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Mitchell’s NJPW AXS Results: G1 Supercard Part 1! | The Chairshot
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Mitchell’s NJPW AXS Results: G1 Supercard Part 1!

NJPW and ROH share the Madison Square Garden spotlight!

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NJPW + ROH = G1 Supercard

NJPW and ROH sell out the world’s most famous arena! And AXS brings us TWO HOURS of the action as their coverage of the G1 Supercard begins!

 

Coverage of G1 Supercard will be as broadcast by AXS TV.

You can find gifs from this event on http://frentique.tumblr.com/

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Revolution Pro-Wrestling Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; ZSJ wins and retains the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship.
  • IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Tetsuya Naito VS Kota Ibushi; Ibushi wins and becomes the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion.
  • IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Jay White VS Kazuchika Okada; Okada wins and becomes the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW and AXS set the scene for this historic crossover event!

History is made as for the first time in almost 60 years, Madison Square Garden plays host two new promotions! Ring of Honor joins New Japan Pro-Wrestling for this event!

The Switchblade reigns after defeating The Ace, and will defend in the world’s most famous arena against a man he’s already defeated. The Rainmaker wants revenge from the defeats in the G1 Climax and Wrestle Kingdom 13, and he blazed a trail through the New Japan Cup for this opportunity! Will Kazuchika Okada take down Jay White to become a FIVE-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion? Or will he simply Breath with the Switchblade as the Cutthroat Era continues?

Plus, the Uncontrollable Charisma fell short in the New Japan Cup, and his mission to be NJPW’s first dual champion has been delayed. And now, the Golden Star that eliminated him from the cup comes for his belt! Will Tetsuya Naito stay Tranquilo as well as retain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship? Or will Kota Ibushi soar to new heights by adding the title to his resume?

But before even that, NJPW’s partnership with Rev-Pro continues to grow stronger as the Undisputed British Heavyweight title is on the line! The Submission Master failed to win this year’s New Japan Cup, because The Ace got revenge for last year! Hiroshi Tanahashi’s defeat of Zack Sabre Jr. earned him this shot, will he take a different heavyweight title for his own? Or will he #JustTapOut to ZSJ in MSG?

 

Revolution Pro-Wrestling Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

The Submission Master and the Once in a Century Talent have gone back and forth in the ring, and now it’s come to a title from outside NJPW! Will ZSJ make up for his New Japan Cup streak ending? Or will Tanahashi make up for missing out on the IWGP Heavyweight Championship?

As always, Taka Michinoku gets a mic and welcomes us to #ZackSabreTime. And he asks the New York fans, in English, “What do you think about this match? I said, who’s gonna win this match!?” But anytime, anywhere against anyone, all ZSJ’s opponents can do is #JustTapOut! The winner will be the Submission Master, Zack Sabrrre Junior~! ZSJ even pie-faces Tanahashi! Tanahashi keeps his cool, then takes off his jacket before we begin!

Tanahashi and ZSJ circle and MSG rallies already. ZSJ reels Tanahashi in but Tanahashi gets up. ZSJ keeps on him with several floats and spins, then pushes to a cover. Tanahashi pushes out before a count and they reset. ZSJ and Tanahashi circle as fans sing. ZSJ wristlocks, rolls and wrenches Tanahashi, but Tanahashi spins through. Tanahshi wrenches but ZSJ rolls through and gets up with a big grin. Fans duel as ZSJ and Tanahashi circle and tie up again. ZSJ bridges and spins to another wrench, but Tanahashi rolls to reverse it. ZSJ rolls through, too but Tanahashi wrangles him back down. Tanahashi stands over ZSJ but ZSJ nips up, only for Tanahashi to wrangle him down again. ZSJ gets up and pops free to throw European Uppercuts. He pie faces Tanahashi again, but Tanahashi uppercuts back!

