Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/3/20)
The first SmackDown of 2020!
Does the Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection have a blueprint for this situation?
After weeks of Bayley & Sasha Banks talking down to the SmackDown Women’s Division, the SmackDown Women’s Division is fighting back! Who wins tonight’s massive Triple Threat Tag?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Triple Threat Tag: The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection VS Bliss-Cross VS Lacey Evans & Dana Brooke; Evans & Brooke win.
- Chad Gable VS Dash Wilder w/ Scott Dawson; Gable wins.
- Kofi Kingston w/ Big E VS The Miz; Kingston wins.
- Otis Dozovic w/ Tucker Knight VS Drew Gulak; Otis wins.
- Braun Strowman VS Cesaro w/ Sami Zayn & Shinsuke Nakamura; Strowman wins.
- Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan VS Baron Corbin & Dolph Ziggler; No Contest.
PLAY BY PLAY
New Year, New #1 Contender!
After a night marked by The Big Dog’s grudge with the Wolf King, the Triple Threat to determine Bray Wyatt’s Royal Rumble opponent was carried out. Baron Corbin mocked Daniel Bryan and The Miz, and had his Show-Off squire help out, but his tyranny would not stand! Roman Reigns kept Corbin out, and Bryan beat Miz fair and square! But Bray was the one who was most excited. That’s because “he” isn’t done “playing” with Bryan yet. Is Bryan willing to do whatever it takes? Is Bryan willing to #LetHimIn? The answer then was “YES!” but will Bryan come to regret it?
The MIz finds Daniel Bryan backstage.
Miz stares daggers at Bryan. “The Fiend violated my home.” There is nothing Miz wants or needs more than to avenge what Bray did to Miz’s family. Miz vows to take away everything Bray cares about, but Bryan is the one who earned that right. While Miz figures things out, he will say this: “Defeat The Fiend at Royal Rumble. Not just for me, for everyone.” Will Bryan carry Miz’s mission on his shoulders when WWE goes to Houston?
Triple Threat Tag: The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection VS Bliss-Cross VS Lacey Evans & Dana Brooke!
Sasha Banks & Bayley claim to be “role models” and “locker room leaders,” yet they only ever talk down to the rest of the SmackDown Women’s roster. So the rest of the roster is here to shut them up! Will the uprising be successful? Or will the #Blueprint and SmackDown Women’s Champion simply make examples out of their opponents?
Before the match, Bayley has a mic and says, “We all made it to 2020. I’m sure all of you guys have been spending the last couple of days thinking about your resolutions.” The usual things, like going to the gym, eating healthy, chasing dreams, “but c’mon. Let’s not lie to ourselves. You guys aren’t going to follow through with any of that!” Change is hard, and the people in the crowd don’t have what it takes to change their “pathetic lives.” Sasha and Bayley made the tough changes by making tough decisions, and now they’re winners! They’re leaders! But you’ve got people like Lacey Evans, who- Well speak of the Sassy Southern Belle, here she comes! She and partner Dana Brooke head to the ring, mic in head. “You two just can’t keep my name out of your mouths, can you?”
Why do they love making fun of children? It is Lacey’s passion to set a real positive example! She is sick of these two using a child to get to her. But congratulations, it worked. Lacey’s resolution is to show everyone that the bad guys lose, even when they have the advantage. And that’s not all, because now Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross make their entrance! They also have mics to add on. “It’s the first SmackDown of 2020, and you ladies just want to tear each other apart.” Seeing these intense issues, do these two even belong? Of course they do! Especially if they want to get back to the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Good point, Nikki. Let’s start 2020 with a win. This huge match kicks off the New Year, after the break!
SmackDown returns as the teams sort out. Lacey goes right at Sasha with a throw! Sasha runs away to ropes, Lacey backs off, and Lacey eggs Sasha on. Sasha tags out to Nikki and bails out. Nikki runs in, crucifix to sunset flip, TWO. Lacey rolls Nikki, ONE, but Lacey cradles quick, ONE. Lacey whips Nikki to the corner, and tags to Dana. Ms. Flex Appeal scoop slams and covers, TWO. Nikki jawbreakers back then cross chops her. Nikki fires up before running for a corner splash! Tag to Alexa, and the Goddess brings Dana around for a headlock takeover. Dana headscissors but Alexa pops out. Dana gets another takeover but Alexa gets another headscissors. Dana pops out to kick low and whip, but Alexa rolls Dana and gets a cover, TWO!
