The Road to Money in the Bank is paved with golden opportunities!

While SmackDown superstars battle to enter Money in the Bank, Tiffany Stratton defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Nia Jax! Is Tiffy Time about to run out?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Alexa Bliss; Bliss wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
• Fraxiom VS #DIY; Fraxiom wins.
• Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes w/ The Miz; Aleister wins, by disqualification.
• Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Rey Fenix VS Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo; Solo wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
• LA Knight VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu; JC wins.
• WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Nia Jax; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

Solo Sikoa heads to the ring!

The would-be Head of the Table smiles as he leads Jacob Fatu and the newest member of the WWE roster, Jeff Cobb, to the ring. The Samoan Werewolf is also still WWE Untied States Champion thanks to Solo and Cobb, and the fans cheer for “FATU! FATU!” Solo has the mic to tell Greensboro, “Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome the man who helped keep the United States Championship in this family… My man, JC!” The fans boo as Solo and Cobb dap it up. Solo says, “When Roman lost to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, he ruined everything for my family. He ruined everything! We lost everything!

“But now, I’m here to take it all back.” The fans boo, but Solo says that starts with him winning tonight’s qualifying match, going on and winning Money in the Bank, and then going after the title to bring it back to the family where it belongs. And if there is anybody in the back that tries to step in front of Solo, they will be dealt with by his man, JC, and the Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu! The fans do cheer that part, and Solo says check it! They better get in where they fit in, cuz Solo’s all gas- Fatu stops Solo from using his shtick! The fans cheer but Solo is upset. Solo lets it slide, and Fatu says, “Let’s keep it 100. Don’t you ever get this thing twisted over here.

“I told y’all I was bringing the US title to the family!” The fans cheer that! “And I told you I was gonna do it with your or without you!” The fans also cheer that. “And if anybody gets in my way, well line ’em up, cuz I’ma deal with ’em all by myself!” The fans cheer again, and Fatu says at the end of the day, FATU is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADA- Solo interrupts by mocking the Yadada over and over. JC chuckles and Solo says of course he knows what Fatu means! Everyone knows what Fatu means! Solo does, and so does JC. But Fatu, don’t worry. The reason Solo is doing all of this is because he loves Fatu. This is all to help!

Look at your shoulder, Jacob. What is that? That is proof! That title is proof of Solo telling Fatu that Solo loves Fatu. But there is something Solo needs to hear from Fatu. Solo is sure Fatu remembers what he used to say all the time, loud ‘n’ proud, every minute of the day. What was that? How’d Fatu used to do it? Fatu says, “I love you, Solo.” The fans boo and Solo laughs. That wasn’t it! That’s not how he used to do it! Everyone here knows how! He used to be loud ‘n’ proud. C’mon, Jacob! Solo pushes Fatu, and asks Fatu who he loves. He wants Fatu to do it the old way. Fatu takes off his sunglasses, but then here comes LA Knight!

The fans fire up as the Mega Star sneaks in from the crowd! Knight drags JC out and SMACKS him off the desk! Knight fires hands, then he gets away before Solo & Fatu can get him! Knight says that’s what they get for messing him over at Backlash! Knight’s willing to fight all three members of Solo’s “family,” but with Solo in tonight’s qualifier, will it be Fatu or JC that deals with LA?

B-Fab talks with Mia Yim backstage.

Fab tells Mia that #MichinInTheBank sounds great. So we need Mia to go out there and win the qualifier. Because you know what goes good with the briefcase? The tag titles~! Mia says yeah, once she brings that briefcase back to them, they’ll have it all! But then the Green Administration laughs their way in. Chelsea tells Mia & Fab that while this is cute, if anyone is winning MITB this year, it is the VIP of last year. But she still lost last year… Chelsea says once she wins, she is going to ring in a beautiful “social economic policy” that has a trickle down effect to lower interest rates for all of… her Secret Her-vice.

But Alexa Bliss walks over and taps Alba on the shoulder. Alba freaks out, as do Piper and Chelsea. Alexa just tells the others, “See you out there.” Piper & Alba calm Chelsea down, but then B-Fab tells them that no, there’s a ringside ban in place. What? Who approved that? Fab says either way, they’re stuck watching backstage with her. Have fun~! B-Fab accompanies Mia to gorilla, and Chelsea shouts she’s putting tariffs on mediocrity! Mia & B-Fab are first on the list! Well, delusions of grandeur aside, will there be no road back for the Hot Mess to MITB? Or can she somehow get one over on the Head Baddie in Charge and Lil’ Miss Bliss?

Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Alexa Bliss!

SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, followed by Chelsea. The bell rings, and Mia SUPERKICKS Chelsea! The fans are torn but Mia and Alexa high-five. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They go around, Mia headlocks and hits a takeover. Alexa slips out to headlock right back. Mia fights up, powers out, but Alexa tilt-o-whirls, only for Mia to swing her around. Mia whips, Alexa ducks ‘n’ dodges. Chelsea is back in but Alexa slides to trip her up! Mia adds a basement DROPKICK! Chelsea tumbles out, Alexa rolls Mia, TWO! Mia blocks another try and she backslides Alexa, TWO! Alexa drop toeholds! Oklahoma Roll, TWO!

Mia is up and she body scissor rolls Alexa, TWO! The two stand off and the fans cheer. Chelsea complains but what else is new? But then Alexa & Mia DOUBLE DROPKICK Chelsea! Chelsea is furious, but then Alexa & Mia DOUBLE WRECKING BALL DROPKICK! Chelsea tumbles to the ramp but Mia goes out to fetch her. Mia puts her in the ring, but then Alexa YANKS her down! Alexa goes up but Mia YANKS her down! They argue, and Chelsea DIVES onto them both! Greensboro fires up for Miss Green, and she salutes before shouting, “PLEDGE YOUR ALLEGIANCE!” Hard to tell if anyone does as SmackDown goes to picture in picture.

Chelsea drags Alexa up, THROWS her into barriers, then drags Mia up to throw her into barriers! Chelsea storms back over to Alexa and she puts her in the ring. Cover, TWO! Chelsea is upset with the ref but the ref defends the count. Chelsea bumps Alexa off buckles, talks trash, then bumps Alexa off more buckles. Chelsea whips Alexa right back into the corner, then grabs the arms. Chelsea gives Alexa the motorcycle STOMP into the buckles! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is annoyed but she drags Alexa up and TOSSES her out! Chelsea soaks up cheers and jeers while she leads a Pledge of Allegiance to Chelsea Green.

Chelsea then storms out and whips Alexa into barriers! Chelsea pulls Alexa’s hair, drags her into the ring, and CLUBS her down! Chelsea CLUBS Alexa again, then BOOTS Mia from the apron! But Alexa rolls Chelsea! TWO, Chelsea clinches but Alexa fires body shots! And an ENZIGIRI! Chelsea comes back to SMACK Alexa off the mat! Chelsea soaks up cheers and jeers, but Mia is in! GERMAN SUPLEX for Chelsea! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX for Chelsea! Chelsea elbows free of the third, but Mia blocks her kick! Mia slips under Chelsea to lift her up, and SIT-OUT POWERBOMBS! Cover, Alexa breaks it!

Mia is frustrated but all three women are down while SmackDown returns to single picture. Mia storms up on Alexa, but Alexa blocks a shot! Mia still fires fast hands and kicks, then a PELE! Mia whips Alexa to a corner but now Chelsea runs in! Mia dodges and PELES Chelsea, too! Chelsea falls onto Alexa, and Mia says get this twerk! Mia runs up to CANNONBALL! Mia then drags Alexa to a high stack, TWO! Cover on Chelsea, TWO! The fans rally up as Mia drags Chelsea around. Wrench and- NO, Chelsea avoids Da Feet, then avoids Alexa’s haymaker! Chelsea pokes Alexa in the eyes! Mia runs up, Chelsea dodges, the BOOT hits Alexa!

