Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/20/21)
The first ever WOMEN’S Dusty Cup begins!
NXT is making history with the inaugural WOMEN’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic!
For the first time ever, Toni Storm teams with Mercedes Martinez and they’re taking on Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter to open this inaugural Women’s Dusty Cup! Who takes their first steps towards history?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: KUSHIDA & Leon Ruff VS The Way; Kushida & Ruff win and advance.
- Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux VS Ashante “Thee” Adonis w/ Desmond Troy; Kross wins.
- Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Imperium VS Lucha House Party; Lucha House Party wins and advances.
- Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter; Catanzaro & Carter win and advance.
- Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Bronson Reed; Reed wins.
- Fight Pit: Timothy Thatcher VS Tommaso Ciampa; Thatcher wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: KUSHIDA & Leon Ruff VS The Way!
The Time Splitter and NXT’s ultimate underdog want after Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory for many reasons, one of which is the NXT North American Championship. But first, will they make sure Johnny and Austin don’t get their way in this historic tag team tournament?
The teams sort out and Ruff wants to go first. Kushida obliges and Ruff starts with Theory. They circle, tie up, and Theory waistlocks to easily toss Ruff away! Ruff gets up and circles with Theory again, they tie up and Ruff gets a headlock. Theory powers out and runs Ruff over! Theory flexes, but Ruff trips him up to dropkick him to a corner! Ruff runs in, whips but Theory reverses. Ruff goes up and out and ROCKS Theory, to then jumps back in, but Theory gets him in a torture rack! Ruff goes for a crucifix but Theory throws him off, only for Ruff to avoid the dropkick! Ruff gives back a basement dropkick, covers, ONE!!
Ruff keeps on Theory with a facelock, Kushida tags in and they double wrench to double elbow breakers! And double PENALTY KICKS to the arms! Kushida wrenches one arm to a wristlock, then steps over to hammerlock it and get the other arm! Kushida moves around to bend both arms just by standing! Kushida falls back for the SNAP LOCK! Kushida keeps Theory away from Gargano with a wrench and armlock. Theory endures, Kushida cranks on the shoulder, but Theory fights his way up to stomp Kushida’s foot! Theory throws Kushida by his head, then drags him over to tag in Gargano.
Gargano throws furious forearms on Kushida, gets him down and rams in knees! Gargano stomps away on Kushida then shouts, “I’M THE BEST!” Kushida hits back with furious forearms of his own! Kushida whips, Gargano stops himself and elbows back! Tag to Theory, who somersault shotguns Kushida down! Cover, ONE! Theory drags Kushida up, throws more forearms, then has Kushida in a corner. Theory wrenches and whips Kushida corner to corner hard! Kushida bounces off buckles to writhe but Theory stomps his arm! Theory clamps onto the arm with a double wristlock but Kushida fights up. Gargano tags in and The Way mugs Kushida in the corner.
The Way double whip Kushida, double elbow him, and then no look high-five for more stomps! The ref reprimands, Gargano covers, TWO! Gargano snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Gargano looms over Kushida, drags him up and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Theory, The Way mug Kushida more, then Theory goes for a suplex. Kushida holds that off but Theory throws body shots. Theory brings Kushida up, Kushida slips out of the suplex and tags in Ruff! Ruff goes up to missile dropkick! Ruff dodges, rallies and hits Theory with forearms! Mule kick but Theory trips Ruff, only for Ruff to kip up and KICK back!
Ruff bumps Theory off buckles, runs corner to corner, but misses the splash! Gargano rushes over but Ruff knocks him down! Ruff leaps, into Theory’s torture rack! TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO?! Ruff still lives as NXT goes picture in picture!
Theory seethes as he looms over Ruff. Theory brings Ruff up, scoops, then taunts Kushida before he FALL AWAY SLAMS Ruff to the corner! Theory KICKS Ruff down, digs his boots in, then tags Gargano. Theory feeds Ruff to Gargano’s boots, then Gargano drags Ruff up by his arm. Gargano wrenches, and copies Kushida with the wristlock and elbow breaker! The ref keeps Kushida back as Gargano puts Ruff on ropes to choke him! The ref counts, Gargano stops at 4, then drags Ruff back up. Ruff tries to fight to his corner, he throws body shots, but Gargano turns things around to snap suplex Ruff back towards The Way! Tag to Theory, and The Way stomp Ruff down!
Theory drags Ruff up for big forearms, then traps Ruff in the corner. Theory rams Ruff over and over, then hauls him out to throw him down! Theory taunts Kushida, covers Ruff, TWO! Theory keeps Ruff down with a knee in the back and a chinlock with some digging knuckles in the shoulder! Ruff endures, fights his way up, and throws body shots. Theory ROCKS Ruff with a right then CLOBBERS him with a clothesline! Theory tags Gargano in, snapmares Ruff, and Gargano wraps on a chinlock of his own. Ruff endures again, even as Gargano drives his knee in over and over! NXT returns to single picture as fans rally up.
