Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/11/21)
Will Rey exact his revenge?
Will there be a blood feud on Friday Night SmackDown?
The Mysterios are still SmackDown Tag Team Champions, but only because Roman Reigns rampaged through them! Will Rey Mysterio avenge his son, Dominik?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Big E & Kevin Owens VS Sami Zayn & Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez; Big E & Kevin win.
- Carmella VS Liv Morgan; Morgan wins.
- The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy; changed to…
- Chad Gable VS Montez Ford; Ford wins, by disqualification.
- Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs VS King Corbin; Nakamura wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Roman Reigns watches the recap package for this week.
The dominance and brutality the Head of the Table showed is strong in every moment. And Jey Uso sits by Roman’s side as the Right Hand Man, but he looks down at the floor. Roman says, “I saved y’all’s ass last week. Y’all owe me. What’s the one thing that I will not stand for?” Jey speaks up, and says, “Never embarrass the family, Uce.” Roman nods and says Jey clearly understands. But does Jimmy? Speaking of which, the Usos’ music plays!
Jimmy Uso heads to the ring!
Jimmy goes by himself while Roman and Jey are still in Roman’s private suite, and gets a mic to say, “Last week, was supposed to be a celebration. Tonight, we supposed to be in here, seven-time WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions, but no. We got robbed.” Jimmy isn’t making excuses, he’s just spitting facts! First, the ref blew the call. Everyone saw Uce’s shoulder was up, ya boi kicked out! But it was cool cuz they got round two. They were doing what the Usos do but then here he come. Head of the Table sticking his nose in their business! Roman just had to make it about Roman! Couldn’t let the Usos get it and get what was theirs!
If you ask Jimmy, Roman got them disqualified on purpose! Roman is watching and is not happy hearing that. Jimmy asks what the point was. Roman beat up Rey-Rey, choked out Dom, almost knocked Dom’s head off his shoulders. Jimmy knows what it is, he sat back and thought about it and realized that Roman’s jealous! Roman’s jealous of Jimmy and how he’s back! And how he wants his brother with him! And because the Usos want to rep the family with gold, too, just like Roman! Jimmy sees through Roman. All these mind games are to tear brother from brother. Jimmy says HE is his brother’s keeper, NOT Roman!
So tonight, Jimmy wants Roman to hear him: Jimmy promises that he’ll do something that he won’t regret! Instead of Rey coming back for what happened to Dom, is Jimmy coming to get back for what Roman’s done to Jey? Roman looks to Jey and says no one would confuse Roman for his brother. Jey needs to take care of this. Is Jey only going to prove Roman right by doing his dirty work? Is Jey gonna get his own brother?!
Jey confronts Jimmy backstage.
Jey asks what that was all about but Jimmy wants him to calm down. Jimmy asks Jey if he thinks they could’ve won the tag titles. Answer him, Uce! Do you think they were going to win the tag titles? Yes, right? So Jey was mad that they got DQ’d last week! Jimmy says, “Y’know what, Uce? It can’t be like this no more!” It can’t keep going like this. When Jimmy told Jey to go, Jey froze! Jey froze on Jimmy! Jimmy needed Jey! They’re family! They’re brothers! They’re twins! Jey is conflicted, rubbing his head, and Jimmy says if we’re talking about the disgrace of the family, it’s ROMAN that’s disgracing the family!
Then what is Jey supposed to do!? Jimmy has been gone a year! Jey’s loyalty is with the Tribal Chief! Jey’s stuck in the middle with no way out! What does Jimmy want Jey to do? Jimmy pats his brother’s shoulders. If Roman wants to see Jimmy, Jimmy will be in the Usos’ room. Jey is still conflicted, but is Jimmy going to settle this for all of them?
Big E & Kevin Owens VS Sami Zayn & Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez!
Both the Powerhouse of Positivity and the Prizefighter have had their grievances with the Prince of Nigeria over the WWE Intercontinental Championship, and the Champion of the People isn’t exactly innocent in all this. Will Big E and KO #ThinkBig and #JustKeepFighting towards the same gold? Or will Sami actually be of help to someone and turn away two of Apollo’s challengers?
SmackDown returns as Apollo and Azeez make their entrance. Sami is already ringside, arguing with his best frenemy, Kevin. The teams sort out, Azeez keeps watch as Apollo sets his belt aside to start against Kevin. Kevin sucker punches Sami then fires off on Apollo! Kevin whips Apollo and runs him over! Then Kevin goes out to get Sami and throw him into barriers! Kevin fires off hands, then throws Sami into more barriers! Kevin returns to the ring but Apollo BOOTS him! Apollo runs but into Kevin’s LARIAT! Kevin drops a senton, then sees Sami getting up! Kevin DECKS Sami, goes out to mug Sami, and throw him into more barriers!
Kevin returns to the ring again but Apollo stomps him down! Apollo is furious as he gets Kevin up to throw haymakers. Sami wants in so Apollo tags him. Sami fires off hands on Kevin in return for everything, but lets off as the ref counts. Sami stands on Kevin’s head in the corner, then lets off at the count. Tag to Apollo, Kevin fights back but Sami gets a cheap shot in. Apollo CLUBS Kevin down, drags him back up and snap suplexes! Cover, ONE! Apollo gets Kevin up to whip him into the corner. Tag to Sami, Sami throws hands, Kevin hits back! Kevin CHOPS, Sami RAMS him into the corner! Sami digs Kevin in and tags in Apollo.
Apollo mugs Kevin, drags him up and around to whip to ropes. Kevin kicks back, dodges Apollo, and tags in Big E! Big E gets Apollo for an OVERHEAD suplex! Big E DECKS Sami, and OVERHEAD suplexes Apollo again! And then the side Belly2Belly! Big E runs side to side for the BIG SPLASH onto knees! Apollo gets up to whip Big E, but Big E escapes the Olympic Slam to hit the Urenag-E! Cover, TWO! Azeez looks worried and frustrated as Big E watches Apollo. Apollo gets up, Big E scoops him, but Apollo slips out to ENZIGURI! And STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Cover, TWO! Apollo is frustrated, and he gets Big E up again to whip, but Big E reverses!
Apollo is on the apron, Big E runs in but Apollo dodges the spear! Big E hits the ground and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown is back as Apollo stomps Big E in the corner. Tag to Sami and he stomps, then rains down rights and lefts! Sami hammers Big E, tags Apollo back in, and Apollo throws hands on Big E. The ref counts, Apollo lets off to soak up some heat. Apollo rushes back in but Big E hits back! Apollo gets a leg to keep Big E from reaching Kevin! The ref makes sure Sami holds the rope before Apollo makes the tag. The tag counts and Sami drops an elbow on Big E! Sami throws clubbing crossface forearms then wraps on a chinlock. Big E fights up and fights out but Sami drop toeholds to keep him down! Sami has a leg, drags Big E back, and anchors the leg to tag in Apollo!
Apollo stomps Big E, jumps for a big elbow drop, then covers, TWO! Apollo keeps cool, runs in and SPLASHES Big E in the corner! Apollo hops up, but Big E avoids the froggy-body! Both men crawl, hot tags to Sami and Kevin! Kevin tackles Sami and rains down fists! Sami scrambles to ropes but Kevin stomps him in the corner! Sami bails out, Kevin fires up and is on the apron, CANNONBALL! Direct hit then a BACK SENTON adds on! Kevin is red hot as he throws Sami back in the ring. Sami staggers up, Kevin runs in for a BIG corner clothesline! Kevin keeps moving, CORNER CANNONBALL! Kevin goes up top while Sami is down, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Kevin seethes while Sami survives, but Kevin gets him up. Kevin puts Sami in a corner and CHOPS him! Kevin hoists Sami up top, climbs up to join him, but Sami CLUBS Kevin down! Sami adjusts, Kevin runs in under the jump! Tag to Apollo but Kevin SUPERKICKS him! Kevin whips Apollo, for a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Cover, Sami breaks it with a basement dropkick! The ref reprimands, Sami goes back to his corner and reaches for Apollo. Apollo crawls, as does Kevin, but Big E is off the corner. Sami tags in and goes after Kevin, but Kevin fights off the Half ‘n’ Half! Kevin elbows Sami, runs, but Sami reels him in for a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cover, TWO!!
Sami is furious but he gets Kevin up, BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, Big E breaks it! Apollo gets in and waistlocks but Big E throws elbows. Big E runs to CLOBBER Apollo and himself out of the ring! Sami runs but Kevin dodges the kick to kick and STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin and Big E win!
Winners: Big E & Kevin Owens, by pinfall
It wasn’t a pin on the champ but it was good enough for Kevin! Azeez grabs a mic and the belt to give to Apollo and Apollo responds! “Stop, stop! Stop the music! Why are you celebrating, huh?! You did not beat me! It’s clear that the only reason you guys won the match is because I was burdened with this idiot, Sami Zayn!” If they think they can beat Apollo, how about we do this again next week? Big E & Kevin Owens VS Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez! Kevin and Big E figured it’d go that way, and dare them to do this NOW!
But then Sami fires up and gets mad at being called an idiot. Apollo is a fraud and a liar who set Sami up! Is Apollo in on this with Kevin? This is all to keep Sami away from HIS Intercontinental Championship! Apollo owes Sami an apology! He doesn’t get an apology, he gets a NIGERIAN NAIL! Apollo says Sami will never, EVER have the title again! Will Sami ever be able to speak again? And as for Kevin and Big E, will they ruin Azeez’s in-ring debut?
Rey Mysterio talks with Adam Pearce backstage.
The King of Lucha is furious over what happened last week, that much is clear. But what will Scrap Iron do for Rey to get back at Roman?
The Street Profits talk backstage.
But again, Chad Gable interrupts. Gable is here to apologize for Otis. Otis thought Gable wanted an apology, and Gable says that wasn’t the case at all. Otis just gets overprotective, that’s all. And that gets hard to control. But as a grand gesture, Gable got their tag match canceled. What? Why does Gable keep doing them favors they don’t want? The Profits know Gable can’t control Otis, but they can. So if Otis ever steps to them again, they’ll slap him back to the Jurassic period! T-Rex arms and everything! The Profits don’t know when to stop, do they? This is their problem! They never know when to shut their mouths!
So now they’ve gone and done it. They’ve talked themselves back into the match tonight! Who will it be? 1v1 with Gable, who is bringin’ the smoke? Dawks will get this. Ford says he’s got this. Nah nah nah, fam, Dawks insists. They gotta teach him a lesson. Ford says Gable is his. Then how about as a favor, Gable won’t even have Otis ringside. But that’s only if Dawkins stays back, too. That raises the stakes. You’ve got your match, G. Then there’s the match. And by the way, Otis is still angry. Is that a veiled threat that Otis won’t stay back?
Jey goes to Roman.
