Coverage
NXT TakeOver: XXV Results & Report! (6/1/19)
It’s the 25th TakeOver event!

NXT takes over Bridgeport!
The milestone 25th TakeOver event is here! With all the NXT gold on the line and even literally up for grabs, who walks away on top of the brand?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Matt Riddle VS Roderick Strong; Riddle wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships Ladder Match: The Street Profits VS The Forgotten Sons VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS The Undisputed Era; The Street Profits win and become the new NXT Tag Team Champions.
- NXT North American Championship: Velveteen Dream VS Tyler Breeze; Dream wins and retains the NXT North American Championship.
- NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler w/ The Horsewomen VS Io Shirai w/ Candice LeRae; Baszler wins and retains the NXT Women’s Championship.
- NXT Championship: Johnny Gargano VS Adam Cole; Cole wins and becomes the new NXT Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the NXT TakeOver Preshow!
Just five years and NXT has grown so much! Join Charly Caruso, Sam Roberts and Pat McAfee as they look back at history and prepare for tonight’s historic milestone event!
Tommaso Ciampa joins the Preshow panel!
The Psycho Killer is back! And fans duel between his best frenemy, “Johnny Wrestling!” and “Adam Cole!” But then fans give Ciampa cheers and he gets on the table! Ciampa pats himself on the back and fans cheer him more. Ciampa says he’s half Black Heart, half Wolverine. He’s on his way back, and Goldie will belong to “Big Daddy Ciampa” once again. But if anyone is going to hold onto the belt while Ciampa is away, it’s Gargano. Gargano changes when a TakeOver comes around. Ciampa will watch very closely that it takes a certain kind of main to crawl his way to the top, but it takes a different kind of man to stay on top.
But Ciampa isn’t making a prediction, he’ll just be going after whoever comes out of it. He’s not saying he wants Gargano or Cole as an opponent, just know that he’ll be champion soon after his return.
From Orlando, Florida to the entire world, NXT knows how to take over.
There have been chants from “This is Awesome!” to “This is Wrestling!” to “Fight Forever!” But in the end, TakeOver isn’t about money or fame, but the passion to be the best! History is made, as are stars and icons. #WeAreNXT, and we are only just getting started!
An epic championship match gets a sequel! Two inspired dreamers fight for the spotlight. A genius looks to kick a queen’s ass. And an Era looks to be golden, “and that is Undisputed.”
Matt Riddle VS Roderick Strong!
The Bro is far from his jovial self as he goes up against the Savior of the Backbreaker tonight. Strong got back in the good graces of the Undisputed Era by attacking Riddle from behind and even stealing a sandal. Will Riddle make Strong regret ever coming up with that move?
Riddle kicks his flip-flops at Strong as fans fire up for this match. The bell rings, the lights come down, and we begin!
Riddle and Strong grapple and Strong gets control but Riddle slips around to the back. Strong gets up but gets thrown by Riddle! Strong’s up fast and the two tie up again. They both grapple and use that amateur background. Riddle gets Strong to a cover, ONE, but Riddle stays on Strong, wanting the Bromission already! Strong scrambles to the ropebreak, and Riddle lets him go. Fans cheer this opening exchange, and the two go again. Strong powers Riddle to ropes but Riddle has a body scissor block. The ref counts and Strong lets off, only to CHOP Riddle back! Strong rams his shoulder into Riddle in a corner, but Riddle gut wrenches fast!
Riddle holds on to gut wrench suplex Strong again, and a third! Strong bails out and Riddle runs to the apron, but Strong trips him up. Riddle still throws forearms but so does Strong. They brawl and Riddle CHOPS before throwing Strong in. But Strong bails out the other side, only to get a FLYING forearm! Riddle pursues the scrambling Strong to CHOP him and kick him around. Riddle puts Strong on the apron but Strong kicks back. The brawl continues and even goes to the apron. Strong throws body shots but Riddle throws haymakers. Riddle gives muay thai knees but Strong shoves him into a post. Strong drops Riddle with a back suplex to the apron! Riddle writhes but gets up, as does Strong. Strong follows Riddle into the ring and keeps on him with CHOPS!
Fans duel as Strong throws more CHOPS and even forearms. Strong suplexes and hangs Riddle out to dry, Riddle flops to the floor. Strong goes out to fetch Riddle and club him down. He puts Riddle in to cover, TWO! Strong CHOPS Riddle more, then whips. Riddle holds the ropes then breaks free to throw hands. Strong dodges and catches Riddle into a backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Strong keeps on Riddle with pulling hair and clubbing away! Riddle pushes back but Strong throws more hands, then knees the back. Strong pulls Riddle back in a camel clutch. Fans still duel and Riddle still fights. Strong knees low and then drags Riddle to the post. Strong pulls Riddle back in a Bow ‘n’ Arrow! The ref counts and Strong lets up at 4 to CHOP Riddle again.
Strong puts Riddle in and stalks him, but Riddle chops back! Riddle punches from the mat, but Strong clubs him down. Cover, TWO! Strong drags Riddle up but Riddle fights back again. Riddle throws elbows and palm strikes! Strong blocks the kick but gets hands! Riddle cradles Strong, TWO! Strong knees low, then hits the Olympic Slam! Cover, TWO!! Riddle lives but Strong keeps on him. Strong powerbomb lifts to the Canadian rack, but Riddle slips out! Riddle wants the Bromission but Strong escapes and kicks. But Riddle suplexes Strong for a brain buster! Strong staggers up and the brawling continues. Riddle strikes, boots and roundhouses! Leaping forearm, PELE! Riddle kips up and runs in for a forearm smash! He runs the other way for another! EXPLODER!
