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Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 30 Results & Report! (10/16/20)
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Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 30 Results & Report! (10/16/20)

The A Block winner is…!

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NJPW G1 Climax 30

It’s Round 9, who is left standing atop A Block?

The G1 Climax reaches its ninth round, and FOUR men still have a chance! Will the A Block belong to Okada, Ospreay, Ibushi or White?

NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • A Block – Jeff Cobb VS Yujiro Takahashi; Yujiro wins.
  • A Block – Shingo Takagi VS Minoru Suzuki; Takagi wins.
  • A Block – Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins.
  • A Block – Kota Ibushi VS Taichi; Ibushi wins.
  • A Block – Jay White VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ishii wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Jay White: 6-2, 12 points
Kota Ibushi: 6-2, 12 points
Kazuchika Okada: 6-2, 12 points
Will Ospreay: 5-3, 10 points
Jeff Cobb: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Minoru Suzuki: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Tomohiro Ishii: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Shingo Takagi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yujiro Takahashi: 0-8, 0 points [ELIMINATED]

 

A Block – Jeff Cobb VS Yujiro Takahashi!

The G1 has been done for Tokyo Pimp, but will he avoid going completely winless? Or will he take a Tour of the Islands and end 0-9?

The bell rings and fans cheer as the two circle. They tie up, Cobb shoves Yujiro down but waits for Yujiro to get up. Fans rally as the two circle again. Yujiro kicks low, throws forearms over and over, but Cobb ROCKS Yujiro with one! Yujiro tries to bail out but Cobb catches him first! Cobb brings Yujiro around but Yujiro BITES his hand! Even now, no one has learned! Yujiro headlocks but Cobb powers out. Yujiro rams shoulders but Cobb doesn’t budge! Cobb blocks the kick, scoops Yujiro and pops him up, but Yujiro slips out to kick low. Yujiro runs, Cobb ducks down, but Yujiro fakes out the hurdle to pie face Cobb! Yujiro slaps Cobb then ROCKS him with a right. Yujiro runs but into Cobb’s dropkick! Fans cheer Cobb’s agility and rally up as he sees Yujiro bail out.

Cobb pursues as Yujiro runs around the way. Yujiro keeps running and gets back inside. Cobb follows but sees the elbow drop coming and moves, Yujiro hits nothing but mat. Cobb drags Yujiro out, suplexes, but Yujiro slips out to get the reverse DDT! Fans cheer the savvy as Yujiro talks to the ref. The ring count begins but Yujiro stomps Cobb. Yujiro grinds his forearms into Cobb’s face and leaves him behind at 12 of 20. Fans cheer as Cobb gets up and in at 16! Yujiro stomps Cobb more, snapmares him then drops a leg, then an elbow, and then a headbutt! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Cobb but Yujiro brings Cobb up by his hair. The ref reprimands but Yujiro uses that hair hold for a facebuster! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up again as Yujiro rains down rights.

The ref reprimands the use of closed fists but Yujiro kicks at Cobb. Cobb throws body shots and a CHOP back! And another CHOP! Yujiro knees low, runs, but into Cobb’s elbow! GACHIMUCHI FLOPS! Yujiro runs to basement boot! Fans cheer and rally as both men are down. Yujiro gets up first but Cobb gets to a corner. Yujiro runs in and BOOTS! Yujiro brings Cobb out, snapmares again and runs, but Cobb avoids the boot! Cobb runs Yujiro over with shoulders! Fans rally up as Cobb lifts and tackles Yujiro to a corner! Cobb rams and whips him out to then throw back in, and then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Yujiro flounders to the corner, fans rally and Cobb leaps for the back elbow! Cobb gets Yujiro with the RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!

Yujiro is still in this but Cobb keeps his focus. Cobb waistlocks, dead lifts, but Yujiro fights out. Cobb ROCKS Yujiro with a right, but Yujiro flapjack hotshots him back! Yujiro flounders away as the fans rally up. Yujiro comes back to BOOT Cobb at the ropes! Yujiro keeps going, clothesline but Cobb stays up! Yujiro mule kicks and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Cobb survives and Yujiro grows frustrated. Yujiro drags Cobb up, fireman’s carries but Cobb blocks. Cobb throws elbows, gut wrenches and throws Yujiro around, but Yujiro BITES again! The ref reprimands, Yujiro stops biting and runs to BOOT Cobb again! Cobb is in the corner, but he dodges Yujiro to come back with a clothesline!

Fans rally up as Cobb brings Yujiro up and yanks him into the ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO, GACHIMUCHI! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro survives and fans fire up! Cobb looms over Yujiro and drags him up. Cobb whips, scoops, but Yujiro slips out of the Tour! Yujiro wants the reverse DDT but Cobb slips around to suplex, only for Yujiro to cradle counter! TWO!! Fans fire up as Yujiro shoves the ref at Cobb! Cobb pushes the ref aside but Yujiro hits him with the PIMP CANE! Yujiro reels Cobb in for INCOLLE SLAM! Fans fire up as Yujiro drags Cobb back up. Yujiro fireman’s carries, MIAMI SHINE! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Yujiro fires up more! Yujiro drags Cobb up, and hits PIMP JUICE DDT!! Cover, Yujiro wins?!?

