Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (3/12/21)
Time to sign on the dotted line!
SmackDown picks up speed towards Fastlane!
Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns sign a contract, SmackDown Women’s Champion and challenger are guests on the KO Show, and more as WWE continues down the Road to WrestleMania!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: The Street Profits & The Mysterios VS The Dirty Dawgs & The Alpha Academy; The Profits & Mysterios win.
- Cesaro VS Buddy Murphy; Cesaro wins, by disqualification.
- Tamina & Natalya VS Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair; Tamina & Natalya win.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Big E VS Sami Zayn; Big E wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Edge returns to SmackDown!
The Rated R Superstar is back again because he knows that while he has a Universal Championship match at WrestleMania, he doesn’t know who he’s facing! “Big contract signing tonight between Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan, but there are some things that I need to address.” There are quite a few people who keep talking about him, starting with Roman. Roman said a man like Edge shouldn’t face a man like Roman. Edge has a family, kids, but those are excuses for Roman. But Edge finds that amusing. Edge picked up on something that everyone else missed: Roman and Paul Heyman are spin doctors.
For weeks, Roman wanted Edge to acknowledge him as the main event of WrestleMania. Then Edge makes his choice and does pick Roman. Then Roman felt what Edge brings to the table. Roman is the Head of the Table but Edge is the carpenter of that table! But Roman starts backtracking, and takes a detour down Daniel Bryan Boulevard, and Roman got played. That brings Edge to Daniel Bryan. Last week, Bryan came out and said he deserves to be at WrestleMania more than Edge, because Bryan loves wrestling. Because Bryan’s wrestled more than Edge in the last few months. But Edge will remind Roman, Bryan and the younger fans just who Edge is.
Because back in the day, while Bryan wrestled maybe once a week, Edge was here, in the WWE, wrestling 5, 6, 7 times a day against guys like The Undertaker, John Cena, Dave Bautista, Randy Orton, Eddie Guerrero, Mr. Perfect, the British Bulldog, Terry Funk, over the timeframe of four DECADES. Edge is back here not because he has to be, but because he loves this! So don’t base a hypothesis off love or work rate. But like everyone else, Edge just has to wait until Fastlane to find out who he faces at Mania. But then Daniel Bryan makes his way out! Fans give the Yes Fingers on their ThunderDome screens as Bryan gets a mic and stands with Edge in the ring.
“Wow. Uh, you talk about Roman Reigns getting sucked in. I think you got sucked in.” Honestly, that wasn’t even Bryan’s intention. As the Ultimate Opportunist, Edge would respect Bryan “going into business for myself.” But to set things straight, Bryan has infinite amounts of respect for what Edge has done and who he has faced. Bryan sees how hard Edge has worked for this and how much he loves this, and how hard he fought to get back to this. But let Bryan be completely honest, when Bryan wanted to challenge Roman for the title, it wasn’t about Edge. Bryan is down at Elimination Chamber, watching Edge point at the sign, and it demoralized him.
But it was not about the work rate, but because Bryan allowed himself to go into his last WrestleMania on the back burner. And that is when Bryan decided to throw his one last shot! If this is his last shot, then Bryan is going to give it everything he’s got to make it! Edge has his spot, so this isn’t about him. For Bryan, if he wants to main event Mania, he has to go through Fastlane, face Roman and take the title, so that is why Bryan went into business for himself. Oh, so the air quotes cancels things out? Edge will make this clear: Roman beat Bryan at Elimination Chamber. Yes, it was right after another match, but a win is a win.
And talking about wins, Edge won the Rumble by outlasting 29 others, as #1, and Bryan was in there with him! Edge also has respect for Bryan, but he doesn’t like how Bryan did this. Bryan is better than this, but not better than Edge. Edge drops the mic and takes his leave. But will Edge have no choice but to face Bryan down the line?
8 Man Tag: The Street Profits & The Mysterios VS The Dirty Dawgs & The Alpha Academy!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are fired up to be teaming up with Rey & Dominik as they all try to get after the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, as well as Chad Gable and the Blue Collar bulldozer! But as they make their entrances, they all get blindsided by Roode, Dolph, Gable and Otis! Otis THROWS Dom into the LED apron, the Dawgs throw Dawkins into barriers! Will Ford, Dawkins and the Mysterios be able to regroup while SmackDown goes to break?
SmackDown returns and the teams have sorted out, Roode starts with Dawkins, and at the bell, Roode rushes Dawkins but he dodges to DECK Ziggler! Roode headlocks, Dawkins powers out, hurdles and hurdles to dodge and BULLDOG! Dawkins dropkicks Roode, Gable gets in to get a dropkick, too! Tag to Ford and the Profits whip Dawkins. Dropkick, then a tag to Dom, who combines with Ford for a wheelbarrow leg drop! Cover, TWO! Dom drags Roode up, Roode knees him low! Roode drags Dom over, tags in Gable, and they mug Dom. Gable wrenches an arm, whips Dom to ropes, but Dom ducks and comes back to RANA Gable!
Otis tags in and hits Dom with a hard body shot! Otis whips Dom, Dom goes up but Otis catches him! Dom slips to the outside and forearms Otis away, to then springboard, but Otis CLOBBERS him out of the air! Otis tags Gable and the Academy mugs Dom. Gable taunts Dom as he looms over him, then drags him up to whip to a corner. Dom bounces off buckles into a BUTTERFLY SUPLEX with bridge! Cover, TWO! Tag to Roode, Gable YANKS Dom’s leg then Roode drops an elbow on it! Roode pulls back on a deep toehold, then drops knees on Dom’s knee! Roode paces around Dom, Rey and the Profits coach Dom up, but Roode drags Dom up for a suplex!
Dom fights free with knees, then gets a headlock for a TORNADO DDT! Both men are down, Roode shakes out the stars flying around his head and crawls to his corner. Dom also crawls, hot tags to Ziggler and Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on Ziggler, hits Gable, then goes back to FLYING ELBOW Ziggler! Dawkins scoops Ziggler for an EXPLODER! Dawkins DECK Otis, but runs into a stiff elbow from Ziggler! Ziggler runs, into the ANOINTING! The spinebuster takes Ziggler down, Ford climbs up, but Gable distracts and Roode shoves Ford down! Ford crashes to the floor and Rey is furious, but the Dawgs and Alphas have the advantage again as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ziggler has Ford trapped with a chinlock. Ziggler pushes up to add leverage but Ford powers up to stand. Ford throws body shots, is free, but Ziggler shoves him to dropkick him down! Ziggler pushes Ford to the corner, but Ford fights out! Ford throws hands on Ziggler, but Ziggler dodges the enziguri! Ziggler hops on for a sleeper hold! Ford spins around but Ziggler is on him as a backpack! Ford stays standing and heads for his corner, but he starts to fade! Ziggler squeezes tight and Ford drops to his elbows but he powers up! Ford gets his second wind to reach, but Roode runs in! The ref doesn’t see the tag!!
The ref keeps Dawkins back, Ziggler drags Ford over and Ford gets mugged by the Dirty Dawgs and Alpha! Roode tags in with the ref watching and he stomps Ford down. Roode drags Ford up for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ziggler talks trash, Roode tags in Otis and they mug Ford more. Otis drags Ford up, whips him to a corner hard, and Ford bounces off buckles! Otis runs in but Ford dodges and Otis hits buckles even harder! Gable tags in, he hits Dawkins, then drags Ford up for a GERMAN! Ford lands on his feet, leaps over Gable, hot tag to Rey! Rey rallies on Gable, whips but Gable reverses, only for Rey to tilt-o-whirl headscissor!
Rey DECKS the Dawgs then whips Gable. Gable reverses, Rey goes up and over and keeps moving to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Cover, but Otis breaks it! Dom climbs up as Otis hauls Rey up into a gut wrench. Rey escapes, Dom LEAPS, but Otis catches Dom! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Otis goes down, Rey goes up and around to rana Gable onto ropes! But Roode tags in to give Rey a SPNEBUSTER! Cover but Ford breaks it! Ziggler SUPERKICKS Ford! Dawkins gives Ziggler the SILENCER! Roode throws Dawkins out hard, Dom and Roode talk trash, but Rey dropkicks Roode onto ropes! DOUBLE 619!!
Dom LEAPS onto Gable, Rey tags to Ford so he can LEAP onto Otis! Ford FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, the Profits & Mysterios win!
Winners: The Street Profits & Mysterios, by pinfall
Ford covers Roode, and the Profits could be in line for that long-awaited tag title rematch! But will they be given that by Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce?
WWE announces the first inductee to the 2021 Hall of Fame!
It was The Bump that had Shane “hurricane” Helms on, and he got to tell Mighty Molly Holly that she was the one! Molly Holly is so honored, and everyone feels #YouDeserveIt!
Jey Uso walks up to Roman Reigns’ room.
Jey says hey to Paul Heyman, and Heyman asks where he’s going. Jey was gonna holler at Big Uce. Well, has he talked with him lately? As far as Jey knew, it seemed like things were cool just a few days ago. Heyman says that they know how Fridays can be. There’s certain pressures and tensions. Jey tapping out to Bryan in the cage… Oh, well, uh, Jey’s gotta handle stuff anyway so he’ll come back around. Heyman is sure Roman will be in a better mood by then. Jey leaves, and Heyman looks more stressed than anyone. Are things (not) okay with the Tribal Chief?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Ever since his return to SmackDown, Cesaro has been the thorn in Rollins’ side, but Kayla Braxton cues up a replay of Cesaro swinging Rollins around. Rollins asks why this is still an issue. Everyone forgets Rollins was trying to help Cesaro, a guy with all the potential in the world. Cesaro has had some success in the WWE. Not as much as Rollins, but still. But Cesaro hasn’t been a leading man, and Rollins wanted to help him. But Rollins was embarrassed, disrespected and mocked! So Rollins is down with Cesaro, the biggest waste of potential in the WWE.
