Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/14/21)
Raw is Phenomenal!
Raw stands at the gates of Hell in a Cell!
Before stepping inside the sadistic structure of steel, Drew McIntyre steps up to the Phenomenal Raw Tag Team Champion, AJ Styles! Will the Scottish Warrior stumble and fall this close to facing the All Mighty Bobby Lashley?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Nikki Cross VS Charlotte Flair; Nikki wins.
- Jeff Hardy VS John Morrison w/ The Miz; Morrison wins.
- Career on the Line: Jeff Hardy VS Cedric Alexander; Hardy wins and stays a WWE superstar.
- Eva Marie VS Naomi; changed to…
- Piper Niven w/ Eva Marie VS Naomi; Niven wins.
- The New Day VS RKBRO; RKBRO wins.
- Asuka VS Rhea Ripley; Ripley wins.
- Alexa Bliss VS Nia Jax; Bliss wins, by disqualification.
- Elias VS Jaxson Ryker; Ryker wins.
- Drew McIntyre VS AJ Styles w/ Omos; McIntyre wins, by disqualification.
- Six Man Tag: Drew McIntyre & The Viking Raiders VS AJ Styles, Omos & Bobby Lashley w/ MVP; McIntyre & The Viking Raiders win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Alexa Bliss welcomes us to the Playground.
She is happy we’re here to play, but she admits she got complaints about what Lily did. Even she was surprised how far Lily went. Alexa says she had good intentions, but things got out of hand. Shayna Baszler may have stomped on Lily but Lily tried to bring the house down. So in light of her naughtiness, and WWE going back on the road soon, Lily is in time out. But that doesn’t mean Shayna didn’t deserve any of this. Oh hey, Nia, what a nice surprise! Alexa’s worried, how is Shayna? Cut the crap! Shayna will see you at Hell in a Cell! Yay! Alexa can’t wait! Nia asks what happened to Alexa. They were friends. Nia knew Alexa. The real one.
Nia tells Alexa to butt out of her career and stop messing with her friends. Oh? Well Alexa doesn’t appreciate Nia just barging in here with such vicious and disgusting allegations. Nia was never Alexa’s friend. Well maybe Nia needs to smack some sense into Alexa. They’re going to get in the ring, tonight! Alexa frowns, and tells Nia, “I didn’t mean to hurt anybody. I really didn’t.” Can Nia forgive her? Alexa cries, and Nia feels bad, until Alexa starts laughing. JK~! “I accept.” Will Twisted Lil’ Bliss put Nia through some of the Hell she and Lily put Shayna through? Or will Nia squash Alexa and give the scraps to Shayna this Sunday?
Nikki Cross VS Charlotte Flair!
The Looney Lass may be lucky to have gotten wins over the Raw Women’s Champion and the Queen week after week, but sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Will Nikki prove she’s both in a rematch against Charlotte this close to HIAC?
Sarah asks Charlotte backstage why she’s willing to have this match. AKA, why is she not focusing on Rhea Ripley and this Sunday? Everyone knows those two will have the best match of the night, but Rhea lacks the maturity of a champion. Charlotte will show everyone how it’s done. And while she doesn’t need this match, she does need that supposed loss removed from her record. Charlotte has not poured blood, sweat and tears into this business just so a flash in the pan, whose 15 minutes of fame are almost up, can live a delusion. Charlotte will end Rhea’s delusion of staying champion in Charlotte’s Division. Will the Queen’s anger only get the better of her tonight?
The bell rings and Nikki circles with Charlotte. They tie up, Charlotte knees low then throws Nikki down by her hair! But then Rhea Ripley makes her entrance? The Queen sneers as the Nightmare struts out on stage. Nikki rolls Charlotte up! ONE, and Nikki baits Charlotte into a corner. Charlotte puts her outside but Nikki ROCKS Charlotte first! Charlotte KNEES Nikki down and Rhea smiles as Charlotte dares her to come closer. Charlotte then RAMS Nikki into barriers, and tells her “Watch this.” Charlotte BOOTS Nikki back down! The ring count is climbing, though! Charlotte puts Nikki in at 8 of 10 and follows at 9. Rhea still grins as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Charlotte throws Nikki down, then dribbles her off the mat! Charlotte wraps on a chinlock and thrashes Nikki about! Nikki endures but Rhea looks amused at ringside. Nikki fight sup, throws body shots, but Charlotte throws her down again! Charlotte seethes, scoops Nikki, but Nikki slips out to duck and dodge and tilt-o-whirl for a hammerlock and La Magistrol! TWO and Charlotte gets up to CLOBBER Nikki! Rhea says she’ll take note of that as Charlotte chokes Nikki on ropes! The ref counts, Charlotte lets off, and Rhea asks, “How’s the ego goin’, mate?” Charlotte kicks and pie faces Nikki around, but Nikki headbutts low! And throat chops!
Nikki headbutts into a CHOP! Charlotte fires off more CHOPS, and CHOPS Nikki off her feet! Rhea cheers Nikki on in a grumpy way, and Charlotte runs in at Nikki in the corner. Nikki goes up and over to sunset flip! Charlotte stays up to stomp away on Nikki’s stomach! The ref counts and Charlotte lets off with a grin of her own. Charlotte taunts “Princess” Rhea as she hoists Nikki up top. Charlotte CHOPS Nikki but stares down Rhea. Charlotte climbs up but Nikki hits back! Nikki CLUBS Charlotte, adjusts, then boots her for a TORNADO DDT! Charlotte bails out but Nikki fires up! Rhea applauds as Nikki aims from the apron, and leaps! But into Charlotte’s arms!
Charlotte gets Nikki up, stares Rhea down again, and gives kissy face before the FALL AWAY SLAM! Charlotte kips up, the ring count is climbing again! Wait, Charlotte forgets the count and NIKKI wins?!
Winner: Nikki Cross, by count-out
The Queen is furious and Nikki is laughing all the way to the bank! Rhea laughs pretty well, too, but Charlotte is a sore loser and she BOOTS Nikki down at the ramp! Rhea shrugs, as she figured this might happen. Charlotte puts Nikki in the ring for ground ‘n’ pound, and a Figure Four! But Rhea gets her in a pump handle, RIPTIDE!! The Nightmare reminds the Queen of the real fight that’s coming! But will Rhea be so focused on Charlotte that she’s not be ready for Asuka?
Matt Riddle talks with Jeff Hardy.
