Coverage
Mitchell’s NXT TakeOver: WarGames Results & Report! (12/6/20)
Prepare for war!
TakeOver goes back inside the sinister steel!
NXT is going to see 2020 off with a bang! Pat McAfee and his boys challenge the Undisputed Era, in a WARGAMES match! Who will be on top of the brand after tonight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s WarGames: Team Shotzi VS Team Candice; Team Candice wins.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Timothy Thatcher; Ciampa wins.
- Strap Match: Dexter Lumis VS Cameron Grimes; Lumis wins.
- NXT North American Championship Triple Threat: Leon Ruff VS Damian Priest VS Johnny Gargano; Gargano wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
- Men’s WarGames: The Kings of NXT VS The Undisputed Era; The Undisputed Era wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the TakeOver Kickoff Show!
Join Wade Barrett, Sam Roberts and ESPN’s Ariel Helwani as they analyze, discuss and predict all the action for WarGames 2020!
McKenzie Mitchell reports on the WarGames teams.
She says that she managed to get comments from both men’s teams as they arrived. She certainly heard from Pat McAfee, who is so confident that he guaranteed his team would win. As for the Undisputed Era, they were all rather reserved as they went to ringside to survey the Capitol Wrestling Center’s take on the double-ring, double-cage structure. Perhaps they are already strategizing. Adam Cole said McAfee is a great talker, but the time for talk is over as it is time for war.
And on the Women’s WarGames end, McKenzie managed to get a word from William Regal, and he confirms that TakeOver starts WITH the Women’s WarGames match! A battle that started brewing at Halloween Havoc finally comes to blows tonight! Will Team Poison Pixie or Team Wild Child take ultimate revenge and take over the women’s division?
NXT shares Triple H’s comments on the North American Championship Triple Threat.
HHH knows that while Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest are “used to that big dance, used to that big game, used to that moment,” this is Leon Ruff’s first. How bad does that affect him? How nervous is he? How emotional is he? If Ruff can’t breathe, can’t catch his breath, and pressures himself into trying to beat both opponents, “he’s doomed.” Will Ruff listen to The Game and change tactics?
NXT throws it to The Bump’s Matt Camp and Ryan Pappolla.
They give us some quick analysis of the TakeOver card. Strap Match, Grimes VS Lumis, no running away from this one! Grimes can’t go to the moon strapped to Lumis, it’s Lumis’ to win. Then Thatcher VS Ciampa in a battle with fists, kicks and brains! Ryan says Thatcher is a bad man, but Ciampa’s song is “NO ONE WILL SURVIVE,” this is Ciampa’s win. Matt thinks that if Thatcher choked Ciampa out once he can do it again, they’re split. North American Championship Triple Threat, Ruff is on cloud nine but he’s got the biggest test of his life here in Gargano and Priest at the same time. Ryan may sound crazy, but in this season of miracles, Ruff can find a way! Matt says the Ghost Face(s) will help Gargano get this, it’s another split.
Then there’s TWO WarGames matches again. For the women, Team Shotzi VS Team Candice, a match only possible in NXT. Ryan agrees because both teams are stacked! It’s an even call, so you gotta go with X-factors, and for Shotzi Blackheart, Ryan says that’s Io Shirai. Matt says Candice’s team has the real X-factor, in Raquel Gonzalez. He says team Candice wins, another split. And of course, the men’s match, Undisputed Era VS McAfee and crew. Ryan says UE needs to keep it cool and not focus too hard on McAfee, and they’ll win. Matt says Team McAfee has Pete Dunne on their team, that’s why they win.
McKenzie interviews Cameron Grimes.
What is his strategy for facing Dexter Lumis in the Strap Match? Wait, what is he looking at? He’s looking at that stupid video Lumis made! Grimes ain’t scared of anybody! Grimes ain’t ever ran from anybody! “To tell you the truth, Dexter Lumis, you’re the one that’s scared! You ain’t said nothing and I’ve said everything I could ever say!” But after tonight, when Lumis is strapped to “the man,” Cameron Grimes, Lumis will be screaming! And he’ll be screaming that Grimes is GOING TOOOOO THEEEEE MOOOOON!
The sirens sound, and it is time… for WARGAMES!!
The double cage is lowering already, because it begins! “The match that the Undisputed Era made famous in NXT,” teams are going to drag each other into hell! Armies of four open fire inside the steel, who will win, and who will even survive?
Women’s WarGames: Team Shotzi VS Team Candice!
Though the Wild Child and her team has the advantage, being the first to add a fighter to the match at every interval, it’s all about how this match ends! The Poison Pixie started this war all because Shotzi kept things fair and square at Halloween Havoc. Will Candice’s team pay the price for her short fuse?
Speaking of, Team Candice makes their entrance first. They sort out, and #CobraKai wants to start this! Dakota goes to the double-ring while the others enter their shark cage. Then Team Shotzi makes their entrance, and Shotzi rides in on TCB MK II!! Bigger and badder than ever, it can fit all four rockstars on it! And it even shoots a (Nerf) missile at the cage as a warning shot! As such, the one to join Dakota in the cage is Ember Moon! Will Ember’s Law kick in and kick Team Kick’s captain to the curb?
The cages are locked and the five minute countdown begins! Dakota is in the second ring and Ember hurries over, but Dakota attacks with kicks and clubbing forearms! Ember tackles Dakota down and gives back those clubbing hands! Dakota hits back, wraps on a sleeper, but Ember pries at the hold. Dakota hops on as a backpack but Ember rolls for a senton! Fans fire up as Ember is free, but Dakota jumps the sweep. Ember ducks the kick then blocks a kick, but Dakota blocks, too! Dakota lifts but Ember headscissors Dakota to a corner! Ember runs in to KNEE Dakota, then goes side to side, but Dakota follows and BOOTS!
Dakota goes corner to corner but Ember follows to handspring ELBOW! Ember snapmares Dakota, and dropkicks her down! Then the leg sweep hits and Ember STOMPS Dakota down! And drops a senton! There’s still three minutes to go and Dakota crawls for the first ring. Ember grabs a leg, Dakota kicks her away and then SCORPION KICKS her down! Dakota rains down angry fists then digs Ember’s face into steel! Fans rally as Dakota talks some trash. Dakota grinds boots into Ember’s head, then stomps her down. Dakota drags Ember up, puts her on ropes and clubs her. Dakota runs but Ember dodges! Ember springs up to headscissor Dakota back to a corner!
Dakota comes back but swings into a wrench and Ember DECKS Dakota! Fans rally as we hit a two minute warning. Ember suplexes Dakota into the steel! Dakota scrapes down the side and then Ember runs, to TACKLE Dakota into the wall! Fans fire up for Ember as she drags Dakota out from the ropes. Ember then climbs, but Dakota KICKS her first! Dakota drags Ember out along the top rope, for a DRAPING- NO! Ember catches the GTK and rolls Ember for a SUPERKICK! Dakota flounders and crawls to the gap, and Ember runs in, only for Ember to BOOT her! Dakota gives Kowata kicks to Ember as she’s trapped, then BOOTS her back down!
Dakota climbs a corner, reels Ember in, SUPER KAI-ROPRACTOR! The clock is finally at 15 seconds and Dakota digs her knee into Ember’s back while pushing Ember’s face into the mat! The countdown hits zero and SHOTZI heads out! But before getting in, Shotzi brings some friends out from under the ring! It’s a toolbox, and a crowbar! Shotzi used those to build her tank back up and is going to use them to tear Dakota down! Dakota hurries to intercept but Shotzi gets her first with a shotgun dropkick! Dakota ends up in a corner, Shotzi splashes! Shotzi snapmares, runs and SLING DOGS! Then a BIG knee, and a ROLLING ELBOW!
Dakota wobbles into the QUESTION MARK KICK! Dakota ends up on ropes, Shotzi runs to CANNOBALL in! Shotzi drags Dakota up, shouts for Ember, but Dakota hits back! Dakota whips but Shotzi reverses to put Dakota in the gap. Shotzi ROUNDHOUSES then runs to WRECK Dakota with a dropkick! Shotzi joins Dakota in the gap, runs in and boots, but Dakota dodges! Dakota bumps Shotzi off steel, Ember comes over but Dakota BOUNCES her off the cage! Dakota focuses on Ember with a stomp and hammering hands! Shotzi enters the second ring to enziguri Dakota down! Shotzi clubs Dakota, and then digs her into the steel in return for Ember!
