Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/14/20)
Love and gold are in the air!
It’s a Valentine’s Friday Night SmackDown!
Valentine’s Day coincides with SmackDown, and tonight, Otis “Dozer” Dozovic will see if he can win a prize better than a title: Mandy Rose’s heart.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Carmella; Bayley wins and retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
- 2v1 Handicap Match: Sheamus VS Apollo Crews & Chad Gable; Sheamus wins.
- The Miz & John Morrison VS Roman Reigns & ???; Reigns & Daniel Bryan win.
PLAY BY PLAY
SmackDown presents A Moment of Bliss!
Alexa and Nikki Cross have matching mugs and leather pants as they take their seats on stage. Alexa welcomes Vancouver to the first Moment of Bliss of 2020. Nikki wishes everyone a happy Valentine’s Day. And speaking of, let’s talk celebrity crushes! Wait, really? Yeah! Alexa, you first. Well, Alexa’s current crush is… Should she say it? Yes, say it! Okay, okay. Wait, Nikki knows who it is. It’s Brad Pitt! Yeah, exactly! Cheers! But who’s Nikki’s crush? Oh don’t be naughty.
But the guest of tonight’s Moment of Bliss is tonight’s challenger to the SmackDown Women’s Championship. The moon-walking, trash talking Princess of Staten Island, Carmella! The FABULOUS #1 Contender does indeed moonwalk out and takes her seat. Alexa congratulates Carmella on the win. Alexa was one of the three to lose but she’s not bitter at all. Though, others might say this was surprising, because we haven’t heard much from Mella lately. Well everyone loves surprises, right? Mella promises to surprise us all again when she becomes a two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion! And then everyone will remember why #MellaIsMoney!
Speaking of Bayley, she and Mella had a verbal confrontation online. Those who remember #BayMella, they were best friends up until recently. Alexa shares pictures from those happier days. Instagram, specifically. What happened to that friendship? Mella says Sasha Banks happened. Fans boo The Boss, who clearly changed Bayley for the worse. Bayley trashes the Women’s Division and calls others “sheep,” which sucks when they were such good friends. Now Bayley acts like that never happened. Alexa gets that. Many people didn’t- But before Alexa can continue, Bayley appears in person!
“Oh my God, that’s enough, Carmella.” Bayley is sick listening to this. Fans boo but Bayley tunes out the “sheep.” This is not about Sasha, this is about Mella. Ever since NXT, Bayley pitied Mella. They were friends, sure, because Bayley wanted to lead Mella and teach her how to do things. But Mella is a loser and Bayley is a dominant champion! Alexa wants to stop Bayley there but Bayley mocks the “pipsqueak.” Bayley beat Alexa AND Nikki in a Handicap match! That is how Bayley knows that no one can touch her! Not Nikki, not Alexa, and definitely not Mella. Then maybe we put our money where our mouths are, and do this match NOW! Mella storms her way to the ring, and she’s about to get her way. But will she also get that title off of Bayley to open the show?
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Carmella!
SmackDown returns with the bell and this #BayMella break-up match begins!
The two tie up, Mella powers Bayley towards a corner but Bayley puts Mella in. Bayley pie faces Mella then swings on her, but Mella dodges the punch! Bayley tells fans to shut up as she circles with Mella again. Mella waistlocks but Bayley elbows out. Bayley headlocks but Mella powers out, only for Bayley to run her over. Fans boo but Bayley mocks them as things speed up. Bayley rolls but Mella hip tosses and runs her over! Cover, ONE, but Mella is right on an arm. Mella cranks the armlock and grinds a knee in. Bayley rolls but Mella holds on. Bayley grabs for ropes but Mella wrangles her down. Mella drops knees on the arm then cranks on it harder.
Fans rally for Mella but Bayley powers up to get the ropebreak. Bayley brings Mella through the ropes to hammerlock her within them! Bayley pie faces Mella but the ref backs her off. Fans boo as Bayley knees and elbows Mella down. Bayley eggs Mella on while pushing her around. “You gotta step up!” Mella SLAPS Bayley! Then dropkicks! And again! Cover, TWO! Mella keeps hold of Bayley but Bayley kicks low and throws Mella by her hair! Bayley shrugs off the ref reprimanding her as she pushes Mella down to cover. ONE, another try, ONE! Bayley grows annoyed with Mella and bumps her off buckles. Bayley stomps a mudhole then brings Mella out for more elbows.
