For auld lang syne, my dear!

As 2024 comes to a close, AEW Rampage gives us a New Year’s Smash! But will Anthony Bowens cut down The Learning Tree with his powerful scissors?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Chris Jericho w/ “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Anthony Bowens w/ Max Caster; Jericho wins.
• Private Party VS Alec Price & Leo Sparrow; Private Party wins.
• Thunder Rosa VS Leila Grey; Rosa wins.
• Hook VS Nick Wayne w/ The Patriarchy; Hook wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Chris Jericho w/ “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Anthony Bowens w/ Max Caster; wins.

“All hail the King of New York!” At least, that’s what the new introduction for The Learning Tree says. He comes out once again wearing that weird Statue of Liberty headgear, but also holding up a cheap torch of liberty as he walks to the ring, ROH World Championship still around his waist. Will the Nueve get another 1-2-3 in Hammerstein? Or is the Scissor King about to cut Jericho down?

But as always, Platinum Max has a diss track! “I don’t mess with The Learning Tree. Chris Jericho’s so high, guys, I think he’s burning trees. We wreckin’ you guys! Anthony Bowens and the Best Wrestler Alive!” Caster gets up in the camera before he hands the mic over. Bowens tells, “HAMMERSTEEEEIN, BALLROOOOOM~! The Acclaimed have arrived!” No Daddy Ass but The Acclaimed scissor it up! The bell rings and Jericho waves, “Hi, guys~!” The fans boo, but then Bowens throws up the scissors and the fans cheer. Jericho waves, the fans boo. Bowens puts up the scissors, the fans cheer. And then repeat!

Caster applauds while Bowens and Jericho circle. Jericho wants to scissor? Bowens slaps those away to CHOP! And CHOP! CHOP! And then Bowens fires haymakers! Bowens has Jericho in the corner, fires more shots, then DECKS Jericho! The fans rally for Bowens and he storms back up. Bowens CHOPS Jericho, brings him out and knees low. Bowens fires forearms and elbows again and again and again! Bowens then CLUBS Jericho down! Bowens tells Hammerstein that “Everyone! Loves! The-” Caster gets in the shot! Bowens tells Caster to move and gives him a push. Caster shrugs that off to get a reluctant high-five from Bowens.

But Jericho pokes Bowens in the eyes! Bowens goes to a corner, Jericho fires forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Jericho runs up to LARIAT, then he snapmares Bowens down. Jericho soaks up heat acting like it’s cheers, then he brings Bowens up for a BIG back suplex! Cocky cover, ONE! Jericho waves to the fans, then he goes back to Bowens. Jericho CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS again! And then CHOPS again! Bowens staggers but Jericho bumps him off buckles. Jericho CHOPS again, whips corner to corner, then runs to BULL- NO, Bowens puts Jericho in the corner! Jericho sputters as he gets out of the ropes.

Bowens CHOPS, Jericho CHOPS, repeat! Jericho whips, Bowens reverses to CHOP, KNEE, and then CHOP on the back! Bowens sits Jericho down for a SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Bowens gets frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Bowens clinches, knees low, then whips. Jericho grabs ropes to avoid the dropkick! Jericho waves to the fans, then goes to ropes, but Bowens disrupts the Lionsault! DRAPING SIDEWINDER! Cover, TWO! Jericho survives but Bowens stays focused. The fans rally up and Bowens brings Jericho around. But Jericho wrenches out and trips Bowens up! Jericho has the legs!

Jericho turns Bowens over, WALLS OF JERICHO! Bowens endures, even as Jericho sits deep! Bowens powers up as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Bill rallies for Jericho but Bowens keeps fighting. Jericho wants Bowens to quit but Bowens refuses! Caster rallies the fans for Bowens and Bowens crawls, but Bill pulls the rope back!? Jericho then drags Bowens away from the ropes! Bowens still fights, the ref reprimands Bill, and now Bowens turns things over! Bowens throws hands from below! But Jericho pokes him in the eyes again! Jericho turns Bowens back over and sits even deeper on the Walls of Jericho! Bowens endures, Bill and Caster each cheer as hard as they can, and Rampage returns to single picture. Bowens fights, claws, crawls, and Caster pushes ropes closer! ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer as Jericho lets Bowens go, and Caster coaches Bowens up. Bill claims there was a tap but the ref ignores him. Jericho storms up, and Bowens ROLLING ELBOWS! Jericho wobbles, Bowens runs up, FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives and Bowens grows frustrated. Bowens grits his teeth, clutches his back, but Bill grins on Jericho’s behalf. Bowens goes to the corner, climbs up, and fans ironically cheer on Bill. Jericho ROCKS Bowens, then climbs up. Jericho brings Bowens up to CLUB away, but Bowens throws body shots! Bowens DUMPS Jericho to the apron, and then Jericho flops to the floor!

Bowens adjusts his position up top to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Jericho & Bill! The fans are fired up and Caster joins in on cheering. Bowens puts Jericho in, goes back to the corner, and he climbs back up! The fans rally, but “Bad Apple” Bryan Keith shows himself! Keith distracts the ref, but Caster hurries in! Caster scoop SLAMS Jericho! Now Keith’s distraction is only helping as Caster opens Jericho up! Bowens says why not. SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives and Bowens is beside himself, but Jericho wouldn’t be champion if he wasn’t this tough. Speaking of, Keith grabs the championship!

Bowens brings Jericho up, but gets a CODE BREAKER for it! Cover, TWO!! Bowens survives and Jericho gets mad at the ref! Keith sneaks around with the belt, and he tells fans to shut up. Jericho aims, runs up on Bowens, but Bowens ducks! Bowens fires off Rock, Paper, Scissors SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives again but Bowens barely has the energy to be upset! Now Bill gets on the apron! The ref argues with Bill but Keith has the belt! Caster storms in to stop Keith! They tug-o-war, Bowens shouts to Caster to just stop, but Keith lets go first! The belt SMACKS Bowens in the face!! Caster panics, Keith TACKLES him out of the ring!

The fans boo as everyone is down, but Jericho crawls over! Cover, JERICHO WINS!!

Winner: Chris Jericho, by pinfall

Caster can’t believe how badly he messed up, and now the “King of New York” trumps the Scissor King! Will anyone ever cut down The Learning Tree when his Branches keep getting in the way? Is The Acclaimed going to be on the rocks after this mess?

Private Party walks through their New York.

They help out the homeless man at the subway station by stuffing his cup full o’ fifties, hop on a train headed to Main Street, hang out with their adoring fans and even the media, then arrive at 34th Street in time for the show. How they keep it so clean? Shots, of course. Everyone they meet welcomes them back, and every camera that sees them snags a picture. Brother Zay tells NYC, “Your champs is home.”

Private Party VS Alec Price & Leo Sparrow!

Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy know Lio Rush & Action Andretti want their “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” at these belts, so it’s time to tune up! Will these real New Yorkers show how champions do it in the Big Apple?

The teams sort out and fans chant “Yeeeah~!” for their guys. Zay starts against Price and the two circle. Price kicks low, mocks the “Shots! Shots! Shots!” then ROCKS Zay! Price whips, but Zay flapjack DROPKICKS! Zay kips up, tags Quen, and they get Price up for an atomic drop and ENZIGIRI! Then a CATAPULT for Price into the corner while Zay hits a triangle jump STUNNER on Sparrow! Quen sets up, Zay runs up, PARTY IN MOTION! Zay then puts Price up top before Quen FLIES out onto Sparrow! Zay ROCKS Price, then Quen runs in! Quen goes up for some GIN & JUICE! Cover, Private Party wins!

Winner: Private Party, by pinfall

A tune-up? That was more like a workout for Quen & Zay! The AEW World Tag Team Champions are ready, but wait! Here come Lio & Action! The Bad Child & The Sight to See egg Private Party on with those cocky smiles, so here comes Private Party! The brawl is on at the ramp! Quen has Lio, Action has Zay, and the fans fire up for the scrap! But then here comes the Top Flight OGs! Darius & Dante pick up Lio & Action to RAM them into Quen & Zay! The fans are going wild as we get a three way brawl! Security hurries out here, but stopping six men is easier said than done! Refs rush out here, right as Action CLOBBERS Dante!

The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but Leila Grey is needing to get in the ring for her match! Will Private Party have to double book with Lio, Action and the Martins?

“Powerhouse” Will Hobbs speaks.