Shotzi brings Ember up for a suplex into buckles! Dakota is in a drop zone, Shotzi climbs, but Dakota gets up to enziguri! Dakota climbs to join Shotzi now, clubs her on the back but Ember clubs Dakota! Ember Electric Chair lifts Dakota, Shotzi joins in, SHOTGUN DOOMSDAY! Fans are fired up and the countdown hits zero again! Team Candice sends in RAQUEL GONZALEZ! Big Mami Cool has Shotzi and Ember right on her, but she shoves them away. Shotzi and Ember flank Raquel, throws some kicks and just keep out of range! They hammer Raquel down but she explodes out!
Raquel waits for someone to get up, and she CLOBBERS Ember! And BOOTS Shotzi! And elbows Ember! Raquel scoops Ember and swings her for a POWERSLAM! Shotzi kicks back then uses the ropes for a springboard into the huricanrana, but Raquel BOMBS Shotzi into steel! Dakota regroups with Raquel now and Raquel fireman’s carries Dakota to weaponize her! Dakota’s feet SMACK Ember, then SMACK Shotzi! Raquel sets Dakota down to stomp away on Shotzi! Raquel goes after Ember and TOSSES her! Dakota puts Shotzi in the second ring, Raquel clubs Ember that way. Raquel goes after Shotzi and whips her hard into a corner! Dakota BOOT WASHES Shotzi!
Raquel drags Ember up, scoops her, and Dakota runs, BOOT O’ DOOM! Dakota and Raquel grind their boots into Shotzi and Ember, respectively, then trade as Raquel throws forearms on Shotzi. Raquel whips Shotzi back in, Dakota goes to the gap and Raquel follows. Dakota climbs up and Raquel helps her steady herself, for a HUGE LEAPING LARIAT! Dakota wipes out Shotzi and Ember, and Raquel checks on Dakota. The countdown is zero, here comes RHEA RIPLEY! Raquel wants this showdown most of all! Nightmare and Desperado face off again, but Dakota returns! Rhea ROCKS Dakota, fights Raquel’s waistlock and BOOTS Dakota!
Rhea elbows free, Ember and Shotzi anchor Raquel and Rhea BOOTS Raquel down! Dakota hops onto Rhea but Rhea throws her off! Rhea cravats and knees away on Dakota, but Dakota kicks Rhea’s leg. Rhea reels Dakota in to clobber her over and over again! Ripcord and dropkick! Rhea whips Dakota corner to corner, reels her back in and HOOK KICKS! Then atomic FACEBUSTER! Raquel blocks Ember’s whip but Ember goes up and leaps to CODE BREAKER! Shotzi takes Raquel around for a springboard SUNSET BOMB! Rhea borrows Shotzi’s toolbox, opens it up and brings out… a short handle sledgehammer!
HHH would be proud as Rhea HAMMERS Dakota in the stomach! And then HAMMER her on the back! Ember and Shotzi keep Raquel in the second ring as Rhea takes off her belt. Rhea uses her belt to trap Dakota while Shotzi and Ember whip Raquel to a corner! Rhea fires off point blank shoulders into Dakota, and then SLINGS her into steel! Raquel comes back to CLOBBER Shotzi and Ember, and again the female titans stare down! Fans fire up as they talk some trash from opposite sides of the gap. They both get IN the gap and fire off hands! Raquel blocks a boot, scoops Rhea but Rhea fights up to TACKLE Raquel back to the first ring!
The countdown reaches zero as the two scrap on the mat, and Toni Storm joins in! Toni decides to bring in reinforcements, KENDO STICKS! Toni GERMAN SUPLEXES Rhea, then strips a crossbar? She removes a buckle pad while Raquel drags Rhea up. Toni and Raquel mug Rhea with kendo stick SMACKS! Shotzi and Ember get in but Toni ROCKS Shotzi! Toni strips another buckle but has to fight Ember and Shotzi off! Toni BOOTS Ember, drags Rhea up and whips her into a BARE BUCKLE! Rhea writhes while Raquel stomps Shotzi. Toni drags Ember up to whip Ember, but Ember blocks! Toni reels Ember in for a snap suplex!
Toni stomps Ember down, Raquel stomps Shotzi in a corner, and Dakota is watching Rhea in the second ring. Toni stands on Ember, and Raquel uses the crowbar on Shotzi’s side! Toni SMACKS Ember with a kendo stick! Raquel SMACKS Shotzi with a kendo stick! Rhea whips Dakota but Dakota reverses and Rhea hits steel! Toni chokes Ember with a kendo stick then intercepts Shotzi up top! Rhea intercepts Dakota up top on the other side, and then Raquel and Ember join in respectively! On one end, Shotzi has Toni AND Raquel while Ember and Rhea have Dakota caught! Team Shotzi coordinates, and in stereo, Shotzi hits DOUBLE SLICED BREAD while Ember and Rhea hit an ELECTRIC CHAIR BULLDOG!!
And the countdown hits zero again! The CWC is thunderous as IO SHIRAI is finally in! The Evil Genius has an idea of her own, and she brings in a LADDER!! Shirai gets that ladder in the ring, but isn’t done yet! Raquel closes the door on her?! Shirai smacks at Raquel’s fingers with a kendo stick of her own! Raquel BOOTS the door into Shirai and she goes flying! Raquel clears some space but Shotzi SMACKS her with a kendo stick! Raquel CLOBBERS Shotzi back, but Shirai brings in a second ladder!! Raquel stops that and RAMS Shirai off the steps! Raquel again slams the door shut and tells refs to shut up! Toni grabs at Ember as Ember grabs at Raquel.
Raquel stomps Ember, Toni adds stomps, and Raquel keeps the door shut. Raquel then grabs a kendo stick to SMACK Shotzi! But this allows Shirai to finally get in! And with a chair, no less! Ember CLUBS Toni, Toni SLAMS Ember on the gap’s steel! Raquel notices Shirai’s work and throws the chairs aside. Shirai is ready with her own, tosses it at Raquel and DROPKICKS it into her! Raquel still boots Shirai out?! And slams the door shut! Toni uses one of her own belts to lock the door!! Raquel drags Shotzi up but Shirai just climbs the cage itself! Shotzi is used to KNOCK Shirai down!
The final countdown hits and Captain Candice finally joins in! But the flaw in their perfect plan is that Shirai is now in Candice’s way! But Candice’s insurance policy, Indi Hartwell, attacks from behind! Indi throws Shirai into barriers! Candice then brings in more props, such as a trash can and it’s lid! Indi tosses chairs in for the team, too! Candice’s team brawls with Shotzi’s but it’s clear who has the edge. Candice closes the door, and Indi has a CHAIN to lock it up! Indi keeps the key in a special place so that the ref’s can’t do anything about this. Candice grins as she and her team SMACK away with kendo sticks! Candice BREAKS the stick on Shotzi’s back!
Raquel is after Rhea while Toni and Dakota keep on Ember. Shotzi hits back but that’s 4v1 and she gets SMACKED from all sides! Raquel stomps Rhea, Candice gives Shotzi a WICKED STEP SISTER! Cover, but the ref says this WarGames is NOT complete because Shirai isn’t in the ring! This is the OTHER flaw in their perfect plan! And Team Shotzi saves their captain! But that’s a 4v2 brawl! Wait, Shirai is up top, with the trash can?! Shirai makes the can her armor, for a FULL METAL CROSSBODY!! Down goes EVERYONE! And WarGames finally begins!! Also, Shirai is the only one excited about that landing. Shirai is also the first to get up.
Shirai grabs the hammer and HAMMERS Raquel! And HAMMERS Toni! And HAMMERS Candice! And then HAMMERS Dakota! Shirai runs, dodges Raquel, and gets help from Rhea to tilt-o-whirl TORNADO DDT Raquel! SHINKANSEN for Dakota! 619 for Toni! FLAPJACK for Candice! Team Candice ends up in one corner! Shotzi runs in to splash sandwich them, then SAIDO Candice! Rhea runs in to SPLASH and then TOSS Toni into steel! Ember runs in to back body press and then SIDE EFFECT Dakota! And then with a chair wedged against Raquel, Shirai gets a boost from Ember and Rhea to DROPKICK the chair into Raquel!
