Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Elimination Chamber Results & Report! (2/21/21)
Who shoots their shot at the Head of the Table?
The Elimination Chamber will determine the Road to WrestleMania!
Drew McIntyre defends his WWE World Championship inside, while Roman Reigns waits for a challenger to emerge from the Elimination Chamber!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match – WWE United States Championship Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: John Morrison VS Mustafa Ali VS Ricochet VS Elias; Morrison wins and joins the title match Triple Threat later tonight.
- Elimination Chamber: Kevin Owens VS Daniel Bryan VS Cesaro VS Sami Zayn VS King Corbin VS Jey Uso; Bryan wins and will challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship tonight.
- WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Daniel Bryan; Reigns wins and retains the title.
- WWE United States Championship Triple Threat: Bobby Lashley VS Matt Riddle VS John Morrison; Riddle wins and is the new WWE United States Champion.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair; Jax & Baszler win and retain the titles.
- WWE World Championship Elimination Chamber: Drew McIntyre VS Sheamus VS Randy Orton VS Kofi Kingston VS Jeff Hardy VS AJ Styles; McIntyre wins and retains the title.
- WWE World Championship MITB Cash-In: Drew McIntyre VS The Miz; The Miz wins and is the new WWE World Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Elimination Chamber Kickoff Show!
Join Charly Caruso, Booker T, John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Peter Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting the action for tonight, both in and out of the sadistic steel structure!
BREAKING NEWS!
Keith Lee cannot compete tonight from the injuries suffered at the hands of Bobby Lashley, so there will be a huge Fatal 4 Way in the kickoff show! John Morrison, Mustafa Ali, Ricochet and Elias will compete, but who will join Bobby Lashley and Matt Riddle in the Triple Threat for the US Championship?
Backstage interview with Cesaro!
The Swiss Cyborg has significant momentum, could tonight be a turning point for him? To answer it this way, Cesaro’s favorite drink is espresso. It is simple, reminds him of home, but it’s not just another coffee. It isn’t made, it is extracted. And it takes time and practice to get that just right. Cesaro will have the perfect shot tonight as he wins the Elimination Chamber match and then extract the title from Roman. And it will be oh so sweet, just like the perfect espresso.
MVP joins the panel via video call.
Who does he think will fill Keith Lee’s spot in the US Championship Triple Threat tonight? Or does it matter? To borrow The Rock’s saying, “IT DOESN’T MATTER!” Lashley isn’t just a combat athlete, he’s a force of nature! Lashley is Godzilla! You can call the Defense Force but you should call FIMA to clean up after him. JBL wants Rosenberg to get pumped out talking to MVP, but then Billie Kay offers Mr. MVP her headshot and resume. She has many business qualifications so she could be a great addition to the Hurt Business. Yes, her voice sure does hurt his ears. But he’ll consider her application and keep in touch. Is that just a nice way of saying, “No?”
Sonya Deville joins the panel!
Dapper Deville is back and she’s loving it already. JBL gets on Booker for not doing his dance moves with Bad Bunny but Booker says the check wasn’t big enough. Charly asks Sonya about the Women’s Tag title match tonight. Sonya says first, Shayna & Nia are a well-oiled machine and dominant team, but all that said, Bianca Belair is a rising star, Sasha Banks is a seasoned vet, this is tough to call. However, Sasha doesn’t play well with others. Just look at Bayley. So the advantage of course goes to Shayna-Nia.
Charly brings up the interesting origins of this match. Despite Sasha and Bianca not being a team for much at all, they and Reginald pulled off the win. Reggie the sommelier got a little over his head but he had back-up from Sasha & Bianca, and together they turned the whole thing around on Nia. As great as they could be as a team, Booker doesn’t see Bianca and Sasha thinking that way. Bianca still has a WrestleMania decision, a championship decision, tonight’s match doesn’t even matter. WrestleMania checks are huge! They all agree on Bianca taking on Sasha, but here come the Street Profits!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins say hello to the legends and Rosenberg, and then trying to be polite about business, they ask Sonya about tag titles. They don’t understand why there’s all this dipping and dodging for a rematch. Did they think this was the right time? Well when was the time? Sonya says she has an office now so they should go there. This is rude. And she WAS considering them but why reward this behavior? Well for 312 days, they- Alpha Academy is showing promise. Profits beat them! Oh well, sure but…
The Profits reconsider, this is definitely rude of them. They will visit her during office hours. And a quick compliment to her fashion sense. The Profits head off, but will they get their rematch on the Road to WrestleMania? Sonya makes sure everyone else on SmackDown understands, if you want to talk business with her, respect her authority and step into her office. There are other teams worthy of their shot, she will determine whose turn it is.
Kickoff Match – WWE United States Championship Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: John Morrison VS Mustafa Ali w/ Retribution VS Ricochet VS Elias!
The Guru of Greatness, the leader of Retribution, the One and Only or the Drifter! They all are benefitting from Keith Lee’s misfortune, but who will grab their own golden ticket to join Bobby Lashley and Matt Riddle?
The bell rings and Ricochet dropkicks Ali right away! They still have beef but Morrison and Elias go after Ricochet while Ali bails out. Morrison and Elias mug Ricochet, whip him corner to corner, but Elias runs in only for Ricochet to go up and over and BOOT Morrison! Elias back suplexes but Ricochet lands out to dropkick-flip! Ricochet aims at all his opponents but Ali gets in to yank him down and roll him up! TWO, Ricochet gets a crucifix takedown, TWO! Ricochet trips Ali to fire off fists! Morrison and Elias get in to hit both Ali and Ricochet, then divide into pairs. Ali and Ricochet hit back but so do Elias and Morrison. Then Elias and Morrison trade partners but the brawl goes all over the ring!
Ali CHOPS Ricochet, Elias throws hands on Morrison, Ali hits Elias, Elias knocks him down, COHPS Ricochet and BOOTS Morrison! Elias whips Ali to clobber him with an elbow, then he goes after Ricochet with stomps in a corner! Elias drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him again, then whips him corner to corner. Ricochet reverses, Elias goes up but Ricochet catches him, only for Elias to boot him away! Elias drags Ricochet up for a dragon sleeper, but Morrison reels Elias into one, too! Ali somersaults in to neckbreaker Morrison, and the chain creates DOUBLE INVERTED DDT’S! Ali crawls to cover Ricochet, TWO!!
Ali keeps on Ricochet with Retribution lurking outside. Ali CHOPS Ricochet, CHOPS him again, but Ricochet gets powered up! Ricochet throws haymakers, whips Ali but li reverses. Ricochet sunset flips, Ali rolls through and fakes Ricochet out to kick him low! Ali hits a BIG back suplex, covers deep, TWO!! Elias returns to stomp them both then he drags Ali up. Ali fights back, Elias ROCKS him then whips him to KNEE him down! Cover, but Slapjack drags Elias off! Not a disqualification in a Fatal 4 but Elias probably wishes Jaxson Ryker was here to watch his back. Ricochet rolls Elias up, TWO and Ricochet mule kicks Elias down!
Morrison runs in at Ricochet but is put on the apron for an ENZIGURI! Ricochet turns around into Elias’ SIT OUT CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, but Ali breaks it! Elias shoves Ali out hard, then goes back to Ricochet. Elias drags Ricochet up, reels him in, but Morrison returns with a FLYING CHUCK! Morrison watches Ricochet flounder up, and brings him in, MOONLIGHT DRIVE! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives again but Morrison looms over him. Morrison drags Ricochet to a drop zone, STARSHIP PAIN FLOPS! Ricochet and Morrison are both down, as is Elias, but Ali is floundering back in.
Every man has a corner and Ali runs in at Ricochet. Ricochet boots then somersault shotguns Ali down! Ricochet dodges Elias, throws hands, KICKS Ali, KICKS Elias, CHOPS and runs, DOUBLE QUEBRADA! Morrison runs in but gets a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Bridging cover, but both Elias and Ali break it!! Retribution rallies for their leader as all four men slowly stir. Ali elbows Elias then leaps up to hit a TORNADO DDT! But Ricochet 450’s outta nowhere!! He flounders to a cover, but ALL of Retribution saves Ali this time! Ricochet can’t believe it, but he should’ve known from his battles with them. So Ricochet FLIES, but is caught by T-Bar and Mace!!
Ricochet fights but he gets a DOUBLE POST BOMB!! Retribution celebrate but Morrison rolls Ali up!! Morrison wins!!
Winner: John Morrison, by pinfall (joins the WWE US Championship match)
The Sultan of Sexy pulls one over on the horde! Will he be able to do something similar to the Bro and the Rocky Mountain Machine?
“Every journey has its obstacles.”
Distress, doubt, disbelief. Some obstacles are built up to break you down. Whatever fear that’s inside, the hunger to win must overcome. Every thing worth fighting for is on the other side. If you want to continue on the Road to WrestleMania, you must survive this night! Star-studded sets of six step inside the steel structure. They will face that danger, take those risks, and endure the pain to escape so that they can stand atop the mountain! This is ELIMINATION CHAMBER!!
Elimination Chamber: Kevin Owens VS Daniel Bryan VS Cesaro VS Sami Zayn VS King Corbin VS Jey Uso!
This is just the first step for these six men! Whether it be the Prizefighter, the GOAT, the Swiss Cyborg, the Great Liberator, the Wolf King of the Ring, or Roman Reigns’ own cousin, they will still have to battle the WWE Universal Champion later tonight! So who will #JustKeepFighting and say #YESYESYES to a shot at the Reigning, Defending, Undisputed, Uncontroverted, Universal Heavyweight Champion of the WWE?
The first ones into the cell are Kevin, Sami (who taunts his long time frenemy but then protests his private camera crew being ejected), Corbin, and Jey, meaning Cesaro and Bryan start this match by default. Will one of these two men pull off an ironman performance in order to prove to the Head of the Table what it means to be a wrestler?
The bell rings and this match finally gets underway! Cesaro and Bryan tie up, Cesaro headlocks but Bryan powers out. Cesaro runs Bryan over, cover, ONE! Cesaro headlocks again, Bryan powers out but Cesaro runs him over again. Cover, ONE, and Cesaro is back on the headlock. Bryan powers out again, drops down, jumps up but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Cesaro keeps cool and keeps on Bryan. Cesaro brings Bryan up, throws a hard EuroUpper and Bryan ends up in a corner. Cesaro walks over and stares Corbin down before he whips Bryan corner to corner. Bryan goes up, over, runs and dodges to hit the leaping lariat!
Bryan gives Cesaro some Yes Kicks from all sides, then some EuroUppers of his own. Cesaro gives EuroUppers, they brawl like this, but then Bryan sends Cesaro out! Cesaro tries to land on his feet but hits chain wall! Bryan goes up for a FLYING KNEE! Bryan knocks Cesaro down, shakes out his legs, then puts Cesaro back through ropes. Bryan climbs again to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Bryan keeps his cool as Cesaro goes to a corner. Bryan kicks away in the corner, then hoists Cesaro up top. Bryan climbs, but Cesaro denies him the Super Steiner! Cesaro swings Bryan back up but Bryan STEINERS after all!
Bryan aims, runs but into a LARIAT! Both men are down but Cesaro crawls over to Bryan. Cover, TWO! The others are getting antsy in their pods and Kevin is even pointing out a weakness in Bryan’s leg. Cesaro goes after said weakness, drops elbows on the leg and hooks it in a toehold. Bryan endures, counters with a neck wrench then a headscissor to the armbar! Cesaro resists, moves around, makes it a cover, TWO! Cesaro dead lifts Bryan but Bryan spiders around back to the ARMBAR! Bryan is pulling hard but Cesaro fights back up! Cover, ONE, and Cesaro is free! Bryan throws EuroUppers but that only fires Cesaro up. Bryan KICKS, Cesaro glares and gives EuroUppers!
Bryan falls over, Cesaro shakes out his arms, and Cesaro drags Bryan up for another EuroUpper! Bryan falls back down, Cesaro drags him up and suplexes! Cesaro holds Bryan for a count of 10, then walks around for a few more counts, to then SLAM Bryan down! Cover, TWO! The countdown reaches zero, the first pod is released! Joining the match is… CORBIN! Cesaro goes to intercept but Corbin RAMS him into Jey’s pod! Corbin rains down fists, Bryan goes after Corbin with EuroUppers! Corbin ROCKS Bryan and throws him into chains! Corbin digs Bryan’s head into those chains then DECKS him with a haymaker!
Corbin drags Cesaro and Jey eggs him on to “beat his ass.” Corbin TOSSES Cesaro into the ring! Corbin throws more hands on Bryan and gets him in between the ropes, too. Corbin brings Bryan around, whips him into a corner, then runs in, Bryan dodges to dropkick Cesaro! Then dropkick Corbin! Then back to Cesaro, only to miss! Cesaro EuroUppers Corbin! And EuroUppers Bryan! And back to Corbin, then back to Bryan! Cesaro goes back for Corbin but gets a DEEP SIX! And a DEEP SIX for Bryan! Corbin covers Bryan, TWO!! Cover on Cesaro, TWO!! Corbin couldn’t finish these two but he keeps his cool.
