Coverage
Mitchell’s NXT TakeOver: New York Results & Report! (4/5/19)
Wrestlemania Weekend begins with a TakeOver!
NXT kicks off Wrestlemania Weekend by taking over New York! Who will be claim the vacant NXT Championship for their own after 2-out-of-3 Falls?!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – WWE 2K19 Million Dollar Challenge: AJ Styles VS Stephen T. Benson; Benson wins the WWE 2K19 MDC and the million dollar prize.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS Aleister Black & Ricochet; The War Raiders win and retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.
- NXT North American Championship: Velveteen Dream VS Matt Riddle; Dream wins and retains the NXT North American Championship.
- WWE United Kingdom Championships: Pete Dunne VS WALTER; WALTER wins and becomes the new WWE United Kingdom Champion.
- NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4 Way: Shayna Baszler VS Bianca Belair VS Kairi Sane VS Io Shirai; Baszler wins and retains the NXT Women’s Championship.
- NXT Championship 2-out-of-3 Falls Match: Johnny Gargano VS Adam Cole; Gargano wins and becomes the new NXT Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Welcome to the NXT TakeOver Kickoff Show!
Join Charli Caruso, Pat McAfee and Sam Roberts in discussing and predicting all of tonight’s championship caliber action!
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Era.
#ShockTheSystem. Roderick Strong, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly don’t like the idea that tonight has the “potential” to be big. These three do not operate under “potential”. There is one conclusion already destined: Adam Cole becoming the NEW NXT Champion. What was their advice for him, then? Ouch, 0-2. The only piece of advice Cole needs is, “Go out there and be Adam Cole”. That’s all anyone needs him to be. Just think of everything Cole has done since taking over NXT. Now picture an even more determined and focused Adam Cole than ever before! Gargano feels dangerous? Adam Cole IS dangerous! And when Adam Cole wins the title, he truly ushers in the Era of the Undisputed. Then they will all follow and be draped in gold. And that itself is Undisputed. Will Cole be better than Gargano for 2 out of 3 falls tonight?
WWE 2K19 Million Dollar Challenge: AJ Styles VS Stephen T. Benson!
After months of competition in the WWE 2K19 Towers, a challenger has emerged! The Phenomenal One battles “The Golden Voice”, but can the former world champion deny this pro-wrestling gamer one MILLION dollars?!
Corey Graves comes out on stage to get New York hyped for this moment. But he’s not alone, he brings UpUpDownDown’s host, Austin Creed, aka Xavier Woods! “I think this will be the first TakeOver where I’m not getting beat up by Rusev.” But now, after almost a year of waiting, AJ Styles’ challenge to the world is coming to fruition. The last player standing now faces The Phenomenal One. That last player will compete to either earn $1 MILLION, or nothing! And now, here is the Golden Voice, Stephen T. Benson! Stephen T. Benson didn’t just win this opportunity by beating the Tower, he also had to defeat the other three finalists in a quick tournament to prove he was truly worthy! Benson gets the fans fired up, but now… The Phenomenal AJ Styles!
AJ Styles knows he doesn’t have his gloves, but his entrance will still be the same. Both Styles and Benson are ready, but the fans are raedy for Styles. Benson says he’s gonna take Styles to Suplex City. Brooklyn can boo but Benson will be going home with a million bucks! He’s here, they’re not! Benson soaks up the heat, especially since he represents Brock Lesnar in the game. Styles trash talks that Lesnar is a part-timer, Benson snaps back with Randy Orton giving Styles an RKO.
Now, the rules of this match are displayed: Win by pinfall or submission; no count outs or disqualifications; 10 minute time limit, and a draw will go to with the character in the best condition. Both men accept these stipulations, and we begin!
Fans are again on AJ Styles’ side as his character goes against Benson as Brock. The bell rings and Styles taunts but Lesnar/Benson attacks! Benson starts #SuplexCity already with a German! And then he clubs away on Styles back before going for a carry. Scoop slam! Benson hits another German! Then a third! Benson drags Styles up again for a fourth German Suplex! Styles is getting flashbacks after German Suplex #5! And 6! Benson trash talks as his character gets reversed! Reverse DDT! Styles pumps up but gets caught for a powerslam! Cover, ONE with Resiliency! Benson kicks Styles then brings him in for a powerbomb! And another! And another! Benson continues to trash talk as he hits an F5! Cover, Benson and Lesnar win!!
Winner: Stephen T. Benson, by pinfall; wins the WWE2K19 Million Dollar Challenge
The Golden Voice trash talks the entire time as Corey gives him the million dollar check. Brooklyn boos but Benson’s a perfect Heel. Styles is Phenomenal, but Benson is golden. Where and how will Benson choose to spend his new fortune? Can Styles redeem himself should there be a WWE 2K20 challenge?
Since its ArRival, NXT has always been meant to take over.
History is being made in Brooklyn again. The first ever 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the NXT Championship. Another Dusty Rhodes Cup leads to the tag team championships. A crossover between US and UK will determine fate. A bro wants to live his own dream. And a Queen of Spades looks to keep her crown while surrounded on all sides. Who is going to take over in New York?
NXT Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS Aleister Black & Ricochet!
Raw Rowe & “Warbeard” Hanson bring the war, but the Unexpected Duo bring the fight! Will the Dutch Destroyer & King of Flight leave the modern day vikings in the dust on Wrestlemania Weekend? Or will they end up feeling the Fallout?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we begin! Another TakeOver begins with tag team action as Aleister starts against Rowe. Fans are already thunderous for this match up as Aleister and Rowe stare down. They circle and tie up. Aleister wrenches to a wristlock but Rowe pries his way through to a reversal. Aleister rolls and gets a headlock, but Rowe powers out. Rowe boots but Aleister gets under. Aleister headlocks again but Rowe reverses. Aleister breaks free but Rowe snapmares. Rowe headlocks but Aleister slips out, but Rowe snapmares him again. Rowe goes for the headlock again but Aleister slips out again, only for Rowe to get a takedown! Aleister prepares a triangle while Rowe is ready to punch! Both men stop and fans applaud this incredible opening exchange!
Rowe backs off and Aleister gets up. Rowe and Aleister circle again as fans rally up. Aleister waistlocks but Rowe switches to a slam. Aleister’s up again but Rowe holds on tight. Rowe rolls Aleister but Aleister throws him off. Aleister kicks but Rowe tanks it! Rowe stands up to stare Aleister down. The two show respect with a fist bump, then tag out to Hanson and Ricochet. Fans are fired up even more as Ricochet and Hanson speed things up! Ricochet bounces off Hanson so he goes for a wheelbarrow arm-drag. Hanson blocks with size and strength to whip Ricochet. Ricochet rolls off his back then somersaults under for a handspring headscissor and dropkick! Hanson bails out and Ricochet tags to Aleister.
