Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (12/23/20)
NXT Presents: A Very Gargano Christmas!
Who will have NXT gold for Christmas?
Given the animosity between them, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch are willing to deal with Killian Dain and Drake Maverick in time for the holidays! Who will be our very merry NXT Tag Team Champions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Tag Team Championships Street Fight: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick; Lorcan & Burch win and retain the titles.
- Isaish “Swerve” Scott VS Jake Atlas; Swerve wins.
- Rhea Ripley VS Dakota Kai; Ripley wins.
- Bronson Reed VS Ashante “Thee” Adonis; Reed wins.
- Timothy Thatcher VS Leon Ruff; Ruff wins.
- Ariya Daivari VS Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens; Rust wins.
- Adam Cole VS Velveteen Dream; Cole wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT Tag Team Championships Street Fight: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick!
No need to wait on this one! Pat McAfee’s One Two are ready to throw down with Big Damo and Rockstar Spud! But so are Dain and Drake, as they run up and CLOBBER the champions from behind! The bell rings and the brawl is on, who gives out seasons beatings to kick off the night?
Dain CLUBS away on Oney, Drake rains down rights on Burch, then they switch! Dain throws Burch into boards, Drake rakes Oney’s face and throws him into the giant X-tron! Dain throws Burch into steel steps, Drake kicks Oney down the ramp, and Dain gets a table! Drake gets a chair and he JAMS Oney in the ribs! Drake brings out more chairs, puts them in the ring, Dain drags a second table around. Drake puts a chair in a corner, then helps Dain arrange the furniture. Oney CLUBS and ROCKS Drake then helps Burch with Dain! The fans boo as Oney and Burch mug Dain then bring him up, to whip into boards!
Drake crawls over but Burch stomps him down. Burch and Oney put Dain in the ribs, Oney DECKS Drake, then the champs fire off on Dain in a corner! Burch digs his boots into Dain, ROCKS Dain again, and actually tags Oney! Oney digs his boots into Dain, drags him up but then throws a EuroUpper! Tag to Burch, Burch CHOPS Dain then throws more forearms. Oney sets up the chairs next to each other, and he helps Burch bring Dain over. Dain fights out and back drops Oney onto the chairs! Dain CLOBBERS Burch, fans fire up and Maverick is in his corner! Dain throws the chair down on Burch’s back before he tags Drake in.
Drake and Dain double whip Burch, Dain uses Drake to trip Burch up, then he drops the back senton! Dain scoops Burch, slams him, then Drake runs to be the human weapon, scoop slam senton! Drake wants a high-five, but he’s just used as a weapon again! Fireman’s carry, and the boots DECK Oney! Dain whips Oney to a corner, tags Drake and Dain whips him in to body block Oney in the corner! Dain runs in to elbow, then he puts Drake on the outside, BOOT ENZIGURI COMBO! Fans fire up, Drake covers Oney, TWO! Drake keeps his cool, but Burch headbutts low! Dain stomps Oney from the apron while Burch throws uppercuts on Drake.
Dain RAMS Oney into boards, Drake stops from hitting the steel chair but so does Burch. Burch dodges Drake to LARIAT! Both men are down inside, Oney dodges Dain to send him into the apron! And he hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Everyone is down and fans rally up! Burch stirs, as does Drake, and Burch sits a chair up. Burch whips Drake to drop toehold him into the chair! Burch then helps Oney mug Dain, and they bring up a table to set it against the boards. Dain mule kicks Burch, slugs Oney then throws Burch over the barriers! Dain glares at Oney, Oney blocks being bumped into the table, to bump Dain into it! The table is bent but Oney wants to break it!
Dain blocks the suplex to suplex back, but Oney slips out and CHOPS! Dain shoves Oney, Oney avoids the other tables but the BOOT rocks him! Dain runs in but Oney dodges, Dain crashes through the table! The champions have control again as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Oney drags Drake around. Oney takes Drake’s belt off him and taunts him as he crawls to ropes. Oney LASHES Drake with the leather! Burch tells Oney to do more, so Oney stands Drake up to LASH him across the chest! Tag to Burch and he gets a turn with the belt, he LASHES Drake down! Burch puts Drake on the ropes, and mockingly asks, “Please, sir? May I have another?” LASH! Tag to Oney, the champs drag Drake up to double whip into a corner! The back is stinging as it hits buckles, and the champs mockingly ask where Dain went! Fans rally but Oney rakes Drake’s face!
Oney and Burch double wrench to double CHOP Drake! They double whip Drake back in, soak up the heat, but Dain is back! Dain officially tags back in, and he rallies on the champs! Dain OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Burch, then OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Oney! Burch ends up in the corner with the chair, Dain runs and SPLASHES him for a chair sandwich! Dain runs corner to corner to SPLASH Oney! And then back to Burch! Dain shoves Burch into Oney to SANDWICH SPLASH the champs! Dain throws hands on Oney, Burch comes back but gets a mule kick! Dain hoists Burch up for a POWERBOMB! And LEAPING ELBOW!
Dain tags Drake back in, Dain drags Oney up but Burch gets passed Drake to save Oney! The One Two shove Dain down onto the tables! Those tables from earlier don’t break but bend, making things a different kind of rough for Dain’s landing! Oney and Burch now have Drake all alone, and they taunt him as they pace like sharks with blood in the water. The leather belt is back, and Oney LASHES Drake again! Drake drags himself up and LOW BLOWS Oney! All’s legal in a Street Fight! Burch waistlocks Drake but Drake LOW BLOWS him, too! Drake has his belt back and he LASHES Burch! And LASHES Oney! And Burch, then Oney, then Burch, and repeat!
