We’re two weeks away from WrestleMania!

And for the second SmackDown in a row, CM Punk, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins will be under one roof! But will we learn more on Paul Heyman’s favor to Chicago’s own?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Rey Fenix VS Nathan Frazer; Fenix wins.
• LA Knight VS Tama Tonga w/ Solo Sikoa; Knight wins.
• WWE Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: #DIY VS Motor City Machine Guns; MCMG wins and will challenge The Street Profits for the titles.
• Naomi VS B-Fab; Naomi wins.
• WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Last Man Standing Match: Jacob Fatu VS Braun Strowman; Fatu wins and will challenge LA Knight for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

CM Punk is here!

Chicago was already fired up, and now they erupt as they sing along with Cult of Personality! Punk walks out on stage, smiles as he takes in this homecoming scene, and even goes over to stage left to high-five fans. Punk goes all the way to stage right, then kneels down. He checks, and “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk revels in the introduction, and in the reception from the fans, before he goes to ringside. Punk makes sure to high-five and fist-bump fans over there, and he even stands on the barriers for everyone to see! Punk then hops down to step up into the ring. The fans continue to chant for Punk as he stands on top of the corner.

Punk feels good as he steps into the ring and grabs a mic. The chanting continues, and he says, “I don’t know where to begin. They told me that the best television audiences were overseas. But I knew we were coming to Chicago!” Punk borrows a camera so he can look at hard cam side and show that this is 360 degrees of fans! Punk says he understands why camerawork is so tricky, and he hands the camera back. But see, this is why Chicago doesn’t listen to outside voices. Little known fact: Punk’s not supposed to be here. The fans boo but Punk says stop if you heard this one before.

Punk was born at Silver Cross Hospital with the cord around his neck. He came out blue, they had to bring him back to life, so he’s not supposed to be here! And every time he comes out on TV, no matter where it is across the world, Netflix streaming or USA Network, it doesn’t matter. Punk’s goal is to make new fans every single time. But tonight, ladies and gentlemen, all of TV land, please forgive Punk as he takes this time not to make new fans, but to thank 16 THOUSAND of Punk’s hometown friends ‘n’ family! The fans cheer that! “When they tell you you’re not supposed to be here, you say, ‘Well who’s gonna make me leave?'”

That is what Punk has done every single time he’s laced his boots up. Hell, every time he goes to the grocery store and they tell him he’s not supposed to be here, he buys his groceries, he pays the man, and then he leaves. Nothing has changed! And he isn’t sure if anyone knows this, but Punk’s in the main event of WrestleMania. The fans cheer that! “You Deserve It! You Deserve It!” Punk says he’s got goosebumps, though perhaps also copying The Rock on that. Punk says he deserved it? Ladies and gentlemen, Punk earned it! He started in the backyards of Chicago, they said “You’re not supposed to be here!”

He trained in the Steel Domain, and they said, “You’re not supposed to be here!” He signed a contract here, they said, “You’re not supposed to be here!” He paraded out like Al Capone right on John Cena’s gangster car, and they said, “That’s as good as it gets, kid. You’re not supposed to be here!” To Punk, that is when the hard work began. He appreciates all the fans congratulating him, even just at the airport as he came home. They congratulated him, but he wants us to know that NOW the hard work begins! Punk is a product of Chicago, he has to thank each and every single one of them, but he of course has to thank his beautiful wife, April, first.

The fans cheer for AJ Lee, and Punk says she’ll be mad at him for that. But here’s someone who won’t be mad: Larry! The fans cheer for Punk’s dog, and Punk says there are too many people to thank for getting him right where he needs to be. But he figured coming out here on TV and thanking everyone here is a good start. He wouldn’t be who he is without Chicago, he wouldn’t be where he is without Chicago. From the bottom of his heart, Punk thanks you all! And now, the hard work begins! Because he has a date at WrestleMania, and he promises us, that he will whip Seth Rollins’ ass! he will put a beating on The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns! And it’s at the MAIN EVENT of WrestleMania!

The fans are thunderous, but “Ladies and gentlemen…!” Paul Heyman gives his introduction and Punk smirks as Heyman says he just go tin, so he apologizes for being late. No disrespect to The Second City. And he absolutely means no offense to his best friend in the world, The Second City Saint, the Best in the World, C M PUNK! Heyman asks if he may enter the ring, and Punk says he was gonna thank him so go ahead. Heyman steps in, the fans chant for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Punk says you can’t escape it. Heyman smiles, and he thanks them for that. But tonight, ask not what Chicago can do for The Wise Man. Ask what The Wise Man can do for Chicago.

But first he can do, he wants to tell The Voice of the Voiceless that dammit, he belongs here! Punk belongs in this ring! In Chicago! And by gawd, he belongs in the main event of WrestleMania! The fans cheer that! Heyman says the last time they were standing here in this ring, Heyman came up to Punk because of how Solo and Tama and Jacob were breathing down his neck, and he asked Punk, “Please, take me with you.” Next week, Madison Square Garden, Solo’s Bloodline put Heyman through a table and on the shelf for the longest he’s ever been out, not including when he was fire. Don’t laugh at that, that’s not funny.

Heyman says Punk had his Hell in a Cell with Drew McIntyre. Punk won but the beating was so severe that he was contemplating never coming back. But then Heyman pleaded with Punk, it was 4v5 at WarGames, and there’s no other way out. Heyman asked Punk to do him the favor of helping out, and Punk said, “Yes, I’ll do it for you.” Punk saved the match, and The Bloodline, so he deserves all the credit in the world. For that, Heyman thanks Punk, and if Punk will indulge him, Heyman has another favor to ask. Oh? Another favor? Well, guess Punk’s stockpiling favors. What can he do for Heyman?

Heyman please asks Punk to tell him the favor he owes. Roman’s gonna be here any minute now, and he’s pissed off as is, and you don’t know how Roman gets when he’s mad. You ever heard of Sika? Does Punk know what happens when Samoans get angry? Punk asks if Heyman just said Roman isn’t here. Y-Yet! He’s not here yet! It’s training camp for WrestleMania, so- Punk says that’s what Roman should be doing. And as much as the favor is none of Roman’s business, it will affect him. So Punk would like to tell Roman to his face when he also tells Heyman. So let Punk and all his friends here know when “Big Chief” decides to show up.

Punk leaves and Heyman is again stressed out. What will happen between Tribal Chief, Wise Man and Second City Saint on the Road to WrestleMania?

Rey Fenix VS Nathan Frazer!

The King Firebird has landed in WWE, ready to make his debut right here in the Windy City. But similarly, one half of the NXT Tag Team Champions is here for his SmackDown debut. Will Frazer look to ruin Fenix’s fun? Or will WWE be ready to #ANIMO?

The bell rings and the two tie up. The fans rally as Frazer headlocks. Frazer wrenches, hits an ELBOW BREAKER, but Fenix body shots and goes to ropes. Fenix uses the ropes to flip and wrench back. Frazer rolls, handsprings, wrenches and WRINGS Fenix, but Fenix UP KICKS! Both men kip up, but Fenix shows superkick! Frazer scrambles away and the fans fire up! Fenix and Frazer reset, tie up, and Frazer headlocks. Fenix powers up and out, Frazer goes up and over to handspring! Things speed up, Frazer redirects and redirects, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to kick low! Frazer whips, but Fenix goes Spider-Man!

Fenix comes back to HEEL KICK! Roll up, TWO, and Frazer rolls, only for Fenix to cradle! TWO, and Fenix RANAS! Cover, TWO! Frazer escapes, but Fenix kicks him down! The fans fire up and Fenix CHOPS Fenix in the corner! Fenix whips, Frazer goes up, but Fenix catches him. Frazer RANAS Fenix out, builds speed, and DIVES! Not the cleanest hit but Frazer still puts Fenix in the ring. Fenix hurries to BOOT Frazer back out! Fenix goes up, up, and TORNILLO! Down goes Frazer and Chicago is all fired up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Fenix fires up as he stands back up. Fenix drags Frazer up, CHOPS him against the apron, then pushes him into the ring. Fenix clamps onto Frazer, throws down some elbows, then goes for the double wristlock. Frazer endures, so Fenix HEADBUTTS him in the ribs! Fenix pulls on the arm, drags Frazer into a ghost pin, TWO! Fenix CHOPS, then he reels Frazer in. Frazer fights so Fenix wrenches and fireman’s carries. But Frazer fights that and hits a REVERSE DDT! RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives and Frazer is stunned. Fenix bails out, Frazer hurries after him and throws hands.

Frazer SMACKS Fenix off the desk, then CHOPS! Fenix CHOPS in return! Frazer sputters, Fenix puts him in the ring, but Frazer DROPKICKS right back! Frazer drags Fenix up, snapmares him, and KNEES him in the back! Frazer KNEES Fenix again, then runs to NECK SNAPPER! Cover, TWO! Fenix stays in this but Frazer stays focused. Frazer drags Fenix into a chinlock, but Fenix endures. Fenix fights up, fires body shots, but Frazer RAMS him into the corner! Frazer RAMS in again and again as SmackDown returns to single picture. Frazer puts Fenix up top, ROCKS him, then climbs up. But Fenix CHOPS in return!

Fenix SHOVES Frazer down, the fans rally up, and Fenix stands up, only for Frazer to spring up after him! Fenix SHOVES Frazer again, Frazer backflips through! Frazer is back again, SUPER DUPER PLEX, roll through and ANARCHY! Cover, TWO!! Fenix survives and Frazer is beside himself! The fans rally for Fenix while Frazer drags him into the drop zone. Frazer goes up, up, and PHOENIX- NO, Fenix dodges! Fenix somersaults, but Frazer kicks low! And KNEES him down! Frazer hurries to get Fenix back up, suplexes, but Fenix slips free. Fenix shoves Frazer and DROPKICKS him! Frazer sputters, Fenix goes up!

Fenix shouts, “Goodbye, Amigo!” then he tightrope walks, PENALTY KICK! Fenix isn’t done there, he fireman’s carries and then tucks Frazer. Knee and BLACK FIRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Fenix is shocked but Chicago is thunderous! Frazer goes to ropes, “This is Awesome!” as he kicks at Fenix. Fenix grabs the legs, YANKS Frazer up, but Frazer PELES! The fans fire up and rally again while both men flounder. Fenix kips up and SUPERKICKS Frazer Then he runs at the corner, JUMPING SOBAT! Fenix puts Frazer up top, CHOPS him, then tucks him in! MEXICAN MUSCLE BUSTER!! Cover, Fenix wins!

Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall

Chicago is giving a standing ovation as this double debut did not disappoint! Byron Saxton joins Fenix in the ring for an interview. Byron knows Fenix’s emotions must be all over the place, but how does it feel to finally debut in the WWE? Fenix takes a breath, and says, “Gracias, Chicago! I have a lot of history in Chicago, and with all of you. Tonight, it’s not the debut of Rey Fenix. Tonight is so much more. Tonight, I reborn as Rey Fenix! I am reborn with love, I am reborn with passion, and with ANIMO! I waited my whole life to say this: I AM W W E!! ANIMO~!” Fenix is all fired up, and he gives a deep bow to the fans. Will he soon blaze a trail to the top of the WWE?

Legado Del Fantasma is watching backstage.

Santos Escobar says now that was an impressive win. See, that is the kind of performance he expects from Los Garza. Do they understand? Humberto asks if Escobar is serious. Look at Fenix. He’s a flying lizard! A flash in the pan. Los Garza, on the other hand. Not to mention Legado as a whole! Berto is better than Fenix! Is that so? Then where has this fire been? Escobar likes it! But if Berto means it, he has to show it. Escobar will talk to Nick Aldis to make Rey Fenix VS Berto official. Escobar heads out, did Fenix light a fire in everyone else here on SmackDown?

Drew McIntyre speaks.

Sporting an eyepatch, the Scottish Terminator says, “It wasn’t enough that I gave you everything you have. Every big moment at my expense. Every girl you talked to at the bar, bragging you were champion, that was my title. All the money you made, you profited off of me being screwed. Then you realized, without me in your world, even fighting for the title, no one really cares about Damian Priest unless you’re feasting off of my scraps. So you took away both my world title opportunities at WrestleMania when my back was turned. All I asked for was for you to verbally explain to me how I’m wrong, poke a hole in my logic, maybe face me like a man.

“But no. You did what you always do: You hid in the shadows, like a vulture. After I beat Randy Orton right in that ring, I was heading out with my buddies, you attacked me, put me through a windshield. I can live with my back hurting, but a shard of glass went in my eye and I might never be the same. I need a miracle. I need to pray. And everybody knows when Drew McIntyre prays, bad things happen.” The Scottish Terminator is putting Priest on notice, but will having only one eye make him even more blind to the truth?

Backstage interview with Braun Strowman.

Byron Saxton is with the Monster of All Monsters, and says we have seen it for months now. Jacob Fatu has been a massive thrown in Braun’s side. Braun says that is a massive understatement. Braun is done with Jacob sticking his nose in his business. Tonight, Braun shows Jacob why Braun is The Monster when he buzzsaws through Jacob in this match. Then Braun goes to WrestleMania, and he takes the US Championship to complete the grand slam. But Solo Sikoa walks over, laughing at the idea. Last Man Standing? Braun, you are finished! No matter what you say, he still has to go out there and face the Samoan Werewolf!

Braun snarls but LA Knight steps in. Knight tells Braun to not waste his energy on the pumpkin headed bum and his bacon lips flapping. What Solo should do is get his boys in order, and Braun needs to keep his eyes on the prize. Solo says Knight has a lot of balls for coming up and talking to him like that. Knight says no lies told, his are gargantuan! But don’t worry about that. Tama Tonga says “YEHYEHYEHYEH YEAH!” Knight should be worried about Tama tonight. Knight says yes, he’s worried a little bit. If he wants to make noise, go ahead, because he’s gonna make a lot of noise in the ring. Yehyehyeh kehkehkeh checheche as Knight’s stomping Tama’s ass out!

Knight heads to gorilla as he says time to get a ref out here so Knight can remind everyone whose game it is, with everybody saying “L! A! KNIGHT!” The music hits, Knight goes right to the ring, but will the kavorka see him through against the Good Bad Guy?

LA Knight VS Tama Tonga w/ Solo Sikoa!

SmackDown returns as Tama makes his entrance, Solo by his side. The bell rings, Knight and Tama circle while the fans rally up. Solo distracts Knight and Tama runs up, only for Knight to block the cheap shot! Knight fires haymakers,’ YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight kicks and whips, then he ELBOWS Tama down! Knight brings Tama up but Tama DROPKICKS! Tamam runs, Knight BOOTS him, then brings him around for a suplex! Knight tells Solo to watch himself, then he stands Tama up. Tama YANKS Knight into buckles! Tama fires hands, then UPPERCUTS Knight! Tama HEADBUTTS, then clamps on for a BIG back suplex!

Knight flounders, Tama pushes him to a cover, TWO! Tama runs, but Knight BOOTS him down! The fans rally as Knight stalks Tama to the corner. Knight stands Tama up to bump him off buckles. Then he bumps him off buckles in another corner! And in another corner! Knight stomps a mudhole in, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight stops as the ref counts 4, and he runs corner to corner for a KNEE! “YEAH!” The fans fire up while Tama flops out, but Knight WRECKS him with a dropkick! Solo and Knight stare down, but Knight stays focused on Tama. Knight dribbles Tama off the desk, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!”

Knight then winds up to SMACK Tama off the desk one more time! Knight puts Tama in, Solo lurks, but Knight still RAMS into Tama! Solo gets on the apron, the ref has him back off, and Tama BLASTS Knight! Knight hits the desk, fans boo while Solo mocks him, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Knight endures a chinlock. The fans rally, Knight fights up and fires body shots. Knight ROCKS Tama again and again, but Tama hits back. Knight headlocks, Tama powers up and out, but Knight runs him over! Things speed up, Knight sunset flips, TWO! Tama runs up to LARIAT Knight down! The fans boo but Solo soaks up that heat. Tama gator rolls Knight to then suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Tama stays focused. Tama rains down fists, then he paces around. Solo tells Tama to keep on Knight and Tama rains down more fists. Tama then goes up a corner, smiles, and mocks the “L! A! KNIGHT!”

Tama leaps, but Knight avoids the macho elbow! The fans fire up while Tama goes to a corner. Knight runs up, but Tama BOOTS him! Tama runs up, but Knight ROCKS him! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight JABS, JABS, JABS, then winds up to LARIAT! And LARIAT again! Knight whips Tama to the corner, then hits a JUMP NECKBREAKER! Tama staggers into the scoop and POWERSLAM! Knight stares Solo down, then paces around. Time to spell it out: L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH! ELBOW DROP! Knight fires up and Chicago is with him! Knight waits on Tama to rise up, and then Knight catches Tama for the cravat! Tama powers out!

Knight grabs ropes, ELBOWS Tama, but Solo takes a swing! Knight ducks to DECK Solo, but Tama rolls Knight up! TWO!! Knight gets free and spins Tama, B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall

Solo storms in but Knight gets away! Solo is fuming, Tama is sputtering, but will this be the end of Knight VS the rogues? Or can Jacob Fatu tear down #OneBigSOB and become #1 contender?

Paul Heyman waits in the parking lot.

Byron walks over and asks, “If you don’t mind,” to which Heyman says, “Yes, I do mind.” Heyman is waiting on Roman Reigns and now Byron has to bother him? Byron asks if Heyman got any hints as to the favor. No, and Heyman isn’t sure why. No matter what, the… Heyman stops, and wonders why he has to tell this to Byron. Heyman has the cameraman focus on just Heyman. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am saying this for the record. CM Punk, I’m on record saying this, okay? No matter what the favor is, my answer is yes! Okay?! That’s it! That’s it! So now you can just tell me, and get me outta this jam!”

Wait! The car pulls up as Heyman says whatever Punk wants, that answer is yes! Heyman is elated that The Tribal Chief has arrived, but NOPE! It’s Seth Rollins! The Visionary laughs as he sees Heyman in dismay. Cheer up! Not happy to see Rollins? Oh, right, you were expecting the other Shield guy. Rollins takes off his sunglasses and says Heyman looks awful. We’ve seen Heyman in a bad way before, but this might be the worst yet. He looks like he had a horrible week. Rollins, on the other hand, has actually had a great week. He got away from the CM Punk main event celebration, gained some perspective, and formulate a plan.

And Rollins was just thinking… This favor thing? Heyman really dug himself into a hole, huh? But it kinda affects Rollins, too. So when Roman does get here, let Rollins know, because Rollins wants to be present to hear what the favor is, too. Wipe those tears away, it’ll be alright. Rollins heads out, can things only get worse for The Wise Man?

Charlotte Flair is here!

Chicago is a bit torn on The Queen strutting her way out to the ring, ready to confront Tiffany Stratton face-to-face. What will she have to say to the WWE Women’s Champion? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns, and now Wade Barrett is in the ring, mic in hand. But without need for introductions, Tiffany Stratton makes her entrance. And it seems like she chose a very similar outfit to what Charlotte chose tonight… Charlotte is not amused, but Wade says due to the heated nature of recent interactions, he was volunteered to moderate this face-to-face. He gives the introductions for champion Tiffany and her WrestleMania opponent, the 2025 Women’s Rumble winner, Charlotte. The fans boo and “WOO~” and Charlotte hopes Tiff hears that, because that is power! Tiff says, “What time is it?” “TIFFY TIME!”

Charlotte says how cute. Wade says he would like to start with Charlotte. Give us more depth as to why Charlotte chose Tiff as your WrestleMania 41 opponent. And does she still feel, after recent events, that Tiff was the wise choice? Charlotte says Tiff was begging, Charlotte is the gift that keeps giving. Tiff wanted a moment, Charlotte hadn’t done charity work lately. And every week, the desperation leaks through! So yes, Charlotte made the right choice. Because Charlotte wanted to show the “smartest” wrestling fans here in Chicago that there is NO comparison! Tiff asks if Charlotte is done. Did she get the “WOO” in?

Tiff wants Charlotte to understand that her biggest opponent has never been in this ring. Charlotte’s biggest opponent has been the fans. And no matter how hard Charlotte tries, how long she’s out for, that is a battle that she’ll never win. And Charlotte loves to put on the facade that nothing gets to her, that she’s above everything, but then she’s crying on some talk show? Which one is it, Charlotte? And the saddest part of this is, no matter how many titles Charlotte wins, and she could break all the records, but when it’s all said and done, Charlotte will always be second to her dad, Ric. And at WrestleMania, Charlotte comes second to Tiffany Stratton.

