Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/15/2020)
Who backs up the Bro?
NXT soldiers on through crisis!
Matt Riddle is without his bro, but he must still defend the NXT Tag Team Championships! Who joins him against The Undisputed Era?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Finn Balor VS Fabian Aichner w/ Marcel Barthel; Balor wins.
- Aliyah VS Xia Li; Li wins.
- Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Group B: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Akira Tozawa; Tozawa wins.
- Tegan Nox VS Raquel Gonzalez w/ Dakota Kai; Nox wins.
- Dexter Lumis VS Tehuti Miles; Lumis wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Matt Riddle & ??? VS The Undisputed Era; Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher win, The Broserweights retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.
PLAY BY PLAY
Finn Balor VS Fabian Aichner w/ Marcel Barthel!
Just last week, the Prince told the Ring General that it is only a matter of time before he takes the NXT UK Championship. Balor’s war against Imperium continues here tonight, but can he eliminate the Italian tank from the board?
The bell rings and Aichner circles with Balor. They tie up and Balor waistlocks. Balor shifts to a headlock then a takeover. Aichner rolls to a cover, ONE, and Balor squeezes tighter. Aichner fights his way up and pries free to arm-drag Balor down. He drops knees on Balor’s arm but Balor headscissors back. Balor holds on as Aichner flails and kicks. Aichner moves around to pop out and get a headlock of his own. Balor endures as Aichner cranks back. They stand and Balor throws body shots. Balor waistlocks but Aichner standing switches. Aichner lifts but Balor prevents a slam. Aichner lifts again and TOSSES Balor to a corner! Barthel distracts Balor and Aichner attacks! He knees and stomps Balor down in the corner, then clubs him on the back.
Aichner whips but Balor reverses. Aichner sunset flips but Balor slips out to basement dropkick! Balor glares at Barthel before going after Aichner in a corner. Balor CHOPS and throws body shots on Aichner. The ref counts but Balor whips. Aichner reverses but Balor reverses back. Aichner goes up and over but Balor keeps up. Balor leaps, but Aichner catches him for a fireman’s carry! But Balor slips out to elbow drop DDT! Barthel lurks on the apron but the ref has him back off. Balor kicks Aichner while he’s down! Balor stomps away at the ropes but the ref backs him off. Barthel protests and Balor shouts at him. Balor runs and WRECKS Aichner into railing with a dropkick! The Prince aims his finger guns as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns as Balor cranks on Aichner’s arm. Aichner fights his way up but Balor arm-drags him back down. And again! Aichner gets up and pulls hair to put Balor on the ropes. Balor turns it around to arm-drag a third time! Barthel grabs Balor’s feet but Balor kicks him away! Balor elbows Aichner away then runs. Aichner scoops Balor for a BACKBREAKER! Aichner looms over Balor with the Imperium pose. Balor gets up but Aichner CLUBS him to a corner. Aichner keeps on Balor’s back with stomps but the ref backs him off. Aichner keeps his cool as he clubs Balor more. He whips Balor corner to corner hard! Balor hits buckles then mat, and Aichner talks trash.
Aichner toys with Balor now as he brings him back up. He puts Balor back in the corner to ram his shoulder in. Aichner then whips the other way just as hard! Balor is down but he refuses to quit. Aichner toys with Balor more, and CHOPS him in the corner! Balor turns it around to CHOP and fire off hands! Balor snapmares and Penalty Kicks! He wants another but Aichner blocks! Aichner gets up and CHOPS, to a kick and uppercut, and LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Balor lives but Aichner drags him up and into the bomb position. Balor slips out and trips Aichner to STOMP! Aichner gets up, to get a SLING BLADE! Barthel gets on the apron but Balor DECKS him! Aichner rolls Balor, TWO, to a dead lift POWERBOMB!
