asuka speaks.
“Men, women. Sexist pig!” It doesn’t matter who she faces. She makes them all feel pain! James Ellsworth will not be ready for Asuka! Is the Empress of Tomorrow going to kick off Ellsworth’s head before coming after the FABULOUS Princess’ throne?
WWE United States Championship Independence Day Open Challenge: Jeff Hardy VS ???
The Charismatic Enigma must still wait for the King of Strong Style to recover. But he will not sit quietly, for he hungers for challengers. And on the eve of Independence Day, the champion faces… The Hollywood A-Lister, The Miz! The Miz was a WWE US Champion in the past, can he bring it back around again?
The perfect leading man…@mikethemiz has officially ACCEPTED @JEFFHARDYBRAND's #IndependenceDay #USOpenChallenge! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/I9TIBvVFrQ
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Miz and Hardy circle while fans rally up already. They tie up, and Miz knees low. Miz clubs Hardy to a corner, then stomps away. He brings Hardy up, whips and goes for a hip toss, but gets a jawbreaker from Hardy. Hardy kicks low and goes for the Twist, but Miz pushes out. Miz runs in but misses, then hits the mat while Hardy goes up. Miz manages to stop Hardy, then climb up. Hardy resists the superplex to knock Miz down. Hardy readjusts, but Miz rolls away. Miz catches his breath while we go picture in picture.
Hardy waits for Miz to return, because Miz will have to if he wants the belt. Miz slides in but slides out, so Hardy pursues. They go back in and Miz is there to stomp Hardy out. Miz backs off at 4, and Hardy staggers to the ropes. Miz is on him with a sleeper hold, but Hardy fights back. Hardy goes to run but Miz yanks him down by his hair. The ref reprimands Miz, but Miz just stalks Hardy for the low boot. he misses, Hardy rolls up, TWO. Hardy kicks low, but Miz again escapes the Twist. Miz slips back out of the ring to catch his breath again. Hardy waits, but again Miz baits him into cat and mouse. Miz runs, and catches Hardy with knees. Miz throws Hardy back out, then runs to try the wrecking ball. Hardy dodges, then clobbers Miz with a haymaker.
Hardy catches his breath against the announce desk, then climbs up to the apron. He fires the fans up before leaping onto Miz with a lariat! Hardy refreshes the count, then bounces Miz off the announce desk several times! When he’s done, he puts Miz back in the ring. Cover, TWO! Hardy keeps on Miz with a chinlock. Miz endures, stands up and powers out. Miz gets Hardy with the kitchen sink knee, then takes his time catching his breath. We return to single picture as Miz mocks the DELETE. He brings Hardy back up, and goes to bump him off buckles. Hardy turns it around to bump Miz in one corner, then another, then another. Hardy gets all four corners and gives Miz more and more buckle bumps! Miz is down, and fans chant “DELETE! DELETE!” Miz knees Hardy then low boots! Cover, TWO!
Miz keeps on Hardy with a knee and half surfboard. Fans rally for Hardy as he endures the stretch. Hardy powers up to his feet, then fights against the hold. Hardy turns it around on Miz, but Miz turns it back around and brings Hardy to his knees. Fans rally again, and Hardy powers up again. Hardy turns the hold back around once more, but Miz kicks low. Miz swings but Hardy counters and hits back. Hardy gives more haymakers, then a kick, then a whip. Miz reverses, but Hardy hits back with forearms. Hardy atomic drops, and leg-splitting leg drops on top! Dropkick added, cover, TWO! Hardy whips Miz but Miz kicks him away. Miz runs but is dumped outside. Hardy builds speed and hits the baseball slide! Miz hits barriers, but Hardy isn’t done. DELETE leaping attack, but Miz sends him into barriers!
Not even @JEFFHARDYBRAND could predict this "twist of fate!" #SDLive #USOpenChallenge @mikethemiz pic.twitter.com/9L9sPmRcGX
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
Hardy is down while the count begins. Miz drags Hardy up while we go to break.
