Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/13/21)
The Dusty Cup is back!
NXT’s Tag Team Division will shine in the Dusty Rhodes Classic!
NXT brings the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic back once again! Which tag teams get a dream, hold onto it, and shoot for the sky?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Shotzi Blackheart VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell; LeRae wins.
- Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Grizzled Young Veterans VS Ever-Rise; Grizzled Young Veterans win and advances.
- Dexter Lumis VS Johnny Gargano w/ Austin Theory; Gargano wins.
- Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Jake Atlas & Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS MSK; MSK wins and advances.
- Xia Li w/ Boa & Tian Sha VS ???; Li wins.
- Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: The Undisputed Era VS Breezango; The Undisputed Era wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
Shotzi Blackheart VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell!
WarGames was the start, but this war is far from over! Will the wild child #TCB and take care of the Poison Pixie once and for all?
The bell rings and Candice gets in Shotzi’s face to pie face her. Shotzi trips Candice to rain down rights! Candice gets away, kicks but Shotzi blocks, then ducks the enziguri! Candice lands on her face, scrambles away to ropes, but Shotzi welcomes her to the ball pit, only to miss! Candice has Shotzi on the ropes but Shotzi bucks off the neckbreaker! Shotzi slips out and ROUNDHOUSES Candice away, to then go up the corner and leap, crossbody! Cover, TWO! Shotzi keeps on Candice with an armlock but Candice moves around. Shotzi headscissors and rolls Candice around and around the ring, to an armbar! Shotzi twists the wrist and bends the elbow!
Candice fights around, gets a high stack cover, TWO! Shotzi wants the short arm scissor but Candice moves around, ropebreak with the leg! Shotzi lets go, fans rally up but Candice BOOTS Shotzi away! Candice goes up the corner but Shotzi YANKS her down! Candice bounces off buckles, Shotzi shoves her to a cover, TWO! Shotzi keeps on Candice’s arm with a keylock, then rolls for a bridge! Candice endures this modification and bridges back. Candice gets around to get a lateral press, TWO! Shotzi still has the arm, wrenches through, and hammerlocks. Candice fights up, powers Shotzi to a corner, and is free of the armlock.
Candice snapmares Shotzi, Shotzi runs back in but is put on the apron. Shotzi ROCKS Candice and Candice ends up on the apron. Shotzi drags Candice to the corner but Candice hits back. Candice grabs at Shotzi but Shotzi YANKS Candice into the buckles! Candice flops to the steel steps, tries to kick back from below, but Shotzi blocks to then fling Candice forward. Candice turns around, into a FLYING KNEE from Shotzi! Shotzi goes to the ring to refresh the count, but Indi is there to check on Candice. Indi stands in Shotzi’s way, Candice goes back to the ring and Indi goes after Shotzi! Shotzi pushes her away, but Candice WRECKS Shotzi with a dropkick! Then springboard crossbodies Shotzi down!
NXT goes picture in picture as Candice gloats and goes back to the ring. Shotzi stirs and a ring count starts. The count is past 5 before Shotzi sits up. Shotzi gets up and in at 7 but Candice stomps her down! Candice stands on Shotzi, lets off as the ref counts, then drags Shotzi back up. Shotzi throws body shots, forearms, then runs, but into elbows from Candice! Cover, TWO! Candice keeps on Shotzi with a neck wrench. Shotzi endures as Candice stands over her and leans on the hold. Shotzi fights up, Candice CLUBS her down, has her on the ropes and bumps her off buckles. Candice runs corner to corner to back body block! She snapmares and NECK SNAPS Shotzi down! Cover, TWO!
Candice grows frustrated as she goes to Shotzi at the ropes. Candice digs Shotzi’s face into the ropes! The ref counts, Candice stops, and then she soaks up the heat from the fans before going back. Candice rams her shoulder in on Shotzi, and again, then brings Shotzi to another corner for another buckle bump. Candice brings Shotzi around to another corner but Shotzi bumps her off buckles! And CHOPS her! Shotzi brings Candice around but Candice cradle counters, TWO! Candice dropkicks Shotzi down! Cover, TWO! Candice grows further frustrated as Shotzi crawls to a corner. Candice brings Shotzi up to shove her into buckles then club her in the chest.
Candice goes corner to corner again, but Shotzi dodges and Candice only gets buckles! Shotzi runs back in but Candice kicks the bad leg out! Candice pushes Shotzi to then drop an elbow, but she misses! NXT returns to single picture as Shotzi dropkicks Candice down! Fans rally as Shotzi hurries to cover, TWO! Shotzi is frustrated but Indi is worried for Candice. Candice swings but Shotzi counter punches! And again! QUESTION MARK KICK! Candice staggers, Shotzi runs, CANNONBALL on the ropes! Cover, TWO! Shotzi grows frustrated again as Candice goes to the apron. Shotzi hurries out after her, brings her up, cravat but Candice pushes her away!
Candice runs into a back elbow, Shotzi brings Candice around, APRON DDT! Shotzi goes back in as the ring count climbs, but Indi checks on Candice again. Shotzi builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit takes out The Way! Shotzi howls to the moon, puts Candice in, covers, TWO! Shotzi runs in but is sent into buckles! Candice dropkicks Shotzi in deeper! Then a roll and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Shotzi survives and Candice is furious! Candice goes to the ropes, LION- No! Shotzi trips the moonsault up, but she runs into a takedown! GargaNO Escape!! Shotzi endures, rolls to a cover, TWO! Candice holds on, but Shotzi powers up and swings Candice for a KNEE SMASH!
Candice staggers to a corner, Shotzi runs in, SHINING WIZARD! To a DDT! Shotzi keeps moving, climbs up top, but Indi runs over! Shotzi DECKS Indi, but Candice hurries up top fast! MS. LERAE’S WILD RIDE!! Cover, Candice wins!!
Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall
Indi literally made a difference right at the end there! But is this how she lives up to being given the Wrestling Family nickname? With Johnny in action later on, will tonight go The Way’s way?
The Kings of NXT drive up!
Pete Dunne and the NXT Tag Team Champions, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch, ride in style as they arrive at the Capitol Wrestling Center! Burch talks some smack on all the Dusty Rhodes Classic competitors going after their gold. Will these three be watching very closely as the tag team tournament begins tonight?
Finn Balor is here!
NXT returns as The Prince is already in the ring, still NXT Champion after having won another epic battle with Kyle O’Reilly. “January 13th, 2021, Finn Balor still NXT Champion!” Balor wants to talk about Kyle for a second. He gives Kyle credit. Kyle’s not just good, he’s great. “But he’s not on my level.” New Year’s Evil, Kyle stepped up, and just like TakeOver 31, he got put down! The only difference this time is now Kyle is the one who has to eat his meals through a straw! “I put this red X on my chest because I know I am THE target. So a little piece of advice to whoever wants to come at Finn next. Remember one thing: they stopped manufacturing the cloth that I’m cut from!”
So to whoever wants to step up- Wait, here comes the BRUISERWEIGHT! Dunne, with Lorcan and Burch behind him, walks out and has a mic of his own. “Are you really gonna stand there and question what’s next? You know full well what’s next!” Dunne was here last week and saw what Balor did to Kyle, the same way he’s been watching his entire career, knowing that one day, it was going to come down to just Balor and Dunne. Everyone else has Balor as the poster boy for European wrestling, but the only reason he has that crown, and the only reason he has the NXT title, is because Dunne hasn’t taken it yet!
Dunne, Lorcan and Burch flank the ring as Dunne says, “Two weeks ago, you told me, ‘get in line.’ Well I’m not waiting anymore!” Neither is Finn, as he DECKS Dunne first! Balor fights off Lorcan and Burch, DOUBLE STOMPS for Burch! Then regular stomps for Dunne as he tries to get in! Balor gives Lorcan a trip and DOUBLE STOMPS now! Dunne gets Balor’s arm and hotshots it! Balor staggers but manages to boot Lorcan and ROCK Burch! Lorcan waistlocks Balor, Balor elbows back but Dunne is after the arm again! Double wristlock DDT! The Kings of NXT stomp away on Balor 3v1, but here comes KYLE! Kyle fights the three but that’s still not good because of his bad jaw!
But here comes Roderick Strong and Adam Cole! The UE chase off the tag champions and the fans are fired up! Cole and Strong dare Dunne, Lorcan and Burch to do something now that numbers aren’t in their favor! Dunne and the tag team champions back off, and Balor gets up to stare at the UE. Fans chant “Too Sweet!” because of a certain club, and Balor gives the UE boys a nod. Balor wanted a challenger, and one has made itself known! When will the Prince and the Bruiserweight battle to not only prove who is the best to come from the UK, but who is the best in the world today?
Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano!
Candice won earlier, how is he feeling going into a match tonight? Johnny says Candice did something B-E-A-utiful! Shotzi got what she deserved, and when Gargano beats “that mute freak,” Dexter Lumis, it will be smooth sailing for The Way as they win both the Men’s and Women’s Dusty Rhodes Classics! They’ll have a couple o’ cups! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, as Gargano lost in Mixed Tag and was pinned by Kushida. Kushida is also in the Men’s Dusty Cup as he teams with Leon Ruff, and they’re the first-round opponents for The Way’s Gargano & Theory. How rude! The Mixed Tag should never have happened, Gargano was not prepared, he was still in his skinny jeans! SKINNY JEANS! There’s no breathability or range of motion in those!
Austin Theory walks up and taps Gargano on the shoulder. Theory got something for him? A gift from some guy. What guy? Dexter Lumis!? Yeah! Gargano takes out a caricature of himself, crying like a baby. Theory says it looks just like Gargano. No it doesn’t! Gargano throws that one away, but there’s another one! And it’s of “Idiot” Theory getting shot in the nuts but “Crazy” Shotzi! No, that’s not… Theory wants Gargano to kick Lumis’ ass tonight! Gargano says Lumis’ art sucks! But will the Tortured Artist make a new masterpiece against the North American Champion tonight?
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Grizzled Young Veterans VS Ever-Rise!
Zack Gibson and James Drake are the inaugural and former NXT UK Tag Team Champions, but vow to SSSOON be recognized as the world’s number one team! But Chase Parker and Matt Marthel say #EverRiseRULES! Who wins big to start off the 2021 Dusty Cup?
Gibson has a mic and speaks as he and Drake make their entrance. “Last year, we made our debut in the Dusty Classic! Well, this year, we are looking for more than just another invite to the finals! So I’m sorry to the dweebs who entered themselves in this tournament, dreaming of success, and I’m sorry to the absolute creatures in attendance praying for an upset tonight! Because 2021 is our year!” They are the Grizzled Young Veterans, SSSSSSOON to be recognized as the 2021 Dusty Cup winners, and SSSSSSSSOON to be recognized as the next NXT Tag Team Champions!
William Regal addresses the teams via titantron to say, “Welcome to the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. You are amongst the 16 teams who will compete for the prestigious Dusty Cup, and an NXT Tag Team Championship match. Now, let the tournament commence!” Teams sort out, and Liverpool’s Number One starts with Marthel. They circle, tie up, and go around. Gibson puts Marthel in a corner, Marthel gets around to waistlock, and the ref counts. Marthel puts some stank on the CHOP to Gibson’s back! Gibson shoves Marthel away, Marthel gets back to the Ever-Rise corner and uses ropes for defense. Ever-Rise eggs Gibson on but Gibson waits on them.
Parker tags in, talks trash on “baldy,” but Gibson kicks and fires off elbows! Gibson wrenches, tags to Drake, and Drake headlocks to throw Parker down. Drake thrashes and grinds Parker, Gibson shouts to “teach him a lesson,” but Parker fights up. Parker powers out, drops then drops, to hip toss, only for Drake to counter into a hip toss, that even had a bit of a knee attack in it! Parker gets up and comes back to tie up again. Parker wrenches, wristlocks, but Drake rolls and spins to handspring, only for Parker to throw him down by his hair! Parker stomps away on Drake but Gibson gets Drake out of there. Parker shouts, “EVER-RISE RULES!”
