Coverage
Mitchell’s NXT TakeOver: Toronto Results & Report! (8/10/19)
WWE begins its weekend with a takeover!
NXT takes over Toronto!
To settle the score between Johnny Wrestling and Adam Cole BAYBAY, they will put each other through Three Stages of Hell! Will things be settled in the standard wrestling match and Street Fight? Or will William Regal’s mystery third fall be revealed?!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS The Undisputed Era; The Street Profits win and retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.
- Io Shirai VS Candice LeRae; Shirai wins.
- NXT North American Championship Triple Threat: Velveteen Dream VS Roderick Strong VS Pete Dunne; Dream wins and retains the NXT North American Championship.
- NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler VS Mia Yim; Baszler wins and retains the NXT Women’s Championship.
- NXT Championship Three Stages of Hell, standard match: Adam Cole VS Johnny Gargano; Cole wins the first fall, by disqualification.
- NXT Championship Three Stages of Hell, Street Fight: Adam Cole VS Johnny Gargano; Gargano wins the second fall.
- NXT Championship Three Stages of Hell, Asylum Steel Cage: Adam Cole VS Johnny Gargano; Cole wins the final fall, and retains the NXT Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the TakeOver Kickoff Show!
Join Charly Caruso, Sam Roberts and Pat McAfee as they recap and predict all the action tonight in Toronto!
NXT Media talks with The Undisputed Era.
Cole VS Gargano III is just another chance for Cole to put his stamp on the title, and prove Gargano is just a lesser Adam Cole. At the end of tonight, the Undisputed WILL stand atop the mountain as THE champions, #DrapedInGold 2019! Cole is Undisputed, Unrelenting, and Unstoppable. But will Gargano find a way to shock Cole’s system by the end of their 2 out of 3 Falls rematch?
NXT Media catches up with Johnny Gargano.
“2016, DIY VS The Revival, 2 out of 3 Falls, 2016 Match of the Year!” Gargano won in Toronto, in such a match, and he’ll use tonight’s match to beat the hell out of Cole! William Regal may have a surprise third fall, but it won’t be needed. Tonight, Gargano cements his legacy, goes to war and goes through hell to once again become THE NXT Champion!Will it happen? Or is Cole’s prophecy truly Undisputed?
NXT GM William Regal speaks.
“Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano are hell bent on annihilating each other”. And if they need to go to the third fall, he could explain his plans, but Regal wants us to see it. It will be… a steel cage with barbed wire and an arsenal of weapons?! What kind of carnage will be unleashed should this third and final fall be needed!?
Toronto, the takeover begins… NOW!
Evil Genius settles a grudge with a former friend. Champions fight to fend off a prophecy. And only ONE man will survive Three Stages of Hell to come out with the gold. Toronto, tonight will either be Undisputed, or Unsainted!!
NXT Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS The Undisputed Era!
Toronto knows something about tag team classics, and we might be in store for another! Can Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins deny the prophecy right off the bat? Or will Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish bring it one step closer to reality?
The Profits rep the Raptors as the introductions are made. The belts are raised and the teams sort out, and we begin with Dawkins and O’Reilly. They circle and fans duel already. Dawkins and O’Reilly tie up, break, tie up again, and Kyle kicks. Dawkins powers Kyle to a corner and shouts, “You think I’m a joke?!” Dawkins then calms down to pat Kyle on the head. Kyle SLAPS Dawkins and that angers him! The ref pulls Dawkins off Kyle and the two go again. Dawkins catches a kick then dumps Kyle down with a slam! Dawkins floats all over O’Reilly, then slams him again. Kyle scrambles and reaches, but slips down to trip Dawkins up. Dawkins shoves him away to run him over. Kyle kicks back then brings Dawkins over to tag in Fish.
Fish throws hands then whips, but Dawkins hurdles him to run him over! Dawkins tags Ford and whips Fish for Ford to dropkick him! Ford mocks the Undisputed hand signs, then snapmares Fish to a cover. ONE, but Ford just barks at Fish. Tag to Dawkins and the Profits work on Fish’s arm with a wrench and ax handles. Dawkins wrenches Fish then trades forearms. Ford tags in and gives another ax handle to the arm. Ford wrenches but Fish throws more forearms. Ford ROCKS Fish with a right but Fish comes back with knees and body shots. Fish kicks a leg out then throws Ford out. Tag to Kyle and Ford gets in to throw hands. Kyle gets Ford from behind then throws more knees. Fans duel as Ford takes shots in the corner.
Kyle whips Ford but Ford reverses. Ford stays away from Kyle as he goes up and over, and then the two trade kicks only to evade them. Kyle avoids the standing moonsault but not the arm-drag! Fish runs into an arm-drag, then Kyle gets a dropkick! Fans fire up with Ford as he tags Dawkins in. The Profits make Kyle a bridge, for a leap frog attack! Fish runs in again but he gets a double flapjack! Kyle hotshots Dawkins but Ford goes over to the apron. Kyle dodges and Fish sweeps the legs! Ford goes down hard and now Kyle goes after Dawkins. Dawkins throws big foraerms then whips. Kyle holds ropes and leads Dawkins on a chase. Tag to Fish but Dawkins uppercuts Kyle! Dawkins scoops Fish for a hotshot, then cyclone clotheslines Kyle in the corner. Fish elbows Dawkins down! Fish mugs Dawkins in the Undisputed corner, then runs in for a big knee.
Kyle tags in and Fish holds Dawkins for Kyle’s forearm smash. Kyle kicks and strikes and sweeps Dawkins down! Toronto cheers the Canadian as he covers, TWO! Kyle keeps on Dawkins with big elbows and knees from all sides. Kyle runs to slide a knee in, and Dawkins is gasping for air. Fans return to dueling as Fish tags in. Kyle keeps Dawkins down for Fish’s senton atomico! Cover, TWO! Fish brings Dawkins up and around for a snap suplex and cover, TWO! Fish drags Dawkins back over but Dawkins fights back. But Fish gives him a Samoan Drop for it! Tag to Kyle and Fish has a leg. Kyle stomps Dawkins then grounds ‘n’ pounds from all sides! Fans fire up with Kyle’s aggression while he taunts Ford. Kyle facelocks and grinds Dawkins down but fans rally up. Dawkins fights to his feet and towards his corner. Kyle throws big forearms but Dawkins gives them back! Dawkins gets the edge but Kyle kicks him down!