The ref checks on Aichner, but Barthel brings Balor out to throw a haymaker! Aichner goes out and runs at Balor, but Balor moves! Aichner knees only steel steps! Balor gives Barthel a SLING BLADE! Balor grits his teeth as he SHOTGUN DROPKICKS Barthel into barriers! That’s a message for Walter! But Aichner throws Balor into the apron! And then into the ring, for the TRIANGLE MOONSAULT FLOP!! Balor gives Aichner the SHOTGUN! Balor goes up top, COUP DE GRACE!! But that isn’t enough for Balor, he gives Aichner the 1916!! Cover, Balor wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
The Prince has taken down Alexander Wolfe and Fabian Aichner, and in a way he already took care of Barthel. Does Balor have a clear path to Walter and the NXT United Kingdom Championship?
NXT hears from Charlotte Flair.
“It feels good to call your shot.” A lot of people talk a big game, but The Queen backs it up. She will not apologize to Rhea Ripley for her own greatness. Winning the NXT Women’s Championship solidifies Charlotte’s legacy. Charlotte is going to dominate three different eras of WWE. Charlotte dominated the generation before her, from Natalya to Nikki Bella to Paige to Trish Stratus. The past five years have shown Charlotte is the most dominant woman in this generation, because she made her other Horsewomen tap out. Charlotte’s also beaten Alexa Bliss, Naomi, Carmella, as well as ended Asuka’s undefeated streak and left Ronda Rousey “a broken woman.” And now, the next generation.
For about the last year, all Charlotte has been hearing is how NXT’s current Women’s Division is the best on all three brands. She gives them the credit they deserve in winning Survivor Series. But Charlotte is coming back to run through the best division in the WWE. Rhea will pick up the pieces to come back for another match. Io Shirai is the #1 contender after that incredible ladder match. Candice LeRae is hungry as ever. But Charlotte has her eyes on Mia Yim. Mia was Charlotte’s first opponent in NXT. To see them both evolve since then to be back in NXT at the same time, Charlotte will be “generous.” And after that, William Regal can line them all up. After Charlotte beats them all, it will be fact that Charlotte is the Greatest Of All Time. But will The Queen truly reign over past, present and future?
Aliyah VS Xia Li!
NXT’s bougie and brash superstar took credit for the momentary injury that kept the spicy martial artist from competing a few weeks ago. Now they’ll finally get to settle things eye for an eye, and perhaps nose for a nose.
The bell rings and Xia BOOTS Aliyah down! Xia fires off furious palm strikes from all over, but Aliyah manages to get away. Aliyah flounders around as she complains, but Xia chases her. They go around the ring and back in, then Aliyah uses the ref as a shield! Aliyah then gets to the ropes and the ref keeps Xia back. Aliyah BOOTS Xia down now! Cover, ONE! Aliyah rams Xia into a corner then throws furious forearms from all sides! Aliyah is furious but Xia pushes her down! Xia runs, but into a screaming Thesz Press! Aliyah rains down hands then covers, TWO! Aliyah is losing her cool with the ref but she puts Xia in a chinlock. She digs a knee into Xia’s back but Xia endures. Xia fights her way up but Aliyah wrangles her back down.
Aliyah cranks on Xia more but Xia fights her way up. Xia throws Aliyah off, then rolls her up! ONE, and Aliyah ROCKS Xia with a right! Aliyah scoops but Xia slips out. Aliyah back kicks then whips Xia to a corner. Xia dodges and Aliyah hits buckles. Xia throws a forearm, then dodges to throw BIG palm strikes and a LARIAT! She BOOTS Aliyah over and over! Xia hits a big forearm smash then runs to shotgun dropkick! Aliyah is in a daze while Xia fires up. Xia runs to falling spin kick Aliyah down! Cover, Xia wins!
Winner: Xia Li, by pinfall
The spice was red hot and Aliyah got burned! Will Xia blaze her own trail to the title?
William Regal has made a decision on the NXT Cruiserweight Championship!
