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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Have a Holly Jolly Rampage!
The Continental Classic rolls on, and Brody King takes on Komander in hopes of grabbing three more points towards the top of Gold League!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis; Konosuke & Cage win.
- Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy; Lio & Action win.
- Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron; Willow wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander; Brody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tony Schiavone is in the ring!
Schiavone welcomes out the Blue League’s current points leader, Kyle Fletcher, and of course… Don Callis. But they’re not alone as the rest of the Don Callis Family makes their way out to the ring. Wait, shouldn’t Brian Cage be in New York for Final Battle…? Well anyway, Schiavone says there’s a lot of gold and- Callis takes the mic, and he says, “I have something important to say.” The fans boo and Schiavone excuses himself as Callis says the Don Callis Family are the TRUE One Percenters of professional wrestling! They prove it each and every day!
Murder Machines: The most feared tag team in the world! “Don Callis’ favorite wrestler,” Kyle Fletcher, shows every day why he is THE One Percent! He beat Will Ospreay! He beat Kazuchika Okada! And now, he’s gonna beat Daniel Garcia and win the Continental Classic! Callis hands the mic over to Kyle and Kyle says it might be true that last Saturday wasn’t the best day for Kyle, but anyone watching that match saw the clear bias from the officials in this company! The fans boo as Kyle claims there is an agenda in AEW to see the Don Callis Family NOT succeed. But it doesn’t matter, it changes nothing!
Kyle WILL be the winner of the 2024 Continental Classic. That brings Kyle to Daniel Garcia. “You wanna talk about restoring the feeling, Daniel? I couldn’t care less about your feelings! All I speak are facts! And the fact is, I am the hottest young prospect in this industry, and I will be the future of this whole place!” The fans boo more but Callis says one last thing he wants to say, is when you’re the One Percent, you’re not like the other 99! They are not like all of these fans! They are not like “the boys in the back,” like Mark Davis & Will Hobbs, “a couple of scab workers!” They’re not even in the same business, Hobbs!
And Callis has waited to get Hobbs on a PPV so that the world could watch why they call Konosuke Takeshita “The Alpha.” And Hobbs, YOU are not in the same business as Konosuke, and you find that out at Worlds End! But speaking of, here comes the Powerhouse! Will he and Dunkzilla finish things with the Don Callis Family? Or will the AEW International and ROH World TV Champions get even for last week?
Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis!
The teams sort out and Konosuke starts against Hobbs to give the DC fans a preview of Worlds End. Hobbs and Konosuke step up, talk trash, and then the forearms go back and forth! The fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke! Hobbs even shouts “MEAT!” before he whips Konosuke. Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges but then so does Hobbs! Hobbs SPINE- NO, Konosuke flails free and Hobbs says it was that close. Konosuke says to cool off while he paces on the outside. Konosuke steps back into the ring, but he tags to Cage. The fans stay fired up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as Cage and Hobbs circle.
Hobbs and Cage DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And again! And again! Cage kicks low, shouts, “Who Betta Than Cage?” But then Hobbs CLOBBERS him! Hobbs even gets Konosuke to back down with a glare. Hobbs brings Cage up to fire forearms, then he tags Davis. Davis & Hobbs double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up as Davis stalks Cage to a corner. Davis CHOPS Cage, and CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Cage sputters but Davis scoops to SLAM Cage down! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE! Cage stays in this but Davis bumps him off buckles.
Tag to Hobbs and he brings Cage out. Hobbs and Davis reel Cage in, fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! MEAT MEAT MEAT!” but Konosuke makes the save! Konosuke swings, Hobbs dodges, so the elbow DECKS Davis! Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke, Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage clinches, Konosuke returns, KNEE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cage covers, TWO! Cage rains down fists, the ref reprimands, but Cage steps off. Cage drags Hobbs up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Konosuke. The Callis Family stomps a mudhole into Hobbs, but then Hobbs CHOPS Konosuke! Konosuke snarls, and he CHOPS in return!
Konosuke ROCKS Hobbs, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count but then Konosuke BITES Hobbs on the forehead! The ref counts, Konosuke lets off, and Hobbs sputters on the ropes. Konosuke tags to Cage and the Family gets Hobbs up. They DOUBLE SUPLEX Hobbs! Cage covers, TWO! Cage drags Hobbs up but Hobbs fires body shots. Hobbs UPPERCUTS but Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage ROCKS Hobbs again, Hobbs fires back, repeat! The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Cage gets the edge, then whips, but Hobbs KICKS him away! Cage swings, Hobbs bobs ‘n’ weaves, to then hit an EXPLODER!
