Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/1/20)
The Queen VS The Empress, ROUND SIX!
Raw VS NXT in a Women’s Champion VS Champion showdown!
Charlotte Flair prepares for TakeOver while Asuka prepares for Backlash! But who will be more prepared for this epic SIXTH encounter?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Aleister Black VS Seth Rollins; Aleister wins.
- WWE United States Championship, Champion’s Choice: Apollo Crews VS Kevin Owens; No Contest, Crews retains the WWE United States Championship.
- Apollo Crews & Kevin Owens VS Andrade Almas & Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega; Crews & Kevin win.
- Bowling: The Street Profits VS The Viking Raiders; The Viking Raiders win.
- Nikki Cross w/ Alexa Bliss VS Billie Kay w/ Peyton Royce; Kay wins.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Backyard Blitz: Rob Gronkowski VS R-Truth; Truth wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- Kairi Sane VS Nia Jax; Jax wins.
- Champion VS Champion: Asuka VS Charlotte Flair; Flair wins, by count-out.
- Drew McIntyre VS MVP w/ Bobby Lashley; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Raw opens with Seth Rollins and his disciples!
The Monday Night Messiah leads Buddy Murphy and Austin Theory to the ring, and the crowd of NXT superstars and prospects boo as hard as they can the entire time. The crowd even chants, “You Suck!” as Rollins gets a mic. Rollins says tonight is a huge night! Just in a few moments, he will have a match with Aleister Black, who has been “confused” about things in regards to Rey Mysterio. Aleister leaves Rollins no choice but to “enlighten” him personally. Mysterio will be here later tonight to speak to the WWE Universe, and as difficult as it will be for him, he will NOT be able to formally announce his retirement. Therefore, Rollins takes it upon himself to perform that formality himself.
If anyone knows Mysterio as well as Rollins does, Mysterio is too humble and modest to call himself a legend. It is Rollins’ duty as a leader to appreciate Mysterio and how he was sacrificed for the greater good of Raw. Now, let’s all stop and let that sink in. This moment will live in time forever. Rey Mysterio was chosen as a sacrifice for the greater good of Raw! If that is not legendary, then what is? And now it is true that Mysterio is without a doubt the greatest luchador to ever live. Mysterio transcends language and border, and beyond that, he is a kind man. In Rollins’ darkest hour, Mysterio presented himself to Rollins to be that sacrifice so that Rollins can be the man he is before you! It is Rollins’ duty to appreciate Mysterio properly. The crowd boos as Rollins says he honors Mysterio’s career ending with a video. Let us take a moment to admire the greatness of Mysterio.
The video plays with genuine highlights of the biggest underdog in the WWE. His 2006 Royal Rumble victory and subsequent WrestleMania 22 win to become World Heavyweight Champion are just among the true accolades Mysterio accomplished in his career. But of course, this video turns sour as we return to just weeks ago when Rollins all but gouged Mysterio’s eye out with the steel steps! In the present, Rollins and his cronies applaud but the crowd boos. “What an amazing career for Rey Mysterio!” Mysterio is undoubtedly a first-ballot Hall of Famer. And Rollins wants Mysterio to know, that when it comes time, it will be Rollins’ honor to induct him. One of the NXT stars shouts, “You’re insane!”
But here comes Aleister! Aleister goes right after Rollins and kicks him out of the ring! The crowd cheers and Aleister dares Rollins to fight him now! We’ll see what Rollins does, after the break!
Aleister Black VS Seth Rollins!
The Embodiment of the End wants, his fight, with The Architect! But will he be able to make the Monday Night Messiah #FadeToBlack with the disciples lurking about?
The bell rings and Rollins circles with Aleister. Aleister gives testing kicks and Rollins backs away. The two approach and Aleister dodges hands to throw body shots. Rollins grows frustrated and approaches again. They tie up, Aleister kicks and punches more and backs Rollins down! Rollins uses the ropes as defense and Aleister backs off. Rollins turns things around, runs but into the leg sweep! Aleister runs but Rollins bails out to avoid the knee. Murphy and Theory check on their leader while the ring count climbs. Aleister paces but Rollins returns at 6, only to slip out. Rollins trips Aleister and drags him out, but Aleister KICKS him down! Aleister puts Rollins back in as the crowd cheers. Aleister return, Rollins dropkicks Aleister at the ropes!
Rollins hammers away and digs his forearm into Aleister’s face! Rollins stomps away but lets up at the ref’s count. Rollings stands Aleister up to CHOP and snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Rollins grabs a hand and turns Aleister over to stand on the shoulder. The crowd rallies up and Aleister fights to his feet. Aleister throws forearms, Rollins wrings the arm out! Rollins clubs Aleister on the back then stalks him to ropes. Rollins CHOPS Aleister against the ropes and has him in a corner. Aleister throws hands back and backs Rollins down again. Rollins knees low, whips and dropkicks Aleister down! The disciples cheer but the crowd boos. The crowd rallies as Rollins drags Aleister up. Rollins chokes Aleister on the ropes, saying Aleister is disrespecting Mysterio! Aleister grits his teeth as Rollins toys with him.