SmackDown returns as both Miz and Hardy slowly stand in the ring. Hardy hits Miz with the spinning back kick, but both men are down again. Fans rally for Hardy as he and Miz brawl on their knees. They go back and forth, and brawl as they stand up. Hardy gets the edge, but Miz counters to the full nelson. Hardy throws him off and hits a corner clothesline. Miz sits down, here comes the Hardyac, but Miz kicks it away. Miz runs out, but into the Twist- No, full nelson, but Hardy rolls! TWO, DDT from Miz! Cover, TWO! Miz gets up, runs in, and hits the A-List clothesline. Hardy staggers out while Miz climbs up. Miz leaps, but Hardy gets under. Hardy elbows back, then Whisper in the Wind! Cover, TWO!
Hardy isn’t sure what to do now, but he doesn’t lose hope. He takes off the shirt and calls for the Twist. Miz stands, Hardy kicks low but Miz again denies the Twist. He rolls Hardy, but feet on the ropes! The referee spots it and stops the count! Miz thinks he’s won, but the referee points out he saw Miz was cheating. Miz protests but runs into Twist of Fate! Hardy climbs up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Hardy wins!
Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall; still WWE United States Champions
The second open challenge for the champion, and the champion is still the same. Hardy keeps his momentum red hot, will he be able to keep it going all Summer? Or will someone shut him down before the Fall?
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸-MADE! @JEFFHARDYBRAND retains his #USTitle in the #IndependenceDay #USOpenChallenge! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/0WoMR3k8qh
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
James Ellsworth speaks.
Men are the superior specimen. Men have stronger muscles, bones are tougher, brains are bigger–especially his. Women aren’t ready for Asuka, but he’s all man. The Battle of the Sexes when he puts Asuka in her place. #MellaisMoney, and #EllsworthisExquisite. Generalizing aside, is this “man” really ready for one of the most dangerous women in WWE today?
Byron Saxton is in the ring.
As everyone in America knows, July 4th is Independence Day. But tonight, the New Day has requested time for a special something: The Inaugural 3rd of July Pancake Eating Contest! Therefore, welcome the Patriots of Positivity! Awwwwww~ Omaha! Don’t you dare be sour, clap for your four-time champs, and feel~ the power~!
Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods bring out patriotic pancakes that are red, white and blue, then hit the ring. Byron makes the introductions for Kofi Kingston and his long list of accolades, as well as “the Doctor of Defenestration” Xavier Woods and the abridged version of Big E’s intro. Five minutes on the clock, and the rules are as follows: they will each have that time to eat as many pancakes as possible. They must swallow all the pancakes and NOT throw up. Big E has red, Xavier has white and Kofi has blue. “New Day, are you ready!?” YES!! WWE Universe, are you ready!? YES!! Then… GO! The New Day shoves pancakes into their mouths, but then the lights go out! Why? Because SAnitY is here!
And they ambush from behind! Young, Wolfe & Dain toss each member of the New Day around, and then throw Big E and Kofi out. They pick up Woods, and throw him into the legs of the table! Big Damo throws Big E into steps, while Young chokes Woods on the ropes. Damo isn’t done, he tosses Big E over the announce desk! Young holds Woosd to watch Wolfe feed Kofi to Damo’s Divide! And finally, the table is set back up so that they can bring Woods over. Damo bounces Woods’ face off the table, and he and Wolfe hold Woods for Young’s flying elbow drop through the table!!
There's nothing sweet about the CHAOTIC ending to #TheNewDay’s 1st Annual 3rd of July Pancake Eating Contest… #SDLive #SAniTY @TheEricYoung @KillianDain @TheWWEWolfe @XavierWoodsPhD pic.twitter.com/mY78gUiESb
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
Anarchy annihilates this inaugural pancake eating party, will SAnitY turn this into the Summer of Chaos?
Asuka VS James Ellsworth w/ Carmella!
Ready, @realellsworth? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/7E8qwSFk7k
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
It’s a Battle of the Sexes for a new generation as the Empress of Tomorrow looks to get payback at the “Exquisite” Ellsworth for the Money in the Bank screw job he helped the FABULOUS Princess pull. Will Ellsworth’s comments earlier tonight be his famous last words?
