Will The OTC accept Sami Zayn?

Jimmy says no, Jey says yes, so Roman Reigns must be the tiebreaker. Will Sami Zayn’s return to SmackDown also be a return to their family?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Bayley VS Candice LeRae; Bayley wins.
• DIY VS Pretty Deadly; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns is here!

Buffalo, New York is all fired up as The OTC steps out on stage, #BigJim Uso by his side. His shirt even has “YEET!” added to it! They raise their ones to the sky and the pyro goes off. The fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” as Roman & Jimmy continue into the ring. Roman has the mic, but then JEY Uso makes his entrance! Roman is a bit surprised by this, and Jey is wearing a red YEET shirt! The fans sing along and bounce as Jey makes his way into the ring. Jey grabs a mic, takes off the sunglasses, and says there is a lot of misunderstanding going on right now. If Roman could just hear him out, listen to what he has to say, please.

And when Jey says, “Him,” he means SAMI ZAYN! The fans fire up as now all the OG Bloodline are here in one place! The fans sing Sami’s song and chant “Sami Uso!” Jey hands the mic over to Sami, and Sami takes a moment before saying, “Look. First of all, I want to address what happened at Crown Jewel. I want you to know that that kick to the face… It wasn’t on purpose, okay? But I want you to know something. The only reason I showed up at Crown Jewel was for Jey.” The fans “YEET!” for that. Sami would love to say the only reason Sami’s here is because of Jey, but that’s not rue. Because it has been a long time since Sami and Roman have been in a ring together.

Sami thought of all the things he’d do and say if he was in the ring with Roman again. But when it was the four of them, for just a moment, it was special. It took Sami back to that special time in his career and in his life, a special time… with family. The fans cheer but Roman frowns. Sami says he won’t lie. There has been a lot here between them all, there is a part that still has a soft spot for that time as The Bloodline. And the thing is, Sami knows Jey felt it, he knows Jimmy felt it, and he damn sure knows that on some level, Roman felt it, too! And the way Sami knows that is because Roman is here now.

The only reason Sami, Jey, Jimmy and Roman are all here, is because on some level, they all want this back. But the thing is, Roman. People think the opposite of love is hate. It’s not. The opposite of love is indifference. And Sami doesn’t think Roman is indifferent here. Sami thinks Roman loves Sami. The fans cheer that! Sami calls out the smirk! He sees it! Roman is confused but Sami says it is still there! Roman remembers the old days just like everyone else! And it could be like that, all of them partying in the SUV, Sami and Jimmy doing the handshake, Jey in the back, hater of the year. Roman in the front seat, being all jacked and cool.

They could run nit all back! And here’s what Sami will do. He puts the ball in Roman’s court. If Roman wants Sami to turn around, leave, and never be part of The Bloodline again, Sami will do it. The fans boo that idea! But Sami doesn’t think that’s what Roman wants. Sami thinks Roman wants Roman, The Usos & Sami fighting together, side by side! The fans love that idea! If that is what Roman wants, then Sami will do it. Sami just needs Roman to do one thing for Sami: Apologize. Roman is really unsure now, but the fans want them to “Hug It Out! Hug It Out!” Roman wants to get this right. Sami wants Roman to apologize to Sami?

The fans are a bit torn here but Sami says no, it’s not for Sami. This apology is to Jey. The fans “YEET!” and Jey’s the one surprised now. Roman looks to Jey, Jey looks at Roman, and Roman steps forward. The fans continue to chant “Hug It Out!” Roman tells Jey, “I’m sorry.” The fans cheer that and Sami smiles. Roman is sorry he ever let Jey waste his time with this! Sami is NOT family! He’s not blood! He’s not honorary! He ain’t no Uso! Quit wasting time! This isn’t about Sami, this is about SOLO!! Roman demands Solo bring his ass out to the ring so they can handle business. Jey apologizes to Sami and Sami heads out.