The Bro feels bad, having let Randy Orton down. Orton was ringside and Riddle lost focus. And hey, Hardy’s a tag legend, what advice does he have to be more successful? It’s about teamwork, continuity, and most of all, trust. When trust is broken, the team’s spirit is gone. Hardy is surprised he’s saying this, but Riddle should listen to Orton. Orton’s been here a long time, and when The Viper speaks, listening shows respect. Now, Hardy has a match with John Morrison next. He has to go. Whoa, Hardy has four eyes?! Riddle wishes he did! Then he could see super far! Or maybe four arms, so that he could shred on two guitars, or play two drums at once!
Then Riddle and Boogs and Woods and even Orton could be a band! Oh, right, Hardy had to go, so he’s gone. But then Orton shows up! Riddle asks Orton about Elton John. What? Nevermind. But sorry about last week, Riddle wants Orton to know he won’t let him down tonight. Then do him a favor. Don’t be another Orton. Just be Riddle, whatever that means. Does that mean Orton likes Riddle? Nope. Oh, you! But will RKBRO solidify their partnership against one of the greatest tag teams ever?
Jeff Hardy VS John Morrison w/ The Miz!
Speaking of great tag teams, the Charismatic Enigma is half of another all-time great, and #JohnnyDripDrip is hoping to rep for The Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century *stare off into distance*! Will Hardy take Morrison to the extreme and render him OBSOLETE? Or will the Mayor of Slam Town take Hardy on a Moonlight Drive?
Raw returns and The Miz is on commentary now while Hardy makes his entrance. Miz says he still feels like a million bucks despite the injured leg because he is still the two-time WWE Grand Slam Champion. But as Hardy gets up on the corner for his signature pose, Morrison uses a Drip Stick to BLAST Hardy in the eyes! Miz tells Morrison to hurry and Morrison gets in! The bell rings and Morrison fires off on Hardy with forearms and elbows and a KICK! Morrison mocks the Hardy’s hand gestures but Hardy DECKS him! Hardy bumps Morrison off buckles, RAMS shoulders into him, then throws more hands! Hardy lets off to hit a corner splash!
Hardy swings but Morrison BOOTS the Hardyac dropkick away! Morrison handsprings and LARIATS Hardy down! Miz says Morrison always has something new in his arsenal! But Cedric Alexander is walking out? PRIMED has beef with Hardy and all “has-beens” but Morrison keeps focus going after Hardy with ground ‘n’ pound! Hardy shoves Morrison away but gets an Eddy Gordo kick! Morrison keeps moving around, brings Hardy up, and whips him to ropes. Hardy ducks the hurdle, stops before the leap and gets the leg trap clutch! Cover, TWO! Hardy CLUBS Morrison down, fires off on him in a corner, then whips corner to corner.
Morrison reverses but Hardy BOOTS him back! Morrison is down, Hardy throws his towel at Miz, then climbs up for WHIPSER IN THE WIND! Cover, TWO! Morrison survives and Miz rants as Hardy goes to the apron. Morrison throws hands but Hardy shoulders in! Hardy gets Morrison up but Morrison lands on the apron to mule kick! Morrison fireman’s carries for a TKO HOTSHOT! Hardy flops down and Alexander likes that as Morrison hits STARSHIP PAIN!! Cover, Morrison wins!
Winner: John Morrison, by pinfall
Alexander barks at Jeff Hardy and “apologizes” to him for last week. Alexander says he should’ve shown the respect Hardy deserves. Alexander grew up idolizing Hardy. But then Alexander watched the match and how Hardy taunted and disrespected him back! All Alexander could see was someone who he was a fan of was nothing more than a sore winner! So the only thing Alexander is sorry for now is not kicking his disrespectful old ass into a retirement home! Hardy responds back that if Alexander is sorry about that, then how about Hardy puts his career on the line right NOW! Alexander takes Hardy up on that, and we see if the Charismatic Enigma can survive, after the break!
Career on the Line: Jeff Hardy VS Cedric Alexander!
Raw returns and the bell rings! Hardy dodges then RAMS Alexander, then tosses him out of the ring to WRECK him with a dropkick! Hardy goes out, puts Alexander back in but Alexander gets a leg for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Alexander seethes while Hardy writhes, and Alexander hurries to cover, TWO! Alexander gets a leg for a HALF CRAB! Hardy endures, Alexander sits deeper but Hardy crawls. Alexander lets off to stomp the leg, then gets Hardy up to KICK the leg. Hardy hobbles, Alexander brings him around, but Hardy hits a JAWBREAKER! Hardy elbows Alexander, Alexander runs in at a corner but Hardy sends him into buckles!
Hardy swings for the HARDYAC! Cover, TWO! Hardy grits his teeth and hobbles as he watches Alexander. Kick but no Twist! Alexander scoops for the MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Hardy survives and Alexander is furious! “I got something for you, Jeff!” Alexander climbs up top and mocks the Hardy Boyz, as he SWANTON FLOPS!! Hardy dodges and kicks but still no Twist! Jump KNEE, and a NEURALI- NO! Hardy ducks the kick, gives a kick, and hits the TWIST OF FATE! Hardy throws his shirt off to go up top and try it for himself! SWANTON BOMB!! Direct hit, cover, Hardy wins!!
Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall (still an active WWE superstar)
Alexander’s arrogance bit him on the ass, and Hardy wins his own gamble! Will PRIMED ever be able to get past the WWE veterans?
Eva Marie VS Naomi!
No longer all red everything, the #EvaLution will be televised! But will the return be as inspirational as Eva wants it to be? Or will she #FeelTheGlow her first night back?
Raw returns and Eva makes her entrance. And she’s not alone? Is that Piper Niven from NXT UK?! And Piper is the one getting in the ring? What kinda bait and switch is this?!
Piper Niven w/ Eva Marie VS Naomi!
The bell rings and Piper runs Naomi right over! Naomi gets to ropes but Piper drags her up. Naomi fires off hands but Piper HEADBUTTS her down! Piper drags Naomi up to whip her to ropes, Naomi leaps but Piper catches her! And SLAMS her down! Piper runs to BACK SENTON! Piper runs to BASEMENT SPLASH! Eva approves of her protege and Piper drags Naomi up to scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Cover, Piper wins!!
Winner: Piper Niven, by pinfall
Piper the Viper just destroyed a former SmackDown Women’s Champion! Eva announces that Eva Marie won? What? She wasn’t in the ring! Is Eva going to take credit for the success of someone else?!
Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose have a photoshoot.
The #SexyMuscleFriends are interrupted by a loud ruckus and walk over. It’s Natalya and Tamina sparring in the practice ring! Can they keep the noise down a bit? Natty “apologizes,” but it seems these two care more about how they look on camera than they do in the ring. And what’s that supposed to mean? No offense, but if the SMF put half as much effort into their wrestling as they do their looks, they’d be the champs by now. Hey, they do take this seriously! They won their match a couple weeks ago, remember? Natty & Tamina were watching, after all. But maybe they’re just jealous that those titles would look better around Mandy & Dana.
Natty says neither of them are going to be champions because their priorities are all wrong. There’s working hard and working smart. And it’s pretty clear that their brains didn’t get them here. Oh, well it seems to Mandy & Dana that if Natty & Tamina didn’t have the last names that they do, the doors would’ve been slammed shut on them years ago. Then bring it! Dana and Mandy kick off their shoes and get in the ring, only for Natty and Tamina to go right after them! The four brawl, security and referees hurry to stop it, but this is far from over! When and where will Dana & Mandy get their shot on the second gen superstars?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Kevin Patrick asks him about being locked inside Hell in a Cell with “The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley, in what could be McIntyre’s final WWE World Championship match, and how he intends to shift focus onto AJ Styles. McIntyre tells Kevin that he doesn’t have to say the full “All Mighty” title when bringing Bobby up. In fact, the way he’s been acting, the company he keeps and how he represents the title, Lashley should be called, “Trashley.”
But McIntyre doesn’t need to refocus for anything. Styles is good, and surely Lashley and MVP are throwing back some champagne. But Styles is a man ready to walk into hell. That’s what McIntyre wants out of Trashley. It’s what McIntyre warned Lashley about, both the physical, the mental and the tactics. Scots are known for being strategists. One of their best was William Wallace. Right, from Braveheart? Big Willy as McIntyre thinks of him. But known for his courage, his ferocity and his Claymore the size of the Isle of Man, and known for his big, humongous, gigantic and unmatched brain!
One of McIntyre’s favorite William Wallace strategies was at the Battle of Sterling Bridge. Wallace knew the enemy was cocky, so the Scots were on one side of the river, with a very narrow bridge crossing it. The enemy thought they could just cross over, take out the Scots and Big Willy. But Big Willy waited for half the enemy army to be across that bridge and then ANNIHILATED each and every of them! Why couldn’t the enemy do more? Because the corpses were piling up in their way! But what does this have to do with HIAC? Well aside from the arrogance, nothing, because McIntyre loves that story!
But while McIntyre won’t tell us his strategy, he promises it is just as cold, calculated and successful! And it will make McIntyre WWE World Champion once again! So now, bugger off, Kevin. Will McIntyre honor Big Willy this Sunday? Or is he the one being cocky while crossing the narrow bridge?
The New Day VS RKBRO!
Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston didn’t win the Tag Team Battle Royal, but neither did Randy Orton & Matt Riddle. This has been building for weeks now, will the 11-time W, W, E, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~ show the Viper and the Bro what it really means to be a team?
Raw returns as RKBRO makes their entrance. It’s still just Orton’s music and Riddle scooting up behind Orton, but better than individual entrances, right? Orton also still won’t pose with Riddle. The teams sort out, Woods starts with Riddle, and they circle as fans rally up. They tie up, Riddle powers Woods back but Woods uses that to corner Riddle! Kofi taunts Riddle, “Wrong side of town, Bro!” Woods keeps Riddle cornered with the collar ‘n’ elbow, but Riddle switches to a sleeper! Woods RAMS Riddle into buckles, Kofi tags in and powers up, mule kick to assisted Manhattan Drop! Cover, TWO!
Kofi keeps on Riddle with an arm wrench, then tags Woods. Woods CLUBS the arm, tags Kofi, and Kofi climbs to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Riddle clutches his elbow, Kofi wrenches and tags Woods, and Woods CLUBS the arm again! Woods wrenches but Riddle throws forearms! Riddle ROCKS Woods but Woods wrenches, so Riddle CHOPS! Woods shoves and arm-drags Riddle, then gets a facelock! Riddle fights up but Woods moves him towards the New Day corner. Riddle gets away, still holding onto Woods’ leg, and Orton tags in! Woods gets away, and stands off with the Legend Killer.
The two circle, Woods and Orton tie up and Orton headlocks. Orton grinds Woods down to the mat, but Woods fights up. Woods pries the hold and makes it a top wristlock, to then get a headlock of his own. Orton powers out, Woods duck sand dodges and elbows back! Kofi tags in, Woods baits Orton into a shoulder! Schoolboy and springboard FROGGY-BODY! Cover, TWO! Kofi keeps on Orton with an armlock but Orton pulls hair. Kofi wrenches but Orton knees low! Orton brings Kofi around for EuroUppers, then whips him corner to corner., Kofi goes up and up and missile dropkicks back! Orton bails out but Riddle jumps in, only to get an EXPLODER from Woods!
The New Day has the ring as RKBRO regroups, but the New Day build speed! They fake RKBRO out and laugh! Kofi twerks while bouncing on ropes as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Riddle fires off forearms on Woods! Riddle runs but into a forearm from Woods! Woods runs but into a HARD forearm from Riddle! Riddle runs but into a HARD forearm from Woods! Woods throws more forearms, runs, but into a FLYING KNEE from Riddle! BACK TO THE FUTURE from Riddle! Cover, TWO!! Tag to Orton, and Riddle gets a boost for an ASSISTED FLOATING BRO! Orton stomps Woods, covers, TWO! Orton keeps Woods down with an armlock and he grinds the shoulder. Woods endures, Kofi coaches him up, and Woods stands, only for Orton to YANK the arm! Woods falls in a heap but Orton gets him up to YANK the arm again! And again!
Orton wrenches, tags Woods, and Riddle KICKS Woods in the ribs. Orton scrapes laces on Woods’ face, then Riddle kicks Woods around before dropping a BROTON! Riddle keeps Woods down with a back mount and ground ‘n’ pound, to an ARMBAR! Woods blocks, turns, but Riddle wrangles him back down! Woods keeps moving, shifts, but Riddle scoops around to keep him from ropes! Woods gives it one last go, has a cover, ONE! Riddle tags Orton, Woods scrambles but Orton stomps Woods down! And then stomps him more, and more, and more! Orton drags Woods up and pulls him back against a knee before wrapping on a chinlock.