Fans are thunderous as Drake fires off more painful lashes to Burch! Drake LASHES Oney in the head! Drake tosses the belt aside but Oney LOW BLOWS back! Oney and Burch regroup, and Burch has his cricket bat! Burch SMACKS Drake, then he and Oney coordinate, LONDON BRIDGE! Cover, Oney and Burch win!
Winners: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
The Kings of NXT are still on their thrones! The Gov’nah declares, “There ain’t a team that can touch us!” Will that be true even in the new year?
The Way shares A Very Gargano Christmas.
The tree is up and decorated. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and Gargano is playing O Christmas Tree on piano in an ugly Christmas tuxedo. “Forget Elf on the Shelf. You’ve got Gargano on a Piano.” Candice, Doggo Gargano, and “the kids” come in. Austin and Indi wanna open presents. Alright, Gargano will get the camcorder! Wait he still has a camcorder? But the Gargano home movies are being made, Johnny is here with “the love of his life,” and he lingers on the North American Championship before saying, “Candice.” What does she have to say? She’s just so happy they can all be together for the holidays.
Indi admits, this is #Impressive. She can’t believe they found a way to put this all together. Candice says they always find a way. Did they really think their first family Christmas together would be disappointing? Austin says NO WAY, JOSE! No, you do NOT mention that name in this house! That guy had no way, it was in his name, and stop eating cookies. Stop. It’s okay, but it’s just not time for cookies. But it is his turn to open a present! Which one is his? The one with his name on it… Don’t shake it, though! Oh, sorry. Austin opens it up, and it’s… Protein powder! Not just that, it’s the Gargano Whey! “Holy *jingle bell censor*!” Yep, Johnny’s own personal mix. “Whipped it up myself.”
So Austin can get as big and strong as Johnny? Yes, he’ll be #AustinTakeOver in no time! So, all dynamic and deadly like Johnny? Oh yes. Indi sees what Austin did there! Dynamic And Deadly, a DAD- DUDE! Austin, do you know how to spell? But whatever, surely there will be more Gargano home movies to be shared down the line.
Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly both watch back their TakeOver: 31 match.
To prepare for their rematch at New Year’s Evil, 1/6/21, they both look back to see what we all saw that night. Kyle says, “Finn, you are good, man.” It’s funny, sometimes you come across an opponent that you feel you were born to wrestle. Is Finn Balor the Johnny Gargano to Kyle’s Adam Cole? Remains to be seen, but Kyle has a feeling they’ll be doing this for a long time. As for Finn, he says, “There’s a lot of bluffers in this business. When the bell rings, there’s nowhere to hide.” Once you tie up, you tell everything about them. If they’re nervous, if they’re excited, if they’re scared. That alone chews someone up, but Kyle was calm, controlled and confident. It made Finn come alive.
Nothing came easy in that match. It was all a struggle. But now it’s the moment of truth. The liver shot kick. Kyle felt every ounce of hope leave him. It pisses him off seeing it again. Finn says it wasn’t a lucky shot, he knew what he was doing. That was the most excruciating pain Kyle has ever felt in his 15 years. Finn is a shark with blood in the water, and he made Kyle pay. Kyle can’t blame Finn. He would’ve done the same thing right back. Coming back was going to be extremely difficult, but that wasn’t going to stop Kyle from trying. Then there’s “the moment that stole the show,” the jaw breaking knee. It makes people forget who won the match. Finn is still champion, but all people remember is that Kyle broke Finn’s jaw.
So here we go again. Balor VS O’Reilly 2 will be very different. Finn says Kyle got his lucky break, but there won’t be a trilogy. Kyle shattered Finn’s jaw, and this time he vows to shatter the legacy. But will Finn be the one putting the end on Kyle’s Cinderella story?
Backstage interview with Tyler Rust and Malcolm Bivens.
McKenzie Mitchell talks about the very impressive debut against Tommaso Ciampa, but Bivens immediately corrects her by saying it was one of the best NXT debuts ever! Besides Rust, who else has taken a former NXT Champion like Ciampa to the limit on the debut? No one! So tonight, Rust with Bivens by his side will show he isn’t a rookie, just a #DiamondintheRust. Let’s go out there and make some money! The two fist bump, will this manager-superstar combo take over NXT?
Isaish “Swerve” Scott VS Jake Atlas!
Frustrations got the better of Swerve after he lost to Atlas, that is the only reason he didn’t shake hands. But will Swerve start to show his true colors if he loses again?
The bell rings and Swerve circles with Atlas. They approach, feel out the grapple and tie up. Atlas puts Swerve in the corner, pushes him as he lets off, but Swerve keeps his cool. They circle again, knuckle lock but Swerve facelocks and drags Atlas down to get around and ghost pin, ONE! Atlas gets up and Swerve smirks, but Atlas gives him a shove. Swerve says he likes the fire, and the two circle again. They tie up, go around, Atlas gets the arm to wrench but then bobs ‘n’ weaves, and SLAPS Swerve! Atlas wants Swerve to take him serious, and Swerve grabs Atlas by the face to put him in a corner! The ref counts as Swerve fires off furious fists, but he has to back Swerve off!
