Coverage
Andrew’s AAA Triplemania 29 Results & Match Ratings: 8.14.2021
Triplemania 29 has some excitement thanks to Kenny Omega, Andrade and Deonna Purrazzo. What else goes on? Do we get a classic Lucha de Apuestas match?
Now thanks to Andrade and Kenny Omega, Triplemania was on people’s radar again for the first time in a while. I mean the last time I covered it was Triplemania 27 (combination of pandemic and a terrible card gave me no interest in 28). So let’s see what the show looks like!
Around the same time Andrade made his challenge known for the Mega Championship, Deonna Purrazzo stepped up to Faby Apache to increase the global impact of the matches. So a big storyline beyond the obvious, is if Deonna Purrazzo can continue her dominance south of the border.
The tag title match should be a highlight as well since we’re all aware of the Lucha Bros, Vikingo has made waves here or there and Laredo Kid has been on most people’s radar. Taurus with the mystery partner is always threatening, but we’ll see who he gets. There was a Tweet of Brian Cage on his way to Mexico…so we’ll see where he slots.
Lucha de Apuestas is a Lucha tradition, so it always makes sense for that to be the main event. Psycho and Escoprion have a thin storyline at best. My understanding is it ties back to Psycho’s father Brazo de Plata and some interesting stories that Rey Escorpion hasn’t really been able to adequately pay off the last few years. They’ve had a few matches in the past, they’ve been trying to raise the stakes with worked shoot video attacks, but we’ll see. It might not have the historical weight that like Dr. Wagner vs Psycho Clown or Dr. Wagner vs Blue Demon Jr; but is should still be a damn good match.
Ratings:
- Marvel Lucha Libre: Team Leyender Americana vs Team Terror Purpra: Technicos win – ***
- Copa Bardahl: Mr. Iguana – *
- Champion vs Champion: Knockouts Championship/Reina de Reinas Championship: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs Faby Apache (c): Deonna wins via Venus de Milo – *** ¼ – TITLE CHANGE!!
- AAA World Tag Team Titles: Lucha Bros (c) vs Taurus & Brian Cage vs Jinetes del Aire (Hijo del Vikingo & Laredo Kid): Lucha Bros retain via Fear Factor Zero – ****
- Team AAA (Pagano, Chessman & Murder Clown) vs La Empresa (Puma King, DMT Azul & Sam Adonis): La Empresa wins via Sucking Less or…Better? – ¼*
- AAA Mega Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs Andrade el Idolo: Omega retains via One Winged Angel – *** ¾
- Lucha de Apuestas: Mask vs Hair: Psycho Clown vs Rey Escorpion: Psycho Clown wins via Escalera Sunset Roll- **** ½
Results:
Marvel Lucha Libre: Team Leyender Americana vs Team Terror Purpra
Yes even with anyone’s limited understanding of Spanish, Marvel Lucha Libre is very simply, Marvel inspired Luchadors. So it’s team Captain America vs Team Thanos.
This was…this was definitely something that wouldn’t fly in the states, and I don’t just mean for possible trademark issues. This was just a lot of fun high spots, different moments where “oh no the bad guys were winning” but then the good guys made a comeback.
Hell this made me think of the parade fight in Jingle All the Way with Turbo Man and the little color coded cronies. It was amusing, then right before Thanos (possibly Brian Cage) won, the Hulk crashed through a wall and kept Thanos at bay while Spiderman and Cap hit a combination move to pin Venom.
Afterwards, Loki was on the screen basically saying it’s only just begun, typical bad guy stuff. This was…I suppose slightly better than the usual Keys to the Future match we got in previous years.
Copa Bardahl
Mysteziz Jr shows up first carrying his lucha masked little one, followed by Carta Brava Jr, who I’m pretty sure is married to Super Porky’s daughter Goya Kong, so he might be a dark horse to win. Mysteziz (Caristico/Sin Cara) I thought was still in CMLL, so I wasn’t expecting him at all. Aramis comes out next while Mysteziz and Brava aren’t doing anything of high difficulty. Tito Santana comes out! No not the former WWE wrestler, the Poder del Norte member, so Brava has some help. Drago is next out, I don’t think anyone got eliminated yet…but this has been quick so far. Nino Hambuguesa is next and it’s not in a tag match with Big Mami for a change! Macho Cota Jr is next, Jesus, all of Poder del Norte is out there. Super Fly and La Parka Negra…just come out. Mr Iguana is next…I think the random run ins were disposed of. But as usual with the Battle Royal, this is a crazy mess…oh there goes Drago.
Aramis eliminated himself to jump onto La Parka Negra? Pipenella Escarlata is out next while I still try to figure out why Aramis pulled a Mil Mascaras and why Poder del Norte looks like crap when they have all 3 of their members in there. Nino eliminates all the Norte members except Carta, but Carta eliminates Nino. Villano III Jr, oh yeah I forgot he existed. Octagon Jr is randomly at the announce table, while Escarlata keeps trying to for kisses. Mamba comes out next. Argenis is next and I have no clue who that is. Villano gets eliminated, Escarlata eliminates Mamba while they get eliminated at the same time.
Argenis takes Mysteziz on a trip outside of the ring off the top corner via a Spanish Fly into a pile of people. Brava and Iguana are the last two, Brava looks to have it all locked up until Iguana breaks the submission with…his rubber iguana or something? Then he goes up into an Electric Chair position, Tornado Bulldog and…Mr. Iguana wins. Dude…what?
It’s an awful mess, but it’s like a car crash…or Jersey Shore. I just…can’t…look away.
Neuva Generacion Dinamita walk out to notable surprise from commentary and the crowd even pops a bit more than they have all night so far. A big steal from CMLL, as they beat the hell out Iguana, hit a triple tandem finisher and then wipe out security, referees, Mysteziz (I think) then Octagon Jr flips into the ring only to get punched in the face and destroyed. So they definitely made the impact of an outsider group leaving a mark on AAA mainstays.
After NGD say their piece, Poder del Norte come out to square off which is a little silly since they just got wrecked with a teamwork advantage. But La Empresaalso hit the ring ahead of their match to beat down Poder del Norte which adds heat to La Empressa’s later match and seems like a pretty decent force to be reckoned with. God…Poder del Norte suck.
Champion vs Champion: Knockouts Championship/Reina de Reinas Championship: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs Faby Apache (c)
Faby comes out with Lady Shani, and Deonna has Lady Maravilla, but then we see the crappy crooked referee Tirante is the referee. So we know this will be heavily slanted towards Deonna.
The early going is decent chain wrestling, which seems pretty even until Faby catches Deonna with a Snap DDT. Then we get an assortment of Maravilla, Tirante and Deonna causing shortcut moments for the Rudos. It’s not really taking away from the wrestling, it’s just speeding up the desperation since Faby is 1 v 3 for a lot of this.
Faby does find great hope spots early, even countering Deonna’s float over Fujiwara, into a Reverse Figure Four. A quick tie up, turns into a spinning DDT for Faby, then an Enzuigiri, and a slow count from Tirante. Deonna gets a small flurry and that turns into a quick count near fall. Lots of great chain wrestling from the women, where they duck lariats and go into locomotion suplexes.