Gibson keeps Drake back so he can cool off and not let Parker get in his head. Gibson and Drake go to their corner, talk some strategy, and Drake tags Gibson in. Parker and Gibson circle, tie up, and Gibson throws Parker down tot hen DECK Marthel! Gibson headlocks, Drake tags in, they push Parker to drop toehold, basement dropkick, then MAYHEM IN MOTION on Marthel! GYV is in control but fans chant, “You Still Suck!” Drake grinds Parker into the ropes and tells him to grit his teeth before he throws big haymakers! Parker wobbles, Drake headlocks and punches, then hits a BIG BULLDOG! Drake drags Parker up to ROCK him with a haymaker and Parker flops out of the ring!
Gibson tags in, fetches Parker, Drake slingshots to PLANCHA BACKBREAKER! Drake talks trash on Parker now while Marthel protests. Gibson puts Parker in, stays between him and Marthel, and clamps on with a facelock. Gibson wrenches and back suplexes, to a Half Crab! Parker endures, Gibson puts pressure on the knee but Parker kicks with his free leg! Gibson lets go to stomp Parker down! Gibson traps Parker in the GYV corner, Drake tags in and hits a big back elbow! Gibson hits a corner clothesline then feeds Parker to Drake’s WINDMILL KICK! Cover, TWO! Drake keeps between Parker and Marthel and brings Parker away to bump off buckles.
Gibson tags in, GYV mugs Parker then Gibson throws EuroUppers. Drake tags in but Parker fights both of them off! Gibson blocks a boot but gets an ax kick for it! Parker crawls but Drake anchors his foot! Drake drags Parker back, gets the arm, but Parker keeps fighting! Parker ROCKS Drake with forearms, but Drake holds onto the wrist! Parker drags Drake with him and tags in Marthel! Marthel fires off and fires off haymakers! Drake puts Marthel in the corner but Marthel fights out with forearms and CHOPS! Marthel DECKS Gibson, ROCKS and CHOPS Drake, then whips him corner to corner! Drake tumbles hard, comes back, into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX!
Marthel CLOBBERS Gibson, fires up and brings Drake up! Drake hits back, but Marthel LARIATS! Tag to Parker, Ever-Rise coordinates but Gibson saves Drake from the Sweet Taste! But then Ever-Rise whips Drake into Gibson and knocks him off the apron! Drake staggers into Parker’s pop-up and Marthel’s SPEAR! Cover, but Gibson breaks it! Marthel is after Gibson, Ever-Rise double wrench and double whip but Gibson reverses to send Marthel into buckles! Marthel goes under Gibson, Parker hits a forearm smash! Feed to the drop toehold, BOOYAH ELBOW! Parker tags Marthel in as fans fire up, and Ever-Rise go after Drake. But Gibson drags Parker out!
Gibson THROAT CHOPS Parker! Marthel is alone and goes after Gibson’s beard, but Drake runs corner to corner! GRIT YOUR TEETH DROPKICK!! Gibson tags in, GYV has Marthel for a TICKET TO MAYHEM!! Cover, GYV wins!!
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall (advance to the second round)
The former NXT UK Tag Team Champions are back on track and are the first team to advance! Will they make it all the way back to the finals and win the cup this time?
NXT hears from Raquel Gonzalez.
“What a difference a year can make.” Rhea Ripley was dominating the NXT Women’s Division, “a bright shiny future hit a brick wall.” Rhea is just like 2020: a bad memory we’re all trying to forget. Raquel and Rhea ripped each other apart all over the arena in their Last Woman Standing match. Raquel is looking ahead to the NXT Women’s Championship and Io Shirai. “After last week, they all know there’s a new baddest bitch in town, and her name… is Raquel Gonzalez.” Will Big Mami Cool conquer every woman in her path to the top?
Backstage interview with Shotzi Blackheart!
A tough loss to Candice, but she won’t whine about it. Shotzi has her eyes on history. The first-ever WOMEN’S Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and we all know Candice & Indi are in. So Shotzi just needs a partner, “a ride-or-die, someone who has my back, someone I know I can win the whole damn thing with! Somebody that I went to war with.” And that must be Ember Moon! This isn’t just a tournament, this is their opportunity to make history and be THE FIRST EVER Women’s Dusty Cup winners! So they’ll go balls to the wall and #TCB!
To all of the other competitors, Ember wants you to know that they will be enforcing Ember’s Law to its full extent. And, “we gon’ put our names on that trophy.” Shotzi howls to the moon as she now has Ember Moon on her side! Will no one stop these two from claiming the cup and immortalizing themselves in NXT history?
Dexter Lumis VS Johnny Gargano w/ Austin Theory!
While The Way’s other half wants to parallel Candice & Indi Wrestling, Johnny Wrestling still has to worry about the gold around his waist. Will Gargano be able to deny Lumis the shortcut to a title shot this close to his return to the Dusty Cup?
The bell rings and Lumis stares down Gargano. Gargano has the caricature and says it isn’t funny. He tears the picture in front of Lumis, so Lumis DECKS him with an uppercut, then BOOTS him to ropes! Gargano kicks back, runs, but into a Thesz Press and fast hands! Lumis stalks Gargano to a corner, runs in but Gargano goes up and over and rolls Lumis, but Lumis ducks the low kick and stares Gargano right in the face! Gargano slides out of the ring but Lumis slithers out after him! Gargano runs at Lumis but Lumis ducks the boot to kip up! Lumis stares Gargano down, Gargano runs into an uppercut! Gargano elbows back, climbs up to the apron and mule kicks!
Gargano leaps but Lumis UPPERCUTS him into the ring! Fans fire up for Lumis as he climbs up the corner. Gargano throws haymakers to stop Lumis up top, then climbs up to bring him up. Lumis resists the superplex, throws body shots, but so does Gargano. Lumis hits back, hits hard, and then brings Gargano up to headbutt! Gargano holds on but Lumis uppercuts him down! Lumis adjusts, fans rally up, Lumis lines it up and SWANTONS, but Gargano moves! Lumis flops, flounders and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Gargano has Lumis down with a half camel clutch. Fans rally as Lumis endures, but Gargano pulls back harder. Gargano lets Lumis go to mockingly frame the picture and then drop an elbow on Lumis’ back! Gargano digs knees in over and over then drops another elbow. Lumis writhes but Gargano grins as he stalks him to ropes. Gargano drags Lumis up, shoves and CLUBS him on the back! Gargano brings Lumis up again, another shove and another forearm to the back! Fans rally for Lumis, Gargano shoves him again but Lumis elbows Gargano! Gargano staggers, comes back to kick low and whips Lumis to ropes, only for Lumis to reverse and SPINEBUSTER!
Fans fire up as both men are down, but Lumis is getting up already. Gargano goes to ropes, Lumis watches him stagger over, and he DECKS him with a haymaker! Then another! Then an uppercut! Lumis corner clotheslines, then BULLDOGS! Gargano flounders up into Lumis’ slingshot suplex! Lumis stalks Gargano, brings him up, BIG back suplex! And a kip up, to a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Lumis keeps his cool and fans fire up more! Gargano hobbles, Lumis reels him in but Gargaao fights out of the arm triangle! Gargano boots from a corner, goes up and leaps, but Lumis catches him! Lumis swings Gargano but Gargano turns that into a crucifix takedown! Cover, TWO!!
Gargano hurries to BUZZSAW Lumis down! Fans fire up, Lumis pops right up!? Gargano SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!! Lumis still lives and Theory can’t believe it! Gargano seethes and drags Lumis up for forearms. Lumis throws another forearm, and another, and another! Lumis ROCKS Gargano with haymakers, then runs, but Theory swipes at him! Lumis stomps Theory’s fingers! Gargano enziguris! Gargano goes to the apron, slingshots but into an uppercut! Lumis throws a punch, Gargano enziguris again! Gargano tries again, but Lumis blocks One Final Beat, to THE SILENCE!
Theory gets on the apron but Lumis lets Gargano go to ROCK Theory! Lumis drags Theory in but Gargano rolls Lumis up! Theory is sent flying but Gargano gets the cover, Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
Indi helped Candice and Theory helped Gargano! The Way’s investment in the future of NXT has helped them out! But Lumis slithers up to grab Theory for THE SILENCE! Gargano stomps Lumis down and clubs him at the ramp! Gargano and Theory mug Lumis, then Gargano goes to fetch a chair! Gargano brings the chair over, but KUSHIDA attacks Gargano! Theory goes after Kushida but gets a FAST BALL! Kushida slides in, ducks the Superkick and puts on the HOVERBOARD! Gargano is tapping!! Lumis drags Theory into THE SILENCE!
Lumis smothers Theory, Kushida lets Gargano go, and Kushida picks up the North American Championship! Is it only a matter of time before Kushida makes it his time?
Backstage interview with The Kings of NXT!
Do they care to comment on what went down earlier with Balor and the Undisputed Era? Burch says the UE still thinks they run this place, but guess what? Everyone right now is fighting for a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championships! “So no, WE run this place.” The UE just needs to learn one thing: keep your noses out of their business. And as far as Dunne is concerned, Kyle just put himself in the way of him and the NXT Championship. “So let’s take him outta the way.” Will the UE have to watch their backs with these three on the loose?
NXT shares the sit-down meeting between Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher.
It was earlier today that Wade Barrett presided over this face-to-face of two men who are still set to face off inside The Fight Pit. Barrett thanks them for joining him and starts with Thatcher. Thatcher is now medically cleared, what can he tell us about the nature of his injury? “I’m good to go. Last week, medical didn’t clear me. Now I am, done deal.” Ciampa doesn’t want to “poke the bear,” but what was the injury? Just curious. Thatcher says it’s nothing that will change the outcome of the match.
Barrett says it was Ciampa who asked their have their rematch in the Fight Pit. Knowing Thatcher won the first ever Fight Pit, was that a request a mistake? It’s Thatcher’s match, so maybe. But Ciampa’s talked about changing the culture in NXT. “Sometimes, you need to go into enemy territory. The Fight Pit is exactly that.” Ciampa knows how brutal this will be. Oh does he? Ciampa hasn’t been in it, Thatcher has! It’s a cage with no ropes, no pinfalls, only win by submission or knockout! Oh is this the part where Thatcher tells Ciampa the rules? Is this where Thatcher looks for fear in Ciampa’s eyes? Keep looking.
Barrett senses the animosity here. They’re both tough as they come and are very similar. So why this animosity? Thatcher says he still has no problem with Ciampa. And he agrees with a lot of what Ciampa says, but Ciampa went after Thatcher first. Thatcher was just out “educating the youth,” but Ciampa says that was “taking liberties.” Thatcher the grappler? Tough as nails. Thatcher the coach? A piece of garbage! In the Fight Pit, Ciampa will take every single liberty that he wants. Please do! Thatcher welcomes it! Be careful what you wish for, Thatcher.
Thatcher says this won’t be like TakeOver. Thatcher’s a different animal inside the Fight Pit. “A lion doesn’t have to explain what it’s going to do to a zebra.” “Do I look like a freakin’ zebra to you!?” “No, no you don’t. You look like a man who’s questioning if he’s still got it.” Ciampa says Thatcher has no idea what kind of man Ciampa is. This isn’t about questions, this is about answers. Next week, Fight Pit 2, Thatcher gets his answer. Barrett thanks them for their time and wishes them both the best of luck. Will Ciampa and Thatcher even survive this brutal rematch in the most brutal singles match NXT has devised?
Backstage interview with the Undisputed Era!
After what happened earlier tonight, are they worried that the Kings of NXT will get involved in their Dusty Cup match? Adam Cole isn’t sure about “worried,” they’ve had people coming after them their entire careers. Not only have they dealt with that, they’ve taught those people lessons. Strong says that’s right, and says if “Peter, Bonehead 1 and Bonehead 2” want to come on down, so be it! Kyle says the Era boys get the job done and have each other’s backs. Kyle will be out there to “keep the peace,” if you will.
As for Breezango, the UE has a lot of respect for what Fandango and Tyler Breeze have done. But tonight, the Era advances and that is Undisputed. Will Cole and Strong prove they’re just as strong of a combination as the other UE duos have been?
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Jake Atlas & Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS MSK!
After going back and forth with each other on both NXT and 205 Live, these young Cruiserweight superstars have come to an understanding and are going for glory together! But there’s a lot of mystery behind this newest team to join NXT, who are making their debuts in this tournament! Just who are #MSK? Wild and fired up, Wes Lee and Nash Carter are ready to make an impact!
