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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Will the Mad King regret this gamble?
Before putting both belts on the line against Katsuyori Shibata at AEW WrestleDream, Eddie Kingston defends his NJPW Strong title against Rocky Romero! Will plans have to change all thanks to Azucar?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party; The Acclaimed & Billy win and retain the titles.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero; Eddie wins and retains the title.
- The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar; The Righteous win.
- AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida; Shida wins and will challenge Saraya for the title on Title Tuesday, October 10th.
PLAY BY PLAY
AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party!
The open challenge was put forth, and it was answered very quickly! Will Matt, Jeff & Brother Zay DELETE the Scissor World Tour? Or will Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Daddy Ass keep the party going?
But of course, Platinum Max has a diss track! “Acclaimed on the mic, ’bout to leave these dudes up in smoke! Y’know we comin’ like the Colorado Buffalos! Matt, I don’t want any heat! I don’t need your crazy ass wife sendin’ me tweets! It’s the one guy in Private Party! Nowadays, he gets tag teamed by the Hardys! Jeff, I’m a leave you black in both eyes! You gonna need these sunglasses like Coach Prime.” Bowens takes the mic to say “COLORADOOOO~! The Acclaimed have arrived! Scissor Me, Daddy Ass~!” And he does! The belts are raised, and we see who survives WrestleDream weekend!
The trios sort out and Bowens starts against Kassidy. They shake hands, tie up, and Bowens waistlocks. Kassidy drop toeholds, facelocks but Bowens slips free to wrench. Kassidy rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Bowens powers out to headlock but Kassidy powers out, only for Bowens to run him over! Bowens self-scissors, then things speed up. Kassidy hurdles, Bowens shoves then follows but Kassidy arm-drags! Bowens arm-drags! Bowens blocks Kassidy’s arm-drag to whip, but Kassidy wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Bowens stands, into a RANA! Kassidy then pounds the mat and fans fire up.
Bowens kicks but Kassidy blocks to spin him. Kassidy kicks but Bowens blocks to flip him! Bowens then kicks, kicks and KOTARO KRUSHER! Fans fire up, “EVERYONE Loves The Acclaimed!” Bowens drags Kassidy up, tags in Caster, and they double whip. Kassidy holds ropes, TOSSES Bowens then BOOTS Caster! Tag to Matt and Matt BOOTS Caster! Kassidy hits a NECKBREAKER, Jeff tags in to go up, for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Jeff snapmares Caster to then NECK SNAPPER! Fans fire up with Jeff and he waits on Caster to stand. Kick but no Twist as Caster slips free! Jeff ducks the backhand to SPIN KICK!
Jeff CLUBS Caster, Caster scrambles away, tags to Billy and Matt! Fans fire up as Matt says “DELETE! DELETE!” Billy says “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” And repeat! Then Billy headlocks! Matt throws body shots, powers out, but Billy runs Matt over! Billy flexes and does a dance, and then he runs in. Matt ELBOWS Billy, BOOTS him, then bumps him off buckles! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Billy gets all three layers, and Matt tags Jeff. Jeff tags Kassidy, and the Hardys set up fort he classic POETRY IN MOTION! Then Kassidy adds PARTY IN MOTION! But The Acclaimed CLOBBER Kassidy & The Hardys!
Fans fire up as Caster has Kassidy up to scoop and SLAM! Billy helps get the legs, and Bowens goes up to SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Kassidy squeals before impact! Cover, TWO! Kassidy survives but The Acclaimed have control as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Billy brings Kassidy up, bumps him off buckles, and he hears the fans singing. Billy ROCKS Kassidy with a right, apologizes to the ref, then tags to Bowens. Bowens drags Kassidy up to ROCK him with haymaker after haymaker! Bowens then brings Kassidy up to tag in Caster. They double suplex Kassidy, Caster covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Caster keeps Kassidy down with a chinlock while fans rally up. Kassidy fights to his feet, throws body shots, and he fires forearms as Rampage returns to single picture. Kassidy runs but Caster CLOBBERS him! Tag to Billy and they mug Kassidy.
Billy brings Kassidy to an open corner, stomps and ROCKS him on repeat, then lets off to smirk at the Hardys. He dares them to do something, but Matt tells Billy to suck it! So Billy DECKS Matt! Billy runs corner to corner but Kassidy dodges! The splash hits buckles and Billy falls back! Fans rally up as both men crawl, but Billy gets Kassidy’s leg! Kassidy stands up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Jeff! Jeff rallies on Billy, on Bowens, and on Caster! Fans fire up and Jeff clotheslines Billy up and out! Jeff CLOBBS Bowens, then catches him for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Leg hook cradle! Cover, Caster breaks it!
Caster helps Bowens up, then runs in, but Jeff ELBOWS caster and ROCKS Bowens! Jeff goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Jeff gets both Caster and Bowens but everyone is down! Billy returns, kicks low, says ‘SUCK IT!” and runs, but Jeff dodges! Matt kicks Billy for a TWIST OF FATE! Jeff hurries up top, fans fire up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Bowens breaks it in time! Matt CLUBS Bowens, Bowens hits back, and Bowens calls to Caster. They whip Matt to a corner, forearm then ELBOW then forearm again! And a feed to the POWERSLAM! ROLLING ELBOW for Jeff! The Acclaimed regroup, and Billy crawls to the corner.
Fans fire up as Billy drags Jeff over. Jeff gets loose, hot tags to Kassidy and Bowens! Kassidy dodges Bowens to DROPKICK Caster! “This is Awesome!” as Kassidy BOOTS Bowens! Kassidy goes up, leaps, FLYING FLATLINER! Billy stands, runs in, but Kassidy dumps him out! Kassidy slingshots out then QUEBRADAS to take Billy down! Kassidy mocks the scissoring, then tells Bowens to get up. Kassidy springboards in, but Bowens dodges and Caster BACKHANDS Kassidy! Then Bowens BACKHANDS Kassidy! Bowens fires off the Five Tool Strike Fest! Caster hoists Kassidy up and Bowens helps, to give Kassidy the PLATINUM BOMB! Cover, The Acclaimed win!
Winners: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Championships)
A huge win for the champions, and the Scissor World Tour continues! In fact, it is heading to Seattle for WrestleDream’s Zero Hour! TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito are waiting, will they show The Acclaimed that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Eddie Kingston speaks.