Riddle runs but misses the kick, Strong evades the moonsault but not the Bro-ton! The Penalty Kick hits this time! Cover, TWO! Strong survives the rush and fans fire up. Riddle gets up first, stalks Strong and waistlocks him. Strong slips out but gets Bro Kicks! Riddle kicks more and more and more, and hits the buzzsaw! Strong flounders up but dodges the next kick to fireman’s carry. Riddle slips out but Strong knees him first. Strong spins but into Riddle’s fireman’s carry! Bro To Sleep! German Suplex, with bridge, TWO!! Strong survives and Riddle is beside himself. Riddle keeps on Strong with stomps and then drags Strong up for forearms. Riddle scoops and slams but Strong boots Riddle back. Strong walks into Riddle’s boot, but then enziguris Riddle up top! Strong climbs up to join Riddle, SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Riddle still lives and Strong grows frustrated.
Strong stands up first and heads back to Riddle. Riddle hits back and the brawl is on again. Strong throws forearms from both sides, ducks a roundhouse and rocks Riddle again. Riddle slips through to powerbomb but his back gives out! Strong boots, enziguris, and then runs in to shining wizard Riddle on ropes! Forearm after forearm after forearm, STRONG SLAM!! Cover, TWO?! Riddle survives and the fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Strong staggers to his feet and drags Riddle around. He goes to turn Riddle for the Strong Hold, but Riddle boots Strong away! Strong ends up on the outside but gets back in, only to miss a knee. Riddle roundhouses and Bro-Triggers! Deadlift to POWERBOMB! Final Flash Knee! Cover, TWO!? Strong survives that?!
Riddle drags Strong to a drop zone and moonsaults, onto knees!! Strong smashes with another knee! Fireman’s carry to a gutbuster! But not just that, Tiger Bomb! Cover, TWO!?! STRONG HOLD!! Riddle endures as Strong sits down deep! Fans are thunderous as Riddle turns things back over. Strong turns it back but gets a knee into the back for a Lion Tamer! Riddle still endures, turns, and kicks Strong over and over. Strong swings but into elbows! BROMISSION!! Strong tries everything he can, but Riddle shifts to just elbow away on Strong again and again. Strong grabs the arm! The two stand, but Riddle keeps elbowing! Gut wrench, Gotch hold, cradle tombstone!! Cover, Riddle wins!!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall
The Bro gives a shout out to Jerry Lynn with that finish! Riddle gives TakeOver: XXV an incredible start, and things already look iffy for the Undisputed Era. Will Strong’s stablemates make up for Strong’s loss?
NXT Tag Team Championships Ladder Match: The Street Profits VS The Forgotten Sons VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS The Undisputed Era!
The titles are vacant and literally hang in the balance! The Raid has moved on, but now it’s time for someone to step up. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford want to finally cash-in. Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler want to be remembered. The Brit-Am Brawlers want to finally hold some gold. And Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly want to again be undisputed tag team champions! Who reaches new heights to be on top of the entire NXT Tag Team Division?
The introductions are made, with the Profits in new blue and gold ring gear and with the Forgotten Sons tempting luck by going under a ladder. Lorcan & Burch keep it simple while the Undisputed Era’s reDRagon look to be the first-ever three-time NXT Tag Team Champions. The bell rings, and we begin this massive match!
All eight men look up at the belt, and then it sparks into a fight! Four different brawls go all over the ring. Cutler & Blake drag Lorcan & Burch out while reDRagon throws Dawkins out. Fish & O’Reilly focus on Ford with double whips and kicks! Cutler returns but he gets kicks and palm strikes and knees from O’Reilly! O’Reilly sweeps and Fish fights with Blake. Fish dragon screws Blake out, then reDRagon mugs Cutler. They double whip but Lorcan dumps Cutler out. Lorcan and Burch throw hands with reDRagon! They go back and forth, then criss-cross. Lorcan CHOPS Fish, but O’Reilly catches Lorcan’s kick for Fish to kick the leg. Burch headbutts O’Reilly but O’Reilly kicks back. Fish forearms Burch but Lorcan CHOPS Fish and O’Reilly!
O’Reilly grabs the arm, Fish knees and O’Reilly sweeps. O’Reilly throws Burch out, and then boots Dawkins down. Fans cheer as reDRagon hurries for ladders. They get a couple ladders over to ringside, but settle on one. Only for Blake to DIVE the ladder into them!! Fans lose their minds over the double-edge risk Blake just took! Cutler drags two ladders over but gets blaseted by Lorcan’s uppercut! Burch and Lorcan drag Cutler up for more uppercuts, but Blake fights back. The teams brawl, but Dawkins runs and LEAPS onto them all! The Curse of Greatness wipes them all out! Fans fire up with Dawkins, and he and Ford regroup. The Profits get a ladder up and in and are all alone as they set it up! Both climb but reDRagon stops them both.
