Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (7/23/21)
SmackDown doubles down!
What a historic SmackDown to follow Money in the Bank!
Tonight, SmackDown comes to you from both The Land and Rolling Loud in Miami! And John Cena returns NOT to acknowledge but confront Roman Reigns!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Finn Balor VS Sami Zayn; Balor wins.
- Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Dawkins wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Carmella; Belair wins and retains the title.
- Toni Storm VS Zelina Vega; Storm wins.
- Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio; Jimmy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
JOHN CENA returns to SmackDown!
And Cleveland is fired up to see him! Cena goes right to the ring and he fires up with the WWE Universe! Cena wants to make sure everyone at home can see everyone live at the Rocket Mortgage Arena! “MAN you are amped up tonight! And I understand, I understand, it’s been one hell of a week.” A big surprise at Money in the Bank, Cena was so excited he had to go to Raw and answer some burning questions. Such as: How did Cena escape the Firefly Funhouse dimension? How many Peacemaker costumes did Cena steal? And is Cena the only guy left the WWE can call “to chin check that lifeless egomaniac, Roman Reigns?”
Yes, Cena is challenging Roman Reigns to a WWE Universal Championship match at SummerSlam. The fans fire up and Cena knows they’re excited and why. Cleveland knows that this is SmackDown! And everyone here knows we’re just a few heartbeats away from Cena VS Roman face-to-face in the ring right here, right now! And Cena couldn’t think of a better place to do this, either! Big sports news today outta Cleveland, too. Fans sound a bit sour, but Cena says he went to the Cleveland Government Office, and legally changed his name. Cena made his middle name, “Guardians,” because someone needs to protect the small amount of respect the WWE has left!
That’s because SmackDown with Roman as champion SUCKS! Now that’s just Cena’s opinion. He knows that there are hundreds of Roman Reigns fans somewhere. Hard to tell here, but Cena is sure they’re somewhere. But those fans deserve to stand up and be heard. Everyone deserves to stand up and be heard! No more ThunderDome, no more LED Zoom calls! There is noise on each and every side of this arena! And that’s what the people understand! SummerSlam is not just a match for the Universal Championship, no no. “It is a chance for all of us to stand up for what we believe in. What do you believe in? Whose team are you on?!”
Fans get loud as they duel, but there are “CENA! CENA!” chants, loud and proud. So are they Team Jorts? Fans do cheer. Are they on Team Cargo Pants? Fans do boo. So are they Team Hustle, Loyalty & Respect? Or are they the team fans always reject? Are you Team Cena or Team Reigns? Speaking of, where IS Roman? Oh, Cena knows Roman can’t see him! And after SummerSlam, he’ll realize that the CHAMP! IS! HERE! Fans are definitely on Cena’s side and he wants them to keep going to get Roman to come out to the ring! Make this happen, everyone! C’mon out, Roman! They wait, but still no Roman.
Please come out, Roman Reigns? Instead, we get, “Ladies and gentlemen, things that live in Cleveland, John… Cena… You have it all… wrong-uh!” Roman can’t see Cena? No, Roman can’t hear Cena, because Cena’s simply not worthy listening to. Now now, don’t get panties in a bunch, John. Heyman himself gives Cena his word that tonight, Cena will get an answer to the challenge, but only when Roman Reigns decides to come out and show Cena and everyone here live tonight that the TRIBAL CHIEF is… here!! BRrRrRrRrRrRrRr! DU DUDU DUUUU! DU DUDU DUUUU! Heyman mocks Cena all the way to the back, but will Cena get what he wants?
Finn Balor VS Sami Zayn!
The Prince returned to SmackDown last week and got to shut the Great Liberator up as a bonus! But now, Sami gets a chance at retribution! Will there be any conspiracy at work in The Land? Or will Balor get to go back to back on shutting Sami up?
SmackDown returns and Sami makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two circle and feel out the grapple. They tie up, Balor waistlocks but Sami moves around. Balor blocks the switch so Sami elbows out! Sami wrenches an arm, grinds the shoulder, pulls on an ear but the ref reprimands. Sami wristlocks, Balor fights up, rolls and hooks a leg, but Sami wrangles him down. Sami has a cording hold, Balor kips up and wrenches to wristlock back. Balor wrenches again, and again, but Sami ROCKS him with a right hand! Sami brings Balor to ropes to scrape his face on the ropes! The ref reprimands, Sami CLUBS Balor, then ground ‘n’ pounds!
Sami lets off, drags Balor up to throw him out of the ring, then goes out after him with big right hands! Fans boo but Sami talks trash at them to ROCK Balor again. Sami puts Balor in the ring at 7 of 10, but Balor trips Sami up! Balor fires off and fans fire up! Balor stomps away at the ropes, lets off and flexes. Fans fire up more as Balor kicks and throws Sami out. Balor builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp and Balor shows finger guns as we go to break!
SmackDown returns again and Balor jawbreakers free of a chinlock! Balor throws forearms, runs, but dodges, only for Sami to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Balor stays in this and fans fire up as Sami throws clubbing crossface forearms! Sami wraps on a chinlock, fans chant, “SAMI SUCKS! SAMI SUCKS!” Balor fights up, Sami knees low, and again. Sami says, “Who sucks now?” Sami puts Balor in a corner but Balor boots him back! Balor grits his teeth but Sami kicks low to DDT! Sami smirks as he gets up and aims from a corner. Balor gets up in a corner, Sami runs in, but Balor SLINGBLADES first!
Fans are thunderous as Balor gets Sami up, only for Sami to swing! Balor ducks, and gets Sami for an ELBOW DROP DDT! Balor aims from a corner now, aims finger guns, but runs into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Balor survives and fans rally up behind him. Sami thinks of what to do and he drags Balor up. Sami brings Balor to a corner, but Balor blocks the Exploder! Sami throws elbows down again and again! But still Balor blocks! Balor fires off elbows then RAMS Sami into the corner again and again! Balor lets off as the ref counts, and Balor runs in, into the EX- NO! Victory roll, DOUBLE STOMPS! Balor aims, SHOTGUN DROPKICK!
Sami flounders, Balor keeps going, ANOTHER SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Sami is in a drop zone now, Balor goes up top! COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Balor wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
First match back, first win back on SmackDown! Balor wants gold, what belt will he be aimed at first?
Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
Even more of a mess than last week, Corbin’s crowd funding charity website has made… Nothing! He’s lost money! The guy who made the site for him just ghosted Corbin! And then he used Corbin’s credit card number to ruin his credit score! Corbin rode the bus here! Has Kayla ever been on a public bus? It smells like bad cheese and gym socks! Corbin asks, “What’s happened to me?” Corbin sulks away, will he ever turn his fortunes around?
Big E heads to the ring!
The 2021 Mr. Money in the Bank is here in Cleveland and fans are fired up to see him! And he’s here to go big, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Big E has the mic to say, “CLEVELAAAAND~!” Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” and Big E takes it all in. He appreciates that, and says Sunday, 7/18/21, is a night he will never forget. “I was hurled through the air, I had grown men dive onto me, I jumped off a ladder! I have no business jumping off of ladders!” But when Big E made that final climb and saw that briefcase and earned the contract- He gets interrupted by Apollo Crews! The WWE Intercontinental Champion and Commander Azeez sarcastically congratulate Big E. Big E overcame the odds, shocked the world and won a title contract!
Apollo laughs. This isn’t the same as actually winning a title like Apollo did when he beat Big E at WrestleMania. But wait, the Dirty Dawgs are interrupting now? Dolph Ziggler is Ohio’s own, and he’s telling everyone to stop! If they want to talk about the Intercontinental Championship, they better talk about him and Robert Roode, the Dirty Dawgs! “Tell ’em, big man!” Roode gets the mic and barely gets started when RICK BOOGS interrupts! And the rockin’ bard of course introduces KING Nakamura! Fans sing along with the theme song as Shinsuke heads to the ring! And now CESARO joins in!
The Swiss Superman says no more talking! He wants the title, and it’s SWING TIME in Cleveland! But then the brawling breaks out in the ring! The Dawgs are after Nakamura, Apollo is after Big E, and Azeez smiles as his leader is- Wait, Big E throws Apollo out! Azeez goes after Big E, Cesaro goes after Ziggler and throws the Show-Off out! Nakamura ENZIGURIS Roode out, he and Cesaro get Azeez away from Big E, but Azeez choke grips both of them! They kick back, and fire off a EuroUpper and ROUNDHOUSE! Big E clotheslines Azeez out of the ring! Apollo returns, but runs into a SWING!!
Cesaro only goes for 5 to throw Apollo out, and the battle lines are drawn! Ziggler says, “Not tonight!” But if not now, then when?!
SmackDown goes live to Rolling Loud!
“Yo yo yo yo~!” Wale welcomes the fans at Miami Gardens and says they’re in for a treat tonight. Hopefully the people here know who he is. Make some noise! Now bring out his homies. Call and response. When he says, “We Want the Smoke,” they echo it back. WE WANT THE SMOKE! WE WANT THE SMOKE! Alright, let’s get to it! The Street Profits are up in Miami, but will they be rolling loud?
Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
SmackDown returns as The Alpha Academy has already entered the ring. The bell rings, Gable and Dawkins circle. They feel it out but Otis swipes at Dawkins! Dawkins swipes back but Gable clobbers him! Gable fires off clubbing forearms, whips him to ropes, but Dawkins hurdles and back elbows! And then dropkicks! Gable swings but into the BUTTERFLY ANARCHY! Dawkins is fired up as Gable gets to the apron! Dawkins gets Gable up, suplexes, but Gable slips out and throat chops! Gable CHOPS Dawkins in the corner, throat chops again, then says, “For the Academy!” Gable whips Dawkins corner to corner, but Dawkins blocks the monkey flip to put Gable up top!
Dawkins swings but Gable catches it to a HANGING ARMBAR! Gable lets off, climbs up top, and leaps to FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Cover, TWO! Gable keeps cool as he gets the bad arm and JAMS it! And again! And then SLAMS the arm on the mat! Gable says, “For the Academy!” but Wale and the fans boo. Gable gets Dawkins up, hammerlocks and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Dawkins survives but Gable keeps cool as he gets Dawkins back up. Gable mounts the armlock, Dawkins endures the grind but Gable wrenches. Dawkins fights up but Gable spins around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Dawkins is still in this and Gable is annoyed.
Gable goes to a corner, climbs up top, and MOONSAULTS! But Dawkins moves! Gable lands on his feet but is thrown out of the ring! Gable gets in but Dawkins CLOBBERS him! CYCLONE in the corner! Gable dodges the bulldog to ROLLING KICK! Dawkins hits buckles on the way down! Gable runs in but Dawkins DECKS him! Dawkins covers, TWO! Ford is fired up for Dawkins as he puts Gable up top, but Gable throws elbows. Gable rolls back, runs, swings and backslides, TWO! Dawkins gets Gable up, THE ANOINTING! Cover, Dawkins wins!