Mia turns around, she and Chelsea DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSE! Both women fall, and that means all three are down! The fans fire up while the three stir. “This is Awesome!” as Mia bails out. Chelsea and Alexa crawl to each other. Chelsea shouts at Alexa but Alexa fires a forearm! Chelsea fires back, the forearms go back and forth! The fans are torn, but Alexa blocks to SLAP, ROCK, and DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Alexa runs, but Mia SHOTGUNS Alexa down! Only for Chelsea to chicken wing Mia! Mia wrenches out, and EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT AGAIN! Mia is frustrated, but Alexa dodges her to tilt-o-whirl and DDT!

The fans fire up and Alexa puts Mia in the drop zone! Alexa climbs, the fans fire up, and it is TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, Chelsea breaks it!! Chelsea DUMPS Alexa out, drags Mia up, UNPRETTY HER!! But Alexa drags Mia out of the ring! Chelsea is furious, takes a swing, but into the clinch! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, Alexa wins!

Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Green saw red, but Alexa used that against her! Will Alexa make this #MoneyInTheBliss? Or will there be a second chance waiting for Mia and Chelsea?

Fraxiom VS #DIY!

Whether or not Nathan Frazer & Axiom were in the wrong for facing The Street Profits when Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins were less than 100%, that’s hard to say. But Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano used it as an excuse to go after the new kids on the block instead of admitting they’re jealous of the new kids on the block. But will the undefeated Fraxiom #NeverSlowDown? Or will DIY prove that if you want to get ahead, you gotta Do It Yourself?

SmackDown returns as DIY makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Axiom starts against Ciampa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Axiom waistlocks, Ciampa wrenches to a wristlock, and Ciampa grinds the arm down. Axiom endures, the fans rally, and Axiom fights up. Ciampa keeps on the arm, but Axiom rolls, bridges, then breaks free to DROPKICK! Tag to Frazer, they whip Ciampa and wrap him up but Ciampa fights the Iron Octopus! Ciampa is now in a GROUND OCTOPUS, and Frazer still runs to DROPKICK him! Ciampa bails out, Gargano runs in, but into KICK after KICK, ASSISTED DROPKICK!

Gargano bails out, Frazer DIVES onto Ciampa! Ciampa almost ends up in the front row! Axiom DIVES onto Gargano! Frazer DIVES onto Ciampa again, and he DOES end up in the front row! Axiom DIVES again and Gargano hits barriers! DIY is down, Greensboro fires up, and Frazer drags Ciampa back into the ring. Tag to Axiom and he goes up a corner. Ciampa staggers to his feet, but he avoids the leap. Axiom dodges the chop, but Gargano inadvertently(?) trips him at the ropes! The ref reprimands, but Ciampa KNEES Axiom down. Tag to Gargano, and Gargano LARIATS Axiom down! The fans boo but Gargano grins.

Gargano drags Axiom up, brings him around, and THROWS him into barriers! DIY sits on the barriers, and they applaud themselves and pat themselves on the back. Gargano then puts Axiom in the ring, but Axiom CHOPS! And CHOPS! And then fires forearms! Axiom reels Gargano in, but Gargano scoops to SLAM Axiom into the ropes! Axiom tumbles out of the ring, DIY soaks up the heat, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Ciampa keeps Axiom from Frazer. Axiom fires hands, Ciampa KNEES low, then Ciampa whips Axiom to the corner. Axiom ROCKS Gargano, goes up and over Ciampa, and then rolls! Hot tags to Gargano and Frazer! Frazer springboards to AX HANDLE Gargano, then he BLASTS Ciampa! Frazer LARIATS, whips, but Gargano reverses. Frazer goes up and over then handsprings away! Gargano runs up but into a SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up and Frazer keeps moving, QUEBRADA, then DDT! Frazer keeps moving, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Gargano survives that speed blitz but Frazer hurries to a corner!

The fans rally as Frazer goes up, up, and PHOENIX- NO, Gargano moves! Frazer rolls through, Gargano ROCKS him! Gargano runs, but Frazer JUMP KNEES! Frazer runs, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Gargano tags Ciampa and Ciampa reels Frazer in! Underhooks, SUPERKICK into FAIRYTALE ENDING!! Cover, AXIOM BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while DIY regroups. Gargano TOSSES Axiom, then PLANCHAS! Ciampa hoists Frazer up, PROJECT CIAMPA!! Cover, TWO!?! Frazer survives and “This is Awesome!” Ciampa takes his kneepad down and aims from a corner. PSYCHO- NO, Frazer dodges and the knee hits buckles!

Gargano tags in, he BLASTS Axiom and then BOOTS Frazer! Gargano goes up, Frazer GAMANGIRIS! Gargano wobbles, Frazer climbs up, and Frazer brings Gargano up! Gargano fires body shots, SHOVES Frazer, but Frazer backflips through! Ciampa storms up but Frazer ENZIGIRIS first! Frazer hurries back and jumps up to the top rope! Axiom tags in, and Frazer hits the SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, and Frazer suplexes Gargano! Axiom adds a SUPERKICK, CHASING THE DRAGON!!! Cover, CIAMPA KNEES AXIOM DOWN!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ciampa and Frazer bail out, Gargano and Axiom scrap with each other!

Gargano stands to ROCK Axiom, but Axiom CHOPS! Gargano ROCKS, Axiom CHOPS, repeat! Gargano fires a flurry, but then Axiom ducks the rolling elbow! Gargano fights the German Suplex, bucks the O’Conner Roll, but Axiom kips up! INTO A SUPERKICK! Gargano then rolls Axiom up, with tights! TWO, and into a RINGS OF SATURN!! Gargano endures, Ciampa hobbles in, and he grabs at the mask! Frazer SUPERKICKS Ciampa down! Gargano SUPERKICKS Frazer! Roll up, but Axiom sits on it! FRAXIOM WINS!!

Winners: Fraxiom, by pinfall

Gargano is stunned! But then he and Ciampa CLOBBER Fraxiom! The fans boo but DIY are sore losers! And they still rip at Axiom’s mask! But here come the Motor City Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin grab Ciampa, ENZIGIRI FLATLINER to the floor! Gargano realizes he is alone and he runs for it! But MCMG flanks him, and Sabin PENALTY KICKS from the apron! MCMG take care of DIY, and they help Fraxiom to their feet. When and where will the two fastest moving tag teams face off?

Rey Fenix prepares backstage.

Andrade finds him and wishes him luck tonight. Fenix thanks Andrade, and also says last week was a great match. Andrade says maybe they’ll see each other in the MITB ladder match. Fenix says he had his WrestleMania Moment, and though he failed, that fire inside him is burning brighter than ever! Fenix feels it! That next level is MITB. But Solo Sikoa says, “Ey, Carnal!” Solo asks Fenix & Andrade where LA Knight went. El Idolo & the Firebird have no idea. Solo says he’s no good at Espanol. Solo and Cobb storm off, Fatu looks Fenix and Andrade over, then Fatu follows.

Will Solo’s family find LA Knight before the night is over? How will Solo prepare for his qualifier if he’s obsessed with the Mega Star?

Fraxiom regroups backstage.