“Well folks, tonight, it’s me and Big Rock, Rocky Romero, for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship. Rock, I got nothing but respect for you, dawg, so it’s gonna be an honor and a pleasure to defend this against you. You’re the man that got me into the G1. You’re the man that got me-” Wait, Team Triple J is interrupting. Jay Lethal says that if we’re talking honor and respect, Eddie is standing here with two titles on his shoulders, and that is worth respecting. But Lethal can’t get behind how Eddie is the ROH World Champion. Lethal dedicated his life to that title! His blood, sweat, tears, all to honor a tradition that meant that every person to hold that title would be a pure athlete!
And Eddie, you are no pure athlete! Now as for this NJPW Strong Openweight title, Lethal doesn’t care if Eddie wins it or loses it here tonight. He really doesn’t. But he just cares that Eddie is unfit to be ROH World Champion! Eddie says okay, he’s got Lethal. But excuse his back, he’s gotta go beat up Romero. The Mad King leaves, but will he still have both crowns going into WrestleDream?
AEW shares an interview from after last week’s Collision.
Lexi Nair was with Andrade El Idolo after he was bandaged up from the beating Bullet Club Gold gave him. He almost won, but Juice Robinson interfered. What was that about? Andrade says everyone saw that Andrade had White beat. But the question for Juice is… “Do you have a problem with me? With Andrade El Idolo? Lemme tell you something. See you Saturday in Seattle!” Andrade wants his revenge on Rock Hard, will he get it on WrestleDream Eve?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero!
The Mad King beat Kenta at NJPW Independence Day back in July to have his first singles title under the NJPW banner. And now he defends it against Azucar as a favor for getting him in the door. Will Rocky repay this favor by taking this title from Eddie? Or will Eddie still head to Seattle as a double champion?
The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and fans rally up for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” The two circle, Rocky tests things with a kick but Eddie stays back. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Eddie waistlocks, Rocky wrenches, wristlocks, but Eddie clinches. Fans rally, Rocky keeps on the wristlock but Eddie powers through to wrench and wristlock back. Rocky rolls, breaks free and DROPKICKS! Fans are torn as Rocky swaggers, but he and Eddie reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Rocky knees low. Rocky headlocks, grinds the hold, but Eddie powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, but Eddie stays up with a smirk.
Fans fire up as Rocky smirks back, but then pie faces Eddie! Rocky runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Eddie bails out, Rocky builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit but Eddie stays up, so Rocky goes again! DIVE and Eddie drops to his knees! Rocky keeps going, and he DIVES for the hattrick, only for Eddie to catch him! Stalling suplex, to the floor! Fans rally behind Eddie while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Eddie stands, stretches out his back, and then he gets Rocky up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Eddie keeps cool, and also chooses not to rain down fists, instead clamping on a chinlock. Rocky endures as Eddie grinds him down, and fans rally up. Eddie cranks the headlock but Rocky refuses to give up. Rocky fights up, throws elbows, but Eddie knees him low! Eddie whips to knee low again, then whips for another knee! Eddie whips but Rocky rolls him up, TWO! Rocky BUZZSAWS Eddie, then TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down and a standing count begins. Rocky stirs at 3, crawls over, and he brings Eddie up.
Eddie pushes Rocky, runs, but into an IRON OCTOPUS! Eddie endures, pries at the hold, and pops free, only for Rocky to wrangle him with a ghost pin! TWO, and Eddie goes to ropes. Rocky storms up, KICKS Eddie in the back, but Eddie just grimaces. Eddie eggs Rocky on so Rocky KICKS him again! Eddie growls and eggs Rocky on more as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Rampage returns and Eddie suplexes, but Rocky knees free! Rocky knees low, Eddie rebounds, but into a JUMP KNEE! Eddie goes to ropes, Rocky storms over and brings him up through the ropes, to KICK! Eddie eggs Rocky on even though he’s stuck, so Rocky SLAPS Eddie! Eddie SLAPS Rocky! Rocky SOBATS! Then Rocky goes up a corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this and Rocky argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Rocky drags Eddie up, cravats, but no Sliced Bread! Eddie runs in to clothesline in the corner! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up and Eddie hoists Rocky up top!
Eddie climbs up behind Rocky, stands him up, but Rocky throws hands! Rocky CLUBS Eddie, cravats, and hits SUPER SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Eddie survives, and Rocky grits his teeth. Rocky pumps up and fans rally. Rocky runs in to clothesline! That’s one-ever! Two-ever! But URAKEN stops that! URAKEN again!! Eddie drags Rocky into the STRETCH PLUM!! Rocky taps, Eddie wins!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by submission (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Azucar could not dethrone The Mad King, but he still shows Eddie respect with a handshake and hug. Eddie is still NJWP Strong, but will he have to fight even harder to survive The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata?
Wait! That’s Shibata’s music! Shibata is HERE! He goes into the ring and shakes hands with Eddie. These two respect each other, and that means they will give it everything they’ve got! Will Eddie still be a two belt king? Or will Shibata become a TRIPLE CROWN Champion?
Aussie Open speaks.
Mark Davis says he is so tired. So tired of hearing the “top blokes” walk around here the last year, hubris unchecked, lying to the people that they are the best in the world. Kyle Fletcher says that for the last 365 days, everything Aussie Open has done has been to get back to FTR. When FTR beat them a year ago, it broke Fletcher. Fletcher felt like a failure and felt lost. So what he wants more than anything is to make FTR feel that pain. This Sunday, Aussie Open takes the AEW World Tag Team Championships, burns down the legacy of #7StarFTR, and from the ashes, rebuild a new empire that they will stand atop of to proclaim that THEY are the best tag team in the world!
The Aussie Arrow and Dunkzilla are ready to bring down Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, will they fulfill that WrestleDream?
The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar!
Speaking of tag titles, Dutch & Vincent are aimed at the ROH World Tag Team Championships! However, Adam Cole will be out with injury so it’ll just be Maxwell Jacob Friedman meeting them in Seattle. Will this tune-up prove to be more than enough going into that tag title handicap match?
The teams sort out, but then Dutch just CLOBBERS Crush & Gunnar! Fans boo as Dutch says just a few more days and those titles will be theirs! Vincent rains down fists on Crush, then drags him up to UPPERCUT! Vincent bumps Crush off buckles, tags in Dutch, and the Righteous mugs Crush before the BOSS MAN SLAM! Gunnar staggers up but Dutch feeds him to Vinnie’s KNEE! Then Vinnie feeds him to a BOSS MAN SLAM! Tag to Vinnie, fans are torn as the Righteous pace around Crush. Vinnie snaps his fingers, then cravats, AUTUMN SUNSET! Cover, Righteous win!
Winners: The Righteous, by pinfall
A swift and dominant win, these are the two men coming for the tag titles! Will The Righteous purge ROH of the “false friendship” that is the brochachos? Or are even two Righteous men combined not on the level of the Devil?