Roman stands up and wonders where Jimmy went. Jey explains that Jimmy is out there, mad and stuff. Jey isn’t sure what Jimmy’s talking about. But where is he? Jimmy said if Roman wants to see him, Roman’s got to go to the Usos’ locker room. Roman laughs. Their locker room? Yeah, the Usos have one. Wow, they have one. Roman doesn’t know why Jimmy is doing this to Jey. Why is Jimmy putting Jey in the middle, making Roman out to be the bad guy? Their locker room, huh? You sure that ain’t “Roman’s Cousin’s Locker room?” The Usos’ locker room, huh? Roman tells Jey to go tell Jimmy, that he’s coming… On his time.
Carmella VS Liv Morgan!
The (self-proclaimed) Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE swaggers about, having already beaten Liv once before. Will Liv make sure Carmella has to change that self-given title after this rematch?
SmackDown returns as Liv makes her entrance. The bell rings and Liv ROCKS Mella with a right hand then dribbles her off buckles! Liv stomps a mudhole in then lets off to climb up and stomp from above! Liv lets off again, but Mella again dodges ObLIVion! Mella drags Liv outside the ring, RAMS her into the apron then TOSSES Her into barriers! Mella tells commentary to tell the world how beautiful she is! Michael Cole adds “self-proclaimed” and Mella gets upset. Mella puts Liv in and puts Liv in the corner to choke her! Mella lets off to throw elbow after elbow! Mella ROCKS Liv, then struts around to soak up the heat.
Mella comes back, but Liv throws body shots! Mella CLUBS Liv down and is upset now. Mella rains down lefts and rights, then covers, TWO! Liv is still in this and Mella is frustrated. Mella drags Liv up, whips her to a corner, and then runs in, but Liv gets around for a WING SNAPPER and BOOT into buckles! Liv runs in, but into a BOOT from Mella! Mella grins as Liv sputters and gasps. Mella takes her time getting Liv up but Liv hits back! Mella hammers away and mocks Liv. Mella pie faces Liv against ropes and pisses Liv off! Liv blocks the Fabulous Kick to put Mella on ropes! OBLIVION!! Cover, Liv wins!!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall
Liv evens things up with Mella, blows a kiss then takes her leave. Mella is upset and tells Greg Hamilton to announce her as “still the Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE.” She always has to have the last word. But will her ego cost her down the line?
Bayley gets ready backstage.
She’s preparing for the big return of her talk show, but none of the cards her assistant hands her are good enough. Will the Role Model be ready for the Architect?
SmackDown presents an all new DING DONG, HELLO~!
Bayley walks in through her door, and she welcomes us back to “the hottest talk show on TV today.” Look, she upgraded the set! She brought her Hall of Bayley pics to help us fans feel better. But enough about her, on to her guest! This is a WWE Grand Slam Champion, just like Bayley, and he is “THE Drip God,” Seth Freakin’ Rollins! Rollins makes his entrance and is in a mix ‘n’ match suit of mauve and sky blue. Rollins even uses the door! Bayley is willing to let Rollins have the big fancy arm chair. Rollins thanks her and loves what she’s done with her set. Bayley says if Rollins needs anything to drink, just tell Michael Cole. HAH!
Bayley also thanks Rollins for using the door like a professional. Well of course! That’s what the door is for! Rollins thanks Bayley for having her on a proper show for a proper interview. And Rollins also adds that he’s a huge fan of Bayley. Aw stop! No, really! And as of late, Bayley has been on fire! Next level! What Bayley has done with Bianca Belair, putting her in her place time and time again! And what is it with kids these days? The lack of respect! They don’t care that Bayley is a top-tier, elite athlete. Bianca is that, too, but she still needs respect. And Rollins has no doubt that Bayley will mop the floor with “Belanca!”
But in all seriousness, he has to know. Last week, there was a moment that was a masterclass in mind games. Rollins cues up the clips and will have Bayley give him the secrets after. What Rollins is talking about is Bayley taking over the ThunderDome screams so that there were HUNDREDS of laughing Bayley faces! Bayley and Rollins both laugh in the present at how Bayley had the last laugh last week. That’s a knee slapping good time! Her face was everywhere! Where she at? EVERYWHERE~! Rollins catches his breath and might take Michael up on that drink. It feels good to laugh, though. Laughter is the best medicine! But if he thought that was good, and it was, wait until he sees this!
Bayley shows footage of Rollins attacking Cesaro three weeks ago! The multiple Curb Stomps to the point where Cesaro needed a stretcher! Rollins looks very serious and Bayley feels awkward. But then they both laugh! They laugh at Cesaro’s bad arm and how he never saw this coming. Wait, someone rings the bell/ Did someone order food? Did someone get them a surprise? Well this is Bayley’s show, she’s already done so much for him, Rollins will be a gentleman and get that for her. He answers the door and… IT’S CESARO! Cesaro DECKS Rollins then fires off hands! His arm is good, too, so he’s using both to THROW Rollins into Bayley’s pictures!
Cesaro RAMS Rollins into the door, tears up the suit, and Bayley can’t watch as Cesaro RAMS Rollins back through the door! The door falls, so Rollins gets thrown into the stool! Cesaro throws pieces of the set and now Rollins runs away! Bayley is stunned, Rollins’ suit is ruined, but the Swiss Superman is feeling great! Will Bayley need an even bigger upgrade to her set after tonight? Wait, wait, wait! Here comes BIANCA BELAIR! The EST has a mic and an outfit that is quite literally fire! Bianca tells Bayley, “HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” The tables have been turned, but who will get THE last laugh at Hell in a Cell?
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
Rey says Dominik is hurt, and Roman Reigns viciously hurt him like he’s just some prey. It doesn’t matter how big and bad you are, you go after his son, Rey goes after you. Rey’s seen Dom in so much pain, and it is torture for Rey. Rey vowed on the day Dom was born that he would take care and protect his son. Last week, Rey failed that vow. Rey says Dom’s injuries aren’t an accident. They were caused by a man who claims to be all about family, yet won’t even think twice about destroying his own! Roman can do whatever he wants to his own family, but now you’re messing with the Mysterios! That is Rey’s son, his reason for being!
Rey says later tonight, he will be out in the ring. And he’s calling Roman out! If Roman dares to come out, Rey will show him what family looks like! Will vengeance be Rey’s to take? Or will he suffer even worse than what happened to Dominik?
Chad Gable VS Montez Ford!
This may seem like a downgrade from the huge tag team match The Street Profits wanted, but things could still get out of control! Will the Alpha Academy’s top (and only) teacher teach #KingTez a thing or two? Or will Ford use this to show Otis why he should drop out of the program?
SmackDown returns and Gable is already in the ring. Gable complains why Ford’s music was playing again but the bell rings. The two circle, tie up, and go around. Gable arm-drags Ford and shouts, “For the Academy!” Ford keeps cool and resets with Gable. They tie up again, go around, and Ford arm-drags Gable! Ford mockingly shots, “The Academy~!” Gable keeps cool and they reset again. Gable shoots in to get a waistlock and then trips Ford to float for a facelock. Ford fights up, Gable gets to a waistlock again but Ford switches. Gable switches, Ford switches, repeat, and Gable wrenches but Ford wrenches back.
Gable rolls, bridges, handsprings, and spins through to headlock, hammerlock then drop toehold! Gable floats to get the armlock and grinds Ford down. Dawkins watches closely backstage but Gable steps over to wrench the arm. Ford fights up, powers through to wrench Gable back for a headlock and takeover! Gable headscissors but Ford kips free. Roles reverses as Gable headlocks and takes over, only for Ford to headscissor. Gable kips free to arm-drag, but Ford arm-drags back! Ford has the armlock, Gable endures and goes for a leg. Ford grinds the arm, Gable fights up and powers Ford to ropes. The ref counts the break, Gable throws a body shot!
Gable puts Ford in a corner for stomps and haymakers, but lets off as the ref counts. Gable whips Ford corner to corner, Ford goes up and over and then arm-drags Gable back to the armlock! Gable gets up, whips free but Ford sees the drop down. Ford body scissors to a cradle, TWO! Gable facelocks, whips Ford, but Ford reverses. Things speed up and Gable catches Ford out of the air for an ANKLE LOCK! Ford flails but Gable grapevines! Ford fights up to bridge! TWO, and Gable gets away! Gable runs back in but is put out! Gable trips Ford to drag him out, but Ford boots him away! Ford leaps over Gable and LEAPS to CANNONBALL! Direct hit and both men are down as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again and Gable hits a BIG back suplex! Ford writhes and gets to the apron while Gable grins. Gable gets Ford up on the apron but Ford shoulders into him! Ford slingshots but into a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gable gets Ford up and brings him around for another back suplex, but Ford lands on his feet! Ford tries to run but Gable clips him with a knee! Gable whips but Ford ducks and dodges, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES take both men down! Dawks rallies backstage but OTIS attacks him! The Dozer RAMS Dawks into a road case, and then RAMS him into another! The ringside deal didn’t include backstage!
Ford and Gable slowly rise, and Gable reels Ford in. Ford hits back with a haymaker, but Gable gives it back! Ford hits, Gable hits, and Ford gets the edge! Ford CLUBS away, whips Gable but Gable ducks, only to run into a SPINEBUSTER! Ford kips up and hits a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ford hurries to a corner, climbs up top, FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, TWO!!! Gable survives, and then OTIS attacks!
Winner: Montez Ford, by disqualification
Otis throws Ford out of the ring! And hauls him up to TOSS him over the announce desk! Michael and McAfee clear out as Otis drags Ford back up, to RAM him into steel steps! The Dozer is like a terminator as he puts Ford back in the ring! Otis scoops Ford for the WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! But he’s not done there! Otis climbs for a DOZER SPLASH!! Gable smiles, proud of his demolition machine demolishing the Profits! Dawkins hurries to help Ford but Otis easily throws him back out. Otis pushes Ford back to a drop zone, and Gable says they have to make him feel it! VADER BOMB!! Dawkins hurries back in and Gable has Otis stand down.
Referees and officials have the Alpha Academy leave, and SmackDown goes to break! What state will Ford be in when we return?
Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs VS King Corbin!
SmackDown returns with the King of Strong Style and Wolf King already in the ring, ready to fight again! Will this be what settles the score once and for all?
The bell rings and Boogs shreds and Nakamura BOOTS Corbin down! Nakamura gives Corbin Bad Vibrations while air guitaring with Boogs’ real guitar! Corbin fights up, but Nakamura ENZIGURIS! Nakamura hurries up the corner as Corbin crawls, and he hits a FLYING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Nakamura aims from the corner, “YAO~!” But Corbin catches him for DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Michael and McAfee admire the crown as Corbin POSTS Nakamura, then clubs away on him! The ref counts, Corbin lets off and he drags Nakamura out for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Corbin sits Nakamura up to DECK him, then gets him up to scoop.
