Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/26/2020)
WOOOOO~!
The Queen returns to NXT, for a match!
While she has a WrestleMania date with NXT Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair first settles things with The EST, Bianca Belair!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Cameron Grimes VS Dominik Dijakovic; Grimes wins.
- Xia Li VS Mia Yim; Li wins.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Austin Theory; Ciampa wins.
- Bronson Reed VS Killian Dain; Dain wins.
- The Forgotten Sons w/ Jaxson Ryker VS Grizzled Young Veterans; Grizzled Young Veterans win.
- Charlotte Flair VS Bianca Belair; Flair wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT General Manager, William Regal, welcomes Charlotte Flair!
The Queen is ready to fight the EST, but she makes sure there is someone to carry her bags. Will Charlotte take back the Full Sail throne? Or will Bianca Belair make good on her promise from last week, and “whoop dat ass”?
Cameron Grimes VS Dominik Dijakovic!
Speaking of last week, the Croatian Colossus confronted Keith Lee and said they’re not done fighting. The Limitless NXT North American Champion agreed, and said that if Dijakovic can prove himself to Regal, they can #FightForever. Will Dijakovic crush Grimes to earn a rematch from TakeOver: Portland? Or will the Carolina Caveman cause the biggest Cave-In of his career?
The bell rings and fans duel between “Let’s Get Grimy!” and “Feast Your Eyes!” Dijakovic and Grimes tie up, Grimes goes for a leg and reels Dijakovic in. Dijakovic headlocks and holds on tight as Grimes tries to power out. Grimes chinbars Dijakovic and tries again but Dijakovic grinds down harder. The two go around, Grimes brings Dijakovic down to a knee and chinbar again. Grimes throws a low knee and finally powers out, but Dijakovic runs him over! Things speed up, Grimes leaps but into the fireman’s carry! Grimes shifts and sunset flips, but Dijakovic stays up to clamp a hand around Grimes’ throat! Dijakovic drags Grimes up to lift, but Grimes wheelbarrows! Dijakovic denies anything else, but Grimes standing switches, only to be bucked off. Grimes dropkicks Dijakovic first!
Grimse whips and knees Dijakovic hard against ropes! And then rams knees into his side. Grimes grinds knees into Dijakovic in the corner but the ref backs him off. Dijakovic throws body shots but Grimes rakes the face! Grimes kicks Dijakovic in the arms and legs, then clamps on with a neck wrench. Dijakovic has the ropebreak, so Grimes lets go and runs, into the discus BOOT! Cover, TWO! Dijakovic stalks Grimes to a corner and stomps a big mudhole. Dijakovic throws big forearms, too, but Grimes throws body shots back. They brawl to a corner and Dijakovic throws big back elbows and forearms. Dijakovic whips then scoops Grimes for a backbreaker! And a second rope SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Dijakovic stalks Grimes to another corner but Grimes CHOPS back. Dijakovic CHOPS Grimes then throws more elbows. He reels Grimes in and says, “TIME TO FLY!” But Grimes slips out to throw forearms to the back! Grimes jumps up to SNAP-RANA! Grimes runs but his crossbody is caught! Dijakovic gives Grimes standing rib shots and then THROWS Grimes out of the ring! Fans rally up for “NXT! NXT!” as Dijakovic goes out to fetch Grimes. Dijakovic drags Grimes up and into the ring, but Grimes dropkicks the legs out from under him! Grimes goes to the apron to PENALTY KICK! Dijakovic is down and Grimes paces as NXT goes picture in picture.
Grimes puts Dijakovic back on the apron to club away on his chest. Grimes catches his breath before he grinds his foot and stomps down on Dijakovic’s head! He drops knees and grinds his knuckles into Dijakovic’s face, but the ref reprimands him. Grimes drags Dijakovic up to throw big forearms, but Dijakovic gives body shots back. Grimes ROCKS Dijakovic then chokes him on the ropes. The ref reprimands Grimes but he grinds his boot into Dijakovic in the corner. Dijakovic kicks back and throws uppercuts from the mat! Dijakovic CHOPS Grimes to back him off, but Grimes enziguris in return! Grimes glares at Dijakovic as he puts him on the ropes. Dijakovic blocks the whip to BOOT Grimes away!
Grimes is in a corner and Dijakovic runs in, but Grimes goes up and over! Dijakovic hits nothing but post! Grimes CLOBBERS him on the return! Cover, TWO! Grimes grits his teeth as he clamps onto Dijakovic with a chinlock. Grimes adds crossface forearms then brings Dijakovic around for an armlock. Dijakovic endures as Grimes cranks on his arm. Grimes wrenches the arm to a hammerlock then KICKS it! Dijakovic clutches the bad arm as Grimes stands on his head! The ref reprimands and Grimes lets up, to drag Dijakovic up and around with the armlock. Dijakovic endures as Grimes grinds his forearm into Dijakovic’s face. Dijakovic fights up but Grimes wrangles him down! Grimes won’t let up on Dijakovic’s face!
Grimes stomps Dijakovic over and over then clamps back onto the arm. NXT returns to single picture as fans rally up. Dijakovic fights his way up, but Grimes again wrangles him down with a chinbar! Grimes digs his fingers into Dijakovic’s mouth, but Dijakovic fights up to whip free. Grimes kicks him back but Dijakovic throws forearms. We have a brawl and Dijakovic throws strikes. Grimes SLAPS Dijakovic so Dijakovic fires off forearm after forearm! Dijakovic wrenches, kicks and ELBOWS! “TIME TO FLY!” Suplex TOSS! Fans fire up with Dijakovic as he throws elbows and knees on Grimes. Grimes ROUNDHOUSES, Dijakovic SUPERKICKS and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Grimes survives but Dijakovic still has more to try.
Dijakovic watches Grimes rise, and clamps on the choke grip. Grimes spins out to waistlock but he can’t get Dijakovic up. Grimes ducks the elbow to SUPER FOREARM and SUPERKICK! He throws kicks then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Dijakovic survives but Grimes knees him down again. Grimes kicks Dijakovic to the apron as fans duel again. Grimes runs and baseball slides, but Dijakovic jumps over it, to MOONSAULT! Direct hit wipes both men out at the ramp! Dijakovic hobbles as he puts Grimes back in. Dijakovic gets on the apron, but DAMIEN PRIEST appears! Priest uses a collapsible BATON to SMACK the back of Dijakovic’s bad leg!! Dijakovic tumbles down as Priest gets away with it!
The ref starts a ring count as Dijakovic clutches his leg. Dijakovic uses the railing but the count reaches 7! He hobbles in at 9.9!! CAVE-IN!!! Cover, Grimes wins!!
Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall
Give the HUGE assist to the Archer of Infamy! Will Dijakovic make Priest pay for that sneak attack? Will Grimes move up to take on the Limitless One next?
Backstage interview with NXT GM, William Regal.
With Rhea Ripley VS Charlotte Flair for the NXT Women’s Championship at WrestleMania now official, Regal has a major announcement for the NXT Women’s Division. “Starting next week, there will be a number of qualifying matches. And the winners of those matches will go on to TakeOver: Tampa, and they will compete in a match that will determine the #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Championship. And that match will be a Ladder Match.” HUGE news that escalates the level of competition! Who will qualify for this match as the Road to WrestleMania enters the home stretch?
Finn Balor is back!
