Whose game is it?

While Bayley & Naomi take on Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton, LA Knight defends his WWE United States Championship against Andrade El Idolo!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Andrade; Knight wins and retains the title.
• Giovanni Vinci VS Apollo Crews; wins.
• High Stakes Tornado Tag Match: Bayley & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton; win and

PLAY BY PLAY

The Bloodline arrives.

They go through the metal detectors, but obviously it goes off for Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa given they’re carrying the WWE Tag Team Championships. Security asks to pat them down but the Guerrillas of Destiny refuse that. Jacob Fatu walks in, he also sets the detectors off, but he HEADBUTTS and SUPERKICKS security out of his way! The Samoan Werewolf asks if anyone else wants a pat down. That’d be no thank you. Will Fatu, Tama & Loa tear into more than just security guards tonight?

WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Andrade!

The Mega Star’s “Hit It & Quit It” tour has come to the capital of California, ready to defend his title again! Will LA win this for Sacramento, CA? Or will the title soon belong to El Idolo?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has gold in the Golden State!

The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two circle. Andrade offers a handshake, the fans rally for Knight, and Knight takes the handshake. They circle, tie up, and Knight wrenches to a wristlock, only for Andrade to trip him. Andrade steps through, Knight cradle counters! TWO, Andrade kicks low, but Knight fights the underhooks! Andrade avoids the cravat and bails out, Knight says it was that close. The fans applaud, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Andrade breaks free of a wristlock to CHOP! Knight CHOPS back! Knight whips, Andrade KICKS the backdrop away! Then CHOPS again! And again! And again! Knight blocks one to ROCK Andrade again and again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Then a CHOP! Andrade kicks low, then puts Knight in a corner. Andrade CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Knight reverses, Andrade goes up and out! Andrade ROCKS Knight, goes up a corner, then leaps to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and the fans rally up. Andrade keeps cool, brings Knight into a chinlock, and the fans rally again.

Knight fights up, Andrade shifts to a headlock, but Knight powers up and out. Andrade runs Knight over, things keep moving, and Knight UPPERCUTS Andrade down! The fans fire up while Knight catches his breath. Andrade bails out, checks his teeth, then he drags Knight out! Knight fires hands but so does Andrade! Andrade then kicks low, brings Knight over, but Knight blocks the bump off the desk! Knight SMACKS Andrade off the desk! And again! And again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ring count climbs but Knight winds up to SMACK Andrade off the desk again! Knight puts Andrade in, then takes aim.

The fans rally, Knight slingshots, BIG shoulder tackle! Cover, TWO! Andrade stays in this but Knight stays on him. Knight brings Andrade up to RAM him into a corner! The fans rally as Knight RAMS Andrade again. Knight whips corner to corner, runs up, but Andrade puts him on the apron. Andrade ROCKS Knight, goes out to join him, but Knight fires body shots! Knight torture racks! But Andrade fights with elbows! Andrade is free, and he POSTS Knight! Knight falls to the floor and Andrade climbs up! The fans fire up as Andrade aims, to ARIHARA MONSAULT! Down goes Knight and the fans fire up again!

Andrade and Knight sputter on the floor, right next to the belt on its podium, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Knight and Andrade slowly sit up, and Andrade stands to roll into the ring. Andrade then goes back out, points to the belt, and fetches Knight. Andrade RAMS Knight into the barriers, then puts him in the ring. Andrade covers, ONE!! Knight is tougher than even all that, but Andrade stalks him to a corner. Andrade stomps Knight again and again, then puts him in the drop zone. Andrade tries to position Knight just right, and gets caught into a cradle! TWO!! Andrade KICKS Knight low! And CHOPS him into the corner! Andrade wrenches, reels Knight in, and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this and Andrade is frustrated.

Andrade clamps on with another chinlock, and he squeezes tight on the hold. Knight endures, fights up, and he fires body shots! Knight is free to run, but he runs into a kitchen sink knee! Cover, TWO! Andrade keeps cool as he stalks Knight back to the corner. Knight stands up but Andrade pie faces him. Andrade talks trash, pie faces Knight more, then throws haymakers! Andrade stomps a mudhole in, the ref counts, and Andrade stops. Knight comes back with haymakers! Knight spins to DISCUS LARIAT! Then Knight drags Andrade back up, for a BIG back suplex! But Andrade lands out! Andrade wrenches Knight, CHOPS him, and SmackDown returns to single picture.

