Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (7/29/20)
We continue towards TakeOver: 30!
Who qualifies for the NXT North American Championship Ladder match?
Tonight, another Triple Threat will be held to add to TakeOver: XXX’s Ladder Match to crown a NEW NXT North American Champion! Will it be Thatcher, Lumis or Balor joining Bronson Reed in that Furious 5 Way?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Io Shirai & Tegan Nox VS Dakota Kai & Candice LeRae; Shirai & Nox win.
- Roderick Strong VS Johnny Gargano; Gargano wins.
- Shotzi Blackheart VS Mercedes Martinez w/ The Robert Stone Brand; Martinez wins.
- Imperium VS Ever-Rise; Imperium wins.
- Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Jake Atlas; Swerve wins.
- NXT North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Timothy Thatcher VS Dexter Lumis VS Finn Balor; Lumis wins and advances to NXT TakeOver: 30.
PLAY BY PLAY
Keith Lee is seething.
The NXT Double Champion’s shining moment was made even brighter thanks to his “Number one frenemy,” Domink Dijakovic. Keith thanked his rival with the first shot at a double title match. But then Karrion Kross crushed the Croatian Colossus for a simple comment on how he measured up. Dijakovic refused to let Keith quit for him, and now, as the song says, “The end is here.” Will Keith avenge Dijakovic and cancel Kross’ apocalypse?
Io Shirai & Tegan Nox VS Dakota Kai & Candice LeRae!
The Evil Genius of the Sky wasn’t allowed to celebrate her victory of the girl with the Shiniest Wizard because #CobraKai chose to strike. And now she doesn’t even get her entrance because of another ambush! Dakota and Shirai brawl on the ramp, Tegan attacks Dakota and the Pint-Sized Pixie rushes out to join the fray! NXT is off to a furious start, but how will this match end?
Tegan gets in the ring and Shirai throws Candice in. Shirai follows, Candice goes after her but Tegan pushes Candice down. Dakota swipes at Shirai but the ref gets the teams to separate and sort out. The bell rings, and Candice starts with Tegan. They tie up, go around, and Candice puts Tegan on the ropes. Candice lets up with some attitude but she and Tegan circle again. They tie up, the crowd rallies, Candice wrenches to a wristlock. Tegan spins through, bridges back, but Candice trips her to a cover. ONE as Tegan gets a shoulder up. Candice pushes that down for the cover, ONE as Tegan puts the other shoulder up. Candice hops on for a full body cover, TWO! Candice fires off furious fists and covers again, TWO!
Candice clubs Tegan down and bumps her off buckles. Tegan hits back but Candice runs in to elbow her. Candice snapmares and drops a fist to the cover. TWO, but Candice keeps on Tegan with grinding forearms! The crowd rallies as Candice drags Tegan up. Tegan throws hands and rocks Candice! Dakota tags in but Shirai does, too! Dakota sweeps the legs to kick Shirai in the face! “FIGHT ME!” Shirai obliges with haymakers and knees! Shirai snapmares Dakota and BOOTS her back! Dakota grits her teeth as Shirai gives back the trash talk. Things speed up, Shirai redirects and dodges to then tiger feint and arm-drag Dakota down! Shirai basement dropkicks Dakota down then kips up! The crowd is thunderous as Shirai drags Dakota around.
Dakota kicks and flips Shirai away! Shirai swipes but Dakota avoids the sweep to BOOT Shirai down! Cover, TWO! Dakota drags Shirai up and bumps her off buckles. She keeps Shirai stuck while Candice tags in. Candice snapmares and KICKS Shirai in the back then covers, ONE! Candice facelocks Shirai, Dakota tags in and they mug Shirai in the corner. Dakota snapmares Shirai, covers, TWO! The crowd rallies as Dakota brings Shirai back up. Dakota clubs Shirai to the ropes then chokes her! The ref counts, Dakota lets up and brings Shirai around for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Dakota grows frustrated with Shirai but she has an evil smirk as she looms over her. Dakota whips but Shirai reverses to then FLAPJACK!
Shirai stands on Dakota’s chest and pulls her hair before pulling her into a motorcycle stretch, then Lotus Lock! Candice runs in to stomp the leg based full nelson apart! Tegan throws Candice out in return! Shirai gets to her feet and tags Tegan in, and the two bring Dakota up for a double suplex. Dakota slips out, shoves Tegan at Shirai, and then Candice drags Shirai out to throw into barriers! Dakota BOOTS Tegan down! Candice tags in to fetch Tegan and throw her into steel steps! Candice claims she “missed” putting Tegan in the ring, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Tegan writhes on the floor while Candice looms over her. Candice puts Tegan in this time and covers, TWO! Candice drags Tegan back up to put into the corner hard. Tag to Dakota and Dakota stomps a mudhole into Tegan! Dakota digs her heel in but stops at the ref’s count. Dakota keeps Tegan from crawling away and clubs her down. Cover, TWO! Dakota still smirks as she drags Tegan away with a facelock. But Tegan spins and rolls Dakota up, TWO!! Dakota LARIATS Tegan down! Cover, TWO! Dakota mocks Shirai by holding Tegan’s hand out for a tag, only to trap it and put Tegan into a grounded cobra twist! Tegan endures, kicks and flails, but she fights free to throw body shots. Tegan rolls Dakota again, TWO!