Frazer & Axiom are fired up, because they are on a roll! No one can stop them! But then The Street Profits walk up and applaud. Dawkins says, “Congratulations, boys! You’re on a roll! Beat DIY, Pretty Deadly, Los Garza, and the other night, y’all even got one over on us.” Ford says what they did is so special! So special that Ford & Dawkins just talked with Aldis, and Aldis has granted Fraxiom their tag team championship match! How ’bout that? AHAHAHA! But guess what? The best part is… They don’t gotta wait until MITB, or even Saturday Night’s Main Event! The WWE Tag Team Championship match is next week!

Fraxiom is fired up, and Frazer says all they have to do is beat the Profits again! Axiom stops Frazer there, and says what Frazer means is that they’re looking forward to this. The Profits shake hands with Fraxiom, and Dawkins says they’ll be 100% then. Hopefully Fraxiom will be, too. The Profits head out and Frazer says they’re speed-running this! Axiom has Frazer calm down and focus on next week. Frazer says yeah, let’s go work on that! Will the Jersey Island Rocket & Undeniable Truth be undeniable as #1 contenders? Or will The Profits not only get that smoke, but get that respect?

Exclusive sit-down interview with R-Truth.

Wade Barrett thanks Truth for meeting with him. To get right to it, during the Backlash press conference last Saturday, John Cena hit Truth with an Attitude Adjustment through a table. What is going on with them? Truth says life is tough. This is the constant pressure, man. Career, family, friends, bills. But regardless of what’s going on in your world, you can always depend on John Cena. When you feel like you want to quit, what would Cena say? Never give up! You didn’t know when it was gonna come, when it would happen, but what would Cena say? Your Time Is Now! Hustle, Loyalty, Respect! Those are not just words, those are a beacon of light.

If Cena did it, so can you! Wade wants Truth to listen to himself. Truth sounds crazy! Truth basically won that match for Cena at Backlash when he stopped Randy Orton from punting Cena. And then look how Cena repays Truth! And Truth wants to sing Cena’s praises? Truth says Cena won that on his own. You don’t know Cena like Truth knows! That man at the press conference was NOT John Cena! The Cena that Truth knows would never turn his back on the people that support and love him. The Cena that Truth knows wouldn’t talk about ruining wrestling, or put his friend and brother through a table!

Truth doesn’t wanna fight Cena. But if he has to beat some sense into Cena, then Truth will do it. Truth will do it. He already talked to Nick Aldis. It is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event! Cena is the Greatest of All Time, but Truth remembers what his hero told him about facing the impossible: Never Give Up! Regardless of what happens, Truth will hold his head high, because he will live by Hustle, Loyalty & Respect! That’s what’s up! Wade says this has been rather enlightening, and best of luck against Cena at SNME. Truth says much obliged. So then, will Truth be able to make Cena see the truth? Or will the Never Seen 17 still ruin wrestling?

Damian Priest speaks.

“Drew. It feels like we’re stuck in a cycle. You get involved in my business, I get involved in yours… Sabotage each other until we destroy everything. I’m banged up, I’m frustrated, but most of all, I’m pissed off at myself for getting stuck in this vortex that is Drew McIntyre’s petty, childish, vindictive BS. We need a conclusion, Drew. At Saturday Night’s Main Event, a simple match won’t do it. I want you to hurt real bad. I want you to feel real pain. I want to bash your face in so bad that the hospital will need dental records to identify you. Anarchy, violence, I want this to happen inside a steel cage.

“I hope this is what you wanted, Drew. Because it’s what you’re gonna get. The cycle ends here.” The Archer of Infamy has spoken, will he send the Scottish Warrior way past South of Heaven?

Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes w/ The Miz!

The Dark Father made the Hollywood A-Lister #FadeToBlack, and then he made H1M miss like an airball. But will Aleister stay untouchable in his return? Or will this be the night Melo hits the game winner?

SmackDown returns and The Miz tells the camera, “Allow me to explain exactly what is about to happen.” Melo stops Miz there and says he’s got this. “Aleister Black! Ptew! Even saying your name makes me sick. Last week, you had the opportunity to take my head off, and you didn’t take it. And that’s the biggest mistake of your life. Because now, this beef, it will never end. Okay? It’s not over until I win. You in the playoffs, big dog. Ask the last guy, cuz it’s Melo over everybody! It’s MOE! I’m the Tenth Wonder of the World! I am H1M!” Miz says, “Who’s H1M?” Melo says, “I am.” “Who’s H1M?” “I am!” “WHO’S H1M?!” “I AM!”

One month ago was Aleister’s grand opening. Tonight in Greensboro, it’s closing night. Melo & Miz go to the ring, but will they make this Melo’s Rocky 2? Or is this more like riding into the Perfect Storm?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Melo headlocks, but Aleister powers his way out to wrench and wristlock. Melo rolls, trips Aleister, then floats to a headlock. Aleister fights up, he and Melo fight for the clinch, then they end up in a corner. Aleister turns things around, lets off slowly, but Melo SLAPS him! The fans boo, Aleister swings but Melo dodges. Aleister dodges Melo and runs, but Melo drops down. Aleister stops himself and arm-drags! Melo fights up, arm-drags free, but Aleister runs him over! Cover, ONE! Melo sweeps to cover, ONE! Both men kip up and the fans fire up!

Melo shakes his head, but then he narrowly avoids Black Mass! Aleister sits down cross-legged but Melo gets up in a huff. Aleister blocks a kick, reels Melo in and waistlocks. Melo ELBOWS free, whips, but Aleister reverses. Melo springboards, but into a BOOT! Melo tumbles out of the ring and Miz is worried. Aleister goes to a corner, goes up and out, but Miz gets Melo in the ring! Aleister MOONSAULTS, lands on his feet, and wonders what happened. Aleister glares at Miz, but Melo FLIES! Down goes Aleister and the fans are torn, but Miz is all fired up! The ref reprimands Miz but Melo puts Aleister in the ring.

Melo springboards, FADE AWAY DDT! Cover, TWO! Aleister stays in this but Melo says he is H1M, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Melo goes, but Aleister runs up and steps up to BOOT Melo down! Melo falls to the floor and Miz is worried. The ring count climbs while Miz coaches Melo up. Melo rises at 5 of 10, crawls over at 7, and he rolls in at 8! Aleister dodges Melo to then rally with forearm sand elbows! Aleister ducks a shot, fires a strike fest and sweeps the legs! Then SLIDING KNEE! Aleister handsprings, the fans fire up, but Melo waistlocks! Aleister switches, Melo elbows free, but runs into a DROPKICK! Melo bails out, Aleister goes up, and this time he MOONSAULTS onto Melo! The fans fire up and Aleister puts Melo in. Aleister hurries to cover, TWO!

Melo survives and Aleister grows a bit frustrated. But Greensboro says “This is Awesome!” as Aleister waistlocks Melo. Melo fights up, reaches out, and throws elbows. Aleister lifts, Melo victory rolls, TWO! Aleister escapes, but Melo SUPERKICKS! Melo runs, tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! And then Melo reels Aleister in for the suplex, only for Aleister to sunset flip! TWO, and Melo BOOTS Aleister! Aleister is in the corner, Melo blocks a boot, but not the KNEE! Aleister goes up to METEORA! Aleister then fires up, to ROUNDHOUSE! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Melo survives again and even Miz is surprised!

The fans rally up and Aleister rises. Aleister waits on Melo to rise, but Miz creeps up! Miz swipes at the feet, the ref reprimands, but Melo rolls Aleister! TWO, and Aleister KNEES Melo! Aleister runs, but into another LA MYSTICA! And then a suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Melo is beside himself, Miz argues with the ref, but then Miz tells Melo to go for that three pointer! Miz is on the apron, the ref reprimands, and Melo brings Aleister up. Melo and Miz argue about the game plan, but Aleister shoves Melo into Miz! Cradle, TWO!! Melo escapes, but the SHADOW ELBOW finds him! Aleister fires a strike fest, but the FIRST 48 hits!

