Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/25/20)
Drew McIntyre is a VIP!
Raw will determine a challenger for the new champion!
While MVP welcomes Drew McIntyre to the lounge, Nia Jax, Natalya and Charlotte Flair will battle to challenge the Raw Women’s Champion, ASUKA!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Apollo Crews; Crews wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
- Kevin Owens VS Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega; Garza wins.
- Golf: The Street Profits VS The Viking Raiders; The Profits win.
- Aleister Black & Humberto Carrillo VS Austin Theory & Buddy Murphy w/ Seth Rollins; Theory & Murphy win.
- Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Charlotte Flair VS Natalya VS Nia Jax; Jax wins and will challenge Asuka for the title at Backlash.
- The Street Profits VS Bobby Lashley & MVP; The Profits win, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE celebrates Memorial Day, and remembers those who gave all for our freedoms.
“What does it mean to be selfless?” To have the courage to put all else first for a greater cause. In every generation, there are those who do just that. This weekend, we honor them. “The brave men and women who fought for our freedom,” from WWI to Desert Storm. From Normandy to Afghanistan. Remember the moments and the events that defined our history. Remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice. As Ronald Reagan once said, as we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. Show gratitude to those that shaped us, guided us, and ensured our values would live forever. Show reverence and respect, and say, “Thank you” to them.
WWE Superstars from NXT and the Performance Center are in the crowd!
Keeping social distancing guidelines and Plexiglas windows, young prospects watch the superstars of Raw they want to be like in their own careers.
Raw presents The Kevin Owens Show!
And this time, his set is intact. The crowd cheers as he welcomes us and the future of the WWE to Raw. And more importantly, he welcomes us all to the Kevin Owens Show. They’re in for a treat, because later on tonight, KO takes on Angel Garza. Aren’t you excited? Yes! But before all that, KO wants to discuss the Women’s Triple Threat for a shot at the Raw Women’s Championship. Who better to discuss that with than THE champion, ASUKA?! The Empress of Tomorrow brings back the original gear as she walks out with mic and belt. Asuka gets everyone cheering for “Becky! Becky!” because she deserves cheers, too. Becky is going from The Man to The Mom, and the new merch is available on WWE Shop.
Kevin congrats Asuka and she is very thankful. Before getting into the Triple Threat, KO wants Asuka’s reaction to everything last week. Asuka’s celebration with Kairi Sane was rudely interrupted by Nia Jax, and it was also insulted. Nia says Asuka is in the “greatest temp job ever,” only to be replaced. Asuka beat up and kicked out Nia, only for Nia to get revenge on Kairi! So Asuka gave Nia some more! Back in the present, Asuka is still angry with Nia. She is sure Kevin understands with why she did all that. Kairi is so cute and is Asuka’s friend! But before she can say more, here comes the NXT Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair! The Queen is another of the contenders in tonight’s Triple Threat, but she joins Asuka as a guest of the KO Show.
Charlotte has a mic and tells Asuka, “I need to get this off my chest.” That title should’ve been handed to Charlotte. Does Charlotte need to remind us what happens when she and Asuka have a match? Asuka’s never beaten Charlotte. Manage your expectations, Empress. But wait! Here comes the Queen of Harts! Kevin gets his show signs out of the way so Natty doesn’t go after them. Natty gets herself a mic as she joins Charlotte and Asuka in the ring. Natty says she isn’t here to cause trouble, but to apologize. She apologizes to Kevin and his show crew for her “temper tantrum.” The crowd applauds this, but Charlotte laughs. Not even sucking up to Kevin will help Natty win tonight? That wasn’t sucking up, that was being nice. Oh, silly Kevin. But maybe Charlotte was being rude in telling Natty she’s irrelevant.
And naturally, here comes Nia Jax! Nia stays on stage as she asks all of this to stop. Everyone knows she’ll be champion, so everyone might as well just stay out. Kevin clears out of the ring as Nia joins the others. Nia wants Asuka to remember what happened to Kairi. That will be a fraction of what happens at Backlash. Kevin wants Asuka to keep her calm. Just don’t hit Nia in the face. BAKC HAND TO THE FACE! And then Natty goes after Charlotte! Asuka runs but Nia bails out while Queen and Queen fall out of the ring! It’s clear Asuka wants Nia to win just so she can go after her at Backlash. But will she get her wish when Charlotte and Natty both join the mix?
Backstage interview with Apollo Crews.
Tonight is a second chance. Is Crews ready both physically and mentally for this? Tonight is the greatest night of Crews’ career, because he will defeat Andrade Almas to finally become the NEW WWE United States Champion! Crews heads out, because that match is next! Will tonight be the night it all changes for Crews?
WWE United States Championship: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Apollo Crews!
Raw returns as Crews makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Crews’ chance at redemption begins!
Almas backs away to a corner and the ref keeps Crews back. Almas comes out and ties up with Crews, but Crews waistlocks and slams. Crews then gets Almas to a corner, but must back off. Angel Garza is watching backstage as Almas and Crews tie up. Crews pushes Almas to a corner and fires off hands! The ref counts and Crews lets up to whip. Crews runs Almas over with an elbow and covers, ONE! Crews is on Almas with a suplex and holds him up for a count of 10! Cover, ONE! Crews looms over Almas and drags him up for haymakers. Crews scoops but Almas slips out to boot feint and ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Crews survives but Almas says he is still champion. Almas brings Crews up, reels him in, but Crews resists the hammerlock to power up and TOSS Almas!