Aleister gets up and throws hands but Rollins kicks low. Rollins throws Aleister out then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Aleister hits barriers! Rollins glares down at Aleister while the crowd boos. The ring count climbs again as Rollins brings Aleister up to put in the ring. Rollins looms over Aleister as the crowd rallies. Rollins whips Aleister corner to corner hard, then runs in, only to block a boot. Aleister breaks free to boot again! Aleister hops up, Rollins gets under the attack and waistlocks. Aleister standing switches and avoids the Pele! But Rollins arm-drags the waistlock, only to get a ROUNDHOUSE! Aleister runs in but is sent out hard! Aleister hits the apron on the way down, and both Murphy and Theory head over. But here comes Humberto Carrillo! Carrillo has a chair aimed at Theory and Murphy! Rollins keeps his men back, saying, “Not now!” Because for now, Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Rollins is stomping a mudhole into Aleister! The ref backs Rollins off and Aleister gets up. Rollins clubs Aleister on the back and head but Carrillo coaches Aleister on. Aleister gets up and throws haymakers and elbows back on Rollins! Rollins knees low and whips, but Aleister denies the dropkick! Aleister waistlocks but Rollins fights off the suplex. Rollins punches Aleister away but Aleister BOOTS! But Rollins returns with a SLING BLADE! Cover, TWO! Rollins looms over Aleister and kicks him to a corner. Aleister gets up, Rollins runs corner to corner, and hits a big forearm smash! The crowd boos as Rollins pushes Aleister down. Rollins springboards from the corner but Aleister dodges! Aleister counter punches but Rollins pushes, only for Aleister to rally with forearms!
Aleister fires off the strike fest, sweeps the legs, and hits the knee! And the kip up! The crowd fires up for the QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO! The crowd rallies up as Aleister brings Rollins into a waistlock. Rollins backs Aleister into the buckle and again until he’s free. But Aleister comes back with a wheelbarrow takedown! Cover, TWO and Rollins has trunks! TWO, and a ROUNDHOUSE to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Rollins survives but Aleister keeps his cool. Aleister gets to his feet while Rollins stirs. Aleister lifts Rollins but Rollins pushes the foot away. They standing switch, Rollins PELES! And SUPERKICKS! FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Both men are down but the crowd rallies up. Murphy and Theory worry for Rollins as he gets up slowly.
Rollins goes to a corner and climbs up top. Aleister is still down and Rollins Frog Splashes, onto knees! Rollins writhes from pain and bails out the side near his followers. Aleister goes out after Rollins on the apron, but Rollins throws hands. Aleister boots but Rollins headbutts! Aleister elbows, Rollins kicks low and drags Aleister in! But Aleister fires off on the leg and BOOTS Rollins into the post! Rollins goes down, Aleister goes up, SUPER MOONSAULT! Both men are down and out as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Rollins resists a superplex! Rollins fights Aleister back and headbutts him down! Rollins adjusts and leaps, to hit the Frog Splash this time! But he bounces off so he has to crawl back to the cover, TWO!! Aleister survives and Rollins grows frustrated. The crowd rallies for Aleister but Rollins aims from a corner. Rollins wants Aleister to get up, “This is for Rey!” But Aleister moves, drags Rollins down, and has the armbar! Rollins stays on his feet and scrambles around. Rollins kicks Aleister off, then drag shim up for a POWERBOMB! But Rollins falls back to a corner, so he goes to the apron again. Rollins springboards back in, but INTO a knee! Both men are down and the crowd is fired up!
Aleister gets to his feet first and staggers back over to Rollins. He lifts Rollins with his foot, and the crowd knows what this means. But so do Theory and Murphy! They get on the apron, but Carrillo goes after them! That results in a 2v1 and Rollins rolls Aleister up! TWO and Aleister Oklahoma Rolls Rollins! Aleister wins!!
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall
The Architect and his followers can’t believe what just happened! And they go after Aleister like the sore losers they are! Carrillo tries to help but that’s still 3v2! Rollins stomps Aleister with Theory then stomps Carrillo with Murphy. Murphy and Theory go after Aleister while Rollins finishes stomping a mudhole into Carrillo. Rollins tells his followers to sit Aleister up so they can see what happens to Carrillo. CURB STOMP! Aleister calls Rollins a coward but Rollins said he warned them what would happen. “You want to be a hero!?” This is what happens to them! CURB STOMP for Aleister! The crowd boos but the damage has been done. Is there anything anyone can do to stop the merciless Monday Night Messiah?
Backstage interview with Angel Garza and Zelina Vega.
Before getting to the questions, Charly Caruso cues up the controversy in Garza’s match with Kevin Owens. A chop block before the match wounded Kevin’s leg, and it became a liability during the match, allowing Garza to capitalize. Before Garza can say anything, Vega steps in to say Kevin agreed to a match, so what is Charly getting at? Garza says he can handle this. He says that in love and war, everything is fair. So in matters of competition and seduction, you must always be a step ahead of the others. So in regards to last week, they think that Garza’s win was triumphant. Garza saw what he wanted and took it. IF anyone is upset, they clearly never wanted something as badly as Garza does. Charly thanks him for his time, but he thanks her, and gives her a rose. Garza heads out but Vega takes the rose away, and rips it up. “Boo freakin’ hoo.”
Raw hears from Shawn Michaels!
“Edge and Randy Orton. The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever.” That level of pressure, wouldn’t want to be them. But as someone who has had a few great matches in history, maybe HBK could talk WM12 against Bret Hart, or his two matches with The Undertaker. Well we’d be here all day at this rate. But for Edge and Orton,t hey have set the stage for the next greatest match ever. But who comes out on top? Maybe HBK is biased, but he says Edge! HBK believes that time, wisdom, knowledge and even faith gives Edge the edge.