Tag to Fish and Fish swings on Ford. Ford gets clear, Dawkins back drops Fish! Tag to Ford! Ford rallies with fire on Fish! Fish reverses a whip, but Ford hurdles him to come back with a leaping lariat! Kyle runs in but gets a SUPERKICK! Fish has Ford in a suplex but Ford slips out to give it back! Ford handsprings to a standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Fish staggers up but Ford dodges for a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up again as Ford decides to reference the People’s Champion! Ford runs side to side, but Kyle disrupts that! Ford dumps Fish out onto Kyle! Then Ford gets that Penalty Kick on Kyle! Ford goes back to Fish, ROCK BOTTOM! Cover, TWO!! Borrowing the Great One’s move is not enough, Ford drags Fish over. Kyle gets in and boots Dawkins! Ford rocks Kyle but Fish chop blocks Ford!
Fish tags Kyle, and now reDRagon has Ford, draping butterfly DDT to boosted wheelbarrow suplex! Cover, TWO! Kyle is furious as Ford survives! “This is Awesome!” and it’s just the beginning of the night! Kyle puts Ford up top and wrenches the foot! Ford fights but Fish tags in. Fish throws body shots and then gets in to adjust Ford’s position. Fish climbs but Ford resists the superplex. Ford throws hands, but Fish gives them back. Ford SLAPS Fish down off the top! But Kyle anchors Ford long enough for Fish to sweep the legs! Fish climbs up and Kyle tags back in. Fish has Ford way up, SUPER EXPLODER! Kyle leaps with SUPER KNEE DROP! Achilles Heel Hook!! Ford flails and endures, crawls and reaches, but Kyle just wriggles and wrenches that leg! Fish drops a headbutt outta nowhere! And Kyle just puts the pressure on more! But Dawkins returns and barrels through Fish to slam him onto Kyle!! Fans are giving a standing ovation!
All four men stir and regroup. Ford crawls but Kyle gets a leg. Fans rally up as Ford glares. Ford kicks free, hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins shoves Kyle into Fish, then hits Fish with the cyclone! Bulldog! Kyle knees low and Ax, but Dawkins gives him the Smash! Kyle rebounds, but into a T-Bone Suplex! Fans fire up as Dawkins does! Dawkins runs, but into a knee! Ford tags in as Kyle gets Dawkins in a guillotine. Ford gives Kyle a BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, but Fish breaks it! All four men are down again and Toronto is still at that fever pitch! The teams regroup again and slowly stand on wobbly legs. The Undisputed Era punch, but the Profits return it. Undisputed, Profits, repeat! The brawls get fast and furious! Ford rocks Fish, Kyle rocks Ford, Dawkins gets caught, but Ford hits Fish! Kyle knees Dawkins, and now it’s just him and Ford again!
Ford throws hands but Kyle gives a discus elbow. Kyle whips but Ford reverses and sends him into Fish! SUPERKICK sends Kyle out, and Ford FLIES! He wipes them both out! Ford puts Kyle in as Dawkins gets Fish. Dawkins SPEARS Kyle! Then SPEARS Fish! Ford climbs, WORLD STAR FROG SPLASH! Cover, The Profits win!!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall; still NXT Tag Team Champions
The Prophecy is already denied for the night! Will the Undisputed Era be able to come back around before the year is over?
Io Shirai VS Candice LeRae!
The Evil Genius had such bright dreams coming into NXT. But after dealing with the Queen of Spades, that light faded. Now she is dark and ruthless, and wants to start her way back by getting rid of someone who she sees as only in her way. Will Shirai’s new outlook be what she needs to get where she wants to be? Or will Mrs. Wrestling shed some light on Genius of the Sky?
Candie goes right at Shirai before the bell! The referee tries to keep the peace, then the bell finally rings. Shirai bails out but Candice slides and wrecks her with a dropkick! She puts Shirao back in but Shirai hits her with a forearm. Shirai leaps out but Candice denies the sunset flip bomb! So Shirai just trips her up! Shirai brings Candice over to suplex onto the announce desk!! Toronto is shocked at Shirai’s viciousness! Candice flops off the table as Shirai goes to the ring. The ring count begins but Candice crawls over very slowly. The count hits 5, but Candice keeps trying. Candice stands at 8 and hurries in at 9.5! But Shirai dropkicks Candice right down, then rains rights. Fans boo Shirai’s lack of mercy, but Shirai doesn’t care what fans think.
Shirai whips Candice and hits a flapjack! Then she goes sideways for another dropkick! She sits on Candice for a cover, TWO! Fans duel as Shirai pulls Candice back in a chinlock. Shirai digs a knee into Candice’s back but Candice fights her way up. Candice powers Shirai into buckles then again. She snampares Shirai out, then tilt-o-whirls for headscissors. But Shirai handsprings through! Shirai dropkicks Candice again! Shirai stomps Candice into a modified camel clutch. The chinbar twists Candice’s head around, but Candice fights her way up. Candice pops free but Shirai kicks and Alabama lifts. Shirai has Candice’s head, for a running Air Raid Crash! Cover, TWO! Candice survives but Shirai keeps her cool. Shirai stomps Candice then drags her up into underhooks. Candice drops down to block the lift, then back drops Shirai up and over!
Shirai runs in at the corner but Candice puts her on the apron. Shirai hits back and hotshots Candice down. Shirai climbs and aims, missile dropkick misses as Candice dodges! Candice gets up as fans rally. Candice throws forearms and CHOPS on Shirai! She backs Shirai down to a corner and fires off! The ref counts and Candice lets up at 4. Candice runs in for a back elbow, then she suplexes Shirai to a brain buster! Cover, TWO! Candice keeps her cool and brings Shirai back up. Shirai shoves then scoops Candice, but Candice tilt-o-whirls into the Iron Octopus! Candice twists Shirai around, and uses her free leg to knee Shirai in the head! But Shirai powers through to a ropebreak! Candice lets go of Shirai and gets space. Candice runs in but is put on the ropes! Shirai dials it up, Tiger Feint CAUGHT! Into a hanging neckbreaker! Candice covers, TWO!