Crews has the crowd behind him as he trophy lifts! But Vega gets on the apron. Crews lets Almas down, dodges Almas, and enziguris him into Vega! La Muneca is down and Almas hurries out to check on her. Raw goes picture in picture as Almas panics.
Almas wants time to make sure Vega is okay, and the ref keeps Crews in the ring. Medics are called for Vega’s sake and they go to check on her. They tell Almas to go back to his match while they help her, and a ring count begins. Almas wants more time but even Vega tells him to go back. Crews steps closer but Almas stays back. Almas then suckers Crews in and goes after the recovered leg! Almas CHOPS and RAMS Crews into barriers! The count continues but Almas grabs the title belt. “This is MINE!” Almas storms over to Crews as the count climbs. Almas puts Crews in at 8 and covers, TWO! El Idolo stomps Crews and clamps on with an armlock. Crews endures and the crowd rallies up. Crews fights to his feet and throws body shots! He throws haymakers but Almas knees low.
Almas headlocks but Crews back suplexes out. Crews ROCKS Almas with a right, then another! And another, and another! And then Crews rallies! He tackles Almas into a corner, rams his shoulders in over and over, then whips corner to corner! Crews runs in to hit a splash! The crowd fires up with Crews as he goes back to Almas. Almas boots back then hops up, but Crews enziguris back! Vega is wincing and not just from her fall. Crews has Almas and climbs up top. But Almas trips Crews into a Tree of Woe! And hits WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Vega is furious as Crews survives! Almas runs corner to corner, but Crews dodges! Crews lifts for the Olympic Slam but Almas arm-drags out! Crews baits Almas into a corner for an OVERHEAD suplex! Cover, TWO!
Garza is cheering but Kayla Braxton comes by to interview him. What are his thoughts? The secret to a good match is like making love. First, there is eye contact that sends a clear message. Second, there is the moment between the two bodies where they come together. Sometimes it’s gentle, sometimes it’s crashing. The tension builds as you’re thrown onto the mat. The passion of conquering the other is exhausted bliss. Then you do it all over again. Garza turns back to the screen to see his ally in Vega’s stable is in trouble!
Crews drags Almas up and in to lift, but Almas huricarnanas back! Crews hits buckles and Almas goes corner to corner! CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TOW!?! Crews survives again and Vega is freaking out! Almas kicks Crews’ bad leg over and over. Crews slowly gets up and Almas Fisherman hooks the leg. But Crews enziguris with the good leg! Crews trophy lifts and drops Almas, to hit the standing moonsault! And standing shooting star! Cover, CREWS WINS!!
Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall (NEW WWE United States Champion)
Incredible! Crews shocks Vega and perhaps the world as he finally realizes his potential! Is this just the beginning of Apollo’s legend?
In-ring interview with Apollo.
Congratulations are in order. What does it feel to finally win his first title in the WWE? Crews says when he first started on his journey, people closest to him told him he couldn’t do it. But he never gave up. 11 years of sacrifice, hard work and dedication, and he is finally a champion! Crews knows when his body gave out last time, people were thinking, “That’s it. He blew his chance.” But Crews never gave up. Crews has always believed in himself. He can finally say to the whole world that he is the NEW WWE United States Champion! It feels so good!
Meanwhile, Almas is throwing a tantrum, smashing up whatever he can backstage! Will El Idolo’s rage only be quelled by another rematch? Or is Crews on to a new challenge?
Seth Rollins has one of Rey Mysterio’s masks.
The Monday Night Messiah looks upon it in reflection. What does Rollins have left to say about the legend of lucha libre?
Raw returns to hear from Seth Rollins.
“Tonight is a night for celebration! Because the Monday Night Messiah is here, and I am better than I have ever been.” And that is all thanks to Rey Mysterio. We relive through footage just what happened. Rollins took offense to Mysterio’s hit, and then took Mysterio to dig his eye into the corner of the steel steps! Back in the present, Rollins speaks on that “dark, dark place” he was in. Mysterio presented himself in a time of need as a chosen sacrifice. Mysterio fulfilled his duty to the greater good. Rollins can’t imagine the pain Mysterio went through. He can’t begin to imagine how painful it was for Mysterio’s family, especially Dominic, who couldn’t be there for his father. Rollins doesn’t know what the future holds for Mysterio. But if that was truly Mysterio’s final act as a WWE superstar, then it was a courageous one. “Because it allows us to move forward into the future.”
Theory and Murphy stand with Rollins, and it is official that Theory is the newest disciple. Just as Rollins was discarded by the WWE Universe, both Murphy and Theory understand what it is to be underappreciated. With Rollins’ guidance, their ceilings are limitless. Murphy says his career faced obstacle upon obstacle and he needed guidance. He needed a mentor and a leader. He needed the Monday Night Messiah to lead him into the future. For that, Murphy thanks Rollins. Theory says that he came to Raw with who he thought were friends. But when they abandoned him, the Monday Night Messiah found him. And for that, Theory thanks Rollins. You’re welcome.
But this is just the beginning of a wonderful night. Because later tonight, they will show Mysterio “the goodness he has brought to Monday Night Raw,” when they make examples of Humberto Carrillo and Aleister Black. They will see what happens when they stand in the way of the Monday Night Messiah. Will the disciples carry out Rollins’ will? Or will they both simply #FadeToBlack?
Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.