Aleister rebounds, BOOTS Melo, then JUMP KNEES! Melo sputters and Aleister lifts with his foot. But Miz CLOBBERS Aleister!!

Winner: Aleister Black, by disqualification

Miz drags Aleister up into a full nelson, but Aleister powers out! BLACK MASS!! But then Melo CHOP BLOCKS Aleister! Melo rains down fists, then he goes to the corner. Melo is going to do just as Miz said to, NOTHING BUT NET!! Melo hits that three pointer but only after the match was done. Will Melo make sure he’s the one who wins in the end?

Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.

Byron Saxton says last week, she made her return, and tonight, she is the first to qualify for this year’s MITB. How does it feel? Alexa says it is amazing. Now her goal is to be the first woman to win MITB twice. She wants to take that briefcase and… Alexa trails off, then asks to be excused. Alexa walks down the hall, and she sees Charlotte Flair waiting outside Nick Aldis’ office. Alexa says hey, and Charlotte asks Alexa, “What’re we doing here?” Alexa just wants to know if Charlotte gave any thought to what they talked about last week. Charlotte says yeah, they aren’t friends. They weren’t even that close.

No, but when Alexa first came to NXT, no one gave her the time of day. Charlotte took Alexa under wing, and was for some reason a decent human being. Alexa never forgot that. Charlotte doesn’t remember that. Alexa says fine, but then out of the office steps GIULIA! Aldis also walks out to introduce the newest member of the SmackDown roster. Aldis then tells Charlotte, “Let’s talk Money in the Bank.” Charlotte tells Alexa to just stay out of her way, because Charlotte doesn’t need Alexa. Alexa says, “Keep telling yourself that.” Just what was Alexa hoping for from The Queen? And way to bury the lead, will all of SmackDown soon succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

Drew McIntyre is here!

Greensboro is torn as the Scottish Terminator makes his way to the ring, though rather gingerly. Drew still stands on the corner for his pyro, and then he gets the mic. The fans cheer and jeer, but Drew says, “I heard what you had to say, Priest. The only thing that was accurate in that entire video was how much violence we’ve inflicted on each other. But you’re stuck in the Drew McIntyre Vortex, is that what you said? I’ve been in this vortex for over a year. That so-called Drew McIntyre Vortex you’re in is the only reason you’re relevant and the only reason anyone gives a damn about you!” The fans are torn but Drew paces.

“I’ve been trying to tell you for months and months. I beat you at WrestleMania in your own match. I beat you in a Street Fight clean, and you keep getting involved in my business. You’re obsessed with me! It’s getting to the point I was genuinely concerned you wanna wear my skin to your birthday party. But I know what this is. This is jealousy. This is a psychotic level of jealousy! You look at me and you see everything you’ve ever wanted. I am better than you in every single way! I’ve got all the accolades. I would’ve been a Grand Slam Champion if it wasn’t for you at Backlash! You’re trying to take out the competition!

“And I genuinely believe you’re willing to kill me to do it, because you choke slammed me off a 15 foot platform and SLAMMED MY HEAD INTO THE CONCRETE!” The fans are torn but Drew calms himself down a moment. Drew scowls and says, “This has to end. I’ll see you inside that cage next Saturday. And I’m gonna make you a guarantee, because when Drew McIntyre makes a guarantee, it happens. Only one man is gonna walk out of that cage. The other is leaving on a stretcher!” Drew throws down the mic, but who survives when they lock these two in and throw away the key?

As Drew makes his exit, Solo Sikoa makes his entrance, accompanied by Fatu & “JC Mateo.” Drew glares at them, especially the United States Champion. Drew moves on, and Solo’s “family” continues to ringside. Solo may still want LA Knight’s head, but will he settle for the golden ticket to Los Angeles?

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Rey Fenix VS Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo!

SmackDown returns and we follow #BigJim on his way to gorilla. “Money in the Bank is around the corner! But tonight, it’s qualifying night. I gotta get through Solo and I gotta get through Rey Fenix. I’ma take my ass to MITB, climb that ladder, snatch that, win that, cash that. Who’s dat? Big Jim with a big win!” Jimmy makes his entrance, followed by Rey Fenix. The bell rings and Solo CLOBBERS Fenix! Solo rains down fists, perhaps unhappy Fenix didn’t hel;;p him find Knight. The fans boo as Solo THROWS Fenix down, then he tells Jimmy they can work together as true blood brothers.

Solo raises the one, Jimmy raises it, too, but then Jimmy UPPERCUTS Solo! Jimmy CHOPS Solo, CHOPS again, but Fenix runs up! Jimmy gives Fenix a boost to ENZIGIRI Solo! Solo staggers, Jimmy & Fenix DOUBLE LARIAT Solo up and out! Except Solo’s hand gets stuck in the ropes! Jimmy & Fenix get Solo free and Solo clutches that hand, so Fenix rolls Jimmy up! TWO and Jimmy CHOPS! Fenix falls, Jimmy looms over him, and then stands Fenix up. Jimmy whips, Fenix reverses, but then Jimmy dodges. Fenix goes Spider-Man to go to the apron. Jimmy runs up, Fenix RAMS him, and then Fenix GAMANGIRIS!

Fenix slingshots and somersaults to RANA! Cover, TWO! Fenix keeps moving, tilt-o-whirls, but Jimmy fights. Fenix still puts on the IRON OCTOPUS! Jimmy endures so Fenix CLUBS him, CHOPS him, and has him in the corner. Fenix CHOPS again, but Jimmy CHOPS back! The fans “WOO~” and Jimmy whips. Fenix reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, and the two RAM shoulders! Jimmy CHOPS, Fenix BOOTS, and Fenix goes up, up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Fenix covers, TWO! The fans rally with Fenix but Jimmy UPPERCUTS! Fenix goes to ropes, Jimmy stalks up and CHOPS again!

The fans rally up, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy whips, Fenix reverses, but Jimmy stops himself to BOOT Fenix down! But then Solo drags Jimmy out! Solo SMACKS Jimmy off the desk! And SMACKS him off the desk again! Solo’s wrist seems okay, but then Fenix kips up to SUPERKICK Solo! Fenix then goes up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Fenix takes down Jimmy and Solo, and Greensboro fires up with Fenix! Fenix puts Solo in, goes to a corner, and springboards, but into the URENAGE! Solo roars but the fans boo. Solo goes to the ropes, Jimmy drags himself up, and Solo BLASTS Jimmy off!

Jimmy hits off the desk, and then Solo goes out after him. Solo drags Jimmy up, pushes him against the desk, and he says Solo is winning MITB! Understand!? URENAGE onto the desk!! Solo soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Solo points up at the briefcases, then he stalks Fenix. Solo drags Fenix up, DECKS him, then drops a SENTON! Solo looks to Fatu and says, “I love you, Fatu!” Jimmy is back but Solo has him at the ropes. Jimmy blocks the punch to give a punch! And more punches! Jimmy RAMS into Solo, then slingshots, but into an UPPERCUT! Jimmy falls back down and Solo goes out after him. Solo looks under the ring, looking to use that No Disqualification rule to his advantage. Nothing on this end, so Solo just goes back to Fenix. Solo talks trash but Fenix CHOPS! And CHOPS! Solo eggs Fenix on, then HEADBUTTS him down!

