Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (8/3/21)
NXT’s first ever… Love Her or Lose Her match?
And you thought NXT was innovative before!
In another historic… adjacent move from NXT, we will see Johnny Gargano VS Dexter Lumis, to determine the fate of Indi Hartwell…’s dating life!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- El Legado del Fantasma VS Hit Row; Hit Row wins, by disqualification.
- Ridge Holland w/ Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan VS Ikemen Jiro; Holland wins.
- Bobby Fish VS Roderick Strong w/ The Diamond Mine; Strong wins.
- LA Knight & Cameron Grimes VS Grizzled Young Veterans; Grizzled Young Veterans win.
- NXT Breakout Tournament Opening Round, Final Match: Trey Baxter VS Joe Gacy; Baxter wins and advances to the second round.
- Love Her or Lose Her: Johnny Gargano VS Dexter Lumis; Gargano wins and #InDex must be no more.
PLAY BY PLAY
El Legado del Fantasma VS Hit Row!
Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde made sure to mess up Ashante THEE Adonis and Top Dolla by going after Swerve, but now they might be the ones getting messed up! Will Legado be checked off the Hit Row hit list?
The teams don’t sort out before firing off hands! Dolla throws Mendoza around then clotheslines him out! Adonis fires off hands on Wilde and tosses him out! The CWC fires up for both teams as Hit Row holds the ring. Santos Escobar cools off his hermanos, Mendoza gets in, but Adonis is all over him! Adonis fires off forearms, whips and RAMS Mendoza, then whips him the other way to RAM him again! Adonis whips Mendoza again and hard, Mendoza bounces off the buckles! Adonis gets Mendoza up but Mendoza hits back! And CHOPS! Mendoza whips Adonis but Adonis reverses to kick and DDT! Adonis climbs a corner, leaps an FLOPS as Mendoza moves!
Mendoza stomps Adonis, drags him away and tags in Wilde. Wilde stomps Adonis, drags him up and throws EuroUppers! Escobar revels in the fans dueling as Wilde kicks and whips Adonis. Adonis stops to get Wilde with a NECKBREAKER! Adonis gets Wilde up, rams him into the Hit Row corner, and tags in Top Dolla! Dolla gets Wilde up, knuckle locks and wrenches the writ. Dolla talks trash, Wilde CHOPS, but Dolla just lifts him with one arm! Dolla dares Wilde to do something, and Wilde throws hands. Dolla lets him down, to run him over! Dolla taunts Escobar, “This your man?!” Knuckle lock and a lift to the corner! And then a wrench to a SUPER HIP TOSS!
“What you got, huh?!” Dolla puts Wilde in a corner to CHOP him down. Dolla shoves Wilde, tags Adonis, and Dolla whips Adonis in, only for Wilde to elbow back! Wilde dodges Dolla, goes up top and leaps, but Adonis dropkicks Wilde’s rana down! Cover, TWO! Adonis gets Wilde up, Wilde throws body shots and runs, but into a lariat! Adonis rallies, blocks a kick and DECKS Wilde to then whip and FLAPJACK! Adonis kips up but Escobar gets on the apron! B-Fab gets there, too, as does Swerve! Adonis runs but Mendoza dumps him out! The ref didn’t see that with the others arguing, and Wilde RAMS Adonis into boards! Legado’s fans fire up as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Legado double whip Adonis for a DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER! Then they split the wishbone! And a double basement dropkick sandwich! Wilde covers, TWO! B-Fab talks smack to Escobar while Adonis hits back on Wilde, but Wilde drives in forearms! Fans rally up as Wilde wraps on a chinlock. Adonis fights up, fights back, but Wilde RAMS him into the Legado corner. Wilde taunts Dolla then runs in to clothesline and tag! Mendoza repeats the clothesline and tag! Wilde repeats the clothesline and tag! Mendoza repeats the clothesline and tag, and then Wilde again! Legado then double snap suplex Adonis down! Mendoza LIONSAULTS, covers, TWO!!
Mendoza wraps on a chinlock to grind Adonis, then adds a chinbar. Adonis endures as the fans duel, “HIT~ ROW~!” “LE-GA-DO!” Adonis fights up, throws body shots, Mendoza throws knees and shoves, but Adonis sunset flips! Mendoza rolls through, but Adonis ducks the shining wizard! Adonis hurries but Mendoza keeps him from the corner! Adonis breaks free to AIRDROP! Hot tag to Dolla! Wilde tags in but Dolla clobbers, him, splashes Mendoza, fires off on Wilde, then kicks to KNEE LIFT! Wilde flounders about, Dolla fire sup and runs in to SPLASH! Then scoop to a one-hand SIDEWALK SLAM! And a roll back to stand tall! “Who hotta than Top Dolla?” #NotNada!
Dolla runs, but Escobar BLATANTLY SMACKS HIM WITH A CHAIR!!
Winners: Hit Row, by disqualification
Escobar doesn’t care about winning but hurting Hit Row, and he drags Dolla out to SMACK again, and then RAM into steps! But then Swerve goes after Wilde, only to get mugged by Mendoza! B-Fab panics as Escobar kicks away on Swerve! Escobar gets the chair while Wilde and Mendoza hold him, and Escobar says he’s going to silence Swerve. He JAMS the chair into the ribs! And then he pulls out the GRILL! The CWC is rabid as they put Swerve’s head through the chair and Escobar goes up top! But Dolla drags Swerve to safety and scowls at Escobar. Escobar grins and laughs but doesn’t see B-Fab sneaking up! She SMACKS Wilde down with the chair!!
Escobar is furious but then Dolla gets in to DOUBLE SHOTGUN Escobar and Mendoza! And then Adonis gives Wilde a SPINEBUSTER! Adonis fires off furious fists, Swerve gets back in. Adonis gives Wilde the LONG KISS GOODNIGHT! Wilde flies out of the ring from the superkick, and Dolla feeds Mendoza to Swerve’s JML DRIVER!! “What else you got?!” Escobar struck a chord and is still cocky because he has Swerve’s grill. But will Swerve grill Escobar, chop him up, and eat him for dinner?
Samoa Joe paces backstage.
William Regal finds him, and brings in security. Now that Joe is a competitor, Regal has to do his job. These men will stick with Joe so that nothing happens between him and Karrion Kross until TakeOver: 36. Regal leaves it to the security guards, but can they really keep Joe and Kross contained?
Dexter Lumis is in his… “private studio.”
He looks back at all the artwork he’s done, and works on a new one to commemorate #InDex. He also looks at the art that’s chronicled his battles with The Way. It’s all or nothing tonight, will Lumis give the newest sketch as a gift? Or simply as a memento of what could’ve been?
Ridge Holland w/ Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan VS Ikemen Jiro!
Northern Grit made a shock return last week, and used that moment to devastate Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa! Will he only do worse to the Handsome Face of 205 Live?
The bell rings and fans fire up with Jiro as he and Ridge tie up. Ridge puts Jiro on ropes, headlocks him, then grinds him down with those big arms. Jiro throws body shots but Ridge DECKS him with a EuroUpper! Ridge snapmares and drops a Regal style knee! Ridge puts Jiro in a chinlock but fans rally up, and Jiro JAWBREAKERS! JACKET PUNCH! JACKET PUNCH! JACKET DISCUS! Jiro runs, but into a lift! Ridge puts Jiro on ropes, to DECK him! Jiro lands hard to the floor, and Ridge goes out to stalk him around the way! Ridge POUNCES Jiro into the boards! Then Ridge gets Jiro up to ROCK him, and shove him into the ring!
Ridge drags Jiro up, reels him in, for a head ‘n’ arm BELLY2BELLY! And he tears off the jacket!! Fans boo as Ridge clobbers away on Jiro with crossface forearms! Ridge revels in the jeers as he scrapes his knee off Jiro’s face! Ridge tosses the jacket to the crowd but they boo harder! Ridge dares Jiro to get up and Jiro throws hands! But Ridge catches his arms for another OVERHEAD Suplex! Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Ridge gets Jiro for another trapped arm OVERHEAD Suplex! Ridge shouts, “TEN MONTHS! TEN MONTHS!” The time he was gone with the damaged legs, and he is taking it out on Jiro! HEADBUTT!!
Jiro wobbles, Ridge scoops him, NORTHERN GRIT!! Cover, Ridge wins!
Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall
Oney and Dunne join Ridge in the ring to stand over Jiro as he flounders and sputters. Ridge throws Jiro out hard and Dunne calls for a mic. “Everyone thinks they’re bad, until a REAL bad man steps in the room! Tommaso Ciampa thought he was bad, until Ridge Holland, Oney Lorcan and The Bruiserweight stepped in the room.” As for Thatcher, Ridge is back and he will smash the rest of Thatcher’s teeth out! And how do you plan to pick them up when Dunne breaks your fingers? This is what happens when you step to them! They’re the three most dangerous men in NXT! Try and prove Dunne wrong, he dares you! Will this trio of bruisers break the roster to take over the brand?
Backstage interview with the Robert Stone Brand and Franky Monet.
Franky is clearly not the happiest after the “collaboration” didn’t work out last week. And she cuts off Stone before he can justify what happened. What happened last week, that “loss,” a word Franky really hates, was all because of Stone’s interference. Yes, she gets it, he and Jessi Kamea are used to losing because they’re losers. Franky doesn’t know what being a loser means, because she is NOT a loser! Stone gets it, but then if this group is gonna work, it has to be rebuilt in Franky’s image, Franky’s way, and under Franky’s rule! Stone agrees! Then take it or leave it. Stone can take it. Is Jessi taking it? Stone says this is crystal clear, but he sounds a bit desperate…
NXT hears from Trey Baxter.
The 23-year-old superstar is “born to do this,” and the Breakout Tournament is just another chance for him to show what #AllHeart is all about. All Heart is his lifestyle to always keep fighting and pushing forward. He’ll show it through in this tournament. No matter what, he’ll emerge as a star.
Bobby Fish VS Roderick Strong w/ The Diamond Mine!
While Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole are far from done, the Infamous One looks to reel in the Savior of the Backbreaker. But with Strong having moved on from the Undisputed Era to lead his own stable, will he prove Malcolm Bivens right? Is Roddy the new number one around here?
