Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (3/10/21)
What will William Regal have to say?
NXT might never be the same again!
Two huge title matches and two big announcements from GM William Regal! Will NXT be forever changed on this Road to WrestleMania?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai VS Toni Storm; Shirai wins and retains the title.
- Jake Atlas VS Pete Dunne w/ Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch; Dunne wins.
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez VS Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon; Blackheart & Moon win and become the new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- Kayden Carter w/ Kacy Catanzaro VS Xia Li w/ Tian Sha; Xia wins, by disqualification.
- El Legado del Fantasma VS Grizzled Young Veterans; Legado wins.
- NXT Championship: Finn Balor VS Adam Cole; Balor wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT General Manager, William Regal, is already in the ring!
“WrestleMania is always a very special time here in WWE. And with that in mind, I have two game-changing announcements for you tonight. The first…” A dramatic video package plays and the narrator says, “Seven years ago, NXT revolutionized the sports entertainment industry, and we haven’t looked back. From London to LA, Toronto to New York, WarGames to In Your House, when we TakeOver, NXT always delivers.” So now, for the first time ever, TakeOver is so big, it has to be TWO NIGHTS!! TakeOver: Stand & Deliver! April 7th, TakeOver will be LIVE on television, and then April 8th, it will be live exclusively on Peacock! “Two nights, one message: We will Stand & Deliver, because we are N! X! T!”
The Capitol Wrestling Center loves that news! But Regal says NXT will continue the trend in making history, because the second announcement, the Women’s Division is here to hear that “each and every week, these ladies prove that they are the greatest women in the wrestling business. To be a competitor in the NXT Ladies’ Division, you have to be very special, and these ladies prove it week in and week out.” Therefore, the winners of the inaugural Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez, now join Regal in the ring.
The CWC is thunderous as Regal formally announces that after the “unfortunate happenings of last week, and the injustice of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship” that these two suffered, Regal is sick and tired of waiting for others to make decisions for him! Therefore, the NXT management has made a decision of their own! These two are now the inaugural NXT WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! Congratulates, “You Deserve It!” Raquel and Dakota raise up their belts and the rest of the division applauds, because now they, too, get to compete for their own belts. Dakota and Raquel are feeling amazing!
They thank Mr. Regal and he’s right, this IS the most talented division in the world! “And we went through every single one of you!” Don’t shake your heads for not facing them in the tournament, you would’ve lost, too! Dakota & Raquel dominated, NXT had to make these belts just for them. But this is just the beginning! Taking over the entire world is next! “Y’all better get used to this. Because we’re going to carry these championships for a very long time.” But then Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon step up as the very first to “congratulate” the new champions. It is amazing, really. NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships! Truly amazing!
But if there are champions… Then there will be challengers! And in the Dusty Cup, Dakota & Raquel beat everyone in their bracket. But so did Ember & Shotzi. But in the finals, it could’ve gone either way. So the point is, why not defend those titles against Shotzi & Ember, tonight? Dakota and Raquel talk it over, and with Regal right here, the match is made! Another historic moment as the Women’s Tag Titles will have their first defense in a Women’s Dusty Cup rematch! Will Dakota & Raquel lose these titles the same night they get them? Or will they #Stand&Deliver to take these titles to TakeOver and beyond?
NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai VS Toni Storm!
But speaking of the amazing Women’s Division, the top title is on the line in another rematch! The Evil Genius of the Sky and the Lightning From Down Under were two very different people when they met in the Mae Young Classic finals! But if lightning doesn’t strike twice, does that mean Shirai will get back that loss and retain her title? Or will it be #ToniTime then, now and forever?
NXT returns and Toni makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this 1v1 rematch a long time coming finally happens!
Shirai and Storm circle, tie up, and Shirai puts Storm on ropes. The fans rally, the ref counts, but Shirai lets off clean. She and Storm tie up again, and this time Storm powers Shirai to ropes. Storm lets off to SLAP Shirai! Shirai tackles Storm and rains down rights! Storm pushes Shirai over to rain down rights in return! Shirai rolls Storm, Storm kicks Shirai away and then BOOTS her down! Storm paces while Shirai goes to a corner. Storm runs in to HIP ATTACK! Shirai flops out of the ring, Storm builds speed but slides into a forearm! Shirai slingshots to stomp Storm on the back, and Storm ends up in a corner. Shirai stomps Storm, digs her boots in, then hits a swinging METEORA!
Shirai fires up, stomps Storm more, then brings her up for forearms. Shirai CHOPS and CHOPS Storm, runs but Storm follows to BOOT! Shirai forearms, goes Matrix to dodge a boot to roll Storm, and then basement dropkicks her! Storm gets to ropes, Shirai drags her up to bump off buckles and stomp her down. Shirai clubs Storm, brings her up, whips her to ropes, but Storm reverses. Shirai reverses back to reel Storm into an IRON OCTOPUS! Storm endures, Shirai digs her elbow in, but then Shirai CLUBS Storm, wrenches her hair, and CHOPS her to a corner! Shirai CHOPS again, whips her, but Storm reverses!
Storm runs in but is put on the apron. Shirai ducks the forearm to shoulder Storm down! Shirai goes to the apron and kicks Storm, but Storm YANKS Shirai out of her springboard, and Shirai crashes off the apron! Storm drags Shirai up and throws her into steel steps! Fans boo and Shirai writhes while NXT goes picture in picture.