Alexa wrenches but Dana SLAPS her off. Dana whips but Alexa reverses. Dana stops herself, Sasha tags in and Bayley drags Dana out! Alexa WRECKS Bayley and SLAPS Sasha! Then DECKS her with a right, and finishes with a dropkick! Alexa runs in but is put on the apron. Bayley tags in but Alexa fights them both! Alexa bounces Sasha off buckles but Bayley shoves her off the top rope! Sasha corner METEORA! Bayley covers, TWO! Bayley keeps her cool as fans boo. Bayley elbows and chokes Alexa but lets up at 4. Nikki protests but Sasha gets a cheap shot on Alexa! Bayley covers, TWO, but Bayley puts Alexa in the corner. Tag to Sasha and Sasha stomps a mudhole. Sasha snapmares and chinlocks but Alexa endures as fans rally up.
Alexa fights her way up, arm-drags Sasha off, but Sasha hits Nikki! Sasha dropkicks Alexa down then covers, TWO! Sasha grows frustrated but Alexa jawbreakers and uppercuts! Bayley runs in to intercept Dana! Alexa tilt-o-whirls Sasha into Lacey! Nikki is up top, SUPER CROSSBODY! But Sasha throws her into steel steps! The Boss ‘n’ Smug Connection have control as we go to break.
SmackDown returns again as Dana tags in off Nikki. Sasha throws Nikki off the top and meteoras, but Dana handspring boots her down! Dana eggs Sasha on, then speeds things up to run Sasha over! Fans fire up with Dana as she sends Bayley into Banks. Handspring splash sandwich! Snap suplex on Bayley! Snap suplex on Sasha! Handspring splash, cover, but Alexa breaks it. Lace runs Alexa over, but Nikki wrenches and hits her with a neckbreaker! Bayley throws Nikki out hard but Dana throws Bayley out, too. Dana kicks Sasha, Sasha fakes injury, Bayley throws Dana down by her hair! Sasha shining wizards, cover, TWO! Tag to Bayley, and the “leaders” put Dana in a corner. They crisscross whip Dana into buckles, cover, TWO!
The SmackDown Women’s Champion stomps Dana down with a scowl on her face, then taunts Lacey. Lacey tells her to focus on Dana, so Bayley stomps Dana down. Bayley taunts Dana as she brings her up. Bayley puts Dana in the corner to throw hands and stomps. Tag to Sasha, Sasha swings int to METEORA! Cover, TWO! Sasha is furious with the ref, and chokes Dana on the ropes. Sasha lets up at 4 and fans rally up. Tag to Bayley, Boss ‘n’ Hug mug Dana. Bayley rams her shoulder into Dana over and over, then rolls back to wacky waving sucker punch Lacey! Dana BOOTS back! Dana heads for Bliss-Cross but Sasha tags in first. Sasha knees Dana into Bayley’s SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! The Legit Boss is having a legit tantrum!
Sasha brings Dana up again, whips her to Bayley, but Dana decks Bayley first! Dana boots Sasha again, then hosp up, tornado snap suplex! Dana and Sasha are down and crawling for their corners. Fans rally up again, hot tag to Bayley and she stops Dana. Dana enziguris, hot tag to Lacey! Lacey rallies with lariats! Wring out and moonsault! Lacey waits for Bayley to get up, but Bayley sends her at the corner. Lacey goes up and over and snapmares Bayley down. The handkerchief comes out, Lacey wipes herself off and runs to BOOT Bayley into a corner! Fans fire up for the swinging bronco buster! Bayley is in the drop zone so Lacey climbs up. Sassiest Moonsault Ever FLOPS as Sasha saves Bayley! BAYLEY2BELLY! Cover but Dana AND Bliss-Cross break it!