Aleister intercepts Rowe but Rowe reverses the whip. Aleister rolls off Rowe’s back to throw him out. The War Raiders regroup but Aleister fakes them out! Both Aleister and Ricochet sit down cross-legged! Brooklyn is thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as the Raiders rush the Unexpected. Now the Raiders roll of their opponents’ backs! Aleister boots Hanson and Ricochet rocks Rowe. Rowe hits back but things speed up, kitchen sink to basement dropkick! The Unexpected double whip Hanson, but Hanson seated sentons Aleister! Hanson scoop slams Ricochet and tags in Rowe! Human Weapon: Hanson Senton! Ricochet bails out while Rowe goes back to Aleister. Rowe scoop slams Aleister then drags him up for an armlock. Aleister endures while Rowe leans his weight on him. Rowe brings Aleister up and tags Hanson.
Hanson wrenches and shoulders Aleister down for another armlock. Hanson grinds in his forearm into the shoulder, then scoop slams Aleister. Tag to Rowe, Human Weapon again, but Aleister sweeps the legs! It becomes a powerslam on Hanson! Ricochet tags in and speeds up to huricanrana Rowe to a corner. Ricochet keeps moving for a shoulder tackle and roundhouse! Rowe staggers, Ricochet springboard clotheslines and shooting stars! Cover, TWO! Ricochet drags Rowe up and wrenches while fans rally. Ricochet puts Rowe in a modified abdominal stretch. Rowe endures but Ricochet shifts to another wrench. Aleister tags in and takes Rowe for another wrench. Rowe forearms out but Aleister whips. Aleister elbows Rowe down then covers, ONE!
Aleister keeps on Rowe and that arm with a seated stretch. Rowe endures again but Aleister pulls on a leg. Rowe is being bent way back, but he feeds off the fans’ energy. He fights his way up but aleister pushes him to the corner. Rowe hits Ricochet but Aleister kicks away on Rowe. Aleister boots but Rowe shoves, only to walk into a sweep! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! ALeister boots Rowe but Rowe gives him Ace Ten Mao! Hanson tags in but so does Ricochet. Ricochet runs into a back drop! And then a sidewalk slam! Hanson hits a basement crossbody! Hanson drags Aleister up into one corner while Ricochet gets to his. The Warbeard beings a clothesline train! Hanson hits a total of TEN clotheslines and Brooklyn is thunderous again.
Hanson whips Aleister at Ricochet but Ricochet puts Aleister out. Ricochet catches Hanson!? For a Fall Away Slam?! Fans give a standing ovation for that one! But both Ricochet and Hanson are down. They crawl for their corners, hot tags to Aleister and Rowe. Fans chant “Mamma Mia!” as these two meet again. Aleister and Rowe stagger towards each other, and start brawling with heavy forearms! Rowe hits, Aleister hits and repeat. Rowe gets the edge but misses the spin. Aleister starts his strike fest, misses the sweep but blocks Rowe’s knee! To roundhouse and quebrada, into a knee! Rowe roars but runs into a knee from Aleister! Aleister stalks the staggering Rowe, for a German! Bridging cover, TWO!! Rowe survives and Aleister is shocked.
Fans continue to keep the fever pitch as Aleister drags Rowe up. Rowe shoves but Ricochet tags in. Hanson tags in, cartwheel clothesline misses but they both handspring! Ricochet boots the clothesline to roundhouse Hanson! Ricochet runs, handsprings, but misses the enziguri. Hanson handsprings to hit his back elbow! Cover, TWO! Hanson is shocked but he already shocked us with that agility. “This is Awesome!” but far from over. Hanson climbs up high and turns around?! Ricochet stops Hanson then shoves him for an elbow and a boot. Ricochet somersaults but Hanson catches him.
Tag to Rowe and bumps Ricochet on buckles and then feeds him to Rowe’s shotgun knees! Hanson wipes out Aleister, then becomes Human Weapon: Hanson Hip Attack! Then he tosses Ricochet to Rowe, for the elevated clotheslines German! Double cover, but Aleister double stomps!! Brooklyn is already at a fever pitch, how much more exciting can this get?! Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this has to end somehow. Aleister and Hanson brawl but Hanson feeds Aleister to Thor’s– Meteora! Aleister throws Rowe out then triangle moonsaults onto Hanson on the outside! Rowe DIVES on Aleister! Ricochet staggers up, builds speed and hits the CORKSCREW Sasuke Special onto Rowe! But Hanson climbs up, and LEAPS onto everyone for a cannonball! Brooklyn loses its mind for that one! All four men are down on the outside and the referee starts a ring count.
The count reaches 5 as Aleister and Hanson stand. Hanson keeps Aleister get in but Aleister does the same. But now they’re all down, so Rowe and Ricochet get in at 9.5! Rowe and Ricochet are now legal as they slowly stand up. They start brawling, and Ricochet manages to bob ‘n’ weave. Rowe lands a right but Ricochet hits an uppercut. Ricochet swings but into Ace Ten- No, a boot from Ricochet! Tag to Aleister who boots Rowe and knees Hanson. Rowe grabs Aleister but Aleister shakes him off. Rowe roars, BLACK MASS! Tag to Ricochet, who climbs up, SHOOTING STAR! Hanson returns as Ricochet covers, Hanson barrels into everyone to break the pin! Aleister and Hanson tumble out but Ricochet keeps on Rowe. Rowe’s in a drop zone and Ricochet’s up again. Ricochet aims, 630 senton FLOPS as Hanson saves Rowe!
Aleister moonsaults but misses Hanson! Hanson clobbers Aleister then gets Rowe in. Rowe crawls and tags Hanson back in. Ricochet stands and boots Hanson first! Ricochet runs, dodges, but gets THOR’S HAMMER! Hanson DIVES onto Aleister! Rowe drags Ricochet up, Hanson climbs, FALLOUT!! Cover, War Raiders win!!
Winners: The War Raiders, Hanson pinning; still NXT Tag Team Champions
This may very well have been THE greatest tag team war in NXT history! Hanson & Rowe find a way to win, and still hold the thrones in NXT’s Tag Team Division. Will Aleister & Ricochet be able to recover in time for a Wrestlemania tag war in the SmackDown Fatal 4?
