Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (7/19/21)
Fallout from MITB!
Dallas is Raw, and so is JOHN CENA?!
After his EPIC return at Money in the Bank, JOHN CENA is back and will open tonight’s Raw to explain why once again, his time is now!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Matt Riddle & The Viking Raiders VS AJ Styles, Omos & John Morrison w/ The Miz; Riddle & The Viking Raiders win.
- Symphony of Destruction: Jaxson Ryker VS Elias; Ryker wins.
- Natalya & Tamina VS Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax w/ Reginald; Natalya & Tamina win.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Better to have Loved and Won: Reginald wins and is the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- Sheamus VS Humberto Carrillo; Sheamus wins.
- Open Challenge: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Keith Lee; Lashley wins.
- Karrion Kross VS Jeff Hardy; Hardy wins.
- Raw Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair VS Rhea Ripley; Ripley wins by disqualification, Charlotte retains the title.
- Raw Women’s Championship Money in the Bank Cash-in: Charlotte Flair VS Nikki Ash; Nikki
PLAY BY PLAY
JOHN CENA is opening Raw!
Dallas fires up because they get to be part of the Cenation once more! Cena runs to the ring like he did less than 24 hours ago in Fort Worth to close out Money in the Bank! And Cena welcomes the fans still filing it! It’s rockin’ tonight! There’s a kid who is celebrating his 11th birthday and he’s here for Cena! Cena’s here for him and all of us because damn he’s missed us, and missed this. Fans welcome him back and Cena loves the confusion, the chaos and the electricity. There are still the dueling chants but everyone is loud and here!
Now, Cena has always said the biggest star in the WWE is the fans, and this is proof! This isn’t just loud tonight, tonight is DEAFENING! Tonight is electric, tonight is Monday Night Raw! Live from DALLAS, TEXAS! But Dallas, you just proved how loud you can get. Tonight is a team effort. Everyone is wondering, and yes, he will wear his Peacemaker outfit to the Suicide Squad premiere. And Cena is here to explain his meme worthy return from last night. Cena shows up, ruined Roman Reigns’ celebration. Roman was angry, Heyman was confused, Michael Cole was very excited and Pat McAfee couldn’t see Cena, but everyone had questions! Who, what, where, when, and why.
So to get to those, who brought Cena back here? That’s a lay-up! It’s the fans all around him! FINALLY, we can cheer and boo and make noise and connect with others who love this! So who brought him back? The WWE Universe did. And it was also Roman Reigns. That brings Cena to what: What is Cena here for? The WWE Universal Championship! When? In five weeks at a little thing called SummerSlam! Where? Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Why? This is where it gets interesting. Cena could be all excited for the pageantry of SummerSlam, being in the main event in a packed stadium. He could tell us about his history-making 17th world title win.
But it’s not for any of that. Cena says, “It’s because Roman Reigns is an a**hole.” WHOA~! Fans agree with, “YES HE IS! YES HE IS!” Cena says Roman needs to be knocked down a peg. “This pathetic Roman Reigns Experience has gone on long enough!” Roman “is an arrogant, self-absorbed, overhyped, overprotected, overexposed gimmick who is not as over as he says he is!” That is coming from Cena. There was a saying, “If you’re good, you’ll tell everybody. If you’re good, you will demand that they acknowledge you.” But here’s some team effort, get loud! Dallas gets loud, and Cena wants to hear everyone! But the rest of the saying is, “If you’re great, they tell you.”
And Cena’s telling us right now, he’ll be on SmackDown this Friday, and he can’t wait to see Roman there! Now, with that said, let’s get down to business! “Bro…” Matt Riddle heads out to the ring?! But Cena wants to wait a minute. Cena finally gets it! Bro… Bro! Bro! Bro…! Bro! Bro! It’s a bro off! Brooooo…! Synchronized bro! BRO! They high-five and fist bump, and then Cena gives Riddle the ring. The Bro and the Viking Raiders team back up to take on Johnny Drip Drip and the still phenomenal Raw Tag Team Champions, after the break!
Six Man Tag: Matt Riddle & The Viking Raiders VS AJ Styles, Omos & John Morrison w/ The Miz!
Raw returns as Morrison ‘n’ Miz ride in and squirt squirt! Byron Saxton gets soaked! Morrison has Mike Rome correct the introduction and officially makes him “America’s Moist Wanted!” The rest of the superstars are here and the trios sort out. Riddle starts with “Skipper” and the two go right into a tie up! Styles headlocks, Riddle powers out but Styles runs him over! Styles speeds things up, Riddle KICKS Styles, then back drops! Styles gets up and Styles has to choose who to tag. He tags Morrison to save Omos as the trump card. Morrison and Riddle circle, Morrison gets a leg but Riddle rolls through the takedown to get an omoplata! Riddle has a modified Yes Lock!
Morrison rolls, sunset flips, but Riddle rolls through !Morrison avoids the kick, kips up and ROCKS Riddle with big forearms and kicks! Riddle knees the clothesline, then palm strikes! Morrison ducks the roundhouse, shoves Riddle, Riddle goes up and over! Riddle gets Morrison for a BROSPLODER! Miz is upset, Riddle covers, TWO! Riddle tags Ivar and then Ivar tags Erik. Feed to Ivar’s knee, feed to Erik’s KNEE! Erik roars, Miz is upset at the fans for cheering, and Erik throws knees into Morrison. Erik has Morrison in the Viking Bro corner, tag to Ivar. Feed to a scoop and SLAM, then Erik scoops and SLAMS Ivar onto Morrison! Ivar covers, TWO!