The fans chant for “Tiffy Time! Tiffy Time!” and Tiff says that is power. Charlotte wants Chicago to hold on. They and Tiff are just regurgitating the things her previous opponents have said. Chicago, Tiff, and everyone around the world, if Charlotte has to… The fans are still thunderous with “TIFFY TIME! TIFFY TIME!” so Charlotte just smirks. Charlotte says it doesn’t matter if Tiff wins 100 times… Oh, well, the fans are booing so loud. What would Chicago like her to say? This is really cool! The thing is, Tiff could win again and again. But fine, Tiff can have the last word.

Tiff asks Charlotte what Charlotte was doing at 25 years old. She was trying to be a volleyball player, drinking in daddy’s basement. What is Tiff doing now at 25 years old? Walking in as WWE Women’s Champion! Chicago cheers that! Charlotte says this is just another match? Seems like Tiff’s gotten to her. And Charlotte’s WrestleMania record may be 4-3, and the Queen inside this ring, but outside, Charlotte ain’t the Queen of SH*T! Charlotte mockingly asks she can’t hear Tiff cuz she’s so squeaky. Tiff says for 16 more days, Charlotte can say she’s WWE’s least favorite nepo-baby! Congrats! No, she’s the Nepo QUEEN! Number one nepo-baby!

Tiff says when she beats Charlotte at Mania, when it’s all said and done, Charlotte will be just like she is outside this ring: ALONE. What’s that record? 0-3? Tiff gives a “WOO~” and a mic drop, then leaves. Charlotte tries to snap back with, “Is that why Ludwig Kaiser is in my DMs?” Tiff ignores that cheap attempt while holding up the belt. Will nothing Charlotte says or does be enough to end Tiffy Time?

Nick Aldis speaks.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to make a major announcement. In conjunction with Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce, next week here on SmackDown, we will present a Women’s Tag Team Gauntlet Match featuring teams from both Raw and SmackDown. The winners will face Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez for the Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania.” A golden opportunity awaits, who runs the gauntlet and wins their golden tickets to Las Vegas?

The Street Profits are here!

Chicago cheers as Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins walk in through the smoke, gold in hand as they prepare to watch this next match in person. DIY and Motor City Machine Guns look to settle their grudge while also going for gold, who will meet The Profits for WrestleMania?

WWE Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: #DIY VS Motor City Machine Guns!

SmackDown returns as the introductions are given. The teams sort out and Chris Sabin starts against Johnny Gargano. They circle, tie up, and Sabin wrenches to wristlock. Gargano spins, wrenches, and wristlocks in return, but then Sabin rolls, wrenches, and spins to then slip through. Sabin spins Gargano, steps over, then arm-drags! The fans cheer as Sabin arm-drags again! Gargano tags out to Tommaso Ciampa, but Sabin arm-drags him, too! The fans cheer, Ciampa fights up, but Alex Shelley tags in. Sabin facelocks Ciampa, Shelley goes up, and Shelley AX HANDLES! MCMG double whip Ciampa to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!

Gargano runs in, but into double mule kicks! MCMG has DIY in opposite corners and whip them in. DIY reverse but MCMG dosido, but DIY dodges! MCMG dodges, and they stereo LARIAT in the corners! The fans fire up while DIY flounders. Shelley has Ciampa in a corner, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, but Gargano runs up from the apron! Shelley AX HANDLES Gargano down, then runs up to LARIAT Ciampa up and out! The fans rally, Shelley builds speed, but he has to slide out as Ciampa runs away! Shelley pursues, Ciampa slips in and tags Gargano! Shelley dodges Ciampa, but not Gargano’s SLINGSHOT SPEAR!

Gargano grins and blows out the finger guns, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Gargano stomps Shelley into the corner, backs off as the ref counts, but that lets Ciampa CHOKE Shelley behind the ref’s back! Gargano comes back to tag Ciampa in, and Ciampa ELBOWS Shelley. Gargano runs to KNEE Shelley down, then Ciampa runs in and KNEES Shelley through the ropes! DIY soaks up the heat, Ciampa even talks trash on The Profits, then he brings Shelley around. Ciampa tags Gargano back in, they mug Shelley, and Gargano soaks up heat. Gargano stays between Shelley and Sabin, but Shelley CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Gargano ROCKS him in return! Gargano snapmares Shelley down, basement DROPKICKS, then covers, ONE!!

Gargano is annoyed, but he mocks Sabin with the MCMG hand pointing, and a “SUCK IT!” The ref keeps Sabin back, but that lets Gargano put Shelley in the corner. DIY mugs Shelley, but they get away with it before the ref sees. Gargano tags Ciampa, and Ciampa stomps Shelley around. Ciampa CHOKES Shelley on the ropes, then stops at the ref’s count. Gargano BOOTS Shelley down! Ciampa SLAMS Shelley’s arm down on the mat, then tags Gargano. DIY split the wishbone! Shelley writhes and crawls to the ropes, but Gargano drags him up to DECK him! Gargano sucker punches Sabin, then soaks up heat.

Gargano runs in at Shelley to LARIAT, then he snapmares Shelley down. Gargano goes up, AX- NO, Shelley body shots in return! Ciampa tags in, runs Sabin off, but Shelley gets him for a NECKBREAKER! SmackDown returns to single picture as Gargano grabs Shelley’s legs! Shelley BOOTS Gargano away, hot tag to Sabin! The fans fire up as Sabin climbs, and he CROSSBODIES DIY down! Sabin fires haymakers on Gargano, then Ciampa, and repeat! Sabin fires kicks, then he runs, and he breaks through the double clothesline with a JUMP KNEE! Sabin kicks Ciampa, reels him in, and kicks off Gargano to TORNADO DDT Ciampa!

The fans fire up and Shelley holds the way open! Sabin builds speed to DIVE! Down go DIY and the fans fire up! Sabin puts Ciampa back in, then he tags Shelley. MCMG brings Ciampa up but Ciampa fires haymakers and CHOPS! Ciampa runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! ENZIGIRI! KNEE! LEG SWEEP! DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Ciampa survives that strike fest but Shelley brings Ciampa up. Shelley tags Sabin, Sabin climbs, but Ciampa pulls Shelley’s hair! The ref reprimands, but Gargano trips Sabin up! Ciampa TOSSES Shelley out, then notices the buckle pad fell! Ciampa takes that pad, the ref stops him from using it as a weapon!

Ciampa says fine, and he brings Sabin up to go for the corner! Sabin stops the buckle bump to kick Ciampa! Sabin runs, rolls Ciampa up, TWO!! Ciampa escapes and PSYCHO KNEES! Then he reels Sabin in, PROJECT CIAMPA!! Cover, TWO!! Sabin survives and Ciampa is furious! Tag to Gargano, Ciampa underhooks Sabin, SUPERKICK FAIRYTALE! Cover, Shelley breaks it! The fans fire up but Ciampa kicks Shelley! Ciampa TOSSES Shelley, then hurries to tag back in. DIY has Sabin down as they go to corners! MEET IN THE- NO, Sabin dodges! DIY stops short of colliding, and Sabin waistlocks Ciampa.

Ciampa switches with Sabin but Sabin BOOTS Gargano away. Sabin then switches with Ciampa to shove ihm into Gargano! Shlley is back, atomic drop! Dropkick to the legs! Chancery and basement dropkick! Dream Sequence complete! Shelley hurries up, Sabin turns Ciampa, but Gargano SHOVES Shelley off the corner! Sabin BLASTS Gagano, Ciampa rolls Sabin up, feet on the ropes! The ref sees that and stops the count! The fans fire up while Ciampa is furious! Ciampa runs in, but Sabin sends him into the bare buckle! Roll up, MCMG WINS!

Winners: Motor City Machine Guns, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)

Ciampa’s attempts at cheating just cost him and Gargano! MCMG let the Profits know this match is coming, but Dawkins & Ford say go ahead and bring it. Will Sabin & Shelley quickly become TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions? Or will nothing stop The Profits now that they’re up?

The Miz talks with Carmelo Hayes.

The Hollywood A-Lister tells H1M that they need to be ready for an opportunity when it presents itself. Unlike these two. Miz points over to Pretty Deadly! Miz says Elton Prince & Kit Wilson, in their home country, had a title shot and lost! Pretty Deadly? More like Pretty Useless. Melo says, “Imagine getting an opportunity, finally, and fumbling at the one yard line.” Are they a team or just the Chicago Bears? Either way, they’re both jokes. Oh, they’re jokes, huh? Well here’s a joke: The Marine 3. Quick, tag Elton in. Kit “tags” Elton and Elton says, “The Marine 4!” Tag back to Kit, “The Marine 5!” Miz says at least they were made! How’s that musical coming?

Funny Miz should mention that. They just got finished writing this song, and Miz would love it. It is about a character who hasn’t been awesome for at least ten years, if ever. What was it called again? “I was The Miz.” Miz reminds them he is a NINE-TIME tag team champion. How many have they had? Wow, nine times? How many partners did that take? Miz has had so many partners, and now he’s with this younger, hotter model. Miz is like the Leonardo DiCaprio of tag team wrestling. Which leaves them standing here wondering why Melo is so happy to be relegated to The Miz. Kit doesn’t think they’re even a real team.

Miz says this is Melo Don’t Miz! And Pretty Deadly couldn’t beat them on their worst day! Because they are Melo Don’t Miz, and they are AAAAWES-HIM! Melo says they’re working on the catchphrase. But will Melo & Miz prove they’re more than just a struggling sequel? Or will Pretty Deadly light it up like Broadway?

Naomi VS B-Fab!

The Glow’s bright light was hiding the dark shadows, but now we are seeing that dark side loud and clear. Naomi put everyone on notice, but will B-Fab heed that warning? Or will she just be fab in the Windy City?

SmackDown returns and Naomi makes her entrance, only for JADE CARGILL to attack! Jade gets the jump on Naomi now, and she rains down fists on the ramp! Security rushes out here, but Jade fires shots on them now! Jade is a storm of fury but Naomi gets away from her to go to the ring. Jade gets loose, Naomi taunts her, but the bell rings! B-Fab throws Naomi down! Jade smiles, letting B-Fab LARIAT and LARIAT and whip! B-Fab runs in, blocks a shot and she fires forearms! B-Fab bumps Naomi off buckles, then whips her corner to corner. LEG LARIAT! B-Fab whips side to side then BOOTS Naomi down! Cover, TWO!