Winner: Angelo Dawkins, by pinfall
And Rolling Loud is… Mildly fired up for that one. But this is big for the return of the Profits! Will they be able to settle things with the Alpha Academy soon enough? But wait, here comes The EST! Bianca Belair struts her way along the catwalk because she’s ready to defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship! Will Rolling Loud wild out for this rematch from last week?
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Carmella!
SmackDown returns and the (self-proclaimed) Most Beautiful Woman in the World makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and these two run it back at Rolling Loud!
Bianca and Mella circle, tie up, and Mella rolls Bianca! ONE, Bianca rolls Mella, ONE! The two stand off and talk a little smack as they circle again. Mella kicks low, throws Bianca by her hair, then pushes Bianca around. Mella fires off hands in the corner, the ref counts and Mella lets off. Mella brings Bianca to whip, but Bianca goes up and over and handsprings and climbs up to tell Mella to kiss this! Bianca then jumps over Mella to dropkick her down! Fans fire up as Bianca tells Mella to kiss this again! Bianca runs in, Mella hotshots her away! Mella gets in, dodges, tilt-o-whirls and hits a MELLA-GO-ROUND! Bianca gets up and runs Mella right over!
Bianca is the steadiEST woman in WWE, and she gets Mella up. Mella grabs ropes to escape the KOD but then Bianca DECKS her! Fans fire up as Bianca is on the apron, but Mella blocks a kick, spins Bianca and throws her down! Cover, TWO! Mella keeps on Bianca with a chinlock and grinds Bianca down. Bianca endures, fights up, but Mella clubs Bianca as she holds on! Bianca gets loose to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Mella goes to a corner, Bianca runs in but Mella trips her into buckles! Mella goes corner to corner to run in but Bianca puts her on the apron. Fans want ASAP Rocky as Mella ROCKS Bianca and climbs up to CROSSBODY!
But Bianca rolls through! Bianca FALL AWAY SLAMS Mella! Bianca kips up, fires up, and she gets Mella with clubbing forearms! Bianca stomps Mella, then handsprings to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Mella survives but Bianca gets her up. Mella jawbreakers back! Mella reels Bianca in but Bianca blocks the suplex to suplex back! Bianca holds Mella up but Mella fights free to FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives and Mella can’t believe it! Bianca gets up, Mella mule kicks her then FAB- NO! Bianca blocks, spins and boots, but Mella dodges! Mella comes back but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca torture racks to the KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)
The EST is rolling loud in Miami and she struts on the catwalk again, with pyro to celebrate! Will Bianca be rolling all the way into SummerSlam to rock Vegas just as hard?
Shotzi Blackheart & Tegan Nox work on the TCB tank.
Kevin Owens seems to be helping out in his own way. He suggests hitting this part with that big hammer. They did! A few times. Oh, well, sorry. Good luck with the cannon. Kevin heads out, but then bumps into Corbin. Corbin says, “Look man. I wanna apologize about last week. I’m in a bad place.” Corbin didn’t mean to insult Kevin’s dress or appearance. It’s a bad habit. It is! A bad habit of being a jerk! And it’s been a habit for like 8 years! Corbin can’t actually be surprised if no one feels bad for him. Corbin brought all that on himself. Corbin admits that and is really struggling. But he feels Kevin really can help him. Can Kevin forgive him?
Is that the same shirt from last week? No, it’s another one just like it, but he also got a stain on it, too… Spaghetti O’s from a can are tricky. Kevin does feel bad, and he gives Corbin the $20 he had in his wallet. Try not to be a jerk to people maybe though? Thank you, Kevin, this can do a lot right now. Kevin heads out, and now the cannon works, because it shoots the Nerf missile into Corbin’s lone wolf! And the Dirty Dawgs snatch the 20!! Kevin runs them off, but the damage is done. What will it take for Corbin to get past all this misfortune?
EDGE is here!!
The Rated R Superstar may not have won at Money in the Bank, but Cleveland still loves seeing him! And he’ll respond to why he didn’t win at MITB, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Edge has a mic as he stands on the corner. He hops down to say, “Oooh, Cleveland! You have no idea what those reactions do for me.” Edge says there’s a lot of history here and they surely know it. They know what he’s done, how hard he’s fought to get THIS back. They know how hard he fought to get them back! And if you watched MITB, you know he should be our Universal Champion. But he’s not, and there’s one reason why: Seth Rollins. Edge thought he had all the bases covered. The Mysterios watched his back for the inevitability of the Usos, but he didn’t know Rollins would make his presence known.
Hell, Edge thought Rollins might go after Roman, to make things easier in facing Edge. He’d be wrong about that, but that’s what Edge thought would happen. But then Edge realized, this is bigger than that. This goes back to 2014 when they first met. “You didn’t pull the trigger then to get the job done, because you never thought I’d be back here. But now, I am back here! And I’m in your way.” Rollins has no idea the Pandora’s Box of violence and pain he has opened! Fans cheer for that as Edge says he learned from the most evil minds in this industry! The Brood! The Ministry of Darkness! Rollins has no idea the depths that Edge will sink to to get the job done! But he’ll find out.
“BURN IT DOWN~!” Rollins makes his entrance to interrupt Edge’s warning! “Did somebody say mah name?” Rollins laughs and says it’s Grandpa Edge, talking about the man he used to be! HAHAHAHAH! Rollins laughs it up but Edge tells him to shut up. Rollins is embarrassing himself. Why not come down to the ring? Edge promises he won’t hit him, it’ll just be a talk. Rollins knows Edge isn’t as stupid as he looks. Edge wouldn’t dare put his hands on Rollins, knowing what Rollins can do to him. But, full disclosure, Rollins was gonna talk about how much he despises Cleveland, and how much he despises people like Edge, and John Cena, who wanna just come back whenever, jump the line, take opportunities from those like Rollins, people who have earned those opportunities.
Hey, hear him out! Fans are booing but Rollins says he was going to talk about all that, but he more he thought about it, the more he agrees with Cleveland! It is great to have Edge out here in Rollins’ ring. Give it up for gramps! Rollins is thrilled Edge can’t keep his name out of his mouth. Edge has been “such a scumbag to me.” Nothing would make Rollins happier than to crush Edge’s dreams. Nothing would make Rollins happier than to ruin the comeback story! But if Edge keeps pushing Rollins, and pushing and pushing and pushing him, when they talk about Edge’s HOF career, they won’t talk about Edge but the man who ended him: SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!
Rollins says he had a chance to end Edge 7 years ago when he brought the Authority back, but he hesitated. Fans chant, “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” and Rollins just soaks it up. Rollins says he hesitated then. But when he gets that opportunity again, boot on the back of Edge’s surgically repaired neck… Rollins won’t hesitate to pull the trigger. BANG. HAHAHAHA! Bang bang, pop pop, poof goes Edge, up in smoke! Edge asks if Rollins remembers what he said about not hitting him. “I’m a liar.” Edge DECKS Rollins! Edge rains down rights, Rollins gets up to RAM Edge into a corner, but Edge fires off more hands! Fans are fired up but Rollins hammers Edge down!
Rollins stomps away on Edge, throws off his baby blue jacket, then runs in, only to get an EDGE-O-CUTION!! Fans fire up as Rollins flounders up and around. Edge aims, and Rollins bails out before the Spear can hit! Fans boo but Edge grabs the jacket to pull at it. Will the Rated R Superstar make sure Rollins never even gets close to pulling that trigger?
Toni Storm VS Zelina Vega!
It was #ToniTime in NXT UK, and #ToniTime2 for a moment in NXT. But now #ToniTime3 could get started right here tonight in The Land! Will La Muneca make sure the Lighting From Down Under doesn’t strike?
The bell rings and the two tie right up. Vega headlocks, Toni powers out but Vega kicks her. Toni kicks but Vega blocks and gets around, but Toni BOOTS her down! Fans fire up as Toni runs in to SLIDING CLOTHESLINE at the ropes! Vega bails out, Toni pursues, but Vega throws her into the desk! Vega puts Toni in, stomps a mudhole into her, then soaks up the heat. Vega runs in to KICK Toni down, then runs again to KNEE her down! Cover, TWO! Toni is tougher than that but Vega keeps going. Toni blocks the tilt-o-whirl and HEADBUTTS her down! Vega gets to a corner, Toni to the other. Fans rally up for Toni as she gets up and runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK!
Toni drags Vega up to GERMAN SUPLEX, bridging cover, TWO!! Vega survives but Toni gets her back up to underhook! Vega wrenches out, kicks the leg and hops on, CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! Vega can’t believe Toni survives but she stomps and kicks Toni at the ropes. The ref counts, Vega lets off, but Toni fireman’s carries! Vega slips out, Toni switches, Vega switches back. The belt comes off as Vega ripcords Toni! Toni hits the RUBY CUTTER!! Cover, Toni wins!
Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall
The #Storm1 helps Toni get win number one! But will this just be one of many now that SmackDown is on #ToniTime?
Jimmy Uso VS Jey Uso VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio!
The Bloodline is golden, but that doesn’t mean this is over between them and the Mysterios! Will Jimmy be #NobodysBitch and show Rey’s baby boy isn’t ready for the Uso Penitentiary?
SmackDown returns as father and son make their entrance. The bell rings and Dom fires off on Jimmy! Dom has Jimmy in a corner, the ref has him let off, and Jimmy headlocks. Dom powers out, Jimmy runs him over. Jimmy seethes, things speed up, but Dom hurdles and hip tosses Jimmy down! Dom dropkicks Jimmy, throws haymakers, then knuckle locks and CHOPS! Dom goes up and up but Jimmy trips him up! Jimmy mule kicks Dom down, then whips him corner to corner. Dom hits off buckles, falls back, and Jimmy hurries to cover, TWO! Jimmy keeps on Dom and pushes him to the ropes. Jimmy chokes Dom but the ref counts and Jimmy lets off.
Fans rally and duel, Jimmy gets Dom up but Dom throws haymakers! Jimmy kicks, Dom blocks but Jimmy DRAGON WHIPS! Cover, TWO! Rey rallies for Dom but Jimmy grins at him. Jimmy gets Dom up, wraps on a chinlock and grinds Dom down. Fans rally as Dom fights up and throws body shots. Jimmy shoves Dom, Dom kicks and wheelbarrows to throw Jimmy onto ropes! Dom dials it up, but Jey helps Jimmy get away! Fans boo but the Usos start leaving. Rey LEAPS and seated sentons Jey! Dom goes up and out and PLANCHAS Jimmy! The fans fire up with the Mysterio Family as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again and Jimmy whips but Dom dodges to NECKBREAKER! Jimmy goes to a corner, Dom runs in but is put on the apron. Dom hotshots Jimmy back! Dom gets up, and slingshot sentons! Fans fire up as Dom watches Jimmy stand. Dom kicks, reels Jimmy in and shouts out to Eddie! Uno Amigo! Roll, DOS- Nope! Jimmy wrenches and ENZIGURIS! Fans boo as Jimmy mocks Latino Heat. Jimmy runs in but Dom chop blocks him into ropes! Dom dials it up and hits 619! Dom hurries up top, but Jey distracts! Rey trips Jey, Dom leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy covers, TWO!! Dom survives and Jimmy can’t believe it!