Kayla says it seemed like Cesaro lived up to his potential in is match with Buddy Murphy last week. He also might impress again in his rematch tonight. A rematch, you say? Rollins is oddly interested in that now, and then heads off. Will Rollins try to force his vision on the Swiss Cyborg later tonight?
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler take Reginald shopping.
Nia knows Reggie has had a hard time lately, but she’s got him. He can have whatever he wants in the store. Reggie starts a fashion montage as he tries out new suits. Nia even helps him with the collar. Reggie can even still move smoothly in these suits. Shayna is bored. Nia likes the red so she gets some quick pics. This is GQ worthy. But Nia really likes the spikey gold slip-ons. Shayna, stop looking at your phone. The montage keeps going, and the winner is the grey plaid. Reggie sits on Nia’s lap and says in French, but then in English, that this is all wonderful, so what could he possibly do to repay her? Nia gets a big smile, and she seems to have an idea.
Cesaro VS Buddy Murphy!
The Swiss Cyborg may seem like a waste of potential to Rollins, but he’s far from that, and will prove it as many times as he has to! But will the former disciple prove himself worthy in tonight’s rematch?
SmackDown returns and Murphy has already entered the ring. But now, Rollins makes his entrance to take a seat on stage. The bell rings, Murphy rushes in but Cesaro dodges the knee to fire off EuroUppers and body shots! Cesaro lets off as the ref counts, but Murphy rams Cesaro into the other corner! Murphy fires off, the ref backs him off, and Cesaro DECKS him with a EuroUpper! And another! Cesaro keeps Murphy down for a moment before he bumps him off buckles. Murphy hits back, Cesaro BOOTS him out of the ring! Cesaro goes to the corner and drags Murphy up from the apron, only for Murphy to shove him away and get to the barriers.
Cesaro goes out, runs in but Murphy KNEE TRIGGERS Cesaro down! The ref counts, Murphy puts Cesaro in at 4, then climbs up top. Cesaro dropkicks him down first! Cesaro hurries back up, drags Murphy up and DEAD LIFT SUPERPLEXES! Rollins is only mildly impressed, but that could just be his bias. Cesaro EuroUppers, whips Murphy corner to corner and EuroUppers again! Then back the other way, but Murphy boots and enziguris! Murphy hops up, leaps, but into a capture! For a SWING! Rollins runs in and attacks Cesaro!!
Winner: Cesaro, by disqualification
Rollins rains down furious fists and stomps for being made fun of by Cesaro! Rollins throws off his jacket, runs and CURB STOMPS Cesaro down! “You think you’re better than me?! You want to embarrass me?! You want to disrespect me?!” Cesaro thinks he’s on Rollins’ level!? Stand up, Cesaro! Rollins calls Cesaro a coward, but Cesaro gets up, only for Rollins to kick him down and CURB STOMP him again! Rollins says Cesaro will never be on his level, and then he goes to get another chair! Rollins puts the chair in as he tells Cesaro has continued to embarrass him.
Rollins puts the chair around Cesaro’s head, hammers him on the back, then shouts, “NOBODY EMBARRASSES ME!” Rollins wants to make sure Cesaro never embarrasses him again, but referees and even backstage official, Jamie Noble, get out to stop him! Cesaro gets free of the chair and tries to stand up, but he can barely sit up!
But backstage, Rollins encounters Shinsuke Nakamura! The King of Strong Style is not happy about what just happened to his friend and tag partner. Will he avenge Cesaro?
Kevin Owens is backstage, and crosses paths with Sami Zayn.
Just the man Sami was looking for! Oh, really? And the camera crew, too? Sami has been thinking, and Kevin’s known him for the longest, and Kevin knows all about how the WWE has conspired against him. For years! So Sami has decided he wants Kevin to be part of the documentary. Oh really? Well he has his talk show to do first so… Sami says Kevin is blowing him off. Kevin will want to be a part of this! They’re going to blow the lid off all of this, and post it everywhere and do massive numbers! Logan Paul numbers!
Kevin says he’ll consider it, but he has to do his show first. Keep this blank index card, Kevin doesn’t need it. Kevin considering it is good enough for Sami, but will Kevin really help Sami “expose WWE’s conspiracy?”
Jey Uso encounters Edge backstage.
Edge just wants to talk. They’ve known each other for a long time. Edge knew Jey when he was 10 and they’d all get in the ring and just bounce around. So talking man to man, what is Jey doing? In 2015, while Edge was mourning his career like it was dead, he saw the Usos. That woke Edge back up. Jey was part of that, but now he’s part of this, head down and shoulders slouched like a subordinate. What does Jey’s dad think about this? Being lap dog to the Big Dog?
Jey doesn’t want Edge talking like he knows him. The family runs the show so fall in line. In fact, go home to enjoy your own family. Because when Roman gets him at Mania, Edge won’t be enjoying anything. That’s real talk. Edge tried real talk, but Jey didn’t listen. Can anyone get through to Jey about how Roman really is?
SmackDown presents the Kevin Owens Show!
KO is in the ring and welcomes us to his show. It feels great to be back and many have wondered why he was gone. The last few months have been very rough both physically and mentally. A real roller coaster ride. He thought he was at the top but came crashing down tot he bottom. But he’s not done because as he says, he will #JustKeepFighting. But enough about him, tonight’s guests are the two women fighting for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania, and will be teaming back up at Fastlane to try and take the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships from Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler!
First up, the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble winner, The EST, Bianca Belair! Bianca makes her entrance, and then the Legit Boss, Sasha Banks, makes her entrance! The belt tries to do things its way but Sasha keeps it close. Kevin digs the pyro. Kevin thanks Sasha for being here and getting him a paycheck. And he knows these two are going to be opponents at Mania, but they could make things even bigger because they could walk in as the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! And the only two people that did that before were John Cena and Shawn Michaels! Two of the best ever! So if these two do that, that goes a long way to cement their legacies as two of the best ever.
But of course, that means beating Nia and Shayna at Fastlane, which they didn’t do at Elimination Chamber. Sorry, but maybe that’s just because of tension they haven’t addressed. There is obviously respect between them but they’re both very proud women and want to prove they’re each the absolute best. So given how Chamber went, there could also be the thing with Reggie and- No no no. Kevin, Sasha can’t help that she looks this good and that Reggie has a crush> Bianca says that right there is what it is. Reggie isn’t good for her, she doesn’t want him but she keeps entertaining him and that is why he keeps coming back. He is going to be a problem for them in their match.
Sasha says Bianca doesn’t need to worry about the match. Sasha has won many titles. She’s like the Michael Jordan of the Women’s Division! So maybe one day, Bianca will be the LeBron. But do you think the EST could achieve so much if it weren’t for the road the B E S T paved? Uh-uh. Bianca corrects Sasha: It’s “Girl, uh-uh.” Second, Bianca respects her accomplishments and that is why she chose Sasha for Mania. But Bianca’s accomplishments are her own. Sasha wasn’t in the gym with Bianca. Sasha wasn’t there helping Bianca win the Rumble. Only because Sasha wasn’t in the match. And if she was, she would’ve stopped Bianca. Oh is that what Sasha thinks? No. Sasha knows so.
Sasha says what she’s worried about, or no, what she isn’t, is that Sasha is walking in and out as #TwoBeltsBanks when she beats Shayna & Nia. Sasha holds up her title but Bianca says, “Good! Good, good, great.” IT’s good to have their eyes on the prize. And Bianca might be walking the road Sasha paved, but she’s in her own lane. But here come Nia & Shayna! Kevin says he did not invite them. Oh, Reggie is with Nia & Shayna in that new suit they bought him. The tag champs and Reggie walk down the ramp, but then here comes Natalya & Tamina! Because there’s a match already set for tonight!
Tamina & Natalya VS Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair!
Given what we just saw starting to develop, the tension between Boss and EST might start to create cracks in the foundation! The tag team champions join commentary to watch the second generation stars take on Sasha and Bianca, will the Road to WrestleMania get very bumpy for the #LegitEST duo?
SmackDown returns and Sasha starts against Tamina. They circle and tie up, and Tamina throws Sasha into the corner> Tamia fires off, tags Natty, and Natty whips Sasha to ropes. Sasha reverses, drops then hurdles, but Natty leaps over and comes back, for Sasha to CHOP her! Sasha knuckle locks, goes up and up and arm-drags Natty out! Natty cools off as the ring count climbs, but Sasha baseball slide dropkicks Natty down! Sasha glares at the champs on commentary, gets back in, but Natty CLOBBERS her! Natty puts Sasha in the corner, throws hands and tags in Tamina.
Reggie struts for the cameras and Nia says she had to do the best for her “babe,” but then backtracks on if she and Reggie are an item. Tamina tags Natty in, Natty stomps Sasha, then drags her around for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Natty keeps Sasha down with a chinlock but Sasha fights up to jawbreaker! Shayna is annoyed about the Reggie antics while Natty drags Sasha away! Sasha kicks Natty away then tags in Bianca! Bianca rallies on Natty with dropkicks, then whips Natty to a corner. natty reverses, Bianca goes up and baits Natty in to jump over. Bianca gets Natty up to SPINEBUSTER! Reggie distracts the ref while Bianca covers!!