“It’s signed, it’s sealed, it’s delivered. At Worlds End, Takeshita VS Powerhouse Hobbs for the AEW International Championship. Y’see, Don, whenever I hear your name, I think about all the times you didn’t call me, you didn’t check me, you didn’t text me, you didn’t send a pitch in, whatever, when I was injured. But you failed, Don, cuz you constantly tried to replace me. You’ve walked the streets of Oakland with me, you’ve been to my neighborhood. I’ve introduced you to people. So what’s gonna happen at Worlds End? I’m gonna take that championship from Takeshita, and I’m gonna bust his head to the white meat.

“But hey, the New Year’s upon us. But for you, Don, Takeshita, the whole Don Callis Family, it is gonna be a Worlds End.” Hobbs gives the thumbs down, will he tear down The Alpha and bring the whole family with him?

Thunder Rosa VS Leila Grey!

The chaos has been cleared from ringside, just in time for La Mera Mera to make her way to the ring. Rosa is getting ready to fight Mariah May in a Tijuana Street Fight, will the Top Flight Attendant simply be an appetizer?

The bell rings and the two shake hands. The fans cheer the show of respect, and the two circle. They tie up, Rosa waistlocks, then she trips Leila to cover, ONE! Rosa waistlocks but Leila fights up. Leila switches but Rosa wrenches out. Rosa headlocks, spins, waistlocks again, but Leila wrenches out to step over and spin Rosa. Leila wrenches, snapmares, and then clamps on a chinlock. Rosa fights up while fans cheer, and Rosa snapmares free. Rosa clamps on a chinlock, then puts Leila in a corner. Rosa CHOPS and the fans cheer. Rosa whips corner to corner but Leila reverses. Rosa goes up and over, then arm-drags Leila around!

Rosa wrenches Leila, snapmares and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Leila survives that but Rosa brings her right up. Rosa scoops to SLAM, then asks, “One more time?” The fans cheer yes! Rosa scoops but Leila victory rolls! TWO, and Rosa runs up, but Leila ROCKS her first! Leila fires more shots, kicks low, kicks again, then kicks a leg out! Leila runs to SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Leila storms over to Rosa. Leila stands Rosa up and reels her in, but Rosa fires body shots. Rosa CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Rosa whips, Leila reverses, but Rosa DROPKICKS Leila down! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises!

Rosa stomps Leila around, brings her up, and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Rosa bumps Leila off buckles, turns her around, and CHOPS her again! Rosa puts Leila on ropes, then puts some stank and even a little Latina Heat on the DOUBLE CHOP! Leila sputters, but Rosa whips her to ropes. Leila reverses, drop toeholds, and she hooks a leg! Rosa endures but then Leila rolls to tie up the legs, INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! But then Rosa fights to turn that over! Now Rosa puts the pressure on, and she pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Rosa lets go of the hair, but Leila rolls and rolls, and they both fall to the floor! Rosa rises first, and she stomps Leila around. Rosa drags Leila up but Leila fires body shots!

Rosa whips Leila hard into steel steps! Rosa storms over, Leila fires more body shots! Leila CLUBS Rosa, SMACKS her off the steel steps, then CHOPS her! Both women go into the ring and Leila goes to a corner while Rampage goes to break.

New Year’s Smash returns and the fans duel as Leila fires forearms on Rosa in the corner. Leila brings Rosa out to snap suplex, then roll through for a GOURD BUSTER! The fans rally up while Rosa sputters. Leila storms back up to drag Rosa up and fireman’s carry. But Rosa fires elbows to get free! Rosa BOOTS Leila, CHOPS her, then UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS! And bumps off buckles! Rosa fires up, runs corner to corner and back again, A-LIST LARIAT! Leila flops down, Rosa SWINGING DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Rosa has Leila on the ropes. Rosa throws off her elbow pads and the fans fire up!

Rosa runs in to DROPKICK Leila against ropes! Cover, TWO! Leila stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa stands Leila up, underhooks, but Leila fights out to fire a forearm! Rosa fires back, but Leila catches Rosa to a SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Rosa survives and even roars! The fans rally up and Leila reels Rosa in. Leila underhooks but now Rosa fights the lift! Rosa backdrops free! Leila flounders, Rosa runs up to DOUBLE STOMP her down! Rosa shouts, “You can’t kill me!” COBRA CLUTCH STRETCH!! Leila TAPS, Rosa wins!

Winner: Thunder Rosa, by submission

Message sent to Mariah May, and Rosa says there are two things in life that matter most: respect and family! And Mariah crossed the line on both! Will Rosa make sure to cross out Mariah once and for all? Or will The Woman From Hell win this street fight with glamour?

BREAKING NEWS for Worlds End: Zero Hour!

The action kicks off at 6:30 PM Eastern time, and we have a grudge match from ROH Final Battle! Jeff Jarrett made sure QT Marshall didn’t cheat Jay Lethal, and now he looks to settle up personally! Will The Last Outlaw get one more win in 2024? Or will QT bring the DOOM to Orlando? Then, as Toni Storm continues her… “debut” in AEW, she takes on Leila Grey 1v1! Will it be Toni Time one more time? And in a massive 8 Man Tag, Top Flight teams with The Outrunners to take on Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd help Dante & Darius hit top speed? Or will The Murder Machines help The Bad Child & Sight to See make sure #EverybodyDies?

Hook VS Nick Wayne w/ The Patriarchy!

This battle of second generation stars is all stemming from Christian Cage’s cowardly attack on Taz, and then escalated when The Patriarchy tried to convince Hook he was better off with him. The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil may have his arm in a cast, but will The Patriarchy’s Prodigy need much more than that? Or will Wayne’s World #SendHook home without anything to show for it?

Christian says hello to commentary and is of course asked his plans for Worlds End given his Casino Royale contract allows him to cash in anywhere and anytime. Christian of course refuses to comment. In the ring, Hook is nonchalant as ever, so Nick runs up to attack from behind! The bell rings and Nick fires off on Hook in the corner! The fans boo but Nick soaks it up. Nick says he’s just that smart. But no he ain’t since he turned his back on Hook! Hook storms up and then TOSSES Nick to a corner! Hook fires off on Nick with body shots and a CHOP! But then he throws a left out of instinct and feels the pain!

Nick BOOTS Hook down, then shakes off the damage. Nick storms up, but Hook clinches! EXPLODER! The fans fire up while Nick writhes, and Hook gets the fans fired up more. But Nick BOOTS Hook again! Nick hurries to snap suplex! Nick soaks up heat from Hammerstein while Mother Shayna says, “He’s perfect! Perfect!” Nick stands Hook up, snapmares him, then drops a leg fast! Cover, TWO! The fans boo Nick but Nick just smirks. Nick talks smack on the fans, but then Hook DUMPS Nick out! Nick smacks off the apron as he goes! Hook then hurries out after Nick, SMACKS him off the apron, then whips him!

Nick reverses and Hook hits steel steps hard! Hook writhes, Nick goes into the ring to go after a buckle pad, and the ref hurries to stop him. But this is all so Kip can put Hook’s cast hand on the steps, and Christian uses the contract’s binder to SMASH it! The fans boo while The Patriarchy acts innocent. The ref can tell something went on, though, so he decides to EJECT The Patriarchy! The fans cheer and Christian is furious, but the ref says don’t even try it! Nick is beside himself but now it’s finally a fair fight! The fans cheer “Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye~!” while Rampage goes picture in picture.

Hook checks his bad hand, and it’s still working. But then Nick storms out, grabs that hand, and SLAMS it off the steps! Hook writhes all over again while Nick looms over him. Nick drags Hook up to whip him hard into railing! Nick soaks up the heat while he flexes, then goes back for Hook. Nick throws Hook into the ring, goes to a corner, and he swaggers over. Nick eggs Hook on, drags him up by the bad hand, then snapmares so he can isolate that arm! Nick soaks up the heat and STOMPS the arm! Hook writhes, Nick pushes him to a cover, TWO! Nick mockingly applauds Hook’s toughness, then grabs the bad hand.

Nick turns Hook over, pulls on the bad arm, and bends the fingers! Hook endures, but Nick BITES a finger! The ref reprimands, Nick lets off, and says that was finger licking good. Nick soaks up more heat, then stands Hook up to SMACK the bad hand off buckles! Hook sits down in the corner, but Nick drags him back up. Nick SMACKS the hand off buckles again! Then Nick snapmares Hook so he can STOMP the hand! Cover, TWO! Nick is annoyed but he cools off. Nick stands Hook up but Hook fires body shots! Hook runs, but Nick ELBOWS him down! Nick pulls on the bad hand as New Year’s Smash returns to single picture.