Dakota BOOTS Tegan down! Cover, TWO! Tegan sputters while she gets a foot on the ropes, but Dakota brings her up and away to the corner. Dakota tags Candice and Candice toys with Tegan. Candice stands on Tegan’s head, lets up at the ref’s count, but Dakota CHOKES Tegan! Shirai protests, the ref keeps her back, and Candice covers Tegan. TWO, but Candice keeps on Tegan with a chinlock. Tegan endures, pries at the hold, but Candice throws her down! Cover, TWO! Candice whips Tegan into the corner, tags in Dakota, and Dakota throws body shots. Dakota taunts Shirai while she swaggers about, but she runs into Tegan’s elbow! Tegan hits Candice, scoops Dakota, and hits a FALL AWAY SLAM!
NXT returns to single picture as Candice tags in. Shirai avoids Candice’s cheap shot and Tegan HEADBUTTS Candice down! But both Tegan and Candice fall over and the fans rally up again. Tegan and Candice crawl, hot tags to Dakota and Shirai! Shirai rallies on Dakota with big shoulder tackles! Shirai whips, Dakota reverses but Shirai ducks and handsprings! Dakota gets clear but the dropkick hits! Shirai fires up and the crowd does, too. Shirai runs, Dakota dodges but Shirai slips out to swing kick back! Shirai kicks and SHOTEIS Candice away! Shirai springboards to missile dropkick Dakota down! Cover, TWO!!
Shirai keeps her cool, drags Dakota back up, and underhooks for the lift. Dakota fights out, but swings into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Shirai has Dakota in the drop zone and climbs up top. But Dakota clubs Shirai down first! Dakota climbs up and clubs Shirai on the back. Shirai resists the superplex but Dakota clubs away more. Dakota brings Shirai up again, but Shirai trips Dakota up! Shirai CHOPS Dakota into a Tree of Woe! WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and Shirai grows frustrated. Shirai drags Dakota back up, scoops but Dakota slips out. Dakota tags out to Candice, much to Candice’s surprise. Shirai doesn’t hesitate and she tiger feint kicks Candice in the corner!
Candice flounders and Shirai climbs up. Missile dropkick! Candice flounders all the way to the other corner, for Shirai to hit the SHINKANSEN! Shirai keeps moving to DIVE out onto Dakota! SHINIEST WIZARD behind the ref’s back! Shirai climbs up again, DESCENT INTO DARKNESS! Cover, Shirai and Tegan win!
Winners: Io Shirai & Tegan Nox, by pinfall
Darkness and light combined to defeat the poison and the snake! Will Shirai do the same when it’s 1v1 with Dakota?
NXT shares footage from the Pat McAfee Show incident.
It was last Thursday that the longest reigning NXT Champion of all time, Adam Cole BAYBAY, went on the former NFL kicker’s podcast radio show. McAfee and Cole have always been at odds with each other, so when Adam Cole called himself the King of NXT, McAfee couldn’t help but laugh. McAfee pointed out that The Undisputed Era was a major part of Cole’s many reigns. But that’s smart, since Cole is “kinda small.” Cole blew up over that and cursed McAfee out and his “stupid (bleeping) show.” Cole stormed off, but that was not the end of this.
On Monday, McAfee had Triple H on to explain it was a “misunderstanding.” Cole himself issued a lengthy apology on Twitter for being unprofessional. McAfee is open to meeting with Cole again to talk this out and get to the bottom of things. When and where will Cole and McAfee sit down and discuss the apparent “miscommunication?”
Roderick Strong VS Johnny Gargano!
After they both lost to #ThiccBoi Bronson Reed, the Savior of the Backbreaker and #AllHeartNoSoul Gargano talked a lot of smack while playing the blame game on social media. William Regal made their spat into a 1v1 match, and now we’ll see who can back up their words!
The bell rings and the two approach fast. They feel out the grapple, tie up, go around, and Strong gets Gargano down but Gargano spins out of a cover. Strong keeps on Gargano, facelocks, but Gargano spins out to reverse it. Gargano holds on as Strong rolls, the crowd rallies up, and Strong gets a leg. Strong tries the cover, ONE, but Strong won’t let Gargano go. Gargano gets an arm and pulls but Strong makes it a cover, TWO! Strong and Gargano still fight for control, Gargano manages a headlock but Strong pops out to get the legs! Gargano powers out of the Strong Hold, ducks the boot and rolls Strong to a cover, ONE! Gargano wants the GargaNO Escape but Strong powers out to get the legs! Gargano rolls to throw Strong to a cover, TWO! Strong and Gargano struggle but separate, and the crowds cheer that exchange.
