Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/18/20)
Drew McIntyre “welcomes” King Corbin!
Raw extends the Brand to Brand Invitation!
The King of the Ring, Baron Corbin, returns to Raw to take on WWE World Champion, Drew McIntyre! Will his warm welcome be in the form of a Claymore?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Humberto Carrillo VS Buddy Murphy w/ Seth Rollins; Murphy wins.
- Charlotte Flair VS Ruby Riott; Flair wins.
- Bobby Lashley VS R-Truth; Lashley wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bliss-Cross VS The IIconics; Bliss-Cross win by disqualification, and retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
- Submission Match: Shayna Baszler VS Natalya; Baszler wins.
- Kevin Owens & Apollo Crews VS Andrade Almas & Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega & Austin Theory; Owens & Crews win.
- Aleister Black VS Buddy Murphy w/ Seth Rollins; Aleister wins, by disqualification.
- Ax Throwing: The Street Profits VS The Viking Raiders; The Viking Raiders win.
- Brand to Brand Invitational: Drew McIntyre VS Baron Corbin; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Charly Caruso introduces Randy Orton.
The Viper made the challenge to the Rated R Superstar: Prove you’re back by having a wrestling match. No gimmicks, no extra stipulations. A default singles match between Randy Orton and Edge is set for Backlash, if Edge accepts. Orton grabs a mic as Charly asks him to explain this challenge. “Is the phrase ‘straight up wrestling match’ really that hard for people to comprehend?” WWE means World Wrestling Entertainment. Wrestling is the basis of everything they do in pro-wrestling. They get into the ring with the dream of being at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania, Orton and Edge tore each other and the Performance Center apart in a Last Man Standing match. Now while it paints Orton to admit he lost that match because Edge was the better man, Orton knows in his heart that Orton is the superior wrestler. He doesn’t need tables, ladders, chairs or to be the last man standing. He just needs a ref, and a ring.
Athletes come and go, but no normal athlete can do what superstars do. Just like no one in the WWE can do what Orton does the way he does, and that includes Edge. Orton directs this next part to Edge personally. “I know why you didn’t accept my challenge last Monday night on Raw. I saw it written all over your face.” It was in Edge’s eyes. Orton saw doubt. Edge’s grit and passion have faded away. What once was grit and passion is now doubt and fear. “You think you know me.” Edge is HERE! He joins Orton in the ring, with a mic, to give his response! “Randy, last week, you spoke a lot of truths. You gave me a lot to contemplate, to chew on, to internalize.” Orton is playing chess, so Edge couldn’t just rush into his next move. But that’s all this is to Orton. It’s a game. Orton smirks because this is just a paycheck. But Edge gets it. Orton is quite possibly the most talented person in a wrestling ring. But this isn’t the life Orton wanted. This is the life he was handed, as a back-up plan! Orton is different from everyone else, because he doesn’t care.
Orton didn’t go to bed dreaming of being champion like Edge. He didn’t save up his allowance to go to the monthly show like Edge. And Orton didn’t cry the night he won the WWE Intercontinental Championship like Edge did, because that title meant Edge was on the track to be one of the best workhorses in the history of this business! And Edge has done just that. In fact, Edge beat Orton for that title in 2004. One of Edge’s favorite matches, that’s for show. And they’ve both grown since then. Orton is getting annoyed by all this, but Edge tells him to shut up! Because most importantly, Orton has never had a career ending injury. Orton didn’t have to fight for NINE YEARS just to get back! Orton doesn’t love this sport like Edge and the rest of the roster does. So yeah, Orton can say the better wrestler didn’t win at WrestleMania. Orton wants Edge to shut up and answer the challenge. Edge’s answer is YES! Orton nods and leaves, having gotten what he wants. But will Edge expose Orton as the best wrestler with the least motivation?
Buddy Murphy finds Seth Rollins backstage.
Murphy is worried Rollins isn’t all there, but The Monday Night Messiah assures his disciple that he has had “a revelation.” And now, Rollins will tell the world. Rollins and Murphy head to gorilla, but what will this new message be?
Raw returns to Rollins and Murphy making their entrance.
Rollins and Murphy go to the ring and Rollins gets a mic. “Sometimes in life, you have to lose who you are to truly find yourself.” When Rollins lost to Drew McIntyre at Money in the Bank, part of Rollins felt he had lost everything. Rollins fell into a dark place. A place so dark, he wasn’t sure he would ever escape. But without darkness, there can be no light. Rollins has seen that light, and it is brighter than ever before! That is all thanks to one man: Rey Mysterio. What happened to Mysterio has been described as “heinous and disgusting and unforgivable.” It has been described by others as “an act of penance” paid to Rollins in Mysterio’s disbelief. Rollins doesn’t see it as either of those ways. What Rollins sees it as simply unfortunate but necessary. That was the cathartic moment Rollins needed for the clarity he needed to be the leader he was always meant to be.
Rollins speaks to Mysterio directly here. “I know you’re at home with your family right now, and you’re healing. And I know that you can’t see it right now, but soon you will come to understand that what happened to you was a blessing in disguise.” So from the bottom of Rollins’ heart, Mysterio, you’re welcome. But here comes Humberto Carrillo! Ultimo Ninja is furious. Does Rollins think anyone believes this? That Rollins cares about Mysterio? Mysterio is a hero to millions, and he is Carrillo’s idol! All that Rollins is, is a coward! Carrillo rushes the ring but Murphy stands in his way. Rollins tells Humberto that while he appreciates and respects this act of defending Mysterio’s honor, if he’s here to fight, Rollins is not dressed for the occasion. However, while Murphy has a match later on with Aleister Black, he will gladly oblige. Will the disciple pull double duty to defend his leader?
Humberto Carrillo VS Buddy Murphy w/ Seth Rollins!
Raw returns, and indeed, Murphy will take on Ultimo Ninja before taking on Aleister Black later tonight! Will Carrillo defeat the disciple to avenge Mysterio?
The match is already underway as Carrillo whips but Murphy runs him over. Things speed up and Carrillo hurdles but Murphy leaps. Carrillo springboards for a flying arm-drag, and then huricanranas! Murphy ends up in a corner but puts Carrillo on a corner. Carrillo shoulders and slingshots over to keep moving, and ducks and dodges only to be sent back to the apron. Carrillo enziguris Murphy back, then goes up top, only for Murphy goes up! The two brawl and Murphy staggers back, and Carrillo BOOTS! But Murphy YANKS Carrillo down to the mat! Rollins smiles as Murphy stomps and KICKS Carrillo while he’s down. Cover, TWO! Murphy keeps his focus and drags Carrillo up to CLUB on the back. Murphy clamps on a chinlock but Carrillo endures. Carrillo fights up, spins around, and jawbreakers free! Murphy blocks the punch to fire off a strike fest! But Carrillo dodges the knee, swings a kick but hits the second!
Murphy flops to the apron, springboard enziguri sends him down! Carrillo FLIES and takes Murphy out, right in front of Rollins! Rollins no longer smiles as Carrillo puts Murphy in the ring. Carrillo hurries up top but Rollins is lurking. The ref reprimands Rollins as Carrillo springboards, into a KNEE! MURPHY’S LAW!! Cover, Murphy wins!
Winner: Buddy Murphy, by pinfall
The distraction allows the disciple to win, and Rollins joins him in the ring. But they’re not done with Carrillo, and Murphy KNEES Carrillo out of the ring! Murphy does his leader’s bidding as he throws Carrillo into steps, but here comes Aleister! These two brawl again, and Aleister puts Murphy in the ring! Aleister dodges Murphy’s haymakers to fire off his own strike fest! Rollins bails and Murphy hurries after. Aleister wants this fight now, but he will have to wait. Will Aleister avenge Mysterio for Carrillo?
Baron Corbin complains backstage.
The King of the Ring doesn’t get why he, the very special guest, doesn’t have his own locker room. He tells the staffer to go find him an individual dressing room. A referee walks over, and Corbin complains to him about how he was welcomed to Raw. There were fingerprint smudges on the crown, no one bowed to him, no one opened doors or brought him food. Does no one get how important the Wolf King is?! What is going on with Raw? That was rhetorical, so don’t answer. Corbin tells the ref what is going to happen in the match with Drew McIntyre later tonight, but Raw goes to break. Will this be the last time Raw lets Corbin answer the Brand to Brand Invitation?
Raw hears from Liv Morgan.
“What you may not know about me, is my mom is my hero. She didn’t have a job, or much of a savings account or a resume.” But what her mother had was determination. Liv’s mother never quit, and Liv is her mother’s daughter. A couple weeks ago, Liv had a match with 12-time champion, Charlotte Flair. THE Charlotte Flair, pride and joy of the WWE. Did Liv win? No. But did she learn? Yes. And what she learned is that she’s just like her mother. She is determined, and one day, she will become a champion. But when and where will that day come?
Charlotte Flair heads to the ring!
Speaking of the Queen, she brings her NXT Women’s Championship to the ring. Charlotte says that everyone at home is surely in awe. She won’t bore us with how she’s the hardest worker on all three brands as the face of Raw, the champion of NXT, and the very special guest of SmackDown. Instead, she will tell us about Bayley and her lackey- er, sidekick, Sasha Banks, challenging her to a Champion VS Champion match. Charlotte accepted, and is excited! She gets to show Bayley that there are levels to being a champion. As for Raw’s Ruby Riott, she must be dying to say something to Charlotte. Everyone has an opinion about Charlotte, so why not let Ruby share hers in person? Ruby appears, goes to the ring, and stares Charlotte down. The “opinion” Ruby has will be shared through action, because they have a match after the break!
Charlotte Flair VS Ruby Riott!
Raw returns and Charlotte CHOPS away on Ruby! She throws Ruby out of the ring then follows, to CHOP Ruby again! Ruby dodges and Charlotte chops post! Ruby goes after the hand and pulls on fingers. Ruby throws forearms while trapping the other arm. Charlotte reverses to POST Ruby in return! Charlotte puts Ruby in the ring at 7 and stalks her to ropes. Charlotte chokes Ruby on the ropes but lets up at 4. “Hey, Liv! You watching this?” Charlotte puts Ruby in a corner and pulls on her arms against the ropes. She CHOPS again, but Ruby elbows back! Ruby goes up and hits DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby scrapes Charlotte down then climbs up, for the stage dive senton! Cover, TWO! Charlotte toughs it out but clutches the bad hand. Ruby is after that hand with stomps! Ruby wrenches but Charlotte ROCKS her with a right! Ruby runs and spins Charlotte around into a COMPLETE SHOT! Ghost pin, into a Rings of Saturn!
