Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (3/4/2020)
It’s Steel Cage Night at Full Sail!
NXT doubles down on the Steel Cage grudge matches!
Roderick Strong VS Velveteen Dream, Dakota Kai VS Tegan Nox. Two big grudges within NXT, and they’re both being settled inside a steel cage! Who walks out and who is left behind?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Steel Cage: Dakota Kai VS Tegan Nox; Kai wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifier: Shotzi Blackheart VS Chelsea Green w/ Robert Stone; wins and advances to the TakeOver: Tampa Ladder match.
- Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS The Undisputed Era; The Undisputed Era wins.
- Austin Theory VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott; Theory wins.
- Steel Cage: Roderick Strong VS Velveteen Dream; Strong wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Steel Cage: Dakota Kai VS Tegan Nox!
This started at NXT TakeOver: WarGames III, and it escalated in Portland. “Captain Kota” and the Cardiff Comeback Kid kick things up to another level! Does the carnage conclude with the cage?
Raquel Gonzalez still accompanies Dakota to the ring despite the cage keeping her out of the ring. But will she still be a factor in this rematch?
The bell rings and fans are dueling already. Most of them are on Tegan’s side but that doesn’t matter to her and Dakota as they get face to face. Tegan starts throwing forearms! Dakota shoves and gives them back! Tegan gives Dakota a SPINE BUSTER and then some ground ‘n’ pound! Dakota pushes back but Tegan throws body shots and haymakers. Tegan brings Dakota up but Dakota shoves her at the steel. Tegan stops herself, then catches Dakota’s arms. She sweeps the legs then runs but Dakota avoids the Shiniest Wizard. Dakota grabs Tegan by the hair to throw, but Tegan stops herself again! Tegan scowls as she elbows Dakota away.
Tegan goes up top and leaps for a big crossbody! And then fast hands! Dakota can barely cover up as Tegan clubs away from all sides. Cover, ONE, and Tegan scowls at Dakota as she goes to a corner. Tegan back elbows Dakota in the corner then snapmares for a European Uppercut to the back! Cover, TWO! Tegan drags Dakota up but Dakota hits back. Fans rally and duel as Dakota brings Tegan up and bumps her off buckles. Dakota grinds her boot in and pushes her to the steel. She stomps Tegan down into the corner and Raquel applauds, but fans boo. Dakota digs a knee in and chokes Tegan on the ropes. Dakota stalks Tegan and bumps her off more buckles. And again! Cover, TWO!
Dakota grows frustrated as Tegan gets back up. Fans rally again but Dakota grinds her foot into Tegan. Raquel is there to taunt Tegan through the steel. Dakota drags Tegan up but Tegan throws body shots. Tegan hits a running EuroUpper in the corner! Cover, TWO! Tegan hits another EuroUpper then another, then another! The train keeps going, and Tegan hits a fourth! Dakota sits down, Tegan CANNONBALLS! Tegan drags Dakota up but Dakota throws Tegan into the steel! Fans cheer and boo as Tegan is down, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Dakota paces as she watches Tegan writhe. Dakota grinds her boot into Tegan again, pressing her into the steel. She lets up to then drag Tegan around to throw into the other wall! And grinds her boots in again! Raquel taunts Tegan right to her face until Tegan slips away. Dakota stalks Tegan and kicks her while she’s down. Cover, TWO, and Dakota is frustrated. Dakota rains down rights on Tegan over and over, then goes for a corner. Tegan anchors Dakota’s foot but Dakota knocks her away. Dakota brings Tegan up to throw into yet another wall of the cage! Dakota stomps and grinds Tegan down, but Tegan still anchors her foot. Tegan won’t let Dakota go to the door so Dakota stomps and clubs her more.
Dakota drags Tegan up but Tegan fights back! Tegan clubs Dakota down then flounders her way to the door! The door opens but Raquel is watching. Dakota hurries up to stomp and ax kick Tegan down! Dakota covers, TWO! #KingKota is getting frustrated, and she brings Tegan back up. Tegan blocks the fourth wall hitting, so Dakota LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Tegan flounders but Dakota scuffs her face. Dakota keeps toying with Tegan but Tegan grabs the leg! Tegan rocks Dakota then scoops, but Dakota slips out to shove. Tegan drops down and Dakota sends herself flying into the steel! NXT returns as fans rally up again.