Naomi survives but B-Fab snarls. B-Fab rains down fists and takes out all her own anger! Naomi gets loose, but B-Fab runs up. B-Fab ROCKS Naomi, ROCKS her again, then SLAPS her! B-Fab clinches, and URENAGES! Cover, TWO! Naomi survives again and B-Fab is furious. The fans rally while Naomi crawls to a corner. B-Fab runs up, but Naomi ducks the leg lariat! Naomi CLUBS B-Fab, has that leg stuck int he ropes, and Naomi fires off shots! Naomi has B-Fab in the Tree of Woe, then STOMPS her into buckles! B-Fab flops down, Naomi drags her up, and RIPCORD CODE BREAKER!! Cover, Naomi wins!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall

Naomi is seething, and now she grabs a mic. “Where you at, Jade?! I’m still standing!” The fans fire up as Jade runs back in! BOOT! Jade drags Naomi up, chicken wings her, but security rushes in! Jade again beats all of them up, SUPERKICKS and HAYMAKERS left and right! Jade clears the ring, and Nick Aldis hurries out here. he says he has had just about enough. He can see that there is only one solution: Naomi VS Jade at WRESTLEMANIA! Jade is all fired up, and Naomi has a sinister smile. They both want to put an end to this, but who will be left laying in Las Vegas?

Damian Priest speaks.

“Drew McIntyre: the victim. No holes in your logic, right? WrestleMania 40, you had your moment. But your weird obsession took you to CM Punk, and he ended up clowning your ass. I did my job as Senor Money in the Bank: I cashed in and became world champion at WrestleMania. You screwed yourself, but I’m the villain, right? Clash at the Castle should’ve been about us, but this weird obsession you couldn’t let go of, it followed you. I did my job and remained World Heavyweight Champion. You screwed yourself, but I’m the villain, right? Money in the Bank, you should’ve been focused on the moment. You tried to cash in, but your baggage once again followed you.

“I did my job and remained champion. You screwed yourself, but I’m the villain, right? Rumble, Chamber, I eliminated you from both, plain and simple. Then you attack me like a coward, and you cost me my shot at main eventing WrestleMania. You know what you are, Drew? You’re a hypocrite. You make excuses, you bitch and complain, and you point your finger at everybody but yourself. I know what you are, Drew. You’re a junky. You get off on this high from telling stupid ass jokes every week for a cheap ass pop, and you play the victim every, damn, week. You don’t have to paint me as the villain of your story anymore, I am your villain!

“The time to pray IS now, Drew! No looking for me in the shadows. Look for me in the middle of the ring next week, face to face, eye to eye. Because I want you to stop playing the victim and become my victim at WrestleMania!” Priest has issued his challenge, what will McIntyre say to it?

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

SmackDown returns and Aldis says this is a part of his job that frankly, is not very fun. In this industry, there is a fine line between coming back like it’s all fine, and then finding out that you may never set foot in this ring again. It is a cliche, but there is a reason we say, “Don’t try this at home.” Aldis doesn’t want to say much more as he’d rather we hear it from the man himself. Please welcome out Kevin Owens. The Prizefighter makes his entrance to a mixed reaction, but still rather positive.

Kevin steps into the ring with Aldis, grabs himself a mic, and then says, “I’ve been doing this for 25 years, and uh… I think I can say confidently that for those 25 years, I really gave everything I had every time I stepped foot in this ring. And in those 25 years, because of this industry, I’ve gotten to live incredible things, and experienced things I’ll never forget.” Kevin says he’s been able to care for his family in a way he could’ve only dreamed of. But… There is a price to pay for that amazing opportunity. And that is the toll it takes on their bodies. Every single guy and girl back there has paid that price at different times. Now, it is Kevin’s turn.

The fans don’t like where this is going, but Kevin says that the reality is, for the last four months, he has been dealing with a very serious neck injury. No one really knew what it was or how serious it was. Thankfully, this week, they figured out what it was, and now Kevin must go get neck surgery. That is what Kevin will do, and the timing couldn’t be worse. Kevin will tell us, not getting to be in the ring with Randy at WrestleMania really sucks. Kevin is really thankful for the WWE allowing him to come out here and tell us all this, because the truth is, he doesn’t know when he’ll have the privilege to be in front of us again.

What Kevin does know is… The last few years, he has learned not to take anything for granted. He will never take this for granted. The fans applaud, and Kevin continues by saying that for now, he wants to say thank you, and he is sorry. The fans applaud again while Kevin and Aldis shake hands. Kevin takes his leave, fans chant “Thank You, Kevin!” but wait! Randy Orton is here! The vans cheer as The Viper makes his way out here, and he seems a bit emotional himself. Orton goes to the ring, walks up the steps, and he looks Kevin in the eyes. Kevin nods and hops down from the apron to go up the ramp. Is this the last we’ll see of Kevin on WWE TV?

The fans rally up for Randy, and Aldis says he hates to be the one to tell him this, but unfortunately, this means Orton no longer has a WrestleMania match. The fans don’t like that, and Orton doesn’t seem to, either. RKO FOR ALDIS!! Orton is upset, but perhaps that wasn’t the best response…?

WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Last Man Standing Match: Jacob Fatu VS Braun Strowman!

The Samoan Werewolf and the Monster of All Monsters have gone back and forth in brutal battle after brutal battle, but this is where it all comes to a head! LA Knight has the United States Championship, so which of these behemoths will completely demolish the other to go for the gold?

Fatu rushes Braun at the ramp and the fans fire up! The bell rings and Braun HEADBUTTS Fatu! Braun whips Fatu into steel steps, Fatu tumbles, and the count begins already. Fatu sits up at 3 of 10, then drags himself up at 5, but Braun is there to CHOP him! Jacob hobbles, Braun follows, and Braun puts him in the ring. Braun storms in but Fatu KICKS him! And SUPERKICKS him! And runs to LARIAT! Braun is down, Fatu rises, and then Fatu goes up the corner! But Braun is up to YANK Fatu down! Braun scoops Fatu, but Fatu slips free to RAM Braun into buckles! SUPERKICK! Braun stays up, but Fatu runs to BODY CHECK!

Braun is down, the count starts, but Fatu hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER! Direct hit, but Fatu isn’t satisfied! BEST MOONSAULT EVER! Braun is still down, fans want that “ONE MORE TIME! ONE MORE TIME!” Braun sputters at 4 of 10, pushes up off the mat at 6, but then flops back over. Braun rolls out to stand at 8! Fatu goes outside, storms in around the way, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Fatu ROCKS Braun with a haymaker! Braun staggers, Fatu HEADBUTTS, but Braun UPPERCUTS! Braun SHOVES Fatu into the steel steps again! Fatu tumbles, but Braun pulls the steps apart! Fatu stands, Braun RAMS him down! The fans fire up with Braun, and Braun RAMS Fatu down again! Braun rips off his shirt and throws it to the fans! Fatu flounders, the count is 7, but Fatu drags himself up at 9! Braun CLUBS Fatu on the back! Braun brings Fatu around to THROW into the Hydration Station! Braun flips Fatu off while the count starts again. Fatu stirs, Braun watches closely, and the count is 6! Fatu stands at 7, so Braun takes the desk hood and SMACKS him with it!

Braun looms near while Fatu is down. Fatu rises at 4, so Braun SMACKS him back down with the hood! Fatu writhes but he sits back up at 5. Fatu stands at 7, but Braun is on him with an UPPERCUT! Fatu staggers around, Braun brings him over to whip, but Fatu reverses! Now Braun runs into steel steps! Braun falls in a heap and the count is on. Fatu goes looking for things while Braun rises at 6. Braun stands at 8, but Fatu SUPERKICKS him! Fatu puts Braun in the ring, then storms in for HEADBUTTS! Braun wobbles, SmackDown returns to single picture, but HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT forces Braun to kneel.

The fans rally up, Fatu runs, but Braun gets under him to SPINEBUSTER! Both men fall over so the count is on both of them! Braun and Fatu both rise at 4, Braun rolls out so he’s on his feet again. Fatu is still down at 6, but Braun gets an idea. The fans cheer as Braun brings out a TABLE! Fatu stands at 9, but Braun slides the table into the ring. Braun storms in and UPPERCUTS Fatu back down! Braun props the table up in a corner, the fans cheer, but Fatu SUPERKICKS again! Braun wobbles, Fatu runs up, but into a BOOT! Fatu is down but rolling, and he makes it to the ropes at 5. Braun runs up but Fatu DUMPS him ojtu!

Fatu builds speed and he DIVES! Braun is sent over the desk! Both big men are down on the outside and the fans fire up! The count rises, Fatu stands at 4, but Braun flounders at 6. Braun drags himself up at 7, and he officially stands at 8. Fatu is right on Braun to POST him! Braun falls in a heap but hurries to get moving. Fatu gets space, and he runs in at Braun, but Braun CLOBBERS him with a chair!! Fatu goes right down and the fans are fired up! Fatu sputters but Braun is on the tracks! STROWMAN EXPRESS through the barriers!! The fans are thunderous as #OneBigSOB just took out the other!

The count is climbing, and we’re at 7 already! Both men flounder up at 8, then stand at 9! The fans fire up as this continues, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and these behemoths are now brawling in front of the bleachers. Fatu rises at 7 of 10, but Braun is on him! Braun UPPERCUTS Fatu, then drags him on top of a road case! This is near the technical area, and while the ref says don’t do it, the fans say definitely do it! Braun suplexes Fatu up, and they crash down through tables!! Chicago loses its mind all over again while the count begins again! We pass 5, then 7! Braun and Fatu only now stir, and we’re 8! 9! Both men stand at 9.9!! Both men stagger around, Braun has a bloody cut on his shoulder, and “This is Awesome!” Braun has somehow made it to ringside, but so has Fatu.

Braun hobbles around, drops to his knees, but he uses the steps to keep going. Braun flounders against the apron, the count is going, and Braun slips into the ring. Fatu is up at 9 again, and he runs up! BODY CHECK through the corner table!! The fans lose their minds again, and the count is back! Both behemoths are down in the wreckage at 5, and then 6! 7! 8! Fatu springs to life at 9! He stands, Braun doesn’t, Fatu wins!!