World circumstances are hard on everyone, but it has brought the Jordan Devlin Cruiserweight Championship World Tour to a screeching halt! The Irish Ace is not happy to hear this, but NXT is beginning an Interim Cruiserweight Championship Tournament tonight! In this round robin tournament, it will be Group A’s Kushida, Drake Maverick, Tony Nese and Jake Atlas, and Group B’s Isaiah “Swerve” Scot, Jack Gallagher, Akira Tozawa and the newest signing to NXT, El Hijo del Fantasma! A new NXT Cruiserweight Champion will be crowned, but who is setting themselves up as Devlin’s first target?
Matt Riddle makes a call.
“Stallion Pete, I don’t think you know how surprises work.” The Undisputed Era is supposed to be surprised, not Riddle. So who did Dunne get as his tag team partner? Bro, really? Wait, who is it? It seems we’ll all be surprised along with Riddle.
Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Akira Tozawa!
Group B is up first for this round robin format! Who gains the very important first win towards the tournament finals and the title?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach and feel out the grapple. Tozawa gives a testing kick then a big grin. They tie up and Tozawa waistlocks. Swerve traps an arm to drag Tozawa down to a cover. ONE, but Swerve keeps on Tozawa with a wristlock. Swerve wrenches but Tozawa flips, handsprings and whips to huricanrana! But Swerve handsprings through! Swerve rolls, goes Eddy Gordo and headscissors back! Tozawa backs off and now Swerve grins. Swerve goes after Tozawa’s arm but Tozawa CHOPS! Swerve CHOPS back! Tozawa shakes it off to CHOP again. Swerve CHOPS and Tozawa fakes him out to JAB! Swerve staggers and Tozawa throws haymakers. Tozawa runs, but into Swerve’s uppercut! Swerve runs but into Tozawa’s BOOT!
Swerve tumbles out but Tozawa goes to the apron. Tozawa takes his time as he stomps Swerve from above. Tozawa chokes Swerve on the ropes but lets off at 4. Swerve CHOPS back, so Tozawa throws a forearm. The two men brawl on the edge, but Tozawa throws Swerve down. Swerve stands, and just manages a no-hands STEINER! Tozawa crashes down as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns as Swerve grinds Tozawa down with a forearm to the neck. Swerve also has an arm trapped, but Tozawa fights his way up. Swerve clamps on with a chinlock but Tozawa throws elbows. Tozawa is free, then dumps Swerve out of the ring! He builds speed but Swerve moves. So Tozawa changes course to CANNONBALL into the barriers! Both men are down and writhing from the impact! The ref’s count begins and climbs to 5 before either man sits up. Tozawa puts Swerve in the ring at 7 then climbs up top. Tozawa leaps to missile dropkick Swerve down! Cover, TWO! Swerve grits his teeth but Tozawa drags him up. Swerve resists the fireman’s carry with elbows, then back suplexes. Tozawa lands on his feet, shoves Swerve and runs, to tilt-o-whirl into the IRON OCTOPUS!
Tozawa cranks on Swerve and brings him to a knee. Swerve fights out and pops Tozawa around, but Tozawa makes it a hanging dragon sleeper! Tozawa drags Swerve to the mat and cranks hard! Swerve gets free of the body scissors for only a moment as he turns around. Tozawa has a guillotine but again Swerve powers out with a BRAIN BUSTER! Both men are down but Swerve grits his teeth. Swerve stands first and drags Tozawa up. He begins the full nelson but Tozawa resists. Swerve clubs away on Tozawa’s back then lifts, but Tozawa victory rolls! TWO, and Tozawa kicks, spins, slides under and waistlocks! Swerve breaks free, trips Tozawa and rolls him, to a DEAD LIFT GERMAN of his own! HOUSE CALL!! Cover, TWO!?