But on the tron, Jacob Fatu calls out Roman. It has been so long since Roman’s been Tribal Chief, so Jacob will “lace you up.” Roman is stupid! See, there’s the Tribal Chief, and then there’s everyone else. Solo is Tribal Chief, so Roman is like everyone else. Solo doesn’t jump when Roman says jump, and Solo doesn’t move when Roman tells him to move. Solo does things on his own time. Solo will come out there when he damn well pleases. So at the end of the day, you will ACKNOWLEDGE that. The fans boo the Samoan Werewolf and Roman is pissed. Roman talks with Jimmy that they need to handle this. Will Roman still fight Solo, even when the numbers aren’t in their favor?

Roman returns backstage.

Jimmy wants Roman to hold on, but Jey catches up first. Jey wants to talk. Roman says no, but Jey grabs Roman’s arm. Jey asked Roman to hear Sami out. Roman asks why Jey even cares about that fool! Sami ain’t nothing to us! If Jey loves Sami and Sami means so much to Jey, go find Sami. Jey warned Roman, if Roman talks to Jey like that, Jey’s out. This is Roman’s free pass. Jey heads off, Jimmy asks what Roman’s doing. Roman asks who Jimmy is talking to. Why doesn’t Jimmy go with his brother? Jimmy goes the other way, does Roman need to see he is the problem?

Bayley VS Candice LeRae!

The Role Model and Poison Pixie have gone back and forth with each other as the collateral in Nia Jax’s reign of terror. But will Bayley get even with Candice and get back on track? Or will the WWE Women’s Speed Champion find her own way up the ladder?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Candice kicks low, then ENZIGIRIS! Cover, ONE! Candice brings Bayley up, whips, but Bayley reverses. Candice holds ropes, KICKS Bayley, and then runs. But Bayley CLOBBERS Candice! Bayley runs to BASEMENT UPPERCUT! Then a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley stalks Candice, TOSSES her through ropes, and the fans fire up. Candice fires body shots, then RAMS Bayley. Candice brings Bayley into the ropes, turns her, and hits a HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! A very Bayley move and Candice is in control as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Candice stalks Bayley, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS away on Bayley, then looms over her. Candice clamps onto Bayley with a chinlock and digs her knee into Bayley’s back. Bayley endures, fights around, and fights up, only for Candice to throw her down! STEP-UP SENTON FLOPS as Bayley moves! Bayley hurries to Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Bayley rolls Candice to a ghost pin, TWO! Candice scurries to the apron but Bayley is right on her. Bayley fires hands but so does Candice! They go back and forth with forearms, then Candice hits an APRON FLATLINER! Bayley dangles, then slumps to the floor!

Candice lines up a shot, then STEP-UP SENTONS! Candice leaves Bayley behind to soak up some heat. Candice takes a bow while Bayley flounders into the ring. Candice CLUBS away on Bayley, covers, TWO! Bayley stays in this and goes to the ropes, but Candice CLUBS Candice again. Candice pulls Bayley through ropes to pull her back against them! Candice lets off as the ref counts, and then she stalks Bayley to a corner. Candice stomps away on Bayley but steps off as the ref counts. Candice storms back up to snapmare and NECK SNAPPER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Bayley escapes and goes to a corner, but Candice is on her again.

Candice drags Bayley into a chinlock, then shifts around for a LAST CHANCERY! Bayley endures being stretched way back by the bridge! Bayley reaches out, so Candice lets go to CLUB away on her again! Back to the Chancery, and SmackDown is back to single picture. Bayley still endures, still fights, and she fights around. The bridge is breaking but Candice keeps her grip. Candice shifts to a headlock but Bayley fires body shots! Bayley fires forearms, Candice RAMS Bayley into a corner! Candice RAMS Bayley again and again, then backs up. Candice runs back in, but Bayley puts her on the apron. Candice ROCKS Bayley! And throws her by her hair!