Carter and Atlas start and fans fire up already. Atlas and Carter tie up. Carter wrenches but Atlas spins through to step through and headlock to a takeover. Carter headscissors but Atlas pops out. The two stand off, circle, tie up and Atlas arm-drags to have Carter in an armlock. Carter gets up, whips Atlas to ropes and hurdles to drop. Atlas rolls, goes Matrix and then back elbows! Cover, TWO! Atlas has Carter’s arm again, wrenches him and tags in Swerve. Atlas takes the handoff, wrenches and wristlocks, but Carter rolls, handsprings and flips to arm-drag free! Carter grins but Swerve runs in, only for things to speed up.
Carter hurdles, dodges and springboards for a TORNILLO BODY BLOCK! Cover, TWO! Carter keeps on Swerve with a chinlock, Swerve fights up but Carter powers him to the MSK corner. Wes tags in, wrenches to a wristlock, and grinds Swerve down to the mat. Swerve keeps his shoulders up, turns and reels Wes into a knee! Swerve drags Wes up by his face and throws him hard into the corner! Swerve stomps away, Atlas tells Swerve to calm down and tags in. Atlas drags Wes up to ROCK him and CHOP him, then CHOP him again! Wes hits back, Atlas wrenches and waistlocks but Wes elbows out hard!
Wes runs but Swerve throws Wes out! The ref reprimands but Swerve runs at Wes, Wes ROCKS him! Atlas DIVES and sends Wes into the announce desk! Atlas puts Wes in, Carter comes around and leaps off steps, Swerve pushes Atlas out of the way to take the hit! Atlas runs at Carter but is sent into steel steps! Carter turns around into Swerve’s BOOT! Swerve laughs at Carter but Wes BLASTS him off the apron! Atlas and Swerve regroup but Wes FLIES! Direct hit takes both of them out and fans are fired up as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Swerve has Carter down with an armlock. Carter fights up, leaps to drag Swerve down, but Swerve fights off the triangle! Swerve throws body shots to Carter’s ribs, then picks him up to SLAM him down! Swerve hooks the leg, turns Carter over, waistlocks and lifts, but Carter elbows out! Carter reaches, Swerve drags him away and ducks the enziguri, but Carter slides under! Swerve turns around, Carter ducks his leap to tag in Wes! Atlas tags in but Wes rallies with big forearms! Atlas goes to a corner, Wes runs in and UPPERCUTS! Wes whips, Atlas reverses but Wes stops, breaks free, CHOPS, elbows and snapmares to a basement dropkick!
Tag to Carter, MSK coordinate for the MOONSAULT PUSH! Cover, but Swerve breaks it in time! Swerve drags Carter up and whips but Carter reverses to push him out! Tag to Wes and MSK drag Atlas up. They double back suplex but Atlas lands on his feet to shove Wes away. Carter turns around as Swerve tags in, and Swerve throws Carter way out of the ring! Wes comes back and Atlas ROCKS him, GERMANS, and Swerve is there to gator roll to a dead lift BRAINBUSTER! Wes staggers, Swerve grins as he tags Atlas back in.
Swerve drags Wes up, full nelson for Atlas to HEEL KICK Wes, then a spin to a fireman’s carry, toss and SPINNING POWERSLAM! Swerve is up top, 450 SPLASH! Atlas covers, but Carter breaks it just in time! Fans fire up as Swerve grows frustrated! Swerve throws Carter back out, Atlas drags Wes back over and tags Swerve in. Atlas drags Wes to a corner, rams his shoulder in, and Swerve helps hoist Wes to the top rope. Swerve and Atlas both climb up to bring Wes up but Carter drags Atlas down in a heap! Wes shoves Swerve away and both men fall to the mat! Fans fire up as everyone is down, and Wes gets to ropes. Wes kicks Swerve away to go to his corner but no one is home.
Swerve runs in, blocks a boot, but Carter tags in! Carter ROCKS Swerve, Wes pops Swerve up to the ropes, Carter ROCKS Swerve into Wes’ NO HANDS POISON-RANA!! Carter drags Swerve up, Wes runs in, BLOCKBUSTER HART ATTACK! Cover, MSK WINS!!
Winners: MSK, by pinfall (advance to the second round)
What a way to debut! They defeat two top Cruiserweights and move on to the next round of this prestigious tag team tournament! Will these rascals be the ones to take the Dusty Cup?
NXT has the Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic line-up!
As stated earlier tonight, The Way’s Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae are in, along with Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon, but there is also Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter and Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez! Surely more teams to come, but the inaugural Women’s Dusty Cup begins next week! KC Squared takes on the Lightning from Down Under and Mean Ms. Martinez, all in the name of making history!
NXT hears from Scarlett Bordeaux.
She’s reading tarot cards. “We’ve cleared the land of the holy man.” That is to say, Karrion Kross punished Damian Priest for his arrogance on New Year’s Evil. “We will dance with the devil. And when we dance, we dance to the tune of The Prince.” Scarlett blows out the candle, and Kross says tick-tock. When will the clock strike midnight on Finn Balor’s reign?
Xia Li w/ Boa & Tian Sha VS ???
Forged by the training “she” subjected her to, the once spicy warrior is now a sharpened blade ready to cut down opponent after opponent in the ring. Xia now shows her prowess with a different martial arts weapon, but it is just as fearsome and impressive as before. Will it be the same story in the ring?
The bell rings, Xia circles with ???, and as ??? rushes in, Xia easily DECKS her to the mat. Xia spins, strikes her pose, watches her opponent rise, and then SPINNING ROUNDHOUSES! Cover, Xia wins!!
Winner: Xia Li, by pinfall
Two strikes that were so fast, if you blinked, you missed them! But “she” is not satisfied, and Xia puts the opponent into the ropes and fires off furious strikes! The rope is the only thing that keeps this young woman up, and then the signal is given to finish it! Xia hits a JUMPING KNEE and her opponent falls! Will the mysterious “Tian Sha” and her living weapon in Xia Li soon take over the NXT Women’s Division?
Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter speak.
“Next week, we have the opportunity to make history and become the first team to advance in the first-ever Women’s Dusty Cup.” That’s huge! Monumental! Now it will be a challenge because their first opponents are two of the toughest women in NXT, Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez. But KC Squared is used to being overlooked. Toni and Mercedes, PLEASE overlook them! All the teams can overlook them and then watch them leave a legacy. KC Square promises to shock Storm & Martinez, then shock the world, by going down in history as the first-ever Women’s Dusty Cup winners! The whole thing! They’re fired up, but will that fire be extinguished by the Storm and her vicious new tag partner?
NXT returns to Atlas and Swerve brawling backstage!
The tag team’s bond was tenuous at best, and the loss tonight has made them both snap! Security rushes in, then Colossal Bronson Reed barges in. Swerve can’t believe Reed’s taking Atlas’ side. Reed’s always against him. Reed tells Swerve to cool off, and Swerve just smirks and leaves. Will Swerve’s House still be standing if Auszilla is in his way?
Next week’s Dusty Rhodes Classic matches are set!
We already know Kushida and Leon Ruff will look to settle things with The Way’s Gargano & Theory, but Imperium returns and takes on Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado! Will Johnny Wrestling make sure things go his way? And will Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner keep the mat sacred when they’re against Lucha House Party?
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: The Undisputed Era VS Breezango!
Roderick Strong and Adam Cole definitely made history in the Dusty Cup when Strong betrayed Dunne to help Cole and Kyle win both cup and tag titles. Meanwhile, the Lord of Dance and Prince Pretty are entering this prestigious tournament for the first time! Who wins when former tag team champions collide already in the first round?
The teams sort out and Cole starts with Breeze. They circle, fans rally up already, and the two tie up. They go around, Breeze headlocks but Cole powers out, only for Breeze to run him over. Things speed up as Cole hurdles but Breeze drops to hurdle back. Both men show superkicks so both men back off. Fans cheer as the two reset and give a respectful low five. They circle, approach, Cole waistlocks but Breeze switches. Cole switches, Breeze switches again, but so does Coe. Cole headlocks, hits the takeover, but Breeze headscissors. Cole pops out, Breeze reverses roles as he headlocks and takes over, only for Cole to headscissor. Breeze pops out, the two show haymaker and back off again.
Fans rally Breeze and Cole tag to Fandango and Strong. The Savior of the Backbreaker knuckle locks with Fandango, go shoulder to shoulder with a test of strength, and both men break the other’s knuckle lock to tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Strong pushes Fandango down then gets the arm. Fandango fights up, Strong digs into the arm and wrenches to then yank on the arm. Fandango endures, fights up, wrangles Strong down, but Strong gets up. Fandango puts Strong on the ropes then throws him over to drop knees on the arm! Fandango digs knees into the shoulder, Strong fights up and handsprings, only for Fandango to wrangle him back down!
Fans rally, Strong works on an escape, and Strong kips up, only for Fandango to wrangle him down again! Strong trips Fandango up, gets the legs but Fandango throws him off. Fandango dodges and hits a windmill kick! Cover, TWO! Fandango keeps on Strong as NXT goes picture in picture.
Strong fights up but Fandango EuroUppers him to the corner! Breeze tags in, brings Strong out and snap suplexes him! Cover, ONE, but Breeze keeps close. Breeze wrenches, facelocks, but Strong gets around to a waistlock and back suplex backbreaker! Tag to Cole and Cole brings Breeze up to bump off buckles! Cole stomps and punches Breeze down, stomps more, but lets off as the ref counts. Cole brings Breeze up, turns him, and hits a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Cole drags Breeze up, whips him but Breeze reverses to mule kick! Breeze runs and dropkicks Cole down! Cover, TWO! Tag to Fandango, Breezango mugs Cole, then Fandango whips Cole corner to corner hard!
Fandango drags Cole back up and whips him back the other way just as hard! Cole hits the mat but Fandango brings him up for haymakers and jabs in the corner! The ref counts, Fandango snapmares and wraps on a chinlock. Cole endures, fights up, and NXT returns to single picture as Cole throws body shots. Fandango throws knees back, then hangs Cole out to dry. Tag to Fandango, they make it rain and DOUBLE BOOT Cole down! Cover, TWO! Breeze brings Cole up, Cole elbows him away! Breeze grabs a leg, reels Cole in but Cole breaks free to PELE! Cole reaches for Strong but Breeze throws him out! Breeze runs, into an ENZIGURI!
Fans rally up as Breeze stirs and Cole gets in the ring. Cole crawl but so does Breeze, hot tags to Strong and Fandango! Strong and Fandango throw hands fast and furious, but Strong runs to LARIAT and dropkick, then half nelson BACKBREAKER! Strong runs to give Breeze endless forearms! Then a SLAM onto Fandango! Cover, TWO! Strong fires up, tags Cole in and the UE drags Fandango up. Strong ROCKS Fandango, fireman’s carries, GUTBUSTER DROP to a SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! It wasn’t the Last Shot for more than one reason, but Cole decides to make it that! Knee pad down, Cole runs, but Fandango ducks and then BOOTS back! Tag to Breeze!
Breeze runs but into Cole’s BOOT! Cole drags Breeze up, suplexes, but Breeze fights free! Breeze knees low, hops on, SIDE BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives, Kyle and the fans rally up, but Breeze ENZIGURIS Strong down! Breeze drags Cole over, Fandango tags in, catapult to forearm shot! FASHION FAUX PAS! Cover, but Strong breaks it! Breeze shoves Strong out, gets Cole with chicken wings, but Strong gets back in! Breeze JUMPING KNEES Strong away, Fandango goes up top but Cole SUPERKICKS Breeze! Cole dodges Fandango’s leap to BOOT him, only for Fandango to LARIAT Cole anyway! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as all four men are down!
But Kyle sees the Kings of NXT coming and goes after them at the ramp! But that’s still 3v1! Kyle gets mugged, and Dunne brings Kyle to the girder! Lorcan and Burch pull on Kyle’s arm, but BALOR leaps in and DECKS Dunne! Then he clobbers Burch and fires off on Lorcan! Dunne and the Kings fight Balor and Kyle 3v2, and Dunne sends Balor into girder! Then he DECKS Kyle! And KNEES Kyle’s jaw into barriers!! Cole sees all this and is stunned! Breeze SUPER MODEL KICKS Cole!! Breezango gets Cole on the top rope but Strong KNEES Breeze so hard, he falls out of the ring!
Cole shoves Fandango away, and hits PANAMA- NO! Fandango back drops it away! Fandango goes up top, leaps, into a SUPERKICK!! Cover, the UE wins!!
