Coverage
Mitchell’s NXT TakeOver: WarGames III Results & Report! (11/23/19)
WarGames III makes history!

Will WarGames once again be Undisputed?
There won’t be just one but TWO WarGames matches! The men and women of NXT will do battle inside the double cage just 24 hours before Survivor Series!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- TakeOver Kickoff – Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Angel Garza; Garza wins.
- Women’s WarGames: Team Ripley VS Team Baszler; Team Ripley wins.
- NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Pete Dunne VS Killian Dain VS Damien Priest; Dunne wins and will challenge Adam Cole for the title at Survivor Series.
- Matt Riddle VS Finn Balor; Balor wins.
- Men’s WarGames: Team Ciampa VS The Undisputed Era; Team Ciampa wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the TakeOver Kickoff Show!
Join Charly Caruso, Sam Roberts and Pat McFee as they recap and predict the action.
BREAKING NEWS!
Mia Yim was attacked backstage! Team Rhea’s Head Baddie in Charge is out in a daze, and the captain is pissed. They need an emergency fourth, but who will it be?!
TakeOver Kickoff – Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Angel Garza!
Whose house? Swerve’s House! But it might be falling down after going up against the pride of the Garza dynasty! Who scores big on TakeOver’s first ever live kickoff match?
The bell rings and Garza wants to get those pants of already! Swerve stops him and whips, but Garza dodges. Things speed up, Garza rolls off the back but Swerve sweeps to a cover, ONE. Garza sweeps and covers, ONE, and BOTH men offer handshakes! Swerve knows Garza’s tricks, and they both SLAP each other! Swerve comes back with a twisting headscissors! Garza bails out, Swerve runs to Sasuke HURICANRANA! A rough landing but Swerve gets Garza up and in for the cover, ONE! Fans rally and duel as Swerve brings Garza up. Swerve wrenches and CHOPS Garza, then whips to CHOP again! Swerve hits a gourd buster, then uses the ropes for the cartwheel splash! Cover, TWO! Garza gets to a corner but Swerve runs in, only to get buckles. Garza hits back with a forearm smash!
Garza runs but sees Swerve follow. He puts Swerve up top, but Swerve comes back with the flying uppercut to the back! Fans rally, “Swerve! Swerve!” but Garza puts Swerve on the apron. Swerve forearms back then climbs up, big crossbody! Garza rolls through and deadlifts, to an overhead suplex into buckles! Off come the pants! Garza tosses them at Swerve, SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Garza is frustrated but he keeps his cool. Garza kicks Swerve while he’s down then drags him up for clubbing forearms. Garza dragon sleepers and suplexes, rebound to the impact! SUPERKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and Garza grows further frustrated. Garza stomps Swerve while he’s down. Garza taunts Swerve, “That’s it?” He toys with Swerve but fans rally up.
Garza runs in but gets an elbow! And then a boot! Swerve hops up but Garza trips him up, for a dropkick to the gut! Cover, TWO! Garza drags Swerve back to a drop zone and grins as he climbs up, MOUNTAIN MOONSAULT! But Swerve dodges to LARIAT! Then underhooks, butterfly sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Swerve grits his teeth as he drags Garza into a full nelson. Fans rally up but Garza fights out. Garza CHOPS but Swerve CHOPS! They CHOP back and forth! Double CHOP! Swerve throws body shots and shoves, but Garza uses ropes to rebound, POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives again! Garza catches his breath, drags Swerve back to the drop zone, and hammers away to keep him down.
Garza climbs up top, but Swerve is right up! Garza catches him in a waistlock but Swerve fights out to the apron. Garza leaps into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the apron!! But that’s not all, KILL STOMPS!! Swerve drags Garza into the ring, aims from the corner, and hits the HOUSE CALL! Cover, TWO!?! Garza survives Swerve’s best!? Swerve drags Garza back up, full nelson but Garza fights out again. They back into the referee! Garza goes to low blow but Swerve stops it! Swerve kicks but is blocked, Garza knees back! Underhooks, WING CLIPPER!! Cover, Garza wins!!
Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall
Incredible! If this was just the kickoff, just imagine how great the rest of tonight will be! That, and is Garza going to climb his way back towards a title match with this huge win?
NXT goes backstage to check in with Mia and Team Rhea.
Medices help Mia to the ambulance as Rhea, Tegan, Candice and even Dakota Kai watch on. Mia gets up and in, and GM William Regal asks Rhea what her plan is. Dakota’s here, so she’s back on the team. But she’s not prepared. No, she is prepared. She wants after Shayna Baszler who bullied her. This is payback! This is Dakota’s time! Tegan has her friend’s back, too. Dakota agrees, she’ll be Team Ripley. Will Captain Kick help Captain Ripper rip into Team Baszler?
Tommaso Ciampa tweeted a statement towards tonight.
“We spoke to a potential 4th. No promises were made. If he decides to show up, he’s in. If not, nothing changes.” According to Sam Roberts, the fourth man Ciampa asked IS here! But who is it?! Will they still go to war along side the Blackheart, the Limitless and the Colossus?!
This ring is a battlefield.
“We! Are! N! X! T!” But there is still war within the brand. And the simply sadistic solution is WARGAMES! The lines are drawn. The grudges are rrrrreeeal. And the glory is within reach. Sacrifices meet opportunity. Destiny meets reality. Let the WarGames begin!!
Women’s WarGames: Team Ripley VS Team Baszler!
The Head Baddie was taken out and the culprit will be found, but for now she, Candice LeRae and Team Kick, Kai and Nox, are going 4v4 against the NXT Women’s Champion, the NXT UK Women’s Champion, the EST and the Evil Genius! History is being made to open the show, who survives to still go on to Survivor Series?
The sirens blare and the cage lowers. The rules are run down: each team sends a brave first volunteer in. Team Baszler has the advantage, meaning they will send a new member first each three-minute round. Only once all eight superstars are in can the match officially end.
Stepping up for Team Baszler, it is Io Shirai! For Team Ripley, it is Candice LeRae! Mrs. Wrestling wants payback on the Evil Genius for turning on her. The cage is closed, the bell rings and five minutes counts down. Shirai pie faces but Candice fires off! It is a furious brawl already! Candice tackles Shirai but Shirai turns it around. They get up, Shirai kicks Candice then throws her at the cage. Candice stops herself to hit Shirai back. Candice tilt-o-whirl headscissors but Shirai handsprings through! Shirai ducks the enziguri to waistlock. Candice blocks and standing switches, full nelson and lift, to a DDT! Shirai crawls away to the second ring, but Candice just builds speed! Candice DIVES, into a forearm! Candice gets stuck in the middle, Shirai runs to 619 her in the back! Candice flounders but Shirai goes again, redial the 619!
Shirai soaks up the cheers and jeers as she has Candice stuck in the alley, METEORA! Candice flops and crawls back to the first ring as Shirai takes aim. Shirai hops up and springboards in to missile dropkick Candice down! Fans are fired up as Shirai toys with Candice. Shirai neck wrenches but Candice fights up. Shirai bumps Candice off buckles then runs corner to corner, a big corner dropkick! We reach the two minute warning as Shirai grinds her boot into Candice. Fans duel as Shirai brings Candice back to the middle. Shirai whips Candice but Candice blocks! Candice reverses but Shirai drop toeholds Candice onto the steel! Shirai grinds Candice’s face into the cage wall! The time is almost up, and Shirai is just toying with Candice at this point. Candice hits a jawbreaker!
Shirai staggers, but sends Candice into the corner! Then snap suplexes! Shirai grinds Candice down, and fans want to know what time it is on the clock. The clock returns for the countdown as Candice puts Shirai in a corner. The cages open up, and here comes Bianca Belair! Candice climbs up, leaps over her, then turns around into a shoulder block! Bianca chicken wings Candice to Glam Slam and shooting star! Bianca dares Candice to get up, but reels her in for a powerbomb lift, only for Candice to huricanrana her into buckles! Candice CHOPS Shirai and backs her down with forearms! Candice fires off, then dodges to send Bianca into her! Candice fires off on both of them! Candice runs in but only gets Shirai. Bianca DECKS Candice! And then another lift, POWERBOMB! But then a second! And a third, into the cage! Fans fire up for the pure power of The EST!
Shirai and Bianca bully Candice with stomps, then Bianca puts Candice in a camel clutch. Shirai builds speed, faster and faster and faster, to basement dropkick Candice down! Fans are loving this action already, and the countdown returns! Here comes Team Ripley’s… TEAM CAPTAIN! Rhea herself rushes to the ring! And she stops by under the ring to get a trash can! Chicago loves things getting extreme! Rhea tosses the can in, Bianca just gets clear, but then Rhea slams the door shut on Bianca! Rhea hurries to get more goodies, and brings out even MORE trash cans! Rhea puts those in, but goes back for even more, and has kendo sticks! And then chairs! Fans of course want tables, but Rhea gets more chairs first. Rhea gets in and looms over Bianca. Rhea drags Bianca up and atomic SLAMS Bianca on one of those trash cans!
Candice and Shirai brawl in the second ring while Rhea goes to get a chair. Rhea sits that chair up and Candice comes over to borrow one. Rhea bounces Bianca off whatever is around, and then works with Candice to make a chair square. Rhea and Candice go after Bianca together, and they double suplex, but Shirai saves Bianca! The four brawl all over, Bianca knees and clubs Rhea down hard! The countdown returns already, and Baszler adds KLR! She goes under the ring to bring out even more chairs! And then, as Chicago wants, a table! Only to put that back. KLR doesn’t care what fans want,s he gives Rhea and Candice some chair shots! And then Rhea gets a tornado DDT to a chair! KLR grins as she looms over Rhea and Candice. Team Baszler regroups and decides to use Rhea’s work against her.
Bianca is up top, KLR decks Rhea onto the chairs. Candice hurries to stop Bianca, elbows KLR away, and climbs up to join Bianca! Rhea helps out, but Shirai jumps in! Shirai throws Bianca away and KLR gets Candice. Rhea is thrown into the cage wall and KLR folds up all the chairs. KLR and Shirai go after Candice, aiming at the pile they’ve made. Rhea gets in and gets KLR and Shirai! TOWER OF DOOM! Double Powerbomb German Superplex, all onto the chairs!! Bianca stays on the top rope as fans cheer, “NXT! NXT!” 450 onto Rhea and the chairs!! All five women are down and the countdown returns! Team Ripley now sends in Dakota Kai! Captain Kick BOOTS Tegan Nox?! She’s beating up her best friend! She grabs Tegan’s arm from the outside to YANK her into the bars! And then SLAMS the door closed on Tegan’s bad legs!! It was Dakota who attacked Mia, wasn’t it?! But why!? Why is she doing this now!?
William Regal pulls Dakota off Tegan but Dakota shoves him back! Dakota has lost her damn mind! But Shayna just laughs. Now Team Ripley is down two women! Dakota come back!? Regal drags Dakota off Tegan, and Dakota shouts at Rhea. This is all because Dakota wasn’t chosen in the first place! And the countdown returns, so obviously, who is left to enter? The Queen of Spades! She grins and does the math for us: 4v2! Shayna leaves Tegan behind, Dakota did enough. Shayna takes her time as her team beats down Rhea and Candice. Shirai keeps Candice down while KLR and Bianca drag Rhea up. Rhea fights out and fights back! But that’s 3v1! Shayna knees Rhea down! Bianca goes to fetch a trash can and wedges it into a corner. KLR borrows a kendo stick as she helps Shira beat down Candice.
This match finally can start and finish, as KLR and Shirai double suplex. But Candice double DDT’s! Those there are down but Candice crawls her way over. Shayna and Bianca beat Rhea down, and then Shayna handcuffs Rhea! But Candice saves Rhea from being trapped! The two regroup in the middle, but Team Baszler flanks them on both sides… WIth no choice, they fight! Candice uses a trash can lid to SMACK away while Rhea takes Shayna down! Candice has KLR and Shirai down, but Shirai hits back. Bianca helps Shayna get back at Rhea, but Rhea throws her into that wedged can! Rhea hurries to help Candice, she dropkicks KLR into Shirai on the top rope! KLR turns Rhea around, but the tornado is blocked! Rhea suplexes KLR into the steel! KLR grinds down the cage wall!
Rhea sees Shirai stuck up top and heads right over. Rhea climbs up but Shirai fights back. Rhea stomps Shirai down, then laces the legs, for a HANGING Inverted Cloverleaf! Shirai endures, but Shayna has Candice in a HANGING KIRAFUDA! Who gives up on their hold? Candice fights out to SHORYUKEN! KLR KICKS Rhea down! ICONOCLASM onto a chair for Shayna! Candice LIONSAULTS! Cover, but Bianca uses a trash can to break it! Bianca drags Candice up to trophy lift, and long dart at Rhea! KLR drags Candice up, Gory BOMB! Shirai is up top, DESCENT INTO DARKNESS! Cover, but Rhea barrels through KLR to break it! Rhea throws KLR hard into steel! And BOOTS Shirai! Bianca HAIR WHIPS Rhea over and over and over! Candice kendo SMACKS away on Bianca over and over and over!
