Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/21/20)
Is The Fiend nothing but ash?
What is in store for Raw with what’s left in 2020?
After TLC, Drew McIntyre is STILL WWE World Champion, we have NEW Raw and Women’s Tag Team Champions, but what about The Fiend?! Has the Viper vanquished him once and for all?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke; Nia & Shayna win.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Very Important Photobombing: R-Truth retains the title.
- Angel Garza VS Drew Gulak; Garza wins.
- Ricochet VS T-Bar w/ Retribution; T-Bar wins.
- The Hurt Business VS Jeff Hardy & Matt Riddle; The Hurt Business wins.
- Jaxson Ryker w/ Elias VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado; Ryker wins.
- Charlotte Flair & Asuka VS Peyton Royce & Lacey Evans; Charlotte & Asuka win.
- Six Man Tag Street Fight: Drew McIntyre, Sheamus & Keith Lee VS The Miz, John Morrison & AJ Styles w/ Jordon Omogbehin; McIntyre, Sheamus & Lee win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Charlotte Flair returns to Raw!
The Queen and the Empress reign together as the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! It was quite the return for Charlotte, having been out six months recovering from injuries. Charlotte has a mic to say, “Well, would you look at this? I am in the ThunderDome. And what would the ThunderDome be without the Queen?” Charlotte’s first night, she walks out champion, because that is who she is to the core. Nothing has changed. When a friend asked for help, and there’s something in it for Charlotte, she gladly obliged. “The heartbeat of this division,” Charlotte’s friend and tag partner is ASUKA!
The other half of the new tag team champions makes her entrance as #AsukaTwoBelts! Asuka and Charlotte hug and Asuka is excited to be a double champion! “The Empress of Tomorrow is the DOUBLE~ CHAMPION~ of Today!” She is both Raw Women’s and Women’s Tag Team Champion! It’s a great feeling to be partners with a friend! Nia and Shayna were NOT ready for Asuka, nor were they ready for Charlotte! WOO~! Charlotte wants Asuka to wait a moment. What about the Raw Women’s Championship? But before the discussion can be had, Shayna and Nia storm out!
The former tag team champions join Charlotte and Asuka in the ring, grab some mics, and get in on the conversation. “Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte. It’s so good to see you.” Guess it took all six months to heal that arm, but it didn’t fix that robotic voice. So does this soft voice work for you instead, Nia? “I kicked your ass last night~!” Shayna says that’s not robotic, at least. But before they get too comfortable with the tag titles, Nia has a holiday story for them. Santa isn’t the only one with a Naughty or Nice list. Nia and Shayna have a list, too. The only thing is, the naughty don’t get coal. They get “seasons beatings.” Just ask Lana, Kairi Sane, and-
“Mandy~…!” Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke are here! But the Sexy Muscle Friends aren’t in a good mood. Something looks different about each other, but they’re not sure what it is. Oh, Nia and Shayna look different! Shayna looks like Rudolph with a nose job, and Nia just needs the antlers. Oh wait, what’s different is… They’re not tag team champions anymore! So then, move over, these two are coming through! Charlotte likes this attitude. And while this match was already going to happen, the champs say it should happen NOW! A ref arrives, Asuka and Charlotte join commentary, and it is happening! Will the former champions lose twice in 24 hours?
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke!
Raw returns and this match begins with Shayna and Mandy. They tie up, Shayna facelocks and brings Mandy down but Mandy rolls to get free and get an arm. Shayna pushes Mandy over, gets the arm in return, and floats around to push Mandy around. Shayna toys with Mandy, but lets her up to tie up again. Mandy waistlocks, slams Shayna down, then brings her up to slam her again! Shayna gets up, pries free to switch, but Mandy uses a leg to trip Shayna up. Shayna kicks Mandy, Mandy cartwheels to evade then she kicks Shayna down! Cover, ONE!
Mandy puts Shayna in a corner, rams her shoulder in, then tags in Dana. The Sexy Muscle Friends double suplex Shayna hard! Shayna scrambles, tags in Nia and Nia stares Dana down. Dana dodges Nia, throws forearms but Nia headbutts her down! Dana flounders to a corner, dodges Nia but not enough as she gets clipped! Nia drags Dana up, headbutts Dana again, and Asuka is growing worried. Nia digs her boot into Dana, but lets off as the ref counts. Dana gets up but Nia chokes her, then TOSSES her! Nia runs in to corner splash! Dana flops down, Nia talks smack to Mandy, then Nia whips Dana corner to corner, but Dana dodges clean this time!
Dana come back with a handspring back elbow! Dana keeps moving, but Nia blocks the handspring, only to get an around the world headscissors! Tag to Mandy, they chop block and KENE FROM A ROSE Nia out! Shayna hurries over but Dana wrecks her with a dropkick! The Sexy Muscle Friends stand tall, then LEAP onto the former champs with double crossbodies! Asuka is fired up for Dana and Mandy, and Charlotte is fired up that Asuka is fired up. Charlotte sees Dana and Mandy flexing on Nia and Shayna, and they put Nia in. Mandy follows but Nia knocks her down! Nia stalks back out, drags Mandy up, and throws her into barriers! Nia looms over Mandy as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia has Mandy in a bearhug. Mandy fights out, kicks and throws forearm after forearm! Mandy kicks again, runs but Nia blocks the knee to CLOBBER Mandy! Nia looms over Mandy, drags her up and tags Shayna in. They mug Mandy, Shayna clubs Mandy down, and Shayna steps on Mandy’s foot to keep her anchored. Shayna SMASHES the knee into the mat! Then she has a standing heel hook on Mandy, leaning on the leg deep. Mandy fights back but Shayna DDT’s the leg! Shayna drags Mandy away, tags Nia back in, and Nia stomps the leg! Nia puts Mandy on the ropes to choke her but lets off as the ref counts.