Gargano and Strong talk trash and start shoving! Strong trips Gargano, goes for a cover but Gargano turns. Strong gets the “dork” in a clinch, slaps his head and floats around. Cover, TWO as Gargano manages to bridge. Gargano and Strong rolls, Strong has the cover again, ONE! Gargano slips out and around to get the arm, but Strong resists the crossface so Gargano brings the other arm around! It’s a modified butterfly stretch or even Rings of Saturn, but Strong endures. Strong crawls, rolls, but Gargano turns Strong into a recliner cover. TWO, Gargano headlock takeovers and grinds Strong down. Strong works against the hold, avoids the cover, and gets up. Strong throws body shots, whips Gargano, but Gargano goes up and over. Things speed up, Gargano huricanranas Strong to a corner!
Gargano runs in, Strong puts him on the apron, and then Strong catches the slingshot spear! Gargano won’t let Strong copy the draping DDT and he dumps Strong to the apron. Strong drags Gargano out to a half nelson wheelbarrow, but Gargano slips out to wring the arm out! Gargano grins as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Gargano works to get Strong into a modified standing cobra twist. Strong powers against it to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Gargano stands up for Strong to CHOP! Strong bumps and CHOPS Gargano in the corner, follows him across the way to throw forearms and a CHOP! Strong keeps on Gargano but Gargano dodges to wrench. Strong throws body shots and clubbing forearms, then he reels Gargano in for a suplex and gourd buster! Gargano flounders, but he goes up and over in the corner. Strong blocks the crucifix takedown to pop Gargano into a fireman’s carry. Gargano slips off and onto the apron to enziguri Strong away! Gargano slingshots, but the One Final Beat is blocked to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Gargano crawls away to a corner but Strong is on him. Strong CHOPS again, and the crowd felt that one. Strong hoists Gargano up top, but Gargano fights him as Strong climbs. They brawl, Gargano clubs Strong away and adjusts, but Strong grabs a foot. Gargano kicks Strong away and leaps for a tornado Complete Shot! Cover, TWO! The crowd is thunderous as Gargano gets up and hobbles over. Gargano slams Strong’s bad arm on the mat, then KICKS it! Strong elbows with the good arm, then boot, but the enziguri misses! Gargano rolls, Strong dodges the school boy kick, to OLYMPIC- NO! Arm-drag into a roll and GargaNO Escape! Strong endures, rolls to a cover, TWO!!
Strong has the legs, Gargano fights him but Strong kicks away on the back. Gargano kicks back with his heel then kangaroo boots Strong down. Strong gives them back! Both men are down but the crowd fires up. Gargano stands, wrenches an arm but Strong CHOPS back. Gargano forearms, Strong CHOPS, Gargano enziguris! Strong boots, enziguris and catches the superkick into a scoop! Gargano knees free first, but Strong back elbows. Gargano spins but the discus ends up in the fireman’s carry, for a pop-up, to a RANA! Gargano throws Strong and SUPERKICKS him down! Strong flops out of the ring, Gargano slides but misses. Gargano tilt-o-whirl headscissors Strong into barriers! Then POSTS him!
Gargano rams Strong into Plexiglas! And more Plexiglas! Strong ends up in the ring, Gargano takes aim. Slingshot, ONE FINAL BEAT!! Gargano still has to crawl to a cover, Gargano still wins!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
#TheJohnnyGarganoWay shows Strong where he still stands in the power rankings! Gargano may not have a shot at gold for TakeOver: XXX, but will he get his way on the other side of it?
Backstage interview with Dakota Kai.
Dakota walked out on Candice at the end of their tag match, but Dakota says she doesn’t care. Dakota is not a team player anymore. She is done jumping through hoops, having to do Triple Threats, tag teams and battle royals just to be a contender. She IS the #1 contender. She wants Io Shirai and the NXT Women’s Championship!
As Dakota goes to leave, a new platinum blonde heavy metal Rhea Ripley walks in to asks if she heard that right. Dakota is after Io Shirai? “Mate, I don’t care if you’re not a team player anymore.” In fact, good for Dakota. But Rhea’s problem is Dakota thinks she’s next. “Io is mine, and I don’t mind going through anyone who thinks otherwise.” Well, Dakota is going to see what William Regal has to say about that. Rhea is fine by that. Just what will GM Regal’s decision be about the NXT Women’s Championship scene?
Backstage interview with Timothy Thatcher.
Tonight, he goes against Dexter Lumis and Finn Balor in the second North American Championship qualifier Triple Threat. “Indeed. Two men that are gonna get schooled in Thatch As Thatch Can. One, Mr. Balor. Last week, he spoke of some sort of push. The only push that I know is when I push my shoulder into his kneecap as I dislocate his leg.” And then we have Lumis, “the man with a thousand mile stare.” Look into Thatcher’s eyes. Lumis thinks he’s a tortured artist, but he knows nothing of the subject, until he steps in the ring with Thatcher. Um, Lumis is lurking in the shadows… Will it be the Professor of Pain that learns something tonight?