Jey CLOBBERS Rey, Jimmy gets Dom up. Jimmy fireman’s carries but Dom slips off to O’Conner Roll, TWO! Dom WRECKS Jey with a dropkick, ROCKS Jey with a forearm, slingshots in but Jimmy blocks the arm-drag to haul Dom up! Fireman’s carry but Dom sunset flips! But Jimmy sits, and Jey uses the same trick as MITB!! Jimmy wins!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
The SmackDown Tag Team Champions find the same cheat that won them the titles! And now, Roman Reigns makes his way out! The Usos stand at attention as the Head of the Table walks on stage. Roman is handed his title from Heyman, and the Bloodline raises all their belts for the pyro! Roman will respond to John Cena’s challenge, after the break.
SmackDown returns, and Roman is in the ring.
Heyman hands him the Universal Championship belt back to raise it again for the second round of pyro. Heyman then fetches a mic and hands it to Roman. Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Roman ignores that. “Cleveland, acknowledge me.” They don’t seem to. But Roman tells us sitting at home to acknowledge him. “You might as well. Everybody’s acknowledging me. As a matter of fact, John Cena has acknowledged me.” Cena acknowledge Roman at MITB, and on Raw, and here tonight. And to be honest, Roman wanted to acknowledge John back. He did. He really, really did. But “Hollywood fooled me!
“They put a whole new paint job on John! I thought we were gonna get something new, I thought we were gonna get something special. But what happened at Money in the Bank?” Cena came out putting on a nostalgia act! It’s the same thing! The same music, same entrance, same run to the ring, same outfit, same promo, same insults! If Roman wanted all that, all he had to look online for 2005 Cena! It’s the same thing over and over, like missionary position every single night! The Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, he ain’t interested in that. He isn’t inspired by that! So yeah, John, you’re right. Roman can’t see you, and he doesn’t WANT to see Cena!
So guess where we’re not seeing Cena? The main event of SummerSlam. Because the answer to Cena’s challenge is no. Fans boo but Heyman holds up the title, and BALOR comes out!? The Prince walks right to the ring and Roman says that Heyman told him that Balor is here “to follow suit, to do as John Cena does, and acknowledge me.” Balor smirks, and says, “I’m not here to acknowledge you. But if you’re not interested in John Cena’s challenge, maybe you’re interested in mine.” Fans like the sound of that! Roman laughs until he hears the “Let’s Go Balor!” and “YES! YES! YES!” chants. Roman and Heyman talk it over quickly while fans chant, “Roman’s Scared~!”
Roman gets mad hearing those chants, and says, “You think I’m afraid of him?!” Roman takes a moment, and says, “Challenge accepted.” WHOOOOA~! The Tribal Chief is going to take on The Prince for the first time in a long time, and it’ll be in Vegas! Will the current Universal Champion make the original Universal Champion acknowledge him?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode of SmackDown, but I feel I was a little justified in thinking a dual location was yet again a mistake. While Dawkins VS Gable was a good match, and Bianca VS Mella was pretty good, it was all wasted on a crowd that mostly didn’t care. They were at a music festival, they wanted music, not wrestling. This all seemed like WWE desperately trying to branch out to the mainstream but once again going about it all wrong. For that matter, I’m a bit torn on what we just saw at the end there. On one hand, I am so excited that Balor is going to be fighting for the Universal Championship at the PPV he originally won it.
On the other, Roman VS Cena seemed like the match that the mainstream fans would’ve come around for. But I would love if Balor suddenly became the guy that beat the Tribal Chief. Or at the very least, he and Roman should battle so hard that it leaves Roman open to a cash-in by Big E, even though Big E going to Raw would fully reunite the New Day and many fans would like that. Speaking of, there originally was meant to be Big E VS Apollo but seems that changed so that there could be a lot of teasing of great Intercontinental Championship match-ups. I feel like if Otis wasn’t sent to Rolling Loud to simply watch Gable lose, Otis would’ve been in on this, too. Maybe SummerSlam gives us something epic for this title now that fans are back to react to everything.
Balor VS Sami was a great opener, and it’s great that WWE didn’t waste time with a promo or anything. Fans who saw last week understand immediately that these two would face off. Fans who perhaps missed it and just didn’t go looking things up don’t even need a reason to see Balor VS Sami cuz it’s just good stuff! I liked what we got out of Kevin and Corbin backstage, with Kevin poking tiny holes in kayfabe to make the resulting kayfabe even goofier. Corbin is running out of matching shirts cuz of the stains on them, and then he gets Nerf’d to the nuts. I questioned Tegan suddenly jumping into “I’m a tank engineer,” but at least we got a nut shot. Also, the Dirty Dawgs being bigger jerks to the big jerk, I feel like WWE really is trying to Face turn Corbin, but I doubt it’ll really work.
We got a great segment out of Edge and Rollins, especially with them making the best out of the honestly controversial moment they’re talking about from 2013. Rollins trying to kayfabe cripple Edge is now going to kayfabe bite him in the ass, but there is a chance Rollins gets the win in the end. Maybe just straight up cheating and then he has Edge in the same position as 8 years ago, but Edge gets him with a Spear and stands tall, even in losing the match. Then we were obviously going to see Toni Storm win, and by default, that loss goes to Vega. Liv is strong with the fans, Toni can’t pin the tag champs while they’ve got contenders coming for them, and there’s just no one else on SmackDown right now. Toni is Face right now but I was really digging her Heel persona, maybe she switches quick so she can challenge Bianca for the title at SummerSlam or something.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Dynamite begins the countdown to WrestleDream!
It’s another big week for AEW! And before Swerve Strickland returns home to Seattle, he and Hangman Page sign on the dotted line!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW International Championship: Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Jeff Jarrett w/ Triple J; Fenix wins and retains the title.
- AEW International Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Nick Jackson VS Brian Cage w/ Prince Nana VS Claudio Castagnoli; wins and will challenge Fenix for the title next week.
- Julia Hart w/ Brody King VS Willow Nightingale; wins.
- Fatal 4 Way: Penta El Zero Miedo w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Matt Jackson VS Orange Cassidy VS Austin Gunn w/ Colten Gunn; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
AEW International Championship: Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Jeff Jarrett w/ Team Triple J
The Immortal Firebird burned brightest last week in his revenge match with Jon Moxley, and now HE is opening the night with an open challenge! But will the entire carnival help the Last Outlaw win this title right off Fenix? Or will Fenix refuse to be a transitional champion?
Well as soon as Team Triple J is ringside, Fenix FLIES out onto them all! Fans fire up and Fenix drags Jarrett up to fire off shots! Fenix stalks Jarrett, CLUBS him, then fires more forearms! And CHOPS! Jarrett pokes Fenix in the eye! Jarrett whips Fenix into railing! And JAMS him with a chair! No rules since this ain’t a match yet, but Fenix CHOPS in return! And CHOPS again! Fenix whips, Jarrett reverses but Fenix RANAS Jay Lethal into Satnam Singh! But Karen CLAWS Fenix’ back! Fenix grabs Karen, but Sonjay CLUBS Fenix! So Fenix SUPERKICKS Sonjay! Fenix puts Jarrett in the ring, the bell finally rings, and Fenix SMACXKS Jarrett to GAMANGIRI!
Fenix goes up and up and QUEBRADAS! Cover, TWO! Jarrett is still in this but Fenix brings him around to fireman’s carry. But the back gives up! Jarrett CLUBS Fenix down, fans rally up for Fenix but Jarrett stomps him. Jarrett brings Fenix around to CLUB him again, and then CLUBS him again! Fenix leans against ropes but Jarrett CHOKES him! Jarrett runs, Karen CHOPS Fenix, and Jarrett hits the STRADDLE ATTACK! Jarrett struts while fans boo, and then Jarrett mocks Cero Miedo, and says ‘SUCK IT!” Jarrett runs, into a SOBAT! KICK! And FOREARM! Fenix runs in to JUMP SOBAT!
Fenix pushes Jarrett down, goes up, but Satnam distracts! Fenix avoids the big haymaker, but Jarrett kicks low to DDT! Fans boo while both men are down and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Fenix crawls to ropes, Jarrett pursues, but the ref has Jarrett back off. So Karen CHOKES Fenix more! Abrahantes shouts at Triple J but Jarrett stomps Fenix. Jarrett puts Fenix in a corner, whips him corner to corner hard, and Fenix hits the mat. Jarrett struts some more, distracts the ref, and that allows Lethal to drag Fenix out for some stomps! Sonjay gest some shots in, too! Sonjay mocks #ANIMO, and Lethal keeps Abrahantes back! Jarrett soaks up the heat from Broomfield, Colorado before he goes out after Fenix. Jarrett whips Fenix hard into railing, and Fenix tumbles into the front row!
Abrahantes checks Fenix as he drags himself up, but Triple J chases him off! Abrahantes can’t do anything when it’s 4v1! Jarrett then drags Fenix up to suplex to the floor! Fenix writhes, the ring count is climbing, but Jarrett stomps Fenix. Jarrett talks trash, drags Fenix up, and puts Fenix in before ten. Jarrett CLUBS Fenix, taunts the fans, and then paces around Fenix. Jarrett CLUBS Fenix, taunts him, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Jarrett drags Fenix up but Fenix CHOPS first! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Fenix whips, Jarrett reverse but Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges and rolls, but Jarrett trips him up!
Fenix goes to the apron and Jarrett kicks him down. Triple J rallies behind their guy but he then sicks them after Fenix. The ref stops Karen right in her tracks! Aubrey ain’t having it no more, and fans love it! Fenix gets up on the apron, RAMS into Jarrett, then RAMSA him again! Fenix RAMS into Jarrett one more time, then hobbles his way to the corner. Fenix springboards and leaps, FLYING ARM-DRAG and DOUBLE STOMP! Fans fire up as Fenix crawls to the cover, TWO! Jarrett is tougher than that but Fenix SUPERKICKS him down! Fans fire up as Fenix goes to the corner and drags himself up top!
Fenix aims, Lethal distracts, but he gets a PENALTY KICK for it! Sonjay tries now, and Jarrett LOW BLOWS! Fans boo but Jarrett cradles! TWO!! Triple J is furious but Jarrett whips. Fenix reverses, Jarrett lifts, Fenix slips out of the bomb! Jarrett kicks and wrenches, THE STROKE!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Fenix survives and the fans are loving this! Satnam gets on the apron, Jarrett sends Fenix his way, but Fenix dropkicks the legs out! Satnam falls but Jarrett gets Fenix’s legs! FIGURE- NO, Fenix cradles now! FENIX WINS!!
Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall (still AEW International Champion)
Triple J tried all the tricks, but nothing could stop Fenix! But he only has a week to rest as we’re getting another title match next week! Will Fenix be facing Nick Jackson, Brian Cage or Claudio Castagnoli? We find out in a Triple Threat later tonight!
Adam Cole & MJF have another bro session.
Though with a bad foot, the Panama City Playboy joins Maxwell Jacob Friedman at the Long Island pierce to celebrate the win at Grand Slam. MJF sees Cole and tells him to hop onboard! Wait, MJF has a boat? Nah, this is his dad’s, but he doesn’t need to know. Uh, what? But anyway, they set sail, have some drinks and even go fishing. Cole thanks MJF for the invite. So beautiful out here. Yeah, it’s the greatest place on Earth. But uh, quick question. MJF is so glad Cole came out to help a brochacho out, and got hurt in the process, but… He was on the phone with Roddy a long time, huh?
Yeah, sorry, he was just worried about Roddy. Yeah, MJF gets it. Seems he was so worried, he couldn’t even be out there at the start of the match. Cole apologizes but Roddy is a brother to him. Yeah, yeah. MJF has Cole hold his beer so he can get some more. Cole hopes they can catch something today. Good beers, right? Yeah, delicious. MJF goes to the cooler, and brings out the Dynamite Diamond Ring?! MJF puts it on his pinkie, but Cole asks if MJF brought him out here just to hit him with the diamond ring then dump his body in the ocean, did he? What? No that is the last thing he’d ever do! MJF is secretly taking the ring off behind his back.
Cole says they do need to talk. Part of a healthy friendship his having more than one friend. It is okay and normal and healthy. Cole knows friendship is new to MJF, but MJF needs to know, Cole still cares about him. Well, look, having more than one friend is not for MJF, but… If it is normal and is Cole’s deal, then he supports that. Cole appreciates that. Plus, MJF almost got caught the last time he threw someone overboard so that’s a relief. What? Whoa, wait, we got a bite! They work together and pull it in! It’s PAUL WIGHT!? He says he was just trying to go for a swim! Paul spits out the hook and joins the boys on the boat. Paul knows they’re Better Than You, Baybay, and that’s aight.
Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita returned to Japan.
The patriarch of the Don Callis Family and his “new son,” The Alpha, walked the streets of Tokyo as they responded to the Six Man Tag Challenge. Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Chris Jericho want to make a match for WrestleDream, but they’re not even in Seattle. They’re in Japan to hunt down the Golden Star! And Don knows all the favorite places of the Golden Lovers, so Kenny better have a new third man in mind for WrestleDream after they take care of business! The DCF will be live and in person after the break, will they have succeeded in their mission?
Renee Paquette is in the ring.
She says to expound upon their actions this past week, please welcome Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita. The fans boo as dastardly Don and treacherous Takeshita make their way out during a recap package. Back in present, Renee gets to business. We all saw what happened between Sammy Guevara and Chris Jericho at Grand Slam and the days after, so is it safe to say that Sammy is DCF? And sorry, but it is hard to hear over the chorus of boos. Callis says he has something to say. “I’m so happy that Sammy Guevara is FREE of the toxic influence of Chris Jericho, that I wanted to bring him out here myself! Ladies and gentlemen, the newest member of the Don Callis Family, SAMMY GUEVARA!”
The Spanish God, the REAL Judas of AEW, struts his way out like he did last Friday on Rampage. Fans boo him like they boo Callis and he joins the family. Sammy and Callis hug, and then even Konosuke hugs Sammy. Callis says, “You wanna know about Tokyo now?” Renee says yes, we just saw their video. What was the business there? Callis reminds us that Kota Ibushi is not safe! He and The Alpha went to Tokyo with a personal camera crew that caught it all! They were at Ibushi’s dojo in Gunma, Japan, and they barged right in! Ibushi wasn’t there, so they beat up on one of his students!
Ibushi showed up, took the fight to Konosuke, but checking on his student left him open to a SLEEPER! Ibushi fought free, gave some ground ‘n’ pound, but Callis SMACKED Ibushi with his umbrella! Big mistake, Don! Ibushi stormed up on Callis, Callis ran away, but Konosuke CLOBBERED Ibushi with a kettle bell weight! Callis then came back to stomp Ibushi, and then Konosuke CHOKED Ibushi with his jacket! Callis told Omega that this is his beating heart lying on the ground! No one is safe from the Don Callis Family!! Fans boo as Callis says his family has never been stronger! With Konosuke, Will “BAH GAWD” Ospreay and Sammy Guevara going to WrestleDream!
Fans boo as Sammy now speaks. Sammy is being painted as the bad guy, when in reality, he’s the HERO! Fans boo more but Sammy says Jericho is the real villain. Fans chant “F YOU, SAMMY!” but he just tunes that out to say Jericho, for four YEARS, held Sammy back! Sammy was champion without Jericho! He headlined PPVs without Jericho! And he was great all on his own. Every time Sammy started to fly, Jericho would clip Sammy’s wings and bring him down. Sammy thought that one day, Jericho would pass him the torch. But Jericho never was going to do that, and Callis is the one who showed Sammy that Jericho is selfish!
Sammy TOOK the torch, and now looks to become the star he was born to be! Fans boo more but Callis says at WrestleDream, they take everything from Ibushi, Jericho and Omega, “until there’s nothing left but the tears!” Konosuke adds as much in Japanese, will the Don Callis Family truly destroy three of the greatest of all time?
AEW shares footage from after Collision.
Last Saturday, after losing to Bryan Danielson again, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey were backstage, and Starks says that he survived again! He didn’t lose, he survived, period! Bryan Danielson has not tapped him out, and he never pinned him. The rankings is still Starks above Bryan! But then Wheeler Yuta walks over. Easy, man, he comes in peace. Yeah, Starks survived. And Yuta is man enough to admit he was wrong for what he did. He put his hands on Starks when the fight was over, and Starks was just trying to show Bryan respect. Starks tells Yuta that the next time Yuta puts his hands on Starks, Starks makes sure Yuta doesn’t walk away on his own accord!
Yuta says he’s trying to be the bigger man but it seems Starks doesn’t wanna hear it, so here’s how Yuta really feels. Starks is an entitled prick, all style and no substance, and all he does is whine, complain and moan! Starks couldn’t get up after everything Bryan put him through but guess what? Yuta gets up every damn day! The Blackpool Combat Club beats his ass, puts him down, and he just gets back up because that makes him stronger. And Starks doesn’t have the balls for that! But if he disagrees, let’s find out at WrestleDream. Starks smirks and walks off. Yeah, walk away. But it is now official! Absolute VS Decoder, who proves they’re tough enough?
AEW International Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Nick Jackson VS Brian Cage w/ Prince Nana VS Claudio Castagnoli!
WrestleDream on Sunday, and the FOURTH ANNIVERSARY of Dynamite next Wednesday, things are looking up for AEW! As such, one of these three men will challenge Rey Fenix for his title live on Dynamite next week! Who grabs themselves a golden ticket to #ANIMO?
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We’re on the road to Bakersfield!
Before battling over the NXT Championship, Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov sign on the dotted line! But will things get intense even before No Mercy?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Global Heritage Invitational Tournament Finals: Pete Dunne VS Joe Coffey w/ Gallus; Dunne wins and will challenge Noam Dar for the Cup at No Mercy.
- Trick Williams VS Joe Gacy w/ Ava Raine; Trick wins.
- Baron Corbin VS Josh Briggs w/ Brooks Jensen & Fallon Henley; Corbin wins.
- Hank Walker & Tank Ledger VS Lucien Price & Bronco Nima w/ SCRYPTS; Price & Nima win.
- Strap Match: Eddy Thorpe VS DIJAK; Dijak wins.
- Thea Hail w/ Jacy Jayne VS Dani Palmer; Thea wins.
- Gigi Dolin VS Blair Davenport; cancelled.
- NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Triple Threat: Axiom VS Tyler Bate VS Dragon Lee; changed into…
- NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Fatal 4 Way: Axiom VS Tyler Bate VS Dragon Lee VS Trick Williams; Trick wins and will challenge Dominik Mysterio for the title at No Mercy.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT Global Heritage Invitational Tournament Finals: Pete Dunne VS Joe Coffey w/ Gallus!
With No Mercy this Saturday, there’s no time to waste! Noam Dar either faces the Bruiserweight or the Iron King, will the Scottish Supernova be ready to work this weekend?
Speaking of Dar, he and Meta Four are in their lounge, looking ready to watch the Kentucky Derby or something. Wonder which “horse” they’re betting on. But the bell rings and the two tie up. Fans fire up and duel as Joe puts Dunne on ropes. The ref counts, Joe lets off but Dunne turns it around to SLAP Joe! They tie up again, go around, and they’re in a deadlock. The two let off, go again, and circle. They tie up again and Dunne wrenches an arm, to then shift and wrangle Joe down! Dunne tarps that arm, and he neck wrenches Joe while also grinding in forearms. Fans fire up as Dunne twists Joe’s ears! Dunne then STOMPS Joe’s arm!
Joe shakes that elbow out as he and Dunne reset. They tie up, Joe goes for Dunne’s arm and uses his head for leverage. Joe wrangles Dunne, digs a knee in, and then he twists Dunne’s ear. And claws at Dunne’s face! Dunne endures, kips up, and he grinds forearms in return. Dunne powers Joe to ropes, puts him in a corner, and the ref counts. Fans rally, Dunne and Joe stare down, but then Joe DECKS Dunne! Joe drops knee after knee then an elbow! Joe drags Dunne up, headlocks for a takeover, but Dunne pushes up. Dunne powers out, things speed up. and Dunne hurdles to drop and then- NO, Joe runs through the forearm to CLOBBER Dunne!
Fans are torn but Joe puts Dar on notice. Joe drags Dunne up while Dar taunts back. Dunne SLAPS Joe again! And then ARMLOCK DDT! Dunne drops knees on the elbow, then crosses his arms to mock Gallus! Mark has to keep Wolfgang back as Dunne bends Joe’s fingers. Dunne isolates the arm to STOMP it! Joe goes to a corner and fans fire up. Dunne runs up to GAMANGIRI! Dunne goes up to FLYING KNEE Joe’s arm! Joe writhes and flounders but Dunne is on him with a FUJIWARA! Mark gets in the ring but the ref stops him, only for Wolfgang to ROCK Dunne! Joe is free while fans boo.
Joe deadlifts to GERMAN SUPLEX, but Dunne lands on his feet! Joe ducks the lariat, ELBOWS Dunne, then goes up and up to CROSS- FOREARM!! Cover, TWO!! Joe survives and Dunne seethes as he sees Gallus regroup. Dunne goes up and out and up again, ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Gallus Boys go down and fans fire up! Joe scrambles, Dunne pursues to SNAP GERMAN! Dunne then STOMPS the hands! BUZZSAW! Gallus gets on the apron but the ref sees them now! The ref EJECTS Gallus!! Fans fire up as this is now truly 1v1, and Dunne just shrugs as NXT goes picture in picture.