Wait, Nick doesn’t just pull at the hand! He RIPS the cast open! Nick TOSSES it to the crowd, free souvenir! Nick drags Hook around by the bad hand, then stands on it! Nick STOMPS the hand again! And then again! And then he fakes the stomp, to scuff Hook! The fans boo but Nick stands Hook up. Hook hits another EXPLODER! The fans fire up as Hook can still use the good arm for that! Nick rises up, Hook runs in and he KNEES low! Hook then hooks Nick for the IPPON! Then a LARIAT int he corner! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Nick writhes and flounders away, but Hook runs up! Hook stops the boot, and reels Nick in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

The bad hand kept that from being perfect, but Hook stays focused. Hook storms up on Nick, waistlocks, and the fans rally up. Nick fights with elbows! Nick is free, but then swings into the waistlock! Nick CLUBS the bad hand! Nick baits Hook into a corner and sends him into buckles! Nick storms back up, and he drags Hook by the bad arm. Nick puts Hook’s arm against the second rope’s crossbar, and then stands on it! The fans boo but Nick soaks up all the heat! The ref reprimands and counts, but Hook YANKS Nick down! Nick hits off the top rope before going to the apron! Nick crawls along the apron, but Hook hurries out after him!

Hook waistlocks while the fans rally up, but Nick grabs the ropes! Nick pries the hold open, then has Hook’s hand to bend those fingers back! ELBOW BREAKER, and then Nick goes up! WAYNE’S- NO! Hook catches Nick for an APRON GERMAN!! Nick flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Hook also flops down and the ref starts a ring count. The fans rally as Hook rises, and Hook drags Nick up to put in at 3 of 10. Hook hurries to cover, TWO! Nick stays in this but Hook snarls. Nick goes back to the apron but Hook grabs him. Nick BITES the bad hand! The ref reprimands, Nick stops at 4 to HOTSHOT Hook!

Nick hurries up top while Hook is down! Nick mocks RVD, then aims to FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Hook survives, Nick is not one of a kind after all! Nick seethes and he scuffs Hook. Nick stomps Hook, kicks him, then stands over him with arms crossed, a pose done by Hook’s other mentor, Katsuyori Shibata. Nick drags Hook up, then lifts him, for an EXPLODER! But Hook’s right up! Hook LARIATS Nick inside out! The fans fire up and Hook slowly rises. Wait, Christian & Kip return? This isn’t allowed! Well wait, speaking of Shibata, here he comes! And he’s armed with a 2-by-4! Hacksaw would be proud!

Shibata chases Christian & Kip all around the ringside area, then back up the ramp! The fans cheer “HOOOOO~!” and Hook has Nick! RED- ELBOW BREAKER! Nick aims for a corner, but Hook grabs him again! Nick slips free to get around and roll up, with tights! TWO!! ROUNDHOUSE!! Nick goes up, up, and WAYNE’S- REDRUM!!!! Nick sputters, flails, but fades! Nick is OUT!! Hook wins!!

Winner: Hook, by submission

The Patriarchy tried every trick in the book, but they could not break Hook! But will Hook make sure to break Christian Cage for what he did to Taz?

Marina Shafir has commandeered a camera!

The Problem makes sure we all see that The Death Riders have just mugged Darby Allin backstage! The Maniac has Wheeler Yuta & Pac stand Darby up, then tells him, “You left me no choice. No choice.” Moxley looks to Claudio and tells him to do it. Moxley then hits Darby with a BODY BLOW, and Claudio has a chair! Claudio puts the chair around Darby’s neck, just as he did to Bryan Danielson and to Chuck Taylor! Darby is pushed down onto the floor, and Claudio hops up onto a road case! Claudio jumps down to STOMP the chair!! Moxley then kicks Darby down stairs!! Darby tumbles all the way down to the bottom!

The fans boo this literal crime caught on tape, but The Death Riders leave Darby behind. Darby is down in the basement, will he ever rise back up?

Rampage returns and…

Moxley and Marina are in the ring, and Moxley has a mic to say, “If you’re showering me with hate right now, I forgive you. And I would ask you to look inward. Maybe this isn’t about me, this is about you. I’ve had to make some tough decisions, I’ve had to make some difficult choices. I’ve made some unpopular decisions. There are a lot of people in AEW who don’t like me, who have a problem with me, who have a problem with the things that I do, the things that I say, the things that we do. We do things that need to get done, and there’s a lot of people who have a problem with that.

“I think right now is a good time, here at the end of the year, to say that if anybody, anybody back there, if there is anybody in this buliding that has a problem with me or my people, or what we do, then you come out here right now and you tell me all about your problem. You tell me all about the problems you ahve with what you think we’re trying to accomplish. You come out here, tell me exactly what your problem is.” Moxley drops the mic and waits in his chair. And first out is KOMANDER! He definitely has a problem, he was one of the first to get hit by the Death Riders! Well, now he gets CLOBBERED by Claudio!

The Swiss Superman sprang outta nowhere, and he owes Komander for the Continental Classic on Christmas! The Death Riders put Komander in the ring and stomp away, but here comes Top Flight, another of the Death Riders’ victims! That’s still not enough, they get mugged 4v2! The fans rally for “A E DUB!” in hopes more heroes will appear. ORANGE CASSIDY IS HERE! Freshly Squeezed saunters out here, and Marina stands in his way. Well, turns out he’s not alone, because here comes Willow Nightingale! And the Babe with the Power runs up, dodges Marina, then fires off on her! Cassidy walks to the ring while the ladies handle things.

Wait, Hangman Page sneaks in from the crowd! And Jay White, too! The challengers to Moxley’s AEW World Championship are united against their common enemies and the tides have turned! Moxley stays back while his Death Riders fight the challengers, but then that leaves him open to Komander! The fans fire up as now Top Flight is back up, this is 7v4 in favor of Team AEW! And now let’s add Lio, Action, and even Konosuke Takeshita and Lance Archer! They may not get along with each other, but they all hate the Death Riders! Now Beast Mortos and The Butcher are here! And wait, Deonna Purrazzo and Harley Cameron are here!

Toni Storm and Thunder Rosa head out here, to go after Deonna and Harley as they’re trying to help Marina! Security hurries out here, but now we add Private Party and Daniel Garcia! They definitely hate The Death Riders! Rocky Romero is here to represent Conglomeration! Shibata joins in! Wait, wait, the spotlight finds Christian Cage watching from the upper deck! And he smiles, because all this chaos simply benefits him and his Casino Royale contract. MORE security and now Christopher Daniels head out here, the Fallen Angel wants to restore order! The Death Riders find an opening to slip away, and they grab a pipe!?

Pac uses that pipe to SMASH at the control board at ringside! They’re trying to end the show by any means necessary!! Pac BREAKS the board, and 75% of the lights go out! The brawling continues in the darkness, but it is clear the Death Riders are in retreat! Marina makes sure a cameraman follows them, too. They head right for the exit, Moxley says he’s done with this s*it. Things slowly calm down in the ring, and we stick with the Death Riders… as they get into the production truck?! Moxley shoves the head producer and mockingly asks how anyone’s supposed to do their jobs with all this chaos going on!

Moxley says, “They’re all fighting for scraps! But I will put an end to the chaos on December 28th, and I will clear the playing field, and I will bring peace to my people! And right now, what I’m gonna do is I’m gonna put an end to Rampage. CUT IT! CUT IT RIGHT NOW!” The team does as told, and we’re off the air. If this is how Moxley plans on running things, is AEW only going to fall apart under his rule? Or can Cassidy, White and Hangman free AEW from his reign of terror?

My Thoughts:

An awesome Rampage here, especially when this is to be the last Rampage for the foreseeable future. I do like how they kayfabe’d it to be Moxley cancelling the show, not a corporate decision to focus more on Dynamite, Collision, and even ROH. It parallels how Jericho was the kayfabe reason for Collision being made, not the combination of Warner Brothers Discovery giving AEW more and CM Punk needing a place to go that was separate from The Elite.