The ref reprimands but Candice climbs a corner. Bayley ROCKS Candice! Bayley fires shots, Candice hits back! They’re on opposite ends of the corner, but it’s Candice who YANKS Bayley into the post! Candice shoves Bayley back in, climbs back up, and aims for a MISSILE DROPKICK! But Bayley’s right up! LARIAT! The fans fire up and Bayley feeds off that energy. Bayley stalks Candice, brings her up, and RAMS her into a corner! The fans fire up as Bayley fires off forearms! The ref counts, Bayley lets off, but Candice turns things around! Candice ROCKS Bayley, runs back up, but Bayley FLAPJACKS Candice off buckles!

Bayley puts Candice in ropes, HOTSHOT STUNNER! Then a fireman’s carry! Bayley swings for the SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Candice survives but Bayley brings her to a drop zone. Bayley climbs and the fans fire up! But Candice rolls to the far side apron! Bayley is annoyed so she goes out the side. Bayley chases Candice back into the ring, and Candice says her leg hurts! The ref checks Candice, but he also has to keep Bayley back. Bayley backs off, and Candice springs after her! But Bayley knew it, and she spins through the roll-up to sit on the cover! BAYLEY WINS!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall

Candice is furious but Bayley says she’s been watching Candice her whole life, she knows her tricks! Will Bayley make sure no one gets the drop on her ever again?

Johnny Gargano finds MCMG backstage.

Johnny Wrestling says hey, and congrats on the big win for the tag titles. Everything they’ve done in tag team wrestling, being in WWE is long overdue. Alex Shelley thanks Gargano for that, it means a lot coming from Gargano. Chris Sabin says that they can’t wait to face DIY again. Gargano wishes MCMG luck tonight. Punching Grayson Waller is one of Gargano’s favorite things to do, so have fun. Seriously, a very punchable face. MCMG head out, Ciampa walks in and asks what the hell that was about. Gargano says he’s known those guys since he was 19. They’re like brothers to him. They talked about this.

Ciampa says he does not care. Does Johnny not get that those guys only just got here and they took DIY’s spot? They took DIY’s titles! The titles that DIY got screwed out of in the fist place because of The Bloodline, with no actual rematch for! Gargano knows, and Ciampa knows Gargano knows. But whatever it takes, right? Gargano did say that, right? So tonight, DIY makes an example of Pretty Deadly! And after that, they go to the Motor City Machine Guns and let them know that DIY are taking those titles back! Ciampa storms off, and then in steps Randy Orton. The Viper is going right to gorilla!

Buffalo fires up as Voices starts playing and Orton makes his way to the ring! The Crown Jewel match between him and Kevin Owens never even started, will the Apex Predator call out the Prizefighter? Will Kevin choose to respond? We find out after the break.

SmackDown returns and…

Randy Orton has a mic as he paces in the ring. Orton’s voice is hoarse as he says, “Crown Jewel was only the beginning. I’m gonna end this s*it right now! Kevin Owens! I want you to get your ass out here right now, and I’m gonna whip your ass in front of the entire world! You hear me?! Get out here right-” Wait, Kevin walks out, no music, and with refs and producers telling him not to. He even has a new shirt, “KEVIN IS RIGHT.” The fans boo Kevin while Orton is raging. Kevin stares Orton down as Orton dares Kevin to get in the ring. Kevin turns around, only to turn right back around to head to the ring!

The fans fire up as Kevin slides in, and the brawl is on! Orton gets the edge, he has Kevin in a corner to punch and stomp, but more producers rush out here! They pull Orton back, but Kevin LOW BLOWS Orton! Kevin reels Orton in, for a PILEDRIVER!! The fans boo, the producers push Kevin, and the refs worry for Orton’s neck and back. Nick Aldis hurries out here, he tells the producers to get Kevin out of this building! The refs call for medics to help Orton, and the medics hurry with a stretcher and backboard. The team secures Orton, rolls him from ringside to the stage, and around the back. Did Kevin not just cross the line, but end an iconic career?