All six women are down but regrouping. Nikki neckbreakers to Alexa’s STO on Dana! Sasha hits them both with knees! Sasha and Bayley whip Nikki for double hip toss BOMB! Bayley tags Sasha and they target Lacey. They double whip her, but she slips out of the double hip toss! Dana drags Bayley, Sasha rolls Lacey, ONE! Dana tags in and Lacey hits the WOMAN’S RIGHT! Dana climbs, to SWANTON! Cover, Dana & Lacey win!!
Winners: Dana Brooke & Lacey Evans, Brooke pinning
Incredible! The Model Soldier and Flex Appeal beat two former women’s tag team championship teams! Could this put them in the tag title conversation?
Otis Dozovic curls kegs to work out frustrations.
Dozer is steaming mad after Dolph Ziggler literally stepped on Mama Dozovic’s fruitcake, the gift Otis gave Mandy Rose in return for the Christmas ham! But Mandy comes by and wishes him a Happy New Year. So did Mama make anything special? Why doesn’t she ask Ziggler? Oh, that… He saw that? No, but Mama did. Mandy apologizes for Ziggler’s behavior. Tucker Knight comes by and says it’s time for their match. Is there a way for Mandy to make it up to Dozer? Can Otis focus on Heavy Machinery’s tag team match tonight?
The Miz finds The New Day backstage.
Big E and Kofi Kingston are celebrating the New Year with 2020 style pancakes and plenty of maple syzurp. Er, syrup. Happy New Year, Miz! What did he do to celebrate? He wasn’t really in the mood. Well Big E watched the balls drop. No, it’s just one big ball. What was he watching? Now he doesn’t know. Well Kofi knows Miz didn’t get to end the 2010’s the best, since he missed out on a second chance at Bray Wyatt, but it was a great decade! Miz main-evented WrestleMania, married Maryse, and had two beautiful children. Plus, he holds the records for the most titles held in that decade! But Big E says he’s just tied with his friend, brother and nnnneighbor, Kofi! Well, yes, but this is about cheering Miz up. So it’s all good. Kofi co-congratulates. And here’s to 2020 having more titles! Pound it!
Miz can’t believe they think this is about tiles. The Fiend violated the sanctity of his HOME! Do they know what that feels like? Do they want to start the new decade off right? Miz SLAPS the pancake platter down. Big E is mad but Kofi keeps the peace. The Fiend has scrambled Miz’s brain, but Kofi’s got him. Challenge accepted. Miz VS Kofi is coming, who will have the better New Year?
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter is in Memphis and asks them, “Do you feel Elias tonight?” Well let’s see what they’ve got. Elias plays and fans clap. “New Year, new me. I had so many hopes for 2020~. I hope Sami Zayn gets punched int he jaw. And if Shane McMahon returns, please send his ass to Raw. Revival needs to change, oh that’s a fact. They’re harder to watch than Ziggler’s comedy act.” If Corbin went missing, Elias wouldn’t complain. That guy’s like an STD: he just wont’ go away. That gut knows. “But not all hope is lost, and you will see~ at Royal Rumble when everyone walks… with~ meee~!” Elias musically declares for the Men’s Royal Rumble match, but will he be singing his own praises or the blues in Houston?
The Revival was still treating Dawson’s LEGO bruises from Christmas.
Dawson felt a real big one under the shoulder. So much for Happy Holidays, all because of that Christmas Street Fight. How dumb is that? Dash is at a loss for words about being made into bad jokes. SmackDown’s #1 resolution should be to #RESPECK the Revival! They work too damn hard to be clowns. Don’t forget Elias making fun of them. But Shorty G Chad Gable overhears the complaining. He says they shouldn’t let anyone’s words affect them. Gable embraced who he is, and it was the best decision of his entire career. Dash & Dawson hear what he’s saying, and never thought of it that way. They didn’t realize Gable changed fromb eing New Year’s Baby to being a motivational speaker. Did he get to stay up to watch the ball drop?
Haha those bad jokes don’t bother Gable anymore. But his new motto is to rise over size. When you’re comfortable in your own skin, you can do anything. Oh anything? Anything? Wow. Except maybe beat the #TopGuys. Is Dash sure about that? There’s been a lot of tag team history between him and them, but what about a 1v1? Challenge accepted! See you out there, “squirt.”
Chad Gable VS Dash Wilder w/ Scott Dawson!