They did a great job with how they “shut down” Rampage, though. Well, first they give us another kayfabe attempt at murder, and this is actually the second time Darby Allin has been kicked down stairs in AEW. The Men of the Year, Scorpio Sky & Ethan Page, did that to him in 2020, and now The Death Riders have done it here. Obviously this is to make it seem like Darby Allin won’t be around for Worlds End, but I bet he does show up in an attempt to keep Claudio, Yuta & Pac from screwing over Cassidy, White & Hangman. I could just feel Moxley’s promo leading to a huge brawl, and it was a really fun one because we also got women involved going after Marina and each other.

Fun fact: Christian Cage opened the first episode, and he helped close the last episode. Speaking of Christian, and therefore The Patriarchy, very good match from Hook VS Nick Wayne, great bit of overbooking, including Shibata bringing out the Hacksaw Jim Duggan wood. Great win for Hook, and I’m pretty sure the story continues so that Hook stops Christian from his cash-in at Worlds End, setting up their own 1v1 match. Private Party’s match was so quick, but then it worked out that we got brawling from them with Lio & Action, and even with Darius & Dante. The tag champs are oddly taking Worlds End off, but we are seeing Top Flight and Lio & Action in the Zero Hour, so maybe the tag title match is going to be on Fight for the Fallen or even “Maximum Carnage” near the end of January.

Good segue from Private Party’s stuff with Top Flight to give us Leila VS Rosa, and that was really good match. Rosa of course won, but I’m still not confident in her chances of beating Mariah May. At best, it is 50-50 because the Tijuana Street Fight will allow them both to go wild, but with Toni Storm’s story going on, it’d be natural if they wanted Rockstar Toni to become a contender. Then we would see if Toni Time really did reset or if it’s all an act. And while Mercedes Mone has a busy next couple of weeks with Kris Statlander and their TBS Championship rematch, then WrestleKingdom/WrestleDynasty next week, I could see Rosa shift gears and finally get that TBS Championship should Mone retain through Worlds End.

Another interesting fact is that Jericho was on the first Rampage as “Le Champion” commentator Jericho, and he opens this last Rampage with a full-on “King of New York” gimmick, even though AEW is gonna leave New York. We still got great stuff out of The Acclaimed and their dysfunction. Caster was both helping and not helping Bowens, and so naturally Bowens loses. Jericho moves on, waiting for Bandido to be okay from that concussion he suffered at Final Battle (landing out of a springboard missile dropkick), and maybe biding his time with some other good midcard Faces at the same time. As for Acclaimed, Caster could try and apologize, or maybe he tries and brushes this off. Either way, Bowens gets mad at Caster, and the team is right on the edge of breaking up.

RIP Rampage, you served us well for the 177 or so episodes you had.

My Score: 8.9/10

SmackDown says goodbye to the past and looks to the future!

Kevin Owens continues to claim he is the rightful WWE Champion, but he STOLE the Winged Eagle! Will he face the consequences before 2025 arrives?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Woman Tag: Bianca Belair, Naomi & Bayley VS Nia Jax, Candice LeRae & Tiffany Stratton; Bianca, Naomi & Bayley win.
• Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Braun Strowman; Braun wins.
• The Street Profits w/ B-Fab VS Los Garza w/ Elektra Lopez; The Profits win.
• Sami Zayn VS Carmelo Hayes; Sami wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nick Aldis speaks.

“Following what occurred at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Kevin Owens is making the claim of being a champion. Let me be clear: He is not. He was defeated by Cody Rhodes. Nonetheless, Kevin Owens is in the possession of the vaunted Winged Eagle championship belt, something that means a lot to a lot of people. It means a lot to me. It represents the legacy and tradition of the WWE. It represents history and greatness. It was presented to Cody Rhodes as a gesture of trust in our Undisputed WWE Champion. Kevin has no right and no claim to that championship belt. So the ultimatum is as follows.

“Kevin. You have until the end of the night to relinquish the Winged Eagle championship belt, or face immediate and severe consequences that will directly impact your future in the WWE. This is not a negotiation. You have one and one option to you only: To do the right thing.” Will this ultimatum from the SmackDown General Manager fall on deaf ears? Or will the Prizefighter give up his stolen prize if he knows what’s good for him?

Backstage interview with Bianca Belair & Naomi.

Cathy Kelley is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and says going from being nearly forced to relinquish those titles to finally recapturing some gold, what did that win mean for them both? Naomi says for her, she has been wanting gold ever since she returned here. It didn’t happen the way she thought it would, but Naomi is just glad to have done it with the EST, her friend, especially after what happened with Jade Cargill. Bianca says Naomi showed up, had Bianca’s back, and made sure they’d keep these belts. Bianca knows they have to forward, but they won’t forget about what happened to Jade.

Bianca is sure it was someone among Nia, Candice, Tiffany, and so on. So they’ll keep on fighting ’til they find out whodunnit. Naomi says good thing, because they got a help from Naomi’s other friend! Bayley steps in and she says she’s got them! They good? Bianca says yeah, they’re good. Then will the “StrongEST Glow Models” be standing tall over the WWE Women’s Champion, WWE Women’s Speed Champion and Miss Money in the Bank? Or will there be some golden tickets owed for the New Year?

Six Woman Tag: Bianca Belair, Naomi & Bayley VS Nia Jax, Candice LeRae & Tiffany Stratton!

But as Nia makes her entrance, she has a mic. She asks Bianca when she’s gonna give up. Nia did NOT touch Jade. None of them did! Tiffany couldn’t even help Nia & Candice win the tag titles, do you really think Tiff could orchestrate a backstage attack? Bianca is whining about her “friend,” but from Nia’s point of view, Bianca’s doing just fine without Jade. Jade is gone, Bianca is still champion, and yet there was zero time taken to replace Jade. Nia thinks Bianca is just trying to avoid suspicion on herself. The fans boo but Nia says Jade comes in and Bianca can’t stand to share the spotlight with her!

In fact, Jade is bigger, stronger, and better than Bianca. And Bianca just snapped! Nia gets it, though. Nia would do the same thing! But the thing is, let’s stop pointing fingers and just admit to the truth. Bianca, why don’t you own up to it, or Nia will make you! The fans boo more, Bayley & Naomi keep Bianca calm, and Nia’s team finally goes to the ring. The teams sort out and Bianca steps up. She wants Nia but she gets Tiff instead. Tiff and Bianca tie up, go around, and Bianca headlocks. Bianca hits a takeover, Tiff headscissors, but Bianca kips free. Tiff headlocks and hits a takeover, but Bianca headscissors.

Tiff kips free, runs up, but Bianca gets around to waistlock and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Bianca drags Tiff up to scoop and SLAM her! Bianca then runs, handsprings, but Tiff bails out! Nia, Tiff and Candice regroup, but Bayley and Naomi hop in. Bayley DIVES onto Candice, Naomi WRECKS Nia with a dropkick, then Bianca PLANCHAS onto Tiff! Tampa fires up with Bianca’s team while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Bianca runs to DROPKICK Nia! Nia rebounds but Bianca fires forearms! Bianca RAMS Nia into the corner, RAMS into her again and again, then climbs up. Bianca rains down fists, the fans count all the way to TEN! Nia sits down,. Naomi tags in, and Naomi runs, says kiss this, and she basement DROPKICKS Nia in the corner! Then she gives Nia a twerking stink face! The fans cheer, but Nia shoves Naomi away! POP-UP HEADBUTT! Nia snarls while she high stacks Naomi, TWO! Naomi survives but Nia drags her around. Tag to Candice and she stomps Naomi, then fires fists!

The fans rally for Naomi but Candice drags her up. But Naomi JAWBREAKERS free! Naomi then BULLDOGS Candice into the corner! Tag to Bianca and she brings Candice around. Naomi & Bianca DOUBLE stalling SUPLEX! And a double kip up, too! The fans fire up and Naomi secret handshakes with Bianca. SPLIT LEG DROP! Bianca adds the HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Candice scrambles away, but Bianca RAMS her in the corner! The fans rally as Bianca climbs, and she rains down fists on Candice! Tiff runs over to distract, and Candice YANKS Bianca down! Hot tag to Nia for a LEG DROP, brother! Cover, TWO!