Did you REALLY think #SDLive #WomensChampion @CarmellaWWE was going to miss this #BattleOfTheSexes match? pic.twitter.com/IX68zyGhI2
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
And to add fuel to the fire, Carmella makes sure to make her own entrance separate from Ellsworth to then trash talk the Empress. She joins commentary while Ellsworth does some last stretches. Ellsworth then rolls up his sleeves and asks for the bell. The bell rings, he pumps up, but Asuka shoves him down! Ellsworth gets out of the ring, but Carmella orders him back in. He obeys, but runs into strikes from Asuka! Ellsworth retreats again, but Carmella angrily orders him to man up. He takes off his shirt, “mans up”, and circles with Asuka. He gets a waistlock, but Asuka elbows out to then throw palm strikes from all sides!
Asuka back kicks, fireman’s carry, and spins around! She dumps a dizzy Ellsworth down, and he’s close to throwing up. Asuka SLAPS him! And then backhands him! Ellsworth escapes again, but Asuka pursues! They run into the crowd! Asuka chases the lankly Ellsworth, but the ring count reaches 10!
Double Count Out
But wait, they come back! And Asuka gets in arms length, only for Carmella to shove Asuka down! The Princess trash talks Asuka, then drags Ellsworth away. Granted, Ellsworth is wearing his wrestling trunks, but it’s clear Carmella still wears the pants in this relationship. Will Asuka get her revenge on them both when Extreme Rules comes around?
One of these days, @WWEAsuka will get her hands on @CarmellaWWE & @realellsworth… #SDLive #AsukavsEllsworth pic.twitter.com/aVFhmDsbL8
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 4, 2018
Kane and Bryan meet backstage.
Bryan has diagrams for tonight’s match? No, there’s no time for that. They need to get on the same page. Kane needs to apologize. For what? Bryan reveals those papers are a timeline of all the times Kane mistreated Bryan! Kane stops Bryan’s list of grievances, and apologizes. For which one? For them all. They’re like brothers. But, Kane set his brother, Undertaker, on fire once. Well, he knows what that means! The Usos are at the top of their game. One mistake, Hell No loses. When they’re united, no one can stop them! It doesn’t matter if it’s been 5 or 50 years, they’ve created a fire no one can extinguish. And then, they will be tag team champions. Now, is Bryan ready for the Usos? “YES! YES!”
AJ Styles VS Aiden English w/ Rusev!
Untouchable. #SDLive @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/HjNzcS4G7P
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
The Bulgarian Brute earned his first shot at a world title in the Gauntlet Match a few weeks back, and did his best to be respectful to the Phenomenal WWE Champion. However, MC Artiste wasn’t so respectful, and got a haymaker for it. Now the Drama King looks to show Styles isn’t as phenomenal as advertised. Will English perform a symphony of sorrow for Styles? Or will Styles roll on towards an extreme Rusev Day?
Styles speaks before the match, saying that at Extreme Rules, he will defend against someone bigger and stronger. “But what else is new?” That’s what makes it fun, right? Styles likes proving people wrong. Rusev said he’ll break down the House that AJ STyles Built, and take that belt away. What does he think this is? A rental property? Now, Rusev is a Super Athlete, but he’s not Phenomenal. Before Styles can say more, Rusev & English appear! Rusev doesn’t care how phenomenal Styles is, he hasn’t faced “this Rusev.” This Rusev has his first WWE world title opportunity, and it’s going to be on Rusev Day. Rusev meant what he said about breaking down the door and evicting Styles to move in to the House that Styles Built.
"At #ExtremeRules, I'm coming to break down the door, evict you, throw you out on the street, take that title, and move into the house that YOU'VE built!" Quite the game plan from @RusevBUL… #SDLive @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/Ur9Rt5oQe7
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 4, 2018
English, what day are they moving in? Rusev Daaaay~! Rusev leaves the ring to English and the bell rings. But one last thing. English ambushes Styles! Never mind then. English stomps Styles, then brings him up for more while we go picture in picture.