Tegan slowly stands and looms over Dakota. Now Tegan throws Dakota into steel! And again! And again! Tegan’s evened things up on that end and Raquel panics! Tegan stomps aaway on Dakota as fans cheer for “NXT! NXT!” Raquel shouts at Tegan but Tegan shots back! Tegan glares and hits Dakota into steel with a EuroUpper! Fans chant “You Deserve It!” at Dakota as Tegan comes back around. Tegan snampares and covers, TWO! Tegan drags Dakota up and scoops for a Fall Away bridge! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and Raquel seethes, but Tegan heads for the door. Raquel is there again, and Dakota drags Tegan back. Scorpion Kick! Then KAI-ROPRACHTOR!! Cover, TWO!!
Fans cheer, Raquel is shocked and Dakota is furious! Dakota heads for the corner but Tegan grabs the knee brace! Tegan gets Dakota in a cradle, TWO! HEADBUTT! That rocks both women, and Tegan gets herself to ropes. Tegan climbs those, to then climb the cage! Raquel shouts at Dakota to get going but Tegan’s already up top! Dakota scrambles up and catches up to club Tegan back down! Tegan choke grips to SUPER CHOKE SLAM Dakota!! Raquel is freaking out as Tegan looks down at Dakota. Tegan hesitates on what to do next, and by the time she starts to climb, Dakota is back up! Dakota YANKS Tegan down to the mat!
Dakota KICKS Tegan against ropes, and again! She brings Tegan up to put in a corner and goes corner to corner, but Tegan follows to EuroUpper! Tegan runs corner to corner but Dakota goes Around the World to BOOT!! Dakota goes again but Tegan follows with another CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and Raquel is relieved, but Tegan climbs! Tegan reaches the top already, but Raquel dares her to join her. Tegan stands on the very top, to SUPER CROSSBODY DAKOTA!! Fans cheer for “NXT! NXT!” again as both women are down! Raquel shouts at Dakota to get up but Tegan crawls for the door. “This is Awesome!” as Raquel SLAMS the door closed! She even smothers the ref so he can’t do anything!
Tegan stares in shock at Raquel as the referees reprimand the Daughter of the Desperado. Dakota runs in but Tegan moves, the boot sends the door into Raquel!! Dakota’s leg is stuck on the rope long enough for Tegan to SHINIEST WIZARD! Cover, TWO!?! Dakota survives?! Tegan is shocked but fans say try “One More Time!” Dakota stirs and Tegan heads for the door! But Raquel is back! Raquel storms into the ring, grabs Tegan, but Tegan enziguris! The ref reprimands Raquel as she wobbles in the doorway. Tegan goes up the wall, reaches the top, and hurries down, but Dakota is climbing up! Dakota claws at Tegan’s hair to bring her back! Tegan BOOTS Dakota down!
Tegan sees Raquel is back up, and she’s dragging Dakota out! Dakota’s in the doorway so Tegan KICKS the DOOR! The door slams on Dakota’s leg!! Payback from WarGames! But then Raquel uses the door to trap Tegan!! Dakota scrambles out, Dakota wins!!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by escape
Raquel is ALWAYS a factor! Tegan would’ve won several times over if Dakota didn’t have her new sidekick. Is this feud far from over?
Finn Balor speaks.
“Chess has always been a game of actions and reactions.” Balor has always made the first move. But he thanks Imperium for last week. They’ve forced his hand. Walter is not going to like Balor’s reaction. “See you sooner than you think.”
NXT and Rhea Ripley visit Raymond James Stadium ahead of WrestleMania 36.
Home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and now the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers, this stadium will also be where the NXT Women’s Championship makes history by joining the WrestleMania card. The Aussie Nightmare feels honored to be part of such history. She takes a look around, and can’t get over the sheer size. She started wrestling in front of 50 people, maybe even less. A dream is coming true and it humbles Rhea. Rhea’s dream has been to help others, but she had to first help herself find who she was.