Ortiz sits alone in a room.
He looks back on his career alongside Mike Santana. They were at the top of their game coming into AEW, but then it ended up going downhill. There’s even audio from Konnan touching on how Ortiz and Santana stopped talking to each other and how Konnan was saddened by that. Ortiz has the footage stop there. What will it take for him to get Santana to talk to him?
Darby Allin speaks.
After replaying what Christian Cage said just last Wednesday on Dynamite, the Relentless One reiterates that he is NOT losing in Seattle, Washington! Will Darby defend home turf against Captain Charisma?
Nick Wayne speaks.
He knows Darby has a lot to say about Christian Cage, and all of that will be part of the Countdown special. But Nick also knows Darby’s actions will speak louder than his words at WrestleDream. And although Darby told Nick not to be there ringside, Nick doesn’t really want to anyway because of what Christian & Luchasaurus are capable of. So, while they let Christian and Darby settle their business, how about Nick and Luchasaurus settle theirs? For months and months, Luchasaurus walked around here while another man held his title. And Luchasaurus followed Christian around like he was some kind of father figure.
And Nick isn’t sure what it is about Christian where he thinks he can even be such a figure to “us Lost Boys,” but Nick had a father. And he told Nick at a young age “to never leave your debts unpaid.” Nick owes Luchasaurus. At Wembley Stadium, Luchasaurus choke slammed Nick onto a skateboard and Nick never forgot it. Nick will repay Luchasaurus this Sunday during Zero Hour. And Nick will even hand Luchasaurus a receipt. Nick brings his own skateboard, will he grind it right into the Right Hand of Destruction?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
AEW is going to do it big for WrestleDream Eve as, with Zack Sabre Jr. on commentary, we see an 8 Man Tag! FTR teams with Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta to take on Aussie Open, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey! Plus, Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega test their tag team chemistry against The Gates of Agony! Will The Ocho & The Cleaner survive Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun to take on the Don Callis Family? And Julia Hart gets in action to build some last minute momentum, will she be ready for Kris Statlander and their TBS Championship match set for Sunday?
Backstage interview with Zack Sabre Jr.
Renee Paquette is with The Front Man of TMDK, and says we’re just days away from WrestleDream, where ZSJ takes on The American Dragon, Bryan Danielson. ZSJ just came off a three week tour in NJPW and just got here to the States, is he worried at all about acclimating? ZSJ asks Bryan “Dragon Bullocks” Danielson, “Where are you, darling?” As Renee just said, ZSJ got off a 16 hour flight from Tokyo and is feeling fresh as a daisy. But perhaps this company’s keeping Bryan wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, or keeps him in a giant Zorb ball. At this point, a strong gust of wind will knock Bryan over.
And is ZSJ supposed to be honored that Bryan chose him as part of the year long retirement tour? Newsflash: Bryan barely has a weekend. This Sunday isn’t just about finding out who the best technical wrestler is, no no. Bryan has retired once in Seattle, so ZSJ will make it final. Ya like that? The final retirement~! Submissions in Seattle, see you on Sunday. The NJPW World Television Champion has put Bryan on notice, but will he be able to slay the American Dragon?
AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida!
While the Outcasts stand at two members, Saraya is looking forward to a friendly showdown with the Runaway in a little under two weeks! But will Ruby make sure there is No Future for the Shining Samurai? Or will Shida take down one Outcast to go after another?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans fire up as Ruby and Shida step up, and they’re on Shida’s side. Ruby shoves, runs, and RAMS Shida, but Shida just fires up! Ruby headlocks, Shida throws body shots, and then she powers out. Shida then runs past Ruby to run Ruby over! Fans duel, Shida has the majority, and she goes to the corner. Shida climbs up but Ruby slips away before any fists can rain down! Shida is annoyed but she waits on Ruby to return. Ruby takes her time going to the apron, steps in at 6 of 10 but wants Shida to stay back. Shida gets annoyed as the ref keeps her back, but then Ruby pulls Shida’s hair to throw her down!
Ruby throws hands, puts Shida in the corner, then RAMS into her again and again! Fans boo but Ruby runs, only to miss! Shida ROCKS Ruby, then climbs up to rain down fists! Ruby gets away before three, runs back in but into a BOOT! Shida bumps Ruby off buckles, climbs up and rains down those fists! Ruby slips out at five to YANK Shida down! Ruby whips, Shida goes up and CROSSBODIES! Shida then drags Ruby up, puts her in yet another corner, and tries one more time! Shida rains down fists, and goes all the way to TEN! Fans fire up with Shida and she kicks Ruby out, to then MISSILE DROPKICK!
Fans fire up as Shida drags Ruby up, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Ruby CLUBS away on Shida to stop the lift, then shoves her to a corner. Ruby runs in, Shida dodges, but Ruby ELBOWS her! Ruby goes up to hit DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby digs Shida into the buckles, lets off as the ref counts, and then brings Shida up to snapmare. Ruby covers, TWO! Ruby throws down fists now, but lets off with a smug smirk. Ruby puts Shida on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Ruby lets off, and then Ruby has Shida in the ropes to throw knees! A shoutout to Saraya, and Ruby lets off at 4. Ruby stalks Shida, looms over her, and pushes her around. Shida pushes back but Ruby eggs her on.
Shida ROCKS Ruby, then fires again! Ruby claws Shida’s face! And throws her down by her hair again! The ref reprimands, but Ruby clamps on a straitjacket stretch! Shida endures, but Ruby grinds her into the mat! Fans rally, Shida fights up, and she arm-drags free! Ruby returns to CLOBBER Shida! Cover, TWO! Ruby is annoyed but Shida grabs at Ruby’s hair! Ruby CLUBS Shida, drags her up, and stomps a hand! Shida scrambles to a corner while the ref reprimands but Ruby stomps a mudhole in. Ruby lets off as the ref counts, and Ruby storms around. Shida drags herself up, but Ruby CHOKES her on the ropes!
The ref counts while Ruby BITES Shida’s ear! Ruby lets off at 4, drags Shida up, but Shida ROCKS her! And again! And again! And again! But Ruby knees low! Ruby talks trash, whips Shida to ropes, but Shida ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS knock both women down! Rampage returns to single picture as the standing count climbs. Fans rally, both women are down at 5 of 10 but Shida goes to ropes. Shida snarls, she and Ruby stand at 7, and they storm up. Shida fires a forearm, Ruby gives it back! Shida throws another, so Ruby gives it back! They go back and forth, harder and harder, faster and faster!