Ivar pushes Morrison, gets him up, tags in Riddle, Morrison tires to kick but Riddle kicks him down! Hot tag to Styles, Riddle KICKS him in the ropes! Morrison KICKS Riddle, Erik runs in but is sent out! Ivar runs in and he’s dumped out! Morrison slingshots for a FLYING- NO! No rana! Erik gets Morrison up, he slips out, but gets a VIKING SANDWICH! Styles gets a boost from Omos to FLY!! Styles takes out everyone and Omos is fired up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Omos is in, clamped onto Riddle’s shoulders! Riddle fights up but is thrown down! Omos stomps Riddle to keep him from his corner, and then drags him back up. Omos whips Riddle to a corner, runs in and back elbows! Riddle falls down, Omos looms over him, and then Omos clamps onto Riddle’s head. Omos stands Riddle up, tags in Styles, and the tag champs hand off Riddle, only for Riddle to power Styles to the corner! Styles digs in his heels, and snap suplexes Riddle! Cover, TWO! Styles sits Riddle up, brings him over and tags in Morrison. Fans rally for the Bro but Morrison fires off strikes. Morrison kicks but Riddle blocks to KICK back!
Both men fall over, Morrison blocks Riddle from his corner with a CHANCERY! Riddle endures, fights up, fans rally up more, but Morrison makes it a wrench across his shoulder. Riddle spins out to FINAL FLASH! Styles tags in to waistlock, and back suplex! Riddle lands on his feet, leaps over, hot tag to Erik! Erik dodges Styles, gets him up but Styles fights free. Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz! Erik blocks to give a VIKING BLITZ! Erik whips corner to corner, Styles goes up but Erik stays away to SHOTGUN KNEE Styles down! Fans fire up as Erik gets Styles up to a snap suplex. Styles knees free, but runs into Act Ten Mao! But he PELES right back!
Both men are down and fans fire up again! Hot tags to Ivar and Morrison! Morrison runs in but Ivar back drops him. Morrison lands on his feet?! But Ivar rolls over Morrison’s back to kick and whip. Morrison slides under, kicks back, whips but Ivar reverses. Ivar ducks the Flying Chuck, cartwheels and LARIATS Morrison down! Fans fire up with the War Beard and Ivar runs corner to corner. Morrison gets a BRONCO BUSTER! Ivar goes up the corner, and way up top! VIKING MOONSAULT FLOPS! SHINING WIZARD from Morrison! Morrison goes up, STARSHIP PAIN FLOPS! Both men are down and Omos is there! Riddle shuts Miz up and SQUIRT SQUIRT on Omos!
Omos looks over, and thinks MIZ did it! Miz says it was Riddle but Omos isn’t listening. Morrison hurries out to defend Miz but Omos TOSSES Morrison back into the ring! Ivar stalks up behind Morrison as Styles calms Omos down, and Ivar tags Erik! The Viking Raiders get Morrison with THOR’S HAMMER!! Cover, the Viking Bros win!!
Winners: Matt Riddle & The Viking Raiders, by pinfall
They didn’t win at MITB but they won tonight! Will this help Erik & Ivar get back towards those Raw Tag Team Championships? What about RKBRO with Riddle here representing for Randy?
Jaxson Ryker stares into your soul.
Replay footage shows Ryker putting the strap to Elias again and again, and now Ryker smirks. “Wait to you see what I do to Elias tonight.” What more can Ryker do to the Drifter when he already whipped him and whooped him?!
Ladies and gentlemen: Elias.
The phone lights come out as The Drifter introduces himself and plays a somber tune. “There is a truth that will last for forever.” And that is a truth we all know deep down: WWE stands for #WalkWithElias! Fans do say it, and Elias is glad they remembered. But Ryker interrupts via titantron! Ryker interrupts just like everyone else has. Everyone’s tired of hearing Elias introduce himself over and over again. That’s why after tonight, we’ll never hear the words, “Hello, I am Elias,” ever again! Quite the ultimatum, but will Ryker make sure this is Elias’ swan song?
Symphony of Destruction: Jaxson Ryker VS Elias!
The bell rings, Elias runs at Ryker but gets CLOBBERED! Ryker fires off hands, Elias hits back but Ryker bumps him off buckles. Ryker whips Elias to ropes, Elias kicks back! Elias throws Ryker out hard, then catches his breath. Ryker comes back as Elias hops out, and clubs him from behind! Then uses a keyboard piano to SMACK Elias on the back! And then he throws Elias down on the keyboard! Cover, TWO! Ryker gets a cymbal stand but Elias kicks him first. Elias CLUBS Ryker, JAMS Ryker with the stand, then CLUBS him in the side with it! Elias tosses the cymbal stand aside but Ryker fires off hands before he bowls him into the drum set!
“C’mon, drummer boy!” Well, Elias is a guitarist but Ryker uses him to beat the bass drum! Speaking of the guitar, Ryker has one! Ryker climbs up the apron to then LEAP, into a Sympho-KNEE! Cover, TWO! Elias gets the keyboard to SMACK it off Ryker’s back! Elias runs but Ryker sends him into the GONG~~! Ryker snarls as Elias slowly gets up, and Ryker looks at what else there is to use. Ryker gets a guitar, jams Elias in the ribs with it, and SMASHES it on Elias’ back! Elias writhes from that literal smash hit and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Elias has Ryker on the apron. Ryker holds off the lift and Elias clubs away. Elias tries to get Ryker up again but Ryker shoulders free. Ryker kicks Elias down, chases Elias into the ring, but Elias uses a trumpet into a rib shot! Elias whips and CLOBBERS Ryker with an elbow! “Who wants to walk with Elias?” Fans boo so that’s a no. Elias gets Ryker up to CHOP and throw body shots. Ryker hits back, they brawl, but Elias shoves Ryker out hard! Elias goes out after Ryker towards the grand piano. Elias kicks Ryker down, goes to bump him off the post but Ryker blocks and POSTS Elias instead! Ryker stalks Elias, and JAMS him with another guitar! And again!