The Queen winning tonight would mean a chance at becoming a Double Champion. Has she thought what this means for her legacy? Charlotte has been the most consistent and prolific women’s champion in WWE History. It doesn’t matter how many titles she has, those are just metal. She is raising the bar for every woman in this division! And no one else compares. But Asuka comes in, showing off her title. Asuka mocks Charlotte in Japanese, and says, “Red is not your color.” Asuka heads off, dancing again. Will Charlotte be seeing red when she enters the Triple Threat?
The IIconics are here!
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce let their tempers get the better of them last week. They have seemingly calmed down, but what are they planning on saying and doing this week? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and the IIconics have mics. Peyton apologizes to Billie for costing them the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Billie says she needs to apologize for slapping Peyton after. It makes Billie sick to her stomach. She doesn’t want there to be any animosity. They’ve come so far together. Peyton appreciates that, and agrees. They grew up together, signed to the WWE together, and won the Women’s Tag Team titles at WrestleMania together! They never even had a chance to defend their titles! They had things stripped and thrown into the trash! They should still be champions! So over their dead bodies will a crazy lady and “the office’s favorite blonde” going to hold what is rightfully theirs!
But speaking of, here comes Bliss-Cross! Alexa “laughs” at that last line. The IIconics had their opportunities. They’ve complained, taken cheap shots and shortcuts to get back, but they still blew their shot. Nikki starts but Peyton interrupts her. The crowd is loving the drama as Billie tells Nikki to stand there and look grateful. Grateful? The IIconics are telling Nikki to stand here and be grateful? Every step she and Alexa took to these titles, they took together! Nikki left her home of Glasgow with nothing in her pocket, and she got here! But the IIconics had each other! Nikki scratched, clawed and fought for everything! And then Lexi came along, gave her the time of day and the respect she deserves! Nikki was the misfit outcast IIconics laughed at.
But what’s funny is how the IIconics want to talk about friendship. But Bliss-Cross are the Women’s Tag Team Champions! Why? Because Lexi stops Nikki from bouncing off the walls, and Nikki has taught her something about friendship. And nothing is more iconic than that! And a fight breaks out! The IIconics beat Bliss-Cross down, then coordinate on Nikki. The crowd boos but Nikki gets the spinning heel kick! Then the IIconics POST Bliss and yank her back down! The crowd boos as Nikki reaches for Alexa, but she gets the INVERTED MAGIC KILLER! Will this battle of dynamic duos only heat up from here?
Lana confronts MVP backstage.
She glares at him while he checks his phone. Is there something she needs? They need to talk. No, they don’t. Bye. Will Lana be able to do anything about her “hawt, hawt husband” joining up with Montel Vontavius Porter?
WWE mourns the loss of Shad Gaspard.
Raw returns to the VIP Lounge!
MVP is already in the ring with his couches and champagne, and he extends a special welcome to the NXT superstars and PC trainees. Their tabs are on him. But while the VIP Lounge won’t be the exclusively open club for long, but it will be the club with the star power! Especially with his guest, the future former WWE World Champion, Drew McIntyre! The crowd cheers the Scottish Stud as he heads down the ramp and through the velvet ropes. McIntyre dumps the champagne and tosses the furniture around! “Now that we got that bit of business out of the way…” McIntyre wants MVP to bring “him” out. Who? MVP knows. Where is Lashley? Oh, no, McIntyre doesn’t have to worry about an ambush. No contract, no contact. The physicality won’t be this week or next week. It’ll be at Backlash.
But MVP wants McIntyre to remember the last time MVP graciously welcomed McIntyre to the lounge. He selflessly offered McIntyre his guidance to the very top of the WWE mountain and navigate the chaos. Does McIntyre remember? MVP does. MVP remembers trying to be a friend ,only to be repaid with a Claymore kick to the face. But after finding himself down and out, he had two thoughts: 1) McIntyre is definitely going to become WWE Champion; 2) When McIntyre loses, MVP will personally play a role in that outcome. It took Lashley 13 years, and now Lashley has his opportunity, because of MVP. Wow, 13 years. It took McIntyre 19 years! And guess what happened? McIntyre was in the main event of WrestleMania, and he beat BROCK LESNAR in five minutes! Lashley won’t be so lucky.
But yes, McIntyre remembers what he said in VIP Lounge last time. He’ll refresh our memories tonight. McIntyre doesn’t need someone else thinking for him. He doesn’t need someone else talking for him. And he sure as hell doesn’t want someone kissing his ass. Lashley said something that got McIntyre’s attention: The only way he will take this title will be by prying it from McIntyre’s cold, dead hands. MVP says that can be arranged. Because now Lashley heads to the ring! MVP welcomes him as the future NEW WWE Champion! But then MVP gets a CLAYMORE! McIntyre kips up as Lashley drags MVP out of the ring. McIntyre wants to settle this now but MVP tells Lashley to wait. The stud and the All Mighty will have this out soon enough
Backstage interview with Natalya.
Natty has a lot on her mind, but she also gets a call. It’s from TJ. Natty explains to him about her apology for her meltdown. She doesn’t need him on her case, she has her match to worry about. Natty hangs up and goes back to the interview, but their time is up. Will this only add to Natty’s problems?
Kevin Owens VS Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega!
The Prizefighter heads back out for the match he plugged earlier in the night. Will he add on to the problems of Zelina Vega’s stable?
