Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/17/21)
MVP has a surprise in store for Bobby Lashley!
Will Raw suffer backlash from Backlash?
Rhea Ripley is still Raw Women’s Champion and Bobby Lashley is still the All Mighty WWE World Champion! But who steps up to them as Hell (in a Cell) approaches?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Elias w/ Jaxson Ryker; Styles wins, by disqualification.
- Angel Garza VS Drew Gulak; Garza wins.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Turn, Tables, Turn: R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa; Tozawa wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- Randy Orton w/ Matt Riddle VS Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods; Kofi wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Tamina & Natalya VS Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler w/ Reginald; Tamina & Natalya win and retain the titles.
- Sheamus VS Ricochet; Sheamus wins.
- Charlotte Flair VS Asuka; Asuka wins.
- Lumberjack Match: Damian Priest VS John Morrison; Priest wins.
WWE World ChampionshipOpen Challenge: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS ???; Kofi Kingston wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bobby Lashley has ladies on his arms.
Is this MVP’s surprise for him? The girls love the gold, and they all head to the ring together. MVP is in the ring waiting as he is honored to present to us the ALL MIGHT WWE WORLD CHAMPION, BOBBY! LASHLEY~! The champion and his procession of beautiful ladies go down the ramp, he helps them up the steps and MVP holds the ropes open for them to enter the ring. Lashley himself looks in pretty good shape for having been thrown around and through things by Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman, but he did have the last laugh. Lashley and MVP high-five and hug, and then Lashley gets a mic.
MVP asks if he came through, and Lashley said he sure did. MVP says it is his honor and pleasure to be standing here with the champion. “What Bobby Lashley did last night was Herculean! HE beat two of the absolute toughest, strongest, meanest competitors on the entire roster! Today, the Monster Among Men is nursing broken ribs, and the Scottish Warrior was so devastated by the match last night, he couldn’t even get out of bed last night, while Lashley was thrown through an LED screen and still had the temerity to make it back and keep his WWE Championship.”
But here’s something you didn’t know: Lashley did that while injured. That fist is hurt from repeatedly hitting the faces of Braun and McIntyre! You don’t know the pain he endured as he maintained his title. But when is this era gonna end? It’ll never end! And we are all here to witness it! Tonight was supposed to be for celebration, a night off, but Lashley doesn’t want to be that kind of champion. So on behalf of Lashley, MVP issues an Open Challenge to ANYONE in the WWE locker room that wants to step- McIntyre is here! Despite what MVP said, the Scottish Warrior is up and walking around!
McIntyre storms right up to the ring and steps inside, and he shuts MVP up to say, “I think that’s a fantastic idea. What a fighting champion! I can’t think of a better way to impress your lovely ladies than Lashley VS McIntyre for the WWE Championship tonight.” Is that not clear enough? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. MVP says being rude and brutish as McIntyre is, he didn’t hear it all. MVP was going to say it was to anyone other than Braun and McIntyre. Back of the line, Drew. But Drew DECKS Lashley! The ladies scream and Lashley staggers away. MVP keeps Lashley from going after McIntyre in a rage, and says McIntyre doesn’t get his shot!
McIntyre dares Lashley to still fight him, but will the All Mighty work the hardest he ever has to avoid this fight?
AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Elias w/ Jaxson Ryker!
The Phenomenal One and his colossal compatriot were on the losing end of last week’s 8 Man Tag, and blame the ones who took the loss in the Drifter and his follower. Will Styles be singing his own praises tonight? Or will Elias change Styles’ tune and head for the gold?
The bell rings and Elias circles with Styles. They approach, Elias kicks and fires off CHOPS! Elias ROCKS Styles, runs, but into a dropkick! Styles scowls and brings Elias up for a suplex, but Elias blocks! Elias suplexes, holds Styles up for 5 then SLAMS him down! Styles goes to a corner, Elias runs in but into a boot! Styles fires off haymakers, has Elias in a corner and bumps him off buckles. Styles scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Elias writhes, Styles gets him up and throws forearms. Elias turns things around to RAM Styles into the corner and fire off hands! The ref counts, Elias lets off at 4 but Ryker cheers him on. Elias throws more hands on Styles, then whips corner to corner.
Styles tumbles and hits the post under the bottom rope! Elias WRECKS him with a basement dropkick! Styles hits post and steps on the way down, and Elias paces. Omos is there as Elias goes out to fetch Styles, but the ref warns Omos. Elias puts Styles in at 6 of 10, stomps him down, then drags him back out. Elias lifts Styles to SNAKE EYES on the apron! Omos gets mad and creeps over but Elias puts Styles in. Elias has Ryker watch Omos but Omos says they can’t handle this. Styles clotheslines Elias back out of the ring! And then PLANCHAS! Direct hit with the slingshot forearm, but Ryker steps over. Styles has big back-up, though, so Ryker backs up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Styles hits Elias with body shots and haymakers! Styles runs but into a back drop! Elias hobbles after Styles to get him up and whip to ropes. Elias then hits a SPINEBUSTER, and high stack covers, TWO! Styles is still in this but Elias goes for another cover, TWO! Ryker is frustrated for Elias while Omos is coaching Styles up. Elias wraps on a chinlock and grinds Styles down. Styles endures, fights up, but Elias snapmares to drop a knee! Elias strikes a pose, drops another knee, then covers, TWO! Elias wraps the chinlock back on and Styles endures all over again. Styles fights back up, but Elias drags him back down!
Omos coaches Styles, Styles fights back up, and he throws back elbows. Elias snapmares Styles just to disorient him, but Styles still PELES! Elias is dazed, Styles hits a basement forearm! Elias is even more dazed as he and Styles get up. Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, but Elias ROCKS him first! ANOTHER PELE! Elias staggers into the fireman’s carry, for the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Elias survives but Omos says it’s all good. Styles gets up, he brings Elias around, but Elias holds off the clash to shovel Styles up and over! Styles sunset flips, tries for the Clash but Elias kicks free, to then SYMPHO-KNEE! ANARCHY SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!!