Elias throws the drums at Ryker! Ryker comes back to club Elias down! Ryker gets the high hat to SMACK Elias on the back with it! Ryker brings Elias back over to the piano, but Elias blocks the bump off the cover! Elias SMACKS Ryker off the cover instead! And then CHOPS him! Elias runs but into a SPINEBUSTER on the piano! Cover on top of the piano, TWO!! Elias survives but Ryker climbs up onto the piano with him. Ryker stands Elias up and throws hands. Elias hits back, they brawl but Elias CHOPS! Ryker CHOPS back! Elias CHOPS, Ryker throws hands, but Elias gives those, back! Elias gets the edge, fireman’s carries, but Ryker fights free!
Ryker shoves Elias down and Elias hits barriers! Elias staggers back over, Ryker drags him up but Elias trips Ryker! Ryker hits hard on the piano cover, Elias gets a cover, TWO! Ryker crawls away, Elias gets him up. Elias gets Ryker up, and throws him over the steel steps! Elias kicks Ryker while he’s down, and gets the cello! Fans fire up as Elias references the days of him and the Monster Among Men, Elias jams Ryker, and then hits a SUPER SMASH HIT! Cover, TWO!?! Ryker survives and no one can believe it! Elias drags Ryker up, stands him against the post, and throws forearms. Fans want tables but Elias gives Ryker elbow after elbow instead!
Elias roars, fans fire up, and Elias gets Ryker back into the ring. Elias storms up the steps, gets up top, but Ryker hits him first! Ryker throws hands, Elias goes to the apron, and Ryker climbs. Elias shoves Ryker down, Elias climbs, but Ryker ROCKS him with rights! Ryker climbs and sees the tables from a moment ago! The fans fire up as Ryker throws more hands on Elias! Elias is busted open in the forehead as Ryker goes to the apron. Ryker climbs the corner, gets Elias up the other end, SUPERPLEX through the tables!! Dallas is thunderous as Ryker covers, Ryker wins!
Winner: Jaxson Ryker, by pinfall
Ryker may not be a musician but he knows how to please the crowd! Ryker wrecks Elias, will this finally help him move on from The Drifter?
Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville talk with Mansoor.
He has a great idea and the WWE Universe will surely like it. Mustafa Ali then walks in and Sonya brings it up their request to be a tag team. Wait, what? Ali didn’t make that request! What is Mansoor up to? Mansoor says he may not have been a fan of Mustafa’s advice and lessons, but it was more how he was going about it. Because in the end, Mustafa was right each and every time. So if he wants to teach Mansoor more, then do it alongside him. So wait, are they still having a tag match or not? Mustafa says it is just this one time, and Mansoor better not screw it up! Well then, can the Star of Saudi Arabia succeed by being guided by the Beacon?
Mustafa leaves, Sheamus walks in and tells Mansoor to leave, so Mansoor does. Sheamus talks with management about he has to face Humberto Carrillo again tonight, even those Sheamus won last week with a broken nose? Is Sheamus really proud of that? He attacked Carrillo backstage before the match! Oh is Pearce some kind of fortune teller? How does Pearce know Carrillo didn’t start it? Sonya stops the arguing here to say that the only fair way to do this is to give Carrillo a real rematch with Sheamus, to earn another shot at the US Championship.
Sheamus says this is like talking to a brick wall! But if this is what they want, then this is what they get. Don’t be surprised if Carrillo leaves needing his own steel face mask! Will the Fella finally fight Carrillo fair and square tonight?
Charlotte Flair is here!
And she is once again Raw Women’s Champion, making her a ELEVEN TIME (13 if you include her two NXT title reigns) Women’s Champion in the WWE! The fans cheer the Queen as she gets the mic, and she says, “This. Feels. Good!” She is so proud to be standing here as NEW Raw Women’s Champion! But the last year and half hasn’t been kind to us. From adversity comes opportunity, and Charlotte is THE Opportunity. She is the opportunity that all of us fans have been begging for. That snake, Rhea Ripley, is an opportunist. The difference is, Charlotte doesn’t need to take a page out of anyone’s book, she wrote the book!
And Rhea can do as many of Charlotte’s moves as she wants, but she’ll never measure up to the original! Charlotte doesn’t need to tell us, we can just look up “Charlotte Flair” online! What an outpouring of congratulations- The fans chant “Becky! Becky!” Yes, yes, yes, Becky is home breastfeeding her baby, while Charlotte is dominating the division! So as she was saying, there were so many congratulatory messages when she won the title last night at MITB! But here’s the important part. This makes Charlotte the one-time, and final, Diva’s champion, the five-time SmackDown women’s Champion, and now a five-time Raw Women’s Champion! She’s the ONLY 11 time women’s champion in the WWE!
Rhea had her chance and failed. Charlotte beat Rhea last night and could beat her any night of the week. Well here comes Rhea Ripley! And Charlotte isn’t happy about it. Rhea walks her way to the ring, not in any better mood. Rhea gets a mic, joins Charlotte in the ring, and Charlotte rubs it in that she has Rhea’s title. But at least Rhea has fans. If Charlotte thinks she can beat Rhea any night of the week, then why not tonight? Rhea, you’re in no condition to challenge for the title after the damage to her leg. And Charlotte knows because the camera got footage of Rhea crying like a little girl last night. So for Rhea’s sake, Charlotte declines.
But management comes out to say hold on! Sonya congratulates Charlotte on behalf of herself and Pearce on Charlotte’s newest reign. Truly an incredible accomplishment. However, didn’t she just say she could beat Rhea any night of the week? And if Rhea’s up for it, then Charlotte should be, too! So Pearce makes it official! So tonight, in Dallas, Charlotte VS Rhea in a rematch for the title! Charlotte kicks her shoe off at Rhea and then kicks the bad leg! The Queen gets out of the ring to go get ready for this last minute match, will 11 feel like 13 and be unlucky for the new champ?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
Hello~! She can’t wait for us to play with her tonight. And she has a very, very special guest tonight! See you soon~!