Nakamura slips out, kicks but Corbin ducks to throw Nakamura down by his hair! But Nakamura rolls Corbin to a prawn hold! NAKAMURA WINS!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall
But Corbin CLOBBERS Nakamura! Corbin and Boogs stare down, and they both rush for the crown! Corbin catches Boogs to SMACK him off the desk! Corbin picks the crown up, holds it high, but Nakamura snatches it! And Boogs TOSSES Corbin over the desk! Nakamura still has the crown and Boogs still rocks! Will Corbin ever get back his crown? Or will he just have to move on and return to being a Baron?
Roman sits with Jey in his suite.
Is Roman ready to talk with Jimmy? Yeah. “Let’s go to your locker room.” Roman gets up, Jey and Paul Heyman follow, but will things be civil in the Usos’ room?
Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville have an update on Montez Ford.
It is doesn’t look good. But then Corbin storms in and asks how much longer they’re going to allow such disrespect to happen! Corbin is ordering Pearce to order Nakamura to return the crown! Well, the crown looks better on Nakamura. Is this a joke to them?! No, this is serious business. How about this? Instead of giving the crown back, Nakamura will put it on the line in a match. Yes, that works, because they’re even at 2-2. Pearce suggests the match settle it, #BattlefortheCrown! Corbin glares at Pearce, but that isn’t a no. Will we once and for all know who is the one true king of Friday Night SmackDown?
Jimmy paces in the Usos’ room.
The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy is in here, as Jey won it. Roman arrives and says it’s “quaint.” Heyman hands Roman the belt and Roman has Heyman excuse himself so the family can talk. “You see this? Do you understand-” NO! Jimmy doesn’t understand anything about the Universal Championship, nor does he care to! Jimmy doesn’t care what Roman wears, he cares about what is inside them! Jimmy cares about Jey AND Roman, but the truth is, Uce, Roman’s been doing this since they were kids. Roman has been working the system, using and abusing them. Jimmy’s watched as Roman’s been doing that a whole year, like it was nothing!
Jimmy says he was hurt deep to his soul. He doesn’t want to take Roman’s place. Jimmy knows Roman is a future hall of famer! But he isn’t going to be inducted as Roman Reigns. He’ll be inducted as the spoiled BITCH! Roman says this is what he was talking about. This is how Jey is being put in the middle. Jimmy says no one is doing that. This is Jey doing what Jey’s always been doing. Jimmy and Roman argue more and more, and Jey shouts for them both to chill out! Enough of this! Jey is tired of Jimmy AND Roman telling him what to do! Jey is out! Jimmy calls after Jey, but then says this is Roman’s fault! Now what are they going to do? Does Roman want to throw down?
Jimmy doesn’t care anymore! They can throw down! Let’s go, Uce! Roman doesn’t get what Jimmy is going on about. Jimmy wants to fight Roman? For what? What has Roman done? They aren’t little kids anymore! This isn’t about all that, this is about family! Jimmy should be with them! This is how they represent the family. Why would Jimmy do this to Jey? They’re twins, but who came out first? So Jimmy is older? Yeah? Then he should be looking out for Jey! Roman shouldn’t have to depend on Jey to reel Jimmy in! Jimmy should be the one Roman depends on! This isn’t about any one of them, but about ALL OF THEM!
And the only way to do that is to be them and be the best ever! That is all Roman knows, and all Roman’s ever known! So why would Jimmy do this to Jey? Why would he do that? How could he do that? Since day one? And Jimmy let Jey go? Jey busts his ass for a whole year now, and Jimmy just lets him go? For what? They’re brothers! And yet Jimmy does this to him. Make this right, Jimmy. For him, and for them. This is their family. Jimmy starts to see what Roman means, and heads out to find Jey. What elaborate chess game is Roman playing with his own flesh and blood?
Rey Mysterio heads to the ring!
Speaking of his own flesh and blood, the King of Lucha Libre is going through with calling the Tribal Chief out! Will Roman respond? Will Rey avenge what happened to Dominik?
SmackDown returns once more, and Rey says he is right here, waiting on Roman. Roman disrespected Rey’s family, so he’s waiting for Roman to respond. Rey frowns as nothing happens, and shouts for Roman to get out here. Roman’s music plays, and Roman appears, Paul Heyman following. Heyman hands Roman the Universal Championship to hold up for the pyro. Roman then hands the belt back to Heyman for him to hold up like a banner to show who Roman is as they go to ringside. Roman doesn’t seem to be taking Rey seriously despite entertaining this demand. Heyman again hands the belt over for the second round of pyro.
Rey takes a moment before he tells Roman, “This is what you wanted to hear. I acknowledge you, Roman.” WHAT?! “I acknowledge you… for the rat bastard that you are!” AHA! Rey says he also acknowledge Roman as the rat who put his hands on Rey’s son! Rey acknowledges Roman as a man he is willing to fight, even if he knows he’ll lose. And Rey also acknowledges Roman as the man that he wants to fight inside Hell in a Cell! Roman looks almost amused, but Rey says that now it’s Roman’s turn to acknowledge the challenge. Rey tosses the mic down at Roman’s feet, but Heyman hands Roman his personal mic.
“I acknowledge you. I acknowledge you as a father-” Rey has a KENDO STICK! And he smacks away on Roman! Roman blocks a shot to HEADBUTT Rey down! Roman is stinging but where did Rey even get that stick? Rey gets up, but Roman drags him up! Rey has the stick again and SMACKS away on Roman! And again! Roman gets up to TOSS Rey out of the ring! Roman is seething, he runs and SUPERMAN PUNCHES Rey back down! Roman clears the ring of the kendo stick and he paces around in a fury. Roman aims from a corner as Rey rises, “OOOAH~!” But DOMINIK SMACKS Roman with kendo stick!
Roman kicks Dom, reels him in, and gets him up! Roman POWERBOMBS Dominik OUT OF THE RING!! “I TOLD YOUUUU!!” Dominik writhes on the ramp but Rey SMACKS Roman again! Rey has Roman heading for the ramp, and then checks on Dom. Roman comes back to BOOT Rey down! Roman wants to do even worse but referees and officials stop him! Heyman also says it is best they leave it at this, and Roman accepts his Special Counsel’s advice. But what about Rey’s challenge for Hell in a Cell? Will Roman accept after all? And will he make Rey suffer for this act of defiance?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but I still feel there was a lot left to be desired. There’s been quite a bit of copy and pasting here as there has been on Raw, such as with the Nakamura and Corbin story. I do like that we’re finally getting a match for the crown, but I feel like we could’ve gotten this a bit sooner. And them saying it’s just a regular match isn’t as fun, either. It should be something where Ricky Boogs won’t be a factor. Nakamura needs to prove he can still win on his own, using the Strong Style we all know he is king of. Then Liv VS Mella again so soon is a mixed back, but naturally Liv ties up the series. I feel like they’re going to keep going for a bit while the SmackDown Women’s title is busy.
Speaking of which, we got a great talk show segment with Bayley, Rollins, Cesaro and Bianca. Bayley and Rollins are really good at laughing, because I’m pretty sure all of that was forced. Cesaro had a great return and I love how dejected Bayley felt after her set was ruined. Bianca also has a good laugh, and I wonder if hers was real. We got a great tag match with the Intercontinental Championship scene, and it makes sense for Sami to take the loss. Azeez is finally getting in the ring for a match, he and Apollo will have a great match with Kevin and Big E, but I can’t be sure who wins. The winner on the Face team could be seen as the frontrunner for a title match, but again we see the shame in Aleister Black being released at this point.
I feel like it’s also a shame they downgraded the tag match to a singles match, but it was pretty clear Gable was going to divide and conquer the Profits when he gave that little line about Otis still being mad. Shaven Otis was quite the shock, and he got to just demolish the Profits. The tag match is still on the horizon, I can feel it, and that is going to be awesome. The Roman Reigns story was again the backbone of the show, and we got quite the character arc. Roman passive aggressively getting at Jey, Jimmy and Jey arguing, and then Jey actually standing up to both sides, followed by Roman turning things around on Jimmy, this is not quite the direction I expected for this, but I’m liking it.
I also liked Rey and Dom taking the fight to Roman, and of course Roman was going to beat the hell out of them in return. Though there were obviously edits and camera angles to hide how Dom didn’t get truly demolished from that powerbomb to outside the ring, that was just a great spot in general, something still only possible thanks to the ThunderDome. Roman VS Rey being in the Cell, title optional, is going to be big, but I was still hoping for something with Roman, Jimmy and Jey. Maybe with PPV’s moved around, we’ll get an actual one year anniversary moment in October with Extreme Rules, Roman VS Jimmy, or maybe even Roman VS Jimmy VS Jey should Jey not want to join either side.
My Score: 8.3/10
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Time to deal with some absolute egos!
Joe Hendry made it through Vengeance Day still the NXT Champion, but now he teams with Myles Borne against Ricky Saints & Ethan Page!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jasper Troy VS Eli Knight VS Sean Legacy; Eli and Legacy win.
- Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights VS Lexis King & Uriah Connors w/ Birthright; Lexis & Uriah win.
- Sol Ruca VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence; Sol wins.
- Women’s Speed Tournament Finals: Thea Hail VS Wren Sinclair; Wren wins and will challenge Fallon Henley for the title.
- Joe Hendry & Myles Borne VS Ricky Saints & Ethan Page; Ricky & Ethan win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tatum Paxley is here!
The fans cheer the NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion as she holds up the belt and heads to the ring. Tatum puts the belt around her waist and grabs a mic to say, “I am your NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion!” The fans cheer again, and even chant, “You Deserve It!” Tatum continues by saying they don’t know how much that means to her. For the longest time, she’s felt she’s been doing this whole thing wrong. She was begging to be noticed, to be accepted, forcing friendships, all to just still feel alone. She’d play with the dolls and wonder if it was all worth it. All the self doubt, the loss, the mental battle of thinking she should be “a little less Tatum.’
But at Vengeance Day, it became very clear: Tatum didn’t win the title because of The Culling, or because someone else carried her there, or even that she got lucky. She won this title because of the fans! The fans cheer that! Every time she felt alone, every single one of the fans encouraged her to keep going. Now she wears this title around her waist, and she feels something she has been searching for her entire life, and that is the confidence that she belongs! The pain, the hurting, it was all worth it! And she’ll tell us the truth: She won the NXT Women’s Championship for The Culling; but she won the Women’s North American Championship for the fans!
Now she realized something: Tatum has never been and never will be- Interrupted by Izzi Dame… Izzi “congratulates” Tatum on beating her for the title. That must’ve been the best day of her life! But before Tatum starts acting like she knows who she is now, let’s all remind everyone who Tatum used to be. Roll tape! The fans boo as Izzi throws Tatum’s past at her. All the way from from her tryout to joining the Diamond Mine, to losing the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament, to turning on Diamond Mine, to Level Up, to her #TuesdayAddams transformation.
The fans cheer the video genuinely, but Izzi mockingly says, “Wow! Just wow!” It is truly inspiring how Tatum finally found herself! Izzi would be touch, if it weren’t so fake! Tatum, you haven’t changed at all! You haven’t found anything! You’re just doing what you always do, and that is trying to convince everyone that she’s not just the same weirdo outcast she was when she first showed up here. The fans boo but Izzi says Tatum can stand here and hold the title, soaking in all the fake love from the fake fans, but Izzi and Tatum know what this is: Another mask! Tatum thinks beating Izzi validates her?