The Prince defeated Johnny Wrestling at TakeOver: Portland, and is perhaps the catalyst behind Gargano’s betrayal of Tommaso Ciampa. But Balor doesn’t care about all that, he is about to make another move on the chessboard that is NXT. Balor takes up the mic as fans cheer. “I’m not a moves guy. I’m not an internet guy.” And he’s not “a sneaky stooge to the office politics guy.” But when the bell rings, Balor is THE guy. Fans agree with that! Balor says he builds brands. “Japan: done it. Mexico: done it. Intercontinental Championship: done it. Universal Championship: done it! NXT Championship: done it!” And now, it’s WrestleMania season. Everyone in the business wants to peak. Balor’s been at his peak for 20 years!
“So the big question is: what’s the next move for the Prince? Who’s gonna get that Finn rub?” Matt Riddle got his. Johnny Gargano got his. Hell, even Ilja Dragunov got it. But what about IMPERIUM? Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel are here to represent NXTÂ UK’s top faction, and address “Mr. Baylor.” Balor is misinformed, because there is still something Balor hasn’t done. “The NXT surface belongs to the Ring General.” The NXT UK Champion, WALTER, sends Balor his regards. That is to say, these two will strike. But Balor strikes first with a double dropkick! Balor trips up Aichner to DOUBLE STOMP him down! Barthel runs in but is sent over the steel steps! SLINGBLADE for Aichner!
Balor grits his teeth as he aims at Aichner. But Barthel intercepts the shotgun dropkick with a flying European Uppercut! Barthel and Aichner beat Balor down and fans boo as they throw him into the apron. They stomp him more and Balor has no reinforcements. Aichner RAMS his knee into Balor against steel steps! The Prince is down and Imperium stands tall. Will Balor have a response to Walter’s message?
Austin Theory has a message for NXT.
“Austin Theory is the future of NXT.” Evolution’s top star has some rage that he hasn’t gotten to show. But he’ll show everyone that Theory can go #AllDay, and that Ciampa won’t make it through the night. But will Theory be proven wrong after going against the Blackheart?
NXT receives a new cryptic message.
A clock, the desert, explosions and death. Apocalypse and chaos. Who, or what, is coming?
NXT Media catches up with Bianca Belair.
The EST arrives for her match with Charlotte. What are her thoughts about facing The Queen? Charlotte is trying to take over and put her hands on Bianca to do it. Charlotte is woman enough to take on “the strongest, the toughest, the roughest, the quickest, the greatest, the best.” Bianca will give Charlotte what she wants. Will Charlotte be able to handle it?
Xia Li VS Mia Yim!
The Spicy Warrior has a new hairstyle and a new outfit, but the same fire. Will this help her rise up the ranks? Or will the HBIC stay the Head Baddie in Charge in this one year anniversary of this very match-up?
The bell rings and fans cheer for both women. The two shake hands to show there is respect here, but then Mia pulls Xia in. Mia makes sure Xia knows she means business, so Xia throws roundhouses! Mia stays clear of the kicks and gets to a corner. The ref keeps Xia back and Mia comes out to dropkick her down! Things speed up, Mia and Xia redirect each other, and Mia tackles the legs out to basement dropkick Xia down! Cover, TWO! Mia keeps close to Xia but Xia boots her away. Mia runs in to BOOT Xia in the corner! The HBIC grinds her boot into Xia then gives her a scrape. The ref counts and Mia lets up at 4. Mia cannonballs but only gets buckles as Xia manages to evade!
Mia staggers up into Xia’s haymakers! Xia LARIATS Mia down then thrust kicks and BOOTS her down! Fans fire up with Xia as she runs into the corner for the flying forearm! Xia keeps moving, but Mia dodges the dynamic kick to give her SOLE FOOD! But wait, Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez appear! Captain Kota reminds Mia how she took Dakota’s spot at WarGames III, only for Dakota to take it back. Mia still looks upset over that. But right now is the perfect time to rub it in. Xia rolls Mia up, and wins!!
Winner: Xia Li, by pinfall
And now Raquel adds on as she goes after Mia! She clubs and BOOTS Mia down! Raquel drags Mia up but Xia comes in to help her! Xia kicks but Raquel blocks to LARIAT! Dakota applauds but Mia jumps on Raquel with a sleeper! Raquel throws her off to knee low and club her around the ring. Fans boo as the Daughter of the Desperado gives Mia a single-leg lift POWERBOMB! Dakota smiles as her new teammate just kicked Mia to the curb. Will Tegan Nox be able to avenge both Mia and Xia in her coming cage match with Kai?
Velveteen Dream speaks.
“Life is not as bad as you think it is, Roderick Strong.” That is, until you find yourself with a broken back. Strong did that to the Dream. But Dream remembers beating Strong last week. “But that’s not enough. I mean, you broke the Dream’s back.” So Dream wants it all! Next week, Mr. Regal will grant Dream’s request for Strong to experience a steel cage of their own. Snap, Dream out. Will the steel cage be double booked next week with two huge grudge matches?
Tommaso Ciampa VS Austin Theory!
The Psycho Killer was in no mood last week when he gave an ultimatum to his best frenemy, Johnny Gargano. Mr. All Day didn’t get the hit, so Ciampa had to make it much more blunt for him. Will Theory be able to respond in kind with this first-ever match-up?
The bell rings and Theory glares at Ciampa. They tie up, go around, and Ciampa headlocks. Theory powers out but Ciampa bumps shoulders with him. Neither falls so Ciampa throws haymakers. Theory kicks low and whips but Ciampa reverses. Things speed up, Ciampa hurdles but Theory runs him over! Theory clubs away on Ciampa as fans rally up. Theory throws jabs and body shots and more clubbing forearms. He whips Ciampa but Ciampa holds ropes and BOOTS back! Ciampa CHOPS Theory then whips to run him over with an elbow. Fans cheer as Ciampa stomps Theory and throws him with a headlock takeover. Theory endures and fights his way up, but Ciampa counters the back suplex with another takeover.
Theory rolls Ciampa off but misses his dropkick. Ciampa throws Theory out and fans cheer as Ciampa gets Theory in the ropes. Theory drops down to drag Ciampa out, but Ciampa haymakers back. Ciampa aims for barriers, but Theory stops himself from repeating history! Theory elbows Ciampa away then bumps him off the apron. He puts Ciampa in and stalks him to a corner to throw hands. Theory whips corner to corner but Ciampa reverses, only for Theory to go up and over. Ciampa swings but misses and Theory dropkicks him down! Theory catches his breath as he glares at Ciampa. Cover, ONE, but Theory has him in the corner with a CHOP! Theory runs in to clothesline and go to the apron. Ciampa elbows Theory away and drags Theory up for a neckbreaker hotshot!
Ciampa goes out to fetch Theory and throw him into the post! Ciampa pats himself on the back and fans cheer as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Theory is in control as he stomps a mudhole into Ciampa. The ref backs Theory off and fans boo. Ciampa stands and elbows Theory back! Theory blocks the kick, sweeps the legs, and standing moonsaults to Ciampa’s back! Cover, TWO! Theory keeps on Ciampa with a chinbar and armlock. Ciampa endures as Theory cranks on him and fans rally up. Ciampa fights up and fights back, but Theory throws forearms of his own. Theory whips corner to corner, but Ciampa comes back with a LARIAT! Ciampa throws big hands and whips, but Theory reverses. Ciampa knees Theory back, then clobbers him again! He starts on a rally, waistlock to GERMAN SUPLEX! Theory flounders and Ciampa KNEES him against the ropes!