The bell rings and the two tie up right away. They go around, end up in a corner, Strong gets an arm and wrenches to a wristlock. Fish endures, slips through, and wrenches Strong back. Strong slips into the clinch and they end up on ropes. The ref calls for the break, Strong lets off clean, but they tie up again! Fish puts Strong in a corner, knees him, snapmares, but Strong avoids the kick! Strong knows Fish’s moves well, and he gets Fish’s leg. Fish headlocks back to grind Strong, but Strong endures. Fish knees, grinds the headlock, but Strong powers up to power out. Fish runs Strong over with a shoulder but things speed up! Strong KNEES Fish right back!
Strong headlocks to the takeover but Fish rolls through. Fans rally behind Fish as he powers his way out to RAM Strong into a corner. Fish throws big body shots and kicks, and Strong falls down! Fish gets Strong up to snap suplex! And right to a chinlock! Fish shifts to a facelock, Strong rolls and gets free to CLUB Fish. Strong facelocks, hooks arms, but Fish throws elbows. They end up on ropes again, the ref calls for the break, but Fish snapmares Strong to KICK him after all! Strong gets away but Fish is after him in the corner with forearms. Strong kicks back, knees and CHOPS, but Fish ROCKS Strong! They’re brawling with big forearms but Fish kicks a leg out!
Fish digs his knee into Strong in a corner but lets off as the ref counts. Strong staggers about, Bivens is worried as Fish throws body shots. Fish whips corner to corner, Strong goes up and over but runs into a KICK! Fish stalks Strong to the apron and grabs at him as NXT goes picture in picture.
The ref has Fish stay back a moment, and Bivens check son Strong. Fish gets Strong up but Strong hotshots him! Fish ends up on the apron, Strong kicks at him, then throws knees. Strong CHOPS, Fish forearms, and they brawl on the edge. Strong mule kicks, Fish shoulders, but Strong CHOPS! Fish resists the back breaker left, throws knees, but Strong elbows Fish to the floor! Fish SWEEPS the legs! Strong hits apron then floor, and clutches his knee! Fish backs Tyler Rust off to put Strong in the ring, and then cover. TWO, but Fish keeps on Strong with knees into the side. Fish drags Strong up, throws knees and haymakers and has Strong in a corner.
Fish brings Strong around to back suplex high and hard! Strong blocks a kick and gets around to cradle BACKBREAKER! Both men are down but Strong crawls to a cover, TWO! Strong throws elbows into Fish over and over, digs his knee into Fish’s back, and has a partial Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch. Fish endures as Strong shifts to a chinlock but he fights up to throw body shots. Strong CLUBS Fish but Fish mule kicks! Fish has Strong in a corner, again, fires off big forearms and elbows, then drives in knees! The ref backs Fish off and Strong BOOTS him in the chest! Strong fires off forearms and CHOPS but Fish DECKS him! And KICKS him down!
Fish gets Strong in a corner again and throws back elbows. Fish fires off more body shots, but Strong gets past him as NXT returns to single picture. Strong and Fish throw shots back and forth, Fish KICKS a leg and Strong scrambles away. The ref has Fish stay back as he checks Strong, but Strong SUCKER PUNCHES Fish! Diamond Mine loves it as Strong stomps Fish. The ref reprimands and has Strong let off. Strong KICKS Fish in the back, covers, ONE!! Strong gets Fish up but Fish throws body shots. Strong snap suplexes Fish then covers, ONE!! Strong keeps Fish down with a head ‘n’ arm, then shifts to a sleeper.
Fish fights up as fans rally and Fish throw elbows and body shots. But Strong gets him for an URENAGE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fish is hanging tough and that annoys Tyler Rust but Bivens taunts Fish. Strong gets Fish up for another BACKBREAKER! Strong keeps on Fish with a chinlock, trapped arm, and even a toehold! It’s a very unique cobra twist but Fish fights back by pulling on Strong’s ear! And then he fish hooks Strong’s face! Strong lets Fish out and they brawl with body shots and forearms! Strong swings but into a body shot and a back elbow! And a KICK! Strong staggers, Fish runs in to KNEE Strong at the corner!
Fish whips, Strong reverses but Fish fires off more kicks! Strong dodges one kick but not that mule kick! Fish runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bivens, Rust and Hideki coach Strong on but Fish gets Strong up for a knee and a sweep of the legs. Fish ROCKS Strong, wraps on a sleeper, but Strong resists and RAMS Fish into a corner. Strong elbows Fish in the ribs, then hits a back suplex slam! Strong and Fish slowly rise, Strong CHOPS Fish then fires off fast hands! Strong runs side to side to forearm smash over and over! Fish staggers but Strong running SLAMS him down! Cover, TWO! Bivens is starting to get annoyed but Strong drags Fish up.
Strong clinches, but Fish WHEEL KICKS! Cover, TWO! Fish stomps Strong, goes to a corner, but Diamond Mine distracts him. Strong shoves Fish off the top and to the floor! Strong gets Fish back in, drags him up, but Fish rolls Strong! TWO!! JUMPING KNEE!! To END OF HEARTACHE!! Cover, Strong wins!
Winner: Roderick Strong, by pinfall
Diamond Mine celebrates that slug fest going their way! Strong vowed this would be the last time he and Fish faced off, is Strong going after Kushida’s Crusierweight gold next?
LA Knight and Cameron Grimes meet backstage.
Butler Grimes has Mr. Knight’s elastic bands, and asks that if Knight is done preparing, that he has his turn to get ready for tonight’s tag match. Grimes looks ready to Knight in the suit. But instead of worrying about his looks, Grimes needs to worry about GYV. Those guys have been a team for years, these two have only been spending time together, what? A few weeks? GYV has each other’s backs, so Knight needs to know he can trust Grimes. Grimes is a man of his word, or else he wouldn’t still be waring this outfit. So if Knight’s worried if Grimes has his back, just know Grimes is there for him.
But the real concern tonight, Mr. Knight, is will Knight have Grimes’ back? Knight says he’s a man of his word, too. He wouldn’t make the Million Dollar Championship look bad, so if Grimes has Knight’s back, Knight has Grimes’ back. That is a guarantee. But since Grimes is a man of his word, he needs to shine this spot on Knight’s boot for him. Yes, sir, Mr. Knight. Grimes brings out his shoeshine rag and polishes the boot right up. Will both men be men of their word against Liverpool’s Number One and Mr. Mayhem?
LA Knight & Cameron Grimes VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
The Million Dollar Megastar and the Cash Money Carolina Caveman currently working as a butler had a bit of a run-in with Zack Gibson & James Drake on a golf course last week. Despite Grimes hitting Knight’s two balls with one club, GYV are the ones Knight is after! But as GYV make their entrance, Drake has a mic to say, “Can you believe these morons cheer this? Cameron, you are living proof that you simply can’t polish a turd.”
Gibson says that he doesn’t know what role playing game this is, but here’s some friendly advice: In or out of the ring, stay out of their way! They are Grizzled Young Veterans, SSSSOOON to be recognized as NXT Tag Team Champions! Will GYV prove themselves worthy of that golden opportunity with MSK at the expense of Knight & Grimes?
Grimes starts against Gibson, stuck in his butler suit. Fans still chant, “TO THE MOON!” as Grimes and Gibson circle. Grimes gets a leg, then an arm, and wrenches to a wristlock. Knight wants in and Grimes heads over. Tag and Knight fires off hands. Knight whips Gibson to CLOBBER him! Knight wants fans to chant for him as he bumps Gibson off buckles, but the fans don’t care. Knight whips Gibson, Drake is the buffer and Gibson KNEES Knight back! Gibson rakes Knight’s eyes, then gets him up as he tags Drake. Drake jumps in to take the hand-off and short arm clothesline Knight down! Cover, TWO! Fans want Grimes in but Drake ROCKS Knight!
Drake gets Knight for a suplex, but Knight lands on his feet to hit a NECKBREAKER! Knight crawls, fans fire up, and hot tag to Grimes! Grimes climbs, leaps, and CROSSBODIES! Grimes struts and laughs then gets Drake up. Drake headlocks, Gibson tags in as Grimes powers out. Gibson KNEES Grimes into the ropes! Knight gets mad but Gibson DECKS him! Gibson gets Grimes up to throw hands. Drake tags back in, GYV double whip Grimes to CLOBBER him! Drake drags Grimes to a cover, ONE! Drake gets Grimes up, wrenches, tags Gibson, and GYV double whip again. Grimes holds ropes, throws Drake out but Gibson uses a sleeper to keep Grimes from Knight!
Grimes endures and fans rally up. Grimes snapmares free to BACK DROP Gibson away! Grimes reaches, but Knight ditches him at the corner! Knight’s not a man of his word at all! Grimes scowls and fans chant, “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Grimes throws the suit off and dares Gibson to bring it! Drake tags in, but Grimes rallies on GYV! Drake and Gibson whip him again but Grimes gets around to shove Drake into Gibson! DOUBLE RANA! Fans fire up as Grimes PENALTY KICKS Gibson from the apron, and HOTSHOTS Drake! Grimes goes up, leaps, Drake gets under but comes back into the COLLISION COURSE!! Cover, TWO!!
Grimes rips the suit shirt, shouts “TOOOO THEEEE MOOOOON!” but Gibson distracts! Grimes swipes at Gibson, Drake waistlocks but Grimes headlocks. Gibson tags in as Drake powers out, leap frog and tilt-o-whirl, TICKET TO MAYHEM!! Cover, GYV win!
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall
Knight turned this into a Handicap Match by stooping to another low, and GYV’s teamwork was too much for one man! Will Grimes make the Million Dollar Megastar pay for leaving him behind?
Wait, Ted DeBiase is here! THE Million Dollar Man checks on Grimes, and says he tried to tell Grimes. He knows Grimes is a man of his word, but Grimes has to figure something out about this situation. Grimes agrees and DeBiase helps Grimes to the back. Can they figure out a way to make Knight put his money where his massive mouth is?
NXT hears from Dakota Kai.
#CapKota says, “18 months ago, I needed someone I could trust. And then I saw her. This beast, Raquel Gonzalez, crushing combine records. But she was stuck in the shadows.” Raquel had gone as far as she could go, and Dakota says without her, Raquel would still be nothing. It was simple: stand behind Dakota, watch, learn, and be there when she needed her. Raquel ran through everyone in Dakota’s way for her, from Tegan Nox to Shotzi Blackheart to Mia Yim to Rhea Ripley. And then Raquel became a star in her own right, crushing Io Shirai in the Women’s WarGames. Dakota “let” Raquel get that success. Because to be real here, everyone knew who the leader was.