Even Meta Four joins in on taunting Wolfgang & Markus with “Hey hey hey, goodbye~!” Dunne waits on Joe as Joe fumes. Joe storms up to Dunne, and the hands start flying! Joe ducks to ROCK Dunne! And JAB! And body shot! JAB! BODY! Repeat! BIG LEFT! Joe stomps away in the corner but the ref counts. Joe lets off, shaking out his bad arm. Joe drags Dunne back up, ROCKS him, but that just hurts the bad hand. Joe goes up the corner, takes aim, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Dunne is tougher than that and Joe seethes again. Joe drags Dunne around by his legs, but Dunne kicks back. Joe just grabs both legs in one arm!
Joe turns Dunne for a DOUBLE HALF CRAB! Maybe some kinda lobster stretch? Dunne endures, turns over, and he kicks Joe again! Dunne drags Joe down into an ARMBAR! Joe scrambles, but ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Joe endures, fights around, but Dunne squeezes tighter! Joe fights back up, deadlifts Dunne, and BUCKLE BOMBS! Both men are down yet glaring at each other. They crawl over to junkyard dog headbutt! Then they throw haymakers and jabs! They brawl, Dunne fires off on Joe! Dunne hammers down on the Iron King, then STOMPS his arm! Joe writhes, Dunne paces, and then Dunne gets the wrists.
Dunne drags Joe up but Joe HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! NXT returns to single picture as Dunne flops to the apron. Joe drags Dunne up by his hair, has him against ropes, but Dunne grabs that bad arm! Dunne wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Then he gives Joe BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Shoutout to The Fella, as Dunne goes BEYOND ten!! Fans are thunderous, Meta Four says nuh-uh, that won’t happen to Dar. But Dunne drags Joe back up, for another ELBOW BREAKER! Joe HEADBUTTS back! Joe seethes and drags Dunne up, but Dunne holds ropes to fight the driver!
Dunne reels Joe in, APRON DDT!! Fans are thunderous again and Dunne goes back for more. Joe stands, swings, but Dunne ROCKS him! And ROCKS! Joe ROCKS Back! Dunne rebounds, into a POP-UP UPPERCUT! Joe goes up and up, FLYING CROSSBODY! Joe roars, he drags Dunne into another waistlock, but the bad arm won’t let him lift! Joe just one arms it?! GERMAN SUPLEX!! Joe aims from a corner, fans rally up, and Dunne rises into the GLASGOW SENDOFF! Joe keeps moving, ALL THE- BOOT! Joe stays up, ALL THE- ENZIGURI! ALL THE BEST SOUTHPAW STYLE!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” while both men are down!
A standing count starts, the watch party is loving this, and Joe flounders his way over. But Dunne gets the arm! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Dunne bends the fingers back! Joe fights up, rolls, and reels Dunne in! POWERBOMB!! Dunne manages to rise up, but Joe runs in again, GLASGOW SENDOFF!! Dunne goes down, Joe keeps moving, ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!!! Cover, TWO?!? Dunne survives and even Meta Four is shocked! Joe shoves Dunne out of the ring, runs in, but the sendoff is sent into steel steps! Dunne puts Joe in the ring, reels him in, BITTER END!!! Cover, DUNNE WINS!!
Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Heritage Cup)
Dar does NOT like this! He knows how dangerous the Bruiserweight can be, just as we all saw with our own eyes! Will Dunne rip the Cup away from Dar once and for all?
Backstage interview with Dominik Mysterio.
McKenzie Mitchell is with the North American Champion and says he retained it against Dragon Lee just last night. Yes, Dom knows, it was another instant classic. Another challenger, another successful defense. And now he has a free Saturday to hang out with Mami and eat chicken tendies. But didn’t he know- Well you thought wrong, Kenzie! No Dom at No Mercy. But HBK just made a Triple Threat to determine a contender. What? Did Dom not see HBK’s social media? No, Dom doesn’t follow HBK. Well, take a look: Axiom VS Tyler Bate VS Dragon Lee! Dom fumes and says HBK’s no better than Pearce! He’s a champion, he should be respected!
Dom storms off, but will he have no choice but to accept a new challenge so soon?
The D’Angelo Family holds their tag team summit dinner.
Stacks says this is a big night for them. Do they have enough food? The Don says c’mon, Adrian’s got ’em covered. So what’s the plan? Everyone sits down, and then they lower the boom? Yeah, Stacks, they lower the boom. Would he relax? Eat some bread. First, they feed their guests, with Uncle Chez slaving away in the kitchen. The chicken parm, the baked ziti. Then they’ll decide who challenges for the tag titles at No Mercy. Right, the champs call the shots. Exactly. The guests arrive and get checked out. Angel Garza doesn’t get it, but Stacks says this is a family establishment. Humberto has his cousin cool off and they sit down.
Humberto appreciates the invite. The last time they met, thigs got… outta hand. Exactly. But Garza says they’re not apologizing. They aren’t even here to eat, just to talk. Well, that mistake is on them. There’s a six course meal coming, and your tastebuds will thank you later. Garza says they’re after one thing. The titles? Good, get a drink, wait for the others. Others? Fine. We’ll check back in on this later, will this meeting even make it through the appetizers?
Trick Williams VS Joe Gacy w/ Ava Raine!
Trick Melo Gang is now, then and forever, while The Schism’s tree seems to be rotting away. Will Trick Willie prove he is his own man and can win his own battles? Or will Mr. Inclusion make him feel all alone?
NXT returns as The Schism makes their entrance. At least, what’s left of it. The bell rings and the two tie up. Gacy headlocks, Trick powers out but Gacy whips. Trick whips Gacy away, then runs him over! Fans fire up as Trick headlocks. Gacy powers out, Trick goes up and over and scoops to SLAM Gacy down! And then DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up as Trick whips Gacy corner to corner, but Gacy reverses. Gacy runs in, Trick blocks the boot and spins him. Trick ducks the lariat to JAB, JAB and UPPERCUT! Fans fire up more and Trick whips, but Gacy blocks hip toss to knee low and DDT Trick down!
Fans boo as Gacy stomps Trick around. Gacy CLUBS Trick, CLUBS him again, then rains down forearms to the back! Fans boo as Gacy just hammers away! Gacy roars and clamps on a BULLY CHOKE! Trick endures, fights around, and Gacy shouts for Trick to give up! Fans rally, Trick fights up, and Trick pries the hold open! Trick turns around but Gacy kicks low. Gacy throws Trick down by his hair, but Trick avoids the elbow drop! Trick BOOTS from the corner, runs up and fires off haymakers! Trick DECKS Gacy, then throws hands against the ropes! Trick whips, and LEG LARIATS! Then a scoop, but Gacy slips free!
Gacy shoves Trick to a corner to clothesline, ELBOW, and run to UPSIDE- KNEE!! Trick covers, TRICK WINS!
Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall
If you blinked, you would’ve missed it! He whooped dat trick, is this proof enough Williams ain’t no sidekick? Kelly Kincaid congratulates Trick on the win and he tells her let’s talk about it. He ain’t gonna lie,. it feels good to get that dub. And he is ambidextrous: he whoops ass with both hands! Believe that! Kelly says with No Mercy on Saturday, does he feel Melo also walks out with the W? Or do we see a new champion in Ilja Dragunov? Kelly, Kelly, Kelly. Gacy is weird, but this was a good match. This might’ve been Trick’s best yet. And we wanna talk Melo VS Ilja? But hey, Trick will answer the question.
We all know Dragunov hits hard, and no one knows better than Trick. Trick would be a fool to bet against him. And by him, he means his boy, Melo! Fans cheer that, and Trick says Trick Melo Gang always gonna be here. So at No Mercy, Melo retains that title. And now that Trick thinks about it… Melo has his title, yeah? Trick wants to go get his! Trick heads out, but what is he planning on doing next?
Backstage interview with Blair Davenport.
McKenzie is with the Ichiban Gaijin, and says the last time we saw her and Gigi Dolin, they were brawling in the back. Blair says she gets it. That was Gigi’s feeble attempt at taking Blair out. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but in Gigi’s case, it was just sad. The biggest difference is that when Blair targets people, they don’t get up. Blair got back up, and the refs had to pull them apart to save Gigi from Blair. Blair tells Gigi that if she thinks she can share the same vindictive nature and match her vicious intent? Well, she can’t. And if you don’t believe her, just watch what she does tonight.
Andre Chase talks with Duke Hudson.
Mr. Chase knows they have to give Thea her space, but he’s still worried about her. Duke says yeah, but there’s not much they can do. But then Jacy Jayne walks over and asks who they’re looking for. She knows who. They know Jacy is Thea’s new friend, but Thea isn’t returning their texts. How is she doing? Don’t ask Jacy, professor. Just ask her for yourself. Thea! Thea walks in and Duke says HOLY ISH! Thea is in that new leather skirt and top combo Jacy helped her pick out. Chase cannot even, but Duke keeps him from admonishing Thea. Chase says she has never looked so nice. Wait, really? Really really? Yes.
Then great! Because she finally feels like a grown ass woman. All credit to Jacy! But okay, time to go get ready for Dani Palmer in their match. Laters. Jacy says if they liked that, wait until they see the new ring gear. Chase asks what the hell. Duke says it will be okay. Has Chase U’s Sandy gone from cheerleader to modern day Pink Lady? And how much more (or less?) can there be for her ring gear?
Baron Corbin VS Josh Briggs w/ Brooks Jensen & Fallon Henley!
Before facing the #MeanerThanEvil Bron Breakker this Saturday, “No More BS” Corbin looks to show this country boy no mercy. Will Corbin #BurnTheShips and leave Briggs stranded? Or will Briggs show Corbin there’s nothing he can do about the new wave of superstars?
NXT returns as Briggs makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and then tie up. They go around, Corbin puts Briggs in a corner, and the ref counts. Corbin lets off, to SLAP Briggs! Briggs JABS back! Briggs fires off, fans fire up and Briggs clotheslines Corbin up and out! Briggs pursues, he CLUBS Corbin, then SMACKS him off the apron! The ring count starts as Briggs CLUBS Corbin, then RAMS him into barriers! Fans fire up as Briggs gets in Corbin’s face. Briggs puts Corbin in at 5 of 10, hurries up, and he ROCKS Corbin! Briggs runs, Corbin dodges, but Briggs BOOTS Corbin down!
Fans fire up with Briggs, and he drags Corbin. Corbin grabs ropes, kicks Briggs away, then he kicks Briggs’ leg out! Corbin hauls Briggs up, HALF NELSON SLAM! Cover, TWO! Corbin is frustrated but Briggs is a former tag champion so he’s tough. Corbin fires hands on Briggs, has him in a corner and whips him corner to corner hard. Corbin runs in to SPLASH! Corbin mocks the cheering of the fans and of Fallon, but Briggs avoids his splash! Then scoops for a SIDEWALK SLAM! SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Corbin is also a former US Champion, he’s tougher than that. Fans rally and Briggs looms over Corbin.