Ruby gets the edge, but Shida ROCKS her! And ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! Shida whips to JUMP KNEE! Shida then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shida fires up again and the fans are with her! Shida aims, KATA- NO, Ruby ducks and bails out! Fans boo but Shida goes out to pursue! Shida runs in, jumps off the steps, and DROPKICKS Ruby down! Fans fire up again and Shida stands Ruby up. Shida torture racks Ruby, then goes to the ramp!? Fans are thunderous but Ruby fights free! They throw forearms, and CHOPS! Shida CLUBS Ruby, Ruby throws body shots, but the count is climbing!
They both hear it’s 8 of 10 and start sprinting! They both slide in at 9.5!! Fans are thunderous and then Ruby swings, but Shida blocks! Ruby HEADBUTTS, blocks a kick, then KICKS back! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and Ruby grows frustrated. Ruby goes to a corner, and she takes Shida’s kendo stick for her own! The ref stops Ruby, takes the kendo stick, but then Ruby brings out the spray paint! Shida and the ref both block that and they’re all fighting over it! Down goes the ref!! Shida and Ruby are both stunned, but then Ruby HEADBUTTS! DESTINATION UNKNOWN! But no ref to count the cover!
Ruby is furious, she would’ve had this! But then she sees the kendo stick! Ruby grins as she wields Shida’s weapon! Fans boo, but Shida blocks the strike to kick and HEADSHOT! Then KATANA KICK!! Cover, but still no ref! Wait, here comes Aubrey! Aubrey slides in, counts the cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida fires up! Shida puts Ruby in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and she METE- NO! Ruby dodges to then STO! Ruby drags herself up the corner, goes to the very top, and STAGE DIVE SENTONS onto knees! And then FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida won’t stop there!
Shida hauls Ruby up but Ruby wrenches to NO FUTURE KICK! But Shida rebounds to KATANA!! Cover, Shida wins!!
Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Champion)
The Shining Samurai takes down The Runaway, but wait! Here comes Saraya! #TitleTuesday is coming, will that be a good Knight for the champ? Or will Shida take this belt back to become a historic THREE-TIME champion?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage, especially as the go-home to WrestleDream. I figured the title matches would end with the champions retaining, but we got really good stuff out of Acclaimed VS Hardy Party and Eddie VS Rocky. As for their title defenses on WrestleDream, I don’t see TMDK taking the trios titles as this will be their AEW debuts. And as I’ve said a few times already, Eddie isn’t losing both belts he worked so hard to have so soon. Plus, it feels like there’s some tension between NJPW the company and Shibata, or else Shibata would already be NJPW Strong Openweight Champion and not one of ROH’s champs.
Speaking of Eddie, good promo from him before his match with Rocky, and good interaction with Team Triple J. I wasn’t exactly expecting Jay Lethal to be Eddie’s first actual feud for the ROH World Championship, but I suppose it does make sense as Lethal was a major player in ROH. I hope these guys actually show up on ROH programming, but also, Tony Khan wants this feud to be seen so it’ll end up on AEW programming instead. Y’know, just like all these other ROH title stories outside of the AEW Women’s title.
Good squash from The Righteous, and I’m really curious as to how the tag title match goes on Sunday. There’s a lot of stuff MJF still has to do with Cole, Roddy and The Kingdom, and now this intrigue with Jay White, Bullet Club Gold and the backstage attack at the end of Dynamite. I still feel it should’ve been The Kingdom in the PPV match anyway, but it seems they were going to drag this story out even before Cole hurt his foot. Good promo from Nick Wayne to call out Luchasaurus, but I feel like Luchasaurus ends up winning that match just to make a point of Nick not being able to show up ringside for Darby.
Good promo from Andrade to call out Juice for this week’s Collision, and I’m still wondering if/when La Faccion Ingobernable helps Andrade against Bullet Club Gold. For that matter, why can’t MJF be paying LFI to beat up on White and the BCG? He’s had business dealings with Andrade & Rush before, let’s strike that up again for some continuity. Really good promo from Aussie Open ahead of their tag title match, and from ZSJ to call out Bryan. That 8 Man Tag tomorrow night is going to be good stuff, and perhaps rather telling about where the PPV matches go. The only reason I don’t see Aussie Open winning against FTR is because of that big Fatal 4 Way tag contenders match, but who knows, maybe Aussie Open wins to bring the AEW belts to NJPW events as they take on like Goto & Hashi.
And of course, a great main event from Shida and Ruby. Seems a little silly to set up Ruby as a contender, wouldn’t that just end up in a Finger Poke of Doom situation with Saraya? Which therefore meant Shida was winning. Saraya VS Shida for this Title Tuesday Dynamite is going to be good stuff, but something makes me feel like Ruby is just gonna help Saraya retain. And not to be mean to Shida, but if she’s already a two-time champ, I don’t see her becoming three-time so soon. Why not get Shida in on the TBS Championship story? Britt Baker wants to be the first to have held both titles in AEW, but Shida should want that distinction, too. Then that lets us have Britt VS Shida as we should’ve gotten by now given everything else we’ve been seeing lately.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (9/29/23)
King VS Emperor to determine a champion!
One way or another, the US title belongs to the LWO!
Rey Mysterio defends his WWE United States Championship against friend and protege, Santos Escobar! But will things stay friendly between them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson; Jimmy wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes; Theory wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar; Rey wins and retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL; Charlotte wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is here!
Fans boo as Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa & Paul Heyman head to the ring. And Jimmy is definitely hyped over how he and Solo took down AJ Styles and John Cena, putting the tag team match at Fastlane into question. Heyman has the mic to introduce himself, but the fans keep on booing. His name isn’t “Boo,” he’s Paul! Heyman! And tonight, a rare opportunity that he doesn’t have to do this into the phone but live to the world here from SmackDown, in the hell hole of Sacramento, California. “We ACKNOWLEDGE our Tribal Chief!” The Bloodline throws up the ones, and Heyman says, “And so do each and every single one of you!”
The fans boo, though some do raise the fingers. Heyman asks us why do they acknowledge Roman… Reigns? Because it is in Roman’s name that last week, the second greatest of all time, John Cena, took a beating at the hands of the Bloodline in a way Cena hasn’t taken in at least a decade. And to wit, Heyman calls our attention to the Bloodline version of the Zapruder Film. Heyman plays footage from just last week, where Cena was the only one who signed the contract to have a match for Fastlane. Cena hoped AJ Styles was going to be his partner, but then the Bloodline struck first and hospitalized AJ Styles.
