Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Dominion Results & Report! (6/7/21)
There WILL be a new world champion!
Will the Rainmaker or Dragon have dominion over NJPW after tonight?
Will Ospreay’s injury gives for a NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! But will it be Kazuchika Okada or Shingo Takagi that takes up NJPW’s banner?
NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS YOH; Desperado wins and retains the title.
- Kota Ibushi VS Jeff Cobb; Ibushi wins.
- Vacated IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and becomes the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS YOH!
The Rogue Luchador was Mr. Junior Heavyweight when he had both the singles and tag team titles, but Roppongi 3K changed that. Will Direct Drive Yoh completely change things and become the new Mr. Junior Heavyweight? Or will Desperado desperately cling to this title?
The introductions are made, the singles title is raised, and the future of the Junior Heavyweight Division will be decided with Dominion!
The fans rally up as Desperado and Yoh circle. Yoh and Desperado tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yoh gets some leverage to push Desperado to ropes. The ref calls for the break, Yoh lets off, and borrows a move from The Rainmaker with the fake chop to shoulder pat. Desperado shoves Yoh then puts him on ropes. Desperado gives Yoh hard pats on the shoulder, but then grabs an ear! The ref reprimands Desperado but Yoh breaks free. Desperado dodges the haymaker to then kick Yoh in the butt. Desperado taunts Yoh while fans cheer. Yoh keeps his cool and blocks Desperado’s boot! Desperado pokes an eye to avoid the dragon screw!
Desperado gets a headlock to takeover, traps an arm and grinds Yoh. Yoh turns it to a cover, ONE, and Desperado holds on. Yoh gets out and floats to a headlock of his own. Desperado fights up, fans rally as Yoh grinds the hold, but Desperado brings Yoh to a knee to pop out the back. Desperado wrenches an arm to a wristlock, but Yoh rolls and handsprings around to wrench Desperado back! Yoh grinds the wristlock but Desperado reaches for ropes. Yoh keeps him away then hammerlocks to a headlock. Desperado powers out, reels Yoh in to his own headlock, but Yoh returns the power out to get an arm-drag! Yoh has the armlock as fans cheer the exchange.
Desperado fights up, Yoh wrenches, but Desperado rakes eyes! The ref reprimands but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs but Desperado uses the ref as a shield! Yoh gets past the ref, but he jumps over Desperado’s low dropkick! Fans cheer as Yoh gives back the taunting. Desperado gets up in a huff and whips Yoh. Yoh reverses and hurdles, things speed up and Yoh dropkicks Desperado out of the ring! Fans rally as Yoh watches Desperado rise. Yoh aims, PLAN- NO! Desperado drags Yoh out to whip hard into railing! Desperado drags Yoh up, whips him the other way and into more railing! Yoh falls in a heap while Desperado paces. The ref checks on Yoh but Desperado stands on Yoh’s head!
The ref reprimands, Desperado lets off and goes looking under the ring. Desperado brings out a bucket? Desperado tosses the bucket for the ref to go after, so that he can bring out a chair! Desperado SMACKS Yoh’s leg! The champion is crafty, perhaps he could teach a thing or two to even the Sliest Wrestler, Taichi. The ring count starts, Desperado drags Yoh up and into the ring at 4 of 20. Desperado stomps Yoh’s leg, Yoh gets to ropes, and Desperado paces. Desperado drags Yoh around to put the leg on the ropes. Desperado springboards to DROP DOWN on the leg! Yoh writhes, the ref checks on him, but Yoh refuses to let it end like this.
Desperado talks trash on Yoh, Yoh gives it back and fans rally up. Desperado gets Yoh up and has the leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! And then a KNEE JACKER! And then a SPLASH to the leg! Cover, TWO! Yoh isn’t done yet but Desperado keeps cool. Desperado paces while talking more trash. He drags Yoh back up, but Yoh throws forearms! Desperado doesn’t budge, and he just kicks the shin! Desperado gets Yoh back up but Yoh turns shin breaker into sunset flip! TWO, and Desperado is right after the leg again. Desperado drops a leg on the leg, then ties Yoh up in a BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Yoh endures as Desperado puts pressure on both knees at once!
Fans rally as Yoh throws forearms on Desperado! But Desperado bridges to put pressure on the legs again! Yoh fights his way towards ropes, and Desperado mockingly applauds. Desperado then adds a facelock! Desperado leans back on the leglock, but Yoh gets the ropebreak! The ref counts the break, Desperado says he needs a little help. The ref helps him undo the leglock, then Desperado “trips” and drops knees on the knee! Yoh writhes and clutches the rope but Desperado paces around impatiently. The ref checks with Yoh again but Yoh refuses to stop. Desperado gives Yoh toying kicks and mockingly asks what’s wrong.