Briggs fires hands but Corbin fires back! They go back and forth, Corbin ROCKS Briggs but Briggs fires a flurry! Briggs BOOTS again and Corbin goes to a corner! Briggs snarls, runs in, but Corbin uses the ref as a shield! THROAT CHOP! Corbin goes up to FLYING LARIAT! Corbin drags Briggs up, reels him in, END OF DAYS! Cover, Corbin wins!
Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall
One thing Briggs has to learn is that Corbin will do anything to win. Corbin gets a mic to call out “Badass Bron Breakker. This Saturday, we find out if the little doggy is all bark or if he bites.” Corbin burned his past, is looking to the future. Bron just his in the End of Days. But wait, Bron is here! The “little doggy” storms to the ring with a mic of his own, and he tells Corbin, HAYMAKER! Breon fires off, Corbin hits back and fans fire up! Security rushes in, but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Corbin and Bron ram into each other, throw hands, the others separate them but they just get hit, too! If this is how fired up they are tonight, how much more violent will it get on Saturday?
Trick Williams walks up to HBK’s office door.
Trick knocks, and Shawn has him come in. Trick asks if he has a minute. Yeah, come on in. What is Trick going to ask of the NXT GM?
NXT takes a closer look at Becky VS Tiffany for No Mercy.
Tiffy thinks she’s effortlessly perfect. But then she talked about the wrong Horsewoman, and ended up thrown into the Big Time. Becky took that title to become a Grand Slam Champion, but Tiffany demanded a title rematch. Becky’s been here nearly a decade, and Tiffany’s only been here a year, and yet she went toe-to-toe with The Man. But Becky says she’s seen the ladies with rockets strapped to their backs and they fizzle out just as fast. But then Tiff had to go and push things, and now Becky’s pushing back with EXTREME RULES! Tiff says she’s hungry, Becky says weapons will be used and bodies will be bruised. But will The Man still be the champ?
Hank Walker & Tank Ledger VS Lucien Price & Bronco Nima w/ SCRYPTS!
Tony D’Angelo’s guest list for dinner is not yet complete, but these two young and hungry teams are ready to eat! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank bring that hoss energy to the table? Or will Reggie’s new crew truly be #OutTheMud?
The teams sort out and Price starts against Tank. Tank dodges the boot to waistlock but Price elbows. Tank tags Hank, whips, and then Hank CLOBBERS Price! Hank ‘n’ Tank DOUBLE FALLING HEADBUTTS! Fans rally while Price goes to a corner. Hank storms up but Price BOOTS! Hank throws hands, whips Price to another corner, then SPLASHES! Hank runs side to side, tags Tank and SPLASHES again! Tank RAMS into Price, feeds him to Hank’s scoop, and then Hank SLAMS so Tank can slingshot SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tank drags Price up, but Nima distracts. Price wrenches to HOOK KICK! Very Booker T style there!
Tag to Nima, he runs to STOMP Tank down! Tank flounders while Nima fires up. Nima runs to STRADDLE ATTACK! Nima bounces with it, then he throws Tank down. Nima STOMPS Tank’s leg, then tags Price. Price runs to JUMP SPLASH! Tank sputters, Nima cheers Price on, and Price runs in to clothesline! Price snapmares, tags Nima, and Nima runs up. Tank avoids the stomp this time to roll Nima up, TWO! Hot tag to Hank! Hank hits a THESZ PRESS and fast hands! Fans fire up, Price runs in but Hank DECKS him! Fans fire up with Hank as he runs corner to corner to SPLASH! Then whip and scoop, to SNAKE EYES!
Hank keeps moving to BOOT Nima down! Fans are all fired up with Hank and he tags Tank! The big boys scoop the bigger boy, but Scrypts grabs at Hank! The ref stops Reggie but that allows Price to SUPERKICK Tank! Then Nima shoves Tank into Hank! Hank goes down, Nima tags Price. They get Tank up, GRIDIRON SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, OTM wins!
Winners: Lucien Price & Bronco Nima, by pinfall
Scrypts was the brains of the game plan, and they’re ready to eat now! Will Tony have Uncle Chez make some extra helpings for these guys?
Gigi Dolin prepares backstage.
But then the lights go out!? And someone attacks Gigi in the dark!! The lights come back up, and of course it was Blair! Blair tells Gigi she’s pathetic. Did Blair just violently cancel her match? Or will this only further motivate Gigi to get revenge?
NXT checks back in on the D’Angelo dinner party.
Stacks says he’s filling up on bread waiting for the other teams to arrive. Tony says it’s good wine, though. But hey, why does it look like Angel & Humberto got mauled by sabretooth tigers? Garza asks if he is disrespecting their grandfather. Stacks says not at all! Humberto explains that these claw mark tattoos remind them who they are, and is a message from their grandfather. A message that includes taking those tag titles. Oh, some message. Maybe it’ll be a long time before they can respond, huh? Heh. And speaking of family, look who is here! The Creed Brothers walk in, get patted down but Tony assures his guys that these two are alright.
Brutus says he’s starving, so he came to the right place. Tony had them whip up double of the, how did Brutus say it? A-spicy-a meatball-a! Some real I-talian food! Julius says they’ll eat, but they’re also here to discuss business. Stacks rolls his eyes at Julius’ Godfather act. Julius figures maybe Tony can just cut them in on No Mercy with the primos here. Stacks says nothing has been settled, just relax and eat something. Brutus asks if this is where… you know? Know what? Where people have had their last suppers. Food poisoning, that is. Humberto hesitates to eat the pasta now. Tony says no, that’s the place up the street! C’mon!
Stacks reports that OTM is OTM. G O O D. Huh? Good. Oh! And here comes some more pasta! Will Brutus & Julius leave enough for Nima & Price?
Tyler Bate talks with Axiom.
The Big Strong Boi says it goes without saying, but no hard feelings out there, mate. The Undeniable Truth agrees. And no offense to either Bate or Dragon Lee, but understand that opportunities like this don’t come along every day. Bate agrees, you gotta seize these moments with both hands. Trick walks in and he wants everyone to know, face to face… The Triple Threat is now a FATAL 4! See you out there. Well, that changes things. Will Dom be doomed no matter who comes away with the golden tickets?
Strap Match: Eddy Thorpe VS DIJAK!
After going back and forth, The Alpha Wolf being pushed to his limits by Hard Justice, both men are ready to tear into each other! And that’s what the leather strap is for! Who walks away the winner while the other walks away licking his wounds?
In the front row is Thorpe’s family: his mother, father, sister, and six-year-old niece. Will they give Eddy the strength to fight through the pain and bring Dijak down? The strap is secured onto each man’s left wrist, and the bell rings. Fans fire up but Dijak already goes out of the ring. Dijak works to drag Eddy out with him but Eddy uses the corner to stay put! Eddy then YANKS Dijak into the post! And then Eddy DIVES to send Dijak into barriers! Fans fire up, Eddy puts Dijak in the ring, but Dijak YANKS Eddy into the apron! Dijak drags Eddy in, gathers up some slack, but Eddy dodges to use slack to trip Dijak!
Eddy KICKS and CLUBS away but Dijak shoves him away. Eddy comes back with more shots! Dijak shoves again, then BOOTS Eddy! Dijak goes up but Eddy YANKS him down to GAMANGIRI! The fans rally behind Eddy as he uses the strap to help drag Dijak up in a waistlock. Dijak ELBOWS Eddy over and over, but Eddy still holds on! Dijak pries the hold and throws more elbows! Eddy lets go, Dijak gathers up the slack, but Eddy BOOTS him first! Eddy then SHOTGUNS Dijak into a corner! Fans fire up and Eddy aims. Eddy runs in, but Dijak dodges the boot! To LASH Eddy with the strap! Dijak then drags Eddy around to whip and TOSS!
Eddy hits the ground hard, his family and the fans rally behind him, but Dijak just laughs as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Dijak has Eddy down, with the strap across Eddy’s mouth! Eddy endures and fans boo Dijak but Dijak tells Eddy to stay down, he’s stuck! Eddy claws at the strap, brings it away from his mouth, but Dijak pulls it back down! Fans rally up, Eddy fights to his feet and he throws elbows! And windmill haymakers! And CHOPS! Dijak SUPERKICKS, whips, and then yanks again, but Eddy stops himself! SOBAT! Eddy runs in but Dijak choke grips! But Eddy swings and clotheslines Dijak and himself out of the ring! But Dijak holds on!? APRON CHOKE SLAM!! Eddy sputters while Dijak grimaces.
Dijak drags Eddy from the apron, to whip him into barriers! Right in front of the Thorpe family! Fans boo and mama tells Dijak he’s a bad man. Eddy’s niece fires up for Eddy but Dijak stands Eddy up. Dijak grabs some slack, to LASH Eddy! Dijak says this is for the family! LASH!! Fans boo Dijak for being mean to a kid, but he LASHES Eddy over and over again! Dijak drags Uncle Eddy up and into the ring and fans boo more. Dijak takes off his white belt! The same belt that started it all, and that lashed the tree Eddy uses as a guidepost! Dijak swings, but Eddy dodges! Eddy BOOTS Dijak, then runs in to BOOT in the corner!
Dijak staggers, Eddy has some slack now and he LASHES away on Dijak! Again and again and again! Shot for shot, each one for his family, his heritage and himself! Eddy just unloads and the crowd is thunderous! Dijak grabs for his belt but Eddy stands on it! Eddy shakes his head, and he LASHES Dijak again! Dijak staggers to a corner, Eddy uses the white belt for a LEATHER FIST!! Eddy has Dijak down, drags him into a drop zone, then goes up the corner! Eddy wraps his arm in leather, for a LEATHER MACHO ELBOW! Cover, Eddy wins!!
Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by pinfall
The Alpha Wolf deals with Dijak, but Dijak isn’t done with Eddy! Dijak torture racks Eddy for FEAST YOUR EYES!! Dijak is a sore loser and fans boo, but Dijak drags Eddy up again! Dijak RAMS Eddy into the corner, hoists him up top, then SUPERKICKS him down! Eddy is stuck in a Tree of Woe, and we know what Dijak does to trees! Dijak uses the strap to tie Eddy’s legs to the corner, and then grabs his white belt! Fans boo as hard as they can, and Dijak points at the Thorpes to say watch this! Dijak LASHES Eddy again and again and again!! Then he threatens the refs! Dijak storms off, what will the consequences be for pushing things this far?
Jacy Jayne waits in the hall.
She’s so excited for Thea’s new look. She knocks on the door and asks if she’s ready. Almost ready. She looks so good. Good! Jacy is sure everyone will go nuts, but will this new gear help Thea feel like a winner?
Thea Hail w/ Jacy Jayne VS Dani Palmer!