Charlotte endures, powers up, and blocks any Iron Octopus with a grip. Ruby sunset flips but Charlotte fights off the grip. She STOMPS away on Ruby, the pain becoming anger. But Ruby just eggs Charlotte on! Ruby dodges the boot and rolls Charlotte up, TWO! Ruby wrenches the bad hand, but Riott Kick is blocked to a BOOT! Charlotte has the legs, Figure Four to Figure EIGHT! Ruby taps, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
The Queen keeps on winning, but she’s got a busy week ahead of her. On NXT, Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai do battle, which one rises up to challenge Charlotte for the title? And on SmackDown, will Charlotte prove she’s the better champion against bad and bold Bayley?
Backstage interview with Bobby Lashley.
The Rocky Mountain Machine is joined by MVP. They’ve been talking man to man, and they will not be doing business together because Lashley is too focused on clowns like R-Truth while his wife Lana runs the show. Lashley asks Charly to give him and MVP space. MVP doesn’t want trouble, and doesn’t want to feel the power of that full nelson. But MVP wonders what would happen if the full nelson was put on the WWE Champion. Lashley doesn’t know that because he hasn’t had a world title opportunity in 13 YEARS. But Lashley seems okay with that. Who needs the big beautiful title belt on his shoulder when there’s already a trophy wife on your arm? MVP isn’t trying to cause trouble, or wants anything in return. He just wants Lashley to think on when Lashley will finally be Lashley. MVP takes his leave, but what will Lashley’s response be?
The Street Profits go outdoors.
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins still feel good about ballin’ on the Viking Raiders last week. But what about today? Ax throwing can’t be that hard, can it? But then a “viking” on a horse comes in. There are many other Viking enthusiasts with Erik and Ivar today. The Profits are their guests. The quest for smoke leads you here, to a bonfire! “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke!” No, they don’t mean literal smoke. Ford doesn’t want Dawkins to reject the gift from armed vikings. Right… And so, Ivar starts off, with an ax bull’s eye! Ford wants to forfeit but Dawkins says they can do this. The official ax throwing match will go down later tonight!
Raw goes to Kairi Sane is in the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” The Pirate Princess says that tonight, we celebrate ASUKA~! Ms. Money in the Bank, Kairi’s partner and friend, and NEW Raw Women’s Champion! The Empress of Tomorrow heads to the ring where there are balloons all over for this special celebration! Kairi even presents Asuka with a bouquet of flowers! Asuka is so happy and thankful, and the Kabuki Warriors hug. Asuka thought winning MITB was great, but then last week’s Raw with Becky becoming a mother, Asuka is so happy. She really is, because now she’s Raw Women’s Champion! “I can’t believe it!” Kairi is so happy for Asuka-nee-sama, because now the show is all about her. Asuka has been NXT Women’s Champion, SmackDown Women’s Champion, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, and now RAW Women’s Champion! That makes Asuka the Grand Slam Empress! GRAND SLAM!! Asuka dances for joy, and Kairi plays her theme song on a flute.
But here comes Nia Jax! The Irresistible Force goes to the ring and grabs a mic. “Seriously? Seriously?” There’s nothing to celebrate. Asuka was handed the title from Becky because Becky can’t fight anymore. Nia breaks it down for Asuka: Becky is on maternity leave. Asuka lucked her way into the greatest temp job ever. And soon, she will be replaced by someone far more worthy: Nia. Look at Nia compared to Asuka. There’s only one way this goes down in the ring. And when Nia becomes Raw Women’s Champion, she’ll have a real party. Asuka goes after Nia with furious kicks! And a hip attack! Nia is set from the ring, and Asuka dares her to get back in! Kairi has Asuka’s back, too! Will Nia really steamroll over a woman who beat her way back in NXT?
Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
The Wolf King begins the Brand to Brand Invitational against McIntyre, but is Corbin having any doubts after seeing how dominant McIntyre has been? Doubts? Oh please. McIntyre may be champion, but he is no king. And Corbin is not going into this blindly. He chose McIntyre, because of how he carried McIntyre last year. Corbin knows what gets under McIntyre’s skin. But yes, McIntyre is dangerous. McIntyre beat Brock Lesnar for the title. But he still has the ability to make mistakes. Corbin will take advantage of those mistakes and defeat him. Then the next time they meet, it will be the main event of WrestleMania and Corbin will take the WWE World Championship! McIntyre was watching this interview. Will McIntyre take advantage of Corbin’s mistakes first?
Bobby Lashley VS R-Truth!
WWE Universe, what’s up?! Well Truth will tell you. Pretty Ricky told Truth that Lashley has been “a bad, bad, bad man.” Let’s look back at the tape. MVP has been recruiting Lashley, getting him to think on Lashley letting loose. Lashley did just that when he gave Truth a SPEAR after his match with MVP. And then the full nelson, as MVP alluded to. Truth says he does not want that nelson again. But his childhood hero, John Cena, would never give up when it comes to facing a mean man. So neither will Truth. Just like Truth isn’t giving up on his “baby.” Tom Brady better be watching so he’ll see what Truth does to Lashley. Then Truth will find and SACK Brady to take back the WWE 24/7, 487, 7/11, I-95 SOUTH, 401k Championship! Yeah, he said it. But is Truth about to get hit so hard, he’ll actually remember it’s Gronk who has the title?
The bell rings and Truth stays back in a corner. Truth needs a minute. “You gonna Debo me?” Truth bails out, then becomes PRETTY RICKY! Ricky dares Bobby to fight him! Lashley goes out, chases Ricky, and they start brawling! Truth kicks but misses, and Lashley RAMS him into barriers! Then scoops and fireman’s carries, to bring Truth over and RAM into a post! Truth writhes and clutches his forehead but Lashley drags him up into the ring. Lashley sweeps Truth’s legs and feints, to slap him around. Truth gets up and throws more haymakers, then forearms and elbows. Truth runs, into a LARIAT! Lashley brings Truth up to throw knee after knee into the ribs and stomach, then puts on the FULL NELSON! He thrashes and SLAMS Truth down! But Lashley isn’t done, he puts the full nelson back on until Truth is a ragdoll! Truth taps, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
The All Mighty decimates Truth, and again impresses MVP. MVP applauds Lashley, but has he successfully recruited him?
Lana watches this backstage.
She is furious! She throws whatever she can get her hands on. But is this rage, or fear that she has lost her Bobby to another manager?
Asuka and Kairi still celebrate backstage.
But Nia is lurking. She may have gotten lit up by Asuka, but her eyes seem to be on Kairi Sane. We’ve already seen Nia A-Nia-Late Kairi before, but will she sink the Pirate Princess once and for all?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bliss-Cross VS The IIconics!
The two-time champions, Alexa and Nikki, welcomed Billie Kay & Peyton Royce back last week, but the Aussie mean girls didn’t reciprocate the sentiment. Billie & Peyton have mics as they head to the ring to say, “Well, well, look who’s back.” Did the champions not learn their lesson from last week? That is to say, the match the IIconics essentially cheated to win this opportunity. But Billie & Peyton are glad Bliss-Cross is here to drop off the titles and just be gone. “We appreciate you. PFFF.” But the future of these titles is here, and that future is IICONIC! Will that all be true after this rematch?
The title are raised, the teams sort out, and we begin with Billie and Alexa.
Billie and Alexa tie up, go around, and Billie brings Alexa to the corner. Tag to Peyton, but Alexa avoids the double team to throw forearms! Alexa throws Billie out, spins Peyton around for an STO! Knee drops and tag to Nikki for a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Nikki keeps on Peyton with an armlock, but Peyton pulls hair. Peyton whips, Nikki reverses, but Billie tags in. Nikki dodges Peyton to hit Billie! Nikki tackles and thrashes Peyton but Billie knees Nikki low! Billie brings Nikki up for a suplex slam! Cover, TWO! Billie argues the count but Nikki flounders to ropes. Nikki dodges Billie’s boot and tags in Alexa! The Five Foot Fury rallies on Billie, SLAPS and ROCKS her with a right, then dropkicks her down! Another knee drop, and Insult2Injury! Cover, but Peyton breaks it! Peyton goes after Nikki but Nikki DECKS her first! Nikki baits Peyton into throwing her out, but Billie BOOTS Nikki down! Billie turns around into Alexa’s RIGHT!
Alexa drags Billie into a drop zone, climbs up top, and leaps for TWISTED BLISS! Cover, but Peyton breaks in just in time! Peyton POSTS Alexa, and AGAIN! The ref reprimands but Peyton POSTS Alexa a third time! The ref disqualifies the match!!
Winners: Bliss-Cross, by disqualification; (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Such fury from the Venus Flytrap! But in the end, it costs her and Billie, and Nikki and Alexa keep their titles! Will Peyton and Billie shriek their way into a second chance? Or are Bliss-Cross headed back to SmackDown to find new competition?
Kairi plays flute all alone backstage.
And that leaves her vulnerable to Nia! Nia SLAMS Kairi into road cases! Nia leaves Kairi down and out, but perhaps Kairi is fortunate that’s all she did. Will Asuka hear about this and come looking for revenge?
Raw returns to the IIconics arguing backstage.
Billie is upset with Peyton, and Peyton is upset with herself. This was their one chance to get those tag titles back! And Peyton blew it! Billie SLAPS Peyton!? Even Billie regrets doing that. The IIconics cry and hug it out. Will the future still be standing after this apparently devastating loss?
Raw shares highlights of Undertaker: The Last Ride, Chapter 2.
Just hours before WrestleMania 34, Taker and wife, Michelle McCool, rode into town to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. It was the hush-hush mission of getting Taker in to surprise John Cena and the WWE Universe. It was some Spec-Ops stuff for Mark Callaway. What tonight was about was performing at the level the world expects him to be at. He wants to leave us thinking, “This guy’s got a lot left in the tank.” That alone was enough for him.
Asuka finds Kairi backstage!
Medics are already attending to Kairi and assure Asuka that Kairi will be okay. Asuka asks what happened, and Kairi just whispers, “Nia.” Now Asuka is pissed! Is Asuka about to shred Nia to pieces?
Raw returns and Asuka finds Nia!
Asuka demands to know why Nia went after Kairi and not her. Nia just goes to leave, but Asuka grabs the ponytails! And ROUNDHOUSES Nia down! Asuka says that’s what Nia gets! But is this going to only escalate things?
Submission Match: Shayna Baszler VS Natalya!
The Queen of Spades trumped the Queen of Harts not with a grapple but a stiff knee to the head! But now, there might be a chance Shayna gets Natty to #TapNapOrSnap! Will Shayna add on to all the insults and injuries so far?