Shirai ducks the kendo to kick, TIGER BACKBREAKER! Shirai drags Candice into a drop zone, climbs up, and then climbs ALL the way up! But Candice pursues right after her! KLR goes after Candice, and the three are way up top. KLR has the Electric Chair, but gets a SUPER POISON RANA!! Cover, but Bianca breaks it! Those three are down, as are Shayna and Rhea in the first ring. Bianca gets up and brings Candice into the torture rack. Candice slips out of the KOD! She has the hair, but Shirai FLIES!! SUPER DESCENT INTO DARKNESS!!! Chicago is thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” while losing their minds! “MAMMA MIA!” echoes out as all six women are down. But Rhea rises to go after Shayna with a SMACK of the chair! Chair shot after chair shot, and then Rhea sits this chair up. She sets two together and sits a can in place.
But KLR leaps in, only to get SMASHED by the can! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Rhea is caught, there are no ropebreaks in this match, but Rhea pries the hold open. Shayna switches hands, Rhea starts fading, but Rhea remembers the handcuffs! She cuffs herself to Shayna?! And then just knees away on her!! Rhea kicks a leg out, but her buzzsaw misses. Pumphandle, RIPTIDE ONTO CHAIRS!! Cover, Team Ripley wins!?
Winner: Team Ripley, Rhea Ripley by pinfall
The irony is that Dakota gets the win for the night because she was on the team! But in the end, history is still made as the team of only two wins! Is this going to lead the Mosh Pit Kid and Mrs. Wrestling back to some gold?
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Pete Dunne VS Killian Dain VS Damien Priest!
There will be no rest for the wicked. The Bruiserweight, the Beast of Belfast and the Archer of Infamy will all attempt to annihilate each other for a chance at gold! Who will meet Adam Cole BAYBAY on Survivor Series Sunday?
The bell rings and fans are strongly behind the Bruiserweight. Dunne, Damien and Dain glare at each other. Dain boots at Damien, who dodges. Damien roundhouses at Dunne, who dodges. Dunne enziguris at Dain, who dodges! Fans cheer this stalemate, but Dain points at Dunne. Dunne grabs the fingers, but Dain whips Dunne into Damien’s boots! Damien dodges Dain to kick away from all sides. Damien whips, and back elbows Dain down! Fans cheer as Dunne gets back and kicks away on Damien’s leg. Damien shoves, Dunne dodges and things speed up. Dunne hurdles, ducks and clotheslines! Dain clotheslines Damien out! Dunne dropkicks Dain’s leg out, then goes after the fingers! Dunne hammerlock STOMPS! Fans cheer, but Damien DECKS Dunne! Damien grins as he also DECKS Dain!
Dunne goes around the way, Damien builds speed, but Dunne body shots him out of the tope! Dunne runs in but Damien steps aside, to get Dunne in the crucifix lift. Dunne slips out and Dain uses the DIVIDE to tackle Damien! Dain scoops Dunne, and stands over Damien, Michinoku Driver! Dunne collides with Damien and Dain covers, TWO! Dain covers Dunne now, TWO! Dain throws Damien out then goes out to follow. Dain bounces Damien off a desk, then off steel steps! Dain hauls Damien up to a fireman’s carry but Dunne runs over. Dain catches Dunne, Fall Away Samoan Drop! Fans are fired up for the furious Belfast brute as he goes to the Bruiserweight. Dain drags Dunne up to put him in the ring. Dunne hobbles to a corner and Dain whips him corner to corner hard! Dunne falls to the mat but fans rally up.
Dain drags Dunne back up, but Dunne kicks and punches back! Dain knees low then hauls Dunne up to a fireman’s carry. Dunne slips out to fire off fast hands! Dain blocks the whip and sends Dunne to a corner, but Dunne goes up and over. Dunne enziguris Dain, then dodges Damien to send that splash into Dain! Dunne waistlocks Damien but Damien standing switches. Damien German Suplexes but Dunne lands on his feet to buzzsaw Damien down! Dain runs in but Dunne side steps for a SNAP GERMAN! Dunne stomps the hands and buzzsaws Dain down! Damien walks into an armbar takedown! Dunne wants the triangle, but Dain goes after Dunne. Dunne gets Dain’s fingers but Dain and Damien work together to DOUBLE BOMB Dunne down! Fans boo but the two big men are now alone.
Dain and Damien circle and start throwing big forearms! They pick up speed, hitting harder and faster. Dain gets the edge but Damien gives knees and elbows. Both men clothesline, but neither falls. They try again, still neither falls. Dunne returns to throw clotheslines all around! Dunne goes back and forth between the two, but then it becomes a triangle brawl! Damien kicks Dain, discus ELBOWS Dunne! Dain headbutts Damien, Dunne knees Dain! Both Dain and Damien are down, Dunne stomps their hands! Dunne aims, Dain ducks and the buzzsaw gets Damien! Dain boots Dunne, but Damien ear claps Dain! Damien ripcords Dain, Dain elbows Dunne away, Damien roundhouses Dain! Damien choke grips and lifts but Dunne enziguris! Dunne fires up, everyone kicks! All three men are down and Chicago fires up!
Damien is first to rise but Dain and Dunne slowly stir. Damien is heading up top as Dunne kicks away on Dain. Dain fights back, Damien CANNONBALLS onto them both! Damien hauls Dunne up to Falcon Arrow onto Dain! Then, SOUTH OF HEAVEN for Dunne! Cover, TWO! Dunne survives and Damien is losing his cool. Damien drags Dunne back up, throws him out hard, then follows him. Damien grins as he brings Dunne over, powerbomb lift to a Canadian rack. Razor’s Edge onto the announce desk!! Damien roars, but Dain DIVES onto him! Damien bounces off a desk and flounders, Dain CANNONBALLS through Damien into the timekeeper’s area!! Chicago loses its mind as all three men are down! Dain drags Damien up and into the ring to cover, TWO! Damien still lives, and Dain is furious. Dain drags Damien back up but Damien fights back with body shots.
Dain fireman’s carries to a wasteland slam, and back senton! But Dain isn’t done there, he climbs up. Damien stops the Vader Bomb to then get up and kick Dain back. Damien gets Dain in the crucifix, RAZOR’S EDGE!! Cover, but Dunne breaks it in time!! Dunne returns to keep the match going! Dain flops out of the ring but Damien goes after Dunne. Dunne grabs Damien’s arms to stomp from below! And then he gets on top to stomp from above! Damien gets away from the Danielson Stomps but Dunne runs in to forearm smash! Dunne goes corner to corner, Damien follows to elbow! Damien runs, but he DIVES out onto Dain! Even Dunne is a bit stunned. But Dunne won’t be outdone, he climbs up top. Damien and Dain stand, Dunne SUPER MOONSAULTS! Dunne, Damien and Dain are down on the outside and the referee checks on them all. They’re all okay to continue somehow, and fans rally up.
Dunne gets into the ring first, Damien follows but Dain stays out. Dunne glares at Damien as Damien dares him to bring the fight. The two start brawling, Dunne CHOPS over and over! Damien fires off strikes but gets a forearm for it! Damien LARIATS Dunne! Damien drags Dunne up, dragon sleeper, but no Reckoning! No Bitter End, either! Dunne snampares Damien but Damien choke grips. Damien lifts but Dunne headscissors to an armbar! Damien reaches for ropes, but the ropebreak doesn’t matter! Dunne has the arm! Dain drops in!! Dain fires up, has Damien in the Electric Chair, ULSTER PLANTATION! Cover, TWO!? Damien survives and Dain can’t believe it! Chicago is first up again as Dain drags Dunne up. Dain puts Dunne up top, and then into a Tree of Woe.
Dain goes back to Damien to throw him into Dunne! Then with both in the corner, CANNONBALL! Dain squashes both men, then climbs up over Dunne, to VADER BOMB Damien! But Dunne sits up as Dain covers Damien, MOONSAULT breaks it! Dunne pump handles Dain, for a BITTER END! Cover, but Damien kicks it apart! All three men are down again, but Chicago is rallying up again. Dunne crawls to a corner as Damien and Dain rise. Dunne climbs up but gets a cyclone kick! Damien climbs up to join Dunne, SUPER STEINER sends Dunne into Dain! Cyclone kick for Dain! Another for Dunne! Damien dragon sleepers Dunne, THE RECKONING! Cover, but Dain falls onto them to break it!
Damien is just frustrated, but he drags Dunne back up. Damien whips Dunne, Dunne goes up and over, but Dain chop blocks Dunne! Dain runs at Damien on the apron, shotgun dropkick drops Damien! Dain hurries up top, but Dunne gets up to PELE! Dain sits back, Dunne climbs up top, but Damien is returning. Damien joins them and choke grips them both!? But Dunne and Dain take the fingers to DOUBLE SNAP! Dain headbutts him away, Damien falls and hits the apron on the way down! But that leaves Dunne to get Dain with a SUPERPLEX! Dain writhes but rolls away. Damien returns, pump handle, BITTER END! Cover, but Dain back sentons onto them both! Dain drags Dunne to the Electric Chair, but Dunne slips out to a sleeper hold. So Dain backpack sentons onto Damien! But it’s Dunne who shoves Dain away?! Dunne covers Damien, Dunne wins!!
Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall; NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship
The Bruiserweight triumphs in Chicago again! The Windy City is practically Dunne’s second home! But will he be leaving it after making history by going from United Kingdom Champion to THE NXT Champion?
Matt Riddle VS Finn Balor!
The Prince is back, he’s free of the burden that is the “main roster,” and he wants to make NXT rrrreeeal. He wanted to do that by beating Johnny Wrestling in the match, but his dropkick seemed too much for “Johnny Watches Wrestling.” In Gargano’s place, The Original Bro stepped up! Will Riddle get the Finn we always wanted to see? Will he regret it when he does?
The bell rings and fans are already fired up and dueling. Riddle circles with Balor and they approach. They tie up, Riddle gets a leg but Balor gets to ropes. Riddle still wants to lift and throw but Balor holds on. Riddle honors the break and circles with Balor again. They tie up, Riddle reels Balor in for a monkey lift then takedown into the armbar! Balor resists and rolls Riddle up, TWO! Riddle and Balor stand up and fans cheer the exchange. Balor and Riddle tie up again, Riddle gets the leg but Balor sprawls and facelocks. Balor floats but Riddle rolls to get the arm again! Balor uses a leg to pry Riddle off, but Riddle pops out. Balor ducks the Penalty Kick and they stand off again.
The two circle again and tie up. Balor headlocks and grinds Riddle down. Riddle fights back but can’t power out. Balor grinds Riddle down, but Riddle headscissors back. Balor flips around to pop out and get the headlock back. Riddle gets up and throws more body shots. Riddle still can’t power out as Balor holds on tight, so Riddle gut wrenches and suplexes! Then rolls through to gut wrench suplex again! And again! But Balor slips out of that to roll Riddle up, TWO! Balor boots but gets caught and gets ROCKED! Riddle whips but Balor reverses, Riddle sunset flips but Balor slips out to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO, but Balor is on Riddle with a chinlock. Fans rally up slowly as Riddle endures. Riddle gets his way up, but Balor throws him down! Cover, TWO!
Balor CHOPS Riddle in the corner then stomps, then CHOPS and stomps. Balor sweeps the legs to stomp away on Riddle’s face. Balor backs off, to then run in and dropkick! Cover, TWO! Riddle is gasping but Balor goes after his nose! Balor drives an elbow in, then warps on a new headlock. Fans rally for the Bro and Riddle fights his way up. Riddle fights back but Balor knees low to throw Riddle out. Balor keeps moving, and wrecks Riddle with a dropkick! Balor drags Riddle up and onto the apron to bounce him off the edge over and over! Balor shoves Riddle in, covers, TWO! Balor keeps his cool but Riddle hits back. Balor forearms Riddle then stomps him down. Balor stalks and stomps Riddle over and over, then soaks up the cheers and jeers.
But Riddle fires off fast hands and a boot to then roundhouse Balor down! And big forearm smash in the corner, BROSPLODER! Riddle keeps moving, Penalty Kick to Broton! Cover, TWO! Balor sits up but gets Bro Kicks! Riddle chops Balor to a corner for more kicks! Riddle lets up to run side to side, big forearm smash! Riddle goes the other way but Balor boots! Balor whips, Riddle reverses, flying forearm from Balor drops Riddle! Balor runs in but no slingblade. ROUNDHOUSE! PELE- NO! It was caught to an Ankle Lock! Balor rolls and kicks, but Riddle just gets that foot in the Ankle Lock! Riddle ax kicks Balor as he holds on, but Balor crawls. Fans rally both ways as Balor gets the ropebreak! Riddle lets go and gets a stomp in. Balor hobbles to a corner but Riddle is on him fast with a deadlift waistlock! Balor holds onto the ropes for dear life but Riddle knees away.
The ref calls for the ropebreak so Riddle does, to kick Balor off the ropes. Balor elbows back, but his legs won’t let him run. Riddle forearm smashes, runs, but Balor manages to dropkick Riddle! Balor hobbles back up to waistlock Riddle now, for a German Suplex! But Riddle is right up, FINAL FLASH! Deadlift German with the bridge, TWO! Fans keep rallying and dueling as Riddle drags Balor back up. Ripcord, FINAL FLASH! Powerbomb but Balor slips out to trip and double stomps! SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up again as Balor aims from a corner. Riddle flounders into Balor’s sights, but he SPEARS Balor! And we know who that is a shout out to! Riddle drags Balor up, suplexes, and JACKHAMMERS! Cover, TWO!?! Balor survives and Riddle can’t believe it!