Bianca is upset with the ref but then Natty gets up. Bianca stomps Natty in the corner, Natty boots her away, and hits a DISCUS LARIAT! Reggie struts his stuff again, Tamina tags in, but Sasha storms over! Sasha and Reggie are both on the announce desk, but the chase is on! They end up in the ring as Tamina fireman’s carries Bianca! Bianca sunset flips but the ref is busy with Sasha and Reggie, and Natty CLOBBERS Sasha! Bianca DEKCS Natty but Tamina rolls Bianca! Tamina and Natty win!!
Winners: Tamina & Natalya, by pinfall
Nia pretends to be shocked, but this was the plan all along! Bianca is upset with Sasha, and says this is her fault because she keeps leading Reggie along. Nia and Shayna applaud Natty & Tamina, but will this all lead to the Boss and Bianca falling apart at Fastlane?
Bianca and Sasha argue backstage.
Bianca doesn’t want any part of Reggie’s trifling, but Sasha says Reggie is being petty because Bianca told her to get rid of him. Well she didn’t tell Sasha to slap Reggie or slam doors in his face! Sasha says she is not taking the blame for the rookie losing. Sasha storms off, and Bianca is beside herself. Will the EST make sure Sasha doesn’t get any of the credit when it comes time to face Nia & Shayna?
Big E returns!
But he’s in a neck brace, sling and walks with a crutch… But then he throws them all away because he doesn’t need them! The Intercontinental Champion is fired up to be back because the damage done by Apollo Crews is no more! Big E gets a mic to say, “As I laid up in a medical facility because of you, Apollo, and those steps, I had plenty of time to think.” Big E hopes and prays that Apollo knows what he did. Because Apollo crossed the Rubicon! He opened Pandora’s box, and there is no going back. There is no “sorry” that fixes this! “You can’t put the genie back in the bottle, because you… You, Apollo… You made me go biblical! I gotta go Old Testament on you!”
Because now, Big E vows it is eye for an eye! Take one of his, he takes two of yours! Apollo wanted to hurt Big E, so Big E is going to maim him! Apollo steps on Big E’s lawn, Big E will bulldoze Apollo’s house! Big E, pitying Apollo? No, that’s not enough. Now Big E has to END Apollo!! “You want what I worked for. You want what’s mine. Fine, good. Because now, now I’m ready to give it to you.” Big E is going to give Apollo what he deserves. And there’s no need to wait at all! Right here, right now, Apollo can get his ass out to Big E and get what he’s been wanting. Big E waits but Apollo doesn’t come out. Big E shouts that if Apollo wants it, he has to come get it now!
Still no response, and Big E isn’t surprised. But Big E has all dressed up to defend this title, and that is what he is going to do. So if Apollo ain’t gonna get his, let’s officially extend an OPEN CHALLENGE to whoever wants it. Big E throws down the gauntlet, but who picks it up? King Corbin! Corbin tells Big E to calm down, he’s acting crazy. But if Big E is opening up a challenge, Corbin sadly isn’t dressed to fight, but has no problem tearing up a $10,000 suit- Sami Zayn accepts!! Sami skips Corbin in line because Corbin didn’t actually completely accept. This isn’t about Corbin, this is what Sami has been owed for months, and it works perfectly for his documentary! You snooze, you lose!
Big E tells these “fools” that whoever gets in the ring first gets the match. Sami bolts into the ring, and there you have it!
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Big E VS Sami Zayn!
“Sorry, Corbin! Not today!” But then Big E fires off on Sami with haymakers! Sami dodges only to run into a BELLY2BELLY! Sami bails out and Corbin tells Sami that’s what he deserves. Will Sami recover from that opening salvo while SmackDown goes to break?
SmackDown returns and the belt is officially raised as this match officially begins. Sami and Big E tie up, Big E powers Sami to a corner, but the ref counts. Big E lets off at 3 but dares Sami to come back. Sami claims hair pulling, but he comes back to tie up with Sami. Big E blocks the hip toss to throw knees, then brings Sami around for even more knees. Sami goes to a corner, Big E storm sin but Sami kicks low. Sami headlocks, grinds Big E down, but Big E powers out. Things speed up, Big E hurdles and elbows Sami down! Cover, TWO! Big E stalks Sami to a corner, whips him corner to corner hard and Sami bounces off buckles to hit the mat!
Big E fires up as he shouts for Apollo to keep playing games. Big E runs in but Sami knees him away, then clobbers him from behind! Sami rains down fists but lets off to catch his breath. Sami puts Big E on the ropes to choke him! The ref counts, Sami lets off and Big E sputters to a corner. Sami drags Big E up, brings him around and bumps him off buckles! Sami pushes Big E away to hop up and then leap, for a flying elbow! Cover, TWO! Sami argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Sami goes up the corner again, and leaps again, into a BELLY2BELLY! And then another! Sami knows a third is coming so he bails out!
Big E chases him down, throws him into the apron, and then shouts, “Apollo~!” Big E CLUBS Sami, goes to the apron, refreshes the count and shouts for Apollo again. Big E runs but Sami moves, Big E CRASHES onto the apron! Sami has turned things around and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again and Sami is up top, but Big E stops him! Sami throws hands as Big E climbs, then clubs away on Big E’s back! Sami adjusts, sunset flips to SUPER SUNSET BOMB!! Cover, TWO!? Sami again argues the count but the ref says that was fair. Sami drags Big E up, tells him that Big E is still not the real champion! Sami SLAPS Big E, and SLAPS him again! “YOU FRAUD! Give me back what’s mine!” Sami fires off more slaps, then drags Big E up to whip, but Big E breaks through the clothesline to CLOBBER Sami! Big E scoops Sami for a BIG ENDING!! Cover, Big E wins!!
Winner: Big E, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
And he is still shouting for Apollo! But here he comes! But Big E is wary that it could be an ambush. It is, but not from where Big E expected! Apollo came from the ThunderDome screen side and CLOBBERS Big E, hammers away, and then hits an OLYMPIC SLAM!! Apollo dares Big E to stand up now, but drags him up to hit ANOTHER OLYMPIC SLAM! Apollo says this is what Big E wanted. But the only thing that will happen is continued beatings! Apollo goes back to get the steel steps! Apollo puts the steps in the ring, and demands Big E stand again! Big E slowly rises, only for Apollo to RAM him with the steel!
Big E flops out of the ring, clutching the arm. Apollo stands tall on the steps, but will he stand atop the WWE with the gold soon enough?
Backstage interview with Reginald and Nia Jax.
Nia tells Kayla she’s being rude, they were in the middle of a conversation. “Who raised you?” But her bae looks so good. And it was funny to see Sasha and Bianca all upset. And then Sasha thinking she’ll be a double champion. Reggie says Nia should challenge Sasha next week for the SmackDown Women’s Championship so that Nia can be double champion? Nia loves that idea! Nia shoos Kayla, but will Nia get that shot and become the #IrresistibleDoubleChampion?
Roman Reigns heads to the ring!
Paul Heyman and Jey Uso accompany him as always, and it is time for the contract signing! Will things stay civil between the Head of the Table and the man challenging him at Fastlane?
SmackDown returns and Bryan makes his entrance again. Adam Pearce presides over this contract signing, and we all know why we’re here. He has the contract for the Universal Championship match of Roman Reigns VS Daniel Bryan at Fastlane. It has been looked over and there are no complaints, so who would like to sign first? Roman insists he again sit at the literal head of the table, so Pearce moves aside and lets Roman take a seat. Roman looks at Bryan and says, “You don’t want to do this. I get it. You did everything you were supposed to do.” But then last week and Talking Smack, all that, Roman agreed to it. This week, Roman isn’t feeling it. This is a no, he isn’t signing this because Bryan doesn’t deserve it.
Well, okay. But Bryan is excited about this so he’s signing. Now who would’ve thought Roman wasn’t a man of his word? The Head of the Table, afraid to fight Bryan? Oh but it makes sense after last week! Because for years, everyone thought Bryan was better than Roman. Bryan did, too. But Roman didn’t, because he had confidence. Yet Bryan proved it because he did something Roman never could: make Jey quit. Does that “stick in your craw,” Roman? Does that make Roman doubt himself? Make him afraid? Is Roman afraid? That can’t be if Roman’s Head of the Table. Maybe Bryan should be the Head of the Table! Shut up. Bryan goes on and on, but Roman asks for a pen.
Heyman hands one over, and Roman signs! Bryan can’t believe it! Maybe Roman isn’t afraid! The contract is handed to Pearce and Bryan says that’s good, because now he has a message: “I’m gonna tap you out just like I tapped out Jey Uso.” Uso TOSSES the table and gets in Bryan’s face! “Enough with the disrespect!” Jey tells Pearce that this match needs a special guest enforcer to make sure this is fair and square! And that person will be JEY!! Roman tells Bryan this is what he gets, but here comes EDGE! Edge says that is a great idea! But next week, for the first time in 11 years, Edge has a match on SmackDown! Edge VS Jey, winner is the special enforcer!
Pearce likes that idea, and makes it official right now! The spot of enforcer will be up for grabs next week on SmackDown! Edge gets in, tosses his mic to Roman, and then he and Bryan attack the Bloodline! Bryan fires off on Jey, Roman and Edge brawl, but then Bryan throws Jey out! Bryan goes after Roman but Edge pushes him aside! Roman runs away, Edge turns around into Bryan’s KNEE PLUS!! Bryan told Edge this isn’t about him, but is it about to be about all three of them at Fastlane?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for SmackDown this week, and it really upped the ante towards Fastlane. The 8 Man Tag was a lot of fun, and the Faces winning works for story. The Street Profits are heading for a SmackDown Tag Team Championship rematch, Mysterios are heading for a blow-off with the Alpha Academy, and both of those matches could go either way. Cesaro VS Murphy was almost a good match but Rollins got in there after him. Rollins’ attack was very strong, gets good Heel Heat, and oddly enough Murphy wasn’t as much of a factor tonight, but surely he’ll try to talk with Rollins next week.