Storm drags Shirai up, CHOPS her, and then follows her around the way. Storm throws EuroUppers, CLUBS Shirai into the ring, then covers, TWO! Storm smirks as she drags Shirai back up, and wrenches Shirai’s hair to TOSS her to a corner! Shirai sits up, Storm stomps her down. Storm stomps a mudhole in, but lets off as the ref counts, and Storm “apologizes” before she snapmares Shirai to a cover. TWO, but Storm hooks Shirai up with a seated cobra twist and neck wrench. Shirai endures, Storm shifts the neck wrench the other way, but still Shirai endures. Storm stomps Shirai, drags her up, and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO!
Storm wraps Shirai up in a half straitjacket, then switches arms to get a cobra clutch. Shirai endures and reaches for ropes as NXT returns to single picture. Storm CLUBS Shirai down, but Shirai avoids the elbow drop! Shirai rallies with shoulder tackles and a FLAPJACK! Storm is on ropes, Shirai hits a 619! Shirai springboards to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Shirai drags Storm up in a waistlock but Storm switches. Shirai wheelbarrows and victory rolls to STOMP 182! Shirai goes to a corner, climbs up top, but Storm intercepts with a headbutt! Storm climbs up, CLUBS Shirai over and over, then brings her up for the SUPERPLEX! Both women are down but fans fire up!
Shirai and Storm stir as a standing count begins. Fans rally and duel as Shirai rises but Storm follows. Storm runs and SLIDING LARIATS! Storm hauls Shirai up for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Shirai survives and rolls away but Storm is on her. Shirai fires forearms, counter punches Storm then runs, but Storm clotheslines at ropes Storm runs, Shirai goes Matrix again, but Storm drops an elbow on her! Storm runs again to SLIDING LARIAT Shirai at ropes! Shirai flops to the apron, Storm goes out to join her, and drags Shirai up. Storm underhooks Shirai’s arms but Shirai powers up to back drop Storm to the apron! Storm hits hard then flops down!
Shirai climbs a corner! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Direct hit and both women are down! The ring count climbs as they stir, and Champion’s Advantage could come into play! Shirai gets up and puts Storm in, she wants to win this without excuses! Shirai goes up but Storm clubs her! And carries her out for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Shirai survives and Storm is furious! Storm gets up, drags Shirai back up and underhooks again. Shirai wrenches out to SHOTEI! SHOTEI! SHOTEI! Then a takedown to a CROSSFACE!! Storm scrambles around, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Shirai lets off fast, but Shirai runs corner to corner, SHINKANSEN!!
Shirai steps on Storm, goes up top, and OVER THE MOONSAULT FLOPS!! Storm hauls Shirai up, STORM ZERO!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Shirai survives and shocks Storm but the CWC is thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Storm hurries to the corner and goes up top! Storm leaps, DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS!! Shirai gets a CROSSFACE! Storm flails, reaches around, moves around, but TAPS! Shirai wins!!
Winner: Io Shirai, by submission (still NXT Women’s Champion)
The Evil Genius rarely wins like that, but it shows her arsenal has more depth than we knew! Will Shirai use every style to stay on top of the best Women’s Division anywhere?
Finn Balor speaks.
“Finn Balor, Adam Cole. Two biggest names in NXT history. You were talking real tough last week, Adam. Talking like a big man with a bunch of referees holding me back. But remember: You’re a one man act now. Might not be anyone to hold you back, but there’s no one to back you up. Tonight, no blindsides, no cheap shots. Just me and you, face to face, for that,” the NXT Championship. And remember, Adam: Balor beat you to win that, and will beat you again to keep it. Will the Prince stay on his throne against Adam Cole BAYBAY?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Since coming to NXT, he’s had a lot to say, and he made his presence felt. He requested this time, so what’s on his mind? “Let me talk to ya.” Last week, everyone thought, “Oh man, I bet it’s gonna be LA Knight’s in-ring debut!” WRONG! But to put it like this, quick spoiler alert for everyone out there: that time is about to come! If anyone can step up, “find enough tingle in their loins” to take LA Knight on, then we’ll see how that ends up. That is not an insult, that is just a fact of life. But then BRONSON REED attacks! The Colossal is still pissed over Knight screwing him over against Cameron Grimes, and he rams Knight into a wall!
Security and staff rush in to pull Bronson away from Knight, but Bronson tells Knight, “Good luck with your debut!” Will Knight wish he’d picked on someone closer to his size? Or will Reed end up playing LA Knight’s game?
Jake Atlas VS Pete Dunne w/ the Kings of NXT!
The price of El Monte has been wanting to show NXT what he’s made of, but has he bitten off more than he can chew taking on the Bruiserweight?
The bell rings and the two tie right up. Dunne wrenches to a wristlock but Atlas rolls, spins and handsprings. Dunne wrings the arm but Atlas handsprings through! They circle again, tie up, and Dunne gets the arm to wrench it and bend the fingers. Dunne hammerlocks the arm while also isolating fingers! Atlas endures, rolls over but Dunne wrenches through to bend fingers again. Atlas spins, slips through, wrenches and arm-drags Dunne! Atlas goes back for more but Dunne fakes him out to get a leg and trip him! Dunne stands on an arm, drops down to get a headlock, and cranks back on Atlas’ neck. Atlas fights up, powers out, hurdles and RANAS!