O’Reilly and Fish climb but Blake shoves the ladder over! O’Reilly lands ON the ladder! The Forgotten Sons get in and get the ladder back up, and ram Lorcan with it! And Burch! But the Profits return, to get bulldozed! And so does reDRagon! Lorcan & Burch return, but they edge dodge the Forgotten Sons, to double German Suplex them! The ladder goes flying at ropes! Everyone is down but the fans are losing their minds all over again! O’Reilly drags himself out while Lorcan & Burch flounder to their feet. But the Profits take them out with an exploder suplex, and a whip to a SPINEBUSTER! Ford climbs up and gives Burch a FROG SPLASH! The fans are thunderous as the Profits grab a ladder. They ram Blake with it, then set him on it. Dawkins makes it a bridge, for Ford’s Leap Frog!
Blake tumbles out and Cutler runs in, for a double flapjack on the ladder! But Dawkins builds another bridge! Fish intercepts Ford, O’Reilly missile dropkicks Dawkins! But O’Reilly still hits ladder! Even so, reDRagon powers through to give Ford the butterfly wheelbarrow DDT! And suplex to the ladder! Fans know “This is Awesome!” while also losing their minds. O’Reilly and Fish drag the ladder up and ram Dawkins with it. They set the ladder up but Lorcan returns. Fish hits Lorcan, then kicks Burch. But Cutler comes around back, only for Fish to body check! O’Reilly falls and hits his jaw! O’Reilly tells Fish to go up instead, and then tackles Blake! Fish reaches, but Blake powerbombs O’Reilly into the ladder!! “They killed Kyle!”
Everyone is down again as fans chant “Mamma Mia!” Cutler puts the ladder in a corner and regroups with Blake. They grab a second ladder as well as Fish. Blake bumps Fish on buckles while Cutler sets the other ladder over O’Reilly. Cutler climbs and Blake keeps guard. But O’Reilly trips Cutler up! It’s a kneebar through the rungs! Cutler taps but that doesn’t matter! Blake stomps O’Reilly out and drags him away to throw him out. Cutler climbs again but Fish kicks him! Blake goes after Fish, and the Sons give Fish Memories Remain! Blake and Cutler climb up together, but Burch and Dawkins stop them with double electric chairs! Lorcan returns, and they give Cutler a EuroUpper Doomsday! Ford returns to give Blake the Blockbuster Doomsday! The fans are at a fever pitch over this newest tag team classic!
O’Reilly crawls to the ladder, bad back and all! Fans cheer for O’Reilly, but is that… That’s Jaxson Ryker! The Gunner is not dead, even after what happened on last Wednesday! Ryker grabs O’Reilly and drags him off, to powerbomb him on the other ladder! Ryker choke slams Burch! And tosses Ford way out! Fish runs into an urenage! Dawkins climbs but Ryker spots him. Ryker tips the ladder and dumps Dawins down! Fans boo as Ryker resets the ladder, to then ram it into Dawkins! And again, and again, and again! But Ryker turns around to see Lorcan, and back drop him on the ladder!! Ryker stands alone amidst the carnage. Fans say “We Forgot You!” but he doesn’t care. Ryker stands the ladder back up, but Ford attacks! Only to get clobbered.
O’Reilly returns to throw hands! As does Fish! Fans fire up for reDRagon as they go after Ryker! Burch and the Profits do, too! Lorcan brings in yet another ladder, and oddly enough, the other three teams work together to SLAM Ryker with it over and over and over! BUt then it’s right back to their own fight! Fish and O’Reilly clear the ring of the other teams, but Ryker is still stirring. O’Reilly says they need to end him, so he and Fish ram Ryker right off the apron! But Ryker still stands?! Ford FLIES over reDRagon to wipe him out!! But Ryker sits up again! Lorcan dodges the ladder to DIVE onto Ryker! Dawkins gets rammed by reDRagon! Burch climbs and dropkicks the ladder into reDRagon! Lorcan regroups with Burch to keep on Fish, arm wrench to running uppercut! Then they throw Fish into the post!
Burch clotheslines and kicks O’Reilly, then feeds him to Lorcan for the Half ‘n’ Half! Blake returns but he gets haymakers. Dawkins and Cutler get the ladder, as does Ford. Burch and Lorcan have a ladder each, and they sandwich the Profits! Then Lorcan and Burch TOSS a ladder at the Forgotten Sons in full! Burch and Lorcan are alone, and they stand a ladder up! They both climb, but Fish and O’Reilly return. Fish and O’Reilly kick them off the ladder, then get a ladder of their own. Fish and O’Reilly climb but Lorcan and Burch follow. The two teams brawl side-by-side on the pair of ladders. Lorcan falls, leaving Burch alone with reDRagon. But Lorcan returns from the other side and stops O’Reilly from reaching. Lorcan grabs but Fish stops him.
The four men brawl fast and furious way up high! But the Sons return to tip them all!! They shove one ladder out hard, then climb the other! But Dawkins SPEARS Cutler! Ford springboards to join Blake and punch him down!! The Profits climb and WIN!!
Winners: The Street Profits; NEW NXT Tag Team Champions
They did it! They finally have the gold! Ford and Dawkins win big in their TakeOver debut! And now they celebrate with the fans! Will the Profits only grow bigger now that they’re golden?
NXT North American Championship: Velveteen Dream VS Tyler Breeze!
The Patrick Clark Experience wants to see if Prince Pretty remembers what it was like to be in the spotlight. Breeze wants to recapture those gorgeous glory days by capturing his first ever title in the entirety of WWE. Who wins this #GorgeousDream match?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised and we begin!