And here we are! Will Shorty G show that size doesn’t matter? Or will Dash be a #TopGuy even without Dawson to tag to?
SmackDown returns as the match begins with the bell. Dash and Gable tie up and Gable wrenches. Dawson is on commentary as Dash hits hard. Dash whips but Gable goes up and over and speeds things up. Gable hops up to headscissor Dash! Gable then butterfly suplexes! Cover, TWO! Dash and Gable tie up as Dawson addresses Michael Cole’s comments of the Revival being “hypocritical.” How can they complain about being the butt of jokes when they make fun of Gable? Gable meanwhile climbs up top but Dash pushes him forward onto the post! Dawson says that Gable asked for it. Dash climbs up to SUPER BACK SUPLEX Gable down! Cover, TWO! Dash is upset but Dawson reminds everyone that the Revival are the only WWE Triple Crown tag team champions.
Dash puts Gable in a modified camel clutch, but Gable fights out as fans rally up. Dash knees low, back suplexes but Gable slips out to throw hands. Gable knees, uppercuts, bobs ‘n’ weaves to mule kick and EXPLODER! Dash flounders up, Gable crossbodies himself and Dash out! Gable fires up and puts Dash back in. Gable climbs up top again to crossbody again, but Dash rolls through to cover! TWO, fireman’s carry but Gable slips out. Gable trips Dash, ANKLE LOCK! Dash rolls to send Gable into buckles then rolls him up again, and with tights! TWO, but Dash keeps his focus. Dash whips Gable to a corner but Gable goes up and over to sunset flip! Cover, TWO, Dash runs and gets on Dash’s shoulders. Dash sends Gable into ropes, then waistlocks. But Gable victory rolls to ANKLE LOCK again! Dash taps, Gable wins!
Winner: Chad Gable, by submission
But Dawson goes after Gable! The Revival are sore losers as they beat down Gable! They whip Gable, SHATTER MACHINE! Shorty G is down but the #TopGuys drag him up again. But wait, is that… SHEAMUS!? The Celtic Warrior returns on the first SmackDown of 2020! And he storms his way to the ring to chase the Revival off. Fans cheer Sheamus, but he BROGUES Gable in the face! Fans boo Sheamus now but the Celtic Warrior said all along he wants to clear out SmackDown of “lesser men.” Who won’t be on the Fella’s hit list?
Kofi Kingston w/ Big E VS The Miz!
AWWW~ MEMPHIS~! Clap for your 7-time champs and FEEL~ the POWER~! Two long-time WWE superstars meet again to kick off their 2020. Will Miz be able to vent his frustrations over The Fiend here tonight?
The bell rings and Kofi offers a pancake. Miz doesn’t want it so they tie up. Miz wrenches to a wristlock but Kofi rolls and handsprings to wrench back. Kofi trips Miz and splashes down, TWO. Kofi is in a good mood but Miz is still frustrated. They tie up, Kofi headlocks but Miz powers out. Kofi runs Miz over, things speed up, and Miz hurdles to pop Kofi up. Kofi uses that to monkey flip Miz! Even Kofi is shocked by how much air Miz got! Miz gets up as fans chant “New! Day Rocks!” Kofi wants to shake hands but Miz slaps it away! O’Conner roll, TWO and Kofi has it. TWO, Miz headlocks but Kofi powers out. Miz runs Kofi over now, and things speed up again. Kofi hurdles, and again, then back elbows!
Kofi keeps moving, but Miz sends him out. Kofi lands on his feet but Miz runs. Kofi dodges the wrecking ball dropkick and then fakes Miz out on that dive. Fans cheer but Miz grows further annoyed. The cheers keep coming for the New Day as Miz takes his time to return. Miz “applauds” but then kicks low. Miz stomps Kofi down and then drags him up to drive elbows into the shoulders. Miz pushes Kofi but Kofi spins him, no Trouble in Paradise! Miz goes to Figure Four but is denied. Miz dodges in the corner to give It Kicks to Kofi! And again, and again, and again! Miz runs corner to corner, to hit a big knee! Then another! Miz keeps going, but Kofi slips out to kick Miz back! Kofi climbs up, leaps and ax handles Miz down!