Omos fires up and cheers Styles on while Elias is frustrated. Elias drags Styles back up and talks trash. “Who do you think you are, AJ?!” Elias Electric Chair lifts but Styles fights free! Styles waistlocks, Elias elbows out and runs in, but into a drop toehold! Elias eats buckles, Ryker shouts at him to get up, and Elias CHOPS Styles away! Styles CHOPS back! Styles runs in, Elias puts him on the apron but Styles ROCKS him! Ryker creeps up to trip Styles up!!
Winner: AJ Styles, by disqualification
Ryker RAMS Styles into barriers, but Omos storms over. Ryker dares Omos to do something, and that leaves Styles alone with Elias! Elias gets Styles up to RAM him into steel steps! Omos realizes what’s happened and he chases Elias off! Elias hides by commentary, but Ryker says the plan worked! Omos is furious, but clearly “divide and conquer” works for Ryker and Elias! Is this the key to taking the titles away from Styles and Omos?
Alexa and Lily swing together.
“We are so excited to have the NEW Women’s Tag Team Champions, Natalya & Tamina, on the Playground with us.” Alexa’s a big fan and Lily’s been dying to meet them. Will it be anything but fun and games when the Queen of Harts and Daughter of Superfly come to visit?
Matt Riddle meets with The New Day.
They got his letter! Pigeon mail never fails! And how dope was that pigeon sized mail bag? Made it himself. Right… They got his message, at least, but where’s the snake! No, it’s around here somewhere. You’ll see it any minute now. Orton shows up and asks where is Pearce and why are the New Day here. Well, Randall, Riddle said there was a two-headed snake and they can’t go to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not without proof! A two-headed snake? Is that a shot at The Viper? What is going on here, other than Riddle promising Pearce wanted to talk to him? Riddle tricked them in the spirit of friendship. It was such a great time until you know who did you know what.
But then what if this party of two became a party of four? And Riddle wondered, maybe Orton apologizes to the New Day? Orton frowns and Riddle knows apologies are tough. Like when Riddle tried to free a whale from an aquarium- Orton says there is NO apology. A reptile dysfunction, who would’ve thought. Orton isn’t going to say sorry because he’s not! Oh the big bad snake doesn’t know how to apologize! Well even if he did, they wouldn’t accept it! Riddle tries to keep the peace, but Kofi Kingston has known Orton way longer than Riddle. If Riddle isn’t careful, he’ll be getting an RKO, too. Orton tells Kofi if he doesn’t watch himself, he’ll be getting another RKO right here!
Oh is that so? Let’s see if that’s true! Let’s go in the ring, just like old time in 2009! C’mon, Randall! Challenge accepted! Riddle didn’t want it to go down like this, but Orton says to stop right there. Mouth zipped, throw away the key, but will RKBRO be no mo’?
Alexa and Lily are still on the playground.
They’re both very excited, because they have new friends! Friday Night SmackDown’s Tamina & Natalya! Congrats on the win! Natty thanks Alexa for that and says it was no easy beating two of the toughest women in all of WWE. But they did it, and they aren’t going to let that go to waste. This is Tamina’s very first women’s title, after all. Super duper nice! Tamina asks if they can go now. Alexa says she hasn’t even asked any tough questions yet. Lily wants to know what their favorite colors are. Uh… Well, pink for Natty. And black ‘n’ blue for Tamina. Those will look nice on Alexa if she tries anything weird. That’s not very nice. You’re lucky Lily likes you.
Lily also liked how they beat up Reggie last week. Was that fun? Yeah, actually. But if that little fly tries anything tonight, Tamina will swat him again. Alexa and Lily love that! Flies buzzing around then you SMACK and it is all super dead and squished! Lily likes collecting bug wings. And fingernails, and hair, and teeth. Alexa doesn’t judge her but- Natty and Tamina left… Was it something they said? Oh well. But good luck in the rematch tonight. Alexa & Lily will be watching~!
Angel Garza VS Drew Gulak!
The Lethal Lothario did what he said and used a rose to be more than just a thorn in the Philly Stretcher’s side. But will Gulak make him understand that pain in the rematch?
The bell rings, Garza already removes the pants, but Gulak SHOTGUN dropkicks him! Gulak ROCKS Garza then hits a T-BONE SUPLEX! Gulak is furious, he gets Garza up and wraps him up in a cobra twist! Gulak even has a leg for leverage! Garza powers up, powers out and HEADBUTTS Gulak to then hip toss him down! Garza dares Gulak to get up, and then CLOBBERS him! Garza gets Gulak up to SLAP and CLOBBER again! Garza dragon sleepers, suplexes and slingshots to SLAM Gulak on his face, then basement dropkick him down! Garza is fired up but Gulak throws body shots and haymakers! Garza dodges to ROCK Gulak!
Garza brings Gulak in, underhooks the arms, and gets Gulak up to hold him upside-down, before the BACKBREAKER! Gulak gets to a corner, Garza BOOT WASHES him! Garza pushes Gulak around, drags him back up, and underhooks again, for the WING CLIPPER! Cover, Garza wins again!
Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall
Another victory for Garza, yet he’s not satisfied. Garza picks his rose back up, thinks about what to do with it, and he shoves it down Gulak’s throat! Another promise kept, will Garza look to go for gold and leave Gulak behind?
R-Truth carefully sneaks around the halls.
