Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Fastlane Results & Report! (3/21/21)
Full speed ahead!
Fastlane puts pedal to the metal on the Road to WrestleMania!
We’re in the homestretch and picking up speed! Who does Fastlane leave in the dust just weeks away from WrestleMania?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – WWE United States Championship: Matt Riddle VS Mustafa Ali w/ Retribution; Riddle wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler w/ Reginald VS Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair; Jax & Baszler win and retain the titles.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Big E VS Apollo Crews; Big E wins and retains the title.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Free Sample: R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa VS Joseph Average; Average wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Free Sample Take Two: Joseph Average VS Akira Tozawa VS R-Truth; Truth wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
Shane McMahonElias w/ Jaxson Ryker VS Braun Strowman; Strowman wins.- Shinsuke Nakamura VS Seth Rollins; Rollins wins.
- No Holds Barred: Drew McIntyre VS Sheamus; McIntyre wins.
- Randy Orton VS Alexa Bliss; Bliss wins.
- WWE Universal Championship, Edge as Special Guest Enforcer: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Daniel Bryan; Reigns wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Fastlane Kickoff show!
Join Kayla Braxton, Booker T, Jerry “The King” Lawler and Peter Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action here tonight on the last stop before WrestleMania!
Sonya Deville joins the panel!
The SmackDown official and sharp dresser is here to talk the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Big E is a friend, an incredible competitor, has everything it takes to be the best, but this new Apollo Crews is scary! Large and in charge, showing a side no one knew was there. Sonya is torn, but will let the others predict first. Kayla asks more what triggered Apollo to show this side of himself. The defeat? The disrespect? Booker T says this is the REAL Apollo. Trying to conform and be what others what you to be, Apollo is now someone who represents something, and this transformed him. THIS Apollo is going to move up the ladder, and Big E is just in the way.
Rosenberg says we’re so focused on Apollo, there’s also a new Big E. Sonya says this side was always there for Big E, always wanting to break away and stand on his own, and hasn’t been able to do so until now. He has a different attitude, too. The championship is not playing games and is defending his livelihood. Great for Apollo to dig into his heritage, Big E is fighting for his family. Sonya was there when Big E was taken away on a stretcher. TO come back from that means his determination is stronger than ever. Then final vote? Sonya is for Big E, because of his heart and spirit. Rosenberg goes with Big E. As dangerous as Apollo is, Big E is it.
King says Apollo was using stuff on Big E, like the steps. But Apollo is a weapon himself so he votes Apollo. Booker says from here to WrestleMania, it will be a celebration. Apollo wins. Well they’re tied because Kayla won’t choose a side. But the match itself will be a tiebreaker, so this is one to watch!
Moving on from that, they discuss Shane McMahon and Braun Strowman! Booker says Shane is a man who throws caution to the wind! Do not cross the boss! Made Braun into a living green screen! Rosenberg says that was a very Nickelodeon moment. But Shane’s been insulting Braun for weeks. Booker says this is Shane motivating Braun, and Braun took it the wrong way. Braun could learn a lot if he just went along. Rosenberg says Shane must be bored. Rich people do thrill-seeking, but Shane is doing the wrong thing! Why does Shane want problems with Braun? Sonya says that as a fighter, you see Braun’s size and strength, but Shane can throw hands.
King isn’t so sure, Shane was a little hurt out there. Kayla points out there was an incident where Shane may have injured himself training. We go to Sarah Schreiber for an update.
“Thanks, Kayla. Shane McMahon is currently being evaluated by WWE medical personnel due to his knee injury.” She can neither confirm or deny what will happen with Shane’s match later tonight. Booker says he had that same pained look Shane had tearing MCL and PCL, so it can’t be good. King says Shane has said a lot about Braun, like Braun is strong as an ox and almost as smart. Braun should be smart enough that, should the match happen, he’ll go after Shane’s leg. Even if Shane was 1000%, though Rosenberg respects Shane, he’d still pick Braun. So less than 100%, that’s even worse. Maybe Shane will rethink this. Sonya is also worried, but we’ll see what happens.
And speaking of respect, Rollins thinks Cesaro disrespected him and disrespected Cesaro back. But now he has to deal with Cesaro’s friend, Shinsuke Nakamura! The King of Strong Style is an Artist who painted a painful picture on SmackDown, and could do the same tonight!
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Is Rollins surprised that Cesaro’s friend and former tag team partner, Nakamura, confronted him on SmackDown? New guy, what’s your name? Kevin. Welcome, Kevin! But let’s take a second before talking about Nakamura to admire “the drip.” Seth Drippin’ Rollins! Seth’s suit game is huge on social media. But no, nothing surprises Rollins anymore. He’s just disappointed in Nakamura. Nakamura is better than this! At least, Rollins thought he was. If anyone would understand respect, it’d be Nakamura.
Turns out, nope! Turns out, he’s just as bad as Cesaro Nakamura wants to be a tough guy and pick a fight on Cesaro’s behalf. That’s fine, because Rollins will teach Nakamura a lesson, and hopes Cesaro is at home, on his couch, icing his dumb, bald head, and learns something. Because if Cesaro gets in Rollins’ face again, he’ll be next. And welcome to the team, Kev. Rollins heads out, but will he the one learning something about respect?
WWE United States Championship: Matt Riddle VS Mustafa Ali w/ Retribution!
The Bro beat the Beacon, but to be fair, Ali did lose because of Mustafa Ali’s own team! Riddle is a fair fighting champion, so he’ll give Ali another shot. But will there be no excuses when Riddle shuts Ali down this time?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this rematch from Raw kicks things off!
Ali bails out but Riddle waits in the ring. Ali takes his time returning, and he gets back in at 5 of 10. They circle again, tie up and Riddle clinches to put Ali in a corner. Ali pulls hair to turn things around, but the ref counts. Riddle shoves Ali, Ali shoves back but Riddle tackles him! Riddle rams knees in, floats and rams more knees! Then Riddle gut wrench suplexes Ali for a BROTON! Cover, TWO! Ali crawls for ropes but Riddle stalks up behind him. Riddle kicks Ali, but Ali holds ropes to deny the exploder. Ali knees low, but Riddle sweeps the legs! Riddle leaps but Ali BOOTS the Broton away!
Ali wants to make sure Retribution is watching as he bumps Riddle off buckles. Ali goes out to trip Riddle and pull him into ropes to then ROCK him! Ali spins Riddle and Riddle SMACKS the post! Ali then baseball slide dropkicks Riddle to the floor! “This is why I will be the next United States Champion!” Ali puts Riddle in the ring, covers, TWO! Riddle is still in this and he fires body shots and forearms! Ali ducks and kitchen sink knees Riddle down! Cover, TWO! Ali wraps Riddle up in a body scissor and squeezes tight. Riddle endures, pries free but Ali clubs Riddle down. Ali throws hands, Riddle gut wrenches again! Ali slips out and shoves Riddle into buckles, then SHOTGUNS him down! Cover, TWO!
Ali grows frustrated but drags Riddle up to ROCK him! And CHOP him! Riddle CHOPS back but Ali kicks low! Ali whips corner to corner, Riddle reverses but Ali handsprings then slips out! Riddle hits buckles, Ali slingshots and somersaults to a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and Ali grows frustrated. Ali stalks Riddle, throws more clubbing forearms and then snapmares Riddle into the body scissors. Riddle endures, Ali chinbars, and fans rally on their screens. Riddle elbows Ali’s leg and gets free! Riddle storms over to Ali, suplexes, but Ali slips out to shove Riddle and then run, into a BROMISSION!! Ali rolls back, prawn hold, TWO!!
Riddle and Ali fires off furious fists! Riddle boots, spins Ali and PELES! Ali staggers to a corner, Riddle kips up and runs in to forearm smash! Riddle goes side to side to forearm again! And BROSPLODER! Riddle aims, PENALTY KICK! Riddle dead lift POWERBOMBS, and flips Ali for a FINAL FLASH!! Cover, TWO!?! Ali survives and Riddle can’t believe it! Riddle goes up top, for a FLOATING BRO onto knees!! Ali took some damage because of his bad leg, and both men are down. Ali glares as he gets to a corner. Riddle sits up, Ali goes up and leaps, into Riddle’s arms! Riddle suplexes, but Ali cradles! Riddle rolls through for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!!
KOJI KLUTCH!! Ali has Riddle trapped, squeezes tight, but Riddle endures and fights for ground. Riddle reaches out, moves around, Ali keeps trying, but Riddle dead lifts to SLAM Ali! Both men are down, Riddle gasping for air. Ali shouts, “See what I did there?!” Ali grins as he says it’s over. But he runs into a BOOT! Riddle goes up, but Ali trips him! Riddle lands on the ropes, but Ali swings, into a DRAPING SLEEPER! Riddle drags Ali up into the gut wrench, for a SUPER BRO DEREK!! Cover, Riddle wins!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
Ali spoke too soon, because it wasn’t over for Riddle, it was over for Ali! Will Riddle continue to represent the Bronited States all the way to WrestleMania?
As for Retribution, they pick up Ali and he gets mad at them!? Ali says this is somehow his team’s fault when they didn’t even do anything! “Reckoning” shakes her head and Ali calls her out for it! She stops listening to him, and leaves! Ali says that’s fine, because he doesn’t need her! She needs him! Slapjack wants to leave? Ali says he’s nothing without Ali so get back in line! Slapjack refuses! Ali says this is T-Bar’s fault and Mace’s fault! But they’re bigger than him, so they don’t need to take orders from him! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Retribution doesn’t need Ali and they don’t want Ali! Will Ali be the one left alone in the dark from now on?
“These are the moments that are remembered forever.”
WrestleMania is the Grandest Stage of Them All, but there is still time to change the future. “What happens next can change the course of everything.” The Big Dog takes on an underdog with a Rated R Enforcer ringside. The #LegitEST want to have belts together before fighting over one. A 20 YEAR friendship is broken and it’ll be No Holds Barred! And a Viper has been haunted, but wants to exorcise those demons! Step on the gas, go for gold, and hit the final stop on the Road to WrestleMania!
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler w/ Reginald VS Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair!
The Irresistible Force & Queen of Spades beat the Boss and the EST already at Elimination Chamber, but things were a bit different then. In the last month, dysfunction has crept in between Sasha and Bianca, which will of course complicate things. But the same has started to happen with the champions, where Nia might be a little preoccupied with Reggie. Which team cracks first and misses out on the gold?
The introductions are made, the tag belts are raised, and Elimination Chamber is revisited!
Shayna and Sasha start, Sasha fires off with haymakers and then bumps Shayna off buckles. Sasha tags Bianca, they both stomp away on Shayna. Bianca handsprings to run in and RAM into Shayna! Sasha tags back in, and hits a SWINGING METEORA! Tag back to Bianca, and they snapmare Shayna for Bianca to handspring SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Bianca keeps on Shayna with a scoop but Shayna fights free, shoves and runs. Bianca dodges, drops and hurdles, but the two stand off a moment. Bianca catches Shayna to a backslide, ONE! Bianca steps through to La Magistrol, TWO! Roll up, TWO, but into a Triangle! Bianca dead lifts but Shayna gets free to forearm and KNEE!
Shayna stalks Bianca, gets the arm and twists the wrist to then hammerlock the arm. Nia tags in and Shayna is upset because she was going to stomp! Bianca fires forearms on Nia, Sasha tags in but runs into a fireman’s carry! Sasha slips off, runs and tilt-o-whirls and wants the arm! Nia shoves her away and runs her over! Reggie laughs as Nia covers, TWO! Nia runs but Sasha avoids the elbow drop! Sasha runs but Nia pops her up! Sasha fights, Bianca tags in, and Bianca dropkicks Nia into Sasha’s rana! Bianca dropkicks Nia down, covers, ONE!! Bianca keeps on Nia, but Nia blocks the whip to whip Bianca.
Bianca dodges and Nia hits buckles. Nia puts Bianca on the apron, Shayna is there but Nia DECKS Bianca! Shayna tags in, drags Bianca up and throws her into the apron! Shayna pushes Bianca in, keeps her from Sasha and rains down fists! Cover, TWO! Shayna wraps on a grovit, Bianca endures, fights her way up, but Shayna clubs away on Bianca’s back! Shayna drags Bianca over, Nia tags in and headbutts Bianca in the ribs! Nia drags Bianca up to choke her on the ropes! The ref counts, Nia lets off at 4 and then TOSSES Bianca around the way! Nia runs to SPLASH the corner, then she shoves Bianca down. Nia runs to drop the elbow! Cover, TWO!
Nia drags Bianca up, puts her in a corner, tags Shayna in and Shayna runs in to KNEE Bianca down! Cover, TWO! Shayna grows annoyed but she kicks Bianca around. Shayna chokes Bianca on ropes and grinds her face in! The ref counts, Shayna lets off but Bianca hits back. Shayna knees and kicks away on Bianca, then looms over her. Shayna clamps onto an arm, grinds it down but Bianca fights up. Sasha coaches Bianca, Bianca fights up and kicks but Shayna blocks to throw her down! Tag to Nia, and Shayna feeds Bianca to Nia’s scoop and SLAM! Cover, ONE!! Nia keeps on Bianca with a cobra clutch and leans on the hold. Bianca endures, even as Nia thrashes her!
Sasha coaches Bianca, Bianca fights up, throws elbows and gets free, but Nia scoops her. Bianca slips out, shoves and fireman’s carries! Shayna gets in but Bianca hits her first. Nia shoves Bianca to a corner, Bianca goes up and Nia POSTS Herself! Hot tag to Sasha! Sasha blocks Shayna’s kick to KNEE her! METEORA for Nia! METEORA for Shayna! Sasha springboards but Nia blocks and throws her! Sasha gets Shayna, kicks Nia and TORNADO DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Sasha gets Shayna up, tags Bianca and then slams Shayna down. Bianca is up top, for an EST 450!! Cover, but Reggie distracts the ref! Sasha leaps but misses Reggie! So Bianca DECKS him!!
But Shayna gets Bianca in a KIRAFUDA! Bianca gets out, chicken wings, and Sasha tags in! GlamEST KNEE!! To a BANK STAEMTNE! Bianca intercepts Nia but Nia shoves Bianca down on Sasha and Shayna! Everyone else is down as Nia goes back to her corner. Sasha misunderstands what happened but Bianca points out it was Nia! The challengers argue, Sasha pushes the “rookie” and Bianca has had it with Sasha. But Shayna rolls Sasha up, and wins!!
Winners: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
And that’s what broke the #LegitEST duo! Sasha and Bianca couldn’t trust each other and they get caught off guard! They keep arguing after the champions leave, and Sasha boops Bianca. Then SLAPS her! “You’re the rookie!” Sasha leaves before Bianca can respond, but is the receipt coming soon enough at WrestleMania?