Fans cheer for Tanahashi as ZSJ gives more EuroUppers. ZSJ has Tanahashi in a corner then whips corner to corner. Tanahashi elbows back then hops up to crossbody! He bounces off but air guitars for the fans. Tanahashi goes back to ZSJ for a scoop slam, then drops an elbow, only to get caught into an armbar! But he makes it a cover, TWO, and ZSJ has the armbar again. ZSJ pulls but Tanahashi rolls, so ZSJ makes it a mounted Fujiwara! Tanahashi still rolls to a ropebreak! ZSJ lets up but stomps the arm. The ref reprimands ZSJ but he toys with Tanahashi while fans rally up. Tanahashi sits up but ZSJ drags him up to go after the arm. ZSJ twists from wrist to elbow and in all directions, to bring it down for another hammerlock stomp! MSG boos while ZSJ trash talks and we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns and ZSJ still taunts the fans. ZSJ kicks Tanahashi while he’s down but Tanahashi takes them all. Tanahashi glares as ZSJ keeps toying with him. Tanahashi gets up and ZSJ pie faces him, but Tanahashi eggs ZSJ on. ZSJ throws EuroUppers but Tanahashi gives them back. Tanahashi throws forearms then runs in, but ZSJ sends him out. Tanahashi’s bad arm keeps him from skinning the cat, and ZSJ grabs him for an armbar! They’re in the ropes but ZSJ lets go at 4. ZSJ smirks as he wants the ref to ask Tanahashi how he feels. The ref does and Tanahashi says he’s not quitting. ZSJ goes after Tanahashi and wrenches the bad arm then pulls at the fingers.

Tanahashi endures the arm torture then fires forearms. ZSJ wrenches again but gets another forearm. ZSJ keeps going but Tanahashi keeps hitting. Tanahashi gets free but ZSJ kicks the notoriously bad leg. ZSJ whips corner to corner but Tanahashi dropkicks out ZSJ’s legs! Fans cheer as both men are down and a standing count begins. ZSJ gets to a corner but Tanahashi runs in for a shotgun dropkick! Tanahashi drags ZSJ up for a scoop slam, then heads up again. Tanahashi hits the somersault senton! Cover, TWO! But Tanahashi keeps on ZSJ with the legs. ZSJ scrambles and denies the Cloverleaf with a ropebreak. Fans rally and duel as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ dodges the slingblade to the abdominal stretch! Tanahashi endures but pops out to his own!

ZSJ endures the cobra twist now but pries his way out back to his! ZSJ grinds in an elbow but Tanahashi powers out. They go around and Tanahashi gets control again. ZSJ endures Tanahashi’s twist but Tanahashi makes it a pump handle to a slam! ZSJ gets to the apron but Tanahashi runs in, only for ZSJ to catch him into a stretch on the ropes! The ref counts and ZSJ lets go at 4. ZSJ goes in but Tanahashi has the leg for the dragon screw! ZSJ tumbles in but Tanahashi isn’t done with him. Tanahashi drags ZSJ into the Cloverleaf! ZSJ endures but rolls to drag Tanahashi into a triangle hold! Tanahashi fades as ZSJ wraps on tight, but Tanahashi finds his second wind. Tanahashi pushes through to get ZSJ back in the Cloverleaf! ZSJ endures again and scrambles to ropes, ropebreak!

Tanahashi lets go but he keeps his cool. He drags ZSJ up to stomp those legs. ZSJ EuroUppers back but Tanahashi throws a palm strike! Sling-Dog! Tanahashi climbs and fans fire up! But ZSJ gets up quick, and kicks Tanahashi down! ZSJ hops up to Kimura wristlock on the top rope! ZSJ drags Tanahashi down and hotshots the arm. Then he drags Tanahashi in to wrench and PELE the arm! ZSJ fires up and kicks but Tanahashi catches it! To a dragon screw, but ZSJ sits down and rolls to the European Clutch! TWO, PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up again as Tanahashi survives. Taka tells ZSJ to break Tanahashi and ZSJ fires up. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up and scoops, but Tanahshi slips out to roll! Japanese Clutch, TWO, into an armbar! But Tanahashi blocks to a grounded dragon screw!

Tanahashi stalks ZSJ and brings him up. ZSJ pops out of the full nelson to his EuroClutch, TWO!! Tanahashi escapes but ZSJ hops on for a guillotine. But Tanahashi powers out to a Twist ‘n’ Shout! He holds on for a second Twist ‘n’ Shout! And then the third! Tanahashi fires up and MSG joins him. Tanahashi runs to Slingblade! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ narrowly escapes now, but Tanahashi has more to give. Tanahashi drags ZSJ up and brings him around to a full nelson. ZSJ denies the suplex and tilt-o-whirls into the Octopus Stretch! Tanahashi endures and starts to fade. Tanahashi drops and ZSJ shifts into a hammerlock. ZSJ wants the far arm but Tanahashi scrambles and fights it off. ZSJ still gets the arm!!

Tanahashi endures A Long Way from Home, but ZSJ uses his legs to lock it in! And then grabs one of Tanahashi’s legs!! Tanahashi verbally quits, ZSJ wins!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission; still Rev-Pro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion

The Submission Master may be A Long Way from Home himself, but he’s still the champion! ZSJ retains his belt and breaks the series tie with Tanahashi, 3-2!