Swerve comes back, Atlas shoves him and then boots! Swerve eggs Atlas on, then trips him up to grind his forearms into Atlas’ face. Atlas tries to get free but Swerve clinches. Atlas throws forearms, trips Swerve back and then gets a facelock. The two scrap, Swerve knees low then whips, but Atlas reverses. Swerve stops himself, stomps but Atlas avoids, then Atlas blocks the next stomp to kip up and DRAGON SCREW! Swerve ends up hitting ropes and gets out as he sputters. Atlas rushes over but Swerve sweeps the legs! Atlas kicks Swerve away, goes to the corner, TRIANGLE ENZIGURI! Swerve staggers, gets pissed and goes for a chair, but reconsiders. Swerve works to stay cool as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns as Swerve has Atlas down and wrenches his arm. Atlas hits back but Swerve shifts to some ground ‘n’ pound with heavy forearms. Swerve floats to get a leg but Atlas gets up to fire forearms back. Swerve throws haymakers, Atlas hits back and uses a corner for support as he boots! Atlas runs at Swerve, and comes in from the side for the SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives that unique takedown, but the two men stand up. Atlas goes Matrix to avoid the lariat, and hits a CUTTER! Atlas hurries up as Swerve staggers, but Swerve SUPERKICKS the cartwheel away! Atlas tumbles down, Swerve is on the apron and he BOOTS Atlas!
Swerve puts Atlas back in, brings him back up and whips, tilt-o-whirl SLAM! Then a dead lift to a BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Atlas survives and Swerve starts to seethe. But Swerve smiles as he gives toying kicks to Atlas. Swerve drags Atlas up, bumps him off buckles, climbs up and claws at Atlas’ face. Swerve then hoists Atlas up top backwards, climbs up behind him, and goes to full nelson! Atlas resists, elbows Swerve away then hops to the apron to BOOT Swerve! Atlas climbs back up, and hits a SUPER POISON RANA! But Swerve lands on his feet?! Fans are thunderous as Swerve grins and eggs Atlas on!
Atlas ROUNDHOUSES, Swerve ROUNDHOUSES back! Atlas HEEL KICKS, but Swerve sweeps the legs to HOUSE CALL! Oklahoma Roll, ONE and Atlas makes it his own cover! ONE, Swerve has it, ONE! Atlas and Swerve get up, Swerve waistlocks but Atlas switches! Swerve holds ropes to deny the O’Conner, then he back HEADBUTTS! Swerve hoists Atlas up to hit the CONFIDENCE BOOST! Cover, Swerve wins!
Winner: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, by pinfall
Swerve is all pumped up and he tells Atlas to Suck It! He was a sore loser last time, and not a very gracious winner this time. And now he offers Atlas a handshake? Atlas of course refuses, and Swerve mocks him for it. Will Swerve go from swagger to bragger in the new year?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Era.
McKenzie asks Adam Cole and Roderick Strong that while Kyle is preparing for his rematch with Finn Balor, what do they think his chances are this time? Cole says since TakeOver 31, Kyle has improved a lot. That night didn’t go Kyle’s way, but Kyle’s strategy is completely changed. Next time will be very different. Strong agrees. As if it wasn’t clear already, “Cool Kyle” made it CRYSTAL clear when he beat “that dork, Peter Dune.” And at New Year’s Evil, Kyle will-
The Velveteen Dream returns?! And he says it’s so funny how “the mighty have fallen.” Because here Dream is, thinking “The Great Adam Cole” is the leader, but no, that’s not it at all. Kyle O’Reilly is the real head of the snake. These two, but mostly Cole, are just cheerleaders. Cole SLAPS Dream! And Cole makes this clear to him: there is no “leader” in the Undisputed Era. How about Cole run Dream into the ground and show him why the UE are still the top dogs around here. What a great rematch from a TakeOver we just got outta nowhere! Will Dream regret running his mouth against a very different Adam Cole?
Timothy Thatcher speaks.
“Tommaso Ciampa wanted to fight me. I guess I should be grateful he came to my face to say it. Good for you, sir, that doesn’t happen around here too often.” And at TakeOver, Ciampa tried to take Thatcher’s ear while Thatcher tried to take Ciampa’s neck. But as an educator, Thatcher knows the lesson was not complete, and tried to do Ciampa the courtesy of coming down ringside and asking Ciampa man-to-man for a rematch. And what did Ciampa do? Ciampa walks away from him! Thatcher gets kicked out like he doesn’t belong! Ciampa doesn’t like men who talk a lot, act like they’re tough guys. Well Thatcher’s gonna talk as a tough guy right now, and take some liberties with Leon Ruff! If Ciampa is the man he says he is, then he’ll stop it! Why? Because Thatcher wants to fight Ciampa!
Rhea Ripley VS Dakota Kai!
The Nightmare may want after #BigMamiCool, but she’ll settle for settling scores with #CobraKai first. Will the Riptide shred through Dakota on its way to #RickyDesperado?
The bell rings and Rhea taunts Dakota that her “little helper” isn’t here. That’s because after some taunting on Twitter, Raquel said Dakota could handle this on her own and Regal can ban her from ringside to make it official. Regal did, and here we are. Rhea and Dakota tie up, go around, and Rhea puts Dakota in the corner. Dakota slips out and pie faces Rhea, and then laughs at Rhea’s hair being greasy. Rhea and Dakota circle, approach and Dakota deflects to KICK Rhea’s leg. Dakota bobs ‘n’ weaves, grabs a leg, but Rhea drags her up to swing her around! Then Rhea TOSSES her!