Corbin drags Bryan up, throws elbows, then dumps Bryan out of the ring. Corbin drags Bryan up on the outside, hoists him up, and gives him a SHINBREAKER to Sami’s pod! Corbin and Sami talk trash, and Corbin dares Bryan to quit already. Cesaro throws EuroUppers on Corbin but gets RAMMED into Sami’s pod! Sami protests, but Corbin gives Bryan ANOTHER SHINBREAKER to Jey’s pod! Corbin wraps Bryan’s leg around the ring post and pulls! Bryan fights with his good leg but Corbin stands on Bryan’s head! Corbin tells Jey he’s gonna get some of this, too! Corbin RAMS Cesaro into steel chains then throws haymakers, and DECKS Cesaro!
Corbin walks around as he watches Bryan crawl. Bryan gets up but Corbin picks him up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Corbin grows frustrated and now Cesaro returns. Cesaro throws body shots and haymakers, then EuroUppers, but Corbin knees low and hard, until he sends Cesaro back out! Corbin snarls as he drags Bryan up and puts him in a Tree of Woe! The countdown is ticking down, and the second pod is released! It’s… Sami Zayn! And Sami protests already! Corbin storms over but Sami shuts the door on his pod. Sami refuses to take part in this, and Bryan KNEES Corbin into the pod door! Sami taunts Corbin, “That’s what you get!”
But Cesaro comes in from the other side, and that’s open!! Cesaro dribbles Sami all around inside his own pod!! Cesaro throws EuroUppers to stagger Sami, then RAMS him into Jey’s pod! Bryan keeps on Corbin as Sami RAMS Cesaro into Jey’s pod! Bryan KICKS Sami against ropes, then throws him into the chains! And again! And again! And again! Corbin comes around to CLOBBER Bryan! Corbin drags Bryan up just to DECK him, but then Sami shoves Corbin into Plexiglas! Sami crawls after Bryan in the ring, stomps Bryan, then follows him to a corner of the Chamber. Bryan dodges and Sami HELLUVA KICKS pod! Sami clutches his leg and Kevin smirks at his familiar foe.
Bryan goes after Corbin with EuroUppers, throws him into the ring, then climbs up. Corbin hits Bryan first, then climbs up to join him. Corbin SUPERPLEXES Bryan down! Bryan rolls away from Corbin, and Sami gives Cesaro a TORNADO DDT on the outside! Cover, TWO!! Sami is furious and he stomps Bryan and Corbin to vent. Sami then runs at Cesaro, but Cesaro puts him on top of Jey’s pod! Cesaro climbs up after Sami, Sami kicks at Cesaro but Cesaro comes back from the other side. They brawl up top, Cesaro’s EuroUpper rocks Sami, but Sami tries to walk the chain wall! Cesaro throws MORE EuroUppers, Sami climbs onto steel for dear life, and bumps Cesaro off the frame!
Sami retreats along the chains but Cesaro pursues! Cesaro bumps Sami’s face off chains again and again! Cesaro adjusts position, uses the top like monkey bars, and he BOOTS Sami to the floor!! Cesaro shows off by doing some pull-ups with the ceiling, and then climbs down. But Corbin is there to catch him! Corbin RAMS Cesaro into steel chains, then SNAKE EYES and a LARIAT! Bryan leaps at Corbin but into a CHOKE SLAM! Corbin drags Cesaro up but Cesaro throws EuroUppers! Corbin forearms and whips but Cesaro ducks and dodges to springboard, but into a choke grip! Cesaro elbows free and POSTS Corbin! Cesaro climbs, aims, leaps, FLYING EUROUPPER!
Cesaro doesn’t cover, he takes Corbin for a SWING! Cesaro gets about 10 rotations in, steps through and puts on the SHARPSHOOTER! Corbin TAPS, Cesaro ELIMINATES Corbin! And just in time as another pod is released! This time it’s… Kevin Owens! And he is ready! Sami wants mercy from Kevin, and then… He suggests they team up for old time’s sake?! Sami says “they” don’t want him or Kevin, the anti-poster boys, in this match, so why not do this together? Kevin whips Sami into a pod! And then into another! And back again, to then CLOBBER him! Bryan and Kevin brawl now, Kevin gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX!
Cesaro EuroUppers Kevin but Kevin forearms back! They brawl like this, Cesaro fires off fast hands but uppercuts into a backslide! He rolls through but Kevin enziguris! Bryan boots Kevin and hops on for a sleeper hold with body scissors! Kevin holds on to BACKPACK SENTON onto Cesaro! Cover on Cesaro, TWO! Cover on Bryan, TWO! Kevin sees Sami up top and intercepts with a haymaker! Then a CHOP! Kevin climbs up, Sami hits back, and BITES Kevin’s shoulder! Sami headbutts and elbows Kevin but Kevin headbutts back. Sami throws more elbows, Kevin falls down, and Sami leaps! Kevin gets under to SUPERKICK!
Sami flounders to a corner, Bryan and Cesaro are in the others. Kevin sees his targets, and he gives Cesaro a CANNONBALL! Then a CANNONBALL for Bryan! CANNONBALL for Sami! Kevin looks past Sami to tell Jey he better watch this. Kevin runs but Sami boots, only for Kevin to block! Sami gets around to HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cesaro POP-UP UPPERS Sami! KNEE PLUS for Cesaro, but Bryan runs into Kevin’s POP-UP BOMB!! All four men are down, fans fire up on their ThunderDome screens, and Kevin manages to stand first. Cesaro is outside on one end, Bryan is outside on the other. Sami begs for mercy but Kevin drag shim up for a HEAD SHOT NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
Kevin hauls Bryan up, pump handle USHIGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO!! Bryan survives and Kevin grows frustrated. Kevin drags Cesaro up, fireman’s carries, and the countdown returns! Cesaro fights free to EuroUpper Kevin and Kevin forearms. Jey is finally in this match, as if by design! And Kevin storms over to him to throw hands! They brawl, Kevin RAMS Jey into steel chains, then does it again! Jey holds his face and Kevin mockingly asks what’s wrong. Kevin digs Jey’s face into the steel! Kevin then whips Jey into the pod! Kevin stalks Jey around the way, and throws him inside a pod! The back wall pops loose as Kevin digs his boot into Jey!
Kevin opens the door, pushes Jey out the other side, and Cesaro brawls with Bryan nearby. Kevin ROCKS Jey, Sami ROCKS Kevin! Sami throws Kevin aside but Cesaro hits Sami. Bryan hits Jey into steel, Jey uppercuts back! Sami brawls with Cesaro but Kevin is climbing a pod?! HUGE MOONSAULT bowls everyone else over!! Kevin fires up and shakes the chains, to give Bryan a STUNNER! And Cesaro gets a STUNNER! Kevin sees Sami coming, dodges the boot to STUNNER!! Cover on Sami, Kevin ELIMINATES Sami! One old foe done, now for the other! Kevin stalks Jey, drags him up, but Jey claws Kevin’s eyes! Kevin is in the doorway, Jey SLAMS the door closed on Kevin’s arm!!
Referees shout at Jey to stop but Jey doesn’t want to! Jey wants to break Kevin’s arm, and he SUPERKICKS and SUPERKICKS and SUPERKICKS! Jey finally lets Kevin’s arm out of the door, then SUPERKICKS Kevin into the ring! Jey climbs up top, USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jey ELIMINATES Kevin!! Now the Head of the Table’s Right Hand Man only has two men left to deal with. Bryan fires off EuroUppers, he blocks a kick but gets the DRAGON WHIP! Jey CHOP BLOCKS Bryan! Jey paces around, builds speed and FLIEs, into Cesaro’s EuroUpper! Cesaro goes up top, MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!
Cesaro snarls as he watches Jey crawl to the outside. Cesaro SLINGSHOT STOMPS Jey down! Cesaro then gets the legs to swing Jey into the steel! And again and again! Bryan leaps but into Cesaro’s arms! Cesaro FALL AWAY SLAMS Bryan into the ring! Cesaro climbs again, leaps, but into a YES KICK! All three men are down, but Bryan is firing himself up! Bryan and Cesaro sit up and brawl on their knees with EuroUppers! They fight up to their feet as they hit back and forth! Cesaro fires off fast hands, shoves Bryan, and pops him up, but Bryan catches him to a backslide! TWO, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!
Bryan fires up again, gets his bad leg moving, and drags Cesaro by his arm. Cesaro resists so Bryan gives him Danielson Stomps! Bryan hobbles off to aim from a corner and he powers up with the Yes Fingers! Fans do the same on screen, but Bryan runs into the tilt-o-whirl, to a torture rack! Bryan rolls through, TWO, BUZZSAW again! Bryan goes to a corner, climbs up again, but his bad leg slows him down a bit. Cesaro EuroUppers first! Cesaro throws another EuroUpper and Bryan wobbles up top! And then Cesaro fires off EuroUppers from all sides! Cesaro climbs up, fireman’s carries Bryan, and he hits a SUPER GUTBUSTER!!
Cesaro gets the legs, pulls on one for a Half Crab SWING!! Bryan’s bad leg takes all that damage but Jey SUPERKICKS Cesaro down! Jey climbs, USO SPLASH to Cesaro!! Cover, Jey ELIMINATES Cesaro!! One ironman down, another left! USO SPLASH onto Bryan!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey is shocked but Bryan is still in this! Jey climbs up to the top of a pod now! Bryan is still in a drop zone, SUPER USO SPLASH onto knees!! Bryan saves himself and now he fires up! Jey staggers into the KNEE PLUS!! Cover, Bryan wins!!
Winner: Daniel Bryan, by pinfall (will challenge Roman Reigns later tonight)
Fans give the Yes Fingers because yes, yes, yes, Bryan is getting his shot at the Universal Championship! But can the #IronGOAT recover fast enough to take on the perfectly rested Tribal Chief?
Wait, Roman Reigns is heading to the ring NOW! Well, a few minutes does count as “later” in some respects… Will the Head of the Table just pick the bones of Daniel Bryan?
WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Daniel Bryan!
Bryan crawls his way to a corner as Roman hands his belt over to his Special Counsel. The introductions are skipped but Heyman raises the belt. Bryan says to hell with it, let’s do this! The bell rings, and he catches the Spear?!?! YES LOCK!!!! Roman is freaking out at how he got caught!! Roman pries at the hold, gets free of the crossface, and rolls Bryan over just to rain down furious fists! Bryan can’t guard he’s that exhausted from the Chamber match! Roman finally lets off, just to dead lift and POWERBOMB Bryan down! Roman is seething because of how quickly he could’ve lost, and he rains more forearms down on a defenseless Bryan!
The ref wants Roman to let off and Roman glares at him. Roman drags Bryan up, to the GUILLOTINE!! Bryan is already out as it is, Roman wins!
Winner: Roman Reigns, by submission (still WWE Universal Champion)
The Tribal Chief wins a veritable farce of a title defense! “All night long, huh?! All night long?!” Roman is of course referring to the words Bryan said on Talking Smack just a week ago, and clearly it wasn’t anywhere close to that. Will WrestleMania- WAIT! EDGE SPEARS ROMAN!!! Edge points to the WrestleMania sign as he glares down at Roman! And Edge seems to repeat what Roman told him back to him now! Does this mean the Rated R Superstar has made his decision!? Is it going to be Spear VS Spear for the Universal Championship!?
Sonya Deville talks with Bad Bunny backstage.
First off, congratulations on becoming WWE 24/7 Champion. And he was cracking her up on Saturday Night Live last night. All very impressive. Anything he needs, she’ll- The Miz walks over and says he saw SNL. Congrats. Miz would’ve preferred if he and Morrison were there singing “Hey Hey, Ho Ho,” but what can you do? What’s Bunny doing here? Well, he IS 24/7 Champion so… What is Miz doing here? Is he a champion? Is he even on the card tonight? Miz shoves Bunny, Bunny SLAPS Miz! And Miz turns around, to see Damian Priest by Bunny’s side.
Miz seethes but he stands down. Will Miz worry more about his Money in the Bank plans? Will Priest help Bunny keep that 24/7 belt through the night?
WWE United States Championship Triple Threat: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Matt Riddle VS John Morrison!
Plans change but the show must go on! The Chief Hurt Officer ended up being why the Limitless One can’t compete here tonight, but joining him and The Bro is the Guru of Greatness! Will Lashley take this change in stride and still come out golden? Or will a Triple Threat still be what spells his downfall?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this slightly adjusted match begins!
Lashley fires off on Riddle and bumps him off buckles while Morrison hangs back. Lashley stomps Riddle, digs his boots in, then lets off just to stomp some more! Morrison sneaks in to get his shots on Riddle, adding forearms and elbows. Lashley doesn’t like someone taking his prey and he tosses Morrison to another corner. Lashley RAMS Morrison, throws more hands and stomps Morrison down! Riddle jumps on Lashley with a sleeper but gets thrown off! Lashley clotheslines Riddle out but Morrison hits a FLYING CHUCK on Lashley! Morrison hits a spinning Eddy Gordo, then runs in at the corner. Lashley puts him on the apron, ROCKS him, then runs to BLAST Morrison to barriers!