The bell rings and the two circle and tie up. Natty headlocks, Shayna reverses to her own headlock, and throws Natty down. Shayna taunts Natty but Natty fights up. Natty powers out but Shayna runs her over! Shayna wants Natty to get used to looking up from the mat, then runs. Natty stays low but Shayna drops on her for the Kirafuda! Natty slips out the back, has the legs, and goes to lace the legs up. Shayna trips Natty to an ankle lock! Natty claws and crawls as the two talk trash. Shayna cranks but Natty turns around and boots her away! The two back off, checking ankles and teeth, respectively. Shayna comes back to knee low! She twists Natty’s arm all around but Natty refuses to quit. Natty rolls, handsprings, but Shayna throws her down by her hair! Shayna talks trash then stomps Natty over and over! Shayna goes to STEAL the Sharpshooter, but Natty blocks! Natty uses that to put the Sharpshooter on herself!!
Shayna endures as Natty sits deep! She claws her way to ropes but Natty drags her away! Natty wants Shayna to give up but Shayna powers up to crawl again. Shayna gets to the apron but there are no ropebreaks, so she pulls Natty into the ropes herself. Natty can’t hold on any longer so Shayna gets away, only for Natty to wreck her with a dropkick! “Was that better for you?!” Natty drags Shayna up and into the ring and wants after her! Shayna covers up as Natty grounds ‘n’ pounds! Then she shifts to a KNEEBAR!! Shayna endures, shifts position, and hammers Natty to get the KIRAFUDA!! Natty endures, but she’s caught! She reaches for ropes, but Shayna traps it with a leg! Natty fades, but taps! Shayna wins!
Winner: Shayna Baszler
The Queen of Harts checks off one of Shayna’s boxes, and Shayna has another win. Is Natalya ever going to figure out how she can make Shayna eat her words? She throws a bit of a tantrum while the crew sets up for the next segment. She goes after the Kevin Owens Show stands and throws them out of the ring! And then throws an armchair out! And another! Is this the last straw for the last Hart in the WWE?
Zelina Vega’s stable is arguing again!
Andrade Almas, Angel Garza and Austin Theory are at it again, and again she comes in to shut it all down. She has had enough of this in-fighting! They are going to go on The KO Show, on the same page. It is her business that they are a cohesive unit. Does Almas understand? Yes, because he is the champion. Does Angel understand? Of course. Does Theory understand? Yes. “Yes, what?” “Yes, ma’am.” Well, the situation has been defused for now, but will it explode once they’re in the ring?
The KO Show returns to Raw!
Kevin Owens finally returns after his victory at WrestleMania, but it isn’t quite the return he hoped. The set is still a wreck after what Natalya did to it, so he just goes to an empty ring and smooths out the carpet. “Well, first of all, thank you, Natty, for getting all the junk out of the way.” How nice of her…? Well, Kevin knows he’s been gone for a bit and people are asking why. Kevin got what he was looking for with that WrestleMania Moment, but it came at a price because as he defeated Seth Rollins, he got pretty banged up. But the good news is, Kevin is okay and is back! And tonight, with a reduced set, this is a major edition of the KO Show because of his special guests! Come on out, Zelina Vega, Almas, Angel and Austin! El Idolo and La Muneca lead the way to the ring, and they’re careful to step over the wreckage of Kevin’s set.
Kevin applauds the four as they enter the ring, and apologizes for that mess. But he wanted them to be on the show- Vega knows why. He was hoping for some Jerry Springer going on. Vega is so sick of people like Kevin and Drew and the entire WWE Universe. They see one single argument and assume there’s dysfunction, that Vega’s empire is crumbling. They’re all wrong. Now, let’s talk about a real champion in Almas. He is a god among insects! Then there’s the Lethal Lothario that breaks men’s faces and women’s hearts. And of course, Austin Theory, the 22-year-old prodigy! And tying it all together is Vega, the best this business has seen in a long time. Talk about a come-up, they all came from the streets and now they’re here. But the street isn’t for everyone. That’s why they invented sidewalks. Sidewalks are for people like Kevin. What is he even doing on the apron? Show respect to your guests by being in the ring.
Well, one could argue that Kevin is showing respect by letting them have the ring. But also, the last few months have taught Kevin that things go off the rails when he’s in a ring with multiple people. But the real reason Kevin is on the apron is because he doesn’t want the ring to be crowded. He has another guest that they’re all very familiar. Here’s Apollo Crews! Crews returns and TACKLES Almas! They fight but it takes a moment before Theory and Garza even try to help. Things spill out of the ring and even Kevin tries to help separate Crews from Almas. Raw goes to break, but are we going to return to a rematch from a few weeks ago?
Kevin Owens & Apollo Crews VS Andrade Almas & Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega & Austin Theory!
Holla holla, it’s even more than that, playa! Kevin’s return to Raw is now in the ring, alongside the furious Crews! Will they take the fight to El Idolo y El Latino esta noche? Or will Vega’s stable hold it together to be victorious?
The bell rings and Crews chases Almas back to the corner. Garza tags in and Crews has to back off. Almas doesn’t want anything to do with Crews right now so Garza circles with Crews. Crews rushes Garza but Garza backs away to an open corner. The ref backs Crews off again, and Garza throws off the pants! They tie up, Crews clubs Garza then drags him down for more. Crews facelocks and brings Garza up to suplex! And hold him! Crews drops Garza after 10, then stares Almas down. Almas stays back and Crews brings Garza over. Tag to Kevin and he fires off on Garza! Kevin stomps and drops a senton! Kevin taunts “tough guy” Almas before he CHOPS Garza. He scoops but Garza slips out and tags Almas! Almas forearms and hotshots Kevin, then runs to basement dropkick! Almas stomps Kevin to a corner then throws hands. Kevin CHOPS back! Almas knees and forearms back then whips corner to corner. Kevin comes back to clothesline!
Vega grows worried as Kevin flounders up to throw haymakers and CHOPS! Kevin whips, Almas reverse but Kevin kicks back! Crews tags in and Almas runs away to tag in Garza! Garza gets in but gets clobbered by Crews! Crews rallies on Garza then BOOTS Almas down! SPINE BUSTER for Garza and Crews is fired up! Crews drags Garza up, fireman’s carries, but Vega distracts. Garza escapes and shoves Crews to ropes. Theory is there, but Crews gets away, the forearm shot DECKS Garza! Crews reels Garza in, for the CREWS MISSILE!! Cover, Crews and Kevin win!!
Winners: Kevin Owens & Apollo Crews, by pinfall
Vega is freaking out! Her team’s teamwork fell apart and now Crews has another win on her stable! Will Crews get that 1v1 with El Idolo soon enough? As for Vega and her stable, Theory does his best to explain but they don’t believe him. Almas CLOBBERS Theory and stomps him down! Vega wants #AllDay out of the team, and Garza helps out! They beat down Theory then throw him into barriers! And again! Garza and Almas continue to mug Theory, and Garza CHOPS him down! Vega says Theory is useless, and should have never believed in him. She SLAPS Theory before Garza throws Theory into chairs! Will Theory be sent crawling back to NXT? Or will he be wanting payback of his own?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
The WWE World Champion is feeling fantastic, but how does he remain focused with new challenges constantly arising? McIntyre isn’t sure if he is finding the fight or the fight is finding him. But either way, he’s having fun because every Monday night is a good time for a Claymore party. But regarding tonight’s match with Corbin, the Brand to Brand Invitational allows for dream matches. And that number one dream match has fallen into his lap. It’ll be him and Baron- Er, sorry, he’ll do this right. McIntyre VS King Corbin. They’ve been around, from airports to hotels to the general public. Corbin is genuinely a terrible, terrible person. But he also does terrible things to his opponents, and do whatever it takes to win. But King Corbin chose McIntyre, thinking he can go from SmackDown to Raw and beat McIntyre in McIntyre’s yard. Is he out of his damn mind?! McIntyre already said he has a Claymore fit for a king, and he’s going to get it tonight. Will the first ever Brand to Brand Invitational go the home team’s way?
The ax throwing continues!
Erik and Ivar are showing off with side throws and double axes! Even a backwards throw! But now, Ford steps up to show what he can do. “Vikings. Can we have golf rules and have some silence while we throw?” Time to go Tiger Woods on this. Tigers in the woods?! No, Ivar, relax. But Erik understands this is Ford’s first time. He’s having performance anxiety. Performance anxiety?! No, sir! Watch this. Ford swivels the hips and throws the ax… Way out of the field. The vikings all have a good laugh, but this doesn’t bode well for the actual showdown.
Raw returns and now Dawkins tries his hand at the ax. Ford claims he was aiming for the trees, but Dawkins can aim for the target. Ivar asks what’s wrong. Is there too much smoke? That means they built too big a fire. Guys, cool it down. The other vikings do as asked. Dawkins can’t relax with all the vikings clowning him, and even that horse teasing him! Dawkins sees you, horse! But it’s okay, Dawkins. Dawkins has got this! The vikings boom-boom-clap at Dawkins as he winds up, and… He hits the barrel of ale! Now the vikings are upset. Erik and Ivar calm the crew down, and Ford says they can share his. Fam, this ain’t Thor. How are Dawkins and Ford going to get them out of this hairy situation?
Aleister Black VS Buddy Murphy w/ Seth Rollins!
The Embodiment of the End wanted after his rival earlier tonight but could not keep Murphy in the ring. But now, Murphy cannot run away from this. Will Aleister make that bright light of revelation #FadeToBlack in one fell swoop?
The bell rings, Aleister throws his jacket at Murphy and then fires off haymakers! He backs Murphy down but the ref backs him off. Aleister comes back but gets a BOOT! Murphy clubs away on Aleister in the other corner and now the ref backs Murphy off. Aleister rushes Murphy and the brawling continues! Murphy knees low, but Aleister throws body shots and kicks. Aleister whips but Murphy blocks and kicks back, only to run into a KICK! Murphy bails out, Aleister builds speed but Murphy gets away. Aleister bails out to KICK Murphy against barriers! Aleister stalks Murphy around the way and KICKS him again. Aleister puts Murphy back in the ring, but Rollins finds Theory still down and out? Theory was still in the timekeeper’s area, but Aleister focuses on Murphy with more kicks! Murphy ducks and Aleister kicks the POST! Murphy slams the leg into barriers then puts Aleister in the ring! Rollins stays with Theory as Murphy goes after Aleister.
Aleister kicks Murphy off his legs, but Murphy BOOTS back! Murphy hops up, leaps, but into a BOOT of Aleister’s! Both men are down, and Rollins reaches out to Theory. Theory takes Rollins’ hand and Rollins helps him up. Murphy goes after Aleister but gets a boot and a KNEE! Aleister grits his teeth, lifts Murphy with a foot, but Theory springs into action! Theory CLOBBERS Aleister!!