The fans fire up while Hobbs crawls, hot tag to Davis! Davis fires hands on Cage, “MEAT! MEAT!” Davis DECKS Cage, then whips him to ropes. Cage reveres but Davis picks him up, BACKDROP! Davis SENTONS but onto knees! Davis writhes, Cage tags Konosuke! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee! Davis takes a swing but Konosuke ducks that, to BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Davis survives and Konosuke snarls, but Rampage goes picture in picture.
Konosuke rains down fists on Davis, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Konosuke tags Cage and Cage drags Davis up. Cage ROCKS Davis, whips him into a corner, and Davis hits buckles chest first! Cage RAMS into Davis, and RAMS in again, then CHOPS! Davis staggers but Cage whips him to ropes. Davis reverses, to dosido with Cage, only for Cage to CLOBBER Davis! Cage BOOTS Davis down, covers, but Hobbs breaks it! Cage gets mad and the ref reprimands Hobbs, then Cage soaks up heat from DC. Cage stalks Davis to a corner and fires haymakers! The ref reprimands but Cage DECKS Davis! Cage soaks up more heat while he flexes.
Holiday Bash returns to single picture while Davis crawls. Cage storms over but Davis fires hands! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS, but Cage JUMP KNEES! Cage whips Davis, Davis cartwheels and swings on Cage! Cage blocks, waistlocks, but Davis switches! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Davis rises and reaches out! Davis crawls, as does Cage, hot tags to Hobbs and Konosuke! Hobbs LARIATS Konosuke, LARIATS again, then runs up to LARIAT in a corner! Cage runs up but he’s send into Konosuke! Hobbs SANDWEICHES the Family! Hobbs whips, Cage reverses, but Hobbs comes back to CLOBBER him! Hobbs scoops Cage for a POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up but Konosuke runs up! Hobbs scoops him, too! POWERSLAM! Hobbs pumps up and the fans are with him! Hobbs stomps and shakes the ropes, then he goes back for Konosuke. Konosuke rises, Hobbs pops him up, but Konosuke ELBOWS him! Konosuke fires hands, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Hobbs staggers, Konosuke whips him, but Hobbs reverses! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Davis blocks Cage, but Cage SHOVES Davis onto the cover! Cage then TOSSES Davis out, and he goes back for Hobbs. Hobbs TOSSES Cage! Hobbs grins as he has Konosuke alone. The straps come down, and Hobbs runs up, only for Konosuke to dodge!
Konosuke runs, Cage tags in, and Konosuke BOOTS Hobbs in the corner! Cage runs up to UPPERCUT, GAMANGIRI, and then GERMAN SUPLEX! Hobbs flounders, Cage hauls him up, PUMP HANDLE FACEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hobbs survives and Cage is furious! Cage tags Konosuke, the Family gets Hobbs up, and they double wrench to double whip. But Hobbs breaks the double lariat and Davis tags in! Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS Cage & Konosuke! Davis runs up, they STEREO LARIAT! Konosuke BOOTS Davis and Cage waistlocks Hobbs. Konosuke runs but Davis GAMANGIRIS! Cage SUPERKICKS Davis!
Hobbs SNAP POWERSLAMS Cage! ALPHA ELBOW from Konosuke! Davis GERMAN SUPLEXES Konosuke! Cage fireman’s carries Davis, F5!! Cage runs up on Hobbs but Hobbs dodges! Hobbs LARIATS Cage and himself out of the ring! The fans fire up while Davis rises again! Konosuke also stands, and they run up! DOUBLE LARIATS! Davis GAMANGIRIS, Konosuke ends up in the corner! Davis goes side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans roar as Davis hauls Konosuke up! Konosuke fights the lift, dodges Davis, and comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS finally take both men down! But not for long as they both roar to their feet!
Konosuke swings, and he SWATS Davis’ enzigiri! Konosuke then POWER DRIVE KNEES!! And then, RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Callis Family wins!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage, by pinfall
The Alpha slam dunks on Dunkzilla, and now he has 8 days to prepare for the Powerhouse! Will Konosuke hold onto his International Championship against Hobbs? Or will taking that title be the perfect payback?
Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.
Renee Paquette is with the Babe with the Power who is in action later tonight. But first, Renee wants to congratulate Willow to making it to the finals of the inaugural International Women’s Cup. She heads off to Tokyo very soon, how is she feeling about it? Willow is very excited. Inaugural WrestleDynasty, one step closer to the inaugural International Women’s Cup winner, and so it is mind boggling after how- Kris Statlander steps in. Kris tells Willow that there is a lot she should say, but for now, she’ll say good luck at the Tokyo Dome. #BornAgainKristen takes Willow by surprise, will Willow win tonight and have momentum going to the New Year?
Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy!
The dysfunction in Top Flight Airlines led to The Bad Child & The Sight to See winning over Darius & Dante Martin, meaning they’re next up to face Private Party. Will this be little more than a tune-up for Lio & Action?
The teams sort out, Lio starts against Myles, but then Lio handspring kicks Goldy off the apron! Myles back suplexes but Lio lands out and then dodges! Myles falls out of the ring, Action handspring kicks him down! Lio DIVES onto Goldy! Action DIVES onto Myles! The fans fire up as Action puts Myles in fast. Lio joins Action and they mug Myles. Myles fights back with forearms and CHOPS! Myle runs, but Lio & Action split the difference. Lio spins Myles for Action to mule kick, knee lift and ROLLING ELBOW! Lio fires fast hands, then DECKS Myles! Goldy springboards but Lio & Action dodge! Lio eggs Goldy on, then he and Action split the difference again!
Action runs up, Goldy dodges, but Lio LARIATS Goldy on the other side! Myles whips Lio but Lio hits RUSH HOUR! Action torture racks Myles for a NECKBREAKER! Lio covers, Lio & Action win!
Winners: Lio Rush & Action Andretti, by pinfall
Fast win for this furious duo, but “Oh my gosh, is that Private Party?” Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy make their way out here and DC fires up! The AEW World Tag Team Champions call for “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” Lio & Action get their shot in the near future, but wait! Dante & Darius make their way out here? Private Party looks to the tunnels, but Lio & Action CLOBBER them from behind! Dante, Darius & Leila don’t worry about the champs, they stare Lio & Action down. Lio & Action hold up the belts, then throw them at the Martins. The refs keep this from getting any more physical, but will Lio & Action take those belts from Quen & Zay soon enough?
Backstage interview with Harley Cameron.
Renee is now with the “multifaceted” Harley and notes she’s in action against Willow Nightingale tonight. Harley says yes, she IS multifaceted. She wants us to appreciate ALL her facets! Renee says yes, but she has yet to earn a singles win in AEW. Fine, ruin her fun. But then Harley asks if some person off camera is gonna say anything or just stand there. In steps Penelope Ford, and Mrs. Superbad says yes, she was simply observing. But Ford couldn’t help but notice that she and Harley share a lot of similar… facets. Harley asks how much Ford’s cost. Uh, no, not those…
Ford meant that she hasn’t had such a good 2024, either. So from The Bad Girl to the… Harley doesn’t have a good nickname yet. Well, don’t worry about it. Ford will watch Harley’s back and Harley will watch Ford’s. Wait, is something on Harley’s back? No, Harley… Just good luck. FEEL THE WRATH OF HARLEY CAMERON! No, she was being nice to you, Harley. Right, don’t feel the wrath of Harley Cameron. There is nothing on your back, Harley, stop scratching. Wait! W-What? Nothing, sorry. But will Harley be feeling Willow’s wrath instead?
Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two tie up. Harley pushes but Willow digs in her heels to SHOVE Harley down. Harley comes back, she and Willow reset and tie up again. Willow puts Harley in a corner, the ref counts, and Willow lets off. DC duels between Willow and Harley, and Harley wants a Test of Strength. Willow accepts the knuckle locks, but then Harley kicks low! Harley runs, wheelbarrows, but Willow turns that into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer as Willow runs, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Willow bumps Harley off buckles, then fires LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans count al the way to TEN!