Winner: Yujiro Takahashi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Cobb earns 0

Tokyo Pimp finally did it! He finally scored! He ends 1-8, so still last place, but not completely without redemption! Can Yujiro redeem himself little by little?

 

A Block – Shingo Takagi VS Minoru Suzuki!

The Dragon and the King of Pancrase aren’t in the running anymore, but these two are going to be fighting for pride! Who wins in this rematch from the NEVER Openweight Championship match at Summer Struggle?

The bell rings and right away, Suzuki shoves Takagi and Takagi shoves back. Then the forearms start flying! Fans rally as they go back and forth! Takagi eggs Suzuki on so Suzuki throws one, two, three! Takagi throws three forearms in return! They go back and forth again, faster and faster! Fans still rally as there’s almost no stop! Takagi gets the edge and DOUBLE CHOPS! Suzuki ends up on ropes but Takagi runs into the DRAPING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Suzuki lets off at 3 and fans cheer as he brings Takagi out. Suzuki whips Takagi into railing then rocks him with forearms! Takagi gives forearms back, Suzuki ROCKS Takagi again! Fans cheer as Suzuki brings Takagi up to throw more forearms. Suzuki slaps Takagi so Takagi slaps back. It’s a slap fight until Suzuki ROCKS Takagi with another forearm!

Takagi grits his teeth as Suzuki talks trash. Takagi gives headbutts back, but Suzuki HEADBUTTS! Fans fire up as Suzuki snarls. Suzuki tells the ref to shut up with the count but he puts Takagi in at 5 of 20. Fans cheer as Suzuki stomps and kicks Takagi. Takagi eggs Suzuki on so Suzuki KICKS! Takagi CHOPS and Suzuki laughs! Suzuki wrenches Takagi’s arm to kick it! Takagi goes to ropes as fans rally up. Suzuki wraps the arm around ropes to pull! The ref reprimands and counts but Suzuki just climbs the ropes! The ref counts again, Suzuki lets off. Takagi gets to a corner, fans rally with “TA-KA-GI!” claps. Or it could be “SU-ZU-KI!” Either way, Suzuki runs corner to corner to BOOT Takagi in the corner! Takagi stays up so Suzuki snapmares him. Suzuki runs but the Penalty Kick is blocked!

Suzuki throws forearms and gets Takagi in a facelock, but Takagi suplexes Suzuki up and over! Fans fire up as Takagi and Suzuki slowly rise. Suzuki gets to a corner, Takagi runs in and blocks his boot to clothesline! But that was the bad arm so it’s double-edged! Suzuki kicks at Takagi but Takagi throws an elbow! Again, that’s the bad arm so Takagi backs off. But he comes back to whip corner to corner and run in for a clothesline with the good arm! And then a LARIAT! Fans cheer as Suzuki is down. Takagi dares Suzuki to get up as the fans rally. Takagi KICKS Suzuki while he’s down, then stands on Suzuki’s face! Suzuki sits up with a snarl but Takagi gives toying kicks! Takagi talks smack but Suzuki throws a forearm! Takagi gives it back! Suzuki ROCKS Takagi then roars! Fans fire up as Takagi ROCKS Suzuki!

Suzuki grins as he comes back to ROCK Takagi. Takagi hits back, Suzuki hits again and we’re back to a brawl! Suzuki kicks the bad arm then throws more forearms. Takagi throws forearms from all sides! The bad arm slows him down but he still ROCKS Suzuki again! Suzuki wobbles and fans rally up! Suzuki rises with a smirk and he kicks the bad arm again. Suzuki throws more forearms on Takagi, and ROCKS him! Fans fire up, Suzuki runs but Takagi follows to clothesline at the ropes! Takagi runs but Suzuki follows and BOOTS! Takagi elbows, JABS, but Suzuki catches the clothesline to a sleeper hold! And then he spins Takagi around, only for Takagi to back drop him away! Takagi runs, Suzuki ducks the sliding lariat to boot!

Suzuki ducks another lariat to spin Takagi around for another sleeper! Takagi stays up, Suzuki spins him and reels him in, but Takagi resists the lift! Takagi fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Fans fire up as both men are down! Fans rally up as the two stir, and Takagi gets up first. Takagi fires himself up as he sits Suzuki up. Takagi rams in elbow after elbow, then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Suzuki gets up again. Suzuki wobbles but Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” Fans clap along as Takagi watches Suzuki rise. Takagi runs but Suzuki catches Pumping Bomber to an armbar takedown! Takagi endures but Suzuki grapevines the arm! Takagi pries that apart but ends up in a triangle hold! Suzuki squeezes tight but Takagi powers up! Suzuki just cranks harder on the hold!