Deonna attempts Queen’s Gambit, Faby counters and hits a Butterfly Piledriver. Then Faby goes to the top rope, but the referee is helping Deonna up, so Faby hits a Tijeras on Tirante. Then Maravilla attacks, but Faby Superkicks her, Tirante attacks with a Lariat, but Faby ducks, hits a Sattelite Arm Drag…yes on the referee, and Faby looks strong but the numbers catch up to her. Deonna hits Queen’s Gambit, Maravilla attacks Shani so she can’t make a save then Deonna applies the Venus de Milo and Faby apparently submits. Or at least that’s what Tirante said.
So Deonna is now double champion! Como se dice, Virtuosa en Espanol?
AAA World Tag Team Titles: Lucha Bros (c) vs Taurus & Brian Cage vs Jinetes del Aire (Hijo del Vikingo & Laredo Kid)
Well stab me with a rusty knife and call is macaroni, because this match started crazy and never stopped. Fenix, Laredo and Taurus technically started the match, too bad it broke down 6 seconds in. And from then we just get a ton of spots and a ton of “POR POQUITO”.
Cage looked like a monster, catching Laredo with Penta on his back, doing the combination Fallaway/Samoan Drop. Then a later spot had him catch Vikingo mid flip and Jackhammer him. Vikingo and Laredo did a great job at making the most of the Air Riders name. So much high impact, inverted Springboards, 450s, 054s, Shooting Star Pressed, 720 from Vikingo and it was all only for a near fall.
Lucha Bros pulled off their signatures, Penta Driver, Double Superkick, Penta’s strut, Animo, attempted the Spiked Fear Factor, but Laredo kid hit the Tijeras on Fenix and Vikingo almost won with another 720. Taurus and Cage stop that, Taurus hits an Avalanche Scoop Slam, but Penta runs up Taurus’ back, Mexican Destroyers Cage, then they focus on the Air Riders, Fear Factor Zero and the Lucha Bros retain!
Now I walked away to get a drink, and come back and see Konnan approaching Kenny Omega with a business proposition. Okay…not sure if this will just further the ongoing angle with him and Vampiro, or if we’re going elsewhere.
Team AAA (Pagano, Chessman & Murder Clown) vs La Empresa (Puma King, DMT Azul & Sam Adonis)
Okay this match…is a trashcan. Sam Adonis starts talking crap to Marisela Pena on the outside, then we get the 3v3 donnybrook. And just a lot of sloppy crash spots, botched moves, double clutched dives, but it’s what you get with Chessman and Pagano.
Garbage, ladders and tables in the ring, stupidity, oh look Chessman and Pagano attack each other because it’s not like they didn’t have a match at the last Triplemania. Talk about the worst way to try and cloak a turn. I don’t even care how La Empresa won, this match sucked.
AAA Mega Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs Andrade el Idolo
We knew Konnan was gonna come out with Kenny because of his idea. But Andrade has a manager too! RIC FLAIR!
Now he changed his suspenders, but the referee is still Tirantes, so we know to expect a slant for the Rudos. This started off really solid, Andrade and Omega traded shots, traded ego and were pretty even, but Omega managed to get a small advantage when Idolo went for the Moonsault and Omega just shoved him off to the outside. He followed the push up with dropping Idolo on the guardrail and then into the chairs in the front row.
It took Idolo a while to start fighting back, but it wasn’t a cake walk. Idolo counters You Can’t Escape, pulls off a Triangle Tornillo, the Running Knees and even counters the Avalanche Dragon Suplex by Backflipping through it.
Tirante’s involvement took a lot away from this match. The quick counts, the favoritism just seemed excessive, probably because that’s been Omega’s entire gimmick for the last few months; so it’s just old. In the Deonna match it felt more like it just sped up the clock instead of inhibiting the action.
Konnan got involved, throws in the title, Flair gets in, grabs the title away; Flair and Andrade bounce Omega back and forth with chops, Double Figure Four spot, but Tirante comes to from the bump, kicks out Flair and stays conveniently distracted for Omega to grab the title again. This is just another stupid finish to most of Omega’s title defenses, regardless of the belt.
I hope this is just a way to draw it out for Andrade to have a match on an AEW show for the Mega.
Lucha de Apuestas: Mask vs Hair: Psycho Clown vs Rey Escorpion
So for those who don’t know, Brazo de Plata and Super Porky were the same wrestler. Thus, before this they did a nice memorial to him, with a video package and a few framed pictures. Rey Escorpion heels this up hard from the beginning, talks crap, then interrupts Psycho by cracking him with his own father’s picture.
This whole match felt like a personal fight, it was rough, it was dirty, but it felt like a bar fight. Escorpion beat the hell out of psycho with chairs, baking sheets and tables. Psycho almost started a comeback after nearly getting his mask ripped off his face, but Escorpion cuts off the Dive with light tubes crashing over his head. Psycho was bleeding and just getting decimated for such a long time.
Psycho finally caught Escorpion with a Sole Butt and a few moves to try and get something going. Psycho finally hits his Dive, and then has a small run of offense. He hits a Face Wash with a baking sheet on Escoprion’s face, a Tope con Tornillo, and then Escorpion manages to get a bottle. Escorpion swings, misses, Psycho grabs the bottle and cracks Escorpion. Then he slices him up with the broken bottle and the bar fight continues.
This was just a great dirty fight, lots of well-placed weapons to get across the personal feel and desperation, not just to have them littered in the ring. They both even hit great wrestling moves amidst the fighting. One really great spot being Escoprion is perched on the top, Psycho climbs up either looking for a Spanish Fly or Frankensteiner, Escorpion fights him off so now Clown is facing in toward the ring on the middle ropes, and Escorpion jumps from the corner into the Tijeras.
Eventually Escorpions faction jumps in to beat on Clown, but Clown fights back. His sister, Goya Kong was on the outside for him, and she comes into the ring with a hammer (questionable since they’re playing face, so I was suspect immediately). Psycho seems all for the usage, but Goya turns on her own brother! Escorpion rolls up Psycho, and only gets a two! Escorpion throws Psycho into the ropes, Psycho flips up and over into a Sunset Flip pinfall.
Overall Score: 6/10
At the end Escorpion seemed to bury the hatchet, Psycho seemed to put Escorpion over pretty hard. Maybe Escorpion and Psycho will join forces? My Spanish is pretty good, but not when it’s spoken quickly with a few different accents. So I’m curious was really came from that beyond seemingly putting the nail in the coffin.
This show though, God was it over booked with some garbage matches thrown in as well. I will say that the tag match was really great, Nueva Generecion Dinamita is a huge get and that main event was gorgeous. Poder del Norte do need just disband, they were damn embarrassing and I haven’t followed AAA in a couple years.
Having to remember that Lucha Libre is portrayed differently, this was a fun show all things considered. There were still 2 matches that were hot garbage and gave me big Triplemania 25 vibes (which ain’t good). So it wasn’t a bad show, but it was definitely awkward at times and could have been a ton better.
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Both United States Championships are on the line!
Like America, SmackDown is the land of opportunity! That is why Ilja Dragunov issues another United States Championship Open Challenge while Giulia defends her title against Chelsea Green!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Johnny Gargano w/ DIY; Dragunov wins and retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair w/ Alexa Bliss VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Chelsea Green w/ Alba Fyre; Chelsea wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s United States Champion.