The team holds Raquel down for the OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, but ALL of Team Candice breaks it! Team Shotzi clubs Team Candice back down, and then Rhea stomps Dakota. Rhea drags Dakota up but Dakota whips her into the steel! Dakota hits Shirai and throws her into steel, too! Toni and Ember are in the first ring and Ember has a wrench. Toni begs for forgiveness since she betrayed Ember, but Candice gets in to tilt-o-whirl takedown! And then the GargaNO Escape! Shotzi trips Toni to put her into CATTLE MUTILATION! Dueling submissions, but Candice lets Ember go to CLUB Shotzi!
Candice has the trash can lid and she aims at Shotzi. Candice swings, Shotzi dodges and Shotzi has a chair! Candice runs away and wants help! She gets a kendo stick, but steel beats bamboo! Then bamboo SMACKS Candice! And SMACKS Toni! And SMACKS Candice! Dakota CHAIR SHOTS Shotzi, but Shirai FULL METAL MISSILE DROPKICKS Dakota! Shirai clears some space to run corner to corner at Dakota, but Dakota sends her into buckles! Dakota goes side to side to BOOT Shirai into steel! Toni puts Shirai back inside the trash can but for a very different reason! Dakota goes up, FULL METAL DOUBLE STOMPS!
But the can is shut tight, Dakota struggles to drag Dakota out of the can! Cover, but Ember breaks it! Ember CROWBARS Toni!! And then whips Toni into steel! Dakota CHAIR SHOTS Ember! And again! Dakota sits the chair up, then gets another. Ember KICKS Dakota first, then CHAIR SHOTS Dakota! Ember sits the chairs together, dribbles Dakota off each of them, then sets her up against the backs of the chairs. Ember goes up to the top rope, aims, and ECLIPSES Dakota ONTO THE CHAIRS!! Fans are thunderous as Ember covers, but Toni uses the TRASH CAN to break it! Toni whips Ember into the bare buckle from earlier! Then underhooks, STORM ZERO ONTO THE CAN! Cover, Shirai breaks it!
Rhea joins in, and she stomps Toni. Rhea hooks Toni up in PRISM TRAP! Shirai DROPKICKS Toni out of it! Cover, TWO!?! Toni survives but the ladders come into play now! Shirai and Rhea put one ladder through the gap but Candice suplexes Shirai for a BRAIN BUSTER! Rhea runs at Candice but gets a trash can, and then FULL METAL SUPERKICK! Candice spots Shotzi getting a ladder and so she hurries over! Candice stops Shotzi from standing the ladder up, then shoves the ladder into her! Shotzi slumps down, Candice stands the ladder for herself and then gathers chairs. Shotzi goes after Candice with forearms!
Shotzi headbutts Candice and Candice falls on her own chair pile. Shotzi climbs but Candice hurries up after her! They brawl on the ladder, Candice falls back onto the chairs! Shotzi climbs all the way up, SUPER SENTON, ONTO CANDICE AND CHAIRS! But Candice used a chair on her stomach to deal as much damage as she could back to Shotzi! Their teams kick at each other in the other ring, and Rhea hoists Dakota up to FLAPJACK her! Shirai goes up again, for another OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Rhea plays defense, but Toni barrels Rhea over to break the pin! Rhea CLUBS Toni, Electric Chair lifts and HOTSHOTS her!
Shirai goes up again, but Raquel back drops Rhea into the steel! Shirai is knocked off balance, Raquel bounces her off steel! Raquel goes up, Shirai fights her off and hops up, but Raquel holds off the huricanrana! Raquel brings Shirai back up, DESPERADO BOMB THROUGH THE LADDER!!! Cover in the gap, TEAM CANDICE WINS!!
Winners: Team Candice, by pinfall
They didn’t have the advantage, but they had Indi the #Impressive insurance policy, and the ace in Raquel Gonzalez! Speaking of Indi, she joins Candice and the team to celebrate! They wrecked the NXT Women’s Champion to win, but does that mean one of Candice’s team is up next to challenge for that title?
NXT hears from Finn Balor!
“To everyone watching tonight; everyone on the Network, everyone following online, and everyone in the locker room, enjoy your WarGames tonight. Enjoy the craziness, enjoy the big risks, enjoy the spectacle. But when those sirens stop, and the cage raises, we get back to what matters most. The time for team sports is over. This Wednesday, all eyes go back on the Prince.” What does Balor have planned for NXT after the smoke clears?
Tommaso Ciampa VS Timothy Thatcher!
For the Psycho Killer, true toughness isn’t about your bark but your bite. And right now, he wants to sink his teeth into the Professor of Pain. Will Thatcher learn a thing or two from the former NXT Champion tonight?
The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around in the elbow and collar, then Ciampa headlocks to hit a takeover. Thatcher rolls to get back to his feet and pries out of the headlock. Thatcher has the arm but Ciampa gets up before a wristlock can be put on. The two separate and fans continue to rally. Ciampa and Thatcher tie up again, they clinch, Ciampa facelocks but Thatcher waistlocks. Thatcher drags Ciampa to the mat, Ciampa headlocks in return, but Thatcher digs a forearm into Ciampa’s face. Thatcher wants the arm again, but Ciampa clasps hands. Thatcher KNEES Ciampa in the side, then mounts for a hammering palm strike!
Thatcher still wants the arm but they end up in ropes! The ref calls for the break, the two separate, but Ciampa comes back to CHOP and CHOP! Thatcher gets a leg, trips Ciampa up and cranks on the foot! Ciampa grabs at Thatcher’s face but the ref reprimands. Ciampa clubs Thatcher, chinbars and pries him off the foot. Thatcher endures but Ciampa CLUBS him. Thatcher slips out the back to give back clubbing forearms. Thatcher goes for a chinlock but Ciampa fights that off. Thatcher gets a cover, ONE, but Thatcher is after the arm again. Ciampa resists but Thatcher KICKS him! Ciampa snapmares and digs his knee in! Then clubs away on Thatcher’s chest!
Ciampa stomps Thatcher, blocks the kick and drops a knee on the foot! Ciampa SLAPS Thatcher, drops a knee on the leg, then SMASHES the knee into the mat! And again! Ciampa stands on the foot to then STOMP it! Thatcher kicks back, throws forearms but Ciampa kicks low. Ciampa throws Thatcher out hard, then follows, only for Thatcher to get in the ring. Ciampa gets in but Thatcher EuroUppers Ciampa off his feet! The ref checks on Ciampa after that shot, because Ciampa’s neck is still a concern. Thatcher paces impatiently but Ciampa still gets to his feet. Ciampa wants to continue so Thatcher ROCKS him with forearms and EuroUppers!
Thatcher drags Ciampa up for a half hatch suplex! Cover, TWO! Thatcher has the chinlock and he grinds Ciampa down. Fans rally for Ciampa and Ciampa fights his way over and gets the ropebreak. Thatcher lets off and KNEES Ciampa in the back! And KNEES him again! Ciampa ends up on the apron, Thatcher drags him out and SLAMS him onto the edge! Ciampa slumps down and Thatcher smirks as he stalks Ciampa. Thatcher puts Ciampa back in, back on the apron, and CLUBS Ciampa in the chest with the elbow! Thatcher gets in, covers, TWO! Ciampa sits up but Thatcher is on him with another chinbar. Ciampa endures, fights up and BITES Thatcher’s hand!
Thatcher clinches and BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES Ciampa down! Cover, but Thatcher’s in the ropes. Thatcher nods, he respects rules. Thatcher jams his knee into Ciampa’s back then drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! Ciampa CHOPS back but Thatcher brings him up for forearms. Ciampa throws forearms back, but Thatcher EuroUppers him off his feet! The ref shows more concern for the neck but Ciampa says he’s fine. Thatcher drags Ciampa up by his ears and then has a standing chinlock. Fans rally as Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, and jawbreakers free! Thatcher staggers, Ciampa rises but Thatcher clinches again. Ciampa shoves him away to CHOP and BOOT and CHOP!