Natalya & Tamina VS Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax w/ Reginald!
The Queen of Harts and Daughter of Superfly don’t have to worry about #SexyMuscleFriends anymore, but they might have to be careful with the agitated Queen of Spades and Irresistible Force. Will the former champs get one over on the current champs to get back in the title hunt?
Raw returns and this match is already going as Shayna has Natty in a heel hook! Natty endures, kicks at Shayna and gets free. Shayna CLUBS Natty, whips her hard to a corner, and Natty bounces off buckles! Shayna runs in but Natty dodges and the knee hits buckles! Natty shoves Shayna out of the ring, hurries over, but Nia trips Tamina and ROCKS her with a right! Then SAMOAN DROPS her into barriers! Nia looms over Tamina, Shayna KNEES Natty down! Cover, TWO! Shayna hurries to tag in Nia, she gets Natty up and shoves her to the corner. Nia runs in to SPALSH, then tags Shayna. Nia scoops, Shayna runs, KNEE SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Shayna keeps Natty from her corner as she twists the wrist and stands on Natty’s head. Natty endures, Shayna locks up the arm, and Shayna lets her hair down for the STOMP!! Natty writhes and clutches her arm while Shayna soaks up the heat. Tag to Nia, she taunts Natty, then gets her up by her hair. Nia talks more trash, whips Natty to a corner, then swaggers before she runs in. Natty dodges and Nia POSTS herself! Natty reels Nia in for lariat after lariat, then the DISCUS! Cover, TWO! Nia still has power and she stalks Natty. Nia gets Natty up, headbutts her down, then tags Shayna. Shayna taunts Natty but fans rally up.
Shayna stands Natty up but Natty waistlocks! Tamina tags in as Natty GERMAN SUPLEXES Shayna! Tamina aims as Shayna flounders, but Nia gets in to take the SUPERKICK! Shayna rolls Tamina, TWO! Shayna KICKS away on Tamina’s leg but Tamina elbows back! Tamina scoops and SLAMS Shayna, then heads to a corner. Fans fire up but Reggie distracts Tamina! Shayna GAMANGIRIS Tamina! Natty trips Reggie! Shayna BOOTS Natty, Tamina aims at Shayna! SUPERKICK! Cover, Natty & Tamina win!
Winners: Tamina & Natalya, by pinfall
The champions hold off would-be challengers! Will they now be able to focus on their challengers from SmackDown, Shotzi Blackheart & Tegan Nox?
As for the former champions, Shayna says she is getting sick of this! Nia wants her to calm down but Shayna says they were unstoppable before Reggie! This is Reggie’s fault! Nia hugs Reggie, she says it’s okay. And then she HEADBUTTS Reggie down?! Nia DOES blame Reggie! Nia and Shayna leave Reggie behind, and again the sommelier is solo. But wait, the 24/7 Champion and contenders are running into the arena? Reggie sees his golden lining tot his! Akira Tozawa laughs at the others for falling over themselves, but he spots Reggie. Reggie dodges Tozawa, then TORNILLO CROSSBODIES?! And SOMERSAULT SENTONS! Cover, Reggie wins?!?!
Winner: Reginald, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Reggie’s got gold! But he has to run, too! Drew Gulak, Akira Tozawa, R-Truth and even Lucha House Party are after him! Reggie hides behind commentary, then heads for steel steps. Reggie uses those to LEAP over Gulak! And then again! Reggie grins but he has a golden target on his back now. Reggie handsprings up the ramp, will his fancy moves keep him golden through the rest of the night?
Tick-tock, Monday Night Raw.
Though still NXT Champion, KARRION KROSS, will make his debut on the red brand later tonight! Who will feel the hands of time take away their last moments?
Sheamus VS Humberto Carrillo!
The Celtic Warrior used a backstage confrontation to keep Carrillo from having a fair fight last week. But now, whether he likes it or not, he has to give Carrillo a fighting chance! Will Carrillo prove himself worthy of another shot with a win here tonight?
Raw returns and Carrillo makes his entrance. The bell rings and Carrillo dodges Sheamus to fire off in a corner! Sheamus shoves him away, boots him down, but Carrillo rolls, dodges and trips Sheamus up. Carrillo fires off hands and stomps but Sheamus bails out. Sheamus gets back up but Carrillo knocks him down! Sheamus is furious but Carrillo WRECKS him with a dropkick! And then PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Sheamus! Carrillo CLUBS away on Sheamus’ back, chases him into the ring, but Sheamus kicks him down! Sheamus seethes and stands Carrillo up to CLUB him back.
Sheamus stands Carrillo up, suplexes but Carrillo holds ropes to resist. Sheamus CLUBS Carrillo but Carrillo fights back! Carrillo HOTSHOTS Sheamus away! Carrillo climbs up, leaps, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE?! Sheamus is tough but Carrillo is furious as he fires off on him! Sheamus gets to a corner, the ref counts as Carrillo keeps after him, and Carrillo lets off at 4. We see Damian Priest watching closely backstage, perhaps supporting Carrillo as he did last week. Carrillo KICKS Sheamus in the corner, then again! Carrillo keeps on Sheamus with clubbing forearms, then brings him around to go after the mask! Sheamus fights up and elbows Carrillo away!