Nia puts Mandy’s leg on the rope and STOMPS it! Mandy crawls but Nia stays in her way. Nia pie faces Mandy, kicks her around, then drags her back up. Mandy breaks free to fire off body shots! Nia shoves Mandy to the corner but Mandy boots her away! Mandy ROCKS Nia, but Nia CLOBBERS Mandy again! Nia drags Mandy away, and drops the leg, only to miss! Mandy hurries, reaches, but Nia has a leg. Mandy kicks Nia away, Shayna tags in and she DECKS Dana! Mandy hits Shayna back, dodges her and LARIATS! Mandy rallies and Asuka fires up on commentary! Mandy gets a snap suplex! Shayna goes to a corner, but she dodges Mandy, only for Mandy to elbow back!
Mandy bumps Shayna off buckles, throws forearms, then snapmares Shayna to run. Dana tags in before the KNEE FROM A ROSE! Dana handspring SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! They almost had the Queen of Spades! Dana drags Shayna up, ducks a kick to give an enziguri! Dana hurries up top, leaps, SWANTON! Cover, but Nia shoves Mandy and drags Dana off the cover! Mandy comes back with a FLYING KNEE! Dana handsprings and elbows Nia into the post! The Sexy Muscle Friends regroup but Shayna KICKS Mandy down! Dana ghost pins Shayna, TWO! Shayna gets Mandy for the swinging BACKBREAKER!
Shayna drags Dana by her arm, wrenches it, locks it in, and- Dana dodges the stomp to roll Shayna into buckles! High stack, TWO!! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Dana taps, Shayna and Nia win!
Winners: Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax, by submission
So close and yet so far from victory, Dana and Mandy couldn’t put away the former champions! Shayna eggs Charlotte on but Mandy dropkicks her down! Then the Sexy Muscle Friends both DUMP Nia out! Mandy and Dana lost the match but the race is still on! Will the wrestling royals have to watch their backs against even friends?
The Hurt Business arrive backstage.
And they immediately spot someone wearing a New Day shirt. It was an early Christmas present… Well, maybe he didn’t get the memo. Wardrobe change! They literally RIP the New Day shirt off this guy, and force him to wear a Hurt Business shirt. Now that looks good! Merry Christmas!
Raw returns with the VIP Lounge!
MVP, the WWE United States Champion, Bobby Lashley, and the NEW Raw Tag Team Champions head to the ring for this “Champions Edition” of their talk show. “If ever there was a time for a champagne celebration, it is tonight!” And what better place to celebrate than the most exclusive club in all of the WWE? So allow MVP to indulge himself as he says, “Once again the Hurt Business is in the ring, so that can only mean one thing. Big things poppin’, little things stoppin’. So relax and enjoy the view, because the VIP Lounge is for champions … people who are better than you.”
Shelton Benjamin starts by saying they showed the world why they are better than ANY tag team on Raw! Cedric Alexander continues to say ESPECIALLY the New Day! The titles now have the prestige they deserve because they are in the Hurt Business. The come-up is over, because this is PRIME Alexander! Forget about pancakes, unicorns and all that. The Hurt Business has champagne and custom made suits! Right, Mr. CEO? Lashley says they are the most dominant force in the WWE. Get used to this view. Alexander and Benjamin have proven themselves as dominant, and Lashley promises not a man on this earth can beat him for the US Championship.
So to commemorate the occasion, MVP has a photographer to capture these moments for posterity. They gather together, hold up the belts, and the pictures are taken. Looking good, right? Wait, R-Truth is photobombing them! But he is a champion so… Wait, here come the “contenders!” Erik, Titus O’Neil, Akira Tozawa, and the Lucha House Party, chase Truth around the ring then back up the ramp, through the Christmas trees and presents, and then backstage! Lince Dorado snatches a present! And before the Hurt Business can respond, Jeff Hardy and Matt Riddle are here! And they have mics!
MVP says they were NOT invited! Wait the 24/7 Championship chase is still going in the background. Riddle congratulates the bros on the big win. And he’s digging the celebration. But they’ve got a couple of things wrong. You don’t need to waste money at the clubs. They just need to chill with the homies, throw a disk around, get a little toasted, and listen to Joe Rogan or watch Dave Chapelle to escape “the day to day, existential grind that live is.” Y’know what Riddle means? Hold on he has more. There’s no reason to spread negative vibes, because in the end, we’re all the same: self-aware, carbon matter that is on a rock hurling through space. So just chill-
No, they’re NOT the same. Riddle doesn’t even know what he’s talking about but no one cares about his hair-brain concepts. Why are they here? Hardy translates: there are more important things in life than status and money. So Hardy and Riddle would rather die with pride than live with greed. But facing MVP and Lashley means having something more than money can buy: faith. Will the Hardy Bros get a big win at the expense of the Hurt Business?
Angel Garza VS Drew Gulak!
Raw returns as Sarah interviews the Lethal Lothario backstage. Garza knows he faces Gulak for the first time ever, but these are the holidays! What better way to celebrate than to give the women of the world the #GiftOfGarza? Speaking of gifts, a rose for Sarah. Yes, Garza is up against Gulak, but he will be thinking of Sarah. Maybe they can have an interview under the mistletoe? From one former Cruiserweight Champion to another, will Gulak give Garza the gift of a lesson in grappling?
