Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (8/31/21)
It’s a very packed NXT!
NXT Champion, Samoa Joe, awaits for someone to rise up from among the masses!
Gargano VS Knight, Ciampa VS Holland, O’Reilly VS Hudson and more, all on an action packed NXT! Will someone prove themselves worthy of a title match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Mandy Rose w/ Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne VS Sarray; Sarray wins.
- Kyle O’Reilly VS Duke Hudson; O’Reilly wins.
- Imperium VS Drake Maverick & Grayson Waller; Imperium wins.
- Johnny Gargano w/ #InDex VS LA Knight; Knight wins.
- Jessi Kamea w/ Franky Monet & Robert Stone VS Raquel Gonzalez; Gonzalez wins.
- Roderick Strong w/ The Diamond Mine VS Ikemen Jiro; Strong wins.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Ridge Holland; Ciampa wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Mandy Rose w/ Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne VS Sarray!
The Golden Goddess is back again, and her proteges are right behind her! But more than that, Mandy’s back in the ring, ready to show how much she has grown. But will she be burned by the Warrior of the Sun?
The bell rings, Mandy dismisses Sarray’s handshake immediately, and fans duel already. The two circle, Mandy wants fans to only cheer her own but that’s not happening. Mandy and Sarray tie up, go around, and Mandy puts Sarray in a corner. The ref counts, Mandy messes with Sarray’s hair then lets off. Sarray chases after and Mandy uses a corner for defense! Can’t take what she dishes out, perhaps? Mandy takes her time returning, circles with Sarray, and they tie up. Sarray waistlocks, Mandy elbows free to then switch, and she slams Sarray to the mat. Mandy gloats, fans boo, but Mandy grinds Sarray’s face into the mat! And she even does push-ups to show off!
Mandy lets off, Sarray sits up and Mandy pie faces her. Sarray comes back with a forearm! Sarray runs, Gigi and Jacy do a bad job trying to swipe at her, and Sarray wheelbarrows Mandy for a victory roll to basement dropkick! Fans fire up with Sarray, she reels Mandy in for a fisherman, but Mandy fights free of the suplex. Sarray kicks, wrenches, tries again, but Mandy tries body scissors to block. Sarray powers through for the PERFECT PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Sarray goes after Mandy with a whip but Mandy reverses. Sarray ducks under the clothesline to come back with a heel kick! Cover, TWO! Sarray keeps her focus and the fans fire up again.
Sarray climbs as Mandy flounders. Sarray leaps but Mandy dodges the missile dropkick! Mandy hurries to rain down rights on Sarray then lets off to soak up the heat. Mandy drags Sarray up and talks some trash before she bumps Sarray off buckles. Mandy bumps Sarray off more buckles as the ref reprimands, and then Mandy stomps a mudhole into Sarray. The ref counts, Mandy lets off but then gets Sarray on the ropes. Mandy pulls hair and pushes Sarray’s face into ropes, but the ref counts so Mandy lets off. Mandy drags Sarray up, reels her in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Mandy is annoyed but she drags Sarray around by her hair. Mandy sits Sarray up for a neck wrench!
Fans rally as Sarray endures the twist in her neck, the knee in her back, and Mandy messing her hair up more. Sarray fights to her feet, throws body shots and forearms, but Mandy shoves. Mandy scoops Sarray on the rebound for a FALL AWAY SLAM! And a kip up just because! Mandy looms over Sarray, taunts her, then drags her back up. Mandy hooks Sarray up for a modified cobra twist neck wrench. Fans still duel and Sarray still endures, and the ref reprimands Mandy for more hair pulling. Sarray fights, rolls Mandy and gets a leg! Mandy flails but Sarray still gets the deathlock! MUTA LOCK! Gigi and Jacy coach Mandy but the ref has them stay back.
Mandy endures, reaches around, and manages to thumb Sarray in the face! Sarray falls over and lets the hold go, then scrambles over to ropes. Mandy staggers over, gets Sarray up but Sarray blocks haymakers to give forearms! Mandy throws hands but Sarray ROCKS her! Sarray keeps on Mandy with those forearms, Mandy tries to cover up but Sarray just powers through! Mandy gets mad, Sarray eggs her on, and Mandy SLAPS Sarray! Sarray seethes and Mandy runs, Sarray dropkicks Mandy down! Mandy ends up on ropes and Sarray runs in, SUNRAY DROPKICK! Mandy falls out, Gigi and Jacy are their for her, and then they panic! Jacy demands a towel!
A towel is given, Jacy gets back to Mandy and uses the towel to cover Mandy up. Is Mandy bleeding or just bruised? Sarray demands Mandy get back and the ref’s ring count is 5 of 10! But Team Mandy is fleeing?! Mandy gets counted out, Sarray wins!
Winner: Sarray, by count-out
Well, the main thing is, Sarray’s getting back on track with a win! She was already burning up the Rose as it was, will Mandy and friends come back with thorns?
Tommaso Ciampa speaks.
“Ridge Holland did exactly what he said he was going to do.” Ciampa won’t “cry over spilt milk,” he and Timothy Thatcher have known that you can’t win them all. But what happened after the match, that Ciampa has a problem with. “Ridge, Pete and the boys taking out” Ciampa and Thatcher, and then using that billy club to put Thatcher out indefinitely! “That don’t sit well with me.” Ciampa sees that these boys want to run roughshod over NXT, but Ciampa IS NXT! Tonight, Ciampa fights for his home, his family, and even dedicates tonight’s “ass whooping” to Toothless Timmy himself.
If the boys want to be the baddest men in NXT, they need to see they picked a fight with the most DANGEROUS man on the planet! If they don’t know already, “a motivated Ciampa is a scary Ciampa!” Is the Psycho Killer going to put some fear in the heart of Northern Grit?
Kyle O’Reilly VS Duke Hudson!
Whether he’s #CoolKyle or Killer Kyle, O’Reilly is ready to fight and hook anyone with that submission game. However, The Smug Breakout Tournament entry sees his chance to change the dynamic of the NXT power rankings right here and now! Will Hudson put up his dukes and put a dent in Kyle’s newest NXT Championship hopes?
The bell rings and Duke already sees the rib tape. Kyle keeps Duke at bay with kicks but Duke shoves him to ropes. Kyle gets to a corner, jukes Duke then hits him with haymakers! Kyle turns things around and fires off on Duke in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Duke JABS Kyle and knocks him right down! Kyle sits up and has his leg guard as Duke follows him around the ring. Kyle avoids a stomp, gets a leg but Duke is too tall to just topple over. Duke smashes his knee into Kyle’s chin, then scoops him, only for Kyle to make that a SLEEPER! Kyle is a backpack with the body scissors, but Duke THROWS Kyle right off!
Duke composes himself, storms over but into a leg lock! Kyle wants that heel but Duke clubs Kyle’s thigh. Duke stays standing and powers free, then gets Kyle with both hands! Duke TOSSES Kyle to a corner, then ROCKS him with a body shot! Kyle falls over and grits his teeth but Duke gets him up for a big knee into the gut! Then another! Then a shove for another knee! Duke whips Kyle for a kitchen sink knee! Cover, TWO! Kyle shows his grit but Duke wraps on a rear bearhug! Kyle endures the squeeze and fights to his feet. Kyle pries the waistlock, wrenches the arm, but Duke whips him away. Duke hooks Kyle up but Kyle sees what Duke is after, we have dueling cobra twists!
Kyle gets Duke’s arm and has him in the abdominal stretch! But Duke powers out with a hip toss! Duke whips Kyle hard into a corner and Kyle bounces off buckles! Kyle falls over, Duke mocks Kyle’s air guitar skills, then he has Kyle’s legs. Duke stomps Kyle down the middle in the bad ribs! And then again! And a third time just for good measure. Duke taunts Kyle, scuffs him with his boot, but Kyle comes back with forearms and kicks! Kyle whips but his ribs limit him! Duke whips, kitchen sink turns into school boy, TWO! Kyle knees Duke in the ribs! AX but no Smash as Duke fireman’s carries, for a BIG GUTBUSTER! Kyle writhes as NXT goes picture in picture.
Duke watches Kyle while pacing. Duke drags Kyle up to wrench, KICK in the ribs, then waistlock to a body scissors! Kyle endures a new squeeze on the ribs but shakes his head. Kyle hooks Duke’s feet to make it a modified toehold! But Duke fish hooks Kyle’s nose! The ref counts, Duke lets off the fish hook and the body scissors, and then drags Kyle up. Duke whips, catches Kyle and puts Kyle in the cobra twist now! Kyle endures all over again as Duke thrashes him in the stretch. Kyle shakes his head, grits his teeth, and fans fire up as he fights free! Kyle throws muay thai knees, runs, but into a BIG back elbow! Duke seethes now as he paces around.