Thatcher grabs Ciampa by his jaw to SLAP him down! Thatcher underhooks Ciampa and drags him up, but Ciampa manages to shove Thatcher up and DROP onto him! Both men are down now that Thatcher is gasping for air. Fans rally up for Ciampa as he and Thatcher slowly rise. Ciampa grabs Thatcher’s wrist but Thatcher throws a forearm! Ciampa forearms back, and the two brawl! The wrist control is still on and the forearms keep flying. Thatcher whips Ciampa away, Ciampa comes back, they collide head to head! Both men sit up and shake out the stars, but Thatcher shoves Ciampa. Ciampa boots back then rallies with clotheslines!
Ciampa clotheslines again and again and again, then LEAPING LARIATS! Fans fire up with Ciampa and he runs corner to corner to clothesline Thatcher again! Ciampa hoists Thatcher up top, climbs to join him, then goes way up, for a SUPERPLEX!! Both men are down but Ciampa crawls to the cover, TWO! Thatcher survives but he’s clutching his stomach again. Ciampa stands first and kicks Thatcher while he’s down! Ciampa drags Thatcher up, underhooks him now, but Thatcher fights free to THROAT CHOP! The ref reprimands but Thatcher facelocks! Ciampa resists the grovit but Thatcher clamps on tight! Ciampa fades fast!
The ref checks on Ciampa, but Ciampa gets a second wind and tackles Thatcher out of the ring! Both men hit the floor and fans fire up! A ring count starts and Thatcher sits up at 4. Thatcher drags himself up and in at 7. Ciampa flounders at 8 but is in at 9! Thatcher and Ciampa glare at each other as they stand up. Ciampa avoids the throat chop to GIVE the throat chop! KNEE TRIGGER! Ciampa runs to KNEE Thatcher down! And he puts on a BULLY CHOKE!! Thatcher endures but he’s fading! Thatcher has a bloody ear but he fights up! Ciampa keeps Thatcher from ropes and drags him back down! Ciampa hammers away on that bad ear!
Thatcher fights up, and gets into the ropes! The ref counts, Ciampa lets go but Thatcher GERMAN SUPLEXES! Thatcher grits his teeth and CLUBS Ciampa down! Now Thatcher has a wild-eyed grin, ear blood all over his own arm as he CLUBS Ciampa down! Fans still rally for Ciampa as Thatcher drags Ciampa up for a SNAP GERMAN! Ciampa sits up in a daze but flops over. Thatcher has another sinister grin as he stalks Ciampa. They both go to the apron but the ref tells them to get back in. Thatcher drags Ciampa up, “Bye, Ciampa!” But Ciampa holds ropes and fires off elbows! Ciampa is free but Thatcher DECKS him with a right!
Thatcher takes his time going back in, and Ciampa kicks him in the ropes! Ciampa drags Thatcher out but Thatcher HOTSHOTS first! Ciampa flails and sputters, Thatcher gets back in and he throws a HARD EuroUpper! Thatcher snarls as Ciampa gets back up, another EuroUpper floors Ciampa! Fans still rally behind Ciampa but Thatcher drags Ciampa back up. Thatcher throws another uppercut but Ciampa catches them! BACKLSIDE, ROPEBREAK! But Ciampa has Thatcher in the ropes and CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The ref counts, Ciampa stops and then BOOTS Thatcher! Ciampa has the GROVIT! To WILLOW’S BELL! Cover, Ciampa wins!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Just as Ciampa said, the truly tough prove it, and Ciampa proved who was the tougher man here! Did Ciampa also prove he is deserving of something even bigger, better and tougher in NXT?
Strap Match: Dexter Lumis VS Cameron Grimes!
The Tortured Artist has become rather fixated on the Carolina Caveman, but to be fair, Grimes is rather… unique. Grimes claims he has never been afraid of anyone, has never ran away or tried to hide from anyone, but the video evidence is in their Halloween Havoc Haunted House of Terror match. With the leather keeping these two bound together, will Grimes prove he can face his fears and defeat them? Or will his body bear the marks of Lumis’ sadistic masterpiece?
Grimes brings a strap to the ring but the ref says the approved strap is in this bag. Grimes says it’s his strap or no strap. Lumis accepts the terms so the ref takes the other end of the strap. Grimes goes to a corner and “accidentally” yanks the strap away from the ref. The ref reprimands, Grimes “apologizes,” then Grimes CLOBBERS Lumis! The ref reprimands but Grimes stomps away on Lumis in the corner! Fans boo and Lumis bails out as Grimes gets fired up! Grimes goes out and CLOBBERS Lumis again! And then throws Lumis into boards! And kicks him! And posts him! And whips him into more boards!
Lumis tries to get in the ring but Grimes uses the strap to drag Lumis back out. And then Grimes body checks Lumis, leather first! Grimes smothers Lumis with the strap! Grimes KICKS Lumis again and puts him on the apron, to smother Lumis again! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Grimes gets in to stalk Lumis. Grimes KNEES Lumis down, stomps him, then grins as he takes a length of the strap, to LASH! Lumis dodges and ROCKS Grimes with the uppercut! They brawl back and forth, Lumis gets the edge and he whips Grimes, to THESZ PRESS! Lumis rains down rights but this match still isn’t officially on record! Lumis takes his end of the strap, puts it on, and the bell finally rings!
Lumis reels Grimes in as Grimes tries to run away, and there’s no more slack! Lumis blocks a boot, throws Grimes to a corner, and Grimes bounces off buckles to stumble into a leather LARIAT! Lumis LASHES but Grimes narrowly avoids it! Lumis follows Grimes, but Grimes SUPER FOREARMS! Grimes wraps Lumis’ face with the strap! Then KICKS Lumis, and whips him. Lumis reverses, Grimes goes up the fencing, but Lumis drags him back down! Grimes leaps into an UPPERCUT! Lumis reels Grimes back in, stomps him down, and follows him around the ring. Lumis brings Grimes to the announce desk for some punches, then throws him into boards!
Grimes hits hard and slumps down, but Lumis drags him back up. Lumis reels Grimes in to whip him into even more boards! Lumis drags Grimes up, and throws clubbing crossface forearms. Lumis drags Grimes up, uses the strap again to bring Grimes around, but Grimes RAMS Lumis into barriers! Grimes back suplexes Lumis up and over! Lumis hits hard and Grimes grins as he catches his breath. But there’s a tug at the strap, and Lumis rises! Grimes is scared of those eyes and he ROUNDHOUSES Lumis! Grimes pulls on the strap and Lumis flies back up and over the barriers! Lumis is down at ringside and Grimes brings him back up.
Grimes throws forearms, and keeps the slack short as he brings Lumis around. Grimes throws more forearms, Lumis staggers around and Grimes BOOTS him down! Fans rally and Grimes looms over Lumis. Grimes smears the leather in Lumis’ face, then whips him into the timekeeper’s area! Grimes again goes after Lumis’ eyes with the strap! Grimes throws things around, and uses the ref’s strap to SMACK Lumis on the back! Grimes grins as he empties the bag, and puts the bag over Lumis’ face as a blindfold! Grimes mugs Lumis, then LASHES him! And LASHES him again! Lumis flounders into fists and then Grimes puts Lumis back in.
Grimes uses the spare strap to choke Lumis, then winds up to LASH Lumis again! And again! Lumis flounders around blindly as Grimes soaks up the heat. Grimes drags Lumis up, but Lumis hits a SPINEBUSTER! Lumis takes the bag off his head and fans fire up! Lumis stalks Grimes to a corner, goes out to the apron, and wraps the strap around the post! Grimes is caught but he manages to JAB Lumis! Grimes uses the strap to YANK Lumis into the post! Fans rally up as Lumis staggers, and Grimes goes out to the apron. Grimes reels Lumis in for a PENALTY KICK! Lumis staggers back and leans against another post.