- Rey Fenix VS Talla Tonga w/ MFT; Talla wins.
- Cody Rhodes VS Aleister Black w/ Zelina Vega; No Contest.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
The American Nightmare has Greenville, South Carolina singing his song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Coody gets his pyro, then he shakes hands and high-fives as he continues down the ramp. We get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro, then Cody steps inside the ring. Cody grabs the mic and the fans cheer him on. Cody says, “So, Greenville, South Carolina…! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer again, and Cody says, “We could talk about what we just saw, we could talk about Saturday Night’s Main Event, Drew McIntyre…” The fans boo that name… But Cody says Drew introduced the title into the match, he introduced a weapon into the match.
The fans sing for “Cody, Cody Rhodes~!” and Cody continues by saying this will be a fun show. But they’re here to have a good time, aren’t they? The fans cheer in agreement, and Cody brings up Drew again. The fans boo again, and Cody says, “For someone who expects us to know every detail of what makes Drew tick, every detail of his career, Drew clearly does not understand my reluctance to pull the trigger in the past has cost me, and cost me dearly. But with Drew McIntyre, there was no reluctance, there was no hesitation to pull the trigger. Drew McIntyre is one of the most impressive, strongest, walks into the room and everyone turns their head.
“But also, the most in-his-own-way, self-sabotaging pro-wrestler in the history of the business. And unfortunately at this point, Drew, I am moving on.” The fans cheer that! Cody says Drew is in the rearview mirror, and tonight’s business of SmackDown, tonight’s business of the WWE Championship, the most important title in all of pro-wrestling, Cody wants to do something different. Cody would like, if the fans were okay with it, Cody would like to sit with them. The fans already cheer! Cody steps back out and says he’d like to join the fans and watch SmackDown to decide who is next in line for THE WWE Championship. Is that okay?
Cody goes to the crowd, but then the lights go down! And when they come up, it is Aleister Black! The Dark Father walks down the ramp, Zelina Vega by his side and a mic in hand. Aleister tells Cody that if he’s moving out, then let Aleister move in. Ever since setting Damian Priest on fire, Aleister has been ready for something new. The fans boo but Aleister asks if they didn’t like setting Priest on fire. But Aleister says he has this chip on his shoulder. It is about the size of the WWE Undisputed World Championship. Cody loosens his tie and steps to Aleister, but Zelina stands in the way. The fans boo but Zelina has the mic now.
La Muneca says, “It’s too bad that your nightmare begins now.” Then she SLAPS Cody! The fans boo and Cody frowns, but Nick Aldis walks out here. The SmackDown General Manager says tensions are running a bit high, and some can’t keep their hands to themselves. Greenville, are you thinking what he’s thinking? Aldis says if Aleister wants a fight, then he can fight Cody in the main event tonight! The fans like the sound of that! Will Aleister make Cody #FadeToBlack here in Greenville? Or will Cody prove why he’s the elite around here?
Ilja Dragunov heads to gorilla.
But in his way is Tama Tonga. The Mad Dragon and the Good Bad Guy stare down, but will Tama answer tonight’s challenge? We find out in a matter of moments!
WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS ???
SmackDown returns and Ilja has the mic. “For the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, who will step up? Because tonight, my dear friends, and enemies, PAIN shall entertain you.” And so, Tommaso Ciampa steps up! The Sicilian Psycho brings up how he came out to answer the challenge last week. Not only did Ilja deny him, but he had the balls to call Ciampa a jackass! He is a TWO-TIME NXT Champion, and you dare call him a jackass? He is a TWO-TIME SmackDown Tag Team Champion, nobody calls Ciampa a jackass! And now Ciampa comes to Greenville, surrounded by jackass, to say that title is his! Ring the bell!
Ciampa steps into the ring, Ilja says okay, y’know what? Ciampa is right. The fans chant, “JACKASS! JACKASS!” and Ilja chuckles. But Ciampa is right! Listen, Ciampa is right. Ilja accepts the challenge for the United States Championship… from Johnny Gargano! The fans cheer for “Johnny Wrestling! Johnny Wrestling!” Ciampa seethes, but he tells Gargano to get him then! The champ trolls Ciampa again, but will Ilja regret angering the Sicilian Psycho?
The bell rings, Gargano and Ilja circle, but then Ciampa distracts from the apron. The fans boo as Gargano CLOBBERS Ilja and stomps away! The ref counts as they’re against the ropes, so Gargano stops at 4 to soak up heat. Ciampa then sees himself to the back while Candice stays to coach Gargano. Gargano SMACKS Ilja off buckles, the fans rally, but then Ilja blocks a kick! Ilja spins Gargano, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, then he drags Gargano back up, for another GERMAN SUPLEX! Gargano sputters but Ilja will not let him go. Ilja drags Gargano up again, the fans want that ‘One More Time!” but Gargano blocks the lift!
Ilia spins Gargano, and HAMMERS him with elbows! The fans rally, then Ilja HAMMERS away on Gargano some more! Ilja scoops Gargano while trapping the arms, for a TRAPPED EXPLODER! The fans fire up with Ilja, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Gargano writhes while Ilja paces. Candice is worried as Ilja drags Gargano by a leg to the drop zone. Ilja fixes his hair before climbing up, but then Candice gets on the apron! That distraction lets Gargano get up! Gargano SUPERKICKS the legs out! Ilja falls to the mat, then flounders to the apron. Gargano hurries to BOOT WASH Ilja to the floor! Ilja writhes and clutches his face while Gargano huffs ‘n’ puffs. Gargano goes out to fetch Ilja, ROCKS him with a forearm, then SMACKS him off the apron. Gargano THROWS Ilja back into the ring, but then Ilja ROCKS Gargano! They throw forearms back and forth, then Gargano GAMANGIRIS!
Ilja staggers, comes back, but into the SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Cover, TWO! Ilja is tougher than that but Gargano talks some smack. Gargano drags Ilja up and puts him in the corner for a CHOP! Ilja snarls and pushes Gargano all the way to the other corner! Gargano avoids a chop to CHOP again! Gargano snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja checks his head and neck while Gargano paces. Gargano says he’s gonna be the champ, then he drags Ilja up, But Ilja slips around to waistlock! Gargano fights with elbows, then goes to ropes to HOTSHOT the O’Conner! Ilja falls back, Gargano BOOTS him down!
Gargano paces, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a right! Ilja CHOPS in return! Gargano ROCKS Ilja, Ilja goes to a corner, but then Ilja kicks in return! Ilja CLUBS Gargano, Gargano fires elbows and then RAMS into Ilja again and again! The ref counts, but Gargano wrenches and traps Ilja in a modified COBRA CLUTCH! Ilja endures, even with both arms trapped. Ilja powers up, powers out, and he ROCKS Gargano! SmackDown returns to single picture as Ilja fires forearms, but Gargano fires boxing elbows! ROLLING ELBOW! But Ilja jumps up to ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
Candice is worried and she coaches Gargano but Ilja junkyard dog headbutts! Gargano kicks back, kicks again, but Ilja CLUBS him down! Ilja then drags Gargano up to UPPERCUT! Gargano fires a forearm, Ilja fires a forearm, repeat! Ilja CHOPS, Gargano ROCKS, but then Ilja JUMP KICKS! Gargano returns, Ilja dodges, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! The fans fire up while both men rise up again! They go to corners, and Ilja runs up to KNEE Gargano in the corner! Ilja keeps moving, BOOT WASH! Payback from earlier and the fans fire up with Ilja! Ilja hops up, aims, KING KONG KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!