Fans boo harder as Bayley hops up the ropes. Mella anchors a foot so Bayley forearms her back! SAIDO Suplex! Bayley heads up top again and leaps, but her crossbody FLOPS! FABULOUS KICK! Cover, TWO!! Mella almost had Bayley but she keeps moving. Mella-go-round headscissors throws Bayley, and then Mella dropkicks Bayley down! Bayley bails out of the ring but Mella gambles with a DIVE! Direct hit and down goes Bayley! Mella drags Bayley up and in then climbs up top herself. Mella leaps, her crossbody hits! Cover, TWO! Bayley flounders out of the ring and ends up by the announce desk. Mella pursues but Bayley flapjacks her off the desk! Both women are down on the outside but Bayley is grinning while Mella is dazed and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns as Bayley grinds Mella down with a chinlock. Mella endures as fans rally up. Bayley rams her knees into Mella’s back, but Mella still fights her way up. Mella jawbreakers free! Bayley scoops, Mella slips out for an Edge o’matic neckbreaker! Mella gets to a corner as Bayley flounders up to her feet. Bayley runs in but gets a boot! Bayley tires again but Mella clotheslines out! Mella rallies then atomic drops! Buckle bulldog boot, and then a Mella-rana! Bayley is dizzy but fans are fired up for Mella as she moonwalks! Mella runs corner to corner, FABULOUS Bronco Buster! Bayley stirs as Mella aims, but Bayley uses the ref as a shield! To then sucker punch Mella!
Mella hits Bayley back with big forearms! Mella runs and DECKS Bayley! And again! Bayley staggers about as fans fire up again. Mella clobbers Bayley a third time, but runs into a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!! Mella survives and Bayley can’t believe it! Bayley argues the count but that was a two. She runs in at Mella in the corner but misses! Bayley knees buckles then Mella dumps her out! Bayley hurries back up and hotshots Mella. Mella leans on the ropes as Bayley goes up, but then Mella trips her! FABULOUS KICK! Bayley is stuck upside down, Mella drags her back up and climbs up to join her. Mella stands on the very top, SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!!
Vancouver can’t believe Bayley survives! But Mella ghost pins, TWO! Oklahoma roll, TWO! Bayley grabs for a leg but Mella blocks. Mella wants a backslide, Bayley cradle counters, TWO! Mella school girls Bayley, TWO, FABULOUS KICK! But Bayley flops out of the ring just in time! Fans boo Bayley’s luck but Mella pursues. Mella brings Bayley up, but Bayley shoves her into a post! Bayley puts Mella in then hooks up, but Mella fights out. Fabulous Kick misses, but drop toehold to CODE OF SILENCE! Bayley endures the modified triangle, but trips up Mella’s arms! Mella lets go of the hold. Bayley prawn holds, TWO! Mella wants the Code again but Bayley uses ropes for leverage!! Bayley wins!!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)
Bayley just stole one from Mella! And then she DECKS Mella, and PLANTS her with the headlock driver! Fans boo the cheating, bullying Bayley, but here comes Naomi! Naomi stands face to face with Bayley, but Mella shoves Bayley into Naomi! Mella fires off on Bayley, Bayley pushes Mella away, but Naomi enziguris! FABULOUS Kick from Mella! The Glow and the Princess leave Bayley down and out, but Bayley is still champion. Will one or both of these women get a title opportunity as WrestleMania draws closer?
SmackDown shares WWE’s decree regarding King Baron Corbin.
“Per WWE Management, due to unprofessional conduct displayed by WWE Superstar King Corbin last Friday night on SmackDown,” Corbin has been heavily fined and barred from competing tonight. But will losing money and being left at home really teach the Lone Wolf tyrant anything?
SmackDown returns to Bayley fuming backstage.