But in a showing of great respect, Rowe & Hanson help Ricochet up, and then bow to both Ricochet and Aleister. Aleister and Ricochet return the bow, and say good-bye to NXT once and for all.
NXT North American Championship: Velveteen Dream VS Matt Riddle!
The Patrick Clark Experience really only just won this title thanks to the Worlds Collide tournament. He hasn’t had a chance to defend it yet, but now he’ll take on the toughest challenger possible in the undefeated Original Bro. Will Dream keep the spotlight on him? Or will he be a one-and-done champion, bro?
The introductions are made as the New Bro Yankees Matt Riddle meets the Statue of Velveteen atop his palanquin. The belt is raised, and we begin this #DreamBro match!
Dream and Riddle stare down as fans duel. It melds together to become “Bro-veteen!” Dream and Riddle each get the crowd going for their side, but then Riddle offers a bro fist. Dream says no no, and copies the crane. Riddle and Dream put up their dukes and go around. Riddle gets a kick on Dream’s leg and Dream backs off quick. Dream comes back only to get another, and has to back off again. Dream offers the bro fist now? Riddle takes it but Dream gets his leg. Riddle counters and gets a waistlock to slam Dream! He wants the wristlock but Dream resists, so Riddle uses ropes for a tornado takedown! Riddle wrenches but Dream ropebreaks. Riddle lets go but Dream stays on the defensive. They circle and tie up, but Dream backs off to cool off.
Dream and Riddle tie up again and they go shoulder to shoulder in their test of strength. Dream pushes but Riddle reels him back in. They turn around, but Dream throws Riddle over his shoulders. Riddle reels Dream in for a monkey flip into armbar! Dream scrambles and rolls to another ropebreak, and Riddle lets go at 2. Dream cowers in the corner so Riddle dares him to return. They go again and Dream stomps the bare feet! Dream headlocks but Riddle powers out, only for Dream to run him over. Cover, ONE, but Dream Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! School boy, TWO! Dream headlocks again but Riddle powers out. Dream goes up and over then rakes the back! This only angers the Bro. Dream swivels his hips but gets caught for a gut wrench suplex! Riddle holds on for a second, then for a third with hip swivels, bro!
But Dream rolls and dropkicks Riddle! Dream gets up but has to elbow Riddle away. He hops up for flying ax handles! Dream hurries up top again, for another! Riddle gets to the apron so Dream triangle ax handles Riddle down. Dream climbs again and leaps, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Riddle focuses on Dream. Riddle puts Dream in then follows after. Riddle CHOPS Dream in a corner, and again! Dream gasps for air but Riddle toys with him. Riddle drops the back senton! Dream gasps and sputters as he gets to ropes, but Riddle is on him. Dream throws body shots but Riddle throws palm strikes! Riddle boots, then spins Dream into a Pele! Riddle goes side to side for a forearm smash, then another the other way! Exploder suplex, bro! Riddle misses the penalty kick and the moonsault, but not the second senton!
Now Riddle gets the Penaly Kick! Cover, TWO! Dream survives but Riddle’s on him with a sleeper. Riddle gets the mount and pulls on the arms, but fans rally up both ways. Riddle drags Dream around into an armbar, but Dream uses his legs for a ropebreak. The ref counts but Riddle drives in his heels! Dream scrambles away in a daze while fans sing for Riddle. Riddle drags Dream up in a waistlock, but Dream holds ropes. Riddle kicks Dream off the ropes! The ref reprimands Riddle, but Riddle goes back to Dream. Dream standing switches and German Suplexes! But Riddle’s on his feet! Bro Trigger! Fisherman brain buster! Cover, TWO!! Dream survives again and Riddle might actually be getting frustrated. Riddle stalks Dream to ax kick him at the ropes. Riddle drags Dream for a third senton! Cover, ONE, and Riddle is definitely frustrated now.
Riddle stalks Dream again, and wants to drive in those vicious elbows. But Dream rolls thruogh to another ropebreak, so Riddle drives in forearms! Riddle goes after Dream but Dream dodges the boot to put on his own sleeper! But Dream’s Million Dollar Dream is countered to a European Clutch! TWO, but Dream runs into Riddle’s triangle hold! Dream starts to fade as Riddle squeezes tight! Fans rally both ways but Dream gets a second wind as he stands up. It’s a cover, TWO, but Dream deadlifts. Riddle dodges and ripcord bro triggers for a Bro-To-Sleep! German Suplex with Bridge, TWO!! Riddle is foaming at the mouth over Dream becoming his toughest challenge yet. Riddle stalks Dream, and sits him up for Bro Kicks. Dream flounders with each one, but also manages to sit back up. Riddle tells Dream he’s The Bro that Runs the Show.
Dream dares Riddle to keep kicking him, so Riddle does. Dream powers up, he HULKS up! Fans are thunderous as Dream gives him the finger wag of doom! Dream fires off hands then whips. Riddle stops himself but runs into the boot! Dream scoop slams Riddle! And hits a shining wizard! Dream clotheslines Riddle out then hops up top for BIG ax handles! Dream poses then puts Riddle in. Famouser leg drop! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and shocks Dream, but Dream doesn’t stop. Dream drags himself up top again, but stops to see Riddle running in. He hits Riddle back then leaps, but into a bro trigger! Riddle drags Dream up, but Dream hits a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!? Riddle survives but Dream just keeps moving.
Dream’s up top again, but Riddle sits up. Dream hops back down and runs in, but his shining wizard is caught into an ankle lock! Riddle wrenches and pulls, Dream flails and shouts! Dream kicks but Riddle just puts that leg in the ankle lock! Dream flails and turns and kicks again. Riddle staggers but comes back, school boy but Riddle powerbomb lifts. Dream slips out to SUPERKICK! Sidewinder DDT! But Dream doesn’t cover, he jackknifes and rolls through for Dream Valley Driver! Dream still doesn’t stop, he climbs up once more, PURPLE RAIN MAKER- INTO A BROMISSION!! Riddle pulls tight but Dream resists. Dream gets ropes and yanks Riddle into them. Riddle goes down but comes back to deadlift SUPER GERMAN! Riddle puts Dream in the drop zone, for a Floating Bro moonsault! Cover, TWO!?! Dream survives and Riddle is beside himself!