Willow brings Harley out with a smile, and scoop SLAMS her! Harley flounders, Willow storms up on her for another scoop and SLAM, right as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Willow storms around while Harley staggers up. Willow scoops Harley again, then carries her around to put her in the Tree of Woe! Willow stomps a mudhole in, then lets off to run up! But Harley BOOTS her while upside-down! Harley gets free, ELBOWS Willow, then runs to knee her low! Harley runs with Willow to HOTSHOT BULLDOG! Willow is stuck in ropes, and Harley AX KICKS her! Harley then headscissors Willow to CHOKE her in the ropes! The ref counts, Harley lets go at 4, and Harley soaks up cheers and jeers from DC. Harley stomps Willow, then drags her to the outside. Harley SMACKS Willow off the apron!
Harley paces while Willow flounders, and Harley has her against railing. Harley CHOPS Willow, then brings her around. Willow blocks the bump to SMACK Harley off the apron! Harley turns things around to SMACK Willow off the apron! Harley shoves Willow in, storms up on her, and stands her up for buckle bumps. Harley stomps Willow, digs her boots in, and she thrashes around! The ref counts, Harley lets off at 4, but Willow elbows her in return! Harley RAMS into Willow again and again, but Willow CLUBS Harley! Harley ROCKS Willow, whips her to ropes, and ELBOWS Willow down! Harley soaks up more cheers and jeers while Rampage goes to break.
Holiday Bash returns and Willow CANNONBALLS, but Harley dodges! Willow hits only buckles and she hobbles after Harley. Harley kicks, KNEES, and ENZIGIRIS! Harley roars, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Harley grows frustrated. The fans rally while Harley waistlocks, but Willow switches! Harley kicks free to switch back, but Willow ELBOWS Harley back! Willow fireman’s carries, storms around, but Harley pops up! Harley fires down elbows, then victory rolls, TWO! Willow escapes and ROCKS Harley! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!
Harley survives but Willow roars! The fans fire up as the straps come down! Willow gut wrenches for the BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
Willow faced the wrath of Harley Cameron and she prevailed! But then PENELOPE FORD goes after Willow! The fans boo but Ford did say she’d back Harley up. They both beat up on Willow, but here comes Kris! Kris Statlander storms the ring, Harley & Ford run away! Willow is again surprised, but the fans want these two to “Hug It Out! Hug It Out!” Kris says no, she doesn’t feel like it’s the right time. Kris lets Willow have the ring, is this proof that the #BornAgainKristen isn’t just a nickname?
Team Triple J speaks backstage.
Standing alongside Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, as well as Jeff & Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt says, “They’ve asked us to look back and reflect on 2024, and Jeff, guys, what an incredible series of moments we’ve had in 2024.” The group agrees. From Wembley Stadium to Double J being in the Owen Hart Cup, some true career highlights that he will cherish forever. But Jarrett doesn’t like looking in the rearview mirror, he likes to look ahead. Next week, he’s not bringing resolutions, he’s bringing a game plan for 2025! What does the Last Outlaw have in store for himself and the team in the New Year?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander!
While the rest of Gold League stands at 6 points, these two men are struggling to keep up. Will the King of Death join that traffic jam at the front of the block? Or will the Commander of the Skies be a spoiler for Christmas?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Komander circle while the fans bark it up. There are fans who sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Komander as the two tie up. But then Brody picks Komande up with both hands, and puts him on the to rope. Brody pats Komander on the shoulder, and the fans bark more. Komander hops down, not intimidated by Brody’s size. Komander then dodges Brody, DROPKICKS him, but Brody CLOBBERS Komander on the return! Brody eggs Komander on and then scuffs him. Komander gets mad and CHOPS! Brody grins and eggs Komander on. Komander CHOPS, but Brody wants more!
Komander fires up to CHOP, but Brody CHOPS Komander down! The fans fire up and Brody grins. Komander sputters, Brody paces, and Brody drags Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS again, and Komander flounders away! Brody stalks Komander to the corner, CHOPS him again, and Komander falls over! Brody hauls Komander up, whips him, but Komander goes up and over! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Brody BACKDROPS Komander! The fans bark while Komander writhes, and Brody drags Komander up. But Komander fires body shots and a CHOP!