Cody Rhodes joins everyone bringing Orton to the ambulance, wanting to know his mentor and friend is okay. The team loads Orton into the back, and Cody rides with him. Aldis tells Cody he’ll handle things here. The ambulance heads out, what consequences will The Prizefighter be facing?

Well tonight’s show we should get some solid action and hopefully some build toward Turning Point and Final Resolution as we round out 2024. Moose challenges Speedball for the X Division Championship, the other half of the Elegance Clique will wrestle Jody Threat to solidify their Knockouts tag bid, Demon battle as Wendy Choo and Rosemary have it out and then there’s the matter of if Joe Hendry will find a way to get another shot at the World title when he didn’t lose it cleanly.

So there’s a few bites to take out of this apple, let’s see if we have to spit in the face of anyone who isn’t cool.

EXCLUSIVE: "What happened to all the others…that were friends? Abyss, Crazzy Steve, Black Taurus, Havok, the Valkyrie, the Bunny…they left us." pic.twitter.com/1MeR8qemX8

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 6, 2024

Ratings:

• Tasha Steelz & Alisha Edwards vs Jordynne Grace & Masha Slamovich: Masha wins via Sleeper Hold – ** 1/2
• NoDQ Match: Wendy Choo vs Rosemary: Rosemary wins via As Above So Below – ** 1/4
• Heather by Elegance w/ASH & Personal Concierge vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Jody wins via Pop-Shove-It – **
• X Division Championship: Speedball Mike Bailey (c) vs Moose: Moose wins via Lights Out – *** 1/2 – TITLE CHANGE!!!

Results:

Tasha Steelz & Alisha Edwards vs Jordynne Grace & Masha Slamovich

Alisha going for the ole Bob Orton gimmick and walks out with the neck brace on even though she’s medically cleared to compete. I appreciate it.

Tasha tries to tie up with Jordynne to start, and as you can imagine, that doesn’t go well. Shoulder Tackle sends Tasha into her corner, she tags to Alisha, Alisha tries to hype herself up for a Test of Strength, Jordynne wins with one hand and Lish complains about her injured neck so the referee breaks the Test of Strength and Lish tags out quickly. Tasha comes in and Jordynne tags out, Masha works over Tasha, Masha tags out, quick tandem Suplex, Jordynne goes for a Scoop Slam and Vader Bomb but Lish picks the ankle causing Jordynne to fall on the ropes. Tasha with the Back Stabber, and Lish calls to get tagged back in and tries to sink in a Sleeper Hold, but Jordynne fights through and Lish tags out as soon as things start to go against her.

Tasha connects with a PK, twerks in Jordynne’s face and Jordynne just slaps her ass as she gets up. Tasha tries a Satellite DDT, but Jordynne stops it and counters into a Sidewalk Slam. Tags out to Masha and Masha runs over Tasha, big Capo Kick for the pinfall but Lish breaks it up. Masha gets distracted with Lish, Tasha Codebreaker causes Masha to tag out. A few Vader Hammers into the Backfist, but Tasha ducks the Backfist and hits the Blackout! Masha breaks up the pin and Tasha tags out to Lish. Heels try to double team Jordynne but she shrugs both off, Masha goes for the Blind Tag, walks in and barely even locks in the Sleeper Hold and Lish taps out soo damn fast.

Lish is a great character. The fact that she gets her gimmick over more than trying to just to derpy moves makes her matches enjoyable. She gets pro wrestling. 

NoDQ Match: Wendy Choo vs Rosemary

The video package I put at the top of the article makes this split make a ton of sense. Rosemary has abandonment issues, but The Hive decided on a preemptive strike. So if anything it babyfaced them both, but how do you babyface demons? Let’s see.