Stand & Deliver, the biggest TakeOver of all time, and Shirai goes to Raquel. Raquel didn’t think to give Dakota that opportunity! She didn’t think Dakota wanted that spot just as much! After giving Raquel everything, plucking her from obscurity and putting her in the spotlight, Raquel stole Dakota’s opportunity! With Dakota’s help, Raquel beat Io and became the NEW NXT Women’s Champion. That should’ve been Dakota! Dakota should’ve had her hand raised, in the ring with Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley in that triple brand title moment! Dakota wanted Raquel to return the favor, help Dakota regain the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships.
But Raquel didn’t care. She didn’t put her heart or soul into anything other than what she had. From that point out, Dakota was known as Raquel’s sidekick! “I am no one’s sidekick!” And hence, why Dakota kicked Raquel in the face! The only person’s back Dakota will have now, is her own. And the funniest thing about all this is that Raquel didn’t see it coming! Raquel’s so oblivious to the person right next to her was going to kick her head off. BANG! There’s no one left? How about Dakota?! Dakota brought Raquel into the spotlight, and will take her out of it by becoming NXT Women’s Champion! Stinging words from #CobraKai, but how will Big Mami Cool respond?
Backstage interview with The Way.
McKenzie asks Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano about the huge night tonight as Johnny faces Lumis in the Love Her or Lose Her match. What’s going through their minds right now? Johnny says he and Candice have both been champions, been in TakeOver main events, and the biggest matches in this company’s history. Tonight ranks right up there. Candice asks McKenzie something: Who knows what’s best for Indi? The Way does. They know what’s best for her! And tonight, the fate of the family rests in Gargano’s hands! He must do whatever it takes to protect Indi at all costs! And though it won’t be popular, Gargano ENDS #InDex for good!
NXT hears from Joe Gacy.
From Batsto, New Jersey, the hard-hitting bruiser knows “people don’t like what they can’t control.” Him having this opportunity in the Breakout Tournament, he won’t be controlled until his hand is raised as THE winner of the whole thing. Baxter VS Gacy happens after the break!
Medical update on Adam Cole.
Given last week, Kyle O’Reilly got him with both a chair, and a brain buster to steel steps, Cole has a spinal compression, neck compression and secondary neck injury. Cole is not medically cleared to compete at the moment, much the flipside of when Cole did this to Kyle. But next week, Regal will preside over a face-to-face between these two as NXT returns to the USA Network.
NXT Breakout Tournament Opening Round, Final Match: Trey Baxter VS Joe Gacy!
#AllHeart will collide with all frenzy as the opening round is almost over! Baxter impressed against Cruiserweight Champion, Kushida, and Gacy fought his way into the bracket at the expense of Desmond Troy. But who advances to take on Odyssey Jones in the second round?
The bell rings and the two tie right up. Gacy puts Baxter on ropes, Baxter gets around to waistlock but Gacy headlocks and throws Baxter to a corner. Gacy eggs Baxter on, Baxter comes back and get around for another waistlock. He spins into the sunset flip but Gacy drags him right up to TOSS to a corner! Baxter gets up and Gacy runs in, but Baxter boots him! Baxter runs and forearms but Gacy stays up. Baxter keeps moving, only for Gacy to CHOP him off his feet! Cover, ONE! Gacy drags Baxter up but Baxter throws hands. Gacy runs Baxter over but Baxter anchors a foot. Baxter avoids Gacy’s stomp and kips up to ENZIGURI! Gacy staggers and fans fire up!
Gacy comes back, scoops Baxter, Baxter slips out and dropkicks Gacy out of the ring! Baxter builds speed to DIVE, into Gacy’s arms! Gacy pops Baxter up, tosses him to the ropes, then DECKS him on the rebound! Fans fire up as Gacy paces around, and Gacy gets Baxter into the ring at 6 of 10. Gacy clamps onto Baxter with a chinbar but fans rally as Baxter endures. Baxter fights up, Gacy CLUBS him down! Cover but Baxter resists, so Gacy grinds him down to get both shoulders. ONE, and Gacy drags Baxter back up. Gacy scoops but Baxter slips around to a SLEEPER! Baxter is a backpack but Gacy throws him off and stomps him down! But Baxter kicks from below!
Gacy stomps, Baxter kicks, and Baxter headlocks. But Gacy breaks free to HEADBUTT, then ROCKS Baxter with a forearm! And point-blank clotheslines against the ropes! Gacy hits one last one to top it off! Baxter flops to the apron but Gacy gets him up. Gacy suplexes Baxter into the ring high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and duel as Gacy clamps on with the chinbar again. Baxter fights and hits a JAWBREAKER! But Gacy choke grips, tosses Baxter to another corner, only for Baxter to slip out! Gacy hits buckles, Baxter springboards in, missile dropkick! Baxter builds speed to DIVE! The Low-pe knocks Gacy down but Baxter goes again for another DIVE!
The tope suicida hits but Baxter keeps going again, to FLY! The Fosbury Flop takes Gacy down! Gacy gets to the ring as fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Baxter grabs at Gacy but Gacy kicks him away. Baxter steps in for a TORNILLO SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Baxter gets Gacy up to throw body shots, then slips around to sleeper hold. Gacy RAMS Baxter into buckles, then runs corner to corner to CANNONBALL into buckles! Gacy gets Baxter up top, climbs up to join him, fireman’s carries but Baxter fights! He bumps Gacy off buckles! Gacy is down, Baxter is up, 450 DOUBLE STOMPS?!? Cover, Baxter wins!!
Winner: Trey Baxter, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
And the semifinals are set! Baxter will bring #AllHeart on a journey, but can he conquer the Odyssey?
Zoey Stark and Io Shirai try “hanging out” together.
They went to Izziban Sushi & BBQ, and this is what Stark feels they needed to be doing. This is so exciting and fun. They needed to get together and form a bond. Like how Shirai and Kairi Sane were friends! They had each other’s backs, they knew everything about each other. That’s what these two need. The waitress comes by and Shirai orders in Japanese and Stark is lost. She just goes with what Shirai is having. The menus are taken and it turns out Shirai ordered a lot. It all looks great! Well, Stark isn’t sure about the squid, though. Isn’t she going to eat? Y-Yeah, of course! Just… she’s not good with chopsticks so she goes with fork and spoon.
Stark braves the squid, and nope nope, not for her. She waits until Shirai is checking her phone to spit it out into a napkin and then throw that napkin under the table. She likes it, right? Y-Yeah, she loves sushi! What’s that green stuff? It’s good, try it. Wait, is it like guacamole or…? No, it’s WASABI! She puts a little too much and it really hits her hard! Again, she has to hide what she spits out under the table. And as Shirai talks the check with the waitress, Stark CHUCKS the rest of the squid. She would like a to-go box, by the way. But see, look? They’re bonding. Shirai hugs it out with the waitress and takes the check.
Stark says she had a great time and wants to hug it out. No, Stark, thank you. She’s the one paying the check. Shirai leaves and Stark asks the waitress if she and Shirai know each other. No, but they just speak the same language. Oh, so the waitress was also born and raised in Japan? Nope, Kansas. Oh. Huh. Stark reconsiders the to-go box. Will she and Shirai be able to find common ground outside of food?
Backstage interview with Indi Hartwell.
Her emotional state must be all over the place. Her love-life is on the line, but who is she pulling for tonight? Well, it’s complicated. On one hand, there’s family. The other, true love. Indi isn’t pulling for him, but if Lumis did win, and The Way gave him a chance, they’d finally see Lumis isn’t bad, just misunderstood. But we’ll find out of it’s meant to be. That will be the main event tonight, which way will the heart break?
Karrion Kross hijacks commentary!
“HEY JOE! You quit your job because you think you can make a change around here?! You can’t control this place! You couldn’t then, and you can’t now!” So then, who provoked who?! Samoa Joe storms his way to the ring! Security does its best to hold him back but he swats them all down! Joe gets in the ring but Kross has disappeared! So Joe throws around one security guard, CLOBBERS another, and then gives the third an URENAGE! Joe drags that same guard around as he shouts for Kross, and he puts on the COQUINA CLUTCH!! The guard flails, taps, but Joe is almost foaming at the mouth! “KROSS! I’m coming for you…!” Will TakeOver 36 see Joe 86 Mr. Apocalypse once and for all?
NXT presents Prime Target: Walter VS Dragunov II.
Triple H starts us off by saying, “Walter, the longest reigning champion in modern WWE. For over 800 days, has dominated this brand. Ilja Dragunov, one of the most dedicated and intense individuals to ever enter the squared circle.” Sheamus says he saw the first, and it was fantastic. Nigel McGuiness says that it was one of the most brutal matches he’s ever witnessed. Drew McIntyre says it was probably the best match. Riddle says it has heart and determination, while Regal says it was sheer violence. The fierceness is unmatched. It shows how far British and European wrestling has come. Fit Finlay says it was brutal! And that’s what this is all about.
Dragunov speaks on how the whole world was talking about the level of brutality they put on at this stage. People couldn’t believe what they saw. Dragunov appreciates that the fans recognize his performance, but fans cheer for those who win, and forget those who lose. Dragunov felt broken after. He was so focused on how he could be like Walter, the champion, a cold-blooded person. Dragunov went on that path of violence for a chance to fight Walter again. This fierce rivalry and this epic rematch has been added to TakeOver 36! Walter says that is a big stage, and it is where he belongs. For Ilja, this is the match of his life.
Dragunov promises that we will see why it is a mistake to underestimate him. Walter says that when he’s on his best day, he is unbeatable. Dragunov says Walter doesn’t have the soul to win. Dragunov has more strength and more stamina, but Walter says he doesn’t have the mental ability. The only reason Dragunov will be at TakeOver is because Walter forged him. Walter says we will know what Dragunov really is: all show, full of doubt and fear. Dragunov says Walter is wrong! This isn’t just a battle for the belt, or a war for the top spot on NXT UK. This is going to be a fight to see who is fighting for the right reasons!
Kushida speaks.
“Roderick Strong. I respect your win over Bobby Fish. You fought hard and came out victorious. You keep saying my name, and I hear you! You want a title shot at the NXT Cruiserweight Championship? You got it!” The Time Splitter is ready to take on the Savior of the Backbreaker, but will the face of the Diamond Mine crack under the pressure?
Love Her or Lose Her: Johnny Gargano VS Dexter Lumis!
Johnny Wrestling, Papa John, leader of The Way, has been against the Tortured Artist and #IndiWrestling being together since day one. But now he can end it here if he defeats Lumis in a 1v1 match! Will this be the last night #InDex has on NXT?