Gargano survives and Candice coaches him again. Gargano kicks at Ilja, but Ilja stomps Gargano. Ilja roars, the fans rally up, and Ilja goes up the ropes. Gargano stands, Candice panics, COAST2- SUPERKICK! Gargano hits Ilja first, then runs up to BLINDSIDE SUPERKICK! Ilja sputters, staggers, and Gargano hops up! POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and the fans fire up again! Gargano is frustrated, but he puts Ilja in a corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Gargano puts Ilja up top, then uses the corner to scoop, but Ilja fights back! Ilja CHOPS down on Gargano’s chest again and again! Then he YANKS Gargano up to HEADBUTT him down!
Ilja goes to the very top and the fans fire up! SUPER SENTON! Ilja clutches his own neck but he makes the cover, TWO!! Gargano survives thanks to that delay, but Ilja goes to a corner. “This is Awesome!” and Ilja winds up, H-BOMB FORE- NO! Gargano UP KICKS first! Ilja rebounds, JUMP STOMP! Then a back suplex URENAGE! The fans fire up again while both men are down. Gargano talks with the ref about his neck, but that just lets Candice trip Ilja up! The fans boo but Gargano says he’s okay now. Gargano DIVES to TORNADO DDT on the floor! Gargano puts Ilja in, slingshots, ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, TWO!!
Gargano and Candice are shocked! That was NOT the final beat for Ilja, his heart is much stronger than that! Gargano kicks at Ilja from the mat, but “This is Awesome!” Gargano drags Ilja by his hair, goes back to the apron, and he reloads, only for Ilja to BOOT him! Ilja SMACKS Gargano off the crossbar! Ilja then deadlifts to SUPERPLEX! And roll through, for the H-BOMB!! Cover, ILJA WINS!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
Gargano couldn’t do it by himself, and he couldn’t even do it with help from Ciampa and Candice! The Czar continues his reign, but will he have no choice but to face Ciampa next?
Nick Aldis talks with the head referee.
The selections for the Last Time is Now tournament are being made, they’ll need to inform the chosen participants, but in steps Sami Zayn first. He asks if the GM has a second, and Aldis says of course. Sami knows Aldis surely saw last week, the numbers game The MFT loves to use, and Sami know she is not cleared. He just wants to be out there for Rey Fenix. Aldis knows it kills Sami to be on the sidelines and that he wants to be there for his friends, as well as get into it with MFT, but Aldis reiterates: Sami is NOT medically cleared! If Sami is ringside, he is a liability to SmackDown. All Aldis needs Sami to do is to get healthy.
And Sami, with all due respect, Aldis is not asking. Sami says alright, fine. But he’s telling Aldis right now, he won’t just stand by much longer. Sami heads back out, but in steps R-Truth. Truth asks if he has a minute to talk and Aldis says of course. Truth asks if this is really how they’re picking opponents for his “older brother,” John Cena. Uh, yes, names at random. Then Truth wants in. Truth needs this! Truth, no, you don’t understand- Truth says he came here to put his balls in Aldis’ hand. And he hands over lottery balls. Truth needs this, man! Aldis explains to Truth that his name is already in the tumbler. Truth IS in!
Is that how it is? Fine. Truth doesn’t want his balls touching Aldis’ balls anyway. Truth takes his lottery balls back and Aldis is very confused. But will John Cena’s biggest fan get the biggest opportunity in this tournament?
DIY regroups backstage.
Gargano apologizes for losing, but Ilja is a psycho. And then Fraxiom walks over, having a bit of a laugh. Nathan Frazer says it is really rough going after the US Championship when Ilja shuts you down two times in a row. Especially when Ilja chooses your own tag team partner over you. That’s what you get for being, what was it again? Oh, right! A JACKASS! Fraxiom heads out, Ciampa seethes more, but will this only motivate Ciampa to be first in line next time?
Jade Cargill is here!
The Storm has hit Greenville, and the fans cheer on the NEW WWE Women’s Champion! Jade goes right to the ring to revel in this moment. “Y’all saw what happened to Tiffany, and that goes for every woman in that locker room! Make no mistakes about it, I’m That B*tch!” Mic drop with the message sent, will no one stop Jade now that she’s on top? Oh wait, Charlotte Flair makes her entrance while Jade is on her way out! The Queen has a match with the Irresistible Force. One half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions tell Jade, “You do you, baby.” Will Charlotte stay focused and put Nia in her place? Or will this confrontation pull her focus?
Chelsea Green talks with Alba Fyre.
The Hot Mess tells “Slaygent A” that tonight is the night! Or should she says, esta noche una campeona mas! And she is going to solidify her place in the history books the longest-reigning, first and best- But then Mia Yim & B-Fab step in. Michin doesn’t think that longest-reigning thing is gonna work out anymore. Giulia literally just surpassed her today. The math is not mathing. Holidays don’t count! Oh, how convenient. But with that ego of Chelsea’s overlooking Giulia, we all already know how things are going to go. Chelsea says yes, she’s going to win! The first-and-fourth-ever US Champion, and a DOUBLE CHAMPION to boot!
Chelsea will be the greatest Women’s Champion on SmackDown there is! In fact, she already is! But then Jade steps up behind Chelsea. Chelsea trails off but Jade tells her to keep going. Chelsea says Jade is gorgeous. Yeah, Jade thought so. Because if Chelsea keeps talking, Jade will stomp a hole in her chest. Chelsea says no bueno! She and Alba have to go, adios! They head out, and then Jade tells B-Fab to move. Whoa, why does she think she can have attitude? Oh, sorry, did they say something? B-Fab tells Jade that while congratulations are in order, Jade doesn’t need to be like this.
Jade says she does what she wants. If you got a problem, step up and get stepped on. B-Fab says bet. Jade storms off into the locker room, and both Michin and B-Fab say Jade is all King Kong right now. But will King Kong not have anything on Jade?
Charlotte Flair w/ Alexa Bliss VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns as Nia Jax makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans all, “WOO~!” Nia is annoyed by that but she and Charlotte circle. They tie up, Nia powers Charlotte back, but Charlotte digs in her heels. Nia shoves Charlotte, they reset, and Charlotte slips around to headlock. Nia powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, but Nia doesn’t even budge. Nia talks trash then pie faces Charlotte. And pie faces her again! Charlotte SLAPS back! Nia runs up, Charlotte ducks ‘n’ dodges to THESZ PRESS! Charlotte rains down fast hands but Nia shoves free. Nia HEADBUTTS Charlotte down, then shakes out th estars.