Desperado gets Yoh up, fans rally, and Desperado reels Yoh in, but Yoh tries to suplex! The leg won’t let him finish, though! Desperado runs, Yoh dodges and Yoh starts rallying with forearms and elbows! Yoh whips, Desperado reverses but Yoh hits FLYING FOREARMS! Both men are down as Yoh clutches the leg. Fans rally up, Yoh drags himself up with the ropes, and Desperado goes to a corner. Yoh runs in and back elbows! Then reels Desperado in for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yoh keeps cool as he gets Desperado up and reels her in. Desperado blocks the suplex, throws shots at the leg, and gets free. Desperado runs back in, but into a DRAGON SCREW!
Fans cheer as Yoh evens things up with Desperado, and then gives Desperado a SPINNING TOEHOLD! And another! Desperado flails and crawls but Yoh drags him back, for a third spinning toehold! Yoh keeps on the leg, and hooks up the other, for a modified Figure Four! Desperado endures, CHOPS Yoh, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yoh DECKS Desperado then bridges to put pressure on the hold! Desperado drags himself and Yoh over, and gets a ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets Desperado go free, and fans rally as Yoh stalks behind Desperado. SHOTGUN dropkick to the leg! Yoh gets the leg, but Desperado boots him away! Desperado tries to stand, but he can’t!
Desperado clutches his leg, Yoh gets him up to kick the leg and throw uppercuts. Yoh whips, Desperado reverses into a SPINEBUSTER! STRETCH MUFFLER! Yoh hurries and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado thrashes the leg around but the ref counts! Desperado lets go at 4 and now Yoh is feeling the pain again. Fans rally up while both men are down. Desperado and Yoh get to opposite ends, and Desperado drags himself up with the ropes. Desperado hobbles over to stomp Yoh’s leg! Yoh drags himself up with ropes and stares Desperado down. Desperado throws a forearm, but Yoh stays up. Desperado ROCKS Yoh this time, but Yoh still stays up!
Yoh kicks but Desperado blocks to a BACK SUPLEX! Desperado gets Yoh up fast, for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Desperado grows frustrated but fans still rally as he brings Yoh up. Desperado reels Yoh in, hooks him up, but no Guitara! Yoh lands and his leg jams, and Desperado stomps! Desperado drags Yoh back up, whips him, but Yoh reverses. Yoh runs in at the corner but Desperado puts him out on the apron. Yoh ROCKS Desperado, but Desperado trips him up! Desperado whips, You reverses, but Desperado keeps himself from running into railing. Yoh comes running back in to SHOTGUN Desperado into the railing!
Desperado writhes while fans cheer and Yoh gets back into the ring. Yoh watches Desperado, PLANCHA! Direct hit from Direct Drive this time! Yoh keeps moving, adrenaline helps with the leg as he FLIES! Tope conjilo hits at the ramp! Fans fire up with Yoh but he and Desperado are both catching their breath on the outside. The ring count starts, fans rally, and we’re at 10 of 20 before either sits up. Yoh gets going, but we’re at 15 as he gets Desperado up. Yoh puts Desperado in at 17 and fans cheer as he takes aim from the top rope. Yoh leaps and missile dropkicks! Yoh reels Desperado in, FISHERMAN FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Desperado survives but Yoh stays focused.
Yoh brings Desperado up with a half nelson, then goes for the full. Fans rally as he gets Desperado up, but Desperado looks to break free! Desperado uses his leg for the leverage needed, and Yoh ends up in a corner. Desperado runs in, blocks Yoh’s boot and puts it on the rope to SHOTGUN the other leg! Desperado gets the leg to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down, though, as Desperado catches his breath. Fans rally up as both men slowly get back up. Yoh drags himself to the far side while Desperado gets his bad leg moving. Desperado crawls after Yoh, and both men slowly stand. Desperado throws a forearm, but Yoh gives it back!
Desperado hits Yoh, Yoh hits back! They pick up speed and fans rally with them! Desperado kicks the bad leg, but Yoh kicks Desperado’s bad leg! Desperado mule kicks Yoh’s bad leg, but Yoh just kicks Desperado’s again. Desperado low KICKS the leg out, then dares Yoh to get up. Desperado runs, into Yoh’s COMPLETE SHOT! Yoh drags Desperado up, pump handle, but Desperado powers out and gets Yoh for an OLYMPIC SLAM! Desperado keeps going, GUITARA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives and Desperado is furious! Fans fire up as Desperado gets up. Desperado slashes the throat and vows to end it here!