The chants echo out as Riddle drags Balor up. Gut wrench, but Balor fights out! Dragon sleeper, elbow drop DDT! Then another dragon sleeper, 1916!! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and Balor is furious! Balor stomps away, drags Riddle up, but Riddle scoops back! Fireman’s carry, BRO TO SLEEP! But Riddle doesn’t cover, he goes to the corner. Riddle climbs up, FLOATING BRO! But into knees! JOHN WOO DROPKICK! Balor climbs up top now, COUP DE- NO! Takedown, BROMISSION! Balor is so close to the ropes but Riddle rolls him away! And hammers away, too! Balor pries free, rolls out, but gets a Pele from the mat! Riddle drags Balor up, ripcord, but into BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, Balor wins!!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
That was definitely rrrreeeal! The Prince returns and throws up the Too Sweet in victory. But will Finn Balor be #JustTooSweet for anyone to stop now that he’s his old self again?
Update on Tegan Nox.
After what Dakota Kai did in that vicious betrayal, the Shiniest Wizard needs an MRI scan on her legs to see the extent of the damage. Will Tegan be able to come back yet again after what Dakota did to her, both physically and mentally?
Men’s WarGames: Team Ciampa VS The Undisputed Era!
The sirens blare and the cage lowers again. Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish hold all the gold in NXT, the advantage in this match, as well as experience advantage in this match type. But the Blackheart has the Limitless One, the Croatian Colossus, and his fourth man. But before even learning who that man is, team captain Ciampa volunteers to be first! Strong volunteers for the Undisputed Era, and says, “You’re gonna get it!” But what will be left of all of these men with Survivor Series still to come?
Ciampa tosses the crutch aside so Strong won’t stay away. Strong picks the crutch up and the door is closed. The five minute countdown begins, and Strong tosses the crutch out of the cage! Ciampa fires off fast hands! Strong knees then whips but Ciampa kicks back. Ciampa throws haymakers then whips corner to corner but Strong reverses. Strong shoves but Ciampa rallies with lariats! Ciampa whips Strong into the steel but Strong catches himself. Strong dodges the boot then gets back in, to scoop and backbreaker! Strong has Ciampa in the second ring and CHOPS! Strong clubs Ciampa around then goes to suplex. Ciampa blocks, body shots then suplexes Strong to hang him out to dry. And then rams a knee into him! Ciampa CHOPS Strong into a corner but Strong knees low.
Ciampa blocks a cage bump to elbow Strong and throw hands. Ciampa climbs up to rain down rights! Ciampa gets 9, cusses Strong out, and then goes way past 10! To then go side to side, Psycho Knee! Fans are fired up as Strong gets up and boots back. Strong haymakers and CHOPS, then climbs up to rain rights back on Ciampa. Ciampa turns things around, tucks Strong in, and KNEES Strong down! Ciampa drags Strong up to whip, but Strong holds ropes. Strong tries to get away but gets caught between the ropes. Strong powers Ciampa into the middle section and the two brawl with CHOPS and forearms. Ciampa clotheslines Strong into the first ring, and then takes a moment to steady himself. Ciampa drags Strong up, underhooks, but Strong resists. Strong slips out, fireman’s carry, gutbuster drop!
Strong rains down rights on Ciampa, then knees. Fans are divided as Strong drags Ciampa around for stomps. Strong tells Ciampa to stay down but the countdown begins. Ciampa fires hands with Strong, the Undisputed Era sends in Kyle! Ciampa is ready and he chops away on Kyle and Strong! Kyle gets the legs to get Ciampa down for ground ‘n’ pound! He runs, into Ciampa’s BIG right! But Kyle comes back with strikes, sweep the legs! Kyle and Strong stomp Ciampa then drag him up. They mug Ciampa against the ropes with CHOPS and kicks! They push Ciampa to the second ring, stomping him as they go. Ciampa fights back as best he can, but fans rally and sing for Keith Lee. Ciampa fights Strong and Kyle off, Kyle ends up in the middle.
Ciampa elbows whoever, but Kyle catches his arms for Strong to give endless elbows! Side to side and back again, and then Strong half nelson backbreakers! Kyle drops knees to add on! Ciampa is down as Kyle and Strong circle him. They stomp him on occasion as fans duel. Strong fish hooks Ciampa’s face then stomps him down. The countdown returns, and Team Ciampa sends Dominik Dijakovic! Big Double D gets in quick, and rallies with a Cyclone BOOT on Strong! Kyle boots but runs into a BOOT! Dijakovic throws big hands and elbows, then knee smashes, but Kyle boots. Kyle sweeps but misses, Dijakovic SUPERKICKS and LARIATS! Fans rally as Dijakovic back elbows Kyle over and over in the corner. Dijakovic SUPERKICKS Strong, then says, “TIME TO FLY!” He suplex TOSSES Kyle onto Strong!
Strong’s leg takes the damage, but that’s not all! Torture rack, but Strong fights out. Strong CHOPS back but Dijakovic just glares. Dijakovic tosses Strong into steel! And again! And again! Kyle comes back to leap on for a guillotine! Dijakovic stays standing, powers Kyle out for standing knees and a swing into steel! Dijakovic helps his captain up, and they keep on Strong and Kyle at corners. Ciampa bounces Strong off steel while Dijakovic clubs Kyle into the middle gap. Dijakovic forearms Kyle, Kyle rebounds off ropes and Dijakovic forearms him again. This repeats over and over and over until Dijakovic DECKS Kyle. The countdown returns, and that means Undisputed Era sends in Bobby Fish! Fish runs in and elbows Ciampa down! Fish has Ciampa stuck in the ropes for kick after kick! Dijakovic comes over but Fish kicks away on him. Then he gets Dijakovic down for haymakers!
Fish hits Ciampa over and over, then back kicks Dijakovic. Fish BOOTS Ciampa, but Dijakovic chokes grips him! Kyle climbs onto Dijakovic, Fish fights out and runs side to side, reDRagon hits TOTAL ANNIHILATION! Strong has Ciampa draping on the ropes, underhooks to tiger backbreaker! Then reDRagon gives Ciampa CHASING THE DRAGON! The Undisputed Era has 3v2 as fans rally and duel again. The Undisputed Era stomp Dijakovic against steel, then throw in big forearm smashes! Strong adds a shining wizard! Then all three go after Ciampa all the same! Strong even mocks Dijakovic, “Feast Your Eyes, DORK!” But fans sing for Keith Lee, the last man waiting. The 3v2 stomping and bullying continues as Kyle slides a knee into Dijakovic’s ribs. The countdown returns, and finally, KEITH LEE is released!
Lee gets in and starts throwing big hands! He clotheslines every man, Grizzly Magnum for Strong! But reDRagon goes after him, only for Lee to hurdle BOTH of them! DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Chicago is fired up for the #FirstOfHisKind! Lee drags Strnog up for another Grizzly Magnum! But reDRagon manages to put Lee in the middle zone. Lee knocks them into each other to double PESCADO! “Oh~ Bask in His Glory~” echoes out as Lee hauls Fish up. But Kyle saves Fish, only for Lee to go after him. Kyle slips out so Lee pops Strong up. But reDRagon double kick the legs to save Strong from a Spirit Bomb, and then Strong hits a basement boot! The Undisputed Era have evened things with Lee and go after him 3v1! But Ciampa is back up and rallies! Ciampa throws wild hands but he’s still in a 3v1. Dijakovic rises to scoop Kyle and slam him into the second ring!
Fish hits Dijakovic but Dijakovic hits back. Dijakovic clubs Strong into the second ring, and Lee follows his lead over. The two biggest men in this match work together but Fish hops on Lee! Fish has a sleeper and Kyle brawls with Dijakovic. Strong helps Kyle out as the countdown returns again. Finally, it is Adam Cole BAYBAY! And Cole heads over, to get a TABLE! Chicago loves Cole for this! The Undisputed Era manages to get the table inside, but Cole isn’t done, he gets a second table! But for some reason, he sets that up outside? Cole gets a third table! That table goes into the ring, and then Cole brings out a fourth table! That’s three tables inside and one outside, but now we have a FIFTH! The Undisputed Era keeps Team Ciampa down and Cole just keeps going! How many tables are under the ring?! This is a total of six tables, but still one set aside.
Ciampa hurries to the door to shove Cole, Cole crashes through that other table!! Cole is destroyed by his own arrogance! Ciampa fetches Cole into the ring while Dijakovic and Lee fight back. The cage closes, it is still 4v3, but we need to wait and see if there is or isn’t a fourth for Team Ciampa. The teams end up in separate rings, but Team Ciampa has the Undisputed Era backing down. Fans rally up, and it fires off! The brawl is hectic but still 4v2. Lee takes on reDRagon alone as Strong back drops Dijakovic. Lee has Kyle in a fireman’s carry, but Fish LOW BLOWS! Kyle kicks Lee down, but there is one more countdown! Who is Ciampa’s fourth? The Undisputed Era laugh when no one shows up. Guess the person Ciampa talked to decided not to-
Wait! KEVIN OWENS?! The Prizefighter returns to NXT in the biggest way!! No one can believe it, but Chicago is loving it! Kevin dodges Strong, rallies on Fish and O’Reilly! Kevin is getting them all back for Raw’s sneak attack! POP-UP BOMB for Fish! Kyle kicks and whips but Kyle ducks, pump handles, USHIGOROSHI! Strong fireman’s carries but Kevin slips out for a SLEEPER SUPLEX! Kevin then dead lifts Fish to bomb him onto Kyle’s back! Cole and Kevin stare down and Chicago is thunderous! Cole says Kevin should’ve joined when he had the chance. Kevin says “SUCK IT!” A kick but no stunner. No superkick, either. Another kick, there’s the Stunner! Cover, but Strong breaks it! This match can finally end and Strong fires off on Lee and Dijakovic. But they fire back.
Lee and Dijakovic have Strong and take aim at the Undisputed Era. Together, they DOUBLE TOSS Strong through the ropes and into the Undisputed Era’s legs! Kevin has Chicago all fired up as he shakes the steel! Kevin slaps Cole over and over while the others go back for those tables the Undisputed Era brought in. Willow’s Bell DDT for Kyle! The tables are being set up near corners, but Cole goes after Kevin. Kevin brawls with him while Ciampa goes after Strong. Dijakovic stomps Kyle and Lee bounces Fish off steel. They move from the second ring to the first, brawling back and forth, here and there. Strong CHOPS on Dijakovic while Cole throws Ciampa into steel. Lee knocks Kyle down then climbs up to the top rope. Lee LEAPS onto Dijakovic, Cole, Strong and Fish!
But Kyle climbs up to SUPER KNEE DROP Lee’s leg! Kyle has a heel hook and Lee writhes! Fish hits Kevin, Lee grabs ropes to drag himself over. Strong is in Lee’s way, but Dijakovic SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULTS Kyle! Cover, but Fish moonsaults onto Dijakovic! Ciampa drags Fish up, underhooks, Fairy Tale Ending! Kevin adds the SWANTON! Cover, SUPERKICK! Cole SUPERKICKS Kevin, too, and is the last one standing. Cole hops up the ropes and aims at Lee. Lee disrupts the Sunrise! Lee climbs up to join Cole, brings Cole up, but Strong clubs Lee’s back! Cole hops down and Strong clubs away on Lee. Strong climbs up behind Lee, SUPER OLYMPIC SLAM!! Kyle and Strong, Ax ‘n’ SMASH! Cover, but Dijakovic breaks it! Strong goes after Dijakovic and Kyle helps out.
Fans chant “This is Awesome!” as Dijakovic choke grips. They break out, STRONG ANNIHILATION! Kevin SUPERKICKS Kyle, back drops Strong into steel, then whips Kyle into steel! “Oh no, did that hurt?” Kevin goes to Cole in the middle gap, fireman’s carry, but Cole fights out. Cole suplexes but Kevin blocks. Kevin fights back and brings Cole in, underhooks, PACKAGE- NO! Cole saves himself so Kevin knees him hard. Kevin tries again, but Cole slips out to SUPERKICK! Cole hops up and lines up his shot, PANAMA SUN- NO! Kevin blocks, but not forever! PANAMA SUNRISE TO STEEL! It proves to be double-edged and Chicago loses its mind! “MAMMA MIA!” echoes again as the Undisputed Era regroups. Strong and Fish set up tables together, side by side. They go after Ciampa and bring him onto the wood.
Ciampa fights back and throws Strong into wood. Ciampa throws Fish into steel, then Strong. Kyle runs into a KNEE! Ciampa lifts, PROJECT CIAMPA! Then it’s an endless string of psycho knees! Strong, Fish, repeat, until Cole comes in to SUPERKICK! Cole fireman’s carries but Ciampa slips out to send him into steel. And then Ciampa KNEES Cole! And again! And again! Fans fire up with Ciampa but he’s not done with the Undisputed Era. Ciampa drags Cole over and punches him towards a corner. Ciampa drags Cole up top but Cole fights back. Cole clubs Ciampa down, adjusts, but Ciampa holds on for dear life! Ciampa rams Cole into the steel posts behind him! Cole pulls Ciampa’s beard to bounce him off the steel! Ciampa staggers back, but now the Undisputed Era has Lee up top near a different table.