And back to present, fans are booing but Jimmy’s almost cracking up. Heyman says not to get involved in Cena’s business, but a little birdie told Heyman that there are some transportation issues this evening. And while Cena is expected to make it here, you can’t see him because Cena is NOT here. But y’know who else ain’t here? AJ Styles! And why is that? Because he’s lying in a hospital bed, watching them on SmackDown and- Jimmy holds his hand out for the mic? Heyman says he wasn’t done but Jimmy snatches the mic. “Sacramento! The Bloodline is now in your city!” Heyman sighs while Jimmy raises the one.
Jimmy tells the Wise Man, you are too kind. The real reason Cena isn’t here tonight is because he’s scared! Scared of one JIM USO! Jimmy says if Cena is smart, he’ll stay far, far away. If not, they’ll take care of him like they did the Phenomenal One! The one who built the house, place, face- KARL ANDERSON CLOBBERS SOLO! Then he TACKLES Jimmy! Jimmy gets up but Karl clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up for Karl as he represents for The OC! Karl says he told Styles not to get in Bloodline business and now Styles is in the hospital. So now, this is OC business! Any one of them, get in the ring with him!
Fans fire up but Heyman has Solo stand down. Heyman whispers things to The Enforcer, and then Solo tells Jimmy to handle this or he’ll do it for him. Jimmy says he’s got this. Solo doesn’t return the high-five, but will Jimmy return fire on the Machine Gun?
Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson!
SmackDown returns and the match is going as Karl bumps Jimmy off buckles! Then CHOPS! And fires off haymakers! The ref counts, Karl lets off but then stomps a mudhole! Karl lets off to tell Heyman & Solo they made this personal. Karl stands Jimmy up but Jimmy swings. Karl dodges to JUMP KICK! Karl says he told Styles not to get involved but too late now. Karl whips, Jimmy BOOTS back! Jimmy runs, but Karl gives him a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Heyman is worried but Solo is stoic as Jimmy survives. Karl storms up on Jimmy, UPPERCUTS him to the corner, then UPPERCUTS again!
Karl brings Jimmy up to the top rope, ROCKS him with rights, then climbs. Solo steps forward and that distracts Karl, as well as the ref. Jimmy CLAWS Karl’s eyes! The ref misses it but fans boo as Jimmy rains down fists on Karl. Jimmy snarls, goes to a corner, and he SUPERKICKS Karl down! Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and scowls at the booing fans before the USO SPLASH! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Heyman is relieved and he whispers something more to Solo. Jimmy may be getting himself into trouble, but he’s also getting himself out, will this get Jimmy back in the Bloodline?
Wait, Karl isn’t done! He gets up to throw more hands with Jimmy! Solo storms in to hit the SAMOAN SPIKE! Solo roars as Karl is down, no back-up even possible with both Styles and Gallows hurt. Is the OC no longer a problem for The Bloodline? Wait, Michin is here! She SLAPS Jimmy right down! Fans are thunderous as she storms to the ring. Jimmy asks what the heck! Mia Yim packs a punch, will that knock some sense into Jimmy?
Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.
Cathy Kelley is with The Emperor of Lucha, and says that he faces his mentor and LWO teammate, Rey Mysterio. Where is his mind at tonight? Santos says his mind is focused, but his stomach has butterflies. But this match is about heart. And Santos has already said this is a dream match for him, and he has been working his entire life for it. Now, with the whole world watching, he has a chance to make the dream come true. He never gives up on his dreams, and he will fight for them, so Rey is in for the fight of his life. May the best man win. Will it be Emperor or King of Lucha that reigns as the United States Champion?
The Bloodline regroups backstage.
Jimmy is fuming and he yells at a production staff member just for looking at him. He asks another if they saw what happened, then just shoves the guy down! Jimmy storms off, Solo follows and Heyman has the staff relax. Then he puts in a call to Roman Reigns. What will The Tribal Chief have to say about Jimmy’s attitude?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect.
The Aussie Icon, the Moment Maker, the Dynamite From Down Under is already in the ring on his set, and he says what a wild night already. Cena may be the greatest of all time, but he ain’t the greatest at being on time! Hah! But don’t worry, because Waller is here to save the show. Fans boo but Waller thanks them. Waller’s guests just keep getting bigger, and this is literal given the physical specimen. He has done everything in the WWE as a performer, but not as a talent scout. But that’s alright, he gets what he’s always been missing: the Waller rub! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the All Mighty Bobby Lashley!
Fans cheer as Lashley makes his way out and Waller does some push-ups so he looks at least a little bigger standing next to him. They shake hands and then sit at the desk. Waller says he wasn’t lying when the guests keep getting bigger, right? How does he fit into the suit? But Waller appreciates Lashley being on the show, especially after the week he’s had. His boys, the Street Profits had a devastating loss last week. Lashley says he made a mistake. He was looking for the next big thing, he thought the Profits had what it takes to do whatever they want, but seems not. Back to the drawing board, huh?
Wow, that must be hard for the Profits to hear. But yeah, if you’re looking for a tag team, they need to be willing to do whatever it takes. A team with unbridled charisma! A team that is undefeated! Maybe a team like Austin Theory & Grayson Waller! Lashley’s stare makes Waller slow his roll. Lashley knows all about Theory, that’s a pass. Yeah, but Theory’s changed! If you get to know him, he’s a good bloke! And- Wait! Here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins came dressed to match Lashley, and Lashley seems rather upset and confused. The Profits step into the ring, mics in their hands.
Lashley steps to them, and he stops Dawkins before he gets started. No excuses, no reasons. If they want something out of Lashley, they need to prove it. Lashley goes to leave, and then the Profits look to each other. They storm out after Lashley and get up in his face! Lashley says he told them what to do. Now go do it. He keeps on moving, and Waller says how awkward. Hey, light the beam for the 153 million hit man, Austin Theory! Theory makes his entrance, walking past Lashley on the stage, and then continues down the ramp. He smirks at the Profits and goes to the steps, with Waller being the only one cheering.
But will it be A-Town Down as Theory faces Cameron Grimes? Or will SmackDown go TO~ THE~ MOON~?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes!
SmackDown returns, Theory is busy looking at NXT’s Dragon Lee watching from the front row, and the bell rings. Theory turns around into a BOOT from Grimes! Grimes fires off KICKS, UPPERCUTS, and then CHOPS! Grimes whips, Theory reverses but Grimes CLOBBERS Theory! Grimes keeps moving and he CLOBBERS Theory again! Atomic drop, then KICK! Then a KICK, run, and SHOTGUN dropkick! Cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE! Theory scrambles, Grimes has the leg, and Grimes drags Theory back. Theory kicks free, Waller coaches Theory up and Theory ELBOWS Grimes! And throat chops!
