Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/15/21)
It’s an NXTornado Tag Tuesday!
NXT deals with the fallout from In Your House!
NXT may not be In Your House, but there’s still in-your-face action! Will Thatcher & Ciampa tear the Grizzled Young Veterans apart in a Tornado Tag match? What is William Regal planning to do about the bedlam plaguing the brand?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Imperium VS Breezango; Breezango wins.
- NXT Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge: KUSHIDA VS ???; Kushida wins and retains the title.
- Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter; Gonzalez & Kai win.
- Tornado Tag: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher VS Grizzled Young Veterans; Ciampa & Thatcher win.
PLAY BY PLAY
William Regal heads to the ring.
The NXT General Manager doesn’t even have his music as he makes his entrance. He is given a mic, and fans chant, “Please Don’t Leave!” Regal wants to get something off his chest. Regal’s been here since day one in some form of another, starting with announcing, calling the very first TakeOver… Regal gets emotional as he thinks on how he has watched NXT become “this wonderful, beautiful thing,” and seeing all the competitors coming through here. They started touring the United States, and then going to the UK and Japan and Australia. All these amazing moments, including his hometown of Blackpool where his nieces got to sit and watch with him.
There are a lot of things fans don’t know about, either. Every spare moment has been about making NXT into the place that he and HHH thought about ten years ago. This is the place they wanted to make the place to be. They’ve tried so hard to get everything so right, for the sakes of the wrestlers, the commentary, and of course the fans. The fans took them to San Jose, to Brooklyn, to Houston, to Portland and more. Regal’s finally decided that with the chaos that’s been going on, he’s given everything he can give. Because of all the fans in the audience, and all the competitors and staff and even the fans at home, he can’t give us what we deserve anymore.
Therefore, Regal feels it is time- But Karrion Kross interrupts! The NXT Champion and his femme fatale, Scarlett Bordeaux, go right to the ring in formal wear to talk with Regal directly. “Her and I always knew this day would come. We just didn’t know when. But the moment we heard all that, we had to come out here to see it and feel it for ourselves.” Is Regal crying? Regal is completely pathetic! A week ago, Kross told Regal that he lost control of the roster, and Regal knew it was true. And then at TakeOver, when Kross punched a hole through “The Mount Rushmore of NXT,” Regal knew Kross could control this place through chaos and violence.
And now we’re here. Kross wants Regal to say it! Tell the people that he’s leaving! And then he can walk his ass up the aisle and never come back. Say it! Say that KROSS was RIGHT! SAY IT!! Say KROSS CONQUERS ALL! We ain’t got all night, Mr. Regal. Tick… Tock…” Wait a minute! Is that Samoa Joe?! Fans go nuts as the Samoan Submission Specialist returns to NXT! Joe gets in the ring and stands alongside Regal to stare down Kross! Joe has a mic and he says, “Mr. Regal, I believe you wanted to speak with me.” Regal say she did, just not in this circumstance. But he’s here so why not?
Regal says because he loves NXT so much, he thinks everyone deserves a GM that can hold the position with the integrity and respect that it deserves! Regal wants Joe to be the NEW NXT GM! Fans are fired up for that as Regal says he cannot keep this up any longer. Joe tells Regal that his answer is, “Absolutely not.” He explains that while Regal is weary and worn down, what Joe sees is this: in the seven years Regal has been here, he has scoured the globe and brought the very best talent to NXT, Joe included. For those seven years, Regal transformed this brand, plucked it from obscurity and made it an international phenomenon!
So to be honest, Regal casts a long shadow and has large shoes to fill. Joe cannot accept, but he has an offer. Joe has always understand that eh made Regal’s life hell while he was here, but he always afforded Regal respect. That said, Joe would be more than happy to insure Regal gets the respect he deserves from everybody. Joe is of course staring right at Kross! Fans are fired up, and Regal says, “That’s an interesting idea.” If that is something Joe is willing to do, there are conditions. Joe cannot be a competitor, and he cannot lay a hand on anyone. Kross smirks, but Regal says, “Unless provoked.” The smirk goes away!
Joe says, “Mr. Regal, I accept your offer.” That leaves one more question: What is Kross still doing in the ring? “Tick tock, young champion.” The law has been laid down and fans chant, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Kross and Scarlett leave, but will it only be a matter of time before they cross the line?
The Grizzled Young Veterans speak.
“Thatcher and Ciampa, we heard what you had to say at TakeOver. We heard the insults and we felt the disrespect.” Zack Gibson is from Liverpool, James Drake is from Blackpool, working class areas in North England. They’re used to people looking down their noses at them, dragging their names through the dirt. So tonight, Tornado Tag rules! No tags, no excuses! And they will learn why these two are Grizzled Young Veterans when they get their heads kicked in! But will no one survive when there’s nothing holding these teams back?
Imperium VS Breezango!
Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner are ready to carry out the orders given to them by their Ring General, Walter! Will Prince Pretty & The Lord of the Dance find themselves merely a stepping stone as Imperium takes over the Tag Division?
The teams sort out and Barthel starts with Tyler Breeze. They tie up, go around, and Barthel puts Breeze on ropes. Barthel arm-drags, has an armlock and wrenches, but Breeze gets a headlock. Barthel chinbars and fish hooks to get a headlock on Breeze. Breeze powers out, Barthel runs him over, then things speed up. Breeze jumps into a CHOP! Barthel kicks low, CLUBS Breeze down, then kicks him to the corner. Barthel spins Breeze around for a back suplex, but Breeze lands on his feet to JAWBREAKER! Tag to Fandango, Breeze whips Barthel into Dango’s dropkick! Fandango is on Barthel but Aichner tags in. Barthel whips and Aichner arm-drags Fandango to an armlock!
Aichner wrenches and jams Fandango’s arm then grinds the shoulder. Fans rally, Dango fights up but Aichner RAMS him into buckles! Aichner CLUBS Fandango, wraps the arm around ropes, but lets off as the ref counts 3. Fandango CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS in return! Fandango whips Aichner to ropes but Aichner sunset flips! Fandango stays up, punches Aichner then drops a leg! Fandango dumps Aichner out, Barthel goes over, Breeze PLANCAHS but misses! Fandango FLIES in and takes Imperium down! Fans are fired up as Fandango gets Aichner in the ring. Fandango climbs a corner, but Barthel throws Breeze in to distract the ref! Fandango hits Barthel, Aichner trips Fandango!
Fandango falls to the mat, Barthel nods as Imperium has control. Fandango sits up to hit Barthel, then he kicks Aichner! Aichner EuroUppers, Breeze BLASTS Barthel, Fandango knees away on Aichner! Fandango whips and kitchen sink KNEES Aichner down! The fans fire up as NXT goes picture in picture.
Fandango looms over Aichner, gets him up, and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Aichner grits his teeth, Fandango brings him up and whips him, only for Aichner to reverse! Fandango goes up and over but Barthel tags in as Fandango sunset flips! Barthel rains down fists and stomps on Fandango then digs his boots in at the ropes! The ref counts, Barthel lets off, and he lines up a shot to KICK Fandango in the back! Barthel stomps Fandango’s hands, then drags him up to bump him off buckles. Barthel puts Fandango in the ropes, Aichner holds him but the ref reprimands Aichner. Barthel still runs side to side but Breeze KICKS Barthel down!
Barthel protests but Breeze gets away with the cheap shot. Barthel still runs at Fandango to WRECK him with a dropkick! Imperium pose at their corner while the ring count is on Fandango. Fandango stirs at about 5 of 10 but Barthel goes out to fetch him. Barthel puts Fandango on the apron and CLUBS him. Fandango crawls but Barthel stays between him and Breeze. Fandango tries to juke but Barthel CLUBS him back down. Barthel kicks Fandango to the corner, tags Aichner in, and Imperium mugs Fandango. Aichner drags Fandango up to CLUB him back down! Fandango hits back with body shots but Aichner knees him low.
Aichner whips Fandango to a corner, blocks his boot and reels him in for a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Aichner kicks Fandango to keep him from Breeze, and dares him to try for it. Fandango gets up to throw body shots but Aichner shoves him to CLOBBER him with an elbow! Cover, ONE!! Fandango is hanging tough but Aichner clamps on claws into the shoulder nerves! Fandango endures and NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally but Aichner CLUBS Fandango down! Cover, TWO! Aichner taunts Fandango, kicks him around, but Fandango throws body shots again! Aichner CLUBS Fandango more, brings him up and whips him to ropes.