The bell rings, Gulak rushes Garza and they tie up. Gulak puts Garza in a corner, the ref counts and Gulak backs off. Garza takes off the pants, and throws them at Gulak! Garza then sucker punches Gulak, puts on a facelock but Gulak hits back! Gulak scoops to a backbreaker! Gulak throws hands, Garza turns things around and CHOPS! Gulak boots, Garza blocks and has the legs in the ropes to ROCK Garza with a right! Then KNEES Gulak in the side! Cover, ONE!! Garza keeps on Gulak, drags him around and digs his forearms in. Garza drags Gulak up to get the arm and pulls back. Gulak elbows Garza’s leg, gets around and puts on a cobra twist!
Garza endures, chokes Gulak and shoves Gulak down! Garza brings Gulak back up, whips him to ropes and hip tosses him down! Cover, TWO! Garza is after Gulak again, but Gulak throws elbows and haymakers! Gulak throws body shots, whips corner to corner but Garza BOOTS back! Garza waistlocks, Gulak switches but Garza bucks him off to SUPERKICK! Then the underhooks, the lift, and WING CLIPPER! Cover, Garza wins!
Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall
It seems Garza is both a lover and a fighter! Will Garza continue to fight until he gets what he really loves in a championship?
AJ Styles and Jordan “Omos” Omogbehin walk backstage.
Neither is in a good mood after how TLC went down. Charly Caruso asks their reaction to The Miz’s cash-in. “Hot. Livid! Past my boiling point!” Miz screwed Styles out of his championship win! So obviously, still emotional. But if that’s the case, why is Styles being on Miz TV. Styles wants to hear what Miz has to say for himself. And for his sake, it better be good! Will Styles and Omos look to cancel Miz TV after the break?
Raw returns with Miz TV!
The Guru of Greatness and Hollywood A-Lister are back with the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, but clearly they’re not in the best mood. “In life, you’re not often presented with an opportunity to become WWE Champion. Last night, I had the chance to etch my name in the history books as a two-time WWE Champion.” But Miz failed. Not only did he fail himself, but he failed his family. He’s sorry. But that’s not the only apology to be issued tonight. They welcome their guest, AJ Styles! The Phenomenal One, and Omos, join Miz and Morrison in the ring, and Styles keeps Omos from going after Morrison.
Miz explains that he invited Styles to, well, explain his actions. Miz isn’t usually so impulsive, but Styles would’ve done the same in that position. Styles doesn’t want to hear it! Doesn’t Miz realize he is the biggest idiot on earth?! Miz is selfish, and incompetent! Miz cost Styles the WWE Championship, in a Ladder Match, by cashing in the MITB briefcase! You don’t think Miz knows that?! The contract was everything! Ten YEARS ago, Miz cashed in a MITB contract, won the title and main-evented Mania! He wanted the same to happen this year! For 15 YEARS, Miz has dedicated himself to being the poster child of the WWE! And nobody respects him! Nobody cares!
But if Miz cashed in at the right time, and became champion, just maybe someone would respect him! Styles, the fans, everyone! And then he’d take Raw to new heights! But Miz can’t do anything about that now. He can only make it right. So from the bottom of Miz’s heart, soul and with every ounce of dignity he has, he apologizes. But they were both robbed last night. So, it’s the holidays, right? A time for giving and forgiving. So Miz will give Styles an early gift. Miz presents Styles with an opportunity to be part of The Marine 7. Wait, why is he so small on that poster?! Where is Morrison!?
Omos speaks up! Don’t defend Morrison! Morrison was the one who gave the ref the briefcase! Well, because Styles was down, it looked like he was losing, so- But Styles says Morrison also hit Omos with a chair! Omos was gonna make himself a Peanut Butter & Morrison sandwich! Oh big talk having the big man behind you! Styles says is gonna give Morrison a “thunder cookie!” Morison has a five course meal ready for you! Omos moves aside, Miz calms Styles and Morrison down. Because Omos is RIGHT! Morrison cashed Miz’s contract in, Miz is the ONLY one who can cash it in! That’s a LOOPHOLE! Miz demands his contract be revived!
But Drew McIntyre interrupts them here. “Lads, we’ve got ourselves a Six Man Holiday Street Fight later tonight. And if anyone takes you guys out, it’s not each other. It’s gonna be Drew McIntyre.” And speaking of taking these guys out, after he defended his title at TLC, he had a bit of a celebration. Styles will remember that match for a long time because of that mark on his left cheek. McIntyre, Sheamus and Keith Lee each had some pints, had some laughs, and remembered that hilarious “Nightmare Before TLC.” Then Jack Daniels, Jim Bean and Mr. Jameson joined the fun, and McIntyre got the creative juices flowing for a sequel! He had no time for a booklet, but he has it all on a napkin. This will be called, “The Nightmare After TLC.”
‘Twas the night after TLC, and Miz had no Money in the Bank, and Styles was left title-less, with Drew McIntyre to thank! Sheamus appears from the other side of the ring! Both AJ and Miz whined, screaming, “This isn’t fair!” This truly was a Phenomenal Nightmare. Keith joins in! McIntyre tries to remember the big finish. What was it? Don’t ask Sheamus. Everything after 3 AM was a blur. Keith says they can improvise the finish in the Street Fight! But with all this talking, they’re not dressed up for nothing. Let’s just throw down right now! And so the brawl is on! Sheamus has Miz, McIntyre has Morrison and Keith has Styles!