Theory throws down clubbing hands while fans boo, but Theory shouts at everyone. Theory brings Grimes up, talks trash, but Grimes eggs him on! Grimes fires off fists, body shots, then backs Theory to a corner. Grimes whips, Theory reverses, then Theory runs in. Theory blocks a boot but Grimes ENZIGURIS! Grimes goes up, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Theory hangs tough and Waller relaxes. Grimes aims, and he BUZZ- NO, Theory ducks! So Grimes backflips to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Theory survives but Grimes storms up on him in the corner. Grimes KICKS Theory against ropes!
Grimes runs, then he clotheslines Theory out of the ring! Grimes goes to the apron, and he PENALTY KICKS Theory down! Fans fire up with the Carolina Caveman as he takes it to Mr. ATL. Waller talks trash, though, and Grimes stares him down. Theory POSTS Grimes in the distraction! Waller laughs, Theory drags Grimes up and in, and then Theory slingshots. Somersault SHOTGUN! Grimes staggers into the fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN! Cover, Theory wins!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall
Waller’s a baller with that assist to his boy, and The Now comes out on top! Will these two look to take over SmackDown one win at a time? Theory also talks some trash on Dragon, then pie faces him! So Dragon hits back! Fans fire up but the ref keeps Theory back. Dragon is here as a guest, but Waller says Dragon can’t do nothing anyway. Will this duo hope Boy Wonder stays away from this brand?
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
Kayla Braxton is with the US Champion and says earlier tonight, Santos said this wasn’t just a dream match, but the fight of their lives. What is Rey’s response? Rey says LWO is familia and will always be that. But he knows how hard Santos has worked to get here. Heck, Rey grew up watching Santos’ father, El Fantasma. So Rey has nothing but love and respect for Santos. But be careful what you wish for. Every time Rey steps in the ring, he expects the best of his opponent and brings the best in return. So Santos, like they say, this IS the fight of their lives! May the best man win. Rey seems to feel the same way as Santos, but will either man still feel good after taking a loss?
The Bloodline is beating up Ashante THEE Adonis?!
B-Fab shouts for Jimmy to stop but Jimmy stops when he says he’s stopping! Refs and producers rush in and Jimmy says okay, his bad, he’s done now. Adonis crawls away, but Solo is there! Jimmy says finish this, Solo! UREANGE through the table!! Hit Row suffers the wrath of The Bloodline, but when and where will it stop?
WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar!
SmackDown returns as Zelina is ringside for both men, and Santos makes his entrance. Santos says hola to Dragon before getting in the ring. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who holds gold for the L W O!
The bell rings and fans fire up as the two tie up. They go around, Santos waistlocks but Rey works on an escape. Santos holds tight, they sit down, and Rey moves around. Rey fights up, jumps, but Santos holds on during the flying mare! Santos shifts to go for an abdominal stretch but Rey fights it to have a toehold. Fans rally and duel, Santos chinlocks but Rey pulls on the leg. Santos uses that to body scissor, and he rolls Rey to a cover, ONE! Rey is still stuck in the scissors but he moves around. Rey claws at the hold, Santos shifts and has the back mount to then roll Rey again. Rey slips free and the two stand off.
Fans cheer as Rey and Santos reset. Santos trips Rey, blocks the headscissor, but Rey gets up. Santos wrenches, wristlocks, but Rey flips through! Santos whips, Rey reverses but Santos reverses again. Rey is on the apron but he RAMS into Santos! Rey slingshots but Santos stops the rana to GAMANGIRI! Rey falls, Santos PLANCHAS! Down goes Rey at the ramp and Zelina is worried for both men as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Santos has Rey in a modified stretch. Rey endures, Santos shifts his grip, but Rey fights free. Santos has a hammerlock to keep Rey close, and Santos wrangles Rey down. Rey fights up, fans rally, and Rey jumps to hit that flying-mare! Fans fire up as Santos speeds things up and runs Rey over! Things keep moving, Rey dodges but Santos DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Rey hangs tough, and Zelina is again torn. She rallies the fans more for the LWO than for either man. Santos waistlocks, Rey switches, but Santos switches back. They go to ropes and Rey bucks the O’Conner.
Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA Santos outta the ring! Fans fire up and Rey builds speed, goes up the corner to PLANCHA! Down goes Santos! Fans fire up with Rey and he hears the ring count. Rey drags Santos up, puts him in at 6 of 10, and then climbs the corner. Santos stands, Rey SEATED SENTONS! Rey keeps moving, and he CLOBBERS Santos! Both men are down and fans rally up more. But wait, Jimmy and Solo are still wreaking havoc backstage? SAMOAN SPIKE for security! Jimmy says that guy won’t be Cena’s partner, either! Back to the ring, fans rally for “619! 619!” as Rey goes to ropes.
Santos stands, he rushes in to sunset flip, but Rey rolls through to BUZZSAW! Santos is dazed, Rey calls his shot and he drop toeholds Santos onto ropes! Rey dials it up as fans go wild, but Santos SUPERKICKS Rey outta the ring! Santos takes aim, builds speed, ARROW FROM HELL!! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes Rey! Santos catches his breath while he stands back up, and then he goes up the barriers? To MOONSAULT Rey on the ramp! Zelina is worried again but Santos puts Rey back in the ring. Rey staggers and goes to the far side but Santos takes aim. “This is Awesome!” as Santos spells it out, “L! W! O!”
Santos goes corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES! Rey wobbles, but Santos puts him back in the corner. Santos goes again, DOUBLE KNEES! Santos hoists Rey up top, climbs up after him, but Rey HEADBUTTS! Rey fires forearms and he knocks Santos down! Santos stands up while Rey steadies himself, but Santos GAMANGIRIS first! Santos climbs up again, goes to the very top, and he whistles for the SUPER STEINER! Zelina couldn’t even watch that, worried for both men. Santos goes to the apron, to SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and Santos is a bit surprised as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns yet again and Santos has Rey against ropes. Santos CHOPS, and fans “WOO~!” as Rey staggers. Santos whips, BOOTS, and then brings Rey around. Santos picks Rey up into a GORY ESPECIAL! Rey endures being bent back, and Santos even pulls on the arms! Fans rally, Rey fights against the hold, and pops free to arm-drag! Fans fire up as REy goes to a corner, and Santos runs in, only to be put on the apron! Santos GAMANGIRIS, Rey staggers, and then Santos fires up! Santos climbs, leaps, but Rey dodges and the crossbody flops! Rey lines up a shot, runs and springboards but then Santos dodges!