They start off just exchanging Head Smashes into the corner, Wendy gets the best of it, goes for her Diving Nap Elbow, Cartwheel Forearm and High Bootwash, but Rosemary slows down Wendy with The Upside Down. Wendy manages to escape and tie Rosemary into the Tree of Woe, she hammers away, tries to get her pillow but Rosemary counters and sends Wendy into the steps. Rosemary starts taking Wendy to task on the outside, cables and weapons, as she throws Wendy back into the ring and tries to use her cane for extra leverage in a submission, but Wendy fights through, both level each other with Lariats, do a double zombie rise and go to the corner, Wendy hits the Monkey Flip, grabs her pillow finally and starts using it in her offense. Night Night with the Pillow off the middle rope, but Rosemary kicks out at two. Sleeper attempt from Wendy but Snapmare into a Spear gives Rosemary the wi-oh Wendy kicked out.

Rosemary grabs the cane, Wendy tries to counter with a Full Nelson Bomb, but Rosemary bites her and manages to lock in the As Above So Below with the Cane, and Rosemary wins.

Well that match was fine, and now it looks like we’re getting another filler match because of the injuries from tapings. So TNA is bringing back From the Vaults to cover for the lost time. At least there’s a precedent so it doesn’t seem too silly and I appreciate them trying to give people something they haven’t seen in lieu of just throwing out a Golden era match or something.

TNA From the Vaults: June 15, 2024, Mustafa Ali w/Campaign Singh vs Mike Santana

.@SteveMaclin has always known @Walking_Weapon's true colors!

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— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 8, 2024

"It's Rascal Rebound Season" @ZacharyWentz @TheTreyMiguel

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Joe Hendry comes out to talk after the Rascalz vignette. And I almost wanted to be mad at more talking, but Hendry has a meme music video about Ryan Nemeth! He sets it up as going through all of his accomplishments and its as simple as “He’s Nic Nemeth’s brother…the end”. It was all to set up a challenge to Ryan, but I’m glad Hendry just went for the obvious joke and steered hard. 

.@Santana_Proud wants nothing to do with @AJFrancis410 and @KCwrestles!

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— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 8, 2024

The vignettes have been pretty damn good this episode. And it looks like Genesis is back for 1.19.2025. You know, Hard to Kill hasn’t been announced, so maybe the name belongs to Scott D’Amore so they’re going back to Genesis as their lead PLE. Little disappointed by that, but business is business.

Heather by Elegance w/ASH & Personal Concierge vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

Heather yanks Jody off the ropes during her entrance and takes a few cheap shots. The referee gets space, Jody of course wants to fight so the match begins and Jody starts beating the hell out of Heather. Vader Hammers in the corner, Exploder Suplex, throws Heather into the ropes, looks for her Double Knees/German spot, but ASH picks the ankle and causes a distraction. Heather takes advantage and hits the Satellite DDT, and starts stomping a mudhole into Jody. As the ref pulls off Heather, ASH gets in a few hair pulls and cheapshots as Heather lands the Hesitation Dropkick and gets a two count.

Jody fights back up to her feet, but Heather slips it and uses the hair to drag down Jody, DDT and another near fall. Heather tries to rain down some Elbows and keep Jody down, but Heather is 4 foot nothing, so it’s easy to get eye level with her. Jody Snap Suplex, runs over Heather with a few Lariats, Big Boot sends Heather into the ropes, Double Knees/German spot finally goes off. ASH hops up to the apron, Dani neutralizes them and Heather manages to pull the distracted Jody face first into the Turnbuckles, Diving Crossbody from Heather, but Jody catches her and Pop-Shove-It lands! Jody wins.

X Division Championship: Speedball Mike Bailey (c) vs Moose

Speedball is living up to his name and just coming out of the gate quick, Running Front Kicks, Triangle Moonsault to the outside, but as soon as Speedball panders to the crowd a little, Moose manages to catch him with a few kicks. Moose misses two Chops into the post though, so his left hand is already a target. They still fight on the outside, Drop Toe Hold from Bailey as Moose’s hand ricochets off the steps, Bailey goes for the PK, but misses! Let’s all remember Bailey wrestles barefoot, so…he just soccer kicked steps. That can’t feel good.