The bell rings and Gargano shows Lumis his The Way shirt. Gargano points out that “This is my family! And you don’t mess with my family.” Fans rally and duel as Gargano says if Lumis wants Indi, he has to get through Gargano. Gargano eggs Lumis on, but Lumis is a statue. They tie up, Gargano headlocks but Lumis powers up, only for Gargano to hold on. Gargano also holds on as Lumis tires to power out. Gargano grinds Lumis down, fans rally up, and Lumis fights to his feet. Lumis powers out this time but Gargano goes up and over in the corner then arm-drags Lumis around! Gargano has the armlock but Lumis fights up.
Gargano wrenches, wristlocks, but Lumis rolls and kips up to wrench and club Gargano’s arm. Lumis arm-drags Gargano around now and dropkicks him down! Then he slithers up to Gargano to get in his face! Gargano is creeped out and slithers out but Lumis slithers after, and Gargano fires off haymakers! Gargano has Lumis on the apron and drags him to the ramp, for a snap suplex! Lumis clutches his back and fans fire up, but here comes Indi herself! Gargano puts Lumis in at 7 of 10, fans cheer on “IN DEX! *clap clap* IN DEX!” Gargano tells Indi that she shouldn’t listen to the fans. She has The Way. Gargano gets in and Lumis hits a THESZ PRESS and fast hands!
Lumis has Gargano in a corner, stomps him, throws hands over and over, but Gargano staggers away. Lumis keeps on him with a whip to ropes then clobbers him with an elbow! Fans chant, “WE WANT INDEX!” as Lumis whips Gargano corner to corner. Gargano boots back, throws forearms, then ROCKS him! Gargano whips, Lumis dodges, slides under and then plays peekaboo with Gargano at the apron. Wait, where’d Lumis go? Gargano can’t see where he is, but Indi hurries after Lumis? And now Candice hurries out. She and Johnny drag Indi out from under the ring, but she’s holding hands with Lumis! But Gargano KICKS Lumis in the side! And RAMS him into steps! And then boards!
NXT is picture in picture as Candice has Indi stay back. Gargano gets Lumis up, throws haymakers, stalks him around the way, and then puts him back in the ring. Gargano gets on the apron but Lumis ROCKS Gargano with a right! But Gargano SLINGSHOT SPEARS Lumis down! Gargano goes outside to get his headband back, goes back into the ring and puts the headband back on. Indi reaches out to Lumis but Candice tries to drag her away. Gargano sits Lumis up just to knock him down! Gargano knocks Lumis down again, but Lumis gets up to throw haymakers! Lumis has Gargano in a corner but Gargano kicks back.
Gargano snapmares Lumis down, for a basement dropkick! Gargano covers, TWO! Lumis is still in this but Gargano taunts the #InDex fans. Gargano gets Lumis up, wrenches and hooks him up for a headlock and stretch. NXT returns to single picture as Lumis endures and fans rally up. Lumis fights with elbows and body shots but Gargano CLUBS him on the back. Gargano throws hands, spins but into an uppercut! Gargano spins again but into a SPINEBUSTER! Gargano and Lumis get up, and Lumis rallies with big haymakers! And CHOPS! Lumis tightens the glove as he runs in to clothesline and BULLDOG! Then a BIG back suplex! And a LEAPING leg drop! Cover, TWO!
Fans argue the count while Candice is stressing out. Lumis stalks Gargano as he gets up, and Gargano turns around into the clinch. Gargano elbows free, throws Lumis out, and then runs to DIVE! Direct hit and Lumis is sent into the desk! Gargano puts Lumis back in the ring and then starts yelling at Beth Phoenix for getting this InDex stuff started! Beth says the heart wants what the heart wants, Johnny! Gargano goes back to the apron, slingshot but into an uppercut! Lumis slingshot suplex FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Gargano’s heart is still superhuman but Lumis climbs up top. Lumis leaps but Gargano moves! Lumis rolls through but into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!!
Fans rally up behind Lumis as he gets up. Gargano is after him with forearms but Lumis gives them back! They go back and forth, shot for shot, over and over! Gargano fires off a flurry, runs, but into a pop-up UPPERCUT! But he SUPERKICKS right back! But then Lumis SUPERKICKS! Gargano is down, fans are thunderous, and Lumis looks to Indi. Lumis goes out, he and Indi both signal the elbow. Lumis springboards, SAVAGE ELBOW FLOPS!! Gargano avoids it, and jumps onto the GargaNO Escape!! Indi shouts for Lumis to hold on, and he fights to the ropes! Indi is there and touches Indi’s face gently for the ropebreak! Indi swoons but Gargano is furious!
The ref counts the break, Gargano lets go at 4 because a disqualification is still a valid loss. Gargano tells Indi to stop it already, and Candice does, too. But Lumis rolls Gargano up!! TWO!! And Lumis is sent into Indi! Lumis DECKS Gargano and then hurries to go check on Indi. Candice says Lumis is a monster, and Gargano TOPE DDT’S!! Gargano gets Lumis up and in the ring, and says this is for Indi’s own good. ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
Indi is devastated! Lumis lost the match, and has lost his chance to be with her and The Way! Indi looks back at Lumis with a forlorn look, but then she runs to him anyway! She tackles him and gives him a huge kiss!! She’s defying the stipulation of the match!! No one can stand in the way of love! #InDex now, then and forever!!
My Thoughts:
What a great episode! We got a really good opening tag from Legado and Hit Row, and Escobar “ruining” it with the chair attack really just helped raise things up a level. The chaotic brawl was fun, Hit Row stands tall, but Escobar taking Swerve’s grill is also a unique way to escalate things. Obviously that North American Championship match is coming, but I’m hoping for that Six Man Tag as the go-home. Then, we all knew Regal giving Samoa Joe security was just so he could beat up those guys when he can’t get his hands on Kross. While Kross VS Keith Lee last night on Raw was great, obviously Kross’ segment here was prerecorded. They still get the point across perfectly, and the title match for TakeOver 36 is going to be epic.
Of course Ridge Holland makes quick work of Ikemen Jiro but it was still a good first match back for him. Dunne also has a good promo to plug the feud with them and Thatcher-Ciampa. Ridge VS Thatcher, Ridge VS Ciampa, Ridge & Dunne VS Thatcher & Ciampa, all those matches are going to be badass. Speaking of badass, that’s exactly what Fish VS Strong was. Just like with Kyle VS Cole and Kyle VS Strong, the familiarity from working together for years really lent itself to Fish and Strong taking this to a higher level. Strong winning makes sense, he was going for Kushida and Kushida had a good response to essentially confirm that title match.
LA Knight and Cameron Grimes getting into a tag match made sense given last week, and of course Knight ditches Grimes. Grimes loses because GYV needs to stay strong in the tag division, and this sets up Knight VS Grimes III, the Million Dollar Championship back on the line. Prime Target: Walter VS Dragunov II was another epic Prime Target video, we got a lot of great soundbites from wrestlers from the UK as well have gone through NXT. The NXT UK Championship could easily steal the show, and hopefully it gets more people who watch NXT prime to consider NXT UK.
Franky had a good promo to officially establish that she’s taking over the Robert Stone Brand, just as we all knew she would. I wonder if we get a new member that Franky “recruits.” Shirai and Stark had a pretty good little skit for their teammate dinner date. I feel like Shirai was trolling Stark on some level with the food order after Stark brought up Kairi. I’m thinking with the line about “speaking the same language,” Stark tries to learn Japanese, and then there are hilarious misunderstandings from Stark getting things wrong. And we got a very good promo from Dakota that perfectly summarizes everything that has happened to this point.
Baxter VS Gacy was a great Breakout Tournament match, and another upset in a sense with Baxter going over. Carmelo Hayes VS Duke Hudson, Trey Baxter VS Odyssey Jones, we’ve got two battles of Cruiserweight VS Heavyweight, we could end up with any kind of combination for the tournament finals, and if a Cruiserweight wins the tournament, then the options for a title story are very open. And lastly, Gargano VS Lumis was a great match, especially with the “overbooking” of Indi and Candice being ringside and getting involved in the character work. I was surprised Gargano won, but then that made it even better when Indi didn’t care about the result and ran to Lumis. I totally want this to be a Mixed Tag, The Way VS InDex, possibly at TakeOver.
My Score: 9.3/10
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The Last Time is Now on SmackDown!
LA Knight is in the Last Time is Now Tournament, determined to meet John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but who is his opponent?! Time to find out, YEAH!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz; Jey wins and advances.
- WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom; Ilja wins and retains the title.
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS Zack Ryder; Knight wins and advances.
- Jade Cargill VS B-Fab; Jade wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman; Cody wins, by disqualifications, and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley AND Iyo Sky are here!
Albany, New York fires up as Mami & The Genius are both here on SmackDown following the chaos on Raw. Because at Survivor Series, Rhea said it herself: WARGAMES! Rhea & Iyo each get a mic and the fans cheer them both on. Rhea says, “Since I’ve been out with a broken nose, the Kabuki Warriors, they’ve been causing a little bit of chaos. And now that they’ve managed to get their hands on the Tag Team Championships, they think they’re pretty much untouchable.” The fans boo, but then Rhea says throw Nia Jax & Lash Legend into the mix, which the fans boo also… “And now they think they are untouchable again because they have the ‘numbers advantage.'”
But the funny thing about numbers is you just end up with more enemies. Iyo says, “A lot of enemies. But they always catch up to you. And now, there is nowhere to hide! WARGAAAMES~!” The fans cheer as Iyo & Rhea go wild for that. Rhea says, “And y’know what? We’re not going in alone. So I would like to introduce two of our teammates: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!” The fans cheer as the former tag team champions make their way out to the ring, Charlotte in a modern art suit with her pyro, and then followed by Alexa in her goth preppy fusion. #Charlexa stands with Rhea & Iyo in the ring, mics also in hand.
The four hug it out and the fans “WOO~!” Alexa says if the Kabukis wanna play dirty, fine. If Nia & Lash wanna jump in, too, great! And they can get all four at once, it is so on! Those four started this fight, these four will end it! The very second Rhea said, “WarGames,” Alexa knew they were in. Right, Charlotte? The fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte says, “Lexi, I can’t do this. I can’t pretend anymore.” What? “Look, Rhea. I don’t like you.” The fans boo and Iyo is shocked. Charlotte says she doesn’t trust Rhea, and she thinks Rhea is a snake. But Rhea doesn’t like or trust Charlotte and probably thinks she’s the snake, and Charlotte doesn’t blame her.