Dakota gets up, Rhea is after her in a corner, and whips her corner to corner hard! Dakota bails out, Rhea goes out after her, but Dakota gets to the apron! Rhea blocks the kick, Electric Chair lifts, and tosses Dakota, but Dakota clings to ropes like a spider! Dakota hops over the sweep to kick Rhea back! Dakota gets Rhea’s arm to STOMP it down onto the apron! The ref reprimands but Dakota goes after Rhea more, as she hammerlocks the arm and POSTS it! Rhea shouts in anger and pain while Dakota goes into the ring, and the ref checks on Rhea as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dakota grins as she watches Rhea shake out the arm. Rhea gets up, goes in but Dakota stomps her down! Dakota drags Rhea by a leg, covers, TWO! Rhea shakes out the bad arm, Dakota gets the arm again, and she wrenches it for a keylock. Rhea endures, fights her way up, but Dakota trips Rhea and has her down again! Dakota leans on the arm, Rhea keeps her shoulders up and rolls back, but Dakota wrenches and throws Rhea back down! Cover, TWO! Dakota is annoyed and talks some smack but she hammerlocks Rhea to RAM her into buckles! Dakota wraps the bad arm around ropes and pulls! Dakota digs her boots in but the ref counts and she lets off.
Dakota walks into body shots but she CLUBS Rhea back down! Dakota wrenches the bad arm to WRING it out! Rhea writhes, Dakota covers, TWO! Dakota pushes Rhea around but Rhea kicks back. Dakota stomps the bad shoulder, and AX KICKS the bad arm! Rhea is seething as she clutches her arm but Dakota is after her again! Dakota digs a knee into the arm, pushes Rhea around, but Rhea endures, even as Dakota drops the knee! Dakota wrenches Rhea again, gets the keylock back on, but Rhea still fights up. Rhea rolls Dakota up, TWO! Dakota BOOTS Rhea back down! Cover, TWO! Now Dakota’s frustrated.
Dakota grabs the arm for a short arm scissor but Rhea moves around. Rhea fights up as the fans rally, but Dakota cranks on the hold harder. NXT returns to single picture as Rhea keeps moving around. Dakota stretches the arm for a full armbar, but Rhea dead lifts to POWERBOMB Dakota down! Fans fire up as both women stir on the mat. Dakota gets to ropes but Rhea goes to the other end. Rhea runs and rallies with clotheslines! Rhea spins Dakota, manages to cravat and throw knees, to then snapmare and basement dropkick! Fans fire up with Rhea but that bad arm still bothers her. Dakota runs, Rhea dodges the boot to dropkick Dakota down!
Rhea hauls Dakota up for a hook kick! And an atomic SLAM! Cover, TWO! Dakota survives and Rhea grows frustrated. Fans rally for Rhea as she gets up and looms over Dakota. Rhea drags Dakota up, Dakota throws forearms on the bad arm! Rhea hits back, Dakota HEADBUTTS, Rhea uppercuts! SCORPION KICK from Dakota! Dakota runs Around the World but misses the boot! Rhea Electric Chair lifts again, for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and Rhea is furious! Rhea bites a finger and shakes out the bad arm to try and get any feeling. Rhea runs at Dakota but Dakota drop toeholds her into buckles! Dakota goes side to side, BOOT WASH!
Dakota drags Rhea out of the corner, but Rhea shoves! Dakota dodges, redirects and wheelbarrows, but Rhea gets the legs! PRISM TRAP!! Rhea holds on with the bad arm as best she can, but Raquel appears on the stage! That’s not ringside so she’s not in violation of anything! Rhea sees Raquel and tortures Dakota just to egg Raquel on! Dakota claws her way over, for a ropebreak! The ref counts, Rhea lets go at 4, but she stares Raquel down. Rhea drags Dakota back up, CLUBS Dakota, and taunts Raquel with the fact she’s beating up her friend. Rhea hoists Dakota up top, ROCKS her, then climbs up to join her. Rhea stares Raquel down but Dakota fights the superplex off!
Dakota shoves Rhea down, BOOTS her, then adjusts to run and KAI-ROPRACTOR! Cover, TWO!?! Rhea survives and Dakota is beside herself! Rhea is in a daze, though, and Raquel is seething. Dakota gives Rhea Kowata Kicks over and over, then brings her up to kick, into the pump handle! But Dakota counters the Riptide to a GUILLOTINE! But Rhea says no no, she TOSSES Dakota off! And then hauls her back up, for the RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
The Mosh Pit Kid still stares down with Big Mami Cool, and dares her to come closer now that the match is over. Raquel starts to head down the ramp but referees hurry out to stop this from turning into a fight. Raquel just pushes past them and Rhea dares her to step inside the ropes. Raquel does get in, and she moves the last ref aside, and tells him not to move from the corner. Rhea and Raquel circle and the fans are thunderous! Rhea tells Raquel she doesn’t want this ass whooping, but Raquel tells her the same thing back. Referees tries to get them to cool off, but they just fire off instead!! The brawl breaks lose, referees rush in, but they get loose and fire off again! And again!