Fandango KICKS back, then runs for the corner! Aichner catches him, and pops him to a SLAP! Tag to Barthel, and Imperium keeps Fandango down to mug him with more stomps. Barthel KICKS Fandango in the back, wraps on a cobra clutch and thrashes him about. Fandango endures, fights up but Barthel ripcords him to a kitchen sink knee! Barthel toys with Fandango, drags him up and snapmares him back to the cobra clutch. Fans rally as Fandango endures all over again. Breeze coaches Fandango but Barthel grinds Fandango down. Fandango fights up, Barthel gives short headbutts, then ripcords again! Fandango makes it a schoolboy! Cover, TWO!
Barthel anchors Fandango’s legs but Fandango kicks him down! Fandango crawls, Barthel clamps on with a camel clutch! Barthel whips Fandango at the corner but Fandango uses that to DECK Aichner! Barthel runs in, Fandango dumps him out! Fandango crawls for his corner and fans fire up! But Barthel comes in from the side to intercept! Fandango BACK DROPS Barthel away! Barthel crawls now, hot tags to Breeze and Aichner! Prince Pretty dodges but hesitates, Aichner CLOBBERS him! Aichner BOOTS Fandango, hauls Breeze up, but Breeze inside cradles! BREEZANGO WINS!!
Winners: Breezango, by pinfall
But Imperium won’t let them get away! Aichner mugs Breeze, Barthel POSTS Fandango! Breeze fights back but Barthel RAMS him into a corner! And feeds him to Aichner’s BOOT! Aichner gets Breeze up, Barthel climbs, EURO BOMB!! Fans boo but this is what Imperium must do! They put their banner over Breeze and strike their pose. Will this be satisfactory for Walter?
A brawl breaks out backstage!
Regal and security keep Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole apart! Their personal animosity has not gone away! Regal through the Unsanctioned match was enough, but now they’ll have a match, straight-up singles match! That match will be at the Great American Bash! But since they’re so fired up, they can choose proxies to fight next week! Kyle’s fine with that but Cole isn’t! Cole wants to end Kyle ASAP! But Kyle gets free and fires off on Cole! Joe gets in as the enforcer and he pushes them apart. Cole pushes Joe, so Joe throws off his jacket to put the COQUINA CLUTCH on Cole!! He makes Cole pass out!
Joe lets Cole go and shouts, “When he wakes up, you tell him Mr. Regal expects his decision!” Day one on the job and Joe’s making an impact! Will Cole have someone in mind to fight on his behalf? Or will he even remember what day it is?
Something is charging.
It is at 1%. What happens when it hits 100?
Santos Escobar speaks.
“Bronson Reed. What happened at TakeOver: In Your House was a tragedy.” He had the North American Championship in his hands and saw his reflection in it. “It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen in my life.” But then Reed had to go and do it, huh? Not just squish him, but put him through a wall! No one does that to Santos Escobar! Reed revealed a weakness. We all know that that’s all Reed could’ve done to put him down. Escobar is coming for Reed 1v1, and will pick him up, just like he did at TakeOver, and then gravity will do the rest. Escobar will snatch the title and make that reflection a reality as the next North American Champion!
NXT Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge: KUSHIDA VS ???
The Time Splitter is still a fighting champion, and a highly sought after free agent has answered the call! Tre Baxter is all heart, proving he is the best, most innovative wrestler on the indies. This isn’t just a nickname or a catchphrase, it is a way of life, but will even #AllHeart run out of time?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the debut is worth the hype!
Kushida and Baxter circle, tie up, and Kushida wrenches an arm. Baxter handsprings and breaks free then dodges Kushida’s leg pick. They go again, Kushida gets the leg this time, then trips Baxter to get a toehold. Kushida twists but Baxter rolls with it, only for Kushida to facelock and gator roll. Kushida floats all over Baxter, pushes him to a cover, ONE! Baxter backs off to catch his breath and the two go again. They feel out the grapple, Kushida still goes for a leg, then he trips Baxter again. Baxter gets up, steps over and victory rolls, TWO! Kushida gets up into a headlock from Baxter!
Baxter grinds Kushida down, but Kushida fights up and powers out. Kushida drops, Baxter handsprings then ducks and feints to roll Kushida up! ONE, and Kushida gets an arm! Baxter shoves him away, goes Matrix to then get around and redirect for a RANA! Kushida gets to a corner to cool off and fans fire up. Baxter runs corner to corner but is put on the apron. Baxter GAMANGIRIS, then springboards for a FLYING ELBOW! Kushida bails out but Baxter builds speed, to fake him out and superhero land! Kushida gets in to whip but Baxter springboards to whip Kushida back. Kushida holds ropes and BOOTS Baxter. Baxter gets Kushida’s legs, Kushida kicks and rebound ax kicks!
Kushida drags Baxter to the apron, but Baxter kicks the leg! Baxter builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit with the Fosbury Flop and CWC is fired up for “NXT! NXT!” Wait, is that Kyle O’Reilly at the ramp? Is Kyle scouting for a proxy? Kushida and Baxter catch their breath and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Kyle paces as Baxter grinds Kushida in a chinlock. Kushida fights up as fans rally, and Kushida wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida stomps but Baxter blocks! Baxter kips up and steps over for a WHEEL KICK! RVD would be proud! Kushida ducks the Penalty Kick and avoids the standing moonsault to atomic drop and whip Baxter to a corner. Kushida runs in to SHOTEI! Kushida whips Baxter and hip tosses, then handspring basement dropkicks! Fans fire up with Kushida as he runs, but Baxter avoids the kick! Baxter dodges again but Kushida ENZIGURIS! Baxter wobbles and Kushida whips him, but Baxter reverses.
Kushida handsprings, Baxter dodges to then handspring and NEURALIZER! Cedric Alexander would be impressed, too! Kyle seems to like what he sees as both men are down. A standing count begins, Kushida sits up at 3 and looks for Baxter. Kushida gets up at 5, Baxter follows. Kushida throws a forearm, Baxter gives it back, and we have a brawl! Kushida KICKS away on the arm but Baxter fires off fast hands! Baxter fires up but spins into the FAST BALL! Kushida runs, into a STANDING SPANISH FLY!?! Baxter hurries to a corner, springboards and 450 SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and Baxter can’t believe it!
Kushida gets to a corner, Baxter storms over to throw forearms. Baxter hoists Kushida up top and climbs up but Kushida is after the arm! Baxter grits his teeth but Kushida elbows him over and over! Kushida has the wristlock, for a SUPER KIMURA DDT?! PENALTY KICK to the arm! And then a takedown to the HOVERBOARD!! Baxter taps, Kushida wins!
Winner: Kushida, by submission (still NXT Cruiserweight Champion)
Baxter was indeed #AllHeart, but the arm couldn’t withstand the pain! Kushida retains and remains the champion, but has Kyle found his proxy? Kyle gets in the ring and applauds Baxter’s efforts. Kyle also tells Kushida he isn’t here to accept an Open Challenge. Instead, he’s issuing his own. Kyle wants to fight the best and so does Kushida. So what does he say? Kushida accepts! Kyle VS Kushida, non-title but surely one for the ages, next week!!
Backstage interview with Franky Monet.
Franky Monet requested this time for a huge announcement. She and Presley the Pomeranian just to make the people happy. And what the people want is more Monet. So she is so proud to announce that next week will be the “Encore Performance” of Monet’s world premiere! Who will join Monet in the must-see sequel?
But moving on from that, Monet talks with Jessi Kamea & Aliyah. She saw the special bonus match from TakeOver, in which they lost against Zoey Stark & Sarray. She thought they had it won, until Robert Stone got involved. Speaking of, Stone walks in and asks what’s up. Monet says hi and two-facedly tells him that the girls should’ve listened to him more and they would’ve had it. Great minds think alike. Okay, see you all later. She’s great, isn’t she? Yeah. But is she making a play to break up the Robert Stone Brand?
Mercedes Martinez watches TakeOver back.