The Undisputed Era talks backstage.
Strong and Bobby Fish are also upset with McAfee, and they’re all upset with Gargano, but Kyle O’Reilly arrives to ask what’s going on. That depends, what’s going on with him? Kyle is sick and tired of “the Hollywood BS,” the excuses and setbacks. Do they remember who they are? The Undisputed Era! Freakin’ Roddy Strong! The Infamous Bobby Fish, Kyle’s tag team partner! And Adam Freakin’ Cole! They ran this place since the second they got here! The Undisputed Era is back in business, which means back to changing the business! Kyle has fired up his friends, but will they be able to rebuild at this point?
Shotzi Blackheart VS Mercedes Martinez w/ The Robert Stone Brand!
“Welcome to the ball pit!” The wild child is ready to #TCB, and she “triple dog dared” mean Mercedes to give her a destructive dream match! But can Shotzi take care of business now that Mercedes is doing business with Robert Stone?
The bell rings and Shotzi goes right at Mercedes with forearms! Mercedes shoves her away but Shotzi comes back with more! Shotzi kicks low then runs, but Mercedes uses that momentum to toss Shotzi out! Stone and Aliyah talk trash to distract Shotzi and Mercedes CLOBBERS Shotzi down! The crowd boos but Mercedes keeps on Shotzi with a wheelbarrow SLAM to the apron! Mercedes pushes Shotzi in, stalks her to the center and rains down right forearms! Shotzi takes the hammering fists but Mercedes lets up to bring her around, fisherman, but cradle counter! ONE, Shotzi dodges the boot to enziguris back!
Shotzi runs to shotgun dropkick Mercedes into the corner! Shotzi runs corner to corner, Mercedes puts her up top but Shotzi boots back. SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO! Mercedes survives and Shotzi grows frustrated. Shotzi drags Mercedes up, whips but Mercedes reveres. Shotzi ducks, comes back, SLING DOG! Mercedes gets up, Shotzi KNEES her back, then rolling elbows! QUESTION MARK KICK! Mercedes flounders, Shotzi howls, BALL PIT CANNONBALL! Direct hit on the ropes and Shotzi covers, TWO! Shotzi keeps her focus and brings Mercedes up to run. Mercedes hits a SPINE BUSTER! High stack, TWO!
Mercedes keeps on Shotzi with more ground ‘n’ pound, then she scrapes her sole on Shotzi’s face! Mercedes drags Shotzi up, clubs away, then suplexes, only for Shotzi to slip out. Shotzi cravats, goes up but gets put on the top rope. Mercedes CLUBS Shotzi, climbs up to club her more, then clubs her in the chest over and over! Shotzi is a ragdoll as Mercedes brings her up for a SPIDER SUPER GERMAN! Mercedes sits up, hops down and drags Shotzi into the fireman’s carry. Mercedes tucks, AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, Mercedes wins!
Winner: Mercedes Martinez, by pinfall
Stone’s newest signee is already paying off! Mercedes tanks NXT’s tank girl, will she do the same to the rest of the roster?
NXT, prepare for Ridge Holland’s arrival.
“Growing up in Yorkshire, England, you either go to jail, of you find a way out.” His way out was built on malice, forged on the rugby field. He was too violent. Just ask anyone he has been on the field with, or in the ring with. “They don’t leave the same. NXT, this is your warning. Ridge Holland is coming for the North American Championship.” The Northern Grit comes to the States! Will anyone stand a chance with him in the running?
Keith Lee is here!
The Limitless NXT Champion is not in a good mood as he goes to the ring. Keith grabs a mic to speak. “Let’s get something straight. We can talk all day about Dijak telling me no. That he wanted it. But the reality is, Dijak is a grown man, and he is going to be just fine. On the other hand, this man that seems to think the sound of sand is the sound of a clock…” Keith wants Kross to listen. “You have clearly made it a point that you want my attention, that you want this championship, and you’ve done so much extra BULLSH*T!” The crowd likes this angry Keith as he tells Kross, “All of your extra BULLSH*T means nothing when you can’t come to me face to face!” Keith is here, doing something Kross does not have the BALLS to do, and that is to talk face to face, man to man. “Kross, I’m calling you out.”
But instead of Mr. Doomsday, Keith gets the Carolina Caveman, Cameron Grimes! “Dijakovic? Kross?” Keith should be talking about Cameron Grimes! If anyone should be upset, it’s Grimes! Because Keith gave away the North American Championship before Grimes could take both titles. But that’s okay, because Grimes is here to say that he is taking that NXT Championship, “and going straight to the moon~!” Keith, can you hear him? Look at him, Keith. Can you hear? Keith can hear, and he can feel Grimes’ head in his hands as he grabs Grimes from the apron!! Grimes panics but Keith tosses him in with one hand! And then he corner splashes Grimes down! The crowd is rowdy as Grimes flounders to his feet, but then the spotlights shine on Keith, and Scarlett Bordeaux.
