Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/21/21)
Raw returns from Hell!
The champions of Raw made it through Hell, but now what?
Rhea Ripley and Bobby Lashley both reign over Raw, but surviving Hell was just the beginning! Who will look to step up and cash-in a golden ticket?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins and advances to the Men’s MITB Ladder match.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Naomi & Asuka VS Eva Marie & “Doudrop” Piper Niven; Naomi & Asuka win and qualify for the Women’s MITB Ladder match.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Randy Orton VS John Morrison w/ The Miz; Morrison wins and advances to the Men’s MITB Ladder match.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross VS Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax; Bliss & Cross win and qualify for the Women’s MITB Ladder match.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Drew McIntyre VS Matt Riddle; Riddle wins and advances to the Men’s MITB Ladder match.
- Hell in a Cell Match: Bobby Lashley VS Xavier Woods; Lashley wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Money in the Bank briefcases hang above the ring!
Tonight’s FIVE qualifying matches will bring us that much closer to the golden opportunity on the horizon! But first…
Raw presents the VIP Lounge!
Bobby Lashley leads the way as MVP and the ladies head to the ring. They’re all celebrating the All Mighty Era surviving Drew McIntyre and the HIAC match they had just last night. MVP says once again he and the champion are here, so big things poppin’, little things stoppin’. Sit back and enjoy the view, because this VIP Lounge is for the All Mighty, MVP, and the lovely ladies, not people like you. MVP lets Lashley speak on last night. Lashley says he and McIntyre went through hell, and McIntyre almost took him to his limits. But even McIntyre at his best is not enough to best the All Mighty!
MVP says Lashley beat McIntyre to within an inch of his life and he’ll never be the same again. But the important thing is that McIntyre can never challenge Lashley for this title ever again! MVP rubs it in by having a screenshot of Lashley raising his hand and McIntyre hanging his head in defeat. Right now in the ring are two alpha males, five lovely ladies and a full bottle of champagne. That makes for one hell of a party. Let’s raise a glass and toast Lashley’s victory. Here’s to the- New Day interrupting?! Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods wheel out a cart of toast! Well, MVP did say toast, just not literal toasted bread.
Kofi says no disrespect, they don’t want a problem. They wanted to be part of the toast. SO the circus is in town? Kofi and Woods throw the toast at the ring! MVP shields Lashley but the ladies have to cower behind the couch. Woods says they always come prepared. MVP says they just keep proving his point! This clown nonsense is why they were watching HIAC, not main eventing it like Lashley. They’re clowns who belong in the circus. Once there are live crowds again, these two will do stupid cosplay and play stupid video games while Lashley & MVP will enjoy the finer things in life. Now if the New Day doesn’t mind-
Actually, they do mind. The New Day ain’t going nowhere, bruh! It is well documented that Kofi surrounds himself with friends and family, those he trusts, as opposed to users. Those who chew you up, spit you out and leave you when the well goes dry. Let’s talk, Bob! Bob, you think MVP and your ladies will be around when Kofi beats him for the title? First off, no one is beating him for the title! And certainly not to Kofi! Kofi is too busy dancing and making pancakes to realize that he lost this! What Kofi has to realize is that there is a hierarchy, and in it, Lashley is at the top while the New Day is at the bottom.
Oh is that so? So much talk of this, Lashley’s forgotten that Kofi beat Daniel Bryan to win at WrestleMania! MVP remembers, cuz he was crying at the bar! And in this very ring right here, Kofi beat Lashley! Lashley wants to act like he doesn’t remember, so here is the footage. Last month, even with MVP and Woods ringside, Kofi rolled Lashley up to win! Now Lashley remembers, right? So to get to the point, Bob does not have an opponent set for MITB. Kofi is here to challenge him for the WWE Championship! MVP asks Kofi if he’s joking, but Lashley accepts!! If this is what Kofi wants, leaving out how McIntyre hit Lashley with a cane, this will happen in a way where nothing like that happens again.
MVP says not MITB, do it tonight! Lashley will take on Kofi’s “partner in clowning,” Woods! Woods says Lashley isn’t the first to talk down to him. They’re just the last in a long line of toxic, testosterone flaunting meatheads that don’t have the mental acuity to perceive a Renaissance man like Woods. Preach, bruh! Woods knows MVP and Lashley don’t see him or Kofi on the level of Big E- MVP says it’s cuz they’re not. Shut up, MVP! Woods is talking! Big E has become WWE Intercontinental Champion. Woods got to see Kofi win THE WWE World Championship.
Now, Woods may be set on a possible King of the Ring tournament crown, he gives some of his accolades: over 2 MILLION subscribers on YouTube’s UpUpDownDown, a host on the returning G4 network, and most importantly, an ELEVEN TIME WWE World Tag Team Champion! So please, and be quiet about it, underestimate him. That’ll make the whooping that much sweet. Woods accepts! But one more thing, the match tonight- MVP SHUT UP! The match needs to be… inside Hell in a Cell! The Cell is still in the rafters, so why not?! BECAAAAAAAUSE~! NEW! DAY ROCKS! Lashley ACCEPTS the challenge, too!! Will Woods shock the world inside the devil’s playground?!
Raw shares footage from earlier today.
As AJ Styles and Omos were arriving, they ran across the Viking Raiders. Styles says, “Look at these guys! Riding high over the last weeks!” After that big win, of course. But compared to the champs, they’re zeros. No, less than zeroes! They’re NOTHING. Well Erik & Ivar set out to raid and had a phenomenal victory. It was sloppy luck. If they want to see a real raid, just watch Styles beat Ricochet to a pulp to then become Mr. Money in the Bank! And after that, Styles will win the WWE Championship again! Then and only then will these two defend their titles against the “stinky barbarians.”