Rey and Santos are both down after those belly flops, and fans rally as both men rise up. Santos runs in, scoops Rey and hits a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally as Rey staggers up, but into a tilt-o-whirl torture rack! Santos runs around with Rey, then hits a RACK DROP! Cover, TWO!! Zelina is relieved again but Santos is surprised. Rey tells Santos to bring it on, there needs to be a winner. Santos storms up to CHOP! And whip, but Rey KICKS back! Rey runs to RAN- NO, Santos blocks that! Santos swings Rey up but Rey sunset flips! TWO!! Santos escapes and even Zelina is stunned! Fans fire up again, “This is Awesome!”
Rey runs in, Santos puts him on the apron but Rey ROCKS Santos first! Then Rey goes up a corner, brings Santos up to join him, and then adjusts position to fire off hands! Fans fire up as Rey calls the shot, but Santos drags Rey into a fireman’s carry! Rey fights with elbows, then pops up to SUPER RANA!! Fans are thunderous while Santos sits up in a daze! Rey DROPKICKS Santos onto ropes! Dial it up! 6 1 9 BLOCKED! Santos drags Rey into an Alabama Lift! But Rey holds the ropes for dear life! Rey then RANAS Santos back onto ropes, redials, and 619 HITS!!! Rey hurries up top, says hey to Eddie, and hit a FROG- NO!
Santos avoids the splash, CLUBS Rey, covers, TWO into the ghost pin! TWO!!! Both men escape by nanoseconds but Santos fireman’s carries! PHANTOM- TAKEDOWN! Rey has a spladle! REY WINS!!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
And the greatest luchador of all time comes out the champion! Santos is stunned, but Rey offers him a handshake of respect. They are still familiar, aren’t they? WAIT! The Profits attack!! Dawkins & Ford mug Rey & Santos, this must be how they’re proving Lashley wrong! They hit Escobar with a BIG LARIAT! Fans boo but here comes Lashley! The All Mighty says that’s it! That’s what he wanted! But then here comes the rest of the LWO! Lashley CLOBBERS Wilde while Ford & Dawkins mug Cruz! But Dragon Lee wants to get in! Security keeps him back, he’s just here as a guest! So Wilde is fed to the REVELATION!
The fans boo but The All Mighty has his Profits! Will they soon run SmackDown with iron fists?
The LWO regroups.
They’ve all got icepacks in the medical trainer’s room, and Kayla walks in to congratulate Rey on the win. But before the team could celebrate the moment, they got jumped by The Profits. Santos says sorry, excuse him, but the Profits ruined the moment! Rey says they beat the Profits last week, and now Lashley and them act like they run SmackDown! LWO challenges Lashley & The Profits to a match at Fastlane! Let’s see how tough they are when it’s fair and square! What will happen when these factions go to war in Indianapolis?
WWE announces a huge signing!
Former AEW TBS Champion and rising star, JADE CARGILL, is now with WWE! She got 20 MILLION views on a video just for showing up at the Performance Center! Will a storm be coming for the WWE Women’s Division?
John Cena arrives backstage!
He pulls in rather fast and furious, and he storms right into the arena, that tag match contract in his hands! Will Cena find someone Jimmy & Solo haven’t destroyed to sign on the dotted line? Is there even anyone left?
Pretty Deadly has a video message.
“On July 14th, 2023, Elton prince suffered a devastating shoulder injury. Despite all odds, he is on the road to recovery.” It’s another rehab workout montage, but Elton is still in the wheelchair… Elton works on reaching out for hot tags, swinging chairs, ends up rolling downhill during a celebration, and can’t even poke eyes properly. But as he continues to work at it, he has the courage to stand up and tag in Kit! #YESBOY! #EltonStrong.
The Brawling Brutes are watching this.
Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne look at each other, and neither of them can even process this. Dunne feels maybe they should’ve broken Elton’s leg. The idiots. Will Elton & Kit hope they can stay far, far, far away from Northern Grit and the Bruiserweight?
Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL!
The Queen did what she could to help The Empress of Tomorrow hold off the Evil Genius and her cohorts, but all that got them was a win for Iyo Sky and this rivalry rematch with the Role Model! Will Bayley make an example out of her fellow Horsewoman? Or will Charlotte make Bayley bow down?
SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance, Iyo and Dakota right behind her. But then Charlotte has Bayley hold on so she can get a mic. Charlotte has a question for Bayley: What’s happened to you? Bayley is one of the Four Horsewomen, but now she’s just happy carrying Iyo’s bags. Bayley has become a stepping stone while Charlotte is still the measuring stick. And in the end, it doesn’t matter. Bayley is just in Charlotte’s way. She’ll beat Bayley tonight, and then challenge Iyo for the WWE Women’s Championship at Fastlane! Fans fire up for that, and the bell rings. Bayley CLOBBERS Charlotte!
Bayley fires off, all riled up after what Charlotte said. DMG CTRL cheers and high-fives Bayley. Bayley CHOPS Charlotte, bumps her off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in! Bayley ROCKS Charlotte, lets off, and brings Charlotte around to whip. But Charlotte reverses to send Bayley into the corner, and she CHOPS! Fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte CHOPS again! Charlotte whips, Bayley reverses but Charlotte goes up and out to BOOT Bayley down! Iyo swipes at Charlotte, then Bayley BLASTS Charlotte down! Bayley goes out to the apron, to then FLYING ELBOW Charlotte down! DMG CTRL is fired up as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Charlotte is up top, to CROSSBODY Bayley down! Fans fire up with Charlotte as she storms around. Bayley flounders to ropes, stands up, and Charlotte CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And then CHOPS again! Fans fire up as Charlotte says one more, then CHOPS Bayley again! Charlotte swings, Bayley dodges but Charlotte scoops! FALL AWAY SLAM! Charlotte kips up and fans fire up again! Charlotte handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley is still in this but Charlotte knows she’s tough. Bayley bails out to the apron, Charlotte storms over, but Bayley HOTSHOTS!
Bayley slides in, waistlocks, but Charlotte bucks the O’Conner, to then trip Bayley! Bayley scrambles, Charlotte steps over to drop a knee on Bayley’s knee! Bayley goes to a corner and Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Bayley staggers, but she BOOTS back! But then Charlotte BOOTS back! Cover, TWO! Charlotte keeps her cool while the fans rally up. Charlotte steps on Bayley and goes to the corner, then goes up the corner, only for Bayley to YANK her down! Bayley puts Charlotte in the ropes, throw hands, then hits a STOCK DROP! Shoutout to another of the Horsewomen! Bayley then SUNSET BOMBS Charlotte into buckles! Bayley drags Charlotte to a cover, TWO!