Solo paces around Fenix, stomps him down, and he SUPERKICKS Jimmy off the apron! Solo drops the leg on Fenix! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives but Solo just soaks up the heat. Solo stalks Fenix, drags him up, but Fenix blocks the suplex! Solo still tries, but Fenix fights again. Jimmy returns to help Fenix out, and he mule kicks Solo! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, then he and Fenix POST Solo! Solo falls back while Jimmy and Fenix catch their breath. SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans want tables! Fenix ROCKS Jimmy but Jimmy CHOPS Fenix down! Jimmy goes to the corner and climbs while the fans rally up.

But Fenix somersaults and SHORYUKENS! The fans fire up and Fenix climbs. Fenix CLUBS away on Jimmy, then CHOPS him! Fenix cravats, but Solo is up! Fenix somersaults to get him, but Solo stops the victory roll! Jimmy adjusts, leaps, but Fenix victory rolls through! The ref checks Jimmy as he rolls, but he misses the cover! TWO, and Fenix SUPERKICKS Solo down! Fenix ELBOWS Jimmy away, then goes up, up, and leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Solo is back to LARIAT Jimmy! The fans boo but Solo whips Fenix for a SAMOAN DROP! Solo drags Jimmy up, fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! The fans boo more but Solo sees targets in corners.

Solo runs in at Fenix, HIP ATTACK! The fans boo but Solo runs in and HIP ATTACKS Jimmy! Solo holds up his thumb and the fans boo more. Solo drags Fenix up, tells Jimmy he could’ve helped Solo. SAMOAN- NO, Fenix slips around the spike! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Solo into the takedown! Cover, JIMMY BREAKS IT! Jimmy cleans up the mess he made, and the fans rally up. Solo bails out, Jimmy and Fenix go forehead to forehead. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans duel, Fenix CHOPS, then he boots Jimmy’s uppercut away! Fenix kicks the legs out, then BUZZ- NO, Jimmy ducks! Fenix blocks the superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP!

The fans fire up as Jimmy reels Fenix in for a fireman’s carry. Fenix slips free, shoves, and DROPKICKS! Fenix goes up the corner, ADIOS AMIGO! Jimmy flounders away and Fenix says “ANIMO!” Fenix runs in, but into a SPEAR!! Jimmy covers, TWO?!?! Fenix survives and Jimmy cannot believe it! The fans rally up and Jimmy climbs a corner. But then Fatu runs up! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Fatu, but that lets Solo hit the SAMOAN SPIKE!! But ADIOS AMIGO AGAIN!! Fenix goes up, up, and DOUBLE STOMPS Solo’s back! JC is up but Fenix DECKS him! Fenix fires up, but then a SAMOAN SPIKE finds him!!! Cover, SOLO WINS!

Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

As always, it takes the whole family, but Solo is still going to Los Angeles! But then LA Knight attacks JC and Fatu! He gets a chair to keep them all at bay! Nick Aldis shouts for everyone to stand down right now! Aldis tells Knight that if he’s so desperate to get his hands on JC, and if JC loves sticking his nose in other people’s business, then let’s handle this in the ring! In fact… Get a ref right now! JC can make his SmackDown in-ring debut now! JC Mateo VS LA Knight is happening after the break, but will the Mega Star be able to tear down the new recruit? Or will that be the other way around?

LA Knight VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu!

SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and Knight talks trash with the former Olympian turned enforcer. They tie up, JC shoves Knight, and then talks trash. Knight and JC reset, tie up, and Knight waistlocks. JC switches, then he THROWS Knight away! The fans boo but JC eggs Knight on. Knight and JC circle, tie up, and JC waistlocks. Knight endures the bearhug, fires elbows, then rolls, but JC stays up! JC stomps Knight down! The fans boo but Solo cheers him on. JC stands Knight up to ROCK him, then scoop him! Knight slips free, headlocks, but JC powers up and out! Knight RAMS JC, but JC doesn’t budge!

JC tells Knight to run, but Knight kicks and fires haymakers instead! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, JC reverses, but Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges! Knight CROSSBODIES, but JC catches him! JC pops Knight up to a suplex, but Knight slips free! NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! JC is tougher than that, but Knight storms up to RAM into him! And RAM, RAM, and RAM! Knight climbs up and he rains down fists! The fans “YEAH!” along, but JD stops Knight at five! JC carries Knight but Knight still throws hands! Knight fights free of the grip, throws more hands, and then runs, but into an ELBOW! JC trucks Knight and Solo is pleased.

JC drags Knight up to ELBOW him in the head! JC drags Knight up, CLUBS him, then ROCKS him in the back! Knight drops to his knees, but JC waistlocks. Knight fires elbows, then HAYMAKERS! Knight runs, but into another bearhug! Knight BELL CLAPS free, then whips. JC reverses, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS JC, goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Knight hurries to another corner, goes back up, but Solo is on the apron! Knight runs Solo off, but JC CLUBS Knight down! JC brings Knight up, clinches, and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES Knight up and out of the ring!

The fans boo but Solo mockingly claps and says, “Yeah.” Knight sputters and writhes but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and the fans rally as Knight fights up. Knight throws elbows to get free of the bearhug, then he fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight runs and ROCKS JC again! And ROCKS him again! And then- NO, JC hits a SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but JC grows frustrated. JC drags Knight around, ELBOWS him in the shoulder again and again, then looms over Knight. JC clinches again, OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but Solo says to finish this! JC puts Knight in a corner, but Knight fires hands!

Knight backs JC down, but JC ROCKS Knight! JC whips, Knight KICKS JC, but then JC ELBOWs, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives that Rampaging Dragon combo, but JC has the rear bearhug on again! Knight endures, fights up, but JC wrangles him back down. JC leans on Knight, then thrashes Knight around! Knight still endures and the fans still rally up. JC taunts Knight, Solo says to squeeze Knight, and Knight is fading! Knight reaches out feebly, but then he gets a second wind! The fans rally as Knight rises up. Knight pries at the grip, throws elbows, but JC blocks to HEADBUTT!

JC TOSSES Knight out, then grins as he goes out after Knight. JC clamps onto Knight, and POSTS him! JC pushes Knight against the post, tells him this is what he gets for St. Louis! JC runs up, but Knight dodges! JC POSTS himself! Solo is upset but Knight and JC slowly rise. Knight rolls in at 8 of 10, JC is in at 9! Both men slowly rise, and JC swings, only for Knight to counter punch! And punch! Knight dodges JC’s punch to JAB, JAB, JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” JC grabs Knight, TOSSES him to a corner, but Knight dodges! JUMPING NECKBREAKER! And then a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, JC reverses, and JC scoops!

Knight slips free, REVERSE DDT! Time to spell it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! JC stays in this and LA grows a bit frustrated. Knight rises again, rallies the fans, and he waits on JC. Knight kicks low, but JC CLUBS Knight out of the BFT! Then ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! Knight survives, but GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives again and JC is shocked! JC vows to end this now, and he drags Knight up. JC whips, Knight grabs ropes, and then Knight ELBOWS JC! Knight runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Knight staggers, JC runs in, but Knight dropkicks the legs!

JC hits ropes, Knight goes to the apron, and Knight KNEES JC back in! Solo storms up, Knight mule kicks him! Knight then springboards to CROSSBODY onto Solo & Fatu! Knight hurries back in, slingshots, but into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!

Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall

Even with Solo’s presence being part of it, JC still put Knight down himself! Will nothing stop Solo’s family now that this Imperial Unit is behind him?

Santos Escobar meets with Angel backstage.