Duke sits Kyle up, clamps onto the arms and digs in a knee as he has a grounded motorcycle stretch. Kyle fights up so Duke shoves him away, then Duke rushes in with big body shots and knees in the corner! Kyle falls again, Duke rips away the rib tape! Duke CLUBS Kyle down, drops a big elbow, then covers, TWO! Duke keeps Kyle down with a rain of rights into the ribs! Duke paces, talks trash to Kyle, then sits him up to get the arms again. Duke has the motorcycle stretch again, but Kyle refuses to give up. Kyle fights against Duke’s stretch, gets to his feet again, but Duke wrangles him back down. NXT returns to single picture as Duke now has his boot on Kyle’s back.
Fans rally for Kyle, and they taunt Duke, “You Still Suck!” Kyle fights up again, Duke wrangles him but Kyle fights right back up. Kyle turns the hold around onto Duke! Duke turns it right around on Kyle, but Kyle flips, handsprings, but Duke blocks the back suplex! Duke CLUBS Kyle again, stalks up behind him, and back suplexes, only for Kyle to land on his feet! Kyle bobs ‘n’ weaves but with KICKS! Then a strike fest and leg sweep! Duke flounders to ropes, Kyle fires himself up and fans join in. Kyle runs in at the corner to forearm smash! Kyle wrenches an arm, ELBOW BREAKER! Leg pick for a DRAGON SCREW! Now Duke is the one writhing!
Kyle runs in to KICK the bad leg! And runs again, but into a DOUBLE AX HANDLE from Duke! Duke gets his bad leg moving, Kyle gets to a corner, and Duke runs in. Kyle BOOTS Duke first, then runs in, tilt-o-whirl to a GUILLOTINE! Kyle has the body scissors and he drags Duke down to the mat! Duke endures, reaches out, pries at the hold but he powers up instead. Duke runs and RAMS Kyle into a corner! Fans boo, Duke scoops Kyle, and throws a KNEE! Duke then runs in to clothesline Kyle at the corner! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Duke is shocked! Duke gets to his feet while Kyle goes to the apron.
Duke goes after Kyle and CLUBS him with big forearms. The ref reprimands because of the ropebreak, so Duke BOOTS! Kyle dodges and has the leg, for a DRAGON SCREW HOTSHOT! And then another DRAGON SCREW! Kyle fires up, climbs, KING KONG KNEE DROPÂ to the leg! HEEL HOOK!! Duke endures, but he taps! Kyle wins!
Winner: Kyle O’Reilly, by submission
Duke was big and Duke was tough, but Kyle is savage with his submissions! Will Kyle get yet another chance at the NXT Championship?
Ilja Dragunov is here!
The NEW NXT UK Champion, the CZAR OF UNBESIEGBAR, is back after that truly brutal rematch with Walter! It is a new era for all of NXT, and as battered as he still feels, Dragunov still wants to speak to the fans. Fans tell him, “You Deserve It!” and he can’t help but smile. “Before I go back home, I wanted you all to see that I am still alive.” Fans don’t want Dragunov to leave so soon, but Dragunov says he feels even more alive than he’s ever felt before! He feels like “a man that has survived the biggest and most intense battle of his life!” Fans still chant and Dragunov admits, he likes it here. We will see him again soon, he promises.
But now, he takes pride in showing the world what it takes to be THE NXT UK Champion! “The will. The passion. The soul! The struggle. Who is willing to go through all of that to take this away from me?!” As we all saw, the Ring General has fallen! “Long live the CZAR!” The Moscow Madman has boldly called out both the NXT and NXT UK rosters, will there be anyone bold enough to accept his challenge?
Arash Markazi interviews Kay Lee Ray.
Arash notes that the Scary Queen of Scots picked perhaps “the most shocking time” during the “most impactful show” to make her NXT prime debut. What gives her that right to do that? KLR says she makes an impact wherever she goes. She thrives on the biggest moments. So of course she chose the biggest moment possible to let us all know she is here. So then, she’s going to be in NXT prime full time? “This division needs a boost. It needs a new top player. Someone to inject a bit of life into it, and that is exactly why Mr. Regal phoned me-”
Arash interrupts there to ask about Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai, as well as Io Shirai and Ember Moon, and Zoey Stark- KLR stops Arash there to say she does NOT care about any of those names. Who even is Stark? Stark is lucky she has Io Shirai to hide behind right now. And speaking of Shirai, she must’ve foreseen KLR showing up, because now she’s buddied-up in the tag division. As for Kai, she couldn’t get the job done, and Ember Moon is just one Gory Bomb away from a broken head. Those are all yesterday’s news. KLR is here because Regal knows what she’s capable of.
And what is it she’s capable of? “Anything I want.” KLR dominated NXT UK, the longest reign of several decades. Now, she’ll do the same in the USA. Arash leaves it at that, but will KLR make sure there’s much more to talk about now that she’s here in NXT?
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
He’s the 2021 Breakout Tournament winner, but has it totally set in yet? Yes, it has. He feels like a champion already, but he has his golden ticket. He can choose any champion he wants. People are already thinking he’ll run it back with Kushida for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, and he might. But there’s the North American Champion who just took a loss, so maybe Hayes swerves everyone by choosing that title. Or maybe still, Hayes goes right to the top with Samoa Joe. But Elektra Lopez walks in with sarcastic applause. Good for Hayes, having these options. But let’s set things straight: the NXT NAC is already Santos’ to win, not Melo’s.
Well Hayes won the title contract, he can do what he wants. But then the rest of Legado del Fantasma walks in. Escobar has Wilde and Mendoza calm down, and sarcastically says, “Don’t you know who this is? This is the Breakout Star of the Year.” Escobar congratulates Hayes on that, but also brings up how Hayes mentioned the North American title. That’s for him, not Hayes. But Hayes is new so he gets a pass. Mostly because Escobar is nice enough to let Hayes walk towards his title opportunity. Escobar does give Hayes one bit of advice, though. “Stay out of my business.” Hayes asks if that’s a threat, but also thinks of it as a challenge. Is Hayes jumping into the middle of the war between Legado and Hit Row?
Imperium VS Drake Maverick & Grayson Waller!
Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel not only kicked Alexander Wolfe out of the faction, but made sure Wolfe and Killian Dain were no longer viable in NXT! But Rockstar Spud holds a grudge, and it seems he’s gotten the 21st Century Success Story to be his partner. Will this newest odd couple be just as baller as Drake & Damo were? Or will Waller & Maverick get dunked on instead?
The teams sort out and Waller insists he start, since this is his NXT debut. Aichner starts for Imperium and circles with Waller. The two tie up, Aichner powers Waller to ropes but lets off as the ref counts. Aichner hits low, ROCKS Waller, then kicks him and bumps him off buckles. Aichner CHOPS Waller, but Aichner is busy arguing with the ref so Waller gets an arm and wrenches it. Aichner pulls hair, whips Waller to ropes, but Waller kicks back! Waller kicks again but Aichner blocks and reels him in for a LARIAT! Aichner drags Waller up, bumps him off buckles, then tags in Barthel. Imperium mugs Waller, Barthel clinches but Waller JABS and forearms!
Barthel chokes Waller, puts him in a corner, then CHOPS him before the BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Waller writhes, flounders and gets to ropes while Barthel paces. Barthel whips, Waller reverses and leap frogs to then duck, only for Barthel to BOOT him down. Barthel PENALTY KICKS, CLUBS and PENALTY KICKS again! In other words, “NEIN!” Barthel clamps on a chinlock and thrashes Waller about but Waller jawbreakers free! Waller dodges Barthel, hot tags to Maverick and Aichner! Maverick rallies on Imperium, firing off kicks on Aichner! Aichner shoves, Maverick dropkicks his leg out, then runs and redirects for another basement dropkick!
Barthel gets in, Maverick dropkicks him then baits him to ropes. Maverick dumps Barthel out, but Aichner waistlocks. Maverick holds off the suplex, elbows free but Aichner reels him back in. Back suplex but Maverick lands on his feet! And Waller tags himself in!? Waller and Maverick argue since that wasn’t planned, and Aichner runs in to BOOT Waller down! Barthel drags Maverick out and THROWS him into steel girder! Aichner sets Waller up, Barthel tags in and then climbs up. EMPERIAL BOMB!! Cover, Imperium wins!