Kayla Braxton ask her about the “controversial” finish, will Carmella get a rematch? What controversy? The ref raised her hand! Bayley has beaten everyone there is to beat! So the next time Bayley defends this title, it will be at WWE Super Showdown! And it could be anyone, because no one can touch her! So not to bury the lead, but WWE Super Showdown will have a SmackDown Women’s Championship match! Who steps up to travel to Saudi Arabia?
SmackDown takes a special look at Lacey Evans’ Royal Rumble journey.
Just before the Royal Rumble event began, the Sassy Southern Belle prepared by putting very special fan letters into her boots. One letter in particular was a girl who lost her parents to addiction, but worked her butt off to not go down that same path. Lacey’s story and stance kept that young woman on the right path. Lacey vows to continue to use this platform to inspire that strength. She carries those letters to remind her why she does what she does. We’ll hear more from Lacey next week in an exclusive sit-down interview!
Otis prepares for his Valentine’s SmackDown date!
He combs his hair, and his beard, before seeing he has a text. His reply: “Sounds great, Mandy (winky face emoji). See you there (heart emoji, heart eyes emoji).” Tucky checks on his boy and Otis says Mandy’s running a little late. Otis has more time to prepare, but more time to be nervous. Tucky encourages Otis and is so proud of him. Is Otis crazy to think Mandy might actually like-like him? If Mandy truly deserves Otis, she will like him for all he has to offer. Tonight’s the night, big man! Will Otis get the girl?
2v1 Handicap Match: Sheamus VS Apollo Crews & Chad Gable!
The Celtic Warrior continues his crusade to rid SmackDown of the “vermin” and weakness that has infected it! But will he be able to take down two men at once?
Before the bell even rings, Crews and Gable go after Sheamus first! The ref shoults for them to stop but they won’t let up! They mug Sheamus in the corner, then finally let up. Gable throws his shirt at Sheamus then the bell rings. Sheamus puts Gable in a corner but Gable gets around him to fire off forearms and a rolling heel kick! And another! Sheamus staggers, Gable runs corner to corner and Crwes tags in. A third heel kick hits, then Crews dropkicks! Crews wrenches Sheamus’ arm then tags Gable back in. Gable goes up to drop ax handles! But then Sheamus ax handles Gable back!
Fans cheer even as Sheamus stomps Gable down. Sheamus throws a STIFF European Uppercut then pulls Gable against the ropes. Sheamus gives Gable Beats of the Bodhrain! He goes past 10 to about 20 before Gable just flops to the apron! Sheamus stares Crews down but Gable gets back in. Gable throws hands but Sheamus back drops. Gable sunset flips to get the ANKLE LOCK! Sheamus scrambles around, kicks Gable off, but Crews tags in! Crews fires off, whips but Sheamus reverses. Crews kicks back but Sheamus back drops. Gable tags in, Crews kicks Sheamus in the back, Gable runs and crossbodies Sheamus over and out of the ring! Sheamus staggers into Crews’ MOONSAULT! Direct hit and Crews puts Sheamus in.
Gable climbs up top and Crews tags back in, before Gable hits a missile dropkick! Crews adds a standing shooting star! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives but Crews drags Sheamus up. Sheamus powers out, BROGUES Gable but Crews rolls him up! TWO, and Sheamus sends Crews into a post! Sheamus grits his teeth as Crews drags himself out. Fans want to see it, and Sheamus fires up, to BROGUE Crews down! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Fella falls two men in one match! Will Sheamus continue to conquer opponents on his way back to championship gold?
Backstage interview with Carmella.
She was so close to the title, but we all saw what Bayley did. Bayley dares to brag about all that, but Carmella demands a rematch! WWE, Fox, just name the time and the place, because Mella promises to be the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion!
Mandy Rose arrives at the fancy restaurant.
And it isn’t good to make a lady wait. Will Otis make it there before she gets bored?
SmackDown gives us a refresher course on Goldberg.