Swerve can’t believe Tozawa survives! Swerve drags Tozawa to a corner and hoists him up top. He gets under Tozawa to push him up, but Tozawa kangaroo kicks back! Tozawa OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Swerve into buckles! Swerve staggers into the ROLLING ROUNDHOUSE! Tozawa heads up top with Swerve in the drop zone! He’s up top, for the SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Tozawa wins!!
Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall (improves to 1-0; Swerve drops to 0-1)
Incredible! The Stamina Monster had more than Swerve could give, and now has the first points on the board! Will the former Cruiserweight Champion return to that level now that he’s back in NXT?
On-stage interview with Tozawa.
How does he feel after that first big win? “I must keep fighting, keep winning. I will become Cruiserweight Champion again.” A simple but strong message. Who is up next in the round robin for the Stamina Monster?
NXT hears from El Hijo del Fantasma.
The second generation luchador from Mexico City, Mexico, is the son of THE Fantasma of lucha libre legend. He introduced his son to wrestling from a young age. And for the past 20 years, this Fantasma has been in the biggest companies and the best events all over Mexico. He could not think of a better way to debut in NXT than in the tournament to become the NEW NXT Cruiserweight Champion. Will Fantasma take over the Division from day one?
Tegan Nox VS Raquel Gonzalez w/ Dakota Kai!
Things would have been settled between the former Team Kick, if not for the Daughter of the Desperado interfering. From the Street Fight at TakeOver: Portland to the Steel Cage match months ago, to even just last week’s ladder match, Tegan loses because Dakota has Raquel. But will the devious duo work just as well when Raquel has Dakota in her corner?
The bell rings and Raquel rushes Tegan. Tegan gets around to waistlock but Raquel is too much to lift. Raquel breaks free and lifts Tegan with one arm! Then she runs Tegan over with a shoulder! Raquel drags Tegan up to again lift with one arm! And again run her over with a shoulder. Raquel whips and scoops Tegan for a backbreaker, then dumps her off to push around. Dakota and Raquel both taunt Tegan, but Tegan ducks a clothesline, only to get CLOBBERED! Raquel wants Tegan to show the world what it’s like to give up. She pulls on Tegan’s hair and hooks her face! She counts along with the ref to let go at 4. Tegan pushes Raquel but Raquel drags her up to hold up with body hands! But Tegan victory rolls, only for Raquel to dead lift and CLOBBER!
Raquel drags Tegan up to throw into the corner. Raquel stomps away, then whips Tegan to the other corner! Tegan hits buckles hard and flops to the mat. Raquel stalks over but Tegan SLAPS her! Tegan bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP and throw forearms! Raquel blocks and reverse the whip to send Tegan into buckles again. Then back the other way! Raquel runs in, blocks the boots, and clubs away on Tegan on the top rope! The ref reprimands as Raquel pulls hair. He backs Raquel off, but Dakota BOOTS Tegan down! Cover, TWO!! But wait, Shotzi Blackheart his here?! And she takes Dakota down! Raquel grabs Shotzi and drags her up to choke grip. But Tegan rolls Raquel up, and wins!!
Winner: Tegan Nox, by pinfall
Dakota has a sidekick, and now so does Tegan! The wild child helps the girl with the Shiniest Wizard get even! Will they both give Dakota and Raquel what they deserve?
NXT takes a closer look at Keith Lee.
At just 20 years old, he made the decision to pursue pro-wrestling. His family didn’t want that, and even kicked him out of the house. We’ll hear more of this story and #BaskInHisGlory after the break.
NXT returns as Lee looks back on his journey to becoming Limitless. This started 30 years ago, “at the oh so tender age of 5.” His grandmother introduced him to the sport. The von Erichs, the Freebirds, Macho Man and more. Then when he turned 20, the decision was made. Lee’s father despised the idea of Lee having to start from the bottom, especially when Lee had such a promising football career. But Lee left that behind, stole his own car to drive five hours to work with Mick Foley. Lee was homeless for a time after that. He has sacrificed everything to make this work. For the next 13 years, Lee was told “No” here and there, was criticized for how he looked and how he wrestled. And yet, look where he is now. Lee is where the world’s best are, and he is a standout!