The referee backs English off while Styles gets out of the ring. English waits, but only a moment. He goes out to attack Styles, but Styles puts him into barriers. English clubs Styles back, and both men go into the ring. English has Styles in a corner and fires away. He whips Styles corner to corner, and Styles hits buckles hard. English drags Styles up for more haymakers, but Styles chops back! Styles backs English down, throws haymakers, then whips. English reverses but Styles clubs him again. Styles kicks English down, then brings him up for forearms. He waistlocks but English switches. Styles bucks English but English holds on by the waistband to then club Styles in the back again. English hits a swinging neckbreaker, covers, TWO!
English keeps his cool as he drags Styles up. He knees low, then pushes Styles for another kidney shot. He goes again and hits another shot while we go single picture. Fans duel between Styles and Rusev Day, and Styles elbows back. Styles throws hands and kicks, then runs, but into a kick from English. English suplexes Styles up, but Styles gets on the apron. Styles shoulders in, slingshots up and over, but into a full nelson slam! Cover, TWO! Rusev coaches English as English puts Styles in a chinlock. Fans rally up for Styles but they still duel. Styles fights back, bobs and weaves, for the Phenomenal Blitz! English goes down, and Styles adds the sliding forearm! English gets to a corner, but Styles is on him with a corner clothesline to Ushigoroshi!
But Styles won’t cover there, he brings English up for the Clash. English counters, but gets countered back, Calf Crusher! English endures the pain, but he taps! Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by submission
But Rusev strikes! He drags Styles out to then throw him into the post! MACHKA KICK! English may have failed to win, but the Bulgarian Brute is still softening up Styles for himself. He puts Styles in the ring, for the Accolade! Styles doesn’t tap, but he does fade out. Will this happen again at Extreme Rules to crown a new WWE Champion?
The IIconics speak.
Selfie cam! Smile! Or, no, game face. Peyton Royce vows to expose Becky Lynch as a has-been sidekick who deserves to be kicked to the side. The IIconics are beautiful from all angles, but they have a nasty side, too. Peyton will do her best to hurt Becky, and that will be something to smile about.
Carmella reprimands Ellsworth.
But then Paige finds them. She likes this vibe, using a man to protect her title. But Ellsworth can’t run away for long, he has a rematch with Asuka. And since he’s “such a ladies man”, he’ll make his wildest dreams come true. Imagine: the ring is surrounded by all the women of SmackDown. Yes, it’ll be a Lumberjack match! Ellsworth claims to be ready for Asuka, but will he be ready for the entire SmackDown Women’s Division?
Becky Lynch VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay!
The Lass Kicker already has a win over one-half of the Iconic Duo, but can she get the sweep?
The bell rings and the two circle. Peyton powers Becky to a corner then rams her shoulder in again and again. Becky dodges to hip toss Peyton down. Billie swipes at Becky but Peyton runs in. Becky rolls Peyton, ONE. Becky knees low then whips Peyton to a corner. Peyton puts Becky on the apron but Becky shoulders back. Billie distracts Becky but Becky gets her to back down. Becky climbs up but Peyton intercepts! Fireman’s carry, rolling Death Valley! Cover, TWO! The IIconcis are furious, but Peyton keeps on Becky with knee strikes. Peyton glares down at Becky as she kicks her around. Fans rally for Becky, but Peyton puts her in a standing abdominal stretch. Becky endures, pops out and snapmares Peyton down.
Peyton crawls to ropes an drop toeholds Becky into them. She chokes Becky on the ropes, but backs off at 4. Becky crawls but Peyton is on her with a snapmare and seated abdominal stretch. Becky endures while fans rally up again. She and Peyton stand, Becky rolls, TWO. Becky headbutts low, then again. Peyton dodges the third to shove Becky. Becky narrowly avoids the heel kick, then blocks the next kick into a Becksploder! Fans fire up as Becky kicks. Becky whips but Peyton holds ropes. Peyton kicks, but then runs into a kick from Becky. Becky runs in but gets boots. Peyton hits a knee on the run, then drags Becky up again. Scoop to the fireman’s, but crucifix into Disarm-her! Peyton taps, Becky wins!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by submission
And there’s the #IIconicSweep for the Lass Kicker! Becky is straight fire as of late, can she burn a path straight to the title?