Ruff fights up, throws body shots, but Gargano turns him for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Gargano clamps onto Ruff, tags in Theory, and The Way double whips Ruff to a corner. Gargano whips Theory in but Ruff BOOTS him! Ruff puts Gargano on the apron, flounders for his corner, but Theory intercepts! Theory grabs at Ruff but Ruff scrambles under! Theory has the foot but Ruff ENZIGURIS! Gargano trips Kushida off the apron! And Theory CLOBBERS Ruff! Tag to Gargano, The Way coordinate for a backbraker and neckbreaker gutbuster combo! Cover, TWO! Ruff is still in this but Gargano drags him up.
Tag to Theory, and Gargano gets Ruff up into Theory’s lift. Ruff fights the bomb and gets to a corner! Theory gets faked out, Ruff leaps to hit the FLYING CUTTER! Fans rally up as both men crawl! Hot tags to Gargano and Kushida! The Super Junior leaps with an ax handle, then TACKLES Gargano for ground ‘n’ pound! Theory gets in but Kushida KICKS him over and over! Theory whips Kushida but Kushida handspring back elbows! Handspring HEEL KICK for Gargano! Kushida boots Theory and tumbles out to TORNADO DDT Gargano to the floor! Fans fire up for Kushida as he drags Gargano up and into the ring!
Kushida aims, but Gargano avoid the Penalty Kick! School Boy KICK! Gargano drags Kushida up but Kushida turns into a suplex into an ARMBAR! Kushida clubs at the hands but Theory CLOBBERS Kushida! Kushida throws Theory out but Gargano turns Kushida around! Kushida dodges to spin Gargano, ROLLING ELBOW! Gargano ENZIGURIS! Tag to Theory and Theory drags Kushida up! Fisherman figure four and BRAINBUSTER! To SUPERKICK from Gargano! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives the combo but Theory tags Gargano back in. The Way coordinates again, but Ruff dropkicks Theory away! Ruff dodges Gargano to FLY out onto Theory!
Kushida gets Gargano in the HOVERBOARD! Gargano cradle counters, TWO!! BUZZSAW! But Kushida comes back to hip toss and cartwheel dropkick! FAST BALL! Kushida gets that arm, hammerlock SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Kushida and Ruff win!!
Winners: KUSHIDA & Leon Ruff, by pinfall (advance to the next round)
The Way is ALREADY out of the Dusty Cup! And furthermore, Kushida has again pinned the North American Champion! Will Kushida be on the path for not just one but two titles in 2021?
Pete Dunne speaks.
“Finn Balor, whether you want to admit it or not, you know full well me and you are cut from the same cloth.” Same humble beginnings in the UK, but here’s what’s different. Balor left, while Dunne “built an entire brand. I made NXT UK! And what do I get as a thank you? I constantly get compared to you and what you’ve done.” Balor said everyone wants to face the champ so Dunne needs to get in line. What does he mean by that? Dunne is the REAL threat to the NXT Championship. Balor claims he doesn’t watch the business, but surely he’s been watching Dunne these last few years.
We all know that this is inevitable. And this time, Balor can’t just leave. He will pass the torch. History will speak well of Balor, but will speak better of Dunne. “The day that me and you finally meet, people will finally realize that you’ve just been taking part in MY legacy.” Will the Bruiserweight be the one to dethrone the Prince?
Backstage interview with Malcolm Bivens.
What’s he waiting outside of William Regal’s for? Well he and Tyler Rust are waiting for a presentation to Regal. Rust is the future of NXT. He is no rookie, he is the #DiamondintheRust! Rust will be a future North American Champion, a future NXT Champion, and- Rust finishes his talk with Regal and thanks Regal for this, promising that Regal won’t regret it. Bivens is surprised and Rust apologizes, he got here early and already had his talk with Regal. The match is made for tonight! Rust VS Bronson Reed! Bivens isn’t quite as happy about this, that wasn’t the direction Bivens was hoping for. But what’s done is done. Bivens says Rust is going straight to the top and he has a match to win. Rust is the future, but how far in the future will it be when he’s headed for a colossal obstacle?
Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux VS Ashante “Thee” Adonis w/ Desmond Troy!
While Dunne wants after the NXT Champion, Mr. Doomsday never lost it! Will Kross get back to the title and bring the apocalypse with him?
The bell rings and Kross circles with Adonis. Adonis kicks but Kross doesn’t flinch! Adonis throws a forearm but Kross just grits his teeth. Adonis runs but into Kross’ arms for a NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! And a roll through to a wrench and DOOMSDAY SAIDO!! Adonis writhes while Kross roars! The ref checks on Adonis but he manages to get up, only to stagger into ANOTHER DOOMSDAY SAIDO! Kross asks if Adonis hears the clock ticking! Adonis somehow gets back up, only for Kross to say TIME’S UP! BLINDSIDE FOREARM!! Cover, Kross wins!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by pinfall
The countdown to the inevitable has certainly begun, but will it be Kross who takes that title from Balor, not Dunne? But wait, Kross isn’t done! He goes after Troy, who was just checking on his Dusty Cup tag team partner! KROSSJACKET!! Troy flails, but he passes out! Kross shows no mercy, will that be the same for anyone on the path back to the title?
NXT takes a closer look at MSK.