Ciampa underhooks Theory but Theory slips out to waistlock. Ciampa elbows free and blocks a boot, but Theory DECKS him! Theory somersaults and leaps, into a KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives and Ciampa looks a bit frustrated. Fans rally up as Ciampa stands and Theory crawls. Ciampa drags Theory up and CHOPS him again. Ciampa hoists Theory up top but Theory resists, so Ciampa CHOPS him again. The Blackheart climbs up and hoists Theory onto his shoulders, but Theory slips out of the Air Raid! Theory carries Ciampa but Ciampa fights out of the bomb to throw a forearm. Theory gives it back, then ROCKS Ciampa. Ciampa enziguris back! Theory comes back, both men clothesline but neither falls. ROLLING THUNDER BLOCKBUSTER!
Theory brings Ciampa up, powerbomb, BUCKLE BOMB! Theory figure fours Ciampa’s legs, ATAXIA! The modified Ushigoroshi hits! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa survives, showing Theory isn’t quite at that level yet. Theory keeps his focus on Ciampa as he loom over the former NXT Champion. Theory drags Ciampa up, but Ciampa CHOPS him! Ciampa counter BOOTS, then bobs ‘n’ weaves. Theory back elbows, but Ciampa makes him fall for the feint! Ciampa knees Theory, drags him in, and underhooks, only for Theory to back drop! Ciampa tries to sunset flip but Theory stays up. Theory slips free to MULE KICK! Theory underhooks and pump handles, UNPROVEN THEORY! Cover, TWO!?! Ciampa survives again!!
Fans rally as Theory works to keep his cool. Ciampa bails out of the ring but Theory follows. Theory blocks the boot to ROCK Ciampa! Then in return from before, Theory throws Ciampa around the barriers! Then into the ring, to slingshot, into a KICK! WILLOW’S BELL!! Ciampa drags Theory back up, underhooks, and hits FAIRY TALE ENDING! Cover, Ciampa wins!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Theory may not have won, but he proved himself worthy of being in NXT! The future is not today, but will Theory find his time? As for Ciampa, he sees Gargano coming and punches first! The two brawl and Ciampa gets Gargano in a corner! Gargano turns it around to stomp away on Ciampa and then throws his jacket off. Ciampa BOOTS back! The brawl continues but Theory gets involved, to get DECKED! Gargano SUPERKICKS Ciampa down! Fans chant, “Johnny Sucks!” as Gargano makes Ciampa look him in the eye, for the SUPERKICK!
Gargano watches Ciampa move to the apron, and then sits with him a la their many DIY days. Gargano mockingly applauds Ciampa as he flounders about. Then Gargano drags Ciampa to the floor. He eyes the TakeOver: Tampa logo on the floor mats as he circles Ciampa like a vulture. Gargano takes the DIY banner and looks at it. Does that friendship mean nothing to either man anymore? Will this be the final chapter in their story together?
The Undisputed Era speaks.
“Fellas, this is going to sound crazy. But the Dream and I actually agree on something.” What? Really? Yes, because it should be Strong VS Dream in a steel cage! But Strong wants Dream to understand this: “When they lock that door and there’s nowhere to run, there’s nowhere to hide, I am going to break him, and I’m going to end him for good!” Meanwhile, Bobby Fish is angry with “Peter Dune and your stupid name, Matt Riddle and your stupid face,” he isn’t sure which he hates more. But the fact is, TakeOver: Portland, the Broserweights got lucky against “the baddest team on the plant.” They won’t get lucky again.
Kyle O’Reilly says those two are swimming in shallow waters while reDRagon has been together for eight years. Do you know how many championships they won in those eight years? And how many they lost. Do the Broserweights think they’re going anywhere? The Undisputed Era are sharks in the deep end. Adam Cole says Strong will get rid of Dream and get back the NXT North American Championship. Kyle and Bobby will once again be NXT Tag Team Champions. And all the while, Cole himself will keep THE NXT Championship to restore the prophecy and remain the MOST DOMINANT faction in the WWE. And that is Undisputed.
Bronson Reed VS Killian Dain!
Can you say, “superheavyweight?” Because this match is literally the biggest of the night! Will Aussie Strong Style be able to stop the North Ireland Nightmare? Or will the Belfast Beast feast on Auzilla?
The bell rings and the two tie up right away. They break up when neither budges, and then try again. Dain puts Reed in a corner then rams his shoulder in over and over. The ref counts but Dain rings Reed out. Dain tries but can’t scoop, but Reed sure gets Dain up! Dain slips out to BOOT Reed! He whips but Reed reverses to ENZIGURI! Dain tumbles out and Reed builds speed to DIVE! The Supersized Tope takes Dain down! Fans fire up for Reed as he puts Dain into the ring. Dain is up and knees Reed at the ropes and clubs him between the ropes. Dain kicks Reed hard then hops up for a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!
Reed gets to a corner but Dain is after him with body shots. Dain whips corner to corner hard, and Reed falls to the mat. Cover, ONE, but Dain is on Reed right away with EuroUppers. Dain backs Reed to the corner, wrenches and snapmares to clamp on with a grounded cobra twist. Reed endures as fans rally up. Reed fights up and throws body shots of his own. He ROCKS Dain with that right, then hoists him up for an atomic drop and elbow. Dain dodges but so does Reed, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! This collision of kaiju leaves both men down and gasping for air! Fans rally up as Reed and Dain get up to throw forearms. They go back and forth, Dain CHOPS but Reed clubs. Dain fires off strikes then headbutts! Reed gives the headbutt back and then some! Dain chops, Reed CHOPS!
Reed scoops Dain and SLAMS him! The straps come down as Reed brings Dain up for the SAIDO! Dain ends up in a corner, Reed runs in to HIP ATTACK! Reed drags Dain up, fireman’s carries but Dain slips out. Dain fireman’s carries to Samoan Drop! Dain steps on Reed to go up top, for the VADER BOMBÂ onto knees! Reed hops up now, and FLYING DDT’S! But Reed isn’t done there, he fireman’s carries Dain for the DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Dain still lives but Reed keeps his cool. Reed drags Dain to a drop zone and heads up top. Fans fire up as Reed climbs, but Dain stops him with forearms. Dain climbs up to join Reed and throws more forearms. Dain brings Reed up, SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERPLEX!!
Reed crawls but Dain drops the back senton! And another! A third! Dain goes up again, for the VADER BOMB! Cover, Dain wins!
Winner: Killian Dain, by pinfall
Big Damo downs Auzilla for a big win here tonight! Will Dain stake his claim for the North American Championship?
NXT replays the Forgotten Sons’ response to the Grizzled Young Veterans.
“Fellas, this is the land of the free because of the brave. And y’know what? I think it’s time we beat that into you.” As such, we get a fight of American patriots and the British invasion! Will Zack Gibson and James Drake SOON be the ones to be forgotten?
The Forgotten Sons w/ Jaxson Ryker VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
As GYV make their entrance, Zack Gibson has a mic. “America’s Forgotten Sons, typical Yanks sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong.” They defend the spoiled brats of the NXT Universe and the USA. Fans chant for “USA!” while holding shoes up. Gibson says the Forgotten Sons epitomize America today: Redneck, white trash, blue collar IGNORANCE! The GYV have conquered all of Europe, and are never gonna- Well, they stop talking as the Sons make their entrance! Will Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake make GYV regret talking down to the USA?
The teams sort out and Blake starts against Gibson. The two circle and tie up and go around. Gibson pushes Blake and waistlocks to club him on the back. Gibson headlocks but Blake powers out, only for Gibson to run him over. Blake gets up but Gibson headlocks again. Blake powers out again, ducks down and hurdles over, but Gibson arm-drags, only for Blake to a make it a headlock! Now Gibson powers out, things speed up again, and Gibson goes to hip toss, only for Blake to counter with a hip toss of his own! Blake dropkicks Gibson down and then again! Drake protests so Blake dropkicks him!