Lashley paces as the only man in the ring, then he goes out to fetch Morrison. MVP sings Lashley’s praises as Lashley RAMS Morrison back into barriers! Lashley hauls Morrison up to a torture rack, and then POSTS Morrison! MVP looms over Morrison and high-fives Lashley, but Riddle LEAPS in! Lashley catches him to TOSS him, too! MVP shouts, “Do you think it’s a game?!” Lashley drags Riddle up and puts him in the ring to then run in at the corner, to RAM into Riddle! Lashley drags Riddle out to hit a neckbreaker! Lashley starts to smile as he starts to enjoy this.
Lashley drags Riddle up, suplexes, but Morrison slingshots in to tip that over! Riddle lands on his feet, and together he BOOTS Lashley with Morrison! Lashley still runs Morrison over and CLOBBERS Riddle! Not even working together can they stop Lashley! MVP tells Lashley to keep the game plan in mind, and Lashley waits for someone else to get in. Morrison and Riddle discuss a plan, and they flank Lashley! Morrison fakes Lashley out and Riddle fires off! Morrison adds on and they’re beating Lashley down in the corner! Riddle runs side to side to forearm smash! Morrison goes corner to corner, into the MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! Lashley gets Riddle in the DOMINATOR!!
Lashley dares someone to stand up! He runs and RAMS into Riddle in the corner again! MVP applauds and tells Lashley to punish them. Lashley runs at Riddle but gets caught to a headscissors! Riddle Penalty Kicks from the apron, them Morrison FLIES and takes Lashley out! Riddle adds on, SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BRO! But then Morrison POSTS Riddle! No more alliances as Morrison puts Riddle in to cover, TWO! Morrison keeps his cool as he ground ‘n’ pounds Riddle! Morrison brings Riddle up but Riddle throws body shots and forearms of his own! Morrison blocks, wrenches, fireman’s carries, but Riddle slips around!
Riddle gets a takedown, Morrison slips out but Riddle fires off more strikes! Morrison ducks the roundhouse to GERMAN, but Riddle lands on his feet! Riddle ducks a kick to spin Morrison for a PELE! Riddle runs in to forearm smash, then he goes side to side to forearm smash again! BROSPLODER! Riddle runs but Morrison ducks the Penalty Kick and avoids the moonsault! Riddle still hits the BROTON, then finally gets that PENALTY KICK! Riddle drags Morrison up for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Lashley returns and he swings, but into Riddle’s ripcord, FINAL FLASH!! Riddle climbs up, for a TRUE FLOATING BRO! But Morrison SHINING WIZARDS!!
Morrison hits STARSHIP PAIN on Lashley!! Cover, TWO!?! Lashley survives two moves and Morrison can’t believe it! MVP talks trash, “You really thought that was going to pin the All Mighty?” Morrison tells MVP to shut up. They both act like the other just acts tough, but Morrison takes MVP’s crutch! MVP wants him to take it easy, but Morrison swings on Lashley! Lashley catches Morrison to a HURT LOCK! Riddle hurries as Morrison endures, and the CRUTCH SMACKS Lashley! And again!! Riddle broke the crutch on Lashley, and he hits Morrison with BRO DEREK! Cover, Riddle wins!!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall (NEW WWE United States Champion)
Riddle just broke the bank and took the title from the Hurt Business! Is this his golden ticket to WrestleMania? Will Lashley find a way to make Riddle pay for this?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair!
Though they have the #RavishingGlow, Lana & Naomi, waiting for them on Raw, and though they want to face Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez on NXT, the Irresistible Force and the Queen of Spades will take on the Boss and EST of SmackDown! Will the most dominant duo in the Women’s Tag Division make it through the SmackDown Women’s Champion and Women’s Royal Rumble Winner to then continue down the Road to WrestleMania?
Kayla Braxton interviews the challengers before they make their entrance! Bianca still has a decision to make on which champion she’ll challenge for WrestleMania, and Sasha is her partner tonight. How will they coexist- Wait, here comes Reginald. Reggie says these two will seize this opportunity and be new tag team champions. After all, Bianca is the EST, and “someone as beautiful as Sasha should be draped with as much gold as possible.” Reggie will get his best bottle and chill it just for them. Bianca says they can toast to Bianca’s decision, too. With that, the #LegitEST duo make their entrances!
The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and this golden showdown begins!
The teams sort out, Nia starts with Bianca and Nia talks some trash. They tie up, are in a dead lock but Nia pushes Bianca away. Bianca sees what Nia’s got, and they tie up again. Bianca wrenches the arm, but Nia scoops Bianca. Bianca slips out and gives Nia a kick to the butt! Nia is offended and rushes Bianca. Bianca dodges, goes up the ropes and tells Nia to kiss this! Bianca then jumps over Nia, dropkicks her, and kips up to tag in Sasha! Sasha fires off on Nia, wheelbarrows and BULLDOGS! Tag to Bianca, Sasha runs but Nia scoops her! Nia military presses and tosses Sasha, but Bianca catches her! Bianca uses Sasha’s boots to ROCK Nia, then they double dropkick Nia!
Shayna tags in but she runs into Bianca’s dropkick! Bianca kips up, handsprings but Shayna dodges! Shayna rolls to trip Bianca up, gets the short arm scissor but wants the armbar! Bianca makes it a cover, ONE, but Bianca runs Shayna over! Tag to Sasha, BASEMENT METEORA! Cover, TWO! Sasha drags Shayna up, knuckle locks and CHOPS her, then goes up the corner, Shayna trips Sasha up to hotshot her! Tag to Nia and Nia CLOBBERS Sasha on the apron! Nia drags Sasha into the ring, drags her up, and tags in Shayna. They mug The Boss, Shayna wrenches and twists the arm to SLAM Sasha down! Cover, TWO!
Shayna gets a leg, drags Sasha away from Bianca and stands on Sasha to twist the arm even more! Sasha shouts in pain as she endures, but Shayna hammerlocks the arm and stands on it! She STOMPS it! Many women in the WWE know how that feels and now Sasha clutches it as she retreats to a corner. Shayna toys with Sasha, covers her, TWO! Shayna is after Sasha’s arm again, keylocks it high and leans on the arm, but Sasha endures. Bianca coaches Sasha, fans clap on screen, and Sasha manages a jawbreaker! Then a victory roll, TWO! Shayna CLOBBERS Sasha and covers, TWO! Shayna grows annoyed but she goes right back to the arm for even more torture!
Shayna drags Sasha with a keylock, Nia tags in, and they mug Sasha in the corner. Nia reels Sasha in to scoop and SLAM her down! Cover, TWO! Nia keeps on Sasha with a cobra clutch and leans hard on her. Sasha refuses to quit, fights up and throws elbows but Nia shoves her to the corner. Nia runs in but Sasha goes up and over! Nia POSTS herself, but Shayna tags in to stop Sasha’s retreat! Sasha rolls but that sends Shayna into Bianca! Sasha O’Conner rolls, TWO! Sasha goes up and crossbodies! Cover, TWO! Sasha keeps moving, gets around, rolls Shayna again, ONE, but to an Oklahoma Roll! TWO, Sasha gets around to backslide, TWO! Shayna sits up into Sasha’s KNEE!
Sasha drags Shayna back up, Shayna rams her to a corner, but Bianca tags in! Sasha waistlocks, Shayna fights out of that but Bianca gets her to chicken wings. Shayna still boots Sasha down, and then counters the GlamEST to a victory roll! Bianca slips out but Shayna gets the KIRAFUDA! Sasha tags in to save Bianca and Bianca throws Shayna off! Bianca gets those chicken wings, Sasha goes up top, GlamEST Slam to the FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives and the challengers are a bit shocked! Sasha hurries to drag Shayna over and tag Bianca in. They coordinate, KNEE to torture rack! KISS OF DEATH! Cover, but Nia drags Bianca off and out!
Nia tags in, she hurries after Bianca and puts her back in. Bianca kicks Nia back, fires off furious hands, then manages a fireman’s carry!? But not for long as Nia fights out! Nia shoves Bianca, pops her up, to hit a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, but Sasha breaks it! Shayna whips Sasha but Sasha reverses to send Shayna out! Nia grabs Bianca and hauls her up to a fireman’s carry, but Sasha manages to tag in! SAMOAN DROP for Bianca, but Sasha hits a METEORA on Nia! Cover, TWO!! Another close call and Sasha can’t believe it! Reggie comes out, but he’s early! He cheers Sasha on as she runs and tilt-o-whirls to the CROSSFACE!!
Nia endures, crawls, reaches, ROPEBREAK! Sasha holds on until 4 and lets off. Reggie offers Sasha the bottle to use as a weapon!? Sasha doesn’t do that! The ref takes the bottle, Nia CLOBBERS Sasha! Fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, Nia & Shayna win!
Winners: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Reggie messed Sasha up by throwing off her routine! He tries to apologize but Sasha and Bianca aren’t going to hear it. As for the champions, are they going to be able to run the gauntlet of challengers on their Road to WrestleMania?
MVP is talking backstage with The Miz?
We can’t hear what they’re saying but it looks like Miz is heavily considering what MVP is saying. Is there a deal in the works between the Hurt Business and Mr. Money in the Bank?
WWE World Championship Elimination Chamber: Drew McIntyre VS Sheamus VS Randy Orton VS Kofi Kingston VS Jeff Hardy VS AJ Styles!
The Scottish Warrior has the worst odds of getting out of this match still THE WWE Champion, but his former friend, the Celtic Warrior has the best! That’s because Sheamus won the right to be THE last man released from his pod on Raw! Will the Fella cash in on those odds or will McIntyre defy them yet again? And what if Miz’s MITB ultimatum?
Perhaps by good fortune, McIntyre is one of the first four out, so that he won’t have to fight the entire time. Along with him and Sheamus, the Phenomenal One and #KofiMania get to be in pods. That means the Charismatic Enigma and the Viper are starting us off! These two are familiar foes in their own right, will either of them make it to the end of tonight?
The bell rings and the two circle. Hardy rallies up fans but Orton kicks him low and clubs him down! Orton scrapes laces off Hardy’s face, gives him stomps all over, then throws him out through the ropes! Orton goes out after Hardy to throw EuroUppers, then he RAMS Hardy into McIntyre’s pod! Orton looms over Hardy, glares at Styles and McIntyre, but Hardy hits back! Hardy throws haymakers, backs Orton down, and has him right in front of Styles’ pod! Styles eggs them both on as Hardy basement dropkicks Orton into the corner! Orton pokes Hardy in the eye! Orton then pushes Hardy into the ropes and the ring.
Orton stalks Hardy, sits him up and wrenches the neck. Hardy endures, Orton wraps on a chinlock and squeezes tight, but fans rally on their screens. Hardy fights up, fights back, and fights free! Hardy whips Orton a corner but Orton dodges! Hardy bumps off buckles and falls down! Orton paces around Hardy, gets the legs, and stomps Hardy in the stomach! Orton digs his boot in, walks it off, then covers, TWO! Orton drags Hardy back by his hair and wraps on another chinlock. Hardy endures again as Orton grinds him down. Hardy fights up, fights out again, but Orton knees low!
Orton whips, Hardy forearms Orton down, and then brings him around to atomic drop! Leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick! Hardy splashes down, covers, TWO! Hardy and Orton slowly rise, Hardy clubs Orton then whips him to a corner, but Orton reverses. Orton runs in but into boots! Hardy goes up and leaps, for a another SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The countdown is here, and the first pod is opened! Joining this match as Orton escapes a Twist of Fate is… Drew McIntyre! The WWE Champion goes right after Orton! Orton knees low, whips but McIntyre reverses only for Orton to kick him., McIntyre rallies with big clotheslines on Orton, then an OVERHEAD SUPLEX for Hardy!
McIntyre rams Hardy into Orton then OVERHEAD SUPELXES him again! Orton runs at McIntyre but McIntyre dodges to hit the neckbreaker! McIntyre kips up, brings Orton back up and throws him out of the ring. McIntyre then RAMS Orton into the steel chains! And whips him into them, then digs him into them! Orton can only suffer as McIntyre pushes him down. McIntyre storms after Hardy now, throws him out of the ring, and brings him up to suplex him to the hard chamber floor! McIntyre drags Hardy back up, scoops him, and LAWN DARTS him into Kofi’s pod!! The cameraman almost ends up a casualty and McIntyre says he told him to move.
McIntyre goes to the ring, Orton gets McIntyre in the ropes, DRAPING DDT! Cover, TWO! Orton keeps his cool as he grinds and stalks McIntyre to a corner. Orton stomps away on McIntyre, digs his boots in, then lets off to go out after Hardy. Orton digs his boots into Hardy’s neck, Hardy gasps and sputters as Orton lets off. Orton goes back to McIntyre but McIntyre throws haymakers! McIntyre whips, Orton reverses and gets McIntyre with the back2backbreaker! Cover, TWO! McIntyre sputters now and the countdown is here! Orton brings McIntyre through ropes again for another DRAPING DDT! The next man to enter is… Kofi!