But as KO makes his entrance, Garza attacks from behind with a sliding chop block! El Latino es en la casa and he SLAMS Kevin’s leg on the ramp! Garza gets to the ring, but can Kevin still fight after this? We’ll see after the break.
Raw returns and Kevin has made it into the ring. Kevin wants this fight and the bell rings! Garza runs and dropkicks the leg out! Then he cranks on it with a toehold and puts it on the ropes. Garza stomps but the ref counts. Garza lets up at four to wrap the legs around the rope! He stops at 4 again to club away on Kevin. Garza pulls on the leg in a modified toehold but Kevin gets the ropebreak. Garza is on Kevin right away but Kevin throws hands! Garza hits back and wraps the leg on the ropes again! The ref counts, Garza stops but KICKS the knee! Garza turns Kevin over, drags him around, and stands on the leg as he pulls on the ankle! Kevin endures and the crowd rallies up. Kevin crawls, and again gets the ropebreak!
Garza lets go fast and kicks at the arms now. Garza drags Kevin up but Kevin spins through to DDT! Vega is shocked at Garza getting spiked! Kevin staggers up on one good leg and CHOPS Garza down! Kevin rallies and elbows Garza down, to then drop a back senton! The crowd rallies for Kevin while Vega coaches Garza. Kevin runs corner to corner but his leg gives out! Garza SUPERKICKS Kevin down! Cover, TWO!! Kevin will not go down but Garza won’t let up. Garza headlocks and brings Kevin to a corner. Garza hoists Kevin up top backwards then climbs up behind him. Kevin fights back and even headbutts Garza down! Kevin adjusts and SWANTONS! But he can’t cover because of the bad leg bothering him!
The crowd rallies up as Kevin stands. Kevin grabs Garza and CHOPS him against ropes! And then he whips and pops Garza up, but the bad leg gives out! Garza gets Kevin for the WING CLIPPER!! Cover, Garza wins!
Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall
The former NXT Cruiserweight Champion beats a Triple Crown Champion in Kevin, but he isn’t done! He kicks the bad leg out and gloats about it on his way out. Will Kevin still be able to fight in order to get payback?
The Street Profits and Viking Raiders meet on the golf course.
We are ready~, ready~ to try the gentlemen’s game. Erik and Ivar bring a cooler, but not full of drinks. It’s mutton! Sorry, guys, no food on the course. They go over the rules and begin. A great couple of drives from Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford, but Erik misunderstands and throws the club like a javelin! After things get sorted, Erik ends up in the sand trap and really struggles. Dawkins gets one in the hole, but Ivar struggles to get one off the pin. He sure makes a good divot, though. Ford somehow lucks out that his pinball shot goes in the hole!Ivar finally gets one off the pin but forgets to give warning. So of course, someone gets hit. And then their golf cart breaks down! The course manager is furious! They get kicked out!
So instead of golf, they go to mini-golf! Time to get their Caddyshack on! Much easier holes here. Just look out for the baby gators. Ford even goes Happy Gilmore with that pool shot. Ivar forgets this is mini-golf, but Erik likes the pond shot. But once again, Ivar helps them out by being “cute” to the manager lady. But Ivar has one last putt and the game is finally finished! But who won? The final scores are… Viking Raiders: 144, Street Profits: 28. High score! No, guys, no. Golf is lowest score. The Profits win and they’re 2-1 on the series! Aw man… Ivar still wants the game ball. Wait, is that someone’s wallet? Someone’s red Solo cup? Mutton? Ivar, don’t eat it, that’s against the five second rule. The gator wants some. Well anything that gator can do, Ivar can do better. No no no.
Lana finds MVP and Lashley backstage.
She offers MVP an ice pack after what happened. Seriously, what a monster McIntyre is for kicking him. MVP accepts the ice pack but not the apologies. Does Lana think this is a joke? No, of course it is a joke! Everything’s a joke to her! McIntyre did something to Lashley, not Lana or MVP. Lashley has his first title opportunity in 13 YEARS. So what needs to happen is they need to send a message back. So if Lana will excuse them, they have work to do. Well that didn’t work. Lana is furious again, but are things beyond the point of no return?
Aleister Black & Humberto Carrillo VS Austin Theory & Buddy Murphy w/ Seth Rollins!
The Embodiment of the End and Ultimo Ninja want revenge for what The Architect did to the King of Lucha! But first they must go through his disciples. Will Aleister and Carrillo be able to avenge the living legend and derail Rollins’ vision for Raw’s future?
The teams sort out and Theory starts against Carrillo. They circle, tie up, and Carrillo waistlocks. Theory elbows out hard then pushes Carrillo. Carrillo CHOPS but Theory fires off! Theory stomps then tags in Murphy, and Murphy adds more stomps. The ref counts and Murphy lets up, but tags in Theory. The disciples double back suplex but Carrillo escapes! Carrillo runs at Theory and springboards to arm-drag Murphy! Carrillo sends Theory out onto Murphy! Rollins coaches his followers but Aleister tags in. Aleister runs but fakes the disciples out. Carrillo FLIES to topple Murphy and Theory over! Rollins keeps his space as Carrillo puts Theory in the ring.
