Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE WrestleMania Backlash Results & Report! (5/16/21)
Will Roman Reigns acknowledge Cesaro?
Not the Grandest Stage, but close enough!
Don’t get it twisted! WrestleMania happened, but someone’s gonna feel the Backlash! Will Roman Reigns still be Tribal Chief and WWE Universal Champion after facing the Swiss Superman?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – Open Challenge: Sheamus VS ???; Sheamus wins.
- Raw Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Rhea Ripley VS Asuka VS Charlotte Flair; Rhea wins and retains the title.
- SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Dirty Dawgs VS The Mysterios; The Mysterios win and become new SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
- Lumberjack Match: Damian Priest VS The Miz; Priest wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Bayley; Bianca wins and retains the title.
- WWE World Championship Triple Threat: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Drew McIntyre VS Braun Strowman; Lashley wins and retains the title.
- WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Cesaro; Roman wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the #WrestleManiaBacklash Kickoff Show!
Join Kayla Braxton, Booker T, John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Peter Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action for tonight!
Sonya Deville joins the panel!
She feels like she should join them permanently. JBL will gladly trade Pete for her. But they know Bianca VS Sasha was match of the night for WrestleMania 37. Bianca VS Bayley, how does she see this going? Sonya knows Bayley has experience on her side but Bianca is just red hot. Bayley can get under your skin, that could be what messes up Bianca tonight. Kayla agrees, Bianca is still green, she might not be ready for the mind games. Booker says preparation is the only luck you’ll ever have. Bianca is prepared, but you cannot sleep on Bayley. This isn’t about perfume and make-up, but cashing checks and winning belts.
JBL says he and Bayley are both role models, wonderful people, those that people want to be like. But he agrees with Booker: every once in awhile, you see someone come into sports and take things to a new level. That is Bianca. She could be greatest of all time on a new level. Bayley is the only one to beat Bianca since she came to SmackDown, though, and that could help her. Peter knows Bianca’s got a great story, but Bayley has been unbelievable these last few years. Bayley could be best in the business today on all levels. Booker agrees there. At a certain point, the lightbulb turns on and that turned on early for Bayley. Bayley could flip the script.
Sonya says the common dominator is both women are so consistent. You can count on both women to perform no matter what. It isn’t just talk, it isn’t just hype, it’s real. Bianca isn’t afraid of the spotlight, but will she shine under it?
And then there’s Priest VS Miz in a Lumberjack match! Priest chose this stipulation, he wants to make sure Miz can’t run away. Priest said last week that it could be Raw superstars, SmackDown superstars, zombies and aliens, one way or another, Miz gets dealt with! Now, don’t expect all that, but the legends know that the Lumberjack match mindset is that you’re locked into the situation and will have to fight until the end. Miz is in that situation, but he’s also someone Booker truly believes can handle it. Miz won’t weasel his way out, he’s a fighter. He came up the old school way so Priest better watch out!
JBL goes with the “future mayor of Houston, Texas” on that. Miz is a TWO-TIME Grand Slam Champion. Priest has this bravado, but he might regret this. The Lumberjacks outside will not let either man get away. Miz “takes a walk” a bit, but that’s still within the rules. Miz knows what it is with this kind of match, so he’ll have tricks up his sleeve. The last one of these Miz was in, though, he LOST to Bobby Lashley! He wants to redeem himself for that and for WrestleMania against Bad Bunny! Peter, stop sucking up to Bunny so you can get him on your show!
When it comes to the Raw Women’s Championship Triple Threat, Kayla says it is Sonya’s fault we’re here. Sonya says this is something worth watching. Charlotte Flair has every right to be in the title picture. Is Rhea Ripley a force to be reckoned with? Yes, she’s champion. That doesn’t mean you write Charlotte out of the picture. Charlotte grabs the brass ring each time. Pete does say it looked like there was, well, not bullying, but some pressure. Sonya says she runs this, but she won’t judge Pete. She and Pearce each make decisions, she’s just doing her job. But what does that say to the locker room that Charlotte is getting this treatment and no one else is?
Sonya hates the notion of how just because she’s a Flair, she gets special treatment. Charlotte has the talent and the track record to prove she’s worthy, so Sonya will do what she sees is fit. Pete will admit, you can’t result of this result, this is going to be great. But Charlotte attacked a ref, got suspended, and is now just back! “We all make mistakes,” and Sonya could name the ones Kayla’s made. We move on and get better. Kayla is ready to say something back but says this is live so she can’t. Whoa~! Kayla is wondering will this Triple Threat only split Rhea’s focus? Sonya says the Asuka VS Rhea match was to smash the tension so it could be a fair Triple Threat.
Fair Triple Threat? There’s no such thing! Sonya says they should focus on the title, not their personal grudges. But a champion could lose the title without taking the pin, so it isn’t really fair. Sonya says they all got caught up in their heads, this was to make an even playing field. And look at how hyped we all are for this match! That is Sonya’s job. Good point. But the legends know all about this, these matches always screw the champion. It’s Rhea’s time to shine but she’ll have to be on guard at all times because she could lose without losing. “Fairness” is up for debate, but this will be a lot of fun. And what greater challenge for a champion than to put her to the test. If Rhea wins this, she’ll have even more confidence! So this was in Rhea’s best interest? Of course! If Sonya says so.
The Dirty Dawgs find Dominik Mysterio backstage.
They tell him to go find his dad and get ready. But then they stand in his way. And then they step to him. Dom flinches, but then Ziggler HEADBUTTS Dom! Roode throws Dom into road cases and into walls! “Put him down!” Roode assaults Dom in the corner of the room, and then Ziggler helps him get a spare case up and over to throw onto Dom! “See you out there, kid!” Referees rush over and someone goes to find Rey! Will Dom be able to do anything to get back at the obnoxious champions?
Open Challenge: Sheamus VS ???
The Celtic Warrior survived the match with Humberto Carrillo while Carrillo wasn’t as lucky. Carrillo is out with a bad leg, but Sheamus’ mouth still works. “What’s the crack? Sheamy’s here on the kickoff, fella!” He’s issued more open challenges to anyone and everyone who wants to step to the champ! And tonight won’t be any different! He wants another open challenge, but it still won’t be a title match. Those dopes of the past gave away matches, but Sheamus wants people to EARN the opportunity! So anyone who wants to try and take the greatest superstar of all, THE WWE US Champion, come and get it, fella!
The one to answer is RICOCHET! The One and Only returns from WWE Main Event to see if he can earn his way back to this title! Will the Celtic Warrior not be ready for the King of Flight?
The bell rings, Sheamus isn’t taking Ricochet seriously and he gets SHOTUGN DROPKICK! Sheamus shoves, Ricochet runs and collides with him! Ricochet kicks but Sheamus blocks it, so Ricochet SLAPS him! Sheamus CLOBBERS Ricochet and seethes as he stalks Ricochet to a corner. Sheamus throws heavy hands, CLUBS Ricochet on the back, then TOSSES him across the way! Ricochet gets to the other corner, Sheamus digs his fingers into Ricochet’s face. Ricochet throws hands, runs, but into a back elbow! Sheamus drags Ricochet up, ROCKS him with EuroUppers, and whips him corner to corner. Ricochet kicks back, CHOPS, then runs, but into the IRISH CURSE!
Sheamus looms over Ricochet as he writhes from the backbreaker. Sheamus kicks “Ricky” to a corner and stomps him. The ref counts, Sheamus lets off, and Sheamus has Ricochet through ropes to bend him back for Beats of the Bodhrain! Ricochet takes 10 before the ref counts 4, and Sheamus wipes the sweat from his brow. Sheamus stomps Ricochet around, tells him to cheer up, and puts on the DUBLIN SMILE! Ricochet endures the fish hooks, the ref reprimands, and Sheamus STOMPS Ricochet down. Sheamus says the ref is ruining the fun. Sheamus clamps onto Ricochet with a chinbar and armlock but Ricochet fights with haymakers and kicks!
Ricochet is free, he staggers up and jawbreakers Sheamus! Ricochet CHOPS and throws body shots but Sheamus KICKS him down! Sheamus gets Ricochet up but Ricochet throws back elbow after back elbow! Ricochet fires up, runs, but Sheamus reels him in to CLUB him on the back! Ricochet PELES! Sheamus wobbles while Ricochet fires back up! Ricochet BOOTS Sheamus, goes to a corner and boots again. Sheamus blocks that, shovels Ricochet up to an Alabama lift but Ricochet holds ropes to escape! Ricochet BOOTS, goes out and hotshots Sheamus away! Ricochet springboards, FLYING CLOTHESLINE! STANDING SHOOTING STAR, to the LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!!
Sheamus survives and Ricochet is frustrated! Sheamus gets up slowly, but Ricochet CLUBS him on the back! Ricochet reels Sheamus in and fireman’s carries, but Sheamus CLUBS free! Sheamus fireman’s carries but Ricochet sunset flips! Sheamus rolls through to KNEE Ricochet to a corner! Sheamus runs in, Ricochet is up and over! BACKSTABBER! Ricochet crawls to the corner while Sheamus is down! Ricochet climbs the corner slowly, springboards again, 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives again and Ricochet is beside himself! Ricochet grits his teeth, gets back to the corner and back up top, but Sheamus avoids the 630!
Sheamus kicks but Ricochet dodges the Brogue! Roll up, TWO! KNEE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
It wasn’t a Brogue but it was a knockout shot! Sheamus gets his belt, his jacket and his hat, and is ready to move on already. “Look at that! Another victory for the Celtic Warrior!” Sheamus has issued more challenges than anyone in the history of the WWE! But Ricochet is back up, snatches the hat then dropkicks Sheamus down! Sheamus bails out but Ricochet snatches the jacket now! Ricochet does a dance in Sheamus’ stuff, dabs on ’em, then throws it back at him! Will Sheamus have to give Ricochet an opportunity for the title in order to get his revenge?
WrestleMania is what it’s all about, right?