Winners: The Undisputed Era, by pinfall (advance to the second round)
Cole and Strong still get through the first round, but did the Kings of NXT still accomplish their mission? Have they removed Kyle from NXT by completely devastating his jaw? Will the Undisputed Era avenge Kyle by winning the Dusty Cup and taking those tag titles from Lorcan & Burch? Will Balor get his own payback when he battles the Bruiserweight?
My Thoughts:
While it is hard to follow up New Year’s Evil being a TakeOver on TV, this episode was still great! Especially as a start for the Dusty Cup with three matches tonight, all of them great. GYV going over Ever-Rise made sense, they’re the former NXT UK Tag Team Champions and one of last year’s finalists. Given how things are building, they probably aren’t winning, but this is a good sign that they’ll be the first team to have held both the NXT UK and NXT prime tag team championships in their careers. MSK VS Atlas & Swerve was a very good match for a first-time-ever, and given the story building between Swerve and Atlas, it makes a lot of sense for MSK to go over. The now “Wes Lee” and “Nash Carter” are going to do very well, might be semifinalists at best, but not finalists or winners.
The Undisputed Era, Finn Balor and the Kings of NXT all had very good showings tonight. Clearly Dunne wants after Balor, but whether that happens before or at TakeOver: Valentine’s Day has yet to be seen after Scarlett’s spooky tarot promo. The promos were good, the brawling was better, and I’m surprised it didn’t cost the UE against Breezango. At the same time, it makes a lot of sense to let the tournament be the build, with UE winning here, against next round’s opponents, and I would assume Grizzled Young Veterans in the semifinals. UE is the favorites to win the Dusty Cup so that the combination of Cole and Strong have a shot at holding the titles together officially, but that in itself could be why they don’t win and have to take a different route to the champions.
I’m assuming we only got to know half of the Women’s Dusty Cup bracket. Four teams is good but I would think they could find a way to make eight teams total. Ember being Shotzi’s partner makes sense, because as Shotzi’s promo said, they’ve teamed together before, and they both still have some beef with Candice and even other entries into the tournament. KC Squared joining in was natural, but despite their promo, they’re still fodder for Storm & Mercedes. Candice VS Shotzi was a good match but Indi so blatantly helped Candice win it. I’m not sure that bodes well for The Way in the tournament, but who knows. Xia Li was so swift and brutal, we never got her opponent’s name! But that’s actually perfect because that’s what she needs to be. No idea if “Tian Sha” (Karen Q’s new character) ever actually wrestles, so maybe they won’t be in the Women’s Dusty Cup.
The Way’s other half, Gargano and Theory, had a rougher night, but it works in story. Gargano beats Lumis so Lumis doesn’t have a shortcut to the title, but Kushida makes sure Gargano isn’t standing tall going into the Dusty Cup. Lumis going after Theory makes me think something might happen to Leon Ruff, only for Lumis to step in as his replacement. Even if not, I expect Lumis to still be looming as Kushida & Leon likely lose to Gargano & Theory. The Way’s two teams should parallel each other to a degree, in that they get out of the first round, but I think because Gargano has the North American Championship, he and Theory lose first and then focus on the title defense.
Perhaps the only real low point was Ciampa and Thatcher having the sit-down. It was needed since the Fight Pit was cancelled for New Year’s Evil, and I do like that Thatcher kept the nature of his injury a secret so as not to give Ciampa an advantage. The one thing I didn’t like was that they made it sound like Thatcher was in way more Fight Pit matches than he has, which is only one against Matt Riddle. He hasn’t been secretly having dozens of Fight Pit matches somewhere, has he? Undefeated at 1-0 isn’t that big of a deal but they’re saying the Fight Pit is Thatcher’s match. I feel like them saying that is already a giveaway that Ciampa is winning again, even though that squashes the feud rather easily since Ciampa won at the previous TakeOver.
My Score: 9.4/10
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Have a Holly Jolly Rampage!
The Continental Classic rolls on, and Brody King takes on Komander in hopes of grabbing three more points towards the top of Gold League!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis; Konosuke & Cage win.
- Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy; Lio & Action win.
- Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron; Willow wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander; Brody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tony Schiavone is in the ring!
Schiavone welcomes out the Blue League’s current points leader, Kyle Fletcher, and of course… Don Callis. But they’re not alone as the rest of the Don Callis Family makes their way out to the ring. Wait, shouldn’t Brian Cage be in New York for Final Battle…? Well anyway, Schiavone says there’s a lot of gold and- Callis takes the mic, and he says, “I have something important to say.” The fans boo and Schiavone excuses himself as Callis says the Don Callis Family are the TRUE One Percenters of professional wrestling! They prove it each and every day!
Murder Machines: The most feared tag team in the world! “Don Callis’ favorite wrestler,” Kyle Fletcher, shows every day why he is THE One Percent! He beat Will Ospreay! He beat Kazuchika Okada! And now, he’s gonna beat Daniel Garcia and win the Continental Classic! Callis hands the mic over to Kyle and Kyle says it might be true that last Saturday wasn’t the best day for Kyle, but anyone watching that match saw the clear bias from the officials in this company! The fans boo as Kyle claims there is an agenda in AEW to see the Don Callis Family NOT succeed. But it doesn’t matter, it changes nothing!
Kyle WILL be the winner of the 2024 Continental Classic. That brings Kyle to Daniel Garcia. “You wanna talk about restoring the feeling, Daniel? I couldn’t care less about your feelings! All I speak are facts! And the fact is, I am the hottest young prospect in this industry, and I will be the future of this whole place!” The fans boo more but Callis says one last thing he wants to say, is when you’re the One Percent, you’re not like the other 99! They are not like all of these fans! They are not like “the boys in the back,” like Mark Davis & Will Hobbs, “a couple of scab workers!” They’re not even in the same business, Hobbs!
And Callis has waited to get Hobbs on a PPV so that the world could watch why they call Konosuke Takeshita “The Alpha.” And Hobbs, YOU are not in the same business as Konosuke, and you find that out at Worlds End! But speaking of, here comes the Powerhouse! Will he and Dunkzilla finish things with the Don Callis Family? Or will the AEW International and ROH World TV Champions get even for last week?
Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis!
The teams sort out and Konosuke starts against Hobbs to give the DC fans a preview of Worlds End. Hobbs and Konosuke step up, talk trash, and then the forearms go back and forth! The fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke! Hobbs even shouts “MEAT!” before he whips Konosuke. Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges but then so does Hobbs! Hobbs SPINE- NO, Konosuke flails free and Hobbs says it was that close. Konosuke says to cool off while he paces on the outside. Konosuke steps back into the ring, but he tags to Cage. The fans stay fired up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as Cage and Hobbs circle.
Hobbs and Cage DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And again! And again! Cage kicks low, shouts, “Who Betta Than Cage?” But then Hobbs CLOBBERS him! Hobbs even gets Konosuke to back down with a glare. Hobbs brings Cage up to fire forearms, then he tags Davis. Davis & Hobbs double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up as Davis stalks Cage to a corner. Davis CHOPS Cage, and CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Cage sputters but Davis scoops to SLAM Cage down! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE! Cage stays in this but Davis bumps him off buckles.
Tag to Hobbs and he brings Cage out. Hobbs and Davis reel Cage in, fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! MEAT MEAT MEAT!” but Konosuke makes the save! Konosuke swings, Hobbs dodges, so the elbow DECKS Davis! Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke, Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage clinches, Konosuke returns, KNEE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cage covers, TWO! Cage rains down fists, the ref reprimands, but Cage steps off. Cage drags Hobbs up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Konosuke. The Callis Family stomps a mudhole into Hobbs, but then Hobbs CHOPS Konosuke! Konosuke snarls, and he CHOPS in return!
Konosuke ROCKS Hobbs, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count but then Konosuke BITES Hobbs on the forehead! The ref counts, Konosuke lets off, and Hobbs sputters on the ropes. Konosuke tags to Cage and the Family gets Hobbs up. They DOUBLE SUPLEX Hobbs! Cage covers, TWO! Cage drags Hobbs up but Hobbs fires body shots. Hobbs UPPERCUTS but Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage ROCKS Hobbs again, Hobbs fires back, repeat! The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Cage gets the edge, then whips, but Hobbs KICKS him away! Cage swings, Hobbs bobs ‘n’ weaves, to then hit an EXPLODER!
The fans fire up while Hobbs crawls, hot tag to Davis! Davis fires hands on Cage, “MEAT! MEAT!” Davis DECKS Cage, then whips him to ropes. Cage reveres but Davis picks him up, BACKDROP! Davis SENTONS but onto knees! Davis writhes, Cage tags Konosuke! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee! Davis takes a swing but Konosuke ducks that, to BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Davis survives and Konosuke snarls, but Rampage goes picture in picture.
Konosuke rains down fists on Davis, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Konosuke tags Cage and Cage drags Davis up. Cage ROCKS Davis, whips him into a corner, and Davis hits buckles chest first! Cage RAMS into Davis, and RAMS in again, then CHOPS! Davis staggers but Cage whips him to ropes. Davis reverses, to dosido with Cage, only for Cage to CLOBBER Davis! Cage BOOTS Davis down, covers, but Hobbs breaks it! Cage gets mad and the ref reprimands Hobbs, then Cage soaks up heat from DC. Cage stalks Davis to a corner and fires haymakers! The ref reprimands but Cage DECKS Davis! Cage soaks up more heat while he flexes.
Holiday Bash returns to single picture while Davis crawls. Cage storms over but Davis fires hands! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS, but Cage JUMP KNEES! Cage whips Davis, Davis cartwheels and swings on Cage! Cage blocks, waistlocks, but Davis switches! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Davis rises and reaches out! Davis crawls, as does Cage, hot tags to Hobbs and Konosuke! Hobbs LARIATS Konosuke, LARIATS again, then runs up to LARIAT in a corner! Cage runs up but he’s send into Konosuke! Hobbs SANDWEICHES the Family! Hobbs whips, Cage reverses, but Hobbs comes back to CLOBBER him! Hobbs scoops Cage for a POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up but Konosuke runs up! Hobbs scoops him, too! POWERSLAM! Hobbs pumps up and the fans are with him! Hobbs stomps and shakes the ropes, then he goes back for Konosuke. Konosuke rises, Hobbs pops him up, but Konosuke ELBOWS him! Konosuke fires hands, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Hobbs staggers, Konosuke whips him, but Hobbs reverses! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Davis blocks Cage, but Cage SHOVES Davis onto the cover! Cage then TOSSES Davis out, and he goes back for Hobbs. Hobbs TOSSES Cage! Hobbs grins as he has Konosuke alone. The straps come down, and Hobbs runs up, only for Konosuke to dodge!
Konosuke runs, Cage tags in, and Konosuke BOOTS Hobbs in the corner! Cage runs up to UPPERCUT, GAMANGIRI, and then GERMAN SUPLEX! Hobbs flounders, Cage hauls him up, PUMP HANDLE FACEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hobbs survives and Cage is furious! Cage tags Konosuke, the Family gets Hobbs up, and they double wrench to double whip. But Hobbs breaks the double lariat and Davis tags in! Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS Cage & Konosuke! Davis runs up, they STEREO LARIAT! Konosuke BOOTS Davis and Cage waistlocks Hobbs. Konosuke runs but Davis GAMANGIRIS! Cage SUPERKICKS Davis!
Hobbs SNAP POWERSLAMS Cage! ALPHA ELBOW from Konosuke! Davis GERMAN SUPLEXES Konosuke! Cage fireman’s carries Davis, F5!! Cage runs up on Hobbs but Hobbs dodges! Hobbs LARIATS Cage and himself out of the ring! The fans fire up while Davis rises again! Konosuke also stands, and they run up! DOUBLE LARIATS! Davis GAMANGIRIS, Konosuke ends up in the corner! Davis goes side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans roar as Davis hauls Konosuke up! Konosuke fights the lift, dodges Davis, and comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS finally take both men down! But not for long as they both roar to their feet!
Konosuke swings, and he SWATS Davis’ enzigiri! Konosuke then POWER DRIVE KNEES!! And then, RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Callis Family wins!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage, by pinfall
The Alpha slam dunks on Dunkzilla, and now he has 8 days to prepare for the Powerhouse! Will Konosuke hold onto his International Championship against Hobbs? Or will taking that title be the perfect payback?
Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.
Renee Paquette is with the Babe with the Power who is in action later tonight. But first, Renee wants to congratulate Willow to making it to the finals of the inaugural International Women’s Cup. She heads off to Tokyo very soon, how is she feeling about it? Willow is very excited. Inaugural WrestleDynasty, one step closer to the inaugural International Women’s Cup winner, and so it is mind boggling after how- Kris Statlander steps in. Kris tells Willow that there is a lot she should say, but for now, she’ll say good luck at the Tokyo Dome. #BornAgainKristen takes Willow by surprise, will Willow win tonight and have momentum going to the New Year?
Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy!
The dysfunction in Top Flight Airlines led to The Bad Child & The Sight to See winning over Darius & Dante Martin, meaning they’re next up to face Private Party. Will this be little more than a tune-up for Lio & Action?
The teams sort out, Lio starts against Myles, but then Lio handspring kicks Goldy off the apron! Myles back suplexes but Lio lands out and then dodges! Myles falls out of the ring, Action handspring kicks him down! Lio DIVES onto Goldy! Action DIVES onto Myles! The fans fire up as Action puts Myles in fast. Lio joins Action and they mug Myles. Myles fights back with forearms and CHOPS! Myle runs, but Lio & Action split the difference. Lio spins Myles for Action to mule kick, knee lift and ROLLING ELBOW! Lio fires fast hands, then DECKS Myles! Goldy springboards but Lio & Action dodge! Lio eggs Goldy on, then he and Action split the difference again!
Action runs up, Goldy dodges, but Lio LARIATS Goldy on the other side! Myles whips Lio but Lio hits RUSH HOUR! Action torture racks Myles for a NECKBREAKER! Lio covers, Lio & Action win!
Winners: Lio Rush & Action Andretti, by pinfall
Fast win for this furious duo, but “Oh my gosh, is that Private Party?” Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy make their way out here and DC fires up! The AEW World Tag Team Champions call for “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” Lio & Action get their shot in the near future, but wait! Dante & Darius make their way out here? Private Party looks to the tunnels, but Lio & Action CLOBBER them from behind! Dante, Darius & Leila don’t worry about the champs, they stare Lio & Action down. Lio & Action hold up the belts, then throw them at the Martins. The refs keep this from getting any more physical, but will Lio & Action take those belts from Quen & Zay soon enough?
Backstage interview with Harley Cameron.
Renee is now with the “multifaceted” Harley and notes she’s in action against Willow Nightingale tonight. Harley says yes, she IS multifaceted. She wants us to appreciate ALL her facets! Renee says yes, but she has yet to earn a singles win in AEW. Fine, ruin her fun. But then Harley asks if some person off camera is gonna say anything or just stand there. In steps Penelope Ford, and Mrs. Superbad says yes, she was simply observing. But Ford couldn’t help but notice that she and Harley share a lot of similar… facets. Harley asks how much Ford’s cost. Uh, no, not those…
Ford meant that she hasn’t had such a good 2024, either. So from The Bad Girl to the… Harley doesn’t have a good nickname yet. Well, don’t worry about it. Ford will watch Harley’s back and Harley will watch Ford’s. Wait, is something on Harley’s back? No, Harley… Just good luck. FEEL THE WRATH OF HARLEY CAMERON! No, she was being nice to you, Harley. Right, don’t feel the wrath of Harley Cameron. There is nothing on your back, Harley, stop scratching. Wait! W-What? Nothing, sorry. But will Harley be feeling Willow’s wrath instead?
Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two tie up. Harley pushes but Willow digs in her heels to SHOVE Harley down. Harley comes back, she and Willow reset and tie up again. Willow puts Harley in a corner, the ref counts, and Willow lets off. DC duels between Willow and Harley, and Harley wants a Test of Strength. Willow accepts the knuckle locks, but then Harley kicks low! Harley runs, wheelbarrows, but Willow turns that into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer as Willow runs, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Willow bumps Harley off buckles, then fires LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans count al the way to TEN!
Willow brings Harley out with a smile, and scoop SLAMS her! Harley flounders, Willow storms up on her for another scoop and SLAM, right as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Willow storms around while Harley staggers up. Willow scoops Harley again, then carries her around to put her in the Tree of Woe! Willow stomps a mudhole in, then lets off to run up! But Harley BOOTS her while upside-down! Harley gets free, ELBOWS Willow, then runs to knee her low! Harley runs with Willow to HOTSHOT BULLDOG! Willow is stuck in ropes, and Harley AX KICKS her! Harley then headscissors Willow to CHOKE her in the ropes! The ref counts, Harley lets go at 4, and Harley soaks up cheers and jeers from DC. Harley stomps Willow, then drags her to the outside. Harley SMACKS Willow off the apron!
Harley paces while Willow flounders, and Harley has her against railing. Harley CHOPS Willow, then brings her around. Willow blocks the bump to SMACK Harley off the apron! Harley turns things around to SMACK Willow off the apron! Harley shoves Willow in, storms up on her, and stands her up for buckle bumps. Harley stomps Willow, digs her boots in, and she thrashes around! The ref counts, Harley lets off at 4, but Willow elbows her in return! Harley RAMS into Willow again and again, but Willow CLUBS Harley! Harley ROCKS Willow, whips her to ropes, and ELBOWS Willow down! Harley soaks up more cheers and jeers while Rampage goes to break.
Holiday Bash returns and Willow CANNONBALLS, but Harley dodges! Willow hits only buckles and she hobbles after Harley. Harley kicks, KNEES, and ENZIGIRIS! Harley roars, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Harley grows frustrated. The fans rally while Harley waistlocks, but Willow switches! Harley kicks free to switch back, but Willow ELBOWS Harley back! Willow fireman’s carries, storms around, but Harley pops up! Harley fires down elbows, then victory rolls, TWO! Willow escapes and ROCKS Harley! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!
Harley survives but Willow roars! The fans fire up as the straps come down! Willow gut wrenches for the BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
Willow faced the wrath of Harley Cameron and she prevailed! But then PENELOPE FORD goes after Willow! The fans boo but Ford did say she’d back Harley up. They both beat up on Willow, but here comes Kris! Kris Statlander storms the ring, Harley & Ford run away! Willow is again surprised, but the fans want these two to “Hug It Out! Hug It Out!” Kris says no, she doesn’t feel like it’s the right time. Kris lets Willow have the ring, is this proof that the #BornAgainKristen isn’t just a nickname?
Team Triple J speaks backstage.
Standing alongside Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, as well as Jeff & Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt says, “They’ve asked us to look back and reflect on 2024, and Jeff, guys, what an incredible series of moments we’ve had in 2024.” The group agrees. From Wembley Stadium to Double J being in the Owen Hart Cup, some true career highlights that he will cherish forever. But Jarrett doesn’t like looking in the rearview mirror, he likes to look ahead. Next week, he’s not bringing resolutions, he’s bringing a game plan for 2025! What does the Last Outlaw have in store for himself and the team in the New Year?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander!
While the rest of Gold League stands at 6 points, these two men are struggling to keep up. Will the King of Death join that traffic jam at the front of the block? Or will the Commander of the Skies be a spoiler for Christmas?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Komander circle while the fans bark it up. There are fans who sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Komander as the two tie up. But then Brody picks Komande up with both hands, and puts him on the to rope. Brody pats Komander on the shoulder, and the fans bark more. Komander hops down, not intimidated by Brody’s size. Komander then dodges Brody, DROPKICKS him, but Brody CLOBBERS Komander on the return! Brody eggs Komander on and then scuffs him. Komander gets mad and CHOPS! Brody grins and eggs Komander on. Komander CHOPS, but Brody wants more!
Komander fires up to CHOP, but Brody CHOPS Komander down! The fans fire up and Brody grins. Komander sputters, Brody paces, and Brody drags Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS again, and Komander flounders away! Brody stalks Komander to the corner, CHOPS him again, and Komander falls over! Brody hauls Komander up, whips him, but Komander goes up and over! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Brody BACKDROPS Komander! The fans bark while Komander writhes, and Brody drags Komander up. But Komander fires body shots and a CHOP!
Brody KNEES low and Komander drops. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody asks, “Are you done?!” Brody whips Komander, but Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to then springboard, but Brody catches Komander with ease! Brody pops Komander up, but Komander pops free, sunset flip, ONE!! Brody drags Komander up and CLUBS him! Komander wobbles, Brody ROCKS him again! Brody drags Komander off the ropes, suplexes, but Komander slips around! SLEEPER! Big men still have to breathe, but Brody RAMS Komander into the buckles! Brody swings, misses, and that bad hand hits post! Komander fires KICKS on the legs!
Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves, kicks, mule kicks and ENZIGIRIS! Brody wobbles and the fans rally up! Komander knuckle locks, CHOPS, and he goes up and up and jumps around! But Brody breaks the grip and DOUBLE CHOPS Komander to the floor! The fans bark it up and the ref checks Komander while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Brody storms out after Komander, who is somehow still in this. Brody drags Komander up, and he whips Komander hard into railing! Brody revels in the DC dogs barking, and Brody stands Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander off his feet, then refreshes the ring count. Brody drags Komander up, and whips him hard into railing! So hard, in fact, that Komander goes up and over! Brody hurries to haul Komander back up, and he suplexes Komander to the floor! Komander writhes more while Brody refreshes the count again. Brody goes back to Komander, scuffs him, and brings him back up.
Komander KICKS Brody, CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS him down! Brody revels in the noise from DC while he stands on Komander’s neck! The ref reprimands, Brody steps off and rolls into the ring. Brody again refreshes the count so he can fetch Komander. Brody puts Komander in the ring, covers, TWO! Komander is still in this but Brody is more amused than anything. Brody paces then brings Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander to a corner, then revels in the noise a bit more. Brody then digs his boot into Komander, but lets off as the ref counts. Brody drags Komander up to CHOP, but Komander CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Komander down!
Brody digs his boots in again, but the ref counts. Brody steps away, then drags Komander to his feet. Brody ROCKS Komander as the Holiday Bash returns to single picture. Brody eggs Komander on, stands him up, and ROCKS him again! Komander flops against ropes but Brody dares him to keep fighting. Komander staggers up, but Brody CHOPS him! Komander is stinging but Brody ROCKS him! Brody whips, Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to QUEBRADA, but Brody catches him! But Komander slips down into the STANDING BONE LOCK! The fans fire up but Brody powers up! Brody THROWS Komander right off! SENTON FLOPS as Komander moves!
Komander hurries to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Brody and Komander both crawl to ropes! They both stand, Brody runs up, but Komander swings around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Brody flops out to the floor! Komander sees that and the fans fire up! Komander builds going side to side, and he goes up and up and CROSSBODIES, but Brody catches him! Brody RAMS Komander into the railing! And then whips him hard into more railing! Brody makes Komander take a seat, then CHOPS him! The fans bark with Brody as he gets space, and Brody runs back in, but Komander ducks! Brody CRASHES into railing!!
Komander has the fans all fired up as he rises! Komander rolls into the ring, the count is climbing, but Brody is rising! So Komander runs corner to corner to go up, up and AWAY!! Direct hit with that escalara cannonball! The fans fire up as Komander rises again! Komander and Brody both head for the ring while fans sing again, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Komander has Brody in the drop zone! Komander goes up the corner, but Brody CLUBS him first! Brody has Komander in the Electric Chair Lift, then goes up the corner!? But Komander fights, shifts, and SUPER SUSNET FLIP POWERBOMBS!!
Brody is in the drop zone again and Komander rises! 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives and Komander cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Komander rises and goes to another corner. Komander tunes up the band, runs corner to corner, but Brody SLAPS him first! Brody runs but Komander dodges, Brody POSTS himself! Komander is on the apron and he runs up, to SHOTGUN Brody to the floor! Brody sputters, Komander climbs the corner, and the fans are thunderous! Komander springboards to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Another direct hit and Komander feels so close to his first points in the C2!
Komander hurries to get in the ring, but then slides out to start a new ring count. Komander climbs again while Brody rises. Komander watches Brody slide in, then tightrope walks to CIELITO LINDO!! But that was on Brody’s back! Komander pushes Brody but that’s a lot of dead weight to push! Brody sits up but Komander KICKS him! Komander roars, the fans fire up, handspring- TORTURE RACK! Brody flips Komander around, GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!!