Nash Carter tells Wes Lee he’s about to throw off the other tag teams. “MSK, Wes Lee and Nash Carter, number tag team in all of NXT!” How is a Borat impersonation going to do anything? “Because I’m number one!” Very nice, yes! But who are MSK? Nash and Lee came together by fate and now they’re family. They impressed against Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Jake Atlas, and even other NXT superstars like Ember Moon gives them credit for being so innovative and precise. All the hard work, dedication, blood, sweat and tears… They’re getting teary-eyed just thinking about that Dusty Cup. They’ve fought for so long, and now they’re finally here. This is everything to them. But will they make another impressive impact in the second round?
Mercedes Martinez & Toni Storm speak.
They tell Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter, “being best friends means absolutely nothing in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.” Toni and Mercedes don’t need to be friends, they’re just two tough women with a common interest. So for all they care, KC and KC can go preheat an EZ Bake Oven, practice some cartwheels, and then maybe work on a TikTok video. Because what Mercedes did to Io Shirai will be nothing compared to what she and Toni do to them tonight! Enjoy the first round exit, though. Will the combined forces of Mean Mercedes and The Lightning From Down Under be greater then KC Squared?
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Imperium VS Lucha House Party!
Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner have been NXT Tag Team Champions before, but they wish to return to the top and keep the mat sacred! Will Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik change those plans and make the Dusty Cup #LuchaLit?
The teams sort out and the Impeccable German starts against the Golden Lynx. They circle, Barthel corners Lince and pushes him to the buckles but the ref has him back off. Lince comes back but Barthel throws him with an arm-drag! Barthel clamps onto Lince, clubs away on him, then drags him up to a facelock and half hatch suplex! Barthel keeps on Lince with an armlock, hammerlocks it, but Lince reaches back to get up and flying mare free! But Barthel throat chops him down! Barthel glares at Metalik then goes to Lince in an open corner. Barthel ROCKS Lince with an uppercut, then digs his boot into Lince’s head! The ref counts, Barthel lets off and wrenches Lince to a knuckle lock.
Lince breaks free to CHOP, CHOP and whip! Barthel reverses, Lince Quebradas up and over and tags in Metalik! Metalik gives Lince a boost on the springboard RANA! Metalik goes up, Lince returns the favor and Metalik gets a boost for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Metalik chinlocks and gets an arm to wrench and wristlock. Barthel tags to Aichner and then whips Metalik, Aichner arm-drags Metalik then stomps him down! The Pride of Italy drags the King of the Ropes up to ROCK him with a EuroUpper! Aichner whips Metalik to hit him low! Aichner taunts Metalik then drags him back up to ram him into buckles and CHOP him!
Aichner talks trash in Italian but fans boo. Metalik throws body shots, dodges but runs into a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Aichner looms over Metalik, brings him up to whip him to a corner but Metalik elbows him away! Metalik runs and hits the SLING DOG! Tag to Lince, LHP double whip Aichner into the corner, Metalik corner clotheslines then runs corner to corner to BOOT Barthel! Lince heel kicks Aichner down! Imperium regroups outside but Lince DIVES! Aichner catches Lince to RAM him into the apron, then scoop SLAM him down! Metalik goe sup top but Barthel trips him up!
Barthel drags Metalik into a Tree of Woe to kick, then Imperium meets with DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Imperium strikes a pose while NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Aichner grinds Lince down with a chinlock. Fans rally up and Lince fights back, but Aichner CLUBS him down! Aichner drags Lince up, whips him to ropes, but Lince handsprings, GOLDEN REWIND! Barthel tags in, drags Lince from Metalik with a chinlock, and grinds him down again. Fans rally, Lince fights up again, and Lince throws body shots. Barthel whips Lince to a corner but Lince kicks! Barthel blocks it, shouts “NEIN!” and then puts the leg on ropes to KICK the leg! Barthel hoists Lince up top and throws haymakers, but Lince counter punches! Lince hammers away but Barthel KICKS Lince back!
Barthel climbs up, Lince resists the superplex with body shots and headbutts! Lince CHOPS Barthel, grabs him, tornado and rebound for the DDT! Both men are down but fans fire up, hot tags to Aichner and Metalik! Metalik springboards to crossbody Aichner down! Metalik kicks, whips but Aichner reverses. Metalik goes up and out and enziguris back! Metalik is up top, tightrope to RANA! Aichner flounders, Metalik walks the ropes again to boot and springboard, QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO! Aichner survives that onslaught but Metalik fireman’s carries. Aichner slips out, dragon sleepers and suplexes but Metalik slips out!
Metalik waistlocks but Aichner bucks the O’Conner roll and Barthel tags in! Metalik knuckle locks and goes up the ropes but Barthel blocks the arm-drag! Barthel wheelbarrows Metalik, Aichner is up top, they combine for a FLYING DDT!! Cover, but Lince breaks it! Fans fire up as Barthel protests, but he drags Metalik up to rock him with rights! Tag to Aichner, they put Metalik up top and ROCKET LAUNCHER to the suplex, but Metalik slips out! Tag to Lince, LHP kick Aichner and Lince sunset flips! Aichner holds it off but Metalik goes up to missile dropkick him into the SUNSET BOMB! Cover, but Barthel breaks it in time!