Nakamura glaring at Rollins was good, we definitely need Rollins VS Nakamura 1v1 in a great match before Cesaro even remotely gets involved with it. Then we can get Cesaro & Nakamura VS Rollins & Murphy in a tag match before the Cesaro VS Rollins blow-off. And please don’t make it Nakamura who turns on Cesaro, Nakamura was going strong as a Face so let him stay that way. Sami reaching out to Kevin was a natural move in Sami’s story of conspiracy and instability, and at the very least, we’ll be getting another awesome feud of Sami VS Kevin. I also like that Sami and Corbin were both trying to answer the same open challenge. We don’t get that enough, it all comes off to civil, like everyone just agrees, whoever gets their entrance first is the challenger.
Big E had a powerful promo, Big E VS Sami was a really good match, and it was a good detail that Big E was being distracted by his own anger towards Apollo. Apollo coming out from a less common spot was a good twist on the ambush, and naturally Apollo uses the steel steps again to attack Big E. Their match is going to be incredible stuff, and I almost feel like it should be No Disqualification so Apollo could use the steps but Big E can turn that around on him. The KO Show was very good with it stirring up things with Sasha and Bianca, and their back and forth was also really good stuff. Reggie’s shopping trip with Nia and Shayna, however, was… ugh…
But Sasha & Bianca VS Natty & Tamina was good stuff, even with the one-too-many cuts to Reggie strutting his stuff for Nia. But Reggie being a distraction to Sasha and costing her team the match was a good detail, as it is driving a further wedge between Bianca and Sasha. Their post match promo backstage was also good, and Bianca’s reaction to Sasha calling her “rookie” was great. It seemed pretty clear before that Bianca and Sasha weren’t winning the tag titles, but it’s even clearer now. As for setting up Sasha VS Nia for the SmackDown Women’s title next week, that is quite the twist. I don’t see Sasha losing that, but there could be some good antics that help Sasha win. I could go on about how WWE could’ve had a big Women’s Tag title match, but that’s just crying over spilled milk now.
And once again, the Universal Championship story is some strong stuff. Edge and Bryan had a great interaction to open the show, as did Edge and Jey backstage. Bryan goading Roman was a great detail in the contract signing, and it seems to be Bryan’s thing lately. Bryan likes stirring up trouble now that he’s going for what he wants, and he had a good shot with that line about making Jey give up. Jey putting forward the “enforcer” stipulation, then Edge pouncing on it, is all sadly stacking things against Bryan. If Jey is the enforcer, then Roman is definitely getting a sneaky win on Bryan.
But since Edge is going to face Jey in a match, Edge is totally winning, becoming the enforcer, and after that knee Bryan gave him, Edge could totally sway things in a way where Bryan loses. Or better yet for Edge, he attacks Roman so that Bryan wins, the title stays with Roman, and Roman VS Edge still happens for Mania. Either way, it doesn’t seem like Bryan is going to get YEStleMania 2 at WrestleMania 37, but I’d be pleasantly surprised if WWE figures out a way so that Bryan still gets his chance.
My Score: 8.6/10
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!
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!
Three days until All In!
As AEW counts down to All In: Texas, Dynamite goes big in Garland! It’s an All In All Star 8 Man: Moxley, Claudio & Young Bucks VS Hangman, Ospreay, Shibata & Hobbs!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Samoa Joe VS Wheeler Yuta; wins.
- Women’s Casino Gauntlet Number Two Spot Fatal 4 Way: Megan Bayne VS Tay Melo VS Queen Aminata VS Thekla; wins and will start the All In: Texas Women’s Casino Gauntlet.
- 8 Man Tag: Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & The Young Bucks VS Hangman Page, Will Ospreay, Katsuyori Shibata & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; win.
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
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!
Who will head for Evolution?
WWE Evolution returns this Sunday, and a battle royal waits! Who will General Manager Ava announce as NXT’s participants?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Vanity Gauntlet Match: Ricky Saints VS The Vanity Project; Saints wins and will challenge for the NXT North American Championship at the Great American Bash.
- No Quarter Catch Crew Stakes: Charlie Dempsey VS Tavion Heights; Dempsey wins and keeps Tavion in the NQCC.
- Joe Hendry & Mike Santana VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont w/ Wes Lee; Hendry & Santana win.
- Lainey Reid VS Kelani Jordan; Kelani wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Shawn Spears & Niko Vance; Hank ‘n’ Tank win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Vanity Gauntlet Match: Ricky Starks VS The Vanity Project!
The Absolute wants one more shot at All Ego for the North American Championship, but he’s willing to earn it. However, he’ll have to evolve before our eyes by getting through Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes & the WWE Evolve Champion, Jackson Drake! Can he do it? Or will Ethan Page’s new pals help him cross off his most hated rival?
The fans rally behind Saints while Ethan joins commentary to watch this. Brad starts for Vanity Project, and he waistlocks. Brad CLUBS Saints, fires forearm sand UPPERCUTS, but Saints turns things around to COHP! Brad turns things around, but Saints turns it back around for a CHOP! Brad goes to another corner, Saints bumps him off buckles! Saints UPPERCUTS Brad, ROCKS him, but Brad hits back! Brad whips, Saints reverse, but Brad turns that back around to send Saints to a corner! Brad shouts, “Swipe Right!” but he runs into a BOOT! Saints goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Then a scoop and BACKBREAKER!
The fans fire up with Saints and he stalks Brad to ropes. Brad wants help but this isn’t a tag match! Saints drags Brad back but Brad kicks him away. Saints comes back, Brad wrenches and throat chops! Brad reels Saints in for a suplex and GHOST BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Saints survives but Brad is right on him! Brad CLUBS Saints again and again, then shouts, “Swipe Right!” Brad stalks Saints, has him in a corner, and Brad stomps a mudhole in. Brad ROCKS Saints, CLUBS him, but Saints ROCKS Brad! And ROCKS him again! Brad blocks a kick to kick and BUTTERFLY ANARCHY! Cover, TWO!
The fans chant “Swipe Left! Swipe Left!” Brad snarls, drags Saints up, and snapmares to run and KNEE DROP, but he misses as Saints moves! Saints CHOPS Brad, ROCKS him, then fires more hands. Saints whips, LARIATS Brad, then LARIATS again! Saints waits for Brad to get up so he can BACKDROP! The fans fire up and Saints runs in for an ELBOW! Saints says, “This is MY house!” The fans cheer, Saints dodges Brad to hit a TORNADO DDT! High stack, Saints ELIMINATES Brad! Jackson asks Ethan who goes next, and Ethan sends Smokes! The fans rally for Saints but Smokes fires forearms! Smokes GAMANGIRIS Saints, then fireman’s carries!
Saints fires elbows to slip free! Smokes feints a chop to reel Saints in, snap suplex! The fans chant “Let’s Go, Ricky!” “Ricky Sucks!” Smokes covers, TWO! The fans boo Smokes while NXT goes picture in picture.
Smokes huffs ‘n’ puffs, then he sits Saints up to KNEE him in the back! Smokes pushes Saints down for a KNEE DROP! Smokes pushes Saints down to a cover, ONE! Smokes clamps onto Saints with a chinlock and grinds him down. Saints endures, fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS! Then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Smokes stays in this but Saints stays on him. But Smokes fires body shots! Smokes ROCKS Saints, whips him to ropes, but Saints reverses. Smokes reveres back, but Saints BOOTS him! Saints storms up, but Smokes DUMPS him to the apron! Saints ROCKS Smokes, reels him in, and SUPLEXES HIM TO THE FLOOR!
Vanity Project freaks out while Saints puts Smokes back in the ring. But Smokes distracts the ref so that Drake can RAM Saints into barriers! Drake gets away with it, and Saints drags himself into the ring. Smokes stomps away on Saints, puts him in a corner, and stomps him more. The ref backs Smokes off, but Smokes stands Saints up. Saints fires hands, backs Smokes down, but Smokes fires a body shot! Smokes stomps Saints again, then whips corner to corner hard! Saints falls back, but Smokes covers, TWO! Smokes is annoyed but he drags Saints up to fireman’s carry. The fans rally as NXT returns to single picture.
Smokes hits USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Saints is still in this and the fans rally up. Smokes drags Saints up, CLUBS away on Saints’ neck, but the fans still chant “Swipe Left!” Smokes traps Saints’ arm, winds up, but Saints ducks the lariat! Saints shoves Smokes, scoops and URENAGES! The fans fire up as Saints LARIATS, whips, then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up as Smokes staggers, into a REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Smokes survives but Ethan seethes. Ethan tells Saints to keep his eyes off him and on his opponent. Smokes runs up, Saints puts Smokes in the ropes! Saints then has Smokes dangling off the ropes!
Smokes slips free, rolls Saints up, TWO! Smokes swings, misses, but dodges Saints, only to run into an atomic drop and deep jackknife! SAINTS ELIMINATES SMOKES! Fans cheer the superior Ricky, and now it’s all down to The Carolina Reaper. Drake slides into the ring, talks a lot of trash, but Saints resets with him. They fire forearms, Saints ROCKS Drake, Drake shots body shots, but Saints ROCKS him again! Drake kicks Saints, pushes him into the corner, and stomps a mudhole! The fans rally for Saints and he CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Drake SOBATS, snapmares, then he KICKS Saints in the back! Cover, TWO!