Scarlett is dressed in scarlet as she stands on stage. And then Grimes runs at Keith! But then “OH SH-,” the Cave-In is turned into a SPIRIT BOMB! Grimes twitches but Scarlett doesn’t move. She waves a hand, and Kross talks to “Mr. Lee” via the titantron. “What kind of a man makes the choice to stand by and do absolutely nothing while his friend suffers?” Keith did that. And Keith has to live with that. But for now, Kross will provide Keith with two choices. The easy way: Keith gives Kross his shot at the title. The hard way, and Kross says Keith doesn’t even want to know what that is. “Because everyone will suffer! Ticktock.” Keith picks up a mic to say, “Choices. You wan’t to talk about choices? Kross, pick the time and place, and I will whoop that ass.” Scarlett leaves to take that message back to her man. Kross calls it the easy way, but will he learn how hard it is to stop the Limitless One?
Imperium VS Ever-Rise!
The NXT Tag Team Champions, Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel, return! Their part in Imperium’s takeover of both branches resumes, but will the Canadian best friends for life, Chase Parker and Matt Martel, be able to throw a wrench into those plans?
The teams sort out, Barthel starts with Martel and the two circle. Barthel slaps Martel around a bit as they end up in the corner. The ref calls for a break, Barthel lets off but gets in another slap! Martel runs at Barthel but into the arm-drag, and Barthel turns it into a keylock. Martel endures, gets up, pushes Barthel back but Aichner tags in. Barthel whips and Aichner arm-drags Martel for an armlock of his own. Aichner shifts around and wrenches to get another high keylock. Martel spins through and whips but Aichner reverses, but Martel holds ropes and boots back. Parker tags in, Martel trips Aichner up and Parker slingshots for the elbow drop! Barthel runs in but Parker dodges to CHOP!
Parker throws hands on Barthel, whips Martel so Martel can whip him, and then rocks Barthel with a forearm smash! Parker feeds Barthel to the drop toehold, but Aichner intercepts Parker to SPINE BUSTER him onto Martel! Aichner drags Parker up to throw him to the corner, then he tags in Barthel. Imperium puts Parker in the ropes to meet at the corner with double dropkicks! Parker crawls away but Barthel drags him up. Barthel ROCKS Parker with the uppercut then tags Aichner. Imperium whips Parker for Aichner’s SPINE BUSTER! Barthel adds the PENALTY KICK! Then they coordinate to give Parker the EURO BOMB!! Cover, Imperium wins!
Winner: Imperium, by pinfall
The Pride of Italy and the Impeccable German defeat the longest bonded team, and now take up the mic to speak. “The standard bearers of the NXT Tag Team Division have returned!” But then the Undisputed Era interrupts! Cole, Strong, Fish and O’Reilly rush the ring and attack Imperium! This is Worlds Collide reignited! Their 4v2 advantage beats Imperium down and the crowd is thunderous! SUPERKICK for Barthel! TOTAL ANNIHILATION for Aichner! “We are the Undisputed Era! We’re the ones who run NXT, not anybody else!” Is this the spark that lights a new flame to #ShockTheSystem?
NXT takes a closer look at Bronson Reed.
“This place, with all the street art and graffiti, reminds me of my home, Adelaide, South Australia.” Auszilla would watch his friends and family do street art with passion and love. His passion was pro-wrestling. His earliest memories in life are of him watching pro-wrestling with his uncle. It was a dream to get to the WWE, but he didn’t think it was possible. His journey to NXT revolves around his wife. To start wrestling, he had to go to a wrestling camp, which of course cost money. She was the one who gave him the money to do it, and has since then been the one motivating him forward. Reed has gone all around the world, 13 different countries, to land here in NXT. He was in the Breakout Tournament, faced Dexter Lumis to start it off, and won big.
“Michael Jordan said that some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, and only some people make it happen.” Reed feels he is that third group. He made it happen against two incredibly talented superstars, and proved himself and the world that he is a prime time player. Nothing will stop him in the ladder match, because no one has 320 pounds of fury like him. His body is built for destruction. No one has his fighting spirit. Shawn Michaels had his boyhood dream come true, but TakeOver 30 will see the THICC BOI DREAM come true!
William Regal addresses the situation between Keith Lee and Karrion Kross.
“Good evening, everyone.” In light of what we saw between Keith and Kross, Regal wants to remind them both that he will not be bullied into making championship matches. Those opportunities are still and will always be earned in NXT. Then just how far will Kross go to earn his shot at the Limitless One?
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Jake Atlas!