Lince kicks Barthel out, then stomps Aichner. Lince drags Aichner over and whips, only for Aichner to reverse. Aichner runs into a boot, but Barthel pushes him off the corner! Aichner catches Lince and holds him up, but Metalik springboards and jumps at Barthel! Barthel catches him to a fireman’s carry, then shifts him around, AIR RAID BRAINBUSTER IN STEREO! Cover, TWO?!? Lince still lives and Imperium is furious! Aichner rains down rights on Lince then tags in Barthel. Imperium drags Lince up, whips him, SPINEBUSTER to PENALTY KICK! Aichner hauls Lince up and Barthel climbs, but Lince counters the bomb lift to a FACEBUSTER!
Metalik gets Barthel with a springboard SUPER STEINER into Aichner! LHP coordinates and Lince helps Metalik get up to ASAI MOONSAULT Aichner at the ramp! But Barthel BLINDSIDES Lince! Roll up, TWO!! Lince SUPERKICKS from the corner! Barthel is down, Lince goes up, SHOOTING STAR!! Cover, LHP wins!!
Winners: Lucha House Party, by pinfall (advance to the next round)
Was this a bracket buster right here?! Metalik and Lince send Imperium packing, and are headed for a battle of lucha libre with El Legado del Fantasma! Will the party keep rolling through the second round?
As for Imperium, ALEXANDER WOLFE returns to NXT USA, and he looks a bit disappointed in Aichner and Barthel. Will the Hatchet Man get his compatriots back on top on behalf of the Ring General, Walter?
NXT shares the Fight Pit weigh-in from earlier today.
Tommaso Ciampa steps on the scale to officially weigh in at 201 pounds. Ciampa double guns to show off the lean, mean fighting machine, then Timothy Thatcher takes his turn. Thatcher officially weighs in at 225 pounds, quite the gap between him and Ciampa. Regal wishes both men best of luck, and Ciampa offers a handshake. Thatcher shoves him instead! Ciampa wants after Thatcher but he has to save it for tonight! Will they both leave it all inside the Fight Pit?
William Regal and Beth Phoenix are on stage.
They stand on stage with the Dusty Cup to proudly present the field the next step in the Women’s (R)Evolution! Right here, in this building, women like Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Asuka, Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Carmella, Shayna Baszler and many others have had their part in that progress. These women have main-evented TakeOvers, Pay-Per-Views, and even WrestleMania! “Women’s Wrestling, you guys wanted this! It was the WWE Universe, the NXT Universe, that wanted this.” Tonight, we prepare to make history again! So let’s kick off the first-ever WOMEN’S DUSTY RHODES CLASSIC!
The lights come up to present the inaugural field of eight teams! Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter, Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon, Aliyah with the Robert Stone Brand’s newest client, Jessi Kamea, and even newcomers Gigi Dolan & Cora Jade stand on one side, with Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez, The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez, and Marina Shafir with newcomer Zoey Stark standing on the other. Beth says let’s get started with the first match!
Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter!
History is being made in 2021, and both teams have said their peace. Who will back those words with actions as the Women’s Dusty Classic begins NOW?
The teams sort out, Toni starts with Kayden, and they tie up and go around at the bell. They break, tie up again, go around again, and Kayden waistlocks. Toni pries free, wrenches to a wristlock, but Kayden rolls and rolls to wrench back. Fans rally, Toni spins through and wrenches again, but Kayden slips through and around to headlock. Toni powers out, Kayden rams her but neither falls. So Kayden trips Toni, taunts her, then speeds things up. Toni drops, Kayden handsprings over, but Toni runs her over! Things keep moving, Toni redirects to basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!! Toni drags Kayden up, tags in Mercedes, and she scoops Kayden to a sidewalk slam!
Mercedes glares at Kayden, Toni drops an elbow then Mercedes adds one. Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Kayden kicks from the mat then Eddy Gordo kicks Mercedes in the head! Kayden whips Mercedes to the corner but Mercedes blocks to reverse! Kayden gets around, tags Kacy, and then they bait Mercedes into a double drop toehold! Mercedes hits off ropes, KC Squared DOUBLE BOOT her down! Kacy slingshot sentons and covers, TWO! Kacy drags Mercedes up but Mercedes CHOPS her off her feet! Mercedes taunts Kacy and ROCKS her with an uppercut! Mercedes kicks Kacy at ropes, drags her up and throws a big EuroUpper! Fans rally but Mercedes looms over Kacy.
Mercedes clamps onto Kacy with a chinlock and digs her knee into Kacy’s back. Kacy endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Mercedes throws Kacy down by her hair, then “apologizes” to the ref. Kacy hits back but Mercedes kicks her down. Mercedes whips Kacy, Kacy dodges and tilt-o-whirls but the DDT is blocked! Mercedes powers up to suplex, scoop then SLAM! Cover, but Kayden breaks it! The fans are fired up as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Toni slams Kacy down. Cover, TWO! Toni drags Kacy up, throws forearms then tags in Mercedes. Toni DECKS Kacy, Mercedes grabs Kacy with both hands for an OVERHEAD TOSS! Toni runs in to HIP ATTACK Kacy, then Mercedes drags Kacy to a cover, TWO! Mercedes grows frustrated and drags Kacy up to CLUB her down! Mercedes bumps Kacy off buckles, CHOPS her, then hoists her up top. Mercedes throws uppercuts then climbs up but Kacey resists the superplex. Kacy throws body shots but Mercedes ROCKS her with a right! Mercedes fireman’s carries but Kacy resists and shifts position, to spin and SUPER STEINER!