Winner: Brody King, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Komander earns 0)
If it wasn’t clear before, this was a painful punctuation mark, Komander is mathematically ELIMINATED from the semifinals. However, Komander’s final C2 match is Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street against Claudio Castagnoli! Can Komander be the biggest spoiler of this entire tournament? Can Brody prove to everyone in the Gold League that the House Always Wins?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here for Holiday Bash, though some clear redundancies from last week’s Winter is Coming edition. We got another group Don Callis Promo, and we barely got anything different from Callis and Kyle. The tag match’s only changes were Cage switching in for Archer, even though Cage is in reality defending his ROH World TV Championship in the Hammerstein Ballroom for Final Battle, and then the Callis Family wins this time so Hobbs and Konosuke can be even going towards Worlds End. Now, Konosuke could very well retain the International Championship at Worlds End because NJPW is totally open to Konosuke Takeshita VS Shingo Takagi being Winner Takes All, AEW International and NEVER Openweight titles on the line together.
Lio & Action of course won their match, but the real purpose was to get a confrontation out of them, Private Party and OG Top Flight, Darius & Dante. Good stuff, and it teases anywhere between a Triple Threat to Lio & Action VS Darius & Dante Round 2. Very good promo from Triple J to set up for something, anything really, for 2025. Fight for the Fallen can even be the start of whatever that plan is as part of the “mother of all streams.” And good stuff with the women’s division tonight. Ford & Harley makes a natural duo now given their names, and Willow and Kris could possibly reunite now that Kris is a Face again. That wouldn’t really make up for the weird fumble in the middle where Tony Khan just wanted Kris to get away from Stokely, but hey, this story itself could be really well done.
And great stuff out of Brody VS Komander, really got the drama going before the end. I mean, we all knew Komander was out of the running before tonight, and was most certainly taking the loss here, but Komander got to really show some grit. And now, five people at 6 points going into the final round, they’re really adding great drama to Gold League. Collision tomorrow and then Dynamite Miracle on 34th Street will be some great stuff, but I still think Ospreay should be one of the semifinalists, the second spot can be whoever they want.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Feel the StrongEST, the FastEST, the RoughEST, the ToughEST, and the BEST Glow!
With Jade Cargill out of action, Naomi is stepping in to help Bianca Belair defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships tonight on SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade; The Bloodline wins.
- Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes; Melo wins.
- Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley; Gargano wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae; Bianca & Naomi win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Solo Sikoa is here!
The fans boo as the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief leads the Samoan Werewolf and Good Bad Guy to the ring. Roman Reigns put out the challenge for Tribal Combat, and on January 6th, in Los Angeles, for the first-ever Monday Night Raw on Netflix, it will happen! But first, Solo and his Bloodline go to the ring, and the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells them all, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans boo instead, as expected. Solo lets that slide, and he says, “Roman Reigns sat on his little boat with The Wise Man and decided to challenge me on January 6th to a Tribal Combat match for the ula fala on Monday Night Raw, the debut on Netflix.”
The fans “WHAT?” Solo says instead of saying that, the fans should ACKNOWLEDGE HIM. The fans boo more, but Solo says shut your mouths and listen to what THE Tribal Chief has to say! The fans continue to boo and they continue to chant, “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells Roman that if he wants Tribal Combat, if he wants to take THE Tribal Chief to war, then let’s do it! Solo will leave his Bloodline behind, “WHAT?” Roman will leave his behind, “WHAT?” They’ll leave the Wise Man behind. “WHAT?” Jimmy and Jey, too. So listen and listen carefully: On January 6th, Solo walks in and walks OUT as THE Tribal Chief!
The fans boo more but Solo says on January 6th, he will STILL be the Head of the Table! He will STILL be YOUR Tribal Chief! And he will STILL have the ula fala! So Roman, after Solo beats your ass in LA, Roman can go back out on his little boat, sail off to the Island of Irrelevancy, and Roman can finally ACKNOWLEDGE SOLO. But wait! Drew McIntyre is here!? The Scottish Terminator has already hit Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn, but let’s not forget Solo was chief among those who screwed McIntyre out of the world championship. Solo has Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga stand down as McIntyre goes to the ring.
McIntyre grabs a mic but Solo tells him, “I gotta admit, I was very happy when you kicked my brother, Jimmy, in the face last week. Yes, I was very, very happy. But you better have a damn good reason why you’re interrupting me.” McIntyre says he’ll make it quick because it causes McIntyre physical pain to be this close to Solo and not beating Solo within an inch of his life. You like what McIntyre did to Jimmy? What about Sami and Jey? McIntyre wants to know, when Solo lies in bed at night, is he asking when McIntyre is coming after him? Because Solo is the one that cost McIntyre the title at Clash at the Castle.
Solo is the one who caused McIntyre’s family the pain and misery that caused him more pain and misery! But Solo also stood up to Roman Reigns. The only one to have the balls to stand up to Roman! The rest of them acted tough, acted like they were going to do something, but Roman snapped his fingers, didn’t change one bit. McIntyre’s heart says jump Solo, but McIntyre’s head says he and Solo have the same goal. So here’s what McIntyre is thinking: McIntyre can start working through the hit list, taking out more and more OG Bloodline members, and Solo does one thing for him: Take out Roman for good.
The fans boo but McIntyre says once all that business is finished, then he and Solo can settle theirs. But then JIMMY yanks McIntyre out of the ring! And CRACKS him with the crutch! And again! And then he runs up to CLOBBER McIntyre! McIntyre goes running into the crowd, Jimmy does his best to pursue, but now here comes LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade! The Bloodline has a Six Man Tag on their hands, will Knight even let Solo make it to LA?
Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade!
The brawl is on, Apollo after Tama, Andrade after Jacob, and Knight after Solo! Solo shoves back, but Knight LARIATS him up and out! Apollo DUMPS Tama and Andrade BOOTS Jacob! Apollo BOOTS Jacob, then Andrade BOOTS him again! Jacob tumbles out but Solo has him stand down! The Bloodline regroups while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and the match is already going as Apollo ducks ‘n’ dodges Tama to then slide under. Tama keeps moving, Apollo hurdles over, drops down, then DROPKICKS! Apollo fires up and the fans are with him, then Apollo gorilla presses Tama! The fans fire up and Apollo marches around. Apollo says this is for Solo, and he DROPS Tama! Tama flounders, Apollo brings him over, and he tags in Knight. Knight fires hands on Tama, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight brings Tama around to whip but Tama reverses. Knight catches Tama for a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Tama is tougher than that but Knight stomps him.
Tag to Andrade and the unlikely partners mug Tama. Andrade CHOPS Tama, then has him in a corner. Andrade tags Apollo, they double whip Tama to DOUBLE ELBOW! Apollo covers, TWO! Tama stays in this but Apollo drags Tama up. Apollo ROCKS Tama, the fans rally, and Apollo ROCKS Tama again. Apollo tags Andrade back in, they mug Tama, but Tama fires body shots! Tama shoves Andrade but Andrade RANAS on the return! Tama tumbles out, Jacob runs in, but Andrade DUMPS him out! Tag to Apollo, and then Andrade climbs! Apollo builds speed, and Apollo FLIES while Andrade ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!
The fans fire up as Knight then gets in to keep Solo back! Knight dares Solo to try something, but Solo stays back. Knight goes back to his corner while Apollo puts Tama in. The fans fire up as Apollo reels Tama in. Tama fires body shots and switches to a waistlock. Apollo elbows free, but Jacob sneaks a tag! Tama shoves Apollo and Jacob BODY CHECKS Apollo! The Werewolf is all geeked up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Solo whips Apollo to ELBOW him down! Solo throws up the one but the fans boo. Solo drags Apollo up, bumps him off buckles, and the fans rally. Solo UPPERCUTS Apollo down, then stalks him along the ropes. Solo drags Apollo up but Apollo fires hands! Solo keeps Apollo from his corner but Apollo throws more shots! Solo whips Apollo hard into the Bloodline corner! Tag to Jacob and he looms over Apollo. Jacob drags Apollo up to scoop and SLAM! The fans boo but Jacob runs to SENTON, onto knees! Apollo saves himeslf and both men are down! They crawl, hot tag to Andrade!
El Idolo dodges Jacob, BLASTS Tama then ROCKS Solo! Andrade fires hands on Jacob, runs, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING FOREARM! Jacob tumbles to a corner while Andrade kips up! The fans fire up and chant “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs in, CIEN SHADOWES! Cover, TWO!! Jacob survives but Andrade keeps his cool. Andrade goes up a corner, MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Andrade is frustrated now as Jacob survives again! Andrade thinks on what to do, and he brings Jacob up. Andrade fires forearms but Jacob grabs Andrade’s neck! Andrade fights free and fires more shots, but Solo sneaks a tag!
Andrade whips, Jacob reverses, but Andrade KICKS Jacob away! Jacob just roars! Andrade runs up, Jacob FLAPJACKS him into Solo’s HOTSHOT! That combo sends Andrade tumbling out to the floor, and Solo brings him up to POST him! The fans boo as The Bloodline stands tall, and Solo shows off his ula fala. Solo goes back to Andrade and puts him in the ring. Tag to Jacob, and Jacob whips for a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Andrade sputters and coughs while Jacob is geeked up again, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob watches Andrade crawl to the apron, and waits for him to go to a corner. Andrade sits up but into the HIP ATTACK! Jacob snarls as he kicks Andrade around. Tag to Solo and he whips Jacob for Jacob to whip him! Another HIP ATTACK on Andrade! Solo scowls at the fans, then talks trash on Andrade. Solo drags Andrade by his foot and brings him over to tag Tama. Tama then slingshot ELBOW DROPS! Andrade sputters more but Tama covers, TWO! Andrade is still in this, but Tama rains down fists on Andrade to keep him down! Tama HAMMERS and CLUBS Andrade, then he talks smack on Apollo and Knight.
Tama kicks Andrade to the Bloodline corner, drags him back up, and then fires a BODY SHOT! Andrade sputters, Tama tags Jacob, and then Jacob whips Tama in for a STINGER SPLASH! Andrade falls over, Jacob clamps claws into the shoulders! Andrade endures, fights up, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down! Jacob clamps the claws on again and really digs into Andrade’s shoulders! Andrade kicks and flails in pain but Jacob just thrashes him around more! Jacob shouts at Andrade but Andrade fights up to his feet! Andrade fires body shots, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down again! Jacob stalks Andrade to a corner as SmackDown returns to single picture.
The fans boo but Jacob rains down fists in the corner! Jacob then sucker punches Apollo! Andrade sits up, Jacob runs in, but Andrade moves! Hip attack hits buckles and the fans fire up! Andrade and Jacob crawl, Solo shouts for Jacob to get up! Jacob grabs Andrade’s foot and brings him up! Andrade ENZIGIRIS free! Hot tags to Tama and The Mega Star! The fans are thunderous as Knight dodges then CLOBBERS Tama! Tama flounders to a corner, Knight stomps away on him, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight stops at 4, but then he CLOBBERS Jacob! KNEE for Tama! Solo runs up to TOSS Knight!
Knight dodges Solo in the corner and hits a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up even more and Knight tags Apollo. Knight hits Tama with the BIG back suplex! Apollo goes up top for the FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives but Apollo clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Knight WRECKS Jacob with a dropkick, and the Samoan Werewolf tumbles up and over the desk! Knight goes out to say that’s what Jacob gets, BUT SHINSUKE IS HERE!? Nakamura CLOBBERS Knight into the desk! The King of Strong Style gets away with that while the ref was busy checking Tama! Solo CLOBBERS Apollo, but Andrade whips Solo!
Solo reverses and ELBOWS Andrade! Solo drags Tama to their corner and then tags in. Solo aims at Apollo, HIP ATTACK! Solo hauls Apollo up, URENAGE! And then SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Bloodline wins!!
Winners: The Bloodline, by pinfall
It seems Drew McIntyre isn’t the only one who is surprisingly on Solo’s side. The sinister samurai made sure to strike from the shadows to screw over Knight, will Knight make sure Nakamura comes to regret it? As for Solo, he is rolling towards the Raw Netflix debut, will he not need his Bloodline to retain the ula fala?
Backstage interview with Motor City Machine Guns.