Brody KNEES low and Komander drops. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody asks, “Are you done?!” Brody whips Komander, but Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to then springboard, but Brody catches Komander with ease! Brody pops Komander up, but Komander pops free, sunset flip, ONE!! Brody drags Komander up and CLUBS him! Komander wobbles, Brody ROCKS him again! Brody drags Komander off the ropes, suplexes, but Komander slips around! SLEEPER! Big men still have to breathe, but Brody RAMS Komander into the buckles! Brody swings, misses, and that bad hand hits post! Komander fires KICKS on the legs!
Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves, kicks, mule kicks and ENZIGIRIS! Brody wobbles and the fans rally up! Komander knuckle locks, CHOPS, and he goes up and up and jumps around! But Brody breaks the grip and DOUBLE CHOPS Komander to the floor! The fans bark it up and the ref checks Komander while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Brody storms out after Komander, who is somehow still in this. Brody drags Komander up, and he whips Komander hard into railing! Brody revels in the DC dogs barking, and Brody stands Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander off his feet, then refreshes the ring count. Brody drags Komander up, and whips him hard into railing! So hard, in fact, that Komander goes up and over! Brody hurries to haul Komander back up, and he suplexes Komander to the floor! Komander writhes more while Brody refreshes the count again. Brody goes back to Komander, scuffs him, and brings him back up.
Komander KICKS Brody, CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS him down! Brody revels in the noise from DC while he stands on Komander’s neck! The ref reprimands, Brody steps off and rolls into the ring. Brody again refreshes the count so he can fetch Komander. Brody puts Komander in the ring, covers, TWO! Komander is still in this but Brody is more amused than anything. Brody paces then brings Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander to a corner, then revels in the noise a bit more. Brody then digs his boot into Komander, but lets off as the ref counts. Brody drags Komander up to CHOP, but Komander CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Komander down!
Brody digs his boots in again, but the ref counts. Brody steps away, then drags Komander to his feet. Brody ROCKS Komander as the Holiday Bash returns to single picture. Brody eggs Komander on, stands him up, and ROCKS him again! Komander flops against ropes but Brody dares him to keep fighting. Komander staggers up, but Brody CHOPS him! Komander is stinging but Brody ROCKS him! Brody whips, Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to QUEBRADA, but Brody catches him! But Komander slips down into the STANDING BONE LOCK! The fans fire up but Brody powers up! Brody THROWS Komander right off! SENTON FLOPS as Komander moves!
Komander hurries to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Brody and Komander both crawl to ropes! They both stand, Brody runs up, but Komander swings around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Brody flops out to the floor! Komander sees that and the fans fire up! Komander builds going side to side, and he goes up and up and CROSSBODIES, but Brody catches him! Brody RAMS Komander into the railing! And then whips him hard into more railing! Brody makes Komander take a seat, then CHOPS him! The fans bark with Brody as he gets space, and Brody runs back in, but Komander ducks! Brody CRASHES into railing!!
Komander has the fans all fired up as he rises! Komander rolls into the ring, the count is climbing, but Brody is rising! So Komander runs corner to corner to go up, up and AWAY!! Direct hit with that escalara cannonball! The fans fire up as Komander rises again! Komander and Brody both head for the ring while fans sing again, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Komander has Brody in the drop zone! Komander goes up the corner, but Brody CLUBS him first! Brody has Komander in the Electric Chair Lift, then goes up the corner!? But Komander fights, shifts, and SUPER SUSNET FLIP POWERBOMBS!!
Brody is in the drop zone again and Komander rises! 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives and Komander cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Komander rises and goes to another corner. Komander tunes up the band, runs corner to corner, but Brody SLAPS him first! Brody runs but Komander dodges, Brody POSTS himself! Komander is on the apron and he runs up, to SHOTGUN Brody to the floor! Brody sputters, Komander climbs the corner, and the fans are thunderous! Komander springboards to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Another direct hit and Komander feels so close to his first points in the C2!
Komander hurries to get in the ring, but then slides out to start a new ring count. Komander climbs again while Brody rises. Komander watches Brody slide in, then tightrope walks to CIELITO LINDO!! But that was on Brody’s back! Komander pushes Brody but that’s a lot of dead weight to push! Brody sits up but Komander KICKS him! Komander roars, the fans fire up, handspring- TORTURE RACK! Brody flips Komander around, GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!!