Woods endures all over again but the ThunderDome rallies up. Woods fights up, fights back with body shots, but Orton CLUBS him down! Woods fireman’s carries but Woods slips out! Tag to Kofi! Springboard ax handle for Orton! Kofi DECKS Riddle then rallies on Orton! Kofi dropkicks Orton down, keeps moving and jumps, but Orton dodges the stomp! Orton back suplexes, Kofi lands on his feet and hits the LEAPING LARIAT! Kofi hits the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop! Kofi claps, “New! Day Rocks!” But Riddle swipes at him. Kofi swipes back but Orton gets up. Orton ducks Trouble in Paradise and tags in Riddle!
Riddle fires off KICK after KICK in the corner, then goes side to side for a forearm! And side to side for another forearm! BROSPLODER! Kofi sits up into a PENALTY KICK! Riddle reels Kofi in, ripcord and FINAL FLASH! Riddle goes to a corner, climbs up top, FLOATING BRO!! Woods gets in in, but Orton intercepts Woods with a POUNCE! Riddle covers Kofi, TWO?!? Kofi survives and bails out to regroup with Woods, and RKBRO looks at each other. Orton and Riddle both nod as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Riddle fights Woods off on the top rope. Riddle adjusts but Woods bumps ropes to trip Riddle up! Riddle lands on his bros, but he still fights Woods off. Kofi tags in and Woods hits a SUPERPLEX! Kofi is up top, for a FRGO SPLASH!! Power and Glory! Cover, Orton breaks it! Woods gets up but Orton kicks him and throws him out! Woods stays on the apron as Orton gets Kofi up. Orton whips but Kofi reverses to send Orton out! Kofi catches his breath, he heads after Riddle, but gets caught to a cradle! TWO, and Kofi swings, but into a PELE from Riddle! Woods tags in, steps in, GET OVER- NO! Riddle blocks the DDT to a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Riddle seethes as Woods survives but Orton seems to be enjoying this. Orton tags in, Riddle gets Woods up, and they work together for a DOUBLE POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Woods survives, but Orton glares at him. Orton drags Woods up, puts him through ropes, but Kofi saves Woods from the DDT! Orton gets a hotshot, Woods GAMANGIRIS! Woods steadies himself but Riddle tags in! Riddle rushes over and drags Woods up the ropes! But Woods slips under to Electric Chair! Kofi tags in as Riddle fights! Kofi goes up, FLYING STOMP DOOMSDAY! Cover, TWO!?!? Riddle still lives and the New Day can’t believe it!
Kofi mule kicks Orton down and gets Riddle back up. Woods tags in, and Woods scoops. Kofi goes up but Riddle slips off! Riddle shoves Woods at the corner, Kofi leaps over but Riddle KNEES him out of the air! Kofi stumbles all the way out of the ring and now Riddle reaches for Orton. Woods gets Riddle first, but Riddle turns things into a fireman’s carry! Orton tags in as Woods fights out! RK- NO! Woods rolls Orton up, TWO!! Orton kicks low, whips Woods to a corner and runs in. Woods BOOTS him, and somersaults, HONOR- RKO!!!! Cover, RKBRO WINS!!
Winners: RKBRO, by pinfall
Bro! Riddle and Orton just defeated a top tier tag team! Riddle raises Orton’s hand in victory and is vibing, but Orton brings his hand away. Riddle strikes his pose again, and Orton… Doesn’t pose with him. Well, tag teams still take time, right? But will it only be a matter of time before the Viper and the Bro take a bite out of the Raw Tag Team Champions?
Backstage interview with Rhea Ripley.
Could she shed some light on what happened between her and Charlotte earlier tonight? Rhea says tonight is just another example of why Charlotte is the delusional one. Charlotte thinks she’s better in every single way, but the truth is that Charlotte can’t control herself when Rhea’s around. Instead of focusing on the title match, Charlotte is mending her bruised ego. It’s funny seeing someone so powerful crumble. Rhea is going to send Charlotte packing to the back of the line when she retains the Raw Women’s Championship. But right now, Rhea is going to focus on her match with Asuka. So please, go away. The Nightmare sounds ready, but is she ready for the Empress of Tomorrow?
Asuka VS Rhea Ripley!
Things may not have gone Asuka’s way at WrestleMania 37 or at #WrestleManiaBacklash, but she could change the flow of momentum right here! Will Rhea run into a speedbump going into HIAC?
Raw returns and Rhea makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle slowly. They approach, tie up, and Asuka headlocks. Rhea powers out, but Asuka goes up and over in the corner to then do her dance. Rhea shrugs it off but Asuka dodges the haymaker. Things speed up, Rhea hurdles but Asuka turns hip toss into takedown and cover, TWO! Rhea has a ghost pin, TWO! Asuka mule kicks, but Rhea throws body shots. Rhea clinches and tosses Asuka into a corner, then takes a second to check her chin. Rhea runs in, ducks a roundhouse, but Asuka ducks Rhea’s haymakers again. Asuka SLAPS Rhea, then BOOTS her!
Asuka runs and clotheslines but Rhea just tanks it! Asuka shoves Rhea, Rhea HEADBUTTS Asuka! Rhea gets Asuka up, has her hair, but Asuka blocks the toss to reel Rhea in for an IRON OCTOPUS! Rhea looks shocked but she endures as Asuka pulls the arm back. Rhea powers out of the hold, fireman’s carries, but Asuka slips around to a SLEEPER! Rhea flails as Asuka becomes a backpack! Rhea reaches back and BACKPACK SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Asuka gasps for air but survives, and Rhea gets up as she catches her own breath. Rhea stands Asuka up for a SHORT ARM CLOTHESLINE! And then another!