Kevin Patrick walks over and asks R-Truth what’s going on. Truth says he hasn’t seen himself, his eyes are closed. Kevin assures Truth it’s just him, and Truth is relieved. Sup, K-Peezy! You look shorter than you do at the Raw Talk desk. But Truth heard about the Open Challenge for his title tonight so Truth is a bit wary. No, Truth, Lashley is holding an Open Challenge for his title, the WWE WORLD Championship. Ricky Bobby’s got an Open Challenge? Okay, okay. Truth wonders how Lashley will feel when the turntables- No, wait, when the tables- But Tozawa rolls Truth up!! TOZAWA WINS!!
Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Tozawa says the tables HAVE turned! And he runs off with Truth’s baby! Turntables, tables turned, Truth is tired of tables! Will Truth find Tozawa before tonight is over?
The Eva-Lution continues.
Eva Marie finally feels like she’s made it. She’s seen levels of fame and fortune she never could’ve imagined when she started. She’s not just a supermodel, she’s a super role model. She has everything she could ever want, and wants others to see their dreams come true. But you have to be willing to put in the work. One perfect picture takes 99 bad ones to get there. Life isn’t perfect, but anything’s possible. Get ready for the Eva-Lution.
Randy Orton w/ Matt Riddle VS Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods!
The Viper and #KofiMania face off again like in days of old, and also 2019, all because the Bro tried to patch things up. Will the only thing good about this be that one team gets closer to the tag titles?
Raw returns and The New Day make their entrance. The bell rings, Kofi and Orton circle, and they tie up. Orton headlocks, grinds, and hits a takeover. Kofi keeps his shoulders up, Riddle cheers Orton on as Kofi gets up. Kofi powers out, Orton runs him over, and things keep moving. Kofi hurdles, leaps, and back body blocks! Orton takes a tumble out and Riddle checks on him. Riddle wants everyone to back up, but Kofi goes out to fetch Orton. Orton kicks Kofi’s leg, scrapes laces on Kofi’s face, then puts Kofi in the ring. Orton stalks up behind Kofi, whips, but Kofi hurdles and arm-drags! And another! Kofi floats to a cover, TWO!
Woods says Kofi is the legend beating the legend killer! Orton gets up, Kofi hooks a leg for a Russian Leg Sweep! Kofi runs to springboard SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Riddle coaches Orton as Kofi gets a double wristlock. Orton endures, fights up, but Kofi wrenches the arm. Orton puts Kofi in a corner, the ref counts, and Orton pokes Kofi in the eyes! Orton gets Kofi up to bump off buckles, throws EuroUppers, and then ROCKS him with a right! Orton chokes Kofi on ropes, the ref counts, and Orton lets off at 4. Kofi sputters back to the corner, Orton stomps his foot! Orton stomps Kofi’s hand, covers, ONE! Orton clamps on with another headlock and grinds Kofi down again.
Riddle likes the squeeze, but Woods coaches Kofi up. The ThunderDome screens rally up, Kofi endures but Orton cranks back harder on the hold. Kofi keeps fighting up, throws elbows, but Orton headbutts him! Orton whips Kofi corner to corner but Kofi goes up and up and missile dropkicks! Both men are down, Woods gets the “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” beat going, and Kofi stands. Kofi double CHOPS, and CHOPS and dropkicks! Orton flounders up and dodges Kofi’s leaping lariat for a SPINNING POWERSLAM! But Woods gets on his trombone and plays a tune! Orton is annoyed, Kofi rolls Orton up! Kofi wins!!
Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall
Riddle is just as shocked as Orton, but he tries to keep the Viper from striking back! Riddle tries to reason with all sides, but Orton looks like he’s aiming at Riddle! Orton reconsiders, and storms off. Woods turns Riddle around but Riddle shoves Woods! Is Riddle taking Orton’s side? Is he the only one?
Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville are handling some complaints.
The Ravishing Glow and the #SexyMuscleFriends are all very upset. They don’t understand why Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler are getting rematches for the titles just 72 hours after losing them! And when it comes to Naomi & Lana having title matches, someone interferes. Oh get over it, you two lost! Unlike Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke, who actually beat Shayna & Nia in that Six Woman Tag. So therefore, whoever comes out of tonight the champions, they’re up against Mandy & Dana, Sonya. Oh, really? But in walks The Queen. Charlotte Flair says they’ve all had a million chances and blown them all. Kinda like you, Charlotte?
What was that? Nothing. That’s what she thought. But Sonya wants all of them to wait patiently as she and Pearce figure out who the next contenders are, which will be after the title match. If they will excuse them, Charlotte has a “private matter” to discuss with them. The teams leave, the Queen stays, and she says that she feels she should have a 1v1 title match with Rhea Ripley now. But Charlotte didn’t win. She may be disappointed, but why does she think she gets a title match now? Well, she wasn’t the one pinned, so technically she didn’t lose. Sonya sees the logic there, but the decision isn’t just hers. If Charlotte wins against Asuka tonight, then both Sonya and Pearce will consider this request. It’s only fair. That’s not a problem for Charlotte.
Rhea says it might be. Rhea couldn’t care about Charlotte’s problems, though. She’s just here to tell Sonya and Adam that she’s ready for NEW competition. To Rhea, Charlotte’s nothing but yesterday’s news. Woof woof, Cruella. Well here’s a preview of tonight’s headlines: Charlotte beats Asuka! If history repeats itself like it has before, Charlotte will beat Rhea to become champion again. Rhea decides she will watch tonight’s match, to see the Queen fall off her throne. Ultimatums all around, but who makes good on their warning?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Tamina & Natalya VS Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler w/ Reginald!
The statement maker, bone breaker duo of second generation superstars truly became title takers on Friday Night SmackDown! But vindication may only last a weekend as they have to face the Irresistible Force & Queen of Spades again already! Will nothing stop Tamina & Natty now that they are living the dream?
Raw returns as the former champions make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and SmackDown revisited on a Monday sees who are really the alpha females of the division!