Andrade whips, Knight reverses, but Andrade FLYING FOREARMS! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Knight goes to a corner, but Andrade kips up! The fans fire up and Andrade storms over to Knight. Andrade stomps a mudhole into Knight, then goes corner to corner! CIEN BUCKLES as Knight moves! DDT! Cover, TWO! Andrade survives and Knight is frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Knight stomps a mudhole now, “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight lets off as the ref counts, runs corner to corner, and he KNEES Andrade in the face! The fans fire up again, and Knight whips Andrade back into the corner! JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up again as Andrade stays in this. Knight drags Andrade up, “This is Awesome!’ as Knight puts Andrade on the very top. Knight climbs up behind him, but Andrade CLUBS away with elbows! Then he ELBOWS Knight off the corner! Andrade sees Knight is in the drop zone, and he smiles as he stands up! MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives but Andrade feels how close he was! Andrade sees Knight go to the corner, he pounds the mat, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner now, CIEN SHADOWS!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives but Andrade stays close. Andrade reels Knight in, but Knight suplexes first!

Andrade slips free, and JAWBREAKESR! Knight staggers, Andrade runs, but into a scoop! Knight powers up to POWERSLAM! The fans are thunderous as Knight goes up! They spell it out with him, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” JUMPING MACHO ELBOW! But that’s not all! Cravat and- NO, Andrade rolls Knight up! TWO!!! Knight escapes, but the boot feint ELBOW hits!! Cover, TWO!!! Knight survives again, and yet Andrade grins! Andrade is enjoying this like the fans are! Andrade drags Knight up and to the corner, then he goes up top! Andrade drags Knight up to join him, but Knight fires hands! Andrade HEADBUTTS Knight!

Knight staggers back, Andrade adjusts, but Knight JUMPS right up! Knight wobbles, Andrade ROCKS him, then leaps! But Knight avoids the missile dropkick!! Knight hurries to cravat, B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

YEAH!! The Mega Star holds onto the belt, even with how hard El Idolo hit him! Knight shows Andrade respect, offers a fist bump, but Andrade insists on a handshake. The handshake is accepted, and Andrade heads out. But will we see these two run it back one day?

Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton talk backstage.

The Queen of the Ring listens to Tiff go on and on about getting ready for the day. Tiff says she was in the nail salon, bragging to everyone how she and Nia are gonna beat the brakes off of Bayley & Naomi. It will feel so good to send one of them packing and never see them on SmackDown again! Nia says, “You go girl. Oh, and Tiffy, don’t forget. Bayley and Naomi are coming after my title, so if you lose tonight, it might be a good idea if you leave SmackDown. Tootles.” The Irresistible WWE Women’s Champion gives Miss Money in the Bank a fair warning, will Tiffy make sure she doesn’t mess things up for them?

Andrade returns backstage.

But waiting there with a grin is Carmelo Hayes. He asks what was that. Melo hasn’t seen someone choke like that since the Kings faced the Lakers. And it couldn’t have been H1M. But hey, put the fries in the bag, bruh, and watch Melo- Andrade pie faces him! They brawl, and Andrade throws Melo into a road case! Now security and refs rush in but the brawling keeps going! Andrade THRWOS Melo down, bumps into a cameraman, but Melo is back up! The refs get them to separate, will we end up needing to see “game six” from these two after all?

Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns met in Atlanta.

Bad Blood isn’t for a few more weeks, but the American Nightmare and the #OTC wanted to meet face to face, one to one, on hallowed ground that they have in common: Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium. Cody being a Georgia boy and Roman being a former Yellow Jacket, it all lines up perfectly. Both men go to the 50 yard line, the Undisputed WWE Championship on Cody’s shoulder. Roman speaks first. “Do you see the ground you stand on? Everything you put your eyes on in here… It’s mine. Years ago, I shed blood, sweat and tears on this field. Many times. So that means this is my field. And if this is my field, that means this is my stadium. And if this is my stadium, you better believe this is my city. What have you down for my city?”

Cody takes a moment and sees Roman’s seven cars. Subtle. “Your stadium? You know what’s on the other side of this stadium? Right over there.” No, what? Tech Wood Studios. Down the street, Center Stage. Just that way. It’s what used to be The Omni is now State Farm Arena. “Multiple generations of my family have bled for this city, and in this city. You played football here. Thank you. And then you went back to the beach. This is your field, but this is my home.” Roman says that’s very good. This is Cody’s home. But why not cut to the chase? Enough history lessons, let’s get to the facts.

Cody signed himself into a lose-lose situation. He has everything to lose, and he is dealing with people who have nothing to lose. Take Roman for example. They took Jimmy from him. They took The Wiseman from him. They took The Bloodline, and they took the ula fala. Roman has nothing to lose. For the first time in a long time, there is no weight on his shoulders, it is all on Cody. Roman is a man with no country. Cody says Roman’s acting like this is supposed to surprise Cody. Cody told Roman before WrestleMania the first go around, Roman would be standing like he is now: a chief without a tribe.