Rhea drags Asuka back up, reels her in, but Asuka swings on her! Rhea ducks and waistlocks, then ripcords Asuka back out, but Asuka breaks free! Asuka ROCKS Rhea, CLUBS her, then whips, but Rhea blocks! Rhea whips Asuka, runs in but Asuka moves! Rhea dropkicks buckles and falls hard! Rhea bails out, clutching an arm, but she gets up for Asuka to mule kick from the apron! And PENALTY- NO! Rhea blocks the kick, makes it an Electric Chair, and SLAMS Asuka onto barriers! Asuka checks her teeth and Rhea grins as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Asuka fights the body scissors into a ground ‘n’ pound! Rhea guards, boots Asuka away, and gets up, only for Asuka to duck, dodge and dropkick! Rhea flounders to a corner, Asuka runs in but Rhea BOOTS her back down! Rhea snarls, bumps Asuka off buckles, and then hoists her up top. Rhea ROCKS Asuka with haymaker after haymaker, then lets off at the ref’s count. Rhea goes up top, gets Asuka up, but Asuka resists the superplex! Asuka throws body shots, shoves Rhea down, and adjusts for a missile dropkick! Both women are down but the ThunderDome is fired up!
A standing count begins, Asuka slowly sits up but Rhea follows. They throw hands at 5 of 10 and fight to their feet. Asuka fires off more forearms but Rhea shoves. Rhea runs into a POP-UP KNEE! Asuka runs in at the corner but Rhea dodges. Asuka still follows and LARIATS Rhea down! Asuka crawls to a cover, TWO! Rhea slowly gets up but Asuka runs in, HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Asuka hurries to get Rhea up in a waistlock. Rhea fights but Asuka ripcords. Rhea turns that around into a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Asuka survives and Rhea grows frustrated. Rhea gets Asuka back up but Asuka BACK HANDS!
Asuka gets around to a waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX! Asuka runs, SLIDING WIZARD!! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives and Asuka can’t believe it! Asuka gives Rhea KICK after KICK after KICK! Rhea wobbles, blocks the next kick, and turns that into a cravat and KNEE! Asuka shoves Rhea away, catches her on the rebound but Rhea forearms! Rhea whips, Asuka wheelbarrows but the victory roll is turned into the PRISM TRAP!! Asuka endures the hanging cloverleaf but rolls to get a takedown! Asuka wants the chinlock and arm, but Rhea gets up! Rhea elbows free, gets behind but no atomic drop!
Asuka headlocks, hammerlocks but Rhea ducks the strikes to pump handle! RIPTIDE!!! Cover, Rhea wins!!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
The Nightmare overcomes Asuka, but Charlotte runs in outta nowhere and CLOBBERS her! They brawl, Charlotte TACKLES Rhea then rains down rights! Rhea turns it around to throw hands from all sides! Charlotte gets up, Rhea puts her in a corner and the ref pulls them apart. Charlotte ROCKS Rhea, RAMS her into a corner, and then lets off, only for Rhea to ROCK her in return! The brawl keeps going faster and faster! Referees and security rush out to stop this! Adam Pearce is here to have them stand down! Charlotte is so furious, she hits the officials away from her to get back at Rhea! Charlotte digs her fingers into Rhea’s face but Rhea kicks her away!
Rhea and Charlotte are each a little bloody but their rage boils over! Charlotte wants Rhea and Rhea wants Charlotte, but the officials tell them to save this for Sunday! Charlotte is shrieking, “It’s MY championship!” And she eggs Rhea on! Charlotte even elbows Pearce away! Rhea BOOTS Charlotte down!! Charlotte is cussing up a storm judging from the mute censoring, and then she rushes the ring! The referees and officials drag her away as Rhea eggs her on now! Will there be hell to pay when Queen and Nightmare finally have it out?
Bobby Lashley, MVP and the ladies keep partying.
That’s what it is to be a champion! But Kevin Patrick walks in and asks their insight as to why McIntyre is facing Styles tonight. MVP takes this. First, why is Kevin so rude? He always comes in without knocking! And why does he insist on blatantly disrespecting the champion? Kevin address Lashley as “The All Mighty,” got that? Kevin apologizes but MVP tells him to shut up, he’s just making it more awkward. And as far as McIntyre VS Styles, how this came about doesn’t matter nor does MVP care. Lashley sure doesn’t care, either. He’s the champ, and this is one of many perks of being champ.
Now, if McIntyre is foolish enough to take on someone the caliber of AJ Styles barely a week before HIAC, that’s McIntyre’s business, not the champ’s. The only thing Lashley cares about is HIAC. Because then McIntyre finally runs out of opportunities to face the All Mighty. Lashley tells us that when McIntyre walks into the Cell, he’ll wish he’s never even uttered the name, “Bobby Lashley.” And when Lashley gets his hands on McIntyre, break his face, and throw his lifeless body around the Cell, just remember that McIntyre asked for this.
Lashley heard McIntyre compare himself to William Wallace. Lashley likes that comparison. Because in the end, McIntyre has committed a capital offense of trying to take the world title. Lashley will PUBLICLY EXECUTE McIntyre, and mount his head on a stick. The All Mighty’s wrath has been provoked, will he eviscerate the Scottish Warrior inside the Cell?
Alexa Bliss VS Nia Jax!
Lil’ Miss Bliss has changed into something almost unrecognizable compared to how she was when she and the Irresistible Force were frenemies. Will her newfound darkness be the demise of the Irresistible Force?
Raw returns and Nia makes her entrance. The bell rings, Nia rushes in but Alexa fires off kicks! Alexa gets around to jump on for a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Alexa into buckles, then throws her off! Alexa sits up and slithers about, contorting herself as she moves. Nia scoops Alexa but Alexa again gets a sleeper! Nia rams Alexa back into buckles, runs in but Alexa dodges the boot to kick the leg! Alexa drops knees on the knee, then KICKS Nia against ropes! And fires forearms! Alexa is vicious but Nia shoves her away! Alexa KICKS and forearms again, then runs, into a BODY CHECK! Nia looms over Alexa, then drags her back up. “What the heck is wrong with you!?”
Nia TOSSES Alexa to a corner! Alexa sits up again, and Nia shakes her head. Nia runs in to HIP ATTACK! Alexa flounders, Nia gets her up and scoops her for a SLAM! Cover, TWO! Alexa lives but Nia sits her up for a half nelson, then a cobra clutch! Alexa endures as Nia thrashes her about. Alexa fights up as Nia shouts, “What happened to you?!” Nia gets Alexa up but Alexa swats her in the face! Alexa SLAPS Nia, but runs into a LARIAT! Nia runs, but Alexa sits up like the Deadman to avoid the leg drop, brother! Alexa then KICKS Nia down! Alexa gets Nia up, but Nia shoves her away. Nia runs but Alexa slips to the apron and Nia hits buckles!