Lana confronts MVP backstage.
The Ravishing Russian says MVP is getting into her husband’s head. Who does he think he is? Bobby Lashley is her husband, not MVP’s BFF. It doesn’t matter they go back 13 years ago- MVP interrupts Lana and says he has work to do. he has to get ready to face Drew McIntyre later. So he has no time or desire for this attention seeking drama she’s stirring up. Well he is nothing but a leech, using her Bobby to revive his washed up career. That’s not remotely true, but let’s pretend it was. Wouldn’t that make two of them? Lana smiles, then SLAPS MVP. She storms off, but that slap doesn’t deny MVP’s point.
Kayla Braxton introduces Apollo Crews!
The NEW WWE United States Champion defeated El Idolo last week in a rematch from their showdown that ended in misfortune. Clearly fortunes have turned around, and Apollo stands in the ring. Kayla congratulates him again, and asks what this first week has been like. It feels so good! The list goes on and on. There’s appreciation, humility, and overall, just the surreal factor that he IS the new champion. But his reign will have an interesting start, as he was given the opportunity to choose his first challenger. Apollo says there is a long list of superstars he’d love to face for this title. The first one is truly deserving. That superstar is Kevin Owens! A bold choice as The Prizefighter has already held this title and many others.
Kevin joins Apollo in the ring and before anything else, he also congratulates Apollo. And speaking of appreciation, Kevin appreciates that offer. It has been too long since he’s had a title, but the only problem he has with this, is that after last week and the loss to Garza, this seems like a pity move. Pity? There is no pity here. This is about respect. The crowd cheers that and Kevin says he still feels bad about this. What’s Kevin talking about? Kevin deserves this! Yes, but Kevin isn’t talk about deserving this. He does for every ounce of blood, sweat and tears he’s poured out the last five years. It’s just that Apollo’s first reign is going to be short. Well then! Is the respect going to be lost? Or will it be only the title Apollo gives up to Kevin?
WWE United States Championship, Champion’s Choice: Apollo Crews VS Kevin Owens!
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the young reign is put to the test!
Kevin and Apollo fist bump and tie up. Kevin waistlocks but Apollo switches, only for Kevin to switch back. Apollo switches but Kevin bucks him off. Things speed up and Apollo hurdles and dropkicks Kevin down! Cover, ONE, but Apollo is on him. They tie up, Kevin puts Apollo on the ropes then headlocks. Apollo powers out but Kevin runs him over. Apollo kips right up but Kevin dropkicks him down! Apollo staggers up but Kevin clotheslines him out! Kevin builds speed but Apollo moves. Kevin goes out after Apollo but Apollo ROCKS him! They fight up the ramp then Apollo whips. Kevin reverses. Apollo moonaults off the apron! Kevin moves, gets on the apron and CANNONBALLS! Kevin fires up as the ring count climbs. He puts Apollo in at 7 and climbs up at 8. SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Apollo survives by seconds!
Kevin stalks Apollo to ropes and whips him again. Apollo holds ropes but his boot misses. Kevin kicks low and Apollo collapses! Kevin claims that wasn’t a low blow but Apollo sure acts like it was. The ref checks on Apollo but Apollo wants to continue. Apollo rises as the crowd rallies. They reset and Apollo fires off hands! Kevin fights hands back! Kevin tosses Apollo out but Apollo brings him out! They brawl fast and furious as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Kevin brings Apollo up for haymakers. Apollo throws them back and we have a brawl! Kevin counter punches then CHOPS! Apollo punches back and backs Kevin down but Kevin headbutts! Kevin runs, but into a BOOT! Apollo scoops and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Apollo fires up as he brings Kevin up, but Kevin arm-drags out of the Olympic Slam! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Kevin goes up and hits a MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Kevin grits his teeth as the crowd rallies up. Kevin brings Apollo back up, whips again, but Apollo slips out of the pop-up to ENZIGURI! OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives but Apollo standing moonsaults! Cover, TWO!!
Apollo keeps his cool as he and Kevin crawl to opposite ends. Kevin is in a corner and Apollo runs in, and hits the big splash! Apollo goes again, and hits the splash again! Kevin stays standing so Apollo goes a third time, only to miss! SUPERKICK! Kevin hurries up top, SWANTON ONTO KNEES! But here come Vega’s stable! They attack both men!
No Contest; Crews is still WWE United States Champion
Crews keeps his title but he and Kevin are thrown out of the ring by Garza and Andrade Almas! Vega joins her duo in the ring while Raw goes to break.
Apollo Crews & Kevin Owens VS Andrade Almas & Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega!
Holla holla! This seems familiar, doesn’t it? Vega’s stable wants revenge for losing the title, but will they get shut down instead?
Raw returns as Apollo whips and runs Almas over with a shoulder! The crowd rallies as Apollo throws hands. Almas stomps and punches but Apollo turns it around to throw hands. Garza distracts and Almas clobbers Crews! Almas stomps Apollo then dusts himself off. He drags Apollo away from Kevin to tag in Garza, and the stable mug Apollo. Garza wraps up Apollo’s arm but Apollo powers out. Apollo runs at Garza but misses in the corner, only to boot Garza away! Apollo hops up and leaps but into a dropkick! Off come Garza’s pants, and he throws them at Kevin. Garza digs his knee into Apollo’s back and hooks a leg. Garza hooks Apollo’s face and drags him around to tag in Almas.