Winners: Imperium, by pinfall
Waller bit off more than he could chew, and he basically choked in his NXT debut. Is the duo of Waller & Maverick over already? Will Imperium fight their way back towards the NXT Tag Team Championships?
Indi Hartwell talks with Johnny Gargano backstage.
Indi just wants Johnny to “give him a chance.” Gargano will think about it. But Dexter Lumis is already there. Gargano tells him to stop doing that. Just be normal, Dex! Indi still holds out hope The Way will find a way to accept her Dex, will being in Johnny’s corner go a long way in helping that?
NXT hears from Pete Dunne and the boys.
Danny Burch says, “When you’ve been on the shelf for five months, one week is a really long time to have to wait. Isn’t that right, Oney?” Oney Lorcan says yes, and reminds MSK that the One Two called them out a week ago, so they want an answer. Dunne says, “Y’know who can’t seem to shut his mouth? Tommaso Ciampa. The most dangerous man on the planet? Are you mad?” Tonight, they’ll prove it. Ciampa’s facing a real bad man in Ridge Holland.
And Holland says for himself, if Ciampa wants to dedicate this to his mate, Thatcher, “that’s nice.” But maybe they can share how motivated each of them is, when they’re next to each other in the hospital. Is Holland going to break Ciampa’s Blackheart along with his body?
Team Mandy gets revenge on Sarray!
The thorns come out after all! Gigi and Jacy jump Sarray and deal some damage! Will Sarray get reinforcements to help her prune back these weeds?
Johnny Gargano w/ #InDex VS LA Knight!
As if #PapaJohn didn’t approve of this relationship already, he can’t even get a proper no-look high-five! Indi and Dexter aside, can Gargano focus on shutting up the big mouthed Million Dollar Megastar? Or will tonight be L A Knight’s night, yeah, dummy?
The bell rings, fans chant “LA Sucks!” as he ties up with Gargano. Knight scoops and SLAMS Gargano, but Gargano gets to a corner. Knight talks some trash on Gargano and Dexter, perhaps trying to convince Indi she’s engaged to the wrong man. But fans chant “INDEX! INDEX!” in support as Gargano comes back to tie up with Knight. Knight gets an arm, wrenches it to a wristlock, but Gargano rolls and wrenches back to a drop toehold. Gargano has a facelock, Knight fights and moves around but Gargano gator rolls with him. Knight fights up and powers out with a toss! Knight checks his face, then clamps on a headlock. Fans boo Knight as he grinds Gargano down.
Gargano fights up, powers out but Knight runs him over with a shoulder. Fans boo again but Knight grins and runs. Gargano dodges, hurdles, comes back and drops down onto Knight’s drop down! Knight scrambles to get the ropebreak, thwarting Gargano’s crossface. Gargano has Knight in a corner but Knight JABS him! Knight throws more hands, kicks and still more hands, before he whips Gargano to ropes. Gargano ducks, dodges and RANAS Knight! Then atomic drops to an arm WRINGER! La Magistrol, TWO! Knight gets up but into Gargano’s dropkick! Fans fire up for “JOHNNY WRESTLING!” as Gargano stalks Knight.
Gargano gets Knight up, has him in a corner and CHOPS him! Knight kicks back, Gargano CHOPS him again, then throws forearms and more CHOPS! Gargano fires off on Knight, lets off as the ref counts, and then wrenches for an ELBOW BREAKER! That Million Dollar Arm gets another ELBOW BREAKER, but then Knight pulls hair! Knight whips and CLOBBERS Gargano, then smirks as he sees Gargano at the ropes. Knight runs in but Gargano sends him out! And then DIVES! Direct hit and Gargano soaks up the cheers from the fans. Knight sits up at the ramp, Gargano goes after him again with a CHOP against the boards. Dexter is watching closely while Indi is just watching Dexter.
Gargano puts Knight in the ring, fakes out his elbow drop, and then gets in to wrench the arm again. Knight ROCKS Gargano with a haymaker first, then gets Gargano up for a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Indi grows worried for Gargano as Knight gets Gargano up. Snap suplex, and then Knight gloats. Gargano gets to ropes again but Knight goes to the apron. Knight KNEES Gargano back into the ring, then slingshots for the SHOULDER TACKLE! Knight soaks up the heat as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Knight CLUBS Gargano down. Knight chokes Gargano on the ropes! The ref reprimands, Knight lets off and brings Gargano around for a scoop. Gargano slips out, waistlocks but Knight bucks that off. Knight wants a neckbreaker but Gargano makes it a backslide! TWO, Gargano runs in but Knight dodges to kick him in the back! NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight is annoyed but this is Johnny Triple Crown he’s facing. Knight RAMS Gargano in a corner, then throws his shoulder in more. The ref counts, Knight lets off and paces. Fans taunt Knight as he runs in, and Gargano dodges! Knight hits buckles, Gargano CHOPS and forearms!
Gargano whips, Knight sees the back drop and throws Gargano down by his head! Knight goes to a corner to catch his breath, and then runs out, only to miss the knee drop! Gargano gets up, ducks a clothesline for the schoolboy kick! Knight staggers, Gargano runs in to forearm smash! Gargano goes up, leaps and TORNADO COMPLETE SHOTS! Knight bails out but Gargano builds speed to DIVEÂ into a forearm! Knight gets up and slingshots, but Gargano slides under! Knight belly flops, Gargano aims now, slingshot SPEAR! Direct hit and a jackknife cover, TWO! Gargano is growing annoyed now but he drags Knight back up.
Gargano bumps Knight off buckles, climbs up the corner and rains down punches! Fans count it out and Gargano gets 5 before Knight carries Gargano. Gargano sunset flips it, TWO! BUZZSAW! Gargano runs but into a pop-up! Knight catches Gargano on his shoulder, then tosses him backward for an inverted powerslam! Cover, TWO! Knight is growing frustrated but he paces about. Fans rally behind Gargano, and Indi tries to get Dexter to join in. Knight waits for Gargano to stand, kick but Gargano shoves out of the cravat! Gargano goes to superkick but Knight blocks and spins Gargano for another kick of his own! Gargano slips out of BFT to drop down, GargaNO Escape!
But Knight rolls it to a cover, TWO!! Gargano narrowly escapes and he ROCKS Knight with a forearm. Gargano runs in, Knight puts him on the apron, but Gargano enziguris back! Gargano slingshots but Knight punches him down! No One Final Beat, and Dexter catches Gargano?! Indi smiles because this is a good thing, but Gargano scrambles away as soon as he realizes what happened. Gargano is still against #InDex, and he thinks Dexter is picking a fight with him. But as Knight runs in from behind, Dexter moves Gargano aside to stare Knight down! Knight says his fight is with Gargano, not Dexter. But then Gargano SUPERKICKS Knight into the ring!
Indi is excited and wants Gargano to try the high-five with Dexter again. Dexter holds his hand out but Gargano hesitates. Fans want to see it, but Knight reels Gargano in! B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall
Indi realizes this is technically her fault, but she isn’t about to say it out loud. Has this set back The Way accepting Dexter by several steps? And does this mean LA Knight is that much closer to challenging Samoa Joe?
MSK has NXT Media follow them.
Nash Carter & Wes Lee apologize to the cameraman for asking him to do this while in the bathroom, but this has to be documented. They go to William Regal’s office and Carter reminds Lee to be professional and knock, Regal prefers that. They knock, Regal answers the door and welcomes the tag champs in. To cut to the chase, MSK wants to give Lorcan & Burch their opportunity at the titles. Regal says that’s very noble. Lee connects the dots, going from how Burch got hurt so that he and Lorcan were stripped of the titles, and MSK never really beat Lorcan & Burch on their run to becoming champions. So as fighting champions, MSK want to have this match.
Regal understands, especially since Lorcan & Burch never got a rematch for the titles. Given their current behavior, such as attacking Ciampa & Thatcher, Regal wasn’t going to give Lorcan & Burch their shot. But if MSK insists, next week we will see MSK VS The One Two fight for the NXT Tag Team Championships! MSK thank Regal for that decision and feel so much better now. But will they feel so much worse should Lorcan & Burch knock them off their thrones?
Boa speaks.
“I let her down. But Mei Ying will show the world the strength of Tian Sha!” Wait, does that mean…? YES! Mei Ying, the fearsome leader of Tian Sha, finally has her in-ring debut! Who will feel the wrath of the dragon empress?
Jessi Kamea w/ Franky Monet & Robert Stone VS Raquel Gonzalez!
While the Robert Stone Brand has been made over in Franky’s bougie bad image, Jessi might be in for a brutal makeover of her own. Will Big Mami Cool rearrange Jessi’s face to send a message to Kay Lee Ray?