Cole climbs up higher and Ciampa follows. This is deja vu from WarGames past. Strong and Fish have Lee, and Dijakovic gets Strong! CHOKE SLAM through a table! Dijakovic has Kyle for a choke grip, but Kyle turns the slam into a triangle hold! Fish and Lee fight while Ciampa and Cole brawl on that corner top. Dijakovic dead lifts but Kyle fights back. Dijakovic sets Kyle on a table, Kevin FROG SPLASHES Kyle through that table! Lee gets Fish, SPIRIT BOMB THROUGH A TABLE! The only two still fighting are Cole and Ciampa! If one of them falls to the floor, that is the one and only disqualification in this match. Ciampa adjusts, fireman’s carries Cole, and then SUPER AIR RAID CRASHES THROUGH THE TABLES!! Cover, Team Ciampa wins!!
Winners: Team Ciampa, Tommaso Ciampa by pinfall
As Mauro Ranello says, “There are no words.” All eight men are down, but only four are victors. However, what about survivors? NXT still has to wage war against Raw and SmackDown, can these eight men stand their ground? Can these eight even stand?
Kevin stands in the second ring. Lee gets to his feet and helps Ciampa to his. Dijakovic joins them, and the four stand victorious! Will any of them be survivors after Survivor Series?
My Thoughts:
What a great WarGames! And a really quick TakeOver, too, not even three hours for the main show. Adding the kickoff show still didn’t quite make three hours, but that’s more a pro than a con. NXT knows how to trim out the fat and just get to the good stuff. Listening to the kickoff show, Sam Roberts is going a little too hard being the Heel panel personality, he is starting to get Go Away Heat from me. Pat McFee was awesome as a hype man to bridge into the main show. Swerve VS Garza was a really great match, and it was pretty big for TakeOver to have their first match like this. Garza wins and could move up the ranks in the Cruiserweight Division and NXT in general. I am sure this will help Garza in his argument for a rematch with Lio Rush after the controversy from their title match.
What wasn’t good in the Women’s WarGame and overall story? Well, Mia Yim’s attacker being Dakota Kai may have been a bit obvious, but it was also the only logical move. And then Dakota really cashed in and milked the moment on that Heel turn. She brutalized poor Tegan Nox, which sadly means Team Kick is already done with. That just made an already crazy WarGames even crazier. I was really impressed by them going to the extreme with Rhea bringing out the trash cans, kendo sticks and chairs. Fans get too into wanting tables, so it’s good Heel work for KLR to trick Chicago. And it was insane that Rhea and Candice pulled off the 4v2 comeback! Both of them have to be going after the NXT Women’s Championship, even if it means having to go through each other. Additionally, who from Team Ripley won’t want after Dakota on the way? I feel like Dakota VS Tegan should be the blow-off there.
The #1 Contender’s Triple Threat was really great, even after following such an awesome WarGames match. NXT does great with triple threats, Dunne’s previous triple threat with Velveteen Dream and Roderick Strong was great, this one was on par if not better. But I was right in thinking Dunne would win. He is a Face, Cole is a Heel, it’s just standard procedure. Balor VS Riddle was pretty good but could’ve been flashier. But for the first match Finn’s had in months, this was a pretty great starting point. And for that reason, Balor wins, and we can circle back to Balor VS Gargano for the next TakeOver. The Men’s WarGames was also amazing, and booked brilliantly for that fourth man reveal. Kevin Owens being the fourth was a great surprise, and they did set it up brilliantly with what happened on Raw.I am surprised the Faces won here, but the math is so that the Undisputed Era members are going in with less momentum.
And of course, WarGames directly impacts NXT’s Survivor Series plans. Cole VS Dunne is going to be great, but I bet Cole still finds a way to win. Ciampa still wants after Cole and “Goldie,” so they can feud on the way into the New Year. Of the men and women from tonight that could go to Survivor Series tomorrow, Rhea is revealing her team as we speak on WWE FaceBook, but I would think the women not on the team are Mia, Tegan and Dakota. Rhea, Candice, and we saw Toni Storm on Friday so that’s 3. I would hope she chooses Io Shirai and Bianca from Team Baszler, out of a respect for them found in this match tonight. Plus, Shirai needs to have her moment with Kairi Sane like was teased last Wednesday. The NXT Men’s Team could easily just be Team Ciampa and two others. I feel like Finn should try to be on that team, just so he can stick it to the two brands that dropped the ball on him.
My Score: 9.2/10
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Tables, Ladders, and Chairs for the championships!
To finally settle things between The Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns and DIY, they battle for the WWE Tag Team Championships in TLC!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Los Garza VS Fraxiom; Fraxiom wins.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Jade Cargill; Jade wins, by disqualification.
- WWE Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice VS Zelina Vega; Zelina wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s United States Champion.
- WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: LA Knight VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins, by disqualification, no word on contender status.
- WWE Tag Team Championships TLC Triple Threat: The Street Profits VS Motor City Machine Guns VS DIY; The Profits win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
The final hour of SmackDown will be commercial free!
That’s right, we won’t have to miss a thing when it comes to tonight’s main event, that Triple Threat Tables, Ladders & Chairs match!
JOHN CENA is here!
Fort Worth, Texas erupts with, “JOHN CENA SUCKS~! JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as the NEW and historic SEVENTEEN-TIME WWE Champion makes his way out to the ring! But just like on Monday, Cena wants Mark Nash to join him in the ring. The fans boo while Mark reluctantly steps into the ring with Cena. The fans now chant, “LET’S GO, CENA!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena shakes his head in disappointment, but he gives Mark the same script as on Monday. Mark again apologizes that his announcement was still disrespectful.
Mark again redoes it, because this is the GREATEST of All Time! The Never-Seen Seventeen, gracing Fort Worth with his presence for the final time… THE LAST REAL CHAMPION, JOHN CENA! Mark exits the ring, the fans still chant, but Cena stares down a father and child in the front row. The booing returns, but then RANDY ORTON makes his entrance! Cena is stopped in his tracks while the fans cheer The Viper. Orton steps into the ring, has his time to pose, and then grabs a mic. The fans cheer on Orton, but Cena holds up the title. The fans boo and Orton smirks. Orton tells Cena, “Do you know what I found out just a couple days ago?”
In a couple months, it’ll be 25 years to the day that Orton and Cena first shook hands. 25 years. They have known each other for 25 YEARS. And this is a compliment: up until a couple months ago, Cena had not changed. He was always about hustle, loyalty and respect. It wasn’t just a catchphrase for merchandise, it was a way of life. It was Cena’s mantra for every day of his life. So Orton realized he needs to think what’s going on here. There must be a void in Cena’s life that needs fulfillment.
So Orton wracked his brain, thought about all the fans over the years. The millions and millions of kids who have looked up to Cena since day one! All the kids that Cena has motivated, that he has been a role model for. Kids accomplished goals and set more goals. Track & field, basketball, the classroom, generations upon generations looked up to Cena. Surely, that meant something to Cena. Cena has granted more wishes than anyone in the history of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You cannot tell Orton that each and every one of those sick children didn’t leave with a piece of Cena’s heart. They can’t just be a number to him.
So… Orton figured out how to fill the void. Take it from Orton, but Cena needs to have some damn kids of his own. Imagine a bunch of square-jawed, thick-armed little Cenas running around? The world would be a better place, and Cena would be back to who he is, and who Orton knows he is. Cena needs to grow up and be a father, it’ll make him a better human being. Cena thinks on that, then smirks. Cena says, “How dare you.” The fans boo, but Cena says how dare Orton prance out here with a smile on his face under the guise of making Cena feel better, than “parent shame” him in front of the whole world!
“Congratulations, Randy Orton. You have children and you love them. Good for you.” Does Orton want to know the real reason Cena doesn’t have kids? Because he’s spent the last 25 YEARS raising yours, fans! And by the sound of it from this group tonight, Cena has done an impeccable job! Here is the REAL truth! For the last 25 years, Cena has been a better parent to the fans’ children then they could ever be! That’s right, kids! Your dad’s a loser! Oh, wow, a six year old just gave him the middle finger. How classy. THAT is why Cena doesn’t have kids. He’s been policing brats like that for a quarter of a century!
The fans boo but Cena tells that one kid, “Never bring a knife to a gun fight. Bet your loser dad didn’t teach you that one! And don’t look at me like you’re gonna do something, either.” Cena asks Orton if we’re done here, and Orton says no, they’re not. Has the Hollywood rot set so deep inside Cena’s brain that he can’t hear Orton? It doesn’t have to be one or the other. The fans are why Cena is here before us in the ring now. They’re why Cena’s in Hollywood. WWE is why Cena is in Hollywood and he is crushing it. Cena cut his teeth in the WWE, developed his work ethic in WWE, and that’s why he’s crushing it.
Without the WWE, there is no Cena in Hollywood. And without the fans, there is no WWE. No matter how you add it up, no matter what math you apply to it, these fans are the biggest reason why Cena is in this ring with Orton today. Orton says he has made a lot of mistakes throughout his life and his career, and he’s learned from them on this long journey. But Orton can go into the locker room, head held high, and he can get disrespect from his peers. Orton is furniture here, he is here to stay. Cena is now just a guest. Cena says, “We all have our perspectives. I used to believe yours. That without them, there is no WWE.”
Cena used to think that they all won together. Cena was wrong. “We” didn’t win anything, CENA did! Cena has never needed a single one of these people! They will chant in the same breath, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “Cena Sucks!” The fans chant that very thing. Cena says he called out a rando and that guy turned pale white. Imagine having that chanted at you for 25 YEARS! The fans mean NOTHING to him! Orton is just like them! They’re all hypocrites! Because once you get tired of Cena, you can put your energy into any superstar you want. But if the roles are reversed, and Cena puts his energies into anything other than this, he’s an outcast? A guest?
That is why this is dysfunctional! That’s why this doesn’t work anymore! This is NOT a functional relationship, this is manipulation! The fans manipulate the truth to make themselves feel good about how they’ve done nothing with their lives! Cena points to a fan and says, “The only thing that man has done right there is dress up to look like Jack Black! He’s 100 years old and that’s all he has to say for his life!” Cena feels criticized and labeled as an outcast and guest for simply trying to do something different.
Orton says he was so… SO stupid for thinking that for one second, in this weird bizarro world where Orton’s now a good guy and Cena’s now a bad guy, that Cena would somehow listen. But the words coming out of Orton’s mouth are not penetrating that thick ass skull of Cena’s, are they? Cody Rhodes, before his badass entrance, it says wrestling has more than one royal family. And he’s not just talking about the Rhodes, right? He’s also talking about the Orton’s! Cena wants to ruin wrestling? Wrestling gave Orton everything! Ever since he came out of his mother’s womb, wrestling has provided for Orton!
Wrestling will provide for Orton, his family, his loved ones, until Orton is six feet in the ground. Ruin wrestling? No, not over Orton’s dead body. Cena shouts, “SHUT YOUR MOUTH! You just don’t understand, do you!? I’ll explain it to you. I’ve already won 17, okay? You’ve won 14. But after I take this home with me, you are forever frozen at 14! Yes, there will be another show. You will have other matches, they will create some tinfoil title and decide a champion. And if you are lucky to ever get your hands on it, your counter starts over at one, you babbling moron!”
The fans boo but Cena says what he’s trying to do is that when he leaves here, three generations of Orton’s family is ERASED! Cena paces around Orton but the fans chant for “R K O! R K O!” Orton looks at Cena and says Cena thinks he’s the Last Real Champion, but then prove it! Put the title on the line and fight Orton here and now! The fans like the sound of that! Orton says how dare Cena say what he said to Orton after everything Orton’s been through! Cena raises his title, and says, “No. No. And just like so many times over the past 25 years, I’m doing it to save your ass.
“There should be a match. Randy Orton VS John Cena, for the Undisputed Championship! But it shouldn’t happen here. I’ve already given you (Fort Worth) a hard enough time, it’s not your fault. It’s for Randy. It should happen at Backlash, Randy. Because Backlash is in St. Louis. I know that’s hard for you to hear, but for Randy, it’s great. Because Randy is from St. Louis. It’s so you can spend the whole day with your family, Randy. Make sure you show up well-rested. Randy Orton at his best. Because I need Randy Orton at his best. Because after Backlash, when you fail, you will have no excuses.
“Take a good look, Randy. This is what the Last Real Champion looks like.” The fans boo, but Cena says, “And this is as close to this championship as you’re ever going to get. Then Cena throws it to Orton, so he can DECK Orton! The fans boo as Cena stomps away on Orton! Cena snarls as he picks the belt back up, and then he takes aim! Orton slowly stands back up, Cena runs up, but Orton ducks! R K O!! The fans fire up as Orton gets Cena again! Orton throws his jacket to the fans, then he paces around Cena. The fans cheer Orton on as he picks up the title, and he stands on the corner! The fans cheer, could this be how it looks at the end of Backlash?
Los Garza VS Fraxiom!
While Angel y Berto are still hoping to be in line for a title shot after tonight’s massive TLC main event, a new team has already joined the roster! Nathan Frazer & Axiom may have only just lost the NXT Tag Team Championships, but will they be right back on track for more gold?