Rhea tackles Raquel to a corner but Raquel hits back! They go around and now officials and producers get in to stop this! Rhea and Raquel just egg each other on, and Rhea gets lose to LEAP at Raquel! They won’t stop brawling but the refs pull them apart. Raquel gets loose now and she gets at Rhea! They fall to the mat and continue to scrap, but the producers manage to get in and finally separate the female titans! How long will we all have to wait for Rhea and Raquel to settle this score?
NXT returns to The Way’s Very Gargano Christmas.
It’s Indi’s turn to open a present! She has a big one! And it’s… A PS5! “No *jingle jangle* way!” Austin, language! Indi is so hyped to play this! And so is Doggo Gargano! #AllDay! Stop getting you stuff in, man. Wait, is there nothing in here? Well, yeah, the PS5 is Johnny’s. The box was for dramatic effect. Because the real gift is WAY better than a PS5. Wait, how? Indi has proven herself loyal and worthy, so she should take on “the family nickname.” Wait, you don’t mean…? Yep. Johnny officially christens her #IndiWrestling! That IS better! Candice and Johnny support Indi Wrestling. Austin is so touched. And he has that cookie now.
Backstage interview with Toni Storm!
Last week, she beat Rhea Ripley, so what is next for her? “What’s next? What’s next? Last week, I called my shot, I said I was gonna beat Rhea, and I did, McKenzie. It’s amazing what you can do when you start putting yourself first for once.” Toni beat Rhea, was on the winning team at WarGames, so what’s next? Well what’s next is Toni Storm takes the NXT Women’s Championship from Io Shirai. There’s a reason Shirai is terrified when Toni suggests anything about the championship, and that is because Shirai knows that Toni is the one woman on the roster she simply can’t beat.
Remember back to the Mae Young Classic, when Toni beat Shirai. Shirai can go on and say all she likes about how the title is her only problem, but no. Her other problem’s name is Toni Storm. Will the Lightning From Down Under strike Shirai twice under the bright lights?
The brutal training is far from over.
Shifu watches as Xia Li is now the one beating up the wood dummy. “Enough!” And now, Boa wants more from the kendo stick strikes! It isn’t enough for him yet! Xia again kicks Boa, and the two seem to be egging each other on. Shifu says it is enough! And even the training in the water is no longer overwhelming. Boa and Xia have become hardened weapons, but how will “she” choose to use them?
Bronson Reed VS Ashante “Thee” Adonis!
The Colossal One is back in time for Christmas! Will the #BattleTested Auszilla trample all over Adonis’ happy holidays?
The bell rings and and Adonis avoids Bronson’s grip to get a headlock. Bronson back suplexes but Adonis lands on his feet and talks some smack. Adonis’ kick is caught and Bronson uses it to reel him in and LARIAT! Bronson stalks Adonis to a corner, brings him up and whips him corner to corner. Adonis BOOTS back, kicks and forearms, but Adonis runs into the BODY CHECK! Bronson drags Adonis around to stomp him, then drop a senton! Bronson goes to a corner, climbs up top, and fans fire up to see the TSUNAMI SPLASH! Cover, Bronson wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
What a way to make a return! Will the Colossal One crush the competition in the new year?
Backstage interview with Io Shirai!
The Evil Genius heard what Toni Storm said earlier, and she tells the production guys to hit her music! Shirai is heading to the ring!? And she not only gets a mic, but she gets a chair! Shirai storms into the ring, takes a seat, and dares Toni to get down here! Shirai waits, and Toni makes her entrance! Actually, it’s just her music, as MERCEDES MARTINEZ attacks from behind! She gets Shirai in a sleeper and thrashes her around! Mercedes throws Shirai out, then RAMS her into a girder! Mercedes fireman’s carries Shirai to TOSS her into the boards! And then throws her into barriers! Mercedes wants Shirai to fight, and she POSTS Shirai!
Mercedes puts Shirai in the ring but Shirai kicks back! Shirai goes out but Mercedes SPEARS her into the apron! Mercedes THROWS Shirai so hard into the announce desk, Shirai almost goes through it! Toni may want the title, but will she have to get in line?
NXT returns with more of A Very Gargano Christmas.
Last but not least, the love of Johnny’s life, Candice. Austin passes the gift over, and Johnny says he “went out of my way” to get this for her. She opens it up and… It’s a crushed tire off of Shotzi’s first tank? Everyone knows Johnny Gargano hates wheels, but hey, it’s Christmas. Candice loves it! Yes, Gargano spent 17 hours in a junkyard, digging through rubble, to find the last remnant of Shotzi’s old tank. All for their general. Merry Christmas. But there’s only one way to end the festivities: family photo! Austin is having some of the Gargano Whey straight out of the jar?! Merry Christmas! Austin!! Welp, that’s the Christmas card now… But will The Way still have their way into the new year?
Timothy Thatcher VS Leon Ruff!
The Professor of Pain told us all how he’s going to rough Leon up, but he mostly wants Ciampa to man up! Will Ruff last long enough for Ciampa to show up?
The bell rings and Ruff circles with Thatcher. They tie up, Thatcher SLAPS Ruff on the head then pushes him. Ruff comes back, gets a leg, but Thatcher sprawls and floats to get a chinlock. Thatcher pulls back but Ruff endures, so Thatcher claws at his face! The ref counts, Thatcher lets off and drags Ruff up to EuroUpper him back down! Fans rally for Ruff more but Thatcher CLUBS Ruff down hard! Thatcher drags Ruff back up, Ruff headlocks, but Thatcher powers out. Ruff slides under, headlocks again, but Thatcher back suplexes. Ruff lands on his feet and leaps to get a headlock again! Thatcher powers out to CLOBBER him!