McIntyre TOSSES Morrison overhead and out of the ring! Sheamus knees Miz, McIntyre CLOBBERS Miz then tosses the director chairs! Keith keeps Styles down, but then Styles dropkicks Keith into Styles! McIntyre keeps the peace to explain, and Omos helps Styles get away. There is still dysfunction dating back to Survivor Series, can the WWE Champion keep his friends on friendly terms for tonight?
Keith Lee and Sheamus argue backstage.
Keith didn’t trust Sheamus before, he doesn’t trust him now! McIntyre barges in to stop this. Otherwise, he’ll knock them both on their asses! McIntyre says Keith hitting Sheamus was an accident! Now cool down before the Six Man! Sheamus storms off, and McIntyre tells Keith that Sheamus is like a brother to him. He can be a bit of a prick sometimes, but Sheamus is loyal, too. The three of them could do so much damage if they were united. Let McIntyre worry about Sheamus. Just focus on Styles and the others. Keith accepts that and also heads out. Is this going to work out for the Scottish Warrior, Celtic Warrior and Limitless One?
Ricochet VS T-Bar w/ Retribution!
The One and Only continues to fight against Mustafa Ali’s horde of havoc wreaking henchmen! Will the towering T-Bar break Ricochet down into joining the movement?
Raw returns as Ricochet makes his entrance. The bell rings and Ricochet dropkicks T-Bar! Then fires off hands! T-Bar shoves Ricochet but Ricochet dropkicks a leg out! And then BOOTS T-Bar! Ricochet springboards but into T-Bar’s arms! For a standing knee to the side! And another! And another! And then T-Bar TOSSES Ricochet aside! Retribution is fired up to see that, and Ali tells T-Bar he needs to force Ricochet to see the light. T-Bar fires off clubbing forearms, then runs to CLOBBER him! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives but Ali is still confident in T-Bar. T-Bar sits Ricochet up to dig a knee in and clamp on a chinlock!
Ricochet endures, fights up, but T-Bar CLUBS him! T-Bar whips Ricochet, Ricochet holds ropes then dumps T-Bar out! Ricochet builds speed but Slapjack is there, so Ricochet dropkicks him down! Mace rushes in but Ricochet dodges and QUEBRADAS! Ricochet stares Ali down but T-Bar BOOTS Ali down! T-Bar puts Ricochet in but Ali says Ricochet needs to learn. “Stop feeling with your heart! Think with your mind, you fool!” Ricochet hits Ali with fists! T-Bar drags Ricochet in, torture racks, FEAST YOUR EYES!! Cover, T-Bar wins!
Winner: T-Bar, by pinfall
Ricochet put up another fight but Retribution still wins! T-Bar tells Ricochet himself, “When are you gonna learn? Retribution is not your enemy! We are your ally! You will either join us, or we will end your existence!” Will Ricochet finally fall in line with Ali, T-Bar and the mission?
Raw shares The New Day’s post-match reactions.
Even after losing the titles, Xavier Woods says this has happened before. This is what the New Day does. They’ve been at the top of the mountain before and will be there again. Kofi adds that they have to take hats off to the Hurt Business. Kofi cracked teeth, was spitting out pieces in that match. But it’s okay. A man is not measured by high he climbs, but by how high he bounces back from falling down. That is just what they do! Will New Day bounce back better than ever before?
The Hurt Business VS Jeff Hardy & Matt Riddle!
MVP and Bobby Lashley are ready for the Charismatic Enigma and the Original Bro! Will Jeff and a different Matt succeed as this different kind of Hardy Bros? Or will the Hurt Business bankrupt them after the break?
Raw returns and the Hardy Bros make their entrance! The flip-flops fly and teams sort out, and Hardy ambushes MVP and Lashley! MVP gets out, Lashley shoves Hardy down, but Hardy is right after him again! Tag to Riddle, the Hardy Bros mug Lashley and Riddle hops on for a sleeper! Lashley throws Riddle off hard then CLOBBERS him! Lashley looms over Riddle, bumps him off buckles, and tags in MVP. MVP throws body shots on Riddle, stomps him down, but lets off at the ref’s count. MVP keeps Riddle in the corner, RAMS him with a shoulder, then clubs him down! Tag to Lashley, and they mug Riddle in return with stomps!
Lashley looms over Riddle while Alexander talks smack. Lashley hits a neckbreaker, covers, TWO! Riddle hurries for his corner but Lashley drags him away by his hair! Lashley rakes Riddle’s face but stops as the ref counts. Riddle gets up to fire off KICKS! Lashley blocks, but Riddle boots free! Hot tag to Hardy! Hardy fires off forearms and whips, but Lashley reverses. Hardy hits back with forearms, and an atomic drop! Trip up, leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick! Splash, cover, TWO! Lashley has power but Riddle tags in. Hardy Bros whip Lashley corner to corner, Riddle sets up, BROETRY IN MOTION!
Lashley falls out of the ring but MVP runs in! Hardy atomic drops MVP to trip, but Hardy helps Riddle with a STANDING FLOATING BRO! MVP bails out, the Hurt Business regroups, but they get wrecked by a dropkick, and Riddle PENALTY KICKS MVP! The Hardy Bros are fired up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Hardy fires off on Lashley. Hardy whips, Lashley reverses but Hardy elbows back! Hardy goes up but Lashley SHOVES him down! Hardy crashes ‘n’ burns to the steel steps, then the floor! Benjamin and Alexander mock Hardy’s pain as Riddle checks on him. Hardy manages to get up but the ring count is 5 of 10! And then 7! Hardy hobbles in at 9, but Lashley is looming right over him. Hardy tries to get to Riddle but Lashley drags him up, wrenches an arm and hits a vicious elbow breaker! Tag to MVP, MVP stomps Hardy then digs an elbow into the shoulder. Hardy endures, MVP shoots to a cover, but Hardy is under ropes. MVP moves Hardy to try again, TWO!