When Rhea first came to WWE, people were all saying that she was a lot like Charlotte Flair. So since then, she made sure she would stand out differently from Charlotte. Ric Flair would say, “To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man,” aka to be the best, you must beat the best. Charlotte is certainly one of the best, and while Rhea doesn’t know what’ll happen, she knows Tampa will erupt seeing that match. Rhea vows to beat the best to become the best, but will the Riptide fail to capsize the Queen?
NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifier: Shotzi Blackheart VS Chelsea Green w/ Robert Stone!
When NXT takes over Tampa, there will be a major ladder match to determine a challenger for the winner of Ripley VS Flair! But while Shotzi wants to #TCB, Take Care o’ Business, the Robert Stone Brand’s top (and only) client wants to prove she is the new face of the women’s division. Who punches their ticket for Tampa here tonight?
The bell rings and Shotzi ties up with Green. Green waistlocks but Shotzi bucks her off. Shotzi kicks but Green blocks it, only for Shotzi to use it to roll Green down, Shotzi gets the leg but Green pushes her away. Fans sing as Shotzi trips Green and grabs both legs. Shotzi shouts out Jeff Hardy with the leg splitting leg drop! Shotzi runs, Green ducks down, and things speed up. Green Japanese arm-drags Shotzi but Shotzi does a normal arm-drag. Shotzi runs and shouts out Mark Andrews with the slide under to then enziguri Green down! Green is on the ropes, Shotzi runs, but Green moves as Shotzi jumps! Shotzi ends up on the ropes and Green gives her a draping backstabber! Cover, TWO!
Green drags Shotzi up as fans rally, and Shotzi throws body shots. Green whips and back elbows then forearms Shotzi. Shotzi dodges the next shot but not the boot! Cover, TWO! Green drags Shotzi up again but Shotzi pushes out to fire off strikes! Shotzi rocks Green to a corner then hoists her up top. Shotzi climbs up but Green pushes her down! Green leaps to missile dropkick! Shotzi ends up on the apron and Green heads over to drag her through the ropes. Green brings Shotzi around, underhooks for the UNPRETTIER! Or as she calls it, the “I’M PRETTIER!” Cover, Green wins!
Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall (advances to the NXT TakeOver: Tampa Ladder match)
The Hot Commodity is bringing the Robert Stone Brand to Tampa! Will she make the brand a contender in the near future?
NXT receives another cryptic message.
A clock, the desert, vultures and crows. A road sign that says “THE END IS NEAR.” Explosions, an eclipse and the apocalypse. Who or what is coming to NXT?
Keith Lee is here!
The NXT North American Champion returns, with the list of contenders already filling back up just a few weeks after TakeOver: Portland. Fans sing for Keith as he gets himself a mic. “Greetings and salutations, you are now conversing with the Limitless One, Keith Lee.” And ever since he became the North American Champion, many men have invoked his name. The one that wants to fight forever, Dominik Dijakovick. The one that wants to live forever, Damien Priest. Keith gives Priest some credit for taking the initiative against Dijakovic, but- Wait, here comes Cameron Grimes! The Carolina Caveman has his own mic as he swaggers down the ramp.
“You don’t need to be talkin’ about Priest. And you don’t need to be talkin’ about Dijakovic.” Keith needs to talk about Cameron Grimes. Fans troll Grimes with chants of, “No One Likes You!” But Grimes points out how he caved in Dijakovic’s chest last week. Did Keith not see that? It took Keith 20 minutes to beat Dijakovic, didn’t it? Fans boo but Keith has them calm down so he can speak. “Well done, you’ve made the gravest mistake of your career.” Grimes speaks up about that time comparison. Fans boo more but Grimes soaks it up. Keith has the fans quiet down but Grimes just riles them up again. Keith gets what Grimes is pointing out but why is Grimes here now?
Grimes says some would say that the TakeOver match was a five-star match. But William Regal gave Grimes a shot at Keith and the North American Championship. Everyone will realize that this is Grime Time! But Keith pushes Grimes out of the ring! If Grimes wants his match, one star, five star, and everywhere in between, then it’ll be an equal opportunity ass whooping! Will Grimes be made to #BaskInHisGlory? Or can he pull off a shocking upset this close to WrestleMania Weekend?