Fans duel as Dream takes off the jacket and gloves, to throw them at Breeze! Breeze applauds the classic move. Dream and Breeze hear the fans duel as they pace. Breeze and Dream tie up and go around, and Dream gets the wristlock. Dream shifts to a hammerlock but Breeze turns it around. They go around and Breeze wants the Unprettier, but Dream gets clear. Dream seems shocked so Breeze lounges on the ropes. Breeze keeps Dream way with a “no no no” foot. Dream yanks him off but Breeze kicks and shoulders back. Breeze straitjackets an arm and brings Dream sideways into a backstabber! Cover, TWO!
Dream gets away but Breeze clotheslines him out hard. Fans cheer for Prince Pretty as he builds speed, only to run into a haymaker! Dream elbows and ax handles Breeze down! Dream springboards, Lionsault! Cover, TWO! Breeze bails out but Dream pursues. Dream puts Breeze in then climbs up, but Breeze bails out again. Dream hops down and Breeze trips him up! Breeze yanks Dream into the post, and swings a leg into it! Then hits a flying forearm off the apron! Fans fire up for this new gritty yet still gorgeous side of Breeze. Breeze aims at Dream and leaps, but into a big haymaker! Dream leaves Breeze behind for the ring count. Breeze returns at 3 but gets scooped. Breeze slips out and shoves Dream. Dream goes up and over but his knee jams, and Breeze rolls him to a Half Crab!
Breeze sits deep on the hold but Dream flails with his long limbs. Dream grits his teeth and heads for ropes to get the ropebreak. Breeze holds on until 4 then comes back at Dream in a corner. Dream SLAPS Breeze, so Breeze stomps a pretty mudhole into Dream! Breeze starts throwing ugly haymakers, and then dropkicks Dream right out of the ring! Fans cheer as Breeze glares and pursues after Dream. Dream dodges and SUPERKICKS Breeze! Dream gets back in the ring and lets the count begin. Breeze stirs at 4 but Dream decides to stop the count. Dream fetches Breeze to bump him off the desk! And again! And again! Dream shows no mercy to Breeze! The referee stops him but Dream is all fired up. Dream goes to the timekeeper’s area to get his belt, and Breeze’s phone? Dream takes that selfie now! “Say cheese!”
Dream hears the ring count and just plays along. Fans cheer for Dream, but Dream turns into a SUPER(MODEL)KICK from Breeze! Dream staggers into the ring and Breeze gets in, but gets the Dream Valley Driver! Cover, TWO!! Dream gets to a corner and climbs, but Breeze rolls to the apron. Dream storms over but Breeze slips under, and then enziguri! Fans cheer both men as they slowly stand. Breeze goes up top and Dream staggers over into a crossbody! But Dream rolls through to cover, TWO! Dream trips Breeze and rolls to a fireman’s carry, but Breeze slips out. Breeze shoves Dream but the kick is blocked. Dream grabs Breeze but Breeze slips out of the Dream-DT for a SUPER(MODEL)KICK! Cover, TWO!! Dream survives but Breeze is too tired to be frustrated.
Fans duel again as Breeze stalks Dream. Dream resists and back suplexes but Breeze lands on his feet. Breeze grabs the arms again but Dream rams him into buckles. Dream elbows but Breeze throws Dream back. Breeze walks into a boot, and Dream hops up, to get a dropkick! Breeze turns Dream but Dream slips out for the Dream-DT! Cover, TWO?! Breeze survives and Dream is shocked! Breeze has a bloody ear but fans rally for him and Dream. Dream goes for a corner but Breeze anchors his feet. Dream clubs Breeze off then climbs. But Breeze trips Dream up! Dream coughs and gasps but Breeze drags him out, only for Dream to toss him off! Dream hobbles over but into a big knee! Breeze and Dream slowly stand and fans duel again.
Breeze scoops but Dream slips out to pull Breeze up. But Breeze does the same, only for Dream to do it, too! Breeze slips out and shoves Dream, but Dream elbows. Dream fakes Breeze out, leap to the jackknife to the fireman’s carry! But he pops Breeze out for the UNPRETTIER! Cover, TWO!! Dream stole Breeze’s move but Breeze still survives! Dream drags himself back to a corner and fans fire up as he climbs. Purple Rain KNEES! Dream writhes and rolls, and walks into a flapjack. But Dream lands on the ropes! But Breeze tucks him in for a cheeky SUPER(MODEL)KICK! Breeze turns Dream around for UNPRETTIER! Cover, TWO!?! Breeze can’t believe how close that was, and neither can fans!
Breeze grits his teeth as he goes back to Dream. He drags Dream up but Dream is dead weight. Breeze still gets Dream up, to get a cradle counter! TWO, BEAUTY SHOT! But Dream flops out of the ring! Breeze was again so close yet so far! The ring count begins but Breeze fetches Dream. Breeze drags Dream but he’s dead weight all over again. Breeze stands Dream up at 5 but Dream flops back over. Prince Pretty has no choice but to refresh the count, but Dream goes to hit him with the belt! Breeze blocks the belt shot, but then Dream scopos for Dream Valley! And then PURPLE RAIN!! Cover, Dream wins!!