Winner: Jacob Fatu (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE United States Championship)

The Samoan Werewolf is not only victorious, he is the first man to best Braun in a Last Man Standing match! Will Knight not survive fighting Fatu in Las Vegas?

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman, again.

Byron walks over to The Wise Man, who is still waiting. When exactly is Roman Reigns going to arrive? Heyman mocks Byron’s question, then says it’ll be any minute now. Byron thanks Heyman for that, but will Roman even bother to show? We’ll have to wait and, after the break.

SmackDown returns and…

Finally, another car pulls into the building. And out steps The Tribal Chief! But he blows right past Heyman to head for gorilla. The music hits, the fans fire up even more, and Roman makes his entrance. He doesn’t even take time to raise the one and cue the pyro, because he wants to get right to the business of this favor. Roman goes to the ring, Heyman doing his best to keep up, and Heyman quickly fetches mics for the two of them. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Roman paces, then tells Chicago, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer and raise their ones to the sky. Roman asks The Wise Man, “Is he here?” Heyman says, “Yes, My Tribal Chief.”

The fans cheer for CM Punk and Roman says yes, that’s who he is talking about. “Wise Man!” “Yes, My Tribal Chief!” “Is he still talking about this favor?” “Y-Yes, My Tribal Chief…” Roman says he doesn’t know how Chicago deals with this guy. “Wise Man.” “Yes, My Tribal Chief?” “Should I share a secret with Chicago?” “Yes, My Tribal Chief!” Roman says CM Punk wouldn’t be back here if not for Roman! The fans boo that, but Roman paces. Roman says CM Punk wouldn’t be in the main event of WrestleMania if not for Roman! And he gets it, Chicago is good people. “He’s from the same city as me, I have to like him! Yay~!”

Roman says Chicago means well but they’re not that smart. CM Punk has been around for forever, wrestled everyone under the sun! Hall of famers, legends, champions, but he’s never been in the main event of WrestleMania. No, he hasn’t. Not until he was introduced to the Tribal Chief! The fans duel between “O T C!” and “C M PUNK!” Roman says that’s right. You hear them chanting for The Tribal Chief in your city. Roman’s in the ring, so bring Punk out here so we can quit wasting our time! Roman wants Punk to come on out so we can hear about this favor! Punk needs to come out here and indulge the Tribal Chief!

The fans chant harder, but “BURN IT DOWN!” plays instead! The fans sing along now with “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins struts his way to the ring. Rollins steps in and struts around Roman and Heyman to get himself a mic. Rollins revels in the singing, then tells Chicago, “I am a Visionary, I am a Revolutionary, I am… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! And I wouldn’t have missed this one for the world, HAHAHAHAAA~!” Rollins doesn’t know what the favor is, but the reality, he feels it’ll knock Roman’s sock off. The thing about reality and Roman is that they don’t seem to jive very well, because unlike all of us, Roman doesn’t like to live in the real world.

But every time Roman steps outside of his little universe, reality bites him in the ass! Rollins won’t do a history lesson, but Example A: The Heist of The Century! Example B: The main event of WrestleMania 40! Fans chant, “What’s The Favor?” Rollins says he’s wondering the same thing, Chicago. But the reality is, Roman underestimated CM Punk. Roman thinks he’s above CM Punk, Roman thinks he doesn’t have to worry about CM Punk. Roman thinks that he can ignore Punk and he’ll go away. Rollins tried that, it doesn’t work, and now Punk is in the main event of WrestleMania, and that is a reality Rollins has to deal with.

Roman could’ve stopped this at WarGames, he didn’t. He could’ve let Rollins stop this at Madison Square Garden, he didn’t. And now, here we are, waiting on the favor. The fans chant for Punk, and Rollins says he’s in a lot better place than he was last week “celebrating” that news of Punk in the main event. Rollins realized that the reality gives him two options: Either you suffer and get left behind, or you adapt and you control reality. Roman isn’t sure what Rollins is getting at. But he tells Rollins the reality here is, Rollins is untrustworthy. Roman could bring up loyalty, but he feels Rollins has no clue what that word means.

CM Punk is here because Roman made a promise to The Wise Man. And Roman keeps his word. The reality is, Roman didn’t call Rollins out here, Roman called Punk out here! The fans sing, “Roman! Roman Reigns~!” Rollins takes off the sunglasses to be serious. Roman called Punk out here, Rollins is here to hear from Punk. So there’s only one thing missing, and that’s CM Punk. The fans chant for Punk, and Rollins steps back as he says time mot hear what the favor is. Punk makes his entrance again and the fans cheer! Punk steps into the ring, wary of Rollins. Rollins keeps his distance, and now Punk smirks at Roman.

The fans cheer on Punk as he has a mic to say, “The favor. What’s the favor? This is about friendship. This is about legacy. This is about promises made and promises kept. This is about… loyalty. Paul, this goes back to 4400 Shepherdsville Road in Louisville, Kentucky, when on day one, I showed up and they told you that I don’t belong, and they told you to fire me, and you said no. And hell, your Wise Man is just that: he is wise beyond his years. Paul, you prophesized this on national television on Monday Night Raw. And if everybody else has forgotten about it, that certainly doesn’t mean I have.”

The fans cheer, and Punk says even before that. Let’s throw it back to the day Heyman left this company on Big Show’s bus. Punk, Heyman, Show, RVD, standing there and talking amongst themselves. And Punk mistakenly made it about himself. Punk told Paul, “They’re gonna fire me! Without you, I’m nothing! Paul, don’t leave!” Paul said no, Punk will be fine. Punk said he is sorry about making it about him, and asked Paul what he could do for him. In that moment, Paul Heyman told CM Punk, “When you main event WrestleMania, force them to deal with us.” Well “they” aren’t here anymore, so Punk will force Roman Reigns, “My Tribal Chief,” out of his comfort zone!

Punk will force Roman to deal with “us.” Heyman is realizing what Punk is getting at. And Punk says in the main event of WrestleMania, in Punk’s corner, it will be Roman’s Wise Man, Punk’s best friend, PAUL HEYMAN! The fans cheer and Rollins says he told Roman this was coming. Heyman remembers back to Raw a decade ago, and Roman is beside himself! Roman says, “That’s the favor?” Roman now laughs! Roman says, “You understand he loves me, right? He needs me! I saved him! Even if I let him, he wouldn’t!” Roman laughs some more and says, “Wise Man.” Heyman responds, “Yes, My Tribal Chief.”

Roman says, “Let this desperate fool down easy, will ya?” The fans duel, but the CM Punk chants return. Punk smiles as Heyman hesitates. Roman is confused and upset, and Heyman is on the brink of tears! Roman asks if Heyman is crying. Heyman better wipe his eyes and tell Punk, “No.” But Heyman tries to explain this out. Roman says he took Heyman, he made Heyman relevant, so tell Punk, “No!” Heyman wipes his eyes, takes a breath, and Roman says he has one more opportunity. “Tell him, ‘no.'” Heyman raises the mic, looks between Roman and Punk, and says, “No, My Tribal Chief, I can’t do that.”

The fans fire up and Rollins is loving this! Heyman says Roman means a lot to him, but so does Punk! Roman backs Heyman into a corner, but Punk goes after Roman! The fans fire up, and Punk fireman’s carries! Heyman is so conflicted, but Punk hits a G T S!! Punk and Rollins stare down while Chicago is thunderous! Heyman is devastated, and Rollins just leaves it at this. The fans boo, but will the Triple Threat main event at WrestleMania be more than enough for Rollins to burn it down?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown with some great build, and some sadder news. Kevin Owens’ neck injury and following surgery are all legit, so the highly anticipated grudge match between him and Randy Orton is legitimately canceled. Orton giving Aldis an RKO is certainly one way for Orton to respond. I’m not sure how, but they might improvise some kind of consolation story so Orton can still be part of Mania. Meanwhile, it is great that we’re adding Naomi VS Jade to WrestleMania for their grudge match. Good stuff from them as Jade attacks, Naomi still finds a way to beat B-Fab, and then they brawl again. I almost feel like their match should have a special stipulation given the heat behind it.

Very good promos from Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest to also direct us towards their grudge match. I almost feel like those two need a stipulation, too. I know NXT and Halloween Havoc is where “Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal” has been featured, but this is Las Vegas. Why not spin the wheel to up the ante? Well, that aside, both McIntyre VS Priest and Naomi VS Jade feel very up in the air, either side could win and come away strong enough to go for a title. Speaking of titles, I guess the theme for Charlotte VS Tiffany really is “Anything you can do, I can do better.” And that was perhaps the sloppiest worked-shoot I’ve seen in a long time. Oddly, I think the last one also involved Charlotte…

Fenix VS Frazer was an awesome match, practically PPV level, but naturally Fenix won. Good promo from him after, and good promo from Legado to help set up Fenix’s next match. Fenix VS Berto will be great stuff, and maybe Andrade joins in the story as he’s been trying to convince Berto and even Angel that Santos isn’t really the leader they deserve. We definitely need to see Fenix VS Santos and maybe even Fenix VS Andrade as this story gets going. Also, I like them making a tag team gauntlet for the Women’s Tag titles. The six teams between both Raw and SmackDown (because that’s all there really are right now) all have a pretty good chance, can’t wait to see who wins.

Great tag team match from DIY VS MCMG, and it works that MCMG won. They finally settle things with DIY from when DIY turned Heel, and now MCMG will have a proper tag match against The Profits. Very good promo from Braun and Knight with Solo and Tama, and then a very good match from LA Knight VS Tama Tonga. Solo of course did his best to interfere, and of course Knight wins out. Braun VS Jacob was an awesome main event match, and they made good use of the Last Man Standing stipulation. It was clear Jacob would win given how he cost Braun last week and has basically had Braun’s number since the beginning of this feud. The question now will be, does Solo cost Jacob the title at Mania? And how?

And of course, the big attraction for being in Chicago is everything CM Punk. Great opening promo from him, as well as with Heyman. Heyman waiting for Roman to get Rollins first was a good promo, too. And while a lot of fans were expecting something big for “the favor,” I do give WWE credit for using this as a way to call back to over 10 years (maybe closer to 12?) when Heyman was Punk’s Advocate and did make that promise to Punk that they’d be together for Punk’s WrestleMania main event. This is about as close to a #FinishTheStory moment for Punk as I think we’ll get, but it’s pretty good for all of us longtime fans who were even watching way back when. Punk standing tall tonight is good stuff, too, since it’s Chicago, but it’s still too early to call the match.