NXT Media caught up with Austin Theory earlier today.
Austin Theory says it’s crazy to think how he’s one of the greatest in history already. At 22, he pushed a former NXT Champion to the limits. They might as well start rewriting the history books now! The North American Championship, the tag team championships, and- Isaiah “Swerve” Scott came over, laughing at how Theory thinks he’s the greatest already. “Boy, you only got about four matches in you.” But confidence is good. Swerve has confidence, too. How about Swerve and the young “GOAT” go 1v1? Theory tells Swerve to go ask Regal about that.
The Undisputed Era huddles up backstage.
Adam Cole tells reDRagon are going to “teach Oney and Danny a freakin’ lesson.” Then Roderick Strong ends the Velveteen Dream once and for all! Tonight is the Undisputed Era’s night! But will that really be the case?
Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS The Undisputed Era!
The BritAm Brawlers have had incredible encounters with Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish before, such as TakeOver: Chicago a few years ago. But will this be another barn burner on the way to Tampa and the Broserweights?
The teams sort out and Fish starts against Oney. Oney and Fish circle and tie up. Fish waistlocks but Oney pries free as fans rally and duel. Oney CHOPS but Fish throws a forearm. Oney CHOPS again, so Fish kicks. They go back and forth now, CHOP for kick. Oney throws EuroUppers and rocks Fish, but Fish back elbows Burch! Kyle shouts at Oney but gets rocked for it! Kyle and Fish regroup as Burch and Oney do the same. Fans want to see a fight! Fish forearms Burch, Oney CHOPS Fish, but Kyle blocks a kick for Fish to sweep the legs. Burch ROCKS Kyle with that right, but Kyle kicks from the mat. Fish knees Burch down, but Oney unleashes CHOPS on reDRagon!
Kyle grabs an arm, Fish body shots, but Burch saves Oney from the double suplex. Burch HEADBUTTS Kyle ad Oney EuroUppers Fish. The Undisputed Era regroups as fans duel. Oney goes out to DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTER! Full Sail is fired up with the Fury of 205 as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Fish throws forearms on Oney. Oney feeds off them to power up! Fans fire up with Oney as he CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Fish! Fish knees back then snapmares Oney. Fish slingshots out then in but drops onto knees! Fans rally as Oney and Fish head for their corners. Fish tags Kyle and Kyle anchors Oney! Oney still makes the tag! The Governah rallies with fast hands on Kyle! And EuroUppers! Burch whips to clothesline and snapmare and cutter! Fans fire up as Kyle flounders about. Burch storms over but is sent out. Kyle tags Fish and Fish goes after Burch. Burch ROCKS Fish and enziguris Kyle. Burch gets in to throw hands on Kyle, but Fish runs Burch over with an elbow!
Fish drags Burch up and puts him in the Undisputed Corner to throw body shots. Tag to Kyle and Kyle adds his kicks and knees. Kyle snapmares to drop a knee! Cover, TWO! Burch reaches for Oney but Kyle stays between them. Burch throws body shots and jabs but Kyle fires off knees and kicks again! Kyle tags Fish and Fish drags Burch up for forearms. Fish throws hands at the ropes and then brings Burch up for kicks to the legs. Fish drags Burch up but Burch throws hands back. A knee and a sweep to the leg brings Burch down, and Fish tags Kyle. Kyle digs a knee into Burch then grounds ‘n’ pounds. He brings Burch up but Burch rocks him with a right! Fish reels Burch in and Kyle rams into Burch!
Tag to Fish and Fish mule kicks Burch. Fans duel as Fish brings Burch around for a snapmare to chinlock. Fish grinds Burch down but Burch endures. Burch fights his way up as fans rally. Burch throws body shots but fish knees low. Tag to Kyle and Kyle stomps Burch down before he reaches Oney. Kyle knees away but Burch throws forearms. Kyle gives the forearms back and they brawl! Burch rocks Kyle but Kyle trips him up! Burch can’t kick Kyle away but he heads for Oney all the same. Kyle reels Burch in for a big back suplex! Tag to Fish and Fish brings Burch up for a boot, Burch DECKS Fish on the return! Both men are down, crawling for their corners, and Fish tags Kyle.
