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 DROP 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 DIVE 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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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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