Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (12/16/20)
Who heads for New Year’s Evil?
Who will challenge THE NXT Champion?
Before going home for the holidays, NXT has some business to sort out! Kyle O’Reilly and Pete Dunne fight for the right to challenge Finn Balor for his title!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory VS KUSHIDA & Leon Ruff; Gargano & Theory win.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Tyler Rust; Ciampa wins.
- NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Pete Dunne VS Kyle O’Reilly; O’Reilly wins and will challenge Finn Balor for the title at New Year’s Evil.
- Shotzi Blackheart VS Indi Hartwell w/ The Way; Shotzi wins, by disqualification.
- Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux VS Desmond Troy; Kross wins.
- Toni Storm VS Rhea Ripley; Storm wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory w/ Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS KUSHIDA & Leon Ruff!
#TheJohnnyGarganoWay is growing, from having the North American Championship to having a new member in #TheRealSuperstar! But things might not go The Way’s way now that the Time Splitter is Ruff’s tag partner! Will Kushida help NXT’s top underdog get one over on #TheWayAllDay?
The teams sort out, Kushida insists on starting and he wants Gargano! Gargano steps up, circles with Kushida, but then no look tags to Theory. Theory avoids Kushida’s drop toeholds, drops down for a headlock but Kushida facelocks back. Kushida rolls with Theory then floats all over him, and gives him spanks! Kushida still wants Gargano but he dodges Theory to fire off hands! Theory knees, whips but Kushida reverses to atomic drop and knee lift! Kushida wrenches an arm, tags Ruff in, and Ruff kicks Theory’s arm! Ruff wrenches but Theory kicks low and snap suplexes! Ruff writhes, Theory drags him up and DECKS him with a left!
Theory has Ruff in a corner, whips him corner to corner and runs in but Ruff slips out! Ruff throws a forearm back, then springboards, goes all around Theory in the corner and dropkicks! But Ruff stares Gargano down too long and turns around into an ELBOW from Theory! Tag to Gargano and Gargano drops ax handles and rains down fists! Gargano tells Ruff this is HIS world, then he swipes at Kushida! Kushida stays clear but stares Gargano down. Ruff comes back to RANA! And then he arm-drags Gargano around! Roll up, kip up and calf kick! Cover, TWO! Ruff keeps on Gargano with clubbing forearms and a CHOP in the corner!
Ruff stands on Gargano at the ropes to show his rough side, but he lets off as the ref counts. Gargano throws hands but Ruff boots him down! Gargano goes to the corner, hits Ruff back then taunts Kushida. Gargano suplexes Ruff for the gourd buster! Ruff sputters as Gargano looms over him. Gargano drags Ruff up, bumps him off buckles and tags in Theory. Theory CHOPS Ruff, and taunts Kushida with that hand. Theory whips Ruff out to whip him back in hard, then he tags Gargano back in. Theory feeds Ruff to Gargano’s boots! Gargano drags Ruff up and tags Theory back in, and The Way double suplexes, but Kushida makes the save! Double dropkicks sends the Way out!
Ruff whips Kushida and he handspring kicks Theory down! Ruff builds speed to go up, up, but he slips off a rope and has a hard landing! He barely clips Gargano and the ref hurries out to check on him! Theory drags Ruff up and bumps him off the apron! Theory puts Ruff in, Ruff gets up to SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO! Ruff is okay to continue but Theory fireman’s carries. Ruff slips out and shoves Theory but Gargano tags in! Ruff hits Gargano then tilt-o-whirl headscissors Theory away! Ruff sees Gargano on the apron, but Theory slingshot somersault SHOTGUNS Ruff into Gargano’s slingshot SPEAR! Fans boo but The Way is feeling great as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns as Theory has Ruff down in a chinbar and armlock. Ruff endures, fights up, throws body shots, but Theory shoves him to ropes. Ruff rebounds to LARIAT! Theory flounders and tags in Gargano! Gargano drags Ruff away but Ruff enziguris! Hot tag to Kushida! Kushida springboard ax handles Gargano down then tackles him for ground ‘n’ pound! Theory gets in but Kushida KICKS away! Kushida whips, Theory reverses but Kushida handspring back elbows Theory away! Gargano whips Kushida but he reverses to hip toss, cartwheel and basement dropkick! Fans fire up with Kushida as he drags Gargano by his arms. Theory saves Gargano from the stomps but Kushida gets Theory’s arm for a BULLDOG!
Kushida runs at the corner but Gargano goes up and over to roll him. Kushida ducks the kick to Penalty KICK Gargano’s arm! Gargano rises, Kushida goes after the arm but Gargano spins through to ROCK Kushida with a right! Kushida still winds up but the enziguri intercepts the fast ball! Ruff tags in, springboards and missile dropkicks Gargano down! Ruff and Kushida run at the corner to ENZIGURI SANDWICH Gargano! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ruff doesn’t lose focus. Ruff drags Gargano up, hops on but Gargano slips out to CLOBBER him!