The bell rings, Raquel and Jessi tie up, and Raquel powers Jessi to a corner. The ref counts, Raquel TOSSES Jessi away at 3! Jessie comes right back, they tie up again and Raquel knees low. Raquel suplexes, but Jessi slips out and gets a leg! Raquel CLUBS Jessi, reels her back in and gut wrenches to a Canadian rack! Raquel RAMS Jessi into a corner, puts her on the top rope, and talks smack to Stone and Franky. But Jessi throws a forearm back! Jessi hops down but Raquel blocks her boot! Raquel scoops Jessi for a sidewalk slam! No cover as Raquel goes right up the corner, for the VADER ELBOW! Now cover, ROPEBREAK.
Jessi drags herself to the apron but Raquel keeps her cool. Raquel runs in to BOOT, but Jessi dodges! Jessi hotshots the leg! Jessi hurries inside, ducks and dodges and chop blocks! Jessi gets the leg but Raquel whips her away. Raquel follows, Jessi stops and dodges to then trip Raquel up! Jessi KICKS Raquel’s back leg, then BASEMENT WHEEL KICKS! Jessi has a standing toehold but Raquel kicks at her with the free leg. Raquel kicks Jessi away, avoids the wheel kick this time, then dropkicks Jessi down! Jessi staggers into a scoop and SLAM! Raquel gets Jessi up to ALLEY OOP HOTSHOT! Jessi flounders, Raquel gets a waistlock but Jessi stomps a foot to get free! PELE!
Jessi runs at Raquel but Raquel CLOBBERS her in return! Raquel gets Jessi up, CHINGONA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel wins!
Winner: Raquel Gonzalez, by pinfall
Stone checks on Jessi while Franky steps to Raquel and talks some smack. Franky laughs but Raquel stares daggers at her. Will bougie bad be next up to go after the NXT Women’s title belt?
Backstage interview with Ember Moon.
The Shenom requested this time to speak, and she says, “I’m just sitting in the back trying to enjoy my birthday,” so happy birthday, Ember. But KLR is running her mouth. Ember gets it, KLR name dropped her to try and make a name for herself. But… Ember isn’t like anyone KLR’s faced. KLR was the longest reigning NXT UK Women’s Champion and they can’t take that from KLR. But Ember will take away KLR’s ability to talk crap if she doesn’t keep Ember’s name out of her mouth. Now if KLR wants to do something about that, Ember says they go next week. Can someone pass that along for her? Will Ember look to snuff out KLR’s flames before they get too hot?
Wade Barrett interviews Samoa Joe.
What kind of insight can Joe give us into his expectations as the NEW NXT Champion, as well as for NXT’s future as a whole? Joe says his expectations might be a bit unexpected. Many will assume he wants to dominate the competition, terrorize his opponents. That all goes without saying. But the reality is, Joe’s expectations lie more in reestablishing a precedent. Joe wants to redefine what it means to be NXT Champion, what it means to be a standard bearer, as “a man who walks forward and represents himself in the utmost fashion in all aspects of what we do.”
Joe says this began long before he ever got the title back. It started in the week leading up to TakeOver 36. It wasn’t spent with the luxury of a nice fight camp, of being relaxed or being 100%. No, Joe wasn’t afforded such a luxury. Joe was over in Las Vegas, holding tryouts for the next big superstars that would secure the future of NXT. And then right from there, Joe was on a red-eye away from SummerSlam, no sleep at all, jetlagged and dying to see his family, but his focus had to be on NXT. There was a mission to accomplish, Joe needed to get the title back. And Joe needed to be the one to get the title so that said precedent could be set.
Wade notes Joe did set that precedent, as this is a record breaking third reign. With this being Joe’s third reign, does that change perspective? Yes. Joe has learned one thing: legacy is important. The list of men who carried this title before him is itself important. Men like Shinsuke Nakamura, Finn Balor, now Joe carries that legacy and the precedent. From media to fans to everyday communication, how Joe represents himself to the world, “this now will be what it takes to be a champion in NXT.” Joe’s path, Joe’s example, it will all be the way to become NXT Champion. Now, this all lies in the hands of those around Joe.
Who on the roster steps up? Who amongst them braves the wild of coming at Joe, trying to seize destiny? These questions need to be answered, and Joe is more than happy to help us find those answers. A new champion, a new era, will Samoa Joe forge NXT into something even more amazing?
Roderick Strong w/ The Diamond Mine VS Ikemen Jiro!
The Savior of the Backbreaker put out a challenge to the Cruiserweight Division to help him prepare for challenging Kushida. Answering that challenge straight out of the purple ‘n’ orange was The Handsome One! Jiro looks up to Kushida, but will he do the Time Splitter proud against the Diamond Mine’s leader? Or will he be crushed by the pressure instead?
The bell rings, Strong and Jiro circle, Jiro shows off the jacket but Strong CHOPS him down! Strong fires off hands, CHOPS and knees in a corner, then brings Jiro around for a fireman’s carry. Jiro slips off, shows off the jacket again, then dodges to run. Jiro arm-drags Strong then runs to RANA him! JACKET PUNCH! Strong is down but he scrambles out to regroup with the Diamond Mine. But Jiro PLANCHAS! Strong gets out of the way, Jiro lands on his feet, and then runs in, into a hip toss into the steel steps! Strong leaves Jiro behind to get in the ring and the ring count begins. Jiro writhes, Strong goes out to fetch him into the ring, and then stomps Jiro all over.
Strong stands Jiro up to CHOP him off his feet. Strong stomps Jiro more and more and shouts, “You made a big mistake!” BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Strong wraps on a chinlock, clubs Jiro, then traps an arm. Strong has a grounded cobra twist, Jiro endures and fans rally up. Strong stands Jiro up, Jiro throws body shots but Strong knees and whips. Jiro reverses, runs in but Strong dodges. Jiro elbows back, hops up but Strong YANKS him down! Strong grins while Jiro writhes, and Strong stomps away on him again. Cover, TWO! Strong is right back on with a chinlock and Malcolm Bivens makes sure the Creed Brothers are taking mental notes.
Strong shifts sides to get another seated cobra twist, but Jiro fights up. Jiro throws body shots, Strong knees low, then Strong throws forearms. Jiro boots back, Strong CHOPS him, then Strong runs side to side. Jiro dodges to send Strong into a corner! Jiro rallies with forearms and a JACKET PUNCH! JACKET PUNCH! JACKET PUNCH! DISCUS JACKET PUNCH! Strong goes to a corner, Jiro whips him corner to corner but Strong reverses. Strong runs in but Jiro dodges again! Jiro hotshots Strong down then ARABIAN PRESSES! Cover, TWO! Strong is still in this but Jiro has the fans fired up. Jiro ducks an elbow to small package, TWO!
Jiro KICKS the legs out but Strong KNEES right back! Strong gets Jiro up, END OF HEARTACHE! Strong gets Jiro up again, another END OF HEARTACHE!! Cover, Strong wins!
Winner: Roderick Strong, by pinfall
A pretty ugly end for the Handsome One’s valiant efforts, but Strong is showing how ready he is to add gold to the Diamond Mine. Strong calls Kushida a coward for staying away, and calls himself the uncrowned Cruiserweight Champion. But will we see in time that the Super Junior is still better than the hardheaded Strong?
Backstage interview with Io Shirai, Zoey Stark, Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter.
It is now official, the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions have their first defense against the human highlight reel duo next week! Kacy says she and Kayden both respect Shirai & Stark, but they are the real team, inside and out of the ring. Kacy & Kayden are best friends without even trying. “This happens naturally,” but Stark & Shirai can’t say that. Stark points out that Shirai is one of the most decorated women in NXT History. When the team started, Stark was 100& committed to it. She might even go so far as to take a bullet for Shirai. Wow, okay, going to extremes but whatever.
Shirai speaks up and tells KC Squared that she doesn’t like either of them. She still doesn’t like Stark that much, either, but Stark is her teammate, so she’ll win alongside her. KC Squared says, “We’ll see about that.” Stark says they definitely will. But then Shirai is gone before Stark can offer her fist bump. Will the champions become friends through this next battle? Or will the best friends take those titles and make themselves champions?
Backstage interview with Cameron Grimes.