Shane McMahon exits the Doctor Trainer room.
A huge ice pack is on his knee and he has a crutch. Elias and Jaxson Ryker come by to talk their WrestleMania pitch. A huge musical epic for Mania that Bad Bunny will feel obligated to hand over his Grammy out of respect. Now’s not a good time, guys. But Elias has always wanted to be in front of a WrestleMania crowd! Name it, he’ll do it! Well, putting it that way… Shane has an idea. Is Shane about to find someone for Braun to face after all?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Big E VS Apollo Crews!
To say this has gotten personal is putting it lightly. To say the title was the only reason these two stopped being friends is inaccurate. And to say that there is aggression between these two is an understatement. Big E and the REAL Apollo are ready to cripple each other if that is what it takes to prove who is truly worthy of going to WrestleMania as the Intercontinental Champion! Will Apollo get what he wants? Or just get what he deserves?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and a battle of steel and gold finally looks to settle itself!
Apollo and Big E fire off fists right away! Apollo knees low, CLUBS and whips but Big E reverse! Apollo ends up on the apron and Big E runs to SPEAR him off it! “This is what you wanted!? This is what you wanted?!” Big E clubs Apollo, Apollo throws hands but Big E ROCKS him! Big E has Apollo on the apron and says he asked for this! Big E stomps Apollo, stands on Apollo’s head, then stomps him again! “You wanted this ass whooping! You asked for this ass whooping! And you’re gonna get every bit of it.” APRON SPLASH! Apollo writhes and Big E says this is the side of him Apollo wanted to see! Big E CLUBS Apollo more, gets in the ring and tells the ref Apollo wanted this!
Big E goes back to the apron and says Apollo doesn’t want this now that he knows what it’s about. ANOTHER APRON SPLASH! Apollo crawls away into the ring, Big E pursues and says, “This is what conflict is!” Apollo throws a haymaker but Big E ROCKS him with a forearm! And then another! And then an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Big E gets Apollo up again for another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Big E shouts that Apollo wanted this shot, so he’s getting it! But then Apollo dropkicks Big E’s leg out! Apollo hits a clothesline, then drags Big E up for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Apollo holds on to GERMAN SUPLEX again! And ANOTHER GERMAN SUPLEX!
Apollo looms over Big E and stomps him. Now Apollo stands on Big E’s head, but lets off at 4. Apollo demands Big E get up, and then reels him in for a SPINEBUSTER! Apollo stomps Big E, goes to a corner and climbs up top, for a FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Big E survives but Apollo wraps on a rear bearhug! Apollo squeezes tight, Big E endures and fights up to throw elbows. Big E is free but he runs into an ENZIGURI! Apollo ENZIGURIS again! STANIND MOONSAULTÂ ONTO KNEES! Big E runs in but Apollo dodges to POST him! Apollo reels Big E in but no bomb yet! Big E arm-drags, scoops, but Apollo slips out!
Apollo brings Big E around to cradle, TWO! Big E has it, and even bridges, Big E wins?!
Winner: Big E, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
But Apollo attacks! Does he not realize he lost? Or does he not care?! Apollo demands Big E get up, for an OLYMPIC SLAM!! He says it is NOT over, and he drags Big E up again, for ANOTHER OLYMPIC SLAM! Apollo slaps Big E around, demands he get up again, and SLAPS him! AÂ THIRD OLYMPIC SLAM!! Apollo does not accept Big E as champion, because HE is the one standing tall! Will this war between former friends never end?
“Joseph Average” is giving out Old Spice samples.
Drew Gulak likes, but Akira Tozawa demands to know where R-Truth is! Joseph doesn’t know- WHERE IS R-TRUTH!? Truth is hiding behind the free samples! He even hands Akira one! TRUUUUTH!! Tozawa drags Truth out from behind the shelves! Joseph tries to pick up his samples, but ends up pinning Truth?!
Winner: Joseph Average, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Regular ol’ Joseph Average, is champion!? Truth says he WAS! Roll up! Truth wins!!
Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Truth thanks Average Joe for the free samples! Tozawa rips Joseph’s shirt, but then sees that shirt! The prophecy is true! The Night Panther lives!!
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
Shane officially introduces The Drifter, and says as a “prelude” to WrestleMania, he wants the fans to hear Elias’ music. Elias takes it from here, playing his guitar, but then Shane interrupts and apologizes for that. He wants Elias to know that he’s taking Shane’s place in tonight’s match. Wait, what? The match with Braun!? YES!
Elias w/ Jaxson Ryker VS Braun Strowman!
The Drifter is about to learn that you really should be careful what you wish for. Elias wants to play on the Grandest Stage of Them All, but will he even make it down the Road to WrestleMania with the Monster Among Men in his path?
The bell rings, Elisa wants Braun to take it easy, he’s after Shane, remember? Braun still rushes at Elias, but Elias dodges and throws quick body shots. Ryker distracts, but Strowman still gets Elias in a corner for hands! And elbows! So many elbows! Then Braun TOSSES Elias across the ring! Braun is foaming at the mouth as Elias gets out, and Braun grabs Elias by his hair! He POSTS Elias, then POSTS him the other way! Elias flops down, Braun drags him in and throws him around again! Braun KICKS Elias to a corner! And bends him against the ropes! The ref counts, Braun lets off at 4, and brings Elias up to CLUB him down! And then runs in at the corner!
Ryker saves Elias and they regroup on the outside. But the Strowman Express runs! Ryker dodges and Elias gets BLASTED! Braun goes back to the ring as the ring count climbs. Ryker checks on Elias, and throws him in at 8! Elias might’ve wanted to stay out, actually… Braun glares at Ryker, Ryker gets up on the apron again, and Elias CHOP BLOCKS Braun! DDT!! Elias hurries up top, for a MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Elias is sent flying and is shocked! Elias hurries to go after Braun with haymakers and knees! Elias runs, into a LARIAT! Braun is still seething as he corner SPLASHES and then throws Elias down! Braun drags Elias up for a ONE HAND SPINEBUSTER!!
Braun isn’t done there, he scoops Elias for the MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, Braun wins!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Shane didn’t #GetTheseHands but The Drifter sure did! Will Braun be sure that, once Shane is 100% again, they will have their battle in the ring?
Riddle checks in with Nakamura.
Sup, Bro? Nakamura congratulates Riddle on retaining his title. Thanks, bro! And good luck with Rollins! But uh, would Nakamura want to go in business with Riddle? Riddle’s latest idea is great! Tricking out scooters! Getting some Nos boosters, LED lights, and some manes like they’re horses! That’s interesting- Yeah, very interesting, right? And think about this! Riddle’s cousin Skeeter was a skater and he had a scooter, and he was grinding the rail all slow and at a weird angle, and then he smashed his little skeeters. Now he kinda walks like Nakamura’s entrance. Oh, where’d Nakamura go? Probably to get his scooter. Alright, see you later, bro!
Shinsuke Nakamura VS Seth Rollins!
The King of Strong Style wants to avenge the Swiss Cyborg for what the Architect has done to him! But Rollins says he is going to show Nakamura what respect is all about! Will Nakamura dry up that Seth Rollins drip? Or will he have no choice but to #EmbraceTheVision?
The bell rings and Rollins circles with Nakamura. They tie up, Rollins headlocks and laughs, but Nakamura fights up and powers out. Rollins runs into a kitchen sink knee, then Nakamura drops a knee! Rollins staggers, but ducks the roundhouse to get out! Nakamura shouts, “C’MON!!” Rollins gets in, Nakamura kicks and whips to GAMANGIRI! Cover, ONE! Nakamura stomps Rollins, kicks him, then waistlocks. Rollins flails and reaches but elbows free! Rollins kicks Nakamura in the leg then SMACKS him off the mat! Rollins throws Nakamura out hard, aims from the apron and LEAPS for a flying knee! Rollins sneers as he drags Nakamura up and bounces him off the desk!
Rollins puts Nakamura in as the ring count climbs past 5, then slithers behind him. “You want to disrespect me?” Rollins runs and KNEES Nakamura against ropes. Rollins whips and KNEES again, and then again! Rollins fireman’s carries Nakamura for a GUT BUSTER! Cover, ONE!! Rollins is upset that he only got a one, but he dares Nakamura to get up. Rollins throws down hands, rams Nakamura into a corner, and rams him in again. Rollins wrenches, whips corner to corner hard, then drags him out to scoop to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rollins wraps on a rear bearhug but Nakamura throws elbows. Rollins squeezes tighter but Nakamura endures.
Nakamura gets up, reaches for ropes but has to elbow Rollins more. Rollins lets go but he elbows Nakamura down! And drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Another cover, ONE!! Rollins is again annoyed, and talks trash, “Cesaro is watching!” Rollins chokes Nakamura on ropes and then throws him down again. Rollins shouts about being swung around 22 times and he asks where Cesaro is now. Rollins says he’s strong! He’s tough! He gets Nakamura’s legs, and he slaps Nakamura around. Nakamura drags Rollins down with an ARMBAR! Rollins gets a ropebreak but Nakamura lets go fast. Rollins is outside, Nakamura WRECKS him with a baseball slide!
Nakamura puts Rollins on the apron for a KNEE! And then a GUILLOTINE KNEE! Nakamura puts Rollins in, Rollins staggers into KICKS! Nakamura shoves Rollins to a corner for GOOD VIBRATIONS! Nakamura whips corner to corner but Rollins reverses. Rollins runs in but Nakamura KNEES back! Nakamura puts Rollins up top for the TOP SHELF KNEE! Cover, TWO! Nakamura grits his teeth as he gets Rollins back up. Nakamura scoops but Rollins elbows free! Rollins runs but into a boot! Nakamura goes up top but Rollins throws him off!! Nakamura hits the floor, Rollins builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and they hit barriers!
Rollins drags Nakamura up, puts him in, and aims from the apron. Springboard FLYING KNEE! And then a SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Nakamura survives and Rollins is beside himself! Rollins drags Nakamura up, reels him in, but Nakamura blocks the suplex! Rollins ROCKS him with a right, reels him in again, but Nakamura blocks again! Rollins ROCKS Nakamura but Nakamura hits back! Rollins throws another forearm but so does Nakamura! They go back and forth, Rollins gets the edge but swings into a strike fest! Rollins PELES! Rollins drags Nakamura up to powerbomb lift but Nakamura slips out! Rollins ducks one kick but not the LEFT!
Rollins staggers to a corner, Nakamura aims from the other! Nakamura runs in but blocks boots first! He turns Rollins sideways into the ropes, SLIDING GERMAN! Rollins flounders up, Nakamura fires up and aims again! “YAO~!” But Rollins pops Nakamura up for a BUCKLE BOMB! Rollins drags Nakamura back up, and suplexes for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and Rollins is furious! Rollins aims from a corner, runs in but Nakamura gets him to a fireman’s carry! LANDSLIDE DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura drags Rollins up, INVERTED EXPLODER! Nakamura aims from the corner again, “YAO~!” KIN-
NO! Rollins rolls Nakamura up, Nakamura slips out but Rollins reels Nakamura in for a DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! And then the CURB STOM- NO, Nakamura ducks it! But Rollins HEEL KICKS him down! Rollins is seething as he shouts, “Don’t disrespect me!” Nakamura slowly sits up, Rollins runs and CURB STOMPS!! Cover, Rollins wins!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
The Architect beats the Artist, and shouts, “That’s what happens when you step into my ring!” Rollins demands respect, but will he get it from the SmackDown roster?
No Holds Barred: Drew McIntyre VS Sheamus!
“A lot can happen in 20 years.” A friendship that defined both of these men has now fallen apart. Two journeys that intertwined, parted, but reunited was ruined, all because of jealousy and pride. These two warriors made each other better, but now they’d love nothing better than to finish this. With nothing holding these two back, which warrior stands tall at the end of this war?
The bell rings and Sheamus says McIntyre asked for this. Did McIntyre ever think of what Sheamus did for him? McIntyre SLAPS Sheamus, and now it’s a brawl! Sheamus knees low, CLUBS hard, then whips McIntyre to ropes. McIntyre reverses, Sheamus kicks him and runs but into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! And then McIntyre gets Sheamus for ANOTHER! McIntyre clotheslines Sheamus out, pursues, but Sheamus trips him on the apron! Sheamus throws hands, whips McIntyre into barriers and then throws hands! Sheamus brings McIntyre up to whip, but McIntyre reverses to reel him in for another OVERHEAD SUPLEX!
McIntyre drags Sheamus back up, CHOPS him against the announce desk, and then throws haymakers! McIntyre whips and POSTS Sheamus! McIntyre clears off the desk, goes under the ring, and brings out chairs, and kendo sticks! Sheamus runs in to blindside McIntyre! Sheamus POSTS McIntyre, hurries to get himself a kendo stick, and then swings! McIntyre dodges and stick hits post! McIntyre reels Sheamus in for a fourth OVERHEAD! McIntyre drags Sheamus up to whip into steel steps! Sheamus flops against the base and McIntyre storms over. McIntyre stands on Sheamus’ head then STOMPS him! Sheamus flops back but McIntyre looms over him.
McIntyre drags Sheamus up to CHOP him again! McIntyre puts Sheamus in, gets a kendo stick, but Sheamus KNEES him down first! Cover, TWO! Sheamus gets a kendo stick again, and SMACKS him on the back! And SMACKS him again! Sheamus SMACKS McIntyre while taunting him, “This is what you wanted, right?!” Sheamus says he’ll make it legit! McIntyre’s going to WrestleMania, he should get up! Sheamus SMACKS McIntyre back down! Sheamus digs the kendo stick into McIntyre’s jaw! “How does that taste?!” McIntyre’s jaw is still a target from last year, but McIntyre headbutts and HEADBUTTS! And BOOTS!
McIntyre goes to a corner to catch his breath, and he starts to get pissed again. McIntyre picks up the kendo stick and sees Sheamus is down. Sheamus glares up at McIntyre, and McIntyre SMACKS him! And SMACKS, and SMACKS, and SMACKS! McIntyre uses the stick for a Russian Leg Sweep! McIntyre digs the kendo stick into Sheamus’ eyes!! Sheamus pushes McIntyre away but McIntyre just SMACKS him again! Sheamus falls out of the ring, McIntyre follows and runs into a drop toehold to the steps! McIntyre is dazed, Sheamus fetches the top half of the steps! McIntyre staggers up as Sheamus comes around, and Sheamus RAMS McIntyre down!
Sheamus fires up, finishes clearing the desk for McIntyre, and then stomps McIntyre while he’s down. “What’s that face paint gonna do for you now?!” Sheamus puts McIntyre on the desk, climbs up to join him, and fireman’s carries, but McIntyre fights free! To underhooks the arms! Sheamus resists, McIntyre throws knees, to then throw Sheamus at the barriers! McIntyre glares as he stalks behind Sheamus through the timekeeper’s area to the outside. McIntyre fish hooks Sheamus’ mouth! And punch him down! The go behind the ThunderDome screens, McIntyre throws Sheamus into railing! And CHOPS him off his feet!