Takagi still fights to get up but Suzuki lets go of the arm. Suzuki kicks the arm, laughs and then stomps. Suzuki gives Takagi kicks to the head as Takagi reaches for ropes. Suzuki reels Takagi in but Takagi fireman’s carries! Suzuki slips out to get the arm again! Takagi keeps from being brought down, but his roll through only turns into a FUJIWARA! Suzuki cranks back on the arm, Takagi endures and fans rally up! Suzuki keeps on the Fujiwara as hard as he can, and even tortures the fingers! Takagi keeps moving, and gets a ropebreak with a foot! Suzuki lets go and fans rally up again. Suzuki gets Takagi in another sleeper hold and drags him up! Takagi fades, Suzuki spins him but Takagi LARIATS! Suzuki stays up! Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS but Suzuki stays up!

Fans fire up as Takagi LARIATS but Suzuki stays up! Suzuki fires off slapping palm strikes from all sides! Takagi wobbles, comes back but into the COUNTER SLAP! Suzuki drags Takagi back up to HEADBUTT! Takagi stays up so Suzuki goes for another, but Takagi HEADBUTTS first! Takagi gives mean headbutts, then runs, but Suzuki follows, gets around, sleepers, but Takagi torture racks. Suzuki gets a headlock and cranks in this side sleeper! Fans rally up as Takagi endures! The ref checks, Takagi is fading! Suzuki spins Takagi, but Takagi revives to JAB! Down goes Suzuki! Fans fire up with Takagi as he drags Suzuki back up! Pump handle and fireman’s carry, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Suzuki earns 0

The Dragon has avenged Summer Struggle! Has he secured his own prize within the G1? Will Takagi be first in line to challenge Suzuki for the NEVER Openweight Championship? Suzuki is smiling even though he lost, so maybe he’s all for that idea!

 

A Block – Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay!

Both Rainmaker and Assassin are fighting to stay alive in the G1, but there’s also the pressure of pride and the desire to be the best! Chaos collides with Chaos, who proves themselves the best within the faction before worrying about the block?

The bell rings and Ospreay shotgun dropkicks Okada! Okada bails out, SASUKE SPECIAL! Ospreay puts Okada in fast, springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay keeps going with this high speed offense, but Okada powers out of Stormbreaker! Okada throws forearms, Ospreay ROUNDHOUSES! Ospreay springboards, but Okada blocks OsCutter! Okada has the MONEY CLIP! Ospreay reaches and gets a ropebreak! The ref counts, Okada lets go at 3 and scrapes Ospreay out of the ring. Okada RAMS Ospreay into railing, puts him on the apron, and hits a DRAPING DDT! Fans cheer as both men are down! The ref checks, Ospreay is okay to continue, and the clapping for “O-KA-DA!” “OS-PU-RE!” start. The ring count climbs and fans rally up. Okada gets in at 13, Ospreay is in at 15!

Okada drags Ospreay back up, turns him and hits a neckbreaker! Cover, ONE! Fans cheer and rally up as Okada brings Ospreay up. Okada throws elbows to Ospreay’s neck, and then has Ospreay in a corner for more back elbows. Okada takes his time giving each elbow as fans rally up. Okada snapmares and runs to basement dropkick Ospreay down! Fans rally again as Okada looms over Ospreay. Okada covers, ONE, but Okada is on Ospreay with a chinlock. Fans rally up, Ospreay endures and fights to his feet. Ospreay throws body shots, then forearms. Okada throws forearms, whips but Ospreay reverses and back drops! Fans cheer and rally up again. Ospreay gets to a corner, Okada runs in but blocks a boot only to get an enziguri!

Ospreya atomic drops, CHOPS and STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps his cool and fans rally up again. Ospreay brings Okada up and reels him in, but Okada blocks the suplex. Ospreay keeps trying but Okada still fights back. Ospreay CHOPS, whips but Okada ducks and dodges to back elbow Ospreay down! Fans cheer as Okada runs corner to corner at Ospreay to hit a back elbow! Okada kicks and DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps his cool as the fans continue to rally. Okada watches Ospreay rise, and he Alabama lifts. Ospreay fights free, blocks a boot but Okada ROCKS him with a forearm! Okada whips, Ospreay handsprings and NEURALIZERS! Fans fire up as both men are down!

Okada rolls to a corner, Ospreay runs in but Okada boots. Okada shotgun dropkicks but misses! Okada ducks the superkick, throws an uppercut, but Ospreay dodges in the corner. Ospreay comes back, Okada puts him on the top rope, but Ospreay boots Okada away before he can dropkick! Ospreay knows Okada’s formula! Okada runs in but Ospreay puts him up top, and dropkicks him down! Ospreay steals the formula! Fans fire up as both men are down! Ospreay sees Okada rising, so he runs corner to corner to FLY! Ospreay goes up and over the corner to take Okada down by the gate! The fans fire up as Ospreay shines in the spotlight! Ospreay drags Okada up, puts him in the ring and climbs to the top. Fans rally as Okada rises, and Ospreay hits a BLINDSIDE PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!!