Saints toughs it out but Drake keeps on him with an ANKLE LOCK! Then Drake ties the legs up, stomps Saints again and again, and Ethan loves it as Drake pulls Saints into the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Saints pries at the grip and pops free of the hold! Drake CLUBS Saints, whips, but Saints reverses. Drake dropkicks the legs out! Drake kips up and BUZZSAWS! Drake then fireman’s carries for a GUT BUSTER DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Saints survives and the fans fire up again! Drake aims from a corner, runs up, but Saints stops the superkick! Saints spins Drake, fireman’s carries, and hits a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Drake survives, and Saints hauls Drake up to hit a back suplex! Drake lands out and ENZIGIRIS! Drake aims from a corner, runs in, UNALIV- NO, Saints dodges! Drake hobbles up, Saints runs in, but Drake goes up and over! Drake then SUPERKICKS Saints down! Drake goes out, goes up, and he springboards to SWANTON BOMB but onto Saints’ knees! LARIAT!! Saints reels Drake in, Canadian Rack, ROSHAMBEAUX!! Cover, Saints wins!
Winner: Ricky Saints, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)
It was a hard fought gauntlet, but that was an Absolute victory! Saints grabs a mic to tell Ethan, “The ball’s in my court! This Saturday, Great American Bash, for the North American Championship, I’m gonna dog walk your ass all over Atlanta!” The fans like the sound of that! Saints says the best match he knows how, it will be FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE! Ethan is furious but the match is made! Will either man make it back to Orlando after tearing it down in Atlanta?
#ZaRuca, Lola Vice & Kelani Jordan talk backstage.
They’re all excited by the news of Sol Ruca & Zaria going to Evolution to be part of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way. Sol says she will handle Izzi Dame on Saturday to retain her NXT Women’s North American Championship, and then ZaRuca will get that tag gold! Lainey Reid walks in and asks if Sol will even have anything left for Sunday. If not for her friend, Zaria, Sol might not even have lost to Izzi. Sol keeps Zaria back, but Lainey says this is what happens when you mess with Tatum Paxley and her business. Kelani Jordan says Lainey is the last one to talk about getting into someone else’s business. And really, she’s been doing that a lot lately.
Lola says Lainey just got here, she’s overstepping. Kelani says yeah, Lainey should worry more about Thea Hail. Oh, please! Thea’s no big deal. Sol says she and Zaria are just going to go, they have to worry about their matches this weekend. Good luck to any and all who are in the Evolution Battle Royal. Lainey says yes, she should be in that match, because she is the future of this division. Kelani asks what she has even done. Lainey says she has no problem showing her. Then do it! Lainey says fine, and heads out. But will the Southern Belle get her bell rung when she takes on the Standout?
Jordynne Grace works out in the gym.
And while she’s watching her phone count down for her planking, Blake Monroe calls! Grace sits up to answer, and she asks where Blake even is, they’re supposed to be training. Blake says oh, she’ll take a guess and say Grace is in the gym, in a black sports bra, black leggings, and even trainers. Uh, yeah… But wait, where is Blake then? She sent her driver, and it is time for a Glamour Workout. Um, Grace can’t lift an SUV. No, no, the driver is there to pick Grace up. They’ll do nails, hair, maybe even a massage! Grace will learn what she has been missing! And Atlanta won’t know what hit them when The Glamournauts-
Grace stops Blake there. She’ll come if she stops saying what she’s saying. Blake says JG is so funny. See you soon~! The phone call ends, Grace hops in the SUV, and it takes her to a boutique! Grace already doesn’t like the look of it, but will this “workout” work out for them?
No Quarter Catch Crew Stakes: Charlie Dempsey VS Tavion Heights!
Myles Borne beat the team captain and got his “graduation” from the NQCC, and finally Dempsey gives that same deal to Tavion. But will Dempsey really keep Tavion down? Or is this just the beginning of Tavion reaching new heights in NXT?
The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. Dempsey hits the headlock takeover, Tavion powers out, then he hits a throw of his own! The two reset, tie up, and Dempsey arm-drags! Tavion is up, he arm-drags in return, and he runs up on Dempsey. They tie up, Dempsey UPPERCUTS Tavion out of the ring, then goes out after him. Dempsey UPPERCUTS while Wren Sinclair does her best to coach both sides. Dempsey stands Tavion up and puts him in the ring. Tavion DROPKICKS Dempsey outta the ring! Tavion goes out after Dempsey, CLUBS him, then throws him into the ring. Tavion brings Dempsey up but Dempsey shoves him away.
The two go again, Dempsey cravats for the neck wrench, but the fans rally as Tavion endures. Dempsey rolls with Tavion, rolls again, and then CRAVAT PLEXES! Cover, ONE, but Dempsey keeps the hold on tight. Tavion scoops Dempsey to SLAM him! Dempsey tumbles away, comes back, but Tavion arm-drags! Tavion has the armlock and grinds Dempsey down! Dempsey fights up, the fans rally, and Dempsey UPPERCUTS! Dempsey SNATCHES the face brace! Tavion asks what the heck, but Dempsey SLAPS him! Tavion is furious and he TACKLEDS Dempsey! The fans fire up as Tavion rains down fists!
Tavion hauls Dempsey up, whips him and LARIATS! The fans fire up and Tavion goes out after Dempsey. Both men run up, both men DECK the other! The NQCC is down and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns, Dempsey KNEES Tavion low then chicken wings! Tavion fights off the crossface portion, then scoops Dempsey and SLINGSHOT GUT WRENCH SLAMS him! The fans fire up for Tavion and he rises up! Tavion hits a HIP LOCK THROW, then another! Then and OVERHEAD SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Tavion waits on Dempsey. Dempsey kicks but Tavion blocks! Tavion clinches but Dempsey fights, they tumble out to the floor again! The fans fire up and Wren is worried, but both men stand. Tavion blocks a slap to SLAP Dempsey! Dempsey tumbles, Tavion drags Dempsey up the steps, but Dempsey trips Tavion!
Tavion gets his leg stuck between steps and post and Dempsey hurries back up! Dempsey STOMPS away on Tavion’s leg! The fans boo, the ref counts, and Wren freaks out, but Dempsey stops so he can refresh the ring count. Dempsey goes out to drag Tavion up and into the ring. Dempsey grabs the bad leg and turns Tavion for a HALF CRAB! Dempsey pulls that leg back! Tavion endures, reaches out, and he claws his way forward! But Dempsey drags him back! Dempsey STOMPS the bad leg! Then he steps over, HEEL HOOK! Tavion endures, reaches out, and he fights his way forward again! Dempsey drags him back again!
Dempsey KNEES Tavion int he back, then has a modified STF! Tavion endures, but he shakes his head. Wren has a towel, and she throws it in?!? Dempsey wins!
Winner: Charlie Dempsey, by submission (Tavion stays in NQCC)
Tavion didn’t give up, but Wren couldn’t stand to watch him suffer. Tavion is stuck under Dempsey’s thumb, how much worse can it get?
Hank ‘n’ Tank talk backstage.
Walker & Ledger are fired up for this title match tonight! They’re gonna be like Joey Chestnut going after a plate of glizzies! Tonight, they send The Culling back to the boiler room they crawled out of, because there won’t be any sneak attacks, no chair shots, no- LEXIS KING, stop it!! The Drama King keeps tugging at the garage door chain, but Tank says there will only be a head-on collision waiting for Spears & Vance! Je’Von Evans walks over and is fired up for the blue collar belly bandits! The Culling tried to put them out, just like Jasper Troy did to him, but guess what? Je’Von got his lick back! So tonight, Hank ‘n’ Tank get theirs!
Je’Von says he needs to see that, uh, RAH RAH RAH! They all swivel hips, but TROY CLOBBERS JE’VON! And right into the garage door! Did Lexis set this up for Troy!? Hank ‘n’ Tank try to get Troy off of Je’Von but Troy just RAMS the Young OG again! Will Troy make sure Je’Von never bounces again?
Joe Hendry & Mike Santana VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont w/ Wes Lee!
It’s not just TNA VS NXT here, it is two men who want to clear out the pawns protecting Trick Williams. Will the Prestigious One and the Proud Boricuan make us all believers just 12 days from Slammiversary? Or will they fail to get over the High Ryze?
The teams sort out and Hendry starts against Igwe. They circle, tie up, and Igwe wrenches to wristlock. Igwe RAMS shoulders, but Hendry rolls, kips up, and wrenches back. Hendry hits a headlock takeover but Igwe headscissors. Hendry kips free and the fans continue to sing the song. Hendry and Igwe back off and tag in Santana and Dupont. They circle, Santana rolls but Dupont stays clear. They tie up, Dupont RAMS Santana into the corner! Dupont RAMS Santana again and again, tags Igwe, then sends Igwe in. Santana BOOTS Igwe, goes up and over Dupont, then SHOTGUNS Igwe! Santana kips up and the fans fire up!
Dupont runs up, Santana dodges, and Hendry scoops! Hendry shows off that strength as he FALL AWAY SLAMS Dupont! Hendry kips up, the fans fire up, and Hendry TURNS! Santana points to Hendry and nods while NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Dupont runs up on Hendry, only for Hendry to roll him up! ONE, but Hendry wrangles Dupont to another cover, TWO! Dupont UPPERCUTS Hendry down! Cover, TWO! Hendry stays in this but Dupont stays on him. Dupont drags Hendry over, tags Igwe, and Igwe runs to SOMERSAULT SENTON! Then Dupont adds a SPLASH DOWN! Igwe sets up while Dupont BLASTS Santana! STANDING MOONSAULT from Igwe! Cover, TWO! Hendry toughs it out but Igwe clamps on with a facelock. Igwe grinds Hendry, Hendry fights up, and Hendry powers up, only for Igwe to add body scissors!