Tag to Cutler and the Sons double whip to double elbow and double headbutt drop! Cover, TWO! Cutler keeps on Gibson with an armlock. Gibson endures as Cutler cranks, but Gibson pushes Cutler to a corner. The ref counts but Gibson throws in cheap shots. Cutler turns it around to stomp away! And punch! Cutler whips corner to corner but Drake saves Gibson from buckles, and Gibson knees Cutler down! Gibson tags Drake and then scoop slams Cutler. Drake is the human weapon, scoop splash! Cover, ONE, but Drake DECKS Cutler! And again! And then lariats! Drake covers, ONE, but Drake clamps on with a chinlock. Cutler endures as Drake leans on him. Fans rally up and Cutler gets up, but Drake throws him down!
Drake throws forearms on Cutler then tags Gibson. Gibson throws a clothesline, then feeds Cutler to Drake’s windmill. Cover, TWO, but Gibson clamps on with a chinlock. Cutler endures and fans rally up with “USA! USA!” Drake tags back in and the GYV mug Cutler. Drake snapmares and drives his knees into Cutler’s back. He wraps on another chinlock but Cutler fights his way up. Cutler tags to Blake as he powers out of the headlock, Blake hits a spinning powerslam! Drake bails out but he sees Ryker standing there. Rykder backs Drake down, and Blake CHOPS away! Blake puts Drake in the ring but Drake headlocks. Gibson tags in before Blake powers out. Leap frog but Blake ducks Gibson to dropkick Drake! Blake huricanranas Gibson and tags in Cutler!
Cutler and Blake whip Drake to double hip toss! Gibson runs into a double hip toss! The Sons military press and TOSS Drake out onto Gibson! Fans fire up for the seemingly forgiven sons as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns as Blake fights up in Drake’s chinlock. Drake knees low and whips Blake into the GYV corner. Blake fights back with haymakers and back hands! Drake rocks Blake and Blake tumbles out. Blake comes back to rock Drake then Gibson, then shoulders into Drake. Blake slingshot sunset flips but Drake tags to Gibson! Gibson stomps Blake and covers, ONE. Gibson clamps onto Blake with a chinlock and grinds him down. Blake endures while fans troll Drake with “Ass Face!” Clearly NXT fans watch NXT UK and picked up on the chants. Gibson grinds Blake down as he cranks harder on the hold. Ryker and Cutler coach Blake up and Blake fights his way up.
Gibson knees low to back suplex, but Blake lands on his feet for a jumping neckbreaker! Both men crawl for their corners, tag to Drake and he drags Blake away from his corner. But Blake back drops and hot tags! Cutler rallies on Drake with big forearms! Overhead suplex for Gibson! And one for Drake! Cutler whips Drake and Drake bounces off buckles for Cutler to LARIAT! Fans fire up with Cutler as he underhooks, butterfly backbreaker! Cover, TWO! But to the Boston Crab! Cutler sits down deep but has to deck Gibson! He grabs Drake but Drake back drops! Drake hits Blake but Cutler dodges the enziguri. Cutler lifts to BUCKLE BOMB! And then a Fisherman DRIVER! Cover, but Gibson helps Drake get the ropebreak!
The ref suspects foul play but Gibson swears he had nothing to do with it. Ryker comes around to chase Gibson down! Gibson doesn’t want none of the Gunner but he trips over the steel steps! But Drake jawbreakers Cutler to DIVE onto Ryker! The GYV throw Ryker into steel steps! But Cutler LEAPS onto Drake and Blake LEAPS onto Gibson! Cutler puts Gibson in, tags to Blake and then hops up top. But Gibson anchors Cutler as Drake enziguris Blake! Drake uses Gibson for MAYHEM N MOTION! Cutler crashes ‘n’ burns! Blake sends Gibson out but Drake rolls him, ONE! Blake hammerlocks and CHOPS Drake to then atomic drop and dropkick!
Gibson tags in but Blake is ready. He dodges, leaps, but Drake helps Gibson get clear! Gut wrench, TICKET TO MAYHEM!! Cover, GYV win!!
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall
Fans boo as Liverpool’s Number One and Mr. Mayhem get away with one! But while they’ve won one battle, will they win the war with the Forgotten Sons?
Backstage interview with Tegan Nox.
With all the history between her and Dakota Kai, how has she prepared for their coming steel cage match? “At TakeOver: Portland, I thought I had everything scouted.” Tegan knew all of Dakota’s tricks and tactics, but she didn’t expect Raquel Gonzalez. To be honest, she still feels that table. But next week, Raquel won’t be a factor, because all she can do is watch as Tegan takes out her anger on Dakota. Dakota started this in a cage, and it will end in a cage.
NXT Media catches up with Damien Priest.
Does the Archer of Infamy have an explanation for that attack on Dijakovic? “It’s nothing personal with Dijakovic. He’s just in the way of something I want. And now, Keith Lee knows exactly what I want.” So the message through Dijakovic is for the Limitless One. What will Keith Lee’s response be?
Charlotte Flair VS Bianca Belair!
The Queen doesn’t even go here anymore, but she’s coming back to her alma mater to settle things with one of the biggest names in this generation of NXT. Will Bianca put Charlotte in her place just 40 days away from WrestleMania?
The bell rings and fans chant “You Don’t Go Here!” at Charlotte on Bianca’s behalf. Some fans do chant, “Welcome Home!” for Charlotte, though, as she ties up with Bianca. They go around, and Charlotte puts Bianca in the corner. The ref counts and Charlotte lets up at 4. Fans duel as Charlotte draws the line she dares Bianca to cross. Bianca does and they tie up again. Charlotte headlocks, hits the takeover, but Bianca headscissors back. Charlotte pops free but Bianca headlocks to reverse the roles. Bianca pops out of Charlotte’s headscissors, but Charlotte sweeps the legs. Cover, ONE, and Bianca sweeps. Cover, ONE, and Bianca waistlocks.
Charlotte standing switches but so does Bianca. Charlotte drop toeholds and floats to the facelock and talks trash. Bianca fights up but Charlotte clubs her down. Fans rally and duel as Charlotte whips Bianca to a corner. Bianca goes up, over, handsprings and goes up and over again! Charlotte gets annoyed, but Bianca dropkicks her down! Bianca kips up and tells Charlotte to kiss this. Bianca then RAMS into Charlotte in the corner! She lets up at 4 to toss Charlotte around. Fans duel harder than ever as Bianca scoops and squats. Charlotte slips out and CHOPS! And CHOPS! “I’m the Queen here!” Charlotte unloads more and more CHOPS! She snapmares Bianca down to run and BOOT! Fans are all riled up as NXT goes picture in picture.
Charlotte looms over Bianca and some fans bow down. Charlotte stands on Bianca’s ponytail then brings her around to whip. Bianca holds ropes and kicks back, but Charlotte clotheslines her down! Charlotte is annoyed with Bianca as she stalks her to a corner. Charlotte runs into Bianca’s elbow, but blocks the boots. She turns Bianca sideways for the draping neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Bianca sits up but Charlotte is on her with a thrashing chinlock! Charlotte grinds Bianca down, brings her around to bend her back, but Bianca endures. Bianca fights up with elbows but Charlotte throws her down! She dusts her hands off as she stalks Bianca to another corner. Charlotte whips Bianca corner to corner but Bianca reverses.