Thatcher drags Ruff up, Half Hatch Suplex! Ruff flounders to a corner, Thatcher drags him up but Ruff throws elbows. Thatcher knees low, knees him down, then shouts, “Ciampa! Where are you, Ciampa?!” Thatcher smothers Ruff, covers, TWO! Thatcher KNEES Ruff in the ribs, and Ruff shouts in pain! Ruff tires to chop back but Thatcher hammerlocks an arm to hit a rough body blow! And then a rougher Belly2Belly! Thatcher doesn’t cover, he goes looking and finds a chair! Thatcher sets a seat for Ciampa and dares him to show up. Thatcher goes back in, Ruff cradles! TWO!! Thatcher runs into a dropkick, and another!
Ruff fires off haymakers, Thatcher whips him but Ruff rebounds to LARIAT! Thatcher stays up, Ruff headlocks but Thatcher shoves him away. Ruff goes up, up and leaps, into a EUROUPPER! Thatcher seethes as he drags Ruff up and underhooks, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Thatcher is still waiting on Ciampa, and he KICKS Ruff in the side! Thatcher gets a leg, picks Ruff up by just that leg, but Ruff cradles again! RUFF WINS!!
Winner: Leon Ruff, by pinfall
And the ultimate underdog gets another shocker! Ruff has two amazing wins in 2020, but Thatcher CLOBBERS Ruff to make him pay for it! Thatcher stomps away, the ref reprimands him but Thatcher doesn’t care. Thatcher drags Ruff up and shouts for Ciampa. SO here’s Ciampa! Ciampa gets Thatcher in the ropes, WILLOW’S BELL!! “You wanted an answer? You want a fight? I’ll see you in the Fight Pit!” Ciampa gives Thatcher a little kiss on the forehead then takes a seat to pat himself on the back. Only the second-ever NXT Fight Pit Match, and it’s with Thatcher and yet another hard as nails opponent! Who comes out of the Fight Pit in one piece?
Damian Priest speaks.
“I sent a simple message, Kross: step to me like a man. But you chose to blindside me. So I ask, where’s this badass everybody keeps talking about? I haven’t seen him. In fact, I’m still standing.” Behind all that mystique, Kross needs to look in the mirror and ask himself, “Am I just not as bad as I think I am?” New Year’s Evil, Priest will answer that question when he punks Kross out in front of the whole world. Will the Archer of Infamy #LiveForever when he shoots down the apocalypse?
NXT visits Dexter Lumis’ art studio.
His previous works, such as his ode to Great American Bash, are hanging on the wall, but he’s busy working on a new piece. Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez, New Year’s Evil… LAST WOMAN STANDING! You “heard” it here first from the host! Who will prove they are the baddest of them all on the first NXT of 2021?
Ariya Daivari VS Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens!
Daivari Dinero knows a lot about money, but is Bivens Enterprises about to make a fortune with the #DiamondintheRust?
The bell rings and Rust circles with Daivari. They feel out the grapple, tie up, and Rust waistlocks to a full nelson, to then spin Daivari to a headlock takeover. Rust traps an arm, cranks on the head, but Daivari keeps his shoulders up. Rust brings Daivari up, pulls on the arm to knuckle lock, then spins to wrangle Daivari back down. Daivari endures as Rust cranks on the arm, and Daivari gets up to slip through and wrench back. Rust moves around, slips through and wrenches to then trap an arm! Rust has the other arm, Daivari manages to get to ropes, and the ref calls for the break. Rust lets go, Bivens boasts how impressive Rust already is, and Daivari circles with Rust again.
Daivari and Rust tie up, Rust spins through to get the arms, wrench to another wristlock, then wrenches to hoist Daivari up like a backpack! BACKPACK AIRPLANE SPIN, then a toss! Daivari staggers up, he blocks a kick but Rust hits a takedown to go after the arm! Daivari resists, gets the ropebreak with legs, but Rust lets go fast. Rust drags Daivari up, Bivens says Rust is the best, and Rust yanks on the bad arm! Rust throws an uppercut to the arm, whips him corner to corner, and runs in, but Daivari dodges to ROUNDHOUSE! Rust goes down, Daivari drags him up to put him through ropes, HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Rust is on the apron, Daivari runs to dropkick him off hard!
Bivens complains as Daivari fetches Rust and puts him in. Daivari rains down rights, then talks trash to Bivens. Bivens says Daivari hasn’t seen anything yet! Daivari calls Rust trash and garbage, which are the same, but Rust reaches up and drags Daivari into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Daivari gets a ropebreak, Rust lets go at 4, and then ROCKS him with a EuroUpper! Rust KICKS away on Daivari’s arms, then has him staggering. Daivari blocks a kick, throat chops back, then hammerlocks! Rust ducks the lariat to KICK the arm! Rust throws a EuroUpper, then a BOOT! Rust cravats, for the FLIPPING MARE SLAM! And then an omoplata, leg hook on the other arm, Daivari QUITS! Rust wins!!
Winner: Tyler Rust, by pinfall
Bivens says he was right about Rust, and this win over a 205 Live OG proves it! Rust goes from an impressive loss to an impressive win, and he soaks in the moment of having his hand raised! Will this be just the first of many times that happens for Rust?
Backstage interview with Leon Ruff.