How has the Carolina Caveman been since Ted DeBiase’s “final lesson” last week? Grimes tells McKenzie that that darn DeBiase taught us all there’s still only one Million Dollar Man. But Grimes also learned that there’s only one Cameron Grimes! So Grimes will take Ted’s advice and- The Grizzled Young Veterans interrupt. Zack Gibson says, “Look who it is! The Million Dollar Redneck himself! How does it feel, lad, to go through all that struggle for weeks and weeks and weeks, to have nothing but a blagged replica championship to show for it?” Speaking of which, James Drake presents another replica Million Dollar Championship! Oh, wait, does this make Gibson a champion now?
Gibson continues to mock Grimes by saying next week, Grimes can be replica North American Champion. Or even replica NXT Champion or replica Universal Champion! Imagine that! Maybe they all go to WWE Shop to get it! Grimes laughs at GYV’s jokes. They need a loan, right? Gotta make up for going halfsies on the replica Million Dollar belt, right? Grimes wants to see that for himself. Man, WWE Shop does a great job! McKenzie, you should feel the weight of this thing. It feels heavier than the one Ted gave Grimes. Looks a bit better, too. Grimes then drops the belt on Gibson’s foot! Oh, well, maybe this will help. Grimes tosses them a $100 bill as he shouts, “TO THE MOON~!”
Grimes leaves Drake hopping mad and Gibson just plain hopping. Will GYV look to get even with Grimes in the ring next time?
Tommaso Ciampa VS Ridge Holland!
Old Man Ciampa put Northern Grit on notice, now it’s time to make good on the promise! But with the Bruiserweight and the One Two in his corner, is it all but guaranteed that Ridge wrecks Ciampa and puts him on the sideline, right next to Timothy Thatcher?
The bell rings and the two tie up right away. Ridge powers Ciampa to a corner, the ref counts and Ridge lets off quick. Ciampa headlocks but Ridge powers out. Ciampa rams shoulders with Ridge but neither man falls, so Ciampa quickly gets the headlock and takeover! Ridge rolls back but Ciampa blocks that to shift to a facelock. Ridge gets up and powers Ciampa to a corner, then fires off body shots and uppercuts. Ridge wrenches, Ciampa ROCKS him but Ridge clinches for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Ciampa gets to the other corner, Ridge blocks his boot to DECK him with a forearm! Ridge KICKS Ciampa right in the back and Ciampa writhes to the apron.
Ridge stands Ciampa up, the ref has the boys back off, and Ciampa hotshots Ridge down! Ciampa gets in, Ridge is in the corner now, and Ciampa runs in to KNEE Ridge right in the face! The boys glare at Ciampa, but Ciampa runs again. Lorcan & Burch bail Ridge out but Ciampa goes out after them all. Ridge scoops Ciampa, aims for boards, but Ciampa slips off to shove Ridge into those boards! Ciampa blocks Ridge’s body shot, wrenches Ridge’s arm, and POSTS Ridge shoulder first! The ref reprimands but Ciampa gets in the ring to refresh the count. Ciampa throws hands then puts Ridge on the table to CLUB him in the chest!
Ciampa gets space, runs in and KNEES Ridge off the desk! Ciampa taunts Ridge’s boys before sitting on the apron to pat himself on the back. The boys crowd Ciampa as he gets in the ring, but Ciampa sees Ridge making his comeback. Ciampa gets Ridge in the ropes, Ridge powers out but Ciampa BOOTS him down! Lorcan & Burch get on the apron, the ref tells them to get down and Ciampa swipes at them. Lorcan & Burch get away, Ciampa runs at Ridge, but Ridge POUNCES Ciampa into a corner! Fans boo and Ridge checks his chin as NXT goes picture in picture.
Ridge storms over to drop knees on Ciampa’s face, as well as falling ax handles. Ridge drags Ciampa back up, EuroUppers then has Ciampa on ropes to choke him! The ref counts, Ridge lets off while barking at the fans and Ciampa slumps down. Ridge drags Ciampa from the ropes, stands him back up and scoops him for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ridge gets frustrated but he stomps Ciampa down. Ridge clamps onto Ciampa for a neck wrench. Ciampa fights up, throws body shots then a jawbreaker! Ciampa runs in at the corner to CHOP and CHOP Ridge, then whips him corner to corner. Ridge reverses hard and Ciampa bounces off buckles.
Ridge’s boys watch as Ridge stands on Ciampa’s neck. The ref counts, Ridge lets off and Ciampa sputters. Ciampa drags himself up but Ridge kicks him to a corner. Ridge throws hands, Ciampa CHOPS back. Ciampa kicks, Ridge kicks back, then Ridge CLUBS Ciampa down! Ridge catches his breath before he stomps Ciampa’s arm. Ridge kicks Ciampa down again then stalks him to ropes. NXT returns to single picture as Ridge whips Ciampa hard into another corner. Ridge taunts Ciampa, what with this match being dedicated to Thatcher. Ridge stands Ciampa up, and Ciampa throws forearms! Ridge ROCKS Ciampa back and now we have a forearm brawl!
Ridge ROCKS Ciampa again, Ciampa sits down but has his fists up. Ridge turns him around to CLUB him in the face! Fans rally for Ciampa as Ridge clamps on a chinlock. Ciampa endures, fights up, but Ridge CLUBS him down again. Ridge whips Ciampa to ropes, but Ciampa KICKS back! Ridge elbows Ciampa in a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Ciampa comes back to CLOBBER Ridge! Fans fire up with Ciampa and the forearms and CHOPS start flying! Ridge EuroUppers Ciampa off his feet, but Ciampa staggers back up to KNEE Ridge! Ciampa runs in to clothesline in the corner, then he goes side to side to clothesline again!
Ciampa keeps going, another clothesline! And then point-blank clotheslines over and over! Ciampa gets five and fires up more. He brings Ridge out, winds up, runs and builds speed to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Ridge is showing that grit but his boys are getting frustrated. Ciampa reels Ridge in, underhooks, but Ridge powers up to ALABAMA SLAM Ciampa down! The ref checks on Ciampa, the repaired neck is still a concern. Ciampa refuses to let this stop here, so Ridge high stacks, TWO! Fans cheer Ciampa’s toughness but Ridge’s boys want him to end this. Ridge stalks Ciampa to the ropes, shoves him and ROCKS him in the back with a forearm! Ridge shoves and ROCKS Ciampa again!
Ridge gets Ciampa up a third time but Ciampa elbows back! Ciampa staggers but he throws hands! Ridge throws those hands back and the brawling is back! Ciampa hits, Ridge hits, then Ciampa fires off JABS! Ciampa fires off hands from all sides and has Ridge on the ropes! The fans are thunderous as Ciampa reels Ridge in, only for Ridge to ROCK him again! So Ciampa CHOPS back! Both men wobble, Ciampa grits his teeth as he fireman’s carries Ridge to the AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Ridge’s boys are upset but he’s still hanging in there with a former NXT Champion. Ridge goes to ropes, Ciampa goes to the apron! Ridge fights off the DDT to HEADBUTT Ciampa down!
Ridge follows Ciampa as he crawls around the way. Ciampa stands, Ridge scoops him, and RAMS him into the boards! Ridge drops Ciampa and goes around, but Ciampa dodges! Ridge runs into boards himself, both men go to the ring at 8 of 10! Ciampa refreshes the count but Ridge grabs at him first. Ciampa back hands and CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Ridge ROCKS Ciampa in return, scoops him, but Ciampa fights with knees! Ciampa is in the ring, KNEES away on Ridge in the ropes over and over, then reels Ridge in for WILLOWS BELL!! Cover, Ciampa wins!!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
But Dunne DECKS Ciampa! The boys are sore losers and they’re finishing off Ciampa for Ridge! Lorcan & Burch sit Ciampa up but MSK shows up! The One Two go and brawl with Lee & Carter! SUPERKICK for Burch, back drop for Oney! MSK throw Burch into boards, then go after Dunne and Ridge! Dunne and Ridge bail out, they’ve done enough fighting for tonight. MSK makes sure Ciampa is alright, and clearly the boys can’t just do whatever they want. Will Lee & Carter make sure Lorcan & Burch learn that directly next week? And what of Ciampa’s grudge with Ridge and Dunne?
My Thoughts:
First off, yes, I am personally very happy that I was able to do my Play By Play again so soon. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to try already, but this was such a packed NXT, I felt worse thinking about letting this one go by me. And this was definitely a packed episode, where it felt like they were trying to get everyone in tonight. It could be because of the obvious remake for the brand that’s coming down the pipeline, making this and next week like a go-home/good-bye episode. The various backstage interview promos were on the cheesier side, but I like that we’re getting more Grimes VS GYV and that we’re going to see Shirai & Stark VS Kacy & Kayden, those are going to be a lot of fun.
