Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS Results: G1 Supercard Part 1!
NJPW and ROH share the Madison Square Garden spotlight!
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
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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Will the Front Man have his Resurgence?
Hirooki Goto and Zack Sabre Jr. battle over the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, knowing that Shingo Takagi waits at NJPW Dominion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Strong Survivor: Allan Breeze VS CJ Tino; Tino wins.
- Bea Priestly VS Viva Van; Priestly wins.
- Fred Rosser VS Matt Vandagriff; Rosser wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS TJP & Templario; win(s) and
- 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS The Young Bucks & The Good Brothers; win(s).
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; wins and
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS El Phantasmo; wins and
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr; wins and
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Mercedes Mone VS AZM VS Mina Shirakawa; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
SmackDown is in O-H! I-O!
24 hours before Backlash and his Undisputed WWE Championship defense, JOHN CENA is on SmackDown! Will Dayton, Ohio get an Attitude Adjustment?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- LA Knight & Damian Priest VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu; Knight & Priest win.
- Chelsea Green & Piper Niven w/ Alba Fyre VS Zelina Vega & Alexa Bliss; Zelina & Alexa win.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Nia Jax VS Jade Cargill; Nia wins and will challenge Tiffany Stratton for the title.
- WWE Tag Team Championship Eliminator: The Street Profits VS Fraxiom; Fraxiom wins and earn a title opportunity.
- Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes w/ The Miz; Aleister wins.
- Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar VS Rey Fenix & Andrade; Fenix & Andrade win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Damian Priest.
Byron Saxton catches the Archer of Infamy at gorilla and knows his match is moments away. Byron brings up tomorrow night’s Fatal 4 Way for the United States Championship at Backlash, how is he feeling? Priest says he was good with just getting his hands on Drew McIntyre. But now the idea of becoming a two-time US Champion and getting his hands on Drew, that’s pretty… Oh, there he is. LA Knight steps up and wishes Priest all the luck in the world. But Knight is in that match tomorrow night, too, and anyone who gets in his way of the title, the backlash will be swift and severe!
But tonight, Knight & Priest take on Solo & Fatu, and what they gonna do? Priest is glad Knight brought that up. They’re facing two of the baddest men on this entire roster. Priest isn’t worried about having Knight’s back, but about Knight having his. Knight says he came in here with a clean conscience, trust wasn’t an issue, but now alarm bells are going off, Priest is acting a little sus. Here’s the deal: If Priest has Knight’s back, Knight has Priest’s. If you do dirt, you get dirt, so don’t make Knight give you dirt. Let’s do the thing, hit his music! YEAH!
Knight leads the way into battle, but will he and Priest be rolling into Backlash after tonight? Or will it be all gas, no brakes with it, YADADA MEAN!?
LA Knight & Damian Priest VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu!
The teams sort out but Priest and Knight argue. Solo CLOBBERS Priest and tells Knight to get out! The bell rings as Solo fires off on Priest more! The fans boo, Solo soaks it up, then throws more hands. Solo CHOPS, HEADBUTTS, then fireman’s carries, but Priest fights free to BELL CLAP! Priest then KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! ROLLING ELBOW! Solo wobbles, goes to a corner, and Priest ROCKS him again! Priest runs corner to corner to BACK ELBOW! solo staggers, Priest runs to RUN Solo over! The fans fire up and Priest roars at Fatu. Priest wrenches Solo, knuckle locks, and goes up the corner. Priest goes Old School with the CROSSBODY!
The fans rally up, Priest winds up, and Priest runs, only for Solo to bail out! The fans boo but Priest goes out the side. Priest runs in around the way, uses the steps to leap in, and AX HANDLES Solo down! Fatu stares Priest down and Priest dares Fatu to do something. But then Knight WRECKS Fatu with a dropkick! Priest tells Knight he didn’t need that, but Knight says he was gonna do that because the title will be Knight’s again. They argue that point while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Knight tells Priest to focus on Solo and Priest puts Solo in the ring. Priest storms in but Solo UPPERCUTS! Priest comes back to ROCK Solo! Priest JABS and ROCKS Solo again and again in the corner, the ref counts, but Knight tags in. Priest is annoyed by that but he lets it slide. Solo takes a swing on Knight but Knight blocks to counter punch! Knight stomps away on Solo, the ref counts, but then Priest tags in. Knight lets that slide, and Priest whips Solo. Solo reverses, Priest grabs ropes and he ELBOWS Solo away! Fatu takes a swing, Priest dodges, and then Priest DECKS Fatu! But Solo LARIATS Priest up and out!
Solo argues with the ref, and Fatu CLBOBERS Priest! Knight protests but the ref has him stay back. Priest drags himself up with the desk, Solo tags Fatu, and Fatu fires hands! Fatu HEADBUTTS Priest, stalks after him, and SMACKS him off the barriers! Priest staggers away but Fatu is right on him, to SMACK him off the apron! Fatu puts Priest in, whips him to a corner, and Priest hits buckles hard! Priest falls to the mat, but Fatu puts him on the ropes to COHKE! The ref counts, Fatu stops at 4, but Solo HEADBUTTS Priest down! Solo soaks up the heat and Fatu throws hands. Fatu HEADBUTTS Priest down, then HEADBUTTS him again!
Fatu HEADBUTTS Priest again, tags in Solo, and they mug Priest. SmackDown returns to single picture as Solo clamps on a shoulder claw! Priest endures and fights up while the fans rally. Priest stands and pries the claw away, but Solo CLUBS him! Solo talks smack, but Priest ROCKS him! Priest reaches for Knight but Solo grabs his hand! Priest throws hands but Solo holds on! Priest still reaches out, still throws hands, but Solo dodges to BLAST Knight! Priest ELBOWS Solo down, but he doesn’t have anyone to tag! Solo SPLASHES Priest from behind! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Priest stays in this but Solo tags Fatu.
Fatu runs and SENTONS! The fans are torn but Fatu HEADBUTTS Priest down! And HEADBUTTS again! Fatu shouts all gas, no brakes! He HEADBUTTS Priest down, runs corner to corner, and HIP ATTACKS! Fatu snarls, he tags in Solo, and the fans boo. Solo soaks up that heat, then runs in, but Priest WHEEL KICKS Solo down! The fans fire up as Solo and Priest stir, and Knight rises! Priest and Solo crawl, hot tags to Fatu and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight fires haymakers on Fatu! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, Fatu reverses, but then Knight didges the splash! JUMPING NECKBREAKER!