Riddle fumes as he sees Dream sitting up. Dream dares Riddle to bring more kicks, then he SLAPS Riddle! Riddle boots, Dream SUPERKICKS! Riddle rolls through and powerbombs! Flip to Bro Trigger! Cover, TWO?!? How?! But now, BROMISSION!! Riddle slaps away on Dream, Dream rolls through!? Cover, Dream wins?!
Winner: Velveteen Dream, by pinfall; still NXT North American Champion
Riddle is in disbelief! How could his undefeated streak end like this?! But Dream keeps his own hot streak alive with the biggest first defense anyone could ever have! Dream grins and blows a kiss before striking a pose with the belt. Riddle calms down, and does applaud the winner. He offers a bro fist, and Dream accepts it. Will Dream’s reign only have tougher contenders from here on? Will Riddle be able to rebound from his first loss in NXT and have another shot at a title?
It’s official: NJPW sensation, Kushida, signs with NXT!
The Time Splitter will now be full-time at Full Sail! What will this Super Junior do once he debuts in the ring?
WWE United Kingdom Championships: Pete Dunne VS WALTER!
The Bruiserweight has had this title for just under 700 days! He has beaten everyone there is to beat between both NXT and NXT UK, except the Ring General. Will the Austrian Anomaly end Dunne’s reign on his first try? Or will this title still and always be Pete Dunne’s?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin this NXT UK guest spot match!
Walter and Dunne stare down as fans cheer. They slowly start circling as fans cheer for the “UK! UK!” Dunne and Walter tie up, and Walter puts Dunne on the ropes. Walter lets up on the count of 4, then backs off to let Dunne return. They circle again and tie up. Dunne drops to go for a leg but Walter sprawls and catches him! Walter has Dunne in a modified crab but Dunne barrels through. Dunne has a toehold and he stands on a hand of Walter. Walter uses the free leg to push Dunne away, then gets in Dunne’s face to show he’s not afraid. Dunne doesn’t back down, and he circles with Walter. They tie up again and Dunne gets fingers but Walter gets the chin. Dunne bends the fingers while Walter pulls Dunne’s head.
Walter shoves Dunne off but Dunne avoids that infamous chop! Dunne shrugs as he and Walter circle again. They tie up and Walter throws Dunne! Walter eggs Dunne on but Dunne keeps his cool. They tie up but Walter throws Dunne again, then is on him immediately! Dunne narrowly avoids that chop again! Fans duel as Walter and Dunne tie up once more. Walter wrenches Dunne’s arm to a one-arm suplex and slam! Walter keeps on Dunne with a mounted armlock. Dunne pries his way out then nips up to a ropebreak. Walter lets up but Dunne forearms him back! Walter CHOPS Dunne off his feet! Now Dunne knows what that feels like. Walter toys with Dunne then drags him up for another CHOP! Fans fire up from the echo as Walter looms over Dunne again.
Walter rams his knees in but Dunne resists the cover. Walter floats over to a headlock, but Dunne works his way up. Dunne powers out of the hold and things speed up. Dunne manages to hurdle Walter, but the clothesline does nothing! Walter hurdles and BOOTS Dunne! Walter drags Dunne up and puts him on the top rope for a CHOP! Then he climbs up to stand on Dunne! The ref counts but Walter lets up at 1 and Dunne tumbles down. Walter fetches Dunne up for a back suplex onto the apron! Fans duel as Walter fires himself up. Walter returns to the ring and Dunne kicks back, but it doesn’t do enough. Walter stomps Dunne then goes after his foot with a toehold. Fans rally as Dunne endures.
Dunne pulls at Walter’s fingers while avoiding the cover. Dunne drop toeholds into a kneebar with heel hook! Walter endures and CHOPS, but Dunne holds onto the hold. Dunne kicks but Walter CHOPS him off! Walter brings Dunne around for a Boston Crab! And he sits in deep! Dunne endures and powers up to crawl for ropes. Ropebreak and Walter legs to. Dunne gets to the apron but Walter is on for clubbing forearms. Walter stands Dunne up for another, but Dunne catches the arm! Dunne has the fingers, bends them around, but Walter breaks free to BOOT Dunne down! Dunne falls to the floor while Walter checks his hand. Walter waits for Dunne as he crawls back in. Dunne gets in but gets knees from Walter. Walter grinds his boot in but backs off at 4. Dunne grits his teeth even as Walter kicks him against the ropes.
Walter dares Dunne to stand and Dunne does. Walter forearms but Dunne explodes with strikes! Dunne whips but Walter reverses, Dunne goes up and over to enziguri! Dunne waistlocks but Walter standing switches and German Suplexes! But Dunne lands on his feet to buzzsaw Walter! Walter bails out but Dunne goes to the apron, for a MOONSAULT! Direct hit take Walter out! Both men are down and a ring count begins. The count reaches 5 before Walter stands and gets in. Dunne stands at 8 and takes to the top rope. Walter intercepts him with throat chops! Walter climbs up to join Dunne, but Dunne holds on. Dunne grabs the fingers! He bends Walter’s arm around, then sunset flips! Dunne somehow gets Walter for a walking powerbomb! Cover, TWO!!
Walter rolls out of the ring but Dunne is also down. Dunne drags himself back to the corner, climbs back up and leaps for DOUBLE STOMPS! Walter writhes and screams from the damage done to his chest! The ring count begins again and reaches 4 before Dunne stands. Dunne puts dead weight Walter in at 5. Dunne runs in but Walter dodges. Walter sees Dunne going up and over and shotgun dropkicks him down! Walter drags Dunne up for a sleeper hold! Dunne grabs ropes but Walter CHOPS him on the back! Then German Suplex! Then WALTER BOMB! High stack cover, TWO!! Dunne survives and Walter is in disbelief. Dunne grits his teeth as he glares at Walter from the mat. Walter drags Dunne back up and clubs him on the back.
Walter stands Dunne up for another CHOP! He stands Dunne up again but Dunne SLAPS Walter! Walter CHOPS Dunne then stomps him out! Dunne somehow sits back up but Walter prepares another. Walter aims but it’s Dunne who chops and jabs back! Walter still CHOPS back and stuns Dunne. He drags Dunne up once more, but Dunne has the fingers! Walter and Dunne end up in a test of strength. Dunne bridges but Walter STOMPS! Walter lifts but Dunne slips out of the bomb to enziguri! Both men are down but Brooklyn is fired up! Fans continue to duel while both men slowly stir. Dunne stands on Walter’s hands, and stomps! Then buzzsaws! Then Dunne climbs up top, but Walter chop blocks a leg out! Walter climbs up behind Dunne, and waistlocks. Dunne holds on for dear life but Walter goes for a sleeper.