Tag to Theory and Theory looms over Ruff. Theory reels Ruff in, lifts, but Ruff throws hands to get to a corner! Theory slips out to CLUB Ruff on the back! Theory then torture racks Ruff, spins him, TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ruff survives and Theory smirks as he shakes his head. Theory drags Ruff back over, tags Gargano back in, and The Way brings Ruff up. Gargano DECKS Kushida but Ruff fights against The Way! That’s 2v1 and they double whip Ruff to ropes. Ruff tries his rebound but he runs into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, Kushida breaks it! Fans fire up as Theory goes after Kushida, but Kushida slips around to FAST BALL Theory down!
Gargano SUPERKICKS Kushida! Theory drags Kushida out to RAM Him into barriers! Ruff drags Gargano down to roll him up, Gargano slips out, but Ruff dodges the superkick to give a SUPERKICK! Gargano staggers to his corner, Theory tags in before Ruff runs in! Ruff dodges Gargano, hops up and DECKS Theory, to then LEAP for the TWISTING CUTTER! Ruff hops on, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! But Theory SUPERKICKS Ruff, reels him in, “This is the Way!” TWISTING COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, The Way wins!
Winners: Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory, by pinfall
Theory’s losing streak from before he “quit” no longer matters now that Theory is with Gargano! Will The Way have their way in NXT?
Dexter Lumis is watching.
He seems to be “inspired” by the match we just saw. What art piece will he create tonight?
NXT hears from Toni Storm.
The Lightning From Down Under says Rhea Ripley VS Toni Storm is nothing new. “Tonight, we renew our rivalry.” Toni makes it clear that she is why Rhea is in the States in the first place. Toni ran “that so-called nightmare” out of the UK when she won the NXT UK Women’s Championship off her! Toni knows Rhea better than anyone in NXT. Toni lets us in on a secret: Rhea uses fear and intimidation to get a leg up. But Rhea knows when she’s in the ring with Toni, “it just doesn’t work like that.”
Last time they were in the ring together, it was Worlds Collide. Rhea won, but she won’t be in the ring with that Toni Storm. That Toni respected Rhea. The new Toni does not care about approval or acceptance. She just care about #ToniTime. And tonight, Toni ends the rivalry on her terms.
Backstage interview with Shotzi Blackheart.
Though her team lost at WarGames, she gets a match with Indi Hartwell tonight. “First of all, McKenzie, I just want to say I am damn proud of my team at WarGames. We gave Team Candice a beating that they barely survived. But now, Candice wants to claim she’s a general? Calling herself ‘Ms. WarGames,’ walking around with a trophy that her husband stole- I mean, ‘imported,’ from a Little League banquet.” WarGames may be over, but Shotzi’s war with Candice is far from done. Shotzi broke Candice’s arm, and now she’ll break he bestie! Shotzi howls to the moon, will she make Indi howl in pain?
Tommaso Ciampa VS Tyler Rust!
The Psycho Killer dealt with the Professor of Pain, but now he wants to teach the student the same lesson! Will Timothy Thatcher’s prized pupil be pummeled to a pulp?
Ciampa sets a chair up on the ramp and puts a Thatch As Thatch Can shirt on it, as if to invited Thatcher to watch up close and personal again. The bell rings and Ciampa hopes Thatcher is at least watching. Fans chant, “Ciampa’s Gonna Kill You!” Ciampa and Rust tie up, Ciampa powers Rust to a corner, but the ref counts. Ciampa pie faces as he backs off but Rust keeps his cool. Rust and Ciampa circle, tie up, and Rust gets the arm for a wrench and wristlock. Rust slips through to wrangle Ciampa down but Ciampa headscissors back. Ciampa squeezes tight, Rust moves around, and Rust pops out to then get Ciampa for a headlock. Ciampa slips out to a facelock and has Rust again.
Fans rally as Rust fights up. Rust wrenches free, leans on the arm and shifts to a cording hold. Ciampa trips Rust up with a leg then gets the headlock back! Fans cheer as Ciampa traps an arm and keeps Rust down. But now Thatcher appears to accept the invitation. Ciampa knew it was a matter of time. Rust gets up and he powers Ciampa to a corner by pulling on an ear. Rust throws a forearm but Ciampa CHOPS back! Ciampa bumps Rust off buckles, CHOPS him down, then drags him up to whip and CLOBBER with an elbow! Ciampa throws Rust out to Thatcher, but Thatcher keeps his distance. Ciampa goes out and DECKS Rust.