Almas stomps Apollo down while Vega talks trash. Almas stomps Apollo more while he says he should still be champion. He runs and basement dropkicks Apollo down! Vega cheers but the crowd boos. Almas clubs Apollo but Apollo hits back. Almas knees Apollo down and tags Garza back in. Garza KICKS Apollo’s leg then covers, TWO! Garza drags Apollo around and wants the double underhooks. Apollo powers out of the Wing Clipper to hot tag Kevin! Garza runs away to tag in Almas! Kevin goes after Garza but gets a thumb to the eye! Almas goes after Kevin with furious stomps as the crowd boos. Vega and the stable soak up the heat while Almas drags Kevin around. Kevin kicks back but Almas has the leg for a Half Crab! Kevin endures as Almas sits deep!
The crowd rallies as Kevin powers up. Kevin kicks free and reaches for Apollo. Almas drags Kevin away but Kevin hits back. They brawl, Kevin CHOPS and atomic drops! Kevin rebounds to LARIAT! And drop the senton! Vega is worried as Kevin goes corner to corner, but Garza distracts again! Almas dropkicks Kevin down! But Apollo manages to tag in, and he trophy lifts Almas up! Almas slips free, kicks low, and snap suplexes! Uno amigo! Another one but Apollo reverses to an OLYMPIC SLAM! Both men are down but Garza chop blocks Kevin! The crowd boos but Apollo wrecks Garza with a dropkick! Almas rolls Apollo and has the ropes, TWO! ENZIGURI! Apollo hits the CREWS MISSILE! Cover, Apollo wins!
Winner: Apollo Crews & Kevin Owens, by pinfall
Almas can’t stop Apollo and now Apollo has another win! But will Apollo and Kevin ever settle their own match? Or is there another person on Apollo’s list that will get their own opportunity?
Backstage interview with Asuka!
The Raw Women’s Champion dances in and knows she has another match with Charlotte Flair. They will go Champion VS Champion to prepare for their respective challengers in the near future. Speaking of which, Kairi Sane will once again take on Nia Jax, who is now Asuka’s #1 contender. How are they all preparing for such daunting challenges? Asuka says something in Japanese, but says that she will take down the bully Nia at Backlash. But Charlotte says Asuka can’t actually beat Charlotte. Well, Asuka is always getting better. Charlotte just stays the same. And one more thing: The Empress never bows down to anyone. Asuka dances off again, but has her evolution finally surpassed The Queen’s?
The Viking Raiders welcome the Street Profits to the bowling alley.
While Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins lead the series 2-1, they’re not sure about this. They can’t get no Jordans in here? No, those are bowling shoes, for bowling. And Erik vows that this series will be tied after this. Ivar references their basketball showdown by shouting, “Check!” and passing the bowling ball to Dawkins! Ouch. That’s not how bowling works, fam! But Erik blows the horn, and the game begins. Erik bowls a strike right out of the gate! Ivar does, too! The Profits take their turns, because anything they can do, Tez and Dawks can do better. Ford bowls… a gutter ball. Well try hitting the pins. Dawkins double hands it, but also bowls a gutter ball. Ivar tries that same technique, and still gets 9! Bring the drinks! First round on the Vikings. Well that’s nice. Solo cups all around, because the manager/waitress thinks Ivar’s cute.
Erik raises a toast, “Skol!” Cheers? No, skol. Cheers. Skol! Okay. SKOL! Oh what’s in here? The viking tradition: Goat’s milk! But back to the frames! Ivar gets a strike, Ford slips and gets a gutter again. Dawkins dares Ford to step up. But he has been stepping up! Ford plays with the ball too much and he drops it on Dawkins’ foot! Ivar and Erik wait for their ball to come back, and pull out… mutton! Dawkins misses the spare and blames the ball. Ivar says Dawkins can use his ball. It’s just painted on Ivar’s chest. Erik and Ivar start showing off with no looks and backwards rolls. Ford tries to curling this but it misses. Dawkins says he’s at least getting pins, unlike Gutter Ball Tez.
Ivar finishes the turkey and sees the snack bar is open. Ivar, wait! He goes right to the kitchen and takes out turkey legs from the fridge. Now the manager/waitress is upset with him now. Get out! They can’t go anywhere with these two. But the manager/waitress won’t throw them out, because Ivar’s cute. Erik bowls one last frame, and the ball bounces out of the gutter to still get a strike! After five frames, the Viking Raiders are all but perfect with 100, while the Profits are floundering with 21. But Ford says he has a way to change this. “Guy behind the counter! We want the smoke!” The lighting changes to have lasers, and the smoke comes up! Dawkins starts burning it up with strikes and high hits! And Erik starts missing! Ford finally gets something! Ivar finally misses! Now Dawkins does the no-look, and picks up that spare! “It’s Smoke Season, bruh!”
“How the turntables have turned!” The Profits made a comeback and are now leading, 130 to 121! This is the last chance for the Vikings, and Erik says no more playing around! Ivar holds onto the ball while Erik bowls Ivar! Ivar superman slides all the way to a STRIKE! And the Vikings finish it off, 131-130! The series is tied, but where will this series of oneupsmanship go next?