Dunne smacks Walter’s hands on the post! Walter clubs Dunne back and drags Dunne up, SUPER SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!? Dunne survives but Walter keeps his focus. Walter stalks Dunne to the ropes, but Dunne catches the chop! Dunne SNAPS the fingers! Then SNAPS the other fingers! Walter runs but into a rebound German! Dunne keeps going, rolling crucifix! Cover, TWO!! Walter survives now and rolls away. Dunne stalks Walter while fans duel. Dunne drags Walter up for Danielson stomps! But Walter kicks back all the same! Dunne stomps Walter back! Walter reels Dunne into a sleeper! Dunne rolls through to give more stomps, then rolls Walter into a finger-bending Rings of Saturn! Walter endures as Dunne traps both arms and pulls the fingers past their limits! But Walter turns and gets the ropebreak with his long legs! Dunne lets go, because he’s also exhausted.
Walter gets under the ropes while Dunne crawls after him. Dunne climbs up high and drags Walter up to join him. Walter SLAPS Dunne back, then CLUBS Dunne right off the top! Dunne tumbles into a drop zone, and Walter climbs?! Walter leaps, but into a triangle!! Walter flails as Dunne struggles to put it on. Dunne ends up on top, and he wants the fingers, but Walter blocks and chops back! Walter stands to stomp Dunne out again! Walter goes back to Dunne but Dunne gets those fingers. But Walter stomps Dunne more. Dunne keeps those fingers in his grip, and stands up. Dunne ducks a boot, pump handles, but Walter CLOTHESLINES his way out of the Bitter End! Walter runs but into Dunne’s clotheslines! Dunne pump handles, BITTER END!! Cover, TWO?!? Walter survives Dunne’s best move?!
Dunne is beside himself but he glares at Walter as they both slowly stand up. Fans duel again as Dunne and Walter stare down from opposite ends. Dunne and Walter approach, and the brawl is on! Dunne forearms but Walter CHOPS, and repeat! Walter eggs Dunne on and Dunne gives it. Walter continues to give CHOPS but Dunne continues to forearm back. Dunne eggs Walter on now and things pick up speed! Dunne fires off palm strikes and haymakers! The ref has to back Dunne off, Walter BOOTS him! Dunne looks out cold but Walter doesn’t cover?! Walter climbs up top?! Dunne’s back and SNAPS the fingers again! Dunne climbs up but Walter resists. Walter blocks the triangle takedown, to CHOP away! Walter lifts Dunne back up, SUPER WALTER BOMB!! Fans are losing their minds for that one! Walter leaps, WALTER SPLASH!! Cover, Walter wins!!
Winner: WALTER, by pinfall; NEW WWE United Kingdom Champion
The Bruiserweight’s reign finally ends! And the new reign is that of the Ring General! With such a match to earn that title, will anyone ever be able to take the title from Walter?
NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4 Way: Shayna Baszler VS Bianca Belair VS Kairi Sane VS Io Shirai!
The Queen of Spades and only two-time champion held onto this title against the EST 1v1 thanks to help from her friends. But now, Shayna will have more opponents than ever before! Will The EST, Pirate Princess or Genius of the Sky come away with the title? Or will Shayna make each one of them #TapNapOrSnap?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this star-studded match begins!
Shayna stares down with Bianca, Shirai and Kairi, but then things break down into brawls! Shayna throws Shirai out while Bianca throws out Sane. The Sky Pirates are out of the way, so now we get a TakeOver: Phoenix rematch! Bianca waistlocks and slams Shayna down, but Shayna elbows out. Shayna leaps on for the sleeper but Bianca powers out and runs Shayna over. Cover, but Shirai returns with meteora! Cover, but Bianca sunsets! ONE as Shirai sits on Bianca but Shayna buzzsaws the cover apart! Sane returns as Shayna covers Shirai, blockbuster breaks that! Sane goes after Bianca but Bianca shoves her away. Bianca trash talks but Sane pushes back, so Bianca runs Sane over! “Girl, uh-uh.” But just like last Wednesday, Sane catches Bianca’s kiss! And then fastballs it to Shirai for a Home Run!
Bianca tries to laugh it off, but she goes against both Sky Pirates. The Pirates double dropkick Bianca, then Shirai catches Shayna’s kick to send it into Bianca! Bianca bails out while Shayna is surrounded by Pirates! The Pirates chop and whip Shayna but Shirai has to kick Bianca out first. Shirai ducks Shayna’s boot to then rake the back. Sane double chops and Shirai trips Shayna, to meet in the middle with dropkicks! Shayna bails out, but now the good friends face off! Shirai and Sane circle then speed up. Sane rolls off Shirai’s back then slingshots to headscissors, but Shirai handsprings through! Both women know each other’s Joshi Strong Style too well for that. Shirai keeps going but then Bianca and Baszler trip them both up. Shayna whips Bianca by her hair!
Shayna hits Sane back out then wrenches Bianca down. She stands on the arm for the hammerlock stomp! Shayna hits Shirai back out while Bianca gets to a corner. Bianca elbows Shayna away and leaps up and over. Bianca dropkicks Shayna down! Shayna bails out but is ready for Bianca when she pursues. Shayna throws Bianca around the side and grabs her hair, but Bianca blocks from being reeled into the post, to return the favor! The Queen of Spades hits post and then Bianca decks Sane with a right! Bianca puts Shayna in and builds speed for a handspring splash! Cover, TWO! Shayna survives but Bianca pursues. Sane returns to hit Bianca with a Flying Kabuki! Cover, TWO! Sane drags Bianca back up to put some stank on her chops!
Bianca swings back and handsprings out of the school boy. Sane deflects the dropkick to ax kick back! Shirai kicks Shayna away while Sane whips Bianca. Bianca reverses but Shirai springboards up and over, Shirai missile dropkicks Bianca while Sane baseball slides Shayna! Fans fire up for the Sky Pirates while Shirai aims from the corner. Sane throws Shayna into steps while Shirai hits Bianca with meteora! Shirai walks over Bianca but Bianca grabs her feet. Shirai punches Bianca back then climbs up. She leaps but into Bianca’s arms! Bianca sees Sane and throws Shirai into her! Then she throws Shirai! Cover, but Shayna breaks it! Shayna hits Sane then gut wrench slams Shirai. Shirai bails out while Shayna shining wizards Sane. Shayna goes after Bianca in the corner with an elevated sleeper hold!