MVP drags Hardy up but Hardy throws hands! MVP throat chops and SMASHES Hardy off his knee! The Hurt Business cheers as MVP runs, BALLIN~! Elbow drop! Cover, TWO! MVP rains down furious rights, then drags Hardy up to whip him to a corner. MVP runs in but Hardy dodges the boot! Hardy goes up and hits WHISPER IN THE WIND! Both men are down and the fans are fire dup on their ThunderDome screens! Hot tag to Riddle! Riddle rallies with a strike fest, then spins MVP for a PELE! Riddle kips up, runs in and forearms MVP, then goes side to side to forearm again! Alexander distract son the apron but not enough, MVP gets a BROSPLODER! To BROTON!
Riddle is fired up and drags MVP into a Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, Lashley breaks it! Lashley helps MVP get to the corner then tags in. Lashley runs at Riddle, and gets him for a COMPLETE SHOT! The Hurt Business is fired up as Lashley reels Riddle in for a suplex, but Riddle fights out! Riddle gets to his corner, Hardy tags in and ROCKS Lashley! FINAL FLASH from Riddle, Hardy sets up for SUPER BROETRY IN MOTION! Riddle wipes out Alexander and Benjamin as Hardy goes up! But MVP is there, only for Hardy to kick him away! SWANTON FLOPS! Lashley aims from a corner, Hardy gets up, but Hardy knees the spear away! TWIST- To the HURT LOCK!! Lashley thrashes Hardy around, Hardy taps, the Hurt Business wins!
Winners: The Hurt Business, by submission
The Hardy Bros were so close, but the Rocky Mountain Machine is just too powerful! But Hardy and Riddle aren’t deterred, will they go back to the drawing board and have a solution?
Styles argues with Miz and Morrison backstage.
The apology sucked! Well Styles’ attitude sucks! It seems these three aren’t doing very well, either. Will the Phenomenal One, the Awesome A-Lister and the Guru of Greatness be able to recover in time for the Street Fight?
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter has Jaxson Ryker in the ring as security as he plays his guitar. Ryker is a man that understands the universal truth. And after the year Elias has had, from winning at WrestleMania, getting hit by a car but coming back to release his album and getting #1 on the charts, to then survive electrocution, this has been a whirlwind. He thanks his fans who put his album on the top of the list. And those who didn’t just haven’t heard it yet. Elias’ music changes lives! Ryker was reborn by the Universal Truth. Tonight, we test just how powerful Elias’ music can be. Before Ryker sends a message to-
No time to waste! Gran Metalik storms out to the ring for this revenge match over how roughly Ryker treated him, over simply chasing R-Truth! Will Ryker wreck Metalik to send a message to all of the roster?
Jaxson Ryker w/ Elias VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado!
The bell rings, Ryker grabs at Metalik but Metalik kicks and CHOPS! Ryker whips and sends Metalik flying with a shoulder, all while Elias climbs up the corner? Elias plays while Ryker drops ax handle after ax handle on Metalik! Elias is Ryker’s bard as Ryker whips Metalik, but Metalik POSTS Ryker! Metalik goes after Elias on the top rope, for a SUPER STEINER! Elias tumbles out, Lince has the guitar and plays a tune of his own! But Ryker CLOBBERS Metalik! Ryker choke grips and Choke BOMBS! Cover, Ryker wins!
Winner: Jaxson Ryker, by pinfall
Elias says that is the power of HIS music! Ryker made Metalik understand through pain, but will anyone else come to #WalkWithElias?
Randy Orton is here!
The Viper, the Apex Predator, the Legend Killer… The Fiend Killer? There is no more remorse on Orton’s face, but there is a sick satisfaction. Yes, an Inferno Match is about lighting a part of your opponent on fire, but Orton didn’t end at winning. With Bray Wyatt unconscious on the mat, Orton soaked him with gasoline and set him ablaze! He even looks at the spot in the ring where Bray’s body burned before striking his signature pose on the corner. Orton gets a mic to say, “My entire life, I have been called many, many different things. Sick and twisted, deranged and demented.” Orton proved he is each and everyone one of those things when he burned The Fiend alive!
A normal man would have regrets if they set another man on fire, but The Fiend is no normal man, and neither is Orton. “Last night, I enjoyed every single second as I stood by and watched The Fiend… burn!” Orton again goes to the spot in the ring where it happened. He finds the exact spot where it happened. If Orton closes his eyes, he can still see it, and still smell it. “The stench of burning flesh has a tendency to linger.” Orton didn’t sleep last night, because the voices in his head, which he grew accustomed to, were just gone. The voices don’t exist. The only sound Orton hears in his head is the Fiend gasping for his last breath as the fire grew hotter and the flames grew higher.
Orton smiles into the camera as he says, “The Fiend is gone. The Fiend is no more! And I am the evil son of a bitch that took him out!” Then why are the lights shutting down!? Orton hurries out of the ring but it’s too late. A spotlight shines on the ring, and Alexa Bliss is there! She has a new set for A Moment of Bliss that’s even more demented than before! “Expecting someone else?” He built this for her. Call it, “Alexa’s Playground.” C’mon in, Orton. Wondering where “he” is? He could be at a tanning salon. Looked a little pale. Or maybe he is at the beach. It’s good weather in Florida. Hopefully he doesn’t get a sunburn! Or maybe Fiend is at his favorite restaurant, having his favorite food: barbecue!