Dave Batista narrates that The Grandest Stage is for the grandest moments. But listen up, champs. “It’s just that: a moment.” Understand that what you have is coveted, and that puts a target on your back. Batista knows. It could be for a short time or for all time, but the backlash is coming. A Tribal Chief may have to acknowledge a challenger. A Nightmare could end. One behemoth will overcome two. The EST could be D O N E. The stakes have been raised, anything could happen, and it is time to eliminate those in the way of victory! “Gamble with fate, bet on your strength, leave nothing and take everything.” WrestleMania’s Backlash is here, what’re you gonna do about it?
Raw Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Rhea Ripley VS Asuka VS Charlotte Flair!
Fair or not fair, that is the question. The answer will be found when the Nightmare takes on the Empress of Tomorrow AND the Queen of Flair at the same time! Will Rhea keep her reign going? Or will a wrestling royal retake the throne?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Rhea faces her toughest challenge yet!
Rhea, Asuka and Charlotte all stare down as they approach center. They circle, each keeping space, but then Rhea rushes Charlotte. Charlotte bails out, Asuka and Rhea both tell her to get in. Charlotte doesn’t so they go out after her! Charlotte hurries back in the ring, Rhea runs in but Charlotte clotheslines! Asuka attacks, Rhea rolls Charlotte, Asuka breaks it! Asuka shoves Rhea, Rhea shoves back. Charlotte staggers into DOUBLE KICKS! Asuka and Rhea brawl now, Rhea fires off, and Rhea whips Asuka, but Asuka hip attacks Charlotte down! Asuka dodges Rhea, follows and wheelbarrows for the victory roll! ONE, and Asuka goes for a sunset flip! Rhea rolls through but Asuka wants the arm!
Rhea rolls, kicks free but Asuka kicks back! Asuka runs into the corner to HIP ATTACK! Asuka throws Rhea down, Charlotte drags Asuka out! EXPLODER! Charlotte scowls as she goes into the ring and counter punches Rhea! Rhea hits back, Charlotte pulls hair! Charlotte reels Rhea in but Rhea kicks back! Rhea runs but Charlotte collides shoulders! Charlotte vows to be a FOURTEEN time champion! Rhea dares her to try, so Charlotte runs. They RAM shoulders again and Rhea grins. Rhea runs now, but Charlotte follows to kitchen sink knee! And EXPLODER! Charlotte stomps a mudhole into Rhea, then drags her up to whip her corner to corner.
Rhea reverses the whip, Charlotte goes up and out and shoulders back in! But Asuka anchors Charlotte and Rhea WRECKS Charlotte with a dropkick! Asuka climbs, Rhea BOOTS her down and the ThunderDome is fired up for Rhea! Rhea goes out, Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS her! The Queen looms over both opponents and puts Asuka in. Charlotte stomps Asuka in a corner, digs her boots in, and doesn’t have to let up because No Disqualifications! Charlotte bends Asuka against ropes and shouts, “You’ll NEVER beat me! Never!” Charlotte lets Asuka go to cover, ONE! Asuka shakes her head, but Charlotte snapmares her and cartwheels to BOOT her down! Cover, TWO!
Charlotte tries another cover, TWO! Charlotte laughs though she’s frustrated. Charlotte pie faces Asuka and says Asuka knows Charlotte is better. Asuka fires off fast hands and kicks! Asuka whips, Charlotte blocks, but Asuka KICKS away on her legs! Charlotte breaks free, runs but Asuka dodges and comes back, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Charlotte scrambles, moves but into a triangle! Charlotte gets a leg around to ropebreak! Asuka lets go, to get the arm and throw Charlotte down the other way! Rhea stomps Asuka down! Rhea drags Charlotte up but Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte reels Rhea in but Rhea gets around. Rhea runs into a backbreaker and BUCKLE SHOT!
Charlotte seethes while she leaves Rhea behind. Asuka gets up but Charlotte scoops her. Asuka slips out and gets the waistlock, but Charlotte elbows out hard! Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS, and CHOPS Asuka off her feet! Rhea returns to wrench and LARIAT! And LAIAT! And ripcord HOOK KICK! DROPKICK for Asuka! Rhea grins as she spins Charlotte for a cravat and KNEE! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Rhea drags Charlotte up, NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Asuka breaks it in time! Asuka pops Rhea up for a KNEE of her own! But Rhea kicks from below! Asuka BUZZSAWS Rhea for that one!
Everyone is down but the fans rally up! Asuka fires up and she drags Charlotte up. Charlotte gets around but Asuka elbows her now! GERMAN SUPLEX for the Queen! And another GERMAN! HIP ATTACK for Rhea! Charlotte staggers up into a ROUNDHOUSE! Asuka aims at both opponents and gives KICK after KICK back and forth! KICK for Rhea, KICK for Charlotte! SLIDING WIZARD for Charlotte! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives which means Rhea is still in this, too! Asuka fires up and goes to a corner. Asuka climbs, and missile dropkicks Rhea down! Charlotte is in a corner, Asuka runs in but is put on the outside. Asuka ROCKS Charlotte, KICKS Rhea down, but Charlotte KNOCKS Asuka down!
Charlotte sees her two opponents on the outside, goes to a corner and climbs up top! The Queen’s Gambit, the SUPER MOONSAULT!! Charlotte roars that this is HER division! She puts Asuka in, climbs back up, but Rhea anchors her! Charlotte fights, Rhea clubs away on her, and then Rhea climbs up to join her! Rhea gets Charlotte up, Charlotte resists the superplex, and Asuka adds on! She can’t get the bomb so she just joins Rhea in a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX!! All three women are down and the ThunderDome is fired up! Asuka and Rhea sit up first, grabbing at each other. They throw forearms, Charlotte sits up and joins in with her own forearms!
Charlotte hits Asuka, Asuka hits back, Rhea hits them, they’re hitting all over the place! They stand, Rhea HEADBUTTS Charlotte, HEADBUTTS Asuka, but Charlotte keeps going! The boot misses, the roundhouse misses, Asuka and Rhea work together again to double suplex Charlotte, only for her to land on her feet! DOUBLE CHOP BLOCK!! DOUBLE NATURAL SELECTION!!! DOUBLE COVER?!? TWO!!! Rhea and Asuka survive Charlotte’s attempt to pull a Roman Reigns! Charlotte drags Rhea by a leg and then brings Asuka over. They’re both in the drop zone, Charlotte climbs, but both women get clear of the moonsault! CODEBREAKER for Charlotte!
But Rhea clubs away on Asuka, RIP- NO! ASUKA LOCK!! Rhea powers out with elbows, then GERM- NO! Asuka fights the suplex, and dodges so the BOOT gets Rhea! Asuka gets Charlotte in the ASUKA LOCK! Charlotte rolls back, she knows it too well! Figure Four denied, Charlotte hits a buckle, Asuka hits a ROUNDHOUSE! Asuka HEEL KICKS Rhea to keep her down! Charlotte runs in but is put out! BACK HAND! Asuka runs into a BOOT! Rhea gets Asuka for the RIPTIDE!!! Cover, Rhea wins!!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall (still Raw Women’s Champion)
The Queen tired to slip in at the right moment but it didn’t go her way! The Mosh Pit Kid keeps on going, and rubs it in Charlotte’s face! Will the Nightmare continue through to the Summer?
The Miz and John Morrison talk backstage.
Damian Priest chose a Lumberjack match? Really? Does Miz really seem like the kind to run away? Well he did run away on Monday. That’s besides the point! Morrison lost! Yeah, well, Morrison is going to talk tot he lumberjacks and let them know it is in their best interest to help Miz win. How is he going to do that? Johnny Drip Drip is very persuasive. He’s going to make sure Priest falls for the thirst trap! Miz doesn’t think Morrison knows the proper usage of that term. Well they don’t call Morrison the must moist-see superstar for nothing. Does anyone call him that?
SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Dirty Dawgs VS The Mysterios!
We saw the Glorious Show-Offs bully and beat down Dom during the kickoff show, so we’re not even sure if this match will happen! Can the son show the same toughness as his father and persevere to make history?
Rey and Dom talk in the medic’s room, but Dom doesn’t look to be in any shape. Dom apologizes but Rey says they can live to fight another day. There will be another opportunity down the line. Rey will go alone if he must. Wait, is this going to be a handicap match for the titles now?!
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and does even the King of Lucha stand a chance against two Dirty Dawgs?
Rey goes after both Dawgs and the bell rings to get this on record! Roode CLUBS Rey, whips him but Rey sends Roode into Ziggler with a headscissors! Roll up, TWO! Rey keeps on Roode with a whip, but Roode reverses. Rey dodges, dropkicks Ziggler away, but Roode kicks low! Roode throws hands, whips, but Rey kicks back! Rey runs and slides under to SPLASH onto Ziggler! Roode goes out to CLUB Rey down! Roode brings Rey around, bumps him off the apron, and then refreshes the count. Roode stalks Rey around the way, scoops him, but Rey slips off to POST Roode! Rey gets in the ring and then goes to the apron, to SEATED SENTON Roode down!
Rey hurries back in the ring, but he has to have a champ in the ring with him! The Dawgs regroup, the count is 7 of 10, but both Dawgs get in at 9! Roode runs into a drop toehold, Rey fires off hammering hands, and he whips Roode. Roode reverses to kick low! Roode stalks Rey, scoops him but Rey pops up to victory roll, TWO!! LARIAT from Roode! Rey is down, Ziggler tags in, and Ziggler hurries to cover, TWO! Rey is still in this and Ziggler grows frustrated. Ziggler pushes Rey around, mockingly has him reach for a partner who isn’t there, then digs his fingers into Rey’s eyes! Ziggler laughs and points at the empty corner before he goes back to Rey.
Ziggler grinds fingers into Rey’s face, the ref counts, and Ziggler lets off at 4. Ziggler tags Roode and they mug Rey against ropes. Roode bumps Rey off buckles, throws forearms, and CHOPS! Roode whips Rey corner to corner hard! Rey bounces off buckles to hit the mat, and Roode again mocks him by daring him to tag someone. Roode grins as he looms over Rey. Rey gets up slowly but Roode brings him up. “You’ve got nobody!” Roode whips, Rey stops and drop toeholds Roode into buckles! Rey is on the apron and he dropkicks Ziggler down! Rey ROCKS Roode, goes up top, but Ziggler trips him up! Rey falls into the Tree of Woe and Ziggler plays dumb.