Specifically, she relives Mei Ying throwing her off the ramp and into boards with one hand. Yeah, she felt the wrath of Tian Sha. But she said before that she is the wrong person to mess with it. She isn’t going anywhere. If Boa wants to step up, he’ll feel the steel again. And Xia Li made it 1-1. Any time she wants the tiebreaker, Mercedes is ready. And Mei Ying won’t have a chance to get up out of her chair, because Mercedes will knock her right out of it! Is Mean Ms. Mercedes biting off more than she can chew with Tian Sha?
Ted DeBiase is here!
The Million Dollar Man heads to the ring, the Million Dollar Championship waiting for him. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” TakeOver showed us someone worthy of being the next Million Dollar Champion. DeBiase cues up a highlight video package of LA Knight. The self-made man made himself the winner at TakeOver. Whose game is it? L A Knight’s. And Knight rolls up in a brand new Corvette, smokes a cigar as he makes his entrance both into the building and to ringside, and joins DeBiase in the ring. Knight tells, “Teddyyy~! Let me talk…” Knight stops himself and gets serious for a moment. He needs a second as he wants to actually talk to Ted DeBiase.
“It’s not often in life that we get to meet our heroes. In this business, it’s even more rare that you get to meet your heroes, and then share the ring with them.” For Knight to make it to that place, and then said hero says he could be the one to carry on the legacy, Knight can’t describe what he’s thinking or feeling. When DeBiase told him and Grimes to literally climb the ladder of success, Knight took that very seriously. Knight can’t lie, he’s all banged up, but to be standing here with DeBiase and that belt, it was 100% worth it. Knight just needed to say that. Because when Knight grew up watching wrestling with his dad, DeBiase was always on their screen.
Fans want Cameron Grimes but Knight says the kids in the neighborhood all wrestled in the backyard, and someone was always Ted DeBiase. Knight had the action figure and the championship belt. Knight wants DeBiase to understand that him as a fixture of Knight’s childhood is an understatement. Knight admits he needed DeBiase and this belt so that Knight could express his gratitude and appreciation. DeBiase and Knight shake hands and DeBiase says Knight earned this. Knight wants to be 100% serious, this is the greatest moment in his career. And it would be the greatest honor to be officially crowned Million Dollar Champion. DeBiase would be happy to.
DeBiase fetches the belt from its briefcase, brings it over to Knight, and puts it on his shoulder. They shake hands again, DeBiase pats Knight on the shoulder and officially calls him the NEW Million Dollar Champion! The Million Dollar Laugh and the pyro go off, and fans duel over Knight and Grimes. Knight understands the fans have their favorite, but having this belt on his shoulder is beyond description. Knight’s learned so much just the last few weeks. Again, DeBiase was a fixture in Knight’s life. Knight has everything that he’s ever wanted, but he’s going to drop what he doesn’t need. Knight DECKS DeBiase!!!
And then Knight BLASTS the guards, throws the podium, and snatches up the belt! Knight says what was DeBiase’s is now his! Knight is the ONE TRUE MILLION DOLLAR CHAMPION! Fans boo as Knight throws off his jacket to stomp DeBiase down! But here comes Grimes! Grimes CLOBBERS Knight and rallies on him with more clotheslines! Grimes clotheslines Knight out of the ring and throws his jacket at him! Grimes checks on DeBiase while Knight gets away with the title. Fans are fired up for the Carolina Cash Money Caveman, will Grimes get Million Dollar Revenge?
Backstage interview with Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai.
They have a tag team match coming up, but McKenzie asks, after the grueling TakeOver defense, why is Raquel competing again so soon? Raquel says that Ember Moon learned the hard way what it means to face her. But also, someone pass on the word to Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell. The Way can hold onto those titles real tight, because there’s unfinished business. Raquel’s pal, Dakota, wants gold, and Raquel isn’t satisfied with one title. Tonight, they take care of Lil’ Kacy and Lil’ Kayden, then they move on to being two-time tag champions. Big Mami Cool & Cobra Kai head out, will they show no mercy to KC Squared?
The batter continues to charge.
It is now at 11%.
NXT returns as Dakota & Raquel head for gorilla.
And there waiting are Shotzi & Ember! Regal and Samoa Joe are already holding them back to keep this from getting out of hand, and the NXT Women’s Champion and her insurance policy go to the ring.
Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter!
Taking over one division isn’t enough for Ricky Desperado, she wants it all! Will she and Dakota crush KC and KC to go after The Way? Or will that arrogance cost them against two of the most agile and resilient superstars in NXT today?
Kayden and Kai start, tie up, and Kai puts Kayden in a corner. The ref counts, Kai lets off and Kayden comes back. Kayden waistlocks, trips Kai then handsprings over. Kai ducks the buzzsaw, guards for the mule kick, but Kayden was just faking her out. Kayden pats Kai on the head, then gets her arm! Kayden wrenches, tags to Kacy, and they whip Kai to ropes for a double drop toehold! Kai sputters as KC Square goes to the apron, for a DOUBLE BOOT SANDWICH! Cover, TWO! Kacy keeps on Kai with a facelock, Kayden tags back in, and KC Square whip to drop toehold, and Chancery to BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Kai gets away, Raquel tags in and she grins as she towers over Kayden. Kayden avoids the boot to headlock but Raquel powers out. Kayden gets around Raquel but Raquel pulls hair to reel Kayden in for a TWO HAND TOSS! Kayden dodges in the corner, then swings around the clothesline to an IRON OCTOPUS! Raquel endures and powers free, but Kayden sunset flips! Raquel drags Kayden up but Kayden hits a JAWBREAKER! Kayden dropkicks Raquel to the corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Tag to Kacy but Raquel shoves Kayden. Kacy sneaks up, Raquel grabs her first and whips her at Kayden! KC Squared dosido and Kacy slides to trip Raquel up! Kayden BOOTS, and Kacy climbs on!
Raquel turns the rana into a toss but Kacy lands, ducks, dodges, and SILLY STRINGS with Kayden! Dakota tags in but Kacy slides under the kick. Kai avoids the forward handspring but Kacy just handsprings back to headscissor! Kai bails out, Kacy aims and TORNILLOS! Raquel runs over to help Kai but Kacy tags Kayden! KC Squared work together, Kayden goes up and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down goes Dakota and Raquel, KC Squared is fired up as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Raquel grinds Kacy in a backbreaker rack. Kacy endures, even as Raquel bends her way back! Raquel flips Kacy over and drags her up to whip her to a corner. Tag to Kai and she runs side to side to BOOT WASH Kacy! Kai drags Kacy to a cover, TWO! Kayden is relieved but Kai drags Kacy up to bump off buckles. Tag to Raquel, she runs in and SPLASHES Kacy! Raquel scoops Kacy for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Kacy avoids the elbow drop and hotshots from the apron! Kai tags back in and runs to BOOT Kacy off the apron! Kai goes out to get Kacy up, but Kacy whips Kai into the apron! Kacy gets in the ring, hurries over, but Kai keeps her from Kayden!
Kacy BOOTS Kai, and hot tags Kayden! The Spitfire rallies on Kai, sees Raquel get up and dropkicks her down! Kayden fires off on Kai to put her in the same corner with Raquel! Kayden runs to forearm smash them both! Kayden keeps moving, and she hits a DROPKICK SPLASH COMBO! Kayden whips, Kai reverses but Kayden wheelbarrows and victory rolls to a mule KICK! Kayden builds speed to BOOT WASH Kai in return! Cover, TWO!! Kai survives but Kayden keeps her cool. Kayden gets Kai up but Kai SCORPION KICKS! Tag to Raquel and she drags Kayden around to whip to a corner. Raquel runs in but into a boot!
Kayden climbs, leaps, but into a fireman’s carry! And a swinging SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kayden proves her resilience but Raquel is furious! Raquel dead lifts Kayden to the Canadian Rack, tag to Kai! GORY BOMB CODE BREAKER COMBO!! Cover, Kacy breaks it in time!! Kai is furious and runs in, but into Kayden’s boot! Kayden elbows and WRECKS Raquel! But Kai throws Kayden down by her hair! Kai gets Kayden up, whips her to ropes, but Kayden holds ropes to boot back. Kacy tags in, sneaks a shoulder in, they table top Kai to then wheelbarrow back suplex SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Kai gets out of the way as Raquel runs in, but Kacy baits her into Kayden’s KICK!