Well, Mr. Styles, these two stinky barbarians beat you once, and they can beat him again. Styles slaps Ivar’s turkey leg down! Erik has Ivar stay calm as Styles and Omos headed out.
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Ricochet!
One half of the phenomenal Raw Tag Team Champions is looking for his way to reach the top of the WWE again, and he’ll climb up a ladder to do it! But will the One and Only uses Styles as a springboard to the MITB match instead?
The bell rings and Styles kicks low to CHOP Ricochet and put him in a corner. Styles whips corner to corner, but Ricochet puts Styles on the apron. Ricochet ROCKS Styles then triangle jump dropkicks him down! Styles staggers up for Ricochet to slingshot. Styles moves, Ricochet aborts the plancha, but Styles also avoids the corner moonsault! Styles scoops Ricochet to POST him! Ricochet writhes and Styles gets back in the ring as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Styles bumps Ricochet off buckles. Styles keeps on Ricochet in the corner with a wristlock, then brings Ricochet around. Ricochet elbows and CHOPS Styles back, then whips. Styles reverses and CLOBBERS Ricochet with an elbow! Omos likes what he sees as Styles looms over Ricochet. Ricochet slowly sits up, Styles brings him around but Ricochet throws hands! Ricochet has Styles on the defensive, then runs, to KNEE SMASH! Styles staggers, Ricochet keeps moving and hits a FLYING FOREARM! Ricochet back suplexes, Styles lands on his feet and CLUBS Ricochet on the back! Styles whips but Ricochet springboards to CROSSBODY!
Ricochet fires up, runs corner to corner at Styles and corner clotheslines! Ricochet whips Styles corner to corner hard, then runs in for another clothesline! Ricochet reels Styles in for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through and BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives but Ricochet keeps his cool. Ricochet gets Styles up, fireman’s carries, but Styles fights free and clubs Ricochet. Ricochet kicks, Styles blocks, and Styles ducks the enziguri to give an enziguri! Styles gets Ricochet up to a torture rack for a LANDSLIDE! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives but Styles keeps his cool. Styles brings Ricochet up, reels him in and wants the Clash, only for Ricochet to slip out!
Ricochet fires off forearms, but Styles ducks the rolling elbow for the Phenomenal Blitz! Ricochet dodges the back hand to enziguri, and he dodges the Pele to DEAD LIFT GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Omos gets worried and coaches Styles on. Styles gets to a corner, Ricochet runs in and clotheslines again! Ricochet hesitates after and Styles rolls him, CALF CRUSHER! Ricochet reaches and gets the ROPEBREAK! Styles lets go, Omos is stern again as Styles gets back up. Styles drags Ricochet back up, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Ricochet is in a daze and Styles goes to the apron. Styles prepares that elbow, but the Viking Raiders run out to go after Omos!!
Omos throws Erik, tosses Ivar, and Styles tells him to take those two out! Omos roars and runs in but the Raiders send Omos CRASHING into the timekeeper’s area! Styles ROCKS Ricochet, springboards, but into a RECOIL!!! Cover, Ricochet wins!!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (advances to the Men’s MITB Ladder Match)
A massive win for the King of Flight, and a defiant showing from the Viking Raiders! Is Ricochet about to rebound his entire career to the top of Raw? Will Styles & Omos look to make Erik & Ivar regret ever showing their faces tonight?
Matt Riddle finds Randy Orton.
Check it out, bro! More merch! And how great is it that they both have a chance to get into the Men’s MITB this year? If Riddle wins, he’s totally taking the briefcase everywhere they go so he can hide his stash in there. His what? His stash! Y’know, his Whoppers! He might get hungry. Plus he has an irrational fear of the Burger King King. He doesn’t trust that smile. Orton shouts at Riddle but calms down. “What do you want?” Riddle knows Orton has won and cashed in before, does he have any pointers? Y’know, bro to bro? Orton sighs and says, “Stay out of my way.”
Oh, well, that’ll be hard if they’re both going to win tonight. Imagine, two brothers fighting for the guaranteed WWE Championship title shot! Wouldn’t that be awesome?! Orton looks at Riddle’s goofy smile and says, “Not for you.” Riddle doesn’t smile as much anymore. Well, good luck, Randy! Will the MITB get in the way of RKBRO’s brolationship?
Backstage interview with Eva Marie and “her mysterious friend.”
Kevin Patrick asks if Eva could shed some light as to what happened last week. Eva is so glad Kyle asked. “You see, it’s been five years since I have stepped in the WWE ring, so everything had to be perfect.” Last week, Eva got a mani-peti and her nails look amazing. But then she caught a bit of a cold. Eva coughs to keep up the charade. She just knew the fans were “dying” to see her return, so instead of throwing in the towel, she arranged for her protégé to take her place. Introducing… What’s her name again? Pip- No no wait. Eva remembers now. It’s Doudrop! Yes! Now, the #EvaLution must be moving on. Doudrop, help her with her robe. “Doudrop” does as asked, but will this affect their teamwork?
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Naomi & Asuka VS Eva Marie & “Doudrop” Piper Niven!
This could be two birds with one stone here for The Glow. She wants to get back at Eva for her bait ‘n’ switch, and she’s got back-up to do it! Will Naomi and Asuka both get one step closer to getting that golden ticket? Or will Eva and Pi- er, “Doudrop” keep their momentum going towards MITB?
Raw returns and Asuka starts against Eva with the bell, and they circle. But of course Eva tags out to Piper. Piper gets in, circles with Asuka now, and they tie up. Asuka wrenches but Piper shoves her away. Asuka catches Piper’s punch but Piper shoves her away. Asuka fires off fast hands, KICK, but Piper catches one to HEADBUTT! Piper whips, Asuka holds ropes, and elbows Piper away. Asuka BOOTS Piper, runs and clotheslines but Piper stays up to run her over! Eva applauds, and she’s not even on the corner! Piper runs in, Asuka dodges and fires off kicks! Piper shoves her away, Asuka hits a CODE BREAKER! Hot tag to Naomi, and Naomi wrenches to ROUNDHOUSE Piper!