Desperado gets Yoh back up, double underhooks, but no Pinche Loco! Yoh wrenches out to JUMP KNEE! Desperado CHOPS, then catches Yoh for a cradle, to the STRETCH MUFFLER! Yoh rolls it over to a cradle, TWO!! Desperado hurries to his feet, but Yoh tackles him for a CALF KILLER!! Desperado endures as Yoh pulls back harder on the leg! Desperado fights, reaches, claws, but Yoh rolls him away from ropes! Yoh has the Calf Killer deep, but Desperado isn’t giving up! Yoh wants the other leg now! Yoh makes it a FIGURE FOUR CALF KILLER! Desperado desperately reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go in frustration but fans stay fired up!
Yoh gets to his feet, looms over Desperado, then brings him up into a half nelson. Full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Desperado survives but Yoh fires up! Yoh gets Desperado back up, double underhooks, but Desperado fights free! Yoh blocks the punch but not the HEADBUTT! Now Desperado fires up and fans follow suit. Desperado underhooks, PINCH- NO! Jackknife from Yoh, TWO!!! Desperado barely escapes, both men get up, and Yoh SUPERKICKS Desperado! Desperado stays up to LOCO MONO!! Yoh goes down in a heap but Desperado isn’t done with him! Desperado drags Yoh into position, PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover a la the Deadman, Desperado wins!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWPG Junior Heavyweight Champion)
There won’t be a new Mr. Junior Heavyweight crowned tonight, as Desperado keeps his throne atop the division! But then what is next? Defending against a new challenge? Or trying to take the tag titles back from Roppongi 3K? Sho shows up to check on Yoh, but then Bullet Club’s Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo appear! What do they want? ELP and Taiji signal that they’re not here to fight or they already would be fighting. ELP asks for a mic, and he is given one. “Hey, hey, hey, settle down, ya dumb mark. We’re not gonna beat you up, no, no.” Bullet Club has good news! Before those “dumb incels” on NJPW’s websites break the news, he’s gonna steal the scoop!
At Kizuna Road, RPG3K will be the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions no more! “Bullet Club’s cutest tag team are coming for the gold!” And as for Despy, oooh~ boy! Taiji cuts ELP off here, and asks he wait a moment. Taiji stares Desperado down, and tells him that a certain someone (Yoh) jumped the line ahead of Taiji, but Taiji patiently waited. And while Desperado only just defended this belt, he has what Taiji wants. Surely, Desperado remembers, right? Now it’s Taiji’s turn, Despy! Taiji adds that in the end, the Bullet Club will take ALL the belts! Desperado mockingly applauds, and then responds by saying, “Hang on. I just won. I should get the final word here, not you.”
So then, Yoh. You did better than he thought, but in the end, Desperado won. Now Desperado wants to test himself! He looks forward to putting the last nail in the Bone Soldier’s coffin! Will Bullet Club make this a Too Sweet Summer and take over the Junior Heavyweight Division?
Kota Ibushi VS Jeff Cobb w/ Great-O-Khan!
The Golden Star and the Hawaiian Hulk have been going back and forth, hoping to battle for a Grand Slam, but they’ll take it another step up and battle on NJPW’s gateway to summer! Will the Kami-Goye, meant to surpass god, be outdone by a #Cobbigoye?
The bell rings and the two stare down as fans fire up. They slowly circle, then Cobb signals that he’s going to break Ibushi! Things speed up as both men dodge and duck! Ibushi dropkicks Cobb to the ropes, and lets him get up. Ibushi fires off hands but Cobb shields his head. Ibushi keeps trying to get through, so he gives a kick. Cobb blocks it, slaps Ibushi then throws a forearm! Ibushi just scowls and hits back! Cobb forearms again, and now we have a brawl! Fans fire up as they go back and forth, faster and faster! Cobb ROCKS Ibushi, gets the edge and fires off! Ibushi stays up, comes back, but Cobb choke grips. Ibushi breaks free, Cobb ducks the haymakers and tackles Ibushi!
Cobb rains down heavy hands then stomps Ibushi down! Fans cheer the exchange as Ibushi flops out of the ring. Cobb goes out after Ibushi, sitting him up for a CLUBBING shot to the chest! Cobb gets Ibushi up again to ROCK him with a forearm! Ibushi goes to railing, Cobb CLUBS him down! Red Shoes says for this to get back in the ring but Cobb stands on Ibushi’s neck and chest! Cobb lets off, refreshes the ring count, and gets Ibushi up to scoop and throw knees into his ribs! Cobb then adjusts his grip to POST Ibushi! Fans rally for Ibushi while Red Shoes checks on him. Cobb goes into the ring and waits on Ibushi. Ibushi gets back in, but he has a leg guard against Cobb.