Roode stomps Rey, Ziggler says it is a matter of time. Ziggler gets his cheap shots in as Roode digs boots into Rey’s knees. Rey gets free of the Tree but he flops to the floor. Tag to Ziggler and he fetches Rey. Ziggler has the leg and taunts Rey before hitting a LEG DDT! Ziggler puts Rey in, covers, TWO! Rey is still in this, this is that legendary toughness! Tag to Roode, Roode drops elbows on Rey. Rey slowly gets up but Roode lets him stagger and fall over. The ref talks with Rey about the leg, Roode drags Rey away to drop knees on it! Roode taunts Rey, stomps him, then tags Ziggler. Rey fights back and springboards to wheelbarrow! Roode blocks, FAMOUSER FACEBUSTER COMBO! Cover, TWO!!
Ziggler is furious that Rey still lives! Roode coaches Ziggler and Ziggler looms over Rey. Ziggler fixes his hair, tags in Roode, and Roode taunts Rey. Roode tags Ziggler back in, and Roode slides Rey out for Ziggler to SUPERKICK out of the air!! Rey is a heap on the floor and Roode soaks up the heat from the ThunderDome! Ziggler goes into the ring and lets the count take care of this. Rey drags himself up at 7, stands at 8, and gets in at 9.9!! Ziggler is beside himself! Tag to Roode, he throws headbutts, and Rey falls over. Tag back to Ziggler, the Dawgs get Rey up, for a double suplex! Rey fights it to make it a DOUBLE DDT! Rey finds one last gasp and ThunderDome fires up!
Rey flounders to a corner, gets Roode up to POST him! Ziggler runs in and back suplexes, but Rey lands on his feet! Rey POSTS Ziggler! Both Dawgs are stuck but Rey is still alone! Wait, what’s this? DOM is hobbling out to the ring! Bad ribs aren’t enough to hold him back, he wants in! Ziggler crawls after Rey and Rey is shocked! Dom says he’s no worse than Rey is now, so why worry? Rey headscissors Ziggler to the ropes! Rey runs and DECKS Roode! Ziggler hits a ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!!! Ziggler can’t believe it! Dom shouts to his dad that he has to tag him in! Ziggler gets Rey up, tags Roode back in, and the Dawgs mug Rey.
Roode fireman’s carries Rey and talks trash to Dom, and hits a GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Rey is not giving up and Roode is just annoyed Dom is out here now! Dom rallies for Rey as Roode gets Rey up to CLUB him down. Roode bumps Rey off buckles, and more buckles! Roode fireman’s carries again and goes up the corner!? Rey fights back with elbows! Rey shifts, jumps, and hits a SUPER BULLDOG! Both men are down, Dom shouts and reaches, and the ThunderDome screens are going wild! Rey crawls, hesitates, and Roode is after him! Rey elbows Roode away, boots Roode, Dom tags in!! Dom and Roode stare down, it’s payback time!
Dom dodges Roode, DECKS Ziggler and fires off on Roode! Whip, but Roode reverses, SPINEBUSTER! Roode says this is it! Rey regrets even going close to his corner as Dom writhes. Roode tags Ziggler, the Dawgs get Dom up and double whip to double hip toss, POWERBOMB NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Dom’s toughness is shining through! Ziggler anchors a foot but Dom throws hands. Ziggler drags Dom away, gets him up, and POSTS him in the Dawgs’ corner! Ziggler taunts Rey, Roode taunts Dom, “You should’ve stayed down! You’re an embarrassment! You don’t belong here!” Ziggler is tuning up, but Dom SUPERKICKS first!!
Both men are down and Rey is starting to believe in his son! Dom crawls over, but Ziggler is in the way. Dom crawls over Ziggler, hot tags to Roode and Rey! Rey climbs up, LEAPING SEATED SENTON! Rey hits Ziggler, dodges Roode and runs into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! The Mysterios are still in this and Roode doesn’t understand why! Roode tries to laugh it off as Rey goes to a corner. Roode reels Rey in, tells Dom to watch this, and he gets Rey up, but Rey fights back! Rey hammers to hit a seated senton, then tilt-o-whirls Roode into a buckle! CORNER 619! Rey tags Dom back in then DIVES to SUNSET BOMB Ziggler!
Dom is up top, shout out to Latino Heat! FROG SPALSH!! Cover, THE MYSTERIOS WINS!!
Winners: The Mysterios, by pinfall (NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions)
History, thy name is Backlash! The first-ever father and son tag team championship duo is here! Rey & Dom have the tag titles together! It is the family business to defy the odds and come out on top, and that is continuing with Dom! Kayla congratulates them in the ring and Rey says that for the first time, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions are father and son! Dom says this is an honor and blessing. They made history tonight, so it’s time to celebrate! BOOYAKA 619! Will this historic win be just the first of many for the King and Prince of Lucha?
Morrison finds the Lumberjacks.
Shave and a haircut, drip drip! He opens the door, and finds… ZOMBIES?! Priest wasn’t lying about his special request! Morrison leaves before he ends up one of the Walking Dead.
Jimmy Uso waits outside Roman Reigns’ private room.
He goes inside, and finds Jey sitting there. What’s up, Uce? Where’s the champ, the Head of the Table, the Tribal Chief? He wouldn’t be those things without Jey! The room says Roman, but it should say Roman and Jey. They should get their own room. It wouldn’t be as awesome as this, but at least it’d say Jimmy & Jey Uso, the Tag Team Champions. What does Jey do? Carry Roman’s bags? Do his laundry? Jey doesn’t need to hear this. And then, Roman walks in. Jimmy wants to wish the champ luck. He’ll need it. Jimmy leaves, but Jey stays put.
Morrison tells Miz about the zombies!
They were like… dead! Undead! The lumberjacks, are zombies! Is this another weird motivational tactic? This isn’t about Morrison but about Miz embarrassing Priest. Whatever Morrison thinks he saw, it was in his head. Right, right. They head out, and the zombies come creeping in! Will Priest #LiveForever as he leads an army of the dead?
Lumberjack Match: Damian Priest VS The Miz!
The Archer of Infamy thought he was done with the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century back at WrestleMania 37 when he and Bad Bunny put them down on the Grandest Stage of Them All. But if its one thing the Hollywood A-Lister loves to do is sequels. Will there be an open ending to this newest chapter? Or will it be a Skull Crushing Finale?
Oh no! The zombies are the lumberjacks, after all! Dave Batista, you have some explaining to do! Commentary runs for it, and so does Morrison! The bell rings, even Priest seems unsure what to make of this, but he and Miz still circle. They tie up, go around, and Miz makes sure Priest is near the ropes! The zombies grab at Priest, Miz kicks Priest and throws him out! Priest kicks Miz, kicks away zombies, but Miz DECKS Priest! Miz stomps Priest, runs, but his sliding dropkick misses! Miz sees he’s surrounded by the zombies! Miz hurries back in, Priest hits a FLAPJACK! Miz sees zombies grabbing at him and scrambles away!
Miz kicks Priest, throws him out, Priest fights the zombies off again! Priest gets in, Miz BOOTS him down! Cover, TWO! Priest shakes out cobwebs, which the zombies know a lot about, and Miz stomps him down! Priest sits up, Miz BOOTS him down! Miz gets Priest up, throws knees, then CLUBS him! Miz throws Priest to a corner, runs in an hits the A-List Lariat! But Miz gets dragged out by zombies! Miz fights free, and goes under the ring! The zombies look for him, and Miz slips out the other side! But there are more zombies so Miz gets back in, Priest CLOBBERS him! Both men are down, the zombies are fired up, but they could just be hungry…
Miz gets up, Priest dodges his boot to kick and kick and ROLLING ELBOW! Miz staggers, zombies are after him, WHEEL KICK! Cover, TWO! Miz gets up, Priest back elbows in the corner! Priest puts Miz down, climbs up top, and FLYING WHEEL KICKS!! Cover, TWO!! Miz survives, clutches a leg, but Priest is ready! Miz wrenches out, Priest blocks the forearm with a forearm, but Miz trips Priest to get the legs! FIGURE FOUR! Priest endures, the ropes are not really an option with zombies creeping around, but the zombies drag them both out anyway! They both fight the zombies off! Miz throws one over barriers, Priest DECKS one! They call truce to fight the zombies!!
Priest and Miz are like a two man wrecking crew on the zombies! Priest BOOTS one down, then a big zombie storms in! Priest hits the big zombie but it stays up! Priest goes up the steps for a FLYING ROUNDHOUSE! The big zombie goes down! Priest and Miz get in the ring, they go to high five but Miz tries a cheap shot! Priest was ready, BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest snarls and he takes aim. Morrison returns?! Johnny Drip Drip tries to be a hero but Priest ROCKS him! Morrison catches the kick to EDDY GORDO! KNEE PLUS?!?! Cover, TWO!! Miz’s parody of Daniel Bryan fails to finish this!
Morrison dodges zombies and then PARKOUR SENTONS three zombies down! ROUNDHOUSE to a fourth! Morrison goes up onto the barrier but the other zombies get him first! They drag Morrison down to the depths! Miz panics, Priest BELL CLAPS and HIT THE LIGHTS!! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
Priest wins the first ever Zombiejack match, and the Greatest Tag Team is left for dead! Are the zombies going to turn them into the Hollywood Undead?
Jey confronts Jimmy.
What the hell, Uce? Roman doesn’t need this right now! Well Roman might lose the title, and then what? What will Jey do then, huh? Maybe the name on that locker room should say “Roman Reigns and his bitch.” Jimmy storms off, Jey is pissed, what is happening to the Bloodline?!
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Bayley!