Piper stays up, ducks a clothesline and waistlocks, but Naomi fights free with elbows. Naomi SCORTPION KICKS, but Piper blocks the whip! Piper whips Naomi to a corner and runs in to corner SPLASH! Piper runs in to CANNONBALL! Piper drags Naomi to a cover, Asuka breaks it! Asuka coaches Naomi and Piper scowls as she drags Naomi over. Piper stomps Naomi then climbs up. Now Eva tags in, and Piper has to get out. Eva covers, TWO! Naomi shocks Eva but this is what Eva gets. Piper isn’t so sure if she should tag back in. She DITCHES Eva?! Naomi rolls Eva up, Naomi & Asuka win!!
Winners: Asuka & Naomi, by pinfall (qualify for the Women’s MITB Ladder Match)
Eva is in shock! But she’s the only one. Naomi and Asuka are bringing the glow and the fight to MITB, will one of them get that money money money?
Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce talk backstage.
It’s hard to hear what they’re saying, but it seems they’re actually in agreement. They both head for gorilla, what will they have to say when we return?
Bobby Lashley is getting ready for tonight’s match.
MVP talks him up as he warms up, will he be ready for another HIAC match just 24 hours after the truly brutal battle he had with Drew McIntyre?
Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville are in the ring.
These two WWE officials feel the need to discuss a controversial moment during last night’s HIAC PPV. They ask Raw Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, to come to the ring. They wait, the music hits, and the Nightmare makes her way down. Rhea already has a mic and responds, “I was told that you were gonna summon me.” Pearce explains he and Sonya discussed this and agree that what Rhea did as champion was completely unacceptable. What are they talking about? Well, as we all saw, a title can only change hands following pinfall or submission. If someone is counted out or disqualified, someone loses but the title doesn’t change. Those rules were not mean to be abused but Rhea got herself disqualified on purpose.
Oh, so those rules apply only to Rhea and not Charlotte Flair? Rhea’s seen the Queen break those rules over and over and continue to do so. Rhea only did what Charlotte would’ve done if she was the champion. Well she isn’t, so- But speaking of, here comes Charlotte! “Not yet. Adam, you meant not yet.” And Rhea, Charlotte isn’t mad. She’s happy! Proud, even! Last night, Charlotte was kicking Rhea’s ass and finally, Rhea proved she’s smarter than Charlotte thought. Actually, she’s quite clever. That was the first time Charlotte saw Rhea is a “strategic competitor,” just like Charlotte. But Charlotte is still going to destroy her!
Sonya says if this is Charlotte asking for a rematch, then Sonya grants it. It will be Rhea VS Charlotte at MITB! Rhea is annoyed but she still smirks at Charlotte. Will this rematch from Hell (in a Cell) finally put this grudge away for good?
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions have their photoshoot now.
Sarah apologizes for interrupting, but she wants to ask about Natalya & Tamina challenging Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke to step up their in-ring game and- And wait, the #SexyMuscleFriends are now the ones making noise in the ring! What a weird role reversal as Natty & Tamina ask them to stop. The champs were having an interview, y’know. Oh, just like how the champs were doing this when Mandy & Dana were having their photoshoot? Didn’t Natty & Tamina get on them for not focusing on what was important? Seems this week, #SMF are the ones putting in the work.
Natty points out that as champions, this is their obligation to do interviews and press. Something Mandy & Dana know little about. Oh well then let’s settle this! They can show the champs what they know! Was Natty winning not enough last night? Tamina says if they want a second serving, they can have it! The champs get in the ring but get kicked right back out! “How’s that for working smart?” Mandy and Dana head out, but will they learn why there’s no one meana than Tamina?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Randy Orton VS John Morrison w/ The Miz!
The Viper already warned The Bro not to think it’ll be a good time at MITB, but this match might make it more apparent. Will Johnny Drip Drip dry up and be but an appetizer before the feast that is the 8 Man Ladder Match?
Raw returns and Morrison makes his entrance, wheeling Miz along with him. Can’t Miz wheel himself? His arms are still fine. Anyway, the bell rings, Miz joins commentary as Morrison circles with Orton. They tie up, Orton headlocks and grinds Morrison into a corner. Morrison turns things around, the ref counts, and Morrison lets off at 4. Miz brags about himself while putting Morrison over. Orton headlocks to hit a takeover on Morrison, Morrison rolls it to a cover, TWO! Morrison shifts to facelock and cranks back on the hold but Orton fights up. Morrison CLUBS him back down then floats around to shoot the half on Orton and throw in knees.
Morrison gets Orton up to throw more knees into the ribs, then ROUNDHOUSES! Miz is fired up way more than Morrison as he covers, TWO! Miz still likes what he sees as Morrison keeps Orton down with a top wristlock. Orton endures, even as Morrison digs a knee in. Orton fights up, Morrison wrenches and drags Orton back down. Morrison YANKS on the arm, wrenches again, but Orton pokes Morrison in the eyes! Orton throws Morrison down by his hair! The ref reprimands but Orton gets Morrison back up to whip to ropes. Morrison holds ropes but Orton clotheslines him out! Miz coaches Morrison, Morrison kicks Orton but Orton throws body shots!
