Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/6/21)
Happy New Year’s Evil!
NXT starts the New Year with an EPIC night!
Hosted by Dexter Lumis, NXT presents New Year’s Evil! Will Kyle O’Reilly take the title from Finn Balor in this rematch from TakeOver 31?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Damian Priest VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Kross wins.
- NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado; Escobar wins and retains the title.
- Xia Li w/ Boa and “Her” VS Katrina Cortez; Li wins.
- Last Woman Standing: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez; Gonzalez wins.
- Mixed Tag Match: Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae w/ The Way VS KUSHIDA & Shotzi Blackheart; Kushida & Shotzi win.
- NXT Championship: Finn Balor VS Kyle O’Reilly; Balor wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Dexter Lumis is here.
And he looks out at the Capitol Wrestling Center as he walks up stairs to a control center. The Tortured Artist is in full control as tonight’s master of ceremonies. He tests the lights, and then sees a master switch. Lumis flips the switch, and the CWC transforms into New Year’s Evil! Even his suit changes!
Damian Priest VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
The Archer of Infamy wants to #LiveForever, but that will only happen if he can survive the apocalypse! Will Priest defeat Mr. Doomsday in this COMMERCIAL FREE opening match?!
The bell rings and the two go right at each other! They tie up, go around, on the ropes and in corners, but Kross puts Priest through ropes! Priest brings Kross out with him, pushes him into boards, but Kross laughs as he pushes Priest back! Priest pushes Kross, Kross pushes Priest back onto the apron, but the ref calls for a ropebreak. Priest gets away and Kross gets in. They bob ‘n’ weave and test the waters with kicks. Priest gets a grazing blow and Kross is furious! Kross runs in but gets fast hands from Priest! PRiest dodges to ROCK Kross, fire off clubbing forearms, but Kross blocks the kick! Kross lifts Priest, Priest fights but Kross SLAMS him down!
Priest staggers away to a corner, Kross is after him with forearms and haymakers! Scarlett tells Kross to hit harder and Kross BOOTS Priest! Kross whips corner to corner, hits a corner clothesline, then whips back the other way for another clothesline! EXPLODER! Cover, ONE!! Kross keeps on Priest and grabs at the arms. Priest resists but Kross still pulls him back in a motorcycle stretch. Priest endures, fights up, but Kross knees low. Kross clotheslines Priest back out, pursues, and RAMS Priest into steel steps! Fans rally but Kross pulls steel steps apart! Priest BOOTS first! Kross knees back and puts Priest in the ring, then takes his time getting back in himself.
Kross drags Priest up by his hair, throws body shots to torture the ribs, but Priest talks trash. Priest guards against the haymakers, taunts Kross more, but Kross keeps hitting! “Is that all you got?!” Kross keeps hitting, Priest stays up but Kross kicks low. Kross whips, Priest kicks back and then ROCKS Kross with a right! Kross staggers, fans fire up and Priest comes back to counter punch over and over! Priest throws more hands, dodges Kross to bell clap! LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up more as Kross is dazed! Kross gets up, Priest runs corner to corner and hits the leaping back elbow!
Priest drags Kross out to suplex but the ribs hold him back! Priest fires off strikes, ROCKS Kross again, then dodges to LARIAT! Kross is down!! Fans fire up as Priest gets Kross up for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest keeps his focus as fans rally up. Kross rises but Priest spins from the corner. Kross ducks the kick but Priest fights off the saido. Kross shoves, Priest dodges and Kross only gets buckles! Priest runs in to BOOT, kick away on the arms, then wrench to knee after knee! ARMBREAKER DDT! Priest gets the arm, rolls Kross over and has an omoplata full nelson! Kross endures, Scarlett is frustrated, but Kross fights up! Kross makes it a cover, ONE!
Kross is free and he hammers away on Priest with elbows! Fans taunt Kross with “You Still Suck!” Priest slowly gets up, Kross storms over, but Priest ROCKS him with a right! Kross comes back to ROCK Priest! Priest BOOTS Kross, Kross BOOTS back! Priest fires off fast hands and kicks, Kross gives them back! Priest kicks away on the arm, then runs to springboard SENTON! Direct hit and fans fire up! Kross staggers to a corner, but he dodges Priest’s elbow to run and LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Kross grows frustrated. Kross stomps Priest’s hand, then his legs, then drags him up for a scoop. Kross puts Priest in the Tree of Woe!
Kross stomps Priest over and over but lets off as the ref counts. Kross brings his kneepads down, runs in and KNEES Priest in the ribs! Fans boo but Kross soaks up the heat as he drags Priest back up. Kross sits Priest up, climbs up behind him, and tells Priest to say goodnight. Priest resists the super back suplex for dear life! Priest elbows Kross over and over and bumps him off buckles! Priest adjusts to headbutt Kross, and KICK him! Priest gets behind Kross, has the crucifix, and manages the RAZOR’S EDGE!! But his own ribs are hurting and he can’t make the cover! Priest crawls, Scarlett shouts, TWO!! Kross lives and Scarlett laughs triumphantly!