The EST proved she might be the B E S T at WrestleMania 37 against The Boss! But now she’s going up against the longEST reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion and self-proclaimed Role Model of the WWE! Will Bianca prove without a doubt that she isn’t a rookie, but a young legend in the making?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Bianca can turn away another of the NXT Four Horsewomen!
Bianca dares Bayley to bring it but Bayley wants fans to chant for her. Bianca gets an “E S T” chant started instead, and the two tie up. Bianca waistlocks, Bayley switches, Bianca switches it back. Bayley switches again but so does Bianca, and they go and go until Bayley tumbles out of the ring! Bianca dusts her hands off, but Bayley keeps her cool. Bayley gets back in the ring, takes a breath, and the two tie up. Bianca gets the arm, wrenches and wrings Bayley’s arm. Bayley endures as Bianca clamps onto the shoulder. Bayley fights up, reaches for ropes but Bianca hammerlocks to keep her away. Bayley reaches around, goes after the ponytail, but the ref reprimands.
Bianca shoves Bayley away and fakes her out with the hair whip! “Don’t touch my hair.” Bianca headlocks Bayley, Bayley powers out, but Bianca goes up and over and things speed up. Bianca rolls, whips, duck sand hurdles, but Bayley blocks the monkey flip to a cover! TWO and Bianca waistlocks. Bayley pushes back but Bianca makes it an O’Conner Roll! TWO, Bianca goes up top and says kiss this! Bayley runs in but into a dropkick! Bianca kips up and Bayley scrambles to ropes! Bianca pushes Bayley, whips her hard, and Bayley bounces off buckles! Bianca whips Bayley hard again, and again Bayley bounces off buckles!
Bianca claps for Bayley, whips her back the other way, but Bayley slips out. Bayley forearms but into a hip toss! Bianca handsprings but Bayley bails out to catch her breath. Bayley is fuming but Bianca is smiling as she waits on Bayley. Bayley doesn’t return so Bianca chases her. Bianca hurdles Bayley’s tackle and then runs her over! Bianca puts Bayley in, handsprings to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bayley wants a timeout but Bianca isn’t giving her one. Bayley pulls Bianca’s ears and throws her down! Bayley fires off hammering fists! Bayley drags Bianca up, whips her hard to a corner, and now Bianca bounces off buckles!
Bayley stalks up behind Bianca, chokes her on the ropes, but the ref counts. Bayley lets off, covers, TWO! Bayley gets Bianca up to knee her in the back! And again! Bayley clamps on a chinlock and digs her knee in. Bianca endures as Bayley talks trash. Bianca fights up, fans rally, and Bianca throws body shots. Bianca swings but into Bayley’s back suplex! Cover, TWO! Bayley storms over to a corner, climbs up top, but Bianca ROCKS her with a forearm first! Bianca throws a shoulder, into a HOTSHOT STUNNER! Bayley drags Bianca up but Bianca holds off the suplex! Bianca gets Bayley up and in for a suplex slam! Both women are down and fans fire up!
Bianca hurries but Bayley gets a cradle! TWO! Both women roll, trying to get control of the cradle! They end up out of the ring, and Bayley wants to suplex! Bayley gets Bianca up for a GOURDBUSTER to steel steps! Bianca flops down and Bayley gets her up again to suplex her to the floor! Bayley puts Bianca in at 7 of 10, covers, TWO!! Bianca writhes in pain and gets to a corner but Bayley is seething. Bayley heads over, brings Bianca up, but Bianca fires off body shots! Bianca shoves, Bayley hurdles but Bianca runs her over! Bayley elbows Bianca away, but runs into a scoop! Bayley fights free, fireman’s carries, and spins for a SWINGING SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO!!
Bianca survives and Bayley is furious! Bianca gets to a corner, Bayley runs in and KNEES her down! Cover, TWOÂ and Bayley is sent into a cameraman! Bayley is furious at Bianca’s power reserves, and she rains down furious fists on Bianca! Bayley talks trash, but then talks to herself. She laughs at “the rookie” and dares her to crawl around. Bianca gets up, Bayley keeps laughing, and Bayley dodges a haymaker, only to get DECKED with the other! Bianca is fuming now as she goes after Bayley with clubbing forearms over and over! Bianca kicks Bayley to a corner, then TOSSES her across the way! And then TOSSES her the other way! And dropkicks her down!
Bianca says she’s the champ, and she whips Bayley. Bayley reverses, Bianca goes up and over but Bayley dodges to send her into buckles! Bayley snarls again, gets Bianca up and hooks her up, but no Rose Planter! Bianca shoves and hits a SPINEBUSTER! High stack cover, TWO!! Bianca stalks Bayley, gets her up and in the torture rack, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs and clotheslines! Bayley puts Bianca in a drop zone, hurries up top, MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!! One of Bayley’s best, and Bianca survives it! Bayley scrapes Bianca out of the ring, goes outside, and runs in for the daredevil- No, the dropkick is caught! Bianca drags Bayley out and around, but Bayley POSTS her!
Bayley goes into the ring, waits on Bianca to get up, and then runs to DIVE but FLOPS as Bianca dodges! Bianca gets Bayley’s arms, for an APRON GLAMEST SLAM! Bianca puts Bayley in, covers, TWO!! Bayley survives, part of why she was the longest reigning champion! Bianca stomps Bayley, runs in, but Bayley dodges and backslides! Feet on ropes!! TOW!! Bayley gets around to O’Conner Roll, and holds the ropes! The ref sees it this time! Bianca says Bayley’s cheating, Bayley SLAPS her! Bayley argues with the ref but turns around into forearms! They brawl, Bianca gets the edge, but Bayley rakes the eyes! The ref missed it because of positioning!
Bayley defends her innocence, and she grabs Bianca’s ponytail. She pulls Bianca in and hits a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!??! Bianca survives Bayley’s classic finisher and Bayley can’t believe it! Bayley drags Bianca up by her ponytail again, uses that to tie Bianca up into the headlock, ROSE PLAN- NO! Bianca turns it into a cradle!! Bianca wins!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)
Bayley demands they replay this and take note of what happened! Bianca “cheated” by using her ponytail! But Bayley was the one using all the cheats she could think of! Will Bayley have to face up to reality that she’s not the best and that Bianca IS?
Backstage interview with MVP.
Montel Vontavius Porter’s “business proposition” was rejected, but Braun Strowman’s display shows that he makes poor decisions. Actually, he lacks the intellectual capacity to hold the title. Braun isn’t smart enough to see the bigger picture. McIntyre is smart enough and savvy enough to know that picture has no room for him. Then what about the Triple Threat? MVP isn’t concerned, but everyone knows Lashley is at an inherent disadvantage. Well, MVP isn’t concerned since Lashley will overcome everything. He isn’t just a champion, he isn’t just the WWE Champion, he is the ALL MIGHTY WWE Champion. Will MVP’s confidence come back to haunt Lashley?
WWE World Championship Triple Threat: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Drew McIntyre VS Braun Strowman!
Not only did the All Mighty and Scottish Warrior battle for this title at WrestleMania 37, the battled for this very title roughly a year ago at Backlash 2020. Now #WrestleManiaBacklash is adding a Monster Among Men to the mix! Will Braun tip the scales in his own favor? Or will he be used as a giant pawn in MVP’s game against McIntyre?
The introductions are made, the title is raised, and there can only be one!
Lashley tells McIntyre they can take Braun out of this, but Braun runs McIntyre over and ROCKS Lashley! Braun goes corner to corner to splash McIntyre, then splash Lashley! Lashley gets up to hit a COPLETE SHOT! McIntyre stomps Braun, and maybe he is taking Lashley up on the offer. Braun gets up and choke grips McIntyre but Lashley knocks Braun down! The mugging continues, Lashley gets Braun up and reels him in. He tells McIntyre to help out, and they mug Braun with knees! Then they double suplex the Monster up, holding him for 10, then SLAM him down! Braun writhes and now the truce is over! McIntyre and Lashley brawl, McIntyre whips Lashley and hits an OVERHEAD suplex!
Braun staggers into a GLASGOW KISS! Lashley drags McIntyre out, RAMS him into the barriers, then gets him up in a fireman’s carry. McIntyre slips out to POST Lashley! McIntyre throws knees, Braun CANNONBALLS and wipes them out!! Braun THROWS McIntyre into barriers, puts Lashley in the ring, and choke grips for a CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives but Braun just glares down at him. Braun keeps on Lashley, scoops him, but Lashley slips out and wants the arms! Braun fights the nelson off, McIntyre SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES?! McIntyre gets up, Lashley staggers into another OVERHEAD Suplex! Braun runs in but McIntyre POSTS him!
McIntyre runs at Lashley, is put on the apron but he ROCKS Lashley with a right! McIntyre climbs, leaps, another CROSSBODY! And a kip up! Braun runs in but into a NECKBREAKER! Cover, Lashley breaks it! Lashley bumps McIntyre off buckles, fires off hands, and roars as MVP says to keep on him. Lashley OVERHEAD Suplexes McIntyre now! McIntyre flops out of the ring. Lashley goes after Braun, MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Lashley keeps his focus while MVP argues the count, but tow is two. Lashley BLASTS McIntyre off the apron and McIntyre hits barriers! Lashley goes out and THROWS McIntyre into more barriers!
Lashley gets McIntyre back up, fireman’s carries again, and this time, POSTS McIntyre! But Braun CLOBBERS Lashley with steel steps! He wants Lashley to get up, Lashley does, and Braun RAMS him again! Braun TOSSES the steps up the ramp, and then stalks Lashley to the corner. McIntyre CLAYMORES Braun over the barriers!! Lashley drags himself back to the ring, McIntyre crawls after him. McIntyre gets Lashley up to throw hands and they go up the ramp. McIntyre SMACKS Lashley off the steel steps Braun tossed up there! McIntyre moves those aside, brings Lashley back up, but Lashley blocks the suplex, to suplex McIntyre onto ramp!