Aleister is all over Theory with strikes in the corner, then whips corner to corner. Theory reverses but Aleister gets him with an STO! And basement calf kick! Cover, TWO! Aleister is right on Theory with an armlock, and he tags in Carrillo. Aleister wrenches, Carrillo climbs and drops down on the arm. Rollins is frustrated as Carrillo wrenches and wristlocks. Theory breaks free to DECK Carrillo! Carrillo BOOTS Back then elbows Murphy! Carrillo elbows Theory, kicks Murphy away, but Theory torture racks and throws Carrillo into buckles! Theory hits a back suplex and covers, TWO! Rollins holds onto Mysterio’s mask as Carrillo tags in Murphy. The disciples mug Carrillo, Murphy fires off the strike fest, but Carrillo dodges. Carrillo kicks, Murphy ducks but the enziguri hits!
The crowd rallies as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Theory and Aleister! Aleister rallies on Theory with forearms and elbows! Murphy gets spun into Theory! Aleister fires off on Murphy, then sends Theory’s BOOT into Murphy! Aleister sweeps the leg then thrusts the knee! He kips up and dodges Murphy to QUEBRADA both disciples! Murphy stands up to get a ROUNDHOUSE! Theory rolls Aleister, TWO! Theory walks into a rush and a back elbow! Kick and KNEE! Carrillo wants in and Aleister obliges. Tag and Carrillo goes up while Aleister aims at Murphy. But Murphy sends him down! Carrillo moonsaults over Theory to enziguri Murphy! But he turns into the ATL!! Cover, the disciples win!
Winners: Austin Theory & Buddy Murphy, by pinfall
Things were fast and furious, but it only gets worse now that Rollins’ side has won! Aleister is sent FLYING into the timekeeper’s area! Theory fetches a mic for his Monday Night Messiah, and Rollins coordinates. “He needs to learn!” Carrillo is sent out, and brought to the steps!! They want to do to him what they did to Mysterio! Rollins warns Aleister to stay where he is with that chair or else! Now shut up and listen! Rollins knows what they’re doing. They’re fighting for Mysterio, but Mysterio was sacrificed for the greater good! If they keep standing in Rollins’ way, Mysterio’s sacrifice will be in vain! Put the chair down! Aleister has no choice and does as told. Rollins does not want to sacrifice them the way he did Mysterio. Carrillo is spared but Mysterio’s mask is still Rollins’ trophy. Will things only get darker for those who oppose Rollins’ will?
Raw hears from Edge.
“Randy, a few weeks ago on Raw, you caught me flat-footed. Tongue tied.” Edge was basking in the glow of WrestleMania, but it doesn’t happen often, so congrats. Orton chose the date and the match, and now Edge finds himself doubting himself. Edge will be transparent about this. “Can I hang?” Edge was retired for 3012 days. And in those same days, Orton was in 1126 matches. Yes, Edge did the research. And now, Edge is looking at those numbers and realizes he has to prove himself to himself. So strangely, Edge wants to thank Orton for making him think about things he had buried very, very deep inside. Edge watched The Last Ride. He watched himself on there talking about when it’s time to hang up the boots. Edge was still retired back then. And here he is now. Edge understands what Taker is going through.
But to Orton, if he’s going to doubt Edge’s ability, remember that Edge has gone toe-to-toe with Taker, HBK, Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Christian, William Regal, Owen Hart, the list goes on and on. Every style, Edge adapted. When it was Edge’s job, he pulled others up to his level. Edge taught others how to get to the next level because that was Edge’s job and he was damn good at it. A five-tool workhorse for the WWE. If Orton is paying attention, and we know he is, he’ll notice Edge said all that in the past tense. Because Edge doesn’t know if he can do any of that again. But at Backlash, Edge will dig through the very depths of his soul to try. It’s all a man can do. Is this really going to be the greatest wrestling match ever?
Asuka returns!
The Empress wants to keep a close eye on her contenders after the scuffle during the Kevin Owens Show! Will she be ready for the winner of tonight’s Triple Threat?
The Street Profits and Viking Raiders talk backstage.
Ford and Dawkins can’t believe Erik & Ivar are supposedly letting them win. Just like at basketball, the Raiders let the Profits win at golf? Pause button. Bruh, Ivar had more turkey legs than balls towards the hole. Yes, many birdies. Well whatever, the Raiders choose next and they’ll go for it. Ivar wants gator wrestling, but Dawkins said that was off the table. Okay then. Do the Profits bowl? Bowling is next? Of all the things to do next.
But then MVP and Lashley come along. “Another case of extraordinary talent that will inevitably be flushed down the toilet because they’d rather golf than act like champions.” Got a problem, fam? No, no, MVP and Lashley don’t. They were just leaving, because they don’t respect clowns. They have the WWE Champion to worry about. Oh really? How is MVP’s face? Better ice up, son. MVP doesn’t need ice. The Claymore is devastating, but do you see Lashley? How about the Profits take MVP and Lashley on later tonight. If you’re up for it, bring the smoke. Things just got serious for the Raw Tag Team Champions. Will the Profits be up or down after going up against MVP and the Rocky Mountain Machine?
Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Charlotte Flair VS Natalya VS Nia Jax!
The Queen of Flair, the Queen of Harts, and the ace that is the Irresistible Force. Only one challenges for the title at Backlash! Who at least thinks they’re ready for Asuka?