Okada survives but Ospreay keeps his focus. Fans rally up and Ospreay rises. Ospreay fires up and slashes the throat, he vows to end it! Ospreay underhooks but Okada resists the lift! So Ospreay unleashes Kowata kicks! Okada gets up to throw a forearm! Ospreay stares Okada down before he throws a forearm! Okada throws a forearm, Ospreay gives it back, and fans rally as the two go back and forth! They go faster and faster! Okada EuroUppers, runs, but into the dropkick flip and enziguri! Ospreay whips, Okada reverses but Ospreay denies the clothesline! Ospreay standing shooting stars, onto knees! Okada whips Ospreay but Ospreay turns the dropkick into a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and fans are fired up again! Fans rally as both men slowly rise.

Ospreay watches Okada, and SUPERKICKS! Then SUPERKICKS again! And HOOK KICKS! Okada drops to his knees, Ospreay prepares the arm. Okada ducks the Hidden Blade, Ospreay kicks the lariat away and SUPERKICKS again! Okada still tries but Ospreay ducks the lariat to chicken wing. Ospreay flips Okada up and over into underhooks! But Okada flips out of the lift to LARIAT! Both men are down again and fans are thunderous! Okada has Ospreay’s wrist, drags him up, and reels him in, only for Ospreay to dodge! But Okada dropkicks Ospreay back! Okada gut wrenches, and TOMBSTONES! Then the MONEY CLIP!! Ospreay endures and fans rally up as Okada cranks hard on the hold!

Ospreay pries at the cobra clutch but Okada just leans and cranks harder! Ospreay scrambles to the ropebreak! Okada lets go but fans continue to rally. Okada drags Ospreay back up but Ospreay pushes him away. Ospreay crawls but Okada brings him up. Ospreay SLAPS Okada! Okada SHOTGUN dropkicks Ospreay back! Okada drags Ospreay back up, gut wrenches again, but Ospreay fights it off! Ospreay rams Okada into a corner but Okada clubs him away. Okada boots but Ospreay fires up! Okada EuroUppers, DISCUS- SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Okada survives! Ospreay fires himself up, drags Okada up and in, underhooks but Okada back drops and sits down! TWO!! Ospreay gets up, Okada gut wrenches but Ospreay slips out, POISON-RANA!! Okada is dazed, Ospreay springboards, OSCUTTER!! But Ospreay holds on rather than covers!

Ospreay brings Okada up, underhooks and lifts, STORM- NO! Okada gets the MONEY CLIP! Ospreay endures again, moves around and fans rally. Okada leans on the hold and Ospreay starts to fade! Ospreay powers back up, reaches, but Okada backslides him. Ospreay slips through, dodges the lariat but comes back with a spin, only for Okada to dodge that. Okada spins, Ospreay slips around the lariat to get the underhooks! Ospreay lifts, Okada pops off, DISCUS LARIAT!! Okada gets the arm again, MONEY CLIP! Ospreay endures, fans rally up, but who is that coming? Stardom’s Bea Priestley!? Well, also Ospreay’s girlfriend. But what is she doing here? Ospreay endures the Money Clip as she coaches him up! Ospreay fights towards Bea but Okada gut wrenches, SPINNING TOMBSTONE! And back to MONEY CLIP!!

Bea gets on the apron and in the ring?! The ref is busy with her, and wait! Who is this getting in the ring?! Great O-Kharn, Tomoyuki Oka?! He drags Okada up, and CLAW SLAMS him!! Both Okada and Ospreay are down and fans are stunned! Is Ospreay even aware of what happened? He just underhooks and STORMBREAKERS!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Okada earns 0

The Assassin’s mysterious allies just helped him destroy the Rainmaker’s G1! Ospreay still has life, but must now rely on others for his fate. Well, that might not be so different than what just happened. Wait, Bea tells Ospreay to finish Okada off?! Ospreay gets in and hits HIDDEN BLADE!!! Ospreay even tells Okada, “F YOU! You held me back!” Is the Assassin hijacking Chaos?! Or is he forming something far more dangerous?

 

A Block – Kota Ibushi VS Taichi!

Even without this being the G1, the Golden Star and the Sliest Wrestler in the World have history over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Taichi and teammate, Zack Sabre Jr, kept from Ibushi and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Will Ibushi avenge those losses while fighting for the finals?

Taichi throws his mic stand and fanny pack aside to show he’s doing this fair and square with Ibushi. The bell rings and there are no excuses! Fans rally as the rivals stare down. Ibushi slowly approaches, and Taichi returns the favor. Taichi does stretches before he circles with Ibushi. Fans rally again as Taichi is serious. The two approach and talk some trash. Taichi kicks but Ibushi doesn’t flinch. Ibushi kicks, Taichi doesn’t flinch. Taichi kicks, Ibushi kicks, and repeat. They circle a bit as Taichi considers how to make it hurt. The kicking speeds up and fans rally as they go faster and faster! The two let off a moment and fans cheer. The clapping for “I-BU-SHI!” begins but Taichi backs off to do more stretches.