Winner: Velveteen Dream, by pinfall; still NXT North American Champion
The Experience survives, though he did try to play a little dirty. Will the Purple Reign continue through the Summer? Will Prince Pretty come back for another try? Or will someone else step up to share Dream’s spotlight?
Dream has Breeze’s phone and takes selfie vids of himself. Breeze sees this, and Dream says that while the phone belongs to Breeze, the belt belongs to him. But Breeze keeps Dream from leaving. Fans want a “Selfie! Selfie!” and so does Breeze. Dream considers it, and accepts! The two take a selfie of sportsmanship! Is this the last we’ve seen of this #GorgeousDream?
NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler VS Io Shirai!
The Queen of Spades has made challenger after challenger #TapNaporSnap. From Ember Moon to Nikki Cross to Bianca Belair to Kairi Sane, Shayna’s reign of terror has been tested but not ended. At least, not for long. But the Genius of the Sky didn’t want to kick Shayna’s ass until Shayna tried to put Kairi out of commission. The Horsewomen have Shayna’s back, but Mrs. Wrestling has Shirai’s. Will Shirai win one for Kairi? Or will the Queen keep her throne by any means necessary?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin!
Shirai rushes Shayna! But Shayna turns it around to snapmare and fake a kick to instead toy with Shirai. Shirai gets up and goes at Shayna again. They end up in the corner and Shirai lets up, only for Shayna to snapmare and fake her out again. Shayna has the hammerlock but Shirai rolls and sweeps the legs. Shirai snapmares Shayna now, but Shirai fakes Shayna out, to SLAP her! Fans like that one! Shayna gets up but Shirai redirects her for slaps and a takedown. Shirai drops a basement dropkick! Shayna bails out but Shirai runs. Shayna gets clear, but still gets a baseball slide! Shirai pursues, dragging Shayna up and into the ring. Shirai climbs and kicks Shayna away, but Shayna yanks her off anyhow!
Shayna kicks Shirai’s arm! And hammerlocks it again! Shirai tries to kick back but Shayna shoves her down, for that #RealityCheck hammerlock stomp!! That’s been Shayna’s MO since hurting Dakota Kai almost a year ago! Shirai clutches her arm while Shayna soaks up the heat. Shayna stalks Shirai to ropes. Shayna drags Shirai up and wristlocks that arm. Shirai endures even as Shayna bends the fingers. Shirai rolls Shayna, ONE, and Shayna LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Shayna just grins as she goes after the arm again. Shayna stands on Shirai’s head and twists the wrist. The ref counts but Shayna lets up at 4. Shayna yanks the arm! Shirai clutches her arm as she crawls to a corner. Shirai kicks but Shayna kicks her back. Shayna double wristlocks and suplexes Shirai. Shayna drops elbows on Shirai, then bends Shirai in a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow.
Fans rally for Shirai and she spins out of the hold. Shayna whips but Shirai ducks and waistlocks. Shayna breaks the grip and wrings Shirai out. She sits Shirai up for a swift kick to the back! Cover, TWO!! Shayna is a bit surprised but she goes after Shirai’s bad arm again. Fans rally up and Shirai endures. Shayna wants a second Reality Check, but Shirai dodges! Shirai dodges the Penalty Kick, too, then throws hands with her good arm. Shirai dodges in a corner, and manages a German Suplex! But she can’t hold the bridge because of the other arm! Shayna is dazed but her evil scheme is working. Fans rally up and Shirai throws CHOPS and a fast ball on Shayna! Shayna rolls to ropes but gets the 619! Shirai aims at Shayna and springboards for a missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!
Shirai won’t let her bad arm slow her down as she drags Shayna up. Shayna throws forearms, but Shirai baits her into a takedown! Crossface! Shayna endures as Shirai just holds her bad arm by the wrist. But Shayna powers out to sidewalk slam Shirai down! Both women are down but fans are loving this. Shirai crawls but Shayna stalks. Fans actually duel as Shayna drags Shirai up by her hair! For a hanging keylock! But Shirai fights free! Shirai climbs up behind Shayna, springboar dropkick sends Shayna crashing down! Shirai fires up more, and goes to another corner. She climbs up for a SUPER ASAI MOONSAULT!! Fans are thunderous as the Genius wipes out the Queen and herself!
Both women are down on the outside, but Shirai is up first. Shirai throws Shayna back in, climbs up again, and leaps for another missile dropkick! Shirai goes corner to corner for Meteora in the corner! She walks over Shayna to climb again, but here come the Horsewomen. But same for Candice LeRae! Candice SMACKS away on Marina and Jessamyn with a kendo stick! Candice will not be held back, she leaps and wipes them both out! Shirai cheers her new friend for that, but walks itn oa cradle! TWO!! Shirai throws furious forearms, but gets a kick! Kirafuda Klutch! But Shirai fights out and SHOTEI! Then she climbs, for the Asai! But she lands on her feet when Shayna dodges! Kirafuda Klutch, but Shirai rolls through, TWO!! BUZZSAW! La Majistrol, Japanese Clutch! TWO, into the Klutch!
Shirai flails, reaches, scrambles and claws, and even sits up. Shayna holds on tight but Shirai still fights! Shayna grabs a leg and then thrashes around. Shirai flails and fades, but she gets a second wind thanks to the fans rallying behind her! But that second wind goes out, and she taps!! Shayna wins!!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission; still NXT Women’s Champion
The Genius came so close, but the Queen still reigns! Will Shayna ever be dethroned from atop the NXT Women’s Division?