Kofi slingshots into Orton and they brawl! Another old rivalry here fires up but Orton knees and CLUBS Kofi down! Orton drags Kofi up but Kofi rolls him with a bridge, KOFI ELIMINATES ORTON!? But Orton RKO’s Kofi out of anger! And RKO to Hardy! AJ Styles wants to capitalize, and Omos RIPS the pod open?! Styles uses the open door to get in as Orton gets out, but this can’t be right! Styles hurries to cover Kofi, TWO!! Styles covers Hardy, TWO!! Orton’s dirty work doesn’t pay off for Styles, so he stomps away on McIntyre! Adam Pearce runs out here and EJECTS Omos! Maybe they should’ve done this earlier?
Styles and Omos are upset but Omos reluctantly accepts Pearce’s orders. Styles turns around into Kofi’s TORNADO DDT to the Chamber floor! McIntyre and Hardy brawl in the ring, then McIntyre CHOPS Hardy to a corner. McIntyre whips Hardy corner to corner, but Hardy elbows him away! Hardy goes up but McIntyre shoves him into a pod! Kofi gets McIntyre with SOS! Cover, TWO!! Styles kicks Kofi, bumps him off buckles, and clubs him on the back. Styles RAMS Kofi into the corner, goes corner to corner to stomp McIntyre, then hauls McIntyre up to toss out of the ring. Styles KICKS Kofi, throws heavy forearms, then brings Kofi around for a BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!!
Styles kicks McIntyre, hotshots him on ropes, then goes back to Kofi. Styles whips Kofi corner to corner, but Kofi goes up to headscissor. Styles blocks that to toss Kofi back to the outside! Styles drags Kofi up to aim at steel chain, but Kofi blocks to hit Styles back! Kofi MONKEY FLIPS Styles into steel! Styles is down in a heap, Kofi mule kicks McIntyre and throws forearms. McIntyre hits back, reels Kofi in but Kofi slips around to a guillotine! But McIntyre powers out to suplex and SLAM Kofi down! Sheamus knows his time is coming and he seems to be getting into a different headspace. McIntyre covers, Kofi, TWO, so he brings him outside.
Kofi fights off another suplex but McIntyre throws body shots to suplex Kofi into the chains! Kofi flops to the floor, and McIntyre puts him back in the ring. McIntyre drags Styles up, whips him to ropes and hits a HUGE back drop! Styles writhes while McIntyre seethes. McIntyre finds Hardy and drags him up to SLAM into the steel! And then McIntyre brings Hardy into the ring, turns him, and glares at Sheamus as he hits the neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! The final countdown is here and we all know who is next! Sheamus and McIntyre stare down, and then the fists start flying! Things are fast and furious and they go around the ring!
Sheamus gets body shots in, McIntyre clubs and then throws knees! McIntyre CLUBS SHeamus, Sheamus runs to RAM McIntyre! Sheamus runs in and fires off on Mcintyre more! Kofi and Hardy join in and fists fly all over! McIntyre tosses Hardy, Sheamus tosses Kofi, and they go after each other again! McIntyre shoves Sheamus, clotheslines collide but neither falls! Sheamus runs again to run McIntyre over! Sheamus whips McIntyre but McIntyre kicks Sheamus, tot hen clothesline Sheamus and himself out! Kofi goes after Styles and they brawl off to the side! Kofi headbutts Styles then ROCKS him with a haymaker!
Kofi back hands, Styles haymakers, then Styles RAMS Kofi into steel chains. Sheamus digs McIntyre’s head into the steel with his boot! McIntyre can only suffer from the pain in his healed jaw! Styles and Kofi keep throwing hands, Kofi headbutts and forearms back! Styles throws more haymakers, McIntyre CHOPS Sheamus! Kofi goes up a corner to LEAP onto the Celtic & Scottish Warriors! Those three are down, but Kofi gets up to KICK Sheamus! Styles leap sin but Kofi body shots him out of the air! Kofi and Sheamus each kick each other, Sheamus CLUBS Kofi around, then he knees Kofi against ropes! Sheamus throws EuroUppers then whips. Kofi slides out then ENZIGURIS back!
Kofi hurries up top, but Sheamus ROCKS him with a haymaker first! Sheamus climbs up to join Kofi, clubs him some more, but Kofi fights him off! Kofi boots Sheamus off the top, then goes up the pod! Sheamus hurries after Kofi, McIntyre goes after Sheamus! McIntyre anchors Sheamus but Sheamus scuffs him away. McIntyre comes back to trip Sheamus up! Sheamus just landed on his pot o’ gold! McIntyre throws haymakers but Sheamus manages to hit back! McIntyre headbutts Sheamus, Styles hits McIntyre but McIntyre CHOPS Styles off his feet! McIntyre climbs up to join Sheamus and throws haymakers! McIntyre gets Sheamus up, Styles adds on again, and so does Hardy!
Hardy and Styles have McIntyre while McIntyre has Sheamus, TOWER OF DOOM!! The Double Powerbomb Superplex leaves all four men down on the mat! Styles and Hardy cover Sheamus and McIntyre respectively, TWO!! Styles sits up, Hardy hobbles, they both bring up Sheamus and McIntyre, but Kofi is at the top of a pod! Kofi SUPER DUPER TRUST FALLS!! Now all five men are down but Kofi covers Sheamus! TWO! Cover on Hardy, TWO! Cover on McIntyre, ONE?! Styles is too far away so Kofi can’t cover him, he’s run out of options. Kofi drags Sheamus up to CHOP him! Sheamus gives heavy body shots, Kofi CHOPS Sheamus again!
Kofi CHOPS Sheamus to a corner, CHOPS him in the corner, Sheamus shoves him away but Kofi comes back to ROCK him! Kofi whips, Sheamus reverses but Kofi goes out and enziguris back! Kofi goes up, TRUST FALL- But Sheamus catches to back suplex! Kofi lands on his feet, BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus ELIMINATES Kofi! So far the Fella has fulfilled prophecy and he is after Hardy to keep going! Sheamus drags Hardy around, whips him, but Hardy reverses to TWIST OF FATE! TWIST OF FATE for McIntyre! Cover on McIntyre, TWO!! Styles gets Hardy but Hardy gets him with a TWIST OF FATE! Hardy throws off the shirt and goes up top! To the top of a POD!?
Styles moves so Hardy aims at Sheamus and McIntyre, SUPER WHISPER IN THE WIND!! Hardy hurries to dropkick Styles down and then he goes up top! SWANTON BOMB! But CLAYMORE outta nowhere! Cover on Hardy, McIntyre ELIMINATES Hardy! Sheamus goes after McIntyre and they brawl again! McIntyre kicks low, but no Future Shock as Sheamus thumbs McIntyre in the eye and KNEES him down! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus is furious but he just takes it out on McIntyre anyway! Seated Beats of the Bodhrain for McIntyre, stomps for Styles, then back to McIntyre!
Sheamus hauls McIntyre up to a fireman’s carry but McIntyre fights out, GLASGOW KISS! But Sheamus still gives McIntyre WHITE NOISE! Both men are down and Styles takes advantage! SPRINGBOARD SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Styles drags McIntyre to a drop zone and goes back to the outside. Styles springboards again, 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre still lives and Styles is furious! Sheamus CLUBS Styles, drags him up to CLUB him more, then CLUBS him again! The Fella gets in Styles’ face before throwing body shots and then throws him out! Sheamus stands Styles up for Beats of the Bodhrain! Styles flops down and Sheamus RAMS him into steel chains!
Sheamus tosses Styles back into the ring, climbs up top, and leaps for a FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Sheamus points at McIntyre that he’s next, but first Sheamus aims at Styles. Styles gets up but McIntyre intercepts Sheamus with a FUTURE SHOCK! Now McIntyre fires up and aims at Sheamus. Sheamus stands, McIntyre runs in, BROGUE hits first! But a PHENOMENAL FOREARM hits Sheamus!! Cover, Styles ELIMINATES Sheamus!! The Fella’s prophecy has been foiled by the Phenomenal One! And now it’s just Styles and McIntyre! Styles aims as McIntyre flounders up. The forearm is ready, Styles springboards, but into a CLAYMORE?!? Cover, McIntyre WINS!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall (still WWE World Champion)
Styles didn’t finish it off, but that finish was still phenomenal! The Scottish Warrior overcomes the biggest obstacle he’s ever faced, making all of the suffering worth it! But then BOBBY LASHLEY SPEARS McIntyre?!? The former US Champion furiously attacks McIntyre and TOSSES him from the ring!! Lashley then goes out to whip McIntyre into barriers! And keeps on him, POSTS him, and even brings him over to dribble off the announce desk! The Rocky Mountain Machine isn’t done, he puts McIntyre back in the ring to drag McIntyre up for a HARD Complete Shot! And then a dead lift into the HURT LOCK!! McIntyre flails, but Lashley Full Nelson SLAMS McIntyre down!
And then Lashley looks to the ramp. THE MIZ makes his entrance! With a referee! Lashley moves aside, The Miz cashes in!!
WWE World Championship MITB Cash-In: Drew McIntyre VS The Miz!
The ref checks on McIntyre, McIntyre is somehow conscious and able to sit up, but can he even stand? McIntyre flounders to a corner, Miz is raring to go, the bell rings! Miz kicks McIntyre, hits a BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!!! McIntyre survives and Miz is furious! But Miz drags McIntyre back up, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!!! Cover, The Miz wins!!!
Winner: The Miz, by pinfall (NEW WWE World Champion)
And so now, the Hollywood A-Lister pulls off the infamous cash-in! Strange how the Rated R Superstar once did a post-Chamber cash-in. Is Miz going to continue to parody Edge in his own Road to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
This was a great WWE PPV, and perhaps the best Elimination Chamber PPV in some time. The card was pretty stacked on paper, and it was wild and even outdid expectations in execution. I was really surprised that the opening Elimination Chamber match was the SmackDown/Universal Championship one, especially with how it all played out. I think it was all obvious that Roman Reigns was going to face the winner immediately after, but the SmackDown Chamber going first at least gives the impression that there might’ve been some reprieve for the winner. Instead, Roman wanting after the winner right away is now a bit of a surprise, and puts that Heel heat back on him.
The SmackDown Chamber match was great, I had a feeling Jey Uso would be the last entry, and it can totally work to think of this as Roman and Heyman pulling strings. And therefore, that is reason why Jey doesn’t take out everyone else, so that someone can actually give Roman a fight. I was saying this whole time it should’ve been Cesaro to also bring in Rollins, but Bryan almost getting Roman with the Yes Lock was still a good move. Of course Roman retains given the situation, we all knew that, but it was a great move to have Edge spear him outta nowhere. Roman VS Edge, Spear VS Spear, is now happening, and though I still felt Raw needed it for ratings, this is still a great choice.
Though the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match was added to the card as a substitution for the Raw Women’s Championship match being canceled, it was all still great action and story. Reggie being why Sasha loses was a fairly good move, because it keeps Sasha and Bianca strong in a situation where we knew the champs were going to retain. Now Nia and Shayna will take on Dakota & Raquel on NXT, 3/3/21, and I am thinking Lana & Naomi at Fastlane, 3/21/21. As for Reggie, Sasha & Bianca, I think this could lead to a twist in the story with Mella where it’s all an act, Reggie and Mella are sabotaging Sasha while pretending to be on the rocks. Drink pun not intended.
I am a little disappointed that, though the match was substituted for, the story of the Raw Women’s Championship wasn’t even included tonight. Asuka should’ve been allowed to react to the fact she doesn’t get to defend her title now. She should be happy for Lacey but disappointed, too. Asuka should come out at some point on Raw and demand a challenger, and then we can get perhaps a call-up like Rhea Ripley, or just a semi-squash against like Peyton Royce. Either way, the CHAMPION shouldn’t just be some vehicle for another superstar’s story, she should be a major player in the story.
On the other hand, I really liked the intertwining of stories for Raw and the two singles titles there. To make up for Keith Lee not making it (because of COVID concern clearance), we got a really good Fatal 4 in the Kickoff Show, and where I thought Ricochet being the one Face in the mix would win to keep the ratio for the Triple Threat, we got quite a great surprise that Morrison snatches the win from Ali. I think that was the reason MVP reached out to Miz later, after Riddle won a great Triple Threat to finally win the title.
The world title Elimination Chamber was a great match, and McIntyre retains but of course The Miz cashes in. Lashley helping out is clearly the deal struck between MVP and Miz: Lashley helps Miz cash in and win, Lashley gets a title shot. Pretty sure Lashley wins that, and then we can get Lashley VS McIntyre at WrestleMania, where McIntyre could possibly become a three-time champion already. Part of how Miz will lose to Lashley could be from that exchange we saw with Bad Bunny and Damian Priest. There’s a lot that can still change in the last month and a half, it’s a bit of a mess, but it might still be a lot of fun.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will the Mad King regret this gamble?