Shirai gets to a corner but Candice is on her. Candice puts Shirai up top and CHOPS her. Candice climbs up to join Shirai but Shirai dropkicks Candice out! Shirai runs to 619 Candice in the back of the head! Candice is dazed but Shirai isn’t done with her. Shirai drags Candice up, suplexes her, but Candice slips into the ring to shove Shirai down. Candice DIVES for a Tornado DDT!! Candice puts Shirai in then climbs up again, dumdum stomps! Cover, TWO!! Shirai survives and Candice can’t believe it! Candice drags Shirai up but Shirai pulls hair! Candice swings but into a CROSSFACE! Shirai pulls back on that bad neck, but Candice rolls it to a cover, TWO! BOOT from Shirai to Candice! Shirai runs, but into a forearm! Candice runs, but into a forearm smash! Shirai baits Candice into a German Suplex! But Candice sits up, and side steps Shirai to give her a German back!
Fans fire up as Candice springboards, but into a waistlock! And another German! Bridge, TWO!! Shirai is too tired to be shocked, but Toronto rallies up. Fans duel as Shirai hits a METEORA in the corner! Then she steps on Candice as she climbs up. But Candice is up to climb, SUPER GERMAN but Shirai lands on her feet!! But then Candice baits her into buckles! Candice climbs but Shirai yanks her down! Shirai fireman’s carries, pops up, REVERSE RANA from Candice! Cover, TWO!? Shirai flounders but Candice puts her on the top rope. Candice climbs up as fans cheer for “NXT! NXT!” LeRae’s Wild Ride!! Cover, TWO?! Shirai survives again and fans know “This is Awesome!” The referee checks on both women but they’re okay to continue.
Candice sits up first and heads back up. Shirai SHORYUKENS her first! Shirai climbs up and has Candice, SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Candice is as superhuman as her husband, Johnny Wrestling! And Shirai can’t believe it! “Mamma Mia!” Shirai slaps Candice, but Candice slaps back! Cradle, TWO! Backslide, but Shirai slips through, underhooks, to TIGER BACKBREAKER! Shirai puts Candice in the drop zone, jumps up, and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!?!? Shirai is losing her mind, but so are the fans! Shirai fires off furious hands on Candice, then rolls her into a butterfly Koji Klutch! She traps Candice’s arms and now she starts fading! Candice is OUT, Shirai wins!!
Winner: Io Shirai, by submission
And the Evil Genius has won! She shows what she is capable of when she burns all the bridges, but will Shirai blaze a path to the NXT Women’s Championship?
“Bro, bro, bro, bro, bro!”
Matt Riddle is here?! And he’s not having any of this! “This is TakeOver: Toronto!” He knows Killian Dain is here somewhere, so he wants Dain’s “hairy ass” to get out here and fight like a bro! Off come the sandals! Riddle looks all over, and spots Big Damo coming in from the crowd! The fight begins again! Riddle backs Dain down but Dain knees back. Riddle just keeps firing off, but Dain backs him down. Dain has Riddle against the apron for a BOOT! He still clubs Riddle down, and out come referees. Riddle fights back and gets Dain down. Toronto wants to “Let Them Fight!” but Dain stomps Riddle’s bare feet before making a retreat. But Riddle runs him down on the stage! Riddle throws more hands, but Dain grabs his ears and eyes! Dain has Riddle reeling, but Riddle still gets him with a Bro Trigger! And another! Riddle’s Final Flash has Dain down, and Riddle goes to ground ‘n’ pound!
Fans boo as security rushes out to stop this. Riddle fights them off! Roundhouses and knee triggers and Bro To Sleeps for all! But the DIVIDE steamrolls Riddle! Dain wants to rip Riddle apart but the security drags him away. Dain kicks and punches them all away, but Riddle hops on for a sleeper! So Dain just takes him into the LED walls! Riddle holds on but not after the second. He just hops on again, but Dain heads for the edge of the stage! Dain brings Riddle and a security guard with him off onto a bunch of tables!! Toronto loses their minds over the pure insanity! And Dain just laughs as he gets up from the wreckage. What will it take for this battle between Bro and Beast to come to an end?
NXT North American Championship Triple Threat: Velveteen Dream VS Roderick Strong VS Pete Dunne!
The Undisputed Era’s prophecy already hit a speed bump against the Street Profits, but the Savior of the Backbreaker could get them back on track. However, now that the Bruiserweight has invaded from NXT UK to NXT USA, will history be the longest reigning United Kingdom Champion? Or can Dream survive sharing the spotlight with two opponents?
A dance team celebrates the Toronto Raptors being the 2019 NBA Champions with a quick tribute to the Mountie. And then of course, here comes the North American Champion himself! After Dream comes Strong, which of course leaves Dunne for last. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin this test for the champion!
Dream poses and the fans cheer. He mocks Dunne’s pose, but Strong wants them paying attention to him. Dream hushes Strong, but Strong decks him! Strong fights off Dunne then clotheslines Dream out. Dunne and Strong brawl, and Strong CHOPS Dunne down! Dunne throws hands back then powers out of a headlock. Things speed up, and Dunne lariats Strong down! Dunne has Strong’s arm and twists it around while Dream flounders in. Strong gets clear of the stomp but Dream clotheslines Strong out. Dream poses but Dunne shoulder bumps him. The straps come OFF, but Strong drags Dunne out! Strong rams Dunne into the apron but gets hands from Dream. Dream runs into the corner to rain down rights. Strong shoves him away at 5, but runs into an elbow. Dream hops up for flying ax handles! Dream trips Strong and wants the legs, but Strong scrambles away to ropes.