There is too much history here, too much bad blood. Just because they have the same enemies doesn’t change that. Charlotte cannot look past it. Alexa is Charlotte’s friend, she trusts Alexa. So if Alexa wants to do this, that’s fine. But count Charlotte out. What!? The fans boo as The Queen steps away, but Alexa calls after her. Charlotte goes up the ramp, Alexa apologizes to the others and tries to figure out why Charlotte did this. Can Alexa get Charlotte to change her mind before it’s time to go to war?
Jey Uso is in the concourse!
And he asks them to please, please, play his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up and bounces along as Main Event Jey Uso makes his entrance, ready for The Last Time Is Now! But will it be Albany, New YEET? Or will the Hollywood A-Lister put all that fire from last week to good use?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz!
SmackDown returns and the fans continue to YEET, and then they want the encore! But instead, The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Miz KNEES low! Miz CLUBS Jey, then talks some trash. The fans rally for Jey but Miz brings Jey around. Jey blocks the buckle bump to fire off haymakers, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Miz reverses, and Miz hits a kitchen sink KNEE! The fans boo but Miz soaks up the heat. Jey goes to ropes, Miz storms up on him, and Miz fires haymakers of his own! Miz soaks up more heat as he backs p, then he runs in, but Jey turns lariat into backslide! TWO!
The fans fire up as Jey stands, but Miz blocks a kick! Miz spins Jey, the DRAGON WHIP hits! Miz ends up on the apron, but he slides under Jey to sunset flip! TWO, and Miz catches Jey now! Jey fights the Finale with ama r-drag, but Miz avoids the superkick! So Jey LARIATS Miz up and out! The fans fire up and “YEET!” Jey builds speed and DIVDSE! Miz is send into the desk! Albany fires up while Jey snarls and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Miz stalks Jey. The tide has turned and Miz storms up, but Jey ELBOWS him away! Jey goes up, but Miz kicks the legs out! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Then a DDT! Jey gets spiked! Miz covers, TWO! Jey survives and Miz is stunned! Miz snarls as Jey sits up, and then Miz KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, and Miz winds up, only for Jey to duck the buzzsaw! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and crawls to a corner while Jey shakes his head. The fans rally as Jey goes to the other corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs up, but Miz dodges!
Miz runs up and SHOULDER TAKCKLES! And SHOULDER TACKLES! Miz parodies John Cena with the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Miz says when his hand goes up, your mouths go shut. “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! The fans are torn as Miz now fireman’s carries Jey! But Jey fights free, shoves Miz, SUPERKICK! Then a fireman’s carry in return! Miz slips free, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and everyone is shocked, especially Miz! Jey flounders, stands, and goes to a corner. Albany is thunderous for Jey but Miz storms right up on him.
Miz puts Jey up top, then climbs up after him! Miz full nelsons again! But Jey fires elbows! Then he fireman’s carries Miz! The fans are thunderous as Jey hits a TOP ROPE RACK DROP! Then he gest moving, SPEAR!! Jey doesn’t stop there, he goes up the corner again! USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Albany YEETS again as Jey stays alive in the tournament! But who else will join him, Sheamus, and Rusev on the road to Washington, DC?
Ilja Dragunov talks with Nick Aldis.
The Mad Russian Dragon is glad he gets to have another Open Challenge, but then in walks Tommaso Ciampa. The Sicilian Psycho hopes Aldis is explaining to “our so-called fighting champion” how to respect the rules of an Open Challenge. Aldis says the champion has every right to dictate the rules how he sees fit, but Johnny Gargano asks if Ilja has the right to call his best friend a jackass. Candice LeRae asks if Ciampa looks like a jackass! Enough with calling him a jackass! The only jackass here is Ilja denying the one man answering the challenges! Make it make sense! Well, they were just discussing this, so listen very carefully!
When Ilja took on the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, Ilja promised to do things the right way. And the right way mean sto not give opportunities to… jackasses! But to fight warriors who are willing to fight with respect and honor. And there is nothing honorable about Ciampa. So tonight, Ilja will give this opportunity to a man who fights with honor, and someone Ilja respects. Oh no, seriously?! AXIOM steps in! Ciampa accuses Ilja of cowardice, but Axiom thanks Ilja for this opportunity. Aldis wishes them both the best of luck, then moves on, only for Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed to be waiting outside his office.
Heyman smiles, a big contract folder in hand, and he asks Aldis, “How’re you doing? We need to talk to you for a minute.” Aldis says please, step inside. These three go into the office to talk, but what exactly about?
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis calls in extra security for his office. He tells Heyman that before The Vision is escorted from the building, what can he do for them? Heyman says that’s awfully dramatic, Aldis. But this is the WarGames agreement, which allows Heyman to “take any talent that is under WWE contract across all brands. Tha tincludes SmackDown, your brand. My heads-up to you, you’re welcome.” Any talent across all brands? Yes, thank you for coming all the way to Albany to confirm what was already in the paperwork. This could’ve been an email, Heyman. So unless there’s anything else to discuss, he would like to ask them kindly to leave. Because The Vision will NOT be disrupting Aldis’ show.
And security steps in on cue. Heyman says oh goodness, look who it is! Cody Rhodes steps in, and Heyman says, “It’s the golden goose who’s being afforded all this protection.” Cody asks, “Mr. Heyman, what do you wanna talk about?” Heyman wants to talk about Cody getting involved with Vision business on Raw. Cody doesn’t know about this golden goose stuff, but he saw on Raw that they were putting his friends in the fire, which means he was next through the flames, but Heyman already knew that. But this is Friday Night SmackDown, and the business of today… is right here. “And if you’re not here to fight, then you should leave.”
Bronson says he’ll fight. Cody asks Aldis to make the match: Bronson Reed VS Cody Rhodes… TONIGHT! Aldis says that works, but Heyman asks why they’d give this away and not make it a title match? Cody says fine, book it. Aldis gets worried now, but Cody says, “BOOK IT!” Then it is official. Cody VS Bronson for the Undisputed Championship. Heyman smiles and thanks both Mr. Aldis and “Champ” Cody. Did Cody just get goaded into losing the gold? Or will the American Nightmare find a way to slay the Colossal Aussie?
WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom!
Speaking of titles, The Czar didn’t appreciate the Sicilian Psycho getting salty all over again, so he again passed on Ciampa to face Axiom. But will Ilja be able to deny the Undeniable Truth? Or will Axiom finally have singles gold on SmackDown?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Axiom rolls to wrench and wrangle Ilja. Axiom has the armlock but Ilja fights up. Ilja wrenches in return, then cording holds for a HIP TOSS! Cover, ONE, but Ilja holds onto the arm. Axiom kips up, slips around, and spins Ilja to snapmare and headlock. Ilja slips out to armlock in return and the fans cheer the technical exchange. Ilja knuckle locks to straight arm lever and SLAM Axiom! Axiom fights up but Ilja wrenches him again. Ilja whips Axiom to a corner, but Axiom dodges the lariat! Axiom waits on Ilja and he says it was that close. Ilja and Axiom reset, knuckle lock, and Axioim headlocks.
Axiom hits the takeover but Ilja keeps his shoulders up. Ilja CLUBS at Axiom from below, then fights up. Ilja powers up and out, Axiom RAMS him, but Ilja RUNS Axiom over! Cover, ONE, and Ijoa gets moving! Axiom trips Ilja up, but Ilja blocks the hip toss! Ilja slips through but Axiom fights the backslide! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and then they spin around. Ilja ROCKS Axiom with a forearm! Axiom ROCKS Ilja! Ilja BOOTS Axiom down! The fans rally, but Axiom catches the hammer into the ARMBAR! Ilja fights to stack, and he deadlifts Axiom! Axiom lets go, but Ilja ducks the enzigiri to SLAP Axiom down!
The fans rally and Axiom dodges to then DROPKICK back! Ilja staggers, Axiom GAMANGIRIS him up and out! The fans fire up while Ilja sputters, and Axiom takes aim. Axiom runs, GOLDEN- NO! Ilja stops the triangle moonsault as he CLUBS Axiom on the back! Axiom is stuck up top, Ilja CHOPS him! Axiom kicks at Ilja, Ilja CHOPS, and repeat! The fans rally as these two brawl on the apron. Ilja HEADBUTTS Axiom right back into the ring! Then Ilja climbs, aims, and SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives, Ilja is a bit surprised, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Ilja snarls as he rises up, and he paces around Axiom. Axiom slowly sits up, Ilja fires up, but he turns around into a CHOP from Axiom! So Ilja CHOPS Axiom right off his feet! Cover, TWO! Ilja keeps close and brings Axiom up to CHOP again! And again! And then HEADBUTT! And CHOP! HEADBUTT! CHOP! Ilja then reels Axiomi in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Ilja still keeps axiom down with a facelock. Axiom endures, fights around, and he wrenches out to headlock back. Axiom waistlocks, Ilja bucks the O’Conner, but axiom kips up, into a CHOP! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives again but Ilja stays focused.
Ilja puts Axiom in a corenr, CHOPS him, and Axiom flops against the ropes. Ilja drags Axiom back up, whips corner to corner, and Axiom hits hard! Ilja runs up to KNEE low, then he runs side to side to BOOT WASH Axiom right outta the ring! Ilja roars and the fans cheer. Ilja goes out to BOOT Axiom, then follows him around the way. They go back into the ring, Ilja brings Axiom around, and Ilja waistlocks, only for Axiom to fight the lift. Axiom switches, Ilja fights the lift, and Ilja wrenches out to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And then Gotch lift POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Axiom is toughing it out bu tIlja is not deterred.
Ilja clamps on with a rear bearhug and he squeezes tight, Axiom endures so Ilja ELBOWS him down! And ELBOWS again and again and again! Ilja just HAMMERS away on Axiom, then clamps back on with another bearhug. Axiom still endures, fights back to his feet, but Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, drags Axiom back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Fans chant for “One More Time!” and Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja still holds on, Albany wants another, so Ilja drags Axiom up. Axiom switches, but Ilja again bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, but he ducks the chop to NORTHERN LIGHTS!