Nia is furious with the ref but the count was fair. Nia picks Bianca up, tags Candice, and then Tiff sneaks a tag! MISSILE DROPKICK HART ATTACK! Cover, but then Tiff jumps! Candice moves so the FLYING SPLASH hits Bianca! The ref is confused, he might’ve missed Tiff’s tag! Tiff and Candice argue, but then Tiff hurries to BLAST Naomi! Bianca fights past Tiff but Tiff grabs the braid! The fans rally as Bianca reels Tiff in and DECKS her! Bianca hurries, so does Tiff, hot tags to Bayley and Candice! Bayley fires off forearms then whips, but Candice reverses! Bayley reverses back to roll Candice! Candice rolls through but Bayley KNEES her!

Bayley clinches to SAIDO! Candice tumbles out but Bayley pursues! DAREDEVIL DROPKICK- NO, Candice blocks the kick and SWINGS Bayley into the post! Candice scrambles in and HAMMERS away on Bayley! The fans boo but Candice stops to tag in Nia. Candice drags Bayley up for Nia and they mug Bayley. The fans rally, Nia puts Bayley on ropes and CHOKES her! The fans boo but Nia drags Bayley over. Tag back to Candice and she has Bayley on the apron. But Bayley fights back with forearms! Candice hits an APRON FACEBUSTER! Nia cheers but the fans boo, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Candice covers Bayley in the ring, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Candice puts her on the ropes. Candice CHOKES Bayley, then stomps her! Candice drags Bayley up and over, Nia tags in, and they mug Bayley. Bayley fights back, but Nia scoops to SLAM! Nia CHOKES Bayley, DRIBBLES her, then sits on Bayley for a cover, TWO! Nia is furious with the ref, but then she drags Bayley back up. Nia whips Bayley to a corner, runs up, and back body blocks! Nia gives Bayley a bit of stink face, then stands her up. Bayley fires body shots and forearms! Nia HEADBUTTS Bayley and down she goes!

Nia storms up on Bayley, tags in Candice, and Candice drags Bayley up to snapmare then NECK SNAPPER! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives but Candice keeps her down with a chinlock. Candice then shifts to a straitjacket, but Bayley scrambles to the ropes! Candice puts Bayley in the corner, but Nia’s too busy taunting fans so Tiff tags in! Tiff stomps a mudhole into Bayley, then Nia tags in. Nia gives Bayley more stink face! Nia drags Bayley up and clamps on a SLEEPER! Bayley endures, fights around, but Nia offers a tag, to Candice! She leaves Tiff hanging but Candice wrangles Bayley into a facelock.

Candice grinds Bayley down but Bayley fights back up. Bayley fires body shots but Candice CLUBS her down! Candice whips Bayley to a corner, then BLASTS Bianca for the fun of it! Candice runs up, but Bayley escapes to the apron! Candice hits buckles, Bayley kicks Nia! Candice runs up, but Bayley catches her for a HOTSHOT! Bayley catches her breath, slumps down from the apron, and SmackDown returns to single picture as Bayley climbs back up. Bayley crawls for her corner, as does Candice. Nia is still on the outside, so Candice has no choice but to tag Tiff! Hot tag to Naomi! Naomi LARIATS Tiff!

Naomi rallies with forearms, then a FLYING CHUCK! Naomi runs, slides under and MULE KICKS! Then she runs up to TORNADO BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but Naomi is right on her. Naomi whips. Tiff reverses and DECKS her! Tag to Nia but Naomi BOOTS her! Tiff SPINEBUSTER for Naomi! BAYLEY2BELLY for Tiff! Candice has a CODE BREAKER for Bayley! Bianca scoops Candice to GUT BUSTER! But Nia scoops Bianca to SLAM her! Nia hurries up the corner, but Naomi SUPERKICKS first! Then goes up for some STRATUSFACTION! Naomi puts Nia in the drop zone, SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, TIFF BREAKS IT!

The fans are thunderous as Tiff TOSSES Naomi! Then she PLANCHAS for good measure! But then she sees Nia is down… The fans fire up, they want Tiff to do it! It’s her time!! Tiff gets her briefcase, and she nods to the ref! But Candice SNATCHES the briefcase! They fight over it, they argue about being a champion, but Candice tags in. Tiff shouts at Candice, but then Naomi slides in to full nelson Candice! GLOW BOMB on Candice! Bianca & Bayley YANK Tiff down, and Naomi body scissor cradles Candice! StrongEST Glow Models win!!

Winners: Bianca Belair, Naomi & Bayley, by pinfall

A great win for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and The Role Model, but this speaks to the growing strife in Nia’s friend group. Will Tiff be able to time her cash-in better next time?

BREAKING NEWS for next Friday!

Raw moving to Netflix is big, but so is SmackDown growing to THREE HOURS! That’s right, both brands, three hours, truly a new era! Get ready to enhance your WWE week on January 3rd!

A-Town Down Under talk with Nick Aldis.

They complain about the cost of Grayson Waller’s new show set and who is taking care of it. Waller gives the invoice to Aldis but Aldis says he already told them: if they have issue with Braun Strowman, they should take it up with him. In fact, Austin Theory has a match with Braun, doesn’t he? He should get going. By the way, he’s waiting for someone. Oh, really? Who’s more important than ATDU here? Knock knock, it’s Sami Zayn! Waller can’t believe it! Aldis was waiting for “this homeless bloke?!” ATDU storm out, and the Honorary Uce tells Aldis that they should talk. Aldis agrees. Will Sami use the Transfer Window to be here on SmackDown?

SmackDown returns and…

Sami finishes his conversation with Aldis, simply saying that he isn’t trying to put Aldis in a tough spot or make it more chaotic than it already is. He’s just figuring, Sami is on Raw, Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline is supposed to be on SmackDown, and yet Solo’s Bloodline shows up. Sami is here to say it is only fair he gets a shot at payback. Aldis understands that. But then Carmelo Hayes barges in and says Aldis thought Braun was gonna humble H1M. But seeing as Melo won, he made Aldis a card. Merry Christmas. Melo hands those out but Sami speaks up. Sami knows Melo is new around here, but when you see two people talking, you usually wait.

Oh, right, his bad. Want a card? Sami chuckles and says maybe Melo didn’t hear him right. When two people are talking… You wait your turn. Sami crumples up the card, and throws it back at Melo. Melo says okay, he’ll let that slide. But why is Sami even here? The only time Sami’s on SmackDown these days is to get beat up by The Bloodline. So maybe Sami should stay out of Melo’s business, and off Melo’s show. Oh, Melo’s show? Yeah! Sami tells Aldis that how about this: Sami can wait for Bloodline, he’ll take Melo on instead. Aldis likes the idea. Consider it done. Melo says yeah, done for Sami!

Melo heads out, but he’s got quite the fight on his hands! Will Sami be the one to humble H1M? Or will Melo not miss his chance to take down another top superstar in the WWE?

Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Braun Strowman!

Speaking of having a big fight on our hands, the A-Town half of A-Town Down Under is about to fight #OneBigSOB! Will Theory be able to outmaneuver The Monster of All Monsters like Melo did? Or will he #GetTheseHands?

The bell rings and Theory says, “All Day!” Braun SHOVES Theory and Theory tumbles out of the ring! Waller fires Theory up, Theory runs back in, but Braun UPPERCUTS, then LARIATS! Braun then whips Theory corner to corner hard! Theory falls, but then stumbles back up. Braun runs in, but Theory dodges! Braun hits buckles, and Theory fireman’s carries! Theory can’t keep Braun up long, though, and Braun TOSSES Theory across the ring! The fans fire up while Theory flounders back out, and Waller says that was an illegal throw! Waller complains but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and the fans rally for Braun while Theory sits him up. Braun throws body shots, but Theory fires haymakers in return! Then BASEMENT DDT! Theory talks smack, says fans came to see him, and then Theory storms up on Braun. Theory pie faces the monster, but Braun CHOPS him down! Even Waller is feeling that one! Braun storms back up, but Theory dodges to CHOP BLOCK! Braun falls to his knees, Theory winds up, and Theory DECKS Braun! Cover, ONE?!? And Theory is sent flying! Theory is shocked, Waller is worried, but Braun is up! Theory HOTSHOTS Braun, then hurries to somersault SHOTGUN!

Braun just rebounds to SHOTGUN in return! Theory is sent back out to the floor! The fans fire up for Braun as he rises up, and he storms over to Theory. Braun palms Theory’s head like a basketball in order to lift him up! They’re in the ropes so the ref counts. Braun lets go at 4, to run, but Waller trips him up! Braun stomps Waller’s hand! Theory runs up but Braun TOSSES him out onto Waller! Braun rips off his shirt and Tampa fires up! Braun goes outside, the Strowman Express CLOBBERS Theory! Waller runs away, but Braun drags Theory up. Braun goes up the steel steps, DUMPS Theory in, then he goes up the corner?!