Cobb kicks Ibushi in the side, headbutts him down, then headbutts him down to the mat! Fans rally as Cobb brings Ibushi up. Ibushi fires off body shots but Cobb CLUBS him! Cobb runs, but Ibushi JUMP KICKS! Fans fire up with Ibushi and Ibushi wants a standing moonsault, only for Cobb to trip him up! Cobb stomps Ibushi down, then drags him back up. Cobb pops Ibushi up to RAM him into the corner! Cobb whips Ibushi corner to corner hard, and Ibushi bounces off buckles! Deep prawn hold, TWO! Ibushi survives but Cobb keeps his cool. Cobb drags Ibushi into a waistlock and has a rear bearhug! Ibushi gets ropes to avoid the bridging cover.
Cobb stomps Ibushi but Ibushi holds onto ropes with his legs. Cobb stands on Ibushi, Red Shoes reprimands, but Cobb lets off. Ibushi eggs Cobb on so Cobb stomps and headbutts and CLUBS Ibushi! Cobb wraps on a chinlock, but Ibushi endures as fans rally up. Ibushi has the ropes, so Cobb lets off to drop a knee into Ibushi’s back. Cobb even hits a FALLING HEADBUTT to the spine! Cover, TWO! Cobb clamps back on with the rear bearhug and squeezes. Ibushi grits his teeth, so Cobb drives his knee in again and again, then throws an uppercut to the back! Cover, TWO! Cobb grows frustrated with Ibushi but fans still rally up.
Cobb pushes Ibushi over to then stand on his back! Ibushi is Cobb’s surfboard as Cobb salutes Khan. Cobb steps off to use the United Empire towel to wipe some sweat, as well as show off the merch. Cobb goes back, Ibushi kicks at him but Cobb stomps him down. Ibushi gets up and eggs Cobb on, so Cobb SLAPS him down! High stack cover, TWO! Ibushi SLAPS Cobb before falling over, and Cobb KNEES him into the corner for it! Red Shoes checks on Ibushi but he is okay to continue. Cobb gets Ibushi up but Ibushi fires off forearms! Cobb just headbutts back, then reels Ibushi in for a short-arm LARIAT! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT onto knees!
Both men are down as Cobb gasps and sputters. Fans rally up as Cobb goes to a corner. Ibushi fires himself up and gets to his feet. Ibushi runs in at the corner but Cobb dodges. Cobb runs back in but Ibushi goes up and over! Cobb hits buckles, then Ibushi fires off a strike fest! Ibushi KICKS Cobb down then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “I-BU-SHI!” as he fires up. Ibushi waits for Cobb to get up, but Cobb ducks the roundhouse to back suplex! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives and both men are down again. Cobb sits up first but fans still rally for “I-BU-SHI!” as he brings Ibushi up.
Cobb whips Ibushi to ropes, Ibushi holds those ropes and BOOTS back! Cobb runs in but Ibushi dumps him out! Fans rally up as Ibushi aims, PLANCHA is caught! Cobb pops Ibushi up but Ibushi fights free! Ibushi is on the apron, he punches Cobb away then mule kicks him! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Direct hit at the ramp and fans are fired up! Ibushi mocks Cobb’s hang loose as he gets up. Khan coaches Cobb as the ring count climbs. We’re already at 10 of 20 as Ibushi gets in. Cobb crawls over and the count is 15 as he flounders to the apron. Cobb gets in at 17 but Ibushi scrapes him back out to the apron.
Ibushi drags Cobb up the corner?! He tries to dead lift but that’s a lot of man! Cobb clubs Ibushi then headbutts him down! Cobb climbs up now, and he drags Ibushi up to the top! Cobb CLUBS Ibushi, Ibushi throws a hard body shot! Ibushi springboard SUPER STEINERS!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives and fans fire up as Ibushi vows he’s gonna break Cobb! Ibushi goes to a corner, and calls upon the powers of the King of Strong Style! BOMAYE!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives again and Ibushi is surprised! Ibushi still has his best to give, and he has Cobb’s wrists! Ibushi sits Cobb up, but Cobb reels Ibushi in for an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY!
Ibushi flounders to a corner while Cobb gets up. Both men are in opposite corners, Cobb runs corner to corner to back elbow! And then RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ibushi is still in this and fans rally up again. Cobb stalks Ibushi back to the corner, grabs at a leg, but Ibushi kicks with the other. Cobb has both legs, and he YANKS Ibushi up into his arms! Ibushi fights free but leaps into a fireman’s carry! F 5 THOUSAND!! Both men are down and Ibushi looks in a daze. Cobb crawls to a cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives but his eyes still look glazed over! Fans rally up as Cobb hobbles around Ibushi. Cobb drags Ibushi up, reels him in, TOUR OF THE- NO! Ibushi slips out to ROUNDHOUSE!