Natty and Nia start with the bell, and Nia rushes right in to CLOBBER Natty! Nia talks trash on Tamina, throws Natty to the corner and HIP ATTACKS! Tag to Shayna, she taunts Tamina now, and then runs in to KNEE Natty down! Shayna drags Natty, covers, TWO! Shayna grabs Natty’s arm, wrenches it and has a keylock on the mat. Shayna tortures Natty’s arm, twists the wrist, and stands on Natty’s head before she YANKS the arm back! Natty writhes but refuses to let this stop her, but Shayna is after the arm again. Shayna has another top wristlock but Tamina and the fans rally. Natty arm-drags free, but Shayna comes back to CLOBBER her! Cover, TWO!
Tag to Nia, they drag Natty up and feed her to a BODY CHECK! Nia talks trash, looms over Natty and brings her up. Natty throws hands, but Nia shoves her to a corner. Nia runs in but only gets buckles! Natty throws lariats, then hits a DISCUS! Cover, ONE!! Nia isn’t done so easily but Tamina tags in! Tamina fires off on Nia, Nia HEADBUTTS back! Nia CLUBS Tamina, scoops her, and SLAMS her! Tag to Shayna, and Shayna holds Tamina down while Nia climbs. Tamina kicks Shayna away! And SUPERKICKS Nia down! Reggie hurries to distract the ref! Shayna fires off on Tamina but kicks into a fireman’s carry! But Alexa and Lily watch from the stage as Shayna slips to a KIRAFUDA CLUTCH!
But then WOOSH! Pyro from the post! That’s not Kane, that’s Lily! Tamina is free, she tags Natty, and they hit Shayna with the HART ATTACK! Cover, the champs retain!
Winners: Natalya & Tamina, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
They don’t understand what happened, and Reggie is blinded by the fire’s light! Lily giggles, did she mean to do that?
Sheamus VS Ricochet!
The Fella is a fighting champion, but more fighting than defending. That’s because he wants people to earn a title opportunity! The King of Flight surely earned something at Backlash, and Sheamus says, “You think I’m out here playing?!” Ricochet put his dirty filthy hands all over his hat and jacket! So he better bring all that back or Sheamus will make him a stain on the bottom of his boot! Ricochet is smirking backstage and Sarah asks him about the very thing Sheamus is referencing. Ricochet may have lost the match, but he snatched Sheamus’ sweet threads. That was fun, because Ricochet vows to shut Sheamus up forever.
And though Ricochet may have thrown it all back at Sheamus last night, but you know he had to do it to him! He snatched it all back and feels like Ernest the Cat right now. But Ricochet does his best Irish accent to say that after the match, he might have himself a pint. Has he at least earned himself a whole can of whoop ass?
Ricochet makes his entrance, Sheamus storms up the ramp but Ricochet hits a drop toehold! Sheamus hits the deck, Ricochet slips into the ring, and then gets Sheamus with a dropkick on the return! Sheamus is furious, the bell rings, Ricochet dodges Sheamus again to fire off forearms! Ricochet fires off body shots, Sheamus shoves him but Ricochet BOOTS and rolls him up! TWO, Ricochet fires off kicks! Sheamus gets a hand on Ricochet to CLOBBER him! Sheamus CLUBS Ricochet, kicks him around, and stomps him in a corner. Sheamus gets Ricochet up to CLOBBER him! Sheamus looms over Ricochet, throws more body shots, but Ricochet CHOPS and throws hands!
Sheamus DECKS Ricochet, gets him back up, and scoops him to SLAM him! Ricochet grits his teeth and Sheamus starts to smirk. Sheamus kicks Ricochet, Ricochet fires off hands! Sheamus puts Ricochet in a corner, digs his forearms in, and then KNEES low and hard! Sheamus scoops, Ricochet slips out and gets a sleeper hold! Sheamus RAMS Ricochet into buckles, throws him off, and then drags him around to a chinbar and armlock. Ricochet endures, moves around, but Sheamus SLAPS him. Ricochet fights up, reaches for ropes, but Sheamus chinbars! Ricochet JAWBREAKERS free! Sheamus is even angrier now and he CLUBS Ricochet!
Sheamus whips, Ricochet hits a knee smash and ENZIGURI! Sheamus bails out, Ricochet slingshots but Sheamus catches the plancha! Sheamus POSTS Ricochet then TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! Ricochet writhes and Sheamus soaks up the heat as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Sheamus again looms over Ricochet. Sheamus stands Ricochet up and throws hands but Ricochet throws forearms back! Sheamus shoves, KNEES low, then kicks Ricochet against the ropes! Ricochet flops out, Sheamus gets him up for Beats of the Bodhrain! Ricochet takes about 7 before the ref gets to 4, but Sheamus drags him back in. Sheamus clamps on, digs his fingers in, but Ricochet fights off the Dublin Smile! Ricochet gets up, throws more forearms, and more forearms, and more forearms! Sheamus is dazed as Ricochet only stops because he was tiring out! Ricochet fires up, runs, but Sheamus gets him for an IRISH CURSE! Cover, TWO!!
Sheamus is seething as Ricochet survives, but Sheamus goes to a corner. Sheamus climbs, but slowly, and Ricochet ROCKS him with a right! Ricochet climbs, Sheamus knocks him back down! Sheamus adjusts, Ricochet runs and springs right up to get a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives but his leg is in great pain from how he’s writhing and kicking. Sheamus still grabs at Ricochet, but Ricochet kicks back. Ricochet kicks and kicks and Sheamus lets go. Sheamus stands up but Ricochet dodges to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Ricochet runs corner to corner to forearm smash! And then again, only for Sheamus to put him outside.