SmackDown returns as Fraxiom makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Axiom starts against Berto. They circle, tie up, and Berto pulls Axiom’s mask! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Berto stops at 4. Berto whips, Axiom RANAS in return! Axiom DROPKICKS Berto, tags Frazer, then they whip. Berto reverses but Axiom reverses back, and he has the IRON OCTOPUS! Frazer builds speed, and he DROPKICKS Berto! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but he runs into the Fraxiom speed combo! Kick after kick, then an assisted DROPKICK! Angel regroups with Berto outside, but Frazer DIVES! Direct hit on Berto!
Axiom DIVES and direct hit on Angel! They keep going, Frazer FLIES to take out both Garzas! The fans fire up and Axiom goes up, up, and GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Los Garza is down again and the fans fire up again! Fraxiom puts Berto in, Frazer covers, ONE! Tag to Axiom and he brings Berto around for a headlock. Berto endures, pulls the mask, and Angel tags in. Berto powers out, Axiom dodges, but Angel opens the ropes! Axiom tumbles to apron then floor, and Los Garza soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Axiom checks his neck, and Angel TAKES OFF THE PANTS! Angel soaks up the heat, then goes out to CHOP Axiom! Axiom falls over, Angel talks trash, but Axiom CHOPS back! Angel SMACKS Axiom off the apron, pushes him in the ring, then lines up a shot. Angel KICKS Axiom in the side! Then Angel sucker punches Frazer! Axiom CHOPS Angel, but Angel headlocks to snapmare and KICK Axiom! Tag to Berto, Los Garza stomp away on Axiom, but they stop as the ref counts. Berto drags Axiom up to CLUB him down, then brings him up for a clinch. Axiom headlocks, Berto powers out, and Berto scoops to BACKBREAKER!
Axiom writhes, Berto soaks up the heat, and Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Berto whips Axiom hard into the Garza corner, then tags Angel. Angel drags Axiom by a leg, stands on Axiom’s face, and then pulls on the ankle. Axiom kicks free but Angel rains down fists! Angel smothers Axiom, then drags him up. Angel reels Axiom in, lifts, but Axiom slips free to fire off CHOPS! Angel slips around the kick to Gory Especial! Tag to Berto, slingshot and the GORY CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives but Berto rains down fists! Angel snapmares to have a GROUND COBRA TWIST!
Axiom endures, SmackDown returns to single picture, and the fans rally up. Axiom fights up, fires shots, but Berto ROCKS him! Berto whips Axiom, but Axiom GAMANGIRIS Angel! Axiom goes up and over, hot tag to Frazer! AX HANDLE for Berto, then Frazer BOOTS Angel! CHOP for Berto, then a whip, but Berto reverses. Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges and just gets faster to CLOBBER Berto! Then SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up, Frazer runs again, QUEBRADA for the DDT! Then a RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this and the fans stay fired up. Frazer thinks of his options, and he brings Berto up.
Berto kicks, Frazer ducks, but the ENZIGIRI finds him! Angel sneaks a tag, Frazer ENZIGIRIS Berto! QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Angel covers, TWO!! Frazer survive but Angel rains down fists! Tag to Berto and Angel puts Frazer up top. Los Garza climb up to bring Frazer up, SUPER M T Y!! Then Berto MOONSAULTS!! Cover, AXIOM BARRELS IN AND BREAKS IT! “This is Awesome!” as the teams fall back, tag to Angel! Hot tag to Axiom, and he runs up on Angel! Angel CHOPS first! Axiom ROCKS Angel! Angel and Axiom go forearm to forearm, then just fast ‘n’ furious! Angel V-TRIGGERS! Axiom PELES!
Axiom runs up, but into a HEADBUTT! Axiom falls back, Angel goes to a corner, and Angel climbs. But Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom climbs, CHOPS, then brings Angel up, only for Angel to scoop! But Frazer CLUBS Angel! Frazer tags in, Axiom hits a SUPER SPANISH FLY! Frazer adds the PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, Fraxiom wins!
Winners: Fraxiom, by pinfall
The team that will #NeverSlowDown just hit the ground running, and they already have a massive win! Will nothing stop these two from taking over the SmackDown Tag Division?
Tiffany Stratton is here!
Fort Worth is fired up again as it is still #TiffyTime! That’s because “Pro-Wrestling Barbie” is still the WWE Women’s Champion, and she goes right to the ring. Tiff grabs a mic, and she asks, “What time is it?” “TIFFY TIME~!” That’s right! And at WrestleMania, in front of over 60 THOUSAND people, it was Tiffy Time. Tiff went toe-to-toe with one of the greatest in Charlotte Flair. And no lies, Tiff did doubt herself and the pressure got to her. But in the end, she prevailed and walked out of WrestleMania #AndStill THE WWE Women’s Champion! The fans cheer, and Tiff continues: For the longest time, she was always being called “The Next Charlotte Flair.”
“Wrong~! There may be only one Charlotte Flair, but I guarantee you there is only one Tiffany Stratton!” The fans cheer more, but wait! JADE CARGILL makes her way out here! The fans fire up again as now The Storm has come to Fort Worth. And Jade tells Tiff, “Cut it. Now I came here to give credit where it’s due, and your match with Charlotte was very impressive. But that did nothing but create a bigger target on your back. And since my business is finished with Naomi, I have nothing but time. So I think it’s time for me to remind everybody why I came here to the WWE! I think it’s time for everyone to see why I came here to be a champion.
“And I think it’s time for you to understand, just because you beat Charlotte doesn’t make you the best. Especially when you haven’t faced me.” The fans are torn, but Tiff tells Jade, “Okay. Well, why don’t you put your money where your mouth is, and let’s get a ref out right here, right now!” Jade agrees, the fans agree, and here’s a ref! Will these two tear it down on the SmackDown After WrestleMania? We find out, after the break!
Tiffany Stratton VS Jade Cargill!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Tiff and Jade talk a bit of smack before they tie up. The fans cheer, and Jade powers Tiff back. Tiff slips around to waistlock, but Jade switches to SLAM Tiff! Jade waistlocks again but Tiff rolls free. Tiff headlocks, Jade powers up but Tiff fights the suplex! Jade powers up and out this time, then she runs Tiff over! Jade flexes, the fans are torn, but Jade storms up to suplex! Tiff slips free, goes to a corner, then dodges Jade to roll her up! TWO, and the two stand off. Tiff says it was that close, and the fans rally up. Tiff and Jade circle, but then Tiff offers a handshake. Jade says sure, and they shake hands.
But then Tiff reels Jade in for a headlock! Jade powers up and out, drops down to then hurdle over! And arm-drag! Tiff flounders, stands up, then dodges Jade. Tiff drops down, hurdles over, but Jade blocks the hip toss to body shot! Jade fireman’s carries, but Tiff swings free to arm-drag! Jade is up, and she catches Tiff to BACKBREAKER! Tiff goes to the ropes, the fans rally up, and Jade runs in, only for Tiff to drop toehold her into ropes! Tiff runs and HIP ATTACKS! Jade flounders, Tiff runs up to TIFFY- NO, Jade sunset flips Tiff first! ONE, both women stand, and Jade hits a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while Jade covers, TWO!
Tiff stays in this, but Jade stays on her. Jade pushes Tiff, clinches, and BODY SLAMS again! Cover, TWO! Tiff is still tougher than that, so Jade lines up a shot. But Tiff dodges the boot and rolls Jade! TWO, and now Tiff SPINEBUSTERS in return! Cover, TWO! Jade is also tougher than that, and the fans rally up. Jade goes to a corner, Tiff handsprings in, BACK ELBOW! Tiff says it’s still her time, and then she goes back for Jade. Cover. TWO! Still a little too cocky but Tiff drags Jade back up. Tiff bumps Jade off buckles, stomps away, but stops as the ref counts. Tiff handsprings again for another BACK ELBOW! Another cover, TWO!
Tiff is growing annoyed, but she is still in control, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Tiff trades shots with Jade! The fans cheer, then Tiff kicks low, KNEES hard, and fireman’s carries! ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes up, up, and PRETTIEST MOONSAULT- Hold on, Tiff almost misses the ropes. Tiff jumps again, PRETTIEST- NO, Jade dodges! Jade comes back, Tiff kicks low, then Tiff runs. Cartwheel, but no Alabama Slam! Just a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives that sudden turnaround and Jade is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Jade looms over Tiff. Jade drags Tiff up, choke grips, and SLAM- NO, Tiff slips free and rolls Jade up! TWO, and Tiff goes to a corner.
Jade runs in, Tiff dodges, and Jade hits buckles! Tiff handsprings one more time, but Jade catches Tiff! But Tiff victory rolls through, runs, and TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Jade survives and now Tiff is shocked! Tiff hurries to a corner, climbs up, but Jade is right up after her! Jade brings Tiff up for a SUPERPLEX! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Jade stirs, Tiff rolls away, and Tiff is safe on the apron. The fans rally, Jade crawls, but wait! NAOMI IS HERE! NAOMI ATTACKS JADE!!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by disqualification
The fans boo as Naomi is not letting go of her grudge! She HAMMERS away on Jade, laughs maniacally, and then SLAPS Jade! Naomi drags Jade up, and POSTS her! Naomi then drags Jade out to POST her again! Naomi CLUBS away on Jade in the corner, showing no mercy! Naomi drags Jade out of the corner one more time, to POST her a third time! Jade flops to the floor, Naomi says kiss this, and she laughs like the villain she’s become! Tiff is back and she’s mad at Naomi for ruining her match. But Naomi just takes her leave, ONLY FOR NIA JAX TO ATTACK!! The fans boo the Irresistible Force as she DRIBBLES Tiff off the mat!
Nia looms over Tiff now, and drags her to center, for the LEG DROP, brother! Nia says “One More Time! One More Time!” Then she drags Tiff to a drop zone, goes up, A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia smiles as she sits on Tiff, then gets up just to grab the title. Nia holds it up, will Tiffany finally feel the backlash of her cash-in?
Jacob Fatu is here!
Fort Worth fires back up as now the NEW WWE United States Champion heads to the ring, Solo Sikoa by his side. Jacob holds up the title, the fans fire up, and Jacob swings the belt around, almost hitting Solo. Solo nods, he understands how fired up the Samoan Werewolf is about this. Solo has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, show some love and respect, for your NEW United States Champion, Jacob Fatu!” The fans cheer that! Solo says at WrestleMania, the world saw what Solo already knew: Jacob Fatu is the future. Fatu is the future of this company, but let’s remind you of something: Nobody in Solo’s family wanted Fatu here, except Solo.
The Bloodline thought Fatu was trouble. They thought he was too much of a risk. But y’know who changed that? Y’know who made it all happen? It was Solo! Solo is the reason Fatu is champion! Solo brought Fatu here, brought him to the Promised Land, got him off the streets and made him a champion! Fatu is champion because of Solo! This is exactly what happens when you love your family! Fatu would not be- Fatu snatches the mic from Solo! The fans fire up as Fatu stares Solo down. Fatu tells Solo to not get it twisted. Fatu told Solo that Fatu would win the US Championship. Fatu told Solo that the US title was coming home to the family!
And Fatu told Solo that Fatu would do it with him, or without him! And that is exactly what Fatu did. So, Texas, look at your NEW US Champion! The fans fire up for Fatu, and Fatu says see? He knows that this title makes him America’s Most Wanted! Hell, this title makes Fatu a menace to society! But at the end of the day, you better get in where you fit in! He all gas, no breaks with it! YADADADA MEAN!? But then LA KNIGHT is here! The fans fire up as The Mega Star has a mic, and from the stage, he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says at WrestleMania, he guaranteed that Fatu would eat a BFT, and BAH GAWD, he ate a BFT!
Knight knocked Fatu on his big fat head, Fatu reached out for the ropes, and good for him, because from there, Fatu was able to capitalize and win. Knight gives credit where credit is due, cuz it can happen to anybody on any night. Anybody can get it. But you gotta understand something, Knight goes to the back, everybody back there’s saying, “Man, you had one hell of a match at WrestleMania.” “YEAH!” Knight says he doesn’t care about having “one hell of a match,” Knight cares about winning a match! And about taking the title back. What he’s saying is, he wants his rematch, and he wants it tonight!
But wait! Drew McIntyre shows up! The Scottish Terminator steps out on stage, mic in hand, and Drew tells “Dallas” that it isn’t always easy being Drew McIntyre. Personally, it is, because he’s tall, jacked, handsome, and much like Texas, he has big guns. But professionally, Drew has been screwed time and time again. World title match after world title match. WrestleMania, Drew had to get through one last roadblock, and he and Damian Priest had one of the most violent matches in the history of WrestleMania! So Priest, you aren’t here tonight, we won’t see you for a while, so Drew will “thank” you. It was a pleasure to embarrass him in front of his entire family.
Drew tells the next stop was to be challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship, but Randy Orton jumped the line! The same Randy Orton that Drew beat three weeks ago. Is this World Wrestling Entertainment? Or Nepotism Wrestling Entertainment? Speaking of which, hi, Bloodline! Knight “yawns” and asks if Drew is done yet. Drew says he’ll get to Knight in a second. Okay, then continue on. Drew says he’s been watching Cena these past few weeks. Cena ain’t the same guy, he’s a punk now. Drew wants to fight the baddest dog in the yard. He wants the baddest champion in the yard. Jacob, Drew wants to fight you!