Swerve oozes confidence, and is so confident that his one win over Santos Escobar is enough, that he has been calling out the NXT Cruiserweight Champion between NXT and 205 Live. But Atlas was also fairly impressive in that Cruiserweight Championship round robin. Will Atlas leave Swerve on the outside looking in at the title scene?
The bell rings and Atlas circles with Swerve. They tie up, Atlas snapmares but Swerve avoids a cover and headscissors Atlas back. Swerve kips up while Atlas scrambles to a corner, and Swerve grins as fans cheer. Atlas and Swerve go again, Atlas goes for a leg but Swerve grabs the arm. Atlas finishes the takeover and speeds things up, Swerve stays low but Atlas leaps over to use that gymnastics background to handstand walk and handspring back! Swerve gets clear, goes Eddy Gordo but Atlas throws him down. Atlas slides to kick but Swerve avoids that, and avoids the standing moonsault. Atlas lands on his feet, cartwheels away from the boot, and then dropkicks Swerve down! The crowd is fired up as Swerve sits up and checks his chin. Atlas bows but Swerve smirks.
Swerve shoves Atlas to a corner, Atlas boots but Swerve deflects. Atlas rebounds, arm-drags and then runs to dropkick again! Swerve deflects that, too, Oklahoma Rolls Atlas into a ghost pin, TWO! Atlas kicks low then CHOPS Swerve to a corner. Atlas CHOPS again, and again! Swerve is reeling but Atlas clubs and kicks him! Atlas kicks again but Swerve catches it and puts him in a corner to CALF KICK him down! Swerve takes a moment to check his chin while NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Atlas resists the dead lift. Atlas shoves Swerve to a corner, runs in and rams his shoulder in. Atlas is on the apron, he springboards for the BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Atlas keeps his cool as Swerve survives. Atlas drags Swerve up, Swerve chinbars and powers out to elbow him back! Swerve brings Atlas up, back suplex but Atlas lands on his feet. Atlas ROCKS Swerve with that uppercut! Swerve ends up in a corner, Atlas runs in but Swerve goes up and over and rolls Atlas, but Atlas BOOTS the Complete Shot away! Atlas headlocks for the CLIMAX! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives the headlock driver and Atlas can’t believe it!
Atlas drags Swerve up, CHOPS him, clubs him and throws forearms. Swerve gets around, rolls Atlas but then rolls him again to dead lift GERMAN! Atlas gets up, Swerve somersaults for the COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!! Atlas lives and Swerve grows frustrated. Swerve stalks Atlas, kicks him to a corner and brings him up by the legs. Atlas kicks Swerve away then walks into a wristlock and flip! Atlas rolls back but Swerve uses that to pop up! Atlas follows, ROCKS Swerve with a right, Swerve rocks him back! But Atlas blocks, half nelsons and lifts, SUPER SPINNING TORTURE RACK BOMB!! Atlas crawls to the cover, TWO!?! Swerve survives and the crowd is thunderous!
Atlas hurries to the corner and climbs back up. “This is Awesome!” has he cartwheels, but no Rainbow DDT just yet as Swerve pushes Atlas off course! Swerve sweeps the legs to SUPERKICK! Atlas is stuck in a Tree of Woe, Swerve hits the HOUSE CALL on the outside! Swerve puts Atlas back in, hoists him up, JML DRIVER! Cover, Swerve wins!
Winner: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, by pinfall
Atlas gave Swerve quite the fight, but in the end, Swerve leaves Atlas down and out! Will he be able to dethrone Escobar and bring the Cruiserweight gold to Swerve’s House?
Backstage interview with Damian Priest.
The Archer of Infamy has a Triple Threat North American Championship qualifier next week against Oney Lorcan and the debuting Ridge Holland. His thoughts? He finds it very interesting. He knew he was in one of these Triple Threats, but nothing has changed now that he knows his opponents. This opportunity is his to take, and there is no scenario in his mind where he doesn’t walk out of TakeOver: XXX as the new North American Champion. He isn’t looking past his opponents, though. He knows how tough Oney is, and though he doesn’t know much about Holland, it’s obvious “that dude’s legit.” Come next week, we will not see an upset like with Bronson Reed. The favorite will win, and then the Reign of Infamy begins. But speaking of, tonight’s Triple Threat is up next! Who will Priest look to join after tonight?
NXT makes it official!
To determine who faces Io Shirai for the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: XXX, it will be a #1 Contender’s Match between Dakota Kai and Rhea Ripley! Will #CobraKai get to sink her teeth into the Aussie Nightmare before trying on the Evil Genius? Or will Rhea being her road to redemption at Dakota’s expense?
And after the huge attack the Undisputed Era hit Imperium with, the NXT Tag Team Championships are on the line! Aichner and Barthel take on reDRagon, O’Reilly & Fish as part of next week’s episode!
NXT North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Timothy Thatcher VS Dexter Lumis VS Finn Balor!