Knight scoops Fatu for the POWERSLAM! Knight mocks the geeking out, then spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Knight then kicks and B F- NO, Fatu powers out, swings, but into a BIG back suplex! Knight goes to the corner, he spells it out again, but Priest tags in! The fans boo and Knight is indignant, but Priest winds up to LARIAT Fatu down! Priest brings down the straps and he takes aim. But Knight manages to tag in! The fans cheer but Priest and Knight argue, Solo CLOBBERS them both! SUPERKICK on Knight! Solo stands Knight up for the SAMOAN- NO, Knight spins that around to B F T!! Cover, Knight & Priest win!
Winners: LA Knight & Damian Priest, by pinfall
The dysfunction didn’t stop them from winning, but now Knight and Priest start shoving! Then they start throwing hands! And Fatu CLOBBERS them both! The fans are torn as Fatu HEADBUTTS Knight then POSTS him! Then he POSTS Priest! HIP ATTACK for Knight! HIP ATTACK for Priest! And repeat! Fatu geeks out and the fans fire up! Fatu grabs his belt and holds it up. The fans in Dayton cheer the Samoan Werewolf, but wait! CLAYMORE!! The Scottish Terminator takes Fatu down! The fans boo but now McIntyre holds up the belt. Will McIntyre complete his Grand Slam by destroying three other men to do it?
R-Truth is cheering on Cena… in the parking lot…?
Jimmy Uso walks over and asks what Truth is doing. Truth says Cena is in the house tonight to talk Backlash. It is on! Uh, but Cena sucks, though. Whoa! Truth’s childhood hero says you should never give up, but sounds like Jimmy threw in the towel. Jimmy says No Yeet then heads out. Will Truth be the only one in the locker room on Cena’s side?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Byron catches up with Drew and asks why he laid out Fatu, and Drew says it was a message to the Werewolf. Tomorrow night, Drew puts a silver bullet in him! But shouldn’t it be 1v1? Didn’t Drew win that #1 contender’s match with LA Knight? Didn’t Knight bring up the outside interference? Drew is a big details guy, cuz the devil is in the details. LA Knight shouldn’t have been in that match cuz he lost at WrestleMania! That’s BS! And speaking of BS, why is Priest in this match?! Drew told Priest that at Mania he would beat Priest in front of the world, in front of his family, brother, sister, father and mother, and he did that fair and square.
But Priest can’t succeed without Drew! Priest is rewarded with a spot in this match! BS!! And Fatu, the baddest dog in the yard, that’s who Drew wants to face. And when Drew wins, he’ll become a Grand Slam Champion. But Drew has some advice for Fatu so listen closely. “The problem when you’re all gas and no brakes~, is things are great when you’re mowing everybody down. But eventually, with no brakes, you hit a brick wall. And that brick wall is your next United States Champion, Drew McIntyre!” Drew heads out, will he make Backlash into a human demolition derby?
The Green Administration holds a funeral service…?
Alba Fyre says today, they are here to celebrate the Women’s US Championship reign of Miss Chelsea Green. But then Nick Aldis turns the lights on as he and Zelina Vega walk in. Aldis asks what in the world is going on. Piper Niven says sorry, this is a family and friends only event. Do they have clearance to be here? It’s HIS office! Chelsea say Alba was about to give one of the greatest #Eulogirlies, aka Eulogy for the Girlies, ever! She is in mourning! Zelina says spare us the crocodile tears. She’s mourning something she lost fair and square. So pathetic. Chelsea says Zelina doesn’t understand cuz she has zero friends!
Oh, wow, Zelina has zero friends? Well, maybe Chelsea & Piper should face Zelina and her non-existent friend in a match tonight. Aldis likes where this is going. Okay, then, see you in the ring tonight. Bye~! Zelina leaves, Chelsea says she is going through too much to do this! But she has no choice, that match is next! Just who does Zelina have in her corner to help against the Green Regime? We find out, after the break.
Aleister Black speaks.
“I guess this is the part where you expect me to speak in riddles. To pick up where I left off. Well, that part of myself, that man, I buried him. Ritualistically, violently. And funny enough, what I found six feet deep, it wasn’t death. No, no, it was the truth. And the truth is, I came back because I truly believe that I am the consequences this company so desperately needs. I am more than just the man that whispers in shadows, despite what you what me to do, despite what you think I might do. Now when I say that, I don’t mean that in a villainous way. No, this is so much bigger than just good versus evil. This is more than just the chants, the fog.
“Because this… This will cut deeper than any symbol could, deeper than I could ever do. I’m here to confront you, both mentally and physically. And you get to decide which one is worse. And as far as you, Carmelo, I haven’t quite figured you out. Or have I?” The Dark Father is still very mysterious, but will he make H1M #FadeToBlack?
Chelsea Green & Piper Niven w/ Alba Fyre VS Zelina Vega & ???
SmackDown returns as Chelsea fires Piper up. Zelina makes her entrance, and her partner is… ALEXA BLISS! Dayton cheers as their hometown girl stands side by side with La Muneca! Will these dolls make the Hot Mess & Miss P their playthings?
The teams sort out and Piper starts against Zelina. Zelina dodges Piper, runs up, but Piper scoops. Zelina slips free, Piper bucks the O’Conner, but then Zelina avoids the splash! Zelina sunset flips but Piper stays up. Zelina avoids the stomp, jumps again, but Piper catches her for a POWERSLAM! Piper drags Zelina over, tags Chelsea, and then Piper scoops and SLAMS Zelina! Chelsea goes up, up, and VADER FLOPS as Zelina moves! Zelina bumps Chelsea off buckles, JUMP KICKS her, then brings her around to ropes. Zelina calls her shot but Piper runs in! Zelina drop toeholds Piper into Chelsea! Zelina dials it up, DOUBLE 619! Cover, TWO!
Chelsea survives but Zelina points to Alexa. The fans cheer, but Chelsea THROWS Zelina down by her hair! The fans boo but Chelsea swings on Alexa. The ref keeps Alexa from retaliating, but Zelina kicks Chelsea. Zelina whips, Chelsea reverses and Piper gets a cheap shot in! Chelsea hooks a leg for a modified snapmare, then tags Piper! Piper runs and ELBOW DROPS! The Green Administration salutes but the fans boo, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Zelina fires forearms on Chelsea! Chelsea still keeps Zelina back, then she kicks low! Chelsea whips Zelina to a corner, but Zelina ELBOWS Piper! Zelina DUMPS Chelsea out, crawls her way over, but Chelsea tags Piper! Piper runs and ELBOW DROPS, but Zelina narrowly dodges! Zelina runs up, Piper catches her, then HEADBUTTS her! Piper scoops but Zelina swings to DDT! The fans fire up while both women are down! Zelina crawls, as does Piper, hot tags to Chelsea and Alexa! Dayton erupts and Chelsea panics! Alexa rallies on Chelsea, blocks a kick, and hits a DRAGON SCREW!
Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and runs up on Chelsea to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! Chelsea tumbles to ropes and Alexa runs in, DOUBLE KNEES! Alexa YANKS Chelsea back, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Alexa drags Chelsea up. Alexa whips Chelsea into a corner, but Chelsea ELBOWS her away! Chelsea salutes as she climbs, but Alexa trips her up! Chelsea is in the Tree of Woe, Alexa DROPKICKS her down! The fans fire up as Alexa climbs the corner, TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, PIPER BREAKS IT! Zelina grabs Piper and hops on, CODE- NO, Piper blocks it! But Alexa KICKS Piper into the CODE RED!
The fans fire up and Zelina pushes Piper out of the ring. Zelina then METEORAS to the floor! Chelsea hooks Alexa’s arms and turns her! But Alexa powers out, and has the clinch! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, Alexa wins!
Winners: Zelina Vega & Alexa Bliss, by pinfall
They might be small but they are mighty, Zelina & Alexa win big together! Will they stick together to keep the Green Administration out of power?
Rey Fenix is backstage.
And Santos Escobar finds him. Fenix doesn’t wanna hear it, and he tells Santos that Fenix won last week. No more conversation. Santos says yeah, he knows he lost. But he has one thing to say, and then he’ll go. Okay, fine, what is it? Santos asks, “Who said anything about a conversation?” LOS GARZA ATTACKS! Legado del Fantasma mugs Fenix, throws him around into road case after road case, but security and producers rush in! They get Legado to back off, and Andrade hurries over. El Idolo checks on Fenix, but did the Emperor of Lucha just get the revenge he wanted? Or will Legado work to make sure the Firebird never rises again?
Charlotte Flair is here!
Dayton is torn as The Queen struts her way to the ring. Charlotte still has someone hold the ropes open for her before stepping inside, and she smiles as she accepts cheers and jeers. Charlotte then grabs a mic to tell Dayton, “Your Queen has arrived! Here I am, coming off the greatest women’s match in WrestleMania history! And I need to give credit where credit is due. I was… I was out for almost two years, with a career-ending knee injury. And I took your champion to her absolute limit! Check this out, check this out.” Charlotte has the tron show an image of Tiffany Stratton near the end of the match.
Charlotte asks if that looks like someone who enjoyed her WrestleMania Moment? Charlotte enjoyed hers so much, she is going to announce her path back tot he WWE Women’s Championship! The fans are even more divided over that and she asks why they’re so disrespectful. Seriously! Why?! Charlotte is the Women’s Wrestling GOAT! THE Greatest Of All Time! See, if you continue to be this disrespectful, she will just leave Dayton and never come back. The fans cheer that! Charlotte says last chance, Dayton! The fans say bye bye already, and Charlotte throws her mic down in frustration! Charlotte storms off to the back, but then wait! “A storm is coming.”
Jade Cargill makes her way out here, the fans cheer, and Jade stares Charlotte down as they cross paths. Charlotte and Jade move on, but then Jade grabs that mic. Jade wants Charlotte to wait. “Before you go… You had your chance. Now head to the back of the line.” Jade throws shade, but will she be shining in the spotlight with her golden ticket? Or will the Irresistible Force make sure no one gets to Tiffany before her?
Charlotte returns backstage.
She argues with Aldis about leaving. He says she can’t just walk out. She isn’t “walking out,” she’s just leaving. Aldis says this is not how professionals handle business. Charlotte says she has done more for this division than anyone, and this is how he’s treating her? Aldis says she should be a leader and lead by example, not throw a temper tantrum when things don’t go her way! She says she can’t do this, and she wants her driver to take her to the airport. But then someone slams the door shut! It’s Alexa! And Alexa says, “Let’s chat.” A curious move from Lil’ Miss Bliss, but what does she have in mind for The Queen?
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Nia Jax VS Jade Cargill!
SmackDown returns and Nia makes her entrance. But then wait! “It’s Tiffy Time!” Tiffany Stratton makes her way to ringside so she can watch this in person. The bell rings, Jade and Nia circle, and they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Jade manages to push Nia back a couple steps. Nia digs in her heels and pushes Jade back those steps. Jade turns things around to put Nia in a corner, the ref counts, and Jade lets off at 4. Nia wants a timeout and talks trash on Tiff. Tiff talks trash back, then Nia rushes Jade. Jade slips around, waistlocks, but Nia ELBOWS her away. Nia CLOBBERS Jade and soaks up the heat.
Tiff and the fans boo but Nia whips Jade to a corner. Jade goes up and over, runs and RAMS Nia! Nia rebounds to RUN Jade over! Nia flexes, Tiff and Dayton boo more, but Nia soaks it up. Nia runs in and BACK ELBOWS Jade! Jade sputters, Nia brings her around, but Jade fires hands! Nia shoves Jade, Jade dodges and hurdles! Jade then SHOULDER TACKLES Nia down! The fans fire up and Tiff applauds as Jade brings Nia up. But Nia fights the fireman’s carry with knees and elbows! Nia fireman’s carries and SAMOAN DROPS! Jade sputters again and Nia runs, to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO!
Jade survives, Nia grows frustrated, but Tiff talks more trash as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Nia lifts Jade with a STRETCH MUFFLER! Jade endures, uses her core to sit up, and she sunset flips over! But Nia stays up! Only for Jade to avoid the hip drop! Tiff cheers for Jade to get going, and Jade hurries to bring Nia up! Jade fireman’s carries and the fans fire up for Jade’s SAMOAN DROP! Jade rises up again as the fans cheer her on! Jade runs up on Nia to ROCK her! And then ROCKS her again! Nia blocks the third shot to KNEE low! Nia brings Jade around, suplexes, but Jade fights that to suplex Nia! The fans fire up and Jade kips up! Jade huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs in at the corner, but Nia puts her on the apron!