While Dani makes her entrance for this match, Blair snatches the headset from Vic Joseph to mockingly say “what a shame” that Gigi can’t compete tonight. Maybe her tortured little soul is more beat up than she thought. Next time Gigi wants to play Blair’s game, make sure she remembers how she feels right now. Because next time, it’ll be even worse. And now back to our regularly scheduled match.
Thea makes her entrance, Jacy leading the way to bring out a new theme and tron. Thea walks out in leather and garter belts! Fans seem to accept the new Thea. Will Thea show us she grown in more ways than one? The bell rings, she and Dani tie up, and Thea trips Dani to have a toehold! Dani handstands, slips free and trips Thea into a toehold of her own. Thea rolls, Dani handsprings and headlocks for a takeover! Thea fights around, wrenches out of the headlock to top wristlock, and she wrangles Dani down. Dani kips up, but Thea arm-drags her down! Thea SPLASHES down on the arm!
Thea wrenches, Dani rolls, and then flips to arm-drag free! Thea comes back to wheelbarrow and arm-drag! Dani ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA Thea away! Things speed up, Thea tilt-o-whirls to RANA back! They go again and Thea wrangles Dani to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Dani rolls Thea up, TWO! Dani DROPKICKS Thea down, and then runs, but the splash only gets buckles! Thea GAMANGIRIS, clinches, and EXPLODERS! Cover, TWO! Thea grabs Dani’s arm to WRING it out! Thea wrenches again, but Dani ROCKS Thea! Then LARIATS! And DROPKICKS! Dani kips up and fans fire up as Dani runs in to HANDSPRING KICK!
Dani pushes Thea down, goes up the corner, and SKY TWISTERS! But she lands out of it as Thea moves! Thea runs in to scoop, and KIMURA!! Dani goes down, she TAPS! Thea wins!
Winner: Thea Hail, by pinfall
New look, new attitude, new Thea? Well, one win does not make a streak, but is this just the beginning? Jacy sees Chase & Duke and waves hi to them. Is that also a wave goodbye for the good ol’ days of good girl Thea?
Melo is on his phone.
And in walks Trick! He’s in his bag right now! He showed Gacy while the whole world will be chanting “Whoop Dat Trick!” And now Trick’s gonna show the rest of the world why… Wait, what’s up? Is Melo listening? Yeah, man, he saw Trick do his thing against Gacy. And knew he would! Trick’s getting in a Fatal 4, he’s gonna win! Yeah, and then Trick will go on to No Mercy to face Dom for the North American Championship. Trick will get his first title shot! Melo, c’mon! Is he on mute? No, Melo is hearing Trick, but the contract signing with Ilja is big stuff. He has to lock in. Trick understands, right? Right, Trick understands. Melo handles his business, Trick will handle his.
Trick heads out, and Melo hopes Trick wasn’t upset right there. Will all be okay when Trick Melo Gang leaves the Golden State dripping in gold?
NXT Media catches up with Baron Corbin.
Corbin’s on his way out as he is asked about Bron confronting him after his match, but Corbin says to stop. He has no time for this! “Badass Bron thinks he’s intimidating people but he’s not. This Saturday, No Mercy, he’s getting his ass whooped, and that’s-” BRON LEAPS IN AND CLOBBERS CORBIN! They brawl again and refs rush in! Security, too! These two are separated, will they even make it to Saturday?!
NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Fatal 4 Way: Axiom VS Tyler Bate VS Dragon Lee VS Trick Williams!
Each man in this match has been disrespected by Dirty Dom ever since Judgment Day started coming around NXT. And each man wants their shot at Dom’s title. What was a one-in-three is now a one-in-four, but will the numbers still spell disaster for Dom at No Mercy?
NXT returns as Axiom makes his entrance so now all four men are here. The bell rings, the four look around at the others, and then Axiom and Bate DOUBLE SUPERKICK Trick! Those two must really not like that Trick got himself into their match, but even Dragon is stunned. But now we have the original Triple Threat, and both Bate and Axiom rush Dragon! Dragon dodges, shoves Bate into Axiom and then trips Bate. Things speed up, Bate hurdles but Dragon comes back. Bate dodges to FLY out onto Trick! Fans are torn but then Dragon runs. Axiom dodges, RANAS, but Dragon handsprings!
Axiom trips Dragon, Dragon reaches up to RANA, but Axiom handsprings through. Dragon kicks low, whips Axiom toa corner and runs in, but into an ELBOW! Axiom goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Axiom kips up, DROPKICKS Dragon, and fans fire up. Axiom goes up and out to FLYING KNEE Trick down! Bate drags Trick and Axiom up but Dragon builds speed to FLY out onto all three! Dragon hurries to get Trick up and in and fans fire up again. Dragon reels Trick in, but Trick trips Dragon! Trick has the legs, BOSTON CRAB! But then Bate has a FUJIWARA ARMBAR on Dragon! But then Axiom slides in, and he studies this puzzling predicament.
Occam’s razor says the simplest solution is often the best, so Axiom just adds on! SLEEPER on Trick! Trick starts fading while Dragon still endures, but Bate sees Axiom. Bate CLUBS Axiom down and now everyone is free. Fans fire up, Bate goes after Dragon but Dragon fires haymakers! Bate puts Bop up but Dragon ducks Bang to ROCK Bate! Dragon whips, Bate reverses and DROPKICKS! Trick DECKS Bate! Axiom runs in but into body shots and an UPPERCUT! Trick runs but Axiom ducks, the LEAPING LARIAT gets Dragon! GORDO KICK gets Axiom! Bate & Axiom run in, into DOUBLE FLAPJACKS! Fans are thunderous with Trick and NXT goes picture in picture!
Trick huffs ‘n’ puffs but Bate ROCKS him back! And again! Trick ROCKS Bate, storms up but blocks the boot. Bate KNEES Trick away, goes up, and FLYING UPPERCUTS! Trick goes to another corner, Bate runs in but Trick TOSSES him up and out! Axiom runs up but into a knee! Trick CHOPS Axiom down! Trick stalks Axiom to a corner, CHOPS him again, and Axiom flounders around! Axiom tries to hit back but can’t put much into it. Trick just CHOPS Axiom down again! Trick shakes out that hand, then he sees Bate on the outside. Trick drags Bate up but Bate RAMS into Trick! Slingshot sunset flip! TWO!
Trick runs up to knee low! Trick reels Bate in, but Axiom stops the suplex. Bate & Axiom double suplex Trick, btu Dragon joins in! Dragon & Trick VS Bate & Axiom in a battle for suplex superiority! It’s Bate & Axiom that get Dragon & Trick up and over!! All four men are down and the fans are going wild! Trick and Dragon crawl away, so Bate throws a hand on Axiom! Axiom hits Bate back, they go back and forth, and Axiom kicks from below! Bate stands Axiom up to UPPERCUT! Axiom and Bate keep going back and forth, SUPERMAN PUNCH from Axiom! NXT returns to single picture as Bate rebounds!
Bate gest under and around Axiom, underhooks the arms, and TYLER DRIVER- RANA COUNTER! Cover, TWO! Axiom runs up, gets around but Bate bucks the O’Conner. Axiom catches Bate, HALF ‘N’ HALF! Axiom then kicks Trick, runs, but Dragon is back. Axiom goes up and up and ARM-DRAG RANA COMBOS! Bate is up, he kicks Axiom low and whips. Axiom tilt-o-whirls to send Bate into Trick! LARIAT DDT COMBO!! Cover on Bate, but Dragon breaks it! Dragon whips Axiom, runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION DRAGON! Fans rally as Dragon HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS Trick! Then HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS Axiom!
The Boy Wonder swings, Big Strong Boi dodges, REBOUNDER but Dragon slips through! DRAGON BOMB!! Cover, Trick AND Axiom break it!! Fans are thunderous again as all four men are down! The fans love “NXT! NXT!” for making this match a reality! Trick drags Dragon up to TOSS him out, but Axiom is up top! Axiom leaps, into a HAYMAKER from Trick! Trick scoop SLAMS Bate, stomps him around, then rolls to lift, but Dragon adds on! So Trick just DOUBLE BOOKENDS!! Double cover, TWO!!! Trick keeps his focus on Bate and brings him. Trick CLUBS Bate, fans sing “Trick gonna beat yo’ ass~!”
Trick suplexes but Bate SATELLITE DDTS!! Trick is dazed, Bate is roaring! Bate fireman’s carries Dragon to AIRPLANE SPIN! But Axiom runs in! So Bate trips him, and much like a certain Swiss Superman, AIRPLANE SPIN GIANT SWING COMBOS!!! Fans are thunderous as Bate goes around and around, then stops to SLAM Dragon onto Axiom! And then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX for Dragon! Trick gets Bate to whip, but Bate hits a REBOUNDER!! Cover, Axiom breaks it while giving Dragon a DESTROYER!!! Fans are losing their minds as all four men are down again!! “This is Awesome!” as all four men stir.
Axiom and Bate rise, Axiom kicks but Bate blocks! Bate Bop up, BANG sends Axiom down! Trick whips, again, POP-UP UPPERCUT! Axiom SUPERKICKS Trick! Axiom aims at Dragon, but Dragon blocks the kick to send it into Trick! Dragon then pops Axiom up in the corner, to SUPERKICK him down! And SUPERKICK again!! Fans fire up with Dragon and he goes up the corner! But Bate GAMANGIRIS Dragon first! Bate climbs up to get Dragon, but Axiom CLUBS them both! Axiom climbs to join them, he SUPERKICKS Bate to the apron! Axiom has Dragon now, for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?
Dragon survives and fans are losing their minds! Both men rise, Axiom afraid for his life! Dragon shoves, spins, tilt-o-whirl, DESTINOOO~!! Cover, Trick breaks it! Trick drags Dragon up, Dragon HEADBUTTS Trick into Bate!! Bate falls back, Dragon falls out, and Trick falls forward onto Axiom!! It’s a cover! TRICK WINS!!!
Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)
Even Trick is stunned! Trick is going to No Mercy to have his own title fight!! Will Trick Melo Gang be the top two of NXT?
NXT returns to the D’Angelo dinner party.
Everyone is enjoying course after course, but only now does OTM arrive. Tony says they were told to impress, and they did. Stacks says Hank ‘n’ Tank ain’t no joke, so they earned their seat at the table. Pull up a chair. They’ll get a booster seat for Scrypts there. The others laugh, but Price says not to disrespect his man. Scrypts says it’s cool. He brought cheese for the rats anyways. What’s that? Nima says they ain’t here to break bread. Brutus says he did, that focaccia bread was amazing. At least someone’s enjoying the hospitality. But Humberto also gets to business. Who will face the champions at No Mercy?
Naturally, Humberto & Angel want their shot, but The Creeds say no one remembers the last time Los Lotharios won. Was it before or after the siesta? Oh, sorry, guess the Creeds were too busy trying to get their jobs back. No, they did that in a Steel Cage Match. Maybe Garza was still napping. Brutus asks if there’s more of that chicken parm. Bro! What? This is great! Better than mom’s. Mom’s is good, too. Eh. Scrypts says it is time for new blood in the division. The D’Angelos invite them just to disrespect them. They won’t even say Lucien’s & Bronco’s names. This man must want to cake walk in Cali. Well, guess Scrypts is a mind-reader now.