Kross goes to the apron, Priest crawls over and throws forearms. Kross hits back, Priest ROCKS him again! Priest dodges the forearm to ROUNDHOUSE and choke grip! Kross holds on for his own survival, elbows Priest away, but steps into the CYCLONE KICK! Kross stumbles, Priest runs and FLIES! Direct hit and fans are thunderous! Priest puts Kross in fast, climbs up top, and FLYING WINDMILL KICKS! Kross staggers, Priest takes aim, choke grip and SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!?!? Kross still lives and Priest can’t believe it! Both men slowly rise, gritting their teeth. Priest roars and clamps on for the dragon sleeper, but Kross NORTHERN LIGHTS free of it!
Kross RAMS into Priest in the corner, brings him out and gut wrenches for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives being folded up and now Kross is shocked! Priest rolls out, staggers about, but Kross follows, only to get a CYCLONE KICK! Priest CYCLONE KICKS again! But he jumps into Kross’ arms and Kross RAMS him into the girder! Kross scoops Priest to SLAM onto steel steps! Kross puts Priest in the ring, smirks as he looms over Priest, and watches Priest rise up slowly. Priest stares Kross down, “I’m still standing, bitch!” Kross ROUNDHOUSES and DOOMSDAY SAIDO!! Priest staggers up but Kross says time’s up! BLINDSIDE FOREARM!! Cover, Kross wins!!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by pinfall
Priest put up one hell of a fight, but just like the passing of time, the apocalypse could not be stopped! Will Kross’ return to the title be just as unstoppable?
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is shaping up!
Six teams have been determined! The Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong & Adam Cole BAYBAY! Ever-Rise! Breezango! Curt Stallion & August Grey! Drake Maverick & Killian Dain! Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner! Two more teams will be announced, but the first round begins next week! Who will hold onto a dream and never let go?
Backstage interview with Adam Cole & Roderick Strong!
Big news with the Dusty Cup entry being announced, and we know now that they will be facing Breezango in the opening round! Their thoughts? “Here’s the deal, McKenzie. Every single week is a big week for UE. As a matter of fact, every month, every year, when you look back at everything we’ve accomplished.” Adam Cole is the longest reigning NXT Champion in history! Roddy Strong is a former North American Champion. When the Undisputed Era said they were going to fulfill the golden prophecy, they did it! And they’ll do it again in 2021!
Strong agrees, and next week with Breezango, as entertaining as their entrances are, the UE will not forget that those are two veterans that get the job done. But that’s the thing. Cole and Strong are on another level. When these two go on to win the Dusty Cup, it will be the continuation of the prophecy, as tonight is the first step. Tonight, Kyle O’Reilly fulfills his destiny and becomes the UNDISPUTED NXT Champion! The UE have a lot of confidence in themselves, but will the new year truly bring a new reign?
NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado!
The Leader of Leader claims he not only defines Lucha Libre, but owns it! But the King of the Ropes and his amigo, the Golden Lynx, want to make him understand the “libre” isn’t just for “freestyle.” Lucha libre doesn’t belong to one man, but that title does! Will Metalik take the gold from Escobar to completely change the Cruiserweight landscape in 2021?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this battle for the spirit of lucha begins!
Metalik and Escobar circle, tie up, and Metalik puts Escobar on ropes. Metalik lets off fast, and they circle again. They tie up, go around, and Escobar puts Metalik in a corner. Escobar lets off but Metalik dodges his sucker punch. Metalik and Escobar circle, tie up, Escobar sweeps but Metalik headscissors back! Escobar sweeps the legs, covers, ONE, and Metalik reverses the roles with a sweep and cover, ONE! Metalik dodges, runs and RANAS! Escobar bails out, Metalik builds speed but fakes him out with a handspring!
Escobar is furious but he gets back in the ring and circles wit Metalik. Escobar kicks low, throws elbows, then whips, but Metalik handsprings! Escobar dodges, blocks the chop to give the CHOP, and then he knuckle locks to go up and up and SPRINGBOARD RANAS! Fans fire up with Metalik as he runs in but Escobar puts him on the apron. Escobar SLAPS Metalik, runs and slides, but Metalik springboards to ASAI MOONSAULT! Lince fans Metalik off and Metalik fetches Escobar into the ring. Metalik springboards again for a SWANTON! Cover, TWO!
Metalik keeps his cool and drags Escobar up to a fireman’s carry, for a Wasteland Slam! Metalik goes to the corner, moonsaults, but has to bail out as Escobar moves. Escobar runs in at the corner but Metalik puts him on the apron! Metalik enziguris, Escobar wobbles, and Metalik goes to the top rope. Metalik walks the tightrope but Escobar blocks the huricanrana! Escobar keeps them both from falling horribly to the floor, to then double clutch and swing Metalik into barriers! Fans are fired up either way as NXT goes picture in picture!
Escobar grins and tells Metalik he’s smarter than him. Escobar kicks Metalik, drags him up, puts him on the apron, then goes up to pull Metalik against the post! The ref counts, Escobar stops at 4 and then gets in the ring. Escobar stomps Metalik in the corner, stands on his ribs, then steps off at 4. To come back with a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Metalik barely escapes but Escobar clubs away! Escobar gets the leg for a deep Half Crab! Metalik endures, drags himself around towards ropes, but Escobar lets go to stomp him down! Escobar drags Metalik up, Metalik throws body shots but Escobar shoves and tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO!