Jade RAMS Nia, slingshots up and over and keeps moving, SUPERKICK! And a SUPERKICK! Nia staggers, into the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Tiff is excited just like the fans as Jade watches Nia rise again. Jade runs up, but Nia gets under the boot! POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Jade survives and Nia is shocked! Nia shakes her head, rises up, and she drags Jade to a drop zone. Nia goes up, up, but Jade SUPERKICKS! Jade then ROCKET LAUNCHES Nia off the corner!! The fans fire up and Tiff cheers Jade on! Jade roars, climbs, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Nia survives and Jade is beside herself!
Jade drags Nia up, reels her in, but Nia elbows free! And TOSSES Jade to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then runs corner to corner, only for Jade to BOOT her down! Cover, TWO!? Nia survives and Jade is beside herself! BUT WAIT, NAOMI ATTACKS TIFF!! The fans freak out as Naomi RAMS Tiff into steel steps! Jade sees Naomi and wants after her, but Nia CLOBBERS Jade from behind! SENTON! Nia drags Jade to a corner while Naomi stomps away on Tiff! Nia goes up, up, and A-NIA-LATES Jade!! Cover, Nia wins!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Women’s Championship)
Give an assist to Naomi, Tiffany did not #ProceedWithCaution! Will Naomi help Nia tear Tiffany apart and take the title from whatever’s left?
The Street Profits walk the halls.
Mia Yim & B-Fab are there, and Michin says, “DAYUM! Y’all look messed up.” Fab says they still look so good drippin’ in all that gold. That TLC match was nothing less than fab-u-lous! The Profits thank Fab for that, and Fab says Dawks & Tez are doing their thing. Ford tells the ladies that they never lie. But also, they heard Mia & Fab put their foot down and talk tag titles. Tonight, right now, Ford & Dawkins are gonna do the same thing. Fab says tell ’em! Ford & Dawkins head to gorilla, what will the WWE Tag Team Champions have to say about what’s next? We’ll find out, after the break.
The Street Profits head to the ring!
Dayton cheers as Dawkins & Ford go to the ring, holding up the belts. Ford says, “The gorilla fears us!” IYKYK. Ford grabs a mic to say, “Oh, Daytoooon~!” Dawkins asks, “Who Dey?” The fans are torn as not everyone is a Bengals fan. But Ford says here’s how you do it. “O H I!” “O~!” See? Good pop. But anyways, cut the noise. Unless you’ve been under a rock the last couple weeks, Profits have been the talk of the town, right? Think about it. They put on arguably the greatest… No, they DID put on the greatest TLC match of all time! The fans cheer that. Ford says yeah, that’s right! The gorilla fears us!
But with that said, the blood, the sweat, the tears, the passion, and hell, they even used a prosthetic leg! They got a leg up on the competition! They’re a whole leg ahead! But with that said, what happened is what always will happen, and that’s the Profits coming out on top. The fans cheer that! But then wait! Fraxiom makes their way out here! Ford is already annoyed, but Nathan Frazer sincerely apologizes for this interrupting. But damn, it feels good to be here on Friday Night SmackDown! Ford says duh. Frazer says look at them, amigo! They’re rubbing shoulders with THE WWE Tag Team Champions, The Street Profits! Quite possibly the best tag team in the game right now.
Ford says hey, at least they’re smart. Frazer & Axiom step in, and Frazer asks Axiom if he remembers what Shawn Michaels told them as they left NXT. Oh yes, he does. HBK gave them one direct command: When you see an opportunity, go ahead and take it! Axiom says hey, The Profits are amazing, truly, best of the best. No disrespect, but Fraxiom saw them out here and just thought, “Man, those tag titles would look great on Fraxiom.” The fans are torn, and Dawkins needs a second. Y’all only had two matches on SmackDown. They think they deserve a title shot? The fans are torn again but Fraxiom is united in saying, “Yes!”
Ford says, “What? Are you serious? After three weeks, you want a title shot? Against the Street Profits? Who last week, put on a classic?” But Aldis steps in here. Aldis says Fraxiom is in the ring with The Profits, and Aldis likes what he sees. And yes, Fraxiom is new and haven’t proven themselves worthy, yet. But they have been extremely impressive. And we’re in the heartland of America with Dayton, Ohio! The fans cheer that and Aldis says with this being the Land of Opportunity he can’t think of a better opportunity to prove themselves than to face the Street Profits… RIGHT NOW! Let’s get a ref and let’s do this!
The Profits are upset, because between being beat up and NOT being dressed to compete, they’re not ready! But will they hurry and get ready? Because the match is happening after the break!
The Street Profits VS Fraxiom!
SmackDown returns and the match is already underway. Ford bucks Axiom’s O’Conner Roll, but Axiom comes back to RAM low! Tag to Frazer, then Axiom reels Ford in for an IRON OCTOPUS! Frazer runs and runs and runs, to DROPKICK Ford down! Ford flounders away and tags in Dawkins. Dawkins CLOBBERS Frazer, but his arm bothers him. Dawkins runs, Frazer drops down, hurdles, but Dawkins manages to cartwheel! The arm slows Dawkins down but Frazer always says #NeverSlowDown! Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DROPKICKS Dawkins down! Dawkins stagger sup, Frazer runs up and hits a snapmare!
The fans rally as Frazer grinds Dawkins down. Dawkins fights up, powers up, but Frazer hits a flying-mare! Frazer has the headlock and grinds Dawkins again, but Dawkins fights up. The fans rally, Dawkins powers up and out, then catches Frazer as he goes up and over! Frazer slips free, shoves, but Dawkins hurdles and FLYING ELBOWS! Frazer flops out, the fans rally up, and Dawkins goes out the side. Dawkins runs in and POUNCES Frazer into the desk! Frazer flops down, Dawkins leaves him behind, and the ring count climbs. Axiom checks Frazer, helps him up, and then helps him into the ring.
The fans rally as Frazer stands, but Dawkins is on him. Dawkins CLUBS Frazer, tags Ford, and Ford slingshot SENTONS! That was a bit double-edged, but the fans fire up as Ford rises. Ford runs to KICK Frazer in the side! Cover, TWO! Ford KICKS Frazer again, tags Dawkins, and Ford snapmares Frazer for the SPLASH STOMP COMBO! Dawkins shakes out the bad arm before he covers, TWO! Frazer stays in this but Dawkins looms over him. The fans rally, Dawkins whips Frazer corner to corner hard, then runs in for a CYCLONE SPLASH! Dawkins sputters as he covers, TWO! Dawkins seethes but he grabs at Frazer’s legs.