Raw returns as the contenders make their entrance, in that order. Asuka talks trash in Japanese to each of them and the bell rings. Charlotte, Natty and Nia circle and then Charlotte DECKS Natty! Nia tackles Charlotte to a corner and rams her shoulder in! Natty pulls Nia away but Nia pushes her down., Charlotte BOOTS Nia but Nia stays up., Nia scoops to slam Charlotte, then scoops Natty to slam her on Charlotte! Nia makes a Queen Sandwich for herself, but misses the leg drop! Charlotte stomps Nia down then Natty joins in. The two work together to whip Nia hard into the POST! Asuka laughs at Nia but now Charlotte and Natty are alone. Charlotte kicks Natty low and headlocks to grind Natty down.
Charlotte taunts the NXT members of the crowd because she’s their champion. Natty headscissors but Charlotte pops out. Charlotte drops down but Natty boots her down! Charlotte headcissors but Natty pops out! The crowd applauds that as the two circle again. Natty kicks, headlocks and grinds, but Charlotte pulls hair to power out! Charlotte runs Natty over and then ROCKS Nia off the apron! Natty rolls Charlotte, ONE! Charlotte kicks low then cheers herself. Charlotte whips but Natty reverses. Charlotte tumbles up and out and shoulders back in. But Nia trips Charlotte off the apron and CLOBBERS her! Asuka talks trash but Nia clears off the desk. But Charlotte bumps Nia off the desk first! Natty tries to baseball slide but gets caught!
Nia rams Natty on the apron then yanks her off, but Charlotte uses the desk hood to JAM Nia! Nia and Charlotte fight over the hood, and this ends up with Charlotte rammed into the apron. Charlotte gets on the apron but Nia stalks after her. They brawl on the edge and Charlotte CHOPS away! Asuka likes what she sees as the CHOPS ring out! “WOO~!” Charlotte goes to boot but Nia counters. Nia fireman’s carries but Natty goes after Nia’s ankles. Charlotte helps out, and they DOUBLE POWERBOMB Nia through the desk!! Asuka is speechless as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Charlotte has Natty down with a rear bearhug. The crowd rallies up as Natty moves around and gets to her feet. Natty breaks free, staidness switches, but Charlotte elbows back! Charlotte runs but Natty dodges, and double crossbodies cancel out! Asuka puts Nia in to help Natty get an easy win! Natty drags Nia up but Nia shoves. Natty dodges, Nia scoops, but Natty tilt-o-whirls through to get Nia down for ground ‘n’ pound! ARMBAR! Nia fights her way up to cover but then dead lifts to POWERBOMB Natty down! But Charlotte BOOTS Nia down! Cover on Natty, TWO!! Charlotte grins and the crowd cheers. Charlotte throws Natty out and stalks Nia. Charlotte drops a knee on Nia’s head! Asuka is angry now but she wants Nia to lose either way. Charltote climbs up top and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!!
Asuka is liking what she sees, even though the match continues. Charlotte drags Nia around by her leg to drop knees on it. But Natty climbs up and leaps! Crossbody hits but Natty bounces off! Cover, TWO!! Nia clobbers Natty, then clobbers Charlotte. Charlotte flounders away so Nia brings Natty up. Nia whips Natty into Charlotte and gets the Queen Sandwich splash! Nia hoists them both up in a fireman’s carry but Natty and Charlotte fight Nia off. Natty shoves Nia then pushes Charlotte. Charlotte throws Natty down by her hair then dodges Nia. Charlotte fires off forearms on Nia, then drops a knee on the knee! Asuka likes that Nia screams in pain as Charlotte has the leg. Figure Four is on! FIGURE EIGHT, but Natty dropkicks it apart!
Natty trips Charlotte and wants the Sharpshooter! She gets it and the crowd goes wild! Charlotte endures and Asuka shouts for Charlotte to quit! Natty keeps Charlotte from ropes but Charlotte refuses to quit! Nia returns to drag Natty up, for a fireman’s carry. Natty gets free but gets run over! Nia glares at Asuka and Asuka shouts back. Nia drags Natty up, fireman’s carries, but Charlotte BOOTS! Cover on Nia, but Natty breaks it in time! Natty drags Charlotte up but Charlotte throws Natty out. Charlotte goes back to Nia but Nia kicks back. Charlotte BOOTS Nia down then goes up top again. But Natty comes over so Charlotte fights her off. Charlotte keeps climbing but Nia SWATS Charlotte down! Nia headbutts but Charlotte clubs back. Nia positions Charlotte but the brawling continues.
Asuka is tense as Nia reaches the top. Natty adds on for a TOWER OF DOOM!! POWERBOMB SUPERPLEX!! All three women are down and Asuka rallies for Natty! Natty covers Nia, TWO! Natty covers Charlotte, TWO! Natty throws Charlotte out and focuses on Nia. Nia resists the Sharpshooter and Charlotte rolls Natty up, TWO! Charlotte has the legs, Figure Four but Nia drops a LEG! No Figure Eight this time and Asuka is shocked! Nia has Natty to herself, brings her up, and hits the SAMOAN DROP! Cover, Nia wins!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Championship)
Asuka says, “Okay, okay!” The Empress gets her chance to make Nia pay in full for what she did to the Pirate Princess! Will Asuka make sure no one ever questions
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Well he didn’t plan on this interview but he has a statement prepared. He did not plan on giving MVP a Claymore, but MVP was basically asking for it. Kayla wasn’t going to question that. She asks if he knew about the Profits taking on MVP and Lashley tonight. Oh, well, he did not know that. McIntyre thinks he forgot something in the locker room, but isn’t going to find it until Lashley’s match is over. Will McIntyre respond to the Rocky Mountain Machine’s message with one of his own?