Escobar drags Metalik up, CHOPS him to a corner, then hoists him up top. Escobar CHOPS again and NXT returns to single picture as he ENZIGURIS! Metalik stays up top, Escobar climbs up and fireman’s carries, but Metalik fights it, only for Escobar to DROP him on the crossbar! Cover, TWO!! Metalik survives the Skyline, but Escobar drags him around by his legs. Escobar hooks the legs up and pulls on the arms for a SURFBOARD! Metalik endures, Escobar makes it a cover, TWO!! Metalik escapes but Escobar CLUBS Metalik on the back! Escobar drags Metalik up, fireman’s carries, but Metalik fights free! Metalik runs and rebounds to SLING-SUNSET! TWO!!
Escobar grins because he admits how close that was. But then he CLOBBERS Metalik for it! Cover, TWO! Escobar grows annoyed with Metalik, and he stomps Metalik to the corner. Fans rally up as Escobar goes corner to corner, runs back in, but Metalik BOOTS him! Metalik staggers but SUPERKICKS and SLING-DOGS! Metalik keeps moving, and he walks the ropes to springboard missile dropkick! Escobar bails out, fans rally and Metalik builds speed to go up and FLY!! Direct hit at the ramp and Lince fans Metalik off again. The ring count climbs, Metalik drags Escobar into the ring, and springboards again, for a SPLASH! Cover, TWO!!
Metalik and Escobar are down but fans fire up. Lince coaches Metalik while Legado is concerned. Metalik brings Escobar up to CHOP him! Metalik whips, Escobar whips but Metalik tumbles out and enziguris back in! Metalik springboards, into a JUMPING KNEE! Escobar steadies himself as Metalik flops out of the ring, and Escobar builds speed, to fire the ARROW FROM HELL!! Direct hit and Metalik hits barriers! Escobar drags Metalik up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Metalik survives but Escobar keeps his focus. Escobar drags Metalik up, kicks away, then reels him in for underhooks. Metalik resists the lift, fights back with body shots, but Escobar ROCKS him with a forearm!
Escobar bumps Metalik off buckles, hoists him back up top, and CHOPS him! Escobar climbs, Metalik fights back, but the mask is coming loose! Metalik has to adjust that first, and Escobar shoves him down! Metalik crashes onto the apron, Escobar climbs up but Metalik CHOPS him! Metalik tries to climb, Legado creeps over but Lince LEAPS and body blocks them both! Metalik goes up to SUPER STEINER Escobar! Cover, TWO!! Escobar survives again but Metalik hurries to get up top again! Metalik calls for the elbow, but Escobar trips him up! Double underhooks, DRAPING LEGADO DRIVER! Fireman’s carry, to PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, Escobar wins!
Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall (still NXT Cruiserweight Champion)
Somehow, someway, the “Emperor of Lucha” still reigns! Will Escobar make 2021 El Ano del Fantasma (The Year of the Phantom)?
Mercedes Martinez speaks.
“It feels real good to be back! Io Shirai, Female Competitor of the Year, Overall Competitor of the Year. Too bad you didn’t look like that when I put you through that table. I don’t care about the title of ‘biggest badass.’ The only title I care about is the Women’s Title. Hey, Io, hello mamita. I’m waitin’ on ya.” When will the Evil Genius respond to Mean Miss Martinez’s message?
“She” has come to NXT…
The mysterious master that we’ve seen put Xia Li and Boa through hell sits on stage. Then Boa and Xia appear by her side, and head to the ring. They have become more dangerous than ever before, and Xia shows her skills before entering the ring. Who is about to feel the wrath of this darker, deadlier Xia Li?
Xia Li w/ Boa and “Her” VS Katrina Cortez!
The bell rings and Xia circles with Cortez. Cortez dodges Xia to waistlock, but Xia scowls as she reverses the whip. Cortez ducks a kick but Xia shoves then HEEL KICKS! Xia bows to her master, then goes back to Cortez. Xia drags her up, brings her around for knees and a sobat! Xia strikes a pose and powers up more, but Cortez body shots! Xia just glares! Xia blocks strikes, to JUMPING KNEE! SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE! Fans fire up for this fiery Xia and she covers, Xia wins!
Winner: Xia Li, by pinfall
That was fast and furious, and perhaps even merciless! Will Xia be “her” weapon in the NXT Women’s Division?
BREAKING NEWS!
William Regal reports that after conferring with medics, Timothy Thatcher suffered an injury that although minor, will keep him from competing tonight. Therefore, the Fight Pit match has been cancelled for tonight, but will be rescheduled for another time. When will the Professor of Pain and Tommaso Ciampa be able to settle the score?
Ringside interview with Bronson Reed!
The Colossal says too bad about Thatcher. But he knows what it is like to sit at home with injuries. All that does is build aggression inside. That aggression, that “inner savage,” is what NXT will see from Reed in 2021! He puts everyone on notice, and says it will be a colossal year. Speaking of aggression, in the Last Woman Standing, his money is on Rhea Ripley! And that match is next!
Last Woman Standing: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez!
Friends becoming bitter enemies is perhaps a tale as old as time. What was once RNR was pulled apart by jealousy and contempt, and now it is RVR! Who will survive when these two female titans go until they’ve got nothing left to give?!