My Score: 8.8/10

Bullet Club is taking aim at gold again!

Clark Connors called out El Desperado, and Taiji Ishimori is bringing Robbie X, will Bullet Club soon run NJPW’s Junior Heavyweight Division?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Ninja Mack & Katsuya Murashima VS MAO & Yuya Koroku; Mao & Koroku win.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Ryusuke Taguchi; Tanahashi wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Tsuji & Takagi win.
• 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS Bullet Club War Dogs; Hontai wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X; Eagles & Fujita win and retain the titles.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Hardcore Match: El Desperado VS Clark Connors; Desperado wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

After the opening tag match…

Katsuya Murashima has a hard head, but Mao still broke through with the Force Kick. Then he grabs the mic to say, “We are Mao and Yuya Koroku of DDT Pro. And just wait, because there’s more to come. Maybe even in May.” Mao smiles, is he teasing his taking part in Best of the Super Juniors?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Ryusuke Taguchi!

The Ace Final Road moves on from Connection to Kinship. He did lose to Shingo Takagi to start this Road to Sakura Genesis, but now he moves on to the Funky Weapon. Will Tanahashi get his momentum back? Or will Taguchi have a parting gift for the president?

Tanahashi stands on the corner like usual, and Taguchi storms up like he’s going to attack! The ref stops Taguchi, but Taguchi assures he’s just joking. Tanahashi shows the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally behind Tanahashi. Taguchi and Tanahashi circle, tie up, and Taguchi waistlocks. Tanahashi switches, Taguchi wrenches free to wristlock. Tanahashi powers through to wrench and wristlock Taguchi, then hammerlocks. Taguchi reaches down but Tanahashi keeps his feet back. Taguchi drop toeholds, then floats to a headlock. Tanahashi slips out to hammerlock, then floats to a headlock.

Taguchi fights up, but Tanahashi hits the takeover! Taguchi headscissors, Tanahashi kips free, and the fans cheer as Tanahashi plays the air guitar! And uh, Taguchi is perhaps playing air saxophone? Well, the two reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder with the Test of Strength, and Tanahashi knees low to wrench and hammerlock. Tanahashi then headlocks, but Taguchi endures the grind. Taguchi pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but Taguchi fires body shots. Taguchi powers up and out, drops down, then bypasses. And he drops down! And he bypasses! The fans fire up as Taguchi keeps things going!

Tanahashi runs and runs and runs as Taguchi keeps him moving! Tanahashi is slowing down! Is he finally tired? Yes! Tanahashi drops to his knees and the fans cheer “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi shrugs, then asks Tanahashi if he’s okay. Tanahashi says yes! Tanahashi rises, Taguchi is on him, but Tanahashi fires the strike fest! Taguchi kicks low, runs, but Tanahashi dodges the hip attack! Or, perhaps just collapsing? Either way, Taguchi crashes ‘n’ burns. The fans rally, Tanahashi stomps Taguchi’s butt, then stomps it more. Tanahashi stands Taguchi, puts him in the ropes, and kicks his butt quite literally! And even DROPKICKS!

Taguchi is dazed in the ropes and slowly slumps down. Taguchi dangles, the ref helps him back up and in. Tanahashi looms over Taguchi while the fans rally back up. Tanahashi drags Taguchi up, but Taguchi CHOPS! Tanahashi eggs him on so Taguchi CHOPS again and again! Tanahashi UPPERCUTS Taguchi, then steals the HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Taguchi CHOPS! Taguchi fires body shots, but Tanahashi UPPERCUTS! And HIP ATTACKS! Tanahashi fires up, the fans cheer, but Taguchi hits THOUSAND YEARS OF DEATH!! Tanahashi staggers around in pain, but it seems his buns of steel hurt Taguchi in return!

The fans rally as both men stand. Taguchi dropkicks Tanahashi’s legs out, then has OH MY GAH ANKLE! But Tanahashi rolls to steal OH MY GAH ANKLE! Taguchi hops his way to a corner, goes up, and he has Tanahashi caught for DEADLY NUT SHADE! Tanahashi staggers, Taguchi runs up, HIP ATTACK into an atomic drop! Tanahashi runs, but Taguchi gets under Slingblade to roll Tanahashi! TWO, OH MY GAH ANKLE! Tanahashi fights, reels Taguchi in, but Taguchi powers Tanahashi down for OH MY GAH ANKLE! Tanahashi turns over, kicks Taguchi, but Taguchi holds on! The fans rally as Tanahashi reaches out!

Taguchi drags Tanahashi back and runs, BUM-A-YE! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Taguchi goes to a corner! Taguchi calls upon the powers of Thong Style! But Tanahashi’s already up! Taguchi shouts, “Tanahashi, ARIGATO~!” The fans fire up and Taguchi shouts, “ORYA~!” But then he sees Tanahashi’s been standing there. Taguchi is a bit stunned, then he fires up again! Taguchi runs up, into a SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi fires up, the fans are with him, and he goes up the corner! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

And so the storied rivalry comes to an end, with Ace on top! But Tanahashi is still running the gauntlet! He has a showdown with Shota Umino tomorrow, will Tanahashi be able to break through to the Roughneck? Or will Shota’s Second Chapter take a dark turn?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X!

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they did get jumped by The Bone Soldier. The War Dogs are all about bringing gold and bringing bodies, so will Taiji and Mr. X do a bit of both? Or will the Ichiban Sweet Boys stay golden?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly mighty!

The War Dogs bark a bit but TMDK isn’t scared. Fujita starts against X and the fans rally for “FU-JI-TA!” Fujita and X circle, but then Taiji slips in and CLOBBERS Fujita! Robbie BLASTS Robbie, then Buller Club double whip. Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Fujita kips up! Tag to Eagles and they double whip X to DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up, Taiji returns, but Fujita sweeps the legs! Eagles KICKS Taiji in the side, Fujita adds a SOMERSAULT SENTON, and Eagles adds a basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as TMDK holds the ring.

Eagles has X down while he starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! OI OI OI!” X tries to get away but Eagles keeps him in place, “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! OI OI OI!” X SLAPS Eagles! Eagles KNEES low, then he KICKS X down! Cover, ONE, but Eagles drags X up. Eagles bumps X off buckles then tags Fujita. Fujita snapmares X, KICKS him in the back then covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Fujita as he stays on X. Fujita slaps X around, but X ROCKS and CHOPS Fujita! Fujita CHOPS X down! The fans rally and Fujita waistlocks, but X fights free!

Fujita ducks the backhand to CHOP X down! Fujita runs, but Taiji trips him up! Taiji drags Fujita out, fires forearms, but Fujita CHOPS! The fans fire up and Fujita hurries up, but X FRONT FLIP KICKS! X skins the cat, but Eagles runs up! X TOSSES Eagles, then Taiji gives him a hand! Taiji helps X go up and up to SUPER MOONSAULT! Down go the Ichiban Sweet Boys and the fans fire up! The ref checks on Eagles & Fujita but Taiji undoes the blue buckle pad! X puts Fujita in, then he and Taiji double whip. They DOUBLE ELBOW Fujita down, then X wheelbarrows with Taiji for the VICTORY SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Fujita stays in this. X drags Fujita up, and bumps him off bare buckles! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Taiji tags back in. Taiji drags Fujita up, snapmares, and FIST DROPS! Cover, TWO! Taiji drags Fujita around, traps an arm, and grabs the other arm! Fujita endures as Taiji grinds and pulls, then he YANKS the arm! Fujita writhes from that sacrifice, and X tags in. X hauls Fujita up to snapmare, then he ELBOW DROPS the bad arm! And STOMPS it! X bumps Fujita off buckles, then BLASTS Eagles again! Tag to Taiji, and X snapmares Fujita for Taiji’s slingshot ELBOW DROP!

Taiji resets Fujita for X’s handstand SENTON! Taiji covers, TWO! Fujita stays in this but Taiji stays on him. Taiji BLASTS Eagles back off the apron, but the fans rally for Fujita. Taiji drags Fujita up, and POSTS him! The ref reprimands, but Taiji brings Fujita around to hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Fujita writhes but the fans still rally behind him. Taiji waits on Fujita, then runs in, but Fujita drop toeholds! Taiji fights that to a cradle, TWO! Taiji kicks low, whips, but Fujita reverses and GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Fujita and Taiji crawl while the fans rally up, hot tag to Eagles!

Eagles springboards, Taiji dodges, but Eagles BOOTS X! And then he RANAS Taiji, and WHEEL KICKS! X storms in to kick Eagles! Bullet Club whips but Eagles reverses to send Taiji away! Then Eagles sends X into Taiji! X falls over, Eagles dropkicks Taiji’s legs out! Eagles keeps moving, BASEMENT LARIAT DROPKICK COMBO! The fans fire up and Eagles aims at Taiji in the corner. Eagles runs up, DOUBLE KNEES, and then rolls back. Taiji sits down, Eagles METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this and the fans rally up. Eagles stomps Taiji’s leg, KICKS it, then goes up the corner. Eagles aims, WARP 4- NO, Taiji dodges!

Eagles rolls through and keeps moving to DIVE onto X! Fujita waistlocks Taiji, Taiji fights free! Taiji runs to GOLDEN TRIANGLE onto Eagles! But then Fujita FLIES to wipe out the War Dogs! Korakuen is thunderous will all four men down! The ring count starts, TMDK regroups and drags Taiji up. They put him in at 7 of 20 and the fans rally up again. TMDK double wrenches, and MAXXY BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives but TMDK has more tricks to try. Eagles scoops, Taiji slips free and CLAWS the eyes! Taiji then RAMS Eagles into Fujita, and uses Eagles as a pommel horse to ENZIGIRI Fujita down!