Cody says yes, they took Jimmy, and they took Paul Heyman, and they took the ula fala. But they think Roman’s got nothing to lose? Because Cody says he sees that and raises Roman another. Take a look around the WWE, and a good, hard look. “We’ve already got a Tribal Chief. It’s not you. And we have a WWE Champion that’s not you. So if you can’t even beat your own Bloodline, who’s standing here right now? I’ll tell you who. It’s not the biggest box office attraction in the history of WWE. It’s not that guaranteed WrestleMania main eventer, no. It’s the guy they used to call… Roman… Reigns.”

Roman asks what Cody wants. Just tell him what you want. What does Cody want? Cody wants Roman’s word. Cody wants Roman’s word that he will have Cody’s back so that he can have Roman’s. Roman says he gives Cody his word. He will have Cody’s back. But just understand this: When it’s all done, Roman will take back what’s his. Both men go to leave, but they end up walking into each other. Cody says it’s not Roman’s to take. Roman says Cody’s in his way. Cody steps back, but Roman says Cody is still in his way… in life. The OTC goes back to his convoy, and Cody watches him go. Will these two be able to work together long enough to tear down Solo Sikoa?

Kevin Owens watches all this.

And he isn’t sure what to make of it. Byron Saxton walks over to talk with Kevin. We all know the extensive history between Kevin and both men, Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. After that face-off we just saw, what are his thoughts? Kevin takes a moment, but then just leaves. As if Kevin wasn’t conflicted on this journey alongside Cody, is this only making that internal struggle harder?

Giovanni Vinci VS Apollo Crews!

The Pride of Italy was perhaps taking his in-ring return far too lightly. Not only was he not listening to the ref, he got caught by a simple roll-up! Will it be #VeniVidiVinci for real now? Or will he end up on Crews Control two weeks in a row?

Well hot damn, Victory Road was a solid night of action, surprises and an overall enjoyable watch. Even with the major let down segments of SDL and the Knockouts Tag, they were placed right in the middle…so there was energy aplenty for the last four matches. We do get to see where they’re going with Bound For Glory in about 6 weeks.

My fantasy booking has The System, ABC and Hardyz heading towards a championship 3 way dance. DeMALISH is done, so at least Masha is back on the singles circuit. Lets hope she makes short work of Lish and/or Tasha.

Time to see where the early steps take us on the way to Bound for Glory.

.@mashaslamovich LIVES A DREAM teaming with @MATTHARDYBRAND and @JEFFHARDYBRAND TONIGHT on iMPACT!

Subscribe to TNA to watch #TNAiMPACT NOW: https://t.co/UOkcaGoNH4 pic.twitter.com/N08dnmuwPv

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) September 20, 2024

Ratings:

• First Cla$$ (KC Navarro & AJ Francis) vs Sinner & Saint ( Judas Icarus & Travis Williams): First Cla$$ win via Down Payment/Frog Splash combo – ** 1/4
• Matt Cardona vs Rhino: Cardona DQ’d – My time wasted
• Knockouts Tag Championship: Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c) vs Kendal Grey & Carlee Bright: Spirefire retains via Pressure Drop – * 1/2
• Texas Death Match: JDC vs Mike Santana: Santana wins – ** 3/4
• Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & Tasha Steelz w/Alisha Edwards vs Masha Slamovich & The Hardyz: Hardyz win via Twist & Swanton combo – *** 1/4

Results:

Lish talks smack, Masha comes out, Lish says she doesn’t even understand her – AND FINALLY – Masha speaks English. So she runs down Lish, says she’s sick of her but Tasha jumps Masha from behind. Lish grabs Kendra, attacks Masha and we see Tasha and Lish beatdown Masha until Jordynne makes the save for Masha. The System comes out to tip the numbers game, but then The Hardyz come out to save Masha and Jordynne. 

Santino’s goofy music hits and I guess we’re heading to the 3×3 since Lish is still injured. Masha Slamabitch and the Hard Boyz will fight Tasha and System boys. Arianna’s music hits before Santino can say something to Jordynne, and she declares Jordynne gets an NXT friend next week to fight Rosemary and Wendy Choo. I just like Santino and Arianna playing together. It’s wholesomely moronic. 