Charlotte goes to the corner, Nia runs up, but Charlotte dodges! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Nia staggers, Charlotte BOOTS her, then Charlotte runs up, but into a POP-UP! Only to RANA free! And then she DROPKICKS Nia down! Charlotte kips up and even impresses herself a bit. The fans cheer as Charlotte then goes after Nia. Charlotte brings Nia up but Nia stops the buckle bump. Nia gives the buckle bump to Charlotte, then soaks up heat. But Charlotte CHOPS! And CHOSP! And then whips, but Nia reverses. Charlotte goes up but Nia CLOBBERS her in the corner! Charlotte is down, Nia soaks up heat, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Charlotte ROCKS Nia! And ROCKS her again! Charlotte whips, Nia reverses, but Charlotte goes up, out, and BOOTS back in! The fans fire up with Charlotte and she climbs up, CROSSBODY! Charlotte kips up and the fans fire up again! Charlotte CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! “WOO~! WOO~! WOO~!” Charlotte then BOOTS Nia, dodges the lariat, and CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Nia is down but hurries back up, Charlotte HANDSPRING LARIATS! The fans fire up and Charlotte steps on Nia to go to the corner. The fans cheer as Charlotte goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and the cover, TWO!!
Nia survives but the fans rally behind Charlotte more. Charlotte wants a leg, Nia throws hands then a HEADBUTT! Charlotte staggers, rebounds, but into the POP-UP POWERPOMB! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Nia is frustrated. The fans rally for Charlotte but Nia drags her into the drop zone! Nia goes up, mocks the “WOO~,” A-NIA- NO!! Charlotte avoids the sit-down and ghost pins, TWO! Nia fireman’s carries Charlotte and goes up the corner! Charlotte escapes to the apron, GAMANGIRIS again, and Nia is stuck in the Tree of Woe! SLINGSHOT KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives and now Charlotte grows frustrated!
Charlotte hurries to get the legs again, but Nia BOOTS her into the corner! Nia stands up, fireman’s carries, but Charlotte slips free! TORNADO DDT! cover, TWO!! Nia survives again and Charlotte is stunned! Wait, LASH LEGEND DECKS ALEXA BLISS!? The Bougie Bully is here, but why!? Lash THRASHES Alexa in a SLEEPER, and the distraction lets Nia CLOBBER Charlotte! A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, NIA WINS!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
The fans all boo, but why would Lash Legend help Nia Jax?! Or are these two bullies about to work together to become champions?
Nick Aldis speaks.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and privilege to draw the next two match-ups in the Last Time is Now tournament. The names have been circulated, fate has spoken, and a once-in-a-lifetime, career-changing opportunity is on the line. The first match that’s been drawn is between two of the most decorated WWE superstars of all time, as two-time Grand Slam Champion, The Miz, takes on Main Event Jey Uso. The second match-up will be between The Mega Star, LA Knight, and the name that is in my hand.” Aldis opens up the capsule and reads the slip of paper. And Aldis says he’ll keep this one a surprise.
Aldis smiles as LA Knight now goes up against a wild card! Who helps kick off the road to Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington DC?
Backstage interview with Nia & Lash.
Cathy Kelley welcomes us back to SmackDown, and she brings up that for as many times as Nia has faced Charlotte, no one could’ve predicted that ending. Can they tell us anything about how this partnership came about? Nia asks if Cathy had her glasses on during the match. Nia clearly would’ve beaten Charlotte anyway. Nia then mockingly says it was so~ hard~ working with Lash because they’re not friends or blah blah blah. But Alexa & Charlotte told her to find a friend, so jokes on them, she found a friend. She had a friend! Nia faced Lash in NXT, she is a formidable adversary and a straight badass. That’s why they’re friends.
But can Alexa & Charlotte say one of their friends is a former NCAA world record holder? Take it away, Lash. Lash says, “Thanks, my girl. Clearly, if you didn’t know, I’m Lash Legend, the one and only Bougie Bully. And based on what I just did to Alexa, clearly I’m everything I say I am. And thus believe, we’re going straight to the top. And tonight was just the beginning.” Lash & Nia snap snap and head out, will they break the bonds between #Charlexa to be the next tag team champions?
WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Chelsea Green w/ Alba Fyre!
Giulia has already overtaken first place in the history books, in part thanks to Miss Management making sure she only faced the very best. But will Slaygent A make sure The Hot Mess expands her executive championship powers? Or will even Chelsea succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
The introductions are made, the US title is raised, and we see if the history books need to be changed!
The bell rings and Chelsea talks trash. She points to Ethan Page in the crowd, her tag partner as AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion, and says he’s a double champion, so she’s going to be a double champion. Then she SLAPS Giulia! The fans fire up, Giulia SLAPS back! Giulia headlocks for the takeover, then she rains down fists! Chselea gets up, blocks a kick, but not the HEADBUTT! Giulia reels Chelsea in as the fans duel, snap suplex! Giulia drags Chelsea up, suplexes again, but Chelsea slips fee! Chelsea rolls Giulia, Giulia rolls through, ARRIVEDERCI KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Giulia drags her up.
Giulia brings Chelsea up to THROW her! Chelsea flounders, Alba shouts, but Giulia ROCKS Chelsea! Then TOSSES her out! Giulia brings Chelsea in through the ropes, and ROCKS her! Chelsea flops down, flounders around, but Giulia CHOKES her on the ropes! The ref counts, Giulia backs off, but Kiana ROCKS Chelsea! the fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Kiana! The fans fire up but then Giulia WRECKS Alba with a kick! Chelsea rolls Giulia with feet on ropes! CHELSEA WINS!!
Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s United States Champion)
Chelsea celebrates with All Ego because now the Canadians are dripping with gold! Is this Two Person Power Trip about to take over the world?!
MFT is backstage.
They’re all talking up Talla Tonga, telling him to grab Rey Fenix out of the heavens and bring him back down to earth. Solo Sikoa steps in, and he says, “Good job to everyone last week. But it wasn’t good enough. Sami Zayn, he’s still walking around. The Wyatt Sicks, they got something that belongs to this family. Ilja Dragunov… He’s got something that belongs to this family. We are going to take it back.” Tama nods and says, “YEYEYEYEH! We got this!” Solo nods, and says tonight is about the big man! Talla, got out there, make a statement, smash Fenix, and show everyone not to ever, EVER disrespect My Family Tree again. Understood?
Talla ROARS, he is ready to fight! MFT heads out, but then The Wyatts sneak in! Erick Rowan has them stand down, saying, “Not yet.” If not now, then when and where will the scariest forces on SmackDown collide?
The medical staff check on Alexa & Charlotte.
Alexa’s neck is understandably ailing her, he goes to get ice. Charlotte is sorry for losing but Alexa says no, she’s sorry that she got jumped. How was Alexa ever friends with Nia? But in steps someone with the icepack, but it’s not the doctor. It’s ASUKA! BLUE MIST!! The Empress of Tomorrow and “Nurse Kairi” run away having added insult to injury! Will “The Kabuki Doctors” pay for this sneak attack? Or are the walls closing in on #Charlexa?
Rey Fenix VS Talla Tonga w/ MFT!
SmackDown returns with The Firebird already waiting in the ring as MFT makes their entrance. But then Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns go after Tama, Loa & JC Mateo! The fans fire up as those six bralw, then Fenix DIVES onto Talla! Talla staggesr around but he stays up, so Fenix DIVES again! Another direct hit and Talla hits barriers! The fans fire up as Fenix keeps moving, for another DIVE! But Talla catches him! Talla scoops Fenix, but Fenix slips free! Fenix POSTS Talla first, then hurries after him! Talla just grabs Fenix again to TOSS him into the ring! The fans rally but Talla storms into the ring, and the bell sounds.