Sheamus runs in but Carrillo dumps him out! Carrillo builds speed to DIVE into a double ax handle! Sheamus drags Carrillo out to APRON POWERBOMB! Carrillo writhes and flops to the floor and Sheamus asks, “Are you not entertained?!” Fans are torn as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Sheamus grinds Carrillo down with an armlock and chinbar. Carrillo endures, fights up and throws body shots, then whips. Sheamus reverses and gets Carrillo for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus turns Carrillo over, fish hooks his face for the Dublin Smile, and the ref counts. Sheamus lets off at 4 as Priest still watches backstage. Sheamus gets Carrillo on the apron, against the ropes, and CLUBS him for the Beats of the Bodhrain. Fans count so Sheamus stops and CLUBS Carrillo in the back. Fans cheer and jeer and Sheamus soaks it all in. Sheamus gets Carrillo around for another Dublin Smile! The ref reprimands, counts, but Carrillo BITES Sheamus!
Carrillo fights up, throws elbows and arm-drags free! Carrillo KICKS away on Sheamus’ legs, but Sheamus ducks a roundhouse, only to get a GAMANGIRI! Carrillo runs but into a BOOT from the corner! Sheamus goes up, shakes out the bit finger, but Carrillo GAMANGIRIS again! Carrillo goes up to SUPER STEINER Sheamus down! Sheamus gets up but Carrillo dropkicks him out! Carrillo builds speed to DIVE! Sheamus is sent over the announce desk! Carrillo hurries to get Sheamus into the ring at 5 of 10, then he climbs a corner. Carrillo leaps to missile dropkick Sheamus down! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and shocks Carrillo!
Carrillo grits his teeth as he gets up. Fans rally as Carrillo KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Sheamus! Sheamus punches but Carrillo counter punches, only to hit the mask! Sheamus then HEADBUTTS, making sure the mask hits Carrillo! Sheamus runs and BROGUES Carrillo down!! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior got quite the fight from Carrillo, and there won’t be a title match in Carrillo’s immediate future. But will Sheamus have an Archer of Infamy aiming at him from now on?
Open Champion: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS ???
From WWE United States Champion to WWE World Champion, the All Mighty is here! Lashley showed his power and his brutality last night, and now he wants to show it again just 24 hours later! But after what we saw Lashley do to Kofi Kingston, will anyone even want to accept this open challenge? We’ll see, after the break!
Raw returns and Lashley has a mic. “Last night, I did all the talking I needed to do in this ring when I destroyed Kofi Kingston.” Fans boo that, but Lashley says, “No more talking. P, tell ’em what’s up.” MVP takes the mic to say, “Aren’t you all so lucky to be here live in attendance tonight to bear witness to the All Mighty WWE Champion, Bobby Lashley?” Fans are mixed on that but MVP says this is Dallas, right? Home of the Cowboys! So he gets why they’re reacting this way, it has been DECADES since they’ve seen a champion! But let’s address what happened last night: All Mighty Lashley made a statement at Kofi’s expense.
Over the past several weeks, Kofi’s said some very harsh and disrespectful things to these two. Kofi said Lashley lost his edge, that the women, the drinks and the good life had made Lashley soft. Lashley and MVP looked in the mirror, had self-reflection, and MVP reluctantly admits that Kofi was right. Kofi was right that Lashley lost his edge. MVP apologizes for bringing that about. But what Kofi didn’t realize was that his word slit an inferno inside Lashley unlike we’d ever seen! And from now on, anyone that goes against Lashley for the WWE Champion faces utter annihilation and decimation!
MVP almost feels sorry now, because the window of opportunity where the champ had some semblance of vulnerability has closed forever! NO ONE will take this title from Lashley! No more ladies, no more champagne, no more fun and games. As the champ said, no more BS. The Hurt Business is back to business. All of you here live get to lay witness to the ultimate, most dominant WWE Champion in the history of the WWE, all for the price of admission. So then who will it be that accepts this All Mighty Open Challenge? Lashley waits, and out comes… KEITH LEE!! The Limitless One is finally back!! Fans fire up for Keith’s return as he goes right to the ring!
Lee and Lashley stare down, and it is clear that Lee wants what Lashley has! Can Lee earn himself a title opportunity with a shocker of a return match tonight, in his home state of Texas?!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Fans fire up already as the two stare down. Lashley is moving around a lot but Lee just stands like a statue. They tie up, Lashley powers Lee but Lee turns it around. They go around again, then break. Lee smiles as he and Lashley circle again. Lee avoids Lashley’s punches but they tie up again. Lee can’t hold Lashley back forever and Lashley puts him in a corner. The ref counts, Lashley lets off but then sucker punches Lee! Lashley throws more haymakers, then forearms. Lee picks Lashley right up to RAM him into a corner! Fans fire up as Lee hauls Lashley up again to carry him to the other corner!
Lee backs off, runs back in, but Lashley elbows him away! Lashley runs but Lee dodges, and hurdles?! And then things keep going, BODY CHECK! Fans fire up with Lee as he watches Lashley. MVP coaches Lashley, Lee gets him up to pop-up, but Lashley fights free! Lashley throws hands, Lee shoves him to POP-UP!! Lashley fights the bomb off again, clinches, COMPLETE SHOT! Lashley snarls but fans boo as he stalks up behind Lee. MVP is confident as Lashley clubs and CHOKES Lee! The ref counts, Lashley lets off and MVP talks trash. Lashley gets Lee up, bumps him off buckles and throws hands! The ref counts, Lashley lets off at 4 and runs corner to corner to RAM Lee!
Lashley lets Lee stagger about, and then he runs in at the ropes, to clothesline Lee out of the ring! Lee lands on his feet but staggers some more. Fans rally up for Lee but Lashley goes out and stalks him around the way. Lashley tries a fireman’s carry but Lee is so big! Lashley somehow gets Lee up but Lee slips off to POST Lashley first! And then SPALSHES him against the post! The ref counts, we’re at 7 of 10! Lee puts Lashley in, but MVP swipes at him? Lee is distracted, Lashley DECKS Lee! The ring count begins again, Lashley goes back out, and builds up speed! Lashley runs in to SPEAR Lee down!! Lashley hushes the crowd but MVP talks trash.