Frazer kicks at Dawkins, Dawkins HYANKS him up, but Frazer ENZIGIRIS! Tag to Axiom and the speed combo fires off! DDT on Dawkins! Ford runs in, he gets KICK after KICK and the ASSISTED DROPKICK! Ford tumbles out, as does Dawkins, Axiom DIVES on Dawkins while Frazer DIVES on Ford! And then repeat! Dawkins is sent into barriers, then Ford is sent into barriers, and Dayton fires up for Fraxiom as SmackDown goes picture in picture!
Fraxiom fires up, and Axiom stands Dawkins up to CLUB the bad arm! Axiom puts Dawkins in the ring, pushes him over and covers, TWO! Axiom waistlocks Dawkins but Dawkins endures. Axiom shifts up to a chinlock, then he goes for the arms! Dawkins fights against the motorcycle stretch, so Axiom shifts to a ghost pin! TWO, and Axiom DROPKICKS Dawkins down! Cover, TWO! Axiom facelocks and he grinds Dawkins down. Dawkins endures, fights up, but Axiom keeps between him and Ford. Dawkins fights up and lifts Axiom, to then THROW him! Frazer tags in and runs up to grab a leg! But Dawkins BOOTS Frazer away!
Axiom tags back in, he grabs legs, and he YANKS one! Dawkins writhes, Axiom looms over him, and Axiom clamps on a chinlock. Dawkins endures, reaches out, and fights up. Dawkins pries at the hold, but Axiom shoves him away. Axiom LARIATS at the ropes, tags Frazer, then feeds Dawkins to a GAMANGIRI! Fraxiom DOUBLE SUPERKICK Dawkins down! They BLAST Ford, Frazer STANDING SHOOTING STARS on Dawkins! Cover, TWO! Dawkins survives but Frazer goes to a corner. Frazer climbs while SmackDown returns to single picture. Frazer takes aim, PHOENIX- NO, Dawkins dodges and FLAPJACKS!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Frazer and Dawkins crawl, hot tags to Axiom and Ford! Ford runs and CLOBBERS Axiom! Then he BLASTS Frazer! And he LARIATS Axiom! And LARIATS again! Ford then dodges Axiom, both men run, and then Ford blows past Axiom to LARIAT again! The fans fire up with Ford, and he gets around Axiom to hit a BIG back suplex! Ford kips up and fires up, and Dayton is with him! Ford sets up, flexes, and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives and Ford is frustrated. Ford whips, Axiom KICKS, and Frazer tags in! Ford ENZIGIRIS Axiom, Frazer springboards in!
Ford dodges Frazer, Frazer handsprings through and comes back to roll up! TWO, and Ford SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up again, and Ford runs up, only for Frazer to put him right up top! GAMANGIRI! Ford wobbles, Frazer climbs, and Frazer brings Ford to the very top! Ford resists with body shots, then he shoves Frazer back! Frazer backflips to land out, then he goes right back up! But Dawkins sneaks a tag! Dawkins gets under Frazer to Electric Chair Lift! Ford goes up, BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY!! Cover, AXIOM BREAKS IT! The fans are torn as this continues, but they all know “This is Awesome!”
Axiom drags Ford up at the apron but Ford GAMANGIRIS! Ford climbs, leaps, but into a SUPERKICK! Ford falls out of the ring, Dawkins ENZIGIRIS Axiom! Dawkins runs up on Frazer but Frazer TOSSES him out! Frazer runs, DIVES, but into a HAYMAKER! Dawkins hurries up the corner, but Frazer UPPERCUTS! Axiom tags in and ENZIGIRIS! Frazer tags back in as Axiom climbs! SUPER SPANISH FLY!! PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, FORD BREAKS IT AND UPPERCUTS AXIOM!! The fans are thunderous and Frazer drags Dawkins up. But Dawkins ROCKS Frazer! Frazer PELES Dawkins!
Ford sneaks a tag, Dawkins gives Frazer the SKY HIGH! Ford hurries to a corner but Axiom hits a GOLDEN RATIO on Dawkins! Ford still reaches the top, but Frazer runs up! Ford hops down to GAMANGIRI, then he climbs again! Axiom runs up, Ford BOOTS him down! FROM THE HEAVENS FLOPS as Frazer dodges! Tag to Axiom and Frazer sets Ford up! MISSLE DROPKICK HIGH LOW!! Cover, Fraxiom wins!!
Winners: Fraxiom, by pinfall
The “Catapulta Infernal” strikes its target, and the new kids on the block just beat The Profits! Fraxiom offer handshakes, the Profits accept, and now these two teams will battle again with titles on the line. Will Fraxiom’s winning combination reach the titles in record time? Or will the Profits be able to heal up and bring their 100% to the match?
Tiffany Stratton returns backstage.
The WWE Women’s Champion is hunting down Naomi, but Nia finds her first. Nia says it isn’t easy being champion, is it? Tiff’s made some enemies. But instead of worrying about Naomi, worry more about Nia, because Nia is the #1 contender now to take back what is rightfully hers. Tiff says that’s fine, because once she beats Nia, Tiff can reserve a spot for Nia at the loser’s table. Right next to Charlotte Flair! Tootles. Tiff heads out and Nia scowls. Will Nia make sure time runs out on Tiffy Time?
The Miz talks with Carmelo Hayes at gorilla.
The Hollywood A-Lister insists that last week was all about getting game film on Aleister Black. And if Melo watched that film, then he should know a lot of counters to Aleister’s moves. If Melo studied that film, he should know that during Miz’s match, Melo was out of position. But that is okay, because Miz will show Melo where he needs to be to get the job done. Just watch Miz out there, because tonight is about Melo. Tonight is about showing Melo IS the Tenth Wonder of the World! For Miz, for Melo, and for #Dre, and for the WWE Universe, Melo will run the play just as Miz designed it, because #MeloDon’tMiz! And they are… AWES-H1M!
Who’s H1M? Melo is! Who’s H1M? MELO IS! That’s right! Let’s go! Miz & Melo make their entrance, but will Melo use Miz’s game plan to hit that game winner? Or will there be no three pointer when things #FadeToBlack?
Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes w/ The Miz!
SmackDown returns and Aleister makes his entrance. The bell rings and Aleister stares Melo down. They slowly circle, feel things out, and tie up. Aleister wrenches but Melo rolls. Melo facelocks, cranks on the hold, but Aleister wrenches out to headlock. Melo powers up and out, but Aleister spins that around to hit a headlock takeover. Melo keeps his shoulders up, fights to his feet, and he powers up and out. Aleister wrenches and whisp but Melo rolls off Aleister’s back. Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard, but Aleister ducks under to sit cross-legged! The fans cheer as Melo is rather stunned. Melo runs up, Aleister avoids the low crossbody!