The Professor of Pain, the Tortured Artist, or The Prince. All three are hungry for gold, but only one can be part of the Furious 5 Way at TakeOver 30! Who joins Bronson Reed in the biggest golden opportunity in a long time?
The bell rings and Balor and Thatcher approach, but Lumis stays put. So Balor and Thatcher tie up, break, and Thatcher throws an uppercut. Balor boots back from the corner, slips out and drags Thatcher out. Thatcher rams Balor into the apron then throws him into the ring. Balor staggers up and Lumis finally does something as he uppercuts Balor away. Thatcher goes after Lumis but gets an uppercut, too! Lumis ROCKS Balor again, then throws Thatcher out to join him. The crowd fires up as Lumis builds speed to FLY! Balor and Thatcher get clear, but Lumis lands on his feet?! Since when could he do that?! Balor runs at Lumis but gets an uppercut, as does Thatcher! Lumis puts Thatcher in but Thatcher kicks Lumis back.
Thatcher throws uppercuts on Lumis as Balor returns. Thatcher goes after Balor’s leg, they hop around and Balor throws body shots. Lumis runs and clotheslines them both down! Lumis looms over Balor, brings him up, and throws another uppercut! Lumis back suplexes high and hard to drop Balor, then covers, TWO! Thatcher grabs Lumis and throws uppercuts. Lumis throws Thatcher out hard then goes back to Balor but Balor kicks low. Balor clubs and stomps Lumis down, stomps the knee and ankle, then CHOPS! Balor bumps Lumis off buckles, throws more body shots and then repeats the process.
Balor CHOPS Lumis, Thatcher blasts Balor with an uppercut! Thatcher is after Lumis with the EuroUppers, stalks Lumis on the ropes, and clinches for the Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Thatcher is after an arm for the double wristlock! Lumis endures, Balor gets in but Thatcher is after Balor’s leg! Balor resists, Lumis staggers over but Thatcher throws more EuroUppers on him. Thatcher slugs Lumis but Lumis flapjacks him onto ropes! Thatcher flounders out, Balor enziguris Lumis! Lumis is down, Balor goes up! But Thatcher pushes Balor off the top to stop the Coup de Grace! The crowd is fired up while NXT goes picture in picture.
Thatcher snarls as he scrapes Balor on the apron with his foot. Thatcher knees away on Lumis, drives in elbows, then goes after the leg Balor went after. Lumis resists but Thatcher has the heel hook to twist the ankle! Lumis endures, Balor returns and Thatcher intercepts again. Balor resists and Lumis rolls Thatcher up! TOW, Lumis turns around into Balor’s stiff forearm! Thatcher runs at Balor but Balor side steps the shoulder to kick away on Thatcher! Balor kicks and kicks and kicks, Thatcher flops down but Lumis CLOBBERS Balor! Balor crashes down on the apron and flops to the floor, but Lumis and Thatcher are also down.
Lumis crawls after Thatcher, rains down hammering rights, but lets up to drag Thatcher around. Thatcher throws hands and facelocks for a headlock suplex! Balor returns but Thatcher uppercuts him right down! Thatcher drags Finn around with a face hook, then takes the arm for a cobra clutch! Balor endures, fights his way up, but Thatcher wrangles him down! Thatcher locks the clutch in deeper but the crowd rallies up. Balor fights back up, NXT returns to single picture and Balor hits the jawbreaker! Thatcher avoids Lumis’ dropkick and Lumis rolls out of the ring. Thatcher ROCKS Balor with another EuroUpper, then drags him up. Balor cradle counters, TWO! Thatcher BLASTS Balor with the EuroUpper!
Balor staggers to ropes, Thatcher chokes him on the ropes! No disqualifications so Thatcher can hold it for as long as he wants, but he still lets up to bring Balor around. Thatcher throws another hard EuroUpper, then he knees Balor in the ribs. Lumis climbs up the apron but Thatcher clubs him down. Thatcher knees Balor while he’s down, then laces the legs and goes after the face. Balor grabs Thatcher’s fingers and bends them back! Thatcher knees Balor back and clubs him down. Thatcher drags Balor up, scoops and slams him down! Elbow drop! Cover, ONE! Thatcher sees Lumis and knees him off the apron. Balor throws forearms but Thatcher returns them. They brawl, Balor runs and forearms Thatcher down!
Balor drags Thatcher up but Thatcher rocks him with a forearm. Balor boots from the corner, runs and forearms Thatcher down again! Balor trips Thatcher but Thatcher boots him away. Lumis returns to DECK Thatcher with right hand after right hand! Corner clothesline and bulldog! Balor runs into an uppercut but he PELES back! All three men are down but the crowd fires up. Lumis and Thatcher are in opposite corners, Balor CHOPS Lumis. Balor runs at Thatcher but has to dodge Thatcher’s clothesline, to hit the elbow drop DDT! SLING BLADE for Lumis! Balor aims at Lumis but Thatcher slithers around to trip the Prince! And POST his crown jewels before throwing a leg into the steel! Balor crawls but refuses to be taken out of this. Thatcher grabs the leg for a heel hook!