Lashley puts Lee in, rains down rights, then storms around the ring as fans boo. Lashley gives Lee his last rites, waits for him to stand up, and goes for the Hurt Lock! But Lee’s so big and strong, Lashley’s struggling to even lock hands! Lee arm-drags Lashley away! Fans fire up as Lee runs, but into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!?! Lashley seethes, runs in, and SPEARS again! Cover, Lashley wins!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall
A valiant effort from the returning Keith Lee, but the All Mighty refuses to bask in anyone else’s glory! With this level of dominance, does anyone stand a chance against- WAIT!! Is that GOLDBERG?!? Lashley is in shock and the fans go nuts as Goldberg steps through the pyro! Goldberg gets in the ring and stares Lashley down. And then he shouts, “I’M NEXT!!” MVP says that’s not tonight, though, and he keeps Lashley from starting something with the legend here tonight. Lashley is chomping at the bit, but will he get to take a bite out of the icon?
MVP and Lashley talk backstage.
MVP keeps Lashley calm and reminds him of their mission, “back to business.” But Kevin Patrick asks about a response to the apparent challenge from Goldberg. MVP answers by saying what Goldberg just did, that disrespect, won’t even be dignified with a response! The Hurt Business heads out, but will Goldberg find a way to get his match?
Jinder Mahal, Veer & Shanky are in the ring.
The Modern Day Maharaja has the mic to say, “Today, yes, it’s my birthday!” And it’s better than that! Because Drew McIntyre is NOT Mr. Money in the Bank! McIntyre took away opportunities that were Mahal’s so Mahal took them back from McIntyre. First, the match with McIntyre a few weeks ago, where Team Mahal mugged McIntyre. And Mahal will admit, McIntyre is smart. Mahal thought he had the precious family sword, and broke it last week to try and anger McIntyre. But McIntyre revealed that what they grabbed was a decoy! The real deal with with McIntyre. And that was the same for Mahal’s motorcycle! McIntyre bashed it to pieces and Mahal could only watch!
But Mahal says, “There he is! Your Scottish Warrior, your knight in shining armor, your beacon in the dark of the ThunderDome Era.” But when it comes to karma, it always comes around. McIntyre was all alone with the ladder and briefcase when Mahal, Veer & Shanky attacked again! They made sure McIntyre wasn’t even in the match anymore after that by dragging him away from ringside! Mahal says he can buy another motorcycle, or even ten! But McIntyre will never have another title opportunity as long as Lashley is champion! So before moving on with the celebration, please join them as Shanky sings happy birthday for Mahal.
Shanky is given the mic to sing, and he’s a bit sour. But wait, who is coming in from the crowd?! It’s MCINTYRE, with a chair! He SMACKS the birthday boy down, and then goes after Veer! Shanky wants McIntyre to take it easy, this is supposed to be a celebration! Veer gets Mahal away as McIntyre stares down Shanky. McIntyre smiles, then jams and SMACKS Shanky down! Shanky gets the chair shots meant for Mahal! The chair is bent and broken, much like the motorcycle was. Fans still want “One More Time!” but McIntyre tosses the chair and then throws off his shirt. McIntyre goes out to get a new chair!
McIntyre gets in, Shanky crawls but can’t get away! McIntyre brings Shanky back to center for MORE chair shots! Mahal and Veer stay away, too afraid to stop this! McIntyre hits Shanky ten times, 15 times… TWENTY! McIntyre throws away another bent chair, but he is FAR from through with Mahal! When and where will the Modern Day Maharaja have to meet McIntyre in the ring? Will Shanky and Veer choose to stay away?
Karrion Kross VS Jeff Hardy!
Doomsday has come to Raw! The NXT Champion is live in Dallas, but will he be able to crush the Charismatic Enigma? Or will there be a Twist of Fate in Kross’ near future?
Raw returns and Hardy makes his entrance. Fans fire up for the old theme and the pyro returning! The bell rings, Kross and Hardy tie up and Hardy headlocks. Kross powers out and DECKS Hardy with a forearm! Kross stomps Hardy, gets him up and gets him for an EXPLODER! Hardy gets up but Kross is on him with another EXPLODER! Kross grins as he stomps Hardy, and he shouts, “I OWN YOU!” Another EXPLODER! Kross dares Hardy to get up, then he runs corner to corner but Hardy moves! Kross POSTS himself, and Hardy kicks low, TWIST OF FATE! Hardy hurries up top and fans are thunderous! Hardy SWANTON FLOPS as Kross moves!
Kross winds up the hands of time, “TICK TOCK!” But Hardy gets around to waistlock! Kross backs Hardy into a corner, fires off elbows, and then climbs up. But Hardy trips him, has the cover, and the ropes! HARDY WINS?!
Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall
The NXT Champion can’t believe it! Hardy beat him and ruined his Raw debut?! Hardy pinned the NXT Champion, does that mean Hardy could become NXT Champion?
Kevin Patrick interviews Kross in the ring about that shocking loss. “Jeff Hardy just made the biggest mistake of his life! Because in the end, everyone will fall… and pray!” Kross is putting Hardy on the clock, when and where will it strike midnight for the Charismatic Enigma?
Alexa Bliss welcomes us to the Playground.
She isn’t going to lie, though: She’s a little sore today. But that’s okay, because she has her very, very special guest! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, fresh outta timeout, welcome back LILLY! The doll sits in the other swing and Alexa chants for her. Now, last time Lilly was here, things got outta hand. But Lilly’s promised to be on her best behavior. Is this a joke? Eva Marie and “Doudrop” Piper Niven walk in. Eva thought “Doudrop” throwing Alexa around taught her a lesson to not treat them like an afterthought. But here we are again! Alexa is ignoring the star and face of the WWE to talk to “some creepy, gross little doll.”