Kyle hurries to anchor Burch, then reels him back in. Kyle tries another back suplex, but Burch makes it a crossbody! Both men flounder about, Burch ducks a boot to tag in Oney! Oney CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Then runs to EuroUpper! Fish gets in to get CHOPS and CHOPS! Kyle grabs Oney but Oney standing switches, HALF ‘N’ HALF! EuroUpper for Fish! Blockbuster for Kyle! Oney rocks Fish off the apron and then builds speed to FLY! Direct hit on reDRagon! Oney drags Fish up and in then adds Kyle. The Undisputed Era end up in opposite corners and Oney powers up. Fans rally as Oney begins the back elbow train! But he runs into TOTAL ANNIHILATION!! Cover, the Undisputed Era wins!
Winners: The Undusputed Era, by pinfall
Oney was running hot but got shut right down! The Undisputed Era get mics real quick. “Well, Bobby, I really love to win. It feels good to be back in our winning ways. But something feels weird.” Something’s wrong and Kyle can’t put his finger on it. Fish agrees, something’s missing. Where are the NXT Tag Team Championships? Fish remembers that those titles are with “some undeserving makeshift tag team, the Loserweights!” But guess what? Their patience has run thin! Adam Cole is taking care of business, Roddy Strong will shut the Dream’s mouth, and then- “Bro…!”
Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne are here! And bro, if reDRagon wants their rematch, Stallion Riddle is down. Stallion Pete is down. The stallions in the crowd are down! And the most majestic stallion of them all, William Regal, will want to see- But wait! The Grizzled Young Veterans blindside the Broserweights! Zack Gibson and James Drake throw Dunne down then mug Matt! Gibson throws Riddle into railing and then the GYV eye the titles. Gibson picks up a mic and shouts, “Listen up, dweebs! I could not care LESS about your rematch clause!” The GYV are not going to wait for Regal to chime in! As far as the NXT Tag Team Championships go, it is out with the old, and in with the GRIZZLED Young Veterans, SOON to be recognized as the world’s number one! Are Gibson and Drake making themselves the #1 contenders?
Austin Theory VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott!
Two men who have both evolved in their careers clash in NXT! Will Theory prove himself the greatest #AllDay? Or will he be realize that Full Sail is Swerve’s House?
The bell rings and fans are strongly behind Swerve. Swerve and Theory tie up, go around and Swerve wristlocks. Theory tries to chinbar but Swerve traps the arm and spins around to get a headlock. Theory pries out to a facelock then shifts to a headlock. Swerve powers out but Theory runs him over! Theory talks smack as Swerve gets back up. They circle and tie up again, and Swerve goes back to the wristlock. Swerve wrenches but Theory knees low and whips. Swerve reverses, Theory stops himself in the corner. Theory throws a back elbow but Swerve blocks it to waistlock and O’Conner rolls. Theory rolls through but Swerve goes Eddie Gordo to headscissor!
Fans fire up as Swerve dodges strikes to give strikes and dropkicks Theory to a corner! Theory runs back but into a lift! Swerve puts him in a corner, wrenches again, but Theory pulls hair. The ref reprimands but Theory clubs Swerve on the back. Swerve jumping sobats Theory down! Fans are fired up again as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Theory has Swerve in a clinch. Swerve throws body shots and CHOPS Theory back! Swerve runs in but misses his back elbow as Theory goes to the apron. Theory slingshots for a somersault shotgun dropkick! Theory grins as he covers, TWO! Swerve checks his chin and fans rally up but Theory kicks him while he’s down. Theory pushes Swerve around then slaps him in the corner. Theory chops Swerve then taunts Swerve in his face. Fans duel with “All Day!” “Not Today!” as Swerve pushes Theory back. Theory kicks but Swerve throws hands. The two start brawling fast and furious! Swerve ROCKS Theory then discus LARIATS!