Lee opened the eyes of the WWE Universe, and now there is something in the air about the Limitless One. The year of 2020 began with Lee’s first championship win! Things have come full circle. This could’ve gone completely the other direction. You either give up, or get on the grind. That is what it means to be Limitless. And you ain’t seen nothing yet! What more will Keith Lee accomplish in NXT?
Dexter Lumis VS Tehuti Miles!
The eerie eyes of Lumis have returned to leer and peer into our souls. What will he see when his thousand yard stare fixates upon Miles?
The bell rings and Tehuti wonders if anyone’s home inside Lumis’ head. They tie up and Lumis CLUBS Tehuti right down! And again! Lumis looms over Tehuti then drags him around by his hair to BOUNCE off the mat. Lumis clamps on with a chinlock then throws a clubbing crossface forearm! He pulls Tehuti up but Tehuti fights Lumis off! Tehuti dropkicks Lumis, and again! Lumis flounders on ropes and Tehuti goes after him. He throws a big uppercut, but runs into a SPINE BUSTER! Lumis slithers and stalks Tehuti to then drag him up by his hair again. Lumis stands Tehuti up to then lift for the SIT-OUT URENAGE! And the arm-triangle! Tehuti taps, Lumis wins!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission
The Anaconda Vice has been reborn through the dangerous Dexter Lumis! Will he swallow up the entire NXT roster, one target at a time?
Adam Cole speaks.
“Aww, Velveteen. You didn’t actually think I was going to show up there tonight, did you?” Cole will explain this again: Dream does NOT deserve a shot at the NXT Championship. Things have been twisted, but the fact is, Cole is very nice. Cole wants to protect reality. He isn’t worried about “unimportant, childish dreams of other people.” Cole is focused on taking care of things. And the reality is, there is NOBODY in NXT or even the WWE that deserves a shot at Cole’s NXT Championship. There are more important things to focus on, such as regaining the NXT Tag Team Championships. Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish WILL take back those titles, and then The Undisputed Era will be that much closer to being whole. And that is, well, you know the rest.
The Velveteen Dream goes on stage!
The Experience surely wants to respond to everything Cole just said, so he walks out and grabs a mic. “Typical Adam Cole.” No showing Dream, leaving him all alone in this big building, and for what? To play more video games? Cole is obviously “busy” with video messages. Does Cole believe the worlds that come out of his own mouth? Dream thinks highly of Cole. Dream knows Cole sees himself as a mastermind, as a leader. But Dream knows Cole is just the last remaining champion of the Undisputed Era. Cole is arguably the greatest NXT Champion, because he is the longest reigning champion. But in the end, Dream wants Cole to remember this, “Baybay.” #DreamOver.
But wait, Balor walks up behind Dream! Dream is admittedly shocked. Balor says he doesn’t know Dream, but he doesn’t like Dream. And up to this point, Balor hadn’t bothered to speak to Dream. So when Dream talks about the greatest NXT Champion of all time, you’re looking at him. “So be careful. Because ignorant comments will get you a date with The Prince.” Dream actually likes the sound of that. Maybe Balor can pick Dream up next Wednesday. The champion stays home, but Dream and Balor are going to work! Will Dream earn his shot at Cole after taking out the other greatest NXT Champion ever?
NXT hears from Bivens Enterprises.
Malcolm Bivens quotes Johnny Gill, “My, my, my my my.” Riddle has a new tag team partner tonight? And tonight’s NXT Tag Team Championship match will have great interest to him and Indus Sher. That’s because the 1.3Â billion people of India are supporting the two most dangerous men to come from their country. Whoever wins tonight, congratulations. Those belts will just go from your waists, to their shoulders. Rinku and Suarav add on in Hindu that they will dominate and succeed in taking over NXT.