The bell rings, and Rhea dropkicks Raquel right away! Rhea RAMS into Raquel over and over in the corner, fires off fast hands, but Raquel shoves back. Rhea returns with a Thesz Press! The two scrap on the mat, roll as they throw hands, but Rhea kicks Raquel away, only for Raquel to CLOBBER her! Raquel scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Raquel drags Rhea back up to scoop and FALL AWAY SLAM again! Fans fire up as Raquel scoops Rhea a third time, for a third FALL AWAY SLAM! Raquel seethes while Rhea writhes and a count starts. Rhea is up at 4, Raquel is on her and throws knees! Raquel grabs the fingers and bends them.
Raquel shows Rhea her own RNR tattoo and says she fooled Rhea by acting like a friend, but Rhea isn’t acting when she SLAPS Raquel! Rhea wrenches, HOOK KICKS, and sweeps the leg! Rhea basement dropkicks Raquel out of the ring! Fans fire up as Rhea goes out and RAMS Raquel into the apron! And again, and again! Rhea shoves Raquel down, fetches a chair and a kendo stick from under the ring, and SMACKS Raquel with the bamboo! And again! And again! Raquel blocks the next strike to ROCK Rhea with a forearm! Raquel puts Rhea in the ring, but Rhea slides back out and runs around the way, to leap off the steel steps, INTO A CHAIRSHOT!
Raquel drags Rhea up before a count, to TOSS Rhea into boards! NOW she lets the ref count. Raquel goes looking for things while Rhea crawls, and Raquel find scuffs! Raquel SMACKS Rhea with the kendo stick more first, but Rhea slaps the cuffs away! Raquel kicks low, Rhea blocks the board shot to throw Raquel into boards! Rhea gets the cuffs and puts them on Raquel! Rhea clubs Raquel down, and cuffs Raquel to the chain link fencing! Raquel is stuck, Rhea blocks a punch and CHOPS away on Raquel’s chest! Raquel is stuck standing up, Rhea has the kendo stick but Raquel BOOTS her down!
Raquel just RIPS the fencing apart?! And uses a scrap to SMACK Rhea on the head, and on the back! Rhea screams in pain but she POSTS Raquel in return! Fans are fired up as Rhea grabs the ring bell hammer! Raquel blocks to BOUNCE Rhea off the bell! The ref starts a count as Rhea is down in a daze. The count is 5, Rhea staggers up at 6, but now Raquel is clearing off the announce desk! Raquel drags Rhea over to BACK DROP Rhea onto the table!! And then Raquel buries Rhea in the wreckage! And with chairs! The ref counts, Rhea fights against the pile of items on top of her, and she’s free at 7, to stand at 9! Raquel puts Rhea in the ring and scowls as NXT goes picture in picture.
Rhea drags herself to a corner, the ref asks if she wants to continue and she does. Raquel storms in, throws what’s left of the cuffs and chain links away to stomp away. Raquel suplexes Rhea high and hard! Rhea writhes, the count starts again, and Raquel glares at Rhea as she flounders at 5. Rhea is up at 7, Raquel scoops her and spins for a POWERSLAM! Raquel STEPS on Rhea just to add insult to injury. The count begins again, Rhea gets up but Raquel KICKS her legs out! Raquel drags Rhea up to bump off buckles, brings her around, but Rhea breaks free, only for Raquel to CLOBBER her!
Raquel CLUBS Rhea on the back, runs in and clotheslines Rhea out hard! Rhea hits the floor and a count begins. Rhea flounders on the New Year’s Evil logo as the count hits 5. Rhea staggers up and stands at 7. Raquel pulls apart steel steps and runs at Rhea, but Rhea kicks the steps into Raquel! Rhea gives Raquel a DDT to the steps!! Raquel flops back but Rhea is down, too! The count is on both of them, Rhea and Raquel both get up at 7! Rhea crawls up the ramp, Raquel goes back to the steps, and NXT returns to single picture as Raquel RAMS Rhea! And RAMS her again! They make their way to the stage and Raquel tells Rhea to stay down.
Rhea stands again, Raquel BOOTS her down! Rhea tumbles all the way off the stage and Raquel stalks her way over. They’re partially backstage as Raquel looms over Rhea. Rhea drags herself up as Raquel says this is HER NXT now. Raquel shoves Rhea into the lockers but Rhea CHOPS back! Raquel stomps Rhea, drags her up and waistlocks, but Rhea elbows free! Rhea SPEARS Raquel through a glass door!! Both women are down and fans are going nuts! The count starts again and we’re at 5 of 10 before Rhea flounders up. Rhea is up at 7, Raquel follows at 8 and this continues! Rhea BOOTS Raquel down the hall! Rhea BUMPS Raquel off doorframe!
Rhea brings Raquel back to the lockers to bounce her off the side. Rhea bumps Raquel off road cases, drags the catering table over, and puts Raquel on it. Rhea makes some room as Raquel is stuck in potato chips, and Rhea CLUBS Raquel over and over. Rhea climbs up a locker, aims at Raquel, and says “SUCK IT!” CANNONBALL through the table!! Both women are down in the wreckage and the count begins again! Rhea is writhing and pushing herself up at 6! Raquel starts to stir at 7, but DAKOTA KAI ATTACKS WITH KENDO STICK SMACKS!! Raquel’s new friend is beating up her old one for her!