Mercedes flounders away and fans fire up! Mercedes crawls and hobbles, tag to Toni! Toni intercepts Kacy, scoops her, but Kacy slips out to hot tag Kayden! Kayden dodges boots to fire off forearms! Kayden dropkicks Mercedes, whips Toni into her, then runs in to forearm smash them both! Kayden keeps moving and dropkicks Mercedes to splash down on Toni! Kayden drags Toni up, CHOPS and forearms, then whips! Toni reverses, Kayden slides to a stop to come back and victory roll, to SUPERKICK! Kayden keeps moving, BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and Kayden waistlocks Toni. O’Conner roll, TWO, springboard basement dropkick! Cover, Mercedes breaks it!
Kacy returns to ENZIGURI Mercedes out! Then Kacy slingshots for a TORNILLO! Fans fire up with KC Squared as Kayden drags Toni up. Toni HEADBUTTS! And GERMAN SUPLEXES! Toni drags Kayden up and waistlocks again but Kayden elbows free. Toni trips Kayden and has the leg, but Kayden flails to resist the Half Crab! Toni turns her over, stands on Kayden’s back, but Kayden still endures! Kayden reaches, but Io Shirai is here! Shirai yanks Mercedes off the apron and then TOSSES her across the announce desk! The ref doesn’t see this, but Toni lets Kayden go to DECK Kacy! Toni realizes something happened to Mercedes, too, and is all alone!
Kayden trips Toni up! Kacy tags in, KC Squared coordinate with a NAVARRO DEATH ROLL from Kayden, to Kacy hitting a PHOENIX SENTON?! Cover, KC SQUARED WINS!!
Winners: Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter, by pinfall (advance to the next round)
Give a tiny assist to the Evil Genius, but that was still a spectacular way to finish! Will this be what propels these two to the top of the Women’s Tag Division?
Backstage interview with Finn Balor.
He’s heading to William Regal’s office and barges in. Balor says Regal knows why he’s here: Balor wants Pete Dunne. But Balor already knows the games Dunne is playing, they’re all from Balor’s old playbook. So Balor wants to start with Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch. “First I’ll chop off the arms, then I’ll chop off the head.” Regal understands how Balor feels but he has to protect Balor from himself. After what happened last week, Balor can’t fight them all alone. So Regal says Balor should find a tag team partner. Regal should know Balor better than anyone. Balor doesn’t have friends, that’s the old Finn. All Balor has now are enemies. Then keep your enemies closer. Balor leaves, but will he find someone willing to fight alongside him against the would-be Kings of NXT?
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott finds Bronson Reed backstage.
Swerve tells Reed to not get in his business again. But then wishes him “luck” out there. Will Swerve’s words get in Reed’s head as he heads for the ring?
BREAKING NEWS!
After what happened to both Ashante “Thee” Adonis and Desmond Troy at the hands of Karrion Kross, Adonis’ injury won’t let him compete this Friday on 205 Live, where he and Troy would be competing in the Dusty Cup. Speaking of the Dusty Cup, KC Squared run in and are PUMPED for their win! Congratulations are in order, and they say this is what they told us would happen! No one believed in them, but they said they’d win and go down in the history books. They just beat two of the toughest women in NXT and are going to win the whole thing. Say it again! “We’re going to win the whole thing!” Will KC Squared continue to rise into immortality?
Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Bronson Reed!
Bivens Enterprise’s current client kinda stepped in it, talking to Regal without Bivens being present. But will they keep this from being a huge setback in Rust’s rise to the top? Or is there no getting past Auszilla when you’re across from him in the ring?
The bell rings and Reed circles with Rust. Rust dodges the grapple and kicks, but Reed stays up. Rust gets around to get an arm and wrenches but Reed pushes him off. Rust comes back to get the arm again but Reed is the one with the killer knuckle lock! Rust spins through, keylocks, but Reed powers him away and headlocks. Reed grinds Rust but Rust powers up. Rust tries to power out but Reed holds on tight. Fans rally, Rust pulls hair and puts Reed on ropes. The ref counts, Rust lets off and then kicks the arm! Rust dodges Reed, things speed up and Reed BLASTS Rust out of the ring with that shoulder!
Bivens coaches Rust up and says he’s got this. Rust gets up and gets back in, dodges Reed but Reed blocks the kick to give the kick. Reed trophy lifts Rust then drops him to a GUT BUSTER! And then dead lifts him for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Rust sits on the apron as he catches his breath but Bivens says to use his brains against Reed’s brawn. But Reed drags Rust up, only for Rust to wrench the arm and hotshot it! Rust hurries after the arm, ARMBREAKER DDT!