Grimes pulls on the strap to reel Lumis back in, for another PENALTY KICK! Grimes goes for another, but Lumis catches the kick! Grimes scrapes Lumis off but Lumis pulls Grimes off the apron to send him flying! Fans fire up for Lumis as he again LASHES Grimes! Grimes hurries into the ring but Lumis follows. Lumis LASHES Grimes again! Grimes flounders and spasms about but Lumis just LASHES him yet again! And again! And again! And again! Lumis corner clotheslines but Grimes slips out of the bulldog to CORNER GERMAN! Lumis flops down and Grimes goes out to the apron. Grimes puts a chair in the ring, and he aims at Lumis to SMACK him on the back! And SMACK him again!
Grimes soaks up the heat from the fans and gives his chair a kiss, before another SMACK to Lumis! Grimes sits the chair up, takes a seat and catches is breath while Lumis flounders around. Grimes reels Lumis in with the strap, but Lumis catches Grimes for a FALL AWAY SLAM! And a kip up! Fans fire up and Lumis snarls as he brawls with Grimes! Haymaker for haymaker, body shot and more! Lumis has the edge, but Grimes throws Lumis up and over! Lumis ROCKS Grimes with a right, climbs up top, but Grimes YANKS Lumis down! Payback for earlier! And then COLLISON COURSE! Cover, TWO!! Lumis survives and Grimes is beside himself!
Grimes sits his chair back up, has Lumis rest on the chair, and he gives back those LASHES! Lumis sits up in the chair, Grimes points to the moon, but the Cave-In is caught! Grimes arm-drags out of Silence and throws elbows. Lumis catches Grimes again but Grimes elbows free. Grimes spins Lumis, scoops him, but Lumis slips out and uses the strap to trip Grimes up! Grimes hits the chair on the way down! The strap wraps the legs, and then SILENCE! Grimes flails, fades, but the strap wraps around his head! Grimes taps, Lumis wins!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission
And Lumis shuts up Grimes’ big mouth! But if Silence is golden, will Lumis be golden soon enough?
A clock is ticking.
A vulture perches. It watches NXT. The apocalypse is not cancelled. “Tick. Tock.” Can it be?! Will we see Karrion Kross return before the clock strikes midnight on 2020?!
NXT North American Championship Triple Threat: Leon Ruff VS Damian Priest VS Johnny Gargano!
In the unlikeliest twist in 2020, an arrogant Johnny Gargano thought he could break his curse by cheating the system. The Archer of Infamy made sure to even things out against the rig wheel of challengers, and in the end, the underdog became the unlikeliest of champions! But now, to prove he isn’t a joke, he’s taking on the most serious challenge he’s ever faced! Will the Cinderella story continue to live happily ever after? Or will one of the former champions reclaim the throne and wake Ruff up from his dream come true?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Ruff’s first-ever TakeOver match, with the highest stakes possible, begins!
Ruff is wary of his challengers, but Gargano waistlocks him first! Gargano shoves Ruff at Priest, Priest shoves Ruff aside and Gargano SUPERKICKS Priest down! Gargano rolls Ruff up, TWO! Gargano cradles, ONE! Gargano scoops and slams Ruff to cover, TWO! Ruff survives this opening salvo but Gargano CHOPS him to the corner! Priest is up on the apron but Gargano dropkicks him out! Gargano corner clotheslines Ruff, but then Ruff slips out to forearm back! Ruff goes up and around and under and dropkicks Gargano back! Ruff knuckle locks, CHOPS and goes around the ropes to springboard RANA! Ruff dropkicks Gargano down and fans fire up!
Ruff stomps Gargano in a corner but Priest returns. Priest again pushes Ruff aside to fire off big hands on Gargano! Ruff squeezes in to throw hands on Gargano. Priest tells Ruff to stay out of his way and throws him out! Gargano boots Priest but Priest shoves him. Gargano dodges dodges Priest, Ruff missile dropkicks them both! Only Gargano goes down, so Ruff is ready to throw hands with Priest. Priest tells Ruff to go home, but Ruff throws a kick! And then body shots! Priest shoves Ruff, Ruff slides under and CHOPS! Priest doesn’t even flinch! Priest choke grips and lifts Ruff, then grabs Gargano! But Ruff kicks free and Gargano throws hands!
Gargano wants Ruff to help him and Ruff does, and they hammer Priest down. DOUBLE ENZIGURI! Gargano and Ruff DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE Priest out! Gargano runs and DIVES! Direct hit and Priest hits barriers! Gargano tells Ruff to go, and Ruff runs, but Gargano is tricking him! Gargano shoves Priest away to slingshot SPEAR Ruff down! Cover, TWO!! Ruff survives the betrayal and Gargano seethes. Gargano tells Ruff he’s a joke, and then tells his fans that they’re jokes! But Gargano says the joke is over. But Priest drags Gargano out and ROCKS him with a right! Priest SMACKS Gargano off boards, then stalks him around the way. Priest drags Gargano up to ROCK him again!
Ruff LEAPS from the ramp! But Priest catches him, BOOTS Gargano, and then puts Ruff down. Priest says this is his last warning, but Ruff says he’s not a joke! Ruff SLAPS Priest, Priest ROCKS Ruff! Priest’s rage boils up and he drags Ruff into the crucifix lift, for a RAZOR’S EDGE, into the barriers! And the barriers fall over like dominos!! Priest realizes just how hard he tossed Ruff and feels awful for it, and the ref checks on Ruff’s condition. Other refs come out to check, and Priest asks how he’s doing. The refs tell Priest to just stay back and give Ruff some room. Priest apologizes, but now this championship match continues without the champion!
Gargano CLOBBERS Priest from behind! Gargano clubs Priest, Priest knees low but Gargano RAMS Priest into the ramp! Gargano tries to use the ramp, needs to go again, and he TORNADO DDT’S Priest to the floor! Priest gets up and Gargano says “I told you! He can’t hang!” Gargano leaves Ruff in the past and puts Priest on the ramp. Gargano aims from the ring, but Priest blocks One Final Beat! Priest puts Gargano through the ropes but Gargano escapes the Reckoning, only for Priest to ROCK Gargano with a right! Priest then steps up and leaps, but Gargano dodges, only to run into a windmill kick! Cover, TWO!
Priest drags Gargano up, but Gargano slips under, only for his chop to be blocked! Gargano avoids the bell clap to hit a STANDING SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO! Priest flounders to a corner, Gargano runs in, but Priest boots him away! Priest boots again but Gargano dodges, the BELL CLAP hits! Gargano ducks a roundhouse to throw forearms, then he fakes Priest out to mule kick the leg and BUZZSAW! Gargano runs into a LEAPING ROUNDHOUSE! And then staggers into a LARIAT! Both men are down, Priest rolls to the ramp and the fans fire up. Priest rises, but Ruff returns?! Ruff uses Priest as a step for a FLYING LARIAT on Gargano!
Ruff dropkicks Priest away, tackles Gargano and rains down furious fists! Gargano gets away, Ruff builds speed and goes up, to FLY out onto both opponents! Fans are thunderous for Ruff as he puts Gargano in! Ruff stalks Gargano, reels him in, and headlocks, but Gargano denies the buckle bulldog! Ruff just goes up and leaps for a CORKSCREW CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives and Ruff shakes his head. Ruff figures the first-ever Triple Crown winner in NXT would survive that. Ruff climbs up the corner but Gargano throws haymakers first! Gargano dumps Ruff down off the top and grimaces as he drags Ruff up. Gargano DECKS Ruff with a left!
Gargano drags Ruff up and whips, but Ruff rebounds to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Priest is floundering back up into the ring as Ruff climbs the corner again. Ruff sees Priest, and Priest says no more chances. Priest gets under Ruff’s leap, Ruff ducks and dodges but Priest BOOTS him down! Gargano swings into Priest’s clutches! Priest adds Ruff on, DOUBLE COMPLETE SHOT! Priest grits his teeth as he sees Gargano and Ruff go to opposite corners. Priest stomps around, and leaps to elbow Ruff! Then runs to elbow Gargano! Back to Ruff! Then Priest suplex TOSSES Ruff at Gargano with the Broken Arrow!