Orton bumps Morrison’s head off the desk! Miz shouts at Orton but Orton glares at him before giving Morrison a BACK SUPLEX to the desk! Miz shouts at Orton, but then also reminds Orton that he is injured and therefore off limits! Orton lets Miz scoot himself away and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Orton EuroUppers Morrison in a corner. Morrison sits down, Orton drags him by his leg and stomps away on Morrison’s limbs. Orton has both legs then stomps Morrison in the gut! Orton scrapes laces off Morrison’s face then covers, TWO! Miz coaches Morrison from ringside rather than commentary as Orton grinds Morrison with a chinlock. Morrison throws body shots, fights up, but Orton CLUBS him down! Orton whips Morrison to ropes but Morrison kicks back! Morrison springboards, FLYING CHUCK! Orton staggers up, Morrison POSTS him! Orton flops out of the ring and Miz talks trash.
Morrison goes out and SLAMS Orton’s arm on the steel steps! Orton gets around the way and back in the ring but Morrison pursues. Morrison goes for a chinlock then for the bad arm! ARMBAR, but Orton clasps hands! Orton endures as Raw goes picture in picture to plug Fast & Furious 9 with John Cena. Orton fights up and makes a cover, TWO! Raw is single picture as Orton and Morrison fight for control. Morrison CLUBS the bad arm then WRINGS It out into the mat! Cover as Miz laughs triumphantly, TWO! Morrison stays on Orton’s arm with a wristlock but Orton grabs tights for leverage. Orton fights up, pulls Morrison’s hair but Morrison cranks the arm.
Morrison wants the Kimura but Orton throws body shots! They fight back and forth like this, Orton CLUBS Morrison but Morrison ROCKS Orton! Morrison whips him to a corner, but Orton comes back to CLOBBER Morrison! Orton gets Morrison up in a corner, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! And CHOPS again! Orton climbs up to rain down fists and Miz protests as the ref counts. Orton gets 10 punches before the ref counts 4. Morrison boots Orton away, but runs into the SPINNING POWERSLAM! Miz is shocked as Orton gets Morrison up and in the ropes! DRAPING DDT! But Orton isn’t done there, he starts hearing those voices in his head!
Miz panics as Morrison stirs and Orton coils up. Miz uses a shot from the Drip Stick to hit Orton! The ref reprimands Miz but it isn’t so much as to disqualify Morrison. But it is enough to piss Orton off! But Morrison rolls Orton up! TWO, and Orton ROCKS Morrison with the uppercut! Morrison is back by the ropes, but here comes Riddle and his scooter! Riddle chases Miz around the ring, and Orton is not sure what to make of it. Orton goes after Morrison but Morrison HOTSHOTS him! STARSHIP PAIN!! Cover, Morrison wins?!?!
Winner: John Morrison, by pinfall (advances to the Men’s MITB Ladder Match)
Uh oh, Bro. Riddle just cost Orton and now Johnny Drip Drip is making it rain! But will Miz be of any help when Morrison has to climb up and get the briefcase?
Backstage interview with Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler & Reginald.
Kevin Patrick asks if they’re concerned that what happened last night at HIAC will happen again. Nia says Reggie knows that that won’t happen again. Nia would never purposefully hurt him. Shayna asks Reggie if he’s scared. Shayna is scared of no one, and no one is going to stop this team from qualifying. But… There is something different about Alexa. They cannot deny that, but can they deny Twisted Lil’ Bliss and Nikki Cross their golden opportunity?
Congratulations to Titus O’Neil!
The Real Deal is a 2021 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award finalist!
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross VS Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax w/ Reginald!
This isn’t quite the #BlissCross reunion Nikki hoped for, but perhaps these former friends can coexist long enough to cash in a win. Will Alexa have fun her way on the way to MITB? Or will the Queen of Spades and Irresistible Force get back at her for using them against each other?
Raw returns and Nikki shows off her new look. Recently, something “sparked” inside of her, and after beating Charlotte Flair and Raw Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, she knows she can become Ms. MITB! The last few weeks, Nikki has worked on how to physically manifest that feeling inside, and she’s so excited to finally share it with us! She won’t be alone, either. No matter how far down you fall in life, we all share that positivity, that same spark, and the same spirit to win! So tonight, Nikki represents all of us, no matter our shortcomings. Her blue ‘n’ gold superhero suit embodies that! This is the spirit of the spark! Nikki does a Wonder Woman spin and heads to the ring!
Now Nia and Shayna make their entrance and things actually start feeling normal. The teams sort out and “The Spirit” Nikki starts with Shayna. Shayna can’t believe Nikki’s get-up but Nikki is fired up. They circle, tie up, and Shayna puts Nikki in the corner. She lets off to KICK Nikki’s leg. Shayna whips Nikki corner to corner but Nikki goes up and over and arm-drags Shayna to an armlock! Shayna gets up, gets around and uses a double wristlock takedown to a cover! ONE, but Shayna clamps onto Nikki’s ears. Nikki fires forearms, Shayna shoves her away but Nikki dodges. Nikki runs back in, is put on the apron but she ROCKS and shoulders into Shayna!
Nikki slingshots to an Oklahoma Roll! ONE, and Shayna gets an arm to drag Nikki to the corner. Nia tags in and she HEADBUTTS Nikki down! Nikki flounders to a corner, Nia runs in but Nikki dodges! Nia POSTS herself and falls out of the ring! Reggie checks on Nia but Alexa is watching. Alexa hypnotizes Reggie but Shayna snaps him out of it. Nia tells Reggie to focus and be careful. But then they all look up, and Nikki SUPER CROSSBODIES them all down! Nikki is fired up and Alexa smiles as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Nikki whips Shayna to the corner! Nikki fires up and corner SPLASHES! Tag to Alexa, Nikki BULLDOGS Shayna for Alexa to add Insult2Injury senton style! Cover, TWO! Alexa clamps onto Shayna’s face, Nia gets in but the ref stops her. This distracts the ref so Shayna can rake Alexa’s eyes! Shayna tags Nia in, Nia clamps onto Alexa and bumps her off buckles again and again! Nia whips Alexa to the corner, tags Shayna back in, and Nia holds Alexa up so Shayna can KNEE her down! Shayna scrapes Alexa’s face on the ropes! The ref counts, Shayna lets off to clamp on with a chinlock.