Whoa, something big is happening backstage! Clearly Toni and Mercedes found out Shirai screwed them over, and they’re after her in the locker room! The refs and security keep them apart but is that easier said than done?
Back to the ring, Rust KICKS at Reed’s arm, and again and again. Rust throws uppercuts to the arm but Reed ROCKS Rust with a right! Rust kicks the arm, throws more uppercuts, but Reed swats the kick and throws a forearm to the chest! Reed clobbers Rust over and over, then whips him to ropes for a BODY CHECK! Fans fire up with Reed as he corner splashes Rust! Reed choke grips to CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Rust survives but Reed keeps his cool. Reed climbs up the corner, Rust hurries up and ROCKS Reed with a right! Rust climbs, goes after the arm, and double wristlocks! The ref counts, Reed uses one body shot to get Rust away, but Rust comes back to BOOT him!
Rust wants to fireman’s carry Reed, and gets him long enough for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Rust keeps on Reed with a cravat but the driver is thrown off! Reed drops a back senton, then goes up top! TSUNAMI SPLASH!! Cover, Reed wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
Rust still shows promise, but Reed is just too much for a normal man! Will Reed crush the competition on his way back to title contention?
Another backstage interview with Finn Balor!
Given what Regal told him about taking on Oney & Danny, Balor just needs to find a tag team partner. The Prince says there are some people around here that owe him a favor, so maybe they’ll have a little chat. Will Balor get himself a tag team partner to go after the Bruiserweight’s BritAm Brawlers?
Finn Balor finds the Undisputed Era.
Adam Cole says, “Look what the cat dragged in, fellas.” Balor says the cat is looking for payback. They’re all grown men. Kyle O’Reilly knows why Balor is here. Is he in? Or is he still sucking meals through a straw? Roderick Strong gets heated but Cole has him stand down. Balor waits on Kyle’s answer. The answer is yes. Then see you next week. See you then, champ. Kyle and Balor put each other through hell as opponents, will they put Oney & Danny through even worse as allies?
El Legado del Fantasma is here!
Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde are already in the ring as Santos Escobar walks around. “A real champion does what he wants, when he wants. You are looking at the champion of champion, the NXT Cruiserweight Champion, El Campeon, Santos Escobar.” Escobar explains to us what a true champion is. “A champion of champions doesn’t have to conquer a curse like Johnny Gargano. A champion of champions doesn’t have a glass jaw like Finn Balor.” Some people try to act like a champion, with badass cars and pretty mamacitas, with all the pomp and circumstance, like Karrion Kross! But when it’s time to prove themselves, they don’t make it to their first title defense!
Escobar has Mendoza hold onto the belt as he continues to boast. “I guess carrying a title is a heavy, heavy chip on your shoulders.” Escobar joins the others in the ring as he says, “I back up every word that I have said. And I have beaten every single person that has been on my path.” Now, even Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado came to NXT to try and destroy Escobar’s empire! But he sent them packing. Now to Raul and Joaquin, they won their first match in the Dusty Cup, and that puts them one step closer to becoming the NXT Tag Team Champions, joining Escobar as the champions of champions. LOS CAMPEONES!
But speaking of LHP, they return! Lince and Metalik don’t want to wait until round tow, they go after Legado already! But Mendoza and Wilde stomp and club them down! They set Lince up for Escobar as he climbs up, but then CURT STALLION trips him up! LHP DOUBLE SUPERKICK Legado out, and Stallion DECKS Escobar on top of them! It seems Escobar forgot that the Lonestar has his title shot up his sleeve! Will Stallion, Lince and Metalik make sure El Legado are NEVER the Champions of Champions in NXT?
Backstage interview with Killian Dain & Drake Maverick.
Congratulations are in order for their win on 205 Live and in the Dusty Cup, putting them into the quarterfinals. But they’re next up against MSK. How are they feeling? Maverick speaks up and interrupts Dain, saying that while last year got off to a rocky start for him, this year will be big! Maverick’s got an ally who will always have his back. It’s his best friend and tag team partner, Killian Dain! Maverick knows how great MSK is, they want to come right into the Dusty Classic and win it all, but they won’t! Because the team that will win this will storm into the tournament, go all the way to the finals and stand tall with the trophy! That team is none other than Maverick and Dain!
Dain is impressed by that little speech, and gives Maverick a hard pat on the shoulder. Maverick still doesn’t have Dain’s contact info, though. Will the oddest of odd couples be the ones to shock the world and win the Dusty Cup?
Backstage interview with Curt Stallion and Lucha House Party!
A couple months ago, the Lonestar earned his shot at the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Tonight, he went out there to embarrass Escobar and it won’t stop until he gets his shot! El Legado heads in and referees keep the peace. Escobar says if Stallion wants to interrupt and ruin his message to the world, then Escobar will destroy him. But not now, because he’ll make sure to expose Stallion as the rookie he is NEXT WEEK, with the title on the line! Legado leaves and Stallion finally has his match! Will the fall of Fantasma begin this close to TakeOver: Valentine’s Day?
Fight Pit: Timothy Thatcher VS Tommaso Ciampa!