Burn bright, girl on 🔥! #SDLive @BeckyLynchWWE @PeytonRoyceWWE pic.twitter.com/PmDbnCqdph
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
The King of Strong Style wonders why Hardy paints his face. Is he a clown? Is he insane? Or is Hardy just ashamed? Extreme Rules, Nakamura vows to strip away everything, from pride to honor to the United States Championship!
The Usos VS Team Hell No!
UP NEXT: Can @WWEUsos LOCK DOWN their opportunity to challenge The #BludgeonBrothers for the #SDLive #TagTeamTitles? pic.twitter.com/vWKvk9tdRE
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
Two tag teams that have dominated their respective runs in the Tag Team Division are set to collide! Kane & Bryan will still have their shot at Harper & Rowan for the titles, but can they keep the Uso Penitentiary from going extreme?
It's just like ol' times for #TeamHellNo @WWEDanielBryan & @KaneWWE as they join forces against @WWEUsos RIGHT NOW on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/EWiRKUyaeC
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
The bell rings and Bryan starts against Jimmy. The two circle and tie up, and Jimmy gets a headlock. Bryan powers out but Jimmy runs him over. Jimmy runs but Bryan drop toeholds into the leg half of the surfboard. Bryan grabs the arms, and brings Jimmy up all the way! He then drops Jimmy down to tag in Kane. Bryan holds Jimmy for Kane to boot! Kane brings Jimmy up for his uppercut, then stomps a mudhole in the corner. Tag to Bryan, and Kane whips Bryan in for a dropkick. Bryan brings Jimmy up but Jimmy gets him tot he Uso corner. Tag to Jey and Jey forearms Bryan. Jey then runs, but Bryan meets him with a dropkick! Bryan tags Kane, and the Big Red Machine brings Jey up for a scoop slam. Kane drops the elbow, but misses.
Jey tags Jimmy, and Jimmy climbs up. Jimmy leaps, but into Kane’s grip! Jey, too, and Kane pushes both Usos out! The Usos drag Kane out to beat him down, but Bryan comes in. Bryan misses Jey and gets an uppercut from Jimmy. Jey runs, builds speed and DIVES on Kane! Jimmy does the same, to DIVE on Kane! Kane goes down, and the Usos have control while we go to break.
SmackDown returns once more, and Bryan backs Jimmy down with haymakers. Jimmy whips Bryan corner to corner but Bryan goes up and over. Things speed up and Bryan takes Jimmy down with the leaping lariat. Bryan runs in for the corner dropkick, then kicks away. Bryan stops at 4, then hoists Jimmy up top. He climbs up to join Jimmy, and just manages the SUPER Steiner! Bryan fires up again, and gives Jimmy proper YES Kicks! He kicks and kicks, then goes for the buzzsaw, but misses. Jimmy shoves and Bryan ends up on the apron. Bryan fights off Jey, but gets Jimmy’s Dragon Whip kick! Bryan goes down, and Jimmy tags Jey. Jey runs over to Bryan to run him over with a clothesline.
Kane can only watch as Jey stalks Bryan. Jey chops Bryan then puts him in the ring. He drags Bryan up for a scoop slam, then more stomps. Jey tags in Jimmy, and the Usos stomp away on Bryan. Jimmy runs in for the hip attack! Cover, TWO! Jimmy keeps on Bryan with a chinlock. Fans rally for Bryan as Bryan reaches for his corner. Jimmy holds on and even hops on, but Bryan still walks forward. He and Kane reach out for each other, but Jimmy throws Bryan down by his hair. Jimmy tags Jey, and Jey climbs up. Jimmy brings Bryan up, backbreaker to ax handle chop! Jey tags Jimmy back in, and the Usos split the wishbone. Jimmy brings Bryan up, whips him, but Bryan dodges to build speed, double crossbodies take them both out!