Backstage interview

“Strong Style is dead! Sabreism lives.” ZSJ wants more challengers, but there’s no one left. ZSJ won this title off Tomohiro Ishii in the Tokyo Dome, in front of the largest crowd for a British title in about 400 years or so. Ridiculous! But then he defends this title in Madison Square Garden. Him, a 31-year-old “Vegan Socialist”, is taking over the industry while barely breaking a sweat. Well now he wants the IWGP Heavyweight Championship! He’s had one shot so far but he almost broke Okada back then. Now he’ll finish whoever it is. Tanahashi is done, but what? Naito’s next? “Naito’s made of sponge.” And ZSJ almost did in Ibushi, too.

Who else? Jay White? That “nob head” can’t even lace ZSJ’s boots. White’s the champion not because he’s the best, but because everyone else has failed. ZSJ won’t fail to take him down, like he hasn’t failed British wrestling. This isn’t the Rev-Pro title, it is the British title, and it represents a wrestling scene he’s had in his “soft, moisturized hands” for a decade now. “See what I do with NJPW.” Taka adds that this isn’t the Strong Style Era, it’s Zack’s Time. Will Zack’s time come sooner rather than later?

 

IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Tetsuya Naito VS Kota Ibushi!

The leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon wants to become the first dual Intercontinental and Heavyweight champion in NJPW history, but he hit a speed bump already. The Golden Star beat him in the opening round of the New Japan Cup and now challenges for his title! Will Naito stay Tranquilo and keep his Destino on track? Or will Ibushi further derail it by following in the footsteps of both The Ace and the King of Strong Style?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Naito takes his time removing his entrance gear as per usual. Ibushi patiently waits, so Naito takes a little longer with those pants just because he can. The ref asks he hurry so Naito takes them all the way off to then toss the pants at the ref. The ref puts the pants aside and we begin!

Fans lose their minds immediately for these two fan favorites. Naito and Ibushi slowly circle and approach, but Naito quickly side steps Ibushi. Ibushi keeps his cool as he and Naito go again. Naito side steps again and wants Ibushi to take it easy. Ibushi and Naito finally tie up and Naito manages to push Ibushi to the ropes. Ibushi turns it around but lets up with shoulder pats. Naito kicks and elbows back! Naito whips but Ibushi reverses, but Naito sunset flips only for Ibushi to roll through. Ibushi goes to kick but Naito gets clear and arm-drags. Ibushi headscissors but Naito pops out to Tranquilo! Fans are thunderous already as Naito takes his time getting up. Ibushi waits, and the two circle again.

Fans build to a rally as Naito kicks and elbows again. Naito puts Ibushi in the blue corner to throw more hands. Naito whips corner to corner but Ibushi goes up and over. Ibushi gets Naito with a huricanrana! Naito bails out and fans cheer as Ibushi runs to the corner. Naito sees it coming and gets in. Ibushi swings but Naito sweeps and trips Ibushi up! Naito runs to baseball slide Ibushi down! Naito takes his time following after, and fans rally up as Naito brings Ibushi up to whip into barriers! One of the event staff was partially in the way of that, so Naito reprimands the guy for being where he was. Naito then drags Ibushi up for a proper crash into railing!

Fans want “One More Time!” but the ref wants them to return to the ring. Naito stomps Ibushi then drags Ibushi up for a whip to the other railing! Ibushi ends up in the lap of the front row! Naito returns to the ring and lets the 20 count begin. The count passes 5 as fans help Ibushi stand. Ibushi tumbles over at 8 and gets in at 11. Naito keeps on Ibushi with forearms and a toying kick. Ibushi grins as Naito stands him up. Naito throws in a back elbow then whips corner to corner. Naito hits the jump kick and sweep, to swinging dropkick, cabron! He adds a neckbreaker and covers, TWO! The champion is in control while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns and Naito takes his time bringing Ibushi back up. Naito puts Ibushi in a cravat but fans rally up. Ibushi endures the neck crank, then stands up to fight out. Naito clubs him down then whips, but Ibushi reverses, only for Naito to reverse back. Fans duel as Naito runs, but Ibushi dropkicks him down! Both men are down but the dueling grows stronger. Ibushi stands up first but Naito slowly follows. Ibushi fires off a strike fest! Roundhouse rocks Naito, standing moonsault on top! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again and Ibushi brings Naito up. Ibushi waistlocks but Naito throws elbows. Naito pries out to an arm-drag! Ibushi runs in but gets bots. Naito baits Ibushi in for an alley-oop snake eyes! Naito adds a one-leg shotgun dropkick! Cover, TWO! Ibushi is dazed but he’s still in this!