Ciampa asks Thatcher what’s up but then Rust shoves Ciampa into Thatcher! Thatcher shows the ref he hasn’t done anything to Ciampa, but then Ciampa moves and Rust’s BOOT hits Thatcher! Rust freaks out and Ciampa puts him in the ring! Ciampa sees Thatcher getting up and the ref hurries to keep Thatcher back. The ref calls for back-up to keep Thatcher away, and Ciampa goes back to the ring. Rust ROCKS Ciampa with a right, goes out to the apron and WRINGS Ciampa’s arm out into the apron! Thatcher ended up a distraction after all, and Ciampa is down as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns as Rust reels Ciampa in for a modified cobra twist. Russ pulls on the arm, fish hooks Ciampa’s face, but lets off as the ref sees. Ciampa powers up and lifts Rust up, for a SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down but fans fire up as the two stir. Ciampa is up first but Rust KICKS the arm! Ciampa CHOPS, Rust wrenches the arm and uppercuts the shoulder! Ciampa throws an elbow then rallies with clotheslines! Ciampa only builds up speed as he clotheslines again and again, then LEAPING LARIATS! Fans fire up with Ciampa as he runs at Rust for a big corner clothesline! Ciampa hoists Rust up for an AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!!
Ciampa shakes his bad arm out and he brings Rust up for a CHOP! And another CHOP! Rust grits his teeth as Ciampa brings him up, and Rust avoids the suplex to mule kick and SCISSOR KICK! Cover, TWO! To the ARMBAR! Ciampa clasps hands, rolls to a cover, TWO! Rust runs but the kick is blocked, only for Rust to turn Ciampa’s counter punch into a takedown! ARMBAR! Ciampa again clasps hands, sits up and moves around, and then stomp Rust off his arm! Ciampa stalks up behind Rust and KNEES him down! Rust is in a daze but the fans fire up as Ciampa keeps on him. Ciampa reels Rust in, underhooks the arms, but Rust breaks free from the bad arm to BOOT Ciampa!
Rust cravats Ciampa for a FLIPPING CRAVAT SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa survives whatever Rust calls that and Rust can’t believe it! Rust grabs the bad arm, and pulls back for a Fujiwara! Ciampa reaches with the free arm but Rust grabs that and hooks it with a leg!! Ciampa endures Rust’s take on the Jim Breaks Armbar, reaches out and gets a ropebreak with a foot! Rust holds on until 4 and lets go in frustration. Ciampa clutches both arms and he glares at Rust. Rust KICKS the arm, then KICKS again! Ciampa blocks the next kick, puts the leg on the ropes and uppercuts the thigh! Then he elbows the knee! And CHOPS Rust while he’s stuck in the ropes!
Ciampa fires off until the ref backs him off, but Ciampa BOOTS Rust down, then runs to KNEE Rust through the ropes! He drags Rust back in through them, WILLOW’S BELL!! Cover, Ciampa wins!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Rust was almost on par with “Professor” Thatcher, but that still means he wasn’t enough to stop Ciampa! Ciampa gives a nod of respect as he leaves, but Thatcher comes back wanting more! The refs barely hold him back and Ciampa waves bye. Will Thatcher get a second try at the Psycho Killer?
The Grizzled Young Veterans speak.
“If there is one thing that is important in this job, it is momentum. And no other team had more momentum heading into 2020 than the Grizzled Young Veterans.” Just look at who they’ve beaten! The Time Splitters, Kushida and Alex Shelley! The Undisputed Era’s reDRagon! And they were so close to winning the Dusty Rhodes Classic! A lot has changed these last eight months. New tag teams have emerged, a lot of new faces are on the scene. “But the more things change, the more they stay the same.” The GYV are still the very best tag team of this generation! The very best tag team you will find anywhere in the world! They are still soon to be recognized as NXT’s number one! Who will be added to the list of top tier tag teams Zack Gibson and James Drake put away?
NXT shares footage from the commercial break.
After the match with Ciampa, Malcolm Bivens came out to talk to Tyler Rust. Bivens told Rust, “You’re a star!” He told Rust to pick himself up, and Rust got up. They gave a fist bump, and Rust is officially with Bivens Enterprises!
Dexter Lumis works on his art.
Lumis is drawing the NXT New Year’s Evil logo, but what special changes will he make to it?
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Pete Dunne VS Kyle O’Reilly!
The Bruiserweight has the NXT Tag Team Champions, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, with him while the Undisputed Era back up the man that pushed The Prince to his limits! This will be a completely uninterrupted broadcast, who comes out of this as Finn Balor’s New Year’s Evil challenger?
Lorcan and Burch talk trash with Adam Cole and Roderick Strong, but Killian Dain and Drake Maverick come out to go after the tag team champions! Big Damo and Rockstar Spud throw hands, Oney throws Maverick away but the UE help out! The tag champs are 3v2, but then TYLER BREEZE wrecks the group with a dropkick, so that FANDANGO can FLY up and out and wipe them all out! Dunne and Kyle don’t even care, they’re staring each other down! The bell rings as referees get the four tag teams away from ringside, and both Dunne and Kyle fire off furious fists!
Fans are fired up already as Kyle bobs ‘n’ weaves then throws kicks. Dunne tackles Kyle, goes for knuckle locks but Kyle wants a double wristlock! Kyle gets around Dunne to have the top and then hooks up legs to roll Dunne to a waistlock. Dunne slips out, wrenches the arm, hammerlocks, but Kyle slips through to waistlock. Dunne hooks a leg, drop toeholds and locks the legs up for part of a Queen Angelito. Kyle endures the deathlock and fans rally for “UNDISPUTED!” but Dunne adds a half straitjacket to this! Dunne puts Kyle to a cover, ONE and Kyle dumps Dunne down. Dunne wants an arm, Kyle has the legs, and Kyle mounts. Dunne slaps and chops at Kyle but Kyle gives those back, for an ARMBAR!