A man who “appeared outta nowhere” and dominated WCW in an incredible undefeated streak that led him right to the World Heavyweight Championship. Then coming out of retirement after 12 years, he continued where he left off to become WWE Universal Champion! It didn’t last long but it sure made an impact. However, he wants another try with the title. So The Fiend, Bray Wyatt, “YOU’RE NEXT!” Will the Super Showdown super showdown go Goldberg’s way?
SmackDown talks with Hulk Hogan via satellite!
The Immortal Hulkster is about to become a two-time Hall of Fame inductee as he joins the nWo in the HoF! That’s strong stuff! Hulkamania set the business on fire and then the nWo raised it to a new level. Being inducted, that’s #4Life. Speaking of the nWo, Goldberg was among their biggest rivals. Does Hogan feel Goldberg stands a chance against The Fiend? Well the young guys with their titles and aspirations, Hogan has already been. He’s felt that power in his own hands, and he knows the power of Goldberg firsthand. But he’s felt the energy from The Fiend coming off the dressing room door. Hogan isn’t sure what to say, but The Fiend will have to dig deep if he wants to survive Goldberg.
“The following announcement has been paid for by the Firefly Fun House.” The fFh!? Hollywood Bray Wyatt strums on his title belt guitar a la the Hulkster, and even tears off his sweater to reveal those pythons! And tattoos. Bray is following Hogan’s classic advice: saying his prayers, eating his vitamins, and now look what he has! The Universal Championship #4Life. Huskis asks what’s going on. Not much, brother. Just hanging out with Hogan, talking about muscles. Not anything Huskins knows about. But he tries so hard! Really? Then want some chocolate? Well yeah! Happy Valentine’s Day! Is it #TooSweet? Oof.
Hogan thinks that’s pretty funny. But when he gets in the ring with Goldberg, that wont’ be a joke. So good luck. Oh silly Hogan. Bray doesn’t need luck. He has The Fiend. And if Hogan isn’t careful, brother, then please remember there can always be one more picture on the Wall of Friends. Nah, Hogan will be in the Hall of Fame instead. Well bye, Hulk! See you around! And see you soon, Goldberg! Bye~!
Ladies and Gentlemen: Cesaro and Sami Zayn…?
This is normally Elias’ shtick, and clearly the Swiss Cyborg and his Great Liberator are doing this in response to last week’s verbal and physical confrontations. Sami introduces himself and thanks Vancouver for being her at the “protest concert.” Cesaro, Shinsuke and Sami have been “victims of injustice” at the hands of Elias and Braun Strowman, not to mention the rest of the WWE who did nothing to help. So in the tradition of great protest musicians, here is a song for everyone here tonight. Silence, please.
Sami strums his ukulele while Cesaro plays cowbell. Sami takes a moment to tune up first. He finds the note and begins. But Elias interrupts! Fans cheer as The Drifter walks out on stage and introduces himself. Elias was napping when he got a call from good friend and fellow Elias, Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks. Elias told Elias that Elias has to stop Sami, so here Elias is. And Elias knows what Sami is doing: he’s trying to make his name off Elias. With WrestleMania on the way, we all know it is happening again. Elias knows that Sami knows the universal truth that Vancouver knows: WWE stands for “Walk With Elias!”
Sami says Elias should shut his mouth! Same for the fans. Sami and Cesaro know who Elias is and what he stands for, but who they hell does he think he is? He’s interrupting the highly anticipated protest concert! Well that’s why Elias is here. Elias is staging his counter protest concert. Oh, really? On any other night, Sami would use his security guards throw Elias out, and roughly. But if Elias wants to get something off his chest, then fine! Security lets Elias pass so that he can join Sami in the ring. Sami is a fan of free speech, he wants Elias close enough to hear this song, because the song is about Elias. Well in that case, okay.
Sami strums his ukulele and Cesaro drums on the cowbell but fans sing for Elias instead. Classic Seven Nation Army style, too. Elias likes it. Sami tells them to shut up but the fans boo instead. This is a protest, so show some respect! Okay try again. From the top. Sami and Cesaro play, but Cesaro pushes the tempo a bit. Way less cowbell, man, sorry. Fans chant for cowbell as Sami strums. Cesaro tosses the cowbell away instead. Sami focuses on his ukulele and Cesaro gently claps along. But Vancouver continues to sing for Elias instead. Sami says that if they don’t shut up, the concert is over. Fans like that! Oh you think this is a joke?! “YES! YES!” The only joke are the Canucks numbers hanging in the rafters!