Naito gets Ibushi to a corner but Ibushi flounders around. Naito stomps away on Ibushi but Ibushi still stands. Fans duel as Naito whips corner to corner. Ibushi goes to boot but Naito spins him around for a draping backbreaker! Naito drags Ibushi up for another! Then a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives the assault on his neck and spine but Naito stalks him to the corner. Naito hoists Ibushi up top then climbs up to join him. Ibushi holds on but both men stumble down. Naito keeps hitting Ibushi then puts him back up. Ibushi slips out to PELE Naito down! Naito is on the apron but Ibushi stands on the second rope. Ibushi drags Naito up and everyone knows what’s coming, DEADLIFT- No, Naito fights free! Ibushi goes limp, Naito drags Ibushi back out! But Ibushi slips out and they brawl on the apron.

Naito boots Ibushi but Ibushi SUPER STEINERS Naito off the apron!! Fans lose their minds for that one as both men crash to the ground! The referee checks on both men but they’re somehow okay. Fans shout “MAMMA MIA!” like another promotion as the 20 count begins. Ibushi stands at 8 and drags Naito up at 10. He puts Naito in at 12, then climbs up to springboard stomp! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives but Ibushi keeps his cool. Fans rally up again and Ibushi drags Naito around for a bomb. Naito fights out and elbows, then rolling kicks! Ibushi comes back but gets a kick to tornado DDT! Naito crawls to a cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives and shocks Naito! Naito drags Ibushi up again as fans declare “This is Awesome!”

Naito puts Ibushi up top, SUPER STEINER of his own! But he doesn’t let up, he hammerlocks for GLORIA! Cover, TWO!! Naito doesn’t fret, he still has his best to give. He drags Ibushi up, wrenches but Ibushi fights out! Naito enziguris and whips but Ibushi reverses. Ibushi dodges but misses, but then gets Naito on the second time around! The clothesline takes Naito down but Ibushi falls, too! Fans rally up as Naito manages to get to a corner. The referee starts a standing count but Ibushi’s up first. Ibushi kicks Naito to the apron and wants what he went for earlier. He drags Naito up to the second rope, DEADLIFT SUPER GERMAN!! Cover, TWO?! Naito lives and Ibushi is beside himself, but the fans are loving “Both These Guys!”

Ibushi drags Naito up again and prepares a wristlock. He throws Naito with a straitjacket suplex! Bridging cover, TWO! Ibushi still has the wrists, but Naito wheelbarrows to a victory roll! But Ibushi sits on it, TWO, to a wheelbarrow lift. Naito denies the driver with another victory roll, but pops out to a wheelbarrow driver! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives and Naito is actually shocked! Fans build to another rally as both men slowly sit up. Naito shakes the cobwebs out before throwing forearms into Ibushi. Ibushi comes back with elbows of his own, so Naito gives more. Ibushi still hits back, and Naito starts enjoying this. Naito throws forearms, Ibushi throws forearms, and repeat! They stand, but keep throwing heavy strikes.

Ibushi gets an edge so Naito spits at him! Naito kicks and kicks but Ibushi just looks mad now! Ibushi CHOPS Naito right in the chest! Naito staggers about but only to get more palm strikes. Ibushi kicks but Naito ducks to hit a REVERSE-RANA! But Ibushi’s still on his feet! DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!?! No one can believe it but the fans are all loving it! Actually, even Naito seems to love this! Naito drags Ibushi back up, wrenches and tilt-o-whirl, but Ibushi blocks Destino! Naito slips out only for Ibushi to roundhouse him down! Both men drop but fans fire up again. Ibushi gets to a corner and shots out to the King, BOMAYE! But he’s not done, sliding Bomaye! Cover, TWO!?! Now Naito survives to shock everyone!

Ibushi gets back up, drags Naito back up, and prepares the bomb. Naito fights back but still gets the Last Ride! Cover, TWO!! KAMIGOYE!! Cover, Ibushi wins!!

Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall; NEW IWGP Intercontinental Champion

The Golden Star has ascended to the level of his wrestling gods! Nakamura, Tanahashi and now Ibushi! Will the trend continue and lead Ibushi to one day be atop the mountain?