But wait! Just because she lost doesn’t mean Shirai’s out of the fight! She grabs what’s left of Candice’s kendo stick and SMACKS Shayna from behind! This is not the “snap” Shayna expected! Shayna pokes and jabs and SMACKS Shayna more, then finally hits her ASAI MOONSAULT! And then she tells Candice to get something from under the ring. A chair!? Shirai takes that chair, and brings it with her in a second moonsault!! Fans are loving how hardcore Shirai has become! Fans want “One More Time!” but in a way, so does Shirai. The fans also tell Shayna, “You Deserve It!” Will Shirai take the fight to Shayna for a Summer blockbuster?
NXT Championship: Johnny Gargano VS Adam Cole!
At NXT TakeOver: New York, these two had an amazing Best 2 Out of 3 Falls match to crown a new champion. Now #JohnnyTripleCrown and the Undisputed Era’s charismatic leader will go one more time to prove to everyone the reality of the championship. Who walks out of this historic night THE NXT Champion?
Adam Cole has Mr. Wrestle & Flow himself, Josiah Williams, rapping for his entrance, “BAYBAY!” Gargano’s entrance isn’t quite as epic, but his Captain Marvel inspired gear is definitely on point. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Gargano’s historic 14th TakeOver appearance begins!
Fans duel as the two stare down. They eventually just settle for cheering on “NXT! NXT!” for giving us this sequel. Gargano and Cole slowly circle, then approach. They tie up and Gargano puts Cole on ropes but Cole turns it around, repeat. The ref counts for a break and Gargano lets up and dodges Cole’s sucker punch. Gargano headlocks but Cole powers out, only for Gargano to run him over. Gargano keeps going and drops down, but Cole runs him over. Things keep moving, Gargano leaps but into a fireman’s carry. He slips around to a sunset flip but Cole escapes and runs. Gargano knows what’s coming and dodges the Last Shot shining wizard!
The two sit up and stare down. Cole swings into a roll but scrambles out before it’s a GargaNo Escape. Fans fire up while Cole takes a moment to breathe. Gargano waits for Cole, and even holds the rope down for him. Cole refuses that and gets in at the ring count of 8 from the other side. Cole and Gargano circle again and tie up. Gargano goes for a headlock but Cole reverses with a wristlock. Fans still duel as Cole wrenches more. Gargano spins and turns it around on Cole, then brings Cole to the mat. Gargano pulls Cole in the modified neck vice. Cole throws Gargano off but Gargano keeps hold for a crucifix. Cole slips out again but Gargano wants the crossface! But Cole gets out and forearms Gargano hard! Gargano hits back and now it’s a brawl.
Cole kicks but Gargano fires off. Cole knees and puts Gargano in a corner for stomps. The ref backs Cole off, but he comes back to wrench and whip Gargano corner to corner. Gargano goes up and over and rolls to then push and huricanrana Cole out. Gargano slingshots but Cole gets clear. Cole swings but Gargano avoids the sweep. Gargano leaps but Cole avoids the knees. Cole boots but Gargano dodges to kick. Cole blocks that but Gargano gets away to apron cannonball! Gargano takes Cole down and a ring count finally begins. Gargano hobbles over to Cole to put him in the ring. But Cole rolls all the way out to the other end. Gargano pursues but sees the Pele coming! He gets clear and lets Cole flop onto the ground. Cole gets up, to get a kick and double stomps to his arm!
Cole writhes and clutches that arm as the ref checks on him. Gargano drags Cole up and puts him on the apron. Gargano slams the bad arm on the apron then gets back in the ring. Fans duel again as Gargano drags Cole up. Gargano wrenches the arm to a shoulder breaker, then snapmares Cole to drop a leg on the arm. Gargano has the arm trapped while covering, TWO! He tries again, TWO! Gargano turns Cole over and ties up the legs into an Indian Deathlock! Gargano bends Cole back like a House of Pain, but Cole turns over, so Gargano splashes the arm. Cole crawls but Gargano brings him up. Cole kicks and hops up, but Gargano kicks him back. Gargano climbs to join Cole and grabs the bad arm. Cole slips out to SUPERKICK the legs out! Gargano falls from that Charlie Horse!
Cole gets up and bumps Gargano off buckles. Cole puts a leg on the ropes to stomp away, then dropkick Gargano down. Gargano clutches his leg but Cole is all over it with a leg DDT! Cole drags Gargano around to push on that knee. Gargano endures the kneebar as fans rally up. Gargano kicks with his free leg but Cole ax handles Gargano down. Cole stomps Gargano then dargs him up. Gargano throws haymakers but Cole kicks the leg out. Cole hops up and leaps to missile dropkick that knee! Gargano crawls away but Cole drags him back up. Cole dragon screws the leg! Fans duel as Cole stalks Gargano again. Cole drags Gargano up and puts him in a corner. He puts that bad leg on the ropes to stomp away. The ref reprimands Cole and Cole lets up at 4, but Gargano is down on the mat.