The fans sing the Addams Family theme song while Izzi says all Tatum’s found is she is the chameleon of NXT! How is she not tired constantly changing? It’s almost impressive! Always pretending! But sooner or later, the unlovable girl she’s hiding from will show herself again. And when she does, everyone will see what Izzi already knows: Tatum Paxley, championship or not, will forever be the girl desperately trying to fit in. Hopefully Tatum’s enjoyed the past couple of days borrowing that belt, because Izzi wants it back NOW. Tatum turns around to see Niko & Spears! Then Izzi BOOTS Tatum down!
The fans boo as Izzi POWERBOMBS Tatum down! Izzi snatches the belt off Tatum, taking being a sore loser to a new level. Will Tatum just have to beat Izzi again to finally shut her up?
Ricky Saints talks with Ethan Page backstage.
The Absolute asks All Ego just what the hecc was that on Saturday! Ethan slid the belt all the way to Hendry?! Ethan says he knows! He knew the moment it left his hand! Saints says yeah, and he saw it as it slid right by him! Now neither men have titles! They’re naked! Ethan says that visual will haunt him now. Saints says the visual they need is them both as champs! Which is what makes them so great. They don’t dwell on the past. The last two days have sucked for Saints. Oh? Well, the last two WEEKS have sucked for Ethan! Saints apologizes, and he forgives Ethan for Saturday. But guess what? Tonight, after they beat those two cornballs, it’ll look like this.
If Ethan pins Myles, then guess what? He’s back in the North American Championship scene. If Saints pins Hendry, he’ll be main-eventing Stand & Deliver! That’s a sold out crowd chanting his name, oh yes indeed! Ethan says that’s right. Every dynasty has its slump, and this is a mere blemish on their impeccable records. Saints says barely a hiccup! After tonight, they’ll be back holding hands with Miss Title Contention! Ethan sees it, Saints loves it, and now they will both be TWO-TIME champions! Say it again, TWO-TIME CHAMPIONS! But will the Absolute Egos have their way? Or will they be made to believe in Borne & Hendry?
Jasper Troy VS Eli Knight VS Sean Legacy!
The MonStar LFG Season 1 Champion is not happy he lost his Speed Championship in a Triple Threat. But since he can’t just go right after the champion, he’ll take it out on the other guy in that title match, and then Super Sean just because he’s here! Will Troy destroy two high-fliers with one match? Or will there be another win snatched away from him?
NXT returns as the Disrespectfully Athletic makes his entrance, followed by Legacy. The bell rings and Troy ROCKS Legacy! Eli jumps on Troy but Troy throws him down. Legacy jumps on but Troy RAMS him into a corner! Eli comes back, but Troy THROWS him across the way! The fans are torn but Legacy runs up. Troy scoops Legacy, fireman’s carries, but Eli jumps in! Troy catches him!? And then he shrugs Legacy off so he can gorilla press Eli! Eli wiggles free, but Troy gets him again, CHOKE SLAM onto Legacy! The fans fire up while Troy puts Legacy in a corner and fires knees! Troy then goes to Eli in the other corner and BODY BLOWS!
Troy short arm LARIATS Eli, then stalks Legacy. Troy HEADBUTTS Legacy, then steps on him in the corner! The fans rally, Troy steps off, and Troy storms up on Eli. Troy BODY BLOWS Eli again, then whips corner to corner. Troy runs up, but into a BOOT! Eli hurries to fire hands on Troy, but Troy whisp him away. Troy CLOBBERS Eli, the fans fire up, and Troy stalks Eli. Troy scoops Eli, then aims at Legacy. Eli slips free, Legacy SUPERKICSK! Eli SUPERKICKS, then they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Troy tumbles up and out of the ring! Legacy whips Eli but Eli reverses! Eli ROCKS Legacy in a corner, then ROCKS him again!
Legacy fires shots in return, and we can see Troy drag himself up with the apron skirt. But KEANU CARVER CLOBBERS TROY! The fans are torn as the One Man Demolition Crew CHOKE SLAMS Troy through the desk! The fans go nuts, and Keanu tells Booker T this is what he meant! Keep his name out your mouths! Don’t play with Keanu! Keanu just turned this Triple Threat into a 1v1, and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns again as refs check on Troy. Legacy has Eli in a chinlock but Eli fights up. Eli arm-drags free, runs up, and he blocks a boot to CALF KICK! Then Eli goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Legacy tumbles out, Eli goes to a corner, and Eli springboards to SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans fire up with Eli and he hurries to get Legacy in the ring. Eli goes to the corner for the TIGER WALL MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Legacy survives. Eli hurries up top, and he MOONSAULTS! Legacy moves, Eli lands out, and then Eli dodges to BOOT! Eli runs up, Legacy goes up and over!
Legacy runs up, Eli dodges, but Legacy BOOTS him from the corner! Legacy QUEBRADAS into the dragon sleeper, and the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Eli survives but the fans fire up again! Troy clutches his side but he’s standing back up! “This is Awesome!” as Legacy hurries to get Eli up int the torture rack! But Eli fights free! Eli ROCKS Legacy, Legacy ROCKS Eli, and repeat! The fans rally as they go back and forth, but then Legacy gets the edge! But Eli ENZIGIRIS! Legacy UPPERCUTS! Eli falls, Legacy WRECKS Troy with a dropkick just to be sure! Legacy turns around, Eli JUMP KNEES!
Eli runs, blocks a boot, but Legacy dodges! Eli dodges back, but runs into a SPANISH FLY! The fans fire up with Legacy, but Troy is back up!? The fans are going nuts as Legacy fires hands! Troy snarls and RAMS Legacy into a corner! Then he BODIES Eli! The fans are torn, but Troy pops Legacy up, and SPINEBUSTERS him down! Then he BACKDROPS Eli onto Legacy! Troy clutches his ribs but he’s still so strong! Troy then hoists Eli up, RAMS him into Legacy at the corner, and then fireman’s carries them both!? DOUBLE SAMOAN DROP! Troy roars, rises up, and he guzels Eli! MONSTAR CHOKE SLAM! Cover, BUT LEGACY BREAKS IT!
The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Legacy stands, but Troy runs up! Legacy ducks ‘n’ dodges, only to run into the BIG BOSS- SHOTGUN from Eli! No slam for Troy, and Legacy runs up to SLICED BREAD! Legacy hurries to a corner, he springboards to 450 SPLASH! But then Eli adds his MOONSAULT! DOUBLE COVER, AND THREE!!
Winners: Sean Legacy & Eli Knight, by pinfall
Both Eli and Sean are surprised, but them both winning is better than them both losing! They shake hands on it and celebrate together! Will this momentum send both men towards titles? As for Troy, he surely has a score to settle with Keanu now. When and where will the MonStar get his shot at the Demolition Man?
Tatum Paxley is furious!
She demands to know where that snake, Izzi, slithered off to. She asks Shiloh Hill if he saw them. He says sorry, he hasn’t seen The Culling. Tatum says she has to find Izzi before she goes. Wait, before she goes? Oh, that part he can help with. Shiloh has his tire iron, and both he and Tatum laugh maniacally as they hurry to the parking lot! Will Izzi’s car be two tired for her to get out of here?
Birthright talks backstage.
Arianna Grace says she successfully defended her TNA Knockouts World Championship last week, so now it is the boys’ turn to impress. Stacks asks Lexis King if he’s good, and Lexis says he’s just disappointed it had to come to this. Charlie Dempsey is too stubborn for his own good. Did Uriah make the call? Nope, but his dad did. And “they” are on their way. Perfect. Birthright heads out, but who could they mean by “they?”
Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights VS Lexis King & Uriah Connors w/ Birthright!
Despite the offer from his friends in the second-generation-superstar club, The Son of the Gentlemanly Villain is still his own man. And he chose to team with his former No Quarter Catch Crew member to make sure Birthright understands that. Will Charlie & Tavion prove they can reach new heights their way? Or will the Drama King and Chase U dropout show them it’s in their blood?
The teams sort out, Charlie starts against Uriah, and the two tie up. Uriah headlocks, Charlie slips around but Uriah wrenches and wristlocks. Uriah shifts to a full nelson but Charlie breaks that to then wrench and full nelson in return. Uriah breaks free of that, snapmares, and covers, ONE! The fans applaud as the two tie up with knuckle locks. They’re shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength, and Uriah bends Charlie back. Charlie fights up, but Uriah wrenches. Charlie wrenches back then whips, but Uriah leaps over the dropdown. They tie up again, and Charlie puts on the pressure. Charlie hits a straight arm suplex, then clamps onto a CATTLE MUTILATION!
Charlie moves around, then goes to a FUJIWARA, but Uriah rolls through. Charlie gets Uriah’s legs, drags him back, then tags Tavion. Charlie puts Uriah in the BOW ‘N’ ARROW, then THROWS him to Tavion for the GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans cheer while Uriah flounders away. Tavion runs up, Uriah dodges and tags Lexis. Lexis saves Uriah from the suplex, but then Tavion snatches Lexis for a scoop SLAM! Tavion runs, Charlie tags, and Tavion rolls into jackknife, turning it into a fireman’s carry. FLAPJACK and KNEE LIFT! Charlie covers, TWO! Lexis scrambles away to the apron but Charlie grabs after him.
Lexis HOTSHOTS Charlie, then CHOPS! Lexis whips, Charlie reverses, but Uriah tags in. Lexis waistlocks, Cahrlie BOOTS Uriah away, then he drop toeholds! Tavion tries to warn Charlie but Charlie is too busy hammering Lexis! Uriah CLOBBERS Charlie! The fans boo but Uriah stomps Charlie. Uriah drags Charlie over, CHOPS him, then tags Lexis back in. Lexis snapamres Charlie to then get the leg, and he tags Uriah. Uriah slingshot SENTONS but onto knees! Charlie UP KICKS Lexis, then BACKBREAKERS Uriah! The fans rally, hot tag to Tavion! Tavion SLINGBLADES Uriah, BLASTS Lexis, and CLOBBERS Uriah!
Tavion whips Uriah to OVERHEAD BELLy2BELLY! Tavion keeps going, RUNNING BELLY2BELLY! Cover, Lexis breaks it! Charlie storms in and he TOSSES Lexis out! But Uriah BOOTS Charlie out! Tavion SPEARS Uriah out of the ring! Uriah and Tavion are down hard, but Charlie and Lexis brawl! The ref checks, Tavion gets up, and he keeps after Uriah. NQCC puts Birthright int he ring, then hug it out. The fans fire up for the boys, but wait! Is that Fit Finlay & William Regal?! And Charlie GERMAN SUPLEXES Tavion?!? The fans are going nuts, but Charlie feeds Tavion into the ring! Uriah hits Tavion with a BARE BONE KNEE STRIKE!