Fans fire up with Ibushi as he gets the wrists again! KAMIGOYE!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cobb survives the move to surpass gods?! Ibushi takes off the knee pad as Khan shouts at Cobb to get up! Ibushi gets Cobb by the wrists again, for SAVAGE KAMI- NO! Cobb dodges, rolls, COB- NO! Ibushi jumps to guillotine but Cobb tosses him away! Cobb has Ibushi’s wrists for the COBBIGOYE!!! Everyone’s going nuts but Cobb can’t make the cover! Khan shouts at Cobb to get up while the fans rally for Ibushi, who might be in a different dimension! Cobb drags himself over, covers, TWO!! Ibushi still lives and Cobb can’t believe it!
Fans rally up as Cobb drags himself over to ropes. Cobb uses the ropes to stand up, and he goes back to a corner. Cobb slaps some sense into himself before going after Ibushi. Dead lift, but Ibushi cradles! TWO, Ibushi leaps at Cobb but into his pop up! Ibushi makes it a METEORA! Ibushi has the wrists, SAVAGE KAMIGOYE!!!! Cover, Ibushi wins!!
Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall
The Golden Star God manages to topple the Empire’s titan! But it is still going to be a long road back to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship he created. Who will be holding onto that title when Ibushi comes back for it?
Vacated IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi!
Though the Commonwealth Kingpin conquered the Dragon once again, it was not without its cost. Will Ospreay’s neck injury forced him to give up this title, and now his biggest rivals are fighting to take his place! Will the Rainmaker return to the top? Or will Takagi finally win the big one?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, we get only the third man ever to hold this title!
Okada and Takagi stare down as fans clap, “O-KA-DA!” “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi approaches but Okada stays by ropes. They circle, feel out the grapple, and Okada backs away again. Takagi is patient as he and Okada go again. Takagi and Okada feel things out, then tie up. Takagi waistlocks, but Okada drops to a knee to then wrench and wristlock. Takagi rolls, wrenches back, and has the wristlock now. Okada rolls, trips Takagi and has the leg for a toehold. Takagi pulls hair but Red Shoes reprimands. Takagi uses his free leg to bring Okada down, but Okada holds off the armbar. Okada gets up inside the leg guard, but Takagi moves around.
Okada stands, manages a cover, ONE, but Okada facelocks. Takagi fights up, pries free and wrenches to a hammerlock. Okada moves around but Takagi wrangles him to the mat. Takagi SNAPS the hammerlock, then grinds Okada with a cording hold. Okada gets up, powers Takagi to ropes, but Takagi powers Okada back. Takagi drop toeholds then floats to a facelock and grinds Okada down. Okada endures, slips out and has the hammerlock to give back the SNAP. Fans rally as Okada SNAP locks again. Takagi endures, Okada half nelsons to get a cover, TWO! Okada holds onto the hammerlock, shifts to a headlock to grind Takagi back down, then hits the takeover.
Fans build to a rally as Takagi turns Okada to a cover, ONE! Okada keeps the headlock, Takagi tries again, ONE! Okada holds on, Takagi fights up and puts on a side bearhug squeeze. Okada grinds the headlock and thrashes Takagi around! Takagi throws body shots but can’t power out of Okada’s grip! Takagi pulls hair, puts Okada on ropes and uses that to power out. Okada rams Takagi but Takagi rebounds to run him over! Fans fire up as things speed up, and Okada hurdles to arm-drag Takagi. Takagi headscissors, Okada kips free but Takagi arm-drags back. Okada returns the headscissors but Takagi kips free and the fans cheer as the two stand off.
Fans rally up as Okada and Takagi reset. “O-KA-GI!” “TA-KA-DA!” The two circle, Takagi eggs Okada on, but Okada dares Takagi to hit him first. Takagi shoves, Okada throws forearms! Okada whips Takagi, Takagi reverses and runs but into Okada’s BOOT! Okada follows Takagi to ropes, brings him up, and reels him in for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Okada keeps cool as he clamps onto Takagi with a chinlock. Takagi endures as Okada bends him back against a knee. Takagi reaches around but Okada pulls him back harder! Fans rally as Takagi grabs at Okada’s hair. Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi scoots forward and gets a ropebreak with a leg.
Okada lets go and paces as Takagi gets to a corner. Okada brings Takagi up, Takagi throws forearms and knees. Takagi clubs then CHOPS Okada! Takagi runs, but Okada goes to hip toss. Takagi blocks, throws a body shot then throws Okada down! Okada avoids the back senton to drop a senton, onto knees! Takagi stalks Okada, runs in and clotheslines him out of the ring! Fans cheer and Takagi goes out to fetch Okada. Takagi gets the fans fired up, brings him up, and RAMS him into the apron! “Mada, mada, mada,” Takagi isn’t done yet! He reels Okada back in to RAM him again! Okada falls over in a heap and Takagi refreshes the count.