Raquel gets up because the ref stopped counting to reprimand Dakota! Dakota helps Raquel steady herself but Rhea BOOTS Dakota down! Rhea ROUNDHOUSES Raquel, and SMACKS locker doors off Dakota over and over and over! Rhea is roaring and she puts Dakota in a locker! Rhea puts the road case in front of it, Dakota is trapped!! Neener-neener, dork! Rhea leaves Dakota behind but Raquel CHAIRSHOTS Rhea! Raquel sits the chair up upside-down, but Rhea avoids being skewered on the legs! Rhea throws body shots, ROCKS Raquel with a right, and then gets the legs! PRISM TRAP!
Submissions don’t win but this is going to do some damage! Rhea even gets the chair to make it a COLLAR on Raquel’s head!! Raquel fights the chair off, pushes out of the hold and Rhea smacks off the edge of the LED wall! A count begins as both women are down! Rhea and Raquel slowly rise, they’re both up at 7 again! Raquel runs in but Rhea fireman’s carries and DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS Raquel into the TITANTRON! The giant X glitches out as both women crash down again! A count begins, fans are thunderous, and Rhea rises first at 7! Raquel sits up in a daze and stands at 8! Rhea drags Raquel to the steel steps, only for Raquel to trip her! Rhea bounces off steel!
Rhea checks her face as she flounders up, and Raquel scowls as she comes up behind her. They’re both on top of the steps, Raquel drags Rhea up, DESPERADO BOMB through the STAGE!!! Where are they!? The ref still counts and we’re at 5! Rhea, no, Raquel! Raquel is up out of the hole first, and stands at 9! Rhea is down, Raquel wins!!
Winner: Raquel Gonzalez
Holy hell, how did Raquel survive everything she and Rhea put each other through? Well, minor assist to #CobraKai before she got isolated. But in the end, Raquel still found a way to wreck Rhea. Will every other woman in NXT avoid crossing paths with Big Mami Cool?
The Way has a police escort on their way in?!
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are celebrating Johnny’s win to retain the NXT North American Championship, and we watch this procession as NXT goes picture in picture. What more will The Way do to celebrate Johnny breaking the curse?
Meanwhile, referees are pulling Rhea out of the wreckage and check on her. She is able to move her arms, but refs help her stand. The Way continues to make their way to the Capitol Wrestling Center as Rhea staggers and stumbles. Rhea insists they let her stand on her own now, but she ends up having to take a seat on the steel steps. A medic finally appears to check on her, but Rhea still insists she move on her own. NXT returns to single picture as The Way finally arrives and as commentary waits on a new desk. The procession finally pulls into the backstage parking lot, with Austin Theory pulling the Chevy in. Austin and Indi help Johnny and Candice out and they all go to the ring!
Indi and Austin fetch mics for Candice and Johnny, and there’s something already set up in the ring for them. “That’s the way you make an entrance, ladies and gentlemen!” Johnny says there was The Curse of the Bambino, The Curse of the Billy Goat, “and the curse of this NXT fan who can’t get a girlfriend. Don’t worry, don’t worry, we’re rooting for you. You’ll get there one day. Keep trying.” But those all pale in comparison to the Johnny Gargano Championship Defense Curse. But just like the Cleveland Browns erased 18 YEARS of no NFL Playoff appearances, shout out to Mayfield, Gargano has reversed his curse! “YO, CANDICE! I DID IT!”
Now, Johnny is only cursed with being the best, being handsome, being a sweet dancer. Candice says Gargano might be the most powerful man to exist! He is! So powerful! Candice says she did something special for Johnny cuz she loves him so much, and got him a plaque! “The Curse” is slashed through because Johnny broke it, and it has the date! NXT TV, 12/30/20, against Leon Ruff! A day that will live in infamy, in a good way, not the fake arrow Daman Priest way. But the most important thing in Gargano’s life, and she’s a beauty…
Austin says Gargano is a real-life superhero! But one thing about heroes is that they’re so giving, but never getting anything in return. That’s not the way they role, though! Nice! So Austin and Indi got him a gift, too! Curtain pull, The Way as comic book superheroes!! Super Candice, Indi Wrestling, Hulk Theory and Iron Johnny with Doggo Gargano by his side! What a great night this is! But Johnny has a way to make things way better! Gargano officially announces that he and “mah boi, Austin,” are entering the DUSTY RHODES TAG TEAM CLASSIC! No look high-five~!
But wait, SHOTZI is here! Blackheart and Tank Mk. II ride out on stage, and she howls to the moon! Shotzi tells Candice, “Did you forget about me?” Austin tells “Mike Wazowski” she is not going to ruin Johnny’s night! And she is definitely not gonna disrespect Candice! But Shotzi fires the missile into Austin’s theory! Austin writhes down the ramp and Johnny checks on his boy’s boys, but Shotzi rushes the ring! Shotzi throws Indi out to brawl with Candice! Candice shoves Shotzi away, gets out but Shotzi ROUNDHOUSES Candice down! Johnny is furious, he throws off his jacket, and he gets up on the apron! But then KUSHIDA pulls Johnny down!
Kushida gets in the ring, stands with Shotzi, and dares The Way to do something! Fans are thunderous, a bell rings, and Dexter Lumix is here! Without words, he is saying this is a match! A MIXED TAG MATCH, Kushida & Shotzi VS Johnny & Candice! How’d he draw that so fast? Did he have that just in case? Will things stop going The Way’s way after the Time Splitter and Wild Child #TCB, Take Care o’ Business?