Cole drags Gargano up and wants another screw, but Gargano throws forearms. Cole trips Gargano for a Figure Four but Gargano cradle counters! TWO, and Cole kicks out the bad leg again. Cole hops up and leaps, but into a powerbomb! Both men are down but fans still duel. Gargano crawls to ropes while Cole stands up. Cole throws a forearm but Gargano gives one back. They brawl back and forth, Gargano dodges the kick to wrench. Cole whips but Gargano comes back to rally with lariats! Gargano throws Cole overhead! Gargano rolls Cole for the school boy kick! Then hits a swinging enziguri! Gargano rolls Cole and hops up to leap, flying complete shot! Cover, TWO! Cole survives but Gargano hobbles after.
Cole puts Gargano on the apron but Gargano hits back. Gargano goes to slingshot, but stops when he sees Cole show superkick. Cole runs over but into another kick. Gargano slingshot spears this time! Cover, TWO! Gargano still works on his bad leg, and goes after Cole in a corner with CHOPS! He hoists Cole up top and climbs up to join him. Gargano stands Cole up but cole fights back. Cole bumps Gargano on buckles, but Gargano blocks the sunset flip. Cole still gets up and over and then dodges the counter punch. Gargano kicks Cole away, then leaps back, into a backstabber! Cover, TWO!! Cole keeps his cool as he walks it off.
Cole drags Gargano back up but Gargano resists more. Gargano fights out of the suplex but his leg jams. Cole runs in but Gargano goes up and over, only to get caught. Gargano fights out and hops up but Cole slips out the back, only to get a kick. Cole comes back with a PELE! Cole brings Gargano up in a torture rack, for an inverted Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO!! Gargano still has that superhuman heart and Cole grows frustrated. Cole gets to a corner and hops up as fans duel again. Gargano crawls over and anchors Cole’s foot. Cole clubs Gargano down and leaps, but Gargano gets under.
Gargano and Cole collide with clotheslines and forearms. They both show superkick and hesitate. Cole SUPERKICKS first, but Gargano SUPERKICKS next! Cole fakes Gargano out to get another SUPERKICK! Gargano drops to his knees and Cole leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Cole flops out of the ring but so does Gargano, and fans fire back up. Fans love “NXT! NXT!” as both men come crawling around the corners. Gargano glares at Cole and vice-versa. DOUBLE SUPERKICKS take both men out! “This is Awesome!” A ring count begins but both men barely stir. They start heading for the ring at 6, and get to the apron at 8. Cole is in at 8, Gargano slingshot DDT’s! Cover, TWO!! Gargano was clever but Cole survives.
Gargano grabs Cole and gets a full nelson. Cole ropebreaks but Gargano kicks the arm away. Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” as Gargano avoids a chop block to give double stomps! Gargano aims at Cole, but Cole bails out. Gargano goes to the apron but gets a PELE to the leg! Cole gives Gargano a Last Shot 1.0! They go in the ring, Cole drags Gargano up for a Fisherman Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO!! Gargano still survives, and Cole grows frustrated. Cole gets up and to the corner again. Gargano swings a kick but gets caught! But then he arm-drags Cole off hard! Tilt-o-Whirl, GargaNO ESCAPE!! Cole endures, pries his way up and to the bad leg! Figure Four Leg Lock!! Gargano endures the legendary hold as Cole pulls harder.
Fans rally and duel as Gargano ends up in a cover. TWO, and he goes to turn the hold. Cole pulls back the other way, and Gargano is in another cover. TWO but Gargano isn’t out of the leglock. Gargano grabs Cole’s hand and pulls on the bad wrist! He uses that for leverage into the reversal! Cole grabs the ropes for the ropebreak! The ref helps untangle them, but the damage has been down. Fans rally up as Cole and Gargano get their limbs working again. The two stare down, and Cole lunges! But into Gargano’s elbows! Gargano wrenches but gets haymakers from Cole. Gargano kicks Cole but Cole hammers away. Cole has the leg and smashes the knee! Cole pulls Gargano’s knee pads off to kick directly at the joint. Fans still duel as Cole goes at the leg again.
Gargano shoves Cole out, then catches him when he returns, draping DDT! A shout out to Ciampa! Cole falls out of the ring but Gargano builds speed, to DIVE, into a SUPERKICK! Gargano crashes and burns and fans lose their minds! Gargana flounders to his feet but Cole gives him the PANAMA SUNRISE!! Cole destroys Gargano with a destroyer to the floor! He puts Gargano in the ring while fans again lose their minds. Cover, TWO!?! Even this is insane for Gargano’s inhuman heart. Fans shout “Mamma Mia!” for that. Cole grits his teeth as he grabs Gargano again. “Johnny, it’s over for you.” Gargano had his moment, now it’s time for Cole’s! Cole takes the knee pad down, runs, but Gargano dodges! GargaNo Escape, escaped and STOLEN!! Cole has Gargano’s hold on Gargano!
But Gargano pops out, rolls back, and steals the Last Shot!! Cover, TWO!?! Now Cole shocks us with his resilience! Fans are loving this all the more! Gargano and Cole crawl towards each other, and fans still hope they “Fight Forever!” Cole throws a forearm but Gargano gives it back. They go back and forth as they stand, and faster and faster! Gargano gets an edge but he gets a BOOT! And then another! And a third! But Gargano comes back with a LARIAT! Gargano gets up, but gets Cole’s SUPERKICK! Cole runs but gets Gargano’s SUPERKICK! Gargano hops up, Reverse-Rana! But Cole is on his feet, and hits a Last Shot!! Cover, TWO!?! Gargano still survives! And the fans are at a fever pitch! Cole looks like he’s losing his mind now.