Winner: Aleister Black, by disqualification
Rollins has a second disciple?! Theory stomps and punches Aleister then backs away for Rollins to have an opening. But Aleister tackles Theory first! Murphy goes after Aleister and both disciples clobber him. Rollins has them bring Aleister up, and Murphy hits AUSSIE-GOYE!! Now Theory gets his turn, with the A T L!! Rollins hugs Theory, and he is now accepted into the flock. Is Rollins’ vision for Raw’s future only going to become clearer as his stable grows stronger?
Raw checks in on the Profits and Vikings.
It seems things have calmed down at the camp, but now it is game time. One throw at a time, 10 axes per team, and only bull’s eyes count. “Let the games begin!” The horns are sounded, and Ivar is first. Bull’s eye! Bull’s eye! And even more bull’s eyes! Ivar chugs some ale out of Ford’s spare Solo cup, but now it’s the Profits’ turn! “Make the smoke be rich!” Dawkins misses. And misses. And misses. That’s 5-0 in the first half, and now Erik tags in. Erik throws and hits the bull’s eye. And again, and again, and again. That’s another 5 for 5 for a perfect 10! Dawkins hypes Ford up, “All we see is bull’s eyes.” Ford throws, and misses. And misses. And misses. Ford is on his last ax, so the Vikings even help him out. They chant, “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke!” for him, and Ford takes his final throw. BULL’S EYE! Huzzah! But um, the cops come? An ax somehow hit their car?! But with everyone blaming everyone else, the only way to prove who was throwing axes is to see who can actually hit the target.
Erik takes the ax, gives it to Dawkins, and lets him have the first throw. Backwards, BULL’S EYE! Told you, horse! This a bad, bad man! Wait, were the Profits hustling the Vikings back? And, doesn’t that mean they’re in trouble now?
Backstage interview with Apollo Crews.
Crews is back and victorious, but does he feel he has more to prove after missing out on MITB? Of course. But to be honest, Crews isn’t sure what hurt more: The actual injury, or missing out on MITB. After spinning his wheels for so long, it felt like things were finally clicking. These last few weeks have been the longest in his life with all the wondering of what could have been. But he looked deep inside himself and realized he can’t waste time on the what if. All it took was stepping in the ring and he made something happen. Now he knows that final piece falls into place. Crews again challenges Almas for the WWE United States Championship! “Man, that feels good to say out loud.”
But Vega comes along, having heard this. She tells Crews he has a choice here. He could cut his losses and walk away on one good knee. Or he could go against Almas again and never walk again. What does he say? “Andrade better be ready next week.” Speaking of which, where is he? Is he scared Crews was going to slap his face off again? But to finish this interview, Crews will have the final piece to the puzzle, when he becomes the NEW United States Champion.
Raw once again checks on the Profits and Vikings.
The police are eyeing the line-up. Did none of them realize how dangerous this ax throwing stuff is? Someone could’ve gotten seriously hurt. They will let everyone go with a warning, only because the female officer thinks Ivar’s cute. Oooh~! Erik, not so much. Ouch. “She hearts Ivar~!” Ivar can only shrug at his buddy, but at least no one’s arrested. Will the Profits and Viking find something safer to settle the score?
Brand to Brand Invitational: Drew McIntyre VS Baron Corbin!
A new phase in the WWE Brand Split begins! Wild Card this is not, but McIntyre is ready to be the man to trump the Wolf King! Who wins this first-time-ever match-up in the first-ever Brand to Brand Invitational showdown?
But wait, Bobby Lashley is making an entrance? He and MVP are on stage, and MVP has a mic. “Gentlemen, if you’ll pardon my intrusion for just a moment.” They have a personal interest in this match. Corbin is a very capable adversary who retired Kurt Angle. MVP could spend 10 minutes going on about all the great things Corbin’s done. And then McIntyre, he is the WWE World Champion, and that’s all that needs to be said. But as MVP said, they have a vested interest. Lashley speaks for himself and says McIntyre is on notice. Lashley is coming after McIntyre and that title. If he needs to pry it from McIntyre’s cold, dead hands, then that’s exactly what he’ll do. “Make it good, gentlemen. We’ll be watching.” The stakes might have just been raised on this first-time-ever match! And we’ll see who comes out the better, after the break!
Raw returns once again with the bell, and McIntyre circles with Corbin. They tie up, go around, and McIntyre gets Corbin on the ropes. They go along the ropes and around again, and end up in a corner. The ref calls for the break and McIntyre honors it cleanly. Corbin shoves but McIntyre shoves back. The two circle again and tie up. Corbin and McIntyre are in a dead lock so Corbin knees low. McIntyre CHOPS Corbin, then ducks to CHOP again! Corbin kicks the legs then throws haymakers! Corbin has McIntyre in a corner for body shots, but the ref counts. Corbin lets up at 4 only to ROCK McIntyre. Corbin runs and runs McIntyre over, then stalks him to a corner. He whips McIntyre but McIntyre goes up and over and runs to run Corbin over! McIntyre clotheslines Corbin out of the ring! He pursues Corbin to clothesline him over the barriers!
McIntyre hurries to go after Corbin and MVP is applauding. McIntyre clotheslines Corbin back over to ringside! He CHOPS Corbin into the ring, then aims from a corner. Corbin bails out but McIntyre goes out the side. McIntyre goes around the way but Corbin gets back in. Corbin boots and blasts McIntyre off the apron into barriers! Corbin hurries out after McIntyre to bring him up. MVP likes Corbin’s aggression as he POSTS McIntyre! Corbin gets in the ring to applaud himself, but McIntyre gets in before the ring count begins. Corbin taunts McIntyre, but McIntyre throws body shots! Corbin clubs McIntyre on the back, then has him against ropes for forearms to the back! Corbin stomps and punches McIntyre but McIntyre kicks and CHOPS back! McIntyre whips, Corbin reverses, but McIntyre dodges. Corbin slides out, in and LARIATS! Cover, ONE!! Corbin grows frustrated but McIntyre grits his teeth.
McIntyre kicks and CHOPS Corbin back again. Corbin pushes but McIntyre boots! McIntyre is put on the apron and Corbin hotshots him! Corbin grins now as McIntyre sputters. Corbin stalks McIntyre to a corner and bumps him off the post! The ref reprimands but Corbin drags McIntyre up. MVP whispers things to Lashley as Corbin gets McIntyre up top. McIntyre and Corbin brawl as Corbin climbs. Corbin reaches the top rope, brings McIntyre up, and hits the SUPERPLEX! Corbin crawls to the cover, ONE?!? McIntyre is driving Corbin insane with his toughness! Corbin says he led McIntyre to this, because McIntyre is just a follower. But McIntyre catches Corbin to an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! And then a BOOT! Corbin flops to his knees and McIntyre goes up top. McIntyre leaps to hit a flying ax handle! And then he kips up! “Follower?!” McIntyre dares Corbin to stand. He hauls Corbin up, but Corbin fights free of the fireman’s carry.
Corbin elbows McIntyre but runs into a SPINE BUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO! McIntyre keeps his cool and keeps looking at Lashley and MVP. MVP applauds again while McIntyre tells Corbin that he wanted the champ. Corbin wanted to prove himself, so get up! Corbin rams McIntyre into the buckles, then POSTS Him the other way! Corbin scoops for a BIG sidewalk slam! Cover, ONE!?! McIntyre continues to shock Corbin, but Corbin throws body shots. McIntyre kicks back, CHOPS again, and runs into the corner. Corbin boots back then hops up, and leaps, into a kick! Underhooks, FUTURE SHOCK! But McIntyre isn’t done here, he goes to a corner to start the countdown! Corbin gets up, to get the- DEEP SIX!! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives again and Corbin is furious! Corbin drags McIntyre and reels him in, but McIntyre slips out to GLASGOW KISS! Corbin slides out, in, but gets a CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Raw’s Scottish Stud stuns the Wolf King of SmackDown, but that seems to be exactly what MVP was hoping for. McIntyre says the WWE Universe has been waiting for Lashley to step up and be “the killer” he is. When and where will McIntyre face that Lashley for THE WWE Championship?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode for Raw, with a lot of interesting moves. Opening with what was basically part two of last week’s ending segment was weird. It all felt like they didn’t meter out the right amount of time for last week and needed to use the opening segment to finish it up. But either way, we got the obvious in a normal singles match of Orton VS Edge for Backlash. I’m sure that match will be really good, but the response Edge had tonight was strong. Bold claims to say Orton didn’t want to be a wrestler, after he’s accomplished so much. Then there’s a lot of great story weaving between the growing factions on Raw. Kevin bringing Crews back to take on Almas and Garza, Theory getting kicked out of Vega’s stable only to join Rollins’, and how Humberto and Aleister are fighting on Mysterio’s behalf, I’m really intrigued to see where this all goes. I hope it isn’t just for Backlash. A story this complex should go into Extreme Rules and SummerSlam, in whatever form we’re going to get those PPV’s.
There were great moves in the Women’s Division tonight. The Tag Team Championship match didn’t go quite how I expected, and in a good way. Bliss-Cross retains because Peyton loses her cool, and then Billie loses her cool on Peyton for a moment. That crying hug bit was a good touch, too. I don’t see the IIconics breaking up, and they shouldn’t ever do that, but them getting a bit of edge and drama to balance out their usual sarcasm and sassy attitudes is a good move for them to keep going. Charlotte beating Ruby at the same time as she was mocking Liv shows there is promise for that story on Raw, but I’m wondering if there comes a point when being on as many brands as possible comes around to bite her. And Asuka’s celebration was admittedly subpar, but it makes sense given the current circumstances. The back and forth of Asuka, Kairi and Nia with the attacks is good stuff, but I’m sure hoping Asuka still looks strong against Nia. Even Kairi helping out is fine. I don’t want the Kabuki Warriors losing their own edge just because they’re Faces by default.
Shayna beating Natty seems to be working out for both of them, actually. Natty’s frustration is a good development in her story. It hearkens back to Natty taking on Charlotte in NXT to see if Natty’s “still got it.” The Street Profits and Viking Raiders were a bit better in the ax throwing segments tonight. I think the only thing that really hurt last week’s basketball shtick was Erik & Ivar revealing a hustle, because the way it was done was just ridiculous. This was a bit better in that there was no outright hustle, but perhaps just some luck on Dawkins’ side. Plus, the bit with the lady police officer thinking Ivar is cute was a funny little twist. I just hope the tiebreaker is the title match and then that’s the end of it. MVP and Lashley were also a great part of the show, and Lana’s rage this week was justified by the context. Last week, she was doing it just because and it came off awful. This week, it’s appropriate because MVP bumped her out of the way as manager. McIntyre VS Corbin was a good match, but I’m going to love seeing McIntyre VS Lashley.