Raquel still grabs Kayden, but Kacy dropkicks Raquel out of the ring! Tag, and Kayden cartwheels to mule KICK Raquel! Kacy RANAS Raquel into the apron! Kai runs into a HEEL KICK! Kayden gets Kai up, tags Kacy and Kacy climbs! KC Squared for the 450 SPLASH NECKBREAKER?!?! Cover, Raquel drags Kacy out to THROW her into barriers! Kayden runs but into a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP into barriers! Raquel flounders but Kacy climbs back up. Kai KICKS Kacy first, for a DRAPING GO TO KICK!! Cover, Kai & Gonzalez win!
Winners: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez, by pinfall
The combination of KC Squared is strong, but #CapKota and Big Mami Cool are stronger! Will they make their way to a shot at the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships?
Ever-Rise review their TakeOver Pre-Preshow.
They were trying to do something nice for the community, and Hit Row has to go and ruin things. Top Dolla and Ashante Thee Adonis are “a couple of tough guys” for beating up a little dollhouse! But what Matt Marthel wants to know if “Dollar King” was looking for a box of donuts. Chase Parker says if Hit Row wants to do that to the TakeOver Pre-Preshow, go after Ever-Rise and that’s it, NO SIR! Ever-Rise rebuilds! Look at… Well, it isn’t really good as new, but it’s here! So when you come knocking on someone’s door, be ready for an answer. Ding dong! Ever-Rise Rules! Will they get to take the fight to Hit Row soon enough?
The battery is still charging.
It is now at 21%.
The Great American Bash is back, baby!
Stars and stripes, bruises and blood, get ready for it on Tuesday, July 6th! And as already stated, O’Reilly VS Cole will happen one more time, in a straight-up singles match! But with Kyle having called out Kushida for next week’s proxy tune-up, who will Cole choose to one-up his former friend?
Io Shirai heads to the ring!
The Evil Genius is back again after making her return confronting Candice LeRae on Poppy’s behalf. Shirai gets a mic to say, “I’m back!” And she feels good. She says in Japanese that we must’ve missed her, right? And her next target is- Well, she’s on her way out! Candice interrupts and tells Shirai that a lot has changed since she’s been gone. For example and most importantly, Candice is no longer an uncrowned champion. And since Shirai is not unbeatable anymore, she’s back to the bottom. Shirai has to earn opportunities now. And there is something that hasn’t changed, actually. Candice still can’t stand her.
And unfortunately for Shirai, she picked the wrong time to mess with her. Candice takes off the belt but INDI attacks from behind! The Way mugs Shirai, but Shirai fights back! She BOOTS Candice, puts Indi on ropes, and dials it up! 619!! Candice gets up and anchors Shirai’s springboard for Indi to BOOT Shirai in return! The Way gets Shirai up to RAM her into the apron, and then Candice hammers away on Shirai while Indi clears off the desk. Candice drags Shirai up and over to put her on the desk, and then has Indi to go up for that Impressive Elbow Drop. Indi does as told, but here comes Zoey Stark! Stark tackles Indi and rains down fists!
Candice gets in, Stark rallies on both champions! BOOT for Candice, HEEL KICK for Indi! Shirai returns, she springboards to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! The Way gets away and fans fire up with Shirai! The Genius has an ally in the Rising Star(k), but will they make The Way go away?
Backstage interview with Regal and Samoa Joe.
McKenzie asks about the order being restored. How has the night panned out for them? Regal wants to tell McKenzie something, but then cameras cut away to see Ciampa & Thatcher head for gorilla. MSK has popcorn and lets them know that they’ll be watching the main event very closely. Lee & Carter have their popcorn, do you? Oh wait, Thatcher takes Carter’s bucket to have it for himself. Rude. Will things be even worse for Gibson & Drake in a matter of moments?
The Diamond Mine is coming.
Achieve success though pain. This is the key. Pressure makes diamonds, but who is going to shine next week?
Backstage interview with Regal and Samoa Joe for real now.
Continuing where they left off, Regal’s thoughts on tonight are that- The Way comes in to cheer for Joe. Gargano and Theory never knock, do they? Theory knocks and Gargano says this is great! Thanks for being here, Joe! Joe choking out Cole was great, by the way. Joe is what this brand has needed! Regal lost complete control. Gargano broke a pencil and Regal went “cuckoo bananas.” But now with Joe, this is so good Theory, tell him how great it is. Theory raises his fist and nods and Gargano tells him they’re not doing the Diesel cosplay anymore. Joe asks Gargano to do him a big favor. Anything, man! What is it? Get out. Okay, great talk. See you guys around!
Regal tells Joe this is what he was talking about. But then Pete Dunne walks in! Dunne and Joe stare down but Regal asks them to keep it civil. Will the Bruiserweight have something to say to the Samoan Submission Specialist? Or is this icy silence more than enough?
Tornado Tag: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
NXT returns and GYV make their entrance. They have mics but Ciampa and Thatcher won’t give them time to talk! The brawl is on, Old Man Ciampa and Toothless Timmy put Gibson and Drake in the ring, and now the match is on!
The brawling continues, Ciampa and Thatcher have GYV in the corners and are stomping mudholes into them! Ciampa lets off, Thatcher follows, and they whip GYV into each other! Thatcher drags Drake up, Ciampa sits Gibson up, and they hammer away with dueling forearms! Then they trade partners! Then they go for DOUBLE ARMBARS! Gibson and Drake scramble, Drake gets the ropebreak but it doesn’t matter! There’s nothing stopping this but a pin or a tap-out! GYV bail out, Ciampa & Thatcher chase after, but GYV turn the tables! GYV mug Ciampa & Thatcher, and they throw Thatcher out so they can focus on Ciampa.
Drake throws forearms, Gibson throws forearms, but Ciampa CHOPS back! Drake shoves, Ciampa ducks the double clothesline to give DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES! Ciampa runs to give endless clotheslines to GYV, but GYV drop, dropkick and basement dropkick! Thatcher returns but gets MAYHEM IN MOTION! Fans boo as GYV high-five and Ciampa bails out. GYV goes out and fire forearms on Ciampa & Thatcher., Drake bumps Ciampa off barriers, Gibson RAMS Thatcher into other barriers! Then they trade and Gibson throws EuroUppers on Ciampa while Drake clubs Thatcher. Drake puts Thatcher in the ring and brings him up for more forearms.
Thatcher whips Drake, Drake tumbles up and out but Thatcher counter punches for a SLEEPER! Drake flails, Gibson gets in and KNEES Thatcher in the back! Ciampa gets in to get Gibson in a SLEEPER! Gibson snapmares free, throat chops Ciampa, but Thatcher choke grips! Drake chop blocks a leg! Gibson BOOTS and Drake STOMPS Thatcher down! GYV trade again and Drake throws hands on Gibson while Gibson CLUBS Thatcher. Ciampa is thrown out so GYV can focus on Thatcher. Gibson gets Thatcher up, but Thatcher blocks the suplex. Drake goes out to RAM Ciampa into barriers! Then Drake joins Gibson for a BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
Thatcher grits what teeth he has as Drake goes to the apron, Ciampa trips Drake up, gets i and shoves Gibson to ROCK him! Ciampa runs to clothesline Gibson and himself out of the ring! Then Ciampa goes back for Drake to give him endless clotheslines! KNEE for Gibson, then Ciampa goes out to RAM Drake into the timekeeper’s area! Ciampa gets Gibson up to throw him onto Drake! Fans are thunderous as Ciampa goes running in for a DOUBLE PSYCHO KNEE!! Ciampa puts Drake in the ring, goes for Gibson and puts him in, too, and then regroups with Thatcher. They fire each other up with SLAPS, and then Thatcher EuroUppers Drake! Ciampa forearms Gibson, and repeat!
Fans are rallying as the EuroUppers and corner clotheslines keep going! Thatcher and Ciampa are fired up as NXT goes picture in picture!