The fans cheer while both men are down! The fans rally as Ilja stands, and he swings, but Axiom CROSS COUNTERS! Ilja falls back, Axiom goes to a corner, but Ilja storms up. Axiom BOOTS Ilja down, hops up the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and Axiom grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Axiom rises, Ilja roars to give him more, so Axiom KICKS! And KICKS! Ilja wants more so Axiom KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Ilja blocks to SLAP, ROCK, boxing elbows, and BOOT! Axiom falls and the fans fire up again! Ilja powers up, runs, CONSTANTINE- NO, Axiom catches him to an ARMBAR!
Ilja fights, ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD, but he works to stack Axiom! Axiom fights that off, but Ilja deadlifts Axiom again! POWERBOMB! Axiom flounders, Ilja snarls, and Ilja aims from the corner. Ilja powers up, the fans rally, H-BOMB FOR- NO, Axiom uses that to spring up and MOONSAULT DDT!!! Cover, TWO!?! No one can believe what they saw, nor that Ilja survived! “This is Awesome!” as Axiom has Ilja in a corner. Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS and hoists Ilja up. Ilja fights back with SLAPS and Axiom staggers. But then Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom goes up after Ilja, but Ilja fires RIDGE HAND CHOPS!
Ilja and Axiom go to the very top, but Axiom hits the SUPER DUPER SPANISH FLY!! And then GOLDEN RATI- NO!! TORPEDO MOSCOW!! AND H-BOMB FOREARM!! Cover, Ilja wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Championship)
It was all in a blink of an eye, but Ilja snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Another instant classic is under Ilja’s belt, and he shows respect to Axiom for giving him this fight. The fans cheer that, but who will be next to challenge The Mad Russian’s reign?
R-Truth meets with Nick Aldis.
Truth knows last week that it was a heavy load, and Truth’s load was lost in the shuffle, but he is imploring to Aldis as employee to boss, please put Truth in the John Cena tournament. Aldis tries to tell Truth again, but Truth says don’t worry, he shined up his (lottery) balls so they’ll look real nice on TV. All he asks is Aldis handles them with care. Aldis again tries to get it through to Truth but Truth says just take his balls. FINE! Aldis takes them, and then Chelsea Green walks in. She asks if she heard John Cena’s name dropped. She did. Then speaking of legends, she has no idea why SHE didn’t get pyro when she won the Women’s US Championship.
But putting a pin in that, when is her championship celebration happening tonight? Aldis goes to say it’s not but she says that’s right, he CANCELLED it! She’d all of it prepared and ready to go! But all will be forgiven if this “injustice system” that is WWE would just give her a celebration next week, with pyro. Yes, he can make that work. Just for right now, hold onto these for him. Aldis hands Chelsea the Truth balls, and Alba says they do look nice. But will The Hot Mess really get everything she demand- er, wants?
SmackDown shares footage from the break.
As Axiom was on his way back up the ramp, Tommaso Ciampa attacked him! The Psycho Killer took out all his anger out on Axiom, only for Frazer to chase him off! Ciampa is only showing everyone Ilja is right about him, but will Ciampa not stop until he gets his opportunity?
Sami Zayn is here!
The fans cheer and sing along with the song as #BigMatchSami heads to the ring. Sami gets a mic and asks, “How we doing tonight, Albany? We good?” The fans cheer, and they chant for “Sami! Sami!” Sami takes a moment before he says, “I gotta tell ya. Since I’ve come to SmackDown, there have been some extremely high highs, and some extremely low lows. As soon as I came over to SmackDown, the first thing I said I would do is I said I would beat Solo Sikoa for the United States Championship.” The fans cheer that, and Sami says he did do that! He got to do amazing things with that title, like wrestle John Cena in his last match on SmackDown!
Sami got to go toe-to-toe with the best talent SmackDown has to offer week in and week out. The fans cheer again, and Sami says that was all great. But he won’t lie, the last four weeks have been extremely challenging. he has had to watch from the sidelines, hurt and not medically cleared, as Solo & MFT run roughshod every single week! The fans boo, and Sami says he’s had to sit and watch, unable to do anything, while MFT attacked Sami’s friends, those Sami liked and respected. And Sami gets it, Aldis told him not to get involved, don’t get hurt, and so Sami did. He sat back week after week. But he is here to tell us that that ends TONIGHT!
The fans cheer and Sami continues by calling out Solo! He knows Solo has a problem with him, and he sure has a problem with Solo, so let’s deal with it face to face! Solo & MFT make their way out here, and Solo has a mic in hand. Solo tells Sami, “You really think you knwio who you are, huh? You think you know, but you don’t. I know the real Sami, I know the real you. Yeah. He’s pathetic, a liar, desperate, and when you’re desperate, you do desperate things, which makes you so damn selfish!” The fans boo, but Solo says Sami only cares about Sami! Sami doesn’t care about the guys in the back, or even the fans here in Albany.
The fans boo, but Solo says for himself, what he cares about is his family. Solo cares about the men standing behind him and their loyalties to him. Unlike Sami! Sami knows nothing about loyalty when it comes to family. In fact, watch who you’re talkinga bout before he gets in there and kicks Sami’s ass! Don’t forget, Sami, you’re still wounded. The fans boo as MFT now flanks the ring, and Solo says this can end very badly for Sami. Solo could drop Sami right here and now, but he won’t. He will wait until Sami is 100% and medically cleared. Then once that happens, understand this: Solo is coming after you!
The fans boo, but Sami says, “Well, the good news for you, Solo, is you’re not gonna have to wait very long. Because as of tonight, I am officially 100% medically cleared! So if you wanna do something about it, go ahead and do something about it right now!” Sami calls Solo’s bluff, so Solo takes off the jacket But then Sami says before that, Solo needs to know this: Sami didn’t come here alone. And just as he says that, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns all YANK MFT off the apron! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! Solo panics, Sami shrugs, and Solo takes a swing! Sami fires counter punches!
The fans fire up as Sami fires off on Solo in a corner! Sami stomps a mudhole, then he goes to the far corner! The fans fire up, but Talla gets Solo outta the ring! The fans boo but then JC Mateo CLOBBERS Sami! JC, Tama & Loa all mug Sami, but Sami’s friends get them! They TOSS the Guerrillas and even LARIAT Loa up and out! The fans fire up as now Fenix goes up, up, and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES MFT! Fenix regroups with Sami and friends! Will Sami and his team soon cut down Solo’s “Family Tree?”
Cody Rhodes prepares backstage.
Jey Uso says hey and Cody congratulates him on the win in the tournament. Jey says he just heard about Bronson’s title shot at Cody tonight. It might get a little slimy, so Jey’s got his back. Of course! Cody and Jey shake hands on that again, and then Jimmy Uso steps in. #BigJim says hey, Uce. Any time you can get your hands on The Vision sounds like a party to Jimmy, so count him in, too. They shake on that, and Jimmy says he spoke with Punk earlier. Count him in for WarGames, too! The three shake hands, The Usos head out, but will Cody be able to fire the first shot in that war? Or will a Tsunami end the reign of the American Nightmare?
Solo Sikoa argues with Nick Aldis backstage.
Solo demands that with Sami 100% healthy, he wants a match with him tonight! Aldis says first, there’s no more time on the card, that can’t happen. And second, Solo clearly has more enemies than just Sami. So how about this? In two weeks, SmackDown before WarGames, it’ll be MFT VS Sami, Fenix, Nakamura & MCMG in a 5v5 Survivor Series style Elimination Tag! Now if you’ll excuse him. Aldis leaves, and there’s a Wyatt Sick6 glitch on screen. And in fact, Uncle Howdy is lurking in the shadows. Will the Wyatts be watching that 10 Man Tag very, very closely?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS ???
The Mega Star knows what this tournament is all about, and he knows everyone wants to be John Cena’s final opponent, but what he doesn’t know is who will be his first round opponent! We’re all about to learn that in the matter of moments, but will it not matter when this is LA Knight’s game? Or will what you don’t know actually hurt you?
Everyone waits and watches the stage. “WOO! WOO! WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” It’s Matt Car- well, no, he’s ZACK RYDER again!? Long Island Iced Z returns to the WWE, but will he prove he’s #AlwayZReady? The bell rings, the fans cheer and “WOO WOO WOO!” Knight and Ryder circle, Ryder gets the “WOO WOO WOO!” going hotter, and the two tie up. Ryder rolls Knight, TWO! Ryder says it was that close, and Knight says yeah, okay. They go again, tie up, and now Knight wrenches Ryder to YANK, YANK, YANK the arm! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight wrenches, Ryder ducks, but then Knight switches.
Ryder bucks the O’Conner, but Knight avoids the Rough Ryder! Knight returns, but Ryder tosses him out! The fans cheer as Ryder smiles, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ryder whips corner to corner. Knight hits buckles hard, then drops to his knees. The fans cheer Ryder as he pushes Knight to the corner, then whips him again. Knight reverses and BACKDROPS! The fans fire up while Ryder flounders, then he goes to the apron. Knight storms over, Ryder ROCKS Knight first, and then Ryder goes to supelx! Knight supelxes but Ryder slips free! Knight dodges to JAB, JAB, and JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Then ROLLING ELBOW! Knight clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, Ryder hits buckles hard, and Knight hits the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Ryder survives but Knight nods. Knight brings Ryder up, kicks low, then fires hands. Knight bumps Ryder off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Knight scoops, Ryder slips free, and Ryder ROCKS Knight! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! And then whips, but Knight reverses. Ryder turns backdrop into FACEBUSTER! Big forearm in the corner, and Knight sits down! The fans pump their fists with Ryder, “WOO WOO WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” BROSKI BOOT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the fans rally up as Ryder aims from a corner. Ryder hooks Knight’s arms, turns him, but Knight RAMS Ryder into buckles! Dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight then rolls back to his feet and the fans cheer. Knight goes up the corner, and he spells it out, “L! A! KNGIHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW- NO, Ryder moves, runs up, ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans are shocked! Ryder is also surprised, but he hurries to watch Knight. “This is Awesome!” and Ryder reels Knight in, Knight wrenches out and kicks, B F- NO! Ryder rolls Knight up, TWO! Knight runs up, but into KNEES! Ryder goes up, up, RADIO SILENCE into a POWERBOMB!! Then Knight hauls Ryder up, B F T!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
YEAH! Knight didn’t care who it was gonna be, he fought and won his spot in the second round! Knight, Jey, Sheamus, Rusev, who else will advance in this historic tournament?
Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky talk backstage.