Elias steps up to defend the hometown hockey team, but Cesaro attacks! Elias and Cesaro brawl, but Sami has the mic stand! The distraction gives Cesaro an opening! But here comes BRAUN! Braun Strowman storms his way out and BARRELS through security! Cesaro and Sami bail out and run away, and more security gets steamrolled! Sami gets caught! A guard goes after Strowman and Cesaro gets Sami to safety. The guard runs but Elias is there to clobber him! Elias gives Strowman a hand in TOSSING the guard onto everyone else! The Monster Among Men and The Drifter shut down the Great Liberator’s whining, but will Team Sami #GetTheseHands and #WalkWithElias?
Backstage interview with Naomi.
She gets this off her chest: she is sick and tired of Bayley’s mess! What happened to Mella is on Bayley. But Naomi wants her own shot, because the Glow is real, and SHE is the next SmackDown Women’s Champion. Will both Mella and Naomi make a date for Super Showdown?
Mandy is waiting.
Where is Otis? Hopefully he makes it before the show is over!
BREAKING NEWS for Super Showdown!
History will be made when one woman faces Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship in Saudi Arabia! But with two worthy challengers, next week’s SmackDown will have a #1 Contender’s match! Will the FABULOUS Princess #FeelTheGlow? Or will Naomi learn why #MellaIsMoney?
SmackDown quickly recaps the timeline of Otis x Mandy.
A Christmas ham and a kiss on the cheek led to a New Year’s fruitcake with real fruit, and a longing for more. Otis would save Mandy from bad landings on more than one occasion, such as during the Women’s Royal Rumble match. Friends couldn’t understand it, and foes hated on it, but Dozer is the one having a Valentine’s Day Date with God’s Greatest Creation tonight. Otis has trained both physically and mentally. He’s ready for love, but is the world ready?
Otis finally arrives at the restaurant.
He asks if the concierge has seen a “beautiful peach.” He’s directed right inside. Otis does one last breath check and it’s good to go. He slicks his hair back, but still hesitates. Mandy checks her menu, but the man who finds her first isn’t Otis, but Dolph Ziggler! Otis turns the corner to see Ziggler sitting with Mandy and ordering wine! Otis drops the roses as his heart drops in his chest. Will Mandy be able to explain the misunderstanding? Or will she choose the Show-Off in the end instead?
The Miz & John Morrison VS Roman Reigns & ???
The Hollywood A-Lister and Guru of Greatness egged on The Big Dog online, and they have mics to talk smack on The Usos. What did Jimmy & Jey say? “Welcome to the Uso Penitentiary!” Fast forward and the wardens aren’t here. How long were they back? A month tops, and now their big cousin has to fight their battles for them. Love him or hate him, The Miz has been here! Don’t boo Miz! Morrison is also here every night since he’s been back for a month, but he’s showing everyone what they were missing these last 8 years. Everyone finds out again that Miz and Morrison are the greatest tag team of the 21st Century! Cue dramatic look off in the distance.
But here comes The Big Dog himself! Who did Roman get to be his partner tonight? It’s… Daniel Bryan! The Goat has teamed with Roman before, and still generally dislikes The Miz, so this makes a lot of sense! But wait, Baron Corbin is here?! As a fan, since he has a ticket in his hand. There was nothing the WWE management said about him being barred from the crowd. Will Corbin cause any problems for Roman when SmackDown returns?
SmackDown returns as the match is already underway. Morrison has Roman in a headlock as fans rally and duel. Roman powers out and runs Morrison over with a shoulder! Morrison gets back up and the two circle. They tie up but Morrison kicks away on Roman’s leg. Morrison wrenches to a wristlock but Roman LARIATS his way out! Corbin is not impressed as he sits front row. Roman headbutts Morrison to the corner and rams his shoulder in! Roman ROCKS Morrison with an uppercut then tags in Bryan. Fans love Bryan as Roman whips him in for a dropkick! Bryan drags Morrison out for European Uppercuts, then he decks Miz just because!