Bayley tells fans to shut up, don’t cheer for her! Dakota and Iyo cheer her on, though, and Bayley fires forearms on Charlotte! Bayley mocks the “WOO~!” then CHOPS! Bayley CHOPS Charlotte again and again, runs, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, Charlotte wins!!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall
DMG CTRL can’t believe it, but their Role Model lost! The Queen is already wearing yellow ‘n’ block to match Fastlane’s logo, will she take that gold off Iyo? Bayley gets a mic to shout, “Cut the music, you idiots!” Bayley won’t let Charlotte just cut the line! Bayley vowed to end Charlotte, and that’s what DMG CTRL is gonna do! The three surround the ring, but here comes ASUKA! The Empress joins the Queen to run off their common enemies! Asuka gets a mic to shout “OI OI OI OI!” What do you idiots think you’re doing?! She won’t let them do whatever they want! Bayley says okay, they want a Triple Threat for the women’s title?! Then they’ve got it!!
Wait, what? Iyo is confused, but Bayley says this is totally what Asuka said. No, Iyo knows what Asuka said and it wasn’t that! But Bayley says this is so they can teach both Asuka and Charlotte a lesson! Bayley sticks her foot in Iyo’s mouth again, will the Evil Genius have to really work hard on a plan to survive Fastlane?
John Cena heads to the ring!
Sacramento fires up as Cena storms out, saying we’re getting serious tonight! Cena slides into the ring, contract still in hand. Cena also gets a mic, and he tells Sacramento, “I hear ya out there!” Sacramento chants for Cena and so he knows they hear him. And he knows that because last week, he said he was back to compete and that he wanted a match. The Bloodline didn’t take too kindly to that, though. They left Cena knocked out, but they also left him with the contract. This is the contract for a match with them at Fastlane. Yeah, a little lukewarm, because there’s a problem: Cena doesn’t have a partner.
Cena says tonight is very important, because now he has a choice to make. He could rip up the contract and act like this didn’t happen. Fans boo that idea. Or he could stand and fight. The fans like that! So what do you think the man who wears the words “Never Give Up” is gonna make? They cheer the second so he says that’s damn right! He will honor this contract! And if he doesn’t find a partner by Fastlane, then he will fight The Bloodline by himself in a 2v1 Handicap! But speaking of, here comes The Bloodline! Jimmy grins as he has the mic again. “Well, look who finally showed up.”
Cena’s out here talking about Fastlane? Did he not just see what The Bloodline’s been doing all night? They were sending messages! If you team with Cena, you get got by The Bloodline! Fans boo, but Jimmy goes to the apron to tell Cena, “You’re not making it to Fastlane!” But then Cena DECKS Jimmy! Solo stares Cena down, fans fire up, and Solo gets in the ring! Cena throws off the shirt because it is go time! Solo swings, misses, and Cena fireman’s carries, but Jimmy SUPERKICKS him! Flashbacks to last week, HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Solo adds a HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Jimmy whips Solo in for another HIP ATTACK!
Fans boo as Cena flops out of the ring. The Bloodline clears off the announce desk! They put Cena on it, and Jimmy raises the one. Jimmy goes up the steps but Solo stops him. Solo wants this one! Jimmy grins and nods and lets Solo climb. But L A KNIGHT is here!! Fans are thunderous as the Mega Star storms down, slides in, and he dodges Jimmy to BLAST Solo! And then he BLASTS Jimmy! Knight stomps a mudhole into Jimmy but Solo stops him! So Knight fires off haymakers! Solo TOSSES Knight, but misses the splash! JUMP NECKBREAKER! Jimmy is up, Knight scoops to POWERSLAM!
Fans fire up, and they spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BIG elbow drop for Jimmy! Cena is back and he TOSSES Solo! Knight TOSSES Jimmy! Mega Star and Greatest of All Time look to each other, and Knight picks up the contract! Fans are electric as Knight signs his name! Cena can’t believe it, either! He has a tag partner for Fastlane? YEAH!! Will Cena and Knight show The Bloodline whose game is it? With EVERYBODY saying… L A KNIGHT, YEAH!!
My Thoughts:
An awesome episode of SmackDown, especially with how fired up the Sacramento crowd was for everything. Great stuff with Bloodline and such, taking logical yet still exciting turns. Karl Anderson going after The Bloodline was good, because as much as Karl didn’t want Styles getting involved, but he also wasn’t going to let The Bloodline get away with this. Though, Karl didn’t really accomplish much as he got cheated in that match. That slap from Mia was great, though. Then Jimmy & Solo going on a rampage backstage was a great way to show how Jimmy is drunk with power all because he thinks Roman will have his back. Roman most certainly won’t now that Jimmy’s actions have brought LA Knight into the story. Great save from Knight, and he will make a great team with Cena.
Great “main event” match from Charlotte VS Bayley, and that black ‘n’ yellow gear is pretty cool stuff from Charlotte. DMG CTRL of course tries to help Bayley but that backfires. And then I actually like that we’re going back to Bayley talking big and putting Iyo on the spot. The Triple Threat title match is going to be great, and is actually some mad genius thinking from Bayley. DMG CTRL can now legally interfere to make sure Iyo wins against Charlotte and Asuka, but I feel like this can also bring in Shotzi or even Bianca to counteract DMG CTRL. Either way, it’ll be some great stuff to really up things in the SmackDown Women’s Division.
Hilarious vignette from Pretty Deadly, and good response from Brawling Brutes. That feud will definitely start up again after Fastlane and give us a SmackDown contender for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Really good stuff out of the Grayson Waller Effect with Lashley putting the pressure on the Profits. Almost thought they were gonna jump Theory since Lashley doesn’t like Theory, but I guess that would make this faction Faces since Theory is Heel. It was nice to see Grimes back, though he does lose to Theory. Dragon Lee being here tonight makes me think he is called up to SmackDown after he screws Dominik Mysterio out of the North American title tomorrow night.
And after just an awesome US Championship match, the Profits instead go after the LWO, a logical move given the back and forth between the factions. LWO wants a Six Man Tag, but does that mean it’ll be Santos, Cruz & Wilde? Or is Rey going to take one of the spots? Either way it’ll be a good time but it feels like the All Mighty Profits are going to take that one to build their momentum towards their own title goals. Lashley VS Rey for the US Championship with Santos helping feels like the move. Maybe there’s tension created as Santos costs Rey, or as Rey says Santos can’t be bending rules just to win. It just feels like something’s going to/has to change in the group dynamic.
My Score: 8.9/10
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