Big matches are set for next week!
The Interim Cruiserweight Championship Tournament continues, with Group B having Jack Gallagher take on El Hijo del Fantasma in the luchador’s NXT debut! Plus, Group A is in full effect as Tony Nese takes on Kushida, and Drake Maverick takes on Jake Atlas! Then, after the confrontation from earlier tonight, Shotzi and Tegan team up against Dakota and Raquel! Who wins now that the Team Kick Civil War escalates?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Matt Riddle & ??? VS The Undisputed Era!
The Savior of the Backbreaker and the Infamous One represent the team in an effort to reclaim what they lost. But what big surprise did the Bruiserweight arrange for his Bro? Dunne has a video message sharing how badly he wishes he could be stateside to defend these titles. But world circumstances make that impossible right now. So Dunne found another “True stallion,” and one of the toughest men he’s ever faced. Introducing… TIMOTHY THATCHER!! Riddle wants a bro fist but that’s not how “the meanest SOB” does things. Thatcher and Riddle hit the ring and the Undisputed Era bails out! Is resurrecting the prophecy going to be anything but undisputed now?
The teams sort out and Fish starts against Riddle. Riddle and Fish circle and test out the grapple. Fish talks trash about Thatcher already but Riddle brings up the old tongue twister. Fish rushes Riddle but Riddle drops him down! Riddle then drags Fish into a cover, but Fish scrambles around. Riddle waistlocks and has a short arm scissor. Fish moves around and sits up, but Riddle reels him into body scissors. Fish gets the ropebreak and Riddle lets him free. Riddle backs off and Fish gets to his feet. Fish and Riddle circle, Strong distracts and Fish rolls Riddle! Fish facelocks but Riddle pops out to a half nelson. Riddle uses that to roll Fish to an armlock. Fish rolls back to a cover, ONE! Riddle has the arm still, but Fish headscissors. Riddle moves around, handstands to a jackknife, TWO!
Fish keeps hold of Riddle but Riddle powers up to dump Fish down. Riddle has the waistlock but Fish breaks free, only to swing into a BROSPLODER! Fish bails out in frustration and regroups with Strong while NXT goes to break.
NXT returns, and Riddle rams Strong into the corner Thatcher tags in to wrench Strong and throw hands on the shoulder. Thatcher shovels Strong up and over then clamps on. Thatcher pulls hard on the arm and fingers, then shifts to an arm scissor. Strong kicks and flails to get free, then has the legs. Thatcher resists the Strong Hold to get a kneebar! Strong gets the ropebreak but Thatcher pulls him away! Thatcher puts Strong in the Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch! Then a cover, TWO! Strong gets to ropes and the ref keeps Thatcher back. Thatcher wants after Strong like a badger but Strong kicks him away. Strong drags Thatcher to the corner and tags in Fish. The Undisputed Era mug Thatcher, then Fish snapmares for the slingshot senton! Cover, ONE!
Fish keeps on Thatcher’s leg but Thatcher fights back. Fish stomps the foot then rams a knee in. Thatcher still trips Fish up, but Fish goes for a triangle hold. Thatcher slips out and clinches with Fish on the mat. Fish grabs a leg and drags Thatcher down to a half hatch type hold. Thatcher pops free while kneeing Fish down! He drags Fish up but Fish rams him into the corner! Tag to Strong and Strong knees Thatcher down. Strong goes to lift but Thatcher fights it off. Thatcher throws a BIG European Uppercut! Tag to Riddle and Riddle hits a forearm smash! Riddle feeds Strong to Thatcher’s Butterfly Suplex! Penalty Kick! Cover, TWO! Riddle keeps on Strong with kicks! And a Broton! Riddle pushes Strong around to gut wrench and lift. Gut wrench suplex!