Tag to Lexis, and he gets Tavion up for the CORONATION!! Cover, Birthright wins!!
Winners: Lexis King & Uriah Connors, by pinfall
It seems Charlie is still his father’s son. He steps into the ring and embraces his Birthright! Will nothing stop them from taking over?
The Culling walks the halls.
Izzi feels good about how that went. Niko is sure Tatum will now spiral out of control. But then The Chair Man hears the car alarm. Someone just put their car on blocks?! And a few other cars, too… Well, as we see Shiloh Hill walking back to the door, we know who did it. But Robert Stone asks what’s going on! Shiloh says he didn’t know which car was The Culling’s, but the car alarms are too loud. Stone says get inside! They get away from the honking, and Shiloh shouts that he didn’t know which car it was. Stone is trying to figure out what and why, but Shiloh leaves the tire iron with him. The Culling complains to Stone, but will they just have to take it up with the mechanics?
Tony D’Angelo is here!
The fans cheer as the man who was once The Don goes to the ring. Tony gets a mic and says, “When I returned to NXT, I told the WWE Universe I came back for two reasons. The first mission was DarkState. Vengeance Day was the culmination of that mission. On Saturday, me and Lennox went to war.” The fans applaud that. Tony says that while he despises Dion, Dion went out on his shield. Tony left DarkState the way they left him: Beaten, empty, and searching for answers. So now, we get to reason number two as to why Tony returned. And while he was away, he considered his future. This life goes by fast but he had time to reflect.
See, Tony looked at the man in the mirror, and had to be honest with himself. There was one thing that that man could not accomplish. There was one thing that that man could not achieve. And in that moment, Tony buried that version of himself six feet under, became the man that stands before you today, the man who proved he is the toughest SOB in NXT! The fans cheer that! The second reason Tony came back… is to win the NXT Championship. The fans cheer that! Tony knows Joe Hendry is a sensation, and he has no issues. If this was a year ago, Tony would have a sit down and break bread with Hendry. But that’s not him anymore.
“Joe, if I gotta break your face, that’s what I’m gonna do. And I’d love to say this is just business, but this is personal to me. Now Joe, this is your one warning. Prepare yourself for my actions, cuz I will not be denied. Tony D’Angelo will be the next N X T Champion!” The fans like the sound of that. But with Ricky Saints also wanting his shot, will Tony have more than just the champion to deal with?
Lola Vice talks with Sol Ruca backstage.
Miami Vice says hola, and Sol says hola. Sol says congrats on the win at Vengeance Day. Lola says gracias, it felt so good knocking out Kelani Jordan. Now, how is Sol? She’s… okay. Yeah, Lola gets that there is a lot on Sol’s plate. She’s got Lainey Reid tonight, then her best friend betrayed her. But Lola knows she’s looking at the next NXT Women’s Champion. Sol says damn straight. Next week in Houston, Sol takes the title from Jacy Jayne while getting her hands on Zaria at the same time. Lola says she’ll be watching. So when Sol takes the title, know it’ll be her and Lola at Stand & Deliver. Well, a lot has to happen first.
Lola still wishes Sol luck, and Sol heads to gorilla. Will Sol make it through the Southern Bell and her toxic back-up? Or will her wave of momentum come crashing down around her?
WrenQCC talks with Myles Borne.
Kendal Grey says she and Wren Sinclair were so pumped to see Myles win the North American Championship off Ethan Page. That was amazing! Glad to see he finally had his moment. Myles thanks them, and says not to be rude, but have either of them seen his tag partner? They gotta prepare for the match tonight. Wren says she knows where they can find him! Remember that one time? Oh, yes, Kendal remembers now. Watch. Joe Hendry! “Say his name and he appears!” The fridge? Wren opens it up, but no, that’s just a cake. But then Hendry steps in and asks what they’re looking at. Hendry, why weren’t you in the fridge? Been there, done that.
Myles asks Hendry where he’s been. They gotta game plan for Ethan & Ricky! Hendry apologizes, he had some business to attend to, but he’s here now. Time to game plan! Myles wishes Wren luck for her Speed match. Wren says she’s got the need! The need for speed! Kendal, are you ready? Wait, Kendal’s stuffing her face with cake! Kendal~! What? She’s got the night off. Cheat day~! Fine, let’s just get going. Kendal says good luck, guys! So, she’s not gonna share? Will Wren become a contender in three minutes or less? Will Myles & Hendry prove they were Borne to Believe?
Sol Ruca VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence!
NXT returns as Sol makes her entrance, joining The Fatal Influence in the ring. The bell rings and the fans rally behind Sol as she circles with Lainey. They tie up, go around the ring, and against the ropes. Sol powers up but Lainey slips around to a waistlock. Sol switches, but Lainey switches back. Lainey pries the hold open to a wrench and wristlock. Sol cartwheels, then slips under to BACKDROP Lainey! Sol has the armlock, Lainey fights up, but Sol wrenches to wristlock. Sol wrangles Lainey but Lainey endures. The fans rally as Lainey headscissors, and she holds on tight as Sol tries to kip free. Sol moves around, and headstands to then pop free!
Sol drops on Lainey for a headlock, but Lainey fights up to her feet. Lainey powers up but can’t power out as Sol holds on tight. Lainey powers up again, pries the hold open, and she turns things around to headlock Sol. Lainey snapmares but Sol cartwheels through! The fans cheer while Lainey frowns. Lainey runs up, Sol trips her up, and Sol steps on Lainey to use her as a surfboard! Then Sol STOMPS Lainey’s leg! Lainey scrambles away while the fans cheer. Jacy & Fallon fan Lainey off, then Lainey runs up to kick Sol! Lainey kicks again but Sol blocks! Lainey hops around, rolls, and trips Sol in one go!
Lainey headlocks but Sol powers up and out. Lainey RUNS Sol over, then hits a headlock and takeover! Sol rolls to a cover, ONE! Lainey holds on but Sol headscissors. Sol squeezes tight but Lainey still kips free, then DROPKICKS! Sol goes to a corner, Lainey runs up, but Sol catches her! Sol spins with Lainey for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Lainey scrambles to a corner, Sol runs up, and Sol MONKEY FLIPS Lainey away! Lainey ends up in the far corner, and Sol runs up again. Lainey puts Sol up top, but Sol BOOTS her! Lainey SHOVES Sol, but Sol body scissors Lainey to throw her out of the ring! The fans cheer as Sol gets back up.
Sol runs to use the corner for the MOONSAULT! Down goes Lainey and Jacy is upset, but Sol just brings Lainey up and into the ring. Sol senses Jacy creep up and she stares the champ down. But then Fallon distracts the ref! This lets Jacy anchor Sol in the ropes! Sol kicks free, only for Lainey to DOUBLE STOMP! Lainey and Fatal Influence soak up the heat while NXT goes picture in picture.
Lainey storms up to stomp Sol, then HAMMERS away! Lainey stops just to JUMP LEG DROP! Then she brings Sol up to bump her off buckles. Lainey runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Then she SHINING WIZARDS! Sol flounders along the ropes but Lainey keeps on her. Lainey CHOKES Sol, stops as the ref counts, then pushes her down. The ref reprimands but Lainey steps on Sol, and DOUBLE STOMPS again! Cover, TWO! Lainey argues the count but the count was fair. Lainey reels Sol in but Sol cradle counters, TWO! Both women stand, and Sol ROCKS Lainey first! Then mule kicks! Then SMACKS Lainey again!
Sol whips, but Lainey turns backdrop into NECKBREAKER! Lainey then clamps on with a chinlock and grinds Sol down. Sol endures, fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Sol goes to a corner, Lainey runs in, but Sol ROCKS her! And susnet flips! TWO, and Lainey grabs ropes for good measure. Both women stand, Sol blocks a superkick, but not the second SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Jacy is frustrated that Sol survives, but Lainey CLUBS Sol down. Lainey turns Sol for a Gory Especial! Sol endures as Lainey bends her back! The ref checks on Sol but she just powers up! Lainey hits a GORY BOMB! Cover, TWO!
Lainey is frustrated as Sol survives, and she stands Sol up as NXT returns to single picture. Lainey whips Sol to a corner, runs up, but Sol goes up and over. Sol then SHOTGUNS Lainey down! Sol fires forearms on Lainey, has the arms, and kicks the legs out so she can SURFBOARD STOMP Lainey into buckles! Sol runs up, but Lainey dodges! Lainey runs up, but Sol puts her on the apron! Lainey bumps Sol off buckles, KICKS low, then buckle bumps for another KICK! Lainey then steps in, FLYING STUNNER! High stack, TWO! The fans rally as Sol survives. Lainey taunts the fans before she stands over Sol.
Lainey DOUBLE- NO, Sol Electric Chair Lifts Lainey right up! And then SLAMS her down! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Zaria is seen watching this backstage, probably hoping Sol loses. Sol and Lainey rise up, and Lainey SMACKS Sol first! But Sol SMACKS Lainey back! Lainey ROLLING ELBOWS Sol, but Sol rebounds to ROCK Lainey! Then mule kick! CLUB! Bob ‘n’ weave, UPPERCUT! Sol whips and ELBOWS Lainey down! And LARIAT! Sol whips Lainey to the corner, then SNAP GERMANS! Lainey flounders, Sol goes up, and Sol MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Sol kips up!
Sol aims again, runs back up, KNEE STRIKE! High stack, TWO! Lainey flounders but Sol goes to the apron. Sol springboards, but has to roll through as Lainey moves! Sol goes back, but into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Sol survives, the fans fire up, but Fatal Influence is frustrated. Lainey drags Sol up, Gory Especials, but Sol sunset flips it! TWO, and Sol hits the X-FACTOR! Lainey flounders, Sol gets her up, fireman’s carry for the swing and AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Lainey survives and the fans can’t believe it! Fatal Influence is relieved, but Sol whips Lainey to the corner. Lainey holds ropes to stop the German Suplex!
Lainey ELBOWS Sol, then slips around, reverse victory roll, TWO! Lainey rebounds but into the EDDY GORDO KICK! Lainey wobbles, Sol runs, but Lainey scoops! Sol slips free and TOSSES Lainey out! Lainey ROCKS Sol from the apron, then steps in, but Sol SUPERKICKS! The fans cheer “Women’s Wrestling!” as Sol goes up, up, but Lainey YANKS her down! And then the ROLLING CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Lainey takes down her kneepads, for some SOUTHERN HOSPITAL- NO, Sol dodges, then SOUL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol wins!
Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall
Fatal Influence is beside themselves! Lainey gave Sol a run for her money, but it was still Sol on top! The wave of momentum is growing, will it completely wipe out Jacy and Zaria? Or will Sol be denied both revenge and reign?
Robert Stone meets with Sean Legacy, Eli Knight, and Elio LeFleur.