The Emperor of Lucha wants to know where Berto is, and Angel says he can’t seem to reach him. Berto wasn’t home, he isn’t answering messages, but Angel feels maybe Berto just needs his space. Santos says he fears Berto is listening to the wrong people. People who don’t understand about loyalty and the bigger picture. Santos is willing to forgive Berto for last week. Why? Because there is something on the horizon. It’s an opportunity that Santos secured for Legado, for all of them. This opportunity will help them make a statement, but Santos needs Angel to find Berto and bring him home. That is because Santos wants to share this together.

Santos says we can call this an invitation to a sit-down dinner party on him. They can discuss this. This opportunity will help put their names where they belong. Angel says okay, he will try his best, but no promises. Santos tells Angel that when you stand up for something bigger than yourself, something special, that will scare people. But loyalty is the one thing Santos has always seen from Angel since day one. It’d be a shame if they lost all this for the actions of one selfish person. Legado is…? Familia. That’s it! Santos heads out, but could Angel start seeing things more Berto’s way? Or can they all patch things up before it’s too late?

Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.

“LA Knight… You haven’t changed. You’re still the same man as you were when you fought me for the US Title. I see what’s behind the chant…. A hunger for recognition. It’s that hunger that will bring you down. Aleister Black… I do not fear you. You hide behind smoke and mirrors, but deep down inside, you fear the darkness. But there is a deeper darkness lurking behind the shadows. I am sharpening my katana and watching all the while. I know every moment when your heart beats, and ever trigger that makes you lose control. Next week, when you two sink at my feet… I will have my ticket to the Money in the Bank contract.

“And only then will you know that I am an unstoppable storm, an unstoppable blade, and an unstoppable being.” The sinister Samurai of Strong Style is ready to cut down all in his way, but will he be the one to #FadeToBlack? Or will we all be saying YEAH on the way to LA?

Will ROH belong to the Death Riders?

Former ROH Pure Champion, Wheeler Yuta, is back on Honor Club! But will he prove himself worthy of another title opportunity?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Wheeler Yuta VS Matt Mako; Yuta wins.
• Trish Adora w/ The Infantry VS Rachael Ellering; Trish wins.
• Cole Karter & Griff Garrison VS The Dark Order; Karter & Garrison win.
• 8 Man Tag: The Sons of Texas VS MXM Collection & The Premier Athletes; The Sons of Texas win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Wheeler Yuta VS Matt Mako!

The former ROH Pure Champion, the ONLY three-time Pure Champion, makes his return to Honor Club and is in no mood to play around. The Death Riders are desperately clinging to THE AEW World Championship, as seen just last night on Dynamite. Will Yuta use this match as a warm-up for his Collision with “Powerhouse” Hobbs? Or will “Weapon X” have quite the W under his belt?

The Code of Honor is not upheld and Yuta circles with Mako. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Yuta rolls back to wrench and wrangle Mako. The fans duel, “Let’s Go, Yuta!” “YUTA SUCKS!” Mako fights up, Yuta waistlocks, but Mako switches. Yuta ELBOWS free, wrenches and wristlocks, but Mako rolls, spins, and traps a leg. Mako rolls to drag Yuta down into body scissors! Yuta fights off the sleeper so Mako shifts to the ARMBAR! Yuta fights around, stacks Mako, and then steps on Mako’s face! Yuta digs his heel in, the ref reprimands, and Yuta steps off. Yuta kicks Mako around while the fans duel more.

Yuta CHOPS Mako to a corner, then snap suplexes! And ELBOW DROP! Mako sputters, the fans boo, but Yuta soaks it all up. Yuta drags Mako up to scoop and SLAM! Mako writhes, Yuta SENTONS! Yuta cheers himself on but the fans still boo. Yuta ties Mako’s legs up in an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Mako bridges to alleviate pressure and Yuta sarcastically compliments it. Yuta then shows off his own bridge! Mako endures and Yuta flips off the fans! Yuta stands back up, but Mako fires a forearm! And another! Yuta CLAWS Mako’s face! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Yuta claims Mako bit him!

Yuta stalks Mako to a corner, CHOPS him, and then brings Mako around. Yuta whips, ELBOWS, and then taunts Mako. Yuta scuffs Mako, taunts him, but Mako frowns. The fans rally for Mako and he CHOPS! The fans fire up, and Mako fires off a strike fest! Mako BOOTS, Yuta rewinds, and Yuta slips around to SNAP GERMAN! Mako goes to a corner, Yuta runs in, and Yuta ELBOWS! Then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! Yuta mockingly claps but the fans boo. Fans rally up as Mako sputters, but Yuta taunts him. Mako slowly rises up, and he clinches! Yuta turns that to a cravat and snapmare! Mako endures, but Yuta grinds him into the mat.

The fans rally, Mako fights up, and Mako fires body shots! Yuta KNEES low, headlocks, but Mako SAIDOS free! Both men are down and the fans rally up! A standing count starts but Yuta sits up at 2, then stands at 3. But Mako KICKS, SOBATS, and BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up as Mako goes for the full nelson! Yuta breaks it, but then fights the straitjacket! Yuta goes to ropes, Mako O’Conner Rolls and CHAOS THEORY into the ARMBAR!! Yuta clasps hands but Mako breaks the grip! ARMBAR, but Yuta rolls free! Mako runs up, Yuta ducks the roundhouse, BUSAIKU KNEE!! The fans boo but Yuta roars!

Yuta clamps onto Mako and rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Mako is a ragdoll, but Yuta still puts on CATTLE MUTILATION!! Mako taps, Yuta wins!

Winner: Wheeler Yuta, by submission

Yuta could’ve easily just left it to the knockout knee, or even those elbows, but he wanted to send a message. Will Yuta fight his way to a fourth ROH Pure Championship reign? Or will he settle for tearing down the Powerhouse at Beach Break?

ROH hears from Tom Lawlor and Josh Woods.

“Filthy” Tom says the first time he heard the name “Josh Woods” was 2011, Woods’ first year wrestling at UCF. And honestly, he heard it was a stud following in Tom’s footsteps. Tom admits, he was a little jealous of Woods then. But there’s one thing Woods can’t do, and that’s fight harder than Tom. The Technical Beast says he sees a guy like Tom, an incredible athlete. Woods’ coach was a teammate of Tom’s and would always make these little verbal jabs. “Tom wouldn’t quit, Tom wouldn’t get tired.” Woods dug deeper, trained harder, trained longer to no longer get those comparisons. Woods didn’t want the comparison, he wanted to be himself.

Tom says you look at the accolades, the credentials, the sequel is never as good as the original. Tom was UCF, Woods was UCF, they both became champions. Tom became a professional fighter, Woods wanted to do that, but took a different path. But now they’re both in pro-wrestling, except Woods did it first and in his opinion, does it better. Tom has trained with Woods on the mats, in the cage, and now Tom has been compared to Woods for the past 15 years of his life. Woods became NCAA champion, Woods became an MMA fighter, except look who did those first! Tom Lawlor!

Woods says they were friends, they were teammates, they’ve traveled together. This isn’t personal, this is business. Woods has been in AEW for three years now, doing everything right, waiting for opportunities, and nailed everything. But none of it has worked. So sorry, Tom, but you’re just the next opportunity. Tom says he’s a dog, Woods doesn’t have that bite. Saturday, May 24th, at the Dean Rasmussen tribute show, everyone will see who really has the goods!

Trish Adora w/ The Infantry VS Rachael Ellering!