The two circle again, Taichi kicks but Ibushi kicks. They kick and kick back and forth again and again. Taichi hops away and fans cheer. Ibushi eggs Taichi on so Taichi boots him. Ibushi boots back, and now they trade boots to the chest! Taichi boots, Ibushi boots a little higher. Taichi shakes it off to rebound and boot Ibushi in the head. Ibushi boots, Taichi boots, repeat! Taichi keeps going so Ibushi keeps going! Ibushi keeps going so Taichi keeps going! Boot for boot, back and forth, and Taichi staggers! Ibushi runs, into a boot! Taichi boots again, but Ibushi gets right up and BOOTS! Both men are down and fans cheer! Ibushi and Taichi slowly rise and talk trash to the other. Fans rally as Ibushi is up and KICKS Taichi in the back! Then Ibushi sits down to give Taichi a shot?!

Fans cheer as Taichi gets up and KICKS Ibushi. Taichi sits back down and dares Ibushi to go again. Ibushi KICKS, Taichi grits his teeth, but now Ibushi sits down and challenges Taichi. Taichi KICKS, Ibushi grits his teeth, and the two stay standing this time. Taichi dares Ibushi to kick his chest, so Ibushi KICKS his chest! Taichi stays up and Ibushi dares him to do the same. Taichi KICKS Ibushi in the chest but fans cheer as Ibushi stays up. Ibushi KICKS, Taichi takes a moment, but Taichi KICKS back! Fans cheer as Ibushi stays up but has to catch his breath. Ibushi KICKS, Taichi crouches but comes back. Taichi KICKS, Ibushi KICKS, repeat! Fans rally with every KICK, and Taichi wobbles! Ibushi sits down, too, and fans cheer!

Ibushi and Taichi head for each other, stand back up again, and Taichi KICKS first! Ibushi wobbles so Taichi KICKS again! Ibushi drops to his knees so Taichi KICKS him down! Fans cheer as Taichi catches his breath. Taichi goes back to Ibushi, brings him up, DANGEROUS SAIDO! But Ibushi somehow managed to land safe?! Ibushi tells Taichi to get the hell up! Taichi stands, Taichi kicks Ibushi’s leg but Ibushi kicks back. It’s back to leg kicks over and over, back and forth! Taichi hobbles so he sobats! Ibushi sobats back! Taichi is in a corner, Ibushi runs in but Taichi boots him away! Ibushi goes to a corner, Taichi runs in but Ibushi boots him back! Taichi is in the corner, Ibushi runs in but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Taichi runs at Ibushi but into a ROUNDHOUSE!

Taichi roars to ROUNDHOUSE again, but Ibushi ROUNDHOUSES back! Both men are down and fans fire up! Fans rally as both men slowly stir. Ibushi and Taichi slowly stand up, Taichi gives a kick! Fans rally up as Ibushi kicks back! Both men hobble and steady themselves. Ibushi eggs Taichi on so Taichi kicks his leg. Ibushi KICKS Taichi’s leg! Off come the pants!! Taichi kicks, Ibushi kicks, repeat! Taichi kicks, Ibushi kicks, repeat! Ibushi eggs Taichi on and mockingly asks, “What’s wrong?!” Taichi comes back to kick but Ibushi just kicks back. Taichi hobbles, KICKS Ibushi, but Ibushi KICKS back! Taichi kicks, Ibushi kicks, then Taichi kicks and kicks and kicks! Ibushi KICKS back! Both men fall but Ibushi fires up! Ibushi grabs the wrists, sits Taichi up, but Taichi SWEEPS the legs!

Fans are fired up as both men are down again, clutching their battered legs! Red Shoes starts a standing count as the two writhe. The count is at 7 of 20, Ibushi and Taichi flounder up. Taichi and Ibushi talk smack, head for the same corner, and it’s Ibushi who kicks first. Taichi kicks again, but Ibushi eggs him on! Taichi kicks more and more, but Ibushi kicks back. They clinch while trading kicks! Ibushi kicks harder but Taichi kicks back! The kicking continues, and fans rally up as both men stay up. Taichi KICKS and KICKS, and KICKS! Ibushi drops to his knees and fans fire up with Taichi! Taichi aims, but Ibushi blocks the buzzsaw! Ibushi KICKS the leg again!

Ibushi fires up as Taichi writhes! Fans rally with “I-BU-SHI!” claps as Ibushi aims, to BUZZSAW! But that’s not all! Ibushi sits Taichi up with the wristlocks, KAMIGOYE!! Cover, Ibushi wins!!

Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Taichi earns 0

These two quite literally kicked things up a notch, but it is the Golden Star who still has a leg to stand on! Will Ibushi’s ascension still be possible in the G1?

 

A Block – Jay White w/ Gedo VS Tomohiro Ishii!

King Switch claims conspiracy that the “Jay1” had the King of Pancrase last round and now has the Stone Pitbull in the final round! But because he beat Ibushi earlier on, it’s all on White to get himself into the finals! Will Ishii #BreathewiththeSwitchblade?