Before putting both belts on the line against Katsuyori Shibata at AEW WrestleDream, Eddie Kingston defends his NJPW Strong title against Rocky Romero! Will plans have to change all thanks to Azucar?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party; The Acclaimed & Billy win and retain the titles.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero; Eddie wins and retains the title.
- The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar; The Righteous win.
- AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida; Shida wins and will challenge Saraya for the title on Title Tuesday, October 10th.
PLAY BY PLAY
AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party!
The open challenge was put forth, and it was answered very quickly! Will Matt, Jeff & Brother Zay DELETE the Scissor World Tour? Or will Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Daddy Ass keep the party going?
But of course, Platinum Max has a diss track! “Acclaimed on the mic, ’bout to leave these dudes up in smoke! Y’know we comin’ like the Colorado Buffalos! Matt, I don’t want any heat! I don’t need your crazy ass wife sendin’ me tweets! It’s the one guy in Private Party! Nowadays, he gets tag teamed by the Hardys! Jeff, I’m a leave you black in both eyes! You gonna need these sunglasses like Coach Prime.” Bowens takes the mic to say “COLORADOOOO~! The Acclaimed have arrived! Scissor Me, Daddy Ass~!” And he does! The belts are raised, and we see who survives WrestleDream weekend!
The trios sort out and Bowens starts against Kassidy. They shake hands, tie up, and Bowens waistlocks. Kassidy drop toeholds, facelocks but Bowens slips free to wrench. Kassidy rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Bowens powers out to headlock but Kassidy powers out, only for Bowens to run him over! Bowens self-scissors, then things speed up. Kassidy hurdles, Bowens shoves then follows but Kassidy arm-drags! Bowens arm-drags! Bowens blocks Kassidy’s arm-drag to whip, but Kassidy wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Bowens stands, into a RANA! Kassidy then pounds the mat and fans fire up.
Bowens kicks but Kassidy blocks to spin him. Kassidy kicks but Bowens blocks to flip him! Bowens then kicks, kicks and KOTARO KRUSHER! Fans fire up, “EVERYONE Loves The Acclaimed!” Bowens drags Kassidy up, tags in Caster, and they double whip. Kassidy holds ropes, TOSSES Bowens then BOOTS Caster! Tag to Matt and Matt BOOTS Caster! Kassidy hits a NECKBREAKER, Jeff tags in to go up, for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Jeff snapmares Caster to then NECK SNAPPER! Fans fire up with Jeff and he waits on Caster to stand. Kick but no Twist as Caster slips free! Jeff ducks the backhand to SPIN KICK!
Jeff CLUBS Caster, Caster scrambles away, tags to Billy and Matt! Fans fire up as Matt says “DELETE! DELETE!” Billy says “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” And repeat! Then Billy headlocks! Matt throws body shots, powers out, but Billy runs Matt over! Billy flexes and does a dance, and then he runs in. Matt ELBOWS Billy, BOOTS him, then bumps him off buckles! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Billy gets all three layers, and Matt tags Jeff. Jeff tags Kassidy, and the Hardys set up fort he classic POETRY IN MOTION! Then Kassidy adds PARTY IN MOTION! But The Acclaimed CLOBBER Kassidy & The Hardys!
Fans fire up as Caster has Kassidy up to scoop and SLAM! Billy helps get the legs, and Bowens goes up to SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Kassidy squeals before impact! Cover, TWO! Kassidy survives but The Acclaimed have control as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Billy brings Kassidy up, bumps him off buckles, and he hears the fans singing. Billy ROCKS Kassidy with a right, apologizes to the ref, then tags to Bowens. Bowens drags Kassidy up to ROCK him with haymaker after haymaker! Bowens then brings Kassidy up to tag in Caster. They double suplex Kassidy, Caster covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Caster keeps Kassidy down with a chinlock while fans rally up. Kassidy fights to his feet, throws body shots, and he fires forearms as Rampage returns to single picture. Kassidy runs but Caster CLOBBERS him! Tag to Billy and they mug Kassidy.
Billy brings Kassidy to an open corner, stomps and ROCKS him on repeat, then lets off to smirk at the Hardys. He dares them to do something, but Matt tells Billy to suck it! So Billy DECKS Matt! Billy runs corner to corner but Kassidy dodges! The splash hits buckles and Billy falls back! Fans rally up as both men crawl, but Billy gets Kassidy’s leg! Kassidy stands up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Jeff! Jeff rallies on Billy, on Bowens, and on Caster! Fans fire up and Jeff clotheslines Billy up and out! Jeff CLOBBS Bowens, then catches him for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Leg hook cradle! Cover, Caster breaks it!
Caster helps Bowens up, then runs in, but Jeff ELBOWS caster and ROCKS Bowens! Jeff goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Jeff gets both Caster and Bowens but everyone is down! Billy returns, kicks low, says ‘SUCK IT!” and runs, but Jeff dodges! Matt kicks Billy for a TWIST OF FATE! Jeff hurries up top, fans fire up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Bowens breaks it in time! Matt CLUBS Bowens, Bowens hits back, and Bowens calls to Caster. They whip Matt to a corner, forearm then ELBOW then forearm again! And a feed to the POWERSLAM! ROLLING ELBOW for Jeff! The Acclaimed regroup, and Billy crawls to the corner.
Fans fire up as Billy drags Jeff over. Jeff gets loose, hot tags to Kassidy and Bowens! Kassidy dodges Bowens to DROPKICK Caster! “This is Awesome!” as Kassidy BOOTS Bowens! Kassidy goes up, leaps, FLYING FLATLINER! Billy stands, runs in, but Kassidy dumps him out! Kassidy slingshots out then QUEBRADAS to take Billy down! Kassidy mocks the scissoring, then tells Bowens to get up. Kassidy springboards in, but Bowens dodges and Caster BACKHANDS Kassidy! Then Bowens BACKHANDS Kassidy! Bowens fires off the Five Tool Strike Fest! Caster hoists Kassidy up and Bowens helps, to give Kassidy the PLATINUM BOMB! Cover, The Acclaimed win!
Winners: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Championships)
A huge win for the champions, and the Scissor World Tour continues! In fact, it is heading to Seattle for WrestleDream’s Zero Hour! TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito are waiting, will they show The Acclaimed that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Eddie Kingston speaks.
“Well folks, tonight, it’s me and Big Rock, Rocky Romero, for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship. Rock, I got nothing but respect for you, dawg, so it’s gonna be an honor and a pleasure to defend this against you. You’re the man that got me into the G1. You’re the man that got me-” Wait, Team Triple J is interrupting. Jay Lethal says that if we’re talking honor and respect, Eddie is standing here with two titles on his shoulders, and that is worth respecting. But Lethal can’t get behind how Eddie is the ROH World Champion. Lethal dedicated his life to that title! His blood, sweat, tears, all to honor a tradition that meant that every person to hold that title would be a pure athlete!
And Eddie, you are no pure athlete! Now as for this NJPW Strong Openweight title, Lethal doesn’t care if Eddie wins it or loses it here tonight. He really doesn’t. But he just cares that Eddie is unfit to be ROH World Champion! Eddie says okay, he’s got Lethal. But excuse his back, he’s gotta go beat up Romero. The Mad King leaves, but will he still have both crowns going into WrestleDream?
AEW shares an interview from after last week’s Collision.
Lexi Nair was with Andrade El Idolo after he was bandaged up from the beating Bullet Club Gold gave him. He almost won, but Juice Robinson interfered. What was that about? Andrade says everyone saw that Andrade had White beat. But the question for Juice is… “Do you have a problem with me? With Andrade El Idolo? Lemme tell you something. See you Saturday in Seattle!” Andrade wants his revenge on Rock Hard, will he get it on WrestleDream Eve?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero!
The Mad King beat Kenta at NJPW Independence Day back in July to have his first singles title under the NJPW banner. And now he defends it against Azucar as a favor for getting him in the door. Will Rocky repay this favor by taking this title from Eddie? Or will Eddie still head to Seattle as a double champion?
The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and fans rally up for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” The two circle, Rocky tests things with a kick but Eddie stays back. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Eddie waistlocks, Rocky wrenches, wristlocks, but Eddie clinches. Fans rally, Rocky keeps on the wristlock but Eddie powers through to wrench and wristlock back. Rocky rolls, breaks free and DROPKICKS! Fans are torn as Rocky swaggers, but he and Eddie reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Rocky knees low. Rocky headlocks, grinds the hold, but Eddie powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, but Eddie stays up with a smirk.
Fans fire up as Rocky smirks back, but then pie faces Eddie! Rocky runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Eddie bails out, Rocky builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit but Eddie stays up, so Rocky goes again! DIVE and Eddie drops to his knees! Rocky keeps going, and he DIVES for the hattrick, only for Eddie to catch him! Stalling suplex, to the floor! Fans rally behind Eddie while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Eddie stands, stretches out his back, and then he gets Rocky up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Eddie keeps cool, and also chooses not to rain down fists, instead clamping on a chinlock. Rocky endures as Eddie grinds him down, and fans rally up. Eddie cranks the headlock but Rocky refuses to give up. Rocky fights up, throws elbows, but Eddie knees him low! Eddie whips to knee low again, then whips for another knee! Eddie whips but Rocky rolls him up, TWO! Rocky BUZZSAWS Eddie, then TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down and a standing count begins. Rocky stirs at 3, crawls over, and he brings Eddie up.
Eddie pushes Rocky, runs, but into an IRON OCTOPUS! Eddie endures, pries at the hold, and pops free, only for Rocky to wrangle him with a ghost pin! TWO, and Eddie goes to ropes. Rocky storms up, KICKS Eddie in the back, but Eddie just grimaces. Eddie eggs Rocky on so Rocky KICKS him again! Eddie growls and eggs Rocky on more as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Rampage returns and Eddie suplexes, but Rocky knees free! Rocky knees low, Eddie rebounds, but into a JUMP KNEE! Eddie goes to ropes, Rocky storms over and brings him up through the ropes, to KICK! Eddie eggs Rocky on even though he’s stuck, so Rocky SLAPS Eddie! Eddie SLAPS Rocky! Rocky SOBATS! Then Rocky goes up a corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this and Rocky argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Rocky drags Eddie up, cravats, but no Sliced Bread! Eddie runs in to clothesline in the corner! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up and Eddie hoists Rocky up top!
Eddie climbs up behind Rocky, stands him up, but Rocky throws hands! Rocky CLUBS Eddie, cravats, and hits SUPER SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Eddie survives, and Rocky grits his teeth. Rocky pumps up and fans rally. Rocky runs in to clothesline! That’s one-ever! Two-ever! But URAKEN stops that! URAKEN again!! Eddie drags Rocky into the STRETCH PLUM!! Rocky taps, Eddie wins!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by submission (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Azucar could not dethrone The Mad King, but he still shows Eddie respect with a handshake and hug. Eddie is still NJWP Strong, but will he have to fight even harder to survive The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata?
Wait! That’s Shibata’s music! Shibata is HERE! He goes into the ring and shakes hands with Eddie. These two respect each other, and that means they will give it everything they’ve got! Will Eddie still be a two belt king? Or will Shibata become a TRIPLE CROWN Champion?
Aussie Open speaks.
Mark Davis says he is so tired. So tired of hearing the “top blokes” walk around here the last year, hubris unchecked, lying to the people that they are the best in the world. Kyle Fletcher says that for the last 365 days, everything Aussie Open has done has been to get back to FTR. When FTR beat them a year ago, it broke Fletcher. Fletcher felt like a failure and felt lost. So what he wants more than anything is to make FTR feel that pain. This Sunday, Aussie Open takes the AEW World Tag Team Championships, burns down the legacy of #7StarFTR, and from the ashes, rebuild a new empire that they will stand atop of to proclaim that THEY are the best tag team in the world!
The Aussie Arrow and Dunkzilla are ready to bring down Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, will they fulfill that WrestleDream?
The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar!
Speaking of tag titles, Dutch & Vincent are aimed at the ROH World Tag Team Championships! However, Adam Cole will be out with injury so it’ll just be Maxwell Jacob Friedman meeting them in Seattle. Will this tune-up prove to be more than enough going into that tag title handicap match?
The teams sort out, but then Dutch just CLOBBERS Crush & Gunnar! Fans boo as Dutch says just a few more days and those titles will be theirs! Vincent rains down fists on Crush, then drags him up to UPPERCUT! Vincent bumps Crush off buckles, tags in Dutch, and the Righteous mugs Crush before the BOSS MAN SLAM! Gunnar staggers up but Dutch feeds him to Vinnie’s KNEE! Then Vinnie feeds him to a BOSS MAN SLAM! Tag to Vinnie, fans are torn as the Righteous pace around Crush. Vinnie snaps his fingers, then cravats, AUTUMN SUNSET! Cover, Righteous win!