Sheamus hobbles, Ricochet springboards back in, FLYING CLOTHESLINE! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus is still in this and Ricochet is a bit frustrated. Ricochet LIONSAULTS onto knees! Cradle from Sheamus, TWO!! Ricochet escapes and he dodges the Brogue! SUPERKICK! To a NECKBREAKER! Sheamus is down, Ricochet drags him into a drop zone! Ricochet climbs, aims, but Sheamus bails out! So Ricochet just smirks and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Direct hit and both men go down! Ricochet gets Sheamus up and in, goes back to the corner, and springboards in, for a 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sheamus survives and Ricochet can’t believe it!
Ricochet snarls as he gets Sheamus back up and fireman’s carries. Sheamus fights out, throws more elbows and shoves Ricochet. Ricochet elbows back, springboards, into a PUMP KNEE!! Cover, Shea- TWO!??!?! That was a 2.99!! Sheamus is furious, he wanted this to be over! He tells Ricochet just to stay down, but Ricochet SLAPS him! Sheamus BROGUES Ricochet right back!! Cover, NOW Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The One and Only gave Sheamus one hell of a fight! But Sheamus has everything back, and tells “Rick O’Shea” that he ain’t dancing now, huh? That victory felt great! Sheamus loves the gold, but his other shoulder feels a little empty. Lashley better watch his back, because Sheamus might come around and accept that Open Challenge! Is Sheamus hoping to become #SheamyTwoBelts?
T-Bar & Mace speak.
“From the second that we brought our desolation to Monday Night Raw, Bobby Lashley’s WWE title has had an expiration date.” “But don’t mistake the pain we brought as a gift. It was a loan. And tonight, Bobby Lashley pays his debt.” Tonight, they strike! Everything that lives is designed to die. The question is, which one of them ends the legacy of Lashley? That’s as simple as the flip of a coin. “What a terrible night to be Bobby Lashley.” “All Mighty? No. Tonight, Bobby Lashley’s WWE title will be all GONE!” Which of these two titans will make Lashley face retribution?
Charlotte Flair VS Asuka!
This isn’t an official contender’s match, but management did tell The Queen that if she wins, then maybe she’d get another chance. Will Charlotte repeat history from WrestleMania 34 to repeat history from WrestleMania 36? Or will the Empress of Tomorrow make sure tomorrow belongs to her?
Raw returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, tie up, and go around. Charlotte arm-drags Asuka but she’s right up to avoid the boot. Charlotte avoids kicks, but so does Asuka! Asuka dodges Charlotte again, follows and dropkicks Charlotte down, to then HIP ATTACK her to ropes! Charlotte flounders, Asuka whips but Charlotte blocks! Asuka throws forearms, whips again, but Charlotte reverses. Asuka dodges, but Charlotte CLOBBERS her with a back elbow! Charlotte drags Asuka up, headlocks, but Asuka fights out. Asuka shoves Charlotte to a corner, Charlotte tumbles up and out but shoulders into a knee!
Asuka sweeps the legs, goes out to spin Charlotte around and HIP ATTACK her into the ring! Cover, TWO! Charlotte goes to ropes, Asuka is right after her. Asuka CLUBS Charlotte, clamps onto an arm, but Charlotte wrenches and ROCKS Asuka. Charlotte retreats to the outside, Asuka goes to the apron but her kick is blocked! Charlotte sweeps the legs! And here comes Rhea! The Nightmare is fashionably late to watching these royals wrestle, and Charlotte glares at her as she covers Asuka, TWO! The Queen stares down the champion while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Charlotte thrashes Asuka around with a chinlock. Rhea watches in a seat at ringside as Asuka endures. Asuka fights up, throws elbows, but Charlotte CLUBS her down! Asuka kicks from below but Charlotte stomps her down! Charlotte drags Asuka up for an EXPLODER! Charlotte puts Asuka on ropes and bends her back! The ref counts, Charlotte lets go at 4, and brings Asuka around to ROCK her! And CHOP her! And ROCK, and CHOP! Asuka falls over, Charlotte looms over her. Asuka kicks from below again but Charlotte stomps away on her! Charlotte sits Asuka up to cartwheel and BOOT her down! Cover, TWO!
Charlotte starts to smile because she’s amused that Asuka is still in this. Charlotte scoops, Asuka slips free and fires forearms! Asuka whips, Charlotte reverses but Asuka elbows back! And BOOTS! Asuka runs to LEAPING LARIAT! Rhea is amused as Asuka gets a ghost pin, TWO! Charlotte returns the favor, TWO! Asuka has it back, TWO! Asuka ROCKS Charlotte, runs in but into a BACKBREAKER and ROPE SHOT! Charlotte hits a NECKBREAKER, covers, TWO! Charlotte stops being amused and is annoyed as she stands up. Charlotte says she’s watching Rhea, and she wraps Asuka up in a headscisosr. Charlotte dribbles Asuka’s head off the mat, then squeezes tight!
Asuka endures, fans rally up, but Charlotte turns over to THROW Asuka around! And dribble her, then put the squeeze back on! Asuka still endures, even as Charlotte pushes up for leverage. Charlotte THROWS Asuka, covers, TWO!! Asuka shakes her head, she hasn’t given up! Charlotte says SHE is the division, and she toys with Asuka. Asuka pushes back, rolls Charlotte up, TWO! Asuka spins Charlotte to a backslide, TWO! BUZZSAW! It just got Charlotte and she goes to a corner. Asuka fires up, mule kicks Charlotte, then pop-up KNEES, to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Charlotte flounders about and Asuka runs in, HIP ATTACK! BULLDOG!
Asuka aims, SLIDING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives the onslaught and Asuka is beside herself! Asuka gets Charlotte up in another waistlock but Charlotte elbows free! Charlotte runs but into a BOOT! But she BOOTS Asuka down in return! High stack cover, TWO!! Rhea really likes seeing Charlotte frustrated. Charlotte goes to a corner, takes aim, and NATURAL- NO! Asuka slips through to get the chinbar! Charlotte throws Asuka off, runs back in but the boot misses, only for the ELBOW to hit! Was that Andrade’s move?! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives but Charlotte hoists her up top! Charlotte ROCKS Asuka, climbs up, and brings Asuka up, but Asuka shoves her away!