Kofi fires up and hits the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop! Kofi says it’s over and takes aim from the corner. Fans clap along as Miz rises. Kofi spins, but Miz ducks again! A-List Combination stopped part way, Miz stops the SOS. Miz full nelsons but Kofi drops down to victory roll, Kofi wins!
Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall
Miz is in shock! This isn’t going to diffuse anything, and Miz ATTACKS! Miz throws hands but Big E gets in to run him off! Miz storms off and Memphis chants, “You Suck! You Suck!” Miz thinks THEY suck! “After everything I’ve been through!? How dare you?! I’ve given you everything! EVERYTHING!” Has Miz just lost more than a match tonight?
Backstage interview with Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns!
The Goat and the Big Dog will once again work together tonight. Bryan is the new #1 Contender, what is his biggest challenge against Bray Wyatt? Miz’s breakdown is happening because of The Fiend. The Fiend changes you. It happened to Finn Balor, it happened to Seth Rollins. But it hasn’t happened to Daniel Bryan. “Good ol’ DB is unbreakable.” Bryan will prove it when he wins at the Royal Rumble. Roman says that means he’s going to go to WrestleMania as Universal Champion. Which means they’ll be facing each other because Roman vows to win the Royal Rumble match. So understand that Roman has been waiting for this chance. No one took the title from Roman, so Bryan better be ready.
Is Roman trying to fire Bryan up? Bryan is ready any place, any time. But he’ll be even more ready at Mania. So be ready for tonight’s match. The only ones not ready are their opponents, Corbin and Ziggler. Will Roman and Bryan still work together well when they both plan on seeing the other at WrestleMania 36?
Backstage interview with The Miz.
Cathy Kelly knocks on his door, but it’s JOHN MORRISON who answers!? The Guru of Greatness was back with the WWE, but to think he’d show up here! Surprise aside, Morrison says Miz is done talking. Well, are we seeing the reunion of the classic duo of Miz and Morrison starting already?
Otis Dozovic w/ Tucker Knight VS ???
Otis feels pretty down in the dumps after what Dolph did to Mama Dozovic’s fruitcake. But can he get back on track on the first Friday night of 2020?
SmackDown returns as Drew Gulak makes his entrance. Gulak has a mic to introduce himself as the “foremost expert on the grappling arts,” and assures Dozer he is a master of matters of the heart. But with that expertise, Gulak is confident in his assessment that Mandy Rose would never go out with a guy like Otis. Gulak says Mandy wants a man with a physique and a mind, like Ziggler or even Gulak himself. As for Otis, he looks like he’s leaking butter. Otis isn’t too bright so Gulak has a special 372-slide… POWERPOINT!! PRESENTATION!! YES! Please pay attention to the titantron as Drew Gulak Presents: Reasons Why Mandy Rose Would NEVER Date Otis. Look at cartoon Otis. Or is that Tucker?
Otis DRAGS Gulak into the ring! The bell rings and Otis throws haymakers! Gulak throws hands, too, but Otis sumo palms him to a corner, then TOSSES him across the way! Fans fire up for Dozer while Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville are both watching this backstage. Mandy seems to try and explain her side of this while Gulak clubs Otis. Gulak tries to cradle package but Otis powers out to suplex Gulak down! Otis then trophy lifts Gulak high and carry him around! To then TOSS him again! “Oh yeah, mama!” But wait, Ziggler is backstage trying to talk to Mandy, too. Ziggler says Mandy doesn’t need to be nervous, but Mandy says she’s not.
Back in the ring, Otis runs in at Gulak in the corner, but Gulak dodges and dropkicks a leg out! Gulak taunts Otis and says Mandy would never date him! “Wise up, kid. “But Otis powers up instead! Otis throws off the shirt! Fans fire up as Otis continues to absorb kicks. Otis scoop slams Gulak, and then again! Otis runs into the corner to splash Gulak, and Gulak falls down. Fans know Otis has his opening! Otis pumps it up and hits the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Otis keeps Gulak down to climb up, VADER BOMB! Cover, Otis wins!
Winner: Otis Dozovic, by pinfall
The Dozer wins! But will Otis win the heart of the Golden Goddess?
Braun Strowman VS Cesaro w/ Sami Zayn & Shinsuke Nakamura!