Dunne goes to a corner, Atlas runs in but is put on the apron. Atlas kicks a leg out, slingshots and springboards to arm-drag again! Atlas rolls under the clothesline, handsprings back to headscissor, but Dunne PENALTY KICKS an arm out! Dunne grabs that arm and drops knees on it! Dunne even chinbars to pull Atlas’s head around. Fans boo as Dunne digs his knee into Atlas’ arm and bends it back! Dunne twists the wrist, tortures the fingers, and bends the arm around again, to drop a knee on it! Atlas writhes but Dunne KICKS him in the back! Dunne sits Atlas up to SLAP him to a corner! Atlas seethes but Dunne stands him up to SLAP him down, and STOMP him!
Dunne keeps Atlas from ropes, but Atlas body shots and CHOPS and throws forearms! Dunne shoves but Atlas rebounds to BOOT! And ROUNDHOUSE! Dunne avoids the Penalty Kick but Atlas STANDING MOONSAULTS, only for Dunne to catch him to a TRIANGLE HOLD! Atlas handsprings out, throws uppercuts, and then hits a SNAP GERMAN, to PENALTY KICK! STANDING MOONSAULT hits this time! Cover, TWO!! Oney and Burch are a bit worried as Atlas brings Dunne up. Dunne disrupts the tornado DDT, Atlas gets around to spin Dunne and DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up with Atlas as he goes to a corner. Atlas cartwheels but Dunne UPPERCUTS the arms out!
Dunne STOMPS Atlas’ arm, hooks one to grab the other, and then Danielson Stomps Atlas on the head before he tortures the fingers and SNAPS them! Then YANKS the arm into an armbar!! Atlas verbally quits, Dunne wins!!
Winner: Pete Dunne, by submission
The Bruiserweight makes Atlas suffer a little longer, then lets go to simply shrug. Dunne then gets a mic as he stands with the NXT Tag Team Champions and says, “This is the time of year that everybody wants to step up their game. When you step up to me, that’s exactly what happens.” Dunne made a name for himself in the UK, but he is THE best technical wrestler in the world! Dunne dares someone to try and prove him wrong. The gauntlet has been laid down, but who will accept this open challenge?
Imperium speaks.
Marcel Barthel tells Timothy Thatcher, “The entire NXT Universe is talking about us. What I said last week, what I proposed to you. Well, a long, long time ago, we created something very special. Something only we could create. Something so unique, no one ever will be able to represent it like you did.” Barthel wants “Tim” to take his rightful spot, step in, and together, they can take what has always been theirs. Fabian Aichner tells “Tim” that Imperium is here for him. They’re doing all this for him.
But if Thatcher has to go ask “his friend,” Ciampa, for permission, then please, bring him along. They’ll still make it work, out of respect for Thatcher. Because Imperium is taking over, no matter what. Will Thatcher accept this invitation? How will Ciampa receive it?
Leon Ruff speaks.
“Let’s talk about it, Swerve. I mean, let’s talk about it. I knew you were a snake the moment I met you! You want to say I tripped and fell into my opportunities? I am so sick of people thinking that I lucked into this! I busted my ass to get here!” Ruff scratched and clawed for everything that he’s gotten, and it wasn’t luck when he beat Swerve two weeks ago! Swerve says this is his house? Ruff is the one who’s been holding it down since he got here! The opening match to the main event! And he’ll be holding Swerve down again in another #RuffLanding!
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez VS Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon!
These titles are brand new, and the inaugural reign is barely 40 minutes in! Will the inaugural Women’s Dusty Cup winners stay the inaugural Women’s Tag Team Champions just one month away from WrestleMania Week? Or will the rematch go the other way, with the wild child and Shenom howling to the moon?
The introductions are made, the brand new belts are raised, and history is once again forged in gold!
Ember rushes Raquel and dropkicks her to the corner! Dakota tags in fast to kick and SCORPION KICK! Ember goes to her corner, Shotzi tags in and gets around to waistlock. Shotzi dodges the elbow, shoves Dakota to a corner and runs in, but has to block boots first. Shotzi ties up the legs, drags Dakota out of the corner, and gets a CLOVERLEAF! Dakota endures, Raquel reaches out and even tries to push the bottom rope closer to her! Dakota claws her way around, but Shotzi drags her away! Raquel is freaking out but Dakota still endures as she heads for more ropes. Dakota finally gets the ROPEBREAK!
Shotzi lets go fast, kicks but Dakota ducks. Shotzi blocks a kick and DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES take them both down! NXT goes picture in picture as fans rally up!
Shotzi and Dakota crawl for their corners, Shotzi clamps onto Dakota first to throw forearms. Dakota forearms back, Shotzi forearms again and the two brawl, Shotzi fires forearms, has Dakota against ropes then runs, but Dakota avoids the cannonball, sucker punches Ember, and gives Shotzi a DRAPING STOMP! Dakota drags Shotzi away, Raquel tags in and drops elbows! Raquel drags Shotzi up to scoop and SLAM her! Cover, TWO! Raquel looms over Shotzi, drags her up again, and CLUBS her down! Raquel kicks Shotzi to a corner, drags her up, but Shotzi throws forearms. Raquel makes her pay by throwing even more forearms!
Tag to Dakota, Raquel stomps Shotzi down for Dakota to BOOT WASH! Dakota drags Shotzi to a cover, TWO! Shotzi crawls for her corner but Dakota drags her away while mocking Ember. Dakota bumps Shotzi off buckles in an open corner, but Shotzi boots back! Shotzi hops up to leap for the sunset flip! TWO, and Dakota BOOTS Shotzi down! Cover, TWO! Dakota is annoyed but she drags Shotzi up into a seated cobra twist. Shotzi endures, Dakota leans on the hold, and Shotzi fights up, only for Dakota to throw her down! Cover, TWO! Dakota keeps Shotzi from Ember, puts her in the corner and tags in Raquel. Raquel throws back elbows, then brings Shotzi out.