Takagi brings Okada up, brings him around the way, and CLUBS him as he goes. Takagi has media move aside, and then whips Okada into railing! And SNAP suplexes Okada to the floor! Fans fire up with Takagi and he stands on Okada’s ribs! Fans rally but a ring count starts so Takagi lets off. Takagi drags Okada up at 10 of 20, puts him in at 13, and fans cheer as he slingshot KNEE DROPS in! Takagi digs his knee in, but Okada has the ropes so Takagi lets off. Takagi takes his time getting Okada back up, and he KNEES him against ropes! Takagi whips, and KNEES Okada again, to then run and RUN Okada over!
Fans cheer as Takagi brings Okada back up. Takagi reels Okada in to suplex high and hard! Takagi then drags Okada into a body scissor squeeze! Okada endures, Takagi adds a chinbar, but Okada pries at the fingers. Takagi adds more to the squeeze, but Okada works on an escape. Okada reaches out with one arm but Takagi grabs it! Okada reaches out with the others and fans rally as he gets a ropebreak with his foot! Takagi lets Okada go, to drop the back senton! Takagi mockingly asks what’s wrong. Fans rally up and Takagi gives Okada toying kicks. Okada gets mad, Takagi throws haymakers! Okada throws forearms back, but Takagi tanks them!
Takagi kicks, Okada blocks to boot and scoop! Takagi blocks the gut wrench, to gut wrench Okada for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Okada grits his teeth as he survives but fans rally up. Takagi kicks Okada, stands on his back and digs his heel into in as he steps over. Takagi drags Okada back up, reels him in for a front bearhug, and squeezes the ribs tight. Okada endures as fans still rally, and Okada CLUBS Takagi on the back. Takagi shifts his grip to a waistlock but Okada fights off the back suplex. Takagi CLUBS Okada, then reels him in for a back suplex! Okada lands on his feet and things speed up! Okada hits a BIG back elbow to knock Takagi down!
Fans rally as both men are down again. Takagi sits up and Okada goes to a corner. Takagi runs in but Okada boots. Takagi powers through but Okada schoolboys and BASEMENT UPPERCUTS! Okada gets Takagi up for forearm after forearm! Okada whips Takagi corner to corner, runs in and back elbows! Okada kicks low and hits the DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Okada gets the clap-clap-clap-stomp going. Takagi gets up and Okada wants the Alabama lift, but Takagi blocks! Takagi digs his elbow into Okada’s back then CLUBS him! Okada goes back to a corner, Takagi runs in but Okada dodges! Okada hoists Takagi up top and DROPKICKS Takagi to the floor!
Fans rally up as Takagi is down on the outside. Okada catches his breath before going out to fetch Takagi. Okada has media move aside as he whips Takagi into railing, then runs in to BOOT Takagi up and over! Okada then drags Takagi out onto the railing for a DRAPING DDT!! The Rainmaker looks a bit like The Viper there, but both men are down as fans rally back up. A ring count starts as both men stir, and we’re at 8 of 20 as Okada stands. Okada gets in at 11, but he leaves Takagi outside. Takagi stands at 15, hobbles over and is in at 17, only for Okada to fireman’s carry and HEAVY RAIN! To the MONEY CLIP!! Takagi hurries and gets the ropebreak!
Okada lets Takagi go and paces around while fans rally. Okada stands Takagi up, scoops and SLAMS him, and then per the formula, goes to the corner. Okada climbs, but Takagi runs in! Okada leaps up and over but runs into the elbow, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up with Takagi as he gets back up. Takagi hobbles over to Okada, brings him up, but catches the clothesline to the Gory Especial! Okada fights that off and elbows Takagi into the MONEY CLIP! Takagi stays standing and reaches out, but Okada goes to backslide! Takagi makes that a Gory Especial for NOSHIGAMI! Okada is down but Takagi is too tired to cover here!
Fans build to another rally as Takagi reels Okada into a wheelbarrow. WHEELBARROW GERMAN into the corner! Okada hits buckles hard but again Takagi can’t make a cover here! Fans rally up while Okada is in a daze. Red Shoes checks on him but Takagi says it’s time! Takagi reels Okada in, headbutts away on the back, then gets the torture rack! Takagi thrashes Okada around in the submission hold, then hits a GUTBUSTER! Pump handle to SOL DE JAPON! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and fans rally up but Takagi keeps his cool. Okada goes to a corner while Takagi fires himself up. Fans follow the “OI! OI! OI!” as Takagi takes aim.