Mixed Tag Match: Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae w/ The Way VS KUSHIDA & Shotzi Blackheart!
The bell rings so Johnny and Candice have to sort out! Candice and Johnny are in street clothes but Candice gets in the ring to start with Shotzi. Candice knees low, runs but Shotzi dodges to enziguri! Candice ends up on ropes, Shotzi runs in for the CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Candice scrambles away and The Way regroups as NXT goes picture in picture!
Johnny checks on Candice and Candice is obviously upset. Candice shouts at Shotzi but Shotzi goes out after her! They brawl, Shotzi clubs Candice into the ring then stalks behind her. Candice gets around to a waistlock, but Shotzi runs to a corner and swings Candice into buckles! Candice staggers, Shotzi knuckle locks and goes up, up, but Candice trips her up to hotshot the arm! Shotzi tumbles down, Candice hurries out to SLAM the arm into barriers! Shotzi staggers away, Candice whips her into the POST! Candice looms over Shotzi, drags her up by her hair and puts her on the apron to SLAM the arm again! Candice goes in, covers, TWO!
Candice is furious and she clubs Shotzi down. Candice drags Shotzi up by her arm, wrenches, but Shotzi throws forearms! Candice DECKS Shotzi in return, covers, TWO! The Way is frustrated but Candice drags Shotzi around to hook the arm as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns, Candice has Shotzi’s arm in a keylock but Shotzi rams her to a corner! Candice holds on, Shotzi rams her in more, and is free! Candice brings Shotzi away but Shotzi throws forearms. Candice sweeps the leg and WRINGS the arm out! Cover, TWO! Candice is annoyed, and apparently Lumis has joined commentary, not that he counts. Candice brings Shotzi up, Shotzi scrambles but Candice keeps her down with a sleeper! Shotzi fights up with Candice as a backpack, and she pries the arm to ELBOW BREAKER! Candice clutches her arm as she and Shotzi are both down! Hot tag to Kushida!
Gargano rushes in but Kushida is already up top, and Kushida leaps for an ax handle! Kushida atomic drops, whips and hip tosses Gargano, to handspring basement dropkick! Fans fire up as Kushida runs but Gargano goes up and over and rolls, but Kushida dodges the kick! Gargano dodges a kick, too, and ROCKS Kushida with a forearm! Gargano whips Kushida, Kushida reverses and hip tosses to the ARMBAR! Gargano clasps hands, rolls Kushida, GargaNO Escape! But Kushida rolls to the ARMBAR! Gargano flails, kicks, reaches, The Way shouts, and Gargano gets the ropebreak!
Kushida lets go and he stalks Gargano to waistlock. Gargano switches, Kushida wrenches, ARMBAR BULLDOG! Kushida scowls, kicks Gargano around, and stands on Gargano’s head and pulls on the arm. Gargano reverses the wrench and CHOPS, but Kushida KICKS the arm! Gargano CHOPS, Kushida KICKS, repeat! FAST BALL from Kushida! Gargano wobbles to a corner, Kushida runs in, but Candice is there! Kushida has to stop because this isn’t co-ed competition. Candice puts her hair up as if it is, though, but Gargano tries to sneak up on Kushida! Kushida ducks, Gargano stops himself from clobbering Candice, FAST BALL!!
Shotzi returns to ROCK Candice, and gets help from Kushida for the SLICED BREAD! Kushida ROCKS Gargano again, and then he and Shotzi give Johnny and Candice STEREO ELBOW BREAKERS! And the same for PENALTY KICKS to the arms! Candice bails out, Gargano is on the apron, Kushida handspring heel kicks him down! The Way regroups but Kushida holds ropes for Shotzi to DIVE! Direct hit and Shotzi takes Candice and herself out! Kushida LEAPS to clobber Johnny! Fans are thunderous, Kushida drags Gargano up and into the ring. Kushida climbs but Shotzi also puts in Candice. Johnny and Candice distract the ref, and Indi and Austin trip up Shotzi and SHOVE Kushida!
The ref sees Austin gloating on the apron and he explains he was just climbing. Kushida TOSSES Austin into the ring! And then drop toeholds Gargano into Austin’s theory! Wheelbarrow takedown and cover, Kushida and Shotzi win!!
Winners: KUSHIDA & Shotzi Blackheart, by pinfall
The Super Junior just pinned the North American Champion! The curse may be broken, but will the reign be ended in the end?
This Valentine’s Day, let your heart TakeOver.
That’s right! The next time NXT takes over is FEBRUARY 14TH! Who shows their love for the brand in just over a month’s time?
Backstage interview with GM William Regal!
He asked for this time because he has an announcement! NXT had a great year in 2020, and 2021 will perhaps be the greatest year yet. Regal is excited because next week starts the Dusty Cup. After a lot of consideration, Regal says we will also have the first ever WOMEN’S Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic!! What pairings will we see from the incredible NXT Women’s Division in this inaugural tournament?
NXT Championship: Finn Balor VS Kyle O’Reilly!