Byron Saxton is with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin ahead of the emotional grudge match. Shelley takes on his former friend, student, and the man who betrayed MCMG to take those WWE Tag Team Championships. That man is Johnny Gargano, so what thoughts are flowing through Shelley’s mind? Shelley says it is one thought: Payback. Sabin says they’ve known Gargano almost 20 YEARS, and only now does Gargano let the mask fall away to show us the truth. Shelley says it cuts a lot deeper when it’s someone you considered a little brother. Shelley tells Johnny that he makes sure Gargano knows he made the BIGGEST mistake of his life.
Sabin asks Shelley if he’s ready to do this. Shelley says this is something he has to do alone. He wants to see if Gargano is man enough to do the same. Sabin says okay, let’s get warmed up. Shelley wants a 1v1 shootout with Johnny Wrestling, but will Gargano do anything but do this himself?
SmackDown shares footage from after Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Byron Saxton was with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven and said before anything else, congratulations. Chelsea pats herself on the back, Piper pats Chelsea a bit, too, and Byron takes her back through the closing moments. Unpretty-Her on Michin, the bell rings, and we hear Lilian Garcia say the words, “AND NEW Women’s United States Champion, Chelsea Green.” What went through her mind? Chelsea takes out her gum and puts it in “Bryan’s” hand, and then tells him that she always knew this would happen. He might be surprised, and that’s so cute, but she wasn’t. She’s been doing this for ten YEARS, and worked her entire life to be an overnight success.
This is Chelsea’s time! Red, white and Green! Say it with her, Bryan! #RedWhiteAndGreen. So then, let’s talk the historical significance. Chelsea will now go down in the history books as the FIRST-EVER Women’s US Champion, so how does she’s now synonymous with the likes of Harley Race, the first-ever Men’s US Champion? She would say, “Duh.” She’s in the books where she belongs. Probably should’ve been three years ago, but she was released. It should’ve been way back in 2015, but she wasn’t hired. So now is the time. NOW IS THE FREAKIN’ TIME!! Yes, it is her time. What does a Chelsea Green reign look like going forward?
Chelsea says it looks like she’s going to Disneyland, so she’s got a plane to catch. Can they wrap this up? Of course. Have fun in Disneyland. Yes, well-deserved. Piper calls for champagne. Will we never hear the end of this now that Chelsea has gold to go with the ego?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“What happened after Saturday Night’s Main Event was not my fault. There’s a lot of people to blame for it. Cody Rhodes, the referees, Nick Aldis, WWE Management, they’re all to blame. I was screwed out of winning that championship. What happened to me is a travesty, a tragedy! I should be standing here Undisputed WWE Champion, but I’m not. But I took this (the Winged Eagle belt) because I deserve it. And I’m not giving it back until I get what i want. Everyone needs to understand, you can only push a man so much until they snap. But the good news is, I haven’t snapped yet.
“It can all get so much worse, trust me. You don’t want me to snap. So Cody, Nick Aldis, WWE officials, what happens next is on all of you.” The Prizefighter has said his piece, will he hold the championship hostage until his demands are met?
DIY talks backstage.
Ciampa gets it, Gargano’s known MCMG a long time. So it surprises Ciampa that Shelley is so dumb! He wants this grudge match but he can’t win the tag titles back in a singles match. So what’s he doing? Gargano says Shelley wants his payback, that’s obvious. But Shelley wants to challenge Gargano’s manhood?! Gargano is all man! He made a kid! Yeah, Papa John, Daddy Ciampa, of course they made kids. But Shelley did specify that he wants to do this on his own, so Ciampa knows what that means, right? Ciampa has to stay backstage, too. Gargano will handle business by himself. He’s not some naive 18-year-old kid with a dream anymore! Dream came true!
Gargano will go remind Shelley that he’s Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling! So Ciampa can just relax right back here. Ciampa says go get him! Ciampa won’t even move a muscle from here, you can trust him. Can he? Or is this all another facade to lower everyone’s guard?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect!
A-Town Down Under is already in the ring, and fans boo as Austin Theory & Grayson Waller show off the abs. Waller then welcomes us to the Grayson Waller- And Austin Theory…! Effect. The hottest show keeps getting hotter cuz Waller gets scoop after scoop, lads. And tonight is a big scoop! A big, BIG scoop! The first transfer from Raw to SmackDown, it’s the Monster of All Monsters, BRAUN STROWMAN! The fans cheer as Braun makes his way to the ring, and he’s coming out as Santa Braun! Or perhaps, Strowman Claus? Either way, Braun throws free merchandise to the fans, what a gift for Christmas!
Braun empties the bag and then goes to the ring. Turns out, nothing for Waller & Theory! Waller sits behind the desk and thanks Braun for coming. And how nice of Braun to help all the poor here in Hartford. The fans boo and Braun asks if Waller’s really starting this like that. Is he really trying to piss Braun off already? No no no! Braun is right, it really is nice. And this is big! The biggest acquisition in SmackDown history! On the biggest talk show in WWE history! Braun says it doesn’t get any bigger than this, baby! The fans cheer and Waller says before we start, he knows how this goes, sometimes.
Waller just wants us to know that he invested a lot of money into the new set. Maybe we continue to spread Christmas cheer and have a civil conversation. No damage. Well, if Waller runs his mouth, then Braun can promise he’ll wear Waller out using all the stuff in here. Waller says he’s a bit surprised Braun agreed to this. If no one has said before, but Braun is a little intimidating. But the more Waller thought about it, the more it made sense. Even Braun sees the sense in associating with ATDU! The fans boo and Braun says he threw up a little bit in his mouth, and that get a good laugh.
Waller says okay, but SmackDown’s a bit scary right now. Bloodline is going wild, people are getting attacked backstage, and you don’t wanna be alone in the car park. Sorry, parking lot. Braun asks if Waller knows who he’s talking to. No, he didn’t mean anything by it. Waller just figures, it’d be a good idea if Braun looked after Braun for once. And that means setting up the ultimate alliance. Braun Strowman & A-Town Down Under as the same team! They’d be untouchable! The cunning and intelligence of Waller & Theory, Braun’s strength. Get it? Brains & Braun. Braun says he already told Waller to watch his mouth! Does Waller want his set shoved up his-
Wait! Carmelo Hayes makes his way out here! Braun sighs and Melo says no, no, no, cut this out. Melo has a bone to pick with Braun. Aldis thought he was going to humble Melo by setting him up against Braun. Everybody here knows that that wasn’t fair. But newsflash, Nick Aldis, you can’t humble greatness! Melo might lose, but he’ll never quit. So Braun, “you big ugly dumb Santa Claus b*tch,” let’s run this thing back right here, right now! Cuz now, Melo’s ready! Braun says if Melo didn’t learn his lesson last week, Braun will remind him what the Braun Strowman Effect is! Waller & Theory run away as Braun grabs the fake palm trees!
Braun CHUCKS trees at Melo but Melo just laughs. Will Melo not miss the game winner in this rematch? Or will Braun be the one to humble H1M?
Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Braun chuckles at Melo wanting to tie up. They do tie up but then Melo slips around to KICK the leg! Braun just brushes that off as he and Melo circle. Melo uses the ropes and even the ref as a shield so Braun backs off. Melo comes back, taunts Braun, then drops back to ropes. The ref wants Braun to let off, and Braun does, but then Melo sucker punches him! Melo talks smack, then whips, but Braun blocks! B raun shakes his head, whips Melo, but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides out. Melo says safe! Melo says he’s smart, but then gets spooked as Braun storms up to ropes!
The ref has Braun stay back, and Melo gets cocky again. Braun signals to the fans that he’s taking a lap and the fans fire up. Braun goes outside, builds speed, but Melo runs! Melo slides into the ring, Braun gets on the apron, but Melo KICKS him! The fans boo but Melo hits the FADE AWAY! Braun flounders, Melo CLUBS and KNEES and repeat! Braun SHOVES Melo out of the ring! Braun shakes it off then storms back up on Melo. Braun YANKS Melo up by his hair! And then he TOSSES Melo across the way! The fans fire up and Braun drags Melo up again. Braun whips, Melo dropkicks the legs out! Braun falls, Melo runs, FADE AWAY, but into Braun’s hands!
Braun pops Melo up, but Melo SPIKE-RANAS! Braun sputters and Melo soaks up heat. Braun rises up like the monster he is! Melo turns around, Braun runs up, but Melo DUMPS Braun out! Melo BOOTS Braun away, then gets cocky again. Melo goes out the side and he runs up a la Braun. But Braun BOOTS Melo right down! The fans fire up and Braun looms over Melo. Braun drags Melo up, whips him at steps, but Melo goes up! Melo leaps, but into Braun’s arms! We’re at 7 of 10 as Melo slips free! Melo SLAPS Braun! Braun grabs Melo by the neck and TOSSES him into the ring! We’re at 10!! MELO WINS!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by count out
Talk about rope-a-dope! Melo steals this win by getting the better of Braun’s anger! Braun scowls at smart-aleck Melo, and he storms in! Melo runs out to the crowd and into the night, but Braun pursues! Will Melo #GetTheseHands one way or another?
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae talk backstage.
They’re both excited for the tag title match tonight, because Nia can become a double champion. Tiffany Stratton walks in and Nia says there she is! Tiff wishes them luck tonight, and cannot wait to be there ringside when the ref raises their hands. Nia gets a guilty look on her face and Candice tells Tiff that they were talking… It’s best if Tiff stays in the back. But hey, she can take some notes if she wants. And if she wants to help, she can prepare champagne, balloons and maybe even streamers. They’re gonna need all that after the big win. So Tiff should get on that while Candice & Nia strategize.
Tiff looks to Nia but Nia just says, “Thanks, Tiff.” Tiff leaves, Nia shrugs off the guilt and says she and Candice are ready. Candice is sure Tiff will have the most beautiful party ready for them. Will the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie succeed in taking the tag titles for their own? Or will it be Bianca & Naomi having that champagne to celebrate?
Melo returns backstage.
And he’s on high alert knowing Braun is still hunting him down. Melo bumps into Legado Del Fantasma, and then Braun storms up! Braun asks where Melo went. Santos Escobar says screw that, he’s no snitch. Braun says not telling is gonna get Santos worse. Angel steps in and says Melo went that way. Braun thanks Angel and storms off after Melo. But then Pretty Deadly asks Braun to please read through their script. Braun slaps the script down and says he doesn’t care about their stupid musical! But then Melo SMACKS Braun with a chair! And SMACKS him again! Melo talks trash before heading out, but Braun gets back up.
Braun is angrier than ever, and he still hunts Melo down! Is there going to be nothing left of H1M after Braun #GetsTheseHands on him?
Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley!
Longtime friendships thrown away in order to get ahead is practically cliche in pro-wrestling, but to think Johnny Wrestling would be the kind to do that. Will Shelley make Gargano regret ever treating 20 YEARS like it was nothing?
The bell rings and Gargano runs up! Shelley dodges to fire hands, then he bumps Gargano off buckles. Shelley stomps a mudhole in, then stands Gargano up to dig his forearm in! The ref counts, Shelley lets off, then he climbs up to rain down fists! Gargano YANKS Shelley down! Shelley flounders, Gargano CHOPS Shelley to a corner, then he mocks the MCMG hand pointing. Gargano CHOPS Shelley, ROCKS him, then wrenches him to whip corner to corner. Gargano runs up but Shelley ELBOWS him away! Shelley goes up to FLYING KNEE! And then he CLOBBERS Gargano! The fans fire up as Shelley drags Gargano up.
Shelley wrenches, hammerlocks, but Gargano elbows free! Gargano brings Shelley around to schoolboy ROUNDHOUSE! Shelley sputters, Gargano brings him up, and Gargano says he’s no longer the student. Gargano ROCKS Shelley, stomps away, but stops as the ref counts. Gargano soaks up heat, then shakes out his left hand before he runs up. Shelley puts Gargano on the apron to HOTSHOT! Gargano falls, Shelley aims, and Shelley slingshots to stomp Gargano’s bad hand! Gargano staggers away, but runs back up on Shelley, only for Shelley to jump the sweep! SUPERKICK! Then FLYING KNEE!