Dunne rolls, gets free, but kicks into a dragon screw, only to roll through and omoplata Kyle! Dunne wants both arms but Kyle resists. Kyle rolls to omoplata, shifts to a headlock, but Dunne powers up to power out. Dunne drops, hurdles and drops again to CLOBBER Kyle with a clothesline! The fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!” as Kyle bails out. Dunne goes up and out and moonsaults but Kyle moves! Kyle leaps but Dunne dodges to BOOT! A ring count starts as Dunne suplexes, but Kyle slips out to hop on for a sleeper! Dunne pries at Kyle’s fingers to free himself! The count is 5 and the forearms fly again! The count is 9, they get in at 9.9!! And then the forearms fly again!
Dunne fires off from all sides but Kyle clinches to knee and KICK! Kyle KICKS Dunne’s leg out, but Dunne gets to the apron. Kyle runs to PENALTY KICK Dunne off the apron as NXT goes picture in picture!
Kyle watches Dunne writhe and then goes out to fetch him. Kyle throws a forearm, then brings Dunne around to throw into boards! Dunne grabs Kyle’s arm to hammerlock and ram THAT into the boards! Dunne puts Kyle in at 8, and BOOTS Kyle down! Dunne stands on one hand and grabs the other to torture the fingers! Kyle endures but Dunne bends the other arm, and then pulls all the way back on the other. Dunne STOMPS Kyle’s shoulder, but Kyle comes back to tackle Dunne! Kyle throws elbows and knees in, floats around then throws in more elbows and knees! Kyle runs to sliding knee Dunne in the ribs!
Kyle sits Dunne up, ties his legs together and traps an arm to have a modified cobra twist! Dunne hits Kyle as best he can in that position but it isn’t enough! Kyle makes it a cover, TOW! Dunne ties Kyle’s legs up now, chinbars and pulls in him into the Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch! Kyle endures, Dunne lets him down and drops knees on the legs! Dunne pulls Kyle back into the Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Kyle continues to endure, Dunne even pulls on an arm to add to the stretch, but again Dunne lets Kyle down to drag him to ropes. Dunne wraps an arm around ropes and pulls! The ref reprimands and counts, Dunne lets go at 4 to STOMP Kyle down!
Dunne steps in but Kyle gets his leg in the ropes! Dunne ROCKS Kyle but Kyle forearms back! Kyle throws more forearms, drags Dunne up but Dunne resists the suplex! NXT returns to single picture as Dunne tries to suplex Kyle out! Kyle fights that off to suplex Dunne in but Dunne waistlocks. Kyle switches, Dunne switches, they go around and around, Dunne shoves Kyle to REBOUND GERMAN SUPLEX! Dunne drags Kyle up, pump handles, BITTER- NO! GUILLOTINE! Kyle has Dunne in the facelock but his arms can’t hold on! So Kyle KNEES Dunne down instead! Fans are thunderous as Kyle drags Dunne up, but Dunne X-PLEXES first!
Dunne’s own arms keep him from making a cover, and he’s got blood from his mouth. Dunne just grits his teeth as he digs a knee into Kyle’s hand. And then he STOMPS the entire arm at once! Dunne stands on Kyle’s head, pulls on the arm and even digs knuckles into Kyle’s head! Fans rally as Kyle endures being bent, Dunne STOMPS Kyle’s ribs! Dunne stalks Kyle and basement dropkicks him down! Kyle kicks from the mat but Dunne pulls hair and KICKS Kyle in the back! Dunne drags Kyle up with a facelock, turns Kyle and hits a neckbreaker! Dunne sits Kyle up for a cobra clutch and a grapevine on one leg!
Kyle endures as fans rally. Kyle throws body shots with the free arm but Dunne gives him kicks in the head. Kyle gets up to throw body shots, Dunne JABS and back hands over and over! Dunne whips, Kyle reverses but Dunne goes up and over. Kyle gets under, dodges the kick to KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Fans fire up for Kyle as he staggers back to Dunne. Dunne ROCKS Kyle with a right! Dunne runs, into a pop-up KICK! Kyle fires off muay thai knees and more strikes! Sweep the legs! Dunne goes to a corner and Kyle grits his teeth. Kyle runs in and forearm smashes! Wrench to an elbow breaker! Dunne forearms back, Kyle knees low, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Kyle holds on, ANOTHER BUTTERFLY! And then, a butterfly TOSS! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives and fans say “This is Awesome!”