Winners: The Righteous, by pinfall
A swift and dominant win, these are the two men coming for the tag titles! Will The Righteous purge ROH of the “false friendship” that is the brochachos? Or are even two Righteous men combined not on the level of the Devil?
Ortiz sits alone in a room.
He looks back on his career alongside Mike Santana. They were at the top of their game coming into AEW, but then it ended up going downhill. There’s even audio from Konnan touching on how Ortiz and Santana stopped talking to each other and how Konnan was saddened by that. Ortiz has the footage stop there. What will it take for him to get Santana to talk to him?
Darby Allin speaks.
After replaying what Christian Cage said just last Wednesday on Dynamite, the Relentless One reiterates that he is NOT losing in Seattle, Washington! Will Darby defend home turf against Captain Charisma?
Nick Wayne speaks.
He knows Darby has a lot to say about Christian Cage, and all of that will be part of the Countdown special. But Nick also knows Darby’s actions will speak louder than his words at WrestleDream. And although Darby told Nick not to be there ringside, Nick doesn’t really want to anyway because of what Christian & Luchasaurus are capable of. So, while they let Christian and Darby settle their business, how about Nick and Luchasaurus settle theirs? For months and months, Luchasaurus walked around here while another man held his title. And Luchasaurus followed Christian around like he was some kind of father figure.
And Nick isn’t sure what it is about Christian where he thinks he can even be such a figure to “us Lost Boys,” but Nick had a father. And he told Nick at a young age “to never leave your debts unpaid.” Nick owes Luchasaurus. At Wembley Stadium, Luchasaurus choke slammed Nick onto a skateboard and Nick never forgot it. Nick will repay Luchasaurus this Sunday during Zero Hour. And Nick will even hand Luchasaurus a receipt. Nick brings his own skateboard, will he grind it right into the Right Hand of Destruction?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
AEW is going to do it big for WrestleDream Eve as, with Zack Sabre Jr. on commentary, we see an 8 Man Tag! FTR teams with Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta to take on Aussie Open, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey! Plus, Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega test their tag team chemistry against The Gates of Agony! Will The Ocho & The Cleaner survive Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun to take on the Don Callis Family? And Julia Hart gets in action to build some last minute momentum, will she be ready for Kris Statlander and their TBS Championship match set for Sunday?
Backstage interview with Zack Sabre Jr.
Renee Paquette is with The Front Man of TMDK, and says we’re just days away from WrestleDream, where ZSJ takes on The American Dragon, Bryan Danielson. ZSJ just came off a three week tour in NJPW and just got here to the States, is he worried at all about acclimating? ZSJ asks Bryan “Dragon Bullocks” Danielson, “Where are you, darling?” As Renee just said, ZSJ got off a 16 hour flight from Tokyo and is feeling fresh as a daisy. But perhaps this company’s keeping Bryan wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, or keeps him in a giant Zorb ball. At this point, a strong gust of wind will knock Bryan over.
And is ZSJ supposed to be honored that Bryan chose him as part of the year long retirement tour? Newsflash: Bryan barely has a weekend. This Sunday isn’t just about finding out who the best technical wrestler is, no no. Bryan has retired once in Seattle, so ZSJ will make it final. Ya like that? The final retirement~! Submissions in Seattle, see you on Sunday. The NJPW World Television Champion has put Bryan on notice, but will he be able to slay the American Dragon?
AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida!
While the Outcasts stand at two members, Saraya is looking forward to a friendly showdown with the Runaway in a little under two weeks! But will Ruby make sure there is No Future for the Shining Samurai? Or will Shida take down one Outcast to go after another?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans fire up as Ruby and Shida step up, and they’re on Shida’s side. Ruby shoves, runs, and RAMS Shida, but Shida just fires up! Ruby headlocks, Shida throws body shots, and then she powers out. Shida then runs past Ruby to run Ruby over! Fans duel, Shida has the majority, and she goes to the corner. Shida climbs up but Ruby slips away before any fists can rain down! Shida is annoyed but she waits on Ruby to return. Ruby takes her time going to the apron, steps in at 6 of 10 but wants Shida to stay back. Shida gets annoyed as the ref keeps her back, but then Ruby pulls Shida’s hair to throw her down!
Ruby throws hands, puts Shida in the corner, then RAMS into her again and again! Fans boo but Ruby runs, only to miss! Shida ROCKS Ruby, then climbs up to rain down fists! Ruby gets away before three, runs back in but into a BOOT! Shida bumps Ruby off buckles, climbs up and rains down those fists! Ruby slips out at five to YANK Shida down! Ruby whips, Shida goes up and CROSSBODIES! Shida then drags Ruby up, puts her in yet another corner, and tries one more time! Shida rains down fists, and goes all the way to TEN! Fans fire up with Shida and she kicks Ruby out, to then MISSILE DROPKICK!
Fans fire up as Shida drags Ruby up, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Ruby CLUBS away on Shida to stop the lift, then shoves her to a corner. Ruby runs in, Shida dodges, but Ruby ELBOWS her! Ruby goes up to hit DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby digs Shida into the buckles, lets off as the ref counts, and then brings Shida up to snapmare. Ruby covers, TWO! Ruby throws down fists now, but lets off with a smug smirk. Ruby puts Shida on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Ruby lets off, and then Ruby has Shida in the ropes to throw knees! A shoutout to Saraya, and Ruby lets off at 4. Ruby stalks Shida, looms over her, and pushes her around. Shida pushes back but Ruby eggs her on.
Shida ROCKS Ruby, then fires again! Ruby claws Shida’s face! And throws her down by her hair again! The ref reprimands, but Ruby clamps on a straitjacket stretch! Shida endures, but Ruby grinds her into the mat! Fans rally, Shida fights up, and she arm-drags free! Ruby returns to CLOBBER Shida! Cover, TWO! Ruby is annoyed but Shida grabs at Ruby’s hair! Ruby CLUBS Shida, drags her up, and stomps a hand! Shida scrambles to a corner while the ref reprimands but Ruby stomps a mudhole in. Ruby lets off as the ref counts, and Ruby storms around. Shida drags herself up, but Ruby CHOKES her on the ropes!
The ref counts while Ruby BITES Shida’s ear! Ruby lets off at 4, drags Shida up, but Shida ROCKS her! And again! And again! And again! But Ruby knees low! Ruby talks trash, whips Shida to ropes, but Shida ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS knock both women down! Rampage returns to single picture as the standing count climbs. Fans rally, both women are down at 5 of 10 but Shida goes to ropes. Shida snarls, she and Ruby stand at 7, and they storm up. Shida fires a forearm, Ruby gives it back! Shida throws another, so Ruby gives it back! They go back and forth, harder and harder, faster and faster!
Ruby gets the edge, but Shida ROCKS her! And ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! Shida whips to JUMP KNEE! Shida then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shida fires up again and the fans are with her! Shida aims, KATA- NO, Ruby ducks and bails out! Fans boo but Shida goes out to pursue! Shida runs in, jumps off the steps, and DROPKICKS Ruby down! Fans fire up again and Shida stands Ruby up. Shida torture racks Ruby, then goes to the ramp!? Fans are thunderous but Ruby fights free! They throw forearms, and CHOPS! Shida CLUBS Ruby, Ruby throws body shots, but the count is climbing!
They both hear it’s 8 of 10 and start sprinting! They both slide in at 9.5!! Fans are thunderous and then Ruby swings, but Shida blocks! Ruby HEADBUTTS, blocks a kick, then KICKS back! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and Ruby grows frustrated. Ruby goes to a corner, and she takes Shida’s kendo stick for her own! The ref stops Ruby, takes the kendo stick, but then Ruby brings out the spray paint! Shida and the ref both block that and they’re all fighting over it! Down goes the ref!! Shida and Ruby are both stunned, but then Ruby HEADBUTTS! DESTINATION UNKNOWN! But no ref to count the cover!
Ruby is furious, she would’ve had this! But then she sees the kendo stick! Ruby grins as she wields Shida’s weapon! Fans boo, but Shida blocks the strike to kick and HEADSHOT! Then KATANA KICK!! Cover, but still no ref! Wait, here comes Aubrey! Aubrey slides in, counts the cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida fires up! Shida puts Ruby in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and she METE- NO! Ruby dodges to then STO! Ruby drags herself up the corner, goes to the very top, and STAGE DIVE SENTONS onto knees! And then FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida won’t stop there!
Shida hauls Ruby up but Ruby wrenches to NO FUTURE KICK! But Shida rebounds to KATANA!! Cover, Shida wins!!
Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Champion)
The Shining Samurai takes down The Runaway, but wait! Here comes Saraya! #TitleTuesday is coming, will that be a good Knight for the champ? Or will Shida take this belt back to become a historic THREE-TIME champion?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage, especially as the go-home to WrestleDream. I figured the title matches would end with the champions retaining, but we got really good stuff out of Acclaimed VS Hardy Party and Eddie VS Rocky. As for their title defenses on WrestleDream, I don’t see TMDK taking the trios titles as this will be their AEW debuts. And as I’ve said a few times already, Eddie isn’t losing both belts he worked so hard to have so soon. Plus, it feels like there’s some tension between NJPW the company and Shibata, or else Shibata would already be NJPW Strong Openweight Champion and not one of ROH’s champs.
Speaking of Eddie, good promo from him before his match with Rocky, and good interaction with Team Triple J. I wasn’t exactly expecting Jay Lethal to be Eddie’s first actual feud for the ROH World Championship, but I suppose it does make sense as Lethal was a major player in ROH. I hope these guys actually show up on ROH programming, but also, Tony Khan wants this feud to be seen so it’ll end up on AEW programming instead. Y’know, just like all these other ROH title stories outside of the AEW Women’s title.
Good squash from The Righteous, and I’m really curious as to how the tag title match goes on Sunday. There’s a lot of stuff MJF still has to do with Cole, Roddy and The Kingdom, and now this intrigue with Jay White, Bullet Club Gold and the backstage attack at the end of Dynamite. I still feel it should’ve been The Kingdom in the PPV match anyway, but it seems they were going to drag this story out even before Cole hurt his foot. Good promo from Nick Wayne to call out Luchasaurus, but I feel like Luchasaurus ends up winning that match just to make a point of Nick not being able to show up ringside for Darby.
Good promo from Andrade to call out Juice for this week’s Collision, and I’m still wondering if/when La Faccion Ingobernable helps Andrade against Bullet Club Gold. For that matter, why can’t MJF be paying LFI to beat up on White and the BCG? He’s had business dealings with Andrade & Rush before, let’s strike that up again for some continuity. Really good promo from Aussie Open ahead of their tag title match, and from ZSJ to call out Bryan. That 8 Man Tag tomorrow night is going to be good stuff, and perhaps rather telling about where the PPV matches go. The only reason I don’t see Aussie Open winning against FTR is because of that big Fatal 4 Way tag contenders match, but who knows, maybe Aussie Open wins to bring the AEW belts to NJPW events as they take on like Goto & Hashi.
And of course, a great main event from Shida and Ruby. Seems a little silly to set up Ruby as a contender, wouldn’t that just end up in a Finger Poke of Doom situation with Saraya? Which therefore meant Shida was winning. Saraya VS Shida for this Title Tuesday Dynamite is going to be good stuff, but something makes me feel like Ruby is just gonna help Saraya retain. And not to be mean to Shida, but if she’s already a two-time champ, I don’t see her becoming three-time so soon. Why not get Shida in on the TBS Championship story? Britt Baker wants to be the first to have held both titles in AEW, but Shida should want that distinction, too. Then that lets us have Britt VS Shida as we should’ve gotten by now given everything else we’ve been seeing lately.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (9/29/23)
King VS Emperor to determine a champion!
One way or another, the US title belongs to the LWO!
Rey Mysterio defends his WWE United States Championship against friend and protege, Santos Escobar! But will things stay friendly between them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson; Jimmy wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes; Theory wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar; Rey wins and retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL; Charlotte wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is here!
Fans boo as Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa & Paul Heyman head to the ring. And Jimmy is definitely hyped over how he and Solo took down AJ Styles and John Cena, putting the tag team match at Fastlane into question. Heyman has the mic to introduce himself, but the fans keep on booing. His name isn’t “Boo,” he’s Paul! Heyman! And tonight, a rare opportunity that he doesn’t have to do this into the phone but live to the world here from SmackDown, in the hell hole of Sacramento, California. “We ACKNOWLEDGE our Tribal Chief!” The Bloodline throws up the ones, and Heyman says, “And so do each and every single one of you!”
The fans boo, though some do raise the fingers. Heyman asks us why do they acknowledge Roman… Reigns? Because it is in Roman’s name that last week, the second greatest of all time, John Cena, took a beating at the hands of the Bloodline in a way Cena hasn’t taken in at least a decade. And to wit, Heyman calls our attention to the Bloodline version of the Zapruder Film. Heyman plays footage from just last week, where Cena was the only one who signed the contract to have a match for Fastlane. Cena hoped AJ Styles was going to be his partner, but then the Bloodline struck first and hospitalized AJ Styles.