Shotzi throws body shots but Raquel CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Raquel keeps close to Shotzi, and brings her up for a bearhug! Shotzi endures, starts to fade, but she powers up to throw forearms! NXT returns to single picture as Shotzi gets free, only for Raquel to CLOBBER her again! Tag to Dakota, and she gets a boost to DOUBLE STOMP Shotzi down! Cover, TWO! Dakota keeps on Shotzi with body scissors and clubbing forearms. Shotzi endures as Dakota pulls her hair. Dakota clubs Shotzi, fans rally up, and Shotzi pushes back to a cover, TWO! Dakota lets Shotzi go, to BOOT her back down!
Dakota drags Shotzi up, scoops her, but Shotzi slips out to DECK Raquel, and dodge Dakota! Dakota almost runs into Raquel, but Raquel tells her to hurry after Shotzi. Dakota stops Shotzi but Shotzi breaks free to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Ember! Ember dodges Dakota, DECKS Raquel, then rallies on Dakota! Ember spins Dakota to a back suplex SLAM! Ember runs to drop the back senton! She keeps going, mule kicks Dakota down, then drags her up for a Canadian rack, AK 47! Basement dropkick! Raquel gets in, Ember dodges, goes up and hits a FLYING CODE BREAKER! Raquel drags Dakota out to save her, but Shotzi joins in, to DIVE! Direct hit takes Raquel down!
Ember fetches Dakota and bumps her off the apron. Ember puts Dakota in, runs and rolls her up, with a bridge, TWO! Dakota flounders around, Ember grabs a leg but Dakota kicks her away. Dakota gets to her corner, Ember storms in but is put into buckles! Dakota runs side to side to BOOT Ember! Raquel tags in, she brings Ember around to a fireman’s carry, and Dakota coordinates, ASSISTED GO TO KICK! Cover, TWO!!! Raquel is furious! Raquel drags Ember around, but Ember throws body shots. Raquel kicks low, hauls Ember up to a Canadian rack and bends Ember, before the DOMINATOR BOMB!! Cover, Shotzi breaks it!!
Shotzi gets away from Raquel’s wrath, Raquel drags Ember and tags in Dakota. Dakota waits as Raquel scoops Ember, but Ember slips off to avoid the boot! Raquel and Dakota steady themselves, Shotzi tags in and climbs up, to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Raquel is up but Shotzi springboards to RANA her out! Shotzi runs at Dakota to forearm smash, snapmare and SLING-DOG! Fans fire up with Shotzi as she KNEES and ROLLING ELBOWS! Then QUESTION MARK to a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!! Shotzi keeps going, dragging Dakota up and putting her on ropes. Tag to Ember, Ember holds Dakota, WELCOME TO THE BALL PIT!
Ember adds a KNEE, then a SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ember grows frustrated but she tags Shotzi back in. They drag Dakota up for knees, then get the legs for a double wheelbarrow GERMAN! Cover, but Raquel breaks it but dragging Shotzi into a sleeper! Ember climbs up, Shotzi jawbreakers free, and Ember hits the ECLI- NO!! Raquel blocked the Eclipse, pops Ember up, and blocks a rana to get Ember up. Ember keeps fighting, they end up on ropes, and Shotzi staggers. Raquel hauls Ember back up, but Shotzi dodges and shoves Dakota into Raquel! Raquel and Ember go tumbling out of the ring! Shotzi rolls Ember, with a bridge!! THE CHALLENGERS WIN!!
Winners: Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart, by pinfall (NEW NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)
A second reign on the same night as the first?! Now THAT is historic! And Ember is the first ever woman to have been both NXT Women’s and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion in her career! Will she and Shotzi set the pace for this new era in NXT?
Adam Cole speaks.
“A lot of people have been asking me why I did what I did. But instead, I’m going to explain how we got here.” A couple weeks ago, Kyle O’Reilly decides to step out of line, and Cole “put him in his place.” Roderick Strong tried to play tough guy and Cole beat him where he stood, and he “reminded both of those chumps who the leader of the Undisputed Era is.” But don’t get Cole wrong, the UE is dead when COLE says it’s dead, and he was just getting rid of dead weight.
“Which brings us to tonight. Because, boys and girls, TakeOver comes to us four weeks early, because it’s Adam Cole VS Finn Balor for the NXT Championship.” And Balor thinks he has Cole right where he wants him, but Cole played Balor like a fiddle. This has always been about the NXT Championship, and it will always bee about that. A lot of people looked at Balor as the greatest NXT Champion of all time, and then Cole showed up to have the greatest reign at 483 days! Cole beat everyone from NXT to Raw to SmackDown! And tonight, Cole becomes a two-time NXT Champion! And if we thought Cole’s first reign was something special, “trust me, you ain’t seen nothing yet.” Are we about to see something that is even more than Undisputed?
The NXT Women’s Division celebrates their new new champions.
Shotzi & Ember are so happy to hold gold together, and many of the women are happy they’re the ones holding the belts. However, The Way are the lone dissenters. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell of course believe it should’ve been them, but they regroup with Johnny Gargano. They all wonder where Austin Theory has been, but he walks up behind them. Theory learned that Gargano paid the therapist off, mostly because it was all on tape. Gargano admits to it, and Theory asks why he’d do that! Well, therapy ain’t free. Oh, true. But Gargano spared no expense, and he got Theory the best money could buy. And now we all know how Dexter Lumis really feels about Theory.