My Score: 8.2/10
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He’s a MAD MAN, y’know!
The NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, Gabe Kidd, is in Phoenix, ready for a Collision! Will he show Strong Style beats being All Elite?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Holo.grm VS The Beast Mortos; Hologram wins.
- Gabe Kidd VS The Butcher; Gabe wins.
- Julia Hart VS Queen Aminata; Julia wins.
- Brian Cage & Lance Archer VS Sky High; Cage & Archer win.
- AEW World Trios Championships: The Death Riders VS Daniel Garcia & 2Point0; Death Riders win and retain the titles.
- Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS Brody King; Brody wins.
- ROH World Championship: Chris Jericho VS Bandido; Jericho wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Toni Storm is head to gorilla.
And she’s being attacked!! Mariah May dribbles Toni off the side of a road case! Mariah’s gone psycho as she grabs the title belt, then drags Toni along by her hair. Mariah SMACKS her off another road case, and another, and then stalks her out onto stage! The fans boo as Mariah drags Toni along, and she shouts something about how Toni embarrassed her! Mariah HEADBUTTS Toni down, then reels her in, STORM ZERO on the stage!! The fans boo more but Mariah snarls and grabs a mic. “Hit her spotlight!!” The spotlight comes up, and Mariah makes sure to sit with Toni under it. “Look what you made me do…”
Mariah sobs as she says this is Toni’s fault. “You never did know how to write an ending, did you? So I guess I’m going to write one for you. And I am gonna write it… in your own blood! This is our spotlight! This is our moment! Let’s be stars together~!” The fans boo but Mariah tells Toni that at Revolution, they’ll have a Hollywood ending! Mariah mocks the close-up as we fade out to black. But then who will shine with the gold once and for all?
Kazuchika Okada speaks.
“Last week, at Grand Slam: Australia, I did what I said I would do. And I put the dog down! Because that’s what I do with a b*tch! And if any other b*tch wants to step up, I’ll put them down, too.” The Rainmaker has issued his own warning to the roster, who will still go after his Continental Championship in spite of that?
Holo.grm VS The Beast Mortos!
Reloaded and upgraded, the futuristic luchador is back in action! He’s been owing La Faccion Ingobernable some payback since October 2024, will he get started here tonight? Or will the menacing minotaur find another way to break Hologram?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “LUCHA! LUCHA!” Hologram feeds off that energy, as does Mortos, and they both run up! Mortos CLOBBERS Hologram, size does matter! Mortos stands Hologram up to TOSS him across the way! The fans fire up, and Mortos then waits on Hologram. Hologram rises, Mortos runs in, but Hologram goes up and over! Hologram slips through the ropes, around the corner, then up and over to do it again! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up, Hologram goes up, and he CROSSBODIES! Things keep moving, Mortos pops Hologram up, but Hologram stands on Mortos’ shoulders!
Hologram back flips, dodges, and tilt-o-whirls for a DEJA DEJA VU RANA! Mortos tumbles out of the ring, the fans fire up, and Hologram builds speed. Mortos gets on the apron, Hologram DROPKICKS him down! Hologram then hurries up top, and he SUPER FLYING RANAS! Mortos is sent into railing and Phoenix fires up with Hologram! Hologram high-fives the front row, then he goes back for Mortos. Hologram puts Mortos in the ring, then he climbs up. Fans chant ‘SI! SI! SI!” for the FROG- NO, Mortos moves, then comes back. Mortos hits a flipping arm-drag! Hologram comes back, but into a scoop!
Hologram slips free, fires a flurry of forearms, then runs, but Mortos goes the other way! Mortos POUNCES Hologram out of the ring! The fans are torn, but Mortos builds speed! Mortos and TORNILLO TOPES! Down goes Hologram and the fans are thunderous while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mortos drags Hologram up, then SMACKS him back down! Mortos refreshes the ring count, storms back up on Hologram, then puts him in the ring. Cover, TWO! Mortos stays on Hologram by ripping at the mask! The ref reprimands, Mortos lets go, and Hologram goes to the ropes. Mortos storms back up, gets the fans fired up, then he drags Hologram up. Mortos SMACKS Hologram back down, then has him in the corner. Mortos motorcycle stretch STMOPS Hologram into buckles! Cover, TWO! Hologram shows that toughness and Mortos argues with the ref. Mortos drags Hologram up for a unique angle on the chinbar.
Hologram endures, reaches out, but Mortos grabs his arm for a wristlock. Mortos then THROWS Hologram down! Mortos adds a NECK TWIST, then covers, TWO! Hologram stays in this but Mortos stays on him. Mortos sits Hologram up, grabs at the mask again, but the ref reprimands. Mortos lets Hologram go, then huffs ‘n’ puffs and storms around. Mortos stands Hologram up, SMACKS him to a corner, then again goes after the mask! The ref reprimands, counts, and Mortos lets off. Mortos stands Hologram up, Collision returns to single picture, and Mortos CHOPS! Mortos whips, runs in, but Hologram puts Mortos on the apron!
Mortos SMACKS Hologram first, then climbs, but Hologram GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up, Hologram goes up, and he brings Mortos to the top. Mortos fires body shots, then SUPER DUPER GORILLA PRESS SLAMS!! Cover, TWO?!?! Hologram survives and Mortos is furious! “This is Awesome!” as Mortos drags Hologram back up. Mortos goes to a corner, climbs up, and he drags Hologram up to join him. But Hologram fights the suplex! Hologram fires body shots, then climbs to the very top! The fans fire up but Mortos gest Hologram in a torture rack! Swing and- SUPER DUPER RANA!! The fans are thunderous for that great counter!
Hologram SUPERKICKS Mortos to the outside, then builds speed, to DIVE! They go all the way to the railing! The fans are electric while both men are down! The ref checks on both men while the fans chant “LUCHA LIBRE!” Mortos gets in the ring, Hologram aims from the apron. Hologram goes up the ropes to then SPRINGBOARD, but Mortos dodges the double stomps! Hologram rolls through, Mortos runs up, and Hologram hip tosses him up and over! Mortos lands on his feet, but Hologram GAMANGIRIS again! Mortos staggers to the ramp, Hologram goes up the ropes, but Mortos again dodges!
Mortso runs up, CRUCIFIX DRIVER to the stage!! The fans are going nuts, but they also hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” Mortos TOSSES Hologram back into the stage, then covers, TWO?!? Hologram surprises everyone, but the fans fire up for it! Mortos DUMPS Hologram back to the outside, then drags him up. Mortos has the gorilla press again, but Hologram slips free! Hologram dodges, uses the ropes to run back in, rolling SUNSET BOMB on the stage!! The fans are thunderous again, and Hologram hurries to get Mortos back up. Hologram TOSSES Mortos back in, and he goes up a corner!
The fans fire up as Hologram aims, and FLYING CRUCIFIX DRIVERS!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Mortos survives, he really isn’t human! But Phoenix is erupting, and Hologram feeds off that energy! Hologram brings Mortos up, fires forearm after forearm, then runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, TWO!!! Hologram survives and Mortos is beside himself! The fans duel between Mortos and Hologram, and Mortos roars. Mortos whips Hologram, scoops and torture racks, then spins around, BEAST BREAKER! And then the gut wrench! Hologram slips free but can’t stay up, so Mortos whips him again.
Hologram reverses, then he catches Mortos for a COLLISION COURSE! How fitting! But then Mortos LARIATS Hologram inside-out! Both men are down and Phoenix gives a standing ovation! Hologram and Mortos slowly rise, and then Mortos brings Hologram to a corner. They both go up, and Mortos vows to end this! Gorilla press, but Hologram SUPER DUPER RANAS again! Rolling SUNSET FLIP, HOLOGRAM WINS!
Winner: Hologram, by pinfall
What a way to return to action! But then Mortos CLOBBERS Hologram for it! And he rips at the mask! The fans boo, but here comes Komander! He’s returning the favor for when Hologram saved him! Springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up, but Mortos grabs Komander by his mask! Hologram SUPERKICKS Mortos! Komander SOBATS, Hologram sweeps the legs, and both men handspring to STOMP the hands! Then uno, dos, tres, DOUBLE GIRI COMBO!! The Commander of the Skies proves to be a valuable amigo, will they both be taking AEW to the heights of lucha?
Speedball Mike Bailey is coming to AEW!
From TNA to DDT and NJPW, Mike Bailey innovates both in martial arts and high-flying pro-wrestling styles! Will the AEW roster be able to keep up?
Lexy Nair is in the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Harley Cameron.” The fans cheer as the wild Aussie that almost beat Mercedes Mone in Australia makes her way out to the ring. Lexy tells Harley she had an incredible showing at Grand Slam. It wasn’t the outcome she hoped for, but Harley had everyone behind her. Harley says she wants to tell us a story about a little girl. A little blonde girl. A little blonde girl from Australia. Yes, a little blonde girl from Australia with big… dreams. She loved to sing, she loved to dance, and she loved puppets. But more than anything, she loved WRESTLING! Every single week, that little girl would sit with her grandmother and watch TV.
The little girl would turn to her grandmother and asks, “Grandmama… One day, I will go to America! One day, I will become a wrestler! One day, I will make you proud, my country proud, and myself proud!” The fans cheer that! Harley asks Lexy if she knows who that little girl was. Who who who? That little girl… was her neighbor, Suzette Dickinson. The fans cheer for “Suzette! Suzette!” Harley doesn’t know what happened to Suzette, but Harley took that dream and she ran with it! And now, Grand Slam: Australia was only the beginning! Harley will NOT stop! In fact, she won’t stop until every single person knows what it feels like to FEEL THE WRATH!!
The fans are all fired up for Harley as she throws her jacket around, then she hugs Lexy! Harley is more than ready to try again, when and where will she have her time to shine?
Gabe Kidd VS The Butcher!
The NJPW Strong Openweight Champion is here, and he’s a Mad Man, y’know! But is he about to learn he’s just crumbs in AEW? Or will this War Dog butcher The Butcher?
The bell rings and Gabe SMACKS Butcher right to a corner! Gabe CHOPS and fires forearms! Gabe talks trash, but Butcher pushes him back. Gabe UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Gabe HEADBUTTS Butcher again and again, but Butcher shoves him down! Gabe just comes right back to LARIAT! Gabe says he’s the man now! Gabe CHOPS Butcher again and again, then LARIATS! Gabe runs, and he RAMS Butcher! Butcher just shoves Gabe again! Butcher eggs Gabe on, so Gabe CHOPS! Butcher CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” and wait, Don Callis is watching? Gabe gets around Butcher to SAIDO!