The fans go wild as Braun climbs! But Waller returns! Braun SHOVES Waller down, but Theory manages to fireman’s carry!! But both men fall! Theory hurries up, but Braun scoops! MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, Braun wins!

Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall

The Monster of All Monsters brings down A-Town Down Under, so no, it isn’t all day. Will Braun find his way back to the top of the mountain in the New Year?

Kevin Owens speaks.

“Nick, um… I heard what you said. I heard all of it. I heard you say I’m not the real WWE Champion, but I mean… I have this, I deserve to have this, I am the true, rightful WWE Champion, okay? And I also heard that ultimatum. You want me to give this back, you said I have to give this back, and I’m sure you’d love for me to agree to this right away, and go, ‘Yes, Milord, I shall give it back right away, Milord.’ But you know what, Nick? I think you and I need to have a little discussion. So I’ll come into this arena, but on my terms. That means just me and you alone in the ring, no one else. No security guards, no office cronies, just me, you, and then… Then we can talk.”

The Prizefighter has given his response, but can we really trust Kevin alone with the SmackDown GM?

Piper Niven is in the ring.

She is dressed up for the occasion, with the American flags and balloons and even a podium with… a seal that has Chelsea Green’s picture on it, and says, “Chelsea Green’s United States Championship Celebration.” Piper waves and says, “Ladies and gentlemen. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to your prettiest, tallest, sparkliest, most beautiful, most popular, first and longest reigning Women’s United States Champion, my bestie not yours, Chelsea~ Green~!” The Hot Mess makes her way out, dressed as Lady Liberty! Chelsea waves to the fans and steps inside the ring. She and Piper hug before Chelsea goes to the podium.

Chelsea thanks everyone, and the fans do cheer, “You Deserve It!” Chelsea says she wants to take this time to address the fine people of the WWE Universe. “We did it! We have officially turned the blue brand into the Green House! Now, Fergie once used the letters G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S to describe this very moment. The moment that the world would feast their eyes… on the most glamorous, richest, tannest, sparkliest, tallest, youngest, oldest, longest reigning, first-ever WWE Women’s United States Champion!” The fans cheer that!

And now, Chelsea feels it is only necessary to give recognition to the woman who has been there through it all. The woman who has stood by Chelsea’s side, and if not for her, Chelsea wouldn’t be here. That woman… is Chelsea herself. Piper rolls her eyes as Chelsea say sit is her honor to bring pride and sexiness to this reign. Because if not for Chelsea, we’d be stuck with one of those “she trolls” in the locker room! WOOF. Chelsea says to her “trash loving opponent, Michin,” she has but two words: GOOD RIDDANCE~! HAHAHA! Chelsea would say Mia could be a champion like Chelsea, but Canadians don’t lie.

The fans boo and Chelsea says okay, okay, what she will say to Mia Yim is… that Chelsea is shocked Mia even made it that far. Lastly, folks, Chelsea challenges us to ask yourself not what Chelsea Green can do for you, but what you can do for Chelsea Green! Now is the time! 2025 is going to be the year of #RedWhiteAndGreen! Wait, here comes Michin! And she tells Chelsea that in case she forgot, it if wasn’t for Chelsea’s “goofy friend,” Piper, Mia would’ve won! And actually, Mia is gonna take a page out of Chelsea’s book and introduce her to Mia’s little friend: the kendo stick! They’ll give Chelsea the ass kicking she deserves!

Piper steps up as secret service and blocks the kendo stick! But Mia ROCKS Piper, then SMACKS away with the stick! The fans fire up, Chelsea wants Mia to hold on, but then Mia swings! Chelsea dodges but she’s in heels! She begs for mercy, but Piper drags Chelsea to safety! Mia says it is only a matter of time, there’s nowhere to run or hide! When and where will Mia truly be the Head Baddie in Charge?

DIY is backstage.

Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa imagine the parade they can have for their win, but then they come across Nick Aldis and The Street Profits. Aldis thanks DIY for joining them, and wants to ask them this once: Is there anything DIY wants to say about who attacked Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins three weeks ago? Uh, yeah. It was terrible what happened! Really sucks, they feel awful. Is that it? Final answer? Well, okay. Because here’s the thing. There are two eye witnesses to what happened that night. Pretty Deadly steps in? Aldis asks Kit Wilson & Elton Prince if they truly witnessed the attack.

Well, maybe, but Kit needs a refresher. Elton also does! Maybe if there was some funding on the table for a future Tony Award winning musical? Aldis says maybe they’ll have more time for their project when they’re unemployed. Right, right. Kit & Elton talk it over, and they say it was Gar… za! Garza! Los Garza! The Profits step up and B-Fab asks if that’s 100% what they saw. Yes, 100%. Oh, well, okay, they did see Legado here earlier. Then say less. The Profits believe what Pretty Deadly said!? Ford & Dawkins call out Angel & Berto, then go right at them! They brawl, Elektra Lopez is shocked, but now she and B-Fab get at it!

Aldis and producers jump in, and he says no, just go to the ring! NOW! Profits say bet! But will Legado pay for a crime they didn’t commit? Will accusing the wrong team come back to bite Kit & Elton?

The Street Profits w/ B-Fab VS Los Garza w/ Elektra Lopez!

SmackDown returns as this match is already going, and Ford has already knocked Berto down! Angel wants Ford to tranquilo, but Ford rushes him! They run around the outside, back inside, and Dawkins is there to CLOBBER Angel! Berto gets back up but Ford kicks him! Ford and Berto brawl inside while Dawkins and Angel brawl on the outside! Dawkins ROCKS Angel, but Angel BOOTS Dawkins! Berto BLASTS Dawkins and Ford BOOTS Angel! Then they both aim, and they STEREO PLANCHA! Berto and Ford then brawl on the outside! The ref reprimands, both men hurry inside and fire more hands.

Berto whips, Ford reverses then blows past him to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Ford rises. Ford storms up on Berto, tags Dawkins, and they double whip to DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Dawkins covers, TWO! Dawkins drags Berto to a corner and fires fast hands! Dawkins rains down those haymakers but he backs off as the ref counts. Berto YANKS Dawkins into buckles! Dawkins flounders, Berto KICKS him in the side! Berto CLUBS Dawkins, tags Angel, and Angel hold Dawkins up by his legs. Berto runs to LEAP FROG ATTACK! Then feed to Angel’s HAYMAKER! Cover, TWO! Angel rains down fists on Dawkins!

Angel smothers Dawkins, turns him over, and hooks him into a partial CAMEL CLUTCH! Dawkins endures, Angel talks trash, but the fans rally up. Angel fires crossface forearms, then he tags Berto. Los Garza mugs Dawkins, then Berto CLUBS Dawkins. Berto talks trash but Dawkins ROCKS him! And BLASTS Angel! Dawkins tags Ford then whips Berto. Ford CLOBBERS Berto, then the Profits hit the BACK SUPLEX SPLASH! Cover, Angel breaks it! Dawkins whips but Angel reverses to HEADBUTT! Ford JUMP KNEES Angel! Ford ducks one kick but not the ENZIGIRI from Berto! Los Garza regroups, Ford runs up!

Berto BOOTS Ford, then pops him to the apron. Angel SHOTGUNS Ford into a corner! The fans boo while Angel smothers Ford and CLUBS him down, then SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Angel kicks Ford around, then soaks up heat. Angel drags Ford up, puts him in the ring, then CLUBS away on Ford against the apron. Angel slides in, drags Ford around, and he tags Berto. They put Ford up top, then Berto climbs up behind him. Berto CLUBS Ford, rains down fists, and he counts for himself! Berto stops at 9, then he drags Ford into a Tree of Woe. Tag to Angel and Los Garza stomps away! The ref counts, Los Garza lets Ford fall out of the Tree, then Angel taunts Dawkins. Angel goes back to Ford to CHOKE him on ropes. The ref counts, Angel stops at 4, but Lopez SLAPS Ford! B-Fab is mad but Angel covers, TWO!