MVP coaches Lashley up and Lashley stands back up. Lashley gets McIntyre up, CLUBS him to the stage, and they head towards ThunderDome screens. Lashley RAMS McIntyre into LED boards, then brings him to the main stage piece! McIntyre reverses to GLASGOW KISS! McIntyre dribbles Lashley’s head on the LED boards! McIntyre RAMS Lashley through the LED boards!! McIntyre has gotten rid of the Rocky Mountain Machine and roars as fans lose their minds! McIntyre keeps MVP back with a glare, and he goes looking for Lashley. Where did Lashley go? Braun CLOBBERS McIntyre outta nowhere!
Braun gets McIntyre up and throws him down the ramp! McIntyre tumbles, staggers up, STROWMAN EXPRESS sends McIntyre into the ring apron! Braun drags McIntyre up, puts him in, and stands him up, to CLUB him in the chest! Braun runs to drop a BACK SENTON! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives and Braun can’t believe it! Braun gets McIntyre up, McIntyre wrenches free but Braun ROCKS him with a right! Braun runs in, hits buckles, and McIntyre scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER!?!? Cover, TWO!!! A shocking feat of strength, and a shocking survival! Braun drags himself up, McIntyre is after him, but Braun TOSSES him out of the ring!
Braun goes out, and the Strowman Express is back on track! Braun storms around the corner, but into an OVERHEAD suplex?!? Braun is a heap by the steel steps, but he manages to sit up. McIntyre aims at him from the barriers, and he loads up! Braun stands, McIntyre runs, but Braun pops him up, POWERBOMB THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE DESK!! Both men are down, “This is Awesome!” and far from over! Braun staggers up, rips his shirt off, and he glares at McIntyre in the wreckage. Braun drags McIntyre up, but McIntyre is dead weight as Braun drags him to the ring. Braun puts McIntyre in, stalks him, and shouts, “YOU’RE DEAD!”
Braun scoops, McIntyre slips out and shoves, to dodge and CLAYMORE!! Lashley returns and throws McIntyre out of the ring!! Lashley SPEARS Braun!!! Cover, Lashley wins!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (still WWE World Champion)
The All Mighty looks more like the Ultimate Opportunist there! But a win is a win. Will no one, no matter how big and how bad, ever take this title from Lashley?
The next WWE PPV is going to be hell!
Normally more an October tradition, HELL IN A CELL comes to the WWE Universe in June! Happy Father’s Day, fans, because 6/20/21 will be one hell of a night!
WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Cesaro!
The Reigns-ing, Defending, Undisputed, Uncontroverted, Universal Heavyweight Champion demands respect but never gives it back. Will he regret doing that when he’s up against a hungry and uber talented Swiss Superman? Or will he once again have his Right Hand Man waiting to be his insurance policy?
Jey is pumped up backstage, but Roman doesn’t want him talking about “us.” But Jey’s always in his corner, just in case. In case of what? Jey is starting to sound like Jimmy. Why doesn’t he go find his brother. Roman makes his entrance without the Right Hand Man, because he wants to prove he can do this with his own hands! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Roman only needs Roman to defeat Cesaro.
Cesaro and Roman circle, Cesaro pressing the issue. Roman stays on the rope side, they tie up, they go around the ring and end up in the ropes. The ref counts, they go off ropes to still go around the ring. Roman puts Cesaro in a corner, the ref counts, but Cesaro slips out. Roman pushes Cesaro away and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and go around again. Roman waistlocks, Cesaro gets the arm and they shift back to collar ‘n’ elbow. Roman headlocks, hits a takeover, but Cesaro fights up. Roman headlocks, Cesaro powers out, Roman runs him over! Cover, ONE! Roman headlocks, Cesaro fights up, and powers out. Things speed up, Cesaro hurdles and runs Roman over!
Cesaro gets a cradle, ONE! Cesaro has a lateral press, ONE! Roman bails out to regroup with Heyman and cool off. Heyman says Roman is Tribal Chief, he’s doing just fine. Roman gets back up and in the ring, with Cesaro giving him space. Roman rushes in but into a waistlock! Roman elbows free, RAMS Cesaro into the corner and throws forearms! Cesaro staggers, Roman bumps him off buckles. Roman whips, Cesaro dodges and springboards to FLYING EUROUPPER! Cesaro fires up, Roman gets up, Cesaro hits a SIPNEBUSTER, and has the legs! Roman scrambles, gets the ropebreak, and boots Cesaro away!
Roman gets up while Cesaro shakes his head. Roman throws Cesaro out hard, and Cesaro gets up clutching an arm. The ring count climbs but Cesaro is using it to walk it off. Cesaro is back on the apron at 7 and steps in at 8, but Roman fires forearms! Cesaro EuroUppers in return and the brawl is on! Cesaro gets an edge, whips, but Roman reverses and CLOBBERS Cesaro! Roman POSTS Cesaro, focusing on the bad arm! The ring count starts again, Roman watches as Cesaro gets up, and Roman goes out to bounce Cesaro off the desk. Cesaro elbows back, Roman bounces him off the desk again! Roman puts Cesaro back in at 6 of 10 and crawls to a cover, ONE!
Roman is annoyed and he clamps onto Cesaro with a headlock. Roman grinds Cesaro down but Cesaro endures. Heyman likes what he sees as Roman shifts to a cravat. Cesaro still fights up, uses the pants to try a suplex! Roman resists, and then Roman suplexes Cesaro instead! Cover, ONE! Cesaro shakes his head, and Roman stares him down. The two stand, Cesaro is in a corner, and Roman ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! The ref counts, Roman stomps Cesaro but backs off. Cesaro hits back with forearms of his own! And EuroUppers! Roman ROCKS Cesaro with his own uppercut! Roman goes back to the cravat and grinds Cesaro down to the mat!
Cesaro endures, fans build to a rally, and Cesaro fights up to throw body shots. Cesaro powers and whips Roman, but Roman LEAPING LARIATS! Cover, ONE!! Roman cannot believe it! Cesaro pie faces Roman, Roman rains down furious forearms! Roman clamps on a chinlock, Cesaro fights up, and Cesaro kicks low. Cesaro throws haymakers and EuroUppers, but Roman shoves to fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Roman is getting frustrated with Cesaro as Cesaro is still in this. Heyman chuckles as Roman goes to a corner. Roman locks ‘n’ loads, takes aim and runs in, but Cesaro ducks to POP-UP UPPERCUT! Heyman panics as both men are down!
Cesaro watches Roman go to a corner. Cesaro runs in to EuroUpper again! He whips Roman corner to corner to EuroUpper again! And another! Cesaro runs to BOOT Roman down! Cover, TWO! Cesaro has a leg, and then he gets the other! Roman flails, Cesaro stomps the leg over and over, then drops an elbow! And another! Cesaro keeps after the legs, steps through, and gets a SHARPSHOOTER! Roman crawls and gets the ropebreak! Cesaro lets go fast, sees Roman bailing out, and builds speed! Cesaro FLIES!! A Swiss Tornillo takes out Roman and Cesaro fires up! The fans are fired up as Cesaro puts Roman back in!
Roman gets out as Cesaro slides in, and Roman is using the count for a breather. Cesaro goes out and shrugs, then runs around to EuroUpper Roman into barriers! Cesaro puts Roman back in, chases Heyman off, and goes to a corner. Cesaro climbs, leaps, FLYING CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives but Cesaro thinks of what he has to do next. Cesaro looms over Roman at the ropes, drags him up by his hair and then his ear, and brings him to the corner. Cesaro climbs, Roman throws body shots! Roman ROCKS Cesaro but Cesaro JABS back! Cesaro SMACKS Roman off post! Heyman is worried as Roman is dazed on the apron!
Cesaro climbs up again, brings Roman back up, but Roman ROCKS him with an uppercut! Cesaro ends up stuck on the top, Roman BOOTS him down! Roman gets Cesaro’s bad arm and bends it against the crossbar! The ref counts, Roman lets go at 4 but Cesaro’s elbow has taken serious damage. Roman grins as he sees Cesaro clutching the bicep. Roman runs in around the way and DRIVE-BY DROPKICKS Cesaro into post! Roman puts Cesaro in, covers, ONE!! Cesaro’s arms are bothering him but he still got out quickly. Roman is amused now! He smiles as he looks down on Cesaro. Cdesaro throws a forearm but that hurts the arm!
Roman kicks a leg, YANKS on the bad arm again and again, then wrenches through, and again! Roman smiles at the camera and says Daniel Bryan better enjoy watching his friend get worked over! Roman doe elbow breaker after elbow breaker al la Bryan, but Cesaro headbutts free! Roman runs to LARIAT Cesaro down! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro is still in this, and Roman just smirks. Cesaro sits up and Roman tells him to understand. “I love wrestling, it’s fun for me.” He CLUBS Cesaro, throws haymakers, and knees! Roman throws strikes all over, throws more knees in the corner, but the ref counts. Roman lets off at 4 and goes back to Cesaro.
Roman gets Cesaro up, whips him, and BOOTS him down! The ref checks on Cesaro given the bad arm and the cuts and scrapes all over him. Roman crouches by Cesaro and tells him Roman has a lot of responsibilities Cesaro could never handle. Cesaro sits up and Roman stands him up to HEADBUTT him to a corner! Roman stomps Cesaro in the corner, the ref counts again, and Roman gets in the ref’s face. The ref says Roman has to respect the authority, and Roman goes back to Cesaro. Cesaro throws a back elbow with the good arm! Roman grins but Cesaro EuroUppers! That’s the bad arm again! Cesaro BOOTS Roman, Roman BOOTS back! Cesaro hits a DISCUS!!
Cesaro writhes, having used the bad arm again! Roman is in a daze, Cesaro gets the bad arm moving again. Roman checks his jaw, Cesaro gives him a junkyard dog headbutt! Roman sits up and throws a haymaker. Cesaro does the same! They brawl on the mat, Cesaro throws body shots and EuroUppers, despite the bad arm hurting! He just fights through to fire off hands and stomps in the corner! Roman gets to the apron, Cesaro drags him up to the top! DEAD LIFT SUPERPLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives and Heyman is relieved! Cesaro drags himself over and gets a leg. Cesaro headbutts it! And then stomps it! And steps through, but Roman holds off the Sharpshooter, so Cesaro DOUBLE STOMPS!