Kyle drags Dunne up, reels him in, hooks a leg, but Dunne blocks the suplex! Dunne elbows Kyle over and over, but Kyle KICKS a leg! Kyle whips Dunne corner to corner, Dunne goes up and over but Kyle kicks a leg out! Dunne is stuck on the top rope, Kyle positions him and climbs up behind him, but Dunne bends the fingers! Kyle has the sleeper and sits Dunne down with it! Kyle clubs Dunne, waistlocks again, SUPER GERMAN! But Dunne lands on his feet?! Kyle is in a Tree of Woe and Dunne BUZZSAWS him! Then Dunne grabs the arms for DANIELSON WOE STOMPS! The ref counts, Dunne stops at 4 and then DROPKICKS Kyle out of the Tree! Both men are down as NXT goes picture in picture again!
Dunne and Kyle stir and the ref makes sure Kyle is still okay to continue. Dunne hobbles over, drags Kyle up and sets him on a buckle, to STOMP him! Dunne goes to the apron to STOMP from that side! And stomp and stomp and stomp! The ref counts, Dunne stops at 4, and he goes back into the ring. Kyle crawls but Dunne puts him against ropes to ROCK with a right! And then another! The ref counts for the ropebreak but Kyle eggs Dunne on with a look, so Dunne ROCKS Kyle again! Dunne twists and clubs Kyle’s ear! The ref reprimands again but Kyle still has a defiant look. Kyle shoots at Dunne but Dunne counters with a facelock!
Dunne drags Kyle up, and HALF HATCH SUPLEXES Kyle into buckles! Kyle tumbles down and crawls to the apron, but Dunne climbs up the corner. Kyle gets a leg for a DRAGON SCREW through the ropes! Dunne ends up on the apron on the other side of the corner, and both men slowly climb the corner. Kyle throws hands but Dunne gives them back. They brawl as NXT returns to single picture. Kyle has Dunne’s arms through the ropes and he YANKS Dunne into the buckle. But Dunne does the same and YANKS Kyle back! They go back and forth, a tug of war into the buckle faster and faster and faster! Both men wobble and flop back in through the ropes!
Fans hope these two “Fight Forever!” at this point as Dunne grabs Kyle’s foot. Kyle gets free but runs into a KNEE! Dunne drags Kyle up, SIT-OUT BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives but Dunne has his arm! Dunne gives Danielson Stomps before the ARMBAR!! Kyle’s other arm is caught underneath him! But Kyle rolls, and his legs get the ropebreak! Dunne lets go but he keeps his focus on Kyle. Dunne drags Kyle up and in, Gotch lifts, but Kyle fights off the driver to a back drop, and ARMBAR! Dunne clasps hands but Kyle shifts to get the other arm! Dunne rolls and has an ANKLE LOCK! Kyle rolls to get an ANKLE LOCK!
Dunne gets up, hops on and has a Hoverboard Kimura! Kyle grabs his own trunks to block the wristlock! Kyle throws body shots, clinches Dunne and has an ARM TRIANGLE! Dunne lets go of the body scissors to grab the arms, and he reels Kyle in for a HEADBUTT! Kyle is down but Dunne isn’t done with him! Powerbomb, but Kyle slips out and BRAIN BUSTERS! The fans are thunderous as both men are down! Kyle sits up first but Dunne slowly follows. Fans still want them to “FIGHT FOREVER!” and Kyle knees Dunne low! AX AND SMASH!! Dunne ends up in a corner, Kyle runs in and he SHINING WIZARDS! Dunne’s mouth piece is on the mat, Kyle reels him in for the FISHERMAN BACK SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Both men are down again and fans continue to fire up! Dunne finds his mouth piece but Kyle stomps his hand! And Penalty Kicks but Dunne ducks! Dunne kicks but Kyle catches it! Dunne SLAPS Kyle, but Kyle just drops down for the HEEL HOOK! Dunne fights up to get the TRIANGLE HOLD! Kyle stays up, Dunne tips him over and goes after the hand! Kyle resists the finger snap, but he’s just back in the Triangle! Kyle fights up to make it a cover, ONE and Kyle uses a body scissor to pry free! Dunne grabs at a hand, Kyle throws big forearms with the other! Kyle lines it up and PENALTY KICKS! Dunne springs up to STOMP the hands and BUZZSAW! Kyle yoyos but into an ENZIGURI! Kyle rebounds again, but Dunne gets the arm! SNAP go the fingers!
Dunne goes to the apron and he KICKS Kyle in the ropes! Kyle ends up on the apron with Dunne, Dunne pump handles but Kyle shifts out of the Bitter End into a DDT OFF the apron! Kyle gets up, puts Dunne in as fans lose their minds, and he climbs up top! GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP!! Cover, Kyle wins!!
Winner: Kyle O’Reilly, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship)
A brutal instant classic, and now New Year’s Evil will be a TakeOver: 31 rematch! Will the new year bring with it a new champion?
Backstage interview with Rhea Ripley.
What are her thoughts on the tense confrontation she and Raquel Gonzalez had as last week’s NXT ended? “Raquel backed down, period.” At WarGames, Raquel had back-up. But Rhea has known Raquel for a lot longer than most people realize, and Raquel is “a whole different animal when she’s all by herself.”