Shayna bends Alexa back but she endures. Nikki rallies up, as do the ThunderDome fans. Alexa fights up, Shayna shifts and rakes at the eyes again! Alexa keeps fighting up, getting angrier as she claws at the hold. Alexa pries fingers back and ROCKS Shayna with that throat chop! Alexa fires off more forearms then jumps on to just hammer away! Shayna puts Alexa on a corner, Alexa kicks at her, and then Alexa hops on for a SCREAMING CODE RED!! Alexa can’t hold the cover but she heads for the corner! Shayna crawls, too, hot tags to Nia and Nikki! Nikki dodges Nia, ducks and leaps, but into Nia’s arms! Nia pops Nikki up but Nikki slips off to ROCK, headbutt and dropkick!
Nia is in a corner, Nikki powers up but runs into a boot! Nia pushes Nikki to a corner, tag to Shayna, but Nikki gets away! Nia thinks Shayna was about to hit her but Shayna explains the obvious. Nia doesn’t believe it, and Nikki hits a BIG back suplex! Alexa stares at Reggie and has him hypnotized again! Nia realizes too late as Reggie raises his hand and SLAP- NO! Reggie just snaps out of it in time! Nia and Reggie hug it out, but Nikki WRECKS them with dropkicks! Nikki tilt-o-whirls to get Shayna down, for a La Magistrol! Cover, BlissCross wins?!?
Winners: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross, by pinfall (advance to the Women’s MITB Ladder Match)
The spirit of the spark, as well as the mind games from Twisted Lil’ Bliss, triumphs! But will things only get harder from here on out?
Pearce and Sonya talk with Drew McIntyre backstage.
Before he heads out there, they want him to know that they saw what MVP did and- No, he’s not here to make excuses or look back at the past. McIntyre is heading for the future, the MITB Ladder match. Sonya says he already went through Hell, he doesn’t have to do this. McIntyre does, actually. He went through a war last night and it didn’t feel good. But certainly they haven’t told Lashley that he shouldn’t be competing in the Cell again. This is what McIntyre does, regardless of how he feels. It is a lot worse in his head. They should know him better than this.
McIntyre lives his life, inspired by Winston Churchill’s words during World War II. “We will fight them on the land, we will fight them on the sea, we will fight them in the air. We will never surrender!” McIntyre never, ever surrenders! He’ll face and beat Riddle tonight. And McIntyre will keep going through Hell. Then if so, good luck to him. The Scottish Warrior is mad as Hell, will the battle scars simply be motivation to keep fighting?
Pearce and Sonya hurry to stop a confrontation backstage.
Cedric Alexander, Jeff Hardy, Sheamus, as well as Jinder Mahal and his proteges, Shanky and Veer, are all arguing. Pearce has them all calm down and explain what is going on. Mahal says he is most deserving so he will speak first. Mahal is a former WWE World Champion, why was he not considered for MITB? Hardy says good point, because he is also a former WWE World Champion. Alexander says this is the problem! “All these antiques talking about what they did in the past!” It is time for the WWE to invest in someone with their best years ahead of them. Hardy points out his wins over Alexander. Stop future tripping and focus more on the now.
Sonya has them stop arguing and gets their frustrations. That said, the decisions are final. Oh? Final, huh? Sheamus tells the officials not to listen to these “bleeding gobshites.” He is US Champion! He shouldn’t need to qualify, he should just be in! Well then his nose is good and he can defend the title? Uh, no, his nose is still killing him! It was smashed to bits! His beautiful looks are ruined! Sheamus goes to see the doc. But Mahal is supposed to accept that nobodies like Ricochet and Riddle, and even Johnny Drip Drip, were considered but not the Modern Day Maharaja? The fact Drew McIntyre has squandered his 9000th opportunity and gets back in is upsetting.
Oh but surely management has reasons, so “thanks” for the consideration. And in case something were to happen to someone already entered in, Mahal would appreciate being considered as an alternate. Alexander likes Mahal’s idea there. Will things get a bit out of hand as WWE prepares to head back on the road?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Drew McIntyre VS Matt Riddle!
The Viper is already out of the picture, and the Bro will have hell to pay later on. But can he soften Orton’s anger by at least moving on for the both of them?
Raw returns as McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, Riddle and McIntyre circle, and they tie up. McIntyre powers Riddle to a corner but the ref gets them apart. McIntyre still smirks and Riddle grins as the two go again. McIntyre against puts Riddle on ropes and goes for a clinch, but Riddle climbs up the ropes. The ref counts, McIntyre lets off at 3, and the two go again. Riddle shoots for a leg, McIntyre blocks and gets Riddle down with a facelock. Riddle slips free and we have another reset. Riddle and McIntyre tie up, Riddle KICKS McIntyre on the back! McIntyre CLOBBERS Riddle for it! McIntyre stomps Riddle and CHOPS him in the corner!
McIntyre fires off, GLASGOW KISS headbutt! McIntyre stops because his back bothers him, but he gets Riddle up to TOSS Riddle across the ring! Cover, TWO! McIntyre snarls and winches but Riddle CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Riddle fires off forearms, McIntyre throws haymakers back! McIntyre has Riddle in the corner but the ref counts. McIntyre lets off, brings Riddle out and dead lift suplex TOSSES Riddle down! Cover, TWO! McIntyre winces again from the pain in his back but he pushes through. McIntyre gets up to bump Riddle off buckles, then CHOP him! Riddle is stinging now and shouts as the pain comes through.