Alexa climbs, smiles, but Reginald appears outta nowhere! Alexa gets distracted, Nia blocks the tornado DDT, but Alexa dropkicks legs out! Alexa ROCKS Nia, roars in her face, and reels her in for a BASEMENT DDT! Alexa paces about, then glares at Reggie! Reggie scurries away as Alexa climbs. Alexa aims, for TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, but Reggie gets in and drags her away!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by disqualification
Alexa is furious with Reggie and he tries to apologize. Alexa stays put, they lock eyes and… Is Alexa hypnotizing Reggie? He tilts his head the same as Alexa does, and back the other way. Nia gets in the ring and Alexa bails out! Has Alexa planted a seed within the mind of the sommelier?
MVP meets with New Day backstage.
He pretends not to know Woods’ name. Kofi tells MVP to stop creeping. What doe s he want? Nothing! Just curious if Kofi considered what they discussed last week. Maybe it makes more sense after tonight’s loss. Either way, #KofiMania is dead and gone, never to come back. And if he wants to know who to blame- Durr, look in the mirror, right? That’s what MVP is gonna say? No, not at all! You look to the left. MVP asks if Kofi ever wonders why he hasn’t gotten close to a WWE Championship opportunity since? It’s because he’s wasting his career in a tag team with people who don’t measure up. At least in a singles match, you only have yourself to blame for losing. But in a tag match, you don’t even have to take the loss, and yet you are still the loser.
Can MVP hurry up? Woods has to get home and put water in Mama P’s dish. Kofi tells MVP that unless he wants to be picking up his teeth and walking with two canes, shut up and keep moving. What’s the endgame here? Is Kofi to tell MVP he’s right? That he agrees with MVP? Nah, man. Kofi will never say that. Like Kofi has said before, he’ll say it again since MVP isn’t hearing him. The reason Kofi has been so successful here is because of the bond with his brothers. Nothing MVP says will ever change that. So just move on.
MVP accepts that. But he’ll wish Kofi good luck with his match this Sunday. Oh right, they don’t have one! That’s fine. Have fun with your friends. Whatever, just go. Will MVP’s provoking of Kofi come back around to bite him? Or is it going to get in Kofi’s head sooner or later?
Elias VS Jaxson Ryker!
The Drifter ran away, but now he must face the consequences of abandoning his follower. Will Ryker finally wreck Elias once and for all?
Raw returns as Ryker makes his entrance. The bell rings and Elias hits the SYMPHO-KNEE on Ryker right away! Elias fires off on Ryker, CHOPS and ROCKS him, then whips to CLOBBER him! Elias grins as he gets Ryker back up to DECK him! Ryker gets up to throw body shots, Elias knees low then bumps Ryker off buckles. Elias CHOPS Ryker, whips him corner to corner, but Ryker comes back to CLOBBER Elias back! Ryker CLUBS Elias now, bumps him off buckles, and whips him to ropes. Ryker kitchen sink KNEES Elias, and dares him to get up! Ryker drags Elias up but Elias throws body shots. Ryker CLUBS him down, bumps him off buckles again, then CLUBS away on his chest!
Ryker CHOPS Elias in return, and CHOPS him again! Elias CHOPS, Ryker fires off hands, the ref breaks them up and Elias BOOTS Ryker! Elias CHOPS again, runs, but Ryker hits a SPINEBUSTER! Ryker dares Elias to get up again, and then reels him in to throw him out! Ryker pursues to make sure Elias doesn’t run away, and Elias kicks low! Ryker gets Elias up to POST him! The ring count climbs, Ryker gets in at 5 of 10. Elias staggers around, hears it’s 8, but takes his time! Elias decides to run away again!
Winner: Jaxson Ryker, by count-out
Ryker calls Elias a coward for letting it end this way again! Will Ryker ever truly have vindication against The Drifter?
Drew McIntyre VS AJ Styles w/ Omos!
Before the Scottish Warrior enters into Hell to dance with the All Mighty, he wants to show he has no fear! Will the Phenomenal One simply be fodder for the Claymore tonight? Or will Styles make McIntyre regret using him as a tune-up?
Raw returns and Bobby Lashley makes his entrance! He, MVP and the ladies put the VIP Lounge on the stage again so that they can watch this main event with their own eyes. Then Styles and Omos make their entrance, being cheered by the ladies as they cross through the lounge. Will the Raw Tag Team Champions be invited to join them? Styles tells Omos not to get distracted and keep with him at ringside. The bell rings and the two circle. McIntyre focuses on Styles and not Omos as they tie up. Styles wrenches but McIntyre breaks free. Styles backs off to avoid a haymaker, and the two go again.
Styles powers McIntyre to a corner to ram his shoulder in, but lets off as the ref counts. Styles whips, McIntyre reverses and Styles hits buckles. Styles still elbows McIntyre away then CHOPS him in the corner. And again! McIntyre blocks the next chop to grab Styles and TOSS him into another corner! McIntyre CHOPS Styles off his feet! McIntyre gets Styles up, whips him to ropes and back drops him SKY HIGH! Styles has a rough landing and McIntyre grins as he walks over. McIntyre gets Styles up to DECK him, then stomp him! McIntyre dares Styles to get up but is on him in a corner. McIntyre whips Styles to ropes but Styles kicks back!
Styles throws forearms, fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, but McIntyre dodges the Pele to backslide! Styles rolls through but McIntyre has the underhooks! FUTURE SHOCK! But McIntyre doesn’t pin?! McIntyre stares Lashley down and tells him up his! Lashley gets pissed, McIntyre aims at Styles but Omos bails Styles out of the ring! Lashley is at ringside, but here come the VIKING RAIDERS! Erik & Ivar aren’t just evening the odds, they’re keeping an eye on the Raw Tag Team Champions! McIntyre says he has nothing to do with this, but he appreciates the back-up. Will things get even more explosive after the break?
Raw returns again and McIntyre stomps a mudhole into Styles as the Raiders cheer him on! The ref counts, McIntyre lets off, and Lashley is still fuming at ringside. Styles fires off body shots but McIntyre throws hands! McIntyre whips Styles hard to a corner and Styles bounces off buckles! Styles gets up, McIntyre whips him to ropes and tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO!! Styles is still in this but McIntyre has him in the corner again. McIntyre gets Styles up and reels him in for a suplex. Styles kicks and knees free, then ROCKS McIntyre with haymakers! Styles whips, McIntyre holds ropes and catches Styles for an uppercut!