They still can’t get their heads around why Charlotte just walked out on them. Charlotte also isn’t texting back or anything. Rhea knew they had beef, but she thought Charlotte would put it all aside like she did. Tonight just shows they gotta now find two more people for the team. Alexa says she has someone to call, Iyo says Charlotte was their best bet, though. But then Asuka, Kairi, Nia & Lash all attack! The brawl is on, Rhea HEADBUTTS Kairi down, but Lash DECKS Rhea! Then Nia sends Iyo into Lash’s KNEE! Lash then sends Iyo into a road case! And then same for Rhea! Security rushes in, Asuka says okay, okay, they’re good.
Nia says bye, losers~! The Irresistible Four just did a lot of damage. Will they even need a fifth woman to finish off what’s left of Rhea, Iyo and Alexa?
Jade Cargill VS B-Fab!
The Storm finally reigns on the mountaintop of WWE, and she is not playing nice with anyone. Will she strike down someone who was once a friend? Or will B-Fab truly be fab when she gets a win on the champ?
SmackDown returns, B-Fab makes her entrance, Michin staying backstage to let her handle things on her own. The bell rings and Jade dares Fab to try something. They tie up, Fab goes for a leg, but Jade spins her around. CHOKE- NO, Fab slips free and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Jade is in a corner, Fab runs up, HEEL KICK! Fab fires ELBOW after ELBOW, then fires up! The fans rally, Fab runs up, but Jade blocks the boot! Jade DECKS Fab with a forearm, then drags her right back up. Jade scoops Fab to FALL AWAY SLAM! Jade kips up, fires up, and the fans are with Jade on this one.
Jade waits on Fab, brings her around with the guzel, CHOKE SLAM! Jade tells Fab to stand down, but then she brings Fab up anyway. Jade revels in the cheers, then lifts Fab to POWERBOMB! Jade paces while she tells Fab to stay down, but Fab manages to sit up. Jade says fine, and she brings Fab up again. Fab fights, Jade lifts, POWERBOMB! Jade stands over Fab as she tells her to stay down, but the fans want to see that “One More Time!” Jade drags Fab up, has the chicken wings, and then JADED! Cover, Jade wins!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall
Jade mockingly checks her imaginary watch, and she says this is who she is! Michin is here now to make sure B-Fab is okay, but then Jade tells them both to get outta here. Mia is upset Jade would be like this just because she’s champion now. Jade tells Mia to know her place, then SHOVES her down! The fans boo but Mia wants after Jade! The ref keeps them apart, Jade steps out, and she smirks as she leaves. Jade says she is #ThatB*tch then, now, and forever, so just keep ’em coming.
Nick Aldis announces the final four first-round entrants.
“Last week on SmackDown, four superstars were selected at random to compete for the most prized career-altering opportunity: To face the Greatest of All Time, John Cena, in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tonight, fate will once again decide the superstars that will compete in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. First up, it’s a former first-round draft pick, Carmelo Hayes, taking on The Vision’s own Bronson Reed. And finally, the high-flying luchador, Penta, will go one-on-one with The Prince, Finn Balor. The only thig I have left to say, gentlemen, is good luck.” No Truth, but will the vision be clear as we approach December 13th?
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
Cathy Kelley is with H1M and brings up him going on record as to how he idolized John Cena growing up and would love this opportunity to go 1v1. What would a win in the opening round mean for him? Melo says first, he has to address this Miz situation. “Mike, you might’ve won the battle, but the war’s just begun. I will see you when I see you. And John Cena… The GOAT, the Last Time Is Now Tournament, you got a long line full of heavy hitters, killers, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna put you down, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna hang your jersey from the rafters. And respectfully, John, I’m one of ’em.
“50% of people might overlook me, 50% of people might think I can get the job done, but 100% of me knows that if I get that shot, I won’t miss.” But then in steps Bronson Reed. He tells Melo that he’s gonna end Cody Rhodes, then he will end John Cena after he ends H1M next week. Bronson heads out, Heyman nods towards Melo, and then The Oracle follows. Will Auszilla be taking it all on the road to the end?
Aleister Black speaks.
“Fear, Damian? That’s so silly that even you don’t believe that. No, no no no. You threw me on top of a table. You tried to throw me through things. And then you took the bottom part of the steel steps, and you tried to crush my head. The only person that fears anything is you. Fear of what we have made you become.” Zelina Vega says, “We said that we would force you to break your code. We said we would corrupt you. And I think we did exactly that.” But enough about him. They have their eyes set on greater things. That brings them to the entire locker room. Namely, those who hold world titles.
Aleister left fear behind the day he stepped foot back into the WWE, and he has become the one thing no one wanted him to become: everyone’s enemy! Does that mean the Dark Father is watching tonight’s main event very, very closely?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman!
The American Nightmare and The Colossal Aussie are both preparing for WarGames, and while it is Cody, Punk & The Usos at four against Bronson, Bron Breakker & Logan Paul at three, this could still tip the scales back in The Vision’s favor. Will a Tsunami wash away the reign? Or can Cody escape from New York with the gold?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can carry that weight!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Bronson shoves Cody to a corner, but Cody dodges! Bronson hits buckles, Cody fires hands, then kicks to RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs to ROCK Bronson, but then Bronson responds with a BODY CHECK! And ELBOW DROP! The fans boo but Bronson covers, ONE! Cody shows toughness and goes to the outside, but Bronson runs in around the way! BODY CHECK! The fans boo, Bronson snarls, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Bronson drags Cody up, HEADBUTTS him, then stalks him around the way again. Bronson storms in after Cody, but Cody BODY BLOWS! Cody fires a forearm, but Bronson HEADBUTTS him down! Bronson raises the one but the fans don’t acknowledge their Tribal Thief. Bronson whips and CLOBBERS Cody! Cover, TWO! Bronson drags Cody into a chinlock and leans on the hold, but Cody fights around. Cody reaches out, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. The fans rally as Cody ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson scoops to SLAM Cody! Bronson snarls again, but Cody avoids the elbow drop! Cody rises up, goes to a corner, but Bronson SPLASHES!
Cody sputters against the ropes but Bronson CHOKES him! The ref counts, Bronson steps off at 4, and Cody sputters again. Bronson storms up and ROCKS Cody! Bronson puts Cody in another corner, BODY BLOWS, then whips corner to corner hard! Cody staggers, falls over, and Bronson drags Cody back up. Bronson has a chinbar, and he stretches Cody with the chinlock. Cody endures, fights back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally but Bronson CLUBS Cody, then back suplexes! Cody lands out, ducks a haymaker, and springboards! BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK!
The fans fire up and Cody rises, but so does Bronson. Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop, and fly! BIONIC- NO! Fireman’s carry, JAGGED EDGE! Cover, TWO! Cody survives but Bronson goes up! The fans freak out for the TSUNAMI, but it FLOPS as Cody moves! Cody hurries to springboards again, SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO! Cody fires up and the fans are with him! Bronson is outside, Cody runs and DIVES, but into a forearm! Cody stumbles and staggers o the outside, Bronson runs up, but Cody TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up again and Cody refreshes the ring count.
Cody clears off the desk! HE even topples the belt pedestal! But BRON BREAKKER FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Logan Paul is here, too! They mug Cody, SMACK him off the desk, then put him back in the ring! Was this the real plan all along? The fans boo as Bron rains down fists, then Logan gets his turn! Bron rips his shirt away and wants Logan to set Cody up. Logan does as told, but THE USOS hurry out here! Jey & Jimmy said they’d have Cody’s back, so they get in the ring to brawl with Logan and Bron! The fans fire up, but Bron shoves Jimmy! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Bron! Jey joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Bron falls, Logan runs up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Then the ONE D!! That’s one and done for The Maverick!
The fans fire up as now Jimmy decides to GET THE TABLE! The fans are thunderous as Jimmy puts that in for Jey, Jey sets it up, and the fans are all fired up! Logan is put on the table, the Usos go to the corners, but DREW MCINTYRE SHOVES JIMMY! Isn’t he suspended!? Jey runs up, but he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!! The fans boo as Drew saves Logan’s bacon! Aldis storms out here, asks what the hell Drew is doing here, and Heyman claims this is per the WarGames contract! Heyman could recruit anybody under WWE contract, even suspended superstars! Drew sets the table up in a corner, and he drags Jey Uso!
But Jey breaks free to SUPERKICK! The fans cheer as Jey now lines up a shot, but Drew KICKS first! Bron returns to SPEAR Jey through the table!! Jimmy is back to throw hands, but Logan uses ONE LUCKY RIGHT to knock Jimmy out! The fans boo, but now Cody is back! He throws hands on Drew and Logan, but a CLAYMORE takes Cody out! Drew throws off his shirt, he stares down with Bronson, and then Drew puts Cody in the drop zone! Drew step on Cody before the TSUNAMI hits!! The fans are either booing or desperately calling for CM Punk, but it is clear The Vision was thinking ahead.
Drew takes the contract from Heyman and they shake hands on the deal. The numbers are even, but will the odds be in The Vision’s favor now that they have a Scottish Terminator on their side?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, with quite a lot of surprises and big moves as perhaps a response to the sinking ratings and sinking interest. Charlotte not automatically being onboard with the team-up was certainly surprising, but given that 4v3 ambush backstage, that will surely compel Charlotte to join up. She’ll see it’s not about her and Rhea getting along so much as as it is them getting to beat up on their enemies, as we knew going into this. Then I would think they still bring in Stephanie Vaquer and Nikki Bella as the fifth members for each side, to help build the title story on top of everything else, jus as I said on Monday.
Obviously Cody wasn’t going to lose the Undisputed Championship tonight, but that was a great move to bolster the show’s card and give an excuse for all the Men’s WarGames build tonight. Logan & Bron being here to help Bronson was a given, and Heyman using a unique WarGames contract to bring Drew McIntyre onboard was certainly a clever move. As I figured on Monday, Jimmy Uso was a natural addition to Team Cody, or maybe it’s Team Punk. And I would certainly think Roman Reigns will also be a natural addition to this match, but I’m curious as to the fifth man for The Vision. Would Lesnar really want to be in WarGames? Well, granted, he’d be the last person to enter the match and “clear house,” but he’d still have to get in there.
Great stuff with the US Championship, such as Ilja continuing to troll Ciampa. Ilja VS Axiom was awesome, through I swear I heard one drunken idiot slurring the word, “BORING~!” That person is the kind of American fan Gunther (and therefore Zack Sabre Jr.) was talking about, IYKYK. But in the end, I figured we’d get more DIY VS Fraxiom, and maybe after that, Ciampa finally gets his match with Ilja. Great promo from Sami with Solo, and great ambush from Team Sami on MFT to set up their own 5v5. I figured that if they weren’t doing the WarGames, they’d get to do the traditional Survivor Series match, and the go-home SmackDown continues to be a substitute for the kickoff show, but in the best way possible.