Taiji spins Eagles around, BLOODY- NO, Eagles fights that! Taiji mule kicks Eagles in the face! Taiji whips, Eagles reverses, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Taiji crawls over, hot tag to X! Robbie storms up on Robbie to stomp him around. X eggs on Eagles, then mockingly chants “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! X, X, X!” X ROCKS Eagles, but Eagles fires a forearm, an uppercut, and a KICK to the leg! X kicks low, runs the ropes, but Eagles follows! But X catches him to a wheelbarrow, victory roll, turnover, but he feints the toehold to BACKFLIP over, and he reels Eagles in! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up and X can’t believe it! X fires up, says BANG, and the fans bark along. X runs, but Eagles reels him in! X breaks free and CHOPS! Eagles wobbles, X reels him in, and X suplexes! But Eagles slips free! Eagles waistlocks, X switches, but Eagles cravats for ASAI DDT! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Eagles crawls, hot tag to Fujita! Fujita CHOPS X! Fujita whips corner to corner, runs up, but X puts him on the apron. Fujita ducks a shot to SHOTEI! The fans fire up with Fujita, and Fujita springboards in, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fujita runs and PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!

X survives but the fans fire up behind Fujita! Fujita vows to end this, and he hauls X up. Fujita suplexes, but X knees free! X wrenches, Fujita wrenches, and Fujita drop toeholds! Fujita steps through, ties up the legs, and he has the arms! NEMOS SPECIAL! X endures, Eagles keeps Taiji out! Eagles then slips in, but Taiji follows! Eagles trips Taiji, steps through, but Taiji BOOTS Eagles into Fujita! X is free! Taiji CLUBS Fujita, whips, but Fujita reverses to TOSS Taiji! Fujita stalks X, waistlocks, and deadlifts, but X fights back with elbows! Fujita still takes this to the ropes, O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!! X is free again, but Fujita BOOTS him!

Eagles tags in, then TMDK double whips X, just to crisscross and HEEL KICK WHEEL KICK COMBO! The fans fire up and Eagles stands X up. Fujita joins in, they double wrench and MAX- NO, Taiji pushes X to freedom! Taiji JUMP KNEES Eagles! Fujita CHOPS Taiji down! X blocks Eagles’ kick to SPIN KICK! X runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! X PELES into a SUPERKICK!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous! Taiji and Fujita bail out while the Robbies stir. Eagles drags X to center, steps through, but X KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Eagles just snarls and spinning toeholds! X writhes and Eagles takes aim.

Eagles runs up, but X ducks the Hyperion! X hobbles up and brings Eagles around, but Eagles schoolboy bridges! TWO, but Eagles steps through! X KICKS free, Taiji is in, and Taiji runs up at the corner. Taiji blocks Eagles’ kick, puts him in the ropes, and X ENZIGIRIS while Taiji runs, SLIDING GERMAN! X adds a RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Eagles survives, but X hurries to stand him up! Feed to Taiji, for BLOODY- NO, Eagles slips free and shoves X into Taiji! Eagles then blocks a kick, fires strikes, and he hooks X up! But X fights the Turbo Backpack to go up and POISON-RANA! X handsprings, to X CUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!?!

Eagles survives, the fans are thunderous but X is shocked! X hauls Eagles up, feeds to Taiji, BLOODY KILLER!! X goes up, up, and X-EXPRESS!! Cover, Fujita barrels in and breaks it!! The fans are thunderous again, but Taiji hauls Fujita up. Fujita CHOPS! Taiji CHOPS! Fujita SHOTEIS! Taiji BOOTS! Fujita HEEL KICKS! X SUPERKICKS Fujita, then dodges him to PELE! The fans fire up, X handsprings, but into Eagles’ arms! Fujita runs up, SWEET BUSTER!! Cover, TAIJI BREAKS IT! The fans are electric as Fujita deadlifts Taiji, Eagles SUPERKICKS Taiji for the GERMAN SUPLEX! Eagles now aims at X! HYPERION!! Cover, TMDK wins!

Winners: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Bullet Club pushed Eagles & Fujita to their limits, but they truly learned that The Mighty Don’t Kneel! TMDK still hold the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag titles, what more will they gain here in NJPW? Wait, wait, Yoh & Wato are here?! Wato grabs the mic to say, “Hey! That was awesome! But Yoh and I are the next challengers.” Even Yoh seems surprised! But Wato tells Eagles & Fujita that he would like a reply right now. Wato holds out the mic, Eagles takes it, and he checks with Fujita, “Honto ni? <Are they serious?>” Eagles says this happens every time! There hasn’t been one defense where TMDK can just go to the back and rest up.

No, every time, someone has to scurry on out here. But let him get this right: Wato & Yoh are next? Honto ni?! Well, they might as well go on to V3. So if it is okay with the Japanese Young Punk… Eagles offers the mic, the fans cheer for Fujita, and Fujita takes the mic. “First of all, maybe for Mr. Weirdo, Yoh, it’s a bit soon. And I did want to wrestle Wato, but I have had my fill of Yoh.” Yoh turns to go but Wato has him hold on. Fujita says that if they’re really the ones challenging, he needs to hear it from Yoh. Fujita slides the mic to Yoh, and while Yoh lies down on the mat, he says, “Wato invited me out here, and now it seems I’m part of this.”

But if they are going to challenge for the titles, then yes, Yoh would really, really like those belts. So Robbie, Fujita, you’re on! Yoh stares down Fujita, then gets a close look at the belt. Will Yoh & Wato Direct Drive down the Way to the Grandmaster? Or will the Ichiban Sweet Boys stay golden?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Hardcore Match: El Desperado VS Clark Connors!

The Rogue Luchador walked through the Crown of Fire, but now he’s in the frying pan! There are no disqualifications, no count outs, and no buckle pads! But there are plenty of chairs waiting in every corner. This is going to be wild and unpredictable, but we do know it’ll be violent! Will Desperado make it through this genesis? Or will the title soon be 100 Proof?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Despy is still The Best of the Super Juniors!

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. Connors and Despy stare down, the fans cheer for Despy but many bark for Connors. Despy and Connors storm up, and Despy CHOPS! Connors nods and CHOPS! Despy CHOPS again, so Connors CHOPS again! The CHOPS continue back and forth, and Despy is already having fun! The fans rally as the CHOPS go faster and faster! Connors gets the edge, and he CHOPS Despy against ropes! The fans cheer, but Despy grins. Despy steps back up and pats Connors on the head as he says, “Can’t believe you haven’t already been champion.” And then the CHOPS continue!

The fans fire up as the CHOPS just keep going! Despy CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, then CHOPS Connors against the ropes! The fans cheer and Connors checks his stinging chest. The two circle again, and Connors winds up to CHOP! Despy CHOPS, Connors CHOPS, and the fans rally as the CHOPS just keep going! Connors fires an UPPERCUT and a HAYMAKER, but then Despy comes back to UPPERCUT! Connors staggers away to ropes and the fans fire up again. Despy grins and nods, and Connors says time to really get hardcore. They each grab a chair! The fans fire up as these two storm up!

Despy swings but Connors ducks! Connors swings but Despy ducks! Despy BOOTS Connors’ chair away, but Connors blocks Despy’s chair shot! Connors kicks low, puts the chair aside, and whips Despy at the corner! Despy stops short of hitting bare buckles but Connors runs in. Despy dodges, Connors stops short of hitting buckles! Connors RAMS and whips Despy, but Despy reverses to send Connors into the steel! Then Despy goes corner to corner and Connors hits buckles hard! The fans fire up and Despy grins. Despy says Connors asked for this, and now he’s learning. Despy drags Connors up to CLUB him down.

Despy grabs a chair, and then uses it to scoop Connors, FULL METAL SLAM! Cover, ONE!! Connors shows some grit already and Despy is impressed. Despy sits the chair up, then brings Connors over. Despy pushes Connors’ head onto the seat, but Connors sits up and flips Despy off. So Despy pokes Connors in the eye! Despy puts Connors’ head back on the seat, and SMACKS chair with chair! Connors tumbles out of the ring after that homerun shot and the fans fire up! Despy pushes the chairs aside, then goes out after Connors. The fans applaud as Despy passes by, but Connors CLOBBERS him with a trashcan!

The fans fire up as both men are down from that demolition derby, and even the timekeeper and commentary has to watch out for flying lids. Connors SMASHES Despy with the can, then lifts it back up, HEADSHOT! Despy slumps down and the fans duel. Connors clears out space, says he’s the king of this, and he UPPERCUTS Despy! Despy staggers around, and Young Lions have the fans get back. Connors takes a lap and builds speed as he goes, to JEEP FLIPPER! Despy is sent right into the chairs! Now that’s a way to bowl a strike! The fans bark with Connors, then he drags Despy up. Connors SMACKS Despy off the wood bleachers!

Connors JAMS Despy up with a chair, tells more fans to clear out, and Connors drags Despy to the upper deck! Kids are scared as Connors storms over, but Despy fires body shots on Connors! Despy knees Connors low, but Connors ROCKS Despy! They go to the very back of the bleachers, and Connors SMACKS Despy off the wood! Connors stands among the crowd and the fans bark it up! But Despy comes back to SMACK Connors! They go into another section, Despy stomps Connors down, then CHOKES him! Despy drags Connors up to ROCK him with a right! Connors staggers into the chairs, and flops to the edge of the deck!

Despy CHOKES Connors, Red Shoes reprimands, but there’s nothing to be done! Connors CLAWS Despy’s eyes! The fans rally while Connors sputters. Connors stands, and he looks at the floor below. Connors drags Despy up, the fans freak out already, but Despy fights the suplex! Connors still tries, but Despy wrenches out to ROCK Connors! Connors takes a seat, but now Despy looks at the floor! Despy drags Connors up, but he takes the stairs. Despy then has another section of fans clear out! Despy whips and BOWLS Connors through chairs! Connors ends up in the bleachers! Despy winds up, and the fans join in on shouting, “STRIKE!!”

Despy hobbles over to drag Connors up, then brings him back to ringside. Connors UPPERCUTS, then he POSTS Despy! Despy falls in a heap while Connors leans against the apron. Connors storms back over, and he grabs a chair from the corner. Connors takes aim, and he swings that chair, but Despy ducks! Chair hits POST, and not only is Connors disarmed, but a piece of the chair comes flying off! Commentary narrowly avoids disaster, but a camera has taken some damage. Despy finds as kendo stick! But so does Connors! Both men grin as violent minds think alike. They meet around the way, and go up into the orange seats!

The fans fire up as Despy and Connors go up to the aisleway, and Young Lions have the fans move back as a precaution. Connors and Despy stand off like it’s high noon, and they CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! Despy’s kendo stick is falling apart already, and Connors SMACKS Despy in the head! And again! And again! And again! Now Connors’ stick has broken, but he just SMACKS away on Despy’s back! Connors fires up and the fans fire up with him! Connors paces while the fans continue to rally. Connors winds up to SMACK Despy again! Connors hears a young fan cheering on Despy and gets right in the kid’s face!