Fenix SOBATS, KICKS, then mule kicks a leg! Fenix whips, but Talla blocks! Talla whips, Fenix goes out and dropkicks legs out! Then Fenix goes up, up, and FLYING- NO, Talla avoids the Quebrada. Fenix hurries to KICK and KICK and KICK Talla’s leg! Fenix fires hands, then CHOSP! And CHOSP! Talla shoves Fenix to FLAPJACK! Talla huffs ‘n’ puffs while Fenix flounders out of the ring. Talla waits on Fenix at the apron, then runs up to BOOT him down! Fenix hits barriers on top of it, and Talla rests while the ring count climbs. Solo applauds from his armchair, and Fenix is still down at 5 of 10.
Fenix rises up, but Talla storms out to fetch him. Talla scoops Fenix to then SNAKE EYES off the barriers! Fenix falls, Talla paces, and the ring count is again 5 of 10. Talla looms over Fenix while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Fenix fires off fast hands! Talla egg shim on so Fenix CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Talla shoves Fenix, Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard, FLYING HEADBUTT bounces off of Talla! Solo smirks as Fenix flounders. Talla CLUBS Fenix, then drags him back up to talk trash. Talla dares Fenix to hit him, so Fenix fires forearms! Talla winds up, and he LARIATS Fenix inside-out! The fans boo but Talla drags Fenix back up. Talla ROCKS Fenix and ELBOWS him in the corner. Tala eggs Fenix on, then kicks low. Talla whips corner to corner, runs up, but Fenix dodge! Talla hits POST!
Fenix goes up to BOOT Tall! Talla SWATS the superkick! Talla whips, Fenix goes Spider-Man, then SUPERKICKS! Talla goes to a corner, Fenix runs up, JUMP SOBAT! Talla is dazed and the fans fire up! Fenix goes corner to corner, jumps up, but Talla stops the monkey flip! Fenix sunset flips, but Talla YANKS him right up, to UPPERCUT him right down! Solo applauds but the fans boo. Talla snarls and waits on Fenix. Fenix rises on the apron, Talla runs up again, but Fenix gets him stuck on the ropes! Fenix GAMANGIRIS, then HOTSHOTS! Then GAMANGIRIS! Talla sputters and Fenix hurries up the corner! ADIOS AMIGO KICK!
Talla staggers around, Fenix goes up again! FLYING CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Talla still has so much left in the tank! Fenix is stunned, but he shouts “ANIMO!” SUPERKICK! Talla sputters, Fenix reloads, and he goes back up top! Talla stands, Fenix FLYING- NO! Talla catches Fenix! CHOKE- RANA! But Talla blocks! TALLA BOMB! Then he guzels for a deadlift and CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, Talla wins!
Winner: Talla Tonga, by pinfall
The unseen variable of Nakamura & MCMG aside, Talla still took Fenix down. But Solo says they need to do more! WAIT! Sami Zayn rushes out here, with a chair! The fans cheer as Sami runs Solo & Talla off to protect Fenix! Medically cleared or not, will Sami settle this score with Solo once and for all?
Backstage interview with The Miz.
Cathy Kelley is with the Hollywood A-Lister and brings up he is in the first round of The Last Time is Now Tournament, going up against Main Event Jey Uso. Before more on that, she wants to address the payback on Carmelo Hayes last week. Miz says, “Payback? You thought me hitting Carmelo Hayes with a Skull Crushing Finale was payback? Perspective, Cathy. A reminder of exactly what I’m capable of, because everyone seems to forget that everything I touch becomes important. The Intercontinental Championship, I made prestigious. Talk shows, I made them must-see. Carmelo Hayes, I made H1M relevant!
“I beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania! Which should, should, make our final match inevitable, but now there’s some sort of farewell tournament that he announces? Opening the door for NXT, outsiders, and rookies like it’s some sort of open tryout at the Performance Center! There shouldn’t be a tournament! Especially, especially, when his final opponent is staring you right in the face! Now, I have to face Jey Uso, who’s full of emotion, fire and passion. Everything he does is a highlight. Highlights fade. Legacies don’t. And that’s where I live. I will beat Jey Uso, I will win this tournament.
“The critics will cry, the internet will whine, but the headline will read, ‘The Miz beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania, The Miz ended John Cena’s career, because The Miz is AWESOME!'” Miz storms off, but will he make it all the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event? Or will Jey YEET Miz right out of the first round?
Cody Rhodes VS Aleister Black w/ Zelina Vega!
The American Nightmare wanted to sit back and watch tonight with all the fans here in Greenville, South Carolina, but he was called out by The Dark Father. Aleister has his eyes on the gold, but will he make Cody #FadeToBlack? Or will Cody show Aleister is not undisputed?
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, Cody headlocks and hits the takeover, but Aleister headscissors. Cody kips free, Aleister headlocks for the takeover, but Cody headscissors. Aleister kips free, then he slips around to waistlock. Cody switches as thee fans sing for him, but Aleister bucks the O’Conner. Cody arm-drags, but then Aleister arm-drags! Aleister facelocks, powers Cody to a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Aleister KNEES low, reels Cody in, and he suplexes, but Cody blocks! Cody suplexes, and he hold Aleister up for TEN before the GOURD BUSTER! The fans cheer while Aleister goes to a corner.
Cody storms up, whips corner to corner, but Aleister reverses. Cody goes up and over, but Aleister avoids the snap powerslam! Cody still kicks and drops, but Aleister blocks the uppercut into an ARMBAR! The fans rally as Cody fights around, stacks Aleister up, TWO! Cody ducks ‘n’ springboards, into a JUMP KNEE! Aleister knows Cody all too well, and he smirks while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Aleister sits cross-legged while the ring count climbs. Cody rises at 5 of 10, so Aleister steps outside. Aleister stalks Cody, but Cody kicks low. Cody SMACKS Aleister off the apron, then CLUBS him. Cody aims at the desk but Aleister turns things around to SMACK him off the desk! Aleister puts Cody in the ring, then stalks him to center. Aleister whips and ELBOWS Cody down! Cover, TWO! Cody is tougher than that, but Aleister stomps him around. Aleister drops a KNEE, and he paces while Cody writhes. Aleister drags Cody up, but Cody RAMS him into the corner! Cody fires hands, but Aleister BOOTS him down! Aleister then brings Cody up to UPPERCUT!
Cody staggers to ropes, Aleister CHOKES him! The ref counts, Aleister stops at 4, but ZELINA CHOKES CODY! The ref misses that but the fans boo. Aleister covers Cody, TWO! Aleister is annoyed, but he still runs the ropes to leg drop, brother! Cover, TWO! Cody survives, Aleister stalks him and KICKS him, then brings him around. Aleister snapmares Cody into a chinlock. Cody endures and reaches out while the fans rally. Aleister stands Cody up, whips him to a corner, then runs up. Cody goes up and over, and he SNAP POWERSLAMS as SmackDown returns to single picture! Cover, TWO! Aleister stays in this but Cody stays cool.