Is Theory crying? N-No…! He’s mad! Well good! Theory should be mad and should want to rip Lumis’ head off! Lumis said Theory was annoying, and doesn’t know how to dress himself, and that he has “a mediocre abdominal region.” Theory is furious and he rips his shirt off! Lumis crossed a line!! Theory storms off, The Way hurries after him, but will things really be okay when Gargano’s lies are exposed?
WWE and Girl Up team up again!
Female athletes set an example for young women and girls to dream big and succeed! Learn to #LeadLikeHer by going to Girl Up’s official website!
Kayden Carter w/ Kacy Catanzaro VS Xia Li w/ Tian Sha!
Though brutally injured by her last week, Kacy is still going to be ringside to watch Xia take on Kayden, in hopes that justice will be served! But will Kayden only end up the same way as Kacy at the hands and feet of Tian Sha’s living weapon?
The bell rings and Kayden dropkicks Xia right down! Xia sits up and Kayden KICKS and KICKS! Xia blocks to ELBOW Kayden down, then stomps away! Xia clubs Kayden down, then drags her up, only for Kayden to jawbreaker! Kayden rallies with clotheslines, CLUBS Xia and whips her to ropes. Xia reverses, Kayden comes back to victory roll and mule kick! Xia is staggered Kayden runs to BOOT WASH her into ropes! Cover, TWO! Xia flounders but Kayden is after her at ropes! The ref backs Kayden up and Xia kicks a leg out! Kacy cheers Kayden on but Xia drops elbows on Kayden’s leg! Then KIKCKS it!
Xia glares at Kacy as she whips Kayden HARD into buckles! The legs take a hit, and Xia grabs them to drag Kayden to the apron. Xia stomps away on Kayden’s legs! Kacy shouts at Xia but Xia just glares at her and says, “This is for you!” Xia puts Kayden’s leg against a crossbar, but Kacy uses a crutch to SMACK Xia!!
Winner: Xia Li, by disqualification
Kacy won’t let Xia break Kayden’s leg like she did to hers! And she SMACKS Xia again to make sure! Kacy gets in with a crutch, Xia wants mercy, but Kacy JAMS Xia in the stomach! Kacy won’t show mercy to the one who took it too far first! Kacy smacks away on Xia, but Boa gets in! Boa blocks the crutch attack and takes it away to break it! But that’s just one crutch, because Kayden has the other! Tian Sha orders Boa to break Kacy, but Kayden SMACKS Boa with the second crutch! KC Squared get away together, but is this only the beginning of a much more brutal battle?
NXT hears from Jordan Devlin!
“Y’know something? I absolutely love this time of year. So much to be excited about. Summer’s right around the corner, WrestleMania season. NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver’s coming up in a couple of weeks. The only thing I don’t like is this Irish weather, man. Could really use a change of scenery. And it would be an awful shame if the biggest TakeOver in history didn’t have the NXT Cruiserweight Champion on the card. The real one, I mean.” So lucky for Devlin, and for NXT, his travel ban exemption got lifted today. That means, Santos Escobar, “your time playing make believe is up!”
Devlin is coming to the States and we are finally finding out who the REAL NXT Cruiserweight Champion is!! Devlin reveals he’s at the airport, his flight booked. Will you be foolish enough to bet against the Irish Ace?
NXT profiles one of their newest standouts.
“I’m Zoey Stark. There were quite a few things from my childhood that I’ve seen that were very rough. Growing up on the wrong side of those tracks, I had two roads. One road was continue living my life this way, where another road was to live a better life for myself and for my family.” Pro-wrestling was her escape. Whenever she was mad or upset, she’d turn on wrestling and it was her favorite thing in the world. Stark made an impressive debut that even champion Io Shirai acknowledges. Stark graduated, chased her dream from 18 and is here. Training helps her focus, and after years of hard work, NXT offered her a spot, it was mind-blowing! To be here is amazing.
As soon as she got in the ring, all the insecurities went away and she knew she was home. She’s a powerhouse, a striker, a chain wrestler, and goes all out in the ring. She is putting the Women’s Division on notice. “Hard work pays off, and there is no limit to Zoey Stark.”
Santos Escobar complains to William Regal.
“Who the hell does this guy think he is?” Devlin coming here, telling people that he’s the champion? Regal knows, Escobar knows, everyone knows that the REAL champion is him, Santos Escobar! Regal tries to explain to Escobar the situation, but he doesn’t want to hear. The music starts, but he tells Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza they can handle their business just fine without him, and that he needs to sort this out with Regal. Wilde & Mendoza head out, will Escobar convince Regal of his perspective?
El Legado del Fantasma VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
Naturally, Zack Gibson & James Drake have mics as they enter. “How does it feel, lads, to be internationally recognized as Santos Escobar’s puppets? Is this honestly how you wanted your life to go? Because while you have been taking bullets for your boss, running his errands, giving him massages, we have been making an impact in this division!” But what they did to MSK and poor Wes Lee’s hand is nothing compared to what Legado is in for! These are the Grizzled Young Veterans, SSSSOON to be recognized as NXT’s Number One! But will Gibson & Drake be feeling like number two after taking on a riled up Wilde & Mendoza?