The fans fire up while Gargano goes down, and Shelley says that’s what Gargano gets while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Gargano has Shelley in a clinch. Gargano fires body shots, then he hits a JAWBREAKER! Gargano goes to a corner, Shelley runs up, but Gargano BOOTS back! Gargano runs up and slips around Shelley to SLINGBLADE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Gargano is frustrated but he stalks Shelley to the apron. Gargano brings Shelley up, talks more smack, and he fireman’s carries. Shelley slips out but Gargano ROCKS him! SLINGSHOT- SUPERKICK! Shelley takes Gargano out of the air and both men are down! The fans rally up, and Shelley stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again!
Shelley CHOPS, whips, then kitchen sink knees! And then PENALTY KICKS! Ghost pin, TWO! Gargano escapes, but Shelley wants the arm! Shelley uses the Garga- NO, Gargano turns chicken wing into roll up, TWO!! Shelley escapes, clinches, and spins Gargano, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Shelley wants the arm again! The fans rally as Shelley drags Gargano up, wrenches and wristlocks, but Gargano ROCKS Shelley with forearms! Shelley CHOPS back, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Shelley wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! But Gargano ENZIGIRIS! Shelley runs up, Gargano dodges and SUPERKICKS!
Gargano scoops Shelley, takes aim at a corner, LAWN DART! Cover, TWO!! Shelley survives and the fans rally up! Gargano grows frustrated but he brings Shelley around. Gargano wants the arm now! GargaNO Escape, but Shelley says NO to that! They both fight up, end up in a corner, and the ref counts. Gargano lets off, to then ROCK Shelley with a cheap shot! Gargano runs up, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Shelley shakes out the stars and he goes to the corner. The fans fire up as Shelley climbs, but Ciampa shows up! Gargano GAMANGIRIS Shelley down! But wait, here comes Sabin! Ciampa violated the deal first so Sabin’s not letting him do worse!
Gargano climbs up while Sabin chases Ciampa off, but Shelley SHOVES Gargano! CROSSBODY! Gargano rolls through, and pulls tights! Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
Distraction tactic and pulling the tights? Gargano has no shame! But he and Ciampa have the WWE Tag Team Championships, so is that all that matters?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair & Naomi.
Byron Saxton is at gorilla with The EST & The Glow, and before they head to the ring, he wants to recap the crazy couple of weeks. The mysterious attack on Jade Cargill, the big win at Survivor Series in WarGames, and now they can solidify themselves as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Bianca says these past few weeks have been rough to say the least. And while you can trust Bianca will find out what happened to Jade, you best believe they won’t be stripped of the tag titles. That’s just what the culprit wants and Bianca isn’t going down without a fight. Thankfully, Bianca has a friend who always has her back.
Naomi says yeah, she’s got her back forever! And she can never turn down a good “snatch ‘n’ drag.” But she also knows how important these titles are to Bianca & Jade, and they’re just as important to her. Naomi will go out there and do everything she has to in order to keep the titles. Bianca holds out Jade’s belt to Naomi, but Naomi says no. Not until she’s earned it. Bianca says okay, and the music hits. Naomi is fired up, will this be the StrongEST Glow yet?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!
SmackDown returns as the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie make their entrance together. The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and we see who is truly the strongest duo!
The teams sort out and Bianca starts against Candice. They tie up as the fans rally, and Bianca powers Candice right to a corner. But Candice pulls the braid! The ref reprimands, Candice shoves Bianca, then pie faces her! But Bianca SHOVES Candice to the corner! Bianca runs up but into an elbow! Candice goes up but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca gorilla presses Candice but Candice scrambles free! Candice hurries away and she tags in Nia. Bianca says bring it and the fans rally for the “E S T! E S T!” Nia and Bianca tie up, Bianca headlocks, but Nia powers up and out. Tiff is watching backstage as Nia scoops Bianca, only for Bianca to slip free.
Bianca runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and DROPKICKS! Nia rebounds but Bianca avoids the elbow drop! Bianca tags Naomi then sets Nia up! Naomi and Bianca both run the ropes, Bianca handsprings, SPLIT LEG DROP AND MOONSAULT COMBO! Naomi covers, TWO! Naomi hurries back after Nia but Nia shoves her away. Naomi slides under the lariat then mule kicks! Naomi runs but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Nia drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Naomi stays in this for Bianca’s sake but Nia storms back up as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nia DRIBBLES Naomi off the mat, then stares Bianca down. Nia stalks Naomi to a corner, puts her on ropes, and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Nia lets off, and then Nia drags Naomi over to the corner. Nia traps Naomi while she tags Candice. Nia fires some elbows before backing off, and Candice RAMS Naomi! Candice ROCKS Naomi, sits her down, then stomps a mudhole in. Candice taunts Bianca, drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS Naomi down, then clamps on with a top wristlock. Naomi endures while Candice leans on the hold. Naomi fights up, arm-drags free, then hurries for her corner!
Candice scrambles after Naomi and THROWS her by her hair! Candice stomps Naomi to the corner, tags Nia, and Nia runs up to HIP ATTACK! Nia taunts Bianca, drags Naomi up, and clamps on with a cobra clutch! Nia leans on Naomi to grind her down. Naomi endures, fights up, and JAWBREAKERS free! Nia staggers around, but she scoops Naomi! Naomi slips free to the apron and HOTSHOTS Nia! Naomi BOOTS Candice. RAMS Nia, then reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Naomi is down, but she BOOTS Nia away before heading for her corner. Candice hurries and tags in, but Naomi hot tags Bianca!
Bianca rallies on Candice with shoulder tackles and DROPKICK! Bianca kips up, wrenches, and suplexes Candice! SmackDown returns to single picture as Candice slips free! Candice dodges Bianca, Nia sneaks a tag, and Bianca scoops Candice for a GUT BUSTER! Bianca runs at the corner to RAM Candice, then she climbs up! The ref tries to explain but Nia runs up! Bianca backflips up and over! Nia almost squashes Candice, but she turns around. Bianca dodges Nia, but Candice hits a CODE BREAKER! SAMOAN DROP from Nia! Cover, TWO! Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Nia snarls as she drags Bianca into a motorcycle stretch!
Bianca endures and the fans rally up. Bianca fights up but Nia POSTS her first! Nia then mocks the fans with clapping, then she scuffs Bianca. Nia dares Bianca to tag, then she THROWS Bianca by the braid! Bianca goes to ropes, and Nia pulls the braid around them! The ref reprimands, Nia lets off, but Candice gets her shots in! The fans boo but Bianca gets away. Nia soaks up the heat and then brings Bianca around. Nia has the cobra clutch back on and she thrashes Bianca around. The fans rally as Bianca endures, and Bianca fights back up. Nia kicks Bianca but Bianca rebounds to reel Nia in!
Bianca tries to suplex but Nia’s too big! Nia shoves Bianca to the corner, but Bianca BOOTS back! Bianca ELBOWS Candice, runs up on Nia, but Nia picks her up! Nia RAMS Bianca into the corner! Tag to Candice and she climbs. Nia holds Bianca up, Candice MISSILE DROPKICKS Bianca into the SPINEBUSTER! Candice then BLASTS Bianca off the apron, then uses Nia as the step for the STEP-UP SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives, she’s the toughEST for a reason! Candice is frustrated and she CLUBS away on Bianca! The fans rally for “E S T! E S T!” Bianca throws a body shot but Candice CLUBS her down again.
Candice tags Nia and Nia pulls the braid to keep Bianca back. Nia whips Bianca to Candice but Bianca slips around. Candice standing switches, Nia runs up, but Bianca ducks and Nia clips Candice! Bianca scrambles while Nia checks Candice, hot tag to Naomi! Naomi LARIATS Nia but Nia stays up! So Naomi UPPERCUTS Nia! Nia still stays up! Naomi dodges, goes up the ropes, FLYING CHUCK! Nia wobbles and the fans fire up with Naomi! Naomi reels Nia in but Nia whips her away! Naomi BOOTS from the corner, then goes up! FLYING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia stays in this but Naomi pounds the mat.
The fans rally up, Naoim brings Nia up, but Nia HEADBUTTS her! Nia runs up at the corner, but Naomi dodges to POST her! Nia is down, Naomi goes up! SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT FLOPS as Nia moves! Nia CLUBS Naomi, puts her in the drop zone, then goes up! But Naomi SMACKS Nia off the post! Tag to Bianca, and Naomi gets under Nia?! POWERBOMB!! Naomi drags Nia into the drop zone! Bianca aims for the 450!! Cover, CANDICE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Nia is busted open from hitting that post, but here comes TIFFANY! Is she doing what it looks like? Tiff cheers on Candice & Nia, no cash-in yet.
Candice tags in, goes after Bianca, but Bianca RAMS Candice into the corner! Bianca runs but into a BOOT! Candice goes up, TORNADO DDT! Cover, Naomi GAMANGIRIS Candice! Fans cheer “CASH IT IN!” at Tiff but Bianca tags in Naomi. Nia sneaks a tag, and as the Naomi goes after Candice, the ref has to explain. In that distraction, Nia asks for the briefcase! Tiff is conflicted, but she hands it over. But then the ref sees Nia with it! Bianca HANDSPRING KICKS Nia off the apron! Nia falls right at Tiff’s feet! Bianca tags Naomi, then PLANCHAS onto Nia! Naomi has Candice but Candice cradles! TWO!! Naomi KNEES Candice down!
Naomi hurries up, up and SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, NAOMI & BIANCA WIN!
Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Tiff’s hesitation costs Nia, and that means Naomi has earned that title belt! Bianca personally hands it to her and the two celebrate together. Will they hold onto the titles all the way ’til Jade is back in action? Or will a team come along that outshines even the StrongEST Glow?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of SmackDown here, though I think it was also prerecorded. They were in Hartford last week, weren’t they? And I thought that was prerecorded given how Jimmy Uso’s promo was received… But speaking of, good stuff from Bloodline to open. McIntyre calling a true with Solo was a bit of a surprise, but I suppose we should’ve seen that coming with how McIntyre is a Heel and often a hypocrite. Jimmy going after McIntyre was also good stuff, he can clearly still be a factor even with a bad toe. Very good Six Man Tag, too, but I should’ve known Nakamura would interfere and cost Knight’s team. Good win for Solo, and we’ve still got a couple weeks before Raw on Netflix, so the go-home math will still sort out with the first SmackDown of 2025.
Very good promos from MCMG and DIY, and of course Ciampa still went out to ringside despite the “promise” he made. And of course Gargano cheated, but that adds heat to the coming tag title rematch. They might even put that on the first SmackDown of 2025 to hype it up. Especially as I think it’s going to be the first THREE HOUR SmackDown. NBC is willing to do that knowing Raw is going to Netflix, meaning SmackDown will get more time to do more great things, which works with all the belts we’ve got now.
Good stuff with Braun and the Grayson Waller Effect, but of course we set up more between Braun and Melo. Clever move for Melo to win by count out, and of course Melo gets cocky for it. Braun was almost classic Braun with how he shrugged the chair shots off backstage. We’ll of course get one more Braun VS Melo, and maybe someone from Legado or Pretty Deadly screws Braun over given how he treated them. Very good promo from Chelsea after her big win on Saturday, and I’m sure she’ll be celebrating this win in both kayfabe and real-life through the holidays, ready to start her first title feud on January 3rd.
Very good promo from Kevin Owens, but I feel like he had to contradict himself here from what he said during the Raw on Netflix “kickoff show” on Wednesday. Kevin said then that he’s going to act as the defending champion with the holiday house show tour, but he said here he isn’t the champion since he got screwed. Either way, he’ll really play up how he is somehow the victim in all this, making the return of Cody Rhodes all the better. We’ll surely get one last match of Cody VS Kevin, maybe with a big stipulation on it, and then we’ll have a moment of (more than likely) Cody holding up both Winged Eagle and corporate logo championships.
And of course, very good stuff in the two main Smackdown women’s stories. That promo from Nia, Candice and Tiff was really good because you kinda feel for Tiff being treated as the odd one out. And then very good promo right before the match with Bianca & Naomi. I like Naomi wanting to earn the belt, and we got a great tag match. Nia surely got busted open “hard way,” aka legitimately, that post surely has edges you gotta watch out for. But Tiff showing up was of course for the briefcase distraction, not cashing in. Tiff hasn’t been pushed that far yet, that might come with the Netflix debut. But Naomi & Bianca of course retained the titles, that’ll cue up Jade making a return to identify her attacker, and it might be Naomi after all…
My Score: 8.8/10
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