Cesaro drags Roman up, reels him in, and Gotch holds! The bad arm holds back the lift! Roman ROCKS Cesaro and gets the arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Roman pushes back as far as he can but Cesaro endures the pain! Cesaro fights, rolls, and gets an Oklahoma Roll! TWO!! Roman narrowly escapes and swings on Cesaro! Cesaro dodges, springboards, into a SUPERMAN PUNCH!! Cover, TWO!!! Heyman is in disbelief and Roman is beside himself! Cesaro, bad arm and all, is still in this and the ThunderDome screens are fired up! Roman talks to himself like he has in the past, and both he and Cesaro go to corners.
Roman lets out the battle cry, runs in, but into a EuroUpper! POP-UP- But the arm gives up! Roman gets the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Roman drags Cesaro down, but Cesaro powers up!! SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! But Cesaro has the legs! Roman grabs to Cesaro’s face but Cesaro rains down furious forearms and elbows! Then the SHARPSHOOTER!! Roman hasn’t tapped on record, will he tap out here?! Cesaro uses the bad arm as just balance, and then he grabs Roman’s arm for a CROSSFACE!!! Cesaro drags Roman away from ropes, and pulls back as hard as he can! Heyman is speechless, but Roman goes after the bad arm with his forehead!
Roman pries free, turns that way, and gets on top of Cesaro for point-blank shots! Roman rains down elbows and Cesaro is in a daze! Roman gets Cesaro in a high stack, to a DEAD LIFT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Cesaro barely gets his bad arm off the mat! Roman is as stunned as he’s ever been from how long Cesaro is lasting! Roman shows no mercy and rains more forearms down! Cesaro keeps his shoulders up, and then grabs Roman’s arm! Cesaro gets up, Roman can’t get free, Cesaro arm-drags but Roman CLOBBERS Cesaro! Facelock, gator roll, GUILLOTINE!! Cesaro is bright red but he gets back up!
Cesaro has a leg, he uses that for leverage to SPINEBUSTER Roman again! But Roman still holds on tight!! Roman throws elbows in, and squeezes tighter! Cesaro is fading! Cesaro gets a second wind and pries at the hold!! Cesaro is almost free!! But Roman puts more pressure on and squeezes tight! Cesaro keeps moving, keeps trying, but he’s out! Roman wins!
Winner: Roman Reigns, by submission (still WWE Universal Champion)
Cesaro snaps back to consciousness, but a little too late! If Cesaro is Swiss Superman, this makes Roman the Darkseid of SmackDown! Jey Uso rushes out to present Roman with the celebratory lei. Jey again acknowledges Roman as Tribal Chief, and he glares at Cesaro. Roman gives approval, and Jey SUPERKICKS Cesaro! Jey rains down rights, the ref tells him to stop! Cesaro’s already been through enough, but Jey says it’s “night-night!” Jey climbs up, but SETH ROLLINS heads out? The Architect has been after Cesaro since before WrestleMania 37, and he joins Roman in the ring. They stare down for a moment, but Rollins smiles. He goes after Cesaro himself!
Rollins fires off fists and stomps Cesaro out of the ring! Rollins gets Cesaro up to RAM him into steel steps! And then takes the bad arm and SLAMS it on the steps! And then he throws Cesaro over the announce desk! Rollins SLAMS Cesaro’s bad arm on the desk, and shouts, “What did you think was gonna happen?!” Rollins gets a chair to SMACK Cesaro’s bad arm! “Do you know who I am?!?” Rollins SMACKS Cesaro again! And JAMS him in the ribs! And then puts the bad arm through the chair! Rollins uses the chair like pliers to TWIST Cesaro’s arm! And then he tells Cesaro to listen to him! “I’m SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS! Nobody makes a mockery out of me!”
Rollins POSTS the chair-trapped arm!! And then a CURB STOMP to the bad arm!! Roman and company have long since left, but Rollins soaks up all the heat meant for them both. Will Cesaro be able to recover from this? Will Rollins finally leave him alone? And who is next for the Tribal Chief?
My Thoughts:
This PPV was a lot better than it should’ve been with the lazy name and almost-as-lazy build. Status quo was kept on almost all the titles, but I try not to fault an event for that so long as the way the champions win are satisfactory. Not sure if that completely happened here for me. It was more the WWE World Championship Triple Threat. Lashley apparently hiding inside the ThunderDome screens after McIntyre threw him through the side was a bit sneakier than I thought he’d be. But I suppose that’s how Triple Threats tend to go, and it was the one thing that’d tip things in his favor.
We got some more tension building with the Usos, and Roman VS Cesaro was an awesome main event, but we all figured Roman was retaining. It’s a bit of a shame Rollins had to come out and add on, just to bring things back to Rollins VS Cesaro for what will apparently be Hell in a Cell next, not Money in the Bank or even Extreme Rules. That will certainly be one of the Cell matches, and will hopefully be the blow-off for the feud. Roman retaining and Lashley retaining does go for something I was hoping for with the two already planning to meet at Survivor Series. It won’t be copy-paste but them actually trying to one-up each other until they finally meet, Champion VS Champion.
The SmackDown Women’s Championship was of course going to stay with Bianca, it was her first defense and she’s literally just getting started. I do find it interesting the match started with her almost clowning Bayley, but then Bayley gets a bit grittier and starts turning the tide. The use of the ponytail was very clever, it really made for a frantic ending and Bayley will want another shot because of the “controversy.” Maybe Sonya will favor Bayley like she did Charlotte to give her the spot in the Triple Threat. That Triple Threat felt a bit more unpredictable, and as it was going, I’m a little surprised it wasn’t Charlotte capitalizing on Asuka. No Alexa Bliss was a surprise, but at least that gives Raw something to do.
Sheamus getting a kickoff match that I didn’t see advertised at all even during the preshow was alright, but he kept repeating himself from Raw in the promo. Ricochet stepping up is great, I wish the stuff I hear he and Mustafa Ali have been doing was on Raw because Raw needs the ratings anyway. Humberto Carrillo got pretty banged up from that sunset bomb botch, so Ricochet is certainly stepping into the US Championship feud. Ricochet is perhaps an even better high-flyer, and he and Sheamus had a really good match here so the rematch for the title will be even greater. And maybe they can still get Mansoor involved, maybe bring in Mustafa Ali, get the US title as active as the Intercontinental title.
The Lumberjack match turning into a corporate plug zombie movie match was so ridiculous, I was both disappointed and laughing so hard watching it. I was hoping this was going to settle things between Priest and Miz, and then start things for Miz VS Morrison, but I can’t be sure it even did the first thing. Though if Miz and Morrison don’t show up on Raw as the Greatest Zombies of the 21st Century, I’ll actually be even more disappointed. Priest himself should get in on the US Championship scene with Sheamus and Ricochet, that’d be awesome stuff.
The SmackDown tag titles as the only title to change, it is great for Rey and Dom to have these, but the Dirty Dawgs attacking Dom was many things in one. It was cheap Heel heat, it was cheap ‘n’ easy drama for the match, and it was perhaps all to cover for Dom not being at the in-ring skill level he should be at for such a moment like this. I don’t want to say WWE rushed in getting Dom to RawDown just so he and Rey could become a team, but when Dom was getting going, they suddenly let off the gas. There should’ve been more for Dom with Buddy Murphy, more of that tease where Rey was taking Dom to go talk with someone, and how Dom was going to train and get better (both in kayfabe and for real).
I do like that Dom hit the last move and it was a Frog Splash in honor of Eddie. THAT should’ve been the someone Rey meant, and they should’ve watched film on Eddie Guerrero from the WWE Network, before NBC threw a billion dollars at Vince to get the streaming rights. Or was that angle shut down because Peacock was getting the rights and they weren’t ever gonna have the Eddie Guerrero collection in time? Either way, lame that they didn’t follow through. They really need to reconsider and bring that back around somehow.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXTÂ and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Hot off the heels of the TNA and WWE working relationship announcement, the Kickoff show already has the first sprinkle of NXT talent with Ashante “Thee” Adonis coming out after Ariana Grace tries to take all of the credit for the partnership. Jake something runs over Ashante, but it’s a good quick nod on free YouTube. Oh it also looks like the ring announcer is McKenzie Mitchel again. I did like her first run in TNA in what was that… like 2016-2018 or 19? She’s got personality, she’s cute and a solid announcer, so nice to see her back.
I’m not gonna run down any predictions on who I think will win, because honestly, I just feel like Hendry needs to win today or it’s been an entire waste of momentum. So lets get to the main show!
Ratings:
- X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin: Moose retains via Lights Out – *** 1/4
- The System vs Maniac Marines: Marines win via K.I.A. – ***
- Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c): Spitfire retain via Pressure Drop – **
- Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard: Tessa wins via Magnum – ****
- I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana: Santana wins! – ***
- TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz: Hardyz retain via Swanton Bomb – *** 1/2
- Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary: Masha wins via Avalanche Requiem – ** 3/4
- TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – *** 3/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!!!!!!
Results:
X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin
As soon as the bell rings, Ace jumps on him, forces him into the corner and stomps on him. Moose tries to fight out but Ace stays relentless. Ace has a counter for everything Moose is trying to counter in the early goings. Even when Moose catches him during the apron Handstand Dodge, Ace still has a counter for his counter. It’s not until a rake to the eyes from Moose that finally gives him a moment to start dictating the pace. A huge Irish Whip on the outside through the barricade is what Ace feels…twice. Ace tries to fight back from Moose continuing the momentum, Ace eats a Pump Kick, but blocks Moose’s attempt at a Suplex and counters with his own Vertical Suplex on Moose! JDC gets in the proximity of Ace so Ace kicks him, which delays his springboard, so Moose catches him and bounces him off the apron like a super ball.