The (Interim) NXT GM is still getting his hearing back, but the Sky Slicer says he’d love to defend his Speed Championship against both Legacy and Eli if he could. Stone says it has already been a long night, and he also enjoyed the double pin. And yes, while it’d be great for Legacy or Knight to challenge Elio, the rules state there has to be a Speed Tournament. Elio says that takes so long, which is kinda the opposite of what the Speed Division is about. Eli says yeah, him beating Troy should mean something. Legacy says they beat Troy. Stone admits, that is true. They can get the tournament going, but we’ll have to see how it goes.
And then Vanity Project walks in. Jackson Drake says enough of the Speed title. Jumping through hoops just to get a chance? What a pain in the ass! Brad Baylor wants to talk NXT Tag Team Championships. They’re already thinking Stand & Deliver, the biggest spotlight for Stone’s brightest new stars! Ricky Smokes says, “Y’know, guys who can actually go more than three minutes.” They already cleared out the division, but surely Stone can get creative. Drake says don’t even worry about it. Their guy, Stone, will cook up something great. Laters. Vanity Project leaves, and Legacy says let’s put a pin on the Speed title for a second, because he has an idea.
Stone will consider what Elio said about the Speed Division, but yes, he likes where Legacy is going. He thinks he has an idea. Will Legacy & Knight soon swipe right on a match with the tag team champions?
Backstage interview with Blake Monroe.
Blake Howard brings up The Glamour beating Jaida Parker in the Street Fight, a huge victory. What’s next for her? Blake says Jaida brought out a godawful side of her, and learned that when you mess with the Woman From Hell, you get burned. So as for what’s next, the biggest show of the year is coming up. This will be Monroe’s first Stand & Deliver, and she’ll make it all about her in St. Louie. Howard corrects her that it’s St. Louis. Monroe says she is the conversation, she is the controversy, so what will she do? Well- Tatum turns the corner and calls to Blake. They both respond and Tatum says right, both Blake.
But then, have either Blake or Blake seen The Culling? No, and no. Okay, bye. Tatum calls out to Izzi that she’s looking for her, and Monroe says Howard needs to do something about his name. Because that, like many other things, belongs to her. Blake Monroe leaves Blake Howard speechless, but did Tatum just make herself a target?
Women’s Speed Tournament Finals: Thea Hail VS Wren Sinclair w/ Kendal Grey!
The Grown-Ass Woman stole the spotlight from Blake Monroe while the Captain of WrenQCC managed to slay Nikkita Lyons. Now both of these young and hungry superstars is looking to go right at the Toxic Cowgirl, but that means getting through each other! Who makes themselves #1 contender in three minutes or less?
NXT returns as Thea makes her entrance. The bell rings, and Thea DROPKICKS Wren down! The fans rally and duel but Thea KICKS and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE, but Thea dodges a lariat to jump on the arm! KIMURA, but Wren powers out! Wren CHOPS Thea, fireman’s carries, and ROLLING SENTONS! Wren keeps moving, and she RUNS Thea over, then BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Wren goes for arms, but Thea fights around! Thea fights up, jumps and wheelbarrows, then arm-drags! Then mule kicks! Thea runs, and ROLLING NECKBREAKERS! Cover, ONE and Wren bails out!
We hit the two minute warning orange phase, and Thea builds speed! DIVE and down goes Wren! Thea shakes out her arm, then gets Wren int he ring. The fans rally up again as Thea climbs. Thea aims and CROSSBODY FLOPS as Wren moves! Wren hurries to then roll Thea up, TWO!! Thea escapes, and has the KIMURA!! Wren flails, reaches out, and rolls through! Wren gets the FINAL WRENCH!! Thea flails, fights, but she QUITS!! WREN WINS!
Winner: Wren Sinclair, by submission (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Women’s Speed Championship)
With 62 seconds to spare, Wren seals the deal! The Texas girl gets to do it up big in Houston, but will she dethrone the Toxic Cowgirl? Or will even the Speed Division be stuck under the Influence?
Robert Stone meets with the NXT Tag Division.
Suit Man Stone thanks everyone for being here, and he knows that we are officially in Stand & Deliver Season. After talking with Vanity Project earlier, it got him thinking. This division is deep, this division is hungry, so Stone is going to put together a tag team tournament! The winners get their shot at Vanity Project at Stand & Deliver! Everyone except Swipe Right likes that! What do they look like to him? Oh, so they don’t want to be at Stand & Deliver? That’s not what they’re saying! Yeah, that’s what Stone thought. So now, to the teams in the tournament: the new team of Legacy & Knight; The Culling; Birthright; Hank ‘n’ Tank; OTM; DarkState.
Shugars says no, DarkState ain’t doing no tournament! They want their rematch and they want it now! But then OTM storms up on DarkState, and they start throwing hands! The other teams get in there to break this up, but clearly it’s about to pop off! Who survives the tournament to then have their shot in St. Louis?
Backstage interview with Fatal Influence.
Blake Howard is now with Jacy, Fallon, and Lainey, and brings up the title defenses next week in Houston. How are they handling these targets on their back this close to Stand & Deliver? Jacy says wow, she never thought she’d miss Sarah Schreiber, but here we are. And she doesn’t need Blake Howard reminding her that she has to deal with both Sol and Zaria next week. If she wants to walk into Stand & Deliver as champion, then she has to make the impossible happen. And he watches the product, right? Then he should know that this is perhaps the most unpredictable WrestleMania season ever!
How many new champions have been crowned lately? Penta, Cody Rhodes, Lash & Nia, AJ Lee! The odds are stacked against Jacy. Howard brings up Tatum beating Izzi, and Jacy can’t even. Fallon, you talk to him. Fallon is pretty sure he’ll bring up Wren Sinclair now, right? Everyone’s favorite little underdog, a leader of two people. Big deal. All Fallon has to do is win within five minutes. Oh, look, here they are! Wren steps in and says considering she beat Lyons and Thea in under three, she’ll have no problem beating Fallon in five. Kendal is also confident in that. And if we’re talking numbers, Fatal Influence is definitely losing one of their titles next week.
Oh, and Jacy, if you get past Sol and Zaria to make it to Stand & Deliver as she so desperately wants, just know Kendal will be the one she defends that title against. Lainey says enough. They don’t have time for this. Time to go. Fatal Influence leaves, WrenQCC is ready to bring the fight to them, but who will get to Stand & Deliver?
The Culling heads out.
Niko & Spears are ready to go for those tag titles, but then Tatum CLOBBERS Izzi! They start brawling, Izzi RAMS Tatum into the garage door, but The Culling and security separate these two! Stone sees this and shouts that this is enough! If they wanna get their hands on each other, fine! The rematch for the Women’s North American Championship is gonna happen in Houston! And in a STEEL CAGE!! Tatum loves that idea! Will she get to rip into Izzi without anyone getting in her way?
Backstage interview with Robert Stone.
Blake Howard catches up with Stone and says this is a huge night for NXT in Houston now. Stone says he’s even got stars from Raw & SmackDown texting him about it. Remember that this is Stone’s first road show for NXT, and he wants to make it special. Well, adding Tatum VS Izzi in a Steel Cage is huge, and Stone says yes, it has to end somehow with these two. Plus, the other two title matches, the NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat, and the Women’s Speed Championship. Then there’s the tag tournament, and we’re starting in Houston! Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Birthright. The tournament culminates on March 31st as NXT returns to NYC, winners going on to Stand & Deliver.
And also, and he hasn’t said anything yet, but… OTM AND DarkState are now OUT of the tournament. Between Vengeance and what happened just now in his office, it cannot keep happening. Vanity Project walks back in and Brad appreciates having all this time off. Smokes says he’s even gotten some invites to parties in Houston, so- Stone says don’t party too hard. W-Why? Because in Houston, they will be in Six Man Tag action against LOS AMERICANOS! What?! Yeah, sorry, gotta go. Man, Stone used to be cool! Stone promises that the Houston fans are gonna love this, but he’ll let Vic Joseph break this next bit of news!
Vic Joseph indeed takes up the mic to say this is big. Next week, NXT is live in Houston, the hometown of Booker T. And Vic doesn’t wanna let the cat out of the bag, but this duo was only meant to be a duo for three months. A lot of people didn’t know that, and this is three YEARS! So it is Vic’s honor to say that next Tuesday, it will be BOOKER T APPRECIATION NIGHT! All hail King Bookah~! The fans cheer that! Booker asks, why did they wait to say this? But between celebrating Booker T’s career both in the ring and at the desk and all those title matches, will NXT in Houston be the biggest episode ever?
Joe Hendry & Myles Borne VS Ricky Saints & Ethan Page!
Even after their big victories the last couple of weeks, The NXT Champion and the North American Champion are teaming up against their common enemies! Will Hendry & Borne prove they aren’t champions out of dumb luck? Or will these Absolute Egos earn themselves golden tickets to championship rematches?
NXT returns as Myles makes his entrance, followed by Joe Hendry. The teams sort out and Hendry starts against Saints. They tie up, Saints headlocks for the takeover, but Hendry headscissors. Saints kips free, but turns around into a tie up, and then Hendry headlocks for the takeover. Saints headscissors, Hendry kips free, and TURNS! The fans cheer, but Saints hits low! Saints ROCKS and whips, but Hendry reverses, blows past, and CLOBBERS Saints! The fans cheer, but Ethan runs up! Hendry HIP TOSSES Ethan, then he HIP TOSSES Saints! Hendry drags Saints up, tags Myles in, and they coordinate, for the DROPKICK SUPLEX COMBO!
The fans cheer as Myles waits on Saints, then scoops, for the FALL AWY SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Saints survives Myles pulling out a new move, but Myles fireman’s carries. Saints fights free, waistlocks, but Myles switches. Saints RAMS Myles into a corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Myles ducks Ethan’s cheap shot, DECKS him for it, but Saints ROCKS Myles! Saints hits a BIG back suplex, then he tags Ethan. They stomp Myles, then Ethan rains down fists. Ethan drags Myles up to suplex, but Myles fights it! Myles fires body shots, then ANARCHY SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Myles keeps on Ethan, but Ethan RAMS him into the corner!
Ethan RAMS Myles again and again, then stops as the ref counts 4. Ethan drags Myles up, but Myles fires body shots! And he ELBOWS Saints! Myles ROCKS Ethan, ROCKS Saints, repeat! The fans fire up as Myles UPPERCUTS then runs, but into a BOOT! The fans boo Ethan but he tells Saints to go get the belts! Saints grabs a belt, slides it in, but way out of the ring! Ethan is incredulous, and Saints says he is so, so sorry. Ethan says this wasn’t that hard, he’s right here! Saints apologizes, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Saints tries to explain himself to commentary, but Myles snatches Ethan into a cradle! TWO, and Ethan drags Myles from Hendry! ELBOW DROP! Ethan tags Saints, they stomp Myles down at the ropes, but step off as the ref counts. Saints drags Myles up to put through the ropes, and then CHOKE! The ref counts, Saints stops at 4, then taunts Hendry. Saints UPPERCUTS Myles down, then brings him back up. Saints tags Ethan back in, they mug Myles, and Ethan stays between Myles and Hendry. Ethan brings Myles around to suplex, but Myles slips free to roll Ethan up! TWO, and Ethan anchors Myles’ leg!