McIntyre grins and taunts Lashley as he brings Styles back up. The ref counts as McIntyre mugs Styles against ropes. McIntyre lets off, Styles throat chops! Styles gets McIntyre for a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT, and then dumps McIntyre out to the floor! MVP has Lashley stay back as McIntyre gets up. Styles goes after McIntyre and POSTS him! Omos likes that and wants Styles to punish McIntyre. McIntyre gets up and drags himself back onto the apron but Styles is after him with haymakers. Styles gets McIntyre up for a suplex, but McIntyre blocks! The Raiders rally and McIntyre throws body shots. McIntyre hotshots Styles in return!
Styles leans on ropes as he sputters, and McIntyre whips him corner to corner! McIntyre runs but into BOOTS from Styles! Lashley likes that as McIntyre is dazed. Styles drags McIntyre around into a chinlock then a neck wrench. McIntyre endures as Styles shifts to a chinlock. The ThunderDome rallies, McIntyre throws body shots, and he CHOPS Styles! McIntyre runs but into Styles’ SLEEPER! Styles becomes a backpack and he squeezes tight! McIntyre drops to a knee, but he fights up to his feet. McIntyre reaches back for a JAWBREAKER! Styles staggers, McIntyre catches his breath, but he turns around into Styles’ PELE! But McIntyre comes back with a LARIAT!
Both men are down, Lashley and MVP aren’t happy and Omos looks worried. The Viking Raiders rally and coach McIntyre up. McIntyre and Styles slowly stand, and McIntyre snarls. McIntyre rallies on Styles with elbows and clotheslines! McIntyre drags Styles around to a DEAD LIFT BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives because he’s Phenomenal, but McIntyre keeps focus. Omos assures Lashley that Styles has this, but then McIntyre hits a MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre frowns, Lashley paces, and McIntyre gets Styles up. McIntyre hoists Styles up top, throws haymakers, then climbs up.
Styles resists the superplex, slips out and under to trip up McIntyre! Fireman’s carry to an USHIGORISHI! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre is still in this and MVP asks if Omos is sure Styles has this. Styles gets McIntyre back up, reel shim in but no Clash! McIntyre back drops Styles up and out of the ring! McIntyre goes out after Styles, MVP again has Lashley stay back, and McIntyre puts Styles in the ring. Lashley steps closer but McIntyre JABS him, then TOSSES Him into barriers! McIntyre backs MVP down with a glare, then goes back to the ring. McIntyre climbs up top and leaps for a HUGE FLYING CLOTHESLINE! McIntyre kips up but Lashley attacks!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by disqualification
The Viking Raiders go after Lashley in return! They give him knee after knee in the corner, then toss Lashley out of the ring! McIntyre pursues to get Lashley for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! MVP goes to Lashley’s side as the Raiders are fired up in the ring! What’s going to happen when Raw returns from break?
Six Man Tag: Drew McIntyre & The Viking Raiders VS AJ Styles, Omos & Bobby Lashley w/ MVP!
Holla holla, Raw returns and all the fighting is going to be in one match! Though, with Lashley taking his time getting his ring gear on, this looks more like a 3v2 Handicap to start. Styles and Ivar start, and Styles headlocks. Erik tags in as Ivar powers out, Ivar KNEES Styles and feeds him to Erik’s KNEE! Erik roars and drags Styles up., but Styles throat chops! Styles whips Erik corner to corner but Erik goes up and over and comes back with a kitchen sink- No, wait! Styles rolls through and rolls Erik up to then ENZIGURI! Styles roars at Erik and swings, into a waistlock SLAM! Erik roars again, drags Styles up and brings him over to tag in Ivar.
The Viking Raiders tag again so then whip and scoop Styles for a SLAM! Ivar is the human weapon, scoop slam SENTON! Erik covers, TWO! Erik keeps his eyes locked on Styles but here comes Lashley! And he goes after McIntyre! Lashley TOSSES McIntyre into barriers but then backs away. Styles CLOBBERS Erik from behind, then gets him up to bring him over. Erik hits back but Styles tags Lashley in. Lashley CLUBS Erik, bumps him off buckles and fires off haymakers! Lashley lets off to go side to side and DECKS Erik with that forearm shot! McIntyre gets up and is furious, but Lashley covers Erik, TWO!
Lashley tags Styles in, they put Erik in a corner, and Styles forearm smashes! Tag to Omos, and now things get rough as Omos KNEES Erik down! Lashley tags in, and clinches Erik, but Erik fights with elbows! ACE TEN MAO! But Lashley still anchors Erik from his corner, reels him in and hits a COMPLETE SHOT! MVP talks trash that they should never think they can match the All Mighty! Lashley sucker punches McIntyre! But he turns around and Erik ROCKS him with a right! Tag to Ivar, and Ivar rams Lashley, to scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM on the rebound! BASEMENT SPLASH! Ivar roars and scoops Lashley, but Lashley slips out and shoves him to ropes!
Ivar rebounds and rolls off Lashley’s back! Ivar cartwheels to avoid Lashley’s shot, and swings, but into a half nelson! Ivar snapmares free and runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, Erik KNEES Lashley down! Styles dropkicks Erik, but McIntyre BOOTS Styles! Lashley gets up to clinch McIntyre for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly of his own! Ivar BOOTS Lashley but Omos tags in! The Warbeard shows no fear as he fires off but Omos pushes him away. Omos CLOBBERS Ivar with the shoulder tackle! The towering titan looms over Ivar as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again and Lashley rains down fists on Ivar in a corner. Lashley lets off to then throw more hands and stomps! The ref counts, Lashley digs his boots in but stops at 4, just to do it again! The ref counts, Lashley stops this time and he gets Ivar up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Lashley keeps Ivar down with a chinlock and shifts to a neck wrench. Lashley grinds Ivar down, jams his knee into Ivar’s back, then twists harder on the neck wrench. MVP tells Lashley to make Ivar pay for the disrespect, but Ivar endures even as Lashley turns him for the STRADDLE ATTACK! Lashley flexes on McIntyre but Ivar CHOPS him!
Ivar throws body shots, haymakers, but Lashley trips him! Lashley puts Ivar in the corner, throws big elbows, then lets off as the ref counts. Lashley grins and gets Ivar up to tag in Omos. Omos goes corner to corner to BACK BODY BLOCK! Ivar gasps as Omos tags Styles. Styles snapmares Ivar, wraps on a chinlock and squeezes tight. Ivar endures, fights up and throws body shots! ThunderDome rallies as Ivar and Styles trade shots! PELE! Styles runs in but into the SEATED SENTON! Erik and McIntyre fire up for Ivar as he crawls over! Hot tags to McIntyre and Omos! McIntyre sees how tall Omos is for himself as the two circle.