Bianca flails but Sane attacks from behind. Shayna hits Sane away then wants another gut wrench, but Sane hits Shayna. Sane wants to bomb Shayna but Shayna holds onto Bianca who holds onto ropes. Shirai helps out, and the Sky Pirates bomb Shayna while Shayna SUPER Gut Wrenches Bianca! Fans fire up but all four women are down. Fans rally up as the four women stir. Shayna slumps out but Bianca follows. The Sky Pirates coordinate and Sane builds speed, Shirai gives her the boost for a SUPER FLYING KABUKI! Sane brings Shayna back up for Shirai’s snap ASAI! Fans fire up with the Pirates as Sane brings Shayna up again. Shirai runs, but Bianca SPEARS! Cover, but Sane breaks it just in time! Sane back hands but Bianca ducks it. Bianca gets Sane with the chicken wing facebuster!
Shayna returns to hit Bianca with a knee trigger! Shirai German Suplexes Shayna! But she can’t hold onto the bridge, so all four women are down again. Fans still rally up and SHirai crawls to cover Shayna. Bianca pushes her off but Sane tries now. Bianca pushes her away, too, so now the Pirates target Bianca. Sane and Shirai take turns with back hands and uppercuts! Sane runs but Shayna drags her out! Bianca rolls Shirai, TWO!! Bianca throws a big forearm then scoops Shirai, to trophy lift and toss her onto Shayna and Sane! The EST continues to show why she’s the strongest, but now she’ll go after Shayna to show she’s the fiercest. Bianca stalks Shayna and clubs her with both hands. Bianca brings Shayna into the chicken wings, but Shayna rolls through! Kirafuda Klutch outta nowhere!
Bianca flails about, flashbacks to Phoenix! Shayna holds on tight but Bianca refuses to nap again. Bianca pries at the arms, and manages to get to her feet! Fans rally up as Bianca pries the legs apart. Bianca’s free, and torture racks Shayna for KoD! Cover, but Shirai breaks it in time! Bianca clubs away on Shirai then powerbomb lifts, but gets a facebuster counter! Shirai hurries to the corner for a moonsault! But she’s not done, she goes up higher for the Genius Asai! Cover, but Sane breaks it! They may be friends, but Sane can’t just let Shirai win! The friends start brawling! Shirai underhooks Sane but Sane back drops to Alabama Slam Shirai on Shayna! Sane fires up as she targets Shayna in a drop zone. She climbs up high, InSane Elbow! Cover, but Shirai breaks it! Turnabout is fair play even between friends!
Sane and Shirai respect each other too much to go easy! Shirai runs but into Sane’s forearm. Sane runs but into Shirai’s dropkick! Shirai drags Sane up and fires forearm after forearm! She scoops but Sane DDT’s back! Sane fires up and climbs up top. She doesn’t want to do this to her friend, but she still takes aim. But Bianca WHAPS Sane with her hair! Bianca drags Shirai up, torture rack. Then she double stacks with Sane! Bianca gives us the EST KoD!! Cover, but Shayna kicks Bianca in the face! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Bianca flails and writhes, but she’s stuck! She claws at Shayna’s face! Shayna holds on, Bianca taps!! Shayna wins!!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission; still NXT Women’s Champion
The most shocking victory for the Queen of Spades yet, compounded by how she didn’t even need the other Horsewomen! Will #ShaynaTwoTime stay that way all the way to overcoming Asuka’s legendary reign?
NXT Championship 2-out-of-3 Falls Match: Johnny Gargano VS Adam Cole!
No matter what happens, history is being made tonight! The title is vacant, and this match will have a definitive winner. But will that definitive winner be Undisputed? Or will he be NXT’s first Triple Crown Champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin the first fall!
Fans are divided between the Panama City Playboy and #IronJohnny even before the bell. Cole and Gargano hear it all as they slowly circle. Gargano and Cole slowly approach and tie up. Gargano waistlocks and brings Cole down then holds on as Cole rolls. Cole breaks free and backs off, and he circles with Gargano again. Cole headlocks but Gargano pries his way out. Gargano steps over to a hammerlock then gets Cole’s other arm. Gargano makes it a cover, ONE, but he holds onto the hammerlock. Cole sits up and switches to a hammerlock of his own. He shifts to another headlock, but Gargano pries his way out. Fans continue to duel as Gargano gets Cole in the headlock. Cole powers out and avoids Gargano going up and over to get the headlock takeover. Gargano works against the hold but Cole holds on.
Fans rally and Gargano stands up. Gargano powers out but Cole runs him over with a shoulder. Things speed up and Gargano hurdles and standing switches. Cole bucks Gargano but Gargano dodges the Last Shot knee. Gargano rolls Cole but Cole slips out. Cole misses the boot but Gargano misses the mule kick. Both men dodge more, Gargano gets Cole with an arm-drag and fans applaud! Cole arm-drags but Gargano arm-drags him again. Gargano has Cole down, grinding a knee into his head and twisting the wrist. Fans duel as Cole gets up and Gargano yanks his arm. Gargano wrenches but Cole whips. Gargano runs Cole over and sees Cole’s duck coming, so he hops on for a headlock! Cole scrambles and gets a ropebreak! Gargano lets go and backs off.
Gargano comes back but gets a forearm from Cole! Cole walks into Gargano’s forearm and now both men throw forearms back and forth. Cole gets the edge and has Gargano in a corner. He wrenches and whips Gargano corner to corner but Gargano goes up and over. Gargano rolls and whips Cole then headscissors and dropkicks Cole down. He clotheslines Cole up and out, then heads to the corner. Gargano aims from the apron, but Cole runs away from the canonball. So Gargano wrecks him with a dropkick from the ropes! Gargano drags Cole back up and into the ring, but Cole scrambles all the way out the other side .The ref keeps Gargano back for a moment, and Gargano walks into Cole’s enziguri! Gargano gets to a corner and Cole hurries over.
Cole drags Gargano up for forearms, then CHOPS! Cole decks Gargano with another forearm, then drags Gargano up for a cravat. He drives in knees and Gargano drops to a knee. Cole stalks Gargano then drives in a knee for a chinlock. Gargano endures and fans rally up. Cole puts pressure on the hold but Gargano gets a second wind. Gargano stands up and fights back with forearms. He runs but into Cole’s back elbow! Cole drags Gargano for a cover, ONE! Cole drives elbows in then wraps on a dragon sleeper! Gargano fights back but Cole holds on tight. Fans rally up again and Gargano powers up. Gargano fights back again and breaks free. Cole headlocks again but Gargano powers out. Things speed up, double crossbodies wipe both men out!