Nikki Cross w/ Alexa Bliss VS Billie Kay w/ Peyton Royce!
The battle of best friends is heating up! The IIconics may have self-destructed in their title challenge a couple weeks ago, this match could get them back on track. At least, it would be if they weren’t arguing with Bliss-Cross backstage! Billie shoves Nikki, Nikki shoves back, and Alexa and Peyton are close to getting involved before Adam Pierce intervenes! Will things sort out and head to the ring after the break?
Raw returns and this has moved to the ring. The bell sparks things off and the shoving continues. Nikki dodges and crossbodies! She thrashes Billie around but Billie gets up and knees low. But Nikki buckle bumps back! And again! And a third time! Billie flounders and gets the fourth buckle! Nikki fires up with the crowd as she headbutts and dropkicks Billie down! Cover, ONE, but Nikki stays close. Alexa cheers but Billie kicks Nikki away. Peyton is there to coach Billie up, SHADES OF KAY boot! Cover, TWO! Nikki survives and Billie is furious! Billie argues with the ref but Billie drags Nikki up to the corner. She stomps away but argues as the ref counts. Billie digs her boot into Nikki’s neck but lets up at 4.
Nikki gets to a corner but Billie scoops for the suplex! Cover, TWO! Billie taunts Alexa but Nikki rolls her, TWO! Nikki throws forearms and runs, but Billie spins to DECK Nikki! Billie covers again, TWO! Billie clamps onto Nikki with a chinlock and smothers Nikki while thrashing her about. The crowd rallies up and Nikki fights to her feet, only for Billie to wrangle her back down. Billie pulls Nikki back in a half camel clutch. Nikki endures as Billie taunts her, but the crowd is still on Nikki’s side. Nikki gets up, Billie knees low, and then scoops for a backbreaker! Billie and Peyton strike the IIconic pose together before Billie runs to drop an elbow. Cover, TWO! Billie argues with the ref again and even throws a bit of a tantrum. Billie goes back to Nikki to slap her around. Nikki shoves Billie back then ROKCS her! And again!
Nikki keeps hitting, then dodges to run and clothesline Billie down! The crowd fires up again and Nikki runs corner to corner at Billie for a big splash! To a bulldog! Nikki fires up even more as she goes to the apron. She shoulders into Billie, dropkicks her down, then goes up top. Nikki leaps but FLOPS as Billie moves! Billie drags Nikki up, fisherman to SPINE BUSTER! Cover, Billie wins!!
Winner: Billie Kay, by pinfall
That new move was the key for Kay to pin one of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! Will this mean the IIconics are back in the title hunt? Will Bliss-Cross be able to get through Bayley & Sasha Banks this Friday to then worry about Billie & Peyton?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Does the looming threat of Bobby Lashley give him concern about facing MVP tonight? Everyone should know by now that McIntyre doesn’t back down from any challenge. He loves challenges! He has beaten seven different superstars since becoming WWE World Champion, and will gladly make MVP number eight. IN fact, it would be better if Lashley gets in there! BOOM, Claymore for Lashley! Imagine this: Anyone in the locker room, anyone around the ring, anyone off the street, that wants to step to McIntyre, he will line them all up and give them all a one-way ticket to #ClaymoreCountry. McIntyre leaves, making sure to pick up his belt on the way. Will he punch, or rather kick, MVP’s ticket tonight?
Raw Talk returns!
Right after the show, go to the WWE Network, whether you’re a paid subscriber or hopping on the brand new FREE version, and watch as the return episode features Seth Rollins, The Street Profits and the Viking Raiders!
Rey Mysterio speaks via satellite.
How is his eye? And when can we expect to see him back on Raw? Mysterio says that while his eye is still recovering, he has no answers. There is no time table for when, or if, Mysterio can return. It is about how fast he can recover. But if an infection were to set in, that could end his career. Samoa Joe doesn’t want to be blunt, but Seth Rollins throwing that “retirement ceremony” earlier tonight, is Mysterio himself considering retirement? Mysterio isn’t really sure. He doesn’t know if it’s up to him anymore. Joe knows how bad eye injuries can be. Mysterio could be cleared in a few weeks, or never again! It is definitely an answer we do not know yet, but it has been on Mysterio’s mind.
Then to Joe’s point, is there anything, anything at all, Mysterio would like to address about the ceremony? Yes, actually. For a messiah, Rollins carries so much negativity. That negativity would be a burden for any man. For Rollins to say Mysterio was “chosen” as a sacrifice? C’mon! There was no higher power involved here. Rollins chose to blind Mysterio! Dominik comes in to say that what his father is getting at, is that Rollins is no messiah. Rollins is barely a human being anymore. Something needs to be done, and it needs to be someone from the Mysterio family. Dominik cannot calm down after what Rollins did, and how Rollins lies about it! That’s BS and we all know that. Mysterio calms Dominik and continues to say that he wants to thank the WWE Universe for reaching out. That means the world to him and his family.
He knows everyone wants an official statement, so here it is: “Seth Rollins, DAMN YOU for everything you put my family through!” From wife Angie to son Dominik and daughter Aliyah, they all had to helplessly watch Rollins jam those steps into Mysterio’s eye and blood run down Mysterio’s face. They saw the man that protects and provides for them suffer. Rollins says all these lies about Mysterio. Mysterio is a man of forgiveness, but Rollins will never be forgiven for what he did to Mysterio and what he put the family through! Mysterio apologizes to Dominik, and takes his leave. As for Dominik, he warns Rollins that as a “man of scripture,” he’ll understand eye for an eye. Is Dominik going to avenge his father by any means necessary?