Backstage Interview

Kota Ibushi is naturally very happy, and apologizes to those who don’t know Japanese. But that’s okay, there are subtitles now. Ibushi continues by saying he wanted this title so badly. He wanted to be IWGP Intercontinental Champion, and now he can’t believe he’s done it. It took a long time, but he got to compete against so many. Ibushi speaks to the two “gods of wrestling”, and he still sees those men that way. To win this belt here, with Tanahashi in the building, meant so much to him. Ibushi and Naito are the same age, so Ibushi thinks of Naito as a rival. Ibushi beat his rival, and has the title he’s wanted for so long, in the Madison Square Garden. Winning it here is even more meaningful. There is still much more Ibushi wants to say, but he will move on to the next challenge for now.

Ibushi wishes to call someone out. There is one match he wants right away: the man who beat him at the G1 Climax, and who just tonight defeated “god” Tanahashi. Zack Sabre Jr, come challenge Ibushi! Ibushi thanks Naito and takes his leave. Will he and ZSJ battle for the Intercontinental Championship? Will it be title for title?!

 

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Jay White VS Kazuchika Okada!

Here it is. Not only is this the main event of the broadcast, not only is this co-main-event to the entire G1 Supercard, but this is a battle for THE title in NJPW, with a months of animosity behind it! The Switchblade is willing to do whatever it takes to win, and he’s proved that time and again from the G1 Climax to when he took the title off Tanahashi. Meanwhile, the Rainmaker had a long and winding road of redemption that included several defeats at the hand of Jay White. But even after losing the title, the G1 Climax, and his friend in Gedo, Okada came back to win the 2019 New Japan Cup! Will Okada make it rain in Madison Square Garden? Or will Wrestle Kingdom repeat itself when he Breathes with the Switchblade?

The introductions are made, and the newly minted, completely gold IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt is raised! The bell rings and we begin the NJPW main event of the night!

Fans are already fired up for Okada but White just shakes his head. White bails out and the fans boo, but he and Gedo just smirk. White says he does this on his terms, and takes his time to return. Okada patiently waits but White bails out again. White grins and slides in to finally circle and tie up with Okada. They go around  and Okada puts White on the ropes. Red Shoes asks for the break but Okada fakes his chop. Okada pats White’s shoulder then blocks the kick. Okada headlocks but White powers out, only for Okada to run him over. Fans cheer as Okada goes to run, but Gedo’s in his way! Gedo grins as White clubs Okada from behind. White headlocks and throws Okada down to grind him on the mat.

Fans tell Gedo off but White keeps on Okada. Okada gets up and powers out but White grabs Okada’s hair! White brings Okada back down in the headlock takeover, but Okada endures. Okada fights his way up and throws body shots. Okada powers out of the hold but White grabs hair again. White gets the headlock takeover again, then pretends not to know why fans are upset. Okada works his way back up, and fights out again. Okada fights White off but White knees low. White headlocks again but Okada powers out to boot White down! Okada drags White up for a neckbreaker! Cover, ONE, but Okada keeps his cool. Okada drags White up again to snapmare him at the ropes. Okada runs but White bails out, and fans boo more.

White catches his breath but Okada pursues! White kicks Okada and whips him at barriers, but Okada reverses to whip White in! Okada boots White into the front row! Okada drags White up and onto the railing, but Gedo distracts him! White pushes Okada into the post! Then snap suplexes him into barriers! White grins as he goes back into the ring. Fans boo as White allows the ring count to begin. Okada crawls at 2 but doesn’t stands until 8. He gets in at 9 but White stomps him out! White catapult guillotines Okada into the ropes! Cover, TWO! White grows annoyed but he brings Okada into a half camel clutch. He pulls back and Gedo cheers but the fans boo instead. Okada gets around but White keeps on a chinlock with a knee in the back.

Okada gets up to elbow out then run, but into an elbow from White! Cover, TWO! White drags Okada up and CHOPS! He puts Okada in a corner for another CHOP! White back suplexes Okada down hard, covers, TWO! White keeps his cool as he toys with Okada. He drags Okada up but Okada fires forearms. White hits back but Okada kicks. White denies the DDT to hit a DDT! Then he goes to a corner, just to gloat! Fans boo but White goes back to figure four the legs together for his take on the Muta Lock! Okada endures as he drags himself towards ropes. White bridges and pulls but Okada gets the ropebreak! White lets go at 4, then takes his time adjusting his pads. He drags Okada back up but Okada throws forearms. White CHOPS Okada back then whips.