And back to present, fans are booing but Jimmy’s almost cracking up. Heyman says not to get involved in Cena’s business, but a little birdie told Heyman that there are some transportation issues this evening. And while Cena is expected to make it here, you can’t see him because Cena is NOT here. But y’know who else ain’t here? AJ Styles! And why is that? Because he’s lying in a hospital bed, watching them on SmackDown and- Jimmy holds his hand out for the mic? Heyman says he wasn’t done but Jimmy snatches the mic. “Sacramento! The Bloodline is now in your city!” Heyman sighs while Jimmy raises the one.
Jimmy tells the Wise Man, you are too kind. The real reason Cena isn’t here tonight is because he’s scared! Scared of one JIM USO! Jimmy says if Cena is smart, he’ll stay far, far away. If not, they’ll take care of him like they did the Phenomenal One! The one who built the house, place, face- KARL ANDERSON CLOBBERS SOLO! Then he TACKLES Jimmy! Jimmy gets up but Karl clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up for Karl as he represents for The OC! Karl says he told Styles not to get in Bloodline business and now Styles is in the hospital. So now, this is OC business! Any one of them, get in the ring with him!
Fans fire up but Heyman has Solo stand down. Heyman whispers things to The Enforcer, and then Solo tells Jimmy to handle this or he’ll do it for him. Jimmy says he’s got this. Solo doesn’t return the high-five, but will Jimmy return fire on the Machine Gun?
Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson!
SmackDown returns and the match is going as Karl bumps Jimmy off buckles! Then CHOPS! And fires off haymakers! The ref counts, Karl lets off but then stomps a mudhole! Karl lets off to tell Heyman & Solo they made this personal. Karl stands Jimmy up but Jimmy swings. Karl dodges to JUMP KICK! Karl says he told Styles not to get involved but too late now. Karl whips, Jimmy BOOTS back! Jimmy runs, but Karl gives him a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Heyman is worried but Solo is stoic as Jimmy survives. Karl storms up on Jimmy, UPPERCUTS him to the corner, then UPPERCUTS again!
Karl brings Jimmy up to the top rope, ROCKS him with rights, then climbs. Solo steps forward and that distracts Karl, as well as the ref. Jimmy CLAWS Karl’s eyes! The ref misses it but fans boo as Jimmy rains down fists on Karl. Jimmy snarls, goes to a corner, and he SUPERKICKS Karl down! Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and scowls at the booing fans before the USO SPLASH! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Heyman is relieved and he whispers something more to Solo. Jimmy may be getting himself into trouble, but he’s also getting himself out, will this get Jimmy back in the Bloodline?
Wait, Karl isn’t done! He gets up to throw more hands with Jimmy! Solo storms in to hit the SAMOAN SPIKE! Solo roars as Karl is down, no back-up even possible with both Styles and Gallows hurt. Is the OC no longer a problem for The Bloodline? Wait, Michin is here! She SLAPS Jimmy right down! Fans are thunderous as she storms to the ring. Jimmy asks what the heck! Mia Yim packs a punch, will that knock some sense into Jimmy?
Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.
Cathy Kelley is with The Emperor of Lucha, and says that he faces his mentor and LWO teammate, Rey Mysterio. Where is his mind at tonight? Santos says his mind is focused, but his stomach has butterflies. But this match is about heart. And Santos has already said this is a dream match for him, and he has been working his entire life for it. Now, with the whole world watching, he has a chance to make the dream come true. He never gives up on his dreams, and he will fight for them, so Rey is in for the fight of his life. May the best man win. Will it be Emperor or King of Lucha that reigns as the United States Champion?
The Bloodline regroups backstage.
Jimmy is fuming and he yells at a production staff member just for looking at him. He asks another if they saw what happened, then just shoves the guy down! Jimmy storms off, Solo follows and Heyman has the staff relax. Then he puts in a call to Roman Reigns. What will The Tribal Chief have to say about Jimmy’s attitude?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect.
The Aussie Icon, the Moment Maker, the Dynamite From Down Under is already in the ring on his set, and he says what a wild night already. Cena may be the greatest of all time, but he ain’t the greatest at being on time! Hah! But don’t worry, because Waller is here to save the show. Fans boo but Waller thanks them. Waller’s guests just keep getting bigger, and this is literal given the physical specimen. He has done everything in the WWE as a performer, but not as a talent scout. But that’s alright, he gets what he’s always been missing: the Waller rub! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the All Mighty Bobby Lashley!
Fans cheer as Lashley makes his way out and Waller does some push-ups so he looks at least a little bigger standing next to him. They shake hands and then sit at the desk. Waller says he wasn’t lying when the guests keep getting bigger, right? How does he fit into the suit? But Waller appreciates Lashley being on the show, especially after the week he’s had. His boys, the Street Profits had a devastating loss last week. Lashley says he made a mistake. He was looking for the next big thing, he thought the Profits had what it takes to do whatever they want, but seems not. Back to the drawing board, huh?
Wow, that must be hard for the Profits to hear. But yeah, if you’re looking for a tag team, they need to be willing to do whatever it takes. A team with unbridled charisma! A team that is undefeated! Maybe a team like Austin Theory & Grayson Waller! Lashley’s stare makes Waller slow his roll. Lashley knows all about Theory, that’s a pass. Yeah, but Theory’s changed! If you get to know him, he’s a good bloke! And- Wait! Here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins came dressed to match Lashley, and Lashley seems rather upset and confused. The Profits step into the ring, mics in their hands.
Lashley steps to them, and he stops Dawkins before he gets started. No excuses, no reasons. If they want something out of Lashley, they need to prove it. Lashley goes to leave, and then the Profits look to each other. They storm out after Lashley and get up in his face! Lashley says he told them what to do. Now go do it. He keeps on moving, and Waller says how awkward. Hey, light the beam for the 153 million hit man, Austin Theory! Theory makes his entrance, walking past Lashley on the stage, and then continues down the ramp. He smirks at the Profits and goes to the steps, with Waller being the only one cheering.
But will it be A-Town Down as Theory faces Cameron Grimes? Or will SmackDown go TO~ THE~ MOON~?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes!
SmackDown returns, Theory is busy looking at NXT’s Dragon Lee watching from the front row, and the bell rings. Theory turns around into a BOOT from Grimes! Grimes fires off KICKS, UPPERCUTS, and then CHOPS! Grimes whips, Theory reverses but Grimes CLOBBERS Theory! Grimes keeps moving and he CLOBBERS Theory again! Atomic drop, then KICK! Then a KICK, run, and SHOTGUN dropkick! Cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE! Theory scrambles, Grimes has the leg, and Grimes drags Theory back. Theory kicks free, Waller coaches Theory up and Theory ELBOWS Grimes! And throat chops!
Theory throws down clubbing hands while fans boo, but Theory shouts at everyone. Theory brings Grimes up, talks trash, but Grimes eggs him on! Grimes fires off fists, body shots, then backs Theory to a corner. Grimes whips, Theory reverses, then Theory runs in. Theory blocks a boot but Grimes ENZIGURIS! Grimes goes up, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Theory hangs tough and Waller relaxes. Grimes aims, and he BUZZ- NO, Theory ducks! So Grimes backflips to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Theory survives but Grimes storms up on him in the corner. Grimes KICKS Theory against ropes!
Grimes runs, then he clotheslines Theory out of the ring! Grimes goes to the apron, and he PENALTY KICKS Theory down! Fans fire up with the Carolina Caveman as he takes it to Mr. ATL. Waller talks trash, though, and Grimes stares him down. Theory POSTS Grimes in the distraction! Waller laughs, Theory drags Grimes up and in, and then Theory slingshots. Somersault SHOTGUN! Grimes staggers into the fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN! Cover, Theory wins!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall
Waller’s a baller with that assist to his boy, and The Now comes out on top! Will these two look to take over SmackDown one win at a time? Theory also talks some trash on Dragon, then pie faces him! So Dragon hits back! Fans fire up but the ref keeps Theory back. Dragon is here as a guest, but Waller says Dragon can’t do nothing anyway. Will this duo hope Boy Wonder stays away from this brand?
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
Kayla Braxton is with the US Champion and says earlier tonight, Santos said this wasn’t just a dream match, but the fight of their lives. What is Rey’s response? Rey says LWO is familia and will always be that. But he knows how hard Santos has worked to get here. Heck, Rey grew up watching Santos’ father, El Fantasma. So Rey has nothing but love and respect for Santos. But be careful what you wish for. Every time Rey steps in the ring, he expects the best of his opponent and brings the best in return. So Santos, like they say, this IS the fight of their lives! May the best man win. Rey seems to feel the same way as Santos, but will either man still feel good after taking a loss?
The Bloodline is beating up Ashante THEE Adonis?!
B-Fab shouts for Jimmy to stop but Jimmy stops when he says he’s stopping! Refs and producers rush in and Jimmy says okay, his bad, he’s done now. Adonis crawls away, but Solo is there! Jimmy says finish this, Solo! UREANGE through the table!! Hit Row suffers the wrath of The Bloodline, but when and where will it stop?
WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar!
SmackDown returns as Zelina is ringside for both men, and Santos makes his entrance. Santos says hola to Dragon before getting in the ring. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who holds gold for the L W O!
The bell rings and fans fire up as the two tie up. They go around, Santos waistlocks but Rey works on an escape. Santos holds tight, they sit down, and Rey moves around. Rey fights up, jumps, but Santos holds on during the flying mare! Santos shifts to go for an abdominal stretch but Rey fights it to have a toehold. Fans rally and duel, Santos chinlocks but Rey pulls on the leg. Santos uses that to body scissor, and he rolls Rey to a cover, ONE! Rey is still stuck in the scissors but he moves around. Rey claws at the hold, Santos shifts and has the back mount to then roll Rey again. Rey slips free and the two stand off.
Fans cheer as Rey and Santos reset. Santos trips Rey, blocks the headscissor, but Rey gets up. Santos wrenches, wristlocks, but Rey flips through! Santos whips, Rey reverses but Santos reverses again. Rey is on the apron but he RAMS into Santos! Rey slingshots but Santos stops the rana to GAMANGIRI! Rey falls, Santos PLANCHAS! Down goes Rey at the ramp and Zelina is worried for both men as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Santos has Rey in a modified stretch. Rey endures, Santos shifts his grip, but Rey fights free. Santos has a hammerlock to keep Rey close, and Santos wrangles Rey down. Rey fights up, fans rally, and Rey jumps to hit that flying-mare! Fans fire up as Santos speeds things up and runs Rey over! Things keep moving, Rey dodges but Santos DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Rey hangs tough, and Zelina is again torn. She rallies the fans more for the LWO than for either man. Santos waistlocks, Rey switches, but Santos switches back. They go to ropes and Rey bucks the O’Conner.
Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA Santos outta the ring! Fans fire up and Rey builds speed, goes up the corner to PLANCHA! Down goes Santos! Fans fire up with Rey and he hears the ring count. Rey drags Santos up, puts him in at 6 of 10, and then climbs the corner. Santos stands, Rey SEATED SENTONS! Rey keeps moving, and he CLOBBERS Santos! Both men are down and fans rally up more. But wait, Jimmy and Solo are still wreaking havoc backstage? SAMOAN SPIKE for security! Jimmy says that guy won’t be Cena’s partner, either! Back to the ring, fans rally for “619! 619!” as Rey goes to ropes.
Santos stands, he rushes in to sunset flip, but Rey rolls through to BUZZSAW! Santos is dazed, Rey calls his shot and he drop toeholds Santos onto ropes! Rey dials it up as fans go wild, but Santos SUPERKICKS Rey outta the ring! Santos takes aim, builds speed, ARROW FROM HELL!! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes Rey! Santos catches his breath while he stands back up, and then he goes up the barriers? To MOONSAULT Rey on the ramp! Zelina is worried again but Santos puts Rey back in the ring. Rey staggers and goes to the far side but Santos takes aim. “This is Awesome!” as Santos spells it out, “L! W! O!”
Santos goes corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES! Rey wobbles, but Santos puts him back in the corner. Santos goes again, DOUBLE KNEES! Santos hoists Rey up top, climbs up after him, but Rey HEADBUTTS! Rey fires forearms and he knocks Santos down! Santos stands up while Rey steadies himself, but Santos GAMANGIRIS first! Santos climbs up again, goes to the very top, and he whistles for the SUPER STEINER! Zelina couldn’t even watch that, worried for both men. Santos goes to the apron, to SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and Santos is a bit surprised as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns yet again and Santos has Rey against ropes. Santos CHOPS, and fans “WOO~!” as Rey staggers. Santos whips, BOOTS, and then brings Rey around. Santos picks Rey up into a GORY ESPECIAL! Rey endures being bent back, and Santos even pulls on the arms! Fans rally, Rey fights against the hold, and pops free to arm-drag! Fans fire up as REy goes to a corner, and Santos runs in, only to be put on the apron! Santos GAMANGIRIS, Rey staggers, and then Santos fires up! Santos climbs, leaps, but Rey dodges and the crossbody flops! Rey lines up a shot, runs and springboards but then Santos dodges!