Aleister kips up, Melo kicks low and Miz tells Melo to keep on him! Melo fires off hands in the corner, then stomps away! The fans boo, the ref counts, and Melo lets off to soak up heat. Aleister just snarls, and then he KNEES Melo low! Aleister fires hands and kicks, then KICKS Melo at the rope! melo tumbles out, Aleister goes up and out, ASAI MOONSAULT! Down goes Melo and Miz is worried. Miz stays back but Aleister does take a moment to catch his breath. Aleister also refreshes the ring count, then he runs up on Melo. Melo dodges, Aleister’s boot gets stuck on barriers! Melo DROPKICKS Aleister down!
Miz fires up and Melo crosses his arms like Andre the Giant. Melo is in control while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Melo goes around the way to fetch Aleister, and CHOPS him against barriers! Melo RAMS Aleister into more barriers, CHOPS him again, then refreshes the ring count. Melo drags Aleister back around to wrench and RAM Aleister into the apron! Melo CHOPS Aleister against the desk, then he puts Aleister back in the ring. Melo hurries to KNEE Aleister in the side! Aleister ELBOWS Melo in return! Aleister ROCKS Melo, Melo mule kicks! Melo stomps Aleister down, then covers, TWO! Aleister toughs it out but Melo clamps on. Melo whips, ELBOWS Aleister down, and Melo drops a leg, brother! Cover, TWO!
Melo is frustrated but he clamps onto Aleister with a top wristlock. Aleister endures, fights up, and arm-drags Melo away! Aleister KICKS Melo, snapmares, and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Melo toughs it out but Aleister whips him to ropes. Melo uses that to springboard and CROSSBODY! Down goes Aleister and Melo says swish! Melo stands Aleister up, CHOPS him, but Aleister CHOPS in return! Melo ROCKS Aleister, Aleister ROCKS Melo! Melo ELBOWS Aleister, Aleister fires fast hands! Melo HEADBUTTS, Aleister ROCKS Melo! Aleister clinches, fires KNEES and then sweeps the legs! SmackDown returns as Melo goes to the apron.
Aleister storms over and brings Melo up, but Melo HOTSHOTS him away! The fans rally, Melo climbs, but Aleister steps up to KICK Melo in the face! Melo wobbles, Aleister climbs, and Miz coaches Melo. Melo shoves Aleister away, but Aleister comes back, so Melo leaps over. Melo rolls through, comes back, tilt-o-whirl, but Aleister slips free! Aleister blocks a kick to JUMP KNEE! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Aleister and Melo stir while Miz coaches Melo up. Melo rises, fires forearms on Aleister, but Aleister fires back! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, the fans duel, and Aleister CLOBBERS Melo!
Aleister fires off a strike fest! LEG SWEEP! SLIDING KNEE! Aleister kips up, then QUEBRADAS! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Miz can breathe again. Aleister checks his teeth, shakes off the cobwebs, and then looms over Melo. Aleister reels Melo in, suplexes, but Melo counters to a cradle! TWO! Aleister blocks a kick to sweep the legs! Then Aleister suplexes, but Melo knees free! Aleister blocks another kick, but Melo rebounds to SUPERKICK! Melo runs, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! And then Melo brings Aleister up, but Aleister suplexes! BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Miz is relieved as Melo survives!
Aleister scowls while he thinks on what to try next. The fans rally, Aleister stalks behind Melo, and then Aleister spins Melo around just to lift him up with his foot! Miz distracts Aleister, but then Aleister senses Melo! Aleister ducks, Melo BLASTS Miz, and Aleister rolls Melo up! ALEISTER WINS!
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall
Miz rushes back in, but into BLACK MASS!! The A-Lister tried trickery but paid for it! Will Aleister not back down on SmackDown? Will he find his way to gold soon enough?
Solo and Fatu return backstage.
Solo throws a bit of a fit over the loss. He says the numbers game is no longer with their family tomorrow. They need a game plan for it! They need to figure something out, because Solo is all outta sorts! Everyone is hurt! They need- Fatu says stop! “WE?! Game plan?! Man, the only game plan I that I got tomorrow is just to run the play! So tomorrow, Backlash, live in The Lou, these three suckas gonna get in where they fit in! Cuz tomorrow, Damian Priest, DOG WALKED! LA Knight, DOG WALKED! GADDAMN DREW MCINTYRE! I’ma ’bout to dog walk his ass!! That’s the only play that I ’bout to run! Cuz I’m all gas, no brakes with it. Yadada mean?”
Fatu is locked in, and Solo accepts that. At least, it seems he does. Will there still be something up Solo’s proverbial sleeve to ensure the Samoan Werewolf stays on top?
Fraxiom returns backstage.
They’re both still fired up from winning over the Profits, THE WWE Tag Team Champions. And then Motor City Machine Guns walk over and Chris Sabin says that is how you do it! They just won over the champs! Alex Shelley says Fraxiom came in, made some noise, and MCMG loved it! That’s exactly what MCMG did. They took the volume and cranked it to 11. Now, let’s see if Fraxiom can keep that energy up, because they know eventually, they’ll be facing MCMG. But then DIY CLOBBERS them all!! Johnny Gargano & Tommas Ciampa ran down fists on Fraxiom, and Ciampa shouts, “Don’t get it twisted, boys! You didn’t beat the tag team champions, the Profits, tonight!”
Ciampa says what Fraxiom did was they took advantage of two guys who were very banged up from TLC! Gargano says only a couple of lowlifes would do that! Then DIY stomps Fraxiom more. DIY hurries away, will Johnny Wrestling & Sicilian Psycho make sure no one gets ahead of them in line?
Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar VS Rey Fenix & Andrade!
Angel y Berto got the jump on the Firebird, but now they will have to fight fair and square with their enemies. Will the Firebird and El Idolo be able to humble Los Garza? Or will Legado del Fantasma lead the way for lucha libre in WWE?
SmackDown returns and Andrade makes his entrance, followed by Fenix. The teams sort out, Angel rushes Fenix but Fenix dodges to BLAST Berto! Fenix then SOBATS Angel, CHOPS him, and whips. Angel reverses, Fenix goes up and FLYING HEADBUTTS! Fenix runs, tilt-o-whirls, and he wrangles Angel into a ghost pin! TWO, and Angel RAMS Fenix into the corner! Tag to Berto, Los Garza stomp a mudhole, and Santos is mostly making sure commentary speaks positively about “running the bingo.” Los Garza taunt Andrade, and Angel throws his tearaway pants at him! The fans boo but Berto goes back to Fenix.