Okada reverses but White denies the flapjack, only to run into it the second time! Both men go down and we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns as the fans rally for Okada. White is first to stand, but Okada kips right up! Okada rallies on White with elbows and a whip, but White reverses. Okada dodges to hit the back elbow! Fans fire up with Okada while White gets to a corner. Okada whips White corner to corner to hit another back elbow, then kicks for the DDT! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps going as he brings White up for a scoop slam. He heads for a corner and climbs up, but White gets under Okada. Okada rolls but runs into a boot. And then another boot, but Okada just gets mad. White boots again but Okada blocks to throw forearms. Okada hoists White up to dropkick him down! Fans cheer as White hits the ground. Okada goes out and follows White around the corner.

Okada drags White up and whips him into railing again. He boots White again, and White slumps into the first row again. Okada goes for it again, but he sees Gedo coming this time and kicks him low! Okada tosses Gedo onto White, then gets a huge running start to FLY onto them both! Direct hit and he bowls them into chairs! Fans fire up with the action right in front of them! Okada drags White up from the seats and throws him back to ringside. Okada stalks White as he crawls and puts him in the ring. White crawls more but Okada stalks White for the Alabama lift. White fights for his life and uses ropes to escape. Okada runs back in but into a waistlock. White hits the snap saido suplex! Both men are down but stirring.

Okada gets to a corner and White goes to the opposite end. White runs in for a big EuroUpper! Then a twisting brainbuster! Cover, TWO! Okada lives but White keeps his cool. White drags Okada up but Okada denies the Blade Runner. Okada runs in but misses in the corner. White runs in but his put up and onto the Alabama lift, to the reverse neckbreaker! But Okada is too exhausted to cover! Fans rally up again as Okada and White stir. Okada drags White up to gut wrench but White slips out. White waistlocks but Okada elbows out. Okada runs but White flounders to a corner. White grins, he’s too smart for Okada. But Okada stomps and elbows White in the corner.

Okada gut wrenches again but White still escapes to a corner. White’s still smug, but he gets a shotgun dropkick for it! Okada puts White in a drop zone then climbs up top. Okada leaps for a big missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! White lives but Okada keeps his cool. Okada scoop slams White into the drop zone then climbs up again. Okada leaps for the Macho Elbow! But he’s not done there, and fans know it’s coming… The Rainmaker Pose! Okada drags White up and wristlock ripcords, but White just sits down. White smirks so Okada kicks him in the face. Okada drags him back up for forearms. Okada continues to pick White up and punch him back down. White is dazed as Okada drags him up again. White suddenly hits a complete shot! Then waistlocks to a deadlift German!

Both men slowly stand, but White is first. White drags Okada up but Okada powers out of Blade Runner to ram White into buckles. White kicks back and snap suplexes Okada into buckles! Then the BIG urenage! Cover, TWO! Okada survives and White is exhausted. Gedo returns and coaches White back up. White drags Okada into position, fisherman but Okada fights out of the Kiwi Krusher. White waistlocks but Okada gets to the ropes. Okada elbows back but White saido suplexes him up and out of the ring! But White drags Okada back up and in to end this in the ring. Fisherman to Kiwi Krusher! Cover, TWO!? White can’t believe Okada survives!

White drags Okada up but Okada elbows him away. Okada uppercuts but White throws strikes. But Okada scoops to a TOMBSTONE! Both men are down again but the fans are loving this. The fans rally up again and Okada gets to a corner. White stands but Okada boots him. White CHOPS back, but Okada gives another boot. Another CHOP, but now Okada and White go head to head with forearms! Okada throws an uppercut in there and then another. Okada throws a third then whips White. White holds ropes to deny the dropkick, then CHOPS Okada down! White stands Okada up for another CHOP, and then more CHOPS against the ropes. Okada’s chest is bruised as White runs, but into a dropkick!

Fans fire up as Okada reels White in, but Gedo distracts! Okada punches Gedo then whips White for another dropkick! Okada reels White in, but White denies the Rainmaker for a Sleeper Suplex! White slashes the throat and drags Okada up, but Okada spins out of Blade Runner to scoop. White slips out but so does Okada, Okada uppercuts but White CHOPS! Okada reverses the whip but White reverses back, but then Okada dodges and dropkicks White in the back! Okada whips but now White reverses to reel Okada in, Blade- SPINNING Rainmaker! MSG fires up and Okada swings White out for a true RAINMAKER! Cover, TWO!? WHAT!? No one can believe White survives THE namesake clothesline. But fans are thunderous for Okada as he drags White up again.