FULL SPEED COLLISION!! @WWEUsos @WWEDanielBryan @KaneWWE @TeamHellNovsTheUsos #SDLive pic.twitter.com/hb851CJjaW
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
Fans rally up as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Jey and Kane! Kane rallies on Jey, whips and boots him down. Kane hits a corner splash, then the sidewalk slam. Cover, but Jimmy breaks it. Kane uppercuts Jimmy away, but Jey dropkicks Kane out. Kane is back on his feet, but Jimmy DIVES! Only for Kane to send him into barriers. Jey tries but runs into a right hand. Kane gets back in the ring, and stalks Jey with choke slam on deck. He grabs Jey by the throat, but Jey fights out. Jimmy tags in, SUPERKICK! Kane only staggers, but the Usos see Bryan. Bryan flies in, but into double SUPERKICKS! The Usos see Kane, SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!
Jimmy is surprised, but he and Jey tag again. Jey and Jimmy climb up opposite corners, aiming for Kane. Double UCE– Into double hands! Kane feeds Jimmy to the KNEE PLUS, CHOKE SLAM for Jey! Cover, Team Hell No wins!
Winners: Team Hell No, Kane pinning
YES YES YES, Hell No wins. But Bryan wants Kane to mean it when he celebrates. Kane does it strong, and then they hug it out!
YES! for #TeamHellNo! NO! for @WWEUsos!
The #SDLive #TagTeamTitles match at #ExtremeRules will just be between #TeamHellNo and The #BludgeonBrothers! @WWEDanielBryan @KaneWWE pic.twitter.com/4zwDwxpays
— WWE (@WWE) July 4, 2018
But wait, here come the Bludgeon Brothers. Harper & Rowan, armed with their hammers, take a good hard look at their lone challengers. No more celebrating, because doom is on the horizon. Will Team Hell No be brought into their own tag team apocalypse? Or will they introduce Harper & Rowan to hellfire, brimstone and a lot of heart?
My Thoughts:
A pretty solid SmackDown, and certainly in comparison to last night’s Raw. The opening segment made a lot of sense, other teams should be upset that Kane & Bryan get a shot at the titles already without really earning it. Granted, the Usos have had their own chances, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t earn another like Paige put out there tonight. The main event was a great match, and given Kane’s hoss monster style, his ring rust didn’t really show compared to the faster Bryan and Usos. With this win, Team Hell No earns their shot, but that buzzkill appearance by Harper & Rowan definitely assures this match is going to be great on physicality alone.
Hardy and Miz put on a great match, but of course Hardy keeps the title to face Nakamura at Extreme Rules. I think Nakamura’s little bite at the screen was a reference to that dog attacking. It’s rather serendipitous, really, because now their match can happen at the PPV rather than on TV. That pancake eating contest becoming a SAnitY raid was actually brilliant. Now we’ll get the hottest trio in a long time against the hit NXT trio, because why not? Ellsworth VS Asuka did not go how anyone hoped, but that’s okay, we’ll get even bigger and better satisfaction next week in that Lumberjack match. Styles VS English went as expected, but I hoped Rusev was going to stay Face in this feud. Granted, Heel Rusev has always been his strongest persona, but Face VS Face is so rare in WWE I wish they’d give it a try.
Becky VS Peyton was at a very fast pace, but that was for the sake of time. Great to see Becky on this roll, but with her going up against single members of duos, I’m expecting something to happen that calls Charlotte to the rescue, and we get #TeaGenerationX taking on The IIconics and/or Mandy-Sonya for a right at Women’s Tag Team Championships. Essentially, the Women’s Divisions will parallel each other in some way again, and we get one Raw team and one SmackDown team for the inaugural champions. The Four Horsewomen going 2v2 against each other would be pretty cool, but at the same time, Bayley & Sasha have their own feud to worry about first. Maybe it’ll be two members of Riott Squad against Becky-Charlotte instead, which will still be fun.
My Score: 8/10
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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
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Coverage
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!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
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.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
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.
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