Knight says, “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Can somebody wake me up when this mush mouth is done?” Drew says always with the jokes, huh? The only joke here was Knight’s last US title reign. Knight smirks and says, “Oh~! I would say your last title run was a joke, but I can’t remember it.” So if Drew has a problem with Orton, go talk to Orton. But right now, Drew is standing on time that belongs to Knight. Knight wants his US Championship, But if Drew wants to make claim, then why not come on in and show us? The fans cheer, Drew says okay, and he steps up! But Nick Aldis has everyone hold on a moment.
The fans boo but Aldis says we all know where this is going. Before Knight and Drew tear each other apart, here’s an alternative. They can all come backstage, put the tights and the boots on, lace ’em up, and here in Fort Worth, Texas, Aldis will give us Knight VS McIntyre 1v1, the winner is the #1 contender to the US Championship. The fans love that! Drew already heads back, and Knight warns Jacob that he’ll be coming back soon enough. But who will survive tonight to step to the Samoan Werewolf?
Backstage interview with Zelina Vega.
Byron Saxton catches La Muneca on her way to gorilla, and wants to review: Zelina beat Chelsea Green by count out two weeks ago, then beat her by pinfall just last week. If things go her way tonight, she will be the NEW Women’s US Champion. Where are her thoughts? Zelina says honestly, she’s known for having a big mouth, but tonight is one of those nights where she’s speechless. That’s how much this means to her. She’s wanted this for so long. Just like her mentor, Rey Mysterio, a former Men’s US Champion, and the late Eddie Guerrero, another former US Champion, it is time to bring some Latina Heat into the match.
And of course, just like how they do it here in Texas, you go big or you go home. Zelina ain’t going home until she has the title around her waist. Will Zelina finally add a bit more gold to her list of achievements? Or will there be no ending the Green Regime’s term?
WWE Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice VS Zelina Vega!
SmackDown returns as the challenger makes her entrance, followed by the champion’s. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is THE champion-in-chief!
The bell rings and Chelsea runs up, but Zelina sends her into the corner! Zelina fires hands, whips corner to corner, but Chelsea reverses. Zelina goes up, Chelsea stays back and chicken wings. Chelsea turns Zelina but Zelina waistlocks back. Chelsea switches, they go to ropes, and Zelina bucks the O’Conner! Zelina wheelbarrows, FACEBSUTER, and cover, TWO! Zelina runs up to reel Chelsea in. Chelsea fights free, goes to ropes, but Zelina runs up to slip around to the outside! Chelsea fights free but Zelina trips her up! Zelina sees Piper & Alba creeping up, but then Chelsea BOOTS Zelina down!
Zelina argues with the ref, and that lets Alba RAM Zelina into the apron! Then Piper adds a SENTON on the floor! The fans boo but Chelsea salutes, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Chelsea has Zelina up top. Cheslea SLAPS Zelina, climbs up, and then brings her up. Zelina fights the suplex and fires body shots! Chelsea ROCKS Zelina, then fireman’s carries! Zelina fights around, waistlocks, and pulls! Chelsea holds onto the ropes, but Zelina powers up to SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX! Both women are down, and the fans fire up! Zelina and Chelsea rise, the fans duel, and Zelina runs up. Zelina dodges Chelsea to LARIAT! And LARIAT again! Zelina blocks a boot, ELBOWS Chelsea, and Cheslea sits down! Zelina runs up to METEORA! Snapmare and Zelina goes up!
Zelina gives some Latina Heat, for another METEORA! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives and Zelina is shocked! Alba argues from the apron, but Zelina DECKS her! Chelsea runs up to ENZIGIRI! Chicken wings, turnaround, but Zelina hits a BACKSTABBER! Chelsea ends up on ropes, the fans fire up as Zelina dials it up, but PIPER trips Zelina! The ref saw that! The fans boo Piper, but then the ref spots Alba creeping up on Zelina! The ref says no more shenanigans! He EJECTS the Secret Her-vice! The fans fire up as Piper & Alba throw a fit! Zelina waves bye, but Chelsea CLBOBERS Zelina! Chelsea whips, Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, ZELINA WINS!!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s United States Champion)
But now the Secret Her-vice rush back to the ring! Zelina dodges them, and she finally has her first singles title! The Green Administration is out, let’s pledge allegiance to the VEGA Administration!
Carmelo Hayes admires the Andre the Giant trophy.
Last week on WrestleMania SmackDown, it came down to H1M and Andrade, and in the end, Melo put his name down in history. The Miz is with H1M to say when it is all said and done, Melo will go down as the greatest Andre the Giant Battle Royal winner of all time! That is why Miz sacrificed himself for Melo! Because Miz has a vision for Carmelo Hayes. To commemorate this achievement, Miz got Melo something. Really? Really. Now c’mon, open it up. Melo pops the box open and inside is an Andre the Giant necklace! A big golden head on a big golden chain, and Melo tries it on. Perfect fit!
Miz says Melo earned it. Melo says yeah. This is bigger than just the win. This represents the chip that is on Melo’s shoulder. With this around Melo’s neck, he refuses to be overlooked. Yeah, cook! He refuses to be denied! Let’s go! And in the true spirit of Andre the Giant, with this around his neck, Melo is larger than life! He is the Tenth Wonder of the World! Because he is… HIM! Miz is inspired! He’s gonna go to the ring to get something off his chest. Miz lets Melo stay back here to enjoy his moment, cuz Miz is about to make his own. Miz heads to gorilla, but what exactly is The Hollywood A-Lister about to do?
SmackDown returns and Miz is in the ring.
Miz has a mic to say, “Since 2007, I’ve been an integral part of WrestleMania. But this year, at the highest grossing WrestleMania in history, I had no match, no mention, nowhere to be found. May I remind you, I main-evented WrestleMania, beating John Cena, retaining the WWE Championship, something that Cody Rhodes, your chosen hero, could not do last week. And yet he gets the cheers! The pyro, the spotlight, and I get it, I get it, he was champion, he deserves to be on WrestleMania. But when Rey Mysterio comes hobbling in to WrestleMania, does he come to a fellow legend to fill his boots?
“No, he goes to a guy who’s been here for two weeks. I’ve been here for 20 YEARS! What do I have to do? Wear a lucha mask and call myself ‘Rey?’ Then KO goes down! Orton needs an opponent! He needs an opponent! Do you guys want a guy who’s beaten Randy Orton for the WWE Championship? NO! You guys want a guy who’s an internet meme! A TikTok trend! A guy who does musical theater in a wrestling ring! I am sick of it! I am sick and tired of people showing up in the WWE, people I am a bigger star then! People that cannot lace my boots in this ring! I’m sick of them getting opportunity after opportunity!
“May I remind you, that I am the A-Lister! I am the Most Must-See WWE Superstar of all time! And may you never forget that I am the Miz! And I am…” The lights go out! Uh oh… Because ALEISTER BLACK is back in the WWE! The fans fire up as The Dark Father rises up from the shadows, and he goes right to the ring! The fans fire up more and even chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” as Aleister puts his vest aside. Miz is frustrated that his time in spotlight was taken away again, and then asks Aleister, “Who the hell do you think-” BLACK MASS!! Miz falls right over, and then Aleister sits cross-legged in the ring. Will SmackDown #FadeToBlack once again?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.
Byron is with The EST, and he notes her match at WrestleMania with Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley was an instant classic. One of the best matches of the entire weekend, really. Unfortunately, Bianca didn’t win the title, and she didn’t leave Las Vegas unscathed. Can she tell us about her hand? Bianca says her fingers hurt, her feelings hurt, but no, she’s just kidding. She walked into WrestleMania with a broken finger, but it was worth it. They all fought ’til the end, and things didn’t go her way, but she is so proud of what the three of them did.
To her point, it was a great outing, but things didn’t go Bianca’s way. Iyo Sky is still the Women’s World Champion. Bianca says yes, Iyo found the perfect opportunity to capitalize, and Bianca can’t blame her because Bianca would’ve done the same thing. Now, Rhea… Well, Rhea found a way to slip her way into a match that Bianca earned, so that won’t be the last time Rhea and Bianca meet. But right now, Bianca is just focused on healing so she can get back to SmackDown, her home, and well, her home is divided. Bianca knows that when she returns, she’ll settle some unfinished business. Byron wishes The EST well, but when and where will Bianca make the biggEST return?
Naomi and Nia cross paths.
Nia tells Naomi that she doesn’t care about Jade. But when it comes to Tiffany and the title, just stay out of her way. Naomi says, “So long as you proceed… with… caution!” Naomi storms off, Nia isn’t quite intimidated, but will these two clash over their grudges? Or will things end up working together for what they both want?
WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: LA Knight VS Drew McIntyre!
We just saw these two argue over who gets to fight Jacob Fatu, so now they have to fight it out with each other. Will the Mega Star go right back for the belt he just lost? Or will the Scottish Terminator be one step away from completing his WWE Grand Slam?
SmackDown is picture in picture for the entrances, then returns to single picture once McIntyre has his pyro. The bell rings and the fans fire up. Knight and Drew circle, the fans rally up a bit more, and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Drew slips around to waistlock and SLAM! Knight flounders to a corner but Drew flexes. The fans cheer, Drew signals he’ll have the belt, but Knight brushes that off. The two reset and tie up again. The fans rally, Drew waistlocks, but Knight switches. Knight pushes Drew down and slaps him around! The fans cheer as Knight flexes! Drew brushes that off, and the two reset again.
Drew runs up, Knight dodges and Knight headlocks. Knight grinds but Drew power sup to back supelx! Knight lands out, pushes Drew, but Drew comes back to run Knight over! Drew slaps Knight around! Drew runs, Knight drops low, hurdle sover, and then BACK ELBOWS! The fans cheer as Knight gets around again, and he hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Knight scuffs Drew, but Drew throat chops Knight! The fans are torn, Drew CHOPS Knight, and fans “WOO~!” Knight CHOPS, Drew CHOPS, repeat! Drew ROCKS Knight, then whips him, but Knight grabs the ropes. Knight then TOSSES Drew out! Drew lands on his feet!
Drew trips Knight and drags him out, but Knight ROCKS Drew! Knight brings Drew to the desk, the fans fire up, but Drew gets away. Knight pursues Drew into the ring, and he ROCKS Drew! And ROCKS him again! Knight has Drew up but Drew HOTSHOTS Knight! Drew then runs, and he BLASTS Knight off the apron! Knight hits barriers then the floor, and Drew soaks up cheers and jeers. Drew clutches his side, still feeling that Sin City Street Fight, so he lets the ring count handle this. The fans rally and even sing, “OH~ Drew McIntyre~!” Knight rolls in at 7 of 10, but Drew rains down fists! Drew then deadlifts Knight for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Knight stays in this but Drew grits his teeth. Drew stands Knight up, but Knight counter punches! Knight fires hands, whips, but Drew reverses. Knight goes up, but Drew KICKS Knight outta the air! Cover, TWO! Knight survives, Drew snarls as he has to catch his breath, and he storms up on Knight again. The fans rally, Drew CHOPS, and Knight staggers away. Drew stalks Knight, Knight CHOPS, but Drew CHOPS! Drew KICKS Knight, DECKS him, then stomps away! The ref counts, Drew stops, and he has Knight on the apron. Drew drags Knight up, has him against the ropes, and ROCKS him!
Knight flops back into the ring, Drew eggs him on, and the fans duel. Drew stands Knight up, reels him in, and he suplexes, only for Knight to block! Drew CLUBS away on Knight, then suplexes, only for Knight to fight that! Drew KNEES low, CLUBS Knight down, then huffs ‘n’ puffs. Drew eggs Knight on again, and Knight rises up, only for Drew to reel him in. But Knight suplexes instead! The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight and Drew rise up slowly, and Knight fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Drew reverses, but Knight LEAPING LARIATS! Then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS!
Drew staggers, Knight whips, but Drew reverses to scoop. Knight slips free, shoves Drew into buckles, then JUMPING NECKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Drew survives and the fans rally! Knight drags Drew up, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Then the underhooks, but Knight rolls through the Future Shock! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Knight goes to a corner, and he BOOTS Drew down! Knight goes up, spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew survives and the fans are torn again. Knight stalks Drew, kicks and cravat, but Drew rolls Knight away!
Drew runs up, Knight puts him on the apron! Then Knight ducks a punch to HOTSHOT Drew! Knight then runs to WRECK Drew with the dropkick! The fans fire up as Knight DRIBBLES Drew off the desk! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight winds up, and he SMACKS Drew off the desk again! The fans cheer as Knight puts Drew in the ring, but then SOLO SIKOA is here! The ref is busy with Drew, SAMOAN SPIKE for Knight!! Solo puts Knight in the ring, and Drew is confused. Drew says screw it, and he aims from the corner! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But then DAMIAN PRIEST drags Drew out!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by disqualification
Priest fires off on Drew and the fans fire up! Priest THROWS Drew over barriers! Then he drags Drew back to ringside to ROCK Drew! Drew slumps against the desk, Priest choke grips! SOUTH OF HEAVEN through the desk!! The fans are thunderous as The Punisher just dealt out street justice to Drew McIntyre! But what does this mean for the #1 contender’s status? Knight tells Priest that Preist might’ve just cost him! But then JACOB FATU DIVES from the ring!! The fans are thunderous again, and Jacob POSTS Priest! Knight is up, but Jacob brings him around to RAM into steel steps!