McIntyre stomps and CLUBS Sheamus more, and follows him around the way. Sheamus throws hands, they brawl, and Sheamus blocks a suplex! Sheamus suplexes McIntyre! McIntyre thuds off the bare floor of the ThunderDome! McIntyre sputters and crawls to a ramp. Sheamus CLUBS McIntyre on the back, up some trunks, and then rains down more rights. Sheamus drags McIntyre up to throw body shots! McIntyre ends up on the upper level of the ThunderDome screens but he hits back! McIntyre fires off haymakers, then whips Sheamus along, only for Sheamus to reel him in! ROLLING SENTON! Again, McIntyre gasps and sputters!
Sheamus drags McIntyre up, brings him along the aisle, but McIntyre throws body shots! Sheamus CLUBS McIntyre down again and again, then fireman’s carries. McIntyre slips off before Sheamus can throw him! McIntyre bumps Sheamus off ThunderDome screens, then sends him crashing through others!! Sheamus tumbles from that middle row to somewhere down below!! McIntyre climbs down to loom over Sheamus, and dares him to keep talking trash. McIntyre CLUBS Sheamus, follows him back to the ramp and punches him down the way. McIntyre says up Sheamus’ as he kicks him down! McIntyre dares The Fella to talk more trash, as he puts him on a road case!
McIntyre pushes the case around to get Sheamus back to ringside! McIntyre drags Sheamus up, for a suplex to the floor! Both men writhe but McIntyre forces himself to rise! McIntyre drags Sheamus back up, fireman’s carries him, and hauls him back to the desk. Sheamus claws McIntyre’s eyes and BROGUES him over barriers!! Sheamus clutches his back as he hobbles up and looks to fetch McIntyre. Sheamus hops over the barriers, grits his teeth while clutching his side, and he stomps McIntyre! Sheamus bumps McIntyre off road cases, then drags him up and over the barriers, aiming for the desk! “I should be the main event of WrestleMania!!”
Sheamus fireman’s carries, tucks McIntyre in, WHITE NOISE THROUGH THE DESK!! The ref checks on both men in the wreckage and somehow they’re okay to continue! Sheamus hobbles up, drags McIntyre towards the ring but his own back makes that hard. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus still gets McIntyre up and in. Sheamus looks for something more to use, and decides to use a piece of the desk! Sheamus brings that in, positions it, and looms over McIntyre. “You’re the Chosen One, right? What about me? What about Sheamus, huh?” Sheamus throws more hands, but McIntyre SLAPS Sheamus! Sheamus SLAPS back and it’s a SLAP fight!
Sheamus kicks, Alabama lifts, but McIntyre slips out! Sheamus avoids the underhooks once, but not the second! FUTURE SHOCK to the desk piece!! CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior almost had the Scottish Warrior, but the key word is “almost!” McIntyre defeats Sheamus, and now moves on to Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania! If he could survive this, will McIntyre be able to survive the Rocky Mountain Machine and take back the WWE World Championship?
Randy Orton VS Alexa Bliss!
The Viper thought burning The Fiend alive was enough. He thought it’d end there. He thought wrong. Twisted Lil’ Bliss has been haunting Orton in ways no one could’ve imagined. But Orton vows to exorcise Alexa and kick her out of his life for good. Will it really end here? Or is Orton going to pay for all of his transgressions?
But as Orton goes for his pose, he starts spitting up the black ink!! Alexa is already affecting him before the bell! Orton is pissed, demands a towel and the timekeeper hands him one. Orton wipes his mouth, coughs and sputters, then seethes and glares at the stage. He isn’t getting scared off, he’s getting pissed off! He demands Alexa stop playing games and get to the ring! Alexa makes her entrance, and already has those spooky eyes as she laughs and skips her way to the ring. The magenta light bathes the arena and the bell rings! Orton storms right over but then FIRE flashes all around!! The ref even bails out after that one!
Alexa laughs at Orton, Orton runs in but Alexa dodges and he POSTS himself! Alexa pretends to feel bad but then laughs at Orton’s pain. Alexa skips around the ring and wants Orton to follow after. Orton gets up, seethes as he follows in this twisted follow the leader. Alexa hops over the steel steps, waits so Orton can get closer, and then gives a curious smile. She looks up, and a LIGHTING TRUSS falls?! Alexa laughs and Orton shouts, “Are you trying to kill me?!” She just shrugs and says “The sky is falling.” Alexa goes back into the ring and coaxes Orton in like he’s a puppy dog. She even plays in the ropes like it’s a swing set.
Orton takes his time returning, checking to see if anything else will fall. Orton steps inside, Alexa blows a kiss, and then throws a FIREBALL!! Orton narrowly avoided that one, but Alexa still celebrates like she scored a homerun or something. Alexa hops up to sit on the top rope and Orton stands up, but what is reaching out from under the ring mat?!?! It’s a gnarly, burned hand! And with another burst of flame, THE FIEND returns!!! Mutilated and grotesque, The Fiend returns from the dead!! Orton isn’t even sure what to say, but Alexa shoves Orton into SISTER ABIGAIL! Alexa covers, the ref returns to count, Alexa wins!!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall
HE’S HEEEERE~! And with his help, Alexa has beaten The Viper! But just what is going to happen now that these two are reunited?!
WWE Universal Championship, Edge as Special Guest Enforcer: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Daniel Bryan!
The plans for WrestleMania could change drastically right here! The Special Counsel wants us to believe that the Tribal Chief will not just give the Goat a hellacious beating, but that he will scare away the Rated R Superstar tonight. However, Edge is here to make sure things are finally fair and square for the challenger to the Universal Championship! Will Bryan be able to turn the tide and have one more #YEStleMania moment?
Edge makes his entrance first as enforcer. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we will see what THE main event of WrestleMania really looks like!
Bryan and Roman circle, Bryan picks up the speed a bit as he goes around Roman. Roman tries to corner Bryan but Bryan wants his leg. Roman grabs ropes and Bryan lets off. Bryan taunts Roman that he’s worried about a simple single leg. Roman and Bryan feel out a grapple, Roman gets Bryan into a corner, but the ref counts. Bryan slips out at 3 to kick Roman in the leg. Bryan taunts Roman more, and they circle again. They tie up, Roman powers Bryan to another corner, the ref counts and Roman CLUBS Bryan as they break! Roman tells Bryan he should just go home. They circle again, approach, and Bryan gets a leg pick! Roman scrambles around to get a ropebreak!
Bryan says he could get that any time. Roman gets up, cools off but Bryan pushes the offense. He dares Roman to come after him, and then he goes for a leg. Roman grabs at Bryan but Bryan gets around. Roman gets another ropebreak, and Bryan grins as he lets off. They feel out the grapple again, knuckle lock, and Roman uses his strength to bring Bryan to his knees! Roman mocks Bryan, “You wanna break?” Roman scrapes his laces on Bryan’s face but Bryan gets up and gets a takedown to an ARMBAR! Roman scrambles, gets another ropebreak, and Bryan lets off quick. Bryan does Yes Fingers, fans join in on their screens, but Roman keeps his cool.
Roman and Bryan circle again, Bryan gives testing jabs, but Roman just gets annoyed. Roman dares Bryan to hit him, Bryan jabs him in the stomach again. Bryan grins as Roman keeps egging Bryan on. Bryan throws more jabs, then a kick! Roman is getting more annoyed as Bryan throws more quick kicks. Bryan gets cornered, Roman headlocks and throws Bryan down! Heyman likes what he sees but Bryan fights up. Bryan slips out the back, has a hammerlock and he knees Roman in the arm! And again! Heyman’s confidence turns to worry as Bryan digs his elbows into Roman’s head. Bryan gets Roman’s other arm and bends the fingers! Bryan pulls to go after Roman’s shoulder!
Roman endures as Bryan stands on the arm to make it a recliner cover, ONE!! Roman headbutts Bryan, then stomps him down! Roman drags Bryan up to DECK him! Roman paces around, drags him back up and throws a haymaker! Bryan goes to a corner, Roman stalks him, and Roman RAMS into Bryan! Roman hauls Bryan up but Bryan flails, only for Roman to RAM him into another corner! Roman runs but into a dropkick! Bryan gets Roman’s arm, wrenches and hits an elbow breaker! And then wrenches to KICK the leg, and hit another elbow breaker! And then KICKS the leg, to wrench. Roman rakes eyes, gets Bryan in a corner, but the ref reprimands.
Roman throws point-blank lariats! But Bryan turns it around for YES Kicks and fast hands! Bryan whips, Roman reverses, but Bryan goes up and over and keeps moving to duck and run, into a tilt-o-whirl SLAM! Cover, TWO! Roman digs Bryan’s face into the mat and bounces him off it! Roman taunts Edge but Edge tells him to worry about Bryan. Bryan goes to ropes, Roman throws crossface forearms! Roman drags Bryan up, and snap suplexes him! Heyman’s confidence returns as Roman covers, TWO! Roman grows annoyed again but then he smiles as he looms over Bryan. Bryan goes back to a corner, Roman drags him up but Bryan goes for a leg!
Roman holds off Bryan’s takedown and CLUBS Bryan! Bryan hits from below but Roman kicks him down. Bryan hits again but Roman stomps him back down! Bryan keeps hitting back but Roman keeps stomping! Roman snarls and drags Bryan into a chinlock. Roman grinds Bryan down, and says, “When I got it, you don’t get out.” Roman says he has a vice grip, but Bryan fights up. Bryan throws body shots, Roman shoves Bryan away but Bryan returns! Roman puts Bryan on the apron and DECKS him with an uppercut! Bryan falls to the floor and Roman again taunts Edge. Edge says Roman still needs to worry about Bryan. Roman goes out to fetch Bryan, and throw him into barriers!
The ring count is past 5 but Roman goes in at 7. Bryan stands as Roman goes out to fetch Bryan, but Bryan fires body shots and uppercuts and kicks! Bryan KICKS away on Roman, but Roman POSTS him! The ring count is climbing but Roman puts Bryan in at 8! Cover, TWO! Heyman says it was that close, but Bryan is still in this. Roman drags Bryan up to snap suplex again! Cover, TWO! Roman is again annoyed and Bryan drags himself to another corner. Roman runs in to corner clothesline him! Heyman says Bryan should listen to his Tribal Chief! Roman wants Bryan to acknowledge him. Look in the camera and tell the world!
Roman whips Bryan corner to corner hard! Roman runs in but Bryan drop toeholds him into buckles! Bryan fires off Yes Kicks from all sides, then runs corner to corner to dropkick! Bryan brings Roman up to the very top, then throws haymakers! Bryan climbs up, but Roman blocks the Steiner! Roman drags Bryan into a BOSTON CRAB! Bryan endures as Roman bends him back! Bryan claws for ropes, reaches, but Roman brings him around! Bryan makes that a cradle, TWO!! Bryan dodges, and hits a LEAPING LARIAT! Both men are down and Heyman’s stress is back again! Edge paces, making sure nothing sneaky is happening as both men slowly rise.
Bryan throws hands, kicks, but Roman knees low! Roman whips Bryan to ropes but Bryan kicks him away! Roman returns but Bryan dumps him out! Bryan slingshots to PLANCHA, but Roman makes it a SLAM! Roman then drags Bryan up, but Bryan slips off to POST Roman! Bryan aims from the apron for a FLYING KNEE! Down goes Roman! But Bryan can only win the title in the ring! Bryan puts Roman in at 7 of 10, climbs up top and FLYING KNEESÂ ROMAN’S ARM!! Roman writhes, Heyman panics and Bryan climbs up again! Bryan is up top again and leaps for a missile dropkick! Roman is down again but Bryan fires up! Bryan crawls to cover, TWO!
Bryan keeps his focus while Roman tries to get his bad arm moving. Heyman is doing his best to be stoic as Bryan gives Roman more YES Kicks! Roman flounders about as Bryan keeps giving him KICKS! Kick after kick after kick, then the BUZZ- NO! Roman blocks the buzzsaw and powers Bryan to a corner! The ref counts, Roman ROCKS Bryan with an uppercut! Roman grinds his forearm into Bryan’s face, throws knees into him, but the ref keeps counting. Roman finally lets off to cool down, but Bryan kicks back! And rushes in! Roman sprawls to block the takedown, and brings Bryan up, but Bryan RANAS the bomb away! BUZZSAW! And then ANOTHER BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!!
Bryan nods, he knows Roman is tough. Heyman is worried, Edge is invested, and Bryan says Roman likes to talk, but now he’s going to get broken! Bryan unleashes DANIELSON STOMPS! Then drags Roman into the YES LOCK!! Roman endures, but the hands are in his face, he can’t see! Roman refuses to quit, reaches out and gets his face free, but Bryan gets the other arm! Bryan rolls Roman away from ropes and then gets the YES LOCK BACK!! Roman is stuck, hands in his face, and he can’t figure out where ropes are! Roman pries at Bryan’s fingers, gets the hold off and he rains down furious forearms, and even elbows!
But Bryan triangle holds! Roman dead lifts to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Bryan survives but both men are down! Bryan drags himself to a corner while Roman talks to himself. Roman gets to the other corner and watches Bryan get up. Roman run sin, but into a kick! Roman staggers, but dodges, the FLYING KNEE hits the ref!! Roman SPEARS Bryan! Cover, but the ref can’t count! Edge is making himself the ref! TWO!! Both men are down again as Roman looks up and sees Edge. Edge says he’s just doing his job as special enforcer. Roman says Edge better follow his lead, but Edge says Roman needs to do his job.
Roman rains down rights on Bryan again! Bryan gets Roman’s arm again! TRIANGLE HOLD! Roman powers up to dead lift again, but Bryan shifts and throws hands, to then drag Roman back down! YES LOCK!!! Roman endures, pries at the hold, but Bryan throws crossface forearms! Bryan clubs away on Roman again and again then puts the Yes Lock back on! JEY USO SUPERKICKS EDGE!! And SUPERKICKS Bryan!! Jey always has to save Roman! Jey goes out and gets a chair! Jey drags Edge up to POST him! Jey tells Bryan to stand, but Bryan ducks the chair to KNEE PLUS Jey down!! Heyman panics as Bryan gets the chair!!