The teams sort out, Gibson starts with Mendoza and they tie up. Gibson waistlocks, snapmares Mendoza but he handsprings through to headlock. Gibson throws body shots then powers up to hit a back suplex! Gibson drags Mendoza up, throws forearms, then tags in Drake. Drake holds Mendoza back as Gibson runs in but Mendoza dodges to RANA Drake and dropkick Gibson! Drake ends up in the Legado corner, Mendoza runs in to clotheslines and Wilde tags in! Wilde runs in to clothesline and then Mendoza tags in. Mendoza runs corner to corner to GAMANGIRI, tag to Wilde!
Wilde gets a boost to dropkick Gibson, then Mendoza helps with the hip toss rebound SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Wilde is annoyed, but wait what is going on now? The Fashionable Astronauts are back! Breezango finally get to have the entrance they were supposed to last week as they walk through space. Drake ENZIGURIS Wilde, and surprise! It wasn’t Breezango! It was MSK! Nash Carter and Wes Lee get the better of Legado AND GYV with that trick! Wilde rolls Drake up, and Legado wins!!
Winners: El Legado Del Fantasma, by pinfall
MSK has the last laugh on GYV, but then are ready for a fight! Lee SMACKS Gibson with his space helmet, and then Carter does the same to Drake! And then Lee SMASHES Gibson’s hand on the steel steps!! An eye for an eye, a hand for a hand! But wait, the REAL Breezango gets the drop on Legado! Fandango and Tyler Breeze brawl with Wilde and Mendoza, then DECK them with haymakers over and over! SUPER MODEL KICK for Mendoza, and a SUPER MODEL KICK for Wilde, to the FALCON ARROW!
MSK gives Breezango their helmets back, and they do the Dango! Fandango makes sure Carter does it right, with the helmet on! They all hip swivel together, but will they all get proper payback on their common enemies?
Backstage interview with Dakota & Raquel.
They’re obviously in bad moods after what happened. We all saw what happened so stop asking questions! But it doesn’t matter if it was for five seconds, five days or five weeks, they were STILL the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions and they still made history! But then Io Shirai walks in and in Japanese then English, tells Raquel that she’s calling her out! Raquel tells Shirai, “Be careful what you wish for.” Will Big Mami Cool and the Evil Genius #Stand&Deliver in a battle over THE NXT Women’s Championship?
Backstage interview with Timothy Thatcher.
Imperium revealed their takeover plans, and they even offered an invitation to him and Ciampa. How does he respond? But before he can answer, Ciampa walks over. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, man, but I know my answer. I’m not interested. I’ll tell you what I am interested in: the Ring General. Y’know, the guy who sits safely across the pond, holding onto his NXT UK title while his recruits come here and do his bidding for him.” Walter is intriguing.
Now not to put the cart before the horse, there’s that old saying of, “If you’re not with them, you’re against them.” Ciampa is pretty sure they’re against Imperium. So how about “Toothless Timmy” and “Old Man Ciampa” VS Imperium next week? Sounds good to Ciampa. But Thatcher doesn’t answer. Will his actions speak for him?
BREAKING NEWS for next week’s episode!
After The Way riled him up, Austin Theory is getting his match with Dexter Lumis! But will the Tortured Artist reveal the truth to Theory? Plus, after the back and forth both in and out of the ring, Swerve and Ruff have a rematch! Will this still be Swerve’s House after Leon runs #Ruffshod? And LA Knight gets in the ring to wrestle! Will it be against Bronson Reed? Or someone a bit less colossal?
NXT Championship: Finn Balor VS Adam Cole!
This match has been building for months, and once again the two best NXT Champions ever battle it out! Cole makes sure to remind us all of history as he wears the ring gear he wore the first time he won this title. Will history repeat itself for ADAM COLE BAYBAY~!? Or will the Prince deny the Triple Crown Champion his throne?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and perhaps we’ll finally see who is THE GREATEST in NXT history!
Fans are thunderous already as these two stare down and talk some trash. Balor rushes right in to get a headlock but Cole powers out, only for Balor to run him over! Cover, ONE, Cole headlocks but Balor powers out for Cole to run him over! Cover, ONE! Cole headlocks to a takeover but Balor rolls him over to get the headlock instead! Balor grinds Cole down, fans rally and duel, and Cole pushes with his forearm, only for Balor to crank the head. Cole makes it a cover, ONE, and Balor holds on. Cole tries again, ONE, but they stand up. Balor grinds the headlock, Cole pries at the hold, but Balor wrangles him back in. Cole brings Balor to a knee, slips out the back, and hammerlocks.
Balor reaches back, Cole shifts to a headlock but Balor tries to power out, only for Cole to hold on. Cole grinds Balor down now, and pushes back for leverage. Balor endures, Cole talks trash, but Balor fights up. Cole fights off the back suplex, hits the takeover but Balor headscissors. Cole kips out, Balor headlocks and takes over but Cole headscissors. Balor kips free, and avoids a superkick! The fans are fired up as the two stare down and NXT goes picture in picture.
Balor and Cole reset, circle, and tie up again. Balor gets an arm to a wristlock, then hammerlocks to wrangle Cole to the mat. Cole endures as Balor leans on the hold, and gives it a SNAP lock! Cole sits up, reaches back, stands up, but Balor spins Cole to a headlock and goes for the other arm, only for Cole to DECK him! Cole shakes out the arm, drags Balor up and wrenches his arm to a wristlock and has Balor on his knees. Balor fights up, rolls and hooks a leg, but Cole throws body shots. Cole wrangles Balor back down and leans on the short arm scissor. Balor kips up, wrenches but Cole DECKS him again! Balor checks his jaw but Cole bumps him off buckles.