Bryan goes after Morrison again with big haymakers then whips corner to corner. Morrison reverses, Bryan goes up and over then keeps moving. Bryan ducks to DIVE out onto Miz! Then he hits Morrison with a forearm and climbs up top. Bryan leaps for a missile dropkick! And a kip up! Fans fire up with Bryan and he feeds off the “YES! YES!” to give Yes Kicks! Morrison keeps sitting up, Bryan keeps kicking him. BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Morrison crawls away to his corner but Bryan throws EuroUppers. Bryan bumps Morrison on buckles then puts him up top. Fans rally as Bryan climbs and SUPER STEINERS! Morrison writhes to his corner, Bryan runs in but Morrison slides out then in then around to body scissor Bryan out!
Morrison distracts the ref so Miz can RAM Bryan into barriers! Fans boo and Roman comes around to get at Miz but Miz stays back. Corbin talks trash at Roman, and Miz clobbers Roman down! Morrison FLIES out and over the post onto Roman and Bryan! Corbin talks trash again as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again as Miz keeps Bryan away from the tag! Morrison tags in, instead, and a classic combo returns as Miz catapults Bryan into Morrison’s BIG forearm! Morrison then slingshots to elbow drop Bryan across Miz’s knees! Cover, TWO! Roman is ready but Morrison keeps on Bryan with a grounded cobra clutch. Corbin applauds Morrison as he grinds Bryan down and throws punches. Bryan fights his way up and jawbreakers free! Morrison BOOTS Bryan down! Tag to Miz, and they double whip Bryan. Bryan holds ropes and dumps Morrison out! Bryan throws hands on Miz but Miz knees low to throw Bryan over. But Bryan lands on his feet to climb up top! Miz trips Bryan in time, and then taunts Roman.
Miz goes back to Bryan and climbs up top. Bryan resists the superplex and slips under to trip Miz up! Miz falls backwards but Morrison tags in. Miz holds Bryan even while in the Tree of Woe. Morrison sucker punches Roman then fireman’s carries Bryan. Morrison pops Bryan around for a SPINE BUSTER to SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Morrison keeps his cool as he stays between Bryan and Roman. Morrison drags Bryan to a drop zone and climbs up top. Fans boo as Morrison poses and leaps, but the 450 FLOPS! Both men are down and crawling for their corners as fans rally up. Hot tags to Miz and Roman!
Roman rallies on Miz with big lariats! Roman whips, Miz reverses but Roman hits the leaping lariat! An uppercut ROCKS Morrison, then Miz runs in to get point-blank clotheslines! Roman goes all the way up to 10, then runs to BOOT Miz down! Fans fire up as Roman goes to a corner. Roman locks ‘n’ loads, takes aim as Miz rises, but Miz gets around! Full nelson but Roman throws Miz off! Morrison tags in, Roman uppercuts Miz, FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO! Corbin is getting frustrated watching this but Morrison runs to SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Morrison drags Roman to a drop zone and goes up, but Roman school boys! TWO and a dead lift, but Morrison fights free! Morrison springboards, into a SUPERMAN PUNCH!
Fans fire up again as Roman fires up in the corner. Roman lets out the battle cry, but runs into a kick! Miz tags in and full nelsons, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, but Bryan breaks it! Bryan runs to dropkick Morrison out! Bryan builds speed but runs into Miz’s BOOT! Miz parodies the Yes Movement, fans chant “NO! NO!” but Miz runs corner to corner, to get a SUPERMAN PUNCH! “OOAH~!” SPEAR!! Cover, Roman & Bryan win!!
Winners: Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan, by pinfall
But Baron Corbin attacks, and with his scepter! The Lone Wolf King defies WWE’s decree, but chances are all he’ll have to pay is another fine. But will Roman make him pay in interest when they have a Super Showdown Steel Cage match?