Raw learns of a WWE 24/7 Championship confrontation!
Rob Gronkowski was heading out to film a Tiktok hit, but the gardener was working in the backyard. Gronk starts up his dance number, but then spots the gardener. He’s suspicious, and for good reason! His friend is now a referee! And the gardener rolls Gronk up! The gardener wins?! Wait, it’s R-Truth!!
Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Truth shouts, “You can’t get a touchdown if you don’t flip the mulch, Mr. Rob Gronkowski!” Truth runs off and Gronk is no longer in a social media mood.
Kairi Sane VS Nia Jax!
Just as we heard, the Pirate Princess wants to exact some sense of vengeance on the Irresistible Force for blindsiding her weeks ago. Will Kairi make sure the big bully stumbles before facing Asuka at Backlash?
Before the match, Nia grabs a mic to say, “I did not start this. I have been repeatedly attacked by Asuka and Kairi.” The classic 2v1 advantage. Don’t believe the hype. The Kabuki Warriors aren’t what they say they are, with the bright colors and being best friends and all that Japanese gibberish. “It’s all smoke and mirrors!” Just like Asuka’s reign! Asuka didn’t earn the title! She was gifted it because of Becky’s hormones. Becky got all preggers and then felt so bad that she gave the title away. “Oh, Asuka, here~! I love you!” And yet Nia is the villain in this? No, she’s the victim! And at Backlash, Nia exposes Asuka for the “backstabbing, undermining charlatan that she really is.” Bold words, but will Nia back them up?
Raw returns as Kairi makes her entrance. The bell rings as Asuka watches backstage again. Kairi dropkicks and fires off on Nia right away, but Nia pushes her down. Nia pats Kairi on the head for being so small, but Kairi SLAPS Her! Kairi throws more hands but Nia pushes her away and runs her over! Asuka is cheering as hard as she can but Nai drags Kairi up and tosses her! Nia drags Kairi back up, fireman’s carries, but Kairi slips out to a sleeper hold! Kairi squeezes tight and Nia fades! Nia drops to her knees but gets back up. Kairi clubs and ax kicks! And again! And again! Kairi back hands Nia! The crowd roars with Kairi as she goes to the corner. Kairi climbs up but Nia headbutts her first! Nia drags Kairi off the top, but Kairi spins to DDT! Cover, ONE!!
Kairi roars as she marches corner to corner. Kairi runs in for the SLIDING D! Nia is down and Kairi climbs up again! Kairi says anchors away, but Nia bails out. Nia paces the outside to catch her breath but Kairi builds speed and slides! But Nia spins her around to SLAM her on the apron! And then Nia whips Kairi into steel steps! Kairi hits face first and is down! But Nia drags her up to put her in the ring. The crowd boos hard as Nia drops a leg! Cover, Nia wins!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
The Irresistible Force infuriates Asuka, because here she comes! Asuka stares Nia down but Nia backs down. The #1 contender leaves for now, but will she leave Backlash the Raw Women’s Champion?
Raw hears from Randy Orton.
“For the past few months, I’ve woken when at home, sat on the couch, poured a cup of coffee and watched the WWE Network.” Orton has caught up on The Undertaker: The Last Ride, Chronicle: ArRival, WWE 360, WWE 24 and even Ride Along. But the one thing that every WWE superstar has in common is that they think Ric Flair is the greatest to ever do it. Orton agrees. But then last week, Orton watched Raw and saw Ric Flair say that in his opinion, Orton is the best ever. And y’know what? Edge said the same. But Edge also said that Orton didn’t have a passion for the business. That Orton was handed everything! That Orton did it for a paycheck! And y’know what? Edge was right.
Orton admits it, but Edge can’t stand that even half-assing it, Orton has accomplished more than anyone else! Edge scratched and clawed and pretended to be the heroes from his childhood to get here. All Orton had to do was wake up, lace the boots and get in the ring to prove he was the best. At Backlash, Orton does the same. What could very well be the greatest wrestling match ever is where Orton proves he is truly better than Edge. Orton set the bait, Edge bit. Now Edge’s storybook ending will be rewritten by the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Champion VS Champion: Asuka VS Charlotte Flair!
WrestleMania 34. SmackDown 12/11/18. SmackDown 3/26/19. Raw 11/25/19. And Raw 1/27/20. These singles matches mark the rivalry of the Empress of Tomorrow and the Queen of All Eras. Now, Raw 6/1/20 will mark the next chapter! Which wrestling royal comes out the strongest towards their respective title defenses?
Before the match, Charlotte tells those who boo her to shut up and respect their NXT Women’s Champion.Because this Sunday, TakeOver: In Your House, Charlotte defends her title in a Triple Threat against Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley. Those are two women who each and every aspiring superstar should want to be like! They also know them. They share the gym, the locker room and the entire Performance Center. Charlotte cheers each and every one of them on. She wants them to be the next Rhea, the next Shirai, the next one to stand up to her throne, so that she can make them bow down.