Moose lets the count go, Ace barely gets in at 9, Moose throws him corner to corner, is slowing things down and being very deliberate. Ace starts powering through the pain, catches a Pump Kick, dodges a Spear into the corner and puts together a few strikes, Double Stomp, Triangle Kick, wants The Fold but Moose puts the brakes on there. Ace tries to spring off the ropes but Moose grabs him and hits Go To Hell for two! Fighting Spirit spot, Ace starts winning the trade, a Headbutt from Moose stops Ace, Moose flips him over the ropes to the apron, tries a few more things, Ace looks for a Springboard, Moose catches him but Ace slips it for a Frankensteiner. Moose powders to the opposite apron and Ace hits his Inside Out Headscissors sending Moose crashing to the floor. Alisha and JDC try to help up Moose, and while the referee is distracted JDC posts Ace. Moose goes for the Around the World Lights Out, but Ace moves and Moose kills JDC! Ace hits The Fold on the floor!
Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers run down the ramp, Ace sees them so he hits the Fosbury Flop to take them out. Ace is rolling, he goes for the Triangle Kick but Moose counters with Lights Out! 1-2- KICK OUT? Moose sets up for another Lights Out, Ace sidesteps it for the Cradle, kickout, Uranage, Cradle counter, Art of Finesse from Ace but Lights Out to the Spine from Moose! Moose sets up another and lands the Lights Out to retain!
Post Match the System looks to beat down on Ace, but Maniac Marines music hits and they go after Myers and Edwards. Guess the match is now!Â
The System vs Maniac Marines
Steve and Eric beat the hell out of the System members while the referee tries to set the match, it still hasn’t started but we get stereo 10 count punches in the corner, big fists causing Myers and Edwards to powder. This is essentially a Tornado Tag right now because the match hasn’t even started. Okay it eventually starts and Maclin hits the Backbreaker on Edwards and Busaiku Knee on Myers. He looks for a SCUD but Lish grabs the foot which is just enough! Maclin tries to charge anyway but gets caught in the Blue Thunder Bomb and now the match slows down and Eddie is in control.
Maclin absorbs some Chops from Eddie in the corner, no sells a little and fires, Eddie tags out Myers tries to slow things down with a Russian Leg Sweep but Maclin continues to try and rally. Eddie’s back in, shortarm Gowan Lariat into a cocky cover for two. Eddie tries to keep moving but Maclin hits the Vertical Suplex. Maclin is too slow to tag out so Eddie tags out and Myers cuts off Maclin. After a few more quick tags from System members, Maclin finally lands a Lariat to get the simultaneous tag and EY comes in hot. EY does the Flair corner flip, knocks Eddie off the apron, Myers eats a Macho Elbow but only two. Eddie knocks Maclin off the apron, Tandem Tiger Driver for two, EY fights back to level Eddie, Tree of Woe Myers Caught in Crosshairs but Lish gets in the ring! Eddie grabs Eric and distracts the ref, Lish clocks Maclin with either knuckles or a full hand of rings, Spear from Myers is only a two!
System Overload attempt, it’s thwarted by EY, Myers gets crotched in like a Reverse Tree of Woe, so Maclin hits the Caught in the Crosshairs on the back, EY with a Plancha to the outside to take Edwards out and K.I.A. from Maclin means Maniac Marines win!
Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c)
Elegance duo comes out dressed like Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They do a Go Eagles chant right before the bell rings to a chorus of Boos.
Even though Elegance Clique throws their pompoms and try a cheap shot, Spitfire just plow through them, literally. Quick tags, some assisted moves, Ash gets away from Spitfire, tags in Heather and shoves her forward trying to take them off guard, but they turn around…grab Heather and a long Tandem Stalling Suplex with a Deep Squat for two. Concierge distracts the referee, looks for a low Dive onto Heather but Ash just kicks Dani in the face, and the referee sees nothing. Heather rolls her back in, Kawada Kicks, Forearm Shiver, trip into a Dropkick to the face! Ash hangs Dani off the apron and Heather hits the Double Stomp from the apron to the floor.
Ash starts choking Dani on the ropes, distracts the referee and Heather paintbrushes Dani with pompoms as Ash goes for a series of pinfall attempts. Quick tags, Dani is in their corner, Cartwheel Back Handspring Elbow from Ash into a Seated Dropkick from Heather. Dani has been getting smacked around for the last 4 or 5 minutes. Ash leans on Dani for a while, but Dani gets a head of steam, comes off the ropes and Shotgun Dropkick gives her space. Jody gets a hot tag, she Sack of Shits them both, Vader Hammers in the corner into a Michinoku Driver, which Ash breaks up with a Meteora. Heather and Ash have a nice tandem move for a two count. Jody tries to fight back, but Elegance stops it, blind tag from Dani, Senton takes out both Elegance Clique members and Dani stalks her prey. Snap Suplex two times on Ash, but Heather stops the third and Jody just tosses Heather out of the ring in a rough way. Jody tries her Double Knees German Suplex spot but Ash moves. Dani with the Shinsuke Nakamura Inside Out German, Pressure Drop and Spitfire retains.
Boo…
Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard
Grace charges Tessa immediately, and the ref needs to pull her off, but Tessa gets thrown around the ring literally, the crowd is chanting “Fuck You Tessa”, Tessa powders, eats a Dive and then a Jackhammer on the outside! Grace puts Tessa on her shoulders up to the ring, but Tessa finally fights off and flips off the crowd, revels in it for a second, tries the Frankensteiner, but Grace holds on, smashes Tessa into the guardrail twice, looks for the Reverse Bomb on the apron, but Tessa gets out, stomps on Jordynne a few times, hooks Jordynne’s face with the crook of her leg and drives Jordynne’s face into the apron. Unique looking and decent.
Tessa has the correct intensity, pushes into two quick pinfall attempts and starts getting deliberate. Drags Jordynne’s face across the rope, throats Grace, kicks her in the face and Slingshot Elbow is another near fall. Tessa with the Front Facelock, Grace tries to fight out but Tessa holds on and drops her with a Scorpion Death Drop for another near fall. Jordynne fights Tessa off with a few elbows, looks for a Superplex, but Tessa fights off, wants the Avalanche Sunset Bomb, but Jordynne stops it, Tessa kicks Grace’s feet, looks for a Rope Hung Death Drop but Jordynne fights it off and smashes Tessa’s face into the turnbuckles but Tessa hits the Rope Hung Backstabber for two. Tessa looks for Magnum, but Jordynne cuts her off, they fight at the top, Avalanche Sack of Shit! They both sell the exhaustion of the match so far.
They trade blows, two Scoop Slams from Jordynne, Lawn Dart into the Top Turnbuckle! Package Powerbomb for two! Dragon Suplex attempt from Grace, Tessa breaks it, Headlock Takeover, quick counter wrestling, Tiger Destroyer from Tessa! Only for a two count, but still nice. Buzzsaw attempt is shrugged off, Tessa comes off the ropes and eats the Spinebuster from Jordynne for two quick pinfall attempts. Tessa with the Body Scissors and pulls herself up and fights back, Jordynne slaps her around, looks for the Suplex but Tessa slips it and Neckbreaker Counter for a two count! The brawl to the apron, Grace eats a forearm and Tessa hits the Tornillo on Jordynne! They posture on the steps, Tessa wants a move but Jordynne counters her and Spicolli Driver from the stairs to the floor from Jordynne!
More back and forth in the corner, just positioning and counters, it’s like watching chess. Jordynne grabs Tessa for an Avalanche Air Raid Crash, but Tessa fights it and turns it into an Avalanche Crucifix Bomb! After trying a grounded submission Tessa locks in the Octopus, tries to wrench the fingers but Jordynne counters, Rope Assisted German Suplex into a Capture Suplex for 2! Kudome Valentine attempt from Grace but Tessa gets out, Backfist from Jordynne, Tessa bounces off and Cutter gives her a two count! Tessa calls for Magnum, Jordynne dodges it, Tessa rolls through, tries boots but Grace grabs Tessa and hits the around the world Reverse Alabama Slam! Tessa keeps trying to remove Buckle Pads but they’re on good, Tessa reverses out of the Kinikku Buster, hits the Buzzsaw into the partially exposed buckle but Grace grabs the rope. Tessa removes another pad, Bulldog into exposed buckle, Magnum, and Tessa is still sexy.
The turnbuckle pads being on too well made the finish a little flat, but it was a damn good match. There’s also a joke in the match with Tessa coming out wearing Red and Gold (Yellow), so the racism allegations are never going away if she keeps making it easy.
I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana
There’s intensity but its all just technical tactics to take each other to the ground and grab a limb. But since we just came off of a pretty good match, things can’t start too hot. Every time Santana throws Josh to the outside, Josh scurries back to the ring, he’s playing scared. There’s a “He’s a bitch” chant that pops up. Santana cuts off Josh’s charge with a few well placed boots which sends Josh outside, Tope con Hilo levels the bald man. Santana throws Josh into a guardrail, Yakuza Kicks back to back rock Josh a bit. Fans call for tables and Santana slides one out to a huge pop. Santana sets it up, plays to the crowd, tries a Powerbomb onto the table but Josh slips it and Overhead Belly to Belly sends Santana crashing. A fan can be heard saying “That look like it hurt” to which Santana replies ” It did asshole”. Now Josh is dissecting Santana’s legs to soften him up for the Ankle Lock. Josh goes for the corner spot with the Figure Four around the post after bouncing the knee off the post a few times.
Josh tries to continue but Santana slides out and counters Josh and bounces his face off the post. Josh walks it off a bit as Santana stalks him and then a quick Chop Block has Santana writhing in pain. Josh decides to be a heel and do the Three Amigos instead of the Kurt Angle Germans. Disrespectful bald jerk. Santana gets throated, dropped to the apron on his ass, Low Crossbody but Santana flattens out and Josh goes flying! Santana tries a Dive, but Josh catches him and just drops him spine first on the apron. After a small resilient flurry of slaps from Santana Josh goes for the Germans. Santana brushes off on the third, goes for the Rolling Buck Fifty, gets caught in the Torture Rack, Santana fights off Josh’s shoulders, kicks him into the corner, Senton into the seated Josh. Perches him up top, points at the table, tries something but Josh fights him off, Moonsault from Josh misses and a Death Valley Driver gives both a moment to breathe.