Ethan drags Myles back, tags Saints in, and Saints ELBOW DROPS Myles on the back of his head! Cover, TWO! Saints drags Myles up to wrench, then he goes up the corner. Saints tightrope walks, and he gives Myles the Old School AX HANDLE! Myles sputters, Ethan smiles, and Saints strikes his pose. Saints storms up on Myles but Myles fires body shots. Myles whips, Saints reverses, and Saints SPINEBUSTERS! Then he gator rolls Myles to tag in Ethan. Ethan steps in and ELBOW DROPS on Myles’ chest! Ethan scoop SLAMS Myles, tags Saints, and Saints goes up the ropes to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Myles survives, but Saints keeps Myles down with a chinlock. Myles endures, fights up, and NXT returns to single picture. Myles fires body shots but Saints KNEES low. Saints puts Myles in the corner, CHOPS, then tags Ethan. Ethan kicks Myles down, then he and Saints double whip. Myles reverses to send Saints & Ethan into each other! Myles DECKS Saints, but Ethan whips Myles to the corner. Ethan runs up, but Myles dodges the splash! Myles crawls, reaches out, but Saints YANKS Hendry down! The fans boo but Saints THROWS Hendry into barriers! Ethan SPLASHES Myles in the corner!
The fans are riled up as Ethan whips Myles corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Tag to Saints, then Ethan puts Myles up top. Saints joins in, and they DOUBLE ICONOCLASM! Then they YANK Myles up, ASSISTED TORNADO DDT! Cover, Hendry CLOBBERS Ethan onto it! The fans fire up, but Ethan TOSSES Hendry! Hendry lands safe on the apron, ROCKS Ethan, then steps in, only for Ethan to give him a CONFIDENCE BREAKER! Saints then SHOTGUNS Hendry down! The fans boo but Absolute Egos are on the same page now. Saints puts Myles up top, but Myles fires hands! Myles and Saints trade shots, then Myles ROCKS Saints!
Ethan runs up, Myles ROCKS him! Saints SMACKS Myles! Saints then runs side to side, tags Ethan, and he goes right up to get Myles! SUPER DUPER PLEX for the Power! Ethan adds a DIVING BODY PRESS for the Glory! Cover, TWO!! Myles survives and shocks Ethan! Ethan stomps Myles but the fans rally, “WE BELIEVE!” Ethan RIPCORDS Myles up, but Myles fights the slam to a REVERSE DDT! Myles crawls, reaches out, and this time, hot tags to Hendry and Saints! The fans fire up as Hendry rallies on Ethan & Saints! Then he kicks Ethan, spins him, and NECKBREAKER! Then he scoops Saints for the FALL AWAY SLAM!
Hendry kips up, and he dodges Ethan to scoop him! Pop up to the fireman’s carry, and the ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Saints runs up, Hendry dodges, ANGLE SLAM! Hendry busts out all the hits! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Hendry as hard as they can, and he starts up the stomp stomp clap! But Ethan anchors Hendry! Hendry kicks free, he dodges Saints, but DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans rally up again, and now Saints wants Ethan to get a belt! Not this again! Ethan slides the belt to Saints properly this time, but the ref spots that! Saints swings, but the ref stops him! The fans fire up as Hendry then rolls Saints up, TWO!!
Saints runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and Ethan tags in before the SPEAR!! Saints hoists Hendry up, Ethan steps in, and only now does Saints realize Ethan tagged in! The fans rally as Myles is back! DROPKICK on Saints! Ethan just goes for Hendry, TWISTED GRIN on the gold!! Cover, ETHAN & SAINTS WIN!!
Winners: Ricky Saints & Ethan Page, by pinfall
Myles is furious, but Ethan rubs it in with his cocky grin. Saints says Ethan’s a genius! But using Saints’ logic earlier, if Ethan pinned THE NXT Champion, who’s really becoming the TWO-TIME NXT Champion?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT that basically acted as a go-home to the BIG Houston episode next week. Very good promo from Tatum given her title win, but naturally even she was annoyed with Izzi coming back for another match. Shiloh Hill doing more car shenanigans was great, and adding Tatum VS Izzi to next week is great stuff. I’m not usually one for Steel Cage matches, because you can just feel The Culling interfering on Izzi’s behalf and Shiloh countering. I would hope Tatum keeps the title, it’d be disappointing for her reign to only be 10 days. Very good promo from Blake Monroe with Blake Howard, clever way of pointing out the same names. And yeah, I would think Monroe wants that North American title back and will challenge Tatum at Stand & Deliver.
Great match from Sol VS Lainey, and I’m pleased Zaria let it play out. Great win for Sol, but still unclear if the Triple Threat will help Jacy win or give her a protected loss. Great Speed match from Wren VS Thea, and great win for Wren. I feel bad for Thea, especially since she is dealing with awful “fans” being, well, just awful to her on social media. Thea has been doing great work since day one, she deserves something good, and maybe she’ll finally reach the top of NXT after Stand & Deliver. As for Wren, great promo from her and Kendal with Myles and Hendry, and then a really good promo with Fatal Influence. And yeah, if any title changes, it might be Wren taking the Speed title from Fallon.
Awesome Triple Threat from Troy, Legacy, and Eli, even with Keanu Carver getting involved. Troy definitely looks like a monster coming back from that table spot and almost winning the match. Eli and Legacy both winning that match was really clever stuff, and a great excuse to make them a team for this “impromptu” tag tournament. Although, it just makes me wonder where the Dusty Cup went… And I like that we got six teams announced at first, only for OTM and DarkState to take themselves out because of their behavior. OTM VS DarkState can still happen as a grudge match, and the four teams will all have great matches on the road to what was going to be Roadblock.
Great development with Birthright. Fit Finlay & William Regal showing up and signaling Charlie Dempsey’s turn was a nice surprise. Now Birthright has the right number of people for a “golden prophecy.” Lexis King could make himself the top title guy, Stacks as the midcard guy, and then Charlie & Uriah as the tag team. Very good promo from Tony D, but duh, he was going to call his shot at the NXT Championship. Very good promo from Ethan & Ricky, especially with Ricky pointing out the usual rule of “pin a champ, get a title match.” Great tag team main event, especially with the blatantly bad pass from Ricky to Ethan. Ethan winning on Hendry was not only a surprise, but it was a great way to show Ethan wants THE title back.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Who the War Dragons survive round two?
The New Japan Cup is gaining speed, but only the best will gain any ground! Tonight is Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale, Yuya Uemura VS Drilla Moloney, whose time has come?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Aaron Wolf & Masatora Yasuda VS OSKAR & Yuto-Ice; Oskar & Yuto win.
- 10 Man Tag: Bishamon, Boltin Oleg, Toru Yano & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita VS Callum Newman & Zane Jay; Hartley & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Yota Tsuji & Daiki Nagai VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
- 2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale; Takagi wins and advances.
- 2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Yuya Uemura VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Yuya wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale w/ Dick Togo!
The Rampaging Dragon is no stranger to the House of Torture, from feuding with them in Los Ingobernables de Japon and now the Unbound Company. And now, he faces the Rogue General who indeed had the House backing him just last round. Will Fale have another stacked deck here tonight? Or will it not matter when Takagi’s time has come?
No attack during the entrance or introductions, so there’s that. The bell rings and the fans rally up for “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” Fale and Takagi step up, stare down, and Takagi shoves Fale. Fale shoves back, so Takagi fires forearms, and a CHOP! Fale DECKS Takagi! Takagi gets up and RAMS Fale! Fale stays put so Takagi runs and RAMS him again! And again! Takagi fires up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he RAMS Fale! Fale stumbles into the ref, then out of the ring! The fans cheer, but Yoshinobu Kanemaru rushes in! Takagi dodges the bottle shot, then blocks the next! Takagi kick slow, takes the whiskey, and takes a swig! But Fale BODY BLOWS the whiskey out of him!
The fans boo but Fale CLUBS Takagi down! Fale then drags Takagi up, just to TOSS him out! Fale distracts the ref so that Kanemaru can whip Takagi into railing! Takagi writhes and the fans boo, but Kanemaru gets away with that. Takagi staggers away into the crowd, and Fale wants the ring count. The count begins, but Takagi walks back to ringside at 8, rolling in at 9 of 20. But Fale CLUBS him down, then stands on Takagi! The ref counts, Fale steps off at 4, then he stalks Takagi. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up, then he ROCKS and KNEES and HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up as Takagi calls his shot!
Takagi goes to scoop, he gets Fale up, but falls under Fale’s weight! Fale covers, TWO! The fans rally for Takagi while he sputters. Fale stalks Takagi to the ropes, stomps him, then stands on him again! The ref counts again, so Fale steps off at 4. Fale argues with the ref, then drags Takagi up. Fale BODY BLOWS, and BODY BLOWS again! Takagi falls over, but Fale turns him over. Fale stands on Takagi’s back, using him as a surfboard! Then Fale covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Takagi has Takagi toughs it out. Fale brings Takagi up again, but Takagi KNEES low! And KNEES again! And again! Takagi goes for the scoop but Fale CLUBS him!
Fale scoops, but Takagi fights free! Takagi runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RAMS Fale! Fale rebounds but into a kick! Takagi reels Fale in, but Fale BACKDROPS free! Takagi sunset flips, but Fale stays up! Fale HIP DROPS but flops as Takagi dodges! SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Takagi rises up, and the fans join in with the “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs in and LARIATS Fale at the corner! The fans cheer and Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS! Takagi winds up to ROCK Fale! The fans cheer again, and Takagi goes up to ELEVATED DDT! Cover, TWO! Fale survives but the fans still rally for Takagi.
Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he looks to the cameras. “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer and Takagi vows to lift Fale! Takagi reels Fale in, but Fale fights with body shots! Fale whips Takagi to a corner, runs up, and SPLASHES! Then he snapmares Takagi for the SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives and the fans cheer! Fale frowns but he calls his own shot. Fale waits on Takagi to stand up, and he guzels! Then the GRE- NO! Takagi breaks free, ducks the hand, to JAB! HEADBUTT! And then facelock! Fale is still really big, but TAKAGI SUPLEXES HIM! The fans are thunderous as Takagi manages the impossible!
Takagi then runs, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, KANEMARU YANKS THE REF OUT! The fans boo but now Dick Togo slithers into the ring! Takagi shouts at Kanemaru, but turns around into the POCKET SAND! The fans boo again but Dick & Kanemaru mug Takagi! They choke him in the corner, then they set him up for Fale to SPLASH! Takagi falls, but Fale & Kanemaru set him up! DICK CHOP! The fans boo while Takagi writhes, but Dick puts the ref back in the ring. Fale runs to ELBOW DROP! But Gedo gets off commentary to argue with the ref! Fale’s cover goes uncounted! The fans cheer Gedo, but Fale storms over!