Berto drags Fenix up and snapmares for a KICK! Fenix writhes, Berto covers, TWO! Berto drags Fenix up, Fenix fires body shots, and Fenix CHOPS! Fenix runs, but Berto DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix stays in this but Berto argues the count. Berto drags Fenix up, reels him in and suplexes, but Fenix knees free! Fenix CHOPS Berto, then dodges to hot tag Andrade! The fans fire up as Andrade LARIATS, then blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Berto goes to a corner, the fans fire up, and they join in with “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade goes corner to corner and back again, but Berto runs up! Andrade dodges, Berto switches, and Angel sneaks a tag.
Andrade ELBOWS Berto, runs the ropes, but Berto drops down. Angel holds the ropes open, but Andrade stops short! Andrade wags his finger, but Berto CLOBBERS Andrade out of the ring! Fenix runs up, Berto TOSSES him and Angel DROPKICKS Fenix to the floor! Angel y Berto then go to the corners, climb up, and DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULT! All four men are down but Santos loves it, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and the fans rally as Andrade endures the chinlock. Andrade fights up, JAWBREAKERS free, but Berto kicks low! Berto suplexes, Andrade fights that, and Andrade ducks both the roundhouse and the enzigiri! Then he hops on, and POISON-RANAS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Berto and Andrade crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up more as Fenix rallies on Angel! Fenix whips, Angel reverses, but Fenix reverses again to ENZIGIRI in the corner! Fenix puts Angel up top, CHOPS, but Berto storms up! Fenix ROCKS Berto then CHOPS Angel again! Fenix wrenches Berto, KICKS him, then knuckle locks.
Fenix goes up, up, jumps around, and ENZIGIRIS Angel before he FLYING ARM-DRAGS Berto! Dayton fires up and Santos is furious, but Fenix runs corner to corner! Somersault LARIAT on Angel, and Fenix puts him up top! Fenix tucks Angel in, but Angel slips free to FLAPJACK KCIK! Andrade runs in, dodges and CLOBBERS Angel! Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Fenix SUPERKICKS Berto! The fans fire up while all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” as all four luchadores stir. Angel and Fenix find each other, and Angel CHOSP! Fenix CHOPS back! Angel CHOPS again, but Fenix CHOPS again!
Both men stand, Angel KNEES low, and then he runs to SPLASH Fenix in the corner! Berto tags in, he fireman’s carries Fenix to WASTELAND SLAM! Then ROLLING MOONSAULT! Cover, Andrade breaks it! Andrade hurries out but Berto drags Fenix up. Berto whips, Fenix reverses and runs up to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix snapmares Berto, but Santos distracts! Fenix hits the somersault rana, but Berto rolls through to sunset flip! But now Santos is costing Berto! The ref finally sees it and counts, TWO!! Santos is furious but Fenix wheelbarrows and victory rolls to FACEBUSTER! Cover, but Angel DOUBLE STOMPS it apart!
Angel CLUBS Fenix, hits a BIG back suplex, but Fenix lands out! Fenix staggers back, hot tag to Andrade! Andrade ROCKS Angel, then runs to boot feint and ELBOW! Berto flounders, Fenix goes up, ADIOS AMIGO KICK! Andrade brings Berto around, Fenix builds speed and FLIES onto Angel! Then THE MESSAGE!! Cover, Andrade y Fenix win!
Winners: Rey Fenix & Andrade, by pinfall
Santos is beside himself, but it was still his fault for this loss. Andrade and Fenix stand tall, will they be the ones leading the way as Worlds Collide? Santos then shouts at Los Garza to get on their feet! “What was that?!” Santos is taking his anger out on the wrong ones, and Berto SLAPS him! The fans fire up for Berto while Santos glares at him, but Berto leaves without Santos and Angel. Is Legado falling apart all around Santos, all because of his ego?
JOHN CENA is here!
Dayton fires up but also shout, “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as the Undisputed WWE Champion walks out in his Ohio State Buckeyes styled The Last Time is Now merchandise. Cena has the song stop, and he again points to Mark Nash. The fans duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” while Mark reluctantly goes to the ring, same as the last few times. Cena tells Mark he already knows so Mark does the “proper” introductions. “Please welcome the Greatest Of All Time! The Never Seen Seventeen! Gracing Dayton with his presence one last time…! He is the Last-” Wait, Cena stops Mark there? Cena sees someone threw their bottle into the ring!
Cena picks up the bottle, looks it over, and it is a Michelob Ultra. Cena shakes his head, tosses the bottle aside, and lets Mark finish. “He is the Last Real Champion…! JOOOOOOHN CEEENAAA~!” The fans are torn while Cena holds up the title. Cena then takes Mark’s mic and excuses him. The fans boo but Cena says, “Tomorrow, your childhood dies. The reason you’re reduced to throwing empty bottles of beer is because every single one of you knows exactly how important Backlash is. You’ll do everything you can, just like Randy Orton. Which is why Randy Orton is not here tonight.
“Don’t boo! Don’t boo! He’s smart! He took my advice. He is home with his family in St. Louis. And he is preparing for the biggest moment of his career. The first time I wrestled Randy Orton was almost 25 years ago. Since then, we have shared in this ring on WWE television of almost 100 appearances. There are 31 world championships between us. We are the two names that defined what it means to have Ruthless Aggression. And if you are a fan between the ages of 12 to 55 and beyond, you either choose Randy Orton or you choose John Cena! THAT is what’s at stake tomorrow!” The fans here certainly cheer for “RANDY! RANDY!”
Cena says tomorrow, that is their final match. “Tomorrow, you only get to choose one more time. Tomorrow, your childhood dies! Don’t worry, don’t worry. If you’re a fan between the ages of 3 to 11 tomorrow, your childhood will die, as well. I will make sure you grow up fast, because tomorrow I prove three things: Life isn’t fair; winners write the history books; and Randy Orton is a liar! The person Randy’s been lying tot he most all these years is himself! I will explain it in terms that you can understand. Hustle, loyalty, respect.