White and Gedo have Ishii wait for the Low Sweet. Fans rally up with the bell, and White doesn’t bail out right away! Oh wait, now he bails out. White mocks the applause, gets back in the ring, but then bails right back out. Ishii is stoic as White goes around the ring, then slowly slides back in. Ishii steps closer and White slides back out. White gets in, circles Ishii but Ishii is still stone faced. White slaps Ishii, Ishii DECKS White! Fans fire up as Ishii chases behind White and gets him back into the ring! Ishii glares at Gedo but White boots Ishii into railing! And then RAMS him in! And then RAMS him again! White CHOPS Ishii against railing but Ishii eggs him on! White stomps, rakes the eyes and whips Ishii into more railing! White leaves Ishii behind and mocks the applause again.

Red Shoes starts a count but Ishii is already standing. Ishii gets in the ring at 7 but White is all over him with stomps! White digs his heel in but lets off at Red Shoes’ reprimand. White scoops Ishii and slams him down, to then drop the leg! Cover, ONE! White is a bit surprised but he drags Ishii back up. White stomps Ishii into a corner, but Ishii eggs him on! White rakes Ishii’s eyes but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. White drags Ishii up, knees low and turns Ishii for a neckbreaker! Cover, ONE, and again White is surprised. Fans cheer but White slaps Ishii to the rhythm. Ishii kicks White back, White keeps slapping and toying with him. White clamps onto a facelock, Ishii throws body shots and rams in his shoulder. Ishii whips, White follows and forearms him at the ropes!

White drags Ishii up, headlocks, but fights off Ishii’s back suplex! Ishii powers out of the headlock, White ends up in a corner but he boots Ishii back. White runs at Ishii but Ishii POWERSLAMS! Fans cheer and rally again, “I-SHI-I!” White is in the corner and Ishii CHOPS and forearms on repeat! White turns around but the CHOPS and forearms keep going! Gedo protests but Ishii lets off to bring White up. Ishii whips White but White reverses, only for Ishii to run White over! Gedo tries to help White but Ishii gets White’s legs. White kicks Ishii away and gets to the apron. Ishii comes back but White hotshots! White gets in to DDT Ishii down! Fans cheer as both men are down again. Fans rally up as White and Ishii sit up. Ishii is in a corner, White runs in and back elbows!

White brings Ishii out to BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Ishii stays in this! White drags Ishii around by the bad leg but Ishii kicks him away with the good leg. Ishii avoid the kick and waitslocks but White trips Ishii up! White has the bad leg for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Ishii writhes while White mocks the applause again. Fans rally up as White pushes Red Shoes away so he can stomp Ishii! Gedo likes what he sees as White picks Ishii apart! White stands on the bad leg and stomps away on the knee! Fans rally up as Ishii grows angry. White stands on the bad leg more, stomps it some more, and gives toying kicks. Ishii gets angrier and eggs White on! White throws a forearm but Ishii doesn’t flinch. White tries again but Ishii is still standing.

Ishii steps into the forearms and he backs White down! White gets the leg to elbow it but Ishii ROCKS him back! Ishii runs in, White dodges but he gets the leg, KNEE JAMMER! Ishii falls, clutching the leg, but White and Gedo give thumbs up. Fans rally up and White mocks their clapping. White stalks Ishii, runs and LARIATS! But Ishii stays up! Ishii throws forearms from all sides, White sits down and covers up, but Ishii runs. White ducks the sliding lariat to get Ishii with a COMPLETE SHOT! And DEAD LIFT GERMANS! White flexes and fans do have to cheer that strength. Fans rally up as White double guns over Ishii. White toys with Ishii, telling him to “wake up!” White slaps him around and then claps with the fans. White continues to toy and mock Ishii with slaps, and even spanks. Ishii gets up and choke grips White. White slaps and throws fast hands but Ishii DECKS him!

Fans fire up as Ishii runs, but White ducks the lariat for a BIG URENAGE! Both men are down but fans rally up again. Gedo coaches White as he sits Ishii up. White has a sleeper and he drags Ishii up, but Ishii backs White into a corner! White kicks the bad leg! HALF HATCH into buckles! White throws Too Sweets at the camera then drags Ishii back up! Ishii slips out of the sleeper to GERMAN SUPLEX White into the corner! Fans rally up again as both men stir. Ishii stands first, drags White up and hoists him to the top rope. Ishii climbs up but White quickly hops down. Ishii hops down and drags White up on the apron. Gedo tries to help but Red Shoes reprimands him! White CLUBS Ishii’s legs! But Ishii drags White back up, only for White to rake the eyes!

White has the leg, DRAGON SCREW through the ropes! Gedo is the only one who likes that. Fans rally up and Ishii HEADBUTTS White off the apron! Ishii rests for just a moment and he slips out to fetch White. Red Shoes tells Gedo to stay back and Ishii puts White in. Ishii brings White up and to the top rope. Red Shoes again keeps Gedo back as Ishii climbs up. Ishii brings White all the way up, for the SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! White survives but Ishii keeps focus. Ishii waits for White to rise, then runs, but White drops down. So Ishii drops a headbutt! Ishii runs, White dodges the lariat to CHOP! Ishii roars, headbutts, and ENZIGURIS, into a DRAGON SCREW! White undoes the tape on Ishii’s leg! White hits another GROUND DRAGON SCREW!