Well speaking of someone she’s known a long time, that brings McKenzie to Toni Storm tonight. “Yeah, Toni and I have a lot of history together.” And while Toni says she’s not the same Toni back then, this isn’t the same Rhea from back then, either. To be honest, Rhea doesn’t care if she’s stepping into the ring with the new Toni or the old Toni. “She’s still the piece of trash that I knew back then.” Rhea vows to be the one to finish this once and for all. What happens when these two forces of nature meet 1v1 once again?
The brutal training continues.
Xia Li is in tears as she begs Shifu to let her stop, but he tells her to do it again! “She” is watching as Xia kicks and hits something. But what is it? As for Boa, he wants his training to stop, too. Shifu refuses, and Boa keeps getting hit with something. “Please… no more!” But Shifu says to just do it “AGAIN!” Xia shouts, and she’s been hitting BOA! She is forced to show no mercy to Boa, no matter how much they both want to stop. But what will “she” do once the training is finally over?
Shotzi Blackheart VS Indi Hartwell w/ The Way!
We heard from the wild child about what she wants to do to the #Impressive addition to The Way! But with Candice LeRae, Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory nearby, will Shotzi be able to #TCB and get the win?
The bell rings and Shotzi ties up with Indi. Indi waistlocks then clubs Shotzi but they tie up again and Shotzi throws Indi. They tie up again, go around, and Shotzi waistlocks but Indi switches for a slam! Indi keeps on Shotzi with another waistlock and slam! Indi floats to a facelock, waistlocks again but Shotzi throws elbows. Indi holds on so Shotzi runs at ropes to hotshot her off! Shotzi rams shoulders, Indi stays up but Shotzi dropkicks her down! Shotzi slams one of Indi’s arms on the mat then stomps a foot! Shotzi grabs the arm to drop a knee on it! Indi only just got over a neck injury and now Shotzi turns her around to get both arms! Indi gets a ropebreak with a leg and Shotzi lets go at 4.
Indi gets up in a huff and shoves Shotzi! Shotzi wrenches Indi and hammerlocks, then ducks the elbow to ROUNDHOUSE! Indi wobbles into the enziguri! Indi goes to a corner, Shotzi runs in to CANNONBALL, but Indi blocks just enough with her boots! Indi gets up and stomps away on Shotzi! Indi drags her to a cover, ONE! Shotzi flounders but Indi looms over her. Indo throws haymakers, whips Shotzi to ropes and elbows her down! Cover, TWO! Indi keeps on Shotzi and drags her up to throw her through roughs for a clubbing forearm! Indi full nelsons, lifts and TOSSES Shotzi down! Cover, TWO!
The Way coaches Indi as she drags Shotzi up. Shotzi throws body shots, Indi knees low and fireman’s carries. Shotzi slips out, BOOTS back, then hops up to go over. Shotzi comes back to splash in the corner, and she pushes Indi to another corner for forearms! Shotzi bumps Indi off buckles again, and Indi is down, for Shotzi to CANNONBALL! Direct hit this time! Indi flops out to the apron, Shotzi runs again, and she WRECKS Indi with a dropkick! Shotzi goes out to fetch Indi back into the ring but Candice is creeping around! The ref warns Candice, Shotzi is distracted, Indi has the trophy! The ref turns around just in time to see the TROPHY SHOT! DISQUALIFICATION!
Winner: Shotzi Blackheart, by disqualification
Now the trophy is broken for nothing! But Indi jams Shotzi with it again! And then stomps her down! Gargano and Theory see if the trophy can be fixed while Indi and Candice stomp Shotzi more. They bring Shotzi up for WICKED STEP SISTER! Theory uses the trophy to mock Shotzi, but will Shotzi find a way to turn the tide of this war with The Way?
NXT, prepare for a COLOSSAL return!
Bronson Reed is ready to make a comeback! Will he bulldoze his way back towards the top?
Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux VS ???
Tick-tock, time’s up! The apocalypse was merely put on pause, and now Kross is back! Will there be nothing NXT can do but to #FallAndPray?
The bell rings and Desmond Troy ties up with Kross. Troy tries to get a leg but Kross floats to rain down furious forearms! Kross drags Troy up and throws him into a corner to clothesline! And then he whips corner to corner to clothesline and uppercut, and clothesline again! Kross has Troy for an EXPLODER! Troy flounders into a ROUNDHOUSE! Kross hits the DOOMSDAY SAIDO! And then the KROSSJACKET! Troy taps, Kross wins!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by submission
He was surprisingly merciful at the end by letting Troy go, but Kross wishes not to waste time. Will Kross quickly be back to the top of NXT as champion again? “Priest! Time’s up! January 6th, New Year’s Evil, tuck your chin because your ass is mine!” Kross has called out the Archer of Infamy! Will Priest no longer #LiveForever after facing the one man apocalypse?
Backstage interview with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott.