Gabe says, “Don’t play with me, man!” Gabe stomps Butcher, then kicks him. Gabe stands Butcher up, but Butcher ROCKS and TOSSES Gabe! Butcher goes out, Gabe kicks low! Butcher ROCKS Gabe again, and again, and again! Butcher whips, Gabe hits apron, and Butcher LARIATS! The fans fire up, and Butcher brings Gabe around. “Let’s take his head off!” But Gabe ducks the lariat to EXPLODER to the floor! Gabe calls out Shibata and Kenny Omega, “None of you lot can touch me!” Gabe storms around, refreshes the count, then runs up on Butcher! LARIAT! Butcher goes right down, Gabe slides back in.
Gabe sits cross-legged while he waits on the count. Butcher rises at 6 of 10, rolls in at 8, but Gabe is right on him with stomps! Gabe CHOKES Butcher on the ropes, lets off as the ref counts, and Gabe tells the ref to watch himself. But Butcher ROCKS Gabe! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Butcher ROCKS Gabe again and again, then powers up! The fans cheer, Gabe dodges, but then Butcher dodges! COMEBACKER from Gabe takes Butcher down! Gabe hauls Butcher up, “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” PILEDRIVER! Cover, Gabe wins!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall
For those who didn’t know, that’s why Gabe is NJPW Strong! But then he beats down on Butcher just because! Could this be why Don Callis is scouting Gabe? Will Gabe even care? Well, speaking of…
Backstage interview with Don Callis & Kyle Fletcher.
Lexy Nair is with the head of the family and his Protostar to bring up Grand Slam. Kyle stops her there, and says she must want to talk about he got booed in his home country, right? No, she was going to say how- How he had a fantastic showing but didn’t quite the job done? No…! She was going to say that we saw Ospreay challenge Kyle to a Steel Cage match for Revolution. Oh, that’s what she wants, huh? An answer to the challenge? Y-Yes… Callis says hold on, how about we talk about what the Family wants first. Callis wants Lexy and AEW to stop gaslighting them with these questions! Stop trying to get them in trouble!
Lexy is trying to get in Kyle’s head! That is not a place Lexy nor Ospreay want to be. Ospreay, as talented as you are, you are equally mentally deficient to think that for one second it is in your best interest to get inside a cage with a man who tried to cripple you and take you out of pro-wrestling! A man who is 6’4″, 235 pounds! A man who is bigger, stronger, and faster than Ospreay! They will use the steel cage like a veg-o-matic on Ospreay’s face! How is that for gaslighting? Callis needs therapy now after this interview. Kyle tells Ospreay that all he has done for years is take, take, and take from Kyle! At Revolution, it ends!
Ospreay wants Kyle in the cage? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! The Aussie Arrow and the Aerial Assassin will go around one more time, but who will survive inside the steel?
Julia Hart VS Queen Aminata!
The Princess of the Dark Throne steps up for the Hounds of Hell, but she’s up against the One True African Queen! Both are chasing the crown, who will take one step closer to that moment?
The bell rings, the fans cheer, and the two stare down. Julia and Aminata step up, circle, and tie up. Julia headlocks, grinds the hold, but Aminata slips out the back. Aminata steps over, gives the twerk attack, then wrenches. Julia rolls, wrenches, and YANKS the arm! And YANKS, and YANKS! Julia wristlocks but Aminata slips through, spins Julia around, then hits a headlock takeover. Aminata grinds Julia down, the fans rally, and Julia rolls to a cover! TWO!! Aminata escapes just in time, and the two reset. The fans duel, the two tie up again, and Aminata waistlocks. Julia victory rolls, TWO!
Aminata slips around Julia, snapmares her, and KICKS her in the back! Aminata runs, PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up and Julia sputters. Aminata whips Julia to a corner, then runs up to ROCK her! Aminata DOUBLE CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” and Aminata says hold on, one more time. But Julia dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and ROCK Aminata! Julia whips corner to corner, LARIATS, then runs side to side for an ELBOW! Julia wrenches Aminata and THROWS her down! Julia DRIBBLES Aminata off the mat, then lets off as the ref counts. Cover, ONE!! Aminata is tougher than that, but Julia CLUBS her while Collision goes picture in picture.
Julia CLUBS away on Aminata more, but Aminata fires body shots. Julia KNEES low, CLUBS Aminata down, then clamps on with a chinlock. Aminata endures, fights around, but Julia keeps her grounded. Aminata fights up, fires body shots, and she rolls Julia up! TWO, but Aminata reels Julia in! FISHERMAN- NO, Julia fires body shots! Julia snap suplexes, then covers, TWO! Julia puts Aminata on ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Julia lets off, and she kicks Aminata out of the ring. Julia waits while Aminata catches her breath and the ring count climbs. Aminata storms up but so does Julia, so Aminata backs up.
The ref has Julia stay back so Aminata can get in. Aminata rolls in, but Julia kicks her low! Julia CLUBS away, then fires a flurry of forearms! Aminata ROCKS Julia back! And ROCKS her again! The forearms go back and forth, but Collision goes to break.
Collision returns, Aminata kicks low but Julia ROCKS her in return! Julia runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Aminata brings Julia back up, snap suplexes, and then she storms up to BOOT Julia! Julia wobbles, Aminata snap suplexes again! The fans fire up as Aminata brings Julia up again. Snap suplex number three! The fans cheer, Aminata brings Julia up again, and then FISHERMAN SCREWS! The fans rally up, Aminata feeds off that energy, and she sees Julia in the corner. Aminata runs side to side, BOOT WASH! Aminata drags Julia to the cover, TWO!! Julia survives but Aminata is rather amused.
Aminata covers again, TWO! Aminata drags Julia to a high stack, TWO!! Aminata is getting annoyed now, and she Alabama Lifts, only for Julia to sunset flip! TWO, and Julia SUPERKICKS! Aminata wobbles, Julia runs, and Julia FLYING FOREARMS! Cover, TWO! Julia keeps Aminata down, drags her to a drop zone, and she stomps away! Julia goes up the corner, for a MOONSAULT into boots! Aminata has Julia for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Julia sits up, Aminata has her again, GERMAN SUPLEX! Aminata looms over Julia, but Julia rises again. Aminata grins and says one more. GERMAN- NO, Julia fights by hooking legs!
Julia fires elbows again and again, then runs, but into a scoop! Julia tilt-o-whirls through for an IRON OCTOPUS! Aminata TAPS, Julia wins!
Winner: Julia Hart, by submission
Julia endured all that damage and found a way to drag Aminata down! Will the Hart always win in AEW?
Brian Cage & Lance Archer VS ???
The Murder Machines have called out the Hurt Syndicate for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, but wait, they’re dragging their opponents out to the ring! Brian Cage RAMS into ? over and over in the corner, and Archer LARIATS ? in the corner! Archer runs corner to corner to ELBOW him! And then he runs to ELBOW him again! The fans fire up while Cage stomps away his guy out of the ring. Archer puts the guy in red up top, then lifts him for the BLACKOUT BOMB! Cage gets his guy in blue for the DEADLIFT SUPERPLEX! And then Cage deadlifts that guy just so he and Archer can BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO!
That’s not the end, though! Cage lifts the guy in red, Archer adds his choke grip, MURDER BOMB!! High stack, Murder Machines win!
Winners: Brian Cage
Cage grabs a mic to call out the Hurt Syndicate again! They like to hurt people? Well, hopefully they enjoyed watching that as much as Cage & Archer enjoyed doing that! Because this is what the Murder Machines will do to the Syndicate! Archer says they’re just getting started! They’ll do this anywhere and anytime! Because in the end, #EverybodyDies! Wait, here comes the Hurt Syndicate! Montel Vontavious Porter leads the way for Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, and he has a mic to say, “Pardon me, perhaps my designer shades are obstructing my vision, but I don’t see any championship gold on either one of your waists.
“So who they hell do you think you are, calling out the Hurt Syndicate?” Archer says they’re the Murder Machines, that’s who! MVP tells Lashley to stand down, and then security steps in between both teams. MVP says yes, they saw what they did. Archer did the same thing he’s done for years: beating up a couple of inexperienced locals, hoping for an opportunity. That’s supposed to make an impression? Take yourself more seriously, and take THEM a lot more seriously. Also, they heard about the whole dictating the time and the place. But in the immortal words of Freddy Mercury, “We are the champions.”
Therefore, the Syndicate dictates the time and the place. But MVP is feeling generous, so he’ll do them a favor. Instead of setting these dangerous individuals loose on the Murder Machines now, how about next week, Archer & Cage beat a real team? Then they can talk championship business. The challenge has been issued, but will Archer & Cage take down whatever team they have to in order to have their shot?
Lio Rush & Action Andretti speak.
“You might know our names. But do you know who we are? Held back by our past, fueled by our present. Call us crazy. Call us ruthless. Call us unhinged. Call us… Cru.” The Cru is ready to roll, will they soon rule over AEW?
AEW shares footage from after Dynamite last Wednesday.
Kris Statlander thanked Thunder Rosa for the save against Penelope Ford & Megan Bayne. But next time these b*tches laugh in their faces, let’s just swing on ’em. Rosa says oh she’ll swing on ’em. Will the Superbad Girl & Megasus regret getting on the bad side of The Galaxy’s Greatest & La Mera Mera?
AEW World Trios Championships: The Death Riders VS Daniel Garcia & 2Point0!
Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Pac made it through The Undisputed Kingdom, but they still have plenty of enemies to deal with. Red Death, Daddy Magic & Cool Hand Ange want revenge on top of the gold, will they have it all? Or will no one stop The Swiss Cyborg, The Decoder & The Bastard?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly the best trio in AEW!
The trios sort out and Yuta starts against Angelo Parker. The bell rings and Parker DROPKICKS Yuta! Parker whips, then ELBOWS Yuta, then he hurries to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Yuta stays in this but Parker facelocks. Yuta powers Parker to the corner, tag to Claudio, and they mug Parker. Claudio suplexes Parker, Parker slips free, but Claudio storms up. Parker fires body shots. Claudio shoves, only for Parker to duck ‘n’ dodge and- POP UP UPPERCUT! Cover, Garcia breaks it! The fans cheer, Garcia and Yuta talk trash, but the ref has Garcia back off. Claudio scoops Parker to SLAM him down!