Angel is frustrated but he drags Ford up. Angel slips around to have a kneeling COBRA TWIST! Angel CLUBS away on Ford’s ribs, then cranks the twist! Ford endures, fights up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally for Ford as he stands, and he fires elbows! Angel keeps Ford from Dawkins, then hits a SPINEBUSTER! Tag to Berto and he drags Ford to the apron. Angel runs while Berto sits ford up, KNEE ROUNDHOUSE COMBO! The fans boo but Lopez applauds, and Berto storms in. Berto drags Ford up, snapmares, and then runs to basement DROPKICK! Berto soaks up heat as he stalks Ford.

Berto stands Ford up to CHOP, then stomps away in the corner. Tag to Angel and Berto keeps stomping. Angel runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Angel says if this is what The Profits wanted, this is what they’ll get! Angel covers, TWO! Ford toughs it out but Angel clamps on. Angel reels Ford in, soaks up more heat, but Ford fights the lift. Angel kicks, Ford blocks and then SATELLITE DDTS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ford and Angel crawl, but Angel then grabs Ford’s foot! Ford fights and gets free! Hot tags to Dawkins and Berto! Dawkins rallies on Berto, then FLAPJACKS Angel! Berto kicks low!

Berto whips, Dawkins hurdles! FLYING UPPERCUT! The fans fire up with Dawkins and he gets Berto with the SILENCER! Cover, TWO!! Berto survives but Dawkins hauls him back up. Electric Chair Lift, and then tag to Ford! Ford climbs, but Angel makes the save! Berto shoves Dawkins into Ford! Angel SUPERKICKS Dawkins! Ford is stuck up top so Los Garza go after him! They both climb up, and they double gorilla press!! DOUBLE ROCKET LAUNCHER!! Then Angel ARIHARA MOONSAULTS Dawkins! Berto MOUNTAINTOP MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Ford survives and Berto cannot believe it!

The fans fire up and even Lopez is at a loss for words! Berto rains down fists, then he tags in Angel. Los Garza double whip Ford, then pop him up. But Dawkins POUNCES Angel! Ford lands out to ENZIGIRI Berto! Hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins gets Angel for a whip, but Lopez makes the save! La Madrina makes sure her amigos are okay, but B-Fab BOOTS Lopez down! The fans fire up and Ford FLIES! Down go Los Garza! Ford puts Angel in, Dawkins lifts Angel back up! Ford tags back in, climbs back up, and we get the DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, Profits win!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall

Whether or not Los Garza are really guilty of the backstage attack, they could not overcome the fast ‘n’ furious Ford & Dawkins! Will the Profits still be up in the New Year?

Andrade speaks.

“Nakamura wants to call himself, ‘The savior of the United States Championship.’ Talking about honor? Spare me. You want to talk about wrestling? Technique? There is no one better than Andrade. Your mind games, they don’t scare me. They show me the kind of man you really are. A man with no respect, who took my title opportunity. So now, I’m coming for you. And when we face off, I will expose you. And after I deliver The Message, everyone will remember one thing: Andrade is inevitable.” El Idolo calls out the King of Strong Style, and we will see this battle next week! Will Andrade come away with a big win over the NEW US Champion?

BREAKING NEWS for next week, again!

The three hours is being jam packed already as Naomi gets one more shot at the WWE Women’s Championship! Will Nia #FeelTheGlow once and for all? Or can the Irresistible Force turn back the challenge one more time?

DIY confronts Pretty Deadly.

Gargano asks what they’re up to, aka we all know Pretty Deadly totally lied. Kit says this is what the British call, “quid pro quo.” Elton says that if they scratch DIY’s backs, maybe DIY scratch theirs? Ciampa doesn’t scratch anyone’s backs but his. But hey, Pretty Deadly did look out for them, so they’ll look out for Pretty Deadly. Oh, okay! #YesBoy! Kit & Elton move on but then The Profits walk by. B-Fab thanks them for the heads up on Los Garza. Respect. Uh, yes, respect! Don’t mention it! Ever. Like, ever ever. Pretty Deadly hurries away, and B-Fab suggests talking with Aldis about the tag title situation.

As the Profits head for Aldis’ office, Motor City Machine Guns is there. Chris Sabin says that with all due respect, if anyone gets a title match, it is MCMG. Sorry, but Profits will have to go to the back of the line. Back of the line, huh? Did they really just say that? Apollo Crews steps in now and says they’re all getting played. It wasn’t Los Garza. It was DIY straight up. Trust him, he saw it. Oh… Well now that the cat’s out of the bag, will the Profits AND MCMG make sure DIY sleeps with the fishes?

Sami Zayn VS Carmelo Hayes!

The Honorary Uce came here to handle business with Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, so he didn’t appreciate being interrupted by H1M. Will this veteran and Raw locker room leader make sure Melo learns his manners? Or will no one from any brand be able to humble Melo?

The bell rings and Sami circles with Melo. They tie up, go around, and Melo puts Sami in a corner, but Sami turns it around. The fans rally for “Sami Uso!” as he lets off slowly, but Melo shoves Sami. The two reset and tie up, then Melo waistlocks. Sami wrenches free to wristlock, but Melo puts Sami back in a corner. Melo swings, Sami dodges and then CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sami wrenches Melo to then whip, but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then rolls off Sami’s back! Melo DROPKICKS Sami down, then covers, ONE!! Melo clamps onto Sami with a chinlock but Sami fights up. Melo shifts to a headlock but Sami powers up and out.

Sami drops, then hurdles, then TOSSES Melo out to the floor! Melo turns around, Sami builds speed and fakes Melo out to Arabian Press! The fans cheer, Melo is annoyed, but he slides in, only to slide back out. Sami is upset but Melo trips him up! Melo drags Sami out, knees low, then whips Sami. Sami goes up the barriers to QUEBRADA! Down goes Melo and the fans fire up! Sami is in control as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Melo is on the outside. Melo bumps Sami off buckles! Sami falls back, Melo soaks up heat, and then Melo brings Sami up for another buckle bump! Sami staggers, Melo brings him back up, but Sami blocks! Sami bumps Melo off buckles! Sami brings Melo up to suplex, only for Melo to block that and HOTSHOT! Sami flops back and Melo slingshots to then springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Sami stays in this so Melo stomps away on him! The fans boo but Melo rains down fists! Melo soaks up some more heat, then he rains down even more fists! Melo flexes but the fans boo.

Melo drags Sami up with a facelock, then he fires hands. Melo talks trash, throws more hands, then talks more trash. Sami blocks a shot to fire hands! Sami whips, Melo reverses, but Sami goes up and over then LARIATS! The fans fire up as Sami goes to a corner and takes aim. Melo rises, runs in, but Sami ELBOWS him away! Sami goes up to AX HANDLE! The fans fire up and Sami is feeling that energy! Sami storms up but ducks a shot! But Melo fights Blue Thunder! Melo fires elbows, then runs, but Sami reels him in! BLUE THUN- NO, Melo slips free and mule kicks! Melo runs, springboards, but Sami catches the Fade Away into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!

The fans are shocked but so is Sami! Melo reaches out in a daze but Sami goes to a corner. Tampa is thunderous but Melo jumps up to get Sami! Sami fires hands first and he HEADBUTTS Melo down! Sami adjusts, leaps, but has to roll through as Melo moves! Melo comes back with the FIRST 48! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives but Melo tries another cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Sami survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally up as Melo runs, FADE AWAY DDT! Sami is down, Melo goes up! Melo calls his shot, NOTHING BUT- LARIAT!! Shot blocked by Sami and the fans are thunderous again!

Sami roars and shakes the ropes! Sami climbs up on Melo to rain down fists! Sami goes way past TEN to get like TWENTY! Sami then lets off so he can storm back up. Sami blocks Melo’s kick, spins him around, and CORNER EXPLODERS! The fans are thunderous because this leads to Sami taking aim from the far side. HELLUVA- NO, Melo bails out! Melo says he’s good, he’ll head to the back. But BRAUN makes his way out here! The Monster scoops Melo but Melo slips free! Melo runs for the hills, the ring count climbs, and Sami shakes his head. Only to turn around into a TACKLE from Tama Tonga!!

Winner: Sami Zayn, by disqualification

Of course The Bloodline knew Sami was looking for them, so they went after Sami! They mug Sami while fans boo, and Solo tells his men to finish him. Tama runs, but Sami BOOTS him! Jacob Fatu runs in but Sami POSTS him! Solo CLOBBERS Sami! The fans boo more but Tama rains down fists. Braun comes back, Melo on his shoulders, but then he realizes there’s bigger fish to fry! The Monster storms his way to the ring to help his ol’ pal Sami! Braun TOSSES Tama into barriers! Braun dares Solo to try something, so Solo fires hands! Braun and Solo brawl, but Solo throat chops! Solo runs but Braun CLOBBERS him!