Bryan glares at Roman, and SMACKS JEY! And SMACKS and SMACKS and SMACKS Jey! Jey bails out, Bryan sees no one is up to see… Bryan aims at Roman, but Roman dodges again, and EDGE takes the chair shot! SUPERMAN PUNCH!! Roman seethes, glares at Bryan and runs, INTO A YES LOCK!! Just like Elimination Chamber!! Roman is stuck!! Roman is freaking out and Heyman is, too! Roman is fading out!! Is he tapping?!?! Roman is tapping, but Edge SMACKS Bryan with the chair!!! Edge SMACKS Roman, too!! Edge SMACKS Bryan again, and shouts, “THIS IS MINE! MINE!!” The Rated R Superstar no longer cares who he faces, he storms off and lets this sort itself out!
Roman and Bryan are both writhing, stirring, and a second referee appears! Roman drags himself to cover Bryan, and Roman wins!
Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall (still WWE Universal Champion)
Once again, Roman is fortunate to have someone else around! But will Roman be able to survive when he finally faces Edge 1v1?
My Thoughts:
So this was a bit of a mixed back for a WWE PPV. Though not announced as such, I just had a feeling the US Championship would end up a kickoff show match. And as I figured, Riddle would win and Ali would get kicked out of Retribution. Heck, Retribution might just be through, with all but Mace and T-Bar going their separate ways. Maybe they’ll all get their real names back, too. The real critical point is what Ali does now that he’s not their leader. The main show then seemed to zip by, which is both good and maybe not so good, as it didn’t seem like a good chunk of the show was really diving that deep into the matches.
The WWE Women’s Tag title match went as expected, including Reggie interfering and being just part of the reason Sasha & Bianca lost. I expected a bit more of a scuffle from Sasha and Bianca but it works that Sasha left with just disrespecting Bianca and slapping her eyelashes out of place. The next three weeks are going to really escalate things for Sasha VS Bianca. Big E VS Apollo was a great match, but that ending was really about preserving this feud so they can go again at Mania. It may not have been done as crisp as they wanted, but it was clearly about Big E just snatching a win. I feel like a disqualification ending would’ve been better, given the anger between these two.
If I’m not mistaken, “Joseph Average” was actually Eric Bugenhagen from NXT. I almost hope this is his call-up. The Old Spice Night Panther commercial turning into a WWE 24/7 Championship segment was very clever, and makes it one of the best produced WEW 24/7 Championship segments. Shane swapping out with Elias wasn’t the swap out I expected, but we all knew Shane wasn’t actually facing Braun yet. I just didn’t think Shane would have a “training injury” as the reason why. Of course, even in kayfabe, it could be a fake-out to delay things. I wonder if Braun will force Shane to compete against him at Mania, exposing the “injury” is just a cover.
From Rollins VS Nakamura on, we started getting some really good PPV stuff. Rollins VS Nakamura itself was a great match, and I was actually surprised we didn’t get anything of Cesaro or Murphy, but that was for the better. Rollins wins fair and square so perhaps all the better for him and Cesaro at Mania. The No Holds Barred, McIntyre VS Sheamus, was great and even had a great video package to set it up. Smashing up ThunderDome screens was not a spot I would’ve expected but that really added something. McIntyre wins to go strong towards Mania, but it’s going to be hard to determine who wins between Lashley VS McIntyre because they’re both going so strong right now.
Alexa VS Orton was perhaps exactly what it should’ve been. Alexa was using all her tricks, and then we got burned zombie Fiend busting up from the floor a la Kane, that was really wild stuff. While Firefly Fun House Match 2, the Orton Saga is a great concept, I almost want at least one match with burned, disgusting Fiend to see how that affects his fighting style, and just for more opponents to react to.
The Universal Championship match was a lot longer than I expected it would be, as it dominated the last hour, and Bryan had great character work the entire time. I’m just disappointed we had to again throw Jey in there, and even have one of those “OH NO! Hit the wrong person! And now that person will hit me back!” with Bryan and Edge. Edge shouting “THIS IS MINE!” like he was selfishly keeping this for himself was a good touch, though. If we end up with a Triple Threat like fans want/hope, that moment would at least make Edge a Tweener where Roman is Heel and Bryan is Face. There was also the fact Roman tapped, just without it being put on the win-loss record, so I’m thinking there’s a way to get us to that Triple Threat to make Mania even bigger.
My Score: 8.4/10
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Is the Don Callis Family ready to #ManUp?
Just one week before Full Gear, Kyle Fletcher puts his AEW TNT Championship on the line while Mark Briscoe deals with Mark Davis! Will tonight make a major change to the PPV card?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: PAC, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia VS Jay Lethal, Adam Priest & Tommy Billington; Pac, Yuta & Garcia win.
- Mark Briscoe VS Mark Davis; Briscoe wins.
- MXM TV Casting Call: Taya Valkyrie w/ MXM TV VS Tay Melo; Melo wins.
- AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Scorpio Sky; Fletcher wins and retains the title.
- Riho & Alex Windsor VS Hyan & Maya World; Riho & Windsor win.
- 8 Man Tag: FTR & LFI VS Bandido, Juice Robinson & #JetSpeed; win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: PAC, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia VS Jay Lethal, Adam Priest & Tommy Billington!
Blood & Guts 2025 was the most brutal one yet, and yet the most brutal faction in AEW lost! The Bastard, The Decoder & The Red Death want to take out their anger, but will they be standing tall after this Collision? Or will The Franchise Player, #AllGenresAdam & The Dynamite Kid just add insult to injury?
Garcia gets into it with Matt Menard during the entrance, and then Garcia SLAPS the headset off of Daddy Magic! The fans cheer Menard on as he throws hands with Garcia! Nigel & Schiavone do their best to stay back, Pac & Yuta tell Garcia to leave Menard alone, they’ve got the match to worry about. Garcia stops, Lethal’s team makes their entrance, will they make Garcia pay for bullying Menard?
Jon Moxley, of all people, takes Menard’s seat at commentary while the teams sort out. But then they don’t and the Death Riders rush Team Lethal! Priest LARIATS Garcia and puts him in a corner while Lethal & Tommy brawl with Yuta & Pac! Then Priest LARIATS in a corner, Lethal adds a LARIAT of his own, then they feed Garcia to Tommy’s BACKDROP! Priest keeps on Garcia in a corner and rains down fists! The fans count but Garcia shoves Priest away at 7. Priest DROPKICKS Garcia, Pac tags in, and Priest arm-drags! Tag to Lethal, they mug Pac, and then Lethal whips. Pac ducks to waistlock, Lethal switches to shove, hip toss, and handspring DROPKICK!
Moxley’s headset finally works, and he sarcastically says, “Oh my gosh, what an unfortunate situation that was.” Lethal covers, ONE, but Lethal drags Pac back up. Pac KNEES low, tags Yuta, but Lethal arm-drags Yuta! The fans cheer Lethal as he drags Yuta over, tag to Tommy. They double whip Yuta, Garcia tags in, Yuta still takes DOUBLE ELBOWS! Garcia CLOBBERS Tommy and soaks up the heat as fans boo. Garcia reels Tommy in, but Tommy snap suplexes first! The fans cheer and Tommy tags Priest. They hit a BIG double back suplex, then Priest covers, ONE! Meanwhile, Moxley dares to say Menard is the one bringing negativity into the work place!
Garcia goes to ropes, Priest brings him up and UPPERCUTS him down! Priest has Garcia in a corner, CHOPS him, and the fans “WOO~!” Priest snap suplexes Garcia, covers, TWO! Priest tags Tommy, Garcia tries to fight back but Tommy stomps him. Tommy ROCKS Garcia, HEADBUTTS Garcia, and tags Priest back in. They double whip Garcia, DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE, and they high-five. But Yuta CLOBBERS Priest! Tommy JUMP KNEES Yuta! Garcia rushes Priest, shoves him, then redirects to runt he ropes again and again. The fans cheer as they keep going, then Garcia drops down. Garcia baits Tommy in for Yuta to DUMP out to the floor!
The fans boo but Yuta argues with the ref. Garcia goes to the corner, Pac tags in, and Pac stalks Tommy around the way. Pac SMACKS Tommy off the apron, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Pac brings Tommy around and whips him hard into railing! Pac then drags Tommy up, brings him over, and snap suplexes him to the floor! Pac digs his heel into Tommy’s neck, but stops as the ref reprimands. Pac puts Tommy back in the ring, stomps him, then paces around him. Tommy reaches out but Pac wrenches his arm. Tag to Yuta, they mug Tommy, then Yuta SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Tommy toughs it out but Yuta just clamps on with a clinch. Tommy fires body shots and forearms! But Yuta picks a leg and trips him! Tag to Garcia, he stomps away on Tommy! Garcia soaks up more heat from Erie before he drags Tommy over.
Garcia tags Pac, they both stomp away, but stop as the ref reprimands. Pac soaks up heat, flips off Lethal, then goes back to Tommy. Pac CLAWS Tommy’s eyes, stops as the ref reprimands, then paces around again. Pac soaks up more heat and Collision returns to single picture. Pac CLUBS Tommy down, taunts Lethal, and drags Tommy up. The fans rally as Tommy fights back, but Pac CLUBS him down. Pac stomps Tommy, digs his boots in, then argues with the ref. That lets Yuta & Garcia get cheap shots in! The fans boo but the Death Riders get away with it again. Pac stomps Tommy again, digs his heel in, and Moxley says this is a bad night for Tommy.
Tag to Yuta and Yuta drags Tommy up. The fans rally for Tommy but Yuta reels him in. Tommy fights the suplex, Yuta fires body shots, then Yuta BITES Tommy’s forehead! The ref counts, Yuta stops, and he tags Garcia. Garcia tags Pac, and The Death Riders set up, but Lethal grabs at Yuta’s hair! The ref reprimands, there’s a lot of scrapping between The Death Riders and Team Lethal, but they still send Yuta in for an ELBOW on Tommy! Garcia LARIATS! Pac UPPERCUTS! And repeat! The fans boo as the cycle keeps going, but Moxley says this is about endurance and intensity! Pac then scoops Tommy, for a TOMBSTONE! Cover, but Lethal & Priest break it!
The fans cheer, the brawl is on, and Yuta & Garcia TOSS Lethal & Priest! Pac tags Yuta, Yuta puts Tommy on the top rope, and Yuta climbs up. Yuta is on the very top, but Tommy fights back! Tommy fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT and Yuta falls! The fans fire up as Tommy adjusts, MISSILE DROPKICK! Both men are down, Moxley admits that was thunderous, and the fans are thunderous themselves. But Garcia BLASTS Lethal & Priest! The fans boo but Tommy whips Garcia away! Then he CROSSBODIES Garcia and himself to the outside! A rough landing either way and the fans rally up.
Yuta crawls, Tommy stirs, Priest coaches Tommy up, and Marina shouts for Garcia to get up, too. Hot tags to Pac and Lethal! Lethal rallies on the Death Riders! DRAGON SCREW for Pac! DRAGON SCREW for Yuta! And then a takedown on Pac! But Pac boots him away! So Lethal trips Yuta! Yuta boots Lethal away, Lethal ENZIGIRIS Pac! And clinches Yuta, LETHAL COMBINATION! The fans fire up as Lethal trips Pac again! Lethal steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Moxley does not like seeing this! Garcia CHOKES Lethal! The fans boo but Priest storms in and fires hands! Garcia whips, Priest reverses and Garcia tumbles out!
Pac ROCKS Priest, Lethal SUPERKICKS Pac! Lethal handsprings, but Pac sends Priest in the way! LETHAL INJECTION on Priest!! Roll-up on Lethal, TWO!! Lethal and Pac roll, they fight for control, BRUTALIZER!! Lethal endures, but he QUITS! Death Riders win!
Winners: PAC, Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia, by submission
Moxley says, “And that’s how it’s done.” The Death Riders rebound from Blood & Guts, but Pac grabs a mic to talk. “Oi, oi, oi…! From what I’ve heard, Darby Allin, he isn’t here tonight. And I can’t say I’m surprised. Y’see, what I did to Darby Allin at Blood & Guts, it was bloody beautiful. It was the best thing that I’ve ever done! Y’see, I’ve achieved a lot in professional wrestling, but standing and watching him burn… Well, I consider that my magnum opus! My piece la resistance! A masterpiece nonetheless. And no doubt, if Darby is still alive, he’ll want some form of petty revenge. Well, hey! Darby! I’ll be honest with ya: that’s no skin off my ball sack, ya little freak!
“Y’see, you wanna piece of me? No problem! Me and you, mano y mano, any time, any where! And where better than one week from tonight, live on PPV from New Jersey, AEW Full Gear? Y’see, Darby, you get a chance at retribution. But I get a chance to prove to the entire world, live on PPV, that a punk like you doesn’t belong int he same conversation, never mind the same league, as a competitor like ME!” The fans boo, but Pac tells Darby, “Have a little think about it, and let me know, wontcha? I’ll be waiting.” The Bastard has thrown out the challenge, but will- or rather, can Darby Allin accept?
Backstage interview with Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis.
Lexy Nair is with Aussie Open as she brings up the big week for the Don Callis Family. Tonight, Mark Davis takes on Mark Briscoe while Kyle defends the TNT Championship against Scorpio Sky. If successful, we will get Fletcher VS Briscoe 6 at Full Gear. Fletcher is already annoyed, because he is sick of talking about Briscoe! Briscoe has been a thorn in The Family’s side for far too long. At Full Gear, Fletcher puts Briscoe in his place for good. But tonight, Briscoe has to deal with this man! Davis tells “Chicken Man Briscoe” that he won’t even make it to Full Gear, because after Davis wins tonight, chicken is for dinner! RARARARAR!
Fletcher says goodness. Good for Davis, but on Fletcher’s menu is Scorpio Sky. Fletcher tells Scorpio that he is very impressive, undefeated since returning, and a former two-time TNT Champion. But with the roll Fletcher is on, it stops for NOBODY. Get ready to say his full name. Will The Protostar & Dunkzilla dominate on behalf of the Callis Family? Or can a lot change in just one night?
Backstage interview with Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa.
Collision returns as Lexy is now with the Timeless Love Bombs. Lexy notes that no one left Blood & Guts unscathed. Mina is clearly not cleared to compete tonight, and- Toni takes the mic to stop Lexy so that she can say, “Five women made me watch a mugging, a massacre, a murder. Now you can do what you like to me, Toni Storm lives and dies every damn day. But when you touch the woman I love… A woman who brings color to a world that is black ‘n’ white… Then you gain admission to a film, a cinema verité, that stars five sh*t-ass slop tarts and two horror show whores with a lust for vengeance who will love bomb the crap out of you!
“And since it’s your turn to watch, we promise to look good when we do it. Any time, any place. The show must go on. Don’t ask God for mercy, He’s a big fan of our work.” The femme fatale has spoken, but when and where will she and the Fighting Gravure Idol get their hands on Megan, Marina, and the rest?
Mark Briscoe VS Mark Davis!