Ciampa and Thatcher stalk GYV to the ramp. Ciampa stomps Gibson’s fingers and Thatcher gets Drake up in a facelock. Ciampa ROCKS Gibson, but Drake RAMS Thatcher into steel steps! Drake helps Gibson but he just gets a CHOP for it! Gibson EuroUppers Thatcher but Thatcher pulls ears! Thatcher ROCKS Gibson, Ciampa RAMS Drake into barriers, then Thatcher TOSSES Gibson into boards! GYV are floundering around, Ciampa RAMS Drake into more barriers! Gibson forearms but Thatcher EuroUppers! Thatcher digs Gibson’s face into the steel fencing! Ciampa stomps Gibson down so Thatcher can run and RAM Drake into more barriers!
Ciampa CHOPS Gibson, Thatcher cravats Drake for a neck wrench. Gibson RAMS Ciampa into the announce desk! And then RAMS him into barriers! Drake fights free and knocks Thatcher down. Drake puts Thatcher in the ring, covers, ONE!! Thatcher snarls but Drake looms over him as Gibson RAMS Ciampa into barriers! Drake clamps onto Thatcher with a neck wrench then CLUBS Thatcher down. Gibson joins in and GYV mug Thatcher. Gibson grinds Thatcher down with an underhook so that Drake can jam his knee into Thatcher’s ribs! GYV pace around, Thatcher kicks Drake from below but Gibson CLUBS Thatcher down.
GYV taunt and mug Thatcher more while Ciampa is still down on the outside. NXT returns to single picture and Thatcher fires off EuroUppers on GYV! But Drake clinches, Gibson MISSILE DROPKICKS for the COMPLETE SHOT! Drake has a KOJI KLUTCH! Gibson taunts Thatcher but that just pisses him off. Thatcher grabs at Gibson but Gibson stomps him! Ciampa CLOBBERS Gibson from behind! Ciampa stomps Drake until he lets Thatcher go! Then he stomps him more! Fans are electric as Ciampa CLUBS and CHOPS Gibson! Gibson rakes Ciampa’s eyes! Thatcher clinches Gibson for a Belly2Belly! Thatcher gets back up but Drake runs in, only for Thatcher to ENZIGURI!
Thatcher glares at Gibson, waistlocks, but Ciampa runs in and Gibson dodges! Ciampa BOOTS Thatcher! GYV clinch and ENZIGURI Ciampa! Gibson has Ciampa in the Electric Chair, Drake goes up, but Ciampa fights! Ciampa ROCKS Drake, Thatcher gets Gibson with a knee! BUTTERFLY SUPLEX for Gibson, SUPER AIR RAID CRASH for Drake!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Thatcher keeps Gibson down with a grovit but Gibson dumps him out! Ciampa KNEES Gibson down and sees Drake going to the apron. Ciampa follows Drake out there, CHOPS him, but Drake CHOPS back! Ciampa CHOPS again, Drake CHOPS! Ciampa eggs Drake on as the CHOP fight continues!
Ciampa BOOTS Drake, fires up and fireman’s carries! Drake fights free, Gibson joins in and they have Ciampa in the Electric Chair! Drake builds speed and DIVES for the TOPE DOOMSDAY!! The ref checks on Ciampa while Drake is slow to getting up. Gibson goes after Thatcher, they both pull on each other’s ears! EuroUppers start flying back and forth, over and over! Thatcher gets the edge, Gibson wobbles, and Thatcher keeps throwing EuroUppers! Gibson gives some back, and catches Thatcher to a backslide! Thatcher rolls through to trip Gibson up! Gibson turns around to drag Thatcher down! Thatcher avoids Shankly Gates to go for the chicken wing!
Gibson moves, Thatcher wants the wristlock but Gibson puts him in a corner! GRIT YOUR TEETH!! Drake rocks Thatcher with that dropkick, and Gibson gets Thatcher up. GYV coordinate, POWERBOMB BACKSTABBER!! Cover, Ciampa breaks it up!? Ciampa returns and the CWC is volcanic! Drake and Gibson mug Ciampa against the announce desk, but Thatcher crawls his way over. Drake tells fans to shut it as he clears off the desk. The desk hood becomes a ramp, Gibson BACK SUPLEXES Ciampa through it! Drake mockingly asks Ciampa how he liked that, and Gibson gets Ciampa back up. They put Ciampa on the desk, and Drake DECKS Thatcher!
Drake goes into the ring to stomp Thatcher over and over! Drake gives Gibson the green light, but Ciampa gives Gibson an AIR RAID CRASHÂ onto the desk! The desk didn’t break but Ciampa might’ve broken Gibson! The Psycho Killer hobbles over, but Drake needs to worry about the Professor of Pain! Thatcher turns Drake around to SLAP him! Ciampa SLAPS Drake, and they DOUBLE SLAP! ASSISTED FAIRY TALE ENDING!! And the ANKLE LOCK WITH FUJIWARA!!! Drake taps, Ciampa & Thatcher win!!
Winners: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher, by submission
The friendship isn’t fake, and the win is just as real! Will these two takeover the tag division and make the Must See Kids into former champions?
Backstage interview with Regal and Samoa Joe, take three.
McKenzie asks Regal what his thoughts are on Joe being back in NXT. Things are going to be a little different around here. Joe says that this is simply night one of many. They head out, having reestablished the natural order. But how long will it last?
My Thoughts:
An awesome follow-up episode to TakeOver! And only four matches! But even though we opened with a promo, it was an amazing moment right from the start. Regal did great with the emotion, and in kayfabe, he was definitely considering stepping down. Kross is getting great Heel heat being a jerk to the beloved NXT GM, and then SAMOA FREAKIN’ JOE is back!! Reports said he was back at the Performance Center, aka the Capital Wrestling Center, and was going to be back in NXT, and being Regal’s enforcer is a great move. Joe settling the fighting between Kyle and Cole with the sleeper hold was awesome, as was his interactions with Gargano and Dunne.
Speaking of which, Kyle VS Cole II at Great American Bash is going to be awesome, too. I kinda wish they put “Loser Leaves NXT” on it but that’d make it obvious Cole would lose to finally move on. I also like this “pick your poison” proxy stuff, with each guy choosing who they face before then. Kushida VS Baxter was a great Cruiserweight title match, and a great way for Baxter to debut, but I wish the 205 Live roster would get more chances. Kyle choosing Kushida for his match next week was a cool choice, and I would think #CoolKyle wins. Cole could choose just about anyone at this point, and I’m not sure what he goes for. Will he try to face someone strong to prove he’s stronger than Kyle? Or will he go for someone he looks down on in an attempt to get a squash? I’m leaning towards the latter.
The charging battery is interesting. We haven’t even gotten anyone from the Diamond Mine, and we’re getting a teaser for someone or something new? This has to mean a lot of call-ups are happening through the WWE Draft, and that is going to suck for said call-ups, except for those going to SmackDown. But maybe only slightly. Babatunde became Dabba-Kato became Commander Azeez, and Piper Niven was treated like an absolute unknown. But griping about Vince not caring about continuity is for other articles. Diamond Mine is finally coming next week, NXT is getting a lot of factions to fill the gap of the Undisputed Era and that much is cool.
Imperium losing to Breezango was quite the surprise, but I suppose Walter’s orders were to eliminate Breezango, not necessarily win. Breezango might come back for revenge but maybe Imperium lurks on the outside of the tag title scene. Ever-Rise calling out Hit Row was good, that match will be a lot of fun. Escobar had a good promo to call Reed out, and of course their 1v1 is coming. I bet that will be at the Great American Bash, and it will be a great North American Championship. Franky Monet making moves on the Robert Stone Brand is interesting, and a purely female faction could be great for NXT, too.
We got a good promo from Mercedes calling out Tian Sha as a whole. Shirai, Candice, Indi and Stark had a good segment. It was a good detail that Shirai wanted to call Candice out, and for The Way to turn things around on her. Stark makes a good ally for Shirai to take on The Way on Poppy’s behalf, and that could go either way. Gonzalez & Kai VS KC Squared was an excellent tag match, especially for KC Squared to show their stuff. But in the end, it makes sense the NXT Women’s Champion and her friend/sidekick would win. They’ve still got beef with Ember & Shotzi and they want the tag titles back, we could get quite the tag team showdown at Great American Bash.