Ruff is leaving William Regal’s office and thanks him, but what is it about? Ruff is feeling like a kid on Christmas after his win over Thatcher, but that’s not the only gift he’s got. Regal is giving Ruff a rematch for the North American Championship! Johnny better be having a Very Merry Gargano Christmas, because the curse is real. Next week, Ruff is going to be there to make sure Johnny doesn’t break it. Happy Holidays! Will Ruff be having the best new year ever?
Karrion Kross responds.
“Mr. Priest… You fancy yourself as the life of the party. The kind of guy that goes out there looking for trouble, just so you can find your way out of it.” Well this time, he dug himself a hole he can’t get out of. To question Kross’ manhood, make smartass remarks to Scarlett, those were the biggest mistakes of his life. It is inevitable that Kross will take back what he truly never lost. But as for Priest… He is an intriguing roadblock that Kross can’t take his eyes off of. But just like everyone else, the bell will toll for him, too. Scarlett says doomsday is coming. Tick-tock.
The NXT Year Awards are coming!
Voting is now open on WWE’s official website, make sure your choices win!
Adam Cole w/ Roderick Strong VS Velveteen Dream!
A rematch from TakeOver: In Your House, but both men have changed much in just six months. Does that mean the result here tonight will be very different? Or will NXT still be Undisputed?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach but Dream remembers he’s wearing sunglasses. Dream backs off to take the sunglasses off and put them in the corner. Cole and Dream circle and tie up, go around, and Cole headlocks. Dream tries to power out but Cole holds on tight. Cole gets a takedown then makes it a cover, ONE! Dream pries out, Cole reels him back in and hits another takeover. Dream fights up, Cole puts him in a corner, and Cole lets off. Dream swipes but Cole avoids it, only to come back! The ref backs Cole down and Dream gets a sucker punch in! Dream knees low, ROCKS Cole against ropes, then soaks up the heat.
Dream whips, Cole kicks him back! Cole clobbers Dream, and fans fire up while Dream flounders around. Cole drags Dream up to DECK him with a right, then does it again! Dream flounders more, mocks the “BAYBAY” and Cole BOOTS him down! Cole drags Dream up and Strong dares Dream to run his mouth now. Cole whips Dream to a corner, runs in, but Dream BOOTS him back! Cole spins Dream for a neckbreaker! Fans fire up while Dream flounders again. Cole brings Dream up, fireman’s carries, but Dream slips out to the apron. Dream slingshots but into a BOOT! Dream tumbles down and Cole goes out to put him back in.
Cole runs into a fireman’s carry but slips out to shove Dream into buckles, but Dream comes back, and heads collide! Strong rallies for Cole but PETE DUNNE rushes down and RAMS Strong into the apron! Then throws him into steel steps! Strong tumbles up and over, but Dunne is there to STOMP him down! Dunne takes Strong around the way, for a BITTER END to the apron! Cole sees this, referees rush down to stop Dunne, but Dream uses his own shirt to CLOTHESLINE Cole down! Dream covers, TWO!! Dream clamps back onto Cole with a choke as NXT goes picture in picture!
The ref reprimands, Dream rains down rights on Cole, then digs his knee into Cole’s neck! The ref counts, Dream lets off and he kicks Cole while he’s down. Dream grins and soaks up the heat while Cole gets to a corner. Dream drops a fist, but Cole blocks it! Dream stomps a mudhole, but lets off to CLUB Cole on the back! Cole hobbles but Dream throws body shots in a corner! And then another corner! Dream CLUBS Cole, Cole ROCKS Dream but Dream whips corner to corner. Cole reverses and Dream hits buckles hard! Dream bounces right off the buckles but Cole brings him up, only for Dream to jawbreaker in return! Dream chokes Cole on ropes again, and stops at the count, to run and STRADDLE ATTACK!
Dream poses in the ropes, then mockingly pretends he can’t hear the fans. Dream says they love him, but that’s clearly not the case. Dream kicks Cole while he’s down, gets the legs, but Cole kicks him and kicks him until Dream staggers away! Cole brings Dream around to throw big forearms, Dream rebounds off ropes to throat chop! Dream keeps on Cole as NXT returns to single picture, but Cole hits back! Dream scoops and SLAMS Cole, then heads to the corner. Dream climbs up, aims, but Cole avoids the Purple Rain Maker! Both men are down but Cole gets to a corner and fans are fired up! Cole brings Dream up to throw haymaker, but Dream SLAPS Cole!
Cole and Dream brawl, body shots and haymakers, Dream whips and runs but Cole CLOBBERS him! Cole rallies, BOOTS, and fireman’s carries for the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Dream survives but Cole keeps his cool. Cole drags Dream up to a waistlock but Dream grabs at ropes. The ref calls for the break, but Dream can’t hold on! Dream switches but Cole PELES, and GERMANS! Cover, TWO! Dream slithers out but Cole grabs him by his hair! Cole drags Dream in, but Dream FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Cole back! The ref checks on Cole and Dream drags Cole up for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Dream grows frustrated as Cole survives!
Fans rally as Dream drags Cole up. But Cole fireman’s carries! Dream slips out, throws haymakers in the corner, and dares fans to cheer for Cole now! The ref pulls Dream away, Cole gets around but Dream elbows hard! Dream goes up but Cole SUPERKICKS the legs out! Dream falls down, clutches his leg as he writhes, but Cole spins through. Dream kicks the Figure Four away and POSTS Cole at the same time! Cole tumbles, Dream hobbles to a corner and climbs, for a FLYING- SUPERKICK!! The superkick intercepts the ax handles! Fans are fired up as Cole gets in the ring at 5, but just to refresh the count.