McIntyre gets Riddle up but Riddle blocks the suplex and throws hands! Riddle fires off forearms, runs but McIntyre runs him over! Cover, TWO! Riddle is still in this and McIntyre’s back still hurts. McIntyre whips Riddle to a corner, runs in but misses. Riddle comes back but into a back elbow! McIntyre hops up, but Riddle YANKS him down! That landing does not help the back, and the BROTON only adds on! Riddle gets heated now as he pushes McIntyre and throws knees into ribs! Riddle gut wrench suplexes McIntyre, but holds on! Riddle gets McIntyre up for another gut wrench, only for McIntyre to counter, gut wrench BACKBREAKER!
Because of the bad back, McIntyre can’t go for the cover and Riddle gets to the ropes. McIntyre DECKS Riddle, goes out after him, but Riddle POSTS him! NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! The ring count is climbing, Riddle gets up and in while McIntyre grits his teeth, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and McIntyre has gotten back in the ring. Riddle has him for a chinlock, but McIntyre fights up and fights out. McIntyre CHOPS and CHOPS and scoops, but Riddle throws shots to the back! Riddle shoves McIntyre to a corner, and forearm smashes! Riddle goes side to side to forearm smash again! BROSPLODER! Riddle paces, McIntyre sits up, PENALTY KICK to the back! Riddle aims and drops a BROTON onto knees! McIntyre saves himself just in time! McIntyre and Riddle both slowly rise, Riddle runs into McIntyre’s OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre clinches to again OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And then he hits a NECKBREAKER!
McIntyre kips up and fires up despite the pain! McIntyre hobbles over and drags Riddle up. Riddle fights the underhooks and trips to a jackknife cover! TWO, McIntyre LARIATS Riddle down! Cover, TWO!! Riddle barely survives and McIntyre’s growing frustrated. McIntyre gets up, brings Riddle back up and bumps him off buckles. McIntyre turns Riddle around, has the legs, INVERTED ALABAMA SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Riddle isn’t done yet! McIntyre gets up and Riddle gets to a corner. McIntyre hobbles over, CHOPS Riddle on the back, then hoists him up top backwards. McIntyre CLUBS Riddle, climbs up behind him, and goes to the very top!
But Riddle fights back with headlock punches! McIntyre adjusts, Riddle throws back elbows and McIntyre falls onto the top rope! Riddle shifts around, throws more elbows and McIntyre falls back! But McIntyre sits up for the SPIDER GERMAN SUPLEX!! Riddle and McIntyre are both down, what more do these two have? Wait, here comes Orton! The Viper is watching Riddle closely now, and Riddle is encouraged to keep going! McIntyre sees that as a problem, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns yet again, McIntyre and Riddle are back on the top rope, and McIntyre fires off haymakers and headbutts on The Bro! Orton still watches, McIntyre CLUBS Riddle on the back then fireman’s carries! McIntyre gets Riddle around but Riddle fights the Air Raid off to SUPER POWERBOMB! Riddle rolls McIntyre to FINAL FLASH!! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives and Orton doesn’t look pleased. Riddle grits his teeth, drags McIntyre up in a waistlock and ripcords, but McIntyre breaks free to spin Riddle. McIntyre blocks the Pele to scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives again and McIntyre is back to being frustrated.
McIntyre and Riddle slowly stir again and Riddle can’t find McIntyre. McIntyre gets to a corner, Riddle turns around to see him, and Riddle hurries over as McIntyre slowly climbs. Riddle stands and catches the ax handle to a TRIANGLE!! McIntyre fights up fast, Riddle twists and keeps his shoulders up! McIntyre dead lifts but the back is holding him back! Riddle lands on his feet, gets around, backslide! TWO, FUTURE SHOCK DDT!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Riddle barely gets that bridge, but McIntyre is too sore to show any anger. McIntyre just gets to a corner and aims at Riddle. Riddle rises but flops back down, and McIntyre is at his wits end.
McIntyre gets Riddle up but Riddle scoops him! Riddle gets McIntyre around but McIntyre slips out to gut wrench! Riddle slips off to ripcord FINAL FLASH!! McIntyre is dazed but Riddle BUZZSAWS him down! Riddle puts McIntyre in the drop zone, climbs up top, FLOATING- NO! McIntyre moves! Riddle lands on his feet out of the jump, CLAY- NO!?! Riddle turns the kick into a takedown, for the BROMISSION!!! McIntyre flails, pulls on an arm, sits up and gets to his feet! McIntyre powers out of the hold, arm-drags Riddle, FINAL FLASH!! Riddle leaps, into a GLASGOW KISS! McIntyre ducks a roundhouse to Electric Chair, but Riddle makes it a victory roll! Riddle wins!!!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall (advances to the Men’s MITB Ladder Match)
Even the Bro is shocked! Riddle scoots back up the ring in hopes Orton has forgiven him. Orton sees Riddle’s smile, and Riddle offers a fist bump. C’mon, Orton, do it for RKBRO. Riddle asks Orton what’s wrong, and says he can talk to him about it. Riddle is here for his bro. Orton takes a moment before looking at Riddle. No fist bump but at least Orton didn’t leave Riddle behind. Will Orton learn to be more supportive when Riddle is going for the briefcase?
As for McIntyre, he is just as dejected as he was when he lost last night. If he can’t get back with the MITB briefcase, how will McIntyre return to the top of the mountain?
Jaxson Ryker slaps himself with a leather strap.