After losing to Jake Atlas last week, he refused to shake Atlas’ hand. Why did he blow Atlas off? Swerve asks back, “Why is everyone making a big deal about this?” This is getting blown out of proportion. Swerve lost, he was frustrated, he gets frustrated when he loses, especially to someone like Atlas. Swerve cools off and compliments Atlas as “a hell of an athlete,” and he deserves to be here in NXT. But Swerve has been here longer, and has been working harder, so he let the loss get to him. To show his respect to Atlas, Swerve talked with William Regal and a rematch has been made for next week. And this time, Swerve promises a different result.
But then Ever-Rise walks in and asks McKenzie if she saw what happened to them last week. That Triple Threat Tag was more like a 2v1 situation! But where they’re from, that’s a handicap match, an unfair situation! So what did they do? They went to “corporate” and requested to have that match stricken from the record like it never happened! Ever-Rise is STILL on a winning streak! How do you like that, Goldberg?! Ever-Rise is coming for you! But McKenzie is pretty sure their request won’t be granted, as it was a fair match and a fair loss. Is she trying to say something? Well, does Ever-Rise want a rematch with Grizzled Young Veterans? Rematch?! Does McKenzie have a problem with them?! Does she want to take a swing?! Why is Matt Marthel yelling…?
Chase Parker calms things down and says this isn’t about matches or taking swings. They just want to be heard by management. Thank you. But also, EVER-RISE RULES!!!
Dexter Lumis is almost done with his artwork.
Wait, he has added something to the logo for New Year’s Evil after all. It reads… “Host,” with an arrow pointing to a doodle of HIMSELF! Lumis is going to host New Year’s Evil!? He barely talks, how can he host something?!
NXT hears from Finn Balor.
“NXT TakeOver 31. Kyle, you answered all the questions. You proved you weren’t an underdog. You proved you belong in the main event, you proved you belonged in the ring with Finn Balor. You broke my friggin’ jaw!” And yet, Kyle still lost. So what’s next, Kyle? New Year’s Evil, 1/6/21, this isn’t just Finn VS Kyle 2. It’s Finn Balor VS Kyle O’Reilly, THE END. Will the next chapter be the last chapter for these two?
BREAKING NEWS for next week!
With it being the holidays, Johnny and Candice want us to celebrate with them! It’ll be “A Very Gargano Christmas” on NXT! Will this go down as a timeless Christmas classic?
Toni Storm VS Rhea Ripley!
These two went back and forth, defining the first year of NXT UK. Now they clash again in the States in what could just be one of many more matches to come! But will it be the Riptide or the Lightning From Down Under that strikes?
The bell rings and the two stare down and circle slowly. They tie up, Rhea powers Toni to ropes but Toni turns things around. Toni lets off clean but she taunts Rhea. Rhea shrugs that off to circle with Toni again. Fans rally and duel as the two tie up again. Rhea powers Toni to a corner but Toni turns it around again, only for Rhea to turn it right back! Rhea lets off clean but with a sharp pat on the shoulder. Toni and Rhea circle again and there are more Rhea fans than Toni fans right now. They tie up, Toni waistlocks then headlocks and grinds Rhea down. Rhea tries to power out but Toni holds tight. Rhea fights up and throws body shots to then power out and ram shoulders. Toni is surprised Rhea stays up, and then Rhea runs Toni over!
Rhea runs but Toni trips her! Toni Oklahoma Rolls, ONE and Rhea had a cover, ONE! Toni ghost pins, ONE, Rhea ghost pins, ONE! Toni kicks low, whips Rhea to a corner, but Rhea goes up and over and keeps moving. Toni drops, side steps but Rhea rolls and gets a leg to roll Toni. Toni stays up, sits on Rhea, ONE as Rhea sunsets! ONE as Toni sits back up, ONE and the two stand. Rhea kicks low now and fans cheer! Rhea reels Toni in, suplexes, but Toni resists to cradle, TWO! Toni CHOPS Rhea but Rhea CHOPS back! Toni CHOPS, Rhea swings a haymaker! Toni CLAWS Rhea’s back but Rhea CHOPS! Rhea fakes Toni out to DOUBLE CHOP her on the back!
Toni is stinging and Rhea is grinning as she drags Toni by her legs. Toni kicks Rhea away, but runs into a wrench and clothesline! And another! Rhea ripcords to HOOK KICK Toni down! Toni gets to ropes, Rhea Electric Chair lifts her, but Toni wiggles free to shove Rhea out. Rhea gets on the apron, Toni runs in but gets caught! Rhea drags Toni out but Toni POSTS her and BOOTS her! Toni stands tall as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Toni grinds Rhea down in a chinlock. Rhea endures, fights up, throws body shots, but Toni throws her by her hair! Toni drops an elbow but Rhea moves! Toni hurries after Rhea to whip but Rhea reverses, Toni dodges one kick, then the next, but the SUPERKICK hits! Toni wobbles, Rhea cravats and knees her over and over! Rhea snapmares and runs to basement dropkick hard! Fans fire up with Rhea and she drags Toni up for an atomic SLAM! Cover, TWO! Rhea grows frustrated, checks her mouth but no blood. Rhea drags Toni up, pump handles but Toni fights out. Rhea AX KICKS Toni down, then stomps her!