Alexa finally looks over and says hi to “Doudrop.” Eva doesn’t want Piper saying hi back. Alexa finally notices Eva and says, “Yay…” Well, Eva, since you insist on coming to the playground, remember that it is a bad idea to say anything mean about Lilly. Mean? Like if Eva says she’ll have “Doudrop” throw Lilly in the trash? Hahahahahahaha. For their sake, they better not. Plus, Alexa doesn’t want to put Lilly back in timeout so soon. But here’s an idea! Let’s put “Doudrop” in timeout for just a moment. Then we can all see what Eva Marie, “the most important star in WWE,” can do without anyone’s help. AKA by herself.
Does Alexa know what Eva’s capable of on her own? No, no one does. Well, Eva won’t waste any more of her time on Alexa, or Lilly. “There’s no room in the #EvaLution” for them. She and “Doudrop” leave again, but then Eva trips over Lilly’s swing! Oh, was that there before? Oops. Eva gets up in a huff and storms off. Alexa laughs and commends Lilly for that one. Will Eva get what she wants, or what she deserves, on the road to SummerSlam?
BREAKING NEWS!
With the big win earlier tonight, we get to run it back from MITB! The Viking Raiders get another title match with Styles & Omos! Will Erik & Ivar make the most of this second chance next week? Speaking of…
Raw Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair VS Rhea Ripley!
The Queen took the title from the Nightmare last night, but 24 hours later, Rhea’s back for more! Will Rhea learn that she can’t copy Charlotte to be better than her? Or will not even her own brand of brutality be enough to bring the belt back?
The introductions are made, the title is raised, and the shoe is on the other foot here in Dallas!
Raw returns and this match finally begins. Fans fire up as Charlotte rushes Rhea but Rhea gets around to SLAM her down! Rhea rains down rights, Charlotte shoves her away and kicks her low. Charlotte whips Rhea to a corner, runs in but Rhea dodges. Charlotte hits buckles, Rhea SPALSHES then RAMS Charlotte! And again! Rhea digs her shoulder in, the ref counts, and Rhea lets off. Rhea CLUBS Charlotte, whips her to a corner, but Charlotte tumbles up and out. Charlotte blocks a punch to give a punch, then shoulders in. Charlotte slingshots to arm-drag Rhea down to an armlock! Rhea endures, fights up, and throws haymakers!
Charlotte hits back, Rhea fires forearms but Charlotte knees low! Charlotte whips Rhea back to a corner but Rhea rebounds to dropkick her down! Cover, TWO! Rhea clamps on with a cravat, cranks the neck wrench, but Charlotte endures and fights up. Rhea throws in knees, Charlotte grabs hair, but Rhea throws body shots. Rhea goes to buckle bump but Charlotte blocks and hits back! Charlotte gives Rhea the buckle bump, then CHOPS! Charlotte bumps Rhea off more buckles, reels her in and suplexes, but Rhea makes it a cradle! TWO, and Rhea gets up to kick low! Rhea reels Charlotte in, suplexes, but Charlotte slips out! Charlotte shoves Rhea, Rhea gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX!
Fans fire up as Rhea gets up. Rhea runs and basement dropkicks hard! Cover, TWO! Charlotte sits up but Rhea is on her. Rhea brings Charlotte up to whip her to a corner. Charlotte reverses, Rhea hits buckles hard, and Charlotte clotheslines her out of the ring! Rhea hobbles up, the leg coming into play. Charlotte BOOTS Rhea off the apron, Rhea lands on her feet but she again jams the leg! Charlotte goes out, runs in around the way, and CHOP BLOCKS at high speed! Rhea is down and writhing, but Charlotte gets her up fast! Charlotte puts Rhea in the ring, wants after the leg but the ref has her hold off. Rhea gets to a corner, Charlotte is shark with blood in the water, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Charlotte is after Rhea in a corner. Charlotte has the bad leg on ropes and pulls but the ref counts. Charlotte stops, to ROCK Rhea with a forearm! Charlotte puts the leg on ropes to drop a knee on the knee! Rhea writhes, Charlotte grabs the leg and puts it on ropes again. Charlotte goes to the apron to wrap the leg around ropes and pull! The ref counts, Charlotte lets off but she stomps away on the leg! Charlotte gets back in, drags Rhea around again, and then steps through, but Rhea boots her into buckles! Charlotte staggers, Rhea gets her for another GERMAN SUPLEX! Rhea grits her teeth, the bad leg was affected by that one!
The fans rally for Rhea but Charlotte is after her with forearms. Rhea hits back, Charlotte CLUBS her but Rhea ROCKS Charlotte! The two brawl back and forth, Charlotte gets the edge but Rhea spins her into a LARIAT! And then another! And then a ripcord to HOOK KICK! And NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover on one leg, TWO!! Rhea couldn’t hold that because of the damage Charlotte’s done, but she’s still after Charlotte. Charlotte is in a corner and she suckers Rhea into a BACKBREAKER! And then a BOOT! Charlotte drags Rhea around, climbs up the corner, and MOONSAULTS onto knees! Rhea used the bad leg to save herself!
Rhea gets up, gets the bad leg moving, and she grins as she steps through! She’s stealing the Figure Four!! Fans go nuts as Charlotte endures her own family’s favorite hold! Charlotte turns it over to put pressure back on Rhea! Rhea crawls to the ropebreak! Charlotte slips free to stomp away on Rhea! Charlotte gets Rhea up, CHOPS and HCOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Rhea ends up in a corner but the CHOPS keep coming! The ref counts, Charlotte lets off and Rhea BOOTS her, then HOOK KICKS! Pump handle, RIPTIDE!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Charlotte survives by a game of inches! Rhea is furious but she focuses, only to see Charlotte is running away with the belt!