Strong shoves Dream away but Dunne is back. Strong sees he’s surrounded, and gets a SLAP from Dunne! And a forearm from Dunne! Strong flounders up, Dunne feeds him to Dream’s dropkick! Dream and Dunne seem to agree Strong is the problem. Dream wrenches Strong’s arm into the hammerlock, and Dunne stomps it for him! Dream bumps Strong off buckles,t hen feed shim to Dunne’s back drop! Strong is out, but Dream swivels those hips at Dunne. Dream waves hi, but then he and Dunne tie up. Dream arm-drags but Dunne headscissors. Dream pops out then wrenches into the sidewinder, but Dunne powers out and gets him an armbar takedown! Dream makes it a cover, TWO! Fireman’s carry but Dunne escapes. Dunne pump-handles, but Dream escapes a Bitter End! Only for Strong to split his wishbone!
Dunne chases Strong but gets wrecked with a dropkick! Strong back suplexes Dream onto the apron! And then back suplexes Dunne onto the barriers! And then he throws him on Dream! Fans fire up as Strong stands tall! Strong drags Dunne up and CHOPS him against apron! Strong puts Dunne in the ring for a cover, TWO! He stomps Dunne then brings Dunne up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Strong has Dunne in a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow, but Dunne endures. Strong hooks Dunne’s mouth, but Dunne pushes him away. Strong dropkicks Dunne right down! Then clotheslines Dream back out! Cover, TWO! Strong drags Dunne up again, rams his shoulder in then CHOPS! Dunne hits a forearm, and now it’s a scrappy brawl! Strong knees low, then scoops for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO!
Dream flies in with an ax handle on Strong! Dream rallies with haymakers, but Strong reverses the whip. Dream kicks and clotheslines Strong, then Russian Leg Sweeps! Cover, TWO! Dream drags Strong up to give Strong a backbreaker! Dream goes to a corner, climbs up, and leaps for a short elbow drop. Then he goes for the legs, and gets a Sharpshooter! The Hitman would be proud! Strong endures but Dunne climbs up! Dunne missile dropkicks Dream down! Dream falls out of the ring, but Dunne slingshots out. Dream dodges and rocks Dunne, but then Strong wrecks Dream with a dropkick! Dunne climbs to moonsault them both down! All three men are down, but the fans are fired up!
Dunne puts Strong in and Strong flounders to a corner. Dunne whips but Strong reverses. Dunne goes up and over to enziguri! Dream runs in but only gets Strong! Dunne German Suplexes Dream, then throws Strong on Dream! Cover on Dream, TWO! Fans rally up again as Dunne grabs an arm from each man. He stomps them both down back and forth! But they both kick him back! Now Dream and Strong work together on Dunne, but then start throwing hands with each other! Dunne shrugs and goes after them both! It’s a furious triangle of punches! Strong rocks Dunne, Dream boots Strong, Strong booots and enziguris Dream, but Dunne enziguris Strong! Dunne stands up, then stomps both men’s hands! Buzzsaw into Strong! Dream SUPERKICKS Dunne, then fireman’s carry, Dream Valley! But Olympic Slam from Strong to Dream, X-Plex from Dunne to Strong! All three men are down again, but the fans are still fired up, because “This is Awesome!” all over again.
Dream climbs to the top rope, but Dunne hurries over. Dunne forearms Dream down then drags him back up top. Dream resists, throws a big haymaker, then adjusts. But Dunne gets his fingers! Strong goes after Dunne with clubbing forearms. Dunne still goes after Dream but Strong climbs up to SUPER OLYMPIC SLAM Dunne! Dunne ends up SUPER ARM-DRAGGING Dream! All three men are down for the third time but fans still cheer. Strong is up first, followed by Dream and Dunne. Fans rally and Dream flounders to the far side. Strong goes over and throws big hands. Dream flops out but Dunne gets Strong in a Triangle Hold! Strong deadlifts to a backbreaker! Strong drags Dunne up again, underhook, but Dunne makes it a Triangle again!
Strong drags Dunne to a corner but there are no ropebreaks in a Triple Threat! Dream is up across the way, COAST2COAST PURPLE RAIN MAKER!! Dunne is down and Strong is free, but Dream didn’t have the best landing, either. Fans hope these three “Fight Forever!” but this does need to end. Strong KNEES Dream! Then KNEES Dunne! Strong goes side to side to forearm smash both men in a row! then the other way! Then back! Strong gives Dream the face slam, then underhooks Dune to powerbomb him ON Dream! But he won’t cover, he goes for a DOUBLE STRONG HOLD! Strong is his strongest tonight as both men endure the hold! Dream and Dunne work their way out and Strong can’t hold them both. Strong grabs Dream again but Dream kicks him away. Strong goes for Dunne but Dunne gets those fingers! SUPERKICK sends Strong into Dunne!
Dream gets both men in the fireman’s carry, but can’t hold them. Dunne has Dream’s fingers, and then whips Dream into Strong’s knee! Dunne takes a hand each, double SNAP! Pump-handle, BITTER END! But Dream distracts the ref! Now the ref counts, but Dream intercepts the hand! Dunne is seething as he stomps the arm! Dunne has Dream’s legs, and he puts on a Figure Four deathlock, into a surfboard STOMP! Dream is out and Dunne glares at his old foe, Strong. Strong dodges the kick to forearm away on Dunne! Strong fireman’s carries but Dunne slips out, pump-handle, but Strong slips out. Strong Germans but Dunne lands to buzzsaw! Dunne runs but into a roll, and Boston Crab! Into the Strong Hold! But Dream tosses Strong out! Dream has Dunne, fireman’s carry, Dream Valley! Strong throws Dream out! END OF HEARTACHE! Cover, but Dream Purple Rain Makers outta nowhere!! Cover, Dream wins!!
Winner: Velveteen Dream, by pinfall; still NXT North American Champion
Dream snatches victory away from Strong, and this Undisputed Prophecy is anything but! Is it going to be more of an Undisputed Jinx?!
NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler VS Mia Yim!
The Head Baddie ain’t nothing to mess with! She systematically took out the Horsewomen so that #ShaynaTwoTime will have to relearn how to stand on her own two feet. Will the Queen of Spades finally be dethroned? Or is the dream come true coming to an end in Toronto?
Mia has a squad of her own for her entrance, but she’s fighting this fight on her own. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin this battle of badasses!