Takagi runs corner to corner but into a BOOT! He still hits a CORNER LARIAT! Takagi steadies himself, and Okada looks to be in a daze as Takagi stands him back up. Takagi CHOPS, JABS, CHOPS, JABS, repeat! Red Shoes warns about the corner ropebreak but Takagi throws headbutt after headbutt! Red Shoes pulls Takagi away, Okada SHOTGUNS! Takagi sits up but Okada is after him at the ropes with forearm after forearm! Red Shoes warns Okada, and Okada lets off, to get the MONEY CLIP! Takagi gets the ropebreak, Okada holds until Red Shoes counts 4. Okada drags Takagi back up, CLUBS him, then kicks him.
Okada runs, Takagi LARIATS at ropes! Takagi runs, fakes out Okada’s dropkick, but Okada catches the sliding lariat to MONEY CLIP!! Fans fire up, Takagi powers out but Okada gut wrenches to the SPINNING TOMBSTONE! And then, MONEY CLIP!! Okada squeezes tight and fans fire up again! Takagi endures, gets a second wind and fights to his feet! Takagi reaches for ropes but Okada uses a BACK2BACKBREAKER to stop him! MONEY CLIP!! Takagi is stuck all over again, and Okada drags him from ropes! Takagi throws haymakers with his free arm but Okada squeezes tighter! Takagi is fading! Red Shoes checks on him, but Takagi refuses to give up like this!
Takagi gets a third wind, scoots for ropes, but Okada is squeezing the tightest yet! Takagi uses a last gasp to get the ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up as Okada has to let Takagi go! Takagi flops out to the floor as he catches his breath, and Okada stays in the ring as he catches his. Okada slowly rolls out to fetch Takagi. Okada drags Takagi up, gut wrenches, but Takagi holds railing to block! Okada keeps trying, and he CLUBS Takagi on the back! Takagi still holds railing to block the tombstone! Okada CLUBS Takagi again, KICKS him, but swings into a knee and pump handle! MADE IN JAPAN to the floor!! Fans fire up again as both men are down on the outside!
Okada sputters as Red Shoes checks on him. He’s somehow okay to continue, and a ring count begins. Both men stir, Takagi sits up at 7 but crawls after Okada. Okada sits up at 12, Takagi hits his head on the railing to fire himself up?! We’re at 15, Takagi goes into the ring! Okada hurries but stumbles at 17! Okada staggers up and in at 19.5!! Takagi is frustrated that Okada survives, but he refocuses as fans rally up. Okada goes to a corner while Takagi slaps sense into himself. Takagi glares at Okada as he aims from the other corner. Takagi goes corner to corner to CORNER PUMPING BOMBER! Okada somehow stays on his feet after that!
Takagi fireman’s carries and takes Okada up the corner!? Okada fights free, but Takagi reels him back in! SUPER LEGEND FALCONRY!! Takagi has to crawl to the cover, TWO!! Okada survives and Takagi can’t believe it! Fans build to another rally as Takagi sits Okada up. Takagi runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Takagi gets Okada back up, wrist clutch, but Okada clubs Takagi to hold off the torture rack! Okada stomps Takagi’s feet, clubs him more, but Takagi hits POINT BLANK PUMPING! Takagi fires off boxing elbows then ROCKS Okada! Takagi sits Okada up again, but runs into Okada’s dropkick! Fans are thunderous as Okada gut wrenches, for a TOMBSTONE!!!
Okada is fired up, as he wristlock ripcords, PUMPING BOMBER FROM TAKAGI!?!? Takagi counters Okada’s lariat with his own and fans are thunderous! Okada and Takagi stir as fans continue to rally. A standing count begins, Okada and Takagi slowly rise, and Takagi gets to ropes as Okada sits up at 6. Okada and Takagi go forehead to forehead, then start throwing forearms. Okada hits first, Takagi hits back, then they stand up. Okada roars and he hits Takagi again. Takagi roars and steadies himself before he hits Okada back. Okada forearms, Takagi forearms, repeat, faster and faster! The fans rally as they keep going!
Takagi slows down and Okada gets the edge! Takagi snarls and fans fire up! Takagi gives more boxing elbows, going past 10 to about 20 before he ROCKS Okada! Okada grits his teeth to stay on his feet! They’re forehead to forehead again before Okada throws EuroUppers! Takagi staggers, Okada gives him another EuroUpper! Takagi fires up but swings into a spin, but he blocks Rolling Rainmaker to hit a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Takagi gets back up, fans fire up with him, and he runs, but Okada ducks! Backslide, but Takagi rolls through, into the RAINMAKER!! Okada hits his lariat, but holds onto Takagi’s arm! Okada fires up, stands Takagi up, RAINMAKER AGAIN!