The championship match from TakeOver 31 was as brutal as they come, and despite breaking The Prince’s jaw, O’Reilly could not take the title! Will the rematch be a different story? Or will Balor deny the Undisputed Era their prophecy once again?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this COMMERCIAL FREE second time around begins!
Kyle and Balor circle, tie up, and Kyle waistlocks. Balor wrenches to a hammerlock but Kyle switches to a hammerlock. Balor switches, Kyle switches and headlocks but Balor powers out. Kyle runs Balor over but Balor is right up and to a corner! Balor checks his jaw because of that injury, but he ties up with Kyle again. They knuckle lock, Kyle wrenches an arm to a hammerlock and throws Balor down. Kyle headscissors and holds tight as Balor tries to pop out. Fans rally, Balor gets out but barely blocks that kick! Balor and Kyle reset and tie up again, and Balor blocks the takedown to hook Kyle’s head with his leg.
Balor shifts to get a chinlock then the headlock, but Kyle powers up. Balor throws Kyle down and blocks the headscissor hold. Kyle endures the grind, rolls Balor to a cover, ONE! Kyle headscissors free this time, Balor struggles to get free again, and Kyle pushes up to put torque on Balor’s head. Balor keeps fighting but has to move around. Balor rolls Kyle, shifts but Kyle gets away and gives another kick! Balor blocks and steadies himself and Kyle uses that to go after an arm! Kyle wrangles Balor down and shifts the armlock but Balor endures. Fans rally up, Balor fights up but Kyle wrenches. Balor rolls, hooks a leg, but Kyle wrangles him back down.
Kyle digs a knee into Balor’s shoulder as he goes after the hand. Balor gets up, but Kyle wrenches to an elbow breaker. Kyle reels Balor into knees, then goes after the arm again. Fans rally and duel, Kyle wrenches again but Balor chinbars to hold off the elbow breaker. Balor wants Kyle’s arm now, and he slips through to complete the cobra twist! But Kyle hip tosses out fast and short-arm scissors! Balor endures, it’s a cover, TWO as Balor sits up. Balor turns Kyle, Kyle turns him back over, and the fans rally harder. Balor moves up and turns Kyle back over, shifts and gets the cobra twist!
Kyle endures, reaches out but Balor turns Kyle away from ropes! Kyle still reaches, and uses his MOUTH to get the ropebreak! Balor lets go to KICK Kyle in the mouth! Balor wants to give Kyle that receipt in the worst way! The ref checks on Kyle as he goes to the corner, and he keeps Balor from adding on. The medic wants to check Kyle’s teeth but Kyle says he’s fine. Kyle stands, Balor snapmares Kyle and throws down elbows. Balor wraps on a chinlock, Kyle endures and fans rally up. Kyle gets up, slips around and brings Balor down to a knee. Kyle hammerlocks the arm and KICKS it!
Kyle still checks his jaw but he goes back to Balor at ropes for a whip. Balor reverses, Kyle stops himself and WRINGS Balor’s arm out! Kyle gets the arm, wrangles Balor down to a hammerlock, and he drops knees into the shoulders. Kyle runs to SLIDING KNEE Balor in the back! Balor goes out, Kyle makes sure his jaw is still in place, and he goes after Balor. Balor forearms but Kyle wrenches and hotshots the arm! Kyle does it again on the second rope! Balor stands but Kyle wants a leg. Balor gets in to pull Kyle against the ropes with a chinlock! The ref counts, Balor stops at 4, just to change positions and pull Kyle against ropes again!
Balor stops to stomp away on Kyle over and over! The ref counts, Balor lets off at 4 to then run and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives but he’s clutching his mouth. Balor paces, headlocks, but Kyle hits a back suplex! But Balor holds on to CROSSFACE! Kyle flails, pries at the hold, moves around, and uses a leg to get the roepbreak! The ref counts, Balor lets go at 4, and Balor seethes as Kyle clutches his jaw. Fans rally up, Balor CHOPS him in the corner then digs his forearms in! The ref counts, Balor lets off at 4 to whip Kyle to ropes and elbow him down! Cover, TWO! Balor is on Kyle with forearms grinding the jaw!
Balor paces, Kyle slowly rises, and Kyle KICKS Balor in the leg! Balor headlocks, resists the back suplex but Kyle powers out. Things speed up, KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Kyle staggers over, clinches and throws knees, then more kicks! Balor ducks the kick but Kyle ducks the chop to wrench the arm and sweep the leg! Fans fire up as Balor is down and Kyle brings him up. Kyle wrenches the arm to another elbow breaker! Hammerlock and another leg sweep! Cover, TWO! Kyle has the arm for a double wristlock! Balor throws knees to get free! Fans rally and duel again as Balor gets up.
Balor is in a corner, Kyle runs in but Balor dodges the knee to CHOP! Balor stalks Kyle to a corner, whips but Kyle blocks to knee low! AX but PELE! Kyle rebounds, dodges a lariat and rolls Balor to a HEEL HOOK! Balor kicks free but Kyle PENALTY KICKS back! Kyle hits so hard, he falls out of the ring! The ref counts and it passes 5 before Kyle sits up! Kyle stands at 8, is in at 9! Balor runs in to throw forearms but Kyle YANKS on the arm! Balor forearms, Kyle yanks, repeat! Kyle wrenches, but Balor fish hooks the mouth! Kyle wrenches through to hammerlock and GUILLOTINE!