Winner: Brody King, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Komander earns 0)
If it wasn’t clear before, this was a painful punctuation mark, Komander is mathematically ELIMINATED from the semifinals. However, Komander’s final C2 match is Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street against Claudio Castagnoli! Can Komander be the biggest spoiler of this entire tournament? Can Brody prove to everyone in the Gold League that the House Always Wins?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here for Holiday Bash, though some clear redundancies from last week’s Winter is Coming edition. We got another group Don Callis Promo, and we barely got anything different from Callis and Kyle. The tag match’s only changes were Cage switching in for Archer, even though Cage is in reality defending his ROH World TV Championship in the Hammerstein Ballroom for Final Battle, and then the Callis Family wins this time so Hobbs and Konosuke can be even going towards Worlds End. Now, Konosuke could very well retain the International Championship at Worlds End because NJPW is totally open to Konosuke Takeshita VS Shingo Takagi being Winner Takes All, AEW International and NEVER Openweight titles on the line together.
Lio & Action of course won their match, but the real purpose was to get a confrontation out of them, Private Party and OG Top Flight, Darius & Dante. Good stuff, and it teases anywhere between a Triple Threat to Lio & Action VS Darius & Dante Round 2. Very good promo from Triple J to set up for something, anything really, for 2025. Fight for the Fallen can even be the start of whatever that plan is as part of the “mother of all streams.” And good stuff with the women’s division tonight. Ford & Harley makes a natural duo now given their names, and Willow and Kris could possibly reunite now that Kris is a Face again. That wouldn’t really make up for the weird fumble in the middle where Tony Khan just wanted Kris to get away from Stokely, but hey, this story itself could be really well done.
And great stuff out of Brody VS Komander, really got the drama going before the end. I mean, we all knew Komander was out of the running before tonight, and was most certainly taking the loss here, but Komander got to really show some grit. And now, five people at 6 points going into the final round, they’re really adding great drama to Gold League. Collision tomorrow and then Dynamite Miracle on 34th Street will be some great stuff, but I still think Ospreay should be one of the semifinalists, the second spot can be whoever they want.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Feel the StrongEST, the FastEST, the RoughEST, the ToughEST, and the BEST Glow!
With Jade Cargill out of action, Naomi is stepping in to help Bianca Belair defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships tonight on SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade; The Bloodline wins.
- Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes; Melo wins.
- Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley; Gargano wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae; Bianca & Naomi win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Solo Sikoa is here!
The fans boo as the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief leads the Samoan Werewolf and Good Bad Guy to the ring. Roman Reigns put out the challenge for Tribal Combat, and on January 6th, in Los Angeles, for the first-ever Monday Night Raw on Netflix, it will happen! But first, Solo and his Bloodline go to the ring, and the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells them all, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans boo instead, as expected. Solo lets that slide, and he says, “Roman Reigns sat on his little boat with The Wise Man and decided to challenge me on January 6th to a Tribal Combat match for the ula fala on Monday Night Raw, the debut on Netflix.”
The fans “WHAT?” Solo says instead of saying that, the fans should ACKNOWLEDGE HIM. The fans boo more, but Solo says shut your mouths and listen to what THE Tribal Chief has to say! The fans continue to boo and they continue to chant, “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells Roman that if he wants Tribal Combat, if he wants to take THE Tribal Chief to war, then let’s do it! Solo will leave his Bloodline behind, “WHAT?” Roman will leave his behind, “WHAT?” They’ll leave the Wise Man behind. “WHAT?” Jimmy and Jey, too. So listen and listen carefully: On January 6th, Solo walks in and walks OUT as THE Tribal Chief!
The fans boo more but Solo says on January 6th, he will STILL be the Head of the Table! He will STILL be YOUR Tribal Chief! And he will STILL have the ula fala! So Roman, after Solo beats your ass in LA, Roman can go back out on his little boat, sail off to the Island of Irrelevancy, and Roman can finally ACKNOWLEDGE SOLO. But wait! Drew McIntyre is here!? The Scottish Terminator has already hit Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn, but let’s not forget Solo was chief among those who screwed McIntyre out of the world championship. Solo has Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga stand down as McIntyre goes to the ring.
McIntyre grabs a mic but Solo tells him, “I gotta admit, I was very happy when you kicked my brother, Jimmy, in the face last week. Yes, I was very, very happy. But you better have a damn good reason why you’re interrupting