A battle originally meant for New Year’s Evil had to be delayed because NXT wanted to make sure both men went into this as close to 100% as possible. This is only the second Fight Pit ever, but the Professor of Pain has a huge advantage by being one of the two men in the original! Will he teach the Psycho Killer that he has all the grit he needs to stand atop the brand? Or will Ciampa show Thatcher that even he has much to learn?
NXT returns and both men make their entrances. The introductions are made, the rules are reviewed, and the only way to win is by submission or knockout! The bell rings, and this grittiest of grudge matches finally begins!
Ciampa and Thatcher don’t drop down right away, they circle on the upper ledge first. Ciampa pursues but Thatcher backs away, and then they rush each other with fast hands! Ciampa clubs away on Thatcher, has him against railing, and wants to dump him out?! Thatcher resists, Ciampa KNEES him against the railing, but Thatcher comes back with uppercuts! Thatcher ROCKS Ciampa with more EuroUppers, then he chokes Ciampa on the railing! Fans rally and Thatcher throws body shots and forearms! Thatcher brings Ciampa around for more uppercuts, then half hatch suplexes Ciampa! What a thud off the wooden platform!
Thatcher heel hooks a leg and KICKS away on Ciampa’s back! Ciampa keeps from falling over the edge as Thatcher tries to turn him, and Ciampa kicks Thatcher away! Ciampa gets up, runs in and BOOTS Thatcher down! Ciampa kicks Thatcher and throws down haymakers! And then he stomps away at the railing! Thatcher scrambles up but Ciampa CHOPS! Thatcher throws a forearm but Ciampa gives it back! Ciampa CHOPS again, and again! Thatcher is against railing as he grits his teeth, but Ciampa throws more forearms. Thatcher throws body shots and forearms in return, then knees Ciampa in the ribs!
Thatcher drags Ciampa up for more forearms then stalks him along the platform. Ciampa blocks a bump off the railing, pulls on Thatcher’s ear then ROCKS him with a haymaker! Ciampa stomps Thatcher then digs his boot into his head! Ciampa fish hooks Thatcher’s face, then gets the legs to stomp the stomach! Ciampa tries to scrape Thatcher through railing and off the top but Thatcher holds onto railing! Ciampa gets the legs to GUILLOTINE CATAPULT Thatcher into the bars! Thatcher is gasping and crawling while Ciampa applauds himself and pats himself on the back, and NXT goes picture in picture!
Ciampa sees Thatcher crawling and finally heading into the pit. But Ciampa stomps Thatcher’s hands and makes him fall down into it! Ciampa climbs down to join Thatcher and digs his face into the steel fencing! Ciampa lets off and Thatcher crawls, only for Ciampa to dig his face into the fencing on that side! Ciampa CLUBS Thatcher down, but Thatcher goes after a leg! Thatcher gets Ciampa down, digs forearms into Ciampa’s face and goes to turn him. Ciampa resists but Thatcher just smothers him with the forearm. Ciampa tweaks Thatcher’s fingers! Ciampa CHOPS, Thatcher EuroUppers! Thatcher looms over Ciampa, KNEES him in the back, then sits him up for a chinlock.
Ciampa endures as Thatcher grinds him down. Ciampa fights his way up, throws body shots but Thatcher clubs him back. NXT returns to single picture as Thatcher whips Ciampa but Ciampa stops from hitting steel fencing. Ciampa elbows Thatcher back, then throws Thatcher into the fencing! And again! And again! Ciampa then runs side to side to KNEE Thatcher into the steel! The ref checks on Thatcher and starts a count. If Thatcher doesn’t stand up before 10, it’s a technical knockout. Thatcher is up at 6, but Ciampa is on him with underhooks! Thatcher resists, and throws Ciampa into the corner where there’s only bare post!
Ciampa writhes and clutches his shoulder but Thatcher is after that arm! Thatcher stands on Ciampa’s head, pulls on an arm, then drags Ciampa to the corner. Thatcher puts the arm in the gap, but Ciampa kicks Thatcher away! Fans fire up as Ciampa and Thatcher rise. Ciampa CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Thatcher clinches, rams Ciampa into fencing then BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! Thatcher is after the arm for a double wristlock! Ciampa endures, moves around, but Thatcher mounts for a ground ‘n’ pound of forearms! Thatcher tortures the fingers, twists the wrist, and JAMS them into the mat! Ciampa clutches his hand and Thatcher has a sadistic grin!
Thatcher stalks Ciampa but Ciampa throws him into the steel! Thatcher slowly rises but Ciampa is up to trip him! And CATAPULTS him into steel! Thatcher falls back onto Ciampa’s knees! Ciampa has a HALF CRAB! Then he KICKS Thatcher in the back! Ciampa rains down rights but Thatcher kicks back! Ciampa stomps, rains down more rights, then goes after a leg again. Thatcher boots Ciampa into the steel! Thatcher stalks Ciampa, clamps onto the head and has a SLEEPER HOLD! Ciampa flails but there are no ropebreaks when there are no ropes! Ciampa still grabs the steel, and then LOW BLOW MULE KICKS! No disqualifications in the Fight Pit, either!