The “crowning” of Knight with DeBiase was another great segment. Knight did a great job working a shoot, because I totally believe that Knight and his group of friends grew up watching and loving the Million Dollar Man’s time in WWE and all those iconic wrestlers from then. And then I just knew Knight would turn on DeBiase right there, it felt so clear. Grimes gets to be even more Face coming to the rescue, and I hope the Great American Bash has a rematch, and whether or not Grimes wins there, that win is coming and Grimes will be vindicated. The CWC loves Grimes, they are going to love when Grimes finally gets the belt and so am I.
That Tornado Tag was an awesome main event, very much bordering on TakeOver level, and it was great for Ciampa & Thatcher to win. They surely get next against MSK with MSK showing they were watching backstage, but I wouldn’t mind Ciampa & Thatcher still having to earn a shot in another killer match, perhaps with Legado or Imperium. Great American Bash should definitely try to be pseudo-TakeOver to keep NXT going through the Summer, since there is also the return to touring for RawDown and even AEW going all out on the road to All Out 2021.
My Score: 9.3/10
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Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXTÂ and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Hot off the heels of the TNA and WWE working relationship announcement, the Kickoff show already has the first sprinkle of NXT talent with Ashante “Thee” Adonis coming out after Ariana Grace tries to take all of the credit for the partnership. Jake something runs over Ashante, but it’s a good quick nod on free YouTube. Oh it also looks like the ring announcer is McKenzie Mitchel again. I did like her first run in TNA in what was that… like 2016-2018 or 19? She’s got personality, she’s cute and a solid announcer, so nice to see her back.
I’m not gonna run down any predictions on who I think will win, because honestly, I just feel like Hendry needs to win today or it’s been an entire waste of momentum. So lets get to the main show!
Ratings:
- X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin: Moose retains via Lights Out – *** 1/4
- The System vs Maniac Marines: Marines win via K.I.A. – ***
- Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c): Spitfire retain via Pressure Drop – **
- Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard: Tessa wins via Magnum – ****
- I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana: Santana wins! – ***
- TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz: Hardyz retain via Swanton Bomb – *** 1/2
- Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary: Masha wins via Avalanche Requiem – ** 3/4
- TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – *** 3/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!!!!!!
Results:
X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin
As soon as the bell rings, Ace jumps on him, forces him into the corner and stomps on him. Moose tries to fight out but Ace stays relentless. Ace has a counter for everything Moose is trying to counter in the early goings. Even when Moose catches him during the apron Handstand Dodge, Ace still has a counter for his counter. It’s not until a rake to the eyes from Moose that finally gives him a moment to start dictating the pace. A huge Irish Whip on the outside through the barricade is what Ace feels…twice. Ace tries to fight back from Moose continuing the momentum, Ace eats a Pump Kick, but blocks Moose’s attempt at a Suplex and counters with his own Vertical Suplex on Moose! JDC gets in the proximity of Ace so Ace kicks him, which delays his springboard, so Moose catches him and bounces him off the apron like a super ball.
Moose lets the count go, Ace barely gets in at 9, Moose throws him corner to corner, is slowing things down and being very deliberate. Ace starts powering through the pain, catches a Pump Kick, dodges a Spear into the corner and puts together a few strikes, Double Stomp, Triangle Kick, wants The Fold but Moose puts the brakes on there. Ace tries to spring off the ropes but Moose grabs him and hits Go To Hell for two! Fighting Spirit spot, Ace starts winning the trade, a Headbutt from Moose stops Ace, Moose flips him over the ropes to the apron, tries a few more things, Ace looks for a Springboard, Moose catches him but Ace slips it for a Frankensteiner. Moose powders to the opposite apron and Ace hits his Inside Out Headscissors sending Moose crashing to the floor. Alisha and JDC try to help up Moose, and while the referee is distracted JDC posts Ace. Moose goes for the Around the World Lights Out, but Ace moves and Moose kills JDC! Ace hits The Fold on the floor!
Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers run down the ramp, Ace sees them so he hits the Fosbury Flop to take them out. Ace is rolling, he goes for the Triangle Kick but Moose counters with Lights Out! 1-2- KICK OUT? Moose sets up for another Lights Out, Ace sidesteps it for the Cradle, kickout, Uranage, Cradle counter, Art of Finesse from Ace but Lights Out to the Spine from Moose! Moose sets up another and lands the Lights Out to retain!
Post Match the System looks to beat down on Ace, but Maniac Marines music hits and they go after Myers and Edwards. Guess the match is now!Â
The System vs Maniac Marines
Steve and Eric beat the hell out of the System members while the referee tries to set the match, it still hasn’t started but we get stereo 10 count punches in the corner, big fists causing Myers and Edwards to powder. This is essentially a Tornado Tag right now because the match hasn’t even started. Okay it eventually starts and Maclin hits the Backbreaker on Edwards and Busaiku Knee on Myers. He looks for a SCUD but Lish grabs the foot which is just enough! Maclin tries to charge anyway but gets caught in the Blue Thunder Bomb and now the match slows down and Eddie is in control.
Maclin absorbs some Chops from Eddie in the corner, no sells a little and fires, Eddie tags out Myers tries to slow things down with a Russian Leg Sweep but Maclin continues to try and rally. Eddie’s back in, shortarm Gowan Lariat into a cocky cover for two. Eddie tries to keep moving but Maclin hits the Vertical Suplex. Maclin is too slow to tag out so Eddie tags out and Myers cuts off Maclin. After a few more quick tags from System members, Maclin finally lands a Lariat to get the simultaneous tag and EY comes in hot. EY does the Flair corner flip, knocks Eddie off the apron, Myers eats a Macho Elbow but only two. Eddie knocks Maclin off the apron, Tandem Tiger Driver for two, EY fights back to level Eddie, Tree of Woe Myers Caught in Crosshairs but Lish gets in the ring! Eddie grabs Eric and distracts the ref, Lish clocks Maclin with either knuckles or a full hand of rings, Spear from Myers is only a two!
System Overload attempt, it’s thwarted by EY, Myers gets crotched in like a Reverse Tree of Woe, so Maclin hits the Caught in the Crosshairs on the back, EY with a Plancha to the outside to take Edwards out and K.I.A. from Maclin means Maniac Marines win!
Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c)
Elegance duo comes out dressed like Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They do a Go Eagles chant right before the bell rings to a chorus of Boos.
Even though Elegance Clique throws their pompoms and try a cheap shot, Spitfire just plow through them, literally. Quick tags, some assisted moves, Ash gets away from Spitfire, tags in Heather and shoves her forward trying to take them off guard, but they turn around…grab Heather and a long Tandem Stalling Suplex with a Deep Squat for two. Concierge distracts the referee, looks for a low Dive onto Heather but Ash just kicks Dani in the face, and the referee sees nothing. Heather rolls her back in, Kawada Kicks, Forearm Shiver, trip into a Dropkick to the face! Ash hangs Dani off the apron and Heather hits the Double Stomp from the apron to the floor.
Ash starts choking Dani on the ropes, distracts the referee and Heather paintbrushes Dani with pompoms as Ash goes for a series of pinfall attempts. Quick tags, Dani is in their corner, Cartwheel Back Handspring Elbow from Ash into a Seated Dropkick from Heather. Dani has been getting smacked around for the last 4 or 5 minutes. Ash leans on Dani for a while, but Dani gets a head of steam, comes off the ropes and Shotgun Dropkick gives her space. Jody gets a hot tag, she Sack of Shits them both, Vader Hammers in the corner into a Michinoku Driver, which Ash breaks up with a Meteora. Heather and Ash have a nice tandem move for a two count. Jody tries to fight back, but Elegance stops it, blind tag from Dani, Senton takes out both Elegance Clique members and Dani stalks her prey. Snap Suplex two times on Ash, but Heather stops the third and Jody just tosses Heather out of the ring in a rough way. Jody tries her Double Knees German Suplex spot but Ash moves. Dani with the Shinsuke Nakamura Inside Out German, Pressure Drop and Spitfire retains.
Boo…
Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard
Grace charges Tessa immediately, and the ref needs to pull her off, but Tessa gets thrown around the ring literally, the crowd is chanting “Fuck You Tessa”, Tessa powders, eats a Dive and then a Jackhammer on the outside! Grace puts Tessa on her shoulders up to the ring, but Tessa finally fights off and flips off the crowd, revels in it for a second, tries the Frankensteiner, but Grace holds on, smashes Tessa into the guardrail twice, looks for the Reverse Bomb on the apron, but Tessa gets out, stomps on Jordynne a few times, hooks Jordynne’s face with the crook of her leg and drives Jordynne’s face into the apron. Unique looking and decent.