Fans fire up as Swerve runs and uppercuts Theory! Swerve snapmares then hits the FLYING EuroUpper! Swerve gives sharp Yes Kicks to Theory and more as Theory stands! Kick after kick against the ropes then a whip, but Theory rolls. Swerve rolls to leap and COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives and Swerve grows frustrated. Swerve refocuses as he drags Theory back up. Swerve full nelsons but Theory resists. Theory trips Swerve up but Swerve kangaroo kicks! The huricanrana is blocked by Theory’s strength! Theory BUCKLE BOMBS Swerve! And then reels him in, crosses the legs, RP1 BRAINBUSTER! The figure four ushigoroshi hits, Theory covers, TWO!! Swerve survives and frustrates Theory.
Theory drags Swerve up again and underhooks. He pump handles and flips Swerve but Swerve slips out of Ataxia! Swerve bobs ‘n’ weaves but Theory back elbows hard! Theory reels Swerve in, Swerve frees himself to ROCK Theory back! Theory goes to the apron, Swerve runs corner to corner, but gets ROCKED with a left! Swerve staggers and Theory slingshots, the rolling thunder gets caught into an ARMBAR! Short Arm Scissor! Theory flails, endures, moves around but now it’s a triangle. Theory dead lifts but not for long, so he gets a ropebreak. Swerve won’t let go and has Theory’s other arm trapped! Shout out to the days at the Temple, with the ARM SNAPPER! Theory flails and writhes to the apron but Swerve shows no mercy!
Swerve stalks up to Theory, drags him over to the corner and brings him up. Theory claws Swerve’s face with his good eyes then sweeps the legs! Theory fireman’s carries Swerve, ATL TKO!! Cover, Theory wins!!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall
The Austin Theory Launch, the shout out to Atlanta, Georgia, brought Theory his first victory in NXT! Will this help Theory rocket into the stratosphere?
NXT shares Mauro Ranallo’s exclusive interview with Johnny Gargano.
Johnny Gargano himself requested the interview, and so he and Mauro sat in the WWE Performance Center just this afternoon. Mauro respects Gargano but wants to talk Portland and the attack on Tommaso Ciampa. Ciampa said he knows why, but the rest of the world does not. Can Gargano explain his actions?
“You want to know why, Mauro?” Does everyone remember that Gargano was the only one to show up at the red carpet premiere of Mauro’s documentary? That meant more to Mauro than Gargano will ever know. Gargano knows Mauro has a very important job in NXT. Mauro helps tell the stories. Mauro helps tell the world about everyone here. So who is Gargano? Mauro knows. “Johnny Wrestling. More heart than Valentine’s Day. Someone check that man’s DNA.” Gargano loves those lines. But is that all Gargano is? With all due respect, it isn’t about what Mauro thinks, but why Gargano did this. Why all the sneak attacks? Sneak attacks?! What sneak attacks!? “I looked that man in the eyes, okay?!” Gargano stared Ciampa in the eyes and saw what he needed to see.
Same goes for last week. That was no sneak attack when Gargano was wearing his powder blue sports coat! Mauro appreciates Gargano’s emotion, given what Gargano and Ciampa have been through. Gargano says that no one knows anything about them! No one knows what Gargano has actually been through, or what he’s seen, or what he’s felt. That’s why they’re talking. We all want to know. You want to know?! Fine, ask your questions. Mauro wants Gargano to have the opportunity to answer the very simple question: “Why?” Everyone knows why. Gargano gets in Mauro’s face about it, but calms down.
Gargano insists we all know why, but admitting to it would make Mauro a liar. Is he a liar?! No? Have they spoken since Portland? Did Mauro reach out to Gargano? NO. And it didn’t stop Mauro from calling him “Johnny Turncoat” on air, either! Mauro says it was in the moment. Oh everything’s about moments now, huh!? What about Gargano’s moment?! Mauro thinks he knows about Gargano but he doesn’t! Ciampa returns and fans chant, “Daddy’s Home!” Gargano wants Mauro to apologize for being a liar! Mauro backs out of the interview. What’s wrong?! No quips, Mauro!? Gargano takes the camera to say that if Ciampa knows why, then next week, they do things Gargano’s way. Just what more went down between the former friends for things to reach this point?
NXT brings out the gold next week!