The fans are thunderous as Solo tumbles out of the ring. But now the Samoan Werewolf steps to the Monster of All Monsters! The fans are going nuts seeing this stare down! Braun dares Jacob to try something, but then Tama CHOP BLOCKS! SUPERKICK from Fatu! SAMOAN SPIKE from Solo! And then another SAMOAN SPIKE!! The numbers keep working in Solo’s favor, but Sami TACKLES Solo! Tama CLOBBERS Sami, but now producers and referees rush out here! But Jacob still hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER on Sami!! And Solo makes sure the camera is on him! “Roman, I’m coming for you!” SAMOAN SPIKE for Sami!!

The fans boo as hard as they can, producers reprimand Solo, but Jacob adorns Solo with the ula fala. And wait, NOW Kevin Owens makes his way out here? Well, he does hate The Bloodline, but he’s here to handle business with Aldis. Kevin holds up the Winged Eagle, then heads to the ring, but is he going to hand it over? We’ll find out after the break.

SmackDown returns and…

Kevin has joined Aldis in the ring, and just as agreed, it is just the two of them. Aldis says he already said what he needs to say, so there’s just one thing left to do. Kevin simply has to do the right thing and hand over the Winged Eagle. The fans are torn, and Kevin asks if that’s really the right thing. That’s actually the worst thing Kevin could do. Why would Kevin give this back? This is the only bargaining chip he has! This is the only way he can make sure he gets what is fair and what he deserves! And do you know what that is, Aldis? That is a rematch for the Undisputed WWE Championship, where a referee cannot rob Kevin of his victory!

Because that is what happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event. If Cody wants this back, then he has to come and take it, by giving Kevin his rematch! Kevin had Cody beat! Aldis knows it, Cody knows it, EVERYONE knows it! Aldis says he already said this is not a negotiation, and that there would be immediate and severe consequences if Kevin didn’t hand the belt over. Maybe Aldis needs to spell it out: Hand the belt over, or Kevin never sets foot in a WWE ring again! Fans boo that, they don’t want Kevin leaving. But wait! CODY RHODES IS HERE! Even after what Kevin did to his neck, Cody is back, his WWE Championship on his shoulder.

Aldis tells Cody to hold on. Aldis won’t say much more than this, but for Cody’s sake, Aldis’s sake, and all of the WWE’s sake, Cody needs to turn around and walk away so Aldis can handle this. The fans boo that, but Cody says, “Nick… I’m not gonna walk away.” The fans cheer that! Cody says he doesn’t want Kevin to hand the belt over. Aldis cannot make a martyr of a man who wants to be a martyr. Kevin has said so much that he has made this about what Kevin thinks it is about! Kevin has put up sheets of logic like walls, so allow Cody to punch through them. The real problem here stems from Cody teaming with a man who tried to end Kevin’s career.

Rewind to Saturday Night’s Main Event, that is exactly what Kevin tried to do to Cody! It isn’t about what Kevin says, but what he does. When Kevin first met Cody, Cody was young, hungry and angry. Cody wanted to climb the ladder like everyone else, and he was doing it for Cody and Cody alone. But Cody no longer does this for himself. He hasn’t for quite some time. Cody does this for his girls, for his fans, for that announcer who believed in Cody before Cody ever did! For the timekeeper who is Cody’s cousin! For his little buddy in the front row! For his mentor, Randy Orton, who Kevin put on the shelf, denying the fans the chance to see him!

And Cody does it for those who have put faith in him! The man who gave him the Winged Eagle and said, “One night only, so that we could give the fans something special.” So it is not Aldis’s responsibility but Cody’s to take that title belt back from Kevin. Kevin gets all mockingly emotional, says Cody’s just lying, but then Cody shouts, “SHUT THE HELL UP!!” Cody has had absolutely enough of Kevin! Let’s ask Kevin the simplest of questions: Were they friends before Cody became champion? YES! Are they friends? NO!! If Kevin wants a match where the ref can’t screw him, fine! Cody wants a match where the ref can’t stop what Cody’s gonna do to Kevin!!

Aldis tries to stop Cody even now, but Cody begs Aldis to let him do this. The fans chant “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Cody steps into the ring so that he can stare Kevin in the eyes. That’s what this is about, right? Climbing? They’ll take the Winged Eagle title, they’ll take the WWE Logo title, hang ’em high up, and it’ll be a LADDER MATCH! Kevin grins but Cody glares. Aldis says then at the Royal Rumble, it will be Cody VS Kevin for the Undisputed WWE Championship… in a LADDER MATCH! The fans fire up, the mics drop, except for Kevin’s. Kevin says sounds great to him. See you there.

Kevin offers a handshake, but Cody doesn’t even budge. Kevin says that’s also fine. So he SHOVES ALDIS INTO CODY! The fans boo as Kevin then stomps away on Cody’s neck! Aldis shields Cody now but Kevin still finds openings to take shots! Kevin holds up the Winged Eagle and shouts, “I’m the TRUE champ! I’m the TRUE champion!!” Kevin has to wait five weeks, but will he be THE Undisputed WWE Champion in the New Year?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown, and I guess they’re back to live. The Tampa crowd was hard to get a good read on. I couldn’t be sure if they were just quiet or certain audio was piped in. But that aside, this being the last two-hour SmackDown for the foreseeable future managed to shove a lot of things in and get a lot of superstars involved in all the different stories. Good promos to lead into the Six Woman Tag, and it certainly adds to how Naomi might be the one whodunnit. Nia thinking Bianca did it could be a red herring in itself, it’s too easy to say a tag partner turned on another when that happens a lot.

Plus, we got another Tiff cash-in tease, but Candice of course defends Nia. With a title match happening next week, that is another opening for Tiff, but I feel like Candice will get in the way there, too. If nothing else, Naomi becomes a double champion to add more drama to the story of her attacking Jade. Speaking of titles, we got a good promo from Chelsea with Piper, and of course Chelsea thanked herself and no one else. Likewise, Mia Yim of course stormed out there to go after Chelsea, setting up the feud for a rematch, just as I’d guessed. We’ll get more great action out of Chelsea and Mia, and maybe, just maybe, Piper stands up for herself over not being thanked for anything she’s done for Chelsea.

Great stuff with the tag team whodunnit, where we all know it’s DIY that attacked The Profits, and clearly Pretty Deadly knew, but they pinned it on Los Garza in hopes of getting their own title shot. Great match out of Profits VS Garza, and great win for Profits, but a bit of a plot hole in how Apollo didn’t step up to say anything until now. I mean, I get it, he was busy with fighting Bloodline because they bullied him for no good reason, but he could’ve said something to Aldis real quick before that. It’s just small things that pro-wrestling is still guilty of, no matter the company, but it’d still be nice if they changed for realism’s sake.

Great blending of stories between Braun VS Melo and everything with the Bloodline. Braun gets a great win over Theory, Sami VS Melo is a great match, and naturally Braun wants after Melo the moment Melo tries to run away from Sami. But then likewise, Bloodline goes after Sami since he wants after them. Braun joining in on that brawl could also mean he stands in for Jimmy while Jimmy’s toe heals up. As I said for Raw and SmackDown before, the “Transfer Window” should be used to get all parts of The Bloodline onto one brand just for the ease of doing story. Granted, business type stuff might mess that up. Netflix might get Roman, but NBC will still want something, so Roman winning could put all the OGs on Raw and Solo’s side has to stay on SmackDown.

And very good stuff with the Cody VS Kevin story. Naturally, Aldis would try to settle this peacefully, and naturally it wouldn’t work out when Kevin doesn’t want peace but glory. Cody feels the same way, and so naturally, a ladder match is made. From the classic HBK VS Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Championship to various parallels since, the ladder match and both physical belts being the one championship is the way to go, and we’ll get an awesome match.

But waiting until Royal Rumble on February 1st was a touch of a surprise. Granted, the next Saturday Night’s Main Event is January 25th, the week right before… Maybe SNME is used to lighten the load of the Royal Rumble card. After all, the Rumble is mostly about, well, the Rumble, so two rumbles, all the top titles, meaning midcard titles and tag titles can be part of SNME and the go-home episodes to really build up this year’s Road to WrestleMania.

My Score: 8.8/10