One of the bigger things from those backstage promos is Carmelo Hayes getting to touch on each of the divisions. Hayes VS Escobar is going to be a very good match, and I like that Elektra Lopez already plays a role in Legado as being their spokesperson when dealing with other superstars. I actually do like the idea that a guy that is eligible for the Cruiserweight title wants something else to surprise us, but maybe Hayes can become one of those guys who wants multiple titles at once. WWE needs more wrestlers who are greedy and want more titles at once. Now I don’t see Hayes taking the North American Championship, but he can have a great match with Swerve to build his own power level.
Mandy VS Sarray was a great surprise as it wasn’t advertised, and I do like that Mandy’s taking that “superficial wrestler” angle. One bad dropkick to her face and she doesn’t want to fight, but then her minions get revenge for her. Maybe at some point, Sarray teams with a women’s tag team to take Team Mandy on 3v3. Honestly, it could be whoever has the tag titles after next week. And learning Mei Ying (Karen Q) is finally getting (back) in the ring is big stuff. I still say they should’ve gotten her in the ring sooner, aka when Xia Li was still healthy, because those two could’ve really fired up the Women’s Tag Division pretty quickly. But something is better than nothing, I’m excited for that.
KLR had a great interview promo calling out and talking smack on all the major names in the division right now, because all of those can count as “dream matches” for NXT. Ember being the one to respond is good, she will be a great start for KLR’s string of wins. Raquel VS Jessi was a bit clunky but I think that’s just from Jessi not having a lot of singles ring experience. Raquel of course wins, but I do like that Franky is stepping to her rather than being cowardly. Dragunov had a great promo and the fans clearly love him, but we all know one day, Dragunov has to go back to the UK to do NXT UK tapings. Maybe he has one more match on NXT as a great send-off.
Imperium of course won against Maverick since Maverick’s partner, Waller, was so gung-ho and cocky. But this is great continuity for Maverick overall, since he was feuding with Imperium before Nick Craptastic Khan went and ruined things releasing people. I think now that Walter is not NXT UK Champion, he can spend time on NXT prime and Imperium as a whole can start dominating this brand. Meanwhile, Samoa Joe has a great interview promo, and so much of what he said about the NXT Championship legacy, precedent and standards is alluding to what is going to happen with the brand’s makeover that WWE is already shoving down our throats with those little “NXT COMING SOON” ads.
Strong VS Jiro was really good but of course Strong wins. He is really fired up for his Cruiserweight Championship match, that match is going to be big, not just for the Cruiserweight Division but also NXT as a whole, so hopefully we don’t have to wait too long as Kushida heals up. Then all the other matches, I wonder if we’re getting an unofficial contender’s tournament. Kyle VS Duke, Gargano VS Knight, and Ciampa VS Holland, all great stuff, but I feel like the winners were chosen rather strategically for future matches. Kyle of course wins, Duke is still pretty new (even though he’s just Brendan Vink renamed), and Knight won because of The Way #InDex story.
Kyle VS Knight sounds like a really great next step to determine who challenges Joe, too hard to call really. But I hope that’s what we’re getting, as I agree with Brad Abel, someone needed to call him “La Knight,” and Kyle was the man who did it. Meanwhile, Ciampa winning was a bit of a surprise, that was a brutal, gritty match. But I suppose to keep the story going, Ciampa had to win so that “the boys” don’t just move on to someone else. MSK asking to give Lorcan & Burch their title match and then backing Ciampa up tonight, great stuff for next week right there. And while it might be a bit early to talk WarGames again, but c’mon. “The Boys” VS MSK, Ciampa and a returning Thatcher is definitely what the next one should be.
My Score: 9/10
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Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXTÂ and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Hot off the heels of the TNA and WWE working relationship announcement, the Kickoff show already has the first sprinkle of NXT talent with Ashante “Thee” Adonis coming out after Ariana Grace tries to take all of the credit for the partnership. Jake something runs over Ashante, but it’s a good quick nod on free YouTube. Oh it also looks like the ring announcer is McKenzie Mitchel again. I did like her first run in TNA in what was that… like 2016-2018 or 19? She’s got personality, she’s cute and a solid announcer, so nice to see her back.
I’m not gonna run down any predictions on who I think will win, because honestly, I just feel like Hendry needs to win today or it’s been an entire waste of momentum. So lets get to the main show!
Ratings:
- X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin: Moose retains via Lights Out – *** 1/4
- The System vs Maniac Marines: Marines win via K.I.A. – ***
- Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c): Spitfire retain via Pressure Drop – **
- Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard: Tessa wins via Magnum – ****
- I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana: Santana wins! – ***
- TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz: Hardyz retain via Swanton Bomb – *** 1/2
- Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary: Masha wins via Avalanche Requiem – ** 3/4
- TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – *** 3/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!!!!!!
Results:
X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin
As soon as the bell rings, Ace jumps on him, forces him into the corner and stomps on him. Moose tries to fight out but Ace stays relentless. Ace has a counter for everything Moose is trying to counter in the early goings. Even when Moose catches him during the apron Handstand Dodge, Ace still has a counter for his counter. It’s not until a rake to the eyes from Moose that finally gives him a moment to start dictating the pace. A huge Irish Whip on the outside through the barricade is what Ace feels…twice. Ace tries to fight back from Moose continuing the momentum, Ace eats a Pump Kick, but blocks Moose’s attempt at a Suplex and counters with his own Vertical Suplex on Moose! JDC gets in the proximity of Ace so Ace kicks him, which delays his springboard, so Moose catches him and bounces him off the apron like a super ball.
Moose lets the count go, Ace barely gets in at 9, Moose throws him corner to corner, is slowing things down and being very deliberate. Ace starts powering through the pain, catches a Pump Kick, dodges a Spear into the corner and puts together a few strikes, Double Stomp, Triangle Kick, wants The Fold but Moose puts the brakes on there. Ace tries to spring off the ropes but Moose grabs him and hits Go To Hell for two! Fighting Spirit spot, Ace starts winning the trade, a Headbutt from Moose stops Ace, Moose flips him over the ropes to the apron, tries a few more things, Ace looks for a Springboard, Moose catches him but Ace slips it for a Frankensteiner. Moose powders to the opposite apron and Ace hits his Inside Out Headscissors sending Moose crashing to the floor. Alisha and JDC try to help up Moose, and while the referee is distracted JDC posts Ace. Moose goes for the Around the World Lights Out, but Ace moves and Moose kills JDC! Ace hits The Fold on the floor!
Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers run down the ramp, Ace sees them so he hits the Fosbury Flop to take them out. Ace is rolling, he goes for the Triangle Kick but Moose counters with Lights Out! 1-2- KICK OUT? Moose sets up for another Lights Out, Ace sidesteps it for the Cradle, kickout, Uranage, Cradle counter, Art of Finesse from Ace but Lights Out to the Spine from Moose! Moose sets up another and lands the Lights Out to retain!
Post Match the System looks to beat down on Ace, but Maniac Marines music hits and they go after Myers and Edwards. Guess the match is now!Â
The System vs Maniac Marines
Steve and Eric beat the hell out of the System members while the referee tries to set the match, it still hasn’t started but we get stereo 10 count punches in the corner, big fists causing Myers and Edwards to powder. This is essentially a Tornado Tag right now because the match hasn’t even started. Okay it eventually starts and Maclin hits the Backbreaker on Edwards and Busaiku Knee on Myers. He looks for a SCUD but Lish grabs the foot which is just enough! Maclin tries to charge anyway but gets caught in the Blue Thunder Bomb and now the match slows down and Eddie is in control.
Maclin absorbs some Chops from Eddie in the corner, no sells a little and fires, Eddie tags out Myers tries to slow things down with a Russian Leg Sweep but Maclin continues to try and rally. Eddie’s back in, shortarm Gowan Lariat into a cocky cover for two. Eddie tries to keep moving but Maclin hits the Vertical Suplex. Maclin is too slow to tag out so Eddie tags out and Myers cuts off Maclin. After a few more quick tags from System members, Maclin finally lands a Lariat to get the simultaneous tag and EY comes in hot. EY does the Flair corner flip, knocks Eddie off the apron, Myers eats a Macho Elbow but only two. Eddie knocks Maclin off the apron, Tandem Tiger Driver for two, EY fights back to level Eddie, Tree of Woe Myers Caught in Crosshairs but Lish gets in the ring! Eddie grabs Eric and distracts the ref, Lish clocks Maclin with either knuckles or a full hand of rings, Spear from Myers is only a two!
System Overload attempt, it’s thwarted by EY, Myers gets crotched in like a Reverse Tree of Woe, so Maclin hits the Caught in the Crosshairs on the back, EY with a Plancha to the outside to take Edwards out and K.I.A. from Maclin means Maniac Marines win!
Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c)
Elegance duo comes out dressed like Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They do a Go Eagles chant right before the bell rings to a chorus of Boos.
Even though Elegance Clique throws their pompoms and try a cheap shot, Spitfire just plow through them, literally. Quick tags, some assisted moves, Ash gets away from Spitfire, tags in Heather and shoves her forward trying to take them off guard, but they turn around…grab Heather and a long Tandem Stalling Suplex with a Deep Squat for two. Concierge distracts the referee, looks for a low Dive onto Heather but Ash just kicks Dani in the face, and the referee sees nothing. Heather rolls her back in, Kawada Kicks, Forearm Shiver, trip into a Dropkick to the face! Ash hangs Dani off the apron and Heather hits the Double Stomp from the apron to the floor.
Ash starts choking Dani on the ropes, distracts the referee and Heather paintbrushes Dani with pompoms as Ash goes for a series of pinfall attempts. Quick tags, Dani is in their corner, Cartwheel Back Handspring Elbow from Ash into a Seated Dropkick from Heather. Dani has been getting smacked around for the last 4 or 5 minutes. Ash leans on Dani for a while, but Dani gets a head of steam, comes off the ropes and Shotgun Dropkick gives her space. Jody gets a hot tag, she Sack of Shits them both, Vader Hammers in the corner into a Michinoku Driver, which Ash breaks up with a Meteora. Heather and Ash have a nice tandem move for a two count. Jody tries to fight back, but Elegance stops it, blind tag from Dani, Senton takes out both Elegance Clique members and Dani stalks her prey. Snap Suplex two times on Ash, but Heather stops the third and Jody just tosses Heather out of the ring in a rough way. Jody tries her Double Knees German Suplex spot but Ash moves. Dani with the Shinsuke Nakamura Inside Out German, Pressure Drop and Spitfire retains.
Boo…
Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard
Grace charges Tessa immediately, and the ref needs to pull her off, but Tessa gets thrown around the ring literally, the crowd is chanting “Fuck You Tessa”, Tessa powders, eats a Dive and then a Jackhammer on the outside! Grace puts Tessa on her shoulders up to the ring, but Tessa finally fights off and flips off the crowd, revels in it for a second, tries the Frankensteiner, but Grace holds on, smashes Tessa into the guardrail twice, looks for the Reverse Bomb on the apron, but Tessa gets out, stomps on Jordynne a few times, hooks Jordynne’s face with the crook of her leg and drives Jordynne’s face into the apron. Unique looking and decent.
Tessa has the correct intensity, pushes into two quick pinfall attempts and starts getting deliberate. Drags Jordynne’s face across the rope, throats Grace, kicks her in the face and Slingshot Elbow is another near fall. Tessa with the Front Facelock, Grace tries to fight out but Tessa holds on and drops her with a Scorpion Death Drop for another near fall. Jordynne fights Tessa off with a few elbows, looks for a Superplex, but Tessa fights off, wants the Avalanche Sunset Bomb, but Jordynne stops it, Tessa kicks Grace’s feet, looks for a Rope Hung Death Drop but Jordynne fights it off and smashes Tessa’s face into the turnbuckles but Tessa hits the Rope Hung Backstabber for two. Tessa looks for Magnum, but Jordynne cuts her off, they fight at the top, Avalanche Sack of Shit! They both sell the exhaustion of the match so far.
They trade blows, two Scoop Slams from Jordynne, Lawn Dart into the Top Turnbuckle! Package Powerbomb for two! Dragon Suplex attempt from Grace, Tessa breaks it, Headlock Takeover, quick counter wrestling, Tiger Destroyer from Tessa! Only for a two count, but still nice. Buzzsaw attempt is shrugged off, Tessa comes off the ropes and eats the Spinebuster from Jordynne for two quick pinfall attempts. Tessa with the Body Scissors and pulls herself up and fights back, Jordynne slaps her around, looks for the Suplex but Tessa slips it and Neckbreaker Counter for a two count! The brawl to the apron, Grace eats a forearm and Tessa hits the Tornillo on Jordynne! They posture on the steps, Tessa wants a move but Jordynne counters her and Spicolli Driver from the stairs to the floor from Jordynne!
More back and forth in the corner, just positioning and counters, it’s like watching chess. Jordynne grabs Tessa for an Avalanche Air Raid Crash, but Tessa fights it and turns it into an Avalanche Crucifix Bomb! After trying a grounded submission Tessa locks in the Octopus, tries to wrench the fingers but Jordynne counters, Rope Assisted German Suplex into a Capture Suplex for 2! Kudome Valentine attempt from Grace but Tessa gets out, Backfist from Jordynne, Tessa bounces off and Cutter gives her a two count! Tessa calls for Magnum, Jordynne dodges it, Tessa rolls through, tries boots but Grace grabs Tessa and hits the around the world Reverse Alabama Slam! Tessa keeps trying to remove Buckle Pads but they’re on good, Tessa reverses out of the Kinikku Buster, hits the Buzzsaw into the partially exposed buckle but Grace grabs the rope. Tessa removes another pad, Bulldog into exposed buckle, Magnum, and Tessa is still sexy.
The turnbuckle pads being on too well made the finish a little flat, but it was a damn good match. There’s also a joke in the match with Tessa coming out wearing Red and Gold (Yellow), so the racism allegations are never going away if she keeps making it easy.
I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana
There’s intensity but its all just technical tactics to take each other to the ground and grab a limb. But since we just came off of a pretty good match, things can’t start too hot. Every time Santana throws Josh to the outside, Josh scurries back to the ring, he’s playing scared. There’s a “He’s a bitch” chant that pops up. Santana cuts off Josh’s charge with a few well placed boots which sends Josh outside, Tope con Hilo levels the bald man. Santana throws Josh into a guardrail, Yakuza Kicks back to back rock Josh a bit. Fans call for tables and Santana slides one out to a huge pop. Santana sets it up, plays to the crowd, tries a Powerbomb onto the table but Josh slips it and Overhead Belly to Belly sends Santana crashing. A fan can be heard saying “That look like it hurt” to which Santana replies ” It did asshole”. Now Josh is dissecting Santana’s legs to soften him up for the Ankle Lock. Josh goes for the corner spot with the Figure Four around the post after bouncing the knee off the post a few times.
Josh tries to continue but Santana slides out and counters Josh and bounces his face off the post. Josh walks it off a bit as Santana stalks him and then a quick Chop Block has Santana writhing in pain. Josh decides to be a heel and do the Three Amigos instead of the Kurt Angle Germans. Disrespectful bald jerk. Santana gets throated, dropped to the apron on his ass, Low Crossbody but Santana flattens out and Josh goes flying! Santana tries a Dive, but Josh catches him and just drops him spine first on the apron. After a small resilient flurry of slaps from Santana Josh goes for the Germans. Santana brushes off on the third, goes for the Rolling Buck Fifty, gets caught in the Torture Rack, Santana fights off Josh’s shoulders, kicks him into the corner, Senton into the seated Josh. Perches him up top, points at the table, tries something but Josh fights him off, Moonsault from Josh misses and a Death Valley Driver gives both a moment to breathe.
Santana Spin the-BLOCK-ED! Josh sweeps the leg, Ankle Lock and Santana refuses to quit twice but slips the boot ala Eddie Guerrero. Josh pauses a moment, Santana charges and Josh dumps him over the top rope through the table! Santana says he doesn’t quit, Josh looks surprised, so he goes looking for more plywood. He also grabs the bottom set of stairs and throws them into the ring. Scoop Slams Santana into the broken table and continues looking for weapons, like a chair and zip ties. Santana crawls into the ring, Josh steps on the worked on leg and smashes it repeatedly with the chair. Josh goes into Full Mount, rains down strikes, exposes the elbow for Elbow Strikes and tries to soften him up for the zip ties. C4 Spike but Santana raises up like the Undertaker and fires into beating the piss out of Josh. Frankensteiner on Josh into the Frog Splash, Spin the Block! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana grabs the zip ties that Josh introduced, ties the hands behind Josh’s back, Spin the Block 2! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana sets up the steps as a ramp, table in front of Josh in the corner and Cannonballs through the table into Josh! Josh still doesn’t quit off the Jackass stunt. Santana finds a sock filled with quarters and starts beating Josh like it’s a slapjack. Josh still doesn’t quit. Santana tells Josh to bite the curb and is about to Curb Stomp him into the steps and Josh gets scared and quits.
TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz
Fraxiom comes out to watch the match, so this nicely sets up a potential early angle between NXT and TNA for the crossover.Â
Trey and Matt start, but it’s a slow Headlock basic counters and feint spots. Jeff and Wentz want to play, so this is very Japanese in giving each member a free chance to interact before any cutoffs or tandems. The crowd likes both men, so this is interesting but more Stalemate spots. Jeff manages a Polish Hammer to tag in Matt and go for a quick tandem move and keep Wentz in the Hardy Corner bouncing his face off buckles in Delete fashion. Tag from Jeff for another tandem Rocket Launcher into the bottom rope and Leg Drop from Jeff. Wentz counters the Twist with a Jumping Knee so he manages a tag to Trey and then a few quick striking double team spots. Quick tag to Wentz, Matt comes in to break it up, drops Matt and Wishbone. Quick Tag, MCMG ACS Rush homage. Wentz Dives onto Matt on the outside, Matt catches him into the Side Effect on the floor! Jeff gets the best of Trey after he’s a little distracted. Manhattan Drop from Jeff, into a tag to Matt and then some double team strikes for a near fall. Delete Head Smashes again on Trey.
Vertical Suplex from Matt for another 2. Matt tags out and Hardys look for more Tandem attacks, Plot Twist but Wentz recovers and makes the break! Trey flips out of Jeff’s arms, tags in Wentz, and Wentz cleans house on both Hardys. Corner to corner, tags back in Trey they hit the Saki Kashima assisted Dropkick on each Hardy and then they dump the Hardys at the feet of Fraxiom. FIVE HOLE DIVE FROM RASCALZ! Misses the Hardys and hits Fraxiom! This builds heat for The Rascalz and Fraxiom as Hardys attack the Rascalz while distracted. Poetry in Motion off the stairs from Jeff!
Facebuster from Jeff for two! Wentz hits a Busaiku Knee on Jeff to stop him from hitting Trey, Side Effect drops Wentz, Enzuigiri from Trey drops Matt and all four are down to catch their breath a bit. Original Poetry in Motion on Trey! Twist of Fate from Matt but countered and Matt is thrown into Jeff who’s selling a knee. Superkick into Feed Em to the Lions! Wentz Dives on Matt but Trey can’t quite make a clean pinfall. Jeff eats a Cheeky Nandos and Top Rope Tiger Feint, Twist of Fates for everyone and Jeff re-NO Trey kicks out! Another Twist but eats a Superkick from Wentz, tries the UFO Cutter on Matt but Matt just throws him to the outside. A Twist of Fate from each Hardy Boy, Swanton Bomb and the Hardyz retain!
Thursday’s Live Show will have Fraxiom vs The Rascalz for the NXT Titles!Â
Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary
Do Rosemary’s shorts have Pokemon Gym Badges on em? Masha goes for the Staple Gun, it almost gets countered immediately, but she gets the first few clicks of the Staple gun, it actually doesn’t backfire, but she lets Rosemary powder and starts grabbing a few weapons. Masha finally decides to attack Rosemary with a cane, but Rosemary turns things around with the green mist. Slamovich gets some of the mist out of her eyes, chases her into the ring and eats a Drop Toehold into a Chair. Rosemary sets up the table, panders to the crowd and Masha launches herself over the top with a Crossbody, into Rosemary and then through the table! Masha finds her old chain she used to make Killer Kelly submissive and starts choking and dragging Rosemary around the ring and then Sabus the chair at Rosemary for emphasis.
Masha tries to hit the front flip Senton onto a seated Rosemary, but Rosemary moves and Masha hits the chair weird. Rosemary beats her with a chair a few times, looks under the ring, gets giddy and finds Janice! Rosemary swings Janice, breaks it, and then uses the two pieces to block the cane Masha had and then pressed the nail portion into Masha’s back! Rosemary is talking to Janice and goes to the back to find tacks that she spills out on the stage. Rosemary wants a Chokeslam into tacks, Masha counters, misses a Lariat and then eats the Spear into the tacks! Barbed Wire board is set up in the ring, Spicolli…nope! Russian Death Device into the Barbed Wire! Masha goes to the top, Footstomp into the barbed wire but only for 2 again! Masha goes to the outside and grabs a ladder.
A trash can lid gets thrown at Rosemary for good measure, Masha ascends the ladder and then Rosemary pushes the ladder and Masha goes crashing through one of two tables set up on the outside. Rough spot, rough looking, but Masha manages to move enough to break the pinfall since its falls count anywhere. Rosemary now goes full Kevin Steen and makes some chair art for a spot, drags Masha into the ring, sets he on the chairs and goes to the top. Masha sits up as Rosemary climbs, counters the momentum and Avalanche Requiem through the chairs! Masha retains.
Cora Jade’s music hits and sets up nicely after Masha was on NXT.Â
The Countdown Panel starts off with their main event picks they hinted towards and it’s necessary because they have to clean up the ring. Mark Henry picks Joe Hendry, and he better be correct. Ryan Nemeth interrupts with the “my brootthhheerrr” stuff, and Santino calls him “Fuck Face Guy”. It’s all good stuff, and I’m still a big fan of the Mokuba gimmick, but now they ban Ryan Nemeth.Â
TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry
Simple chain wrestling start until Nic has a few words and then snaps off a Dropkick, does his show off Dolph stuff so Hendry runs him over with a Shoulder Block and then a Knee Lift. Hendry tries his Stalling Suplex but Nic slips it into a Rear Naked Choke! Hendry spins Nic around, walks around with the Stalling Suplex before finally dropping Nic. Ryan Nemeth shows up with a ticket, so he’s sitting in the crowd now. Joe gets distracted just enough for Nic to jump up and hit a delayed DDT. After Nic tries to stretch Joe a little, Hendry goes into locomotion Cradles but Nic drops Joe to take a breather. Nic does his single Shot to the Heart Elbow and he’s really embracing the old Dolph Ziggler show off ego. Ziggler looks for a Rude Awakening after more arrogant moments, but Joe tries to fight it off, so Nic just snaps off a Jumping Neckbreaker.
Joe manages to hit a Cutter off the ropes to try and get some energy from the crowd. Strike exchange happens here, Uppercuts from Joe and Fists from Nic. Joe blocks one fist, throws a few of his own together and a Lariat levels Nic. Sack of Shit into the Kip Up! Counters galore from both men before Nic gets caught in the Pop-Up Powerbomb! Attitude Adjustment for just a near fall. You see moments of Nic trying to cheat or find an angle but he hasn’t done anything overtly heelish yet. Joe is rocking him with chops, perches Nic on the top, looks for the Superplex but Nic fights back, Hendry gets pushed off, Crossbody but Hendry rolls through, holds on and gets his Powerbomb countered into a FAMEasser for two! Nic crawls to a corner, looks to climb for something big, Hendry cuts him off, Avalanche Sack of Shit! Kaz walks out with the trophy as both men sell, but JBL comes out of the crowd and Clothesline from Hell on Kaz. JBL punches Ryan in the face as he comes out to say something. Then Tuxedo JBL leaves after doing his job. Standing Ovation from HENDRY! 1-2-NO! Nic kicks out!
The crowd chants “One More Time” and it fires up Hendry, he does the heel turn and goes full Queen Stomp, tries again, but Nic slips it. Superkick into Danger Zone and it’s….HENDRY KICKS OUT! Nic is tuning up the band, Hendry catches Nic, Sack of Shit, Kip Up, big fire, Standing Ovation! JOE HENDRY WINS!
Overall Score: 7/10
Even if the match quality wasn’t bonkers, mostly all the matches did what they needed to do, were fairly good and a good number of NXT talent showed up to make the Live iMPACT! and TNA really feel like something special right now. I’m an unabashed Tessa fan, so I’m giddy she won and Hendry finally getting the title is the latest they could’ve really dragged this out to, but at least it stops him from becoming Tetsuya Nai-Joe.
I’m not gonna be a hypocrite from previous complaints I made with too many champions being babyfaces, because that’s still bad and proves the next few title defenses could prove volatile. However, I of course just enjoy most of the current champions. So while it doesn’t erase the fact it’s bad, it makes it more palatable for me personally. Now if only PCO destroyed the Knockouts Tags instead of a different irrelevant belt.
Also let’s be very clear, anyone that believes the PCO stunt was a legit shoot doesn’t know wrestling. Everything is a work until it isn’t and then it still could be turned into a work. Don’t be gullible and just anticipate something to be worked out of it one way or the other.
Still though, good show with a lot of hype for the Live iMPACT, so Thursday should be fun! See you there!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let the carnage begin!