Cole argues with the ref, and goes to the outside. He gets a chair! The ref tells Cole to drop the chair but Cole doesn’t care. So the ref grabs the chair, only for Gargano to DIVE! But Gargano gets the ref instead of Cole! And now, Cole swings! But Gargano dodges and SUPERKICKS the chair into Cole’s face! Gargano puts Cole in the ring and covers, but the ref is out! The fans count past 10 but it doesn’t matter because the ref has to do it. Gargano hobbles to help the ref, but of course Cole has help of his own. Cole waves, and Gargano prepares for the Undisputed Era. But when the Era doesn’t appear, Gargano goes to the ring. Cole gets Gargano with a draping piledriver!! Cover, TWO?!? Cole is at his wit’s end. But fans know “This is Awesome!”
Cole sits Gargano up and runs, but Gargano just flops over. Gargano denies Last Shot just by not being able to do anything. Cole makes Gargano sit up again, but gets caught in GargaNO Escape! And Gargano uses his own leg to prop up the other! Cole crawls for ropes but Gargano rolls him away! Cole elbows the bad leg over and over and over until he’s free! He mule kicks the leg over and over, then hosp up again, PANAMA- Gargano sits down! TWO, roll, and Gargano can’t get up. PANAMA SUNRISE!! LAST, SHOT!! Cover, Cole wins!!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall; NEW NXT Champion
It took more than either man has ever given before, but the champion is now Undisputed! The champion is now ADAM COLE BAYBAY! And the rest of the Era celebrates with him! Is the Undisputed Prophecy finally beginning? Is Cole’s reign the beginning of his team #DrippingInGold?
My Thoughts:
NXT does it again! The 25th TakeOver was definitely on the level you’d expect for something as momentous, but it still had some things it could’ve improved on. We didn’t get as many guests as I thought for the preshow, but it was great to see Ciampa, have him plug story with the title, and give us hope of seeing him in the near future. I was surprised they opened the show with Riddle VS Strong but hot damn did it deliver like every other TakeOver opener. If fans weren’t impressed with either guy before, they better sure be impressed now. And it was good for everyone involved for Riddle to win. Riddle lost to Dream last time, he deserves a win this time, and Strong losing adds to the story of the Undisputed Era struggling to get where they want to be.
Then we go into the tag ladder match, and WOW that was crazy stuff! It’s like they saw the Men’s MITB Ladder match and said, “We can get way more brutal.” And judging from Kyle’s bod, they did. But it was the perfect choice for it to be the Street Profits. Fans love those guys so much, and they’ve been red hot since their return. And now the story can be about them retaining with there still being plenty of teams wanting the belts, such as reDRagon. Speaking of retaining, Dream VS Breeze was great, and reestablishes that Breeze knows how to go. The only problem Breeze had on the main roster was Vince, but honestly, that’s everyone’s problem. But Breeze has stuck it out and kudos for him putting on a great match. Hopefully Dijakovic recovers to try next, but maybe “Damien Priest”/Punishment Martinez gets a shot.
I was surprised Shayna retained. I really felt like tonight on the 25th TakeOver, another status quo change should’ve happened. Shirai was going into this with such fire as the vengeful Face, and I was happy to see Candice have her bit with the Horsewomen the way I pictured. Still would’ve meant more if Candice didn’t talk to Shirai about it. Shayna finds a way to win, but obviously everyone loved Shirai’s attack afterward. I hope this leads to an NXT Women’s Extreme Rules or something to that effect, and that’s how Shayna loses the belt. And of course, quite the surprise but still done in epic fashion, Gargano loses to Cole for a NEW NXT Champion to cap off this milestone night. It was like they blended the New York match into one epic fall, and now the story moves to the Undisputed Era truly trying to be #DrapedInGold.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?
While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
- Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
LA Knight is here!
Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!
And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…
The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?
Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.
Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!
The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!
Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?
SmackDown returns and…
Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!
Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.
Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!
The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!
The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISSÂ onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?
Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.
And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.
But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?
Alexa Bliss returns backstage.
And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.
So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?
Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!
The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?
Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.
Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?
Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.
Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.
Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!
Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.
The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”
The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.
And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”
The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?
King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.
Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEXÂ again!
Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!
Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!
Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!
Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!
“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?
Nia Jax is here!
Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”
The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!
The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?
Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!
The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?
SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!
Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.
Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?
Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.
Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.
SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.
Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.
And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.
Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!
And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.
The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?
Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!
The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?
Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!
The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.
Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?
John Cena VS Ron Killings!
The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?
SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!
Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.
Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!
The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!
Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification
Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.
Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTÂ through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.
“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”
Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”
The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.
“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.
Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.
Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?
My Thoughts:
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?

Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.
Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.
.@Kelly_WP is back in TNA Wrestling and has a message for TNA Knockouts World Champion @mashaslamovich!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZKKuL pic.twitter.com/tnm4TIuPUz
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Ratings:
- Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
- Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
- Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
- Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***
Results:
Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers
Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.
EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.
I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win.Â
Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match?Â
Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge
ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.
Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever?Â
.@indi_hartwell has a run in with Tessa Blanchard!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZLikj pic.twitter.com/I6UCCk2fAG
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad.Â
Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man
I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.
JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.
Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.
Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams
Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.
The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.
Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.
Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…
Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!
Overall Score: 4/10
Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.
Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:
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Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!