Cody storms up on Aleister, but Aleister trips him! Cody kicks Aleister away, avoids the Penalty Kick, then rolls Aleister! TWO, and Aleister BOOTS Cody right down! Cover, TWO! Cody is tougher than that but Aleister paces again. Cody goes to a corner, Aleister fires forearms. Aleister BODY SHOTS, ROCKS, and KICKS Cody! The ref counts, Aleister snapmares Cody down, and the fans boo. Aleister clamps on another chinlock but Cody hurries to his feet. Aleister KNEES low, ROCKS Cody, then runs, only for Cody to CLOBBER him! Codey goes up and over i the corner, another SNAP POWERSLAM!
The fans rally up and Cody keeps close. Cody springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Cody snarls but he waits on Aleister. The fans rally behind Cody, he roars, and he dragon sleepers! But Aleister KNEES free! Aleister fires more knees, then he sweeps the legs! The fans boo but Aleister PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this and Zelina is frustrated on Aleister’s behalf. Aleister frowns, but then drags Cody up. Aleister back suplexes, but Cody lands out! Cody runs to springboard, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Aleister survives and Zelina is relieved while Cody grits his teeth.
Cody waits on Aleister to rise up, then he JABS! JABS! JABS Flip, flop, but ROUNDHOUSE from Aleister! Aleister then shoves and KNEES Cody, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Cody escapes in time but Aleister paces. Cody rises, Aleister runs up, but Cody BOOTS him first! Dragon sleeper, but Aleister snapmares free! Aleister waistlocks, Cody bucks the O’Conner, but Aleister BOOTS! Cody BOOTS! Cody ducks a kick, Aleister ducks a haymaker, both men BOOT the other down! The fans fire up while Zelina panics! But wait, someone is in the crowd! CLAYMORE to the ref?!? Drew is furious at the ref for screwing him over on Saturday Night!!
Cody CLOBBERS Drew and fires hands! The fans are going nuts as now Aleister CLOBBERS Cody! Aleister stomps Cody, then Drew joins in! They mug Cody, but DAMIAN PRIEST is here! The fans fire up as The Archer of Infamy storms in! But he gets mugged 2v1 now! Priest ROCKS Aleister, fires hands on Drew, then he TOSSES Aleister to a corner! Priest fires hands, but Drew shoves Priest! Priest clinches Drew! FLATLINER! Aleister runs up, but inot a FLAPJACK! Priest LARIATS Aleister up and out! Drew is after Priest, but Cody CLOBBERS Drew! Priest goes to Aleister, and he HAMMERS away on Aleister!
Zelina JUMPS onto Priest! Priest TOSESS her aside out of instinct, but Aleister CLAWS the burned eye!! Zelina helps Aleister get away into the crowd, Cody hits a CODY CUTTER on Drew! The match is for all intents and purposes through, but Nick Aldis storms out here! He says he gives Drew an inch and Drew takes a mile! NO MORE! Effective immediately, Drew McIntyre is SUSPENDED!! The Scottish Terminator is furious with Aldis now, but this is all Aldis can do to stop this madness! What can Drew do to get what he wants when he’s getting what he deserves?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to build off Saturday Night’s Main Event, and we’re certainly building towards some big things for Survivor Series. Ilja trolling Ciampa is great, and definitely teases an awesome match once those two have their match. It also feels like there might be another DIY VS Fraxiom match with their promo backstage. Great stuff with Talla VS Fenix, and especially with Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns evening the odds a bit. Sami also having a part to play in that story, they have to be setting up a WarGames match, or even just an old school 5v5 elimination tag, it’s the only reason we’d have something like this.
Great promo from R-Truth with Aldis to plug the Last Time Is Now Tournament, and same with Miz’s promo later. But I feel like Melo is going to cost Miz so that they have their own match. Great match from Charlotte VS Nia, and quite the surprise with Lash Legend showing up to go after Alexa. Lash & Nia definitely could take those tag titles just on physical attributes, but then Asuka & Kairi showed up just to add on, that’s a Triple Threat for the tag titles right there. Then any team can win without hurting the others in their power rankings. A little surprised we’ve moved away from Kairi being as conflicted as she was helping Asuka, but that also has to do with where Iyo went during all this.
Jade had a great promo for keeping it short and sweet, and I’m somewhat impressed WWE is letting her bring “That B*tch” as her nickname back from AEW. Great promo with her and the other women backstage, and pretty sure she’ll beat B-Fab with ease. Giulia VS Chelsea was a little too quick with what we know both women can do, but I suppose with all the Heel shenanigans going on, it doesn’t really matter. Chelsea winning is great for her and honestly a great move overall because of how fans really do like Chelsea and how she’s just everywhere right now between SmackDown, NXT and AAA. But this might indicate she and Ethan retain the AAA Mixed Tag titles at Gold Rush in a couple weeks because they have all the momentum.
And of course there were shenanigans going on with Cody VS Aleister to end things. Priest warned Aleister that they weren’t done, and Drew McIntyre isn’t the kind of character to just leave things as they are. Aldis “suspending” Drew is an interesting move but a logical one. I feel like Drew won’t care, though, he’ll still go after Cody and force one last title match where Drew is going to do anything and everything he can to finally win. And honestly, it should happen. It can give something more to this story as we head for the New Year, Cody needs a reason to fight harder. As for Aleister and Priest, they also need to do one more really extreme match to settle things.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Open Fight Night Results & Match Reviews: 11.6.2025
At least it’s some kind of new content before the Live shows next week!
Bet you thought I died or finally threw in the towel from the miserable Delirious and Tommy Dreamer booking. But nope! TNA has just been on boosted clip show crap since Bound For Glory. You think I was gonna cover some Hardy goofball Elvira clip show? UH-UH. So today we’ve got Open Fight Night for the first time since like…2017 I think? That was around the dark TNA times so I only have vague recollections of that, like those bathroom floor memories from a really good night out with your boys.
Let’s see if anything entertaining happens today, or if I’m gonna be nursing this hangover until the Live Impact and PLE next week.
.@milanmiracle welcomes us to Open Fight Night! #TNAiMPACT
Subscribe to TNA+: https://t.co/UCGu4PGEus pic.twitter.com/s1sGM0mina
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 7, 2025
Ratings:
- Two Losers vs The Rascalz (Wentz & Trey) vs Great Hands w/Tasha Steelz vs The System (Myers & Eddie) w/Lish: System wins via Boston Knee Party – ** 3/4
- Dani Luna vs Jody Threat: Dani wins via Luna Landing – ***
- Mike Santana vs Cedric Alexander: Mike wins via Spin the Block – *** 1/2
Results:
Two Losers vs The Rascalz (Wentz & Trey) vs Great Hands w/Tasha Steelz vs The System (Myers & Eddie) w/Lish
Hair Jabroni and Wentz start off the match, Collar and Elbow, World of Sport open, Wentz with the Arm Drag counter, Jabroni powders, Great Hands try to attack, Rascalz turn it around, System clears the Hands, Rascalz Superkick Party System out and then the Double Dive keeps the Smoke rising to the top of the treehouse. Back from commercial the Rascalz are still beating up the jabroni with hair. They pull off the MCMG High Speed Dirty combo move, but Hotch tags in off Wentz and Jabronis are working over Hotch. Hotch is too talented to bump for these waste of space morons. Hotch thankfully floats over, pokes the eye, but Myers tags bald Jabroni and makes Hotch pay for the arrogance.