Alexa laughs at her own jokes, but admits Orton is right. It was right here, where you can still see and smell what happened to The Fiend’s flesh. He’s not here right now, but it’s almost as if he became one with the mat. “Under the ground, under reach layer of the earth. He’s home.” But if he ever leaves home, he’ll come back to Alexa’s playground. And it’ll be like nothing Orton’s ever seen before. Alexa stares at Orton with her spooky eyes, and the lights turn off again. And when they come back this time, the playground is gone! Did Orton only make The Fiend stronger by burning his body?!
Charlotte Flair & Asuka VS Peyton Royce & Lacey Evans!
The brand new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions have a title defense set for Christmas SmackDown, so they need something to help them bridge the gap from TLC to Friday night! Will the Queen and Empress be ready for this dysfunctional duo?
Raw returns as Asuka returns to the ring, with pyro! Lacey does last minute stretching as Sarah interviews her and Peyton about facing the new champions. Are they up to the challenge? What kind of question is that? “Pey-Pey” and Lacey asked for this match! They’re not sitting around for handouts. No one is as relentless as Peyton. Ready to get hands on the nasties and take out the trash? Yes, ma’am! High five? No, ma’am. And for the record, Peyton got them this match. But either way, the Sassy Southern Belle and Venus Flytrap head to the ring, ready to upstage the new champions!
The teams sort out, Asuka starts with Peyton, and the two tie up. Asuka headlocks, Peyton powers out but Asuka runs her over! Asuka rolls Peyton, Peyton ducks the kick and waistlocks. Asuka switches, Peyton switches, and Lacey tags in. O’Conner roll but Asuka pops out to get her lock! Lacey drags Asuka off Peyton, Charlotte protests but Asuka throws Lacey out. Lacey blocks the punch to sweep the legs, then slingshots in! Asuka moves to mule kick back! Peyton tags back in, Shayna and Nia are watching backstage as Asuka hip attacks Lacey off the apron! But Asuka turns around into Peyton’s HEEL KICK! Cover, TWO! Peyton grows frustrated but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Lacey hits Asuka with a swinging bronco buster in the corner! Lacey then hops up, salutes, but Peyton tags in to steal the cover! TWO! Peyton clubs Asuka over and over, goes to the apron to hop up the corner, but Lacey tags in! It’s only fair! Lacey sweeps Asuka’s legs, then slingshots for the elbow! Cover, TWO! Peyton tags back in and the dysfunction is only growing stronger. Asuka is crawling away while they’re arguing! Peyton intercepts with a forearm, then slaps Asuka around. Asuka swipes back! Asuka blocks a kick to get around for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Hot tag to Charlotte!
The Grand Slam Queen rallies on Peyton, back suplexes Lacey high and hard, then kips up! Charlotte CHOPS away on Pey-Pey! Peyton is reeling but Charlotte CHOPS her more! Charlotte whips, Peyton reverses but Charlotte holds ropes to stop herself,. Charlotte hits Peyton with a backbreaker and a BOOT! Charlotte gets the legs, steps through, but Lacey runs in! Charlotte kicks her first, scoops her and hits an EXPLODER! Nia and Shayna are upset as Charlotte swaggers, but Peyton kicks the leg! Peyton rolls Charlotte to a HALF CRAB! Lacey trips Asuka up, rams her down, then slingshots, but Asuka slide sin to sliding KICK Peyton down! Asuka then slides to trip Lacey up, and ROUNDHOUSES her down!
Charlotte flounders up but glares at Peyton. Charlotte trips Peyton, gets the legs, but Peyton twists to victory roll! TWO, Charlotte trips Peyton again! Charlotte lets out a “WOO~!” and puts on the Figure Four! Figure EIGHT! Peyton endures but taps, the champs win!
Winners: Charlotte Flair & Asuka, by submission
The Queen and Empress stand tall together with their belts! But there is still a lot more for them to prove as a team! Will they make it through Christmas day with the gold to then reign in the new year?
WWE and Raw acknowledge Titus O’Neil’s work in the community.
Titus himself rewarded a 27-year member of Sligh Middle Magnet School in Tampa Bay, Florida. He gave Virginia Lowell a very merry Christmas with a brand new car! She was so touched, because she’d never had a moment like this in her life. But her dedication and love for the school needs to be acknowledged and is an example to be followed. Titus also gave away five cars to families in need, and his own dedication and love for the community is something to be acknowledged and followed.
The Miz makes calls to his lawyer.
Again, the loophole of how the MITB contract holder having to be the one to give the briefcase is grounds enough! Talk to WWE management, or the USA Network, and get this set right! Miz is sick of being mistreated! Styles tells Miz to hang up, but when Miz doesn’t, he hangs up for him. They have a match! Morrison and Miz have to shrug that off quickly, because their match is NOW!
Six Man Tag Street Fight: Drew McIntyre, Sheamus & Keith Lee VS The Miz, John Morrison & AJ Styles w/ Jordon Omogbehin!
Neither trio teaming tonight has had the smoothest time together. But it is the holidays, and they all have common enemies on the other side. Will the the King of Claymores, the Fella and the Limitless One make their opponents #BaskInTheirGlory? Or will the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century *stare off into distance* and Phenomenal One be able to turn things around before the year is over?