Cole and Gargano slowly stand up and they start throwing forearms. Gargano gets the edge and starts rallying. Cole runs into Gargano’s overhead belly2bellY! Gargano rolls Cole, TWO and Cole has the cover, TWO! Cole runs but into a rebound school boy kick! Cole bails out and Gargano slingshots, but Cole gets back in, only to get a slingshot spear! Cover, TWO! Gargano keeps his cool while Cole gets to ropes. Cole goes to a corner and Gargano runs in for a chop! Gargano whips but Cole reverses. Cole runs into boots, then Gargano hops up. Gargano fakes out the superkick to hit a tornado complete shot! Cover, TWO! Cole denies the first fall but Gargano keeps his cool. Gargano gets up and drags Cole to his feet.
Gargano suplexes but Cole knees out. Cole suplexes but Gargano slips out. Gargano full nelsons but Cole slips out. Cole waistlocks but Gargano fights back. Cole shoves Gargano to a corner, deflects, draping backstabber! Cover, TWO! Gargano refuses to let Cole take the first fall. Cole slowly stands up but Gargano follows. Cole is on Gargano first but Gargano holds on, so Cole clubs away. Gargano counters the suplex to a cradle, TWO! Cole has it, TWO, back to Gargano, TWO and Cole has it again! TWO, and both men stand. Cole fireman’s carry but Gargano slips out only to get an elbow.
Gargano ends up in a corner but he goes up and over to school boy Cole again. Cole sees it all coming and ducks the kick. Gargano slides under but gets an enziguri! Cole brings down the knee pad and runs, but Gargano rolls him up! TWO and Cole has Gargano, TWO! Both men show superkick and that gets them to hesitate. Gargano mule kicks Cole’s knee out! Gargano buzzsaws but Cole ducks it to mule kick Gargano back. Cole tries another superkick but Gargano ducks that to victory roll, TWO! Cole kicks low and runs, but Gargano dodges and runs to sunset flip. Roll through to sit Gargano up, Last Shot shining wizard! Cover, Cole scores the first fall!
Adam Cole: 1; Johnny Gargano: 0
This is a huge advantage for Cole and Gargano finds himself behind the 8 Ball. Can Gargano make a huge comeback? Or will this be over quickly?
Cole brings his knee pad back up while he watches Gargano flounders to a corner. Fans rally and Gargano manages to stand. The second fall officially starts and Cole fires off! Cole punches and stomps Gargano down then brushes his hands. He drags Gargano up but Gargano fires forearms back. Gargano spins but nito a German Suplex! Cole runs and hits another Last Shot! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives and Cole is annoyed. Cole drags Gargano up into a fireman’s carry. Gargano grabs ropes and fights free but gets a right forearm. Cole joins Gargano on the apron, only to get a SPEAR! Both men tumble but Gargano’s back up for a cannonball! Gargano drags himself up then drags Cole up and in. Gargano refuses to do this by count-out, but his slingshot DDT is caught into Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO!!
Gargano survives and Cole is starting to wonder what it’ll take for this second fall. Cole climbs up but Gargano anchors his feet. Cole and Gargano brawl, and Cole drags Gargano up top. Gargano holds on for dear life, then grabs Cole for a SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives Gargano’s take on Tommaso Ciampa’s move, but Gargano crawls over to him. Gargano drags Cole closer to ropes then goes to the apron. Gargano would slingshot but Cole flops down. Cole joins Gargano on the apron again, but Gargano brings him up. Cole fireman’s carry again but Gargano slips out to enziguri! Gargano slingshots to DDT Cole on the apron! Both men fall to the floor and the referee checks on them. They’re both somehow okay to continue and a ring count begins.
Fans duel as both men stir. Gargano sits up at 3 and drags Cole up at 5. Cole is dead weight and the count is climbing, so Gargano leaves Cole to the count’s mercy. No, wait, he refreshes the count? But Cole shoves him into a post! And then another! Cole puts Gargano in and follows to bring the knee pad down again. But Gargano grabs an arm! Gargano again borrows a move from Ciampa, the bridging Fujiwara! Cole endures and pops through for a crucifix! But Gargano slips right out to put on his GargaNO Escape! Cole taps, Gargano ties it up!!
Adam Cole: 1; Johnny Gargano: 1
Now it’s sudden death! With just one last fall to go, who will win it all to become NXT Champion!?
Gargano has a bloody eyebrow, but he wills himself to sit up. Cole gets himself to ropes while the ref patches up Gargano. The third and decisive fall officially begins, and Cole glares daggers at Gargano. Gargano and Cole both stand and Brooklyn is fired up for “NXT! NXT!” Cole and Gargano trade forearms back and forth, fast and furious! Gargano gets the edge and runs, into a bicycle boot! And another! But Gargano returns with a roaring elbow on the rebound! Gargano calls upon DIY but Cole dodges the mule kick. Cole enziguris but misses, Gargano’s buzzsaw hits! Gargano runs and tilt-o-whirls, but Cole blocks into Last Shot Brainbuster! Cover, TWO!! Cole’s frustration grows but so does the energy from the crowd.
Cole gets to a corner and hops up but Gargano pursues. Gargano then gets away but Cole brings him in for buckle bumps. Fans duel as Cole puts Gargano in position. Cole climbs up but Gargano enziguris! Gargano scoops Cole for a corner-to-corner LONG DART! Full Nelson Facebuster, the Hurts Donut! Cover, TWO! Cole survives and Gargano starts to see his own blood. Gargano and Cole both get up and throw forearms on his knees. They stand and still throw hands, but Cole gets the edge. Cole aims, but Gargano blocks the kick to give one. Cole blocks that but gets an enziguri, to give an enziguri! Both men stay up, throw more hands, but then they both SUPERKICK! They take each other down but fans give a standing ovation! Gargano and Cole stir as fans cheer for “Both These Guys!”
Cole and Gargano meet and swing, but Cole waistlocks and clubs away. Cole swings Gargano out but Gargano forearms first. Gargano reverse-rana misses, SUPERKICK to the back! Cole straitjacket suplexes to a bridge, TWO!! Gargano still has that superhuman heart even after two falls! Cole drags Gargano up and underhooks, but Gargano avoids the driller to get the arm! But Cole saido suplexes! Cole climbs up again, leaps, but Gargano avoids the destroyer to SUPERKICK! Gargano hops up and over for a Reverse-Rana! MULE KICK! But Cole tumbles out of the ring! Gargano can’t believe Cole’s luck. But Gargano also gets a wild idea. Gargano turns to run but Cole drags him out for a wheelbarrow suplex into the apron!! Cole may have just broke #IronJohnny! Cole drags Gargano up and in, and fans know “This is Awesome!”