Tessa has the correct intensity, pushes into two quick pinfall attempts and starts getting deliberate. Drags Jordynne’s face across the rope, throats Grace, kicks her in the face and Slingshot Elbow is another near fall. Tessa with the Front Facelock, Grace tries to fight out but Tessa holds on and drops her with a Scorpion Death Drop for another near fall. Jordynne fights Tessa off with a few elbows, looks for a Superplex, but Tessa fights off, wants the Avalanche Sunset Bomb, but Jordynne stops it, Tessa kicks Grace’s feet, looks for a Rope Hung Death Drop but Jordynne fights it off and smashes Tessa’s face into the turnbuckles but Tessa hits the Rope Hung Backstabber for two. Tessa looks for Magnum, but Jordynne cuts her off, they fight at the top, Avalanche Sack of Shit! They both sell the exhaustion of the match so far.
They trade blows, two Scoop Slams from Jordynne, Lawn Dart into the Top Turnbuckle! Package Powerbomb for two! Dragon Suplex attempt from Grace, Tessa breaks it, Headlock Takeover, quick counter wrestling, Tiger Destroyer from Tessa! Only for a two count, but still nice. Buzzsaw attempt is shrugged off, Tessa comes off the ropes and eats the Spinebuster from Jordynne for two quick pinfall attempts. Tessa with the Body Scissors and pulls herself up and fights back, Jordynne slaps her around, looks for the Suplex but Tessa slips it and Neckbreaker Counter for a two count! The brawl to the apron, Grace eats a forearm and Tessa hits the Tornillo on Jordynne! They posture on the steps, Tessa wants a move but Jordynne counters her and Spicolli Driver from the stairs to the floor from Jordynne!
More back and forth in the corner, just positioning and counters, it’s like watching chess. Jordynne grabs Tessa for an Avalanche Air Raid Crash, but Tessa fights it and turns it into an Avalanche Crucifix Bomb! After trying a grounded submission Tessa locks in the Octopus, tries to wrench the fingers but Jordynne counters, Rope Assisted German Suplex into a Capture Suplex for 2! Kudome Valentine attempt from Grace but Tessa gets out, Backfist from Jordynne, Tessa bounces off and Cutter gives her a two count! Tessa calls for Magnum, Jordynne dodges it, Tessa rolls through, tries boots but Grace grabs Tessa and hits the around the world Reverse Alabama Slam! Tessa keeps trying to remove Buckle Pads but they’re on good, Tessa reverses out of the Kinikku Buster, hits the Buzzsaw into the partially exposed buckle but Grace grabs the rope. Tessa removes another pad, Bulldog into exposed buckle, Magnum, and Tessa is still sexy.
The turnbuckle pads being on too well made the finish a little flat, but it was a damn good match. There’s also a joke in the match with Tessa coming out wearing Red and Gold (Yellow), so the racism allegations are never going away if she keeps making it easy.
I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana
There’s intensity but its all just technical tactics to take each other to the ground and grab a limb. But since we just came off of a pretty good match, things can’t start too hot. Every time Santana throws Josh to the outside, Josh scurries back to the ring, he’s playing scared. There’s a “He’s a bitch” chant that pops up. Santana cuts off Josh’s charge with a few well placed boots which sends Josh outside, Tope con Hilo levels the bald man. Santana throws Josh into a guardrail, Yakuza Kicks back to back rock Josh a bit. Fans call for tables and Santana slides one out to a huge pop. Santana sets it up, plays to the crowd, tries a Powerbomb onto the table but Josh slips it and Overhead Belly to Belly sends Santana crashing. A fan can be heard saying “That look like it hurt” to which Santana replies ” It did asshole”. Now Josh is dissecting Santana’s legs to soften him up for the Ankle Lock. Josh goes for the corner spot with the Figure Four around the post after bouncing the knee off the post a few times.
Josh tries to continue but Santana slides out and counters Josh and bounces his face off the post. Josh walks it off a bit as Santana stalks him and then a quick Chop Block has Santana writhing in pain. Josh decides to be a heel and do the Three Amigos instead of the Kurt Angle Germans. Disrespectful bald jerk. Santana gets throated, dropped to the apron on his ass, Low Crossbody but Santana flattens out and Josh goes flying! Santana tries a Dive, but Josh catches him and just drops him spine first on the apron. After a small resilient flurry of slaps from Santana Josh goes for the Germans. Santana brushes off on the third, goes for the Rolling Buck Fifty, gets caught in the Torture Rack, Santana fights off Josh’s shoulders, kicks him into the corner, Senton into the seated Josh. Perches him up top, points at the table, tries something but Josh fights him off, Moonsault from Josh misses and a Death Valley Driver gives both a moment to breathe.
Santana Spin the-BLOCK-ED! Josh sweeps the leg, Ankle Lock and Santana refuses to quit twice but slips the boot ala Eddie Guerrero. Josh pauses a moment, Santana charges and Josh dumps him over the top rope through the table! Santana says he doesn’t quit, Josh looks surprised, so he goes looking for more plywood. He also grabs the bottom set of stairs and throws them into the ring. Scoop Slams Santana into the broken table and continues looking for weapons, like a chair and zip ties. Santana crawls into the ring, Josh steps on the worked on leg and smashes it repeatedly with the chair. Josh goes into Full Mount, rains down strikes, exposes the elbow for Elbow Strikes and tries to soften him up for the zip ties. C4 Spike but Santana raises up like the Undertaker and fires into beating the piss out of Josh. Frankensteiner on Josh into the Frog Splash, Spin the Block! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana grabs the zip ties that Josh introduced, ties the hands behind Josh’s back, Spin the Block 2! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana sets up the steps as a ramp, table in front of Josh in the corner and Cannonballs through the table into Josh! Josh still doesn’t quit off the Jackass stunt. Santana finds a sock filled with quarters and starts beating Josh like it’s a slapjack. Josh still doesn’t quit. Santana tells Josh to bite the curb and is about to Curb Stomp him into the steps and Josh gets scared and quits.
TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz
Fraxiom comes out to watch the match, so this nicely sets up a potential early angle between NXT and TNA for the crossover.Â
Trey and Matt start, but it’s a slow Headlock basic counters and feint spots. Jeff and Wentz want to play, so this is very Japanese in giving each member a free chance to interact before any cutoffs or tandems. The crowd likes both men, so this is interesting but more Stalemate spots. Jeff manages a Polish Hammer to tag in Matt and go for a quick tandem move and keep Wentz in the Hardy Corner bouncing his face off buckles in Delete fashion. Tag from Jeff for another tandem Rocket Launcher into the bottom rope and Leg Drop from Jeff. Wentz counters the Twist with a Jumping Knee so he manages a tag to Trey and then a few quick striking double team spots. Quick tag to Wentz, Matt comes in to break it up, drops Matt and Wishbone. Quick Tag, MCMG ACS Rush homage. Wentz Dives onto Matt on the outside, Matt catches him into the Side Effect on the floor! Jeff gets the best of Trey after he’s a little distracted. Manhattan Drop from Jeff, into a tag to Matt and then some double team strikes for a near fall. Delete Head Smashes again on Trey.
Vertical Suplex from Matt for another 2. Matt tags out and Hardys look for more Tandem attacks, Plot Twist but Wentz recovers and makes the break! Trey flips out of Jeff’s arms, tags in Wentz, and Wentz cleans house on both Hardys. Corner to corner, tags back in Trey they hit the Saki Kashima assisted Dropkick on each Hardy and then they dump the Hardys at the feet of Fraxiom. FIVE HOLE DIVE FROM RASCALZ! Misses the Hardys and hits Fraxiom! This builds heat for The Rascalz and Fraxiom as Hardys attack the Rascalz while distracted. Poetry in Motion off the stairs from Jeff!