The Sussex County Chicken almost didn’t make it into Blood & Guts after a backstage ambush from the Don Callis Family, but he showed he can #ManUp and even win at less than 100%! But will Briscoe need to fight like Hell all over again? Or will Dunkzilla make him easy pickings for The Protostar?
Well, Briscoe doesn’t even wait for Davis to get in the ring, he intercepts Davis at the ramp! The fans fire up as the brawl is on! Moxley is still on commentary and he likes this already. Davis ROCKS Briscoe, CHOPS Briscoe, then whips Briscoe into railing! Briscoe writhes, but Davis whips him into more railing! Davis snarls and stalks Briscoe, puts him in the ring, and the bell sounds! Briscoe DECKS Davis off the apron, then he WRECKS Davis with a dropkick! Then BLOCKBUSTER to the floor! The fans fire up with Briscoe, he fires hands on Davis, but Davis pushes him away. Briscoe comes back to DROPKICK!
The fans chant, “Let’s Go, Mark!” and Briscoe goes to the apron. BANG BANG, FOLEY- NO, Davis FOREARMS Briscoe outta the sky! Then he APRON BACK SUPLEXES! Briscoe flops down, Davis drags him up and around, then he TOSSES Briscoe at the railing! Briscoe lands in a heap, the fans boo, but Davis drags Briscoe back up. Davis puts Briscoe in the ring, then stalks him to a corner. Davis CHOKES Briscoe, stops as the ref counts, and then Davis CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans rally, Davis whips corner to corner, but “This Mark Sucks!” Briscoe goes up and over, then he ROCKS Davis! And UPPERCUTS!
The fans fire up for Briscoe as he climbs, but Davis ROCKS him! Davis climbs up, throws hands, but the fans boo. Davis still goes to TEN, then he stands on the very top. SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO! Briscoe toughs it out but Davis grits his teeth. Davis looms over Briscoe, the fans rally up, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Davis drags Briscoe up, scoops and SLAMS, then SENTONS! Briscoe sputters but Davis KICKS Briscoe in the back! And again, and again! Davis paces while Briscoe crawls to a corner. Davis storms up to dig his boot in, the ref counts and Davis stops at 4. Davis mocks Briscoe, then drags him up. Davis suplexes to THROW Briscoe away! Briscoe flounders to the far corner but Davis storms up again. Briscoe CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Bur Davis scoops to SLAM again! Davis paces, then he stomps Briscoe. Davis stalks Briscoe to the ropes, CHOKES him, then stops as the ref counts. Davis TOSSES Briscoe out and soaks up heat.
Briscoe sputters against commentary, staggers towards railing, then collapses while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns as Davis has Briscoe in a COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Briscoe fights free, but Davis is too hefty to hip toss! Davis then LARIATS Briscoe down! Davis says it’s done now! The fans boo but Davis drags Briscoe around. Davis wrenches Briscoe to CHOP him down! Davis stands Briscoe up, just to CHOP him back down! And then again! But Briscoe stays standing this time! Davis CHOPS again, but Briscoe fires up! The fans fire up, Davis CHOPS again, but Briscoe is just feeing off it! Briscoe then CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The CHOPS keep going, the fans “WOO~,” and things speed up!
Briscoe ducks ‘n’ dodges and RAMS Davis! Davis rebounds, Briscoe ducks ‘n’ dodges again to FLYING FOREARM! Both Marks are down but the fans fire up! Briscoe is at the ropes, Davis stands at center, and Davis CHOPS! Briscoe CHOPS! And repeat! The CHOPS go back and forth! Briscoe fires as flurry of forearms, then more CHOPS! Briscoe runs, but Davis CLOBBERS him at the ropes! Davis runs, but Briscoe returns the favor! Then Briscoe feints Davis, waistlocks, but Davis fights free. Davis waistlocks, but Briscoe breaks free to PELE! Briscoe then reels Davis in, hooks a leg, but Davis suplexes! Briscoe makes it a cradle, TWO!
Briscoe ducks the enzigiri, BOOTS Davis, then hits the FISHERMAN BUSTER! The fans fire up and Briscoe goes to the corner! Briscoe climbs while Davis is down, FROGGY-BOWÂ onto knees! Davis turns things around, then runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Briscoe survives and the fans fire up! Davis roars, and he reels Briscoe in for a STUFF PILEDRIVER! Briscoe flounders out of the ring! The fans rally as Briscoe ends up taking a seat. Davis runs up, ELBOW against the barriers! The fans boo but Davis puts Briscoe back in. Davis then chucks the chair into the ring, brings another one in, but Briscoe BOOTS Davis down!
Briscoe hurries to set up the one chair, and he uses it to FLY! Down goes Davis! The fans fire up and Briscoe high-fives the front row! Briscoe puts Davis in, then climbs up, FROGGY- NO, Briscoe rolls through as Davis moves. Briscoe comes back, btu Davis pops him up to CROTCH him on the ropes! Davis then climbs up to have Briscoe, but Briscoe slips free! Briscoe trips Davis and Davis lands on his down under! Briscoe goes back up again, for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, Briscoe wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall
Third time is the charm, and now Chicken is red hot going towards Full Gear! But will Briscoe be able to take the TNT Championship, no matter who he’s facing? Or will The Don Callis Family be the winners in the end?
Team Sky Flight speaks.
Christopher Daniels focuses himself before telling Scorpio Sky, “Ever since you decided to start this team of Sky Flight, we have led these guys to some great victories. We are on a roll in the world of professional wrestling, but I think it’s time for you to become a little bit selfish, get some glory for yourself, and regain that gold.” Scorpio says, “It’s been 1228 days since I lost the TNT Title. And not one of ’em has gone by where I haven’t thought about getting it back. The last few years have not been easy for me, but none of it compares to what stands in front of me tonight.
“Kyle Fletcher, you are every bit as good as you think you are. But I’ve got the experience to know that what sticks with you in this business aren’t the victories, it’s the night that should’ve been victories but weren’t. Defeat comes for us all, Kyle. And tonight, yours comes from The Sky.” Scorpio snaps his fingers and we go to break. Will The Closer strike out the Protostar and completely change Full Gear?
Josh Alexander is beating up Michael Nakazawa?!
The Walking Weapon is sending a message to Kenny Omega through the last friend standing! He asks if this all sounds familiar! Kenny’s best friends and loved ones kicking and screaming! Just like Kota Ibushi! This is fun for Alexander! HE is an instrument of destruction for the Don Callis Family! So what do you think he’ll do for a million dollars at Full Gear? If Kenny wants to be at Boston for the AEW super show, TOO LATE! Alexander CLUBS Nakazawa’s leg! But will the Callis Family pay dearly for everything they’ve done to Kenny’s friends?
MXM TV is here!
And after they POSE together in the ring, Mansoor has the mic to say, “MXM TV kindly requests you slack-jawed, odious troglodytes to SHUT UP! This is the most exciting thing to ever happen to your Podunk town. Because this is the MXM TV Casting Call! Any combination of MXM TV VS any combination of anyone in the back! And the only thing that’s gonna be eerie is how ugly they’re gonna be after we rearrange their face!” The fans boo but Mansoor says time to find out who they’re beating tonight! Arkady Aura says it is a singles match, and she introduces… Tay Melo! Will the Blackbelt Brazilian Beauty beat some humility into Mrs. TV?
Taya Valkyrie w/ MXM TV VS Tay Melo!
The bell rings, Taya mocks the hip shaking, but then Tay BOOTS Taya down! The fans fire up as Tay fires off forearms on Taya in the corner, but Taya shoves her away. Taya ROCKS Tay, but Tay CHOPS in return! Tay whips corner to corner, but Taya dodges! Tay ELBOWS Taya, Taya ROCKS Tay! Taya blocks boots, puts Tay in the ropes, ROUNDHOUSE and SLIDING GERMAN! MXM TV cheers on their leading lady, Moxley says Taya has aura, and Taya drags Tay out. Taya & Johnny kiss, then Taya whips. But Tay reverses to send Taya into steps! Tay dares the boys to try something, they say this should go back in the ring!
Tay goes in, to then climb up! The fans fire up as Tay SUPER CANNONBALLS! Down go Johnny and Mansoor! Mason saved Taya, but then Tay BOOTS him! And KNEES Taya! Tay puts Taya in the ring, storms up on her, and Gory Especial for the TAY K O!! Cover, Tay wins!
Winner: Tay Melo, by pinfall
MXM TV is reeling, but Tay promises she and Anna Jay will be tag team champions. But MARINA SHAFIR ATTACKS! The fans boo but The Problem THROWS Tay down, then wraps her up in MOTHER’S MILK!! Tay flails, but TONI STORM rushes out here! She BLASTS Taya just because, then she SHOTGUNS Marina! Toni reels Marina in, STORM ZERO!! The fans are all fired up as Toni gets just a taste of revenge! Moxley says he didn’t see that coming. But will anyone stop Toni & Mina from having their fill?
AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Scorpio Sky w/ Christopher Daniels!
As it stands, Fletcher and Briscoe will compete for this title at Full Gear, with the added stipulation that Briscoe losing means he’d join the Don Callis Family. Can The Closer not only take the title but throw a wrench into those plans? Or will the Aussie Arrow stay on target from here to New Jersey?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the greatest Face of TNT ever!
The bell rings and Scorpio offers a handshake. The fans cheer for it, but Kyle kicks it away. The fans boo that but Scorpio shakes it off. They tie up, go around, and Kyle puts Scorpio in the corner. The ref counts, Kyle backs off, and the two go again. They knuckle lock, have a Test of Strength, but Scorpio wrenches to a wristlock. Scorpio YANKS the arm, Kyle rolls and wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER! The fans rally as Scorpio endures the wristlock. Scorpio rolls, Kyle wrangles him, and he slaps Scorpio’s arm to mock him and the fans. Scorpio fights up, he trips Kyle, but Kyle has the ROPEBREAK! Scorpio lets off, and he waits on Kyle.
Kyle and Scorpio reset, circle again, and they feel things out. They knuckle lock, the fans rally, and the two go shoulder to shoulder in another Test of Strength. Kyle powers Scorpio back, Scorpio turns things around, and now Scorpio crowds Kyle. The ref counts, Scorpio backs off, and Kyle bails out. The fans boo but Kyle tells Daniels to watch himself. But then Scorpio tries on Kyle’s coat! The fans cheer but Kyle is mad. Kyle storms in, ties up with Scorpio, and Scorpio wrenches to YANK, YANK, and YANK the arm. Fletcher whips free, Scorpio reverses to trip Kyle! Scorpio then floats to an armlock!
Kyle fights up, puts Scorpio in the corner, but the ref counts. Kyle whips, Scorpio goes up and over, but the leg buckles! That’s been the prevailing injury for Scorpio in his AEW career, but wait! It’s a trick! He rolls Kyle up! TWO!! Scorpio CHOPS Kyle, smirks, but Kyle fires a forearm! They go forearm for forearm, Kyle fires a flurry, and the fans are torn. Kyle runs, but Scorpio JUMPING ELBOWS! Kyle flounders out of the ring, Moxley says Kyle learned a bit of gamesmanship here. Scorpio goes out after Kyle to ROCK him and CHOP him! Kyle ducks a shot to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Scorpio writhes, Daniels coaches him, but Kyle BOOTS Daniels!
The fans boo as Kyle takes down the Fallen Angel for no good reason. Kyle flexes, then tells Daniels to stay out of his business! Kyle storms up on Scorpio, but Scorpio fires off forearms and haymakers! Scorpio whips and Kyle hits steel steps hard! The fans rally while Scorpio checks Daniels, and Collision goes picture in picture.
A ringside medic checks Daniels while Daniels tells Scorpio to focus on Kyle. Scorpio stalks Kyle around the way, they go into the ring, and Scorpio storms up, only for Kyle to ELBOW him down! Kyle rains down fists and elbows, only stopping to shout and yell. Kyle seethes before going back to Scorpio for a stomp. Scorpio goes to the corner, Kyle runs up and he BOOTS Scorpio down! Kyle JUMP STOMPS again and again but the ref counts. Kyle backs off at 4 while Scorpio sputters. Kyle storms up on Scorpio again, brings him up and around, then whips him to the corner. Kyle runs in for a forearm SMASH!
Kyle reels Scorpio in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Scorpio toughs it out but Kyle stays focused. Scorpio goes to ropes, Kyle scoops him and SLAMS him! Kyle paces around Scorpio, daring him to get up. Scorpio rises, Kyle stomps him down, and then Kyle slaps Scorpio around. Kyle scoops and SLAMS again, then clamps on a chinlock. Scorpio endures as Kyle leans on the hold, and Collision returns to single picture. The fans rally, Scorpio fights around, and Scorpio rises to his feet. Kyle KNEES Scorpio low! Then he AX HANDLES Scorpio down! Kyle taunts Scorpio while he BOOTS, and SUPERKICKS!
Scorpio eggs Kyle on!? Kyle fires forearm after forearm on Scorpio, but Scorpio leans into the shots! Scorpio fires in return, and he fires a flurry! Scorpio CLAWS eyes, then rains down fists in the corner! He goes PAST TEN to get about TWENTY! The fans fire up for that, but Kyle swings! Scorpio kicks low, then BITES Kyle on the forehead! The ref reprimands but Scorpio runs to LARIAT Kyle up and out! The fans fire up again and Scorpio PLANCHAS, only for Kyle to dodge! Kyle kicks low, reels Scorpio in, then lifts, only for Scorpio to fight free! Scorpio is on the apron and he mule kicks Kyle away! Then he FLYING RANAS Kyle to the floor!
The fans fire up and Moxley admits, that was incredible. Scorpio rises, rolls into the ring, and Kyle stands. Scorpio FLIES and wipes Kyle out! The fans fire up with Scorpio and he puts Kyle back in the ring. Scorpio duck s ‘n’ dodges, then SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives and Scorpio is frustrated but the fans continue to rally. Kyle goes to a corner, Scorpio storms up on him, but Kyle fights the fireman’s carry! Kyle throws down elbows, Scorpio fireman’s carries anyway, but Kyle slips free! SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Scorpio ends up in the corner and Kyle snarls. Scorpio drags himself back up, but into the GAMANGIRI!
Kyle reels Scorpio in, but Scorpio fights the suplex! Scorpio BITES Kyle’s hand while he wrenches free! The ref reprimands but Kyle breaks free. Scorpio blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Kyle writhes and rolls to the apron. Scorpio storms up again, but Kyle avoids the shoulder to KICK Scorpio! Kyle drags Scorpio out to the apron, suplexes, but Scorpio escapes inside! HOTSHOT! Kyle sputters, Scorpio hurries back up, and Scorpio SLINGSHOT CUTTERS on the apron!! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kyle manages to crawl inside and Scorpio goes up a corner. DEEP IMPACT!! Cover, TWO!!