Igwe grinds Hendry down to the mat, the fans rally up, and Hendry powers his way back to his feet! Hendry suplexes high and hard! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Hot tags to Dupont and Santana! Santana rallies on Dupont & Igwe, then fires a flurry of haymakers on Dupont! Santana whips, Dupont reverses, but Santana blocks Igwe’s boot! Igwe BOOTS Santana away after all, but Santana uses that to roll and STUNNER for Dupont! Igwe runs up, Santana fireman’s carries for the FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up and Santana FLIES out onto Dupont! Not the cleanest but it was enough! The fans fire up more as Santana puts Dupont in. Cover, Igwe breaks it!
Hendry storms in and throws hands with Igwe! Igwe ROCKS Hendry, runs up, but Hendry DUMPS him out! Hendry then builds speed and HIGH JUMPS! Down goes Igwe! Santana has Dupont, but Dupont ducks the lariat to full nelson and- ARM-DRAG! Santana sends Dupont away, then dodges a lariat to hit the SIDE EFFECT! The fans fire up and Santana goes up! But Wes distracts from the apron! Trick Williams RAMS Hendry into the steel steps! The fans boo, Santana still leaps, but he goes over Dupont so he can somersault and SHORYUKEN Wes! The fans fire up, and then Santana dodges Dupont to SPIN THE BLOCK!! Cover, Santana & Hendry win!
Winners: Joe Hendry & Mike Santana, by pinfall
Santana scores, but then a TRICK KICK hits! Trick talks trash, but Hendry is back up! Hendry fires haymakers on Trick! But Wes SUPERKICKS Trick down! Igwe & Dupont get up, now all of High Ryze mugs the TNA wrestlers! The fans boo but Dupont & Igwe set Hendry up for the TRICK SHOT! Will Hendry and Santana even make it to Saturday and the contract signing for this world championship Triple Threat?
Dark State speaks.
Dion Lennox says, “Ey, y’all thought ‘Ain’t nobody safe’ was just a catchphrase? Man, hell naw! That’s what we live by! Any place, any time, and that includes TNA! Matt Cardona found out real quick what happens when them lights go out!” Saquon Shugar says, “Yeah, we scheming on TNA, but that ain’t the only thing we be scheming on. We got our hands in erry cookie jar. So TNA, we gonna see y’all real soon. But don’t think it’s sweet over here on this side either.” Cutler James says, “We should take a real close look at that tag title match tonight. Yeah, I just don’t hope Hank ‘n’ Tank are feeling a little better after that ‘mysterious attack’ the other week.”
Osiris Griffin says, “Man, these people think they know everything, don’t they, huh, Cutty? I mean, they say the eyes don’t lie, right? I mean, that may be so. But don’t think for a second they can’t be lied to. Seeing is believing, but the truth? Well, that’s just an illusion.” Dion says everybody better keep their head on a swivel! No one knows when, where, or how Dark State is gonna strike. But what everyone does know is that when Dark State strikes, ain’t nobody safe. Then just who will end up their next victims?
Yoshiki Inamura & Josh Briggs are here!
The NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship and his best pal are here, both excited for what’s coming this Saturday at Great American Bash. Even Inamura’s peers over at Pro-Wrestling NOAH are excited, having put their support behind him. Inamura grabs a mic, and here comes Oba Femi! The Ruler is ready to have a final face-to-face with Inamura before their match. Inamura starts by saying Oba wanted to see if Inamura was worthy, if he had grit. Inamura beat Jasper Troy just like he beat Trick Williams. Oba will be Inamura’s greatest challenge! But Inamura is ready! The fans applaud that!
Inamura says the people support him, Briggs supports him, his friends and family in Japan support him. And now, Inamura must make them all proud! The fans cheer, and Inamura says at the Great American Bash, he will fight with honor. And Inamura will become the NEW NXT Champion! The fans cheer that, too! Oba grins and says, “Oh no, oh no…! At least you have the support of the fans and your family and your friends, like Josh. So maybe they will be the ones to pick up the pieces when I beat you. Because you talk about honor, fighting for honor. Well, this Saturday, why don’t you ask yourself, can you lose with honor?
“Because when it is all said and done, my friend, the truth will prevail: You are not worthy of taking this title from me.” The fans cheer, but now Briggs speaks up? “Inamura is being polite, but brother, did you see what he did to Jasper Troy last week? C’mon! Let’s be real here! He beat him easier than Oba did! He’s gonna do the same exact thing that he did to Jasper to The Ruler~!” The fans boo, but Briggs says what Inamura is too honorable to say is… At The Great American Bash, Inamura’s gonna beat Oba’s ass! Look, look, Inamura is a man of honor, but brother, Briggs is not. He is not done talking, either!
Briggs is not a man of honor but of mayhem, and he promises to do everything in his power to make sure his friend leaves as NXT Champion, because this is their only chance! Oba tells Briggs this is not his fight. Yoshiki should tell his friend to get out of Oba’s face before he breaks Briggs’. Inamura does talk Briggs down, but then Briggs pushes past to throw hands with Oba! The fans fire up, Oba ROCKS Briggs, ROCKS Inamura, but Briggs jumps back in! The hands keep going, and then Oba LARIATS Briggs up and out! Inamura ROCKS Oba! And scoops him for a SLAM! The refs rush out here but Inamura stands down.
The fans want to “Let Them Fight! Let Them Fight!” but Inamura gives way to his honorable nature. Inamura is willing to wait for Saturday, but will he be the one to dethrone The Ruler?
The “Glamour Workout” continues.
Grace is not feeling this spa-boutique stuff, so she’s gonna just Uber back to the Performance Center. No, no, hold on, “Muscle Muffin.” Blake knows Grace trains her body all the time. It is time to treat her! And in a way, this is training: recovery, self-care, and glamour. Just please try. Grace gives in, and montage time! Blake says time for ropes and slippers, Grace says no, but she again gives in. Well, she does make one adjustment: she RIPS the sleeves away! Way to make it your own! Hopefully that doesn’t cost extra… They get manicures, massages, but the masseuse isn’t even strong enough for Grace to feel it through all those muscles.
Blake says Grace is like a stray dog in a Dior store. Grace has to understand muscles and “me time” can coexist. Now, face back in the hole. They also get make-up down, and that much Grace enjoys. They also soak their feet. Grace says she still doesn’t feel this is her vibe. Blake says it is! Grace has to see that her self-esteem is something she can lift. And she has to lift it up high to be a champion. They’ve gotta get that title off Jacy Jayne one way or another. Grace sighs, and admits she’s been chasing the title for awhile. And she admits, she likes the pampering. See? One day with The Glamour, and Grace looks more like a champ!
Grace says Blake isn’t so bad herself. But isn’t this kinda what she always looks like? Sure, but she’s also having fun. Okay, okay, first: They beat Fatal Influence at Great American Bash. Second: Grace beats Jacy at Evolution. And… thanks for this. Grace relaxes and Blake is happy to have helped. Will this spa day be just the thing to energize the Juggernaut into steamrolling the Toxic Rockstar?
Lainey Reid VS Kelani Jordan!
The Southern Sensation may be the new girl, but her attitude has already skyrocketed up the ranks past The Standout’s new edge. Will Lainey just keep on adding to her ego with another win? Or will she learn that no one does it like Lani?
NXT returns and Lainey makes her entrance. The bell rings and Reid takes a swing! Lani dodges, then trips Reid up to cover, ONE! Reid handsprings over and takes a curtsey. But Lani arm-drags her down! Reid headscissors, Lani kips free, but Reid trips her up! Cover, ONE as Lani goes Matrix! Lani wags her finger, does a curtsey, but Reid runs up! Lani dodges, drops down with the splits, then MONKEY FLIPS! Reid flounders, Lani DROPKICKS her and Reid tumbles out of the ring! Lani aims, PLANCHA, but Reid moves! Lani lands safe on the apron, avoids a leg sweep, then kicks, but Reid blocks to DRAGON SCREW!
Reid SLAMS Lani’s leg on the apron, SLAMS it again, then pushes it against the ropes! The ref reprimands, Reid storms in and drops a KNEE on Lani! Reid traps Lani’s leg in the ropes, YANKS the arms, and Lani writhes. The fans duel while Reid steps over. Lani kicks and kicks, but Reid spins through. Lani counters with a cradle, TWO! Both women stand, and Lani BODY SHOTS! And BODY SHOTS! Then she ROCKS Reid with a forearm! Reid dodges the next shot to SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! HALF CRAB! The fans rally as Reid pulls on the leg and Lani endures! Lani reaches out but Reid drags her back!
Lani SCORPION KICKS from below! Reid stays up, Lani kicks more, but Reid blocks to have the FULL BOSTON CRAB! Lani endures, reaches out, claws at the mat, and she powers up to FLING Reid into a corner! Reid slumps down while Lani shakes her leg. Reid storms up but into more body shots! Lani blocks a lariat to ROCK Reid, ROCK her again, and again! Lani whips, LARIATS, and then LARIATS again! Lani DROPKICKS, rolls back, and runs up to handspring and BACK ELBOW! Then she kips up! The fans fire up as Lani fights through the pain! Lani fireman’s carries Reid, but Reid fights free!