The Afropunk and the Queen of Strong Smile have been away for a bit, but after hearing about the Women’s Pure Championship Tournament, they had to come back. Will a win here go a long way towards one of them joining the bracket?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally. Trish and Rachael tie up, are in a deadlock, and they go along the ropes. They end up in a corner and Trish rolls her eyes as the ref counts. Trish lets go, but Rachael storms right up on her for another tie up! Rachael powers Trish to the far corner, but she lets off, only for Trish to headlock! Rachael powers up but Trish holds on. Trish gives Rachael a little noogie, but Rachael puts her on the ropes. The ref counts, Trish turns things around, but Rachael turns it back. Rachael whips Trish, then goes the other way! They run the ropes like in training, then Rachael drops down and UPPERCUTS!

The fans fire up and Trish is a bit dazed. Rachael brings her up to WRING the arm! Trish clutches her arm but Rachael runs to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The Infantry is annoyed on Trish’s behalf but Rachael mocks their finger guns. Rachael fireman’s carries but Trish fights it! Rachael still tries but Trish rains down elbows! Trish wrenches and PELES the arm! Trish goes for that arm and WRINGS Rachael out! The fans rally and duel, the Infantry tell the haters to shut up, but Trish has plenty of fans. Trish slaps Rachael’s arm to the rhythm, then drags her up. Trish wrenches, hammerlocks, and she RAMS Rachael into buckles!

Trish then ARM-DRAGS Rachael, and she pushes Rachael down to a cover. TWO, and the fans rally up. Carlie & Captain Dean coach Trish to keep on Rachael. Trish reels Rachael in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect and Trish grows frustrated. Trish stalks Rachael, full nelsons, but Rachael breaks free to waistlock. Trish switches, Rachael ELBOWS her, then ROCKS her! And UPPER- NO, Trish hooks her to a backslide! Rachael rolls through but into LARIAT TUBMAN!! Cover, Trish wins!

Winner: Trish Adora, by pinfall

It didn’t need to be technical, but it was still clean! No flaws in the game plan, will Shane Taylor Promotions soon have both ROH Pure Championships?

Red Velvet speaks.

“Everyone keeps talking about the Pure Women’s Title. Uh, I’m sorry, did I get canceled? Let’s not worry about a title no one has won yet. What we should be worrying about is: Who is winning? Up here I’ve been winning, I’ve been winning everywhere. As a matter of fact, I can even win in Mexico! Just ask La Catalina who’s been winning. I put the R in ROH. I put the V in TV champion! And I will continue to show that each and every night. I think I’m gonna deliver some cake, too. I’m gonna drive a car, I’ll fly a plane, I’ll even deliver it special, hand made, to anyone’s front door. You know why? Because I show up, I show out, and I stir it up.”

The Chef is ready to serve a fresh batch of L’s, but who will step up and get served?

Cole Karter & Griff Garrison w/ The Frat House VS The Dark Order!

Win or lose, they booze. But they also like to punk out pledges and look down on pretty much everyone else that isn’t in their fraternity. But will Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds show it is all about quality, not quantity? Or will the Diamond in the Rough and the Ivy League MVP show size matters?

The teams sort out, but Jacked Jameson seems to give this week’s pledges some instructions. Karter and Reynolds step up, they keep the Code of Honor, and the bell rings. They circle, the fans rally, and the two tie up. Reynolds wrenches but Karter ROCKS him! Karter CLUBS him, then ROCKS Alex again. Karter whips, Reynolds reverses, but Karter KICKS him away! Karter taunts Uno and the fans boo, but Reynolds LARIATS Karter down! The fans fire up and Reynolds rains down fists! Reynolds stands Karter up to UPPERCUT, then UPPERCUTS again! Reynolds whips, Karter reverses, but Reynolds ducks ‘n’ dodges.

Karter scoops but Reynolds slips free to waistlock. Karter goes to ropes and Griff tags in as Karter bucks the O’Conner Roll. Reynolds stands, Karter throws hands, and then Griff BOOTS Reynolds down! Griff BLASTS Uno for good measure and the fans boo. The Frat boys reel Reynolds in, but Uno saves him from the double suplex! The Dark Order SMACK Karter & Griff, then we get stereo swivels, and stereo NECKBREAKERS! Uno hustles back to the corner, tags in, and he climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, and Uno goes all the way to eight, then hits nine, then ten, then ELEVEN! The fans cheer, and Uno reels Griff in!

Uno suplexes, and stalls for ONE before the SLAM! Cover, ONE!! Griff toughs it out but the fans rally up. Uno CHOPS Griff, then whips, only for Griff to reverse. Vance trips Uno up! Uno swings on the former Number 10, but then Griff runs in. Uno TOSSES Griff out onto Vance! The fans cheer, Uno builds speed, but Karter trips Uno! The fans boo as Karter drags Uno out and LARIATS! Karter soaks up the heat, puts Uno in the ring, and Griff rolls in. Griff tags Karter, the Frat mugs Uno, and Karter suplexes! Cover, TWO! Karter drags Uno up, bumps him off buckles, and he tags Griff. The mugging continues and the ref reprimands.

Griff brings Uno around, whips and ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! Uno stays in this and the fans rally. Griff drags Uno to the ropes and CHOKES him! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, and Griff stops at 4. Vance mockingly asks Uno, “What do you say?” Uno swipes at Vance, but Griff CLUBS Uno. Tag to Karter, but Uno fights back with forearms and elbows! The fans fire up but the Frat keeps Uno back! They sends him into the corner, then taunt Reynolds. Karter runs up and SPLASHES! Griff runs up and BOOTS! Then Griff feeds Uno to Karter’s DROPKICK! Cover, Reynolds breaks it! And ROCKS Griff!

The ref reprimands and backs Reynolds off. Griff taunts Reynolds, Karter CLUBS Uno, and Uno bails out. The pledges mug Uno! The fans boo but they put Uno back in the ring. Karter CLUBS Uno, bumps him off buckles, and tags Griff. The Frat continues to mug Uno, then Griff runs in, but into a BOOT! Uno ELBOWS Karter, TOSSES Griff out, and then he BOOTS Karter for a DDT! The fans fire up while Uno and Karter are down! Uno crawls, the fans rally, but Griff is back. Griff anchors a foot, but Uno kicks him away! Hot tag to Reynolds! The fans fire up as Reynolds dodges Griff, BOOTS Karter, and then dodges Griff!

Griff runs into Karter, Reynolds comes back to ELBOW Griff! Then Reynolds runs to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Reynolds LARIATS Karter up and out! Griff is back but Reynolds dodges to DROPKICK! Reynolds kips up, the fans fire up, and Reynolds runs to DIVE! Down goes Karter into the railing! The fans fire up and Reynolds hurries up. But the Frat distracts the ref so the Pledges can drag Reynolds down! But Reynolds dodges their double lariat, and Uno runs in with DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up and Reynolds climbs! DIVING STOMPS to the back! Griff writhes, Reynolds tags Uno, and the fans fire up more!

Uno reels Griff in, Gory Especial, and Reynolds jumps up, GORY CODE BREAKER!! Jameson distracts the ref, Vance drags Reynolds out and TOSSES him! Uno is furious, but Karter has the paddle! Uno takes the paddle from him! The ref sees the paddle, he and Uno tug-o-war over it and Uno gives it up. Uno explains it was The Frat! But speaking of, Jameson argues with the ref, and Vance DISCUS LARIATS!! Griff covers, the fans boo, but the Frat House wins!

Winners: The Frat House, by pinfall

When it’s 6v2, of course the Frat House wins. Did The Pledges earn their place on the team? Will the Dark Order ever return to former glory?

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

Beach Break is only getting bigger as ROH World Champion, Bandido, joins forces with Brody King and NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, Tomohiro Ishii, against their common enemies in the Don Callis Family! Will the Most Wanted, the King of Death and the Stone Pitbull stand tall in Chicago? Or will Lance Archer, Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta win big for the family?