Mia grins then glares as she circles with Shayna. They tie up and Shayna gets the wristlock. Mia pulls hair and even an ear. Shayna pie faces Mia away, but Mia “apologizes.” Mia and Shayna go again, and Shayna again wants the arm. She hammerlocks but Mia grabs the nose. Shayna trips Mia up but Mia just gets back up. Shayna is thrown off by Mia bending the rules, and now Mia trips her! Mia toys with Shayna, but gets caught into an armbar! Mia resists with the monkey grip, then fish hooks Shayna! Mia rolls but Shayna stays on, so Mia pulls hair! She uses that to roll around again, then get to a ropebreak. Shayna is annoyed as she has to let go. Mia grins again as she arm-drags Shayna around. Mia has Shayna now, and grinds her knee into Shayna’s head.
Shayna gets up and powers out with a whip, but Mia huricanranas Shayna to a corner! Mia runs in to give Shayna a helluva kick! Then a cannonball! Mia watches Shayna roll out of the ring, and DIVES, into a haymaker! Mia crashes and burns while Shayna catches her breath. Shayna drags Mia up and throws her, but Mia throws Shayna into steel steps first! Then wrings her shoulder into them, too! Mia pulls Shayna across the steps, and tucks the arm in! Mia grins again, as she refreshes the cont, to dropkick the steps! Shayna writhes as her arm is jammed, and Mia puts her in the ring. Fans cheer as Mia stalks Shayna in the ring. The ref keeps her back to check on Shayna, but Mia doesn’t care. Mia rushes in but gets tripped up! Shayna buzzsaws back, but still has to back off from her bad arm.
Mia gets to a corner now, but Shayna gives her a big knee! Shayna kicks away on Mia’s arms to even the score. Shayna drags Mia up for a snapmare and another swift kick! Cover, TWO! Shayna goes after Mia’s arm again, stepping on Mia to pull at the wrist. Fans rally as Mia fights Shayna back. Shayna grounds ‘n’ pounds with her one good arm, then keylocks Mia’s arm again. The hair tie comes off, Dream Crusher stomp! Mia now has her own bad arm, but she uses the corner for defense. Shayna still throws hammering shots and snap arm-drags Mia into another keylock. Mia endures and fans rally up. Mia pulls hair again, but Shayna whips Mia at ropes. Shayna gives Mia a kidney shot but that’s her bad arm! Shayna still kicks Mia down, covers, TWO!
Both women shake out the bad arms, but Shayna kicks Mia to the ropes. Shayna wraps Mia’s bad arm around the ropes! She backs off at 4 and works on getting her own bad arm working again. Shayna goes back at Mia in the corner with kicks to the legs. Shayna hammerlocks the bad arm as they stand, and twists the wrist in all directions! Mia screams in pain, but she refuses to quit. Mia claws at Shayna’s back! Mia pulls more hair and throws Shayna down! Then she runs, only for Shayna to clothesline her down! But again, that was Shayna’s own bad arm! Shayna grits her teeth as she covers, TWO! Shayna grows frustrated and wants to go after the bad arm again. Mia still pulls hair, so Shayna shoves her away. Mia rolls Shayna up, TWO!
Mia boots the bad arm then runs, but into a dropkick! Shayna covers, TWO! Between Mia’s toughness and the bad arm, Shayna is growing further upset. Shayna still wants the arm, but Mia gets the ropebreak. The ref counts but Shayna only lets go for a moment. Mia gouges Shayna’s eye! Mia then baits Shayna into a corner, and avoids a kick, to back suplex Shayna down! Both women are down and fans rally up. Shayna and Mia get up but it’s Mia rallying! Mia throws jabs with her good arm, then dodges to redirect Shayna. Shayna follows and runs Mia over! But Mia is up fast to throw more kicks! Mia whips and side steps to overhead suplex! Shayna bails out but Mia fires up! Toronto cheers as she builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit takes out Shayna! Mia gets Shayna in, step-in springboard DDT! Cover, TWO!
Shayna gets to a corner but Mia runs in, only to miss her kick. Shayna hits a knee in the corner! Then runs to Penalty Kick! Cover, TWO! Shayna keeps her cool, and once again goes after the bad arm. Shayna suplexes but Mia slips out. Mia flapjacks Shayna on buckles! Mia goes up and over Shayna to get her in a Tarantula! The ref counts but Mia lets up at 4. Shayna is down but Mia climbs up. Shayna hurries to kick Mia back! Shayna climbs up and clubs away on Mia, and prepares a gut wrench. But the bad arm won’t let her lift! Mia fights Shayna back, climbs up top, and hits a SUPER CODE BLUE!! Cover, TWO!? Shayna survives and Mia cannot believe it! Mia kicks off on Shayna’s bad arm, then runs, but into the KIRAFUDA! But Mia goes after the bad arm! And then headbutts free!
Mia grabs Shayna’s arm, twists it around, and returns the Dream Crusher stomp! Shayna writhes from the karma as she gets a Penalty Kick! Mia wants the armbar, but Shayna resists as hard as she can! Mia scrapes her feet on Shayna’s face! Mia has the arm more, but Shayna pops up and around, KIRAFUDA! Mia flails and endures, going after the bad arm again! Shayna again lets go, but switches to a headscissor hold! Mia flails, taps, Shayna wins!!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission; still NXT Women’s Champion
The Queen of Spades stays on her throne, all on her own! Mia tried so hard to beat Shayna at her own game, but it didn’t work. Will Mia be able to get a second chance? Or is Shayna’s reign of terror going to last until she says it’s done?
NXT Championship Three Stages of Hell, standard match: Adam Cole VS Johnny Gargano!
The epic and heated trilogy of the Panama City Playboy and Johnny Wrestling gets yet another 2 out of 3 Falls style match! But the twist is that things will seemingly escalate to parallel the feud! We start with a simple singles match. Cole has always beaten Gargano in the first fall, can he repeat history to make history? Or is the Undisputed Jinx only going to cost Cole like it has Fish, O’Reilly and Strong?
Gargano represents Wolverine, a Canadian superhero with a healing factor second to Gargano himself! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin just the beginning of this feud’s finale!