Claudio runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, Garcia breaks it again! Pac attacks Garcia, whips him, but Garcia reverses. Garcia BOOTS Pac, Yuta runs in, but Garcia BOOTS him! Claudio TOSSES Garcia out, but Parker rolls Claudio up! TWO, and Claudio UPPERCUTS Parker down! The fans boo but Claudio seethes. Claudio drags Parker to the corner, tags Pac, and Pac stomps away on Parker. The fans taunt Yuta, Pac taunts Garcia & Menard, then Pac bumps Parker off buckles. Pac wrenches Parker, whips corner to corner hard, and Parker drops to his knees. The fans boo, Pac soaks up the heat, and Pac storms up on Parker.
Pac brings Parker over, the fans chant, “He’s A Bastard!” Pac CHOKES Parker, lets off, and Yuta gets a cheap shot DROPKICK! The fans boo but Pac then stands on Parker’s head! The ref counts, Pac steps off, and Pac kicks Parker around. Tag to Yuta, Phoenix chants, “We Hate Yuta!” Yuta doesn’t care, and he just CHOPS Parker! Parker fires forearms on the Death Riders! He goes up and over, then sends Yuta into ropes! SNAP GERMAN! Hot tag to Menard! Pac tags in, but Daddy Magic rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! Menard whips, ELBOWS Pac, and the fans fire up! Menard then hits a CUTTER! Cover, TWO!
Menard drags Pac up, reels him in, but Yuta storms up! Menard kicks Yuta, but then Claudio BOOTS Menard! Claudio reels Menard in, but Parker & Garcia attack! They TRIPLE BACKDROP Claudio! Then they get Yuta & Pac for 3v2 DOUBLE SUPLEXES! The fans fire up for 2Point0, and they each get a man in a corner! The fans count as all three men rain down fists! They go all the way to TEN, so that’s 30 total! The fans fire up while Yuta and Claudio flop out of the ring. Garcia and 2Point0 put the fists up, and they do the dance! Then things go to the outside while Collision goes picture in picture.
Pac SMACKS Menard off the apron! The ref has Claudio & Yuta stay back, but Pac slides into the ring. Pac talks with the ref, and that lets Claudio THROW Menard into railing! And then DUMP him over! Garcia hurries to coach Menard up, but the ring count begins. Menard drags himself up and over, flops back down, then crawls to the ring. Menard is in at 9! Pac seethes but he clamps on with a facelock. Pac grinds Menard down but the fans rally up. Menard fights to his feet, but Pac SOBATS! Pac tells fans to hush, then he tags Claudio. Pac digs his boots in, the ref counts, so Pac steps off. Claudio gives scuffing kicks and taunts Menard.
Menard rises, Claudio kicks at him more and more, but Menard ROCKS Claudio! And CHOPS! And repeat! Claudio whips Menard away, but Collision goes to break!
Collision returns as Claudio has Menard in a chinlock. The fans rally, and Menard fights up, to then JAWBREAKER free! Yuta tags in, the fans boo, but Yuta drags Menard away from his corner. Yuta clamps on a chinlock and he leans on the hold. “Yuta Sucks! Yuta Sucks!” Menard fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free again! But Yuta DROPKICKS him down! Yuta tags Pac, then they mug Menard. Pac stomps away on Menard, the fans boo, but Pac paces around Menard. Pac stomps Menard down, but Menard goes to the ropes. The fans rally, Menard rises, and Menard CHOPS! Pac kicks, KICKS, and then ROCKS him!
Menard staggers to the corner, Pac tags Yuta, but the Death Riders BLAST Garcia & Parker! Death Riders then run up on Menard! ELBOW from Pac! ELBOW from Yuta! UPPERCUT from Claudio! And repeat! And repeat! Feed to Claudio for the scoop SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Daddy Magic survives and the fans are fired up! Claudio drags Menard up, tags Pac, and they mug Menard. Pac clamps on the chinlock and he grinds Menard down. Menard endures, the fans rally, and Menard fights up. Menard fires body shots, but Pac puts him in a corner and BOOTS! Pac pushes Menard down, then he watches from the apron.
Menard slowly rises, Claudio gives sarcastic applause, and Pac springboards, only to fake Menard out! Menard’s antiair gets nothing, and Pac whips, only for Menard to reel Pac in! POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Hot tags to Yuta and Garcia! The fans are thunderous as Garcia rallies on the Death Riders! Garcia rains fists down on Yuta, but Claudio drags him away. Garcia BOOTS Yuta, sends Claudio into him, then hits a SAIDO on Yuta! SAIDO on Pac! SAI- NO, Claudio fights that off! Claudio runs, but Garcia dodges! Garcia BOOTS Claudio, 2Point0 DOUBLE HAYMAKER, and Claudio staggers backwards, into the SAIDO!!
The fans are thunderous again as Garcia spins Yuta, and hits the TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Garcia reels him back in! Yuta fights the lift, backdrops, but Garcia sunset flips! ONE, into the step-through! DRAGON TAMER!! The fans are thunderous again as Yuta endures! Pac storms in to BOOT Garcia! It does nothing! Garcia roars, Pac BOOTS him again! Garcia still roars, so Pac runs, but Parker DUMPS him out! Parker builds speed and WRECKS Pac with a dropkick! Garcia sits deep on the hold, but Claudio deadlift JACKHAMMERS Garcia! Menard DDTS Claudio! All six men are down and Phoenix is electric!
The fans rally for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Yuta and Garcia throw forearms! The fans cheer Garcia, they boo Yuta, and the forearms keep going! The shots go back and forth, Yuta SLAPS Garcia! Garcia just scowls, and then he clamps on! Yuta breaks free, Garcia CHOPS him! Yuta BITES Garcia’s ear!! Tag to Claudio, he LARIATS Garcia! Cover, TWO!! Garcia lives, but Pac tags in! Claudio SWINGS Garcia around, and Pac DROPKICKS at five! Cover, Parker breaks it!! Claudio drags Parker and Menard out, THROWS Menard into railing, and Pac BOOTS Garcia in the corner! Pac snapmares Garcia then climbs up top.
Pac aims, but Menard anchors Pac! Garcia trips Pac up, but Claudio is after Menard again! Parker tags in, he climbs up, and he goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men are down, Parker crawls to the cover, YUTA BREAKS IT! Menard hurries in to put Yuta in the corner! Parker forearm SMASHES, drop toehold form Menard! BOOYAH ELBOW! They do the same on Pac, but Claudio UPPERCUTS Parker outta the air! The fans rally, but Pac puts on the BRUTALIZER!! Parker TAPS, Death Riders win!
Winners: The Death Riders, by submission (still AEW World Trios Champions)
But the fighting isn’t over! Pac holds onto Parker, Garcia crawls in, but he gets mugged by Claudio & Yuta! The ref tells Pac to stop, but here comes The Undisputed Kingdom! They want their own payback, and they step right up to The Death Riders! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! Garcia & Menard hep, this is 5v3! The Kingdom LARIAT The Death Riders out, and now Garcia stares down with Cole. The fans like the look of this. Pac stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Kyle & Roddy give Pac SWEEP THE LEG!! The Death Riders retreat, only for Moxley & Marina to storm their way out! The Maniac is pissed about what happened to Pac, but COPE IS HERE!!
The fans fire up as The Rated R Superstar storms out here, with two chairs! The Kingdom, Garcia & 2Point0 dare Moxley and the rest to come on back, but they stay far away! Cope puts Pac’s head on one chair, then wields the other, CON-CHAIR-TO!! The fans want that again, so Cope obliges. CON-CHAIR-TO again!! Cope promised to take out the pawns, and that’s one down! Will Cope be able to eliminate the others before we reach Revolution?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and brings up their issue with Harley Cameron. Taya says they have actually taken issue with Lexy! Lexy said that “everyone” was behind Harley, but Taya can think of two dangerous and sophisticated women who were not. Deonna says they’ll admit, Harley is talented. Harley can sing, rap, do ventriloquism, is funny and tells jokes. But when it comes to the wrestling ring, Harley is not fooling anyone. Harley got a fluke win over Taya, but she has not met the entire Vendetta. And what happened at Grand Slam? Harley LOST! And losers lose. That means Harley is at the back of the line.
So Harley has a choice: move, or be moved. Because The Vendetta has business to take care of. Lexy, MOVE. Lexy runs off, Taya & Deonna head out, but what will Harley choose to do?
Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS ???
Despite being 0-2 at his own challenge, Platinum Max is back again, and he introduces himself as The Best Wrestler Alive. He has been doing open challenges every week, and last week, he was disrespected by “Hangperson” Adam Page! The fans chant for “COWBOY SH*T!” but Caster tells them to relax. “Hangperson” attacked before the bell, chased Caster around the arena before he was ready, and so whoever answers tonight’s challenge, Caster implores them to get in this ring, look him in the eye, and shake his hand like a man. But they won’t, because everyone in AEW is afraid of Platinum Max!
“So let’s see who can survive the Best Wrestler Alive!” Caster waits on his opponent, and it’s… BRODY KING! The fans fire up and Caster freaks out! Julia had her win earlier, will the Hounds of Hell get another win on the night? Caster reluctantly returns to the ring, the fans bark, and the bell sounds. Brody wants to shake hands, so Caster shakes his hand. But then Brody crushes Caster’s hand! Caster freaks out, fires a shot, but Brody CHOPS him down! Brody smirk, runs up, but Caster dodges! Caster dropkicks the legs out, then he clamps on a headlock. The fans rally for Brody and Brody headscissors.
Caster moves around, hops around, headstands, and bridges, but Brody holds on tight! The fans cheer as Brody CHOPS Caster again! Caster sputters and staggers, but into a BACKDROP from Brody! Caster flounders to a corner, the fans bark again, and Brody runs up to SPLASH! The barking continues, and Brody roars before he CANNONBALLS! Brody drags Caster to a cover, Brody wins!
Winner: Brody King, by pinfall
Well, at least Caster got his handshake… But this makes 0-3, is Caster going to realize his “Best Wrestler Alive” claim might be exaggeration?
Backstage interview with The Outrunners.
Lexy is with Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd, and she congratulates them on their big win during ROH Global Wars last week. That begs the question, though: What’s next? Truth says nothing succeeds like success! He can’t even tell us the feeling when the entire country of Australia was cheering them as they chopped down The Learning Tree! Tell ’em, Turb! Turbo says that he’s been thinking, too, what is next? How can they top things? How can they go bigger and better? But then Hurt Syndicate walks through, and The Outrunners flag them down. Truth & Turbo heard about that challenge over Murder Machines VS “a real team,” for a shot at the tag titles.