But speaking of bowing down, there’s a woman who has a history of bowing down. That’s the Raw Women’s Champion, Asuka! Asuka was the first ever Women’s Rumble winner, and has the longest undefeated streak in the history of the WWE! She is even a Grand Slam Champion now! It seems like the Empress just wants to be like The Queen! But speaking of, Asuka returns! No more talk, it’s time to see if Asuka is just like Charlotte, or if she’s better!
The bell rings and the two circle as the crowd cheers for Asuka. Asuka and Charlotte tie up, go around, and Charlotte goes after the wrist. Charlotte wrenches, Asuka wrenches back, but Charlotte headlocks. Asuka slips out and drags Charlotte down but Charlotte gets away. Charlotte goes to boot but Asuka evades. Asuka kicks but Charlotte evades. So Asuka shoves Charlotte! Charlotte backs off a moment but comes back to shove even harder! Charlotte kicks low then bumps Asuka off buckles! Charlotte reviews the list of wins, but Asuka blocks the buckle bump. Charlotte DECKS Asuka and CHOPS her. And again! And again! Charlotte whips corner to corner but Asuka reverses! Asuka runs in, misses, but boots back. Charlotte ROCKS Asuka with a right, then drops a knee on the knee! Asuka writhes while Raw goes picture in picture.
Charlotte stalks Asuka then drags her leg to the ropes. Charlotte wraps the leg around the ropes but the ref counts. Charlotte stops at 4 but the damage is done. The Queen looms over the Empress as she stomps her bad leg around. Charlotte drops down to toehold and crank Asuka’s leg. Asuka fights back but Charlotte rains down rights! Asuka kicks back from the mat so Charlotte clobbers her! Cover, TWO! Charlotte keeps her cool as she looms over Asuka again. Raw returns to single picture as Charlotte soaks up the heat from the booing superstars. Charlotte puts the leg on the ropes to drop down on it! And again, only for Asuka to roll her up! ONE, and Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS! Charlotte grabs the leg to drop knees on it over and over! Asuka crawls to a corner as the crowd boos Charlotte.
Charlotte walks into Asuka’s elbow but gives a forearm back. Charlotte clubs Asuka down then puts the leg on the ropes again. Asuka avoids the knee drop to fire off forearms, but Charlotte ROCKS her! Charlotte again brags about the list of wins she has on Asuka but Asuka just gets angrier. Asuka fires off hands, blocks punches and gives more punches! Asuka palm strikes from all sides, but Charlotte blocks the back hand to stomp the bad leg! Asuka staggers away as Charlotte runs in, but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES! Down goes Charlotte! The crowd rallies for Asuka as she and Charlotte slowly rise. Asuka fires up and runs to hip attack Charlotte in the corner! Charlotte denies the sliced bread but runs into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Buzzsaw and shining wizard! Cover, TWO!
Asuka grits her teeth as she gets over to another corner. Asuka goes outside and climbs the corner. She leaps but Charlotte avoids the missile dropkick, and wants Natural Selection! But Asuka catches it to an ARMBAR! Charlotte hurries to get up but Asuka shifts to the Triangle Hold! Charlotte hammers Asuka and then dead lifts, to get the BOSTON CRAB! Asuka endures as Charlotte pulls back, and she flips Charlotte to a cover! TWO, to a KNEEBAR! Asuka has the leg but Charlotte turns around and pries her off in a dead lift! GERMAN SUPLEX! Both women are down but Charlotte sits up. Asuka gets to ropes and Charlotte runs over, but her boot misses! Asuka pulls on Charlotte but Charlotte elbows free. But Asuka mule kicks and runs, Charlotte follows, only for Asuka to get the ARMBAR!
Asuka pulls on the arm, has the Triangle again, but Charlotte keeps moving around. Charlotte manages to get up again, for another dead lift! For a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives and Charlotte just slumps over in frustration. The crowd rallies as Charlotte has the leg. Asuka kicks with the good leg then gets to the ropes! Asuka kicks Charlotte away and stands on the apron, but Charlotte BOOTS her down! Wait, Asuka’s music is playing? Because Nia is mocking her by wearing one of her spare masks, and even her make-up! Asuka ignores the ring count and it hits 10!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by count-out
Asuka realizes she lost, and then gets CLOBBERED by Nia! Charlotte can thank Nia for this newest win over an old foe. Nia mocks Asuka to her face and leaves her behind. Will the opportunistic challenger use every trick in the book to get the title she thinks she deserves?
Backstage interview with Lana.
Lana knows Bobby Lashley’s “associate,” MVP faces McIntyre tonight. Some may consider Lana’s relationship with MVP “contentious,” and the slap from earlier tonight definitely lends to that. But this on top of Lashley saying Lana is a distraction at ringside, is this all MVP’s plan? Lana isn’t sure. But no, she’s certain it isn’t Lashley. He’d never do that to her. Her Bobby requested she not go ringside during his matches, but there was nothing about MVP’s matches. Lana laughs and heads off, is she scheming something already?
Drew McIntyre VS MVP w/ Bobby Lashley!
The Scottish Stud is set to take on the Rocky Mountain Machine at Backlash, but will gladly go through Montel Vontavius Porter first. However, Lashley being ringside certainly smells of a trap set for the champion. But just as we heard from Lana, she joins Lashley ringside because this is MVP’s match. Is the distraction going to ruin everything Lashley and MVP have planned?