Since the match started with about 30 minutes left in the show, I’m not surprised about a commercial break. So when we get back, Moose is focusing the foot and leg, Bailey tries to fire off the ropes but Moose pops him onto his shoulders and just throws him into the corner buckles from the middle of the ring. Strong Irish Whip has Speedball looking more like a Pinball. Bailey blocks a charging Moose, perches and Moose tries the Go to Hell, but Bailey counters with a Frankensteiner! Running Shooting Star attempt but Moose rolls away and he gets up to just slam Bailey’s knee into the mat. Speedball goes for a fast Double Leg Cradle, but Moose gets out and Uranage bounces Bailey off the mat like a basketball.

Slowing things down, Moose goes for the Abdominal Stretch, tries to add leverage but Bailey manages to use the injured hand against Moose. A little back and forth as Moose Sunset Flips but Bailey blocks the grab from Moose and just executes the Backflip Knees! Moose takes an opportunistic shot at Bailey’s injured leg, and we go to another commercial. We come back and Moose flips Bailey onto the apron, Bailey manages a kick to rock Moose to the outside and lands a Springboard Corkscrew Senton. Rolls Moose back in, SHOOTING STAR PRESS…but only a two. Bailey ain’t Billy Kidman or Jushin Thunder Liger, so it’s not a finish. Both men start throwing strikes with their injured limb since its their go to strike. Chops from Moose, Round Kicks from Bailey, both start powering through the pain and go for the strikes harder before Bailey tries a few locomotion Cradle attempts but a GAME CHANGER levels Bailey! Moose tries to follow up and Bailey counters with a Code Red also only for two!

Moose retreats to the corner, Tornado Kick lands! Ultima Weapon set up but Moose hits the Million Dollar Drop Kick to counter! Both jockey with counters on the top before Bailey gets the best of things with an Avalanche Poison Rana! Bailey tries Ultima Weapon again, connects on a doubled over Moose…BUT MOOSE KICKS OUT! Tornado Kick attempt again, but Moose connects with LIGHTS OUT! Bailey powders, but Moose with another LIGHTS OUT on the outside! Moose throws Speedball back in the ring, flips off the crowd and slowly gets back in, third Lights Out attempt, but Small Package counter for two! Superkick from Bailey! Bailey goes for a Springboard Reverse Crossbody and Moose catches him midair with the Spear! Sets up…LIGHTS OUT! Moose is the X Division Champion!

Trent Seven comes out afterwards to console his tag team partner, but after a few feel good minutes, Trent with the Low Blow and a Seven Star Lariat! 

Overall Score: 7/10

Fun vignettes, a pretty good TV main event even with two commercial breaks, a heel turn, solid story matches that weren’t atrocious and Trey Miguel’s best work to date. I love Wentz, but aside from the Dez references, Trey had the best lines in the Treehouse segment. Also First Cla$$ was pretty great with their reactions to Santana. And as I said during the article, Lish’s overselling of the neck and ridiculousness was actually fantastic.

So even if the match quality was a little underwhelming, and we got a filler From the Vaults match; given the reasons and potential alternatives…I was entertained the entire time. Really curious what the hell Rosemary will be doing now since she’s got abandonment issues and no longer in any title picture. But hey, questions are good to have, because it makes you want to know the answer.

Still a little sad that Hard to Kill might have been a Scott specific event. It really helped to kick off this resurgence and is so well named for the company that’s been around 22 years and everyone’s been saying is dead in the water for at least 15 of those years. Genesis is classic…but it ain’t Hard to Kill. Also we might get my goofy fantasy book idea of Feast or Fired World Title Briefcase, Option C, Gauntlet Trophy and Nemeth & Hendry being involved in a King of the Mountain match at Genesis. With so many “money in the bank” style concepts, the cluster of cash ins is bound to happen eventually.