White steps through, has the legs, INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! Will White rename this the ITO, Ishii Tapped Out? Ishii endures, fans rally up and Ishii grabs at Red Shoes! White keeps cranking on the hold, but Ishii powers up! Ishii drags himself towards ropes but White keeps cranking on the hold! Ishii punches White’s legs but that’s not enough! Ishii keeps crawling, dragging himself and White forward, and fans are thunderous for him as he gets the ROPEBREAK! White holds on until Red Shoes counts 3! Fans rally up more but White brings Ishii up. White drags Ishii up but Ishii resists the sleeper, so White chop blocks the leg! White tries again but Ishii elbows and CHOPS! But he swings into the SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White keeps on Ishii with the fisherman, to KIWI KRUSHER!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous again!

White slashes the throat, vowing to end this! BLADE- NO! Ishii gets a leg to DRAGON SCREW! Ishii gets some revenge but he drags White up to fisherman, KNEE CRUSHER! But that’s double-edged off the bad knee! Fans fire up as both men are down! White gets up and gets to ropes, comes back to Ishii and kicks the bad leg. Ishii blocks the kick to KNEE JAMMER! More revenge as Ishii chop blocks White’s leg! Fans fire up with Ishii as he gets back up! Ishii gets White’s leg for a HALF CRAB with ANKLE LOCK! White endures, crawls, but Ishii drags him away to GRAPEVINE! Ishii twists the ankle but White grabs Red Shoes! Gedo gets in but Ishii goes after him first! Red Shoes notices, gets Gedo to back off, but White knocks Ishii into Red Shoes!

Gedo kicks the bad leg, but Ishii blocks the kick! Ishii DECKS Gedo, goes to suplex him, but White kicks the bad leg out! Gedo feeds Ishii to BLADE- NO! Ishii rams White into Gedo, and GERMANS White! Red Shoes revives and Ishii sits White up for the SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!?! White survives but Ishii fires up! Ishii drags White up, suplexes, but White slips out to LOW BLOW!! Gedo kept Red Shoes from seeing it!! White drags Ishii back up as fans rally. White has the leg hooked, FISHERMAN BACK SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ishii escapes and White is furious! White gets up as fans rally again. White drags Ishii up, crosses the arms, but Ishii fights out to HEADBUTT! Both men fall but fans fire up again!

Fans rally up as Ishii rises. Ishii fires himself up, slaps himself, and runs, but into SNAP SLEEPER SUPELX! But Ishii’s up again?! ANOTHER SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White drags Ishii back up, but Ishii spins through to suplex! White slips out, lifts, but Ishii keeps fighting him off! They spin, go around, Ishii suplexes, to a STUNNER!! White wobbles, fans are thunderous and Gedo gets on the apron! Gedo shoves Red Shoes but Ishii LARIATS Gedo! Ishii runs to LARIAT White! Cover, TWO!?!? Ishii drags White up, suplexes once more, for the BRAIN BUSTER!!! Cover, Ishii wins!!!

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall; gains 2 points, White earns 0

The Stone Pitbull stops the Jay1 at the finish line!! White ISN’T going to the finals!! It’ll be KOTA IBUSHI!! Gedo and White are furious, but that’s how it goes! Will Ibushi win the finals for A Block?

 

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Kota Ibushi: 7-2, 14 points
Jay White: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Will Ospreay: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Kazuchika Okada: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Tomohiro Ishii: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Shingo Takagi: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Jeff Cobb: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Minoru Suzuki: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yujiro Takahashi: 1-8, 2 points [ELIMINATED]


My Thoughts:

A great ending to A Block’s round robin! Even the matches that wouldn’t affect the finals on Sunday were great for different reasons. Yujiro keeping himself from going winless was great for him, because it’d be pretty sad if he was 0-9. That’d probably be a first, though. Takagi VS Suzuki was great and I figured Takagi would win. These two can have a great NEVER Openweight Championship for Power Struggle, but that could go any which way. And obviously, the shocking part of Ospreay VS Okada wasn’t even that Ospreay won, it was Bea Priestly and Tomoyuki Oka aka Great-O-Kharn showing up to help in his Heel turn! That is some wild stuff, and I can’t wait to see how this faction grows.

Ibushi VS Taichi and White VS Ishii were both great matches, but as I expected, Ibushi comes out the winner! He’ll be going back for a THIRD TIME in a row! That’s wild! With B Block being settled tomorrow, any of the possible winners is a great choice to face Ibushi.

My Score: 9.4/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/20/25)

One step closer to the end!

Published

on

Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?

While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
  • Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
  • King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
  • Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
  • Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
  • John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

LA Knight is here!

Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!

And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!

Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…

The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?

Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.

Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!

The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!

Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?

 

SmackDown returns and…

Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?

 

Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!

Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.

Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!

The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!

The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISS onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!

Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)

The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?

 

Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.

And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.

But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?

 

Alexa Bliss returns backstage.