Cole wraps Balor’s arm around ropes and pulls, but the ref counts. Cole lets off at 4, Balor goes to another corner, but Cole ROCKS him! And ROCKS him again! Cole stomps Balor in a corner, digs his boots in, but lets off as the ref counts. Balor gets up but Cole brings him up for more forearms. Balor staggers to another corner, Cole is on him with haymakers. Cole stomps Balor down, but argues with the ref about it. Cole bumps Balor off more buckles and gives him more stomps as NXT returns to single picture. The ref backs Cole off, Cole wrenches Balor to whip him to ropes, but Balor reverses. Cole sunset flips but Balor rolls through and basement dropkicks!
Fans fire up and Balor clamps onto Cole with a cobra clutch! Cole endures, Balor drags Cole down and leans on the hold. The fans rally, Cole fights up, but Balor wrangles him back down! Cole fights up, Balor shifts to wrench but Cole knees low! Cole runs, but Balor elbows him down! Balor storms over to Cole at ropes but Cole throws him out! Balor gets on the apron but Cole BOOTS him down! Cole goes out and brings Balor around to whip into Plexiglas! The ref starts a ring count, Cole drags Balor up and puts him in to stalk him to a corner. Cole whips Balor corner to corner hard and Balor bounces off buckles to hit the mat.
Cole drags Balor up, wrenches again, and whips him corner to corner. Balor comes back to dropkick Cole’s legs out! Cole goes to the corner, Balor CHOPS him then KICKS the legs out! Cole is in the corner, Balor wants after the leg but the ref backs him off. Balor CHOPS Cole again, drags him out and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Balor is after the leg still but Cole kicks him away. Cole stands up, Balor trips him and DOUBLE STOMPS him! Balor drags Cole up by his leg but Cole ENZIGURIS! Cole brings Balor into a fireman’s carry, but Balor slips out to ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO! Balor seethes and grits his teeth as Cole slowly rises. Balor stomps Cole at ropes, then stomps him more!
Fans rally and duel, Cole bails out to avoid stomps, but then grabs at Balor’s leg! Cole BOOTS Balor down! The ref starts a ring count but Cole pulls steel steps apart! Cole refreshes the count, brings Balor over to the base steps, but Balor suplexes first, and takes Cole all the way to the ramp! NXT again goes to picture in picture as both men are down!
The ref checks both men and somehow Cole, who got the worst of it, is okay to continue. Balor is also alright, but both men slowly stir. Balor sits up as the ring count starts again. Balor heads for the ring and leaves Cole behind. Cole crawls as the count passes 5, and gets in at about 8, for Balor to drop an elbow on him! Balor brings Cole up for a back suplex, covers, TWO! Balor keeps his focus and rams in KNEES! And then more knees! And more knees! Balor looms over Cole, gets the legs, and steps through to get a SHARPSHOOTER! Cole endures as Balor sits deep! Cole crawls and gets the ROPEBREAK! Balor lets off fast and drags Cole back up.
Balor CLUBS Cole, but Cole ELBOWS back! Cole throws a forearm, Balor staggers, but Balor comes back with a forearm! Cole forearms again, but Balor KICKS a leg! Cole forearms, Balor forearms, and NXT returns to single picture as they brawl! Fans rally as they pick up speed, and Balor CHOPS! Cole forearms again, then BOOTS! Balor PELES! Balor drags Cole in but Cole suplexes first, for an USHIGOROSHI BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Balor survives but Cole is too sore to be frustrated. Cole goes to the corner, climbs up slowly, and aims, but Balor avoids the Sunrise to SLINGBLADE! And SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Cole is down but Balor climbs!
COUP DE- NO! Cole moves, and comes back to SUPERKICK!! Balor clutches his jaw as Cole covers, TWO!! Cole is after Balor with a CROSSFACE!! Cole wants to break Balor’s jaw again but Balor endures and reaches for ropes! Cole rolls Balor away!! Balor still endures, shifts things around and pops free, to get Cole for a clinch of his own! Cole fights off that to get the CROSSFACE!! Balor endures, moves around, reaches, fades, but gets the ROPEBREAK! Cole holds on until 4.5! Fans are thunderous as Cole stomps Balor at the ropes. Cole lets off, but Balor trips him to ground ‘n’ pound! Cole kicks Balor away but Balor COBBERS him!
Balor drags Cole into the dragon sleeper, suplexes, but Cole slips out to mule kick the leg! Cole brings down the knee pad, runs, LAST SHOT to the jaw!! Cover, TWO!?! Balor survives and “This is Awesome!” Cole hurries back to a corner, climbs up again and takes aim. Cole leaps, PANAMA SUNRISE!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Balor survives and shocks Cole! Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this has to end somehow! Cole waits for Balor to sit up, and then positions him, for another- NO! The Last Shot misses as Balor throws Cole out of the ring! Cole flounders to barriers, and he sees Kyle O’Reilly lurking in the shadows! It’s like he’s seen a ghost! Balor runs in to FLY and take Cole down!!