Charlotte tumbles over and out and shoulders back into Bianca. She slingshots over to then arm-drag and armlock Bianca down! Bianca endures as Charlotte grinds her knee in. Bianca throws body shots but Charlotte clubs her down. Charlotte throws Bianca out of the ring and then climbs up top to soak up the cheers and even the jeers. NXT returns to single picture as Charlotte watches Bianca crawl up on the apron. Bianca dodges the baseball slide to throw clubbing forearms, and then throw Charlotte into the post! Charlotte flounders as Bianca goes back into the ring. Fans rally and duel again as Charlotte hurries after. Charlotte brings Bianca up but Bianca cradle counters, TWO! Charlotte CHOPS Bianca down again!
Bianca goes to a corner but Charlotte whips her corner to corner. Bianca ducks the chop but Charlotte spins her around for a neckbreaker! Bianca fights the dragon sleeper off with knees, and climbs the corner to go up and over! She shoves Charlotte into buckles, then runs back in to hit a facebuster! Bianca chicken wings and lifts, GLAM SLAM! Cover, TWO! Charlotte lives and Bianca grows annoyed. Bianca pushes Charlotte around but Charlotte anchors a foot. Bianca kicks Charlotte and stomps her, then handsprings, into a Penalty Kick! Charlotte drags Bianca up to throw big knees in. Charlotte grabs at Bianca for the cobra twist! She even pushes Bianca’s head and uses the ponytail! The ref reprimands but Bianca slips around to put the twist on Charlotte!
Charlotte endures and pulls on the ponytail again. Bianca tries to stop Charlotte, but Charlotte back drops out! But Bianca sunset flips, only for Charlotte to roll through! Bianca gets clear of the basement dropkick! Bianca handsprings and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Bianca grows frustrated but she calms down. She stands up as fans duel again. Bianca scowls as she drags Charlotte up and reels her in. Powerbomb lift but Charlotte slips out the back. Charlotte bails Bianca in for an elbow, then the backbreaker to buckle shot! Charlotte drags Bianca around and scuffs her face as she heads to the corner. Fans boo as Charlotte climbs up, to MOONSAULT! Bianca gets boots up! But Charlotte catches them for a BOSTON CRAB!
Bianca endures as Charlotte bends her back! Bianca crawls to the ropes but Charlotte drags her away! So Bianca slips under to throw haymakers. Charlotte jackknifes, TWO! STRETCH MUFFLER! Charlotte lifts, Bianca shifts, so Charlotte DEAD LIFTS for a POWEBOMB! Matchbook, TWO!! Charlotte is growing frustrated, and her boot gets hung up! Bianca clubs Charlotte on the back, then dropkicks her out! Bianca goes out and fetches Charlotte. She goes to whip Charlotte but Charlotte fights back. The two fight for control but Bianca sends Charlotte into a post! Bianca puts Charlotte in and drags her up to club her on the back.
Bianca climbs up and leaps but Charlotte gets under. Charlotte runs into Bianca’s SPEAR! But then Charlotte gets up to SPEAR Bianca! Fans fire up as Charlotte hits NATURAL SELECTION! Cover, Charlotte wins!!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall
But The Queen wants to make Bianca to pay, and she brings in a chair! Here comes Rhea Ripley! Charlotte hurries to put Bianca’s leg inside the chair, and STOMPS it! Bianca’s leg might be busted! Charlotte keeps on it with a FIGURE EIGHT! Rhea still takes her time rushing the ring, and Charlotte gets away. The Nightmare is furious, will she take it all out on Charlotte at WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for NXT to move things towards Tampa. Grimes VS Dijakovic was a great opener, and Priest making his presence felt was a nice twist. Grimes winning does move him up in rankings, and then we get a pretty good Dain VS Reed match. I suspect that a Triple Threat of Grimes VS Dain VS Priest will help determine a TakeOver: Tampa opponent, and I would think Dijakovic goes after Priest for revenge, leaving it to either Grimes or Dain. As great as Lee VS Dijakovic has been, it’d be better if we wait a bit for the next rematch, give them time to come up with something that can outdo Portland’s match. Ciampa VS Theory was really good, Theory is proving his worth even in losing. Gargano’s attack was fairly logical, but I was really expecting him to escalate there. Maybe next time.
What NXT didn’t really hype up as much as they should have is all this anniversary stuff. It was good to revisit Mia VS Xia from a year ago, but they only briefly touched on how this was basically the 10th anniversary of NXT. Of course, those who remember 2010 know NXT was just that lame “reality show” version, but it’s still an origin story of this brand. There should’ve at least been a Network special relating to it. But that aside, it was great use of continuity to have Dakota and Raquel pay Mia a visit during her match. Xia steals the win but still tries to help Mia against them, but it adds to Raquel’s monster quality that she puts them both down. Perhaps Xia and Mia will become allies with Tegan against this new Team Kick?
I really like that next week is going to become Steel Cage Night. Tegan VS Dakota is going to be great, so long as they learn from AEW’s recent cage match in that escapes don’t matter. Those two should finish things in the cage so that Raquel being ringside won’t even matter. The same goes for Strong VS Dream now that it’s a Steel Cage match. I wonder if one will open the night (Dakota VS Tegan) while the other (Dream VS Strong) closes. I feel like that’d make a lot of sense card wise. GYV VS Forgotten Sons was a really good match, but as I figured, the fans weren’t all going to jump on the bandwagon just because of patriotism. Forgotten Sons really are a good team, from in-ring to in character, but it’ll take time before NXT fans accept the Face turn.
Charlotte VS Bianca was great stuff! Maybe a little messy in the middle but this was their first time 1v1 with each other so it wasn’t going to be perfect. Bianca looks amazing though she loses, but I feel there could’ve been something different about that ending. Maybe they realized they went long and that’s why Charlotte was hurrying on that “leg breaker” spot? Rhea should’ve hustled, too, in that case. Given their “We Are NXT” moment together, Rhea should’ve skipped the entrance procedure and ran to save Bianca. Now Bianca has leg damage and we still miss that trash talk to end the show because of time constraints. A minor hiccup in this build, really, and there’s still time to make up for that, but it was just a bit messy for an otherwise great night.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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!
The Ace VS Everybody’s Kokeshi, for the final time!
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s farewell tour continues on, and his New Japan Soul will shine bright against fellow icon, Tomoaki Honma!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Zane Jay; Time Limit Draw.
- 8 Man Tag: Toru Yano, YOH, Master Wato & Daiki Nagai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- 8 Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Jado, Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Togi Makabe & Tiger Mask VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Yuya Uemura & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The United Empire; Taichi, Yuya & Taguchi win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tomoaki Honma; Tanahashi wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Boltin Oleg & Shota Umino VS TMDK; Goto, Oleg & Shota win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tomoaki Honma!
The year is half over, meaning we’re that much closer to The Ace reaching the end of his Final Road. One way or another, he checks off another name on the list, but will the Ace be high? Or will Everyone’s Kokeshi be like a roadblock up ahead?
Both men take off their coats and the fans cheer the muscularity. The bell rings and the fans rally up, with a lot of “HONMA! HONMA!” coming out! Tanahashi nods in respect, and the two circle. They tie up, Tanahashi waistlocks, but Honma switches. Tanahashi switches back, but Honma wrenches free. Tanahashi wrenches in return, but then so does Honma. Honma has the wristlock, but Tanahashi drops down for a leg pick, then he floats to the headlock. Honma fights up but Tanahashi hits the takeover. Honma headscissors, Tanahashi kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset and circle again.