Gargano springs up and gets Cole with a draping DDT! Another shout-out to Ciampa! But then slingshot DDT added on! Cover, TWO!? Cole survives two DDT’s so Gargano DIVES! Gargano sends Cole into barriers but then into the ring, slingshot- SUPERKICK! Cole leaps for a Panama Sunrise DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!?! Gargano still lives?! Brooklyn reaches that fever pitch again but this match is far from over. That’s just fine by them, too, because the fans chant “Fight Forever!” Gargano crawls to an apron but Cole scrapes him out. Cole pursues, also not content for the ring count to take care of this. He says Gargano’s a failure and a disappointment, and he pie faces Gargano down. Gargano keeps getting up but Cole keeps pushing him down. “What you do is fail!” Gargano doesn’t fail to forearm Cole back!
Gargano throws Cole over the announce desk! And then he clears it off! Brooklyn is loving this as Gargano drags Cole onto the table top! Cole hits back, underhooks, butterfly driver onto the table! And it doesn’t break! Cole steals Ciampa’s Fairy Tale Ending to end Gargano! Fans lose their minds and want “One More Time!” Cole returns to the ring to leave Gargano for dead. The ring count begins, but Gargano somehow sits up at 4! Gargano drags himself to his feet at 7 and hurries to the ring! He beats the count at 9.9!! But Cole aims, mocks DIY, SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO?!?! How is this even possible!? Cole is in disbelief while Gargano eyes are completely glazed. Fans duel again as Cole aims again. The knee pad comes down again, but Gargano SUPERKICKS Cole! Cole SUPERKICKS Gargano! Cole hops up, leaps, but into a GargaNO Escape!
But here come the Undisputed Era! Gargano hits Roderick Strong away, and then gets Cole back in GargaNo Escape! Strong argues with the ref, but that’s so Fish & O’Reilly can come around the other side! Cole is tapping but the ref doesn’t see! O’Reilly rakes Gargano’s eyes! Brooklyn boos but Cole kicks Gargano into the ref! Now the Undisputed Era swarms, TOTAL ANNIHILATION from reDRagon! Strong gets the ref back in while reDRagon runs away! Cole cover, TWO?!??! There are not enough punctuation marks that exist for this! The Undisputed Era tell Cole to finish this and fans duel so hard. Cole runs in but Gargano dumps him out onto his friends! Gargano puts Cole back in, then throws Strong into a post! He SUPERKICKS Fish then tornado DDT’s O’Reilly while kicking Fish!
Gargano gets back in, SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! LAST SHOT WIZARD!! Cover, TWO!?! Just like I already said, there are not nearly enough punctuation! No one can believe any of this, but all the fans are loving it! Cole is starting to lose his mind, but he tells Gargano this will end. He runs again, but Gargano ducks the shot into GargaNo Escape!! Cole flails, scrambles, but Gargano rolls him away! Cole taps, Gargano wins!!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by submission; NEW NXT Champion
FINALLY! Not only does this match finally end, but Johnny Wrestling finally becomes Johnny Takeover! Johnny Wrestling finally becomes Johnny Champion! Johnny Wrestling becomes NXT’s first Mr. Triple Crown! Candice LeRae appears to celebrate with her husband, because they’ve finally put the past behind them, and Gargano finally stands atop the mountain! Gargano also celebrates with fans, friends, but especially family. Papa and Mother Gargano are there by their son’s side as he raises the title high overhead. He had to fight this hard to get there, how much harder will #IronJohnny fight to stay there?
Wait! Is that Tommaso Ciampa?! He has a neck brace on, as he embraces Gargano! DIY truly buries the hatchet as they and Candice celebrate together!
My Thoughts:
I am going to stand by this statement no matter what anyone says: This was the best TakeOver ever. It was amazing from bell to bell, from first match to the last. Now, getting the Million Dollar Challenge was a nice bonus, but boy did Styles get squashed by Benson Lesnar. But hey, good for Benson to win this inaugural challenge. Maybe that’ll keep this going for the next few years. But then we get to the real stuff, and we get yet another great tag team title match to open the show! War Raiders win as the more traditional tag team and because it was all but stated that Aleister & Ricochet are full-time main roster superstars now. I really wonder if this means Aleister & Ricochet will win the SmackDown Tag titles at Wrestlemania.
I’m really impressed by myself that I predicted the proper order of this event’s card. I didn’t have to touch the order once. The North American Championship was great, and so many times I thought Riddle was going to win. At the same time, there were many times it felt like Riddle could’ve gone Heel. But in the end, Dream wins in an incredible first defense, and Riddle manages to stay Face with a smile and a thumbs up. Dream could go just about anywhere from here, such as against one of the Undisputed Era members, most likely Roderick Strong. Riddle could come back around or even go up to the main title scene.
The WWE UK Championship was even greater than I expected. And as I’d been saying, Walter rightfully won so that Dunne wouldn’t end up insanely overpowered. Dunne already did great setting such a high bar for a long reign, but now Walter freshens things up going towards NXT UK’s own exclusive TakeOvers. The NXT Women’s Fatal 4 Way was incredible, and there was so much great story, especially between the Sky Pirates being such good friends but having to fight each other. The only thing about this is that I was really thinking Shayna should’ve lost. I know there are ways around this making her too strong, such as letting the others fight each other more, but is Shayna going to beat three opponents to then lose to Shirai 1v1? At the same time, I’m still hoping Sky Pirates take on the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions soon.
Holy crap that 2-out-of-3 Falls. As many of these go, that first fall was so hard to get, but naturally Cole gets it to put pressure on Gargano. I was really impressed that they waited to bring out the Undisputed Era only once Cole looked like he was going to lose. They did such a great attempt at the screw job, but Gargano reaches demigod levels of heart tonight. Gargano’s entire journey has been incredible, this is how you properly build somebody up to an organically over and deserving top champion. And I love that not only did Gargano have his parents in the crowd to share this moment, Ciampa was able to make the trip and surprise the fans with that unofficial Face turn. DIY and Candice celebrating as the friends and family they really are was truly a great closing shot, I’m so happy for them.
My Score: 9.8/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
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