Fatu puts Knight back in the ring, then he puts Priest in the ring, and he has a target in each corner! HIP ATTACK for Knight! SPLASH for Priest! Knight is in the drop zone, Fatu goes up, up, and BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Then a HIP ATTACK for Priest!! Fort Worth is fired up, and Priest goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER for Priest!! The Samoan Werewolf just slaughtered two men at once, will no one even be able to face him for the title?
John Cena crosses paths with R-Truth!
They’re backstage, and Truth is glad Cena won the title. He’s been rooting for his hero since the beginning! If Cena needs Truth at any time for anything, just call. Cena doesn’t even respond, he just walks away. And then Jimmy Uso steps in. He shakes hands with Truth, and he asks when John Cena became so whack. Truth says there’s two sides to every story, Uce. That’s a REAL world champion. When Truth grows up, he’s gonna be just like Cena. But… You’re already grown up, Truth! Will Truth learn the truth about Cena on his own?
WWE Tag Team Championships TLC Triple Threat: The Street Profits VS Motor City Machine Guns VS DIY!
After months of back and forth between these three teams, and a few others here on SmackDown, it is time to finally put this one to rest. With tables, ladders, chairs, and no holding back, who will finally prove they are THE team on SmackDown?
The introductions are made, the belts are already high overhead, so it’s time to see who rises up and claims them as their own!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as all six men look up. But then DIY goes after MCMG! The Profits go after DIY, but DIY CLAW the eyes! Ciampa stomps Ford, Gargano stomps Dawkins, then they go out to fetch themselves a ladder! The fans want tables, but MCMG DROPKICK that ladder into DIY! The fans fire up, then the Profits and MCMG brawl! Shelley has Ford, Sabin HEADBUTTS Dawkins, and MCMG climb up to rain down fists! But DIY stop MCMG, they brawl some more, but Sabin & Shelley turn things around on Ciampa & Gargano. MCMG then crisscross to ELBOW the Profits, ROCK DIY, and repeat!
Ciampa swings, but into an atomic drop! Dropkick and Last Chancery, DREAM SEQUENCE! The fans fire up and MCMG set things up. Shelley holds the ropes open and Sabin DIVES into a chair!! Gargano then SMACKS Shelley in the leg! Gargano uses offense as defense, and then Ciampa JAMS Ford up with a chair! But Dawkins POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Gargano runs up, Dawkins picks him up, and he POSTS Gargano! Dawkins fires up, the fans fire up with him, and Dawkins fetches a ladder. Dawkins puts the ladder in, he’s all alone, and he hurries to set the ladder up. Dawkins climbs, but Sabin is in!
Sabin hops on for a SLEEPER, but Dawkins still climbs! The fans fire up, Dawkins fires elbows, but Shelley trips Dawkins up! Dawkins has a leg stuck int he rungs, and Shelley CLUBS away on it! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCRWE in the ladder rungs! Dawkins falls in a heap, and now MCMG take ownership of the ladder. Gargano is back, only for MCMG to mug him! They SMACK Gargano off rungs! Ciampa is back, MCMG mugs him now, and they stomp him down in the corner. MCMG drag Ciampa up, and they SMACK Ciampa off rungs! MCMG keeps the ladder standing and the fans rally up.
Ford is back, but now MCMG mugs him! They whip, Ford ducks the ladder, but the ladder is sent into Ford! Dawkins is back to DECK Shelley and DECK Sabin! Dawkins folds up the ladder, puts it aside, and he CYCLONE SPLASHES Shelley! CYCLONE SPLASH for Sabin! Dawkins goes up, up, but MCMG trip him up! MCMG have Dawkins in the Tree of Woe, and they stand on the groin! The Curse of Greatness is feeling really bad right now, but MCMG grab themselves a chair. The fans cheer as Sabin sets the chair in place, for Shelley’s FULL METAL DROPKICK! MCMG then see Ford coming, and Shelley JAMS him up!
But Ford blocks the chair shot! Only for Sabin to FULL METAL MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up again, and MCMG fetch the ladder. They set that in front of Dawkins’ face, but Gargano drags Shelley out of the ring! Gargano SMACKS Shelley off the apron! Ciampa does the same to Sabin, and then DIY YANKS the ladder into Dawkins’ face! DIY and MCMG brawl on the outside gain, but Ford FLIES over the corner! Direct hit on DIY and MCMG, and the fans are going nuts! All six men are down and writhing, but Ford manages to rise up. Ford hobbles around, finds himself a ladder, and he puts that in the ring.
Fort Worth still wants tables, but Ford sets his ladder up because he wants the prize! Ford climbs, but Ciampa is in! Ciampa grabs at a foot, Ford kicks free, so Ciampa climbs the other side! Ciampa keeps Ford from grabbing belts, but Ford does the same. Gargano is setting up another ladder right behind them! Gargano climbs while Ciampa and Ford brawl. The belts are so close, but neither Ford nor Gargano can get a good grip! Gargano figures screw it, FLYING FLATLINER off the ladder! Ciampa grabs the belts! But Dawkins drags Ciampa down! Dawkins DECKS Ciampa! Dawkins now sets the ladders side-by-side before he climbs.
DIY returns, and Ciampa grabs at Dawkins while Gargano climbs the second ladder. Gargano CLUBS Dawkins, goes up, but then Dawkins scoops Gargano! The fans fire up for the SUPER BIG ENDING!! Shoutout to Big E, but then Ciampa tosses one of the ladders. Ciampa focuses on one, but Sabin hurries to stop him! Sabin has an arm through the rungs! Dawkins is back, and he SHOVES the ladder over! Ciampa ends up crotched on the rope! Sabin is managing to cling to the ropes, but Shelley is there to fire hands on Dawkins! Shelley TOSSES Dawkins out, then he and Sabin reset the ladder. But Ciampa is back!
Ciampa SMACKS Shelley with a chair! And he SMACKS Sabin with a chair! Gargano returns with a chair of his own! Ciampa puts a chair around Shelley’s neck! Gargano aims, and he hits a HOMERUN!! Shelley sputters and falls away, Ciampa keeps Sabin down, and Gargano shoves the ladder over. But the ladder’s so tall, it bounces off the ropes to stand back up! Gargano tries again and the ladder finally stays on the ropes. Ciampa then suplexes Sabin, FULL METAL BRAINBUSTER!! Dawkins is back, but Gargano JAMS him up! And SMACKS him down! Ciampa SMACKS Dawkins again! Gargano JAMS Dawkins again and again!
The fans boo but DIY sit their chairs side-by-side. Gargano says hold on. And he flips them around! It’s a wedge! The fans freak out as DIY DOUBLE- NO, Dawkins fights the suplexes! Ford drags Ciampa out of the ring! Gargano DECKS Dawkins, DECKS Ford, but then Dawkins ROCKS Gargano! SILENCER on the chair wedge!! Gargano writhes and the fans go nuts again! The Profits then have the ladder to themselves. But then they say, “GET THE TABLES!!” The fans fire up for the Dudley shoutout, and the Profits find a table! They put that in the ring, Ford moves the ladder aside, and Forth Worth cheers for “TABLES! TABLES!”
Ciampa YANKS Dawkins down, but Ford SUPERKICKS Ciampa! Dawkins has Ciampa in the Electric Chair, and Ford takes aim! Ford builds speed, and FLIES! BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY onto everyone!! All six men are down, and the fans lose their minds all over again! “This is Awesome!” as all six men slowly rise, and Dawkins ROCKS Sabin! Ford borrows a fan’s prosthetic leg! Ford CLUBS Gargano with it! He gives it back to the fan and the crowd is loving this! Ford then sets up a ladder bridge between ring and barrier. The front row sits back a bit, but Ciampa CLUBS Ford! Ciampa SMACKS Ford off the bridge!
Shelley SMACKS Gargano off a table, Ciampa storms up to CLUB Shelley, and then DIY mugs Shelley. Sabin and Dawkins brawl on the other end, and Sabin JAMS Dawkins with a chair. Sabin puts Dawkins on a table and rains down hands! Wait, Ciampa is bringing a table of his own around the way, and he SMACKS Ford off the edge of it! Gargano and Shelley brawl, but Ciampa finally has his table set up on the ramp side. Shelley SMACKS Gargano off steel steps, then SMACKS him off there again! Ford turns things around on Ciampa to put him on a table! Sabin goes up, FROG SPLASH on Dawkins through the table!!
Ford sees that, but then he looks at Ciampa on that table. Ford says bet, and he builds speed to FLY! SWANTON BOMB on Ciampa through the table!! The fans are thunderous as now Gargano and Shelley are the only ones not in some kind of wreckage! “This is Awesome!” as Ford crawls away from Ciampa. Sabin leaves Dawkins behind, but Gargano is in with Ford. Ford is up top but Gargano fires hands! Ford GAMANGIRIS in return! Then Ford goes back up, but Ciampa rises! Ciampa drags Ford down, but Ford SUPERKICKS! Ford runs up, but into a BOOT! And then another BOOT! Ciampa reels Ford in and looks to the bridge!
Ciampa fireman’s carries, AIR RAID CRASH down through the ladder bridge!! Fort Worth loses their minds all over again as Ciampa shouts for Gargano to climb! Gargano sets the ladder up, climbs, but Shelley anchors a leg! Gargano fights Shelley, but Sabin is climbing in from the other side. Gargano ROCKS Sabin, DECKS Shelley, and repeat! Sabin wobbles, Gargano lines up his shot. ONE FINAL- NO, Sabin stops the DDT! He SHOVES Gargano into the post, then MCMG give Gargano a DOUBLE BOOT SANDWICH at the corner! Sabin drags Gargano closer to the table, then stands on it…?! Shelley goes up, SKULL & BONES through the table!!!
The fans are going nuts all over again as MCMG risks it all just for this match! “This is Awesome!” as all six men are down somewhere around ringside. But Ciampa slowly rises! He slaps himself to fire back up, and he climbs the ladder! Ciampa is within reach of those belts, gets his hands on the bracket, and- WAIT! MCMG is folding up that ladder! Ciampa is now pulling a Jeff Hardy by dangling from the belts! MCMG grab chairs, Ciampa is a pinata for the beating! Ciampa’s legs are the only real targets, though, so that’s not enough. MCMG get a table under Ciampa, but they don’t see Dawkins climbing the ladder!
MCMG pull at Ciampa’s legs, but Dawkins takes aim! Well, if Ciampa is Jeff Hardy, then Dawkins is about to go Rated R! Dawkins FLYING SPEARS Ciampa off the belts and down through a table!!!! Everyone is losing their minds, including MCMG! MCMG clears the wreckage, and fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” But someone has to win these belts, and now MCMG sets the ladder back underneath them. Shelley climbs, but Gargano JAMS Sabin up! And then he CHUCKS the chair at Shelley! MCMG is down, Gargano climbs up, and the fans boo. Gargano reaches the top, paws at the belts, but Sabin hurries up after him!
Gargano and Sabin brawl up top, they touch the belts, then throw more hands! The fans cheer Sabin and boo Gargano as the shots keep going. Sabin gets the edge, he SMACKS Gargano off rungs, and Gargano falls! But Ford SPRINGBOARDS to the ladder!! Ford DECKS Sabin, grabs the belts, but Gargano drags him back down! Gargano traps Ford’s legs in the rung! SUPERKICK! Ford is stuck and Gargano literally climbs over him! Gargano reaches up, but Sabin is back again! Sabin fires hands, Gargano fires back, and Ford gets free!? Ford climbs from the side of the ladder! Ford fires hands on each of them!
Ford SMACKS Gargano, SMACKS Sabin, and they both fall! Ford is back up top, and he has the belts off the hook! PROFITS WIN!!
Winners: The Street Profits (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
Fort Worth cheers as The Profits are still up! They wanted the smoke, they got the smoke, and they walked through the fire to still be forged in gold! Will anyone ever bring them down from the heights they’ve reached?
My Thoughts:
An awesome SmackDown After Mania, with a great pivot towards the Backlash build, since they’ve gotta get on that with it only two weeks away. Very good promo from Cena and Orton to open tonight, though framing this as “Cena should settle down and become a family man” is a bit odd. Cena did do a good job roasting that kid and his dad, though. It was obviously going to be Cena VS Orton in St. Louis, so they just made it official. Orton standing tall twice in one week already indicates that Orton is not winning. There is going to be much more drama in this, with Cena trying to run out the clock, so to speak. Also, good to finally see R-Truth and John Cena interact, and I hope we get more of this as time goes on.
Awesome match from Los Garza VS Fraxiom to make Fraxiom’s call up official. Great win for Fraxiom, but I’m very curious to see if the team sticks together much longer. They love playing up the dysfunction, and the first promo segment from them likely keeps that going, but they’re still a great team so they could go for the tag titles before a break-up happens. Aleister Black’s return being knocking out Miz was a decent move, especially after Miz got done ranting about how he feels overshadowed. Also, Miz giving Melo that goofy Andre the Giant necklace is a bit much, but whatever, Melo surely will have a good run from here on out.
Good promo from Tiffany and Jade to give us their “impromptu” match, but it makes so much sense for Naomi to go after Jade and Nia to go after Tiff. We’re definitely getting a rematch of Naomi VS Jade, and obviously Tiff VS Nia is on the table, but I wonder if we get a “Can they coexist?” type tag match as part of the build. We might even end up with something bigger given Jade and Naomi also deserve something title wise. Especially when sadly, Bianca Belair can’t do anything with Jade and Naomi given that bad hand. But she did hint that no matter what, she’s staying on SmackDown, which makes sense because duh, her husband Montez is here.