Riddle holds on and gut wrench suplexes again! Fish says Riddle is supposed to let go, but Riddle doesn’t so he doesn’t. Fish runs in but Thatcher intercepts! Thatcher reels Fish in, and both stallions GUT WRENCH! Fish bails out and Riddle has Thatcher give him the assist, for the CORKSCREW! Cover, TWO! Fish trips up Thatcher on the outside! The ref reprimands but Strong clobbers Riddle! Strong stomps away then drags Riddle up for a butterfly suplex of his own! Tag to Fish and the Undisputed Era mug Riddle. Fish drags Riddle up and wrenches to a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Tag to Strong and they mug Riddle more with kicks and CHOPS! Strong drags Riddle up for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO!
Strong drags Riddle up to throw him out. Tag to Fish and Strong sucker punches Thatcher. Riddle fights Fish off then fights both Undisputed Era men. But they shove him into steel steps! Strong and Fish see… Dexter Lumis?! What is Lumis doing lurking in the shadows? The Undisputed Era put Riddle in the ring and Fish stomps Riddle down. Fish hits another slingshot senton! Fish drags Riddle up and over and tags Strong. Riddle fights back with palm strikes and big kicks! But Fish catches a kick, and feeds Riddle to the OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Riddle still lives and Strong is furious as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Fish drags Riddle up. Fish throws forearms but Riddle throws forearms back! Riddle backs Fish up but Fish kicks low! Fish digs a knee into Riddle’s neck, but lets up at the ref’s count. Fish snap suplexes Riddle down! Cover, ONE, so Fish rains down more punches. Fish keeps Riddle from Thatcher by pulling on his ear! The ref reprimands but Fish clubs Riddle with a forearm. Fish drags Riddle up but Riddle CHOPS back. Fish knees Riddle down in return! He digs his knee in again but lets up. Fish throws big knees into Riddle then more forearms. The ref counts but Fish lets up. Riddle keeps fighting but Fish grinds him down with a chinlock. Fish throws in knees but Riddle endures. Riddle reaches but Fish snap suplexes Riddle down! And then again! That’s dos amigos, but Riddle powers up to FISHERMAN BUSTER!
Both men are down but crawling. Fish tags in Strong, and Strong grabs Riddle. Riddle kicks Strong away, tag to Thatcher! Thatcher THROWS Strong! Then he throws hands and throws Fish! Thatcher throws Strong again! And then another for Fish! Strong comes back for more, but gets a BIG EuroUpper! Thatcher throws hands and forearms all over Strong, then more EuroUppers! Thatcher CLUBS Strong against the ropes until the ref backs him off. Strong CHOPS but Thatcher enziguris! Thatcher clamps onto the arm! Strong resists the Fujiwara and gets the ropebreak! Thatcher lets Strong go, but goes after a leg. Strong still holds ropes but Thatcher lets him go. Strong kicks back then throws elbows from all angles! Thatcher clamps onto Strong’s face and CHOPS!
Thatcher drags Strong up, butterfly underhooks but Strong resists. Fish runs in but Thatcher easily kicks him back out. Thatcher walks into the boot! And the enziguri! Strong tags Fish and Fish runs, to body check Thatcher down! Cover, TWO! Tag back to Strong and the Undisputed Era bring Thatcher up. Gutbuster drop to flying knee! Cover, TWO!! Thatcher survives but the Undisputed Era adds strikes. Riddle SPEARS Fish before the next double team! Strong KNEES Riddle but Thatcher EuroUppers Strong! Strong KNEES Thatcher then reels him in. But Thatcher drags Strong down, FUJIWARA! Strong taps, Riddle and Thatcher win!!
Winners: Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher, by submission (The Broserweights are still NXT Tag Team Champions)
Pete Dunne did make the perfect choice in Riddle’s back-up partner! The Bro wants Thatcher to enjoy the moment, but dancing isn’t his style. Will the honorary Broserweight help Riddle hold onto these titles until the world is right again?
Tommaso Ciampa speaks.