Rey and Santos are both down after those belly flops, and fans rally as both men rise up. Santos runs in, scoops Rey and hits a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally as Rey staggers up, but into a tilt-o-whirl torture rack! Santos runs around with Rey, then hits a RACK DROP! Cover, TWO!! Zelina is relieved again but Santos is surprised. Rey tells Santos to bring it on, there needs to be a winner. Santos storms up to CHOP! And whip, but Rey KICKS back! Rey runs to RAN- NO, Santos blocks that! Santos swings Rey up but Rey sunset flips! TWO!! Santos escapes and even Zelina is stunned! Fans fire up again, “This is Awesome!”
Rey runs in, Santos puts him on the apron but Rey ROCKS Santos first! Then Rey goes up a corner, brings Santos up to join him, and then adjusts position to fire off hands! Fans fire up as Rey calls the shot, but Santos drags Rey into a fireman’s carry! Rey fights with elbows, then pops up to SUPER RANA!! Fans are thunderous while Santos sits up in a daze! Rey DROPKICKS Santos onto ropes! Dial it up! 6 1 9 BLOCKED! Santos drags Rey into an Alabama Lift! But Rey holds the ropes for dear life! Rey then RANAS Santos back onto ropes, redials, and 619 HITS!!! Rey hurries up top, says hey to Eddie, and hit a FROG- NO!
Santos avoids the splash, CLUBS Rey, covers, TWO into the ghost pin! TWO!!! Both men escape by nanoseconds but Santos fireman’s carries! PHANTOM- TAKEDOWN! Rey has a spladle! REY WINS!!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
And the greatest luchador of all time comes out the champion! Santos is stunned, but Rey offers him a handshake of respect. They are still familiar, aren’t they? WAIT! The Profits attack!! Dawkins & Ford mug Rey & Santos, this must be how they’re proving Lashley wrong! They hit Escobar with a BIG LARIAT! Fans boo but here comes Lashley! The All Mighty says that’s it! That’s what he wanted! But then here comes the rest of the LWO! Lashley CLOBBERS Wilde while Ford & Dawkins mug Cruz! But Dragon Lee wants to get in! Security keeps him back, he’s just here as a guest! So Wilde is fed to the REVELATION!
The fans boo but The All Mighty has his Profits! Will they soon run SmackDown with iron fists?
The LWO regroups.
They’ve all got icepacks in the medical trainer’s room, and Kayla walks in to congratulate Rey on the win. But before the team could celebrate the moment, they got jumped by The Profits. Santos says sorry, excuse him, but the Profits ruined the moment! Rey says they beat the Profits last week, and now Lashley and them act like they run SmackDown! LWO challenges Lashley & The Profits to a match at Fastlane! Let’s see how tough they are when it’s fair and square! What will happen when these factions go to war in Indianapolis?
WWE announces a huge signing!
Former AEW TBS Champion and rising star, JADE CARGILL, is now with WWE! She got 20 MILLION views on a video just for showing up at the Performance Center! Will a storm be coming for the WWE Women’s Division?
John Cena arrives backstage!
He pulls in rather fast and furious, and he storms right into the arena, that tag match contract in his hands! Will Cena find someone Jimmy & Solo haven’t destroyed to sign on the dotted line? Is there even anyone left?
Pretty Deadly has a video message.
“On July 14th, 2023, Elton prince suffered a devastating shoulder injury. Despite all odds, he is on the road to recovery.” It’s another rehab workout montage, but Elton is still in the wheelchair… Elton works on reaching out for hot tags, swinging chairs, ends up rolling downhill during a celebration, and can’t even poke eyes properly. But as he continues to work at it, he has the courage to stand up and tag in Kit! #YESBOY! #EltonStrong.
The Brawling Brutes are watching this.
Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne look at each other, and neither of them can even process this. Dunne feels maybe they should’ve broken Elton’s leg. The idiots. Will Elton & Kit hope they can stay far, far, far away from Northern Grit and the Bruiserweight?
Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL!
The Queen did what she could to help The Empress of Tomorrow hold off the Evil Genius and her cohorts, but all that got them was a win for Iyo Sky and this rivalry rematch with the Role Model! Will Bayley make an example out of her fellow Horsewoman? Or will Charlotte make Bayley bow down?
SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance, Iyo and Dakota right behind her. But then Charlotte has Bayley hold on so she can get a mic. Charlotte has a question for Bayley: What’s happened to you? Bayley is one of the Four Horsewomen, but now she’s just happy carrying Iyo’s bags. Bayley has become a stepping stone while Charlotte is still the measuring stick. And in the end, it doesn’t matter. Bayley is just in Charlotte’s way. She’ll beat Bayley tonight, and then challenge Iyo for the WWE Women’s Championship at Fastlane! Fans fire up for that, and the bell rings. Bayley CLOBBERS Charlotte!
Bayley fires off, all riled up after what Charlotte said. DMG CTRL cheers and high-fives Bayley. Bayley CHOPS Charlotte, bumps her off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in! Bayley ROCKS Charlotte, lets off, and brings Charlotte around to whip. But Charlotte reverses to send Bayley into the corner, and she CHOPS! Fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte CHOPS again! Charlotte whips, Bayley reverses but Charlotte goes up and out to BOOT Bayley down! Iyo swipes at Charlotte, then Bayley BLASTS Charlotte down! Bayley goes out to the apron, to then FLYING ELBOW Charlotte down! DMG CTRL is fired up as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Charlotte is up top, to CROSSBODY Bayley down! Fans fire up with Charlotte as she storms around. Bayley flounders to ropes, stands up, and Charlotte CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And then CHOPS again! Fans fire up as Charlotte says one more, then CHOPS Bayley again! Charlotte swings, Bayley dodges but Charlotte scoops! FALL AWAY SLAM! Charlotte kips up and fans fire up again! Charlotte handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley is still in this but Charlotte knows she’s tough. Bayley bails out to the apron, Charlotte storms over, but Bayley HOTSHOTS!
Bayley slides in, waistlocks, but Charlotte bucks the O’Conner, to then trip Bayley! Bayley scrambles, Charlotte steps over to drop a knee on Bayley’s knee! Bayley goes to a corner and Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Bayley staggers, but she BOOTS back! But then Charlotte BOOTS back! Cover, TWO! Charlotte keeps her cool while the fans rally up. Charlotte steps on Bayley and goes to the corner, then goes up the corner, only for Bayley to YANK her down! Bayley puts Charlotte in the ropes, throw hands, then hits a STOCK DROP! Shoutout to another of the Horsewomen! Bayley then SUNSET BOMBS Charlotte into buckles! Bayley drags Charlotte to a cover, TWO!
Bayley tells fans to shut up, don’t cheer for her! Dakota and Iyo cheer her on, though, and Bayley fires forearms on Charlotte! Bayley mocks the “WOO~!” then CHOPS! Bayley CHOPS Charlotte again and again, runs, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, Charlotte wins!!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall
DMG CTRL can’t believe it, but their Role Model lost! The Queen is already wearing yellow ‘n’ block to match Fastlane’s logo, will she take that gold off Iyo? Bayley gets a mic to shout, “Cut the music, you idiots!” Bayley won’t let Charlotte just cut the line! Bayley vowed to end Charlotte, and that’s what DMG CTRL is gonna do! The three surround the ring, but here comes ASUKA! The Empress joins the Queen to run off their common enemies! Asuka gets a mic to shout “OI OI OI OI!” What do you idiots think you’re doing?! She won’t let them do whatever they want! Bayley says okay, they want a Triple Threat for the women’s title?! Then they’ve got it!!
Wait, what? Iyo is confused, but Bayley says this is totally what Asuka said. No, Iyo knows what Asuka said and it wasn’t that! But Bayley says this is so they can teach both Asuka and Charlotte a lesson! Bayley sticks her foot in Iyo’s mouth again, will the Evil Genius have to really work hard on a plan to survive Fastlane?
John Cena heads to the ring!
Sacramento fires up as Cena storms out, saying we’re getting serious tonight! Cena slides into the ring, contract still in hand. Cena also gets a mic, and he tells Sacramento, “I hear ya out there!” Sacramento chants for Cena and so he knows they hear him. And he knows that because last week, he said he was back to compete and that he wanted a match. The Bloodline didn’t take too kindly to that, though. They left Cena knocked out, but they also left him with the contract. This is the contract for a match with them at Fastlane. Yeah, a little lukewarm, because there’s a problem: Cena doesn’t have a partner.
Cena says tonight is very important, because now he has a choice to make. He could rip up the contract and act like this didn’t happen. Fans boo that idea. Or he could stand and fight. The fans like that! So what do you think the man who wears the words “Never Give Up” is gonna make? They cheer the second so he says that’s damn right! He will honor this contract! And if he doesn’t find a partner by Fastlane, then he will fight The Bloodline by himself in a 2v1 Handicap! But speaking of, here comes The Bloodline! Jimmy grins as he has the mic again. “Well, look who finally showed up.”
Cena’s out here talking about Fastlane? Did he not just see what The Bloodline’s been doing all night? They were sending messages! If you team with Cena, you get got by The Bloodline! Fans boo, but Jimmy goes to the apron to tell Cena, “You’re not making it to Fastlane!” But then Cena DECKS Jimmy! Solo stares Cena down, fans fire up, and Solo gets in the ring! Cena throws off the shirt because it is go time! Solo swings, misses, and Cena fireman’s carries, but Jimmy SUPERKICKS him! Flashbacks to last week, HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Solo adds a HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Jimmy whips Solo in for another HIP ATTACK!
Fans boo as Cena flops out of the ring. The Bloodline clears off the announce desk! They put Cena on it, and Jimmy raises the one. Jimmy goes up the steps but Solo stops him. Solo wants this one! Jimmy grins and nods and lets Solo climb. But L A KNIGHT is here!! Fans are thunderous as the Mega Star storms down, slides in, and he dodges Jimmy to BLAST Solo! And then he BLASTS Jimmy! Knight stomps a mudhole into Jimmy but Solo stops him! So Knight fires off haymakers! Solo TOSSES Knight, but misses the splash! JUMP NECKBREAKER! Jimmy is up, Knight scoops to POWERSLAM!
Fans fire up, and they spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BIG elbow drop for Jimmy! Cena is back and he TOSSES Solo! Knight TOSSES Jimmy! Mega Star and Greatest of All Time look to each other, and Knight picks up the contract! Fans are electric as Knight signs his name! Cena can’t believe it, either! He has a tag partner for Fastlane? YEAH!! Will Cena and Knight show The Bloodline whose game is it? With EVERYBODY saying… L A KNIGHT, YEAH!!
My Thoughts:
An awesome episode of SmackDown, especially with how fired up the Sacramento crowd was for everything. Great stuff with Bloodline and such, taking logical yet still exciting turns. Karl Anderson going after The Bloodline was good, because as much as Karl didn’t want Styles getting involved, but he also wasn’t going to let The Bloodline get away with this. Though, Karl didn’t really accomplish much as he got cheated in that match. That slap from Mia was great, though. Then Jimmy & Solo going on a rampage backstage was a great way to show how Jimmy is drunk with power all because he thinks Roman will have his back. Roman most certainly won’t now that Jimmy’s actions have brought LA Knight into the story. Great save from Knight, and he will make a great team with Cena.
Great “main event” match from Charlotte VS Bayley, and that black ‘n’ yellow gear is pretty cool stuff from Charlotte. DMG CTRL of course tries to help Bayley but that backfires. And then I actually like that we’re going back to Bayley talking big and putting Iyo on the spot. The Triple Threat title match is going to be great, and is actually some mad genius thinking from Bayley. DMG CTRL can now legally interfere to make sure Iyo wins against Charlotte and Asuka, but I feel like this can also bring in Shotzi or even Bianca to counteract DMG CTRL. Either way, it’ll be some great stuff to really up things in the SmackDown Women’s Division.
Hilarious vignette from Pretty Deadly, and good response from Brawling Brutes. That feud will definitely start up again after Fastlane and give us a SmackDown contender for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Really good stuff out of the Grayson Waller Effect with Lashley putting the pressure on the Profits. Almost thought they were gonna jump Theory since Lashley doesn’t like Theory, but I guess that would make this faction Faces since Theory is Heel. It was nice to see Grimes back, though he does lose to Theory. Dragon Lee being here tonight makes me think he is called up to SmackDown after he screws Dominik Mysterio out of the North American title tomorrow night.
And after just an awesome US Championship match, the Profits instead go after the LWO, a logical move given the back and forth between the factions. LWO wants a Six Man Tag, but does that mean it’ll be Santos, Cruz & Wilde? Or is Rey going to take one of the spots? Either way it’ll be a good time but it feels like the All Mighty Profits are going to take that one to build their momentum towards their own title goals. Lashley VS Rey for the US Championship with Santos helping feels like the move. Maybe there’s tension created as Santos costs Rey, or as Rey says Santos can’t be bending rules just to win. It just feels like something’s going to/has to change in the group dynamic.
My Score: 8.9/10
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