Priest gets Gargano up, but Gargano slips out to POST Priest! Gargano gets Ruff up and scoops him, to LAWN DART Ruff into Priest! Priest ends up in the double-ring gap and Ruff flounders. Gargano goes after Priest in the gap with haymakers. Gargano tries Priest up in the ropes of the second ring! Gargano waves by to Priest, then goes back to Ruff. Gargano scoops Ruff but Ruff slips out to O’Conner roll but Gargano bucks him off! Ruff CRUCIFIX DRIVERS! Cover, TWO!! Gargano escapes and fans are thunderous! Ruff goes to a corner, Priest works to free himself, but Ruff aims at Gargano for the FROG SPLASH but it flops!
Gargano gets Ruff in the GargaNO Escape, right in front of Priest! Priest shouts at Ruff not to quit, and then Priest frees himself! Priest helps Ruff get to ropes and then KICKS Gargano away! Gargano runs back in but into another ROUNDHOUSE! Priest climbs up and leaps for the FLYING WINDMILL! Priest sees Gargano bail out and Ruff stay in. Ruff avoids the back elbow and LARIATS, but Priest stays up! Ruff tries again, but Priest is too big! Priest whips Ruff, Ruff goes for the rebound but Gargano SUPERKICKS Ruff down! Again Priest feels remorse for what happened to Ruff, but Gargano enziguris!
Priest denies One Final Beat to the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! But wait, it’s GHOST FACE again!! The ref tells him to stay away, but there are TWO OTHER Ghost Faces?! They’re attacking Priest on behalf of Gargano! Priest fights them off with elbows and BOOTS and a kick! Priest throws two out then CLOBBERS the third! The Ghost Faces regroup and retreat, but there are more on the outside side?! Priest BOOTS one down and then FLIES out onto them all! And then he goes back in to FLY out onto the others! All six Ghost Faces are down, but Gargano DIVES! Priest caches him for an APRON CHOKE SLAM! For Ruff’s FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Priest breaks it just in time!!
Priest finally catches his breath and he stands over Ruff. Priest drags Ruff up by his ear but Ruff fires off furious fists from all sides! Priest shoves, Ruff kicks! Ruff runs but Priest CYCLONE KICKS! Priest runs at Gargano, Gargano tilt-o-whirls but the takedown is blocked to- NO! No Reckoning, SUPERKICK! ROUNDHOUSE from Priest! CYCLONE KICK for Gargano! Priest sees he’s got an opening, and he roars as he drags Gargano back up! But another Ghost Face uses a PIPE on Priest!! Lucky number seven saves Gargano! But then Ruff rolls Gargano up! Gargano slips out to SUPERKICK! Gargano goes to the apron, aims and ONE FINAL BEAT for Ruff!! Cover, Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)
History is made again for Johnny TakeOver, as he is a three-time North American Champion! But he had a seemingly endless supply of Ghost Face aces in the hole. Will Gargano finally break his curse and hold onto this title a little longer this time? And wait! Lucky Ghost Face number seven turns out to be AUSTIN! It was Austin all along! Does this mean it’ll be #TheJohnnyGarganoWay #AllDay?
2020’s been a real bummer.
But NXT has something very special planned for 2021. The first Wednesday of the New Year, will be New Year’s EVIL! What will the black ‘n’ gold have in store as we wipe the slate clean?
Men’s WarGames: The Kings of NXT VS The Undisputed Era!
Pat McAfee and his pack of mercenaries have done whatever they’ve wanted since TakeOver: 31, but that could all change now that Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong are back! And though the UE has been in each and every single Men’s WarGames match since it debuted in NXT, they’re only 1-2! Will the UE break even as they break McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch down to the last piece?
First, the Undisputed Era make their entrance. For the first time, they do not have the advantage, but Kyle doesn’t let that bother him as he steps up first. Then McAfee’s team enters, and the Bruiserweight says he’s up first. McAfee is totally okay with that, especially when you consider Dunne is the only man on his team with WarGames experience, and was part of a team that beat the Undisputed Era. Kyle’s also happy to see Dunne, because Kyle wants revenge for both the betrayal and the advantage match screwjob! Dunne steps inside and the five-minute countdown begins!
Kyle and Dunne stare down and slowly circle. They approach and feel things out, Kyle tries testing kicks. Dunne stays clear, knuckle locks with Kyle, and then have a test of strength as they go shoulder to shoulder. They go around, Dunne gets a leg but Kyle counters to get a leg. Dunne gets around, facelocks, Kyle slips out but Dunne hooks the leg again. Kyle gets away and the two stand off. Fans fire up as the two circle again. They tie up. Kyle slips around but Dunne puts him on the ropes. Dunne dumps Kyle down then goes to ground ‘n’ pound, but Kyle has his leg guard. Kyle goes for a triangle but Dunne slips out! Dunne kicks but Kyle blocks, only for Dunn to spin through the dragon screw!
Dunne wants fingers but Kyle avoids the snap! Kyle rolls out of the omoplata to get the arm! Dunne avoids the armbar but Kyle avoids a stomp to the arm, and then Dunne backs off before the kick comes in! Dunne goes to the gap and baits Kyle into a triangle hold of his own! Kyle ends up in the gap, but he goes to the second ring. Dunne lets him go but Kyle gets Dunne’s arm for a takedown! Kyle wants a kimura but Dunne fights up. Kyle wrenches, waistlocks and GERMANS, but Dunne lands on his feet to BUZZSAW! McAfee is happy to see that! Dunne then hammerlocks Kyle’s arm and grabs the other to torture the fingers!
Dunne bends the wrist, twists the elbow and pulls on the shoulder, to then STOMP! Kyle gets up, puts Dunne in a corner but Dunne turns things around to CHOP! Kyle turns things back around to fire off body shots! Dunne has the fingers again and puts them throw fencing! Dunne uses steel for leverage as he bends the joints! Kyle body shots but Dunne lets off to whip. Kyle reverses, Dunne goes up and over, Dunne picks a leg and rolls Kyle to STOMP the hands! BUZZSAW! But Kyle counters the bomb to a GUILLOTINE! Dunne fades already! Kyle KNEES Dunne down! Dunne sits up, Kyle drags him back up but Dunne X-PLEXES, to the ARMBAR!
Kyle flails and moves around to get a leg! HEEL HOOK! Dunne endures now but the first countdown is ending! Dunne heel hooks Kyle back and they end up in a corner. The clock hits zero and Oney wants in! McAfee is again fine with that, and the #STARDESTROYER rushes Kyle! They brawl with forearms and CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Kyle blocks a chop to knee, kick and palm strikes! Dunne CLOBBERS Kyle! Oney and Dunne have Kyle in a corner, Oney back elbows in again and again! Kyle kicks but Oney ducks to HALF ‘N’ HALF! Dunne PENALTY KICKS an arm out! Dunne and Oney just loom over Kyle as they still have two minutes to go!
Dunne has the arms and the legs, for a Surfboard! And Oney CHOPS Kyle, then basement DDT’s him down! Kyle rolls back to the gap but Oney goes over, only for Kyle to DRAGON SCREW a leg! Dunne gives chase, Kyle gets him for a DRAGON SCREW! Kyle has them both stuck in ropes as he climbs up, and Kyle stomps Dunne away, to then GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP Oney! But Dunne missile dropkicks the leg out! Kyle clutches his knee and he still has to wait for reinforcements. Dunne drags Kyle around, wrenches an arm while Oney gets a leg, it’s an armlock Half Crab fusion! Kyle endures because there’s nothing else he can do! But the time is almost up!
The clock hits zero again and for the UE, it’s BOBBY FISH! Dunne and Oney hurry to intercept but Fish hits them first! Fish spins Dunne around to fire off strikes! Dunne ducks a roundhouse but not the mule kick! Fish knees Oney then EXPLODERS Dunne into Oney! Fish shouts for Kyle and he goes after Oney! Fish whips Oney for a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up but Dunne kicks Fish from below! Fish staggers over, but he throws Dunne into the gap! Kyle BOOTS Dunne down, and now reDRagon has Oney! Oney throws uppercuts, runs, but into a pop-up ROUNDHOUSE! Kyle brings Oney up, he and Fish combo for a DRAPING BUTTERFLY DDT, and then a BOOSTED Wheelbarrow German!