Gedo hides behind the ref while Kanemaru takes a swig. Dick stands Takagi up, but Takagi ducks the WHISKEY MIST! Kanemaru sprays Dick instead! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Down goes Kanemaru, but now Takagi takes a swig! The fans cheer as Takagi gives Fale a DRAGON WHISKEY MIST! Takagi then BLINDSIDE PUMPING, and runs to PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Blacksmith applauds as justice is served! Takagi tastes the bitter whiskey, but also sweet victory. He definitely prefers the latter, but will he continue the climb to the top?
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Yuya Uemura VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Heat Storm vowed last round that he would light that fire in NJPW as the shining sun leading the way, and winning the Cup would solidify that. But will Yuya still have the hot hand? Or will he be shot down by 44 Caliber?
The bell rings and the fans cheer as the two circle. Drilla and Yuya tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yuya wrenches to wristlock. Drilla spins to wrench in return, only for Yuya to roll and wrench right back. Drilla rolls, breaks the grip, then wrenches to wristlock. Yuya reaches out but Drilla keeps him from ropes. Yuya rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, spins to hammerlock, then he snapmares Drilla down for the armlock! The fans cheer the technical display. Drilla stands but Yuya wrenches again. Drilla rolls, rolls back, handsprings, then breaks free! The fans applaud that technical display, too.
Drilla and Yuya reset, and Drilla calls for the knuckle lock. Yuya obliges and they lock up. They feel out the other knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength! The fans rally as Drilla powers up and bends Yuya back! Yuya bridges to stay up, but Drilla hops on! Yuya is still up, so Drilla jumps on! Again, Yuya stays up! Drilla tries again but Yuya uses that to get up and kick free! Yuya arm-drags, Drilla headscissors, but Yuya kips free. Drilla headlocks for the takeover, and he fights off the headscissors! The fans cheer while Drilla grinds Yuya down. Yuya keeps his arms up, but Drilla squeezes tighter.
Yuya fights to his feet and pries the hold open, only for Drilla to clamp it on tighter. Yuya fires body shots, powers up and out, then arm-drags! And arm-drags! Then he dodges a lariat, to arm-drag again! The fans cheer the exchange as Yuya again has the armlock. Drilla endures the top wristlock as he moves around, but Yuya puts on the pressure. Drilla rises, Yuya wrenches, but Drilla works on the escape. Yuya grinds the arm but Drilla goes to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, but Yuya whips Drilla. Drilla reverses, Yuya handsprings, but Drilla RUNS him over! The fans cheer as things keep moving, and Yuya arm-drags again!
Yuya has the armlock again, and the fans rally as Drilla fights it. Yuya fights off headscissors while putting pressure on the double wristlock. They stand, Drilal lifts Yuya, and Drilla puts him in the corner. Red Shoes calls the ropebreak, Drilla backs off, only to RAM Yuya low! Drilla then whips corner to corner, but Yuya goes up and over. Drilla fakes out the arm-drag! And he KICKS Yuya in the back! The fans cheer as Yuya gets right up. The two go face to face, then forearm for forearm! Yuya fires a forearm, KNEE, and CHOP, then runs, but Drilla hurdles! Drilla drops down, but Yuya avoids the dropkick! Drilla still CHOPS Yuya!
Drilla CHOPS Yuya to the corner, CHOPS him again, and the fans rally up. Drilla whips corner to corner but Yuya reverses. Drilla goes up and out, then he DUMPS Yuya to the floor! The fans fire up as Drilla builds speed, and he WRECKS Yuya with the dropkick! Yuya hits railing then slumps down while the fans cheer. Drilla drags Yuya up, brings him around, and whips him hard into railing! The fans rally while Yuya slumps back. Drilla brings Yuya around to put in the ring, and the fans rally behind him. Drilla storms in and brings Yuya up. Yuya breaks free to CHOP! Drilla slips around, ripcords, but Yuya blocks the chop!
Yuya swings, but into a clinch! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! A shoutout to The Rebel with that one and the fans rally up. Drilla stalks Yuya, KICKS him in the back, then brings him up. Drilla shoves Yuya into a corner, RAMS him in the back, then RAMS him again! And again! Drilla reels Yuya into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Drilla looms over Yuya, and drags him into a chinlock, digging his knee into Yuya’s back. Yuya endures, fights forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Drilla lets Yuya go. Drilla looms over Yuya again, stands him up, but Yuya ROCKS him! Yuya fires another shot, but Drilla kicks low!
Drilla scoops Yuya for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Drilla clamps right onto an arm, traps it, and then has Yuya’s legs! MODIFIED TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! The fans rally as Yuya endures! Yuya crawls with his one arm, reaches out, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Drilla lets go. Drilla drags Yuya up, SLAPS him on the back, and eggs him on! Yuya stands, and he fires a forearm! And another forearm! And another! But Drilla CHOPS him back! Yuya sputters, Drilla whips, but Yuya reverses for the FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then a DROPKICK! The fans rally up again while both men are down!
Yuya and Drilla rise up, and Drilla goes to a corner. Yuya storms up and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Drilla shoves Yuya back, but Yuya comes back to DOUBLE CHOP, DOUBLE CHOP, and DOUBLE CHOP! Yuya whips corner to corner, runs in, and CHOPS again! The fans cheer as Yuya fires up, and he reels Drilla in for the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally again as Yuya waistlocks. Yuya goes to full nelson but Drilla breaks free and arm-drags! Then he RAMS Yuya in the corner! Fireman’s carry, tuck, and RUNNING AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer as Yuya survives, but Drilla shakes it off. Drilla goes to the apron while the fans rally up, and Drilla climbs the corner. Drilla aims for a MACHO ELBOW FLOP! Yuya gets the arm for the ARMBAR! Drilla clasps hands to fight it off, but Yuya shifts to ARMBAR the other arm! Drilla keeps his hands clasped, so Yuya sits up and twists for the double wristlock! The fans rally as Drilla still endures, and he kicks his way around. But Yuya rolls to throw Drilla to center! Then Yuya cording holds, but Drilla fights the suplex! JAWBREAKER! ENZIGIRI! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up!
Drilla and Yuya stir while the fans duel. Drilla headbutts the buckles a la Takagi, then runs in, but into a RANA! And then DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! The fans rally again as Drilla fights the hold! Drilla rises up, then fireman’s carries! Yuya slips free, Drilla ELBOWS him, but Yuya blocks a superkick! Yuya swings, but Drilla ducks to then fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY BOMB! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Drilla clutches the elbow and shakes out the bad arm while the fans rally. Yuya rolls over while Drilla rises up. Drilla brings Yuya up to his feet, then puts him on the top rope. Drilla CHOPS Yuya before he climbs up to join him.
The fans rally as Drilla goes to the very top, but Yuya fires body shots! Yuya then HEADBUTTS Drilla down! Yuya fires up as he rises, to CROSSBODY FLOP! Drilla avoids the High Fly Attack to then GORE! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Yuya survives! Drilla huffs ‘n’ puffs as he rises up again, and he brings Yuya up, only for the bad arm to hurt. Drilla puts Yuya in the drop zone and goes up top. The fans rally again for the MACHO ELBOW! Direct hit this time, and Drilla is fired up! The fans are with him as he goes back to Yuya and vows to end it. Drilla drags Yuya up, but the bad arm limits his lifting!
The fans rally as Drilla still tries, but Yuya resists. Drilla KNEES Yuya, then brings him around to Canadian Rack! But Yuya fights free! And he backslides Drilla, TWO! Drilla swings, but into the full nelson! Drilla breaks free, but Yuya GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! ARMBAR!! The fans fire up as Drilla is caught! Yuya breaks the grip to PULL on the arm! Drilla scrambles, fights to stack Yuya, ONE as Yuya keeps the arm up! TRIANGLE HOLD! Drilla endures again, but he seems to be fading! Red Shoes checks on Drilla, and he revives to fight around again! Drilla deadlifts Yuya for the fireman’s carry!
But then Drilla pops Yuya around to a shoulder rack, Canadian Rack, and DRILLA- NO! Yuya lands out to run and SUPERMAN CLUTCH!! TWO!! Drilla survives that shoutout to Colt Cabana, and he POP-UP POWERBOMBS! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Drilla fires up, the fans rally, and Drilla drags Yuya back up! Drilla hauls Yuya up, Canadian Racks, but Yuya slips free again! Cording hold! Cording hold! But Drilla fights the suplex! Drilla HEADBUTTS, but runs into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Yuya pulls on the arm but Drilla clasps his hands! The fans rally as the two struggle, and Drilla stacks Yuya! TWO!
Both men stand, and Drilla BOOTS! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya takes another swing, but Drilla ducks to ripcord and CHOP! But Yuya roars! Drilla SUPERKICKS! Yuya PELES! Then DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Drilla slumps over but that still saves him! Yuya roars and the fans are thunderous! Yuya goes up the corner, takes aim, and HIGH FLY- DROPKICK!! The anti-air hits and the fans fire up again! Drilla snarls, builds speed, and GORES!! But Drilla isn’t done there! He hauls Yuya back up, Canadian Rack, and DRILLA KILLA!! Cover, BUT YUYA ROLLS IT BACK! YUYA WINS!!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Yuya quite truly won by the seat of his pants, snatching victory from the jaws of this War Dragon! What will it take for Drilla to have that breakthrough to the next level?
As for Yuya, he’s very tired, but he still grabs the mic while resting on the mat. The fans cheer as Yuya manages to sit up. “To be honest, I thought today would be a no-go, but this is the soul of NJPW!” The fans cheer that! Yuya says the reason he was able to win today was because the fans supported him, and that gave him the energy! Thank you very much! The fans cheer again while Yuya stands back up, if just for a moment. Yuya asks if the fans love NJPW, and the fans cheer because they do. Yuya says if you like NJPW, come watch as the Spring’s hottest star, Yuya Uemura, becomes the strongest of all time!
The fans cheer again, and Yuya says he’ll speak for everyone’s hearts! Wait, did the mic go out? Oops. Yuya makes sure the mic is on as he repeats himself that he’ll speak for everyone’s hearts, and that he’ll continue to heat up this New Japan Cup! YOSHA! The fans cheer as Yuya falls back! Yuya gets another win, but will he keep it up all the way to the finals?
My Thoughts:
A great start to the second round, but I’m a little surprised we didn’t get more than two tournament matches. Takagi VS Fale was very good, even with the usual House of Torture overbooking. Gedo helping turn things around was great, too. Then awesome main event from Yuya VS Drilla. That sudden ending was a great move, they really made it seem like Drilla was going to win. But Yuya pulling it out was great, it builds his story of becoming the “sun,” aka the face of NJPW. He’s definitely proving himself worthy of being a top star in this generation, can’t wait to see how far he goes.
My Score: 8.9/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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