Okada hits the Rainmaker pose, gets Takagi up and wristlocks, but Takagi ducks Rainmaker proper to STEAL RAINMAKER?!? Fans are thunderous again as Takagi uses Okada’s formula to power up his own lariat! Both men are down, Takagi heads back for Okada and gets him back up. Takagi runs and runs and PUMPING BOMBERS!! Cover, TWO!?!? Okada survives, but this is what being on top of NJPW means to him! Takagi roars and fans fire up with him again! Takagi gets Okada up, wrist clutch and torture rack, but Okada flails free! Wristlock, but Takagi ducks the lariat! Takagi fireman’s carries, but Okada slips off to dragon sleeper, and gut wrench!
Takagi fights free to underhook, TIGER SUPLEX!! Okada wobbles, Takagi runs to SLIDING FOREARM! Okada is in a daze again as Takagi gets him back up! Wrist clutch, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
Even Takagi is in shock! The Dragon just conquered THE Rainmaker, and now has THE greatest treasure in all of NJPW! Is this the dawning of a new era? After Takagi is able to stand again, Red Shoes helps him with the belt, and Takagi’s ascension is complete. Takagi then gets the mic to speak. “The IWGP belt is right here. This isn’t a dream, this is reality. And allow me to introduce myself: I am THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Shingo Takagi!” Takagi knows a few months ago, he lost to Will Ospreay. He took that loss very hard, but his heart was still beating. Takagi has been through a lot, but with this result, he’s proven he’s back on top!
Takagi says this is not the end goal, this is just the start! Takagi has a lot left to do. We’ve all been through so much, but like a dragon, Takagi has become not only the pinnacle of NJPW, but of all pro-wrestling! And uh, this belt is a bit loose, can someone help with that? Yota Tsuji gets in to help the new champ adjust the strap. Little higher up. There we go. Takagi says that there are still some rough times ahead, and there are some delays because of it, but that’s why Takagi has to do what he has to do, and why he has to bring us his power and energy. It is to inspire us to keep going. He says this is where he’d usually stop but he does have one more thing to say.
Takagi beat Okada now, and he knows who he wants next! He was also here tonight, so why not call him out? Surely the fans know who he means. “OI! IBUSHI! GET OUT HERE!” The fans cheer as the Dragon wants to see the Golden Star face-to-face! And here he comes! Ibushi being the man who created this belt, this just makes sense! Takagi welcomes Ibushi, and says that life’s a funny thing, isn’t it? Takagi has the title Ibushi imagined. Ibushi once called Takagi out but tables have turned. Takagi says there’s just one thing he has to say to Ibushi: “Are we fighting over this title or not?” Fans cheer as Ibushi gets a mic for himself.
“It doesn’t matter when or where, let’s go!” That’s the answer Takagi was hoping for! Takagi says he and Ibushi are going to have “The kind of murderous match only the two of us can have!” The summer has just hit triple digits with this one! Will the Dragon surpass the gods of NJPW? Or will Ibushi be the first to hold this title twice?
My Thoughts:
What an event! And while I didn’t cover the entire thing, Andrew Balaz always has us covered. The 10 Man Tags are standard filler fare for NJPW, and I feel disappointed in myself that I didn’t check Road to Dominion more closely. That is where they put the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships AND the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. LIJ did not win against Chaos, but they might be shifting gears towards the latter titles after facing Douki & Tekkers today. I just feel like Sanada deserves more than just being tag title guy. With one less midcard title, I suppose Sanada could get the NEVER Openweight Championship in an epic with Hiroshi Tanahashi, but maybe for now he’s satisfied with being involved in all these title scenes.
Anyway, to what I did cover. Desperado VS Yoh was great stuff, but I figured it wasn’t time for Yoh to be Mr. Junior Heavyweight. Bullet Club’s Junior Heavyweights calling out everybody is cool, but I don’t see Bone Soldier getting both belts, either. He and ELP might get the tag titles off RPG3K, or he might get the singles title off Despy, but I don’t see Taiji reaching double champ level. Ibushi VS Cobb was awesome stuff, and I always like when someone steals someone else’s moves. That also fed well in the Okada VS Takagi match. But it was great story that Cobb hits his take on the Kamigoye, only to not capitalize on it. Ibushi wins and as we know, he’s ready for the world title.
Okada VS Takagi was strong for a long stretch and then exploded into that thunderous level. I honestly didn’t think Takagi would win, but it is amazing that he did. It shows Okada has the humility to put Takagi over, it shows NJPW has faith in Takagi and confirms that Takagi has reached this level. Takagi boldly calling Ibushi out was a great move, that match is going to be another epic, and you can toss a coin and get this one. Takagi being a one and done would be a shame but Ibushi is also a high level wrestler. I think we’re all just going to be happy to see this big match over the summer somewhere.
My Score: 9.4/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Classic POD is WAR
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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