Mansoor comes along and apologizes for bothering him. He was going to ask for advice but then he saw him… Uh, what exactly is this he’s doing? Ryker’s icy stare is an answer in itself. But before Mansoor goes, Ryker tells him, “Never let your enemy escape.” Huh? He wanted advice, so there it is. More often than not, those closest to you are wolves in sheep’s clothing. So when you realize who the enemy is, don’t let them escape. That’s why next week, Ryker is taking Elias on… in a STRAP MATCH! When they’re bound together, there will be nowhere for Elias to run, nowhere for Elias to hide.
Ryker says his eyes were opened by the music. But the tune heard around the world will be the sound of this strap smacking Elias’ flesh. Makes sense to Mansoor! Thanks. But then Mustafa Ali is right there, too. Ali says Mansoor is still looking for answers by asking all the wrong questions, and asking all the wrong people! The real question is, “How did all the superstars competing in the MITB qualifying matches steal that spot from you and me?!” He wants advice so Ali will give him something: If Mansoor can’t even get an opportunity to climb the ladder of success, then he has to build his own ladder.
Ryker is still slapping himself with the strap and that stops Ali’s train of thought. Will the strap be what keeps Elias from walking away?
BREAKING NEWS!
There will be a chance at redemption for three of tonight’s MITB qualifier losers! Randy Orton, AJ Styles AND Drew McIntyre will be in a #LastChanceTripleThreat! Will the Viper, the Phenomenal or the Scottish Warrior make the most of this merciful opportunity?
Hell in a Cell Match: Bobby Lashley VS Xavier Woods!
The All Mighty already survived Hell once and kept the title. This won’t be for the gold, but Woods doesn’t mind if it is about putting Lashley in his place! Will the Power of Positivity see Woods through his own return to the sinister structure? Or is Lashley becoming a Rocky Mountain juggernaut that no one can stop?
Raw returns and Lashley makes his entrance. The ladies stay in the back because this might get a bit rough. The door is locked shut, MVP talks trash with Kofi, and the bell rings on the Cell’s return to Raw! Woods SHOTGUNS Lashley to a corner! Woods KICKS away on Lashley’s leg, but Lashley throws Woods to a corner! Lashley stomps and clubs and chokes Woods! Lashley RAMS into Woods over and over, turns Woods and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE! Lashley snarls and gets Woods up but Woods sunset flips! TWO, and Lashley CLOBBERS Woods! Woods writhes but Lashley drags him back up for a COMPLETE SHOT! Lashley gets Woods up again for another COMPLETE SHOT!
MVP says this is what Woods gets, and Lashley gets Woods up for a LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Woods isn’t done so easily and Kofi taunts Lashley, “Is that all you got, Bob?” Lashley throws woods out of the ring but Kofi coaches Woods up. Lashley goes out after Woods, but Woods has a chair! Lashley blocks the chair shot, throws the chair back at Woods, then punches the chair into Woods’ face! Lashley puts Woods in the ring, MVP is fired up for him and Lashley runs corner to corner, but Woods moves! Lashley POSTS himself and Kofi fires up now! Woods runs to WRECK Lashley with a dropkick! Lashley hits steel and Woods keeps moving! ANOTHER dropkick!
Kofi says that’s two, Woods has a chair to SMACK Lashley and send him flying into steel! Lashley is down, Woods goes out and SMACKS him on the back! And again! And again! Kofi is loving this but MVP is not as Woods stands on Lashley’s head and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once more and Lashley chokes Woods in the ropes! Also, there’s a table in a corner. Woods can only endure as there are no holds barred here! Lashley fires off haymakers, Woods pushes him away but Lashley throws more hands! Lashley runs but Woods dumps him out of the ring! Woods runs, slides, but Lashley traps him in the apron skirt! Lashley mugs Woods and Woods can’t even see! Lashley smothers Woods with the skirt but Kofi says if the All Mighty is might, he doesn’t need to do it this way. MVP says whooping Woods’ behind is exactly how he has to do it. This is for the disrespect!
Lashley kick’s Woods, Woods throws body shots, and Lashley KNEES Woods low. Lashley whips Woods right into steel! Woods flounders around the way, grabs a kendo stick, but Lashley snatches it from him. Lashley puts Woods in the ring and stands on his head! Again, Woods can only endure! Lashley digs his heel in, lets off, and Kofi coaches Woods. Lashley smirks at Kofi while MVP talks more trash to Kofi. Lashley stands Woods up to fire off elbows and forearms. Woods tries a roll-up, but Lashley holds ropes to stay up! Lashley stomps Woods down, drags him up, and MVP says to treat Woods as the court jester he is. Lashley whips, Woods ducks and dodges and slides to CHOP BLOCK a leg out!
Woods dropkicks Lashley down! Lashley flounders, Woods gets that kendo stick back! Woods SMACKS Lashley on the back! Lashley bails out but Woods pursues to FALLING KENDO SLASH! Woods digs the stick into Lashley’s neck! Kofi tells Woods to keep going and Woods SMACKS Lashley down again! MVP tells Lashley that Woods is a clown, but the clown is choking Lashley with the kendo stick against the apron! Lashley gets in the ring, Woods pursues again, but Lashley blocks the strike! So he gets a ROLLING ELBOW! And a mule kick! Woods runs to wheelbarrow, and victory roll FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Lashley flounders, the bandage on his arm is falling away, and he gets to a corner. Woods runs in but Lashley puts him on the apron. Woods GAMANGIRIS, then steps in, GET OVER HERE!! Tornado DDT hits and Woods covers, TWO!! Kofi says Woods is right there, he can do this! Lashley slowly gets up and Woods repositions the table. Woods has it standing up on its own, but Lashley kicks him! Lashley gets Woods up, but Woods fights free! SUPERKICK! Lashley staggers, SUPERKICK puts him on the table! Woods gets to the apron, climbs up a corner, and tightrope walks for the LIMITBREAKER ELBOW through the table!!! Cover, TWO?!?!