The fans boo as the Queen wants to use Champion’s Advantage, but Rhea chases after her! So Charlotte CLOBBERS her with the belt!!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by disqualification; Charlotte Flair is still Raw Women’s Champion
Rhea’s anger cost her against the savvy of Charlotte! But Rhea SUPERKICKS Charlotte down! They brawl outside, Charlotte RAMS Rhea into barriers! Rhea POSTS Charlotte, pump handles, and RIPOTIDES to the floor! And here comes NIKKI CROSS! Er, Nikki Ash! She runs in with her Ms. MITB briefcase!! 24 hours later, is she cashing in?! SHE IS!! Rhea is fine with this as the announcement is made!!
Raw Women’s Championship Money in the Bank Cash-in: Charlotte Flair VS Nikki Ash!
Nikki climbs, the bell rings, and she wants Charlotte to get up! SUPERHERO CROSSBODY!! Cover, NIKKI WINS!!!
Winner: Nikki Ash, by pinfall (NEW Raw Women’s Champion)
Almost a Superhero, DEFINITELY a champion!! Nikki’s fighting spirit wins out and she is now on top of the world!
My Thoughts:
What a great episode for this return to live fans and to follow an awesome MITB PPV. There were things that brought it down, though, but mostly because of executive decisions. We were given such a great moment with Keith Lee returning to accept Bobby Lashley’s Open Challenge, and it was a great match, but I’m a little disappointed Lee lost after being gone for so long. But at the same time, Lashley is being built into a beast, in what I am still hoping will be the eventual Lashley VS Roman Survivor Series match of top title VS top title. However, there is the roadblock in the middle and it’s in the shape of Goldberg.
I personally didn’t want Goldberg to come back, I’m pretty sure a lot of other fans out there didn’t, but it’s happening. I suppose this is to build Lashley up even more, adding to how powerful he is, but they could’ve done that with an extended program with Keith Lee. Lee is better than Goldberg, that’s not even an opinion. Lashley VS Lee would’ve added must-see value to an already awesome SummerSlam card given we’re getting Cena VS Roman and Edge VS Rollins, but whatever. Speaking of Cena, he had a great opening moment to call Roman out, though I am reminded of his promo going into Firefly Funhouse Match with Bray in how he called Roman all those things. And he had a great little bit with Riddle, it seems he’s just as amused by the Bro as Randy Orton.
Another odd choice was having Karrion Kross appear on Raw even though he’s still NXT Champion. I suppose if anyone was going to get a Kevin Owens style double duty contract, it’d be Kross. I’m torn on him losing to Hardy, but at least it was surprising. It also gives Kross reason to keep coming back to Raw, and could even give Hardy a reason to go NXT. I would love seeing Hardy in NXT for a spell, just because there are many unique match-ups he could have. This could go any which way, but it is something that can help get Kross some exposure on the more mainstream RawDown stage so that he can get a running start after losing the NXT title and being on Raw full time.
Ryker VS Elias in a Symphony of Destruction match was another interesting move, but I think this one was for the better. It was hard to tell if the fans even cared about Ryker, but they at least got behind him destroying Elias and destroyed various instruments. I do like there were all these callbacks to the other Symphony of Destruction matches, and it’s fitting of the story that Ryker win here. If nothing else, being the new hard-hitting hardcore guy can help get fans behind Ryker.
Things with Reginald were a bit mixed. On one hand, Vince sending Mandy Rose away and ending #SexyMuscleFriends hurts the Women’s Tag Division, because we had to go back to Natty & Tamina VS Shayna & Nia. But on the other, this was finally the time Reggie gets kicked to the curb so that Shayna & Nia can be more serious. And then, in quite the twist, Reggie gets in on the 24/7 Championship and takes it from Tozawa! Reggie’s acrobatics can definitely help him make for exciting escapes, so I hope we get more title segments with him.
The Six Man opener was great stuff, and it was clever for Riddle to frame Miz for squirting Omos. The Heel team falling apart for the Faces to win works out, and we’re getting a rematch from MITB’s Raw Tag title match mostly for ratings. Omos & Styles surely will retain again so that RKBRO can go after them for SummerSlam, and then we’ll see where things go for Orton and Riddle. Sheamus and Carrillo had a very good match, but Priest watching backstage is another indicator that he’s up next. And we got a great attack from McIntyre on Mahal and his men. Poor Shanky, but talk about paying your dues. No less than 20 chair shots total, wow.
We got a better Alexa’s Playground with Eva and Piper than we did last time, but of course Lilly is back. Are we heading for a tag match, Eva & “Doudrop” VS Alexa & Lilly’s human form? Is that human form going to be Dana Brooke since she’s without Mandy Rose? Or NXT’s Aliyah since she was “traded” to Raw? I suppose being dressed up as an evil Raggedy Anne is better than nothing, right? Then we got an awesome main event with the Raw Women’s Championship. Charlotte and Rhea had a decent promo exchange to set it up, but I absolutely felt the cash-in coming, and it was still great for Nikki Cross/Ash to finally get herself a singles title. I wish USA Network stayed with it a little longer to watch her celebrate, but this was still definitely how to close out Raw.
My Score: 8.7/10
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)
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!
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)
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!
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!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: One For The Road
The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! Tune in as we recap an excellent NFL season and touch on a...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Super Bowl LIX Preview
The culmination of a season long journey is upon us. Andrew, Rey and Tunney break it all down for you...
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
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...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
-
Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s WWE Vengeance Day Results & Report! (2/15/25)
-
AEW Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s AEW Grand Slam: Australia Results & Report! (2/15/25)
-
Coverage5 days ago
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
-
Coverage4 days ago
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)