Asuka steadies herself as Charlotte flops on the mat! Asuka leaps to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Rhea is mildly impressed now as Asuka KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Charlotte! Asuka runs, but the sliding kick misses! Charlotte rolls Asuka, has hold of tights, TWO!! Charlotte waistlocks, Asuka switches but Charlotte elbows free again! Charlotte runs, Asuka follows, wheelbarrow to KNEEBAR!! Charlotte reaches, Asuka drags her back and twists that ankle! Charlotte stands up to pry Asuka off! Asuka fights the suplex to get the arm! Charlotte rolls, but into the TRIANGLE HOLD! Charlotte scrambles to her feet, pushes back, but can’t get a cover!
Charlotte fights up, it’s a cover now, ONE! Into a BOSTON CRAB! Asuka endures, reaches for the ropes, but Charlotte drags her away! Asuka powers out to hit a prawn hold, TWO!! FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Into the ASUKA LOCK!! Charlotte fights, cameras go wonky, Charlotte gets the ROPEBREAK! Charlotte BOOTS Asuka from the ropes, gets a leg and has a HANGING KNEEBAR!! The ref counts, Asuka shouts, and Charlotte lets go at 4.9! Charlotte drags Asuka over and bounces her off the desk! Rhea smiles and tells Charlotte she’s a loser. Asuka runs in but Charlotte blocks the back hand!
Charlotte puts Asuka in the ring, tells Rhea to keep the belt warm, and goes in to get the leg! Asuka kicks Charlotte off the Figure Four, Rhea is on the apron and gets a BOOT! Charlotte is stuck a second, Asuka rolls her up! ONE!! Charlotte gets the legs, but Asuka cradle counters!! ASUKA WINS!!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall
Charlotte lost her focus and that cost her the title opportunity! Rhea says that’s what she deserves! Will this keep going ’round ‘n’ ’round between the Empress, the Queen and the Nightmare?
John Morrison is NOT a zombie!
Kevin Patrick finds him and asks if he can somehow even attempt to explain last night’s Lumberjack match turned horror movie? “Whenever I think about what happened last night, to The Miz, it feels like someone is picking at my brain. Like I’m dead inside. A rotting feeling, y’know? I can still smell those lumberjacks. And I’m no medical expert, but I think those lumberjacks hadn’t showered or visited a dentist in a very long time.” The Miz might never be the same again, which is why Morrison is dedicating this match to him. Wherever Miz is, it is a nicer place. Drip Drip out. Is that a sign that the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century is no more?
Lumberjack Match: Damian Priest VS John Morrison!
The Archer of Infamy has apparently shrugged off the supernatural madness of #WrestleManiaBacklash, and WWE promises this will be an absolutely normal Lumberjack match. Will Priest #LiveForever at the expense of the “most moist-see WWE Superstar?”
Raw returns, and yes, the lumberjacks are normal superstars! Oh hey, Nikki Cross is back, too! Anyway, Morrison makes his entrance, the bell rings, and they circle. Morrison is wary of Priest’s strikes, but the two tie up. Morrison headlocks, Priest powers out, and Morrison rams shoulders only for Priest to rebound and run Morrison over! Things speed up and Priest arm-drags Morrison down! Morrison fights up, Priest wrenches but Morrison ROCKS him! Morrison fires off body shots and elbows in a corner, then some kicks and more forearms! Morrison throws Priest out, T-Bar & Mace go after him, PRIMED Alexander joining in!
The other lumberjacks storm over but Alexander puts Priest in. Morrison gets his shots in, Priest staggers into a KICK! Morrison ROCKS Priest with another forearm, then has him in a corner. Morrison winds up and goes corner to corner, but into a STOMP! Priest catches his breath, Morrison staggers up into a KICK! KICK! And ROLLING ELBOW! Priest powers up but Morrison bails out! Nikki puts him back in! The lumberjacks are fired up for that! They also fire up as Priest throws hands on Morrison! Priest ROCKS Morrison with a straight right hand, then he whips Morrison corner to corner. Morrison bails out, Priest gets buckles and a GAMANGIRI!
Morrison goes Eddy Gordo but Priest PUNCHES the foot! Morrison hobbles, Tozawa wants to put him in but Morrison turns the tables and throws Tozawa into the ring! T-Bar & Mace chase Morrison but he leaps over barriers! Morrison plays parkour to flip up and over Mustafa Ali, and get around Shelton Benjamin! He BOOTS Mansoor, gets in the ring, Priest gets him for the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM!! But that was a little too powerful, and Morrison rolls back to the apron! Priest is snarling as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Morrison stomps away on Priest! The lumberjacks are fired up as Priest kicks from below, only for Morrison to block and float through! Morrison throws hands, gets an arm, but Priest turns that to a cover, TWO! Priest keeps hold of Morrison’s arm, OMOPLATA TRIANGLE?! Morrison fights up, flails and reaches out, makes it a cover, TWO! Morrison springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Priest bails out, the Viking Raiders put him back in for the SHINING WIZARD from Morrison! Cover, TWO! Morrison wraps Priest up in a chinlock, grinds him down, and the lumberjacks rally. Morrison knee slow, throws body shots, and runs, into a back elbow!