Lani powers up to fireman’s carry Reid again! WASTELAND SLAM, then SPLIT-LEG- NO, Reid catches Lani’s leg! Lani KICKS free, adjusts, but Reid GAMANGIRIS! Reid goes up, goes to the very top, but Lani fights with body shots! The fans rally as the two fight for control! Reid rains down elbows, but Lani fires them in return! Lani DECKS Reid, adjusts, and JUMPS into the SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Lani wins!
Winner: Kelani Jordan, by pinfall
Now that was one of a kind! But will this help the inaugural NXT Women’s North American Champion have a spot in the Evolution Battle Royal? WHOA, Thea Hail goes right after Reid! The fans fire up as Thea and Reid brawl their way up the ram! HEADBUTT from Thea! Thea keeps after Reid and Kelani says she told Reid to watch out. Will Thea make sure Reid learns a lesson or two for the summer?
Je’Von is in the medical center.
The trainer checks the Young OG out, and he’s very sore from what Troy did to him. But then Troy LEAPS onto Je’Von again! There is no mercy from the big man, and it takes half a dozen security guards to drag him away! Will nothing short of breaking Je’Von in half satisfy Troy’s anger?
The former D’Angelo Family meets backstage.
Tony D arrives first, followed by Luca Crusifino. Channing Lorenzo walks in, Heritage Cup in hand, but before anything pops off, Adriana Rizzo appears! And she tells everyone to sit down. They do as told, and Luca asks Rizzo what this is about. Rizzo says, “What? Did you think I was gonna stay in hiding forever? Tucked away, watching while Rome burns?” Stacks says it was definitely burning with how Tony was leading. Rizzo says she called this “final sit down.” And she knew if she told any of them what it was about, none of them would show up. Tony says that’s not wrong.
Rizzo says while she was in the safehouse, she watched all three of them lose focus on what this family has accomplished here in NXT. Tony, Stacks, you two created a legacy. You brought in Rizzo and Luca. They had so many great memories in the restaurant, as well as taking people to “the bridge,” “the woodshop,” but also winning championships, and being a family. And they destroyed it all! Tony says Rizzo should take it easy. But Rizzo brings up how she and Tony talked in Vegas, about sitting down with everyone to resolve this. But Tony didn’t wanna do that. Now look at everything!
Luca asks Rizzo if she thinks talking will really bring this family back together. She did. But there’s no saving this, is there? So there is one last piece of family business. And what’s that? Before she gets into it, she has to say this: Stacks, you were Underboss for a long time, and feel you deserve better; Luca, every time you signed a document as Consigliere, you wondered if Tony had everyone’s best interests at heart; and even if there was a point to saving all this, The Don will always wonder if someone is gonna stab him in the back. “Once trust is broken, doubt creeps in, and it just doesn’t work.”
If Rizzo left these three to it, it’d never end. So she did what she had to do, and she talked to Ava. They now have a Triple Threat next week. This is the WWE, so she can’t guarantee if their paths will ever cross again. But as far as family business goes, this is the final battle. Stacks says they’re just setting him up! Tony laughs and Stacks asks why. Because it is hilarious! The rat thinks he’s getting set up for a trap. Typical rat behavior. Luca admits, he agrees with Tony on that: this all started cuz Stacks turned first. But then Tony hits Luca with, “Look who’s talking!” Mr. I Wanna Do My Own Thing! As far as Tony’s concerned, they’re the same.
Stacks says he grew bigger than the family, and the others couldn’t handle it. Especially Tony! He is Heritage Cup Champion now, he’s bigger than all of them! And he’ll prove it next week. Tony says he hates Stacks, Stacks says he hates Tony. Tony says Stacks & Luca should split the Cup. And he doesn’t give it even a week before Stacks loses it again. Luca says he needs to get away from Stacks and out of Tony’s shadow. Tony says yeah, okay, both of them are happy where they are now. Good talk, Rizz, but it’s over. Que sara sara. The Don is done. All three men stand up, but Stacks promises, Tony better not let Stacks catch him all alone.
Luca says the one time he tries to do things… Tensions are high, but it is going to explode next week. Who will be left standing after it all goes down?
Jasper Troy is in the ring!
The LFG Season 1 Champion has a mic to shout, “I’m done with Je’Von Evans! You hear me? I’m DONE with Je’Von! Ava, you know what to do! Make the match at the Great American Bash a Triple Threat for the NXT title!” The fans are torn on that, but then Je’Von rushes out here! He slides into the ring and throws hands on Troy! The fans fire up but Troy KNEES Je’Von low! Je’Von sputters, security focuses on Troy, and Je’Von SUPERKICKS Troy! Troy tumbles out of the ring, Je’Von builds speed, and he FLIES! Down goes Troy and the security guards! The fans fire up for the Young OG, is he about to bounce back and tear Troy down?
The Culling meets backstage.
Izzi Dame smiles as Tatum Paxley takes her seat in the circle, and both Shawn Spears & Niko Vance welcome her. Tatum says this place is incredible! She feels right at home here. Izzi says their home is now Tatum’s home, and Tatum says they’re the best. Izzi says they’re all equal, Tatum. But thanks to Tatum, the boys have their chance at the NXT Tag Team Championships. Niko says damn right. And it’ll happen. He has put Hank ‘n’ Tank down once, and he plans to do it again. Spears smiles and nods as Niko says Hank ‘n’ Tank will regret accusing them of that attack. If it was The Culling, you’d know it was them, because they’d stop at nothing to make Hank ‘n’ Tank feel pain!
Spears says easy, Niko, easy. The truth will come to light in time. But for now, they can reap the benefits of the assumption. For now, stay levelheaded, with eyes on the goal. Izzi says Spears is right. Tonight, Niko & Spears win the tag titles, then on Saturday, Izzi wins the Women’s North American Championship. Tatum says that is right! Then all her new best friends will have gold belts to go with their gold hearts! Izzi says that’s because The Culling always prevails. Will that painful truth be proven right? Or will a bit of HONK HONK break right through the delusion?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Shawn Spears & Niko Vance!
NXT returns as the blue collar belly bandits make their entrance. And they don’t care about formalities, they attack The Culling! The fans fire up as the brawl is on! Tank TACKLES Niko, Hank ROCKS Spears, and the bell rings to get this on record! Hank storms up on Spears in the corner but Spears kicks low! Spears puts Hank in the corner to ROCK then whip, but Hank reverses to run up and SPLASH! Hank then short arm LARIATS Spears and the fans fire up! Niko and Tank continue to brawl on the outside, and Tank RAMS Niko into the apron. Niko rains down elbows in return, but Hank runs to BODY CHECK Niko off the apron!
The fans fire up with Hank ‘n’ Tank, they go back to the ring, but Spears dropkicks Hank’s legs out! Spears throws hands, then snapmares and stomps! Spears tags Niko, the Culling mugs Hank, and then Niko bumps Hank off buckles. Niko bumps Hank off more buckles, then UPPERCUTS him! Hank ELBOWS Niko, but Niko tries another buckle bump. Hank blocks that, ELBOWS Niko, then he bumps Niko off buckles! The fans rally as Hank pushes Niko to ropes, tags Tank, and then whips Niko for the misdirect! Tank CLOBBERS Niko! The champs rev it up and the fans fire up! Tank runs then hops onto Hank, DOUBLE SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
Tank clamps onto Niko with a chinlock and the fans rally behind the champs. Niko fights up, powers Tank to ropes and powers out, only for Tank to wrench. Niko HEADBUTTS Tank down! Tag to Spears, turns Tank, NECKBREAKER! Then a leg drop! Cover, ONE! Spears is annoyed but he stays between Hank ‘n’ Tank. Spears stands Tank up but Tank fires hands! Tank whips, Spears reverses and KNEES low! Spears tags Niko, they mug Tank, then Niko ROCKS Tank with a haymaker! Tank goes to a corner, Niko RAMS into him, but Tank ELBOWS in return! Tank ROCKS Niko, but Niko BODY SHOTS!
Niko whips, Tank grabs ropes, and he BOOTS in return! Hank tags in, Tank bumps Niko off buckles. Hank runs up to LARIAT and BULLDOG! Tank runs to SPLASH Spears off the corner! Tank SENTONS Niko, Hank goes up! Niko avoids the flying lariat! Hank tumbles out, but Izzi & Tatum stand in his way! The fans boo, Hank keeps his distance as he walks around the ladies, but Niko POUNCES Hank over the desk! Booker T gets wiped out in the process! The fans go nuts and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns again and Niko has Hank up top. They brawl, and Hank DECKS Niko! Hank rises, Niko stands, and Hank FLYING LARIATS! The fans fire up and rally as both men crawl. Hank and Niko crawl, hot tags to Spears and Tank! Tank rallies on Spears with LARIAT and UPPERCUT and BIG atomic drop! Spears staggers around, Tank goes up and up to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Tank keeps moving and he DIVES! Down goes Niko and the fans fire up! Tank hurries back, he blocks a kick then cartwheels, but Spears SUPERKICKS after all! Tank stays up, Spears SUPERKICKS again! Niko tags in and he DIVING HEADBUTTS! Cover, HANK BREAKS IT!
The fans fire up and Niko is furious! Niko drags Hank up, “This is Awesome!” as Niko TOSSES Hank out! Izzi & Tatum are there to laugh at Hank, and Niko tags Spears. Spears brings Tank up, but Tank fireman’s carries! Spears shouts for Tatum and Tatum distracts from the apron! Spears slips free and he THROWS Tank tot he ropes! Izzi BOOTS! Spears hits the IMPALER! Cover, TWO!! Tank survives and the entire Culling is shocked! The fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” ZaRuca attacks Izzi & Tatum! Well, Sol brawls with Izzi, and Zaria carries Tatum away like she did before! Spears & Niko freak out, but they don’t see Hank ‘n’ Tank rise up!