First Cla$$ (KC Navarro & AJ Francis) vs Sinner & Saint ( Judas Icarus & Travis Williams)

KC and Travis start off, KC hits some athletic counters, taunts a little and extends the hand but Travis turns it into an Arm Whip, tags in Icarus, they Double Team, AJ blind tags as KC rope runs, Spiderman pose in the ropes, AJ levels  Icarus, KC takes out Travis, hits the tandem move The Deposit, into Tennessee Whiskey. KC tags back in, Snapmare into Footstomp and a near fall before AJ tags back in. They go for a tandem move on Icarus in the corner, but Icarus dumps KC to the outside, turns a Suplex into a DDT, and then crawls to Travis for simultaneous tags as Travis is working KC over. KC powders, tries to change sides but Sinner and Saint tandem redirect the dive. Inverted Suplex for a near fall.

AJ comes in, Lawn Darts Icarus into Travis, Down Payment, Frog Splash from KC…and First Cla$$ win!

Matt Cardona vs Rhino

Obviously just a step towards the eventual PCO versus Cardona, prolly at Bound for Glory. So this match is useless and Cardona has no reason to lose.

Cardona tries to pick his spot, but just gets his Foot picked out of mid air, and Rhino throws Cardona around the ring, Lariat, sets up for a Gore…but Cardona powders. Rhino follows and Suplexes Cardona onto the ramp, throws him back in and a Throat Chop from Cardona finally gives him some space. Missile Dropkick for an unnecessary pinfall, and then just grinding the Forearm into Rhino’s face in the corner. 10 Count Punches turned into a Powerbomb from Rhino for 2.

Rhino goes to get a chair, the ref admonishes him, Rhino throws the chair in, Cardona uses it in front of the referee and gets DQ’d. Radio Silence on Rhino after the DQ, Cardona looks to continue the punishment but lights go out and PCO attacks. Chokeslam, goes for the PCO-Sault, but Cardona powders and runs away. PCO goes full Ric Flair, attacks the chair and then PCO-Saults a steel chair.

Well…that’s new. 

Knockouts Tag Championship: Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c) vs Kendal Grey & Carlee Bright

You know how I’ve said these titles are useless right? Now they’re being defended against…no one. Bright Grey? That’s not even a Crayola Crayon color. I think I would enjoy constipation more than this match.

Jody and…Grey?… start and its just slow, headlocky, I guess trying to get across Grey’s amateur background, but it looks terribly…meh. Dani tags in and now my attention is peaked. Powerbomb attempt but Grey tries to slip it into a Cradle, Dani kicks out, catches Grey and Sack of Shit into Kip Up. Tandem Stalling Suplex after the tag, but only 2. Dani gets tagged in, they don’t seem to be taking Grey super seriously, so Grey finally kicks off and gets the tag to Bright. Okay, Cartwheel Knees is unique offense, not the Cheerleader Back Handspirng, I can respect that. Oh nice Standing Moonsault from Bright. Grey tags in, Jody takes a few seconds too long for the “blind tag”, Senton off the ropes to kill the two NXT girls, Pressure Drop, title retained.

Burn these belts and push Dani as a singles. 

Texas Death Match: JDC vs Mike Santana

Jade looks like she’s cosplaying Peg Bundy during the intros but…ya know…not complaining. And it sounds like they’re doing the rules correctly with pinfall and then 10 count. So, that’s nice the rules seem to be clear.

JDC tries to attack Santana as he comes in from the crowd, Santana turns it around as expected and starts running JDC from corner to corner, Enzuigiri and multiple Bootwash corner spots. Santana looks for a Cannonball, but JDC powders, so Santana stalks a little, Tope con Hilo connects! Santana finds some chairs as the morons start chanting for tables when it’s 4 minutes in. That chant just screams inbred and stupid anymore.

Santana puts the two chairs back to back and looks to hit the old Eddie Kingston spot on JDC, but JDC fights it off, 10 count punches that JDC counters with the Powerbomb through the back to back chairs. Trash can and kendo stick time for Dango. Dude, Stomp is soo 1999 but its apparently cool in Texas. DOWN AND DIRTY on the trash can from JDC! But he can’t cover since now he’s selling his own pain for dropping on a can. Santana smartly powders and JDC tries to remember how to walk. Santana crawls up to his feet bleeding, but he also found a Barbedwire Bat! Dango tries to grab him, BAT TO FACE! Of course they head to a commercial right as the match gets bloody…sigh.