Very good match but great moment for Zelina to win the Women’s US Championship. Zelina herself has been deserving something like this, it’s partly why she is the inaugural Queen of the Ring, and now she has even more validation of her hard work and ability. Great stuff in the Men’s US Championship story, with Fatu putting Solo in his place but then Knight and McIntyre stepping up. Great contender’s match, even with Solo going after Knight and Priest going after Drew. I feel like we’re getting a Fatal 4 Way here, but maybe that’s too much for Fatu’s first defense. Either way, I’m liking that Drew could be getting himself that Grand Slam with this US Championship.
And what an amazing main event. In many ways, these tag titles should’ve been on the WrestleMania card somewhere, perhaps swapping places with the World Tag Team Championships. There’s probably something about how Mania having all those sponsors, The War Raiders felt more Clash of Clans coded than the three teams in this match. And maybe there’s something about the “star power factor,” aka Logan Paul gets a spot because he’s Logan Paul, barf.
But at the same time, I think the Mania snub motivated these six guys to really go above and beyond. Them recreating THE famous spot from Dudley Boyz VS Hardy Boyz VS Edge & Christian was awesome. Kudos to Dawkins being Edge in that moment. Ford did a lot of great stuff himself, and him finishing it off was also great, I really hope we get more great stuff from the Profits and the whole SmackDown Tag Division.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.24.25
We get another chapter of Hardy Compound shenanigans! NEMETH BROTHERS! WE KNEW YOU’D COME!

Oh boy, the best thing to come from the TNA product has been on WWE programs for the last month or so. Can we start getting some non-garbage episodes that make sense with wrestling that isn’t useless or atrocious? And Trey Miguel is the first person out…so my faith is dwindling.
I hate these early stages of the Delirious Dreamer combination. This crap makes me miss Tigre Uno, Dixie Carter, hell even the Claire Lynch angle was so disgustingly cringe it was car crash entertaining. You know, like Jersey Shore. So let’s see if something can stop sucking.
.@NicTNemeth has a strange run-in with Willow The Wisp…
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchIaY pic.twitter.com/oATIF574yn
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025
Ratings:
- Trey Miguel & Ace Austin vs Moose & JDC w/Alisha: JDC wins after interference – ** 1/4
- Jacy Jayne w/ Fatal Influence vs Rosemary: Jacy wins via Rolling Punch – **
- Cinematic Hardy Compound: Kaiba Boys vs Hardy Boyz: 15/7, 10/10, 100/100, Hardy thing ever!
- Tessa Blanchard vs Missa Kate: Tessa wins via Buzzsaw DDT – **
- Joe Hendry & Elijah vs Ethan Page & Kaz: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ** 3/4
Results:
Trey Miguel & Ace Austin vs Moose & JDC w/Alisha
JDC and Trey start it’s just chain wrestling, nothing worth notating. The big early spot is slow and dumb, Trey goes for a Springboard Moonsault while in the Arm Wringer to turn it into a slow Arm Drag followed by a slow Dropkick. Throws JDC into the face corner, and Moose is late to the help spot so Trey has to beckon for him to come forward for a Tandem Drop Toe Hold causing Moose to Headbutt JDC in the groin. Double Dropkick sends Moose to the floor, but he doesn’t sell it long so he plucks Trey off the apron, smashes him and JDC tags out as we go to commercial. Jesus Christ this is cornball trope start and no one is looking good in the first 5 minutes. Am I possibly a little a jaded? Well of course, the shows have sucked for weeks and you start with bog standard “make fun of the heel” team start and its slow and unengaging. Maybe Dreamer should ask Trips if TNA talent can use the PC to learn psychology or…something interesting.
We come back and the heels are still magically in control with JDC locking in a Hammerlock Suplex into a Keylock. Tag to Moose and Trey is sooo banged up apparently an Arm Wringer throws him to the mat like a bitch. Starting off the show so damn slow is not really a good luck to keep people watching the show. It’s only like 8:20 and I want to go to sleep. Moose of course gets cocky taking his time to do a Jacknife Powerbomb so of course Trey counters, Ace gets the hot tag and guess what? Ace starts laying out both guys with quick strikes, Tijeras, Kicks, Click Click Boom, his corner dodge into the Mochizuki Triangle Kick but Moose kicks out. *sigh*
Ace decides to tag Trey back in, but their version of Poetry in Motion gets caught by Moose and Moose Powerbombs Trey into Ace. System tandem offense, Dropkick from JDC, Uranage from Moose, Down and Dirty from Dango but Ace breaks up the pin. Ace assists Trey with the Knee Slide Tornado DDT to take out Moose, they look for a finish but Lish distracts the ref, Dango kicks Trey in the dick, Brian Myers interferes and JDC wins the match.
Yawn…basic bullshit is not really driving attention.
Next is a video package for Masha and Tessa with Masha talking…who can’t cut a promo in English and Dreamer of course inserts himself for a fake “do it for your trainer” add. Oh Christ, this is like Rocky IV from Wish, but the Russian is the babyface. I hate every second of this and welcome the commercial break.
While I think this promo goes on entirely too long, you can decide if it sucks or not:
.@Santana_Proud reflects ahead of #TNARebellion, where his war with @MustafaAli_X reaches its boiling point in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchalq pic.twitter.com/zeSr7tQQVT
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025
Jacy Jayne w/ Fatal Influence vs Rosemary
Start isn’t really a thing since Rosemary feigns the Mist so Jacy runs away, when she does get back in Rosemary clocks her, beats on her in the corner, Upside Down and then gorgeous Fallon and the pack tactics give Jacy enough of a distraction to PK kick Rosemary and take control. Rosemary gets out of a Headlock with biting, then bits Jacy on the face and follows it up with a Shotgun Dropkick. Jacy tries to Reverse the Irish Whip but Rosemary kicks off the buckle, turns and connects with a Flying Forearm. Rosemary gets a little distracted, eats a V-Trigger but zombie rises from the dead and Face Buster into a Spicolli Driver attempt, but Jazmyn gets involved, Rosemary drops Jazmyn and when she turns around Jacy connects with her Rolling Punch for the finish.
Fatal Influence attack Rosemary and Mirror Match Xias come to make the save.
.@milanmiracle is ON THE CASE! @Jazmyn_nyx_wwe, @FallonHenleyWWE and @jacyjaynewwe vs. @XiaBrookside, @TheLeiYingLee and @WeAreRosemary at #TNARebellion!?
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchIaY pic.twitter.com/eTAQNOgiO8
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025
Cinematic Hardy Compound: Kaiba Boys vs Hardy Boyz
Willow the Wisp sighting early, he drops the umbrella and starts dancing to Kendrick’s They Not Like Us, then Jeff shows up and attacks Nic, they brawl in a pickup truck. Seto Nic Ziggler hits the Superkick, but Jeff turns it around, they get on top of the cab and Jeff wants to Powerbomb Nic through conveniently placed tables, but Back Body Drop sends Jeff crashing. Nic goes into the truck and finds a tag team title. Is that the idea? First person to find the titles like an RPG quest?
Matt Pearl Harbors Mokuba near a fountain as it cuts to Nic walking through the house at the arcade, and he finds their title case and he thinks it’s booby trapped so he does the heist thing of replacing the title with an exercise weight. Matt has a PREMONITION!!! THe Kaibas have the titles! And Ryan turns things around for a moment until he eats gate and gets Speared into the pool with Reby playing piano looking like a snack. Ryan is teleported into the house for Maxel the Great with Senor Benjamin as the ticket taker and most of the Hardy kids sitting in the theater. It’s an old 1920s Silent Film with Maxel beating up Ryan and the kids keep saying he sucks. He gets showered in roses, Benjamin is crying the kids rejoice and cut back to Ryan floating in the pool. Dr Wolfie is diagnosing Ryan on the couch and they have a fantastic conversation. Wolfie blames the Matt Hardy fans for Booing Wolfie. Wolfie asks if Ryan if he ever hugged his parents and Ryan starts crying and Wolfie goes “That’ll be 500 dollars for the emotional damage”.
Gothic Baby Shadow Realms Ryan into his Emo Phase with Simple Plan playing. Then he has a roast battle with Bardie. Ryan is getting pelted with eggs while Matt is drowning him in the pool. Nic saves his Little Brother from drowning in the pool (been there). Maxel attacks, Nic Pie Faces the kid, Ryan ambushes Matt with a title shot and then BROTHER NERO! We’re just missing Itchweed to complete the essences of Jeff.
Nemeths see Jeff stalking them and they bail. So we may get a return to the Broken Brothers.
.@ryrynemnem is working some things out with Dr. Wolfie.
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchIaY pic.twitter.com/ydPCkpfP6l
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025
That was glorious and the fact it’s used as a set up for a real match instead of a replacement for a real match makes it actually better.
Tessa Blanchard vs Missa Kate
Tessa doesn’t take her serious after a quick flurry so Kate lands a Tilt-a-Whirl Gourdbuster before Tessa turns things around and lays in offense. Dropkick, Springboard Elbows, Teardrop Suplex, and Tessa calms down a little after taking complete control again. Tessa keeps Kate in the corner and lays in Forearms, Kicks, goes for a Splash but Kate finally dodges and slams Tessa face first into a Buckle. Tessa hits the Cutter, goes to the top, MAGNUM, Buzzsaw DDT just because.
Masha attacks Tessa after the match and hits the Russian Death Device and puts her in a Fujiwara Armbar until Tessa gets away and bails to the floor while Masha holds the ring.
Joe Hendry & Elijah vs Ethan Page & Kaz
This whole match is stupid. Hendry had no tape at Mania, went against “doctor’s orders” to defend the title at Rebellion this Sunday anyway…so they put him in a worthless tag match when they didn’t want him active? Delirious and Dreamer need to be shot in the head. It won’t hit anything.
Elijah and Kaz start this match, Kaz looks dumb and gets dogwalked and then Rope Walked because heels aren’t allowed to be competent against “fan favorites” until at least 3 minutes into a match. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Back from the commercial break, Hendry and Elijah Double Clothesline Kaz and he’ll prolly slip something in a minute or so. Elijah does 10 Count Punches dropping Kaz, into the ropes, Kaz hops over him but Elijah throws him towards Page. Weird…but okay. Ethan calls for Hendry, and they lock up causing Hendry to wince at the arm that isn’t Kayfabed well, but Hendry hits the ropes, Shoulder Tackle into Hip Toss with “bad” arm, now Stalling Suplex that is just dropped immediately because of “arm”. Tags out quickly to Elijah and Ethan gets Manhattan Dropped and Big Booted into Saturday. Kaz takes a cheap shot when Elijah hits the ropes, so Ethan pounces and the heels finally have some momentum. Double Team on Elijah into a Rude Awakening from Kaz for two.
Ethan tries to keep Elijah isolated, Elijah gets the boot up, but he cuts off Elijah from the tag, Ethan tags in Kaz and a Slingshot Leg Drop gets another two. Elijah fights out of the corner, knocks down Ethan, counter wrestling from Kaz and Elijah before a Jumping Knee Lift levels Kaz. Elijah looks for the tag but Ethan picks Hendry off the apron and throws him into the steps. Heels doing the dogpile thing. Ethan throws Elijah into a corner, Up and Over but Ethan catches him just to get kicked away. Joe drags himself to the corner, simultaneous tags, Lariats into Sack of Shit for both heels. Attitude Adjustment on Kaz for only two. Hendry is overselling the injury no one cares enough about to write logically. So good for him that he’s doing their job, it’s just creative that isn’t. Kaz catches Hendry in Fade to Black but Hendry gets out, Scoop Slam into the Springboard Leg Drop but Hendry kicks out. Kaz wants the Chicken Wing on the bad arm, but Ethan tags himself in causing infighting, Avalanche Tandem Superplex but Elijah shoves Ethan into the pinfall to break it. Elijah and Ethan throw hands, Crossroads from Elijah, Backstabber from Kaz, Rope Run Cutter from Hendry on Kaz, Spin and pose, Standing Ovation attempt but the arm gives, Elijah tags in, Ethan refuses to tag Kaz, Highwayman’s Farewell from Elijah.
Overall Score: 6.4/10
All of the points are for Fallon Henley existing, Lei Ying Lee and the Hardy Compound match. Without the Hardy match the show was like a 2. Bad logic, bad booking, heels are too samey with everyone being a dweeb that has to get beat on for 3-5 minutes before they can remember they can wrestle. Sean Waltman is also an interesting wrinkle in the System and Rascalz thing, but the first hour of this show was useless. If people continued to watch for the Hardy match, that was the only thing that may have entertained new eyes because of WrestleMania.
Rebellion is Sunday and next Thursday starts at 10 Eastern…ugh. If TNA doesn’t get off the west coast or work days, I won’t review any of this positively. First World problems, fully aware. But come on now, especially with the shit writing from the last month or so, this show isn’t worth staying up if they TNA personally paid people to review it. It would be totally different if the content was entertaining.
You know what, just give the Hardy’s the book. I’d rather insanity than forgetting to write in logic to a kayfabe injury and because things are pre-taped the WM appearance makes no sense and sudden over selling makes less sense. This isn’t booking into a corner this is booking into a Short Bus with a flat tire.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!