Dunne goes after Kyle and gets a HOVERBOARD KIMURA! Fish sleeper holds Dunne and drags him off! Kyle mule kicks Dunne, then reDRagon DOUBLE BUZZSAW! Fans fire up and reDRagon stomps Oney down. Fish drags Dunne up and throws knees in the corner while Kyle digs boots into Oney. Oney kicks Kyle away but Fish goes over to bring Oney up. Fish has a leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Oney clutches his leg, Kyle regroups with Fish but Dunne throws hands! Fish ROCKS Dunne, Kyle and Oney grapple with leg locks. Dunne knees Fish and has the wristlock! Kyle wants to get Oney for an armbar, and Dunne uses the cage to torture fingers!
The countdown returns as Fish clubs Dunne away! Burch gets in for McAfee’s team, and he goes under the ring! Burch brings in something in a bag and then DECKS Fish! And ROCKS Kyle! And spins Kyle for a EuroUpper! Burch opens that mystery bag, and he has a CRICKET BAT! Burch swings on Kyle but Kyle dodges! Burch runs to corner clothesline, enzigujri and then GERMAN! Kyle flounders to the gap and Dunne grabs the cricket bad the dig into Fish’s fingers! Burch brings out another cricket bat and he JAMS it into Kyle’s ribs! Kyle flops to the gap, Dunne keeps hitting Fish’s arm with his bat, and we’re at a two minute warning.
Oney helps Dunne go after Fish, and Burch talks trash on Kyle. Kyle picks a leg for a HEEL HOOK! Burch is tapping, if only this match was complete! Dunne goes after Kyle with a FLYING STOP to Kyle’s arm!! Kyle clutches what could be a broken elbow! And then Burch SMACKS Kyle with the back! That’s for six, aka a cricket home run. Oney and Burch give a “cheers” with the bats, then Oney hands his to Dunne. Dunne wedges the bat into Kyle’s leg for a cricket calf killer! Burch taunts Kyle then helps Oney with Fish. Dunne stomps Kyle’s leg as Burch and Oney club Fish. The countdown reaches 10 seconds as Fish tries to fight back in a 3v1 situation!
Dunne twist a foot, Fish falls, but here comes RODERICK STRONG! But Oney BLASTS him with a EuroUpper right away! Burch and Oney fire off on Strong, then whip him, but he DOUBLE LARIATS them both down! Strong fires off on Burch, then on Oney, then he whips Oney for a dropkick! Dunne hurries over but Strong gets him for a half nelson BACKBREAKER! And then Burch swings on Strong, but gets a knee and a BIG back suplex! Strong fires up and fans fire up with him, but Oney puts Strong in the gap. Strong BOOTS Dunne, forearms Oney and enziguris Burch! Strong runs side to side in the gap, giving everyone forearms as he goes! And then again the other way! And again to KNEE Dunne!
Strong TOSSES Dunne into the second ring! Strong goes after Oney, but Oney throws him into steels! Kyle goes after Dunne but Dunne grabs Kyle’s nose! Dunne and Oney throw Kyle and Strong into the steel! Burch and Fish brawl, Dunne is after Fish in the gap and throws him at the steel! McAfee’s team dig boots into Fish and Strong, then they club and EuroUpper Kyle! Oney and Burch double whip and double elbow Kyle, then they mug Fish and Strong! Oney CHOPS Strong, Dunne STOMPS Fish’s arm on steel! Burch stomps Kyle but Kyle hooks the leg to a heel hook! The countdown is back, and finally Captain McAfee enters!
McAfee has an idea, and he brings out a TABLE from under the ring! The table even has Fish’s name on it! McAfee gives that table to his team and they know what to do with it. McAfee brings out another table, and this one has Kyle’s name on it. Clearly he made sure these were here for reDRagon. Those tables are put in the gaps, then McAfee just tosses chair after chair in, before bringing out a table for Strong! McAfee’s team continues to mug the UE as the furniture is moved in. McAfee brings out one more table, and yes, this is for Cole, baybay. With his team firmly in control, McAfee finally joins in.
Burch and Oney set up a table for McAfee in a corner, and then Dunne RAMS Strong into buckles. Dunne brings Fish towards the table labeled for him while Oney and Burch have Strong. Dunne gives Kyle an elbow breaker to keep him down, then Burch and Oney mug Strong. They put Strong on his table, and then McAfee climbs up, to MOONSAULT Strong through the table! McAfee’s team all high-five over that one! Fans boo and the final countdown finally arrives! And that means this match finally has ADAM COLE BAYBAY!! Cole hurries over, but he had something planned, too! Cole brings out a fire extinguisher, and hoses off McAfee’s team!
Cole then grabs a chair, gets inside and he JAMS Oney! SMACKS Burch! SMACKS Oney! THROWS the chair at Dunne but Dunne dodges! So Cole BACKSTABBERS! And PELES Oney! And fireman’s carries to USHIGOROSHI Burch! Fans fire up with Cole as he stares at McAfee in the second ring. McAfee dares Cole to bring it on, so Cole storms over, only for Dunne to stand in his way. “Screw you!” Dunne and Cole brawl, Cole rocks Dunne but Dunne DECKS Cole! Dunne gives Cole some Danielson Stomps! And then pump handles for a BITTER- DDT!! Cole counters and then runs, but McAfee catches him! Dunne enziguris Cole down!
McAfee brags about his big brain and Dunne grabs Cole’s fingers. Kyle SMACKS Dunne from behind! Payback for weeks ago! Kyle says if McAfee wants to be a wrestler, he’s in WarGames, time to put that money where his mouth is! Kyle dares McAfee to take a free shot, and McAfee gets in. Cole SMACKS McAfee! And then rains down right hands! Dunne clobbers Cole and it’s a huge brawl! Fish throws Oney, Dunne throws Cole, Bruch rams Strong and McAfee fires off with Kyle! Fish stomps Oney, Strong hammers Burch, Cole has Dunne down and Kyle throws knees on McAfee! Kyle KICKS McAfee but Dunne has Cole’s hands in the table leg! Dunne STOMPS the leg to crush Cole’s hand!
Dunne goes after Fish and kicks him down! Dunne gives Fish a suplex but Fish slips out to sleeper! Strong fires off on Burch but Oney BLOCKBUSTERS Fish! Kyle staggers over and AX ‘n’ DOUBLE SMASH with Strong on Dunne! Cover, but Oney breaks it! Oney whips Strong into the gap hard! Burch and Oney drag Kyle up, LONDON BRIDGE!! Cover, Fish breaks it! Oney RAMS Fish into steel, Cole BOOTS Oney and then BOOTS Burch! McAfee chop blocks Cole!! Fans boo as Dunne and McAfee stomp Cole together. Oney and Burch regroup, McAfee lets out a “WOO~!” and steps through for a FIGURE FOUR!
McAfee’s team plays defense as Cole endures the leg lock! Fish, Strong and O’Reilly fight fist to fist, but Cole turns things around! McAfee endures the pressure now, Dunne is in an Ankle Lock! Fish has Oney in a sleeper, Strong has Burch’s leg! Dunne breaks free to KICK Cole! The hold is undone but the damage was done. Burch and Oney go back after the UE to throw down fists. Oney brings a table up as Burch DECKS Fish. The table is put in the second ring, but Strong HOTSHOTS Dunne! Burch and Oney set up the table marked for Cole, but Strong ROCKS McAfee! Fish joins in, they brawl with Oney and Burch!
McAfee is in the gap as Oney CHOPS! Fish BOOTS, Strong and Oney DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! Burch ROCKS Fish but Fish ROUNDHOUSES Burch! Those four are all down in the second ring, leaving Dunne, McAfee, Cole and Kyle in the first ring. Cole superkicks but Dunne blocks to throw Cole down! ARMBAR, but Cole makes it a cover, TWO! Dunne enziguris, then goes to suplex, but he gets a LAST SHOT BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives but Cole finally throws his shirt away. Cole brings up one of the other tables, and stands it up. This is the Kyle table, and then he brings Dunne over to a corner. Cole drags Dunne up top, but Dunne pulls on fingers!