Hank ‘n’ Tank throw off the shirts! They and The Culling then throw hands! Niko RAMS Hank into a corner but Tank DECKS Spears! Niko whips, Hank reverses, and Tank LEAPING LARIATS! The fans are thunderous as the champs go to the corners. HONK HONK! Spears shoves Niko to take the BELLY SANDWICH! Hank LARIATS Niko, scoops Spears, and they hit the GRIDIRON! Tank covers, Hank ‘n’ Tank win!
Winner: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
The Culling does not prevail, step on of their golden agenda has fallen apart! But will Izzi make up for that by taking the Women’s North American Championship from Sol? Or will she just get her soul snatched?
BREAKING NEWS for The Great American Bash!
With the multiple attacks just this evening, Jasper Troy will have to give Je’Von Evans a fair fight! They will now go 1v1 in Atlanta, will Troy not leave even a piece of Je’Von left?
Andre Chase finds Kale Dixon backstage.
Mr. Chase is fired up for his freshman to have his match, but then what’s he doing in the medical room? Kale says he can’t. His blood pressure is through the roof! He’s not mentally prepared for this! His arm is numb! Chase says c’mon, they were preparing for this all week! Kale apologizes, he can’t go out there, he can’t feel his arm! That’s because Uriah hasn’t stopped pumping the cuff! Uriah stops, the air is let out, and Kale feels much better. But still, Kale can’t go out there right now, he is freaking out! Chase looks Kale in the eyes, and says okay, it’s fine. They’ll reschedule and figure this out.
Kale thanks Mr. Chase, but Mr. Chase is seeing the uphill battle ahead of them both. Can Chase find a way to reach these kids?
Ava Raine is in the ring.
The NXT General Manager stands at the podium, and she says, “October 28th, 2018: the first women’s Evolution.” The fans cheer that. Ava was in high school at the time, and watching that event, she thought how amazing it would be to be part of something so monumental. Iyo Sky was in the finals of the Mae Young Classic, and she is now Women’s World Champion. Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch put on an undeniable Last Woman Standing match. And a history-maker in her own right, Nikki Bella was in the main event. All of those women continue to push women’s wrestling forward in everything that they do.
And now, as the first female GM in NXT history, she is so proud that NXT is going to be all over Evolution. #ZaRuca have the opportunity to become THE WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Jordynne Grace takes on Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Championship. And six women from NXT will represent this brand in the battle royal! The fans cheer as Ava says they have a chance to move on to the Clash in Paris for a main roster women’s title opportunity. And those six women are: Jaida Parker; Lola Vice; Kelani Jordan; Lash Legend; Izzi Dame; and Tatum Paxley! Those women will show everyone that not only does NXT always show up, they always show out!
The fans cheer, and Ava says this is the most stacked Women’s Division in the world! NXT is the land of opportunity and- Fatal Influence interrupts. Ava sighs and smirks as Fallon Henley, Jazmyn Nyx & Jacy Jayne walk out here. Jacy already has a mic to say, “Um, I’m sorry. Ava, hi, remember me? Your NXT Women’s Champion?” Yes, Ava just mentioned you. Well, right, then to be honest, Jacy feels it is weird that Ava talks about everyone else when Jacy’s match and her title are gonna be the highlight. In fact, Ava doesn’t even need to talk about that battle royal, and when she talks about the Women’s Division, she’s really just talking about Jacy Jayne.
NOT the sentimental favorites, the TNA “tourists,” and certainly not that flash in the pan- WAIT, Grace interrupts! And she says, “Jacy Jayne, running her mouth again. But let’s all act surprised. Evolution is a groundbreaking event, but you don’t make it special. It’s about the women who paved the way for us. And when I take that NXT Women’s title from you, I’m gonna be the one steering this division into the future.” WAIT, Lash Legend is here! And she opens with “SKRRRRRR~! Oh, see, I love this. I love this! Y’all two can go ahead, keep it going, keep it going, because this must be a gift for me. Y’all two can keep on fighting over that NXT Women’s Championship.
“But as for me, Lash Legend, the Bougie Bully? You best believe I’m gonna be the talk of Evolution when I go on and win the Women’s Battle Royal in my hometown, Hotlanta, and theeen go on to Clash in Paris and finally win a women’s championship.” But wait! Stephanie Vaquer is back! The fans fire up as La Primera has the mic, and she says, “It’s amazing to be back. Jacy, Jacy, Jacy. You are the NXT Women’s Champion now, I respect that. You beat me. But on Sunday, Jordynne is getting the victory. Just like I will in the battle royal to become a new champion.” But wait! Natalya is here, accompanied by Maxxine Dupri!
And Maxxine has the mic to have everyone hold on. She knows all these girlies are discussing Women’s Wrestling history without mentioning The BOAT, the lowkey legend, Natalya! The fans cheer, and Maxxine says Paris might be the fashion capital of the world, but it is also where one of them will become the NEW WWE Women’s Champion! Natty says that is so sweet of Maxxine to say. But the Dungeon Dolls didn’t come here to play, they’re here to win! And at Evolution, they will be the last two women in that battle royal, locked in, until the very end. Wait, wait, more women sneak in from the outside!
Zelina Vega, Ivy Nile, Lola Vice, Giulia, Candice LeRae, and Jaida Parker are here! And Miss Parker has the mic to tell everyone else to hold on, cuz they’re not the only ones who want opportunities. Just look around! The entire women’s division is stacked! But go ahead, keep that same energy. Cuz Jaida Parker is going to step into the battleground that is Evolution and be on point. The fans applaud as the walls start closing in on Fatal Influence, but then Jaida says she’ll also throw all y’all little asses over the top rope while she’s at it! Then she makes her way to Paris, get herself a title, bring it back to NXT or even stay on Raw & SmackDown.
Either way, in Atlanta, best believe it is Jaida’s time! And now a brawl pops off! The fans fire up for this preview of the battle royal! Ava stands aside as the fans cheer for “NXT! NXT!” Izzi & Tatum also watch from a distance, enjoying every bit of this. Refs rush out here but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” The fighting does indeed continue, but not for lack of trying from the refs! Who proves themselves worthy of glory and gold when WWE reaches Evolution?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT as the go-home to the big ATL weekend, but with some seemingly last minute additions to the American Bash. Ricky Saints making it through the Vanity Project was a given, but Falls Count Anywhere was not what I expected. Either way, Ethan VS Ricky will be great stuff, really elevate the show overall, and could easily have Ricky be the new champion despite the go-home math here. Dempsey VS Tavion was a great match, but I figured Dempsey would win. The faction isn’t going to last if another member leaves, but maybe they should think about reloading with some Evolve/LFG talent.
Very good promo from the D’Angelo Family to set up a Triple Threat as the blowoff. Hard to call it, but I feel like Stacks wins as he’s the Heritage Cup Champion. Very fun promo from Chase U with Kale being too nervous for his first singles match in NXT, but it doesn’t really work when he used to job in singles matches before this story. Great tag match of Hendry & Santana VS High Ryze, and both parts of the finish were expected. Hendry & Santana win cuz Santana alone has proven he’s a top level tag guy in his career while Ty & Ty are just starting. And also, Trick joins in on the beatdown, but that’s because the contract signing on Saturday is the true go-home, and we’ll just see who stands tall then.
Another very good promo from Dark State, but Dion and Saquon continue to be the stronger half. I feel like their “invasion” of TNA will result in a big match for Slammiversary, not an NXT program. Great promo segment from Inamura, Briggs and Oba, and it really feels like Briggs is gonna cost Inamura when he tries to help. I also liked the videos they got from the stars of NOAH, and the match of Oba VS Inamura is also a sign that NOAH is working much closer with WWE than before. It might be in part why I haven’t seen as much NJPW-NOAH crossover lately, either. If NOAH is on WWE’s team, NJPW can’t really work with them while also working with AEW.
Very good promo from Hank ‘n’ Tank with Lexis King being strange in the background, but I really think that Lexis was in on setting Je’Von up for that attack against the garage door. The medical room one was definitely all Troy, though. Troy VS Je’Von will be a great addition to Great American Bash, too, but it also feels like WWE is only bolstering that show up to compete against AEW All In. Good promo from The Culling, but great main event for the tag titles. Great move with ZaRuca going after Izzi & Tatum to take away The Culling’s advantage, and then great win for Hank ‘n’ Tank to retain.
And great stuff all over the Women’s Division. Good promo from ZaRuca with Kelani, Lola and Reid to hype up ZaRuca getting in the Women’s Tag title match. The vignettes from Grace and Monroe were fun, though maybe like if you turned up the contrast on the ZaRuca friendship building promos. But then we got a great “Evolution Summit,” with many, many stars of the division showing up. Classic move having a big brawl send us off before a battle royal scenario, as just about anyone can win. But in the end, I don’t think the NXT women are winning it. Stephanie Vaquer is a top choice as she’s on Raw and has no title yet, but Nikki Bella is in the match so maybe she gets one more title match.
As for Grace’s situation, she and Monroe certainly win so Monroe gets her first WWE PLE win, but Jacy has the Fatal Influence to help her cheat as she always does. Monroe could counter them and help Grace win, but then TNA has declared Masha Slammovich is gonna go title VS title, Winner Takes All with the NXT Women’s Champion at Slammiversary. A rematch of Masha and Grace would be great, while Masha would definitely beat Jacy. If Trick is to make it through Slammiversary as TNA World Champion, it’d be fitting if a TNA talent became the new NXT Women’s Champion.
My Score: 8.8/10
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