Balor CHOPS free, but is caught into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Balor makes it a cover, TWO, Kyle gets the leg for a HEEL HOOK KNEEBAR!! Balor drags himself around and he BOOTS Kyle in the jaw! Kyle lets go to clutch his mouth and fans are going nuts! Balor grits his teeth, and drops an ax handle on Kyle again and again and again! Balor sits Kyle up to dragon sleeper, ELBOW DROP DDT! Balor drags Kyle up again, BLOODY SUNDAY!! And then the CROSSFACE!! Kyle endures, flails blindly, but Balor cranks back as hard as he can! Kyle uses palm strikes to break the hold! Balor clutches the bad arm as both he and Kyle are down! Fans are thunderous as Kyle and Balor rise!
Balor runs to ROCK Kyle with a right! Kyle blocks the boot to KICK the arm! And KICK and KICK! Kyle runs, Balor SLINGBLADES! Kyle gets up but into a trip, DOUBLE STOMPS! Balor takes aim, runs and SHOTGUN dropkicks Kyle into buckles! Fans are thunderous again as Balor heads up top! But Kyle kicks his legs out! Kyle climbs up, drags Balor up, and hits a SUPERPLEX! But Balor cradle counters, TWO!! Kyle gets Balor up for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! TO AN ARMBAR!! Balor clasps hands as best he can but Kyle keeps pulling, then shifts to the other arm! Balor endures, moves around, and gets a ropebreak with a leg! The ref counts, Kyle lets go at 4!
Balor clutches his arm and he has blood from the forehead or eyebrow streaking down his face! Kyle clutches his jaw but he glares at Balor. Kyle storms over, puts the arms on ropes, and gets in Balor’s face. Kyle backs up and runs, into a BOOT! Balor got Kyle in the stomach, was it the liver again?! Kyle staggers, gets a leg, Balor fights it off and they go around, COBRA TWIST! Balor throws elbows into Kyle’s ribs over and over, but Kyle drops down! Kyle reaches out but Balor makes this part CROSSFACE! Kyle TAPS, Balor wins!!
Winner: Finn Balor, by submission (still NXT Champion)
Another time around and it was still brutal as all hell! Balor is still The Prince, having shed blood, sweat, but no tears for what he put Kyle through. The Undisputed Era come out to check on Kyle, but Balor walks over. Balor looks at Kyle as Kyle clutches his jaw, and Balor nods respect. The new year starts just as the old one ended: Finn Balor on top! If this wasn’t enough to end the reign, what will it take to take that title from Finn Balor?
My Thoughts:
New Year’s Evil was incredible! Almost a TakeOver in itself! The opening bit with Lumis was pretty good, but he isn’t quite the host Shotzi Blackheart was for Halloween Havoc. Priest VS Kross was a great match, probably Kross’ best since coming to NXT, and though Priest gave him the biggest challenge yet, Kross still wins because he’s still the big monster. And we got an EPIC commercial free main event for Balor VS Kyle. Their TakeOver 31 match was Match of the Year winner, this rematch here is already an early contender for the 2021 awards. Balor wins and that blood from his forehead going along the side made for a powerful ending image. Kross wants his title back, I am thinking he and Balor can start a program going into Valentine’s Day TakeOver. Which, how wild is that? A TakeOver on a holiday.
Escobar VS Metalik made for a great Cruiserweight Championship match, and though it went picture in picture, it was basically commercial free, too. I had a feeling Metalik wasn’t going to win, since A) Lucha House Party is still on Raw, and B) Curt Stallion is still promised a match. Stallion is taking part in the Dusty Cup to bide his time, but I’m not sure he and August Grey go that far given the other teams in the tournament. Gargano & Theory are going to be the seventh team, and obviously Grizzled Young Veterans are the eighth. I can’t be sure who wins it, but depending on how the actual bracket is formed, I wouldn’t be surprised by Undisputed Era VS The Way for some classic Cole VS Gargano before UE gets revenge on McAfee’s boys, Lorcan & Burch, in the title match.
And amazing news that we’re getting a WOMEN’S Dusty Cup! Obviously The Way’s Candice & Indi are going to get in on that, to tease The Way completely taking over tag team wrestling. Dakota and Raquel can be another team, as well as Xia Li and “Her” (Karen Q). Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter will be in by default as one of the only other women’s tag teams in NXT, so that’s four teams right there. I’m sure they can throw some other women together into teams if they want to go for eight, such as Rhea and Shotzi, but who knows. Rhea VS Raquel was AWESOME! Asuka VS Nikki Cross was a good first Last Woman Standing but RVR is now the best one. As I predicted, Raquel wins, and this could mean Rhea is on her way out, but who knows.
I like that, with the Fight Pit not happening, we got a Mixed Tag Match surprise as Lumis uses his hosting authority to make a match. Johnny & Candice VS Kushida & Shotzi was a lot of fun, helped preview The Way being in the two Dusty Cups, and gives Kushida his way to the North American Championship at TakeOver: Valentine’s as I don’t think The Way makes the men’s finals. The entire segment leading up to it was hilarious, too, with the gifts and the plaque and Shotzi shooting Theory in the nuts. The Way will definitely have a strong 2021, regardless of titles and accolades.
My Score: 9.5/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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