Cole drags Dream up from the ramp, but Dream is dead weight. The ref checks on Dream as Cole goes to the ring. Cole waits as Dream flounders back in, and Cole SUPERKICKS him down! Then the FIGURE FOUR! Dream flails, shouts, thrashes about, and finally starts to drag himself to the ropebreak! Cole lets go at 4, and Dream clutches his knee again. The ref checks on Dream, Cole SUPER- No, Dream moves, the ref avoids getting hit and Dream rolls Cole up! TWO, KICK to SIDEWINDER! Dream hits the DreamDT, and heads back to the corner! Dream is up top, PURPLE RAIN MAKER!! Cover, TWO?!? Cole survives and shocks Dream!
Dream gets up, Cole SLAPS him! Dream reels Cole in but Cole hits the LAST SHOT BRAINBUSTER! Cole goes to the corner, goes up, but leaps into a SUPERKICK from Dream! Dream hurries back up, PURPLE- SUPERKICK!! Cole lets the knee pad down, LAST SHOT SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Cole wins!!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall
This may be a different Dream, and this may be a different Cole, but Cole still beats Dream! “And at New Year’s Evil, the NXT Championship comes back to the Undisputed Era!” Cole is fully supporting Kyle, but will the Golden Prophecy truly have a second coming in 2021?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for NXT! First off, how great for NXT to respond to Raw’s Tag Team Street Fight by having one of their own and for the tag team championships. Now, NXT’s still had the same problem I had with the one on Raw, in that they still needed to tag in and out. If there’s no penalty for being in at the same time, why not just fight at the same time all the time? But it felt like NXT’s referee didn’t make as much of a fuss as Raw’s referee, because obviously HHH allowed the wiggle room while Vince didn’t. And as for the match itself, Dain and Drake looked great, even in losing. Drake took some serious shots from the leather belt and he gave some shots, but in the end he was the one to take the pin as the smallest guy in the match.
Bronson Reed quite literally squashes Ashante “Thee” Adonis, a very WWE style return. The rematch of Swerve VS Atlas was as good, if not better, than last week’s. Clearly Swerve is turning Heel, because not only did he have an attitude change with how he rubbed the victory in, but his entrance gear was rather supervillain-esque. The tiebreaker will be even better, and could act as a way of moving the winner on towards a title program. We didn’t get anything about the Cruiserweight Division this week, as far as the title, so I suppose they are trying to wait on Escobar VS Stallion until they can also involved Devlin. Maybe my idea for Worlds Collide II having a Cruiserweight Championship Winner Takes All Triple Threat is going to be NXT’s move.
Finn and Kyle giving commentary on their previous match was a good segment, and their rematch is definitely going to be a TakeOver worthy match. Cole VS Dream wasn’t quite TakeOver worthy, but it was a great surprise main event. I almost thought Dream was joining the Kings of NXT since Dream has beef with the Undisputed Era similarly to Dunne and McAfee. Dunne attacking Strong is a good way to branch off of Cole VS Dream, and Dunne VS Strong is going to be a great match. Kross and Priest have good promos to call each other out, and as I said before, this is going to be a very good match to help Kross really get back into the groove. Granted, Kross is a very simple “menacing and powerful” wrestler in terms of fighting style, but maybe Priest can get a good brawl out of him.
Shirai calling out Toni, only for Mercedes Martinez to return and attack, was a great segment. Again, it isn’t just kayfabe to say the NXT Women’s Division is the best Women’s Division right now, and perhaps it is becoming one of the best divisions period. Mercedes, Toni, Ember all moving up towards the title. We’ve got Xia Li becoming even more badass with these training promos, then Karen Q has something big going already with this character she’s putting on. Rhea VS Dakota was a great match, we got a great brawl of Rhea and Raquel, and how great for Lumis to use art to introduce the LAST WOMAN STANDING match! That match will be awesome, but that has to be Raquel’s win. Rhea had her title shot and lost, but Raquel finished off Shirai to win WarGames, so it just makes sense.
Tyler Rust looked incredible again, and him looking up at his raised hand after winning was a great character detail. It really made you feel that he’s really worked hard to finally get a win somewhere big like NXT. I like that there was story overlap as Ruff gets a win over Thatcher because Thatcher was distracting himself worrying about Ciampa. Fight Pit II: Thatcher VS Ciampa, is going to be incredible, and it bumps New Year’s Evil up to borderline TakeOver levels. And Ruff getting his rematch with Gargano because of the win is great continuity and logic. Gargano VS Ruff for the title is going to be a lot of fun, especially with The Way hovering. I feel like that will be the only way for Gargano to break the title defense curse.
And of course, the multiple segments of A Very Gargano Christmas were all incredible. I love that we’re getting that sitcom vibe, with Austin Theory pulling off the dense character so well, the use of “way,” the whey/way pun, and even how they referenced No Way Jose. I’m now hoping No Way Jose returns just because of that line. Johnny’s gifts to Indi and Candice were also perfect, especially Indi’s. Indi Wrestling better start being used to poke fun at indie wrestling, but Indi might want to work on the essentials before she tries her first “… DIVE!” attempt.
My Score: 9.2/10
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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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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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