We already know of Keith Lee VS Cameron Grimes for the NXT North American Championship, but there’s one more match made! William Regal gives reDRagon their rematch against the Broserweights! Who will end the night with the championships?
Steel Cage: Roderick Strong VS Velveteen Dream!
The Undisputed Era took things to a new level when they tried to break the Experience for good. But then the Experience escalated things when he used Strong’s wife and child as a way to toy with him. Now things have reached the point where the #StrongDreamRematch needs to be contained inside a cage! Will this be the end of the story? And who will have the happy ending?
NXT returns as Dream makes his entrance, followed by Strong’s. The moment Strong is in the ring, the brawl is on! The bell rings as Dream clubs away on Strong’s back, and then Strong trips Dream up. They brawl on the mat and end up in a corner as Dream has the ground ‘n’ pound. Strong gets up to club and CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Dream hits back and they keep brawling all around. Dream throws Strong but Strong keeps himself from hitting steel. Strong decks Dream then whips him at the cage. Dream uses that to get up and climb! Strong grabs the legs, Dream ax handles him down! Strong flounders to a corner but Dream throws haymakers.
Dream whips Strong corner to corner hard as fans rally and duel. Strong gets up but Dream fireman’s carries. Strong fights out and throws big forearms and elbows. Dream clobbers Strong back then boots him! Strong is on the ropes, Dream runs in but Strong sends Dream into steel! Dream writhes on the mat as Strong storms over. Strong rains down hands then drags Dream back up. Strong puts Dream in a corner to CHOP and CHOP again. Dream hits back with more haymakers but Strong ROCKS him! Strong back suplexes Dream high and hard then takes off the shirt to throw it at Dream. Strong drags Dream up to CHOP again! “You did this! YOU did this!” Dream leans on the ropes as Strong unleashes the endless forearms!
Strong runs side to side and back again, hitting Dream each time he passes! Dream manages to turn Strong’s momentum into the steel! Strong comes back but Dream back drops Strong into the wall! Both men are down but Marina Shafir appears! She feeds Strong a kendo stick! The ref reprimands Marina but Strong takes the weapon for his own as NXT goes picture in picture.
Strong uses the kendo stick to stand up and then he hobbles over. Dream ducks the swing to ROCK Strong with a right hand! Strong clubs Dream back but Dream pushes him away. Dream uses the stick to SMACK Strong on the back, then the front! Then the back again! Strong backs off, begging for mercy, but Dream swivels his hips at him. Strong kicks Dream low! Dream falls and Strong clubs Dream down with haymakers! Dream flounders around, Strong ROCKS him over the ropes! Strong brings Dream up to push him into the steel then punch and throw him. Strong drags Dream back up to put on the top rope. He climbs up to push Dream through the gap and then JAM him!
Dream sways up top but Strong drags Dream back. Strong clubs Dream into the Tree of Woe to then stomp away! Strong climbs up and over Dream to start climbing up! He is almost at the top, swivels at Dream, then continues up. But Dream sits up and LOW BLOWS! NXT returns to single picture as Dream moves aside for Strong to flop down. Strong crawls as Dream adjusts and stands up. Dream poses before leaping, but he catches a boot! Dream turns Strong for the Boston Crab! Strong endures, has the ropes but ropebreaks don’t work here! Dream makes Strong suffer but Strong turns and pries free. Strong gets Dream now and wants the Strong Hold! Dream holds the ropes for as long as he can but Strong stands on him to complete the turn!
Dream endures, comes so close to tapping, but he turns Strong around to sit on a cover! TWO and Dream hits ropes. Dream still lifts Strong, but Strong holds the ropes. Dream dumps Strong down to dropkick him into steel! Fans rally and duel again as Dream dropkicks Strong more! Dream fakes Strong out to then SUPERKICK Strong down! Strong sputters as Dream shouts for the door! Dream hurries over, but Strong yanks him into the steel! Strong grabs the kendo stick but walks into a mule kick! Dream has the stick but walks into a boot! And enziguri! Strong uses the stick as part of a pump handle for a BACKBREAKER!