The fans rally, and while Tanahashi tries, the Honma fans are still louder. The two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow and are in a deadlock. Honma digs in his heels and he starts pushing Tanahashi back. Honma puts Tanahashi on the ropes, the ref counts, and Honma lets go. But then Tanahashi turns things around! The ref counts and Tanahashi slowly lets off of Honma. The fans applaud, but then Tanahashi takes a swing! Honma dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! The fans rally, Honma whips Tanahashi to a corner, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up and CROSSBODIES! Direct hit and the fans cheer the air guitar.
Tanahashi storms up on Honma, brings him up and fires forearms. Tanahashi whips, Honma reverses, and Honma ELBOWS Tanahashi down! Fans fire up as Honma runs, but Tanahashi avoids the Kokeshi! The fans are torn but Tanahashi brings Honma up to whip. Honma grabs ropes to stop himself, then he runs to RUN Tanahashi over! Honma runs again, but Tanahashi again avoids the Kokeshi! The fans boo but Tanahashi doesn’t let that get him down. Tanahashi stomps Honma’s legs, Honma crawls away, but Tanahashi brings him up. Tanahashi bumps Honma off buckles, then bumps him off buckles again!
The fans rally as Tanahashi dribbles Honma off the buckles! Honma stops to throw hands on Tanahashi! And now Honma puts Tanahashi in the corner. But Tanahashi turns things around! Tanahashi puts Honma’s leg in the ropes but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi assures the ref he won’t do anything, but then he DROPKICKS the leg after all! The fans are torn, and Honma falls to the mat. The fans rally up for Honma, Tanahashi drags him by his leg, and then drops an ELBOW on the knee! Tanahashi has the toehold but Honma grabs at Tanahashi’s hair. Tanahashi elbows Honma then pulls on the leg.
Tanahashi shifts and has the DEATHLOCK! Tanahashi pushes on the legs but Honma endures. Honma CHOPS but Tanahashi eggs him on. Honma CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS Honma! But that was double-edged and Tanahashi feels dizzy! Tanahashi lets the leglock go, and he drags Honma back to center. Tanahashi pulls on the bad leg but Honma kicks him with the good leg! Tanahashi eggs Honma on, so Honma BOOTS him! Tanahashi stomps Honma again and again, the fans rally up, and Honma eggs Tanahashi on now! The fans rally behind Honma while Tanahashi keeps kicking!
Honma blocks a kick, fires a forearm, but Tanahashi fires back! Tanahashi eggs Honma on and the forearms keep going! Tanahashi fires his strike combo! Honma wobbles, but he still blocks a kick, and DRAGON SCREWS! The fans cheer as Honma gives Tanahashi a taste of his own medicine! The fans rally as Honma crawls away to the ropes. Tanahashi stirs and rises up, and Honma runs up to RUN Tanahashi over! And he ELBOWS Tanahashi down! Then he scoops and SLAMS Tanahashi! The fans fire up while Honma brings Tanahashi around. Honma CHOPS, and CHOPS, and he CHOPS Tanahashi into the corner!
Honma whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS Tanahashi again! Honma then runs to BULLDOG Tanahashi down! The fans fire up as Honma goes for it again! KOKESHI FLOPS as Tanahashi avoids it once more! That was a close call, though. Tanahashi runs and he FLYING FOREARMS Honma down! The fans rally while Honma goes to a corner. Tanahashi kicks Honma, fires forearms, and fires up. The fans rally as Tanahashi goes corner to corner, but he blocks a boot! Tanahashi holds on as Honma tries to kick free. DRAGON SCREW! Honma is down and the fans rally up. Tanahashi brings Honma back up to scoop and SLAM!
Tanahashi has Honma in the drop zone, adds an ELBOW, then he climbs! SUNSET SENTON! A solid one at that! The fans fire up and Tanahashi goes back up! But Honma hits Tanahashi first! Honma climbs, CLUBS Tanahashi, and the fans rally as he brings Tanahashi to the top. Tanahashi fires body shots and a forearm, but Honma holds onto the ropes to stay up! Tanahashi fires more shots, and Honma falls! But he rises again to trip Tanahashi! Honma CLUBS Tanahashi, climbs back up, and the fans rally again! Tanahashi fires hands, and another HEADBUTT! Honma staggers back, but then RISING KOKESHIS!
Honma climbs, he brings Tanahashi up again, and hits the SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up for that heavy landing! Honma rises as the fans cheer him on, and he hits a KOKESHI ROCKET! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and the fans fire up again. Honma brings Tanahashi back up, throws some heavy back elbows, but Tanahashi eggs him on. Honma has Tanahashi down, then gets both wrists! KAMI-GOYE KOKESHI!! Cover, TWO!! But Honma doesn’t fret, he just goes up top! The fans fire up for the FALLING KOKESHI, but Tanahashi moves! Another crash landing for Honma and the fans can’t believe it!
The fans rally as hard as they can for Honma and he rises up. Honma goes to a corner, he and Tanahashi run at each other, and Honma LARIATS first! Then KOKESHI!! It finally hits!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but Honma powers up again! The fans rally as Honma brings Tanahashi back up. Honma suplexes but Tanahashi blocks! Tanahashi fires elbows, fights free, but Honma roars! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! Honma HEADBUTTS! Honma runs, but Tanahashi dodges, only for Honma to SWAT the Slingblade! Honma runs, but into a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi runs as Honma rises, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous but now Tanahashi goes up top! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
In their final showdown, The Ace and The Kokeshi fought like there was no tomorrow! But in the end, Tanahashi comes out on top! He shows his friend respect, and the fans applaud. The Final Road still has many stops left, but who will be next?
Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Boltin Oleg & Shota Umino VS TMDK!
After Dominion, The Fierce Warrior is still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, and BARS is now NEVER Openweight Champion! The Roughneck still wants to prove himself worthy, will he and Team Hontai be rolling towards the G1 Climax? Or can Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson remind us that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The trios sort out and Oiwa starts against Oleg. The fans rally as they circle, tie up, and Oiwa headlocks. Oiwa spins to hammerlock, but Oleg switches that onto Oiwa. Oiwa switches, Oleg switches back then headlocks. Oiwa wrenches the hold open, the two fight for control, and Oleg powers Oiwa down with the top wristlock. But then Oiwa headscissors! Oleg kips free, headlocks, and he grinds the hold. Oiwa fights up, Oleg wrenches and fireman’s carries for a takeover! And another takeover! And another! Oiwa headscissors but Oleg kips free and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset again and tie back up.
Oiwa headlocks but Oleg powers up, only for Oiwa to hold on tight. Oleg fires body shots, powers up again, but Oiwa still holds tight! Oiwa grinds the hold but Oleg fires body shots. Oleg lifts, but Oiwa hits a flying takeover! The fans rally, Oleg fights up again, and he fires body shots. Oleg powers up and out, Oiwa whips, then Oiwa drops down to DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Oiwa hits a headlock takeover! Oiwa hooks a leg for a cover, TWO! Oiwa keeps the headlock but Oleg fights up. Oleg powers up, powers out this time, then Oleg hurdles to HIP TOSS! The fans fire up and Oleg runs, runs, and SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud as Oiwa stays in this. Oleg stomps Oiwa, brings him up, and wrenches an arm. Oleg CLUBS Oiwa, then tags in Shota. Shota takes the handoff to wrench and wrench and wrench again. Goto then tags in and he takes the handoff. Goto wrenches to YANK the arm, CLUB the arm, and then wrench again. Tag back to Oleg and Oleg takes the handoff to wrench and wristlock. Oleg tags Shota back in and Shota CLUBS the arm. Shota stares down ZSJ, he and Oleg stomp Oiwa, then they double whip. They DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE, and ZSJ runs in! Shota sends him into Oleg’s CHOP, and Goto RUNS ZSJ over!