“Hustle! Randy Orton only has this job because of his family! He has never once been held accountable for any of his failures! And he uses his stardom and his connections to protect him from responsibility or actually doing any hard work. Randy Orton is the Greatest Of All Time at wasting his potential! I am the Greatest of All Time because I AM hustle!” The fans boo but Cena continues. “Loyalty! Randy Orton thinks that working a job a lot of days in a row is loyalty. That’s not loyalty, that’s cashing a check. Randy Orton says he’s a WWE Lifer, he’s stuck here! He says he’s a piece of furniture, that’s right! He’s a La-Z-Boy!
“Loyalty is being a person that you can always count on. And you are counting on Randy Orton to be the one to take this away from me?! After 25 YEARS of injuries, bad attitudes and coasting his way to be over-celebrated and overpaid, you can’t count on Randy Orton for anything! Randy Orton is the Greatest of All Time at doing the bare minimum. I am the Greatest of All Time because I AM loyalty! Respect, of which you show me none! Randy Orton wants to beg for your respect! He has to remind you he’s a third-generation superstar. C’mon!
“Nobody knows Bob Orton Senior. The only thing Bob Orton Jr. ever accomplish in life was knocking up Randy’s mom. And the only thing Randy Orton’s ever done is life is ride off MY coattails! Yet he calls himself the Legend Killer? All he does is use his mean streak and his strength to remove these names from wrestling that were barely relevant in the first place. And tomorrow, he gets to do it again. Tomorrow, Randy Orton kills the legend of Randy Orton. Because he’ll be just like his 2006 drug test: A failure! Randy Orton is the Greatest of All Time at making a mockery of what a WWE superstar should be! I am the Greatest of All Time, because I AM respect!
“I’m not gonna stoop to your level, Dayton. Take a good look. Tomorrow is a historic moment for WWE. Because I make history again. And this is what a Last Real Champion looks like.” The fans boo as Cena holds up the belt. But who is this in a hoodie!? They spin Cena around, but Cena lifts them up for an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! This clearly isn’t Orton, he’s not tall enough. But Cena still nods and holds the belt up. ONLY FOR THE REAL ORTON TO APPEAR! You can’t see the R K O OUTTA NOWHERE!! Dayton is all fired up for Orton as he stands tall, holding the title up over Cena! Will this be how Backlash ends? Or will Cena make sure Orton’s legend ends instead?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown, especially as the go-home to Backlash. Great closing promo from Cena tonight, but Orton standing tall with that great surprise appearance hammers it home that Cena is winning at Backlash. Or he’s at least retaining. Everyone is wondering if they’ll flip the classic match from years ago where Randy retained by slapping the ref, and I wouldn’t mind them teasing that here to really add to the continuity of the rivalry. Charlotte Flair’s promo was also really good, with her doubling down on being a Heel even after her loss to Tiffany, and then being “so upset” over Dayton’s booing that she storms off.
Alexa Bliss returning in Ohio was a good move, and she had a very good match alongside Zelina against Chelsea & Piper. And a truly interesting move for her to confront Charlotte. Charlotte claims she’ll go right back for the top title but I would think Alexa doesn’t like that. Though, at the same time, Alexa could easily hop into the Women’s US Championship scene despite just teaming with Zelina. Meanwhile, great match between Jade VS Nia, with a great tease of Charlotte VS Jade during that entrance. Naomi of course does two birds with one stone, she beats up Tiffy while costing Jade, and now Nia VS Tiff will be some great stuff for the title. I wonder how Naomi will factor into that…
Great stuff opening with the US Championship story like they did last week. I figured Solo would take the loss so the Face team could have momentum, and then Drew gets the drop on him so that Fatu can also have go-home math in his favor. Fatu and Solo also had a very good promo together to show tensions mounting because it’s just them, and they’re at odds on how to handle the Fatal 4 Way. At this point, Solo Sikoa should bring in Hikuleo to freshen up their rogue bloodline. But also, Fatu could end up kicked out as Solo leads Leo, Loa & Tama against everyone else. Granted, fans would continue to see it as Temu Bloodline but whatever, SmackDown needs that one solid faction that does a lot of stuff in the same way Raw still has Judgment Day but now is also getting Rollin’s faction.
Good promo from Aleister to parallel Rusev’s return promo. It states that whatever WWE gimmick we remember from before no longer exists, and this is going to be more like Aleister bringing “Malakai” to WWE. Good promo from Miz to kinda talk down to Melo just a bit, but we still got a great match from Aleister VS Melo. Aleister of course wins with Miz getting too involved, and I’m still curious as to where this goes from here. We also got good progress in the Legado story, with Berto just done with Santos wrongfully heaping the blame on him. It was a great tag match, and I wonder if someone new joins Legado to freshen the group up, but mostly to give us a Six Man Tag of Fenix, Andrade y Berto VS Legado.
And great stuff with the tag titles, but perhaps with some curious moves. I liked Mia & Fab encouraging the Profits and then the Profits returning that as Mia & Fab hope to go for the women’s tag titles. But when it came to Aldis putting Profits in a match they weren’t prepared for, is that Aldis being Heelish? I don’t see the Profits being Heels at this point now, but hey, even “beat up” they had an awesome match with Fraxiom. Now DIY were really Heel with going after the tired Fraxiom backstage. We already got a Triple Threat with the TLC but I wonder if Fraxiom will have to still earn their title shot by getting past DIY and MCMG on separate occasions.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Attitude Of Aggression #308- Unidentified History: From Undesirable to Undeniable
This debut Episode examines how UAPs went from an undesirable topic of discussion into an undeniably important aspect of our...
Bandwagon Nerds #286: Hela Hath No Fury
VILLAIN MADNESS reaches its epic conclusion. Plus trailers for Predator: Badlands, Pee Wee as Himself, WWE Unreal and much more!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Release The Backlash
Join DJ, Rob and Jason every week as they give their "Mindless" takes on Pro Wrestling and much, much more!
Mitchell’s NJPW Resurgence Results & Report! (5/9/25)
NJPW's back in the Golden State!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/9/25)
The time is now!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/9/25)
TGIROHF!
Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis
Chairshot Staff picks!!!
DWI Podcast #475: JAFC vs RKO
We give our picks and predictions for WWE Backlash!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.8.2025
We get to see Alicia Fox in action and a dog collar match! Definitely an odd combination, so let's see...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (5/8/25)
Collision on a Thursday?!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (5/7/25)
Hear ye, hear ye!
POD is WAR: Posterior Pam
Andrew Balaz, Rey Cash and PC Tunney invite you to come along on a trip inside the minds of Los...