Priest blocks a punch to fire off fast hands and a BOOT! And then he FLAPJACKS Morrison! Priest brings Morrison around to a Canadian rack, CLIFFHANGER! Cover, TWO!! Morrison survives and Priest takes a breath. Priest stalks Morrison but Morrison throws him out! Alexander, T-Bar and Mace go after him! The Raiders get in Mace’s face but he and T-Bar back them down! Alexander puts Priest back in for Morrison and Morrison grins. Morrison gets Priest up, Priest ROCKS him with a right! And then a left and an uppercut! Priest whips, Morrison reverses, Priest FLIES out onto the lumberjacks!!
Alexander gets in to DIVE onto Benjamin because he wants after him from last week! The lumberjacks break up this fight because that’s not what they’re here for! Morrison puts Priest out, Priest BELL CLAPS! Morrison ROCKS Priest back, climbs up to join him, but Priest changes things on him! SUPERPLEX ONTO THE CROWD!! The lumberjacks are down, but Titus O’Neil and Ivar sort through the wreckage to get Priest and Morrison back in. Nikki coaches Priest up, the ref checks on Morrison, and Priest choke grips! Morrison pushes out and ROCKS Priest in a corner! Morrison runs in but Priest dodges! Morrison goes up, Priest ROCKS him! Priest climbs, for a SUPER STEINER!!
Priest hurries to get Morrison up, and HIT THE LIGHTS!! Cover, Priest wins!!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
Two nights, two fights, two times Priest conquers the Greatest Tag Team in the 21st Century! Sarah congratulates him at the stage, and he says it feels great! He says in Spanish and then in English that it is time to finally move on. Miz ‘n’ Morrison are the past, and the future is to #LiveForever. Priest is going to create a moment, and maybe he accepts tonight’s Open Challenge! Maybe the next moment is becoming THE WWE World Champion. Will the Archer of Infamy take aim at the target on Lashley’s back?
Lashley prepares backstage.
The moment of truth is almost here! Who will the Rocky Mountain Machine look to wreck in Raw’s main event?
The Eva-Lution keeps growing.
“Behind the scenes, it takes a team of people to make the vision of a movie happen. I couldn’t be where I am today without the people who guided me down the right path.” Growing up, Eva wanted to be a hero like Angelina Jolie. And now that she is, she doesn’t want to just play a hero, she wants to be a hero. She might be a star, but stars are meant to show others the way. She wants to be the one little girls look up to and says, “I can be that, too!” This is #EvaLution.
Backstage interview with Shelton Benjamin.
Last week, he defeated former friend in Cedric Alexander, but we’re not talking about that. That’s a waste of time. Benjamin is going to talk about more important things, like him challenging Lashley for the title. But Alexander walks in with sarcastic applause. Alexander isn’t here to fight, but to give him the applause for Benjamin finally having the guts to challenge Lashley. In Benjamin’s mind, he seems himself as a legend, doesn’t he? Just because he get a fluke over Alexander, that means he can step to Lashley? Benjamin, remember this. There is a reason everyone around him ends up leaving: Benjamin always was and always will be worthless. Benjamin DECKS Alexander! Is that just the warm-up the Gold Standard needs before going for gold?
WWE World Championship Open Challenge: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS ???
We thought the All Mighty was going to take a night off, but that’s not the kind of man Lashley is. Granted, he and MVP agreed that this open challenge is only open to those not named Braun Strowman or Drew McIntyre. Will this fresh competition be the perfect thing to celebrate the win at Backlash? Or will the Rocky Mountain Machine be more like the Cocky Mountain Machine and get caught underestimating his opponent? Speaking of, who is tonight’s opponent? We find out, after the break!
Raw returns and MVP asks, “Who’s it gonna be? Who’s gonna step up and accept the Open Challenge? Anybody?” Does Lashley think there’ll be anyone? No one walks out yet, but IT’S A NEW DAY, YES IT IS! Is it Kofi? It IS!! Is he still okay after that hard match with The Viper? The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see if #KofiMania2 happens on a Monday!
But then MVP says something. He has an announcement? That whole “championship” thing was nice, but did MVP say this was a title match? Lashley didn’t say it! Pearce isn’t here making it one! And Kofi isn’t even worthy of being in the ring, but good luck anyway. MVP pulls the rug out from under us all!!
(Non-title) Open Challenge: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods!
Kofi is furious and he fires off on Lashley in a corner! The ref counts, Kofi lets off, and the bell rings to make this a match now! Lashley hits a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Lashley is surprised Kofi survived, and he drags Kofi back up to reel him in. MVP says to finish this, and Lashley suplexes Kofi, holds him up for 5, but Kofi fights free! Kofi dodges Lashley, and dropkicks him to ropes! Lashley comes back but Kofi dodges to SUPERKICK! Lashley tumbles to the apron, and Kofi dropkicks him down! Lashley staggers, Kofi runs and WRECKS him with another dropkick!
Kofi keeps moving and FLIES! Direct hit and DOWN GOES LASHLEY! Woods is in MVP’s face about it, Kofi is fired up and so are the fans, as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again Kofi brawls with Lashley! Lashley blocks a boot to elbow Kofi down! Lashley drags Kofi up and bumps him off buckles! Lashley throws hands, digs his boots in, but lets off at 4. Kofi is in a daze, but Lashley chokes him on the ropes! The ref counts, Lashley lets off at 3, and MVP talks trash. Kofi swipes at MVP, MVP says that should be a disqualification right there! Lashley RAMS Kofi into the corner over and over and over, then runs corner to corner to RAM into Kofi again! MVP talks more trash and Lashley suplexes Kofi to hold him for 10 this time! And with one arm! SLAM! Cover, TWO! Lashley tries again, TWO!
Kofi gets up but Lashley has a rear bearhug on him! MVP wants Lashley to humiliate Kofi and make him regret ever getting in this ring! Lashley squeezes tight, Kofi endures, and Kofi fights up to throw elbows! Lashley still holds tight, Kofi reaches and gets the ropebreak, while giving Lashley a hotshot! Kofi CHOPS and swings around Lashley to hit a DDT! Both men are down and MVP starts to worry as Kofi crawls to the cover. TWO, but Kofi kicks Lashley down! NEW~ DAY~ BOOM DROP! Lashley grabs at Kofi’s hair and drags him into a LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!! Kofi is showing that same heart that made #KofiMania happen the first time!