Strong and Fish save Cole but Burch goes after them. Kyle goes after Burch and throws hands. Burch ends up on the Cole table, and Fish and Strong have Dunne up! They DOUBLE BOMB Dunne onto Burch, but the table doesn’t give! Strong climbs up, and he FROG SPLASHES through them both!! Fans are thunderous as the Cole table is used up! Cole adjusts but McAfee springs up! Cole resists, and shoves McAfee down, he crashes through the Kyle table!! Cole hops down, wreckage is cleared, and Cole regroups with the UE. They bring Burch up to throw him into Dunne and steel! Cole wants to end this, and Oney is thrown into Burch and Dunne!
Kyle runs in and back body blocks Dunne into steel! Fish runs in and body blocks Dunne into steel! Strong KNEES Dunne, Cole SUPERKICKS Dunne, and Dunne is done! Now they start on Oney! Kyle, Fish, Strong and Cole hit him in turn! Then Burch gets the same! McAfee’s mercenaries are down and fans are fired up! McAfee somehow stands back up, and sees he’s all alone. McAfee asks they spare him, his back is hurting from the table. But the four UE go after McAfee, and drags him off the steel! They won’t let him forfeit by escaping! And they mug him 4v1!!
Cole throws McAfee into steel! Then Kyle throws McAfee into steel! Fish and Strong throw McAfee together! “Ain’t so tough now, are you, Pat?!” They dare him to talk trash now! They put McAfee in the gap and slap him around. They take his shirt off and then Cole lines it up. But Dunne, Burch and Oney make the save! They throw hands, Dunne stomps away on Strong, then Oney and Burch do the same to reDRagon. McAfee gets up and his guys help him around. Oney and Burch have Fish in an Electric Chair but Kyle makes the save! Strong has Dunne in a corner, Burch throws Fish away and goes after Kyle! Kyle is in the Electric Chair, EUROUPPER DOOMSDAY!!
Fish CLOBBERS Burch! Dunne and Cole fight on the top rope! Dunne wobbles and Cole hits a SUPER LEAPING NECKBREAKER! Strong has McAfee, for a SUPERPLEX!! ALL EIGHT MEN ARE DOWN!! The fans are thunderous as everyone crawls around. The teams regroup, stand together, and stare down the other side. It’s a brawl like the one from when it was UE VS Dunne-Ricochet-War-Raiders! But wait, where’s McAfee? He’s up on the VERY TOP of the cage!! And he SWANTON BOMBS #ForTheBrand!!! All eight men are down again!!
Dunne and Kyle crawl to the second ring and glare at each other as they slowly rise. The first two in are still standing, and now they’re throwing forearms back and forth! Fans rally up and Kyle ROCKS Dunne! Dunne ROCKS Kyle back, and then they pick up the pace! There’s no slowing down! Kyle ROCKS Dunne again and Dunne flops down! Kyle drags Dunne up by his hair but Dunne gets the fingers! Kyle wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER! And AX to- DUNNE’S SMASH! Dunne blocks the yo-yo lariat to get the fingers! SNAP!! Then pump handle, to BITTER END!! Cover, TWO?!?! Dunne can’t believe Kyle survives!!
Kyle sits up in a daze but Dunne drags him around. Dunne brings Kyle to the gap, and though the table says “Fish,” Dunne wants to use it on Kyle! But Kyle slips out of the bomb to suplex Dunne for a FULL METAL BRAIN BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!??! Dunne survives and now Kyle is shocked! Kyle gets up and sees the chair. Kyle sits that chair up, drags Dunne over to it, and puts him through it! Kyle goes to a corner, Dunne barely moves, but McAfee CHAIR SHOTS Kyle down! Kyle falls through the ropes, McAfee aims at Cole. Cole dares him, McAfee swings but misses! Cole fires off with fury, and has the chair for his own! But McAfee LOW BLOWS! It’s not illegal in WarGames!!
McAfee mocks Cole but he misses the punt, Cole BOOTS McAfee down! Cole goes to a corner and wants to take us back to TakeOver: 31! But Burch yanks Cole down! Cole SUPERKICKS Burch! Fish SPEARS Burch through the FISH table!! McAfee SUPERKICKS Cole!! And then he hops up, PANAMA SUN- SUPERKICK! Cole goes back to the corner, and hits the TRUE PANAMA SUNRISE!! Cover, TWO!?!?! McAfee survives a move that put him away before! Cole says that’s fine, he’ll gladly put McAfee away with something more! Cole brings the knee pad down, says BANG, but Oney takes the LAST SHOT WIZARD for McAfee!
Dunne KICKS Cole, brings the chair over, and hits a BITTER END to the chair back!! Cole sputters and gasps, Dunne covers but Strong STOMPS it apart! END OF HEARTACHE! Oney swings his chair but Strong dodges, Fish helps out for a FULL METAL STRONG ANNIHILATION! Kyle walks the tightrope to FLYING KNEE DROP onto Oney’s head! Cover, the Undisputed Era wins!!
Winners: The Undisputed Era, by pinfall
And the war is over! Cole, Fish, O’Reilly and Strong may be 2-2 in the overall record, but this win means so much more than numbers can speak to! Have they finally shut McAfee up? Is NXT now, then and forever Undisputed?
My Thoughts:
This was a really great TakeOver! The kickoff show had good promos and sports show talk from the special guests, sorry I missed Helwani’s. Bookending the night with WarGames matches made sense, and the women starting was fine. In retrospect, it perhaps gave away that Shotzi’s team was going to lose, so I feel like it would’ve worked just fine as the main event. But given the Undisputed Era, as Faces, won theirs, this is also fine. NXT wasn’t going to have both Face teams win, but I would’ve still done it that way. Though then maybe Shotzi and her team look way too strong.
Indi getting involved does help with the power balance, she’s a good reason as to why Team Candice won. I do like the strategy of trying to keep out the other team’s fourth for as long as possible. Shirai with the trash can dive was a great way around it, too. And with Shirai essentially Face, it makes sense that Heels win so that Heels move up to challenge her. I have a feeling this will end up pitting Raquel and Dakota in opposition to Candice and Toni, with Indi of course being Candice’s back-up. And I bet the build is quick enough so that someone can challenge Shirai for “New Year’s Evil.” The Evil Genius needs to be on a show with the word “Evil” in it, it’s only logical.
Ciampa VS Thatcher was a very good match, and the (more than likely accidental) bloody ear definitely adds to the concept of it being about toughness. Ciampa wins to build up his momentum, and with Balor calling everyone in the men’s division out, I have a feeling Ciampa is a frontrunner for facing him for the title. Lumis VS Grimes was a really good strap match, and Lumis wins again, meaning he has to be poised for a title shot. And given how Gargano won that great Triple Threat to be champion again, Gargano VS Lumis is an excellent next feud for both. Gargano is about as mouthy as Grimes so that makes for a good foil to Lumis being eerily silent.
Priest had good character work in that Triple Threat given he doesn’t dislike Ruff but still has to beat him up. And of course Ruff became an even bigger star with how he kept up with two big names. And while having seven Ghost Faces in one segment was a bit much, I love that Austin Theory turned out to be THE Ghost Face, as I’d hoped. Austin and Indi are now the “kids” in the #TJGW sitcom parody that they’ve created, and that will make for a great overall story as Austin and Indi help Gargano and Candice in trying to keep/gain gold.
And UE winning in the main event was to give us fans a “happy ending,” but that itself surprised me. I suppose that means UE is staying in NXT, no jumping to SmackDown or Raw, which will surely be best for UE overall. But I can’t be sure what they do next then, as they’ve checked everything off the list. I suppose they could at least attempt to take all the titles back, only to fail, but wouldn’t that mean they leave for RawDown at that point? I’m not sure what’s planned, but I’m sure NXT will execute a near perfect plan.
My Score: 9.4/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: One For The Road
The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! Tune in as we recap an excellent NFL season and touch on a...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Super Bowl LIX Preview
The culmination of a season long journey is upon us. Andrew, Rey and Tunney break it all down for you...
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
-
Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s WWE Vengeance Day Results & Report! (2/15/25)
-
AEW Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s AEW Grand Slam: Australia Results & Report! (2/15/25)
-
Coverage4 days ago
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
-
Coverage5 days ago
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)