Skyler distracts Myers, Myers gets Dropkicked to the outside, cheap shot from Skyler and now Hotch is in charge. Great hands with the quick tags, Tree of Woe Myers, taunt Eddie to distract the referee and Double Oh Canada Crotch Stand. Skyler has Myers in a Headlock, Myers fires, Skyler puts the breaks on it and then slaps Eddie off the apron. More quick tags from Hands, Side Russian/Rolling Neckbreaker Tandem move, but only a two count. Myers gets the fire moment which works, Sunsets Hotch, but Hotch kicks out, Hotch responds with a Dropkick into his own near fall, and Hands maintain control. Skyler tosses Myers to the outside, distracts the ref and Tasha gets in some cheap shots. Hotch doubles over Myers with the Knee Lift, goes to follow but eats the Pele Kick, simultaneous tags, Eddie goes NOAH on Skyler, makes Hotch Fly with a big Overhead Body Drop. Rascalz knock out Hotch, Jabronis take out Trey, try some kind of redirect Dive and it looks bad. Skyler eats hair Jabroni with a Slingshot Spear. But Myers hits the Spear, Eddie with Boston Knee Party, System Wins.
Decent match, but those Jabronis are still the worst thing I’ve ever seen in a relevant promotion (ROH, AEW, MLW, TNA, NXT, WWE).
The Elegance Brand are on the hunt for Mr. Elegance and they want to hear from YOU – submit your video entries via email HERE: EleganceBrand@tnawrestling.com#TNAiMPACT @Ashamae_Sebera @Heathereckless @justmaggielee @IamGeorgeIceman pic.twitter.com/SiOEqxcifK
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 7, 2025
Well it looks like they’re back to steering too far into the cringe with this Mr. Elegance thing. I…hate this promo, and I like the Elegance Brand generally speaking. This is just too cringe for me.
Dani Luna vs Jody Threat
Jody wanted the fight so Dani obliged. Jody gets the early offense and nearly messes up her Dive but hits enough. Dani tries to Powerbomb off the apron, Jody kicks Dani off and tries to Senton to the floor but Dani dodges, Jody crashes and Dani drives and elbow into the back. Dani LunaTIC is a step I’m enjoying, she’s starting to Suplex Jody around the ring, wants the Irish Whip but Jody blocks and Jumps on Dani’s back for a Rear Naked Choke or something, but Dani slams her back into the corner to break it. Jody tries to fight from beneath but Dani smacks her around, drags her to the center of the ring, tries an Exploder Suplex, but Jody counters, hits her own Exploder, kicks Dani in the face. Looks for her Knees and German, but Dani reads it, dodges and hits her own German Suplex for a near fall.
After the commercial Dani is still in control with a Top Wristlock while Jody is seated, Dani starts raining down elbows but Jody tries to power out, they counter each other’s next few moves, Chop Battle, Suplex counter, but Jody hits a Lariat, then another Lariat sending Dani over the top to the floor and Jody hits the Apron Senton she missed earlier. Throws Dani back in, Jody goes to the top, Crossbody connects, Jody hits a Jackhammer for a two count. Dani connects on an Elbow, into a Back Body Drop, but eats a Boot from Jody. Dani blocks the next move, Rope Assisted Blue Thunder Bomb for Dani but only two again. Dani connects with a few deliberate punches and hair pulls, argues with the official so Jody sneaks a Rear Naked Choke and Dani barely gets to the ropes.
Jody tries to continue, eats a knee, they start trading shots, then Jody ducks a punch, quick strikes before Dani Vader Hammers the back of Jody’s head. Luna Landing attempt but Jody turns it into a Headscissors of sorts. Dani with a beautiful Outside In Apron German Suplex into a Luna Landing for the win. Good job Dani Dumptruck.
Long video package of like post Bound For Glory and future taping places or whatever. Nothing overly relevant aside from El Paso invoking Eddie Guerrero mentions. Oh they decide to show us some Primo & Epico vs Hardyz when they were in El Paso before in a Street Fight of Who Asked For This? I’m not covering this.
TNA Flashback: AJ Styles vs Bobby Roode, TNA Heavyweight Championship 5.24.2012 Open Fight Night
Nice to see a classic with two of the more beloved TNA Originals. But this just proves they didn’t have enough to produce a full show, so there’s a lot of filler and a lot of matches that don’t really matter. And now we get to listen to Kelani Jordan struggle with a heel promo again. Christ, she’s an awful heel. Her promo on NXT was one of the worst things I’ve heard in a while (and Taylor Swift has a newish album, so that’s saying something).
Mike Santana vs Cedric Alexander
Starting the double babyface, putting each other over and a little hand shake. Tie Up, into a clean break, so now we just have to figure out when its gonna pick up. At least 10 minutes in the match since there should be a commercial before the end. Quick World of Sport style counter holds, Arm Wringers, flippy twisty stuff into Head scissors and misses. Cedric dodges the Spin the Block and playfully fans himself as he retreats to the rope for a moment. Shoulder Tackle, Leap Frog, Arm Drag countered with Mexican Arm Drag, Up and Over, Pepper a Forearm, Duck, Dodge, Springboard Crossbody, Cedric pulls Santana to the outside, Superkick from Mike, Mike tries the Dive, Cedric runs in and counters the Dive. Pump Kick from Mike on the Apron, Cedric Apron DDT for the commercial break.
We come back from commercial, Cedric is stalking, hits a German Suplex into two near falls. Santana walks around the corners and lets Cedric Chop him three times, turns it around, Cedric turns around the Irish Whip and hits the Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Cedric has him down in a Chin Lock, peppers in a few shots to the small of the back, but Santana fires up with the crowd, Cedric tries a Lumbar Check but Mike flips out of it. Rope run, Mike with the Diving Lariat, Kip Up, gets Irish Whipped, Up and Over, Enzuigiri, Rope Run again into Rolling Buck Fifty, but Cedric counters with the PK into Fisherman’s Buster for two. The crowd rises for Cedric, he wants the Lumbar Check again but Mike fights it off. Struggling in the corner, Chops from Mike. Superplex attempt countered, Cedric looking for the Avalanche Sunset, Mule Kick from Mike, Cedric is staggered, Rolling Buck Fifty for a two count! Fighting Spirit moment, which only somewhat makes sense because they’re both babyfaces, but still dumb in Western Wrestling. Double Kick counters on the rope run, Locomotion Cradles, La Magistral, Counter STB, Counter Lumbar Check, Cedric hits the ropes and Mike takes his head off with the Spin the Block! Santana wins!
Overall Score: 4/10
Dani actually winning a match and the main event being a good match is nice, but this was a mostly useless show. Lots of filler clips and videos, plus I think Mr Elegance is the dumbest idea they’ve had with the Elegance Brand, and I’m aware that’s encapsulating a lot of cringe, but this is awful. Kelani is a terrible heel so that whole interview was definitely a bathroom break. They also need to stop trying to make those Jabronis from Northern Armoury a thing, they suck, they’re generic looking, they couldn’t draw if you handed them a box of Crayola and construction paper. Do Feast or Fired and get these nerds fired.

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