Lashley stalks Kofi, MVP wants this to be done so they can go party. Lashley puts Kofi up top, climbs up, but Kofi fights back with headbutts! Lashley hits back, climbs up, but Woods uses the trombone! Just like on Orton! Lashley ROCKS Kofi, shouts at Woods, but Kofi LEAPS for an APRON DDT!! Kofi hurries back in, hooks Lashley up, but Lashley turns SOS into gut wrench and DOMINATOR! Lashley says this is because of Woods! Lashley throws Kofi out, follows him, and brings Kofi up to fireman’s carry, and POST him!! Kofi flops to the floor, Lashley gets him up and into the ring, and then throws him back out the other end.
Lashley goes out, drags Kofi up, and fireman’s carries him again. Woods saves Kofi, but the ref ejects him! Lashley puts Kofi in, and sets him up so MVP can aim. But McIntyre is here and he stops MVP from using the cane! Lashley grabs at McIntyre, to get a CANE SHOT!! Kofi rolls Lashley up, and WINS!!!
Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall
The Scottish Warrior figures that if he can’t face Lashley, he’ll screw him over! MVP brought this upon himself and the All Mighty, and now Kofi has a win over the All Mighty World Champion! Is#KofiMania2 inevitable?
My Thoughts:
This was a trail mix of quality for a post-PPV Raw. On one hand, I think WWE was trying to invent “Aftermath Syndrome,” which is the sibling to Go Home Syndrome, where there were so many recap packages to fill time and it was never organically introduced. On the other, we got great matches and some surprising developments. Mostly. I’m disappointed that we didn’t get even a hint of Miz ‘n’ Morrison being zombies now after what happened at Backlash. If you’re going to plug a movie just because a legend is in it, why not keep that plug going? Zombie Miz and Morrison would be great stuff, honestly.
But the Lumberjack match was still very good, and technically should’ve been what we got at the PPV. I’m also surprised that after losing the 24/7 title, Truth didn’t go after Tozawa during the Lumberjack match. But maybe that would’ve been one detour too many since we also had Alexander going after Benjamin for the loss last week. Nikki Cross making a very lowkey return in that segment was great, too, she needed to show up somehow. At least, before she more than likely becomes Lily in human form, and then she and Alexa go after the women’s tag titles. Because apparently, forget “Lily’s favorite color is red” being a clue to anything, Alexa is skipping the singles title to go back to the tag division.
Admittedly, all of the Raw Women’s Division needs help in terms of depth. Alexa & Lily joining in is fine, so long as Lily’s human form isn’t as horrifying as the doll. That’ll be way too hard to look at as a full sized person. We got another Charlotte VS Asuka match, which is both good and bad. It’s good because they delivered another awesome match, and there was great ways of using Rhea ringside to give Charlotte comeuppance. But it’s bad because it literally means the title scene is just three women. Nia and Shayna should try to get back in the Raw Women’s title scene, mostly Shayna, so that they (mostly Shayna) can brush off some of the more awkward moments these last few months with some great matches against Asuka, Charlotte and Rhea.
Sheamus VS Ricochet tonight was amazing stuff, but I’m a little unsure about the supposed set up for it tonight. Ricochet said it in his own promo that he gave the jacket and hat back. Did he really need to snatch it all back again just to make Sheamus angrier? We knew this rematch was happening just on how things ended between them on Backlash, so just leave it at that. Was it all just so commentary could argue about the legal ramifications of Ricochet stealing the stuff? I was a bit scared Sheamus got hurt the same was Humberto Carrillo did last week, but it was good to see he walked it off. Sheamus wins again, but I feel like we could get a big match like SmackDown’s set up for the Intercontinental Championship, Sheamus VS Ricochet VS Mansoor VS Mustafa Ali or a returning Carrillo.
Styles VS Elias was a bit of a surprise, and it was a good match, and I feel like it puts Styles & Omos in a tweener position in the Raw Tag Division. It was also clever of them to have Elias & Ryker separate Omos & Styles long enough so they can beat up Styles. That will be the key to defeating them and taking those titles away. I like the set-up to Orton VS Kofi with Riddle pulling one of those “invite them both somewhere without mentioning the other” type moves. Orton VS Kofi was a good match and it’s clever that Kofi wins with help from a distraction so that we’d have reason for New Day VS RKBRO down the line.
But at the same time, that seemed like a misdirect given how the main event turned out. Lashley and MVP having ladies with them to party seemed a bit old days, but at least they were being mostly tasteful about it. I do like the loophole on MVP issuing the open challenge was a valid one, McIntyre “interrupted” too early and then was the one to say “championship match” when that was never the case. Kofi being the one to answer was a great move not just because of the great match, but also because it shows WWE might be working to have story and division overlap. Just because a tag team wrestler wants the tag team titles doesn’t mean they can’t go after the singles title.
Orton and Styles are also good choices on that front, but I like that it’s Kofi. The match tonight was a great sampler, and we’re surely getting more, and I like that McIntyre had a part to play in the ending. Lashley VS Kofi at Hell in a Cell but not in the Cell is going to be great, but I’m fairly certain Lashley wins because of Kofi is also involved in the story with RKBRO. It might not be at HITC, it could be next week or the week after, and Kofi loses because of Orton. McIntyre could and probably should take a detour because it’s starting to feel like the women’s title where there are only two or three people even considered for it. Braun getting a 1v1 chance wouldn’t be so bad, either.
My Score: 8/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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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!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
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The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
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The Final Boss is back!
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So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
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