So what if The Outrunners was the team to beat the Murder Machines? What then? MVP looks to his associates, and then says okay, here’s some good news and some bad news. Okay, okay! MVP says the good news is: If Outrunners do win, then they get the AEW World Tag Team Championship match. Nice! That’s what they’re talking about! The bad news is… If they beat the Murder Machines, it’s a tag title match with Lashley & Shelton. Good luck, boys. The Outrunners misunderstand and think this is a win-win, but will it just end up a lose-lose when Cage & Archer are through with them?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
It seems Harley will NOT be moved, as she is stepping up to The Virtuosa! Harley VS Deonna 1v1 is happening, but will Harley go 2-0 against The Vendetta? Plus, a bounty has been put out on Will Ospreay! And while it isn’t hard to guess who did it, it’s the Bad Apple that wants to collect! Will Bryan Keith take out Ospreay before Revolution? Or will the Aerial Assassin strike first?
ROH World Championship: Chris Jericho VS Bandido!
Speaking of that Global Wars match, not only did The Learning Tree lose, but Jericho himself was pinned by The Most Wanted! This title match has been a long time coming, but will The Nueve still be the Nueve? Or will Bandido bring honor back to ROH?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to see who reigns as El Campeon de Honor!
The bell rings, the fans are all behind Bandido, but Jericho gets on the corner. The fans boo Jericho, but then Bandido climbs up. The fans cheer Bandido! Jericho is annoyed by that, but Bandido feeds off that energy. The Code of Honor is finally offered by Bandido, and Jericho reluctantly takes it. Both men get in the other’s face, there’s a bit of trash talk, but then Bandido doesn’t let Jericho back up. Bandido aims his finger gun and says he’s got a shot with Jericho’s name on it. But then Jericho doesn’t let Bandido back up, and he pokes Bandido in the eyes! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Jericho ROCKS and CHOPS!
Jericho headlocks, Bandido powers up and out, but Jericho runs him over! Jericho soaks up the heat, then keeps moving. Bandido is up, hurdles, then drops. MOHNEKY FLIP! Bandido then LARIATS and the fans fire up! Jericho kicks low, CHOPS again, then whips. Bandido handsprings, Jericho dodges, but Bandido aims the finger gun. Jericho runs up, Bandido TOSSES Jericho out, then DIVES! Direct hit into the railing and Phoenix fires up! Bandido is back in the ring, he builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Jericho! Phoenix fires up with Bandido again, and then Bandido kicks Jericho. Bandido puts Jericho in the ring, then aims from the apron.
Bandido springboards and- CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Jericho snarls but Bandido is still in this. Jericho slaps Bandido around, taunts him, then drags Bandido up. Fans chant “Please Retire!” Jericho CHOPS, whips, then runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Jericho fires LARIAT after LARIAT, but only gets 4 before Bandido flops down. Jericho drags Bandido up to the top rope, CHOPS again, then climbs. Jericho pretends he can’t hear the fans, then he rains down fists! Jericho goes NUEVE~, then TEN! “Retire this!” SUPER STEINER! Bandido flounders, fans are torn because that is still impressive, and Jericho revels in it all the same.
Bandido goes to the apron, Jericho goes out to fetch him, and Jericho CLUBS Bandido. Jericho reels Bandido in, but Bandido fights the bomb! Jericho CLUBS away, Bandido fires body shots, then Bandido CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Jericho CHOPS back! Jericho fires forearms now, then gets some space. Jericho runs up, but into a RANA! Bandido sends Jericho to the floor! The fans fire up while both men are down, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Bandido and Jericho slowly stir, and luckily ROH rules means a 20 count. Bandido and Jericho are still down past 10, then finally sit up at 15. We hit 17, 18, and both men lunge in at 19! The match continues as both men crawl towards each other. They go forehead to forehead, then rise up for Jericho to fire a forearm! Bandido gives that back, so Jericho fires another! The forearms go back and forth, they gain speed, and they stand up to fire a flurry! Bandido fires a flurry, but then DOUBLE FOREARMS take both men down! Jericho goes to ropes, Bandido rises at center, and Collision returns to single picture.
Bandido eggs Jericho on, but Jericho CHOPS! Bandido CHOPS, Jericho CHOPS again, and repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP, but Jericho CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Jericho CHOPS Bandido on the back! Jericho soaks up the cheers and jeers, then he CHOPS! Bandido CHOPS, Jericho CHOPS, then Bandido fires a flurry of CHOPS! Jericho CLAWS the eyes! Jericho whips, Bandido reverses then runs up, but Jericho puts him on the apron! Bandido GAMANGIRIS, then he goes up the corner! TORNILLO CROSSBODY! The fans fire up and Bandido hauls Jericho up, atomic FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Jericho stays in this but Bandido runs, only for Jericho to fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Bandido survives and Jericho is annoyed. Jericho SLAPS Bandido, then he drags Bandido up. Jericho CHOPS, whips, but Bandido KICKS Jericho! Bandido then dodges the lariat to SUPERKICK! Bandido runs, into a BOOT! Jericho and Bandido DOUBLE HAYMAKER, and both men fall again! The fans fire up and Jericho slowly sits up. But then Bandido sits up like a Deadman! Both men are now back to back, and this time, we’re gonna get a real showdown! They take their ten paces and are in the corners!
The fans fire up, both men run up, but Bandido scoops Jericho to a torture rack! GO TO- NO, Jericho blocks the leg to turn Bandido over! WALLS OF JERICHO!! Bandido endures, claws at the mat, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Bandido powers up, fights his way forward, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Jericho lets go and argues with Aubrey, and then throws a fit. Bandido rises, Jericho runs in, but Bandido gorilla presses! And with one arm! Then the SLAM! The fans are thunderous as Bandido goes up, up, and Latino Heat for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!? Jericho survives but fans cheer for “EDDIE! EDDIE!”
Bandido is frustrated, but Jericho knew Eddie well. Bandido keeps the Latino Heat going as he kicks Jericho. Then Bandido runs, but into a DROPKICK! Bandido tumbles to the apron, Jericho runs, triangle jump- NO, Bandido jumps up and SUNSET FLIP BOMBS him out of it! Cover, TWO!??! “This is Awesome!” as Bandido sits Jericho up. Bandido feeds off that energy and he whips Jericho. Jericho grabs ropes, avoids the dropkick, and he LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Bandido stays in this and Jericho is beside himself! Jericho goes for Bandido, Bandido cradles him! TWO!! Jericho escapes with nanoseconds to spare!
Jericho runs up, goes up,” Hi, Guys~!” RANA! Cover, TWO! Jericho snarls as his “Hi Spot” didn’t finish this. But then Jericho goes up a corner for a high spot! Only for Bandido to GAMANGIRI! Bandido climbs up, fires hands, then goes to the very top! Bandido clinches Jericho, scoops him, MOONSAULT AND BATTERY!!! The fans are thunderously losing their minds, Bandido crawls to the cover, TWO?!?! Bandido is too tired to even be shocked, and he drags Jericho back up. Gut wrench, Canadian Rack, then the flip, BUENAS NOCHES! But Jericho ends up on ropes, so Bandido plays the hot hand! BLACKJACK 21- VICTORY ROLL!! JERICHO WINS!!!
Winner: Chris Jericho, by pinfall (still ROH World Champion)
Jericho doesn’t let Bandido get him with the same move a second time, and he is still on top of ROH! Will anyone ever take that gold away from The Learning Tree?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here, even for being recorded after Dynamite on Wednesday. Jericho VS Bandido was a great main event, but I had a feeling Jericho would retain the title. It’s the conundrum of having Jericho be the ROH World Champion again. I know they want ROH to get back on cable and they want to use a recognizable name to sell networks on, but I just don’t think it happens even with Jericho. And the saddest thing is, Bandido is 0-2 against Jericho when he really shouldn’t be.
At least the night opened with a great move. Mariah VS Toni part 3 was inevitable, so Mariah attacking Toni while being this disheveled psycho was a great move. “The Hollywood Ending” is going to be great, maybe even more violent than anything we’ve seen from these two yet. Hologram VS Mortos was the real main event, that match was awesome and just because these two wanted to bust out everything they had for Hologram’s first match back. Great win for Hologram, great save from Komander, and I’m sure they’ll have a great tag match with LFI.
Great stuff from Gabe VS Butcher, mostly because Gabe showed his power level by dominating Butcher and never really being in trouble. Don Callis scouting him is interesting, but he could think of recruiting Gabe to the Family over how Gabe could want a rematch with Kenny Omega. And then good promo from Callis & Kyle to accept the Steel Cage Match challenge, that’ll be great stuff. Cage & Archer of course destroyed Team Sky High, Mondo Rox & Robbie Lit, but the main thing is that now we have a #1 contenders match: Murder Machines VS Outrunners. Either choice is good for facing Hurt Syndicate, but it seems odd that Outrunners would get fed to either Murder Machines or Hurt Syndicate with how hot they’re running.
On the flip side, Lio & Action have a promo again after being gone for weeks and letting their story with Top Flight go cold. Their team name of “The Cru” is interesting. To be fair, I was calling the faction they had with Top Flight & Leila Grey “Top Flight Crew” and so now they’ve just split that name. But can two men really be a “crew” and not just a duo? Maybe they add a person or two? Either way, they just need to finish their feud with Top Flight once and for all. Though that seems to be something AEW rarely does. Serena Deeb really should’ve shown up after Aminata’s loss to keep that story alive, it’s barely even going.
Julia VS Aminata was a good match, and I suppose Julia showing toughness in that win is fine, but it felt dragged out. On the other hand, Brody deals with Caster quickly, which is perfect for the story. At a certain point, Bowens should answer the Open Challenge, and they should also put that certificate of “Best Wrestler Alive” on the line. Or at least have Bowens rip it up. Okada had a good promo to talk trash on Buddy while also talking trash on everyone else. I wouldn’t mind seeing Brody call out Okada in return and they have a match for Revolution. Harley had a great promo, and Vendetta had a good response. Harley VS Deonna will be great stuff, I wonder if Harley gets an ally against The Vendetta to escalate the story.
Um… Was that promo from Kris and Rosa to explain why Rosa didn’t take a swing? Or to cover for how things didn’t really make sense live on Dynamite? I mean, obviously they had to cover for it, that was really a janky moment. But hopefully they get us to Kris & Rosa VS Ford & Megan as fast as they can to put that story to rest and send someone towards a title match.
I do appreciate they aren’t wasting time in Cope going after the Death Riders like he promised on Wednesday. Great Trios title match, but I figured 2Point0 was losing. The Undisputed Kingdom showing up to make the save was a natural move, and they of course teased Daniel Garcia VS Adam Cole for the TNT Championship. Cope hitting Pac with the Con-Chair-to twice was some good stuff, and you can bet the same thing or similar is in store for the rest. And as for Marina, that’s perfect for bringing Willow into the story, Willow can handle Marina on behalf of Cope.
My Score: 8.8/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.8/10
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There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (2/22/25)
Collision is War Ready!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