Cole and Gargano stare down as fans are already thunderous with dueling. The two finally circle and tie up, and Gargano gets the arm. Gargano wrenches but Cole rolls and rolls to reverse. Gargano rolls back to drop toehold and float to a facelock. Cover, ONE, and the two men back off. The two circle again and tie up. Cole headlocks and brings Gargano to a knee. Gargano powers out but Cole runs him over! Cole brushes off his shoulder but things speed up. Cole waistlocks but Gargano standing switches. Cole bucks Gargano off but Gargano rolls back to trip Cole up! Gargano wants his submission but has to dodge the Last Shot! Cole goes around to try and steal the submission, but has to dodge Gargano stealing his move!
Gargano ducks the mule kick to roll Cole. Cole pops out and both men show superkick to hold each other off. Fans love the stand-off and keep the duel going. Gargano and Cole tie up again and Gargano pushes Cole to a corner. Cole turns it around but then Gargano turns it back. Gargano lets off and Cole kicks a leg out. But Gargano gets clear, knowing what’s coming. Cole still tries his Panama City Sunrise, but Gargano gets under. Gargano kicks back, hops up, but Cole won’t let him steal that. Gargano and Cole fake each other out but Gargano still gets a huricanrana and clothesline! He wrecks Cole with a dropkick, too! Gargano drags Cole into the ring but the fans are dueling strong as ever. Cole goes out the other side, and fakes Gargano out again. Gargano still shoves him away and goes to the apron to kick and leap. Cole gets clear but falls for the bait, and kicks the steel steps! Gargano gives Cole a shinbreaker on the apron!
Gargano drags Cole up and into the ring, then drags his leg out to slam it on the edge! And again! Gargano goes in to grab the leg, and drop knees on the knee. Gargano pulls on the ankle and steps through for a drop toehold. Gargano rolls into a Trailer Hitch! Cole gets a ropebreak, but Gargano lets go. Gargano stalks Cole to the apron and stands on the bad leg. Gargano lets up at 4, to stomp the leg! Gargano wraps the leg on the rope to push on it, but lets up at 4. Cole is on the apron again and fights Gargano back. Gargano enziguris Cole, then slingshots, but into a forearm! Cole shoulders in, but Gargano blocks! Gargano wants to shout-out Ciampa but Cole slips out to drag Gargano out. Cole wheelbarrow suplexes Gargano into the apron! Cole has now evened things with Gargano as he hobbles away. Cole puts Gargano back in and brings him up for a neckbreaker! Gargano writhes and rolls but Cole gets him with knees in the back!
Cole walks off his bad leg but Gargano throws hands from the mat. Fans still duel as Cole brings Gargano up again, for another neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Cole is right on Gargano with a headscissor hold! Gargano endures, then bridges back for a cover, TWO! Cole keeps on the hold and squeezes tight. Gargano refuses to fade out, and fans rally up. Gargano pries the hold off by going after the bad leg! Gargano gets an Ankle Lock! Cole rolls and throws Gargano into buckles! Cole hobbles to a corner and hops up, but Gargano gets clear again. Cole jams his own leg, and turns into Gargano’s overhead suplex! Cole hits buckles again, but both men are down. Fans rally up again and Cole heads for Gargano. Cole throws a forearm but Gargano gives it back. They go back and forth, but Cole ducks one, only to get clotheslines from Gargano.
Gargano kicks out the bad leg! Then running CHOPS in the corner! Gargano whips Cole into buckles then rolls him, Listo Kick! Cole crawls to a corner, and puts Gargano on the apron. Gargano slingshots, but the spear is caught! Suplex but Gargano fights out. Gargano hooks Cole, Aoi Shoudou! Cover, TWO! Gargano keeps his cool while Cole goes to a corner. Gargano throws haymakers and CHOPS, then climbs up to rain down lefts! He gets 5 but Cole slips out. Gargano avoids the mule kick to double stomp Cole’s leg! Cole writhes in pain, but Gargano gets the leg for a Figure Four! “WOO~” echoes out as Cole endures the leg lock! Gargano puts as much pressure as he can on Cole, but Cole avoids the cover. Cole drags himself and Gargano over, for the ropebreak! Gargano lets go at 4, but the damage is done. Cole crawls but Gargano is on him. Cole fights Gargano off, and elbows hard out of the ankle lock.
Cole fireman’s carries Gargano but Gargano fights him off. Gargano’s enziguri misses, Cole wheelbarrow Germans Gargano! Bridging cover, TWO! Cole keeps his cool as he gets his leg working. Fans rally up again and Cole goes after Gargano. Cole clubs away on Gargano’s back, then suplexes, but Gargano silps out to waistlock. Cole misses his enziguri but Gargano misses the kick. Cole BOOTS, dodges then enziguris! Gargano kicks, but walks into a mule kick! Cole hops up, leaps, but the Panama City Sunrise is blocked to a SUNSET BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives and Gargano is too tired to be shocked. Fans cheer “NXT! NXT!” as Cole crawls and Gargano follows. Gargano has Cole in the corner for a chop followed by a clothesline!
Gargano puts Cole up top and climbs to join him. Cole bumps Gargano off the buckles, but Gargano resists the Super Sunrise. Cole still sunset flips, but his leg jams! Gargano turns and leaps, but into a Code Breaker! Cole fireman’s, Michinoku Driver! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again as both men slowly sit up. “This is Awesome!” but has barely just begun! Cole and Gargano brawl on the mat, and slowly stand. They clothesline then forearm. Cole blocks a kick but Gargano blocks Cole’s. Cole swings, Gargano dodges, double clotheslines take both men down! Gargano gets up first but Cole follows as fans rally. Cole runs in but is sent out. Gargano builds speed and DIVES into a PELE! Cole drags Gargano out in another wheelbarrow, but Gargano victory rolls Cole into barriers! Gargano puts Cole in, SLINGSHOT DDT! Cover, TWO!