The fan doesn’t back down but Red Shoes has Connors back off. Connors drags Despy up, brings him around with a headlock, and they go down the stands. Connors flips off all the fans he sees wearing and/or holding Despy merch, then he POSTS Despy again! The fans rally and duel, but Connors paces. “DE-SU-PY!” “WOOF!” “DE-SU-PY!” “WOOF!” echoes as Connors takes off his own leather belt! Connors sits Despy up, then stands him up against the post! Connors uses that 100 Proof belt to strap Despy into the corner! Connors then grabs a fresh kendo stick! Red Shoes reprimands, but there’s nothing to stop Connors as he SMACKS Despy right on the back!

Despy slumps down, but the belt trapping his hands keeps him up just enough. Connors finds some whiskey, takes a swig, but Despy talks trash! So Connors SMACKS him again! Connors takes another swig, then he splashes that right on the cuts and scrapes on Despy’s back! Despy shouts in pain but he’s still trapped. Connors goes looking, and he brings out a TABLE! And then another table! The fans bark as Connors sets those up at ringside, and the Young Lions already have fans move back as a precaution. Connors asks if we’re having fun or what, and the fans are a bit torn. Connors finishes with the furniture, and the fans applaud.

Despy tells Connors off again, and we see Despy has a bloody back. So Connors SMACKS him again! Connors is raising that batting average but he has yet to win the game. Connors tells Red Shoes to set Despy free, and he claims to be a good sport. Red Shoes removes the belt, and Despy turns around, but into another SMACK! That kendo stick is busted, and Connors looms over Despy while he writhes on the floor. Connors drags Despy up, brings him around, and reels him back in! The fans rally but Despy fights the bomb! Now Despy lifts Connors, but Connors fights the spinebuster! And he POSTS Despy again!

Despy writhes, Connors drags him back up and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Connors brings that whiskey. Connors takes another swig, then he looks around for something else. Connors takes a fan’s Despy banner, wraps it around the bottle, and then SMASHES the bottle against the post! The whiskey splashes around, some pieces of glass also fly, but Connors brings the broken bottle to the ring! Connors sits Despy up, takes aim, but Despy blocks Connors’ hand! The fans freak out as the two struggle, and Connors still pushes the jagged edge against Despy’s mask! Despy LOW BLOWS to save himself!

The fans fire up, and it seems Connors has split his pants at some point. Despy rises, and now he has the bottle! Red Shoes warns Despy, but Despy sits Connors up! Despy tells Connors to give up now, but Connors says F U! Despy says well, alright. And he DIGS the bottle into Connors’ forehead!! Despy lets off and Connors scrambles away! Despy asks for someone to dispose of the bottle, and hands it off to a Young Lion. Connors is of course bleeding, but Despy GRINDS Connors’ face off the ropes! Despy wipes the blood off the ropes, then he storms up on Connors. Despy climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, all the way to TEN!

Despy BITES Connors on the forehead! Despy steps off with a sinister grin while Connors sputters in the corner. Despy goes back for Connors, drags him up, and whips him hard into the bare buckles! Connors slumps down, and Despy mockingly asks, “Hurts, huh?” Despy whips Connors corner to corner hard the other way! The fans cheer while Connors writhes, and Despy drags him back up. Despy whips Connors again, but Connors reverses! Despy hits buckles and slumps down! Connors runs in, but Despy FLAPJACKS him off buckles! Despy grabs a chair, sits it up, then grabs a few more to do the same!

Despy makes quite the chair circle, and the fans rally as Despy brings Connors over. Despy SLAPS Connors, then hoists him up top. Despy climbs up, admitting to Red Shoes that this is a bit risky but it’ll be fine. Despy fires the fans up, then brings Connors up. Connors fights the suplex, throws body shots, then he HEADBUTTS Despy! Despy wobbles, Connors gets under him, and Connors POWERBOMBS Despy onto the chairs! Despy writhes, his back only taking more damage! Connors clears the chairs out and crawls around. Connors aims from the corner, runs, but Despy dodges! Connors almost spears buckles!

Despy runs up, Connors puts him on the apron, and he ROCKS Despy! Despy wobbles, and we’re near those tables…! Connors runs in, but Despy goes up and over! Despy hoists Connors up for a BIG back suplex! Then he suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Despy goes outside. Despy looks under, and he brings out a chair wrapped in barbed wire!! The fans freak out but Despy raises that chair triumphantly. Despy turns around, Connors SPEARS him and the chair!! Both men are writhing in pain but for different reasons! Red Shoes checks both men, and now Connors has bloody scratches on his shoulder!

Connors and Despy see the chair, they both scramble for it, and they both get a hand on it! But they decide to take strips of wire from it!? Despy grins and Connors nods. The fans rally up as Connors puts his hair back, and then wraps a fist in the wire! Despy does the same with his piece of wire, though that’s a bit double-edged. The fans bark it up, and we’re into some new territory here! They both just start throwing barbed wire fists! They dig the wires into the other’s forehead!! Red Shoes wants them to stop, but both Despy and Connors tell him to shut up! Then Connors kicks, but Despy blocks! Despy digs the wire into Connors’ groin!!

Despy runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM onto the barbed wire chair!!! Despy writhes, Connors grabs the chair, and Connors takes aim to JAM Despy up! And then SMACK him on the back!! Despy writhes, but Connors puts the chair down underneath him! Connors grabs the arms, to CURB STOMP Despy into the barbed wire chair!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Despy survives and the fans are thunderous! Despy has bloody cuts on his arms and chest but he still has fighting spirit! Connors drags Despy up, puts on out, and- NO, Despy blocks the No Chaser! Connors KNEES low, then tries again! But Despy wrenches out and BACK SUPLEX onto the barbed wire!! Cover, TWO!!

Despy kicks the chair aside, and he drags Connors up. Connors blocks the lift, wrenches out, but Despy catches the lariat to wrench, spin, and underhook! PINCHE LOCO!! Despy crawls to the cover, TWO!?!? Connors survives and the fans are thunderous! Despy is frustrated but he rises back up. Despy hauls Connors up, underhooks, TIGER DRIVER, and then a roll through! PINCH- NO, Connors wrenches out, and TROPHY KILLER!! Cover, TWO!!! Despy survives, but Connors LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Despy survives again and the fans are thunderous! Connors shakes his head, then beats his chest.

The fans bark it up for Connors and he drags Despy back up. Connors reels Despy in, but Despy fights the No Chaser! Despy RAMS Connors into buckles! And reels him back in, but Connors RAMS Despy into the buckles! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Connors storms up on Despy to UPPERCUT! Connors then puts Despy up top, and he ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Connors climbs, brings Despy up, and puts one out! They go to the very top, but Despy fights the lift! Despy wrenches free, and he fires forearms on Connors! Despy HEADBUTTS Connors, then adjust position! Despy aims for the outside?!

Despy lifts Connors, SUPER SPINEBUSTER down through the tables!!!! The fans go nuts seeing that crash landing!! Slowly but surely, Despy rises up! The fans are thunderous as Despy manages to stand, and then he manages to walk over to Connors. Despy brings Connors up from the wreckage, then puts him in the ring. Despy drags himself in, crawls to the cover, TWO!?!?!?! Connors barely gets that hand up, but he manages to flip Despy off! Despy nods, he likes the grit Connors is showing. But then he drags Connors into the underhooks, for a JAY DRILLER!! Despy holds on, and he drags Connors up again, for PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, Despy wins!!!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Both men shed blood and sweat, but perhaps the tears will be left for later. Even so, Connors has nothing to cry about considering how far he pushed Desperado here. But then, if this wasn’t enough to win, what will it take for Connors to finally be THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?

As for Desperado, Red Shoes brings him the belt, and he waves someone over. Connors’ tag partner and friend, “Drilla” Dan Moloney, as well as Connors’ girlfriend and Historic X-Over tag partner, Thekla, are here. They check on Connors after seeing him go to Hell and back for this match. A couple beers are brought to the ring, and Despy tells Connors that for right now, just tonight, cheers. They crack open the cold ones and toast, but also flip each other off. Drilla & Thekla then help Connors to the back while Despy chugs his beer in celebration. Then he grabs a mic, and the fans chant for “DE-SU-PY! DE-SU-PY!”

Some fans shout that the match was awesome, Despy thanks them, but then the lights go out?! It’s TEMPLARIO! The CMLL luchador and member of the United Empire is on the tron, and he is calling out Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! For it is his destiny! The lights come back up and Despy says after 40 minutes, breaking himself apart, and he’s got another challenger. Despy says Connors is damn cool, but the fans say so is Despy! Despy says of course! But of course he looks cool after battling with a guy as tough as Connors. Despy apologizes for a burp, and for tearing up a bit.

But Despy can’t help but smile like an idiot after having such a battle with Connors. It was fun, tough, scary, risky, but that is how great pro-wrestling is! That they can all be cool and tough and manly. And for those who paid good money to come here tonight, he thanks them for being here, and hopes they had a great night! With that, Despy drops the mic, raises the belt, and the confetti flies! Despy risked it all but he’s ready for more, when and where will The Rogue Luchador battle with The Lion Warrior, Templario?

My Thoughts:

A great show, especially for a Road To series. Mao & Yuya get a very good match with Ninja Mack & Katsuya Murashima, and Murashima really got to show his stuff. Mao basically saying he’ll be in Best of the Super Juniors 32 is good stuff, he’ll have a great showing in that round table tournament. Very fun stuff from Tanahashi and Taguchi, but of course Tanahashi won that. Good stuff in those tune-up matches, and great stuff in the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match. Taiji & Robbie X make a great team, but so do Eagles & Fujita. Ichiban Sweet Boys keep the reign going, and they’ll have a very good match with Wato & Yoh.

Desperado VS Connors was an awesome main event, and they really pushed the envelope, especially for NJPW. Those moments of debris flying is perhaps a sign NJPW needs to invest in safer chairs before they go hardcore like AEW and WWE go hardcore. But either way, it was certainly some awesome stuff, one of Connors’ best matches period, and one day he really should be THE Junior Heavyweight Champion. But Despy has been on a great run, and Templario calling him out is some good stuff. They’ll have a great match that probably flips things to be Despy showing his lucha libre skills.

My Score: 9/10