My Thoughts:
This was a very interesting episode of SmackDown, mostly when you consider there were only THREE MATCHES on the card! The show still passed by rather quickly, but I’m just surprised they only gave us this much on what felt like a pretty big night. A Moment of Bliss and the SmackDown Women’s Championship match were great openings, but I was pretty sure Bayley was going to retain. What is pretty big is that we’re getting another women’s match in Saudi Arabia, and for the title. Next week’s Carmella VS Naomi match should be a lot of fun, but it is very interesting that they might get Naomi VS Bayley out of the way with Super Showdown. It makes me wonder what the SmackDown title plan for WrestleMania will be now.
Sheamus gets a Face reaction from Vancouver, but that’s usually what you get when even a Heel faces two men that aren’t actually that much smaller than him. If it was Gable and someone else Gable’s size, or the Lucha House Party, Sheamus wouldn’t look as Face. The segment Elias had with Sami and Cesaro went a little long, but some of that is because they were reveling in the Vancouver fans singing. I almost thought we were going to get a tag match of Elias & Strowman VS Cesaro & Shinsuke, but maybe that’s next week in the go-home to Super Showdown that could even set up an Intercontinental Championship story for Elimination Chamber. I still want the midcard titles to be in that Chamber, so just throw Gable and Sheamus in on top of Strowman, Elias, Cesaro and Shinsuke, and there you go.
The development with Otis and Mandy tonight was actually how I expected this to go, but Otis does a good job playing up the emotion so that it makes you feel for him. Otis VS Ziggler is going to happen, and win or lose the match, Otis has to win the girl. It’ll be the most heartwarming story WWE has done in a long time if it happens. Bray interrupting Hogan this week like he did Goldberg last week, this is some good stuff. And for a moment, I thought Roman’s mystery partner was going to be Cena to completely bust the announcement, but no. Bryan made a great choice overall, for in-ring ability and story with Miz, and we should’ve guessed Corbin would be here somehow. Corbin still gets Heel heat as we head for Super Showdown, but I’m just waiting for this to be over.
My Score: 8.1/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will the landscape change again?
Eddy Thorpe keeps prodding and provoking Oba Femi, so he gets his last chance at the NXT Championship! Will Eddy truly be the alpha of NXT?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey; wins and
- NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland; wins and
- NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to the scheduling choices of KVIA2 CW (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of NXT will not begin until 9PM Eastern]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXTÂ and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Hockey (and Sports) Talk- Age Is Just a Number [011425]
The guys discuss Alex Ovechkin making more history plus a recap of the CFP Semi-Finals and much more.
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Wildcard Weekend
Dave Wortz joins the show this week as we breakdown the NFL's Wildcard Weekend!
Hockey (and Sports) Talk- Time 4 A Cool Change [010725]
The guys discuss the CFP Quarterfinals and how Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's record this season now appears very likely.
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Who Is Your NFL MVP?
Join Rey Cash, Andrew Balaz and PC Tunney as they cover which way exactly the oblong ball bounces from week...
Bandwagon Nerds #272: Nerdosity
The Nerds discuss the MCU including Captain America, Daredevil, Avengers, and Vision Quest. Plus, the Switch 2 is official and...
Bandwagon Nerds #271: Jack Quaid aka Jack Paid
The Nerds review 2024 and reveal their choices for the best of the year in categories such as best series,...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (1/11/25)
Setting the Brackets!
Bandwagon Nerds #270: Deathgrass & Rainbows
The Nerds return to the Trailer Park, address some rumors about Half-Life 3 and the MCU, and discuss Jason Mamoa...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (12/31/24)
History comes full circle!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/21/25)
NXT stacks the gold!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/20/25)
WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Classic POD is WAR: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice… Goldberg
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (1/18/25)
The carnage continues!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: RAW, TNA & AEW
We've got a little bit of everything this week. With DJ out on assignment, Rob and Jason bring you ALL...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/17/25)
Will Tiffy Time be cut short?
DWI Podcast #459: RIP Mr. Baseball Bob Uecker
DP and PC run down a plethora of topics from RAW and SmackDown as we head towards the Royal Rumble.
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25
The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let's see what happens!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (1/16/25)
Stir it up!