Kyle survives and Scorpio is beside himself but the fans fire up! Scorpio and Kyle both rise, and the two fire forearms! They go back and forth, Kyle kicks low, but then Scorpio blocks to ROCK Kyle! Kyle BOOTS Scorpio! Kyle runs, but into a trip and roll-back! HALF CRAB! Kyle endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Scorpio holds until the ref counts 4, and he lets go in frustration. The fans rally and duel as Kyle goes to a corner. Scorpio runs up, blocks a boot, but Kyle SUPERKICKS! “This is Awesome!” as Kyle clinches Scorpio, scoops him, and MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Scorpio survives but Kyle just GAMANGIRIS in the corner!
Kyle reels Scorpio in, suplexes, SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Kyle wins!
Winner: Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)
The Closer threw as much heat as he could, but Kyle still hit it out of the park. But then Davis joins in and they mug Scorpio! The fans boo, but here comes Top Flight! Darius & Dante chase Aussie Open off, and even Briscoe is here! Briscoe gets a mic and tells Kyle to do him a favor: Tell Callis that Briscoe will not be stopped. They ambushed him on Wednesday, but what happened? Briscoe’s team emerged victorious! Ask Davis there if he slowed Briscoe down at all. Briscoe whooped that big burly ass! And Kyle, the main thing to do is that the next time “Daddy Don” has Kyle shine that big bald head of his, shine the belt up, too.
Kyle should snuggle with the belt real tight tonight. Give it kisses and hugs, because in one week, Full Gear, that title comes home with Briscoe! The fans cheer that! Kyle tells Briscoe that his screws are loose. They had nothing to do with attacking Briscoe on Wednesday. And this was also defense number eight! One defense from breaking the all-time TNT Championship record! So the only thing that’ll happen one week from tonight is Kyle cementing his legacy as the GREATEST TNT CHAMPION OF ALL TIME! And when that happens, there is a spot with Briscoe’s name on it right next to them in the Don Callis Family.
“And then you will have no choice, like all of these people, but to say my full name.” Fletcher gets the last word tonight, but will Briscoe have the last laugh at Full Gear?
AEW prepares for a big money Tailgate Brawl!
The 5 Tool Player says, “$200,000? Tony, that’s not even nearly enough to get me to wanna tag with this guy.” Platinum Max says yeah, they can’t agree on anything except that they don’t wanna be a tag team. But TK is forcing them, so they’ll take his money, beat up his wrestlers, and hopefully never tag again. Just don’t make them do this. #RockHardRobinson says tonight is a sneak-peek at what goes down at Tailgate Brawl. They’ll win and take all the money to invest it into their 401K! Because the Bang Bang Gang plays for keeps!
But Bryan Keith says $200K is just the right bounty for him and Big Bill! And Bill says he’ll get some of his boys up in Jersey to put that money to work for them. They’ll get 200K from TK, PAY UP! The Outrunners say four teams enter, but only one team has the size to win the prize! Tell ’em, Turb! It’s a $200K Fatal 4 Way Tailgate, and they know something about getting tail and spending money! The Youngest Men Alive vow to win, but who hits the jackpot in New Jersey?
Riho & Alex Windsor VS Hyan & Maya World!
The Wrestling Idol & Iron Will will be in the Women’s Tag Team title tournament, but they’re getting a tune-up here tonight in Erie! Will Riho & Windsor be more than ready for Toni & Mina? Or will The Renaissance Woman & #ThatGirl prove they’re just as All Elite?
The teams sort out and Riho starts against Hyan. The fans rally up already as the two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Hyan’s height is leverage to put Riho on the ropes, then she backs off. The two tie up again, Riho rolls and then trips Hyan to cover, ONE! Hyan sweeps to cover, ONE as Riho goes Matrix! Riho DROPKICKS Hyan and the fans fire up! Riho runs up and KNEES Hyan, then goes corner to corner to KNEE her again! But Hyan scoops Riho! Hyan pops Riho up to a fireman’s carry, but Riho sunset flips it, TWO! Hyan BOOTS Riho, tags Maya, and Maya DROPKICKS Riho! May a kips up, but Alex tags in!
The fans rally as Alex ROCKS Maya again and again and again! Alex whips Maya to ropes, but Maya RAN- NO! Alex drops Maya to go for the legs. Maya BOOTS free, but Riho sneaks the tag before Alex DROPKICKS Maya! Alex goes to cover but Maya slips out and handsprings over! Only for Riho to DROPKICK and TABLE TOP her! The fans fire up as Alex gives Riho the boost to RANA Maya! Alex LARIATS Maya, then dodges Hyan to CHOOP! And CHOP! BOOSTED DROPKICK for Hyan! Then Alex sets up, Riho runs in, POETRY IN MOTION on Maya! The fans fire up and Alex steps outside. Hyan grabs at her, Alex kicks free, then Alex avoids Maya’s leg sweep.
Alex SUPERKICKS Maya into Hyan, then she CANNONBALLS them both down! The fans fire up and Alex sets things up for Riho to SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans fire up, Riho high-fives the front row, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Riho goes back to the ring, Alex puts Maya in, and Riho covers, TWO! Riho runs, wheelbarrows, and victory rolls, only for Maya to UP KICK first! Maya drags Riho up and tags Hyan. They bring Riho around to double whip and DOUBLE ELBOW her down! Hyan drops the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Riho survives, the fans rally, but Hyan drags Riho up. Hyan bumps Riho off buckles, RAMS her into the corner, then digs her shoulder in. The ref counts, Hyan stops at 4, then she whips Riho to ELBOW her! Hyan snapmare rolls, then KNEE SMASH and back suplex, only for Riho to land out! ENZIGIRI!
Riho and Hyan crawl, the fans rally up, but Hyan drags Riho back for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Riho toughs it out but Hyan keeps her cool. Hyan drags Riho up, bumps her off buckles, and tags Maya. Maya stomps a mudhole while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns as Maya has Riho down with a chinlock. The fans rally as Riho endures and fights back up. Riho fires elbows, but Maya CLUBS her on the back. Maya suplexes, but Riho slips free! Hot tag to Alex! The fans fire up as Alex rallies on Maya! LARIAT after LARIAT, then UPPERCUT in the corner! Alex gets moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges then redirects to LARIAT! The fans fire up with the kip up, and Alexa fireman’s carries. Maya fights free, fireman’s carries in return, but Alex fights free! They go to ropes, Maya bucks the O’Conner, but Alex scoops, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, Hyan breaks it in time!
Hyan runs up and BOOTS Alex! Riho tags back in, she wheelbarrows, but Hyan stops the victory roll! Alex LARIATS Hyan into the STOMP 182! SUPERKICK! Hyan tumbles out, Maya staggers up, but she dodges Alex to send her into Riho! GERMAN SUPELX on Alex! Riho gets around, Maya fights the lift and ELBOWS free. Maya runs, but into a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Riho tilt-o-whirls, but Maya stays up! Alex LARIATS Maya into the CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, Riho & Alex win!
Winners: Riho & Alex Windsor, by pinfall
Even Moxley is impressed with that combo, but now Toni Storm is on the tron. She tells Windsor & Riho, “Congratulations on your lovely match. We will be seeing you in the first round of the tag team tournament, and I wish to apologize in advance. We consider you both wonderful athletes, and non-sexual friends. This isn’t personal, so please excuse us as we rip off your heads and s*it on your laps. We are lovers during a very dangerous time, and we are on a very rocky road to revenge, and no woman can stop us! So please, let’s have a bloody good time!” Kiss, kiss, and shove it!
Riho is rather taken aback by all that, but Alex says no, it’ll be a bloody good time indeed. But which team will have their happy ending to kick off their part in the tournament?
AEW shares footage from after Blood & Guts.
The Conglomeration regrouped backstage, and Kyle O’Reilly thinks back on his debut in AEW. It was in the Greensboro Coliseum, it was a bit awkward, but then six months into his AEW career, he basically broke his neck even before facing Jon Moxley. A bad call, and he would not wrestle again for almost two years. Moxley almost ended Kyle’s career. Kyle didn’t know if he’d even pick up his daughter again, let alone wrestle. But here he is, three years later, fighting Moxley again and again. Like a petulant child, Moxley punches a ref. Moxley is a shark, he’s swimming in his natural habitat, looking for prey.
But the thing about sharks, once you sense their movements, once you know what it is, you know how to beat it. Kyle has a submission victory over Jon Moxley! Any other time, any other place, prove him wrong. Moxley on commentary responds by saying, “Oh, you thought that was funny? Hey, what’d we learn earlier with Daddy Magic?” The fans drown Moxley out with “You Tapped Out!” so Moxley gets off commentary to taunt them back. The chant continues, but Moxley grabs a mic to tell The Conglomeration that they had the night of their lives on Wednesday.
“But let’s all be clear, Kyle O’Reilly…! You are nothing like me! You are not built like me! Your team is not built like my team, and don’t you forget it! Oh, you won a match? You won one match? Good for you. Can you do it again and again and again and again? I don’t think you can, and I don’t need to bet a million dollars to prove that you can’t do it again! Lemme tell you something, Kyle O’Reilly! Lemme tell you something, Conglomeration! Any match, any time, any place, you know where you can find us!” Moxley storms off into the night, but what will happen when this Maniac and the Violent Artist meet again?
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The Last Time is Now on SmackDown!
LA Knight is in the Last Time is Now Tournament, determined to meet John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but who is his opponent?! Time to find out, YEAH!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz; Jey wins and advances.
- WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom; Ilja wins and retains the title.
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS Zack Ryder; Knight wins and advances.
- Jade Cargill VS B-Fab; Jade wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman; Cody wins, by disqualifications, and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley AND Iyo Sky are here!
Albany, New York fires up as Mami & The Genius are both here on SmackDown following the chaos on Raw. Because at Survivor Series, Rhea said it herself: WARGAMES! Rhea & Iyo each get a mic and the fans cheer them both on. Rhea says, “Since I’ve been out with a broken nose, the Kabuki Warriors, they’ve been causing a little bit of chaos. And now that they’ve managed to get their hands on the Tag Team Championships, they think they’re pretty much untouchable.” The fans boo, but then Rhea says throw Nia Jax & Lash Legend into the mix, which the fans boo also… “And now they think they are untouchable again because they have the ‘numbers advantage.'”
But the funny thing about numbers is you just end up with more enemies. Iyo says, “A lot of enemies. But they always catch up to you. And now, there is nowhere to hide! WARGAAAMES~!” The fans cheer as Iyo & Rhea go wild for that. Rhea says, “And y’know what? We’re not going in alone. So I would like to introduce two of our teammates: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!” The fans cheer as the former tag team champions make their way out to the ring, Charlotte in a modern art suit with her pyro, and then followed by Alexa in her goth preppy fusion. #Charlexa stands with Rhea & Iyo in the ring, mics also in hand.
The four hug it out and the fans “WOO~!” Alexa says if the Kabukis wanna play dirty, fine. If Nia & Lash wanna jump in, too, great! And they can get all four at once, it is so on! Those four started this fight, these four will end it! The very second Rhea said, “WarGames,” Alexa knew they were in. Right, Charlotte? The fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte says, “Lexi, I can’t do this. I can’t pretend anymore.” What? “Look, Rhea. I don’t like you.” The fans boo and Iyo is shocked. Charlotte says she doesn’t trust Rhea, and she thinks Rhea is a snake. But Rhea doesn’t like or trust Charlotte and probably thinks she’s the snake, and Charlotte doesn’t blame her.
There is too much history here, too much bad blood. Just because they have the same enemies doesn’t change that. Charlotte cannot look past it. Alexa is Charlotte’s friend, she trusts Alexa. So if Alexa wants to do this, that’s fine. But count Charlotte out. What!? The fans boo as The Queen steps away, but Alexa calls after her. Charlotte goes up the ramp, Alexa apologizes to the others and tries to figure out why Charlotte did this. Can Alexa get Charlotte to change her mind before it’s time to go to war?
Jey Uso is in the concourse!
And he asks them to please, please, play his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up and bounces along as Main Event Jey Uso makes his entrance, ready for The Last Time Is Now! But will it be Albany, New YEET? Or will the Hollywood A-Lister put all that fire from last week to good use?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz!
SmackDown returns and the fans continue to YEET, and then they want the encore! But instead, The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Miz KNEES low! Miz CLUBS Jey, then talks some trash. The fans rally for Jey but Miz brings Jey around. Jey blocks the buckle bump to fire off haymakers, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Miz reverses, and Miz hits a kitchen sink KNEE! The fans boo but Miz soaks up the heat. Jey goes to ropes, Miz storms up on him, and Miz fires haymakers of his own! Miz soaks up more heat as he backs p, then he runs in, but Jey turns lariat into backslide! TWO!
The fans fire up as Jey stands, but Miz blocks a kick! Miz spins Jey, the DRAGON WHIP hits! Miz ends up on the apron, but he slides under Jey to sunset flip! TWO, and Miz catches Jey now! Jey fights the Finale with ama r-drag, but Miz avoids the superkick! So Jey LARIATS Miz up and out! The fans fire up and “YEET!” Jey builds speed and DIVDSE! Miz is send into the desk! Albany fires up while Jey snarls and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Miz stalks Jey. The tide has turned and Miz storms up, but Jey ELBOWS him away! Jey goes up, but Miz kicks the legs out! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Then a DDT! Jey gets spiked! Miz covers, TWO! Jey survives and Miz is stunned! Miz snarls as Jey sits up, and then Miz KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, and Miz winds up, only for Jey to duck the buzzsaw! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and crawls to a corner while Jey shakes his head. The fans rally as Jey goes to the other corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs up, but Miz dodges!
Miz runs up and SHOULDER TAKCKLES! And SHOULDER TACKLES! Miz parodies John Cena with the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Miz says when his hand goes up, your mouths go shut. “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! The fans are torn as Miz now fireman’s carries Jey! But Jey fights free, shoves Miz, SUPERKICK! Then a fireman’s carry in return! Miz slips free, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and everyone is shocked, especially Miz! Jey flounders, stands, and goes to a corner. Albany is thunderous for Jey but Miz storms right up on him.
Miz puts Jey up top, then climbs up after him! Miz full nelsons again! But Jey fires elbows! Then he fireman’s carries Miz! The fans are thunderous as Jey hits a TOP ROPE RACK DROP! Then he gest moving, SPEAR!! Jey doesn’t stop there, he goes up the corner again! USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Albany YEETS again as Jey stays alive in the tournament! But who else will join him, Sheamus, and Rusev on the road to Washington, DC?
Ilja Dragunov talks with Nick Aldis.