8 Man Tag: The Sons of Texas VS MXM Collection & The Premier Athletes!

Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara may be battling CRU on Collision for a chance at the AEW World Tag Team Championships, but they still need to be wary of everyone coming for the ROH World and Six Man Tag Team Championships. But will Dustin, Sammy & The Von Erichs handle their business? Or will this rather eclectic combination grab up some golden tickets?

And of course, Mark Sterling has to talk… “Alright, Bobby, quiet down, hit the bricks, I’ll take it from here. Everyone knows Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese, and we are the Premier Athletes!” The fans boo, but Sterling tells the fans that we’re here in the “Big D.” But judging from the people in the crowd, this is more like the Small D. Mansoor & Mason laugh at that inappropriate comment, but Sterling says all they need tonight is the tip! So they will ask MXM and all the fans here to join in on the pregame cheers. When he says, “Athletes,” you say, “Rule,” nothing else. “Hands in, boys. Ohh…! ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!” Gottee!

Sterling’s inability to learn from his mistakes continues, and now the Sons of Texas make their entrance! The teams sort out and the fans already fire up for Sammy and Dustin. In the end, Marshall Von Erich starts against Daivari, and they tie up. Daivari pulls hair to put Marshall in the corner, tags to Nese, and the Athletes mug Marshall! They stop to shout, “ATHLETES!” The fans shout, “SUCK!” Nese is annoyed and he UPPERCUTS Marshall! Tag to Mason, he tags Mansoor, and MXM double whip to DOUBLE ELBOW! Then POSE! The fans are torn, but then MXM tip touch and DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Mansoor covers, TWO!

Mansoor drags Marshall up to ROCK him and CHOP him! Mansoor whips Marshall but Marshall reverses. Marshall BACKDROPS Mansoor, tags Ross, and sends Ross in at the corner. Ross BOOTS Mansoor, Marshall LARIATS, then snapmare for Ross’ PENALTY KICK! Marshall hits a STANDING MOONSAULT! Ross covers, TWO! Ross brings Mansoor over, tags Sammy, and Sammy KICKS Mansoor in the side! The fans cheer as Sammy whips, hurdles, backflips, and DROPKICKS! Sammy kips up and the fans cheer more. Sammy takes a bow, then he POSES! Sammy points to Dustin and the fans fire up more!

Sammy wrenches Mansoor, points again, but Mansoor kicks low! Mansoor sucker punches Dustin, blows a kiss to the fans, but Sammy blocks a kick. Sammy FLIPS Mansoor and Mansoor lands on his stomach! Mansoor flounders while Sammy tags Ross. Ross brings Mansoor around, whips, but Mansoor reverses, only to claim arm pain. This distracts the ref so Sterling can trip Ross up! Ross grabs at Mark but Mason grabs Ross! Mason drags Ross through the ropes, the ref has to keep Marshall back now, and Mansoor uses this opening to hit a DRAPING SENTON to the apron! The fans boo but Mansoor poses, and Mason stomps Ross!

Mansoor tags Daivari, he puts Ross in, and Daivari stomps Ross. Daivari throws KNEE after KNEE into Ross, then clamps on a chinlock. Ross endures, the fans rally, and Sterling tries to get an “Athletes Rule!” going, only for the fans to shout back, “ATHLETES SUCK!” Ross fights up, fires body shots, then he KICKS! But Daivari CLAWS Ross’ face! Daivari turns Ross for a NECKBREAKER! Daivari goes up, up, and “ATHLETES!” FLOP!! The fans fire up as Daivari’s “Magic Carpet Ride” crashes ‘n’ burns! Daivari and Ross crawl for their corners, hot tags to Nese and Dustin! Detroit fires up for The Natural as he rallies on Nese!

Dustin whips, Nese reverses, but Dustin says, “Not Today!” UPPERCUT! Nese staggers into the SNAP POWERSLAM! Dustin fires up, the fans are with him, but Daivari runs in! SNAP POWERSLAM! Nese ROCKS Dustin, fireman’s carries, but Dustin dragon sleepers! CROSS RHODES! Cover, MXM breaks it! The fans boo but Sammy DUMPS Mason out, and Ross TOSSES Mansoor! Dustin drags Nese up, tags Marshall, but Sterling trips Marshall up! Nese then shoves Dustin into Marshall! Dustin falls, Nese grabs Marshall, but Sammy JUMP KNEES Nese! Sammy goes up, but Mason catches him!

Mansoor joins in, MXM sets Sammy up for DRAG THE LAKE!! Or perhaps some fashion themed nickname. THe fans boo, but then the Von Erichs DOUBLE DROPKICK MXM! Mansoor falls, Mason stays up, so the Von Erichs DOUBLE DROPKICK him! Daivari runs in, he DECKS Ross but Marshall LARIATS Daivari! Nese rolls Marshall, with tights! TWO!! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Nese and Marshall fall but Sterling gets on the apron. Dustin grabs Sterling and TOSSES him in! The fans fire up as Dustin puts Smart Mark in the corner, and opens him up! Sterling begs for mercy, but Dustin doesn’t have to hold back!

Dustin ROCKS Sterling, then winds up, and Detroit is rocking! Double bird and SHATTERED DREAMS!! But then Mason grabs Dustin by the neck! Sammy hits a CUTTER on Mason! Nese runs up to CLUB Dustin! MXM & The Athletes beat up on the ROH World Six Man Champs! They CHOP, then triple whip! But Dustin gives Mansoor a DESTROYER! And then The Von Erichs clamp on DOUBLE IRON CLAWS!! The fans are thunderous as the Athletes go down! They TAP, the Sons of Texas win!

Winners: The Sons of Texas, by submission

MXM is in retreat while the Premier Athletes have massive headaches. But as the Sons of Texas celebrate their win, CRU shows up! Lio Rush & Action Andretti swagger out on stage, and they stare down with Dustin & Sammy. There’s a Collision on the horizon, but who walks away ready to fight the Hurt Syndicate?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH clocking in at about 48 minutes, but it also felt more like a go-home to Beach Break Collision this Saturday. For one, they advertised a Six Man Tag that Dynamite should’ve mentioned but I guess it was just made on the fly. Then we get Yuta winning easy so that he has momentum going against Hobbs. I would think Hobbs wins that, but Death Riders might interfere even then. And then a great 8 Man Tag main event but I figured the Faces would win. CRU showing up at the end trying to intimidate Dustin & Sammy continues to give off chihuahua vibes. Dustin & Sammy are definitely winning at Collision, and as I said for Dynamite, there could be a chance for Titles VS Titles at Double or Nothing, but that would only tank the ROH Tag Division.

Speaking of, good stuff from Dark Order VS Frat House, but of course Frat House won using a lot of cheating. The Dark Order can only hope John Silver is cleared soon, or that they start bringing in new members, perhaps from the existing roster that isn’t doing anything. They let the Nick Comoroto & Jacoby Watts story fall through, maybe Comoroto could be the new big muscle guy. Good return match from Trish and Rachael. Trish gets a solid win, but with three spots in the tournament left open, they both could get in on merit and past win-loss record.

Red Velvet had a very good promo, and I do like her angle of talking down on a title that has yet to be won. A little curious as to where her story is going, and I continue to ask: Where is Athena? Why isn’t TK figuring out how her story with Diamante and Billie Starkz is supposed to go? Is he just putting them on hold until we’re closer to All In: Texas? I still don’t know the business story behind why Supercard of Honor was delayed, but it has wrecked a lot of the wrestling stories ROH had going. Let’s hope the latter half of this year is better for ROH.

My Score: 8.7/10