Omos and McIntyre get face to face, and McIntyre shrugs. But Omos choke grips first! Omos is making McIntyre kneel with one hand, but McIntyre kicks at Omos’ legs! Omos holds on but McIntyre kicks and throws forearms! McIntyre backs Omos down but Omos shoves him away! Styles tags in and springboards, but McIntyre gets under! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And another! McIntyre runs in to get Styles in a corner, for a third OVERHEAD Belly2Bell! But Lashley distracts the ref as Omos grabs and THROWS McIntyre down by his head! The Raiders storm over but Omos POUNCES Ivar over barriers! Erik leaps off steps to ROCK Omos!
Erik fires off but Omos grabs him to TOSS him into the timekeeper’s area! Styles and McIntyre both crawl, Styles gets to a corner and MVP tells him to tag out. Styles goes over and reaches out, but he stumbles and tags in Lashley, not Omos! Everyone is shocked by that, most of all Lashley! Lashley gets in, to get a CLAYMORE!! McIntyre hurries to cover, McIntyre and the Viking Raiders win!!
Winners: Drew McIntyre & The Viking Raiders, by pinfall
The Scottish Warrior just took out the Rocky Mountain Machine! Lashley is furious but he still has to go through hell with McIntyre! McIntyre says he can’t wait! Will McIntyre get to do this and more to Lashley in their most hellacious battle yet?
My Thoughts:
I really thought Raw was getting past Go-Home Syndrome. They didn’t shove nearly as many recap packages in this time, and really tried to give us matches that progressed things. But they also couldn’t help themselves by giving us FOUR weak finishes. We got Elias running away to lose by count-out again, we got Reggie disqualifying Nia in her match with Alexa, and then there was the finish to Charlotte VS Nikki and McIntyre VS Styles. The latter two worked to a degree but the others were just bland. Elias VS Ryker was most bland, didn’t need to happen here, could’ve waited until next week’s post-PPV Raw.
Nia VS Alexa was a good match until the finish because of how it played off the story between them. WWE sucks at using their own continuity, but for once they nailed it. And I will say, it is interesting to see Alexa “hypnotize” Reggie. Is there going to be a twist where Lily possesses Reggie? His acrobatics would make for an interesting wrestling style for Lily if that’s true. But I am glad we’re finally getting Alexa in matches again. We should’ve had this a month ago, giving us a better build to Alexa VS Shayna at HIAC. Then we’d see Alexa actually look like a real contender to the Raw Women’s Championship.
There was still some copy-paste with Charlotte, Nikki, Rhea and Asuka, but the matches made a lot of it worth it. Nikki getting a ring count win was great, I really feel like it works for what they’re doing with Nikki. Asuka VS Rhea was another great match, I’ll forgive them for not having anything else because it still works. Charlotte and Rhea brawling after was awesome stuff, too, definitely something this feud and Raw in general has needed. Their match isn’t in the Cell but it will probably have the intensity of one, all the more reason it could go either way. Then whoever wins comes out as a very strong champion with a strong division to face.
Well, a mostly strong division. The most glaring flaw in tonight was Eva Marie’s debut. Granted, Eva was gonna have heat from fans anyway, but wow that bait ‘n’ switch with Piper Niven. And yes, her name is Piper Niven, even though commentary at least pretended they didn’t know her. I guess no one on Raw watches NXT UK and they can’t even be bothered to research things with a quick call to someone. Way to promote your own product, Vince! I swear, if Rhea interacts with Piper like she has NO IDEA who that is even though they were BOTH on NXT UK at the same time… But Piper got a strong debut for herself, so at least there’s that.
Natty & Tamina had a decent segment with Mandy & Dana, at least. The tag champs didn’t say it, but they were implying Mandy & Dana were like the Divas of old, but I bet Mandy & Dana get to show them otherwise on the road to Money in the Bank. I have no idea how SmackDown is going to get in the Women’s Tag Division again with no Riott Squad, no Mella & Billie, no anything, but maybe Mandy & Dana can use “Brand2Brand Invitation” to go over to SmackDown and have the title match there. At the same time, Raw really needs the ratings so the match might still happen over here. The RawDown Women’s Division is really suffering these days.
Morrison VS Hardy was a good match, and Hardy VS Alexander with Hardy’s career on the line was alright. I had a feeling this wasn’t how Hardy was going to leave WWE, but I have a feeling this story of Hardy and Alexander could lead to that in the end. Who knows if that means Jeff joins Matt Hardy in AEW or goes into true retirement to be with the kids. New Day VS RKBRO was an amazing tag match, almost like they were competing for tag titles right there. RKBRO winning was the right move for several reasons, but I like the follow-up with MVP. I really think the build to MITB with MVP, Lashley and New Day will be what helps get Raw out of the ditch.
And that’s especially given how Lashley is totally retaining now. Sure he was still partying with the ladies, but we got a great double main-event out of things. McIntyre VS Styles was great to start, but when the Viking Raiders showed up, I should’ve figured a Teddy Long style mash-up match. The Six Man was great stuff, but they had another momentum killer commercial break just as Omos finished with Ivar there. Omos got to dominate the Viking Raiders but that was a sloppy way to go from the champions dominating to McIntyre snatching away the victory.
McIntyre standing tall here totally means he loses, and then he’ll have no choice but to try for a different title. Well, there is MITB but I feel like someone else could benefit from that, too. Though, look at what happened with Otis and then The Miz. Maybe SmackDown wins the Mr. MITB briefcase given the story with Roman Reigns, and then it’s about earning the shot against Lashley between contenders like Kofi, Styles… Wow, there aren’t that many choices, are there? Too bad WWE let go of a Monster Among Men and hasn’t even tried using Limitless Keith Lee lately. Bring Lee back and that will definitely fix some things.
My Score: 8.2/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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Oblong Ball Foot Show: One For The Road
The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! Tune in as we recap an excellent NFL season and touch on a...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Super Bowl LIX Preview
The culmination of a season long journey is upon us. Andrew, Rey and Tunney break it all down for you...
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
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.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Grand Slam: Australia Results & Report! (2/15/25)
AEW goes down under!
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