The Mad Russian Dragon is glad he gets to have another Open Challenge, but then in walks Tommaso Ciampa. The Sicilian Psycho hopes Aldis is explaining to “our so-called fighting champion” how to respect the rules of an Open Challenge. Aldis says the champion has every right to dictate the rules how he sees fit, but Johnny Gargano asks if Ilja has the right to call his best friend a jackass. Candice LeRae asks if Ciampa looks like a jackass! Enough with calling him a jackass! The only jackass here is Ilja denying the one man answering the challenges! Make it make sense! Well, they were just discussing this, so listen very carefully!
When Ilja took on the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, Ilja promised to do things the right way. And the right way mean sto not give opportunities to…Â jackasses! But to fight warriors who are willing to fight with respect and honor. And there is nothing honorable about Ciampa. So tonight, Ilja will give this opportunity to a man who fights with honor, and someone Ilja respects. Oh no, seriously?! AXIOM steps in! Ciampa accuses Ilja of cowardice, but Axiom thanks Ilja for this opportunity. Aldis wishes them both the best of luck, then moves on, only for Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed to be waiting outside his office.
Heyman smiles, a big contract folder in hand, and he asks Aldis, “How’re you doing? We need to talk to you for a minute.” Aldis says please, step inside. These three go into the office to talk, but what exactly about?
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis calls in extra security for his office. He tells Heyman that before The Vision is escorted from the building, what can he do for them? Heyman says that’s awfully dramatic, Aldis. But this is the WarGames agreement, which allows Heyman to “take any talent that is under WWE contract across all brands. Tha tincludes SmackDown, your brand. My heads-up to you, you’re welcome.” Any talent across all brands? Yes, thank you for coming all the way to Albany to confirm what was already in the paperwork. This could’ve been an email, Heyman. So unless there’s anything else to discuss, he would like to ask them kindly to leave. Because The Vision will NOT be disrupting Aldis’ show.
And security steps in on cue. Heyman says oh goodness, look who it is! Cody Rhodes steps in, and Heyman says, “It’s the golden goose who’s being afforded all this protection.” Cody asks, “Mr. Heyman, what do you wanna talk about?” Heyman wants to talk about Cody getting involved with Vision business on Raw. Cody doesn’t know about this golden goose stuff, but he saw on Raw that they were putting his friends in the fire, which means he was next through the flames, but Heyman already knew that. But this is Friday Night SmackDown, and the business of today… is right here. “And if you’re not here to fight, then you should leave.”
Bronson says he’ll fight. Cody asks Aldis to make the match: Bronson Reed VS Cody Rhodes… TONIGHT! Aldis says that works, but Heyman asks why they’d give this away and not make it a title match? Cody says fine, book it. Aldis gets worried now, but Cody says, “BOOK IT!” Then it is official. Cody VS Bronson for the Undisputed Championship. Heyman smiles and thanks both Mr. Aldis and “Champ” Cody. Did Cody just get goaded into losing the gold? Or will the American Nightmare find a way to slay the Colossal Aussie?
WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom!
Speaking of titles, The Czar didn’t appreciate the Sicilian Psycho getting salty all over again, so he again passed on Ciampa to face Axiom. But will Ilja be able to deny the Undeniable Truth? Or will Axiom finally have singles gold on SmackDown?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Axiom rolls to wrench and wrangle Ilja. Axiom has the armlock but Ilja fights up. Ilja wrenches in return, then cording holds for a HIP TOSS! Cover, ONE, but Ilja holds onto the arm. Axiom kips up, slips around, and spins Ilja to snapmare and headlock. Ilja slips out to armlock in return and the fans cheer the technical exchange. Ilja knuckle locks to straight arm lever and SLAM Axiom! Axiom fights up but Ilja wrenches him again. Ilja whips Axiom to a corner, but Axiom dodges the lariat! Axiom waits on Ilja and he says it was that close. Ilja and Axiom reset, knuckle lock, and Axioim headlocks.
Axiom hits the takeover but Ilja keeps his shoulders up. Ilja CLUBS at Axiom from below, then fights up. Ilja powers up and out, Axiom RAMS him, but Ilja RUNS Axiom over! Cover, ONE, and Ijoa gets moving! Axiom trips Ilja up, but Ilja blocks the hip toss! Ilja slips through but Axiom fights the backslide! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and then they spin around. Ilja ROCKS Axiom with a forearm! Axiom ROCKS Ilja! Ilja BOOTS Axiom down! The fans rally, but Axiom catches the hammer into the ARMBAR! Ilja fights to stack, and he deadlifts Axiom! Axiom lets go, but Ilja ducks the enzigiri to SLAP Axiom down!
The fans rally and Axiom dodges to then DROPKICK back! Ilja staggers, Axiom GAMANGIRIS him up and out! The fans fire up while Ilja sputters, and Axiom takes aim. Axiom runs, GOLDEN- NO! Ilja stops the triangle moonsault as he CLUBS Axiom on the back! Axiom is stuck up top, Ilja CHOPS him! Axiom kicks at Ilja, Ilja CHOPS, and repeat! The fans rally as these two brawl on the apron. Ilja HEADBUTTS Axiom right back into the ring! Then Ilja climbs, aims, and SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives, Ilja is a bit surprised, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Ilja snarls as he rises up, and he paces around Axiom. Axiom slowly sits up, Ilja fires up, but he turns around into a CHOP from Axiom! So Ilja CHOPS Axiom right off his feet! Cover, TWO! Ilja keeps close and brings Axiom up to CHOP again! And again! And then HEADBUTT! And CHOP! HEADBUTT! CHOP! Ilja then reels Axiomi in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Ilja still keeps axiom down with a facelock. Axiom endures, fights around, and he wrenches out to headlock back. Axiom waistlocks, Ilja bucks the O’Conner, but axiom kips up, into a CHOP! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives again but Ilja stays focused.
Ilja puts Axiom in a corenr, CHOPS him, and Axiom flops against the ropes. Ilja drags Axiom back up, whips corner to corner, and Axiom hits hard! Ilja runs up to KNEE low, then he runs side to side to BOOT WASH Axiom right outta the ring! Ilja roars and the fans cheer. Ilja goes out to BOOT Axiom, then follows him around the way. They go back into the ring, Ilja brings Axiom around, and Ilja waistlocks, only for Axiom to fight the lift. Axiom switches, Ilja fights the lift, and Ilja wrenches out to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And then Gotch lift POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Axiom is toughing it out bu tIlja is not deterred.
Ilja clamps on with a rear bearhug and he squeezes tight, Axiom endures so Ilja ELBOWS him down! And ELBOWS again and again and again! Ilja just HAMMERS away on Axiom, then clamps back on with another bearhug. Axiom still endures, fights back to his feet, but Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, drags Axiom back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Fans chant for “One More Time!” and Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja still holds on, Albany wants another, so Ilja drags Axiom up. Axiom switches, but Ilja again bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, but he ducks the chop to NORTHERN LIGHTS!
The fans cheer while both men are down! The fans rally as Ilja stands, and he swings, but Axiom CROSS COUNTERS! Ilja falls back, Axiom goes to a corner, but Ilja storms up. Axiom BOOTS Ilja down, hops up the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and Axiom grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Axiom rises, Ilja roars to give him more, so Axiom KICKS! And KICKS! Ilja wants more so Axiom KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Ilja blocks to SLAP, ROCK, boxing elbows, and BOOT! Axiom falls and the fans fire up again! Ilja powers up, runs, CONSTANTINE- NO, Axiom catches him to an ARMBAR!
Ilja fights, ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD, but he works to stack Axiom! Axiom fights that off, but Ilja deadlifts Axiom again! POWERBOMB! Axiom flounders, Ilja snarls, and Ilja aims from the corner. Ilja powers up, the fans rally, H-BOMB FOR- NO, Axiom uses that to spring up and MOONSAULT DDT!!! Cover, TWO!?! No one can believe what they saw, nor that Ilja survived! “This is Awesome!” as Axiom has Ilja in a corner. Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS and hoists Ilja up. Ilja fights back with SLAPS and Axiom staggers. But then Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom goes up after Ilja, but Ilja fires RIDGE HAND CHOPS!
Ilja and Axiom go to the very top, but Axiom hits the SUPER DUPER SPANISH FLY!! And then GOLDEN RATI- NO!! TORPEDO MOSCOW!! AND H-BOMB FOREARM!! Cover, Ilja wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Championship)
It was all in a blink of an eye, but Ilja snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Another instant classic is under Ilja’s belt, and he shows respect to Axiom for giving him this fight. The fans cheer that, but who will be next to challenge The Mad Russian’s reign?
R-Truth meets with Nick Aldis.
Truth knows last week that it was a heavy load, and Truth’s load was lost in the shuffle, but he is imploring to Aldis as employee to boss, please put Truth in the John Cena tournament. Aldis tries to tell Truth again, but Truth says don’t worry, he shined up his (lottery) balls so they’ll look real nice on TV. All he asks is Aldis handles them with care. Aldis again tries to get it through to Truth but Truth says just take his balls. FINE! Aldis takes them, and then Chelsea Green walks in. She asks if she heard John Cena’s name dropped. She did. Then speaking of legends, she has no idea why SHE didn’t get pyro when she won the Women’s US Championship.
But putting a pin in that, when is her championship celebration happening tonight? Aldis goes to say it’s not but she says that’s right, he CANCELLED it! She’d all of it prepared and ready to go! But all will be forgiven if this “injustice system” that is WWE would just give her a celebration next week, with pyro. Yes, he can make that work. Just for right now, hold onto these for him. Aldis hands Chelsea the Truth balls, and Alba says they do look nice. But will The Hot Mess really get everything she demand- er, wants?
SmackDown shares footage from the break.
As Axiom was on his way back up the ramp, Tommaso Ciampa attacked him! The Psycho Killer took out all his anger out on Axiom, only for Frazer to chase him off! Ciampa is only showing everyone Ilja is right about him, but will Ciampa not stop until he gets his opportunity?
Sami Zayn is here!
The fans cheer and sing along with the song as #BigMatchSami heads to the ring. Sami gets a mic and asks, “How we doing tonight, Albany? We good?” The fans cheer, and they chant for “Sami! Sami!” Sami takes a moment before he says, “I gotta tell ya. Since I’ve come to SmackDown, there have been some extremely high highs, and some extremely low lows. As soon as I came over to SmackDown, the first thing I said I would do is I said I would beat Solo Sikoa for the United States Championship.” The fans cheer that, and Sami says he did do that! He got to do amazing things with that title, like wrestle John Cena in his last match on SmackDown!
Sami got to go toe-to-toe with the best talent SmackDown has to offer week in and week out. The fans cheer again, and Sami says that was all great. But he won’t lie, the last four weeks have been extremely challenging. he has had to watch from the sidelines, hurt and not medically cleared, as Solo & MFT run roughshod every single week! The fans boo, and Sami says he’s had to sit and watch, unable to do anything, while MFT attacked Sami’s friends, those Sami liked and respected. And Sami gets it, Aldis told him not to get involved, don’t get hurt, and so Sami did. He sat back week after week. But he is here to tell us that that ends TONIGHT!
The fans cheer and Sami continues by calling out Solo! He knows Solo has a problem with him, and he sure has a problem with Solo, so let’s deal with it face to face! Solo & MFT make their way out here, and Solo has a mic in hand. Solo tells Sami, “You really think you knwio who you are, huh? You think you know, but you don’t. I know the real Sami, I know the real you. Yeah. He’s pathetic, a liar, desperate, and when you’re desperate, you do desperate things, which makes you so damn selfish!” The fans boo, but Solo says Sami only cares about Sami! Sami doesn’t care about the guys in the back, or even the fans here in Albany.
The fans boo, but Solo says for himself, what he cares about is his family. Solo cares about the men standing behind him and their loyalties to him. Unlike Sami! Sami knows nothing about loyalty when it comes to family. In fact, watch who you’re talkinga bout before he gets in there and kicks Sami’s ass! Don’t forget, Sami, you’re still wounded. The fans boo as MFT now flanks the ring, and Solo says this can end very badly for Sami. Solo could drop Sami right here and now, but he won’t. He will wait until Sami is 100% and medically cleared. Then once that happens, understand this: Solo is coming after you!
The fans boo, but Sami says, “Well, the good news for you, Solo, is you’re not gonna have to wait very long. Because as of tonight, I am officially 100% medically cleared! So if you wanna do something about it, go ahead and do something about it right now!” Sami calls Solo’s bluff, so Solo takes off the jacket But then Sami says before that, Solo needs to know this: Sami didn’t come here alone. And just as he says that, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns all YANK MFT off the apron! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! Solo panics, Sami shrugs, and Solo takes a swing! Sami fires counter punches!
The fans fire up as Sami fires off on Solo in a corner! Sami stomps a mudhole, then he goes to the far corner! The fans fire up, but Talla gets Solo outta the ring! The fans boo but then JC Mateo CLOBBERS Sami! JC, Tama & Loa all mug Sami, but Sami’s friends get them! They TOSS the Guerrillas and even LARIAT Loa up and out! The fans fire up as now Fenix goes up, up, and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES MFT! Fenix regroups with Sami and friends! Will Sami and his team soon cut down Solo’s “Family Tree?”
Cody Rhodes prepares backstage.
Jey Uso says hey and Cody congratulates him on the win in the tournament. Jey says he just heard about Bronson’s title shot at Cody tonight. It might get a little slimy, so Jey’s got his back. Of course! Cody and Jey shake hands on that again, and then Jimmy Uso steps in. #BigJim says hey, Uce. Any time you can get your hands on The Vision sounds like a party to Jimmy, so count him in, too. They shake on that, and Jimmy says he spoke with Punk earlier. Count him in for WarGames, too! The three shake hands, The Usos head out, but will Cody be able to fire the first shot in that war? Or will a Tsunami end the reign of the American Nightmare?
Solo Sikoa argues with Nick Aldis backstage.
Solo demands that with Sami 100% healthy, he wants a match with him tonight! Aldis says first, there’s no more time on the card, that can’t happen. And second, Solo clearly has more enemies than just Sami. So how about this? In two weeks, SmackDown before WarGames, it’ll be MFT VS Sami, Fenix, Nakamura & MCMG in a 5v5 Survivor Series style Elimination Tag! Now if you’ll excuse him. Aldis leaves, and there’s a Wyatt Sick6 glitch on screen. And in fact, Uncle Howdy is lurking in the shadows. Will the Wyatts be watching that 10 Man Tag very, very closely?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS ???
The Mega Star knows what this tournament is all about, and he knows everyone wants to be John Cena’s final opponent, but what he doesn’t know is who will be his first round opponent! We’re all about to learn that in the matter of moments, but will it not matter when this is LA Knight’s game? Or will what you don’t know actually hurt you?