Santana Spin the-BLOCK-ED! Josh sweeps the leg, Ankle Lock and Santana refuses to quit twice but slips the boot ala Eddie Guerrero. Josh pauses a moment, Santana charges and Josh dumps him over the top rope through the table! Santana says he doesn’t quit, Josh looks surprised, so he goes looking for more plywood. He also grabs the bottom set of stairs and throws them into the ring. Scoop Slams Santana into the broken table and continues looking for weapons, like a chair and zip ties. Santana crawls into the ring, Josh steps on the worked on leg and smashes it repeatedly with the chair. Josh goes into Full Mount, rains down strikes, exposes the elbow for Elbow Strikes and tries to soften him up for the zip ties. C4 Spike but Santana raises up like the Undertaker and fires into beating the piss out of Josh. Frankensteiner on Josh into the Frog Splash, Spin the Block! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana grabs the zip ties that Josh introduced, ties the hands behind Josh’s back, Spin the Block 2! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana sets up the steps as a ramp, table in front of Josh in the corner and Cannonballs through the table into Josh! Josh still doesn’t quit off the Jackass stunt. Santana finds a sock filled with quarters and starts beating Josh like it’s a slapjack. Josh still doesn’t quit. Santana tells Josh to bite the curb and is about to Curb Stomp him into the steps and Josh gets scared and quits.
TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz
Fraxiom comes out to watch the match, so this nicely sets up a potential early angle between NXT and TNA for the crossover.Â
Trey and Matt start, but it’s a slow Headlock basic counters and feint spots. Jeff and Wentz want to play, so this is very Japanese in giving each member a free chance to interact before any cutoffs or tandems. The crowd likes both men, so this is interesting but more Stalemate spots. Jeff manages a Polish Hammer to tag in Matt and go for a quick tandem move and keep Wentz in the Hardy Corner bouncing his face off buckles in Delete fashion. Tag from Jeff for another tandem Rocket Launcher into the bottom rope and Leg Drop from Jeff. Wentz counters the Twist with a Jumping Knee so he manages a tag to Trey and then a few quick striking double team spots. Quick tag to Wentz, Matt comes in to break it up, drops Matt and Wishbone. Quick Tag, MCMG ACS Rush homage. Wentz Dives onto Matt on the outside, Matt catches him into the Side Effect on the floor! Jeff gets the best of Trey after he’s a little distracted. Manhattan Drop from Jeff, into a tag to Matt and then some double team strikes for a near fall. Delete Head Smashes again on Trey.
Vertical Suplex from Matt for another 2. Matt tags out and Hardys look for more Tandem attacks, Plot Twist but Wentz recovers and makes the break! Trey flips out of Jeff’s arms, tags in Wentz, and Wentz cleans house on both Hardys. Corner to corner, tags back in Trey they hit the Saki Kashima assisted Dropkick on each Hardy and then they dump the Hardys at the feet of Fraxiom. FIVE HOLE DIVE FROM RASCALZ! Misses the Hardys and hits Fraxiom! This builds heat for The Rascalz and Fraxiom as Hardys attack the Rascalz while distracted. Poetry in Motion off the stairs from Jeff!
Facebuster from Jeff for two! Wentz hits a Busaiku Knee on Jeff to stop him from hitting Trey, Side Effect drops Wentz, Enzuigiri from Trey drops Matt and all four are down to catch their breath a bit. Original Poetry in Motion on Trey! Twist of Fate from Matt but countered and Matt is thrown into Jeff who’s selling a knee. Superkick into Feed Em to the Lions! Wentz Dives on Matt but Trey can’t quite make a clean pinfall. Jeff eats a Cheeky Nandos and Top Rope Tiger Feint, Twist of Fates for everyone and Jeff re-NO Trey kicks out! Another Twist but eats a Superkick from Wentz, tries the UFO Cutter on Matt but Matt just throws him to the outside. A Twist of Fate from each Hardy Boy, Swanton Bomb and the Hardyz retain!
Thursday’s Live Show will have Fraxiom vs The Rascalz for the NXT Titles!Â
Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary
Do Rosemary’s shorts have Pokemon Gym Badges on em? Masha goes for the Staple Gun, it almost gets countered immediately, but she gets the first few clicks of the Staple gun, it actually doesn’t backfire, but she lets Rosemary powder and starts grabbing a few weapons. Masha finally decides to attack Rosemary with a cane, but Rosemary turns things around with the green mist. Slamovich gets some of the mist out of her eyes, chases her into the ring and eats a Drop Toehold into a Chair. Rosemary sets up the table, panders to the crowd and Masha launches herself over the top with a Crossbody, into Rosemary and then through the table! Masha finds her old chain she used to make Killer Kelly submissive and starts choking and dragging Rosemary around the ring and then Sabus the chair at Rosemary for emphasis.
Masha tries to hit the front flip Senton onto a seated Rosemary, but Rosemary moves and Masha hits the chair weird. Rosemary beats her with a chair a few times, looks under the ring, gets giddy and finds Janice! Rosemary swings Janice, breaks it, and then uses the two pieces to block the cane Masha had and then pressed the nail portion into Masha’s back! Rosemary is talking to Janice and goes to the back to find tacks that she spills out on the stage. Rosemary wants a Chokeslam into tacks, Masha counters, misses a Lariat and then eats the Spear into the tacks! Barbed Wire board is set up in the ring, Spicolli…nope! Russian Death Device into the Barbed Wire! Masha goes to the top, Footstomp into the barbed wire but only for 2 again! Masha goes to the outside and grabs a ladder.
A trash can lid gets thrown at Rosemary for good measure, Masha ascends the ladder and then Rosemary pushes the ladder and Masha goes crashing through one of two tables set up on the outside. Rough spot, rough looking, but Masha manages to move enough to break the pinfall since its falls count anywhere. Rosemary now goes full Kevin Steen and makes some chair art for a spot, drags Masha into the ring, sets he on the chairs and goes to the top. Masha sits up as Rosemary climbs, counters the momentum and Avalanche Requiem through the chairs! Masha retains.
Cora Jade’s music hits and sets up nicely after Masha was on NXT.Â
The Countdown Panel starts off with their main event picks they hinted towards and it’s necessary because they have to clean up the ring. Mark Henry picks Joe Hendry, and he better be correct. Ryan Nemeth interrupts with the “my brootthhheerrr” stuff, and Santino calls him “Fuck Face Guy”. It’s all good stuff, and I’m still a big fan of the Mokuba gimmick, but now they ban Ryan Nemeth.Â
TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry
Simple chain wrestling start until Nic has a few words and then snaps off a Dropkick, does his show off Dolph stuff so Hendry runs him over with a Shoulder Block and then a Knee Lift. Hendry tries his Stalling Suplex but Nic slips it into a Rear Naked Choke! Hendry spins Nic around, walks around with the Stalling Suplex before finally dropping Nic. Ryan Nemeth shows up with a ticket, so he’s sitting in the crowd now. Joe gets distracted just enough for Nic to jump up and hit a delayed DDT. After Nic tries to stretch Joe a little, Hendry goes into locomotion Cradles but Nic drops Joe to take a breather. Nic does his single Shot to the Heart Elbow and he’s really embracing the old Dolph Ziggler show off ego. Ziggler looks for a Rude Awakening after more arrogant moments, but Joe tries to fight it off, so Nic just snaps off a Jumping Neckbreaker.
Joe manages to hit a Cutter off the ropes to try and get some energy from the crowd. Strike exchange happens here, Uppercuts from Joe and Fists from Nic. Joe blocks one fist, throws a few of his own together and a Lariat levels Nic. Sack of Shit into the Kip Up! Counters galore from both men before Nic gets caught in the Pop-Up Powerbomb! Attitude Adjustment for just a near fall. You see moments of Nic trying to cheat or find an angle but he hasn’t done anything overtly heelish yet. Joe is rocking him with chops, perches Nic on the top, looks for the Superplex but Nic fights back, Hendry gets pushed off, Crossbody but Hendry rolls through, holds on and gets his Powerbomb countered into a FAMEasser for two! Nic crawls to a corner, looks to climb for something big, Hendry cuts him off, Avalanche Sack of Shit! Kaz walks out with the trophy as both men sell, but JBL comes out of the crowd and Clothesline from Hell on Kaz. JBL punches Ryan in the face as he comes out to say something. Then Tuxedo JBL leaves after doing his job. Standing Ovation from HENDRY! 1-2-NO! Nic kicks out!
The crowd chants “One More Time” and it fires up Hendry, he does the heel turn and goes full Queen Stomp, tries again, but Nic slips it. Superkick into Danger Zone and it’s….HENDRY KICKS OUT! Nic is tuning up the band, Hendry catches Nic, Sack of Shit, Kip Up, big fire, Standing Ovation! JOE HENDRY WINS!
Overall Score: 7/10
Even if the match quality wasn’t bonkers, mostly all the matches did what they needed to do, were fairly good and a good number of NXT talent showed up to make the Live iMPACT! and TNA really feel like something special right now. I’m an unabashed Tessa fan, so I’m giddy she won and Hendry finally getting the title is the latest they could’ve really dragged this out to, but at least it stops him from becoming Tetsuya Nai-Joe.
I’m not gonna be a hypocrite from previous complaints I made with too many champions being babyfaces, because that’s still bad and proves the next few title defenses could prove volatile. However, I of course just enjoy most of the current champions. So while it doesn’t erase the fact it’s bad, it makes it more palatable for me personally. Now if only PCO destroyed the Knockouts Tags instead of a different irrelevant belt.
Also let’s be very clear, anyone that believes the PCO stunt was a legit shoot doesn’t know wrestling. Everything is a work until it isn’t and then it still could be turned into a work. Don’t be gullible and just anticipate something to be worked out of it one way or the other.
Still though, good show with a lot of hype for the Live iMPACT, so Thursday should be fun! See you there!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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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
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