Another hilarious promo with Truth and Aldis, and Chelsea joining in so we can hype up a celebration certainly teases someone interrupting. Either Giulia is going to crash the party to demand a US Championship rematch, or they plug NXT Gold Rush by having Thea Hail & Joe Hendry get the better of them ahead of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship match. I’m leaning more towards the former, they’ll build the tag match plenty on NXT. And speaking of Truth, a shame he doesn’t get in on the final part of the bracket, but Melo VS Bronson and Penta VS Finn will be great matches. With Bronson busy with The Vision’s story, I would hope Melo wins, and it’d be great if they teased a Boston VS Boston showdown.
Jade of course beat B-Fab tonight but that was pretty good for what was basically a squash match. Michin probably gets a match with Jade next, and likely loses that. Jade’s first title defense could be Survivor Series to basically be a buffer between the WarGames matches but also to just get one on the books. There’s a lot on hold for right now with the WarGames matches having a lot of great contenders involved, but I would think we get some Charlotte VS Jade build on the other side of Survivor Series.
And of course, great matches for the Last Time is Now tournament. Jey VS Miz was a great match, and Miz hitting Cena’s moves was an appreciated reference. But I figured Jey would win, they wanna tease a rematch of the Royal Rumble finalists from earlier this year. Matt Cardona was a great surprise, though him being Zack Ryder was perhaps even more surprising. People have been talking about Knight being punished and that he was being set up to lose, but if commentary is talking about that concept, then you know that is not the case. Great win for Knight, great showing for Cardona/Ryder, and here’s hoping Ryder gets to do more in WWE from here on.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Live! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.13.2025
With a month off, does TNA come back hot or with 87% talking and a show that should’ve been an email?
So last week was the definition of a filler episode with nothing really to speak of except for validating the Dani Luna versus Indi Hartwell match tonight. This is the first real iMPACT! episode since Bound For Glory and…it’s probably opening with Mike Santana talking. TNA needs to stop following the cookie patterns of WWE and you know…start with something interesting after nearly a month off. But let’s listen to talking…
Rascalz vs. The System at #TNATurningPoint!?@TheMooseNation @Myers_Wrestling @TheEddieEdwards @MrsAIPAlisha @DirtyDangoCurty @TheBadReed @ZacharyWentz
WATCH #TNAiMPACT LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/OPjzyXNgY5 pic.twitter.com/cwwHo3IbwL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 14, 2025
Ratings:
- Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell: Dani wins via DQ – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander: Cedric wins via Lumbar Check – ** 1/4
- TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c): Kelani retains via One of a Kind – (-*) – yes that’s Negative 1
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth: No Contest – NXT Attacks
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz: Kazarian wins via Roll-Up – * – TITLE CHANGE!!!
Results:
Oh look, it does open with Mike and the crowd gives him the “You Deserve It” and it’s a sparse few minutes and Mike starts his promo in Spanish, so that’s a good way to make people ignore the show in three minutes. I understand Spanish, but let’s be honest, the bulk of people who watch are whiter than copy paper, so the whole “Champ is here in Orlando, for Puerto Ricans, and others…blah blah” is not a smart way to open after a month with no real content. So after Santana says nothing in two languages, Ryan Nemeth comes out to Nic’s music because Nic isn’t there. Ryan tries to talk some shit and go for a cheap shot, Santana catches his hand, emasculates him and then tells Ryan he’s going to tell Santino to make a match between the two of them tonight, and he’s going to drop Ryan. So we’ve got a squash match to look forward too and maybe Nic showing up at the end for a beat down.
Kelani is going to have to go through Heather tonight and M tomorrow at Turning Point. So we get another crappy promo from heel Kelani, giving her free title defenses. Yikes…this is bad, I do kinda like the gimmick of Xia translating for Lei since Xia, Lei and Mara crash the interview. But it just makes me angry that one of those three don’t have the belt. Kelani ain’t worth a damn.
After the commercial we get Santino, Ava and Arianna to promote Gold Rush. And then they showed a video package of it, so a complete waste of 4 minutes aside from noting that Arianna got a chant from the crowd. She’s gotten herself over decently to the TNA crowd.
Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell
It has been 30 minutes and we get the first match…sheesh.
Indi with back to back Double Legs, Dani is getting worked over, Dani tries a Sunset Flip but Indi stops it and drops an elbow. Dani eats Chops, tries to Whip Indi to the corner, Up and Over and Indi takes Dani down and goes back to the chops. Dani finally blocks a Scoop Slam, but Indi blocks the attempted German Suplex so Dani drives her into the corner and finally gets some offense in. A bit of a botchy looking rope straddle where Indi had to lift herself back up to eat the Lariat. Big Power Whip bouncing Indi out of the corner, sliding Lariat for a near fall.
Jaw Jacker by Indi but she misses the Yakuza Kick, gets hung up, Dani tries to turn it into a Powerbomb but a Frankensteiner Counter and a few strikes forces Dani to powder. Indi tries to throw her into the steps, Dani stops herself and turns back into the Spinebuster. Indi to the top as Dani crawls into the ring and eats a Diving Elbow to the back for a near fall. Dani counters Hurts Donut, Shotgun Kick levels Indi. Dani is on the outside looking for a weapon, throws out the Time Keeper, grabs the chair, Indi catches Dani in the Small Package for 2. Indi grabs the chair and lays into Dani.
Indi…has no facial expressions to make sense of this. This is stupid, poorly acted by Indi but the crowd is eating it up like morons. That was the most boring “take out your aggression” I’ve ever seen. Indi cuts some mid ahh promo in the back about an NoDQ match or something at Turning Point and now The System comes out to guess what? If you said TALK, you’d be correct! Assuming this isn’t a rib, the most interesting thing to come from this is Dango announcing he’s retiring after Genesis, but then The Rascalz music hits.
They say they should give the people what they want, and Dezmond Xavier returns to The Rascalz for a 4 on 4 match. They never mentioned Dez by name, but that is the implication. So with JDC retiring and Dez potentially returning, at least that’s interesting.
Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander
Shoulder tackles and a quick Cruiser style start, Hotch powders mid running to pose and act smart so Cedric Dives to wipe out Jason and hits the Flatliner in the middle of the ring for a near fall. Cedric tries to continue and Hotch pulls the tights to send Cedric through the ropes, Skyler takes a cheap shot. Hotch with the Irish Whip, Cedric puts the brakes on, so Hotch hops the ropes and trips up Cedric, but Cedric comes back when Hotch continues, Dropkick to the back of the head, Lumbar Check attempt, but nope, back and forth, Hotch tries the Chaos Theory but Cedric blocks the Suplex, they throw into the corner, Hotch hops the rope, wants the Gamengiri, but Cedric blocks it and backs up, Rolling Neckbreaker from Hotch gets countered into a Lumbar Check! Cedric wins!
Order 4 attempted beat down, but Hardy Boyz make the save, Swanton on Ali is teased but they pull Ali out for foreshadowing.
TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c)
Well talk about mental gymnastics to try and make this match make sense, and list this under “who asked for this” – because I’d rather drink bleach in traffic than watch this match.
Color by numbers powder moment, commercial break immediately and I can feel the coma sinking in. Kelani with a bad kick, Heather with a bad Hip Toss right off the commercial…Christ, end this. Lei, Xia and Mara are watching from the back and they look as bored as I do Heather with a clunky Drop Toe Hold into a Hesitation Dropkick for two. Jaw Jacker from Kelani…I wonder how the Patriots and Jets game is going. Hmm, 14-7 for the Pats, closer than expected.
Heather and Lani do a dumb strike exchange since there’s no hatred, heat or fire in this match, Kelani with a Cartwheel move, Facebuster, all near falls, locomotion Cradles into a bad Super Kick. Heather botches a Satellite DDT, this is one of the worst matches I’ve seen all year. Sloppy, slow, clunky and botchy. One of Kind is hit, no one is surprised. This was a waste of 10 minutes.
Great, now we sit through an Elijah concert for prolly about 10-15 minutes since the Ryan vs Santana match isn’t gonna be a real match. I like Elijah, he’s actually a pretty good singer and the gimmick is fine. But this episode has been complete garbage, so more non-wrestling on the wrestling variety show is too much.
Ali comes out to interrupt and challenge Cedric and Hardyz, Elijah wants to pick the fight, but Ali cracks him in the face with the mic and then guitar shot on the injured triceps. Meh.
TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth
Ryan grabs a mic and yells at the crowd because they won’t cheer for him, and Santana lets happen because Santana isn’t taking the seriously. Ryan even tries to ask the referee to make them cheer. Eventually the bell rings and Ryan attacks immediately, punches into an Irish Whip and Dropkick. Ryan tries the Whip again, but Up and Over, Santana catches the foot, Ryan shakes his head when Santana berates him and drops him, throws him to the other corner, Cannonball! Ryan wants to Spin the Block, but Nic’s Music Hits, he’s carrying the trophy but someone attacks Nic.
Then a bunch of NXT people spill out of the crowd and attack. Charlie Dempsey, Lexis King…and others. I think Robert Stone is directing traffic for NXT. But this…this is what the show was hinging on, an Invasion/Overrun angle? Bad booking is bad, ya know?
TNA World Champuonship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz
Kaz’s music hits, he calls his shot, Fade to Black, but Santana Kicks out. Frankie tries the Chicken Wing, Santana slams him into the corner, wants Spin the Block, but the beatdown stops him from being able to execute the move, Roll-Up, and Santana…loses. Frankie Kazarian is the new World Champion.
Overall Score: 3/10
There was something interesting with Dango being on the retirement tour, The Rascalz bringing Dez home and Lei Ying and Xia’s gimmick is endearing. Plus like I said in the rundown, I enjoy Elijah’s musicianship, but I don’t appreciate a Wrestling Show basically no wrestling. Is it variety? Sure, but it’s a wrestling show first. So a show that has 3 squash matches and a 5 minute X Division match that could’ve been much better with time…the wrestling was forgotten tonight. A month off and they lost the plot on the rebound. Ugh…I’ve had diarrhea more enjoyable than this.
The Invasion/Attack is corny but Kaz managing to pull off the Cash In, is…okay I didn’t see it coming, but it doesn’t save the show being awful.
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