Cole bails out, Gargano goes to the apron, SUPERKICK! Gargano puts Cole in again, slingshots, into a SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK again, then suplex to LAST SHOT 1.0! Cover, TWO!! This first fall is already an epic in itself! Cole is fuming as he drags Gargano up. Cole bumps Gargano off buckles then throws big haymakers and stomps. The ref counts but drags Cole off. Cole sees Gargano is dazed, so Cole gets something from the outside. He takes a chair! Cole ditches his own idea of wanting a normal match as he puts the chair in the ring. The ref takes the chair first, but that’s all a distraction so Cole can LOW BLOW kick! Cover, TWO!?! Gargano must have adamantium nuts! Cole is seething, so he goes back to the chair.
Cole sits the chair up and takes a seat to gloat. He trash talks Gargano as he writhes, then folds up the chair to take aim. But then he ditches the chair when the ref argues with him. Cole turns around into a SUPEKICK! Gargano sees that chair, and takes it for his own? Gargano SMACKS Cole!!
Winner: Adam Cole, by disqualification; leads 1-0
Gargano doesn’t care about this first fall, because he knows there’s the next two! And the next one is his personal choice, at that!
NXT Championship Three Stages of Hell, Street Fight: Adam Cole VS Johnny Gargano!
Gargano still has the chair, of course, and just shrugs. Because now he SMACKS away on Cole! Chair shot after chair shot after chair shot, and now Gargano returns some of that gloating. The second fall officially begins, so Gargano gets to continue where he left off!
Cole runs but Gargano throws the chair at him! Then DIVES to send Cole into barriers! Cole wants to run into the crowd, but Gargano follows after. Gargano punches Cole around as cameras do their best to keep up. Gargano has a collector’s cup, and SMASHES it on Cole’s head! Gargano drags Cole around by a headlock, to then throw into barriers! Gargano bounces Cole’s head off the barrier again and again and again! Fans are fired up as Gargano hops up to leap with ax handles! Cole goes down again and Gargano takes selfies with fans. Gargano drags Cole around more, and more of the fans get front row seats of the brawl! Cole fights back and throws forearms. Gargano staggers away, but comes back with a SUPERKICK! Gargano drags Cole back to his feet, then sits him down in a spare arm chair. Gargano wheels Cole into the production table!
Cole gets up and fights back, and now they’re back to ringside. Gargano leaps and breaks the timekeeper’s area with Cole! Toronto loses its mind all over again! Gargano isn’t done there, “Mamma Mia!”, we go to the announce desks! Gargano clears one off and brings Cole over. He puts Cole on the table and climbs up to join him. Gargano underhooks, but Cole resists and fights out. Cole rakes Gargano’s eyes! Cole has Gargano now, also wanting underhooks. But Gargano back drops Cole onto the Spanish announce desk! It explodes apart as Cole crashes down! Fans lose their minds all over again! Gargano goes to Cole and brings him out of the wreckage. Fans echo “Mamma Mia!” as Gargano drags Cole into the ring.
Gargano considers his options, and thinks of something better. He goes under the ring to bring out a TABLE! Fans love where this is going as Gargano puts the table in. But wait, if one is good, then two must be better! Because here’s a second table! “Johnny Tables” has Toronto’s approval, but Gargano does bring in extra chairs just in case. But Cole get a shining wizard outta nowhere! He sets up a chair, USHIGOROSHI ON THE CHAIR! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but his dark ego almost got him. Cole grabs a chair and wedges it in a corner. Cole brings Gargano over but Gargano denies the chair shot. Gargano fights Cole back and scoops, but Cole denies the long dart to mule kick the leg out! Cole hops up but Gargano enziguris! Gargano has Cole on his shoulder, LONG DART INTO CHAIR! And then, GargaNO Escape!! Cole taps, Gargano ties it up!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by submission; ties the set 1-1
Aw hell. Actually, that’s what’s up next, isn’t it? Descending out of the shadows, having been born of the darkest places in Mr. Regal’s mind, is a new member of the steel cage family! And fans can’t help but think, “E C Dub! E C Dub!” But what do we call the brutal baby born of brutality?
NXT Championship Three Stages of Hell, Asylum Steel Cage!
And as if the items attached to the walls and barbed wire on the top of this cage aren’t scary enough, there is NO escape victory in this match! Gargano and Cole MUST settle things inside the structure! Who survives the sadism of this truly final fall?!
The bell rings, and Cole wants a weapon! Gargano stops him from getting the kendo stick, and they start brawling again! Gargano gets the edge but Cole comes back again! Cole BOOTS then SUPERKICKS Gargano but Gargano comes back with a DISCUS! Gargano grabs himself that kendo stick, but turns into a SUPERKICK! Cole gets the other kendo stick, but he gets a SUPERKICK! Then they trade SMACKS! AND SUPERKICKS!! Fans are thunderous again for “NXT! NXT!” Gargano grabs himself a chair and then another, and “This is Awesome!” as Gargano sets the chairs side-by-side. Gargano staggers over to Cole and stomps him around before eyeing the ladder.
Gargano climbs but Cole stops him with clubbing forearms. Gargano kicks Cole away then uses the ladder for help in a flying huricanrana! REVERSE-RANA! Cole sits in those chairs, and Gargano calls upon DIY for the SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Cole survives but Gargano keeps his cool. Gargano looks around to see what else this special cage has. Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this has to end one way or another. Gargano uses one of those tables he put in and sets it up in a corner. Gargano goes around to make sure it’s in the right spot. Cole JABS him then SMACKS him with a chair! Cole eyes something up top and climbs. He brings down a third chair, but Gargano yanks him down. The chair is still hanging on the wall, so Cole throws Gargano into it! Gargano writhes and Cole has the kendo stick. Cole uses the kendo stick to bring Gargano in for a backstabber! Cover, TWO!! Gargano continues to show that superhuman toughness, but Cole continues with his super villain scheming.
Cole puts a table off to the side before going for more chairs. Cole sets the chairs up nearby as Gargano goes to the corner. Cole has Gargano with haymakers, and then hoists him up top. Cole climbs to join Gargano, but Gargano resists the superplex. Gargano headbutts Cole back, then grabs the fire extinguisher! He sprays Cole! Then brings Cole in, to tornado DDT into the chairs!! Cover, TWO!?! Cole survives, but the referee checks on his head. Fans rally up as Gargano uses a stick to help him stand. Gargano SMACKS Cole again and again, until the stick breaks! Gargano looks and sees something up high. He goes for the sledgehammer! Triple H would be proud, but Cole wants the hammer, too! They fight as they climb, but Gargano jumps to SUNSET BOMB Cole down! Cover, TWO!!