So we’re back and they’re fighting in the crowd, or no, some staging area about the crowd. Dango is bleeding, Santana is bleeding, Santana counters Dango and hits a Piledriver on the stage for 2! Brawling up some steps, JDC kicks off Santana and connects with a Tornado DDT for 2! Santana rolls over and flops off the stage as he crawls to…somewhere. JDC with the low speed pursuit, he finally charges and gets tossed into some broken barricade makeshift something! Santana slams a production case into Dango a few times, as Dango tries to crawl up a table to get away. Santana walks back up to the stage, and stops himself mid-charge. FINDS A LADDER. Santana gets the ref and someone else to hold it, goes to the top of the ladder…and Splash through JDC on the table.

Takes entirely too long, so while it looks cool its pretty stupid. 1-2-3, the pinfall happens, but lets see if the 10 count holds. 10 count goes through, Santana wins.

Moose attacks afterwards and just beats the tar out of him with a chair.

Lei Ying Lee debuts NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT!

Subscribe to TNA to watch iMPACT NOW: https://t.co/UOkcaGoNH4 pic.twitter.com/kHtnOSs0Gj

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) September 20, 2024

Hendry comes out, Kaz interrupts, Nic Nemeth basically agrees to fight everyone. So Santino makes it shot and succulent, and decides for Hendry and Kaz to have a number 1 contender match next week. Nothing of crazy merit was said during the promo, so I decided to take Santino’s directions and go for short and succulent. 

Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & Tasha Steelz w/Alisha Edwards vs Masha Slamovich & The Hardyz

Well right after intros they cut to a commercial, so maybe we won’t get anymore. Tasha and Masha start off, and throw fists fast, things stay close and they trade. Masha gets the advantage after a Drop Toe Hold into the middle rope, kick to the face, running knees and Tasha tags out to Eddie. Masha doesn’t care she wants to fight Eddie but Eddie cheap shots Matt on the apron and Matt tells Masha to tag him in. So Eddie doesn’t look like a completely shitty heel, and the crowd pops for a Hardy.

Matt chokes Eddie along the ropes, Leg Drape attack and tags in my name is Jeff. A little classic Hardy tandem work, Myers just runs in, stack the dorks, Splash version of Poetry in Motion. System gets Lariated out, Tasha tries to attack Matt but Masha eats Tasha. Whips her 3 times into corners and Poetry in Moscow. All of the System is on the outside, so Masha goes to the top, Senton off the top rope and Bowling Balls The System. Ugh…picture in picture is awful…stop with commercials at bad times. I really miss the commercial free YouTube version.

So to no one’s surprise, of course The System take control during the distraction break, Masha is being isolated, Eddie tags in and he’s taking his sweet time for a chop. So again, Eddie doesn’t make contact. Masha drops Tasha, ducks the men, hot tag to Jeff! Jeff lights up Eddie, looks for Whisper in the Wind but Myers pulls Eddie out of the way and Jeff hits nothing. And unlike Jinder, Eddie didn’t bump to a breeze. Eddie tags out to Myers, Russian Leg Sweep and Front Face Lock is keeping Jeff down. Jeff fights back up, but Myers clocks him. Myers tags in Tasha, and Tasha goes with the Knife Edge Chops on Jeff, mocks the Jeff dance, then twerks in his face before tagging Eddie back in.

Myers attacks Matt off the apron and even Masha, but Jeff starts to fight back, goes for the Whisper again, and this time connects on both! Jeff tags in Matt, so he starts working through the System boys. Neckbreaker into the Delete Headsmashes for both members of the System. Side Effect on Myers for only two. Matt calls for the Twist, the crowd responds well, but the Twist is countered, Lish grabs Matt’s foot but the referee sees it. EJECTION! Poor Tami-Lynn, she doesn’t wanna go, Hardys and Masha laugh and sing the Hey Hey Hey song, Lish says no so the ABC walk down and pick her up and carry her out. Twist of Fates for everyone, Swanton Bomb from Jeff, Hardyz and Masha win!

Overall Score: 6/10

Serviceable in regards to setting up most of the threads for Bound for Glory. The actual wrestling could’ve been a lot better, but for a starting point, it could’ve been worse. Xia Li getting her new name revealed, which I like. Some kind of Thunder reference, mixed in with the fact her vignettes give Mortal Kombat vibes, its very cool. The Knockouts Tags definitely feel like useless metal, Santana and JDC was probably better to experience in person, because the commercial break broke the momentum…and Gods damn was that finish sooo slow. At least the Texas Death Match rules were correct.

Crowd was also hot for the Hardyz, so the combination of “evil Russian” dropping the accent and proving to be a Hardy fangirl and get the Hardyz babyface rub sets up Masha nicely. She should be the next face of the Knockouts Division.

Next week we’ll hopefully get a touch more clarity or reasons for multi-person shmoz matches. But reasons are reasons, and this moved in logical enough directions.