The Monster Among Men wants to #GetTheseHands on the WWE Intercontinental Championship, but the King of Strong Style and his “Great Liberator” keep dancing around the issue. Will a win over the Swiss Cyborg prove something to them? Or at least to WWE management?
The referee tells Sami and Shinsuke to stay back as the bell rings. Cesaro circles with Strowman then tie up. Strowman shoves Cesaro but Cesaro comes back. So Strowman puts Cesaro in a corner, but they tie up again. Cesaro manages to put Strowman in a corner and gives him a shove. Strowman shrugs that off, so Cesaro gets around to headlock. Strowman powers out and bumps Cesaro’s shoulders. Cesaro kicks low and throws European Uppercuts and big hands! Cesaro runs, dodges and shoulders Strowman, but Strowman shoulders back! Cesaro flounders up to his feet but Strowman TOSSES him across the ring! Strowman throws hands and blocks a boot to shoulder and headbutt Cesaro in the corner. Strowman goes corner to corner to splash!
Cesaro gets to the apron and hotshots Strowman! Strowman still DECKS Cesaro with a right! Strowman runs side to side to BLAST Cesaro off the apron and onto barriers! Shinsuke and Sami distract Strowman, but the Monster Among Men scares them off. Fans fire up with the Monster Among Men as we go to break.
SmackDown returns and Cesaro has a chinlock on Strowman. But Strowman powers up to ram him into buckles! Strowman is free and Sami is worried, but Cesaro BOOTS back! And dropkicks a leg out! Cesaro chokes Strowman on ropes but backs off at 4. Sami distracts and Shinsuke gets a cheap shot KICK in! Cesaro EuroUpper BLASTS Strowman! Cover, TWO! Cesaro climbs up as Sami coaches him, but leaps into Strowman’s hand! Strowman scoops but Cesaro shifts to a sleeper hold! Strowman falls to a knee fast as Cesaro thrashes him around. Cesaro squeezes tight but fans rally up. Strowman fights back up for a sidewalk slam! Strowman feeds off the energy as fans rally again. Cesaro and Strowman rise, Strowman runs Cesaro over! And again!
Cesaro flounders but Strowman corner splashes again! Fans fire up but Shinsuke hops onto the apron. Shinsuke ducks Strowman’s right hand but not the left! Shinsuke falls down but Cesaro stands up to EuroUpper! Cesaro fires off in the corner then runs, only to get run over again! Strowman sees Cesaro go out, and fans fire up as he decides to take a lap! Strowman builds speed to RAM Cesaro and RAM Shinsuke! Strowman wants the hat trick but Sami hides under the ring! Strowman goes around to RAM Cesaro again in Sami’s place. Strowman puts Cesaro in and scoops him up. Sami gets in but Strowman scares him off! Cesaro sends Strowman into a post! And brings him in, Gotch hold, but Strowman scoops! MONSTER SLAM! Cover, Strowman wins!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall
KINSHASA outta nowhere! The King of Strong Style won’t stand for Strowman winning, and now Strowman isn’t standing at all! Sami says that’s good enough for now, but will Strowman #GetTheseHands on them all soon enough?
Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan VS Baron Corbin & Dolph Ziggler!
Things have been heated between The Big Dog and the Wolf King for a long time. But things have escalated ever since Corbin won the King of the Ring and has been trying to establish an iron rule over SmackDown. The warring has dragged even the Yes Movement into this, and now the New Year continues this old feud. Who gains the momentum on the Road to the Royal Rumble?
SmackDown returns as Daniel Bryan makes his entrance, followed by the Show-Off and Corbin. The teams sort out and Corbin goes right after Roman! Corbin puts Roman in a corner to stomp away, but the ref backs him off. Corbin dares Memphis to boo, so they do. Corbin throws hands but Roman dodges to uppercut! Roman climbs up to rain down fists! Roman gets all the way to 8 but Corbin shoves him off, only to get a Samoan Drop! Corbin bails out but Roman goes out. Roman runs to Drive-By Dropkick! Roman keeps his eyes on Ziggler as Corbin gets back in the ring. Corbin catches Roman low with a knee then tags in Ziggler. Ziggler stomps away and throws hands, then turns Roman, only for Roman to shove and BOOT him down!