Everyone waits and watches the stage. “WOO! WOO! WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” It’s Matt Car- well, no, he’s ZACK RYDER again!? Long Island Iced Z returns to the WWE, but will he prove he’s #AlwayZReady? The bell rings, the fans cheer and “WOO WOO WOO!” Knight and Ryder circle, Ryder gets the “WOO WOO WOO!” going hotter, and the two tie up. Ryder rolls Knight, TWO! Ryder says it was that close, and Knight says yeah, okay. They go again, tie up, and now Knight wrenches Ryder to YANK, YANK, YANK the arm! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight wrenches, Ryder ducks, but then Knight switches.
Ryder bucks the O’Conner, but Knight avoids the Rough Ryder! Knight returns, but Ryder tosses him out! The fans cheer as Ryder smiles, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ryder whips corner to corner. Knight hits buckles hard, then drops to his knees. The fans cheer Ryder as he pushes Knight to the corner, then whips him again. Knight reverses and BACKDROPS! The fans fire up while Ryder flounders, then he goes to the apron. Knight storms over, Ryder ROCKS Knight first, and then Ryder goes to supelx! Knight supelxes but Ryder slips free! Knight dodges to JAB, JAB, and JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Then ROLLING ELBOW! Knight clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, Ryder hits buckles hard, and Knight hits the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Ryder survives but Knight nods. Knight brings Ryder up, kicks low, then fires hands. Knight bumps Ryder off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Knight scoops, Ryder slips free, and Ryder ROCKS Knight! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! And then whips, but Knight reverses. Ryder turns backdrop into FACEBUSTER! Big forearm in the corner, and Knight sits down! The fans pump their fists with Ryder, “WOO WOO WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” BROSKI BOOT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the fans rally up as Ryder aims from a corner. Ryder hooks Knight’s arms, turns him, but Knight RAMS Ryder into buckles! Dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight then rolls back to his feet and the fans cheer. Knight goes up the corner, and he spells it out, “L! A! KNGIHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW- NO, Ryder moves, runs up, ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans are shocked! Ryder is also surprised, but he hurries to watch Knight. “This is Awesome!” and Ryder reels Knight in, Knight wrenches out and kicks, B F- NO! Ryder rolls Knight up, TWO! Knight runs up, but into KNEES! Ryder goes up, up, RADIO SILENCEÂ into a POWERBOMB!! Then Knight hauls Ryder up, B F T!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
YEAH! Knight didn’t care who it was gonna be, he fought and won his spot in the second round! Knight, Jey, Sheamus, Rusev, who else will advance in this historic tournament?
Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky talk backstage.
They still can’t get their heads around why Charlotte just walked out on them. Charlotte also isn’t texting back or anything. Rhea knew they had beef, but she thought Charlotte would put it all aside like she did. Tonight just shows they gotta now find two more people for the team. Alexa says she has someone to call, Iyo says Charlotte was their best bet, though. But then Asuka, Kairi, Nia & Lash all attack! The brawl is on, Rhea HEADBUTTS Kairi down, but Lash DECKS Rhea! Then Nia sends Iyo into Lash’s KNEE! Lash then sends Iyo into a road case! And then same for Rhea! Security rushes in, Asuka says okay, okay, they’re good.
Nia says bye, losers~! The Irresistible Four just did a lot of damage. Will they even need a fifth woman to finish off what’s left of Rhea, Iyo and Alexa?
Jade Cargill VS B-Fab!
The Storm finally reigns on the mountaintop of WWE, and she is not playing nice with anyone. Will she strike down someone who was once a friend? Or will B-Fab truly be fab when she gets a win on the champ?
SmackDown returns, B-Fab makes her entrance, Michin staying backstage to let her handle things on her own. The bell rings and Jade dares Fab to try something. They tie up, Fab goes for a leg, but Jade spins her around. CHOKE- NO, Fab slips free and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Jade is in a corner, Fab runs up, HEEL KICK! Fab fires ELBOW after ELBOW, then fires up! The fans rally, Fab runs up, but Jade blocks the boot! Jade DECKS Fab with a forearm, then drags her right back up. Jade scoops Fab to FALL AWAY SLAM! Jade kips up, fires up, and the fans are with Jade on this one.
Jade waits on Fab, brings her around with the guzel, CHOKE SLAM! Jade tells Fab to stand down, but then she brings Fab up anyway. Jade revels in the cheers, then lifts Fab to POWERBOMB! Jade paces while she tells Fab to stay down, but Fab manages to sit up. Jade says fine, and she brings Fab up again. Fab fights, Jade lifts, POWERBOMB! Jade stands over Fab as she tells her to stay down, but the fans want to see that “One More Time!” Jade drags Fab up, has the chicken wings, and then JADED! Cover, Jade wins!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall
Jade mockingly checks her imaginary watch, and she says this is who she is! Michin is here now to make sure B-Fab is okay, but then Jade tells them both to get outta here. Mia is upset Jade would be like this just because she’s champion now. Jade tells Mia to know her place, then SHOVES her down! The fans boo but Mia wants after Jade! The ref keeps them apart, Jade steps out, and she smirks as she leaves. Jade says she is #ThatB*tch then, now, and forever, so just keep ’em coming.
Nick Aldis announces the final four first-round entrants.
“Last week on SmackDown, four superstars were selected at random to compete for the most prized career-altering opportunity: To face the Greatest of All Time, John Cena, in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tonight, fate will once again decide the superstars that will compete in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. First up, it’s a former first-round draft pick, Carmelo Hayes, taking on The Vision’s own Bronson Reed. And finally, the high-flying luchador, Penta, will go one-on-one with The Prince, Finn Balor. The only thig I have left to say, gentlemen, is good luck.” No Truth, but will the vision be clear as we approach December 13th?
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
Cathy Kelley is with H1M and brings up him going on record as to how he idolized John Cena growing up and would love this opportunity to go 1v1. What would a win in the opening round mean for him? Melo says first, he has to address this Miz situation. “Mike, you might’ve won the battle, but the war’s just begun. I will see you when I see you. And John Cena… The GOAT, the Last Time Is Now Tournament, you got a long line full of heavy hitters, killers, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna put you down, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna hang your jersey from the rafters. And respectfully, John, I’m one of ’em.
“50% of people might overlook me, 50% of people might think I can get the job done, but 100% of me knows that if I get that shot, I won’t miss.” But then in steps Bronson Reed. He tells Melo that he’s gonna end Cody Rhodes, then he will end John Cena after he ends H1M next week. Bronson heads out, Heyman nods towards Melo, and then The Oracle follows. Will Auszilla be taking it all on the road to the end?
Aleister Black speaks.
“Fear, Damian? That’s so silly that even you don’t believe that. No, no no no. You threw me on top of a table. You tried to throw me through things. And then you took the bottom part of the steel steps, and you tried to crush my head. The only person that fears anything is you. Fear of what we have made you become.” Zelina Vega says, “We said that we would force you to break your code. We said we would corrupt you. And I think we did exactly that.” But enough about him. They have their eyes set on greater things. That brings them to the entire locker room. Namely, those who hold world titles.
Aleister left fear behind the day he stepped foot back into the WWE, and he has become the one thing no one wanted him to become: everyone’s enemy! Does that mean the Dark Father is watching tonight’s main event very, very closely?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman!
The American Nightmare and The Colossal Aussie are both preparing for WarGames, and while it is Cody, Punk & The Usos at four against Bronson, Bron Breakker & Logan Paul at three, this could still tip the scales back in The Vision’s favor. Will a Tsunami wash away the reign? Or can Cody escape from New York with the gold?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can carry that weight!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Bronson shoves Cody to a corner, but Cody dodges! Bronson hits buckles, Cody fires hands, then kicks to RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs to ROCK Bronson, but then Bronson responds with a BODY CHECK! And ELBOW DROP! The fans boo but Bronson covers, ONE! Cody shows toughness and goes to the outside, but Bronson runs in around the way! BODY CHECK! The fans boo, Bronson snarls, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Bronson drags Cody up, HEADBUTTS him, then stalks him around the way again. Bronson storms in after Cody, but Cody BODY BLOWS! Cody fires a forearm, but Bronson HEADBUTTS him down! Bronson raises the one but the fans don’t acknowledge their Tribal Thief. Bronson whips and CLOBBERS Cody! Cover, TWO! Bronson drags Cody into a chinlock and leans on the hold, but Cody fights around. Cody reaches out, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. The fans rally as Cody ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson scoops to SLAM Cody! Bronson snarls again, but Cody avoids the elbow drop! Cody rises up, goes to a corner, but Bronson SPLASHES!
Cody sputters against the ropes but Bronson CHOKES him! The ref counts, Bronson steps off at 4, and Cody sputters again. Bronson storms up and ROCKS Cody! Bronson puts Cody in another corner, BODY BLOWS, then whips corner to corner hard! Cody staggers, falls over, and Bronson drags Cody back up. Bronson has a chinbar, and he stretches Cody with the chinlock. Cody endures, fights back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally but Bronson CLUBS Cody, then back suplexes! Cody lands out, ducks a haymaker, and springboards! BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK!
The fans fire up and Cody rises, but so does Bronson. Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop, and fly! BIONIC- NO! Fireman’s carry, JAGGED EDGE! Cover, TWO! Cody survives but Bronson goes up! The fans freak out for the TSUNAMI, but it FLOPS as Cody moves! Cody hurries to springboards again, SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO! Cody fires up and the fans are with him! Bronson is outside, Cody runs and DIVES, but into a forearm! Cody stumbles and staggers o the outside, Bronson runs up, but Cody TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up again and Cody refreshes the ring count.
Cody clears off the desk! HE even topples the belt pedestal! But BRON BREAKKER FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Logan Paul is here, too! They mug Cody, SMACK him off the desk, then put him back in the ring! Was this the real plan all along? The fans boo as Bron rains down fists, then Logan gets his turn! Bron rips his shirt away and wants Logan to set Cody up. Logan does as told, but THE USOS hurry out here! Jey & Jimmy said they’d have Cody’s back, so they get in the ring to brawl with Logan and Bron! The fans fire up, but Bron shoves Jimmy! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Bron! Jey joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Bron falls, Logan runs up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Then the ONE D!! That’s one and done for The Maverick!
The fans fire up as now Jimmy decides to GET THE TABLE! The fans are thunderous as Jimmy puts that in for Jey, Jey sets it up, and the fans are all fired up! Logan is put on the table, the Usos go to the corners, but DREW MCINTYRE SHOVES JIMMY! Isn’t he suspended!? Jey runs up, but he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!! The fans boo as Drew saves Logan’s bacon! Aldis storms out here, asks what the hell Drew is doing here, and Heyman claims this is per the WarGames contract! Heyman could recruit anybody under WWE contract, even suspended superstars! Drew sets the table up in a corner, and he drags Jey Uso!
But Jey breaks free to SUPERKICK! The fans cheer as Jey now lines up a shot, but Drew KICKS first! Bron returns to SPEAR Jey through the table!! Jimmy is back to throw hands, but Logan uses ONE LUCKY RIGHT to knock Jimmy out! The fans boo, but now Cody is back! He throws hands on Drew and Logan, but a CLAYMORE takes Cody out! Drew throws off his shirt, he stares down with Bronson, and then Drew puts Cody in the drop zone! Drew step on Cody before the TSUNAMI hits!! The fans are either booing or desperately calling for CM Punk, but it is clear The Vision was thinking ahead.
Drew takes the contract from Heyman and they shake hands on the deal. The numbers are even, but will the odds be in The Vision’s favor now that they have a Scottish Terminator on their side?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, with quite a lot of surprises and big moves as perhaps a response to the sinking ratings and sinking interest. Charlotte not automatically being onboard with the team-up was certainly surprising, but given that 4v3 ambush backstage, that will surely compel Charlotte to join up. She’ll see it’s not about her and Rhea getting along so much as as it is them getting to beat up on their enemies, as we knew going into this. Then I would think they still bring in Stephanie Vaquer and Nikki Bella as the fifth members for each side, to help build the title story on top of everything else, jus as I said on Monday.
Obviously Cody wasn’t going to lose the Undisputed Championship tonight, but that was a great move to bolster the show’s card and give an excuse for all the Men’s WarGames build tonight. Logan & Bron being here to help Bronson was a given, and Heyman using a unique WarGames contract to bring Drew McIntyre onboard was certainly a clever move. As I figured on Monday, Jimmy Uso was a natural addition to Team Cody, or maybe it’s Team Punk. And I would certainly think Roman Reigns will also be a natural addition to this match, but I’m curious as to the fifth man for The Vision. Would Lesnar really want to be in WarGames? Well, granted, he’d be the last person to enter the match and “clear house,” but he’d still have to get in there.
Great stuff with the US Championship, such as Ilja continuing to troll Ciampa. Ilja VS Axiom was awesome, through I swear I heard one drunken idiot slurring the word, “BORING~!” That person is the kind of American fan Gunther (and therefore Zack Sabre Jr.) was talking about, IYKYK. But in the end, I figured we’d get more DIY VS Fraxiom, and maybe after that, Ciampa finally gets his match with Ilja. Great promo from Sami with Solo, and great ambush from Team Sami on MFT to set up their own 5v5. I figured that if they weren’t doing the WarGames, they’d get to do the traditional Survivor Series match, and the go-home SmackDown continues to be a substitute for the kickoff show, but in the best way possible.
Another hilarious promo with Truth and Aldis, and Chelsea joining in so we can hype up a celebration certainly teases someone interrupting. Either Giulia is going to crash the party to demand a US Championship rematch, or they plug NXT Gold Rush by having Thea Hail & Joe Hendry get the better of them ahead of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship match. I’m leaning more towards the former, they’ll build the tag match plenty on NXT. And speaking of Truth, a shame he doesn’t get in on the final part of the bracket, but Melo VS Bronson and Penta VS Finn will be great matches. With Bronson busy with The Vision’s story, I would hope Melo wins, and it’d be great if they teased a Boston VS Boston showdown.
Jade of course beat B-Fab tonight but that was pretty good for what was basically a squash match. Michin probably gets a match with Jade next, and likely loses that. Jade’s first title defense could be Survivor Series to basically be a buffer between the WarGames matches but also to just get one on the books. There’s a lot on hold for right now with the WarGames matches having a lot of great contenders involved, but I would think we get some Charlotte VS Jade build on the other side of Survivor Series.
And of course, great matches for the Last Time is Now tournament. Jey VS Miz was a great match, and Miz hitting Cena’s moves was an appreciated reference. But I figured Jey would win, they wanna tease a rematch of the Royal Rumble finalists from earlier this year. Matt Cardona was a great surprise, though him being Zack Ryder was perhaps even more surprising. People have been talking about Knight being punished and that he was being set up to lose, but if commentary is talking about that concept, then you know that is not the case. Great win for Knight, great showing for Cardona/Ryder, and here’s hoping Ryder gets to do more in WWE from here on.
My Score: 8.9/10
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