Okada scoops White but White slips out to BLADE RUNNER!! But White’s too tired to cover! Gedo is tense while fans rally up again. Okada and White slowly crawl towards each other and they sit up. White has wild eyes as he forearms Okada point blank. The two sway but Okada returns the favor. White shakes his head to give the forearm back. Okada teeters but he grits his teeth as he gives it back again. White flops over then flounders to his feet, but he still hits Okada. Okada leans but comes back with the forearm. White weakly throws hands. Okada rocks White back, then pushes White around. Okada gives another hard right but Gedo hops in! White low blows!! Gedo did his job so he backs off. Fans tell Gedo off again but White is all smiles as he drags Okada up again. BLADE- GERMAN SUPLEX!

Okada holds onto the waistlock and he drags White up again. Ripcord, but White spins around to a backslide! Okada rolls off but White reels him in, BLADE- No, Okada backslides only to reel White in, but White dodges the Rainmaker, only to get a dropkick! Fans fire up as Okada hits the pose again! Okada wristlocks but White elbows back. White boots Okada time and again but Okada still reels him in for a lariat! Okada isn’t done there, he drags White up again, for another lariat! But that’s not good enough, so the wristlock to ripcord, RAIN- BLADE- JUMPING TOMBSTONE! Then, THE RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall; NEW IWGP Heavyweight Champion

#TheDriveforFive is successful! Okada is once again on top of the mountain, and the Cutthroat Era ends already! His fourth reign was almost two whole years, will his fifth be even greater than that?!

Backstage Interview

Okada gives his thoughts towards this entire G1 Supercard event. “Jay White was really tough. As expected from an IWGP Heavyweight Champion.” White was strong, and will still grow stronger after this loss. Okada and White will surely have many more matches in the future. But Okada will keep beating him “convincingly”. But Okada is thankful to have strong opponents. As for Madison Square Garden itself, the view upon entering was truly incredible. Different from the Tokyo Dome. Only a select view get to see that view. “It’s a magnificent arena with a phenomenal crowd.” This will be a wonderful memory for Okada. It isn’t good-bye, because Okada plans to come back again. He forgets what else he wanted to say, though.

The size of the crowd proves the power of NJPW and Japanese wrestling in general. Okada will return home with pride. He also knows the many major wrestling events going on at this same time, and welcomes those other companies to try their best to outdo NJPW. With Okada back on top, will NJPW grow even stronger than ever before?

 


 

My Thoughts:

An amazing two hours for NJPW on AXS, and this is only half of what we’re getting! The Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship was a nice surprise to put on this half, as Tanahashi and ZSJ can do no wrong against each other. Naturally, the British wrestler retains the British title, and ZSJ’s interview promo at the end was superb. No curses, just good ol’ Britishisms and trash talk. The Intercontinental Championship was another great match, with so much story between Ibushi and Naito. I was really surprised but also pleased to see Ibushi won. As his own personal story goes, he obviously wants to follow in the footsteps of Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura. Him calling out ZSJ was also a great surprise, and whether it’s for one belt or both, Ibushi VS ZSJ is going to be another can-do-no-wrong match.

And obviously, the main event, the grudge match, White VS Okada, that was incredible. The pace was methodical, and just kept from dragging on, but even that dragging paid off with that exchange at the end. It is great to see Okada be the conquering hero and get that belt back, as some fans were starting to doubt the legitimacy of White as top guy. There will surely be rematches between these two, as Okada says himself. Okada’s fifth reign has a lot to live up to after that historic fourth, so hopefully there’s something to help ramp it up fast.

My Score: 9.1/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/20/25)

One step closer to the end!

Published

on

Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?

While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
  • Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
  • King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
  • Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
  • Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
  • John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

LA Knight is here!

Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!

And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!

Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…

The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?

Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.

Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!

The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!

Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?

 

SmackDown returns and…

Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?

 

Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!

Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.

Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!

The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!

The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISS onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!

Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)

The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?

 

Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.

And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.

But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?

 

Alexa Bliss returns backstage.

And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.

So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?

 

Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!

The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?

Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.

Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?

 

Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.

Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.

Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?

 

Cody Rhodes is here!

Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!

Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.

The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”

The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.

And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”

The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.

Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?

King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!

SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.

Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEX again!

Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!

Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!

Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!

Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!

“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)

Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?

 

Nia Jax is here!

Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”

The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!

The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?

 

Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!

The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?

SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!

Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.

Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission

But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?

 

Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.

Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?

 

Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.

SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.

Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.

And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.

Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!

And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.

The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?

 

Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!

The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?

Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!

The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!

The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.

Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!

Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification

The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?

 

Jacob Fatu speaks.

“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?

 

John Cena VS Ron Killings!

The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?

SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!

Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.

Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!

The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Truth hitting all sorts of other iconic moves! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!

Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification

Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.

Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.

“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”

Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”

The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.

“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.

Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.

Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?


My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown with an awesome ending. All those years ago, when CM Punk dropped THE OG “Pipebomb” promo, no one could’ve ever in a million years guessed that here tonight, we would’ve gotten the John Cena remix. Not only was that promo of the year, but Cena blew up go-home math. I can’t see Cena losing the title to Punk now. He can lose the match since Cena loves getting disqualified, and there’s the possibility of Rollins trying a cash-in, but Cena is leaving Saudi Arabia as champion to then go to SummerSlam. It also works because Cody Rhodes still feels like the favorite for King of the Ring.

A lot of that has to do with how Sami lost to Orton tonight. Great promo from the four semifinalists, especially since it was Jey, Sami and Orton kinda keeping Cody from talking since there isn’t more Cody needs to say. Win or lose, no explanations needed at this point. Sami VS Orton was an awesome match, but I could just feel an RKO countering the Helluva Kick as the way to go and that’s what they did. Now, as awesome as it would be for Jey to beat Cody, and then for Jey to beat Orton to go for the World Heavyweight Championship again, there are a lot of moving parts right now that it would just be the easiest for Cody to win the crown and have his rematch with Cena.

And while talking the WHC, Gunther VS Goldberg IS confirmed for the title, but has also been confirmed as Goldberg’s last match. This is a huge indicator that despite Rollins teasing a cash-in on the Undisputed title, he will likely be thwarted and then falls back to the title he feels is rightfully his. That is to say, Rollins cashes in on the winner of Gunther VS Goldberg, which I half expected even before all this talk of Goldberg’s last match. Rollins can take this title from Gunther and Goldberg, and then we can throw Jey and even LA Knight into the mix as things are getting heated between Knight and the henchmen.

Great promo from Knight with Heyman, great match with Knight VS Bronson, and a really powerful beating Knight takes from Bron & Bronson. If nothing else, Knight costs Rollins his cash-in. Truth going after Kit Wilson was an interesting move. Also a shame Elton Prince is hurt, Pretty Deadly gets going and then something happens to slow them down. But Kit was going to lose to Aleister so this really messes Aleister up more than anything. Priest keeping the peace between Aleister and Truth was good stuff. Priest and Truth being allies on SmackDown can be some real fun stuff, and I feel like they’re already set up for a feud with Aleister.

Very good stuff with Fatu, Solo and this US Championship story. Fatu VS Solo was the natural move, and I like that Jimmy Uso ends up an ally for Fatu. The title match is set, I wonder if we get a tag match first. In fact, next week is title night in Riyadh with Tiffany Stratton giving Nia the Last Woman Standing match, and basically setting the stage for Naomi to cash in. She almost did tonight but Nia was again able to stop her, so I would think Naomi waits until the very end of the Last Woman Standing match to take full advantage. Then, if Jade wins Queen of the Ring, we get Jade VS Naomi at SummerSlam.

Good promo from Jade, B-Fab & Michin watching Asuka VS Alexa. Asuka winning made the most sense, Alexa clearly has story with Charlotte and Asuka is just that good. Jade VS Roxie will be a good match but Roxie’s story in Judgment Day might keep her from winning. But then the fallback there is Roxie might actually sub in for the tag titles like I was thinking. Charlotte VS Chelsea was very good, and of course the Secret Her-vice does what they can to help. The beatdown they put on Charlotte and then Alexa making the save, that’s going to be one of those “can they coexist?” tag matches for sure.

Honestly, a little surprised we didn’t get any tag team promos tonight, unless I completely missed something. I believe title night is going to have Profits VS Gacy & Lumis for the tag titles, too, so that’s going to be something wild. And while DIY is scared of the Wyatts, I feel like they’re going to interfere because they don’t want the Wyatts to take the titles. But at the same time, the Wyatts need something substantial this time around, so maybe they win the titles at SummerSlam.

My Score: 9/10

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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25

Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?

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Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.

Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.

Ratings:

  • Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
  • Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
  • Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
  • Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***

 

Results:

Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers

Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.

EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.

I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win. 

Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match? 

Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge

ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.

Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever? 

Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad. 

Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man

I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.

JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.

Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.

Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams

Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.

The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.

Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.

Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…

Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!

Overall Score: 4/10

Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.

Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:

two women standing in a kitchen with the words not bad but not good on the bottom

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