Raw returns as Keith Lee makes his entrance. So far, Sheamus and Keith are able to stand together. Then Miz and Morrison make their entrance, followed by Styles and Omos. The bell rings and Morrison steps up to start with Sheamus, they tie up and go around, and Sheamus has a facelock. Morrison gets around to club away on the arm then he whips, Sheamus kicks back, clubs Morrison and ROCKS him with a right! Morrison throws hands back, trips Sheamus up and drags him over to tag in Miz! Miz stomps Sheamus and throws hands at the ropes. Miz chokes on Sheamus, then Morrison KICKS Sheamus! Styles tags in, he and Miz mug Sheamus, but Sheamus hits back!
Sheamus throws hands on Styles in a corner, reels him in and CLOBBERS him! Sheamus drags Styles up, Styles throws hands, then he puts Sheamus in a corner. Morrison tags in but they all mug Sheamus! Morrison stomps Sheamus, Miz gets his shot and Morrison mule kicks! Morrison cravats, but Sheamus resists the snapmare and throws hands! Sheamus CLOBBERS Morrison and drags Morrison over to tag in McIntyre. McIntyre and Sheamus split the wishbone! McIntyre drags Morrison up to bump off buckles, then CHOPS him! Morrison flounders but McIntyre drags him around to stomp the arms.
McIntyre drags Morrison up but Morrison slips out of the scoop to dropkick the bad leg! Morrison fires off KICKS, brings McIntyre out of the corner and KICKS the leg, to a DRAGON SCREW! McIntyre clutches his leg, Morrison drags McIntyre up but gets a GLASGOW KISS! McIntyre hobbles to his corner, brings Morrison with him and CLUBS Morrison down! Tag to Keith, McIntyre gets the bad leg moving as he and Keith double suplex Morrison and hold him up! Then they TOSS Morrison across the way! Morrison crashes down and Keith glares at Miz and Styles. Keith dares one of them to tag in as he drags Morrison away.
Keith clamps onto Morrison’s arm, drags him up to knuckle lock, and then brings Morrison over to tag in Sheamus. The mutual friends of McIntyre whip Morrison and run him over with double shoulders! Then they double elbow Miz as he runs in! And double hip toss Styles! McIntyre’s team holds the ropes and Sheamus gives Keith a pat on the shoulder. Keith gives it back. Sheamus gives another, but Keith gives a GRIZZLY MAGNUM!? McIntyre gets in before this gets too aggressive! This is what McIntyre was talking about, them destroying anyone as a unified unit! But will they stay unified after the break?
Raw returns once again and Sheamus has Styles’ arm! Styles endures as Sheamus keeps twisting! Sheamus drags Styles up, Styles throws haymakers, then runs, but into an elbow! Sheamus drags Miz into the ring and Morrison joins in! McIntyre goes after Morrison and throws him out! The Celtic Connection have a duet of BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Keith meanwhile comes around and has them feed him BOTH Miz and Morrison, for a DOUBLE RAM into the apron! Keith throws Morrison into presents! And then he throws Miz into a pile of presents on the other end! Styles is put in the ring for Sheamus to grind down with a chinlock!
Styles endures, Sheamus gives him clubbing forearms then drops knees over and over! Sheamus digs his knee in but Styles tries to pull on the beard. Sheamus drops another knee, then throws big haymakers. Styles hits back, someone throws in a present box! The box is moved aside as Sheamus whips Styles, but Styles dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Hot tag to Miz and Miz stomps away on Sheamus! Morrison jumps in again but McIntyre goes after them! Keith also gets in, Sheamus and McIntyre CHOP Miz and Morrison out of the ring! Sheamus drags Morrison back up, fireman’s carries, and hits a rolling senton! Sheamus goes up top, but has to DECK Morrison first!
Styles creeps over, Sheamus glares at him, but then Morrison returns! Morrison shoves Sheamus down through a table of cookies! Keith and McIntyre check on Sheamus while Morrison and team creep over. Morrison drags Sheamus away to stomp him down! Morrison puts Sheamus in, stomps and covers, TWO! Miz tags in, he and Morrison drag Sheamus up for a double GUT BUSTER! Miz knocks Sheamus down, claws at his face, and digs in with no disqualifications stopping him! Sheamus hurries for his corner but Miz keeps him away with a facelock and clubbing forearms! Miz hits a BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!!
Miz seethes as he drags Sheamus up and around. Styles tags in, they stomp away on Sheamus at the ropes, and Styles kicks Sheamus down! Styles drags Sheamus up but Sheamus fires off hands! Styles headbutts then enziguris! Styles dropkicks Keith just because! But Sheamus hits WHITE NOISE outta nowhere! Both men are down and McIntyre reaches out! Sheamus crawls, Styles does, too, hot tags to Miz and McIntyre! McIntyre rallies with big shoulders, then a whip, and an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Morrison gets in but gets an OVERHEAD SUPLEX for his trouble! Miz gets another OVERHEAD SUPLEX!
McIntyre manages a kip up, he elbows through Morrison’s boot to INVERTED ALABAMA SLAM him onto Miz! McIntyre brings Miz up, Miz slips out of Future Shock to kick the bad leg! Miz runs, into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Styles breaks it! Styles turns around into Keith’s POUNCE! Morrison gets up, FLYING CHUCK to Keith! Sheamus sees Morrison, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Miz BOOTS Sheamus out but McIntyre clotheslines Miz out! Styles uses a candy cane kendo stick to SMACK away on McIntyre’s bad leg! McIntyre hobbles out, Styles runs over, McIntyre TOSSES him into a Christmas tree!