Balor drags Cole up, reels him in, and looks to Kyle. This is for him! 1916 to the floor!! Balor puts Cole in, climbs up top, and leaps for the COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Balor wins!!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)
The Prince holds on to his title, and now Kyle hops the barrier to survey the scene. Balor says Kyle can go ahead and handle his business with Cole, and Cole asks Kyle to have mercy on him. Cole says Kyle doesn’t have to do this, but then Kyle sees the low blow coming! Kyle takes Cole’s Undisputed Era armband off him, throws it away, then rains down furious fists on Cole! Cole flounders up but Kyle is just after him in the corner! The ref pulls Kyle away, Cole bails out, but Kyle pushes the ref to pursue! Kyle grabs Cole by his hair to drag him up, but Cole ROCKS Kyle with a haymaker! Kyle still hurries after Cole and gets him at the ramp!
The ref tries to stop this again, but Kyle knocks the ref down! Kyle brings Cole up to RAM him into barriers, then RAM him into the barriers on the other side! Kyle shouts that Cole did this! Cole tried to end Kyle’s career but now he’s going to pay! Kyle brings Cole to the steel steps but more referees rush out to stop this! They hold Kyle back as Cole runs away, but then Kyle gets loose and CLOBBERS Cole on the stage! The refs again grab at Kyle, Cole retreats but Kyle gets loose to pursue! And back to Balor in the ring, he stands triumphant, but then senses someone is near. “What took you so long?” KARRION KROSS stands in the ring with Balor!!
Kross stares Balor down and simply says, “Tick-tock.” Balor’s reign is on the clock, but will he cancel the apocalypse come TakeOver?
My Thoughts:
What an amazing episode for NXT! Firstly, one of the announcements was only expected. I did not think TakeOver would also be two nights for this year, completely packing WrestleMania Week aside from Tuesday, though they might still look to move normal episodes of NXT to it. The NXT Women’s Division getting their own tag titles was rather apparent after the nonsense from last week. This is still big, but it just continues to show WWE has no idea what they’re doing. NXT’s the third brand until it’s not the third brand because Vince McMahon is fickle and impulsive. But it does make a lot of sense for Dakota & Raquel to be crowned the inaugural champions as a prize for being Women’s Dusty Cup winners.
The tag titles being put on the line tonight was quite the surprise, and while it technically hurts Dakota & Raquel to lose them already, it’s great for Shotzi & Ember to be the new champions. Clearly, The Way’s Candice & Indi are going to challenge Shotzi & Ember for TakeOver, a great continuation of the feud between those teams. Then the was a great segue (a pun cuz the pronunciation is seg-way) where Theory finds out the truth but is easily tricked into believing Gargano again. Lumis VS Theory happening is the natural course of action, and I feel like Lumis winning will be his way of getting a North American Championship match come TakeOver.
Shirai VS Storm opening the night was a good call, really got things going. It wasn’t quite their MYC match, but it came very close. Shirai retaining makes sense, and Shirai challenging Raquel to be her next challenger makes the short tag title reign easier to accept. That match is going to be great, and could go either way at this point. Shirai’s had a great run in NXT, and losing to Raquel isn’t a bad way to go before (hopefully) going to SmackDown and taking on other great talent. Shirai was back on the rise while Bianca Belair was already heading out, so seeing Evil Genius VS EST on a Friday night would be pretty awesome.
Xia VS Kayden wasn’t as much as I expected, but it did make sense for her to threaten Kayden’s leg and for Kacy to attack first. Still waiting on Tian Sha to get involved, but with the crutches combined with the lore of Tian Sha the character, I wonder if NXT would be up for using one of the TakeOver nights to do a cinematic match. There haven’t really been that many lately, and certainly not with mostly women superstars. Sure, last year’s Corporate Ladder MITB had the women as much as the men, but Tian Sha & Xia Li VS KC Squared would be just the four women, very gritty and tough, almost like the Boneyard Match but with more acrobatics.
LA Knight finally has his in-ring debut, and it surely won’t be against Bronson Reed, but Bronson Reed could definitely make his presence felt in return for last week. He sure did this week, and if Reed VS Knight is for night one of TakeOver, that’d be pretty great. I am very happy that Devlin is going to be making the trip out to finally shut Escobar up and take away his title, and the lift of the travel ban is a great sign overall. Hopefully we can get more travel between NXT and NXT UK. That also bodes well for Thatcher & Ciampa VS Imperium. And it would seem Ciampa wants after Walter and the NXT UK Championship, which is awesome. There aren’t many in NXT UK ready to challenge Walter, so biding time with a great former NXT Champion is a good move.
GYV VS Legado being mostly a way for MSK to return was alright, but it was clever that it first looked like it was Breezango. I imagine we might get an 8 Man, Breezango & MSK VS GYV & Legado, but maybe with two nights at TakeOver, we just get both 2v2 grudge matches, and then MSK moves on to finally get that tag title match with Lorcan & Burch. Dunne VS Atlas was good, but of course Dunne wins. I hope Dunne calling out technical style wrestlers means we get Dunne VS Kushida at TakeOver.
Then of course, the NXT Championship match and the promos from tonight were great stuff. I like that Kyle didn’t directly screw Cole over, but his presence did mess with Cole. Kyle with the denim vest was a pretty cool look, and I feel like he should use that as part of his post-UE character. Kyle VS Cole is going to be great stuff, and I should’ve expected Kross to show up tonight. Balor VS Kross was clearly set even back when Edge visited NXT to at least tease that NXT was an option for WrestleMania. Kross and Scarlett can try their spooky stuff, but it won’t have any effect on the man who was also The Demon. Hell, Balor might even bring The Demon back just to throw it in Kross’ face and make TakeOver even more amazing.
My Score: 9.5/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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