The bell rings and McIntyre ramps MVP right into a corner! McIntyre stomps away then CHOPS MVP! He throws hyamakers but MVP hits back. McIntyre clubs and punches MVP back and CHOPS again! The crowd fires up as McIntyre whips but MVP reverses. McIntyre comes back and blocks the hip toss to CLOBBER MVP again! McIntyre wants MVP to stand and then gives him a Glasgow Kiss! The headbutt sends MVP out and Lashley heads over. McIntyre keeps his eyes on Lashley, but MVP POSTS McIntyre! Then whips him into Plexiglas before putting him in the ring! MVP runs corner to corner for a BOOT! McIntyre goes down, MVP covers, ONE! MVP is shocked and Lashley is worried, but the crowd fires up.
MVP brings McIntyre up, McIntyre pushes back but MVP kicks. It does nothing and McIntyre rallies with forearms and a boot! McIntyre goes to the corner and climbs up top, for the flying ax handles! And then he kips up! McIntyre starts the countdown, but Lashley drags MVP to safety. The crowd boos but McIntyre FLIES out! Direct hit takes MVP and Lashley out and the crowd is loving it! McIntyre drags MVP up and into the ring and now we get the countdown. Three! Two! One! CLAYMORE! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
And Lana has a big smile on her face. But Lashley goes after McIntyre with the full nelson! McIntyre tries to fight it off but he can’t get free! Raw goes off the air, what is going to happen to the WWE World Champion?!
My Thoughts:
A really good episode for Raw, very little lull, though they found a way to fill time with a recap of the opening segment to start the second hour. The “retirement ceremony” for Rollins was good, and the tribute video turning into anything but was a given. Aleister VS Rollins was a really good match, but I almost thought things were going to turn into a tag team match when Carrillo ran out. Turns out that was saved for later. Rollins gets a lot of good Heel Heat, he really is clicking as this character. The “update” video with Mysterio’s and Dominik’s response was great, and I really want to see Dominik’s in-ring debut to be him going after Rollins. That would add a wild layer to this story, and definitely set up Rollins VS Mysterio for say Extreme Rules or even SummerSlam. I don’t know if this story is how Mysterio retires or just leaves the WWE, but this has the potential to be his and Rollins’ best work in the WWE.
Apollo Crews getting to choose his opponent is an interesting move for his story. I’m surprised he chose Kevin, but with his back and forth with Kevin, I almost thought Apollo was going Heel tonight. But instead, we get the Teddy Long “impromptu” tag match because Vega, Almas and Garza aren’t done with Apollo or Kevin. Vega is dead set on crushing Garza x Charly, tearing up that rose. I wonder if there comes a point when Charly goes after Vega and that costs Garza and Almas. But at the same time, Garza and Almas are already losing to Kevin and Apollo without that kind of stuff, so I’m curious to see how Vega’s stable can turn things around. Speaking of turning things around, Profits VS Viking Raiders in random sports is turning around and is hilarious stuff now. And the Vikings turn the series around, tied 2-2. I also love the ongoing gag that Ivar is the cute one. It works since Erik is married to Sarah Logan anyway.
What a surprise for Billie Kay to win clean on Nikki Cross, with that new finisher, too. I don’t know how, but Bliss-Cross probably finds a way to retain their tag titles against Bayley and Banks so that they can have a rematch with the IIconics at Backlash. Another surprise was that we finally got some WWE 24/7 Championship action again. Truth finds Gronk’s house, pretends to be a gardener, and then surprises Gronk. I hope that brings this belt back to the WWE Performance Center and then a heaping helping of NXT superstars get to join in on the chase. There are so many great choices out in the crowd, it’d be amazing if it got passed around from one end to the other and then Truth gets it back at the end.
Given these episodes of Raw have been taped and delayed, there were leaks about Nia injuring Kairi and even busting her open. But as we did not see any blood, or a buckle bomb worthy of the move being recently banned, give credit to some WWE editors from having shots that avoided any of that. Of course, that assumes the recordings we heard about were even for tonight’s episode. In the vacuum of kayfabe, Nia definitely gets good Heel Heat for her part in ruining Charlotte VS Asuka. However, I still don’t see Nia winning the title at Backlash. As it goes, Bayley has a win over Charlotte but now Charlotte has a win over Asuka. It would be a shame for neither Rhea or Shirai to win the title at TakeOver, but we could still get some sort of Winner Takes All Triple Threat where all three titles are on the line come SummerSlam. Though to be honest, I’d rather see Shirai get her first reign over someone becoming WWE’s first-ever Women’s Triple Belt Champion.
HBK has a good promo hyping Orton VS Edge and Orton has a great promo to add on, and only now am I starting to think they’re going to take the overly done “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” slogan serious. Orton and Edge might actually give us a solid 25 minutes or more of actual match, to then have Orton disqualify himself because he was losing. The main event and the world title picture have been going strong and that includes tonight. Lana wasn’t as much of a factor as she made it seem with her promo, but her getting to watch MVP lose in person is perhaps good enough for her. McIntyre and Lashley fighting again to end the show was pretty good, but I feel a bit cheated that we don’t see how things resolved. The WWE advertised Raw Talk and the new free WWE Network pretty hard, but they didn’t have footage of anything involving referees or security breaking it up. You get what you paid for, and since it costs nothing, we got nothing.
My Score: 8.4/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
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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