Lumis slides out and ROCKS Thatcher with an uppercut! Thatcher crawls away while Balor flops out. Lumis stalks Thatcher, brings him up and shoves him, to SPINE BUSTER! The crowd is thunderous again as Lumis watches Thatcher rise. Thatcher denies the urenage and then enziguris him down! Balor returns, Thatcher finally gives him the DRAGON SCREW! Thatcher grabs Lumis by the face and SLAPS him! Thatcher underhooks but Lumis resists, to hit the URENAGE! SILENCE ARM TRIANGLE!! Thatcher flails, endures, and Balor COUP DE GRACES outta nowhere!! Balor has to hobble to a cover, Thatcher drags him off! Balor kicks away on Thatcher but Thatcher has the leg for an ANKLE LOCK!
Thatcher keeps Balor from ropes with his modified grip and then GRAPEVINES! Balor endures, flails, Lumis slithers up and watches Thatcher! SILENCE!!! It’s a DUAL SUBMISSION!! Balor is free because Thatcher is OUT! LUMIS WINS!!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission (advances to TakeOver: XXX)
The Professor of Pain just learned a valuable lesson about Triple Threats: always watch out for the third man. Lumis joins Bronson Reed in the ladder match, bringing them both back to the Breakout Tournament where it all began. Will things be very, very different for the Tortured Artist?
My Thoughts:
A great episode once again, with some very interesting developments. First off, it seems the “incident” with Adam Cole on the Pat McAfee Show is highly likely a work, though I can’t be sure to what end. I feel like we got a Face turn out of the entire Undisputed Era since they went after Imperium, who are firmly Heels. Strong VS Gargano was a great match, but Gargano wins so that his #TJGW story still makes sense. Imperium VS Ever-Rise was a good Face showing for Ever-Rise but also a really good return win for Imperium. Reigniting things with Imperium is great, because Worlds Collide’s 4v4 unfortunately had one fault in that Alexander Wolfe got legitimately injured and was out of the match. It is a bit optimistic, but perhaps a proper 4v4 can happen at whatever TakeOver is paired with Survivor Series or Royal Rumble as a full revisit. Then and only then should Undisputed Era move on to the “main roster,” preferably SmackDown.
The opening women’s tag match was really good, especially with Dakota jumping Shirai at the ramp. Dakota ups her Heel game by abandoning Candice, but that can always be circled back to with Candice and Dakota having beef down the line. Dakota VS Rhea to officially name a contender is going to be great next week, and while either choice is great, it has to be Dakota who wins because of how things have been going. Rhea has time to wait and see how things go, but Dakota’s been hovering around the title scene, she needs another go to make the WarGames Heel turn pay off. Meanwhile, Shotzi has a pretty good match with Mercedes, but of course Mercedes wins. Mercedes just got back, she’s with Robert Stone Brand, and this will drag the feud out for a bit while both women are outside the title scene.
Speaking of title scenes, Keith had a great promo, perhaps saying BS twice just to get the censors going, and Grimes had the perfectly punctual “bad timing” promo to get whooped. Regal says Kross can’t just bully his way to a title match but I have a feeling he’ll do just that in the coming weeks. Swerve VS Atlas was very good, but Swerve felt like the natural winner given all the spotlight he gets between NXT and 205 Live. I’m sure between the two shows, El Legado del Fantasma will respond to the would-be contender, and I feel like with that trio as a common enemy, Swerve, Atlas and perhaps a returning Kushida could face them in a Six Man before anything is decided.
The vignette for Bronson Reed was really good, and is a strong indicator he is a favorite in the Furious 5 Ladder Match. Honestly, it was between him and Finn as far as I was concerned, and now that Finn is out, I’m thinking Reed takes it all the way. Priest VS Oney VS Holland is next week, and that is great for all three men involved. Holland’s move from NXT UK to NXT USA is a good move for him. Holland came into NXT UK feeling like a midcard championship level star but there is no proper midcard title in NXT UK, so going for the North American title is smart. I feel like Holland will win to mostly be a shock factor, and add some serious strength to the ladder match.
Tonight’s Triple Threat was incredible and had another somewhat surprising finish. I would’ve thought Thatcher would catch Lumis or Balor into a surprise submission, but it’s great for Lumis to get this win in many ways. Most of all, I feel like this ladder match is making up for how things went in the wake of the Breakout Tournament. The controversy and anger that caused Jordan Myles to quit WWE/NXT (and from what I recall, wrestling altogether) marred a lot of what the Breakout Tournament was meant to do, and having Reed and Lumis, two tournament contestants that didn’t win but stuck around, could get things back on track for that wave of superstars. Reed, Lumis, I again predict Holland, that is already a strong field of young contenders, I can’t wait to see the last two Triple Threats.
My Score: 9.3/10
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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.
Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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