Goto BLASTS Hartley, then brings Oiwa up. Goto has the others join in on BEATING THE DRUM! The fans cheer as Hontai learns to play the Chaos classics. Shota then brings Oiwa up for an UPPERCUT! Shota UPPERCUTS again, and UPPERCUTS again, then whips Oiwa to ropes. Shota ELBOWS Oiwa down, runs and basement DROPKICKS! Oiwa hurries to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Oiwa keeps cool. The fans rally up and Shota brings Oiwa around. Shota reels Oiwa in, Oiwa resists the lift, so Shota fires KNEE after KNEE! Oiwa sputters, and then Shota CHOPS him to a corner.
Shota whips corner to corner but Oiwa comes back. Shota dodges the lariat, but Oiwa blocks Shota’s to underhook and BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Both men are down, so TMDK BLASTS Goto & Oleg! ZSJ goes out to UPPERCUT Goto down, and Hartley tags in. Hartley CHOPS Shota down, then suplexes him! Cover, TWO! Tag to ZSJ and the fans cheer as The Front Man UPPERCUTS Shota! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Shota again, and again, and again! The fans rally as the UPPERCUTS just keep going, until Shota falls over! Tag back to Hartley and he drags Shota. ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Hartley stomps Shota.
Hartley drags Shota over, tags ZSJ, and ZSJ RAMS Shota! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Shota, shoves, RAMS low, then UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ cravats for the neck wrench but Shota endures. The fans rally, Shota fights up, and Shota powers up and out with a throw. Shota then sunset flips, TWO! ZSJ prawn holds, TWO! Shota sunsets again, TWO! ZSJ high stacks, TWO! Shota sunsets again, TWO! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick to arm-drag, but ZSJ headscissors and NECK TWISTS! ZSJ drags Shota over, tags Oiwa, and Oiwa uses a STRAIGHT ARMBAR! Shota endures, so Oiwa drags him out and drops a LEG on the arm!
Shota endures the modified arm scissors, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Oiwa lets go, and Oiwa stomps Shota’s arm. Oiwa kicks Shota, eggs him on, then stands him up. Shota ROCKS Oiwa! Oiwa shakes that off, comes back and kicks low! But Shota fires more forearms! Oiwa kicks low, runs up, but Shota dodges to wrench and TORNADO- NO, Oiwa powers out, slips around, but Shota fights the high crotch suplex! Shota CLUBS Oiwa, Oiwa runs up, but Shota ELBOWS and- NO, Oiwa ducks the Pele! Oiwa whips, Shota reverses, TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
The fans rally while Shota and Oiwa crawl, hot tag to Goto! The Fierce Warrior runs over The Mullet, then he BLASTS TMDK! Oiwa kicks low, runs, but Goto follows and LARIATS! Hartley runs in but Goto kicks low! Hartley blocks Goto’s suplex to suplex Goto, but Goto fights that! Goto then suplexes Hartley onto Oiwa! The fans fire up while Oiwa sputters. Goto stands Oiwa up, whips him to a corner, then runs in for MURAMASA! Then the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives but Goto is right on him. Oiwa fights the fireman’s carry and CLUBS away! Then ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, Goto follows, but Oiwa ducks!
Oiwa wrenches Goto and hits a DDT! The fans fire up and Oiwa hot tags ZSJ! ZSJ runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and ZSJ brings Goto up. Goto fights the scoop, fires body shots, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Goto fires a forearm, ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, and repeat! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again and again, but Goto fires more forearms! ZSJ wrenches an arm to PELE! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses and fireman’s carries! ZSJ slips free, Goto ELBOWS him, then Goto blocks a kick! But ZSJ uses that for an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Goto endures but TMDK YANK Oleg and Shota off the apron!
Oleg is sent into railing, Oiwa keeps Shota down with an armlock, and ZSJ breaks Goto’s grip to have the ARMBAR!! And then the LEGLOCK on top!! Goto flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer, ZSJ lets go, but now Hontai is sent into railing again! ZSJ grabs Goto’s hand and bends the fingers! And he STOMPS the arm! Goto writhes but ZSJ stomps him more. ZSJ runs up and BOOTS Goto, but Goto stays up! ZSJ tries again but Goto blocks the boot to DECK ZSJ! The fans fire up and Goto roars, but he runs into a BOOT! ZSJ scoops, Goto slips free, but ZSJ PELES! And PENALTY KICKS! But Goto is up to LARIAT!
Both men are down and the fans fire up! Goto and ZSJ crawl, reach out, hot tags to Oleg and Hartley! The fans fire up as the big men DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT again! Then they start throwing CHOPS! Oleg DOUBLE CHOPS, runs, but Hartley CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up, Hartley BLASTS Shota off the apron, and he aims from the corner. Hartley runs in, Oleg dodges, and then Oleg comes back! Oleg SPLASHES, then gut wrenches! But Hartley’s too big! Hartley breaks free, fires boxing elbows, and an UPPERCUT! Hartley reels Oleg in, suplexes, but Oleg fights it! They fight for control, and Hartley suplexes Oleg!
The fans fire up and Hartley rises. Hartley runs but Oleg avoids the senton! Oleg drags Hartley up, scoops and SLAMS! The fans fire up as Oleg goes up, up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Hartley stays in this and the fans rally up. Oleg brings Hartley around to gut wrench! Shake, Rattle & THROW! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg brings Hartley up again, fireman’s carries, but Oiwa kicks low! Shota kicks Oiwa, UPPERCUTS him, then whips. Oiwa reverses and UPPERCUTS Shota! Oiwa then gets around Oleg to HIGH CROTCH PLEX! ZSJ adds a NECK TWIST! Hartley adds the SENTON! Cover, Goto breaks it! The fans fire up while ZSJ goes after Goto!
ZSJ fires forearm after forearm, but Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Oiwa runs up, Goto sends him into Shota’s LARIAT! Shota stands Hartley up, he and Goto double whip, but Hartley breaks the lariats! Shota sends Hartley into Goto’s FOREARM! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Goto hits URA GTR, and Shota adds a LARIAT!! The fans fire up and Oleg has Hartley up! Fireman’s carry for the KAMIKAZE!! Cover, Hontai wins!
Winners: Hirooki Goto, Boltin Oleg & Shota Umino, by pinfall
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they can still fall! Oleg brings down big bad Hartley, can TMDK rise back up before the G1 begins?
As for Hontai, Oleg scored the fall so he gets to speak! Oleg says good evening to Yamagata and the fans cheer. Oleg knows he only just became NEVER Champion, but he promises to work even harder and become an even greater wrestler, so please continue to support him. The fans applaud, and then Oleg asks who wants to speak next. Goto lets Shota go next, and the fans cheer Shota on. Shota thanks the fans for the great energy all the way through the show tonight, then he takes a bow. The fans applaud, and Shota adds that Yamagata is both hot and amazing. This New Japan Soul series is important, but so is the upcoming G1 Climax.
Goto is going to defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against ZSJ in Nagoya before the tournament begins, and regardless of who wins that, Shota vows to win the G1 and challenge the champion. Shota tells Goto that he hopes to face him again with the title on the line. The fans applaud and Goto nods. Shota says naturally, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion will now close us out. The fans applaud again and Goto is handed the mic. The fans cheer Goto on, and he also thanks everyone for coming out tonight. Goto knows it took a long time, but he is proud to finally return to Yamagata as world champion.