Roman tags in Bryan! Bryan gives Ziggler EuroUppers and a whip. Ziggler reverses, Bryan dodges to wreck Corbin! Bryan tosses Ziggler out to join Corbin! Fans join in the “YES! YES!” but Bray Wyatt’s laughter interrupts that. Bray plays with the lights to play mind games with Bryan, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once more as Roman gives Corbin the point-blank corner clotheslines! Roman gets all 10 of these then runs to BOOT Corbin down! Fans fire up as Roman grins, and Roman locks ‘n’ loads. Roman has to uppercut Ziggler first, then he dodges Corbin, only to run into a DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO!! Bryan returns to the corner as Corbin brings Roman to ropes. Corbin scrapes Roman out to then throw him into steel steps! Bryan protests but the ref has him return to the corner while Corbin drags Roman up again,. Corbin bounces Roman off the announce desk, then puts him back in the corner. Tag to Ziggler, and Ziggler taunts Roman. “You’ve gotta have somewhere to go!” Ziggler taunts Roman that he won’t make the tag. “Do you hear me?” Roman uppercuts Ziggler first!
Roman throws more hands but Ziggler kicks low. Ziggler turns Roman for the neckbreaker! Tag to Corbin and Ziggler anchors Roman for Corbin to stomp! Corbin drags Ziggler up as fans rally. Corbin throws Roman into the post hard! Corbin applauds himself before dragging Roman up. Corbin throws Roman into the post again! The ref reprimands Corbin but he takes Roman out to throw into the post a third time! Fans rally for Roman as he dodges Corbin. Corbin slides out, in, but into a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Fans fire up as Ziggler coaches Corbin. Roman and Corbin crawl to their corners, hot tags to Ziggler and Bryan! Bryan counter punches Ziggler and then throws haymakers. Bryan whips, Ziggler reverses, Bryan goes up and over to run, dodge and leaping lariat!
Fans fire up with Bryan and he aims from the corner. He corner to corner dropkicks Ziggler, then fires off Yes Kicks! Kick after kick after kick, then he hoists Ziggler up top. Bryan climbs to join Ziggler, and SUPER STEINERS! Fans are thunderous for Bryan as he waits for Ziggler to rise. Bryan gives more Yes Kicks! The buzzard misses, Ziggler rolls Bryan, TWO, into the LeBelle Lock!! Ziggler flails, Corbin clobbers Bryan! Fans boo as Corbin rings Bryan up, Choke Slam but SPEAR! Roman takes out Corbin, Ziggler SUPERKICKS Roman down! Ziggler goes at Bryan but no ZigZag. Bryan dodges, KNEE PLUS!! Cover, but the lights start going down!! THE FIEND IS HERE! Red light and all! Bryan can’t take his eyes off The Fiend, but that’s so he can DIVE! Direct hit!
But the Fiend is up and he throws Bryan into the post! Bryan dodges and sends The Fiend into the post, but leaps into the MANDIBLE CLAW!! The Fiend rams Bryan through the timekeeper’s barriers!! The Fiend laughs as he pushes the wreckage aside to again clamp on the claw! Bryan is smothered and the lights are flashing. Is this only foreshadowing their rematch at the Royal Rumble? The Fiend disappears and security hurries out to check on Bryan. Roman comes over, concerned for him, too, but Ziggler attacks! And Corbin! The King’s Court beats down Roman and puts him in the ring! Corbin rains down right hands while Ziggler gets the cuffs! Corbin cuffs Roman and Ziggler brings out cans of dog food! They want to humiliate Roman again!
Ziggler pops open cans as Corbin cuffs Roman to the bottom rope! But here come the USOS! Roman’s cousins have returned! And they DOUBLE SUPERKICK Ziggler down! Then they go after Corbin, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Corbin bails out, the Usos build speed to DOUBLE FLY! They take out both Corbin and Ziggler! Roman is freed and the Bloodline is reunited! Will this be what turns the tide against Corbin and his court?