Facebuster from Jeff for two! Wentz hits a Busaiku Knee on Jeff to stop him from hitting Trey, Side Effect drops Wentz, Enzuigiri from Trey drops Matt and all four are down to catch their breath a bit. Original Poetry in Motion on Trey! Twist of Fate from Matt but countered and Matt is thrown into Jeff who’s selling a knee. Superkick into Feed Em to the Lions! Wentz Dives on Matt but Trey can’t quite make a clean pinfall. Jeff eats a Cheeky Nandos and Top Rope Tiger Feint, Twist of Fates for everyone and Jeff re-NO Trey kicks out! Another Twist but eats a Superkick from Wentz, tries the UFO Cutter on Matt but Matt just throws him to the outside. A Twist of Fate from each Hardy Boy, Swanton Bomb and the Hardyz retain!
Thursday’s Live Show will have Fraxiom vs The Rascalz for the NXT Titles!Â
Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary
Do Rosemary’s shorts have Pokemon Gym Badges on em? Masha goes for the Staple Gun, it almost gets countered immediately, but she gets the first few clicks of the Staple gun, it actually doesn’t backfire, but she lets Rosemary powder and starts grabbing a few weapons. Masha finally decides to attack Rosemary with a cane, but Rosemary turns things around with the green mist. Slamovich gets some of the mist out of her eyes, chases her into the ring and eats a Drop Toehold into a Chair. Rosemary sets up the table, panders to the crowd and Masha launches herself over the top with a Crossbody, into Rosemary and then through the table! Masha finds her old chain she used to make Killer Kelly submissive and starts choking and dragging Rosemary around the ring and then Sabus the chair at Rosemary for emphasis.
Masha tries to hit the front flip Senton onto a seated Rosemary, but Rosemary moves and Masha hits the chair weird. Rosemary beats her with a chair a few times, looks under the ring, gets giddy and finds Janice! Rosemary swings Janice, breaks it, and then uses the two pieces to block the cane Masha had and then pressed the nail portion into Masha’s back! Rosemary is talking to Janice and goes to the back to find tacks that she spills out on the stage. Rosemary wants a Chokeslam into tacks, Masha counters, misses a Lariat and then eats the Spear into the tacks! Barbed Wire board is set up in the ring, Spicolli…nope! Russian Death Device into the Barbed Wire! Masha goes to the top, Footstomp into the barbed wire but only for 2 again! Masha goes to the outside and grabs a ladder.
A trash can lid gets thrown at Rosemary for good measure, Masha ascends the ladder and then Rosemary pushes the ladder and Masha goes crashing through one of two tables set up on the outside. Rough spot, rough looking, but Masha manages to move enough to break the pinfall since its falls count anywhere. Rosemary now goes full Kevin Steen and makes some chair art for a spot, drags Masha into the ring, sets he on the chairs and goes to the top. Masha sits up as Rosemary climbs, counters the momentum and Avalanche Requiem through the chairs! Masha retains.
Cora Jade’s music hits and sets up nicely after Masha was on NXT.Â
The Countdown Panel starts off with their main event picks they hinted towards and it’s necessary because they have to clean up the ring. Mark Henry picks Joe Hendry, and he better be correct. Ryan Nemeth interrupts with the “my brootthhheerrr” stuff, and Santino calls him “Fuck Face Guy”. It’s all good stuff, and I’m still a big fan of the Mokuba gimmick, but now they ban Ryan Nemeth.Â
TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry
Simple chain wrestling start until Nic has a few words and then snaps off a Dropkick, does his show off Dolph stuff so Hendry runs him over with a Shoulder Block and then a Knee Lift. Hendry tries his Stalling Suplex but Nic slips it into a Rear Naked Choke! Hendry spins Nic around, walks around with the Stalling Suplex before finally dropping Nic. Ryan Nemeth shows up with a ticket, so he’s sitting in the crowd now. Joe gets distracted just enough for Nic to jump up and hit a delayed DDT. After Nic tries to stretch Joe a little, Hendry goes into locomotion Cradles but Nic drops Joe to take a breather. Nic does his single Shot to the Heart Elbow and he’s really embracing the old Dolph Ziggler show off ego. Ziggler looks for a Rude Awakening after more arrogant moments, but Joe tries to fight it off, so Nic just snaps off a Jumping Neckbreaker.
Joe manages to hit a Cutter off the ropes to try and get some energy from the crowd. Strike exchange happens here, Uppercuts from Joe and Fists from Nic. Joe blocks one fist, throws a few of his own together and a Lariat levels Nic. Sack of Shit into the Kip Up! Counters galore from both men before Nic gets caught in the Pop-Up Powerbomb! Attitude Adjustment for just a near fall. You see moments of Nic trying to cheat or find an angle but he hasn’t done anything overtly heelish yet. Joe is rocking him with chops, perches Nic on the top, looks for the Superplex but Nic fights back, Hendry gets pushed off, Crossbody but Hendry rolls through, holds on and gets his Powerbomb countered into a FAMEasser for two! Nic crawls to a corner, looks to climb for something big, Hendry cuts him off, Avalanche Sack of Shit! Kaz walks out with the trophy as both men sell, but JBL comes out of the crowd and Clothesline from Hell on Kaz. JBL punches Ryan in the face as he comes out to say something. Then Tuxedo JBL leaves after doing his job. Standing Ovation from HENDRY! 1-2-NO! Nic kicks out!
The crowd chants “One More Time” and it fires up Hendry, he does the heel turn and goes full Queen Stomp, tries again, but Nic slips it. Superkick into Danger Zone and it’s….HENDRY KICKS OUT! Nic is tuning up the band, Hendry catches Nic, Sack of Shit, Kip Up, big fire, Standing Ovation! JOE HENDRY WINS!
Overall Score: 7/10
Even if the match quality wasn’t bonkers, mostly all the matches did what they needed to do, were fairly good and a good number of NXT talent showed up to make the Live iMPACT! and TNA really feel like something special right now. I’m an unabashed Tessa fan, so I’m giddy she won and Hendry finally getting the title is the latest they could’ve really dragged this out to, but at least it stops him from becoming Tetsuya Nai-Joe.
I’m not gonna be a hypocrite from previous complaints I made with too many champions being babyfaces, because that’s still bad and proves the next few title defenses could prove volatile. However, I of course just enjoy most of the current champions. So while it doesn’t erase the fact it’s bad, it makes it more palatable for me personally. Now if only PCO destroyed the Knockouts Tags instead of a different irrelevant belt.
Also let’s be very clear, anyone that believes the PCO stunt was a legit shoot doesn’t know wrestling. Everything is a work until it isn’t and then it still could be turned into a work. Don’t be gullible and just anticipate something to be worked out of it one way or the other.
Still though, good show with a lot of hype for the Live iMPACT, so Thursday should be fun! See you there!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
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 PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Hockey (and Sports) Talk- Age Is Just a Number [011425]
The guys discuss Alex Ovechkin making more history plus a recap of the CFP Semi-Finals and much more.
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Wildcard Weekend
Dave Wortz joins the show this week as we breakdown the NFL's Wildcard Weekend!
Hockey (and Sports) Talk- Time 4 A Cool Change [010725]
The guys discuss the CFP Quarterfinals and how Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's record this season now appears very likely.
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Who Is Your NFL MVP?
Join Rey Cash, Andrew Balaz and PC Tunney as they cover which way exactly the oblong ball bounces from week...
Bandwagon Nerds #272: Nerdosity
The Nerds discuss the MCU including Captain America, Daredevil, Avengers, and Vision Quest. Plus, the Switch 2 is official and...
Bandwagon Nerds #271: Jack Quaid aka Jack Paid
The Nerds review 2024 and reveal their choices for the best of the year in categories such as best series,...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (1/11/25)
Setting the Brackets!
Bandwagon Nerds #270: Deathgrass & Rainbows
The Nerds return to the Trailer Park, address some rumors about Half-Life 3 and the MCU, and discuss Jason Mamoa...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (12/31/24)
History comes full circle!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/20/25)
WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Classic POD is WAR: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice… Goldberg
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (1/18/25)
The carnage continues!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: RAW, TNA & AEW
We've got a little bit of everything this week. With DJ out on assignment, Rob and Jason bring you ALL...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/17/25)
Will Tiffy Time be cut short?
DWI Podcast #459: RIP Mr. Baseball Bob Uecker
DP and PC run down a plethora of topics from RAW and SmackDown as we head towards the Royal Rumble.
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25
The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let's see what happens!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (1/16/25)
Stir it up!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (1/15/25)
Let the carnage begin!