Dream writhes as Strong staggers about. Strong climbs the steel again but Dream hurries after! Dream pantses Strong! Dream climbs up but Strong rams him into the steel! Strong and Dream wobble up top, and they start brawling! Body shots and haymakers, but Dream rakes Strong’s eyes! Dream climbs up, Strong grabs at him, and hits a SUPER OLYMPIC SLAM!! Both men land hard and fans rally up. Strong crawls over to cover, TWO!! Dream still lives and Strong is furious! Strong crawls towards the door but Dream gives chase. Dream drags Strong away and leap frogs, but Strong drags him back! Strong leaps to get to the door but Dream hurries after him! They fight at the doorway and Strong elbows Dream away. But he walks into DREAM VALLEY!
Dream gets Strong back up, ANOTHER Dream Valley Driver! Dream flounders to a corner, climbs up top, then the very top of the cage. But here comes the rest of the Undisputed era! They have weapons, Dream has to jumps back down! Dream grabs the kendo stick to SMACK Fish as he climbs up the steel! Dream hurries to stop Kyle on the corner, and smashes Kyle off the steel! SUPERKICK sends Kyle down! But Cole has gotten in, only for Dream to THROW him down! Strong heads for the door! Dream hurries after Strong, grabs his pants, but then realizes he has Adam Cole all to himself. He shoves Strong out!!
Winner: Roderick Strong, by escape
Strong wins but Dream locks himself in with the NXT Champion! He has a bigger target in mind now! Dream and Cole brawl! Dream throws Cole into the steel, sending Kyle down! Then into Fish! Strong is climbing up again but Dream SMACKS him down! Dream SMACKS Cole then SMACKS away on Strong! FLYING KENDO ATTACK on Cole! Dream takes the chair Fish brought, blocks Cole’s kick and then catapults Cole into Strong! Strong is in a Tree of Woe, DREAM VALLEY DRIVER onto the chair for Adam Cole!! Dream sacrificed the battle for a chance at winning the war! Dream picks up the NXT Championship, shows it off to strong, and then gives Cole a BELT SHOT! Will the Experience take over NXT and end the Undisputed Era’s prophecy?
My Thoughts:
This was a really good episode right here! The Steel Cages book-ending the episode was very logical, even if it kinda takes the drama away from one story by having it parallel the other. They at least did a good job of making things different enough between the two matches, though not completely. As I’ve said before, steel cage matches are very cliche by now, especially in the WWE. Raquel was of course a factor for Dakota VS Tegan, so this story is going to continue towards Tampa. Chances are someone will join Tegan’s side, and probably Candice LeRae since she’s almost always lumped into other stories. Dream VS Strong was great because it now leads us to Dream VS Cole for the NXT Championship. The build alone is going to be great for NXT this month.
Next week will also be great with the two title matches. Grimes gets his shot now because he’s definitely not winning. Tampa is definitely going to have Lee VS Priest, possibly even a Triple Threat with Dijakovic involved. The rematch of Broserweights VS reDRagon is going to be great, too, but I feel like Grizzled Young Veterans gets involved. O’Reilly & Fish got their win against Lorcan & Burch so that they can lose next week, and then we get Broserweights VS GYV for Tampa. At the same time, NXT has always done great by the Tag Team Division for the big TakeOvers, so we could easily get a Triple Threat here, too. Rhea’s promo with her visiting Raymond James Stadium was good hype for the NXT Women’s Championship, but it’s still too early to say who wins there.
Theory VS Swerve was a great “filler” match, and it was amazing for Theory to get his first NXT win here. Gargano’s interview promo was perfectly passionate and scary, it really adds something new to the DIY Civil War. Shotzi VS Green was a really good qualifier for the Tampa contender’s match. I can’t wait to see who else the put in that match, though I sense we’ll be seeing some usual suspects, such as Mia Yim or Xia Li. I hope we get the return of Io Shirai to NXT TV, it’d go a long way to assuring us she’s sticking around. At the same time, with Toni Storm no longer able to challenge for the NXT UK Women’s Championship while Kay Lee Ray is champion, I’d love to see her make a big splash in this match. Either way, that match is going to be a lot of fun.
My Score: 9.1/10
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!
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