Who’re they calling a cake walk? Oh, cake. Brutus, pay attention. The match the people want is Tony & Stacks VS The Creeds! Hey hold up. Everyone’s begging for their shot, but OTM don’t beg. Either Tony gives them the shot, or this place is gonna get real dirty, real quick. Tony says okay. But then he calls in his muscle. Oh, didn’t know Tony rolled like that. Tony says to sit down and shut up. Stacks says this is what they’re gonna do. Everyone makes a good case for themselves. But as their first title defense on a premium event, The D’Angelo Family won’t let others say “Oh, you picked your favorites, you took the easy road.”
So it m ight be high risk, but Tony will see all their ugly mugs at No Mercy! Don’t like it? There’s the door. The three other teams stay quiet, so Tony says that’s more like it. Stacks says they’ve even procured everyone’s favorite beverages for the sake of this toast. Everyone stands, and Tony says to the Fatal 4. Salud. Salud. Everyone toasts, the Creeds having milk while the others have wine. Then No Mercy just got a whole lot bigger! Will The Don & Underboss even make it outta Bakersfield on their own two feet? Or will there be new champions in the NXT Tag Division?
Backstage interview with Dominik Mysterio, again.
McKenzie again has Dirty Dom with her and says it will be Dom VS Trick at No Mercy. Dom says big deal. HBK is throwing curve balls, but Dom will whoop dat Trick, just like he did Dragon Lee. By the way, thanks for the black eye. But HBK needs to realize he doesn’t run NXT, DOM does! On Saturday, Dom will whoop Trick, even DESTROY him, just like he did Dragon Lee. But then Dragon DECKS Dom!! Dragon warns Dom that if he makes it past Trick, they’re going another round. Refs back Dragon off, is the clock running out on Dirty Dom’s run?
Trick catches up with Melo.
Trick is sore and tired, but he and Melo celebrate. Melo is proud of Trick. At No Mercy, they’ll both walk out champions! Trick Melo Gang always gonna be here! They secret handshake, then Melo heads out. The contract signing is next, will Melo and Dragunov keep from blowing things up in the ring before the title match?
Someone is watching.
Watching television, that is. He flips through the channels, watches some classic 80s news, Cincinnati Bengals training came, and even WCW. Just who could this be?
BREAKING NEWS for No Mercy!
HBK heard Dom run his mouth about who runs things, so he’s about to show Dom what’s up! In a bit of karma from before, Dom VS Trick for the North American Championship will have a special guest referee! And it’s none other than DRAGON LEE!! Will Dirty Dom finally taste some of his own medicine at No Mercy?
Ilja Dragunov heads to the ring.
Fans conduct the music along with The Mad Dragon as he goes to the table waiting for him. Then Melo makes his entrance, and both men take their seats. Melo has a mic to tell Ilja, “You and I both know that everything that happened last week, there’s really nothing for us to talk about. So let’s sign this contract, and we’ll see each other on Saturday at No Mercy.” Dragunov asks Melo if he realizes that in that moment last week, Melo is always the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time? And Dragunov is convinced that Melo is just the wrong man to be NXT Champion.
Melo says okay, hold on. Wrong person at wrong time? Like Dragunov at The Bash? Melo didn’t plan for it to go down like that, he didn’t call that shot, but it is what it is. Melo didn’t walk into The Bash thinking he wasn’t gonna win, and now he’s walking into No Mercy knowing Melo will beat you! Dragunov says Melo just explained himself, and it had to hurt, right? Dragunov can clearly see that Melo struggles outside of his comfort zone. So at No Mercy, Melo shall know true unbearable pain when he faces a dragon spitting fire! Melo says hold on. Talk about struggling with confidence? Yeah, for the first time ever, Melo is struggling! But only for a moment before he checked himself.
But if Dragunov wants to talk confidence and pain, the unbearable pain is Dragunov believing his own hype! His own hype that Dragunov beat Melo at The Bash when we all know that Dragunov did not. Dragunov says the people know, and deep inside, Melo knows that Dragunov did. So on Saturday, it is destiny! Dragunov isn’t just talking about a prophecy, but here’s a question. What does Melo do when he throws everything he has at Dragunov, and Dragunov doesn’t stay down? Wait, what does Melo do when he shoots his best shot, and oh, I dunno… he misses? Did Melo prepare himself to answer these questions?
Melo says the reality is, being the NXT Champion is not about how much pain you can endure, how many veins you can make pop out of your head, it is about being undeniable! It is about being… HIM! Fans fire up for that one. And Melo wants Dragunov to realize this: Melo is not like any of these guys Dragunov’s beaten lately. He’s not Wes Lee, he’s not Oro Mensah, he’s not Trick- Melo catches himself there and Dragunov laughs. What was that? Melo says no, hold on. Melo will be the one to push Dragunov to his limits, because Melo is champ for a freakin’ reason! And at No Mercy, we get rid of the What Ifs!
Dragunov stands, takes the contract, and signs his part. Then he hands it over to Melo with some stank. Then he tells Melo, “You will do nothing, because you can do NOTHING!” Dragunov is finished with letting destiny slip through his fingers, and so if Melo wants to push Dragunov to places beyond his limit, great! Because everything Melo will find there is a nightmare he will never forget for the rest of his life! And when Dragunov is crowned the NEW NXT Champion, Melo will realize that his dynasty has fallen. “Long Live the Czar!!” Melo stands up, signs his part, and it is official!
Melo then tells Dragunov that now that he’s done, understand something. This NXT Championship is bigger than either of them. When Melo carries the title, it represents a beacon of hope for kids that look like him. It is a beacon of hope for anyone who has shot their shot in the dark and prayed it went in. So can Dragunov carry this championship and all its responsibilities? Melo says absolutely. But does Melo think he can do it better than Melo? Absolutely NOT. Melo holds up the title as he and Dragunov stare down. Neither man is backing down, and neither is going to back down. But who will be knocked down while the other rises up as THE NXT Champion?
There’s a fight going on!?
Baron and Bron are at it again, this time in the parking lot!! Refs ands security try to stop this but Bron knees low, then RAMS Corbin into the side of a car! It gets dented! Corbin staggers up but Bron fires off haymakers! The refs back Bron off, Corbin gets in the car, but Bron tries to drag him out! Security drags Bron back, but then Bron gets loose! But Corbin moves and Bron rams himself into the car door! Corbin SMACKS Bron off the hood, then fires off hands! The security can’t stop Corbin as he brings Bron over, but Bron sends Corbin into the garage door! And then SPINEBUSTERS Corbin on the car hood!!
Bron isn’t done, he just gets on the hood with Corbin! But Corbin LOW BLOWS Bron! To CHOKE SLAM Bron on the car roof!! The refs say c’mon already! But Bron sits up like the Deadman!! SLEEPER HOLD!! Corbin SLAMS Bron back but Bron won’t let go! Corbin fires elbows but Bron RAMS him into the garage door! Corbin RAMS Bron into the wall! They end up going indoors, but where is this? Bron shouts, “Where’re you goin’, b*tch?!” The brawl continues in this random hallway! Bron ROCKS Corbin, Corbin CHUCKS a fire extinguisher!! Bron narrowly dodges that, to then SPEAR Corbin through the wall!!!
WHOA, they end up in HBK’s office!! Security and producers and pretty much every ref rushes in to stop this as Bron tries to choke Corbin out!! Again, will these two even make it to Saturday?!
My Thoughts:
An awesome go-home for NXT, probably one of their best in this post-2.0 era. For one, we got about as close to Prime Target as we’re probably getting in this current NXT. Didn’t really add much, though, as we got more highlight reel and recap than we did new promo material. As I said for Raw, Tegan facing the winner doesn’t really add any indicators either, but it’ll be great stuff all the same. And really good stuff from the other women’s division stories. Hilarious and fully expected reaction from Duke & Chase regarding Thea’s new look, and of course Thea wins to keep her momentum going. And Blair attacking Gigi to cancel their match, this has to be leading to something extreme of their own for after No Mercy.
Really good series of promos from Tony, Stacks and the tag teams. Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Nima & Price was solid stuff, but I figured #OutTheMud would win on virtue of being the one fully(?) Heel team in this story. And I also figured we were getting a Fatal 4 Way Tag, and that is awesome. This is definitely HBK working to get this brand back to the best times of Black ‘n’ Gold. With this Fatal 4, any team can win this, and it will be a lot of fun. Corbin VS Briggs was a good match, great showing for Briggs, but of course Corbin wins. Then great stuff the rest of the night with Corbin and Bron brawling, and what an awesome closing image of them busting into HBK’s office and still fighting. Bron as a Heel has been doing great, I oddly want him to win.
Awesome opener with the Global Heritage Invitational finals, and I figured Dunne was going to win that. Now, while we’ve got Dom with the North American title and Becky with the women’s title, I don’t know another RawDown star wins an NXT prize. It’d be awesome for Dunne if he did, but unless someone backs Dunne up, Meta Four is totally gonna screw him over like they have all Dar’s other challengers. An obvious move would be for Ridge Holland to show up, but it would be pretty cool if Bate backed Dunne up to harken back to their British Strong Style days. Plus, just Ridge won’t be enough, and for those who haven’t heard, Sheamus is out with shoulder injury. Also, well wishes to The Fella that he gets back quickly.
Great stuff out of the Strap Match, and great win for Eddy, but man, Dijak doubled down on his Heel heat in this match. It feels weird that WWE is also doubling on using a Face’s family as a way to get extra heat on things. Chad Gable with his family for when he lost to Gunther, and now Eddy’s family ringside for both his win but also the beating… Well, if the Strap Match isn’t the end of this, then maybe Eddy and Dijak finish this in a return to NXT Underground? That is where this feud started: Eddy won an NXT Underground match and got praise for it, which pissed Dijak off.
And just awesome stuff in this Trick Melo Gang story. Trick beat Gacy much faster than I expected, though I did expect him to win anyway. And with WWE (stupidly) releasing Mustafa Ali before No Mercy and the match he was scheduled for, NXT had to improvise a new match. They pulled out a genius way of doing it, with Trick getting in on the #1 contenders match and then winning it in such an awesome “luck based” finish. Trick VS Dom with Dragon as the special guest ref is going to be a lot of fun, and this might (emphasis on might) be how Dom loses the belt.
Melo and Dragunov had a great contract-signing segment, and NXT is good about having solely promo-based ones, no fighting at all. Something that could add major intrigue to the story is if Trick beats Dom to be champion, and then Melo loses to Dragunov so that he isn’t. Will Melo put his pride aside to be happy for Trick? Or will Trick being the only one with gold upset Melo?
My Score: 8.9/10
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