And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.

So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?

 

Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!

The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?

Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.

Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?

 

Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.

Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.

Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?

 

Cody Rhodes is here!

Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!

Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.

The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”

The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.

And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”

The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.

Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?

King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!

SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.

Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEX again!

Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!

Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!

Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!

Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!

“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)

Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?

 

Nia Jax is here!

Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”

The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!

The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?

 

Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!

The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?

SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!

Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.

Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission

But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?

 

Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.

Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?

 

Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.

SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.

Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.

And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.

Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!

And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.

The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?

 

Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!

The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?

Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!

The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!

The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.

Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!

Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification

The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?

 

Jacob Fatu speaks.

“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?

 

John Cena VS Ron Killings!

The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?

SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!

Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.

Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!

The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Truth hitting all sorts of other iconic moves! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!

Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification

Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.

Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.

“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”

Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”

The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.

“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.

Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.

Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?


My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown with an awesome ending. All those years ago, when CM Punk dropped THE OG “Pipebomb” promo, no one could’ve ever in a million years guessed that here tonight, we would’ve gotten the John Cena remix. Not only was that promo of the year, but Cena blew up go-home math. I can’t see Cena losing the title to Punk now. He can lose the match since Cena loves getting disqualified, and there’s the possibility of Rollins trying a cash-in, but Cena is leaving Saudi Arabia as champion to then go to SummerSlam. It also works because Cody Rhodes still feels like the favorite for King of the Ring.

A lot of that has to do with how Sami lost to Orton tonight. Great promo from the four semifinalists, especially since it was Jey, Sami and Orton kinda keeping Cody from talking since there isn’t more Cody needs to say. Win or lose, no explanations needed at this point. Sami VS Orton was an awesome match, but I could just feel an RKO countering the Helluva Kick as the way to go and that’s what they did. Now, as awesome as it would be for Jey to beat Cody, and then for Jey to beat Orton to go for the World Heavyweight Championship again, there are a lot of moving parts right now that it would just be the easiest for Cody to win the crown and have his rematch with Cena.

And while talking the WHC, Gunther VS Goldberg IS confirmed for the title, but has also been confirmed as Goldberg’s last match. This is a huge indicator that despite Rollins teasing a cash-in on the Undisputed title, he will likely be thwarted and then falls back to the title he feels is rightfully his. That is to say, Rollins cashes in on the winner of Gunther VS Goldberg, which I half expected even before all this talk of Goldberg’s last match. Rollins can take this title from Gunther and Goldberg, and then we can throw Jey and even LA Knight into the mix as things are getting heated between Knight and the henchmen.

Great promo from Knight with Heyman, great match with Knight VS Bronson, and a really powerful beating Knight takes from Bron & Bronson. If nothing else, Knight costs Rollins his cash-in. Truth going after Kit Wilson was an interesting move. Also a shame Elton Prince is hurt, Pretty Deadly gets going and then something happens to slow them down. But Kit was going to lose to Aleister so this really messes Aleister up more than anything. Priest keeping the peace between Aleister and Truth was good stuff. Priest and Truth being allies on SmackDown can be some real fun stuff, and I feel like they’re already set up for a feud with Aleister.

Very good stuff with Fatu, Solo and this US Championship story. Fatu VS Solo was the natural move, and I like that Jimmy Uso ends up an ally for Fatu. The title match is set, I wonder if we get a tag match first. In fact, next week is title night in Riyadh with Tiffany Stratton giving Nia the Last Woman Standing match, and basically setting the stage for Naomi to cash in. She almost did tonight but Nia was again able to stop her, so I would think Naomi waits until the very end of the Last Woman Standing match to take full advantage. Then, if Jade wins Queen of the Ring, we get Jade VS Naomi at SummerSlam.

Good promo from Jade, B-Fab & Michin watching Asuka VS Alexa. Asuka winning made the most sense, Alexa clearly has story with Charlotte and Asuka is just that good. Jade VS Roxie will be a good match but Roxie’s story in Judgment Day might keep her from winning. But then the fallback there is Roxie might actually sub in for the tag titles like I was thinking. Charlotte VS Chelsea was very good, and of course the Secret Her-vice does what they can to help. The beatdown they put on Charlotte and then Alexa making the save, that’s going to be one of those “can they coexist?” tag matches for sure.

Honestly, a little surprised we didn’t get any tag team promos tonight, unless I completely missed something. I believe title night is going to have Profits VS Gacy & Lumis for the tag titles, too, so that’s going to be something wild. And while DIY is scared of the Wyatts, I feel like they’re going to interfere because they don’t want the Wyatts to take the titles. But at the same time, the Wyatts need something substantial this time around, so maybe they win the titles at SummerSlam.

My Score: 9/10

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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25

Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?

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Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.

Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.

Ratings:

  • Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
  • Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
  • Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
  • Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***

 

Results:

Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers

Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.

EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.

I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win. 

Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match? 

Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge

ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.

Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever? 

Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad. 

Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man

I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.

JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.

Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.

Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams

Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.

The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.

Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.

Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…

Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!

Overall Score: 4/10

Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.

Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:

two women standing in a kitchen with the words not bad but not good on the bottom

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