“I’m done with this. I’m done with you, Johnny.” He’s done with Candice and “all of this.” It was agreed, that when it is over, it’s over. Whoever wins wins, and that’s that. Gargano won, with Candice’s help. They showed the world. “So congratulations, Johnny Gargano. You are the better man.” But then someone attacks Ciampa from behind!! We can’t even see what is happening because the camera falls over! But then, he comes into picture. Killer Kross looms over Ciampa as he says, “Tick-tock.” It seems time is up for the Blackheart. Has someone darker appeared to fill the void?
My Thoughts:
Despite the insane news of releases, tonight’s NXT was still incredible. The huge number of releases will affect more of what we’re seeing next week. If Drake Maverick was released, he can’t be scheduled for a match in a very big night for the Interim Cruiserweight Championship Tournament. I’m sure the WWE can easily sub in another Cruiserweight but it just seems a shame all these roster cuts have to come now, or at all. But the cuts are a different issue for a different article. What we got out of Swerve VS Tozawa tonight was a great start to this round robin story. I am happily surprised that Tozawa wins the opening match. He’s basically back in NXT despite being “signed” to Raw, and I do hope he is a major force for Group B.
Swerve’s opening loss makes me think he might not go to the finals now, and that it could be El Hijo del Fantasma. Fantasma had a really good vignette promo, so he might come out of the gate a contender. I also like the shift in attention for Dream and Balor. Balor wins against Aichner, with Barthel being very active, but Balor can’t progress with NXT UK while traveling is barred. Dream wants after Cole, but if Kyle O’Reilly is unable to compete, Dream can’t complete the Undisputed sweep. Balor VS Dream is a great match regardless of motivation, but I feel that Balor has to win to stay strong towards his eventual match with Walter. At some point, I’m thinking we could get NXT Champion VS NXT UK Champion, Cole VS Balor, to decide the undisputed best.
Charlotte has a good promo with a great video package to frame her already storied legacy. I totally forgot about Charlotte VS Yim all those years ago, so I like that Charlotte remembered. Charlotte VS Yim 2020 sounds great, but I’m also waiting for Io Shirai’s response. Xia Li had a real scrappy match with Aliyah, and it was great for her to win. Nox getting Shotzi as an ally is great for both of them, and next week’s tag match will be really good. Lumis’ appearance during the NXT Tag Team Championship match was curious. Will he oddly be a Face who goes against the Undisputed Era? And Thatcher had a great debut, though he and Riddle didn’t really do a lot of tag combination. That just takes time. But obviously Riddle retains with his help. Riddle & Thatcher VS Indus Sher already sounds like a great match.
But of course, the craziest thing was Ciampa fitting in a promo at the end. Ciampa was perfectly reluctant to say that Gargano, who still found a way to cheat in a No Disqualification match, was the better man. Heel Gargano and Candice are going to be great when we get to see more of that. But the best thing was that Killer Kross attacked like a slasher movie villain! Scarlet Bordeaux technically has a cameo as she stands in front of the camera with those boots, so expect her to actually show her face next week. I had a feeling Kross would attack the loser of One Last Beat, and it seems I was right. I can’t wait to see how Kross VS Ciampa unfolds, and if it involves Gargano somehow.
My Score: 9.1/10
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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
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?
Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.
Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.
.@Kelly_WP is back in TNA Wrestling and has a message for TNA Knockouts World Champion @mashaslamovich!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZKKuL pic.twitter.com/tnm4TIuPUz
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Ratings:
- Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
- Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
- Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
- Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***
Results:
Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers
Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.
EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.
I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win.Â
Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match?Â
Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge
ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.
Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever?Â
.@indi_hartwell has a run in with Tessa Blanchard!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZLikj pic.twitter.com/I6UCCk2fAG
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad.Â
Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man
I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.
JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.
Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.
Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams
Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.
The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.
Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.
Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…
Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!
Overall Score: 4/10
Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.
Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:
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