My Thoughts:
What a great episode to start the New Year and new decade! I really like how the change brought on by the Fiend isn’t in Bryan but in Miz. Miz is headed back to be a Heel, he has a great match with Kofi, and losing gives him the opportunity to “snap” and go after Kofi. Then what a great surprise to see that John Morrison returns tonight, though it was a rather anti-climactic return. Morrison and Miz were a real good tag team, but that was in the late 2000’s to very early 2010’s. If they reunite here in the 2020’s, that will definitely revitalize the SmackDown Tag Team Division and be a great way to get Morrison back into things. Dash VS Gable was a really good singles match, too, but the production crew needs to realize we don’t need to SEE Dawson to HEAR Dawson, let us watch Gable and Dash. Also real clever of someone to have Michael Cole say “Revival” and “elite” in the same sentence.
Sheamus’ return happened tonight, too, that was a nice treat. But of course he returns as Heel and against Shorty G. Sheamus’ promos definitely sounded more Heel give how usually it is Heels that talk down the roster. Gable VS Sheamus will be a great program for the both of them, and Gable will look great no matter the end results. Speaking of talking down, naturally that meant Boss & Hug/Smug were going to lose tonight in that Triple Threat Tag. It was a great match, especially as the opener, and surprisingly, Bliss-Cross wasn’t in there to take the fall. Lacey & Dana winning was actually the bigger surprise to me, and now we’ll be getting Lacey VS Sasha. I really hope they add the stipulation that if Lacey wins, she gets her title shot at the Royal Rumble, it just makes sense. And while it isn’t likely Lacey will win the SmackDown Women’s Championship, Lacey & Dana can at least get into this year’s Women’s Elimination Chamber match for the Women’s Tag Titles.
While it’s a bit sad Gulak is being used to facilitate other feuds, bringing back Powerpoint Presentations is pretty fun. Also, the story of Otis, Mandy and Ziggler is growing stronger, so I’m really hoping Valentine’s Friday Night SmackDown is the blow-off for that. And for that matter, that Otis gets the girl. Fans love Otis, we should be able to cheer for him in getting the girl. Strowman VS Cesaro was a great match, and naturally Strowman wins. While making the decision between Strowman and Shinsuke in the Intercontinental Championship match is hard, it is feeling like things lean in Strowman’s favor. Then the main event tag was really good, and it was also great to have The Fiend mess with Bryan just so he doesn’t get any real momentum from this match.
And it’s just as great that The Usos return to even things out for Roman VS Corbin. If only Roode wasn’t suspended, we’d be getting a Six Man Tag next. But even then, Usos can certainly have a match of their own with Ziggler and Corbin to keep things going. But seeing that Corbin keeps bringing out dog food, that rumored Loser Eats Dog Food match is clearly more than just rumored. Which means Roman is going to win and Corbin is forced to eat dog food. This story between them has been good so far, so a dog food blow-off is very disappointing. Maybe if it was a Dog Food Match, where there were kiddie pools of dog food all around for them to fall into, fine. But not this gross dog food version of a Hair VS Hair or whatever. Can Vince just go focus on XFL already?
My Score: 8.5/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
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 PodcastÂ
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!
Will the landscape change again?
Eddy Thorpe keeps prodding and provoking Oba Femi, so he gets his last chance at the NXT Championship! Will Eddy truly be the alpha of NXT?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey; wins and
- NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland; wins and
- NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to the scheduling choices of KVIA2 CW (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of NXT will not begin until 9PM Eastern]
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)Â
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 PodcastÂ
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!
Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXTÂ and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (1/11/25)
Setting the Brackets!
Bandwagon Nerds #270: Deathgrass & Rainbows
The Nerds return to the Trailer Park, address some rumors about Half-Life 3 and the MCU, and discuss Jason Mamoa...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (12/31/24)
History comes full circle!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/21/25)
NXT stacks the gold!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/20/25)
WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Classic POD is WAR: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice… Goldberg
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (1/18/25)
The carnage continues!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: RAW, TNA & AEW
We've got a little bit of everything this week. With DJ out on assignment, Rob and Jason bring you ALL...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/17/25)
Will Tiffy Time be cut short?
DWI Podcast #459: RIP Mr. Baseball Bob Uecker
DP and PC run down a plethora of topics from RAW and SmackDown as we head towards the Royal Rumble.
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25
The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let's see what happens!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (1/16/25)
Stir it up!