Cole still lives, but Gargano won’t let up. Gargano goes back up, determined to have HHH’s favorite weapon. Gargano gets it free, and fans are loving the possibilities! But Cole SUPERKICKS him down! And SUPERKICKS him from behind! Cole climbs and goes back to the ladder from before! Cole frees the ladder from its spot, but Gargano avoids certain death! But not the PANAMA SUNRISE! Cover, TWO!!! Gargano survives again, and fans again cheer for “NXT! NXT!” Cole gets up and hobbles over to where the ladder fell. Cole sets it up near a corner, then climbs it. Gargano crawls after as Cole turns around. Cole leaps, ANOTHER PANAMA SUNRISE! Cover, TWO!!!! Cole has seen a ghost after Gargano survives once again! Johnny Wolverine crawls but Cole keeps the kendo sticks away from him. Cole uses one to SMACK Gargano, then drags him up.
Cole brings the knee pad down, but Gargano flops over. Cole grabs a chair and sits it up so he can sit Gargano up. Cole vows to end this, and runs, but Gargano moves! The Last Shot hits the chair! Gargano gets Cole in an STF! With the kendo stick!! But Cole bites Gargano’s hand! Gargano lets Cole go and both men are down again. Fans rally back up as Gargano gets the hammer back. Cole grabs the hammer, too, and they tug o’ war. Cole throws hands but Gargano has the hammer to SMASH Cole in the gut! Cole gasps and coughs but Gargano has his table. He brings it around to line up with the ladder, and then brings the second table over. Gargano then brings Cole over to the tables and sets him down. But then Gargano sees something in the corner of the cage, and goes to inspect it. Cole gets away from the tables, so Gargano has to go after him again.
Gargano uses a kendo stick to SMACK Cole again! Gargano climbs up that corner and brings Cole up for headbutts. He tucks Cole in, stands up, and steals the PANAMA SUNRISE! Cover, TWO!?! Cole survives his own move!? Both men are down and the fans still hope they “Fight Forever!” Gargano brings down the back, and it’s all of Regal’s favorites! A pipe, brass knuckles, and… pliers?! Yes, and Gargano climbs to use them, to snip apart the barbed wire! Gargano brings a thread of it down! Cole sees Gargano clutching that wire, and he starts to climb. He doesn’t care that there’s no escape win, he just wants to get away! Cole goes to that strange platform, but Gargano follows! Fans beg, “Please Don’t Die!” but the two brawl on the platform. Gargano headbutts Cole, and then has his wire, to go after Cole’s face! Cole fights him, and the two FALL through the tables below!!! COLE COVERS, COLE WINS!!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall; still NXT Champion
Cole is victorious, but at what cost?! What has really been won going through such hell?!
My Thoughts:
NXT again sets a high, high bar just for the WWE this weekend. Another amazing set of matches, though with really only one flaw to point out. The Women’s Championship had a great story with the bad arms, which was very much like many of Shayna’s title matches. But I also liked that Mia was the Face willing to play dirty to give Shayna back all the karma she gathered up from her time in NXT. However, the pacing in the match started to grind by the end, and honestly, Mia should’ve won. As great as Shayna is, her reign started to fall short with the Horsewomen backing her up. The one time she didn’t have them should’ve meant she lost the match, especially after taking an elevated, aka Avalanche/Super version of Mia’s FINISHER! Have Shayna lose so she can either finally feel the chase again, or be called up to main. A Big 4 Weekend should’ve been the time to change the status quo.
The other women’s match was great, Shirai and Candice really roughed each other up. Obviously Shirai would win, her Heel turn wouldn’t be much if she lost out the gate. But this can lead to a great series/feud between Shirai and Candice as they both now chase the title. It may not take until the next TakeOver, but if Candice can come out of this the winner and even as contender to Shayna, that would be some great full-circle storytelling given Candice and Shayna have history in WWE dating back to the original Mae Young Classic. I also really liked the great surprise brawl of Riddle and Dain, I did not expect that to happen, but it’s good to see TakeOver trying stuff like that. This probably means we won’t get Riddle VS Dain for the “post” TakeOver episode since those are actually done before, but this will definitely heat things up for their feud going into the Fall.
Of course, the story of the night was still the Undisputed Era being in all the men’s title matches. I am really surprised the Undisputed Era’s prophecy for tonight was already killed with the tag team title match. Though, that’s what made it so exciting was that the Street Profits won against reDRagon! This should definitely legitimize Ford and Dawkins in the ring, since they’re already so great on the mic. And then that Triple Threat for the North American title was probably my new favorite Triple Threat. The story, the charisma, the action, this is what makes NXT so great. I really thought Strong had it, but it was so great for Dream to just take it all away with that elbow drop. I really thought Dream wasn’t retaining to then move up to the main title, but maybe he tries that again this time. And maybe Dunne also tries to move up, simply shrugging this loss off to still make history as the first man to have been WWE UK and top NXT Champion in his career.
And then the Three Stages of Hell, my goodness, any single one of these could’ve been the match on its own, but having all three falls for over an hour of action, wow. The standard match, so good, it referenced everything from the previous Cole VS Gargano matches and built upon them. It was genius for Gargano to give Cole that first fall via DQ just to get to the Street Fight. That Street Fight was so brutal, and we all knew Gargano was going to win it regardless of the first. And then, I was really surprised Regal would choose something cage related, because wouldn’t that be visible up in the rafters? Somehow, they hid it, and it was like dark magic watching that thing just come out from the void in the ceiling. I didn’t officially hear it be called an “Asylum” match, but how is that not the Ambrose Asylum like what Ambrose/Moxley and Chris Jericho had? I started to think the Undisputed Era were all losing, but that is what made Cole winning even crazier! Which is quite the feat given the crash through the tables to end it.
My Score: 9.2/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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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
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
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The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
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The Final Boss is back!
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So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
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