Styles flounders and McIntyre brings him over, to POWERBOMB him through a table of eggnog!! Yuck! Morrison has a kendo stick but so does Sheamus! Sheamus SMACKS away on Morrison first! Morrison hits back, McIntyre gets in as Keith gives him Miz! Sheamus chases Morrison off, McIntyre aims but Sheamus tags in!? Sheamus wants to finish this, but then Keith tags in! Are they falling apart again? Morrison distracts Keith, Keith shoves Morrison into Omos’ arms! Morrison thinks he’s saved, but Omos POWERSLAMS Morrison through a table! That’s for the chair shot at TLC! Meanwhile, Keith pops Miz up for a SPIRTI BOMB!! Cover, Keith and the Celtic Connection win!
Winners: Drew McIntyre, Sheamus & Keith Lee, by pinfall
Then Sheamus BROGUES Keith! McIntyre can’t believe Sheamus! “I vouched for you! Why!? Why?!?” McIntyre told Keith he could trust Sheamus but clearly not! Is there still no love lost between these former Team Raw members?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good Raw to follow TLC, but it could’ve been better. For one, there were too many recap packages and it sure felt like too many commercial breaks throughout the night, that alone might be a problem with ratings. Obviously more the recaps than the commercials, but it has been awhile since USA Network has given Raw a picture in picture break. Another horribly glaring flaw was how the Six Man Tag main event went. If it is a Street Fight, meaning no disqualifications and no count outs, IT BECOMES A TORNADO TAG BY DEFAULT!! The six of them should’ve all been brawling, it should’ve been chaotic, and it should’ve wrecked everything at ringside. But no, it was some awful hybrid of a NORMAL Six Man Tag and a Street Fight. The table spots and kendo sticks came off more like, “Oh, yeah, we forgot those were allowed.”
The only good development was Sheamus giving Keith a Brogue over their dysfunction finally hitting a boiling point. And a bad development from the entire story of the world title is that Miz thinks he can get his MITB briefcase back because of a loophole. It really hurts the amazing passion Miz gave us in that promo about not being respected. And a promo like that always works with Miz because we all know it was a legitimate thing when he got started! With Miz being booked the way he has, it also adds to that a bit, where WWE isn’t giving him and/or Morrison respect by making them respectable threats to the world title, but him using a loophole to get his briefcase and his title shot back is not The Miz I want getting the shot. The Miz captured within the worked shoot promo is what I want! Miz needs to have aggression so that we’ll want to see him fight McIntyre for the title.
We had pretty good stuff for the Women’s Division, and obviously focused on the Women’s Tag Division. Charlotte and Asuka have good promos against Shayna and Nia, but the Sexy Muscle Friends were fed just the dumbest reindeer jokes on Nia and Shayna, all because it’s the holidays. Those lines didn’t need to be in the promos, just stick to the joke about the belts being gone. But they at least get to look good in a match with Shayna and Nia, even if they lose. Shayna and Nia keep an eye on Charlotte and Asuka during their match with Peyton and Lacey. I suppose it’s good progress for Peyton and Lacey to and least try to be united, and it was fine that it didn’t work out. Charlotte and Asuka win, obviously, because for one, they’re Charlotte and Asuka.
Then the new champs have a title match on Friday already, and though the team isn’t announced, the challengers have to be the Riott Squad. That is the only women’s tag team on SmackDown that is winning at all. I hope this is a sign Charlotte and Asuka get to follow in the footsteps of Bayley and Sasha, going back to NXT to face some NXT teams like Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell of The Way, and maybe even get involved in a TakeOver event. Raw has the ratings problem, but I would think strengthening the Women’s Tag Division on all shows would help Raw just as much.
The Hurt Business had a pretty good night. They bullied a New Day fan within the crew because duh, the New Day is the one tag team even plausible as a contender to the Raw Tag Team Championships. Yes, Hardy and Riddle did well as a team, but they still lost to MVP and Lashley. There is still some sorting out to do on who challenges for the US Championship next, but maybe Hardy gives Riddle the go ahead on it. Riddle had a hard time with his overly complicated “chill” promo, so I think WWE needs to let Riddle be the Bro and not try to write him as what they think The Bro should be.
Garza squashes Gulak because he desperately needs momentum after splitting off from Zelina Vega and then just treading water with trying to go all in with the Lothario bit. Ricochet loses to a Retribution member again, but perhaps because he isn’t joining. I’m still wondering if someone joins his fight, since Dana was apparently a one-time partner. Maybe Titus O’Neil can move over from the 24/7 Championship scene to help Ricochet. Titus has been a great role model for his charity, maybe he can be a role model in the ring standing against Ali trying to force everyone to see things his way. Ricochet and Titus would make a great combination, really. And speaking of the 24/7 Championship, Truth getting in on the VIP Lounge was a great way of sprinkling all that in.
I think the best stuff tonight was Orton and Alexa in relation to The Fiend. Orton might’ve been trying a little too hard to be menacing supervillain, but he is still doing really well. Alexa having a playground set is a great evolution of her own part in this story. I don’t know if Nikki Cross returns to feud with Alexa more, but I almost want a “Firefly Playground” match now. And what Alexa said about The Fiend only getting stronger now, Bray Wyatt might be the secret to Raw fixing their ratings and fulfilling that apparent request by USA Network for more “adult” content, in terms of being spooky scary horror movie stuff. Either way, I hope the endgame is the Firefly Fun House sequel with Orton to bring up his past and throw it in his face.
In fact, with John Cena being disappeared because “You Can’t See Me,” I think Orton should get “burned” in return since A) he loves burning Bray’s stuff, and B) Orton’s original theme was “Burn In My Light.” Gotta bring things full circle to make it worth it.
My Score: 8.2/10
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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!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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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
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Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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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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