Toni gets up, Rhea runs in but the boot misses! Toni HEADBUTTS! Both women are down but fans fire up again! The standing count climbs to 5 but Toni sits up. Rhea follows, and they both slowly stand at 7. Toni throws a forearm, Rhea throws it back! They brawl back and forth with big hands and clubbing forearms! Rhea gets the edge, runs, but Toni follows to ROCK Rhea t ropes! Toni runs but Rhea returns the forearm! Rhea runs, Toni follows but Rhea dodges to dropkick her down! Cover, TWO! Rhea grows frustrated but fans rally up. Rhea stomps Toni and gets the legs, for PRISM TRAP!
Toni endures the hanging cloverleaf, crawls for ropes, but then rolls to send Rhea into the ropes! Toni runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Toni drags Rhea up, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Rhea survives and Toni can’t believe it! Fans hope these two “Fight Forever!” like they did for Kyle and Dunne! Toni scowls as she drags Rhea up and tosses her to a corner! Then she tosses Rhea the other way! Toni runs in but Rhea avoids the hip attack! Rhea Electric Chair lifts to SLAM Toni on buckles! Cover, TWO!! Toni survives and Rhea is again frustrated! Rhea drags Toni around to drop a leg! And then another! And then a third! Cover, TWO!
Rhea grits her teeth as she drags Toni back up. Pump handle and lift, but Toni flails! And who is this?! Raquel Gonzalez helps Toni stay on the apron!? But Rhea runs and BOOTS Toni onto Raquel! Raquel tumbles over barriers and Rhea drags Toni up and into the ring. Toni distracts the ref and Raquel yanks Rhea down! To LAWN DART her into buckles! HIP ATTACK from Toni!! Toni underhooks and hits STORM ZERO!! Cover, Toni wins!!
Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall
Big Mami Cool laughs as she just screwed Rhea over! Will Rhea make sure Raquel regrets this for a long time to come? As for Toni, a win is a win, will she be heading for a new #ShinyShiny?
My Thoughts:
A very good NXT with quite a bit set up for New Year’s Evil. For one, Lumis is surprisingly going to be the host. I didn’t think there’d be a host for that but I guess Halloween Havoc was just the first case of a special occasion being given an extra special something. Maybe Lumis speaks for the first time on television? That in itself will be a big moment. Kross puts away Desmond Troy quickly because obviously he was going to. And another obvious choice was that Kross and Priest are going to have a match for New Year’s Evil. That will be a very good match, and I’m fairly confident that Kross will win that.
I’m surprised Dunne VS O’Reilly wasn’t the main event, but there are a lot of reasons why it wasn’t. For one, it gave that match time to breathe, and it was all completely worth it. A bit surprised Kyle won rather than Dunne, but a rematch from TakeOver 31 is a great move. Finn getting to respond tonight rather than waiting a week was also pretty good, but could’ve still been done. And the brawling of many tag teams was a great way to get rid of ringside help so that it’d just be Dunne and Kyle 1v1.
Breezango makes a great return, and it looks like we might end up with a tag team title Fatal 4 Way. Cole and Strong are the one combination that hasn’t really worked together in the UE, and with Bobby Fish recovering from his torn tricep, this would be a great time to give that a try. But I have a feeling Lorcan & Burch find a way to hold onto the titles, as UE and Breezango have already had reigns, and I don’t think Dain & Maverick are quite there yet. I suppose Grizzled Young Veterans haven’t been back long enough to be considered for such a match, but that’s alright, I’m enjoying what’s going on between them and Ever-Rise.
I actually like that “The Johnny Gargano Way” is simplifying the name to “The Way.” This way, it isn’t just about Johnny, it’s about him and Candice. They lead The Way together as equals. Gargano and Theory had a very good tag match with Ruff and Kushida, though I was really scared there for Ruff after his fall from the top rope to the floor. Gargano and Theory win to help build Theory back up, and I like his new finisher, even though it’s hard to describe. Shotzi continuing after Candice is a good move, as WarGames wasn’t as conclusive for them as it probably could’ve have been. Of course, Candice broke her arm so it couldn’t really have ended with the two of them. Shotzi had a good match with Indi but clearly Indi still needs a few reps. The disqualification was a good way of ending that match and propelling the feud forward.
The presentation of the brutal training Xia and Boa are undergoing was done expertly. Keeping half of each part a mystery was great for the reveal of how it has escalated. I’m thinking that something is going to happen on New Year’s Evil with Xia, Boa and “her” (pretty sure it’s still Karen Q) decimating someone or a group of someones to establish themselves as a faction. Even more so if Io Shirai is defending her title, Xia and “her” can both go after Shirai to issue a challenge for whatever TakeOver special is happening next. Rhea VS Toni was a really good match, but I should’ve figured Raquel would get involved. Rhea VS Raquel in a rematch is going to be great stuff while Toni moves on to perhaps feud with Ember Moon or even go after Io Shirai to revisit their Mae Young Classic match as a match for the NXT Women’s Championship.
My Score: 9.1/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Classic POD is WAR
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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