The ref checks on Thatcher but Thatcher grabs at Ciampa over the ref’s back! Ciampa uses the leverage for WILLOW’S BELL!! But Ciampa can’t win off a cover, he wants to know if that knocked Thatcher out! The ref starts a count, Thatcher is still conscious but he has to get up before 10! The count is 5, then 6! Thatcher uses the cage and drags himself up at 9.9! But Ciampa CLOBBERS him, underhooks, but Thatcher spins out to throw EuroUppers! Ciampa forearms, they’re brawling back and forth with fury! The fans are fired up as Ciampa CHOPS but Thatcher tackles him into steel!
Ciampa throws elbows, has a facelock, and he RAMS Thatcher into steel! FAIRYTALE ENDING!! And then a SLEEPER HOLD!! Ciampa wants Thatcher to pass out, but Thatcher fights up! And scoops Ciampa to RAM him into the steel! Thatcher gets Ciampa in a sleeper hold of his own, but Ciampa uses the corner to go up! Thatcher shoves Ciampa into the corner! Thatcher CLUBS Ciampa over and over and over, then has the leg trapped in the girder! HANGING STRETCH MUFFLER!! Ciampa shouts in pain, he TAPS! THATCHER WINS!!
Winner: Timothy Thatcher, by submission
Undefeated in the Fight Pit, it is truly the site of Professor of Pain’s masterclass in mauling and mangling the human body! Has Thatcher proven once and for all that he is the toughest man in NXT? But perhaps most shocking of all, Thatcher goes over to Ciampa, to nod respect to him! Is the feeling mutual after what they just put each other through?
My Thoughts:
A great episode! We got three great Dusty Cup matches, with some rather surprising outcomes. The Way VS KUSHIDA & Ruff was a great opener, and I really thought it was going to go the other way with Gargano and Theory getting this win so that they’d have something to fall back on if Kushida takes the title from Gargano. But now I feel like it’ll be Gargano retaining so that Kushida and Ruff can continue on in this tournament. Imperium VS LHP was another great match with another surprise. Though, story did dictate we get LHP VS Legado del Fantasma again to continue their story of battling over lucha libre, as also made clear with the Legado segment.
Speaking of that segment, a damn shame Stallion is a nobody to even NXT commentary outside of Vic Joseph, who is on 205 Live’s commentary. This just proves what I’ve been saying about the blending of the brands needs to be stronger because I’m pretty sure many NXT fans were just as lost as Wade Barrett was. We also got a great surprise in Wolfe showing up when last we knew, he was still in the UK for NXT UK. I suppose Walter doesn’t need Imperium backing up as no faction is trying to go after him, but I would’ve thought Wolfe would stay and go after the Heritage Cup. Maybe Wolfe finds his way into the North American Championship scene while he’s here.
The Women’s Dusty Cup had a great introduction from Regal and Beth, and we got a very good opening match between Toni-Mercedes VS KC Squared. Shirai showing up was a great surprise, and naturally she pulls Mercedes and Toni back towards the title story. Kacy should be careful with that unique corkscrew move of hers, she could’ve taken herself out since she was only half on Toni’s back. Raquel & Dakota being in the tournament was as much a given as The Way’s LeRae & Indi were, even with Raquel having that great Last Woman Standing win over Rhea. And I like that we’re getting the newest additions in the tournament already, it’ll be a great way to show their skills from the start.
Speaking of new additions, MSK had a good promo but it didn’t really explain much about who they are, which was supposed to be the point. For one, why is it “MSK?” What does that stand for when their names are “Nash Carter” and “Wes Lee?” Will we finally get that explanation when they win again? And while Dain and Maverick are a great duo and Maverick had a great promo of his own, I don’t think they’re winning against MSK. Rust definitely wasn’t beating Reed tonight but it was a great way to give him and Bivens some story. Bivens is trying to do things in Rust’s best interest but he’s just not getting it, so maybe Bivens needs to get a bit stern with him until Rust is actually champion.
Dunne had a really good promo on Balor, and Balor’s response was natural. I like that Balor said having friends and a team and all that was the old Balor, even older than being in the WWE. But it also makes some sense that he and the UE would team up against Oney & Danny, and with Cole & Strong in the Dusty Cup, Kyle was the obvious choice. Though that’s not to say Kyle was by default, the story between him and Finn made that the natural choice, and it is going to be awesome to see them brawl with the BritAm Brawlers. Kross destroying Adonis & #DesTroy seems to be a way of writing those two out of the tournament and possibly putting a losing team back in, or surprising us with a completely new team. Dare I say that Balor & O’Reilly could end up that team after what they do to the tag champs? Would Balor make history as a two-time Dusty Cup winner?
And then the Fight Pit was a great main event, and a story unique from the original. Staying up top and fighting up there for an extended time was a nice way of changing this match up in only its second edition, and it was a natural choice that Thatcher would win. Thatcher should have the Fight Pit as “his match” just as much as Taker had the Casket Match (among a few others), and it could easily be made so that whoever finally beats him in the Fight Pit looks like a million bucks. I wonder if there will ever be a title match inside the Fight Pit. That’d be pretty awesome, since they already treated this one like a title match with the introductions and dramatic lighting.
My Score: 9.3/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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