The fans cheer, and Goto adds that he wants to make it through his next defense to then take this title into the G1. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Be sure to follow him until the end! The fans cheer that, and Goto says that lastly, he of course wishes to talk about Goto’s G. The fans applaud, and Goto realizes, there’s a G in Yamagata, too. So then, the G in Yamagata and IWGP stand for Goto! The fans cheer and the Fierce Warrior is ready! Will he thwart ZSJ’s efforts in one more rematch? Will he make the G in G1 also stand for Goto?
My Thoughts:
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!
Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?
While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
- Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
LA Knight is here!
Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!
And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…
The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?
Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.
Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!
The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!
Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?
SmackDown returns and…
Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!
Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.
Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!
The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!
The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISSÂ onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?
Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.
And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.
But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?
Alexa Bliss returns backstage.
And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.
So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?
Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!
The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?
Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.
Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?
Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.
Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.
Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!
Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.
The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”
The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.
And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”
The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?
King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.
Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEXÂ again!
Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!
Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!
Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!
Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!
“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?
Nia Jax is here!
Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”
The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!
The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?
Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!
The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?
SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!
Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.
Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?
Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.
Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.
SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.
Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.
And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.
Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!
And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.
The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?
Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!
The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?
Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!
The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.
Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?
John Cena VS Ron Killings!
The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?
SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!
Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.
Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!
The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Truth hitting all sorts of other iconic moves! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!
Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification
Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.
Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTÂ through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.
“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”
Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”
The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.
“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.
Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.
Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with an awesome ending. All those years ago, when CM Punk dropped THE OG “Pipebomb” promo, no one could’ve ever in a million years guessed that here tonight, we would’ve gotten the John Cena remix. Not only was that promo of the year, but Cena blew up go-home math. I can’t see Cena losing the title to Punk now. He can lose the match since Cena loves getting disqualified, and there’s the possibility of Rollins trying a cash-in, but Cena is leaving Saudi Arabia as champion to then go to SummerSlam. It also works because Cody Rhodes still feels like the favorite for King of the Ring.
A lot of that has to do with how Sami lost to Orton tonight. Great promo from the four semifinalists, especially since it was Jey, Sami and Orton kinda keeping Cody from talking since there isn’t more Cody needs to say. Win or lose, no explanations needed at this point. Sami VS Orton was an awesome match, but I could just feel an RKO countering the Helluva Kick as the way to go and that’s what they did. Now, as awesome as it would be for Jey to beat Cody, and then for Jey to beat Orton to go for the World Heavyweight Championship again, there are a lot of moving parts right now that it would just be the easiest for Cody to win the crown and have his rematch with Cena.
And while talking the WHC, Gunther VS Goldberg IS confirmed for the title, but has also been confirmed as Goldberg’s last match. This is a huge indicator that despite Rollins teasing a cash-in on the Undisputed title, he will likely be thwarted and then falls back to the title he feels is rightfully his. That is to say, Rollins cashes in on the winner of Gunther VS Goldberg, which I half expected even before all this talk of Goldberg’s last match. Rollins can take this title from Gunther and Goldberg, and then we can throw Jey and even LA Knight into the mix as things are getting heated between Knight and the henchmen.
Great promo from Knight with Heyman, great match with Knight VS Bronson, and a really powerful beating Knight takes from Bron & Bronson. If nothing else, Knight costs Rollins his cash-in. Truth going after Kit Wilson was an interesting move. Also a shame Elton Prince is hurt, Pretty Deadly gets going and then something happens to slow them down. But Kit was going to lose to Aleister so this really messes Aleister up more than anything. Priest keeping the peace between Aleister and Truth was good stuff. Priest and Truth being allies on SmackDown can be some real fun stuff, and I feel like they’re already set up for a feud with Aleister.
Very good stuff with Fatu, Solo and this US Championship story. Fatu VS Solo was the natural move, and I like that Jimmy Uso ends up an ally for Fatu. The title match is set, I wonder if we get a tag match first. In fact, next week is title night in Riyadh with Tiffany Stratton giving Nia the Last Woman Standing match, and basically setting the stage for Naomi to cash in. She almost did tonight but Nia was again able to stop her, so I would think Naomi waits until the very end of the Last Woman Standing match to take full advantage. Then, if Jade wins Queen of the Ring, we get Jade VS Naomi at SummerSlam.
Good promo from Jade, B-Fab & Michin watching Asuka VS Alexa. Asuka winning made the most sense, Alexa clearly has story with Charlotte and Asuka is just that good. Jade VS Roxie will be a good match but Roxie’s story in Judgment Day might keep her from winning. But then the fallback there is Roxie might actually sub in for the tag titles like I was thinking. Charlotte VS Chelsea was very good, and of course the Secret Her-vice does what they can to help. The beatdown they put on Charlotte and then Alexa making the save, that’s going to be one of those “can they coexist?” tag matches for sure.
Honestly, a little surprised we didn’t get any tag team promos tonight, unless I completely missed something. I believe title night is going to have Profits VS Gacy & Lumis for the tag titles, too, so that’s going to be something wild. And while DIY is scared of the Wyatts, I feel like they’re going to interfere because they don’t want the Wyatts to take the titles. But at the same time, the Wyatts need something substantial this time around, so maybe they win the titles at SummerSlam.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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!
4 Corners Podcast: The Fabulous Finals
The NBA and Stanely Cup Finals near their respective conclusions. Dave and Pat break down the action and whether anything...
4 Corners Podcast: Serving Up A Classic
Patrick returns as he and Dave discuss the Stanley Cup Finals, the NBA Finals, Coco Gauff's epic triumph, and a...
4 Corners Podcast: The Rematch & The Rebuild
Dave and PC Tunney preview the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals as the NBA and NHL reach the conclusion...
4 Corners Podcast: Blown Off Course
Dave and Tunney break down the Conference Finals in the NHL and NBA, discuss the NFL going to the Olympics,...
4 Corners Podcast: Bettor Late Than Never?
Dave, Patrick, and Tunney break down the NHL and NBA Playoffs and a pretty stunning decision from the MLB Commissioner's...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (6/20/25)
It's Electric!
Bandwagon Nerds #293: Father Figures
The Nerds review the latest trailers for Iron Heart and Superman. A Spaceballs sequel is now official and why are...
Bandwagon Nerds #292: Where’s Michael’s Guitar?
The first ever Movie Year Draft highlight's this week's Episode. Plus, the Trailer Park rolls on, as does the search...
Attitude Of Aggression #310- Unidentified History: The Battle of Los Angeles
Unidentified History returns as Dave recaps his visit to Contact in the Desert and the guys do a deep dive...
Bandwagon Nerds #291: Its Pronounced Tuh-Doom
The Nerds cover all the best trailers from Tudum, discuss DC- Marvel crossovers, and get concerned for the future of...
Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Soul Results & Report! (6/21/25)
Ace Final Road - Kinship
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Our Revolution Victory Lap
Join DJ, Rob and Jason every week as they give their "Mindless" takes on Pro Wrestling and much, much more!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/20/25)
One step closer to the end!
DWI Podcast #479: Ron The Truth Simmons
Don't drink and drive, drink and podcast! Join AJ, DP and PC weekly for their thoughts on RAW, SmackDown and...
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (6/19/25)
Rumble, Bad Man, Rumble!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (6/18/25)
Can the BOAT Evolve?
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (6/18/25)
Viva La AEW!
Babyface Heel Podcast: LOL Charlotte Wins… AGAIN!
Even when she's not wrestling, Charlotte Flair keeps winning! Greg and Patrick breakdown her latest winning comments!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/17/25)
Trick'N Ain't Easy