Lashley survives and Woods can’t believe it! Kofi keeps the energy up for both of them as Woods rises back up. Lashley flounders, Woods aims, but Lashley ducks the shining wizard! Lashley RAMS Woods into a chair! There was a chair wedged into the corner, much like last night, and Woods just ate it for dinner! Lashley aims from a corner now, Woods staggers up into the SPEAR!!! But Lashley won’t end it there, he puts on the HURT LOCK!! Woods taps, Lashley wins!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
The All Mighty puts Woods away, and he didn’t even need help this time. But he isn’t done, either! Lashley throws Woods into steel again and again! The ref opens the Cell door, but MVP slips in and snatches the key! MVP locks the Cell up again!! Woods is alone against Lashley and MVP taunts Kofi! Kofi tries to get in but the gap is not enough! Lashley has Woods in the HURT LOCK!! Woods fades out and Lashley makes Kofi watch!! Kofi demands they let Woods go but MVP mocks Kofi for having such fire earlier. MVP says it’s all over now, but is this only going to make Kofi that much more determined to dethrone Lashley?
My Thoughts:
Wow, what a great Raw! And to think they could’ve been giving us this the entire time if they really tried. Though it wasn’t without some decisions and details that still boggled the mind. I get Rhea’s disqualification was their way of giving us Rhea VS Charlotte again at MITB, but what was that promo supposed to be? Are the new authority figures agreeing that they should kiss up to Charlotte and let her get what she wants? That’s lame. It was way more fun when Sonya and Pearce argued about stuff. The heat is dying down on this one after all the great work they did just last week and that’s a real shame. I’m almost hoping Charlotte is again the victim of a same-night cash-in from Ms. MITB.
Speaking of which, everything with the MITB qualifiers was great. Though this also brings in the other odd detail of the night. I like that Nikki wants to represent that energy and excitement she feels after her little win streak, but going superhero was an odd choice. She and Alexa had a great match with Shayna and Nia, and they made the supernatural puppetry work here. I think Nia was paranoid that Shayna almost smacking her was because of Alexa, but it was the genuine close call from Nikki dodging. Nikki getting into MITB is great, but I feel like this superhero costume is just more of an indication that she is going to become Lily’s host body.
I love what they did with Piper and Eva. The internet got word of “Doudrop” being Piper’s name here, but that’s because Eva didn’t care enough to learn Piper’s real name. I was hoping they were going to pace it out to take a little longer than this, and we’d get this euphoric moment where Piper finally told Eva off. This supports my theory that Vince’s main problem with his booking is his pacing, but at least he made the right decision to have Piper stay Piper and let Eva get what she deserves. I wonder if Asuka getting into the MITB match again is a way to give us the Ms. MITB run she would’ve had if not for Becky Lynch’s pregnancy changing plans.
The stories of the Men’s MITB matches were all very well done, too. Styles talks trash to Viking Raiders but that comes to bite him in the butt when they go after Omos, and then Ricochet wins to perhaps give himself a chance at finally getting some ground in the power rankings. Orton VS Morrison was a great match, and I was laughing so hard seeing Riddle chase Miz around the ring like that. A bit of a shame it costs Orton, but much like Ricochet, Morrison is perhaps finally getting where he should’ve been. Though I feel like there’d just be a lot of the same stuff from Miz’s run last year, but with Morrison now as the one exploiting loopholes or something.
Orton going ringside for the Riddle VS McIntyre match was great, it shows he still wants to be in the team. The match itself was an epic. So much story just on McIntyre having just done a HIAC match last night, and Riddle is always great in the ring. That was definitely on par with anything we saw the last couple of days, and Riddle getting in is great for him. A bit shocked there is a Last Chance Triple Threat rather than another original match-up. The other superstars protesting that backstage was a good detail, but I really hope Raw isn’t trying to get meta about itself again. We’ve seen the authority “apologize” and try to make it up to both fans and superstars and then not follow through, because duh, it’s happening here.
Another great detail was Sheamus being put on the spot about finally defending his title. I hope Sheamus gets to settle things with Humberto Carrillo, Raw can’t just drop that. Mahal also pointing out if an entrant goes down, someone can step up. Whether or not McIntyre wins that Triple Threat next week, I want to see Mahal go after McIntyre. That would make a great feud to keep McIntyre busy on the outside of a title scene, and who knows? Maybe McIntyre chooses his future is completing his WWE Grand Slam with the US Championship. I think live crowds would love to see McIntyre and Sheamus battle it out as hard as they did during the ThunderDome era.
Then everything with Lashley and the New Day was great. Of course Lashley wants to celebrate, but of course Kofi wants to get at him both because he has that win over him and because of MVP poking at him. That opening segment was great, and having HIAC on Raw for that main event was great. Also it was to appease the USA Network overlords but whatever, Raw made it work. Woods looked amazing, definitely worthy of being the next King of the Ring, but naturally Lashley was going to win. MVP trapping Woods with Lashley was a great detail, that is some Heel heat right there. Great visual to close, and Kofi is going to be fired up for MITB.
I don’t know the chances of Lashley losing so soon after barring McIntyre from the contender’s list, but we’re talking the first time since WrestleMania 37 weekend that live fans get to be in the audience. Fans would go nuts if KofiMania 2 happened at MITB. I know SummerSlam is coming up fast in August and it’s in Vegas and it has Cardi B for that mainstream pander- I mean, appeal. But c’mon! WWE needs to help the wrestling fans want to watch again because it is still World Wrestling Entertainment! Kofi winning “outta nowhere” would be so good for everything! The post MITB Raw, the Mondays going towards SummerSlam, and maybe even SummerSlam itself.
My Score: 8.5/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
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The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
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The Final Boss is back!
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So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
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