Raw hears from R-Truth.
“It has come to my attention the current WWE 24/7 Champion is NOT Tom Brady but one Robert James Gronkowski, aka Rob Gronkowski, aka Gronk.” Be nice to Brady, y’all. Losing the title hurts with an S. And it hurts worse losing to a friend. Shame on Gronk! Truth is coming for Gronk! He’ll tackle anyone he has to in order to get his baby back! This is a warning to all football men out there! “Especially to you, Robin Gronk!” Truth puts on the pads and is ready to go!
Gronk responds!
“R-Truth. More like R-Lies.” Gornk can’t thank Truth enough for his public declaration that he’ll be coming after the title. Bring it on! Gronk is a nice guy, so he’ll give Truth all the intel he needs. Gronk was WrestleMania 36’s host with the most, and reigning WWE 24/7 Champion. He knows Truth has a lot of memories with this title, but that was the past. Gronk is the present and future! Playing 16 years of football and growing up with four brothers has prepared him to fight any time, any place. So this is the 24/7, 7-11, I-95 South, #W9Y, The Whole 9 Yards Champion, and the title stays with him! Gronk will see Truth coming, because he has eyes on the back of his head.
Backstage interview with MVP and Lashley.
After being hit with that Claymore, why are they competing against the Raw Tag Team Champions? Lashley is why. They finish discussing the game plan, but do they have a plan if McIntyre shows up again?
Raw hears from Ric Flair!
A man that has been in more greatest matches of all time than anyone, the WWE needs the Nature Boy’s opinion on the outcome of what many are already considering the greatest ever, Edge VS Orton. Well ever since Flair gave up limousine riding, jet flying, kiss stealing, wheeling and dealing, the greatest in-ring performer is Orton! The Nature Boy’s main man will be the man that beats Edge at Backlash! WOO~!
Raw looks at The Last Ride, Part 3.
The Deadman and HBK had an incredible match at WrestleMania 26, in what would be a retirement match for Shawn Michaels. Taker’s Streak would conquer Mr. WrestleMania’s career. Many are shocked that HBK stayed retired, but that speaks to the closure between these two all-time greats in that match. Perhaps the ultimate Mania Moment also had an emotional moment backstage. Taker is envious that HBK was able to walk away and be good with it. Does Taker wish he had that clarity? Absolutely. HBK had that clarity before the match. Taker hopes that when he gets the match he’s looking for, he’ll have that clarity. Steve Austin knows Taker is struggling with giving up what he loves so much. Edge wants Taker to have that proper moment. When and if he gets it, Edge hopes Taker knows to take that opportunity to finally close the door. Watch all of this yourself on the WWE Network!
Liv Morgan speaks.
“What might surprise you about me is, my biggest stumbling block in life has been my own self-worth.” Liv can’t remember a time where she felt good enough. But she does remember being 6 years old and wondering what life had in store for her. For a long time, she felt like she was floating through life, either going to hit the sun or crash ‘n’ burn. But she found what she was missing when she got into wrestling. She may not know all the answers, because life just keeps changing all the questions. But what she does know is that she is a live and will fulfill who she was always destined to be. In the end, she’s LIV-ing her best life.
Raw has breaking news!
After everything that has been said and done over the last few weeks, and perhaps even longer than that, Rey Mysterio will have a RETIREMENT CEREMONY next week! Is this true? Is the King of Lucha hanging up the boots and mask?!
The Street Profits VS Bobby Lashley & MVP!
Whether or not the Viking Raiders keep hustling them at basketball and golf, there will be no playing around here. Will Ford & Dawkins be able to bring that smoke to the main event?
Raw returns as MVP and Lashley make their entrance. The teams sort out and Ford is fired up as he starts against Lashley. They circle and Ford dodges Lashley. Ford shows off his somersaults as he circles with Lashley again. Ford gets around, headlocks, but Lashley powers out. Lashley runs Ford over and flexes. The crowd boos as things speed up, and Ford hurdles and hurdles. Lashely goes low, Ford jumps over, but Lashley powers Ford to a corner! Lashley rams his shoulder in over and over, then brings Ford out for a COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Lashley brings Ford over to bump off buckles and tag in MVP.
MVP throws body shots on Ford then rams in his shoulder. He lets up at 4 to ram Ford in again. Ford fights back and ROCKS MVP! MVP hits back and tags in Lashley. Lashley runs and RAMS his shoulder into Ford’s stomach! The crowd rallies for Ford but Lashley looms over him. Lashley drags Ford up and suplexes him, to hold him up! Ford escapes and tags in Dawkins! The Profits dodge and dropkick Lashley down! Lashley bails out and regroups with MVP but Ford builds speed and FLIES! But MVP and Lashley move so Ford handsprings to his feet. MVP swipes, Ford dodges, but Lashley BLASTS Ford to barriers! Lashley goes out and fireman’s carries Ford around the way, to POST him! Ford is down as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more and MVP grinds Ford down with an armlock. The crowd rallies up and Ford fights to his feet, but MVP knees low and throws hands. MVP keeps on Ford in the corner but the ref counts. Lashley tags in and he throws elbows on Ford over and over. Lashley clubs Ford down and then punches him down further. He taunts Ford to tag Dawkins, but Ford flails haymakers at Lashley. Lashley avoids those, to DECK Dawkins! Dawkins gets up in a huff but Lashley scoops and sidewalk slams Ford! Cover, TWO! Lashley throws Ford out then tags MVP. MVP fetches Ford and whips him at the steel steps! Ford crashes down and MVP taunts him. MVP drags Ford up and into the ring at the ref’s count of 7. Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! MVP grinds Ford down with a chinbar and armlock in frustration.
The crowd rallies again and Ford endures. Ford fights his way up and pries the chinbar away. But MVP ROCKS him with a right! MVP whips Ford hard to buckles, then runs in. Ford drops down and the boot gets caught up! Ford flounders up but MVP is on him. Ford ROCKS MVP back! Hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins unleashes the Curse of Greatness with those big lariats! And the flying back elbow! Dawkins picks MVP up for a FLAPJACK! Dawkins keeps on MVP with a whip to a corner, and the CYCLONE SPLASH! Then the BULLDOG! Dawkins fires up and the crowd is with him! Dawkins DECKS Lashley for earlier! Ford RAMS Lashley into barriers! Dawkins brings MVP up and tags in Ford. The Profits coordinate, SPINE BUSTER and FROM THE HEAVENS! Cover, but Lashley barrels through Dawkins to drag Ford up! FULL NELSON!
The ref tells Lashley to stop, but Lashley refuses! The count reaches 5, Lashley is disqualified!
Winners: The Street Profits, by disqualification
But Lashley still holds on! So here comes McIntyre! Lashley lets go of Ford now, and the crowd is thunderous for this one! McIntyre storms the ring and HEADBUTTS Lashley! Lashley tackles McIntyre back and the two scrap on the mat! McIntyre powers Lashley off and dumps him out! They fight against the barriers like a hockey fight! McIntyre hammers but Lashley shoves! They go against the boards and then the POST! McIntyre puts Lashley in the ring and grabs legs for a takedown. McIntyre grounds ‘n’ pounds and the ref calls for reinforcements. He tells the NXT superstars and trainees to be security, so a few come out and around. They try to stop McIntyre, but he bucks them off and HEADBUTTS them! They get Glasgow Kisses, but Lashley SPEARS McIntyre!
More superstars are enlisted to stop this fight, but McIntyre and Lashley shake them off, too! McIntyre throws his out, and Lashley decks his! The brawl continues, so the floodgates are open! More superstars hurry in, and some very big ones. Not even Lashley and McIntyre can break through this much. Raw goes off the air and this fight will have to wait! Who becomes not just the WWE World Champion, but the true alpha male of Monday Night Raw?
My Thoughts:
This was a really good episode! For one, I am happy to see the WWE is letting other wrestlers be the crowd for the show. However, I will say that they were behaving how I’m sure Vince wants them to: boo Heels, cheer Faces, regardless of where each individual talent’s character lands. Seeing Dexter Lumis applaud is not how he should be. He should just be staring eerily at everyone in that ring. But maybe things loosen up as the days go by. And while I can’t be sure if it was all the crowd’s doing, but the energy and pace of this episode definitely felt better. The Kevin Owens Show was a great opening segment, and we got a lot out of Asuka, Charlotte, Natty and Nia. And while the Triple Threat’s outcome was predictable, it was an incredible match that really helps Nia. It’s still a shame Shayna isn’t being pushed like she should be because of Vince’s whims, but maybe after Asuka deals with Nia, we get Asuka VS Shayna for Extreme Rules or SummerSlam.
I liked the segment with The IIconics and Bliss-Cross. There was a lot of passion, and that actually was helped by the crowd reacting to it. I’m looking forward to these two teams getting a rematch for the tag titles, and I think after a program like this, I’d be more accepting of The IIconics having another reign as champions. But speaking of champions, Crews winning tonight was a brilliant move! Crews has finally reached that level and I hope he gets to run with the United States Championship for a long time. Kevin VS Garza was a great match, and naturally Vega’s stable breaks even. Garza’s interview during the US title match was odd, both on the timing and the material. But maybe Garza challenges Crews for that title to raise Crews’ stock even higher.
Rollins had a good promo, and his “disciples” had a great match with Aleister and Carrillo. Rollins being a factor works out, and it was a strong, natural move for Rollins to threaten Carrillo’s well-being. This is really raising the level of this story, and I wonder if the Mysterio retirement ceremony has a part to play in it. There’s no way this is real, it must be bait for Rollins to show up so Mysterio can get his revenge. Edge had a great promo and it had a good tie-in to Taker’s Last Ride documentary series. Ric Flair having that promo was alright, but I swear they’re going so hard on the “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” that it has to be anything but. I will say that McIntyre and Lashley is the greatest thing on Raw right now, largely thanks to MVP. Yes, we got another Lana tantrum that’s a bit awkward, as was her tan job tonight, but everything else is perfect. MVP stirring things up, the match with the Street Profits, the brawl at the end, Lashley and McIntyre are going to tear it up at Backlash and that will be the highlight of the PPV.
My Score: 8.5/10
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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.
Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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Dave and Tunney break down the Conference Finals in the NHL and NBA, discuss the NFL going to the Olympics,...
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What's with all the glowing?
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The greatEST SmackDown!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn't, Dreamer and Delirious can't book.
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/29/25)
B Block, FINAL ROUND!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/29/25)
Is ROH ready for the GORE?
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (5/28/25)
THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (5/28/25)
Dynamite in the desert!
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/27/25)
A Block, FINAL ROUND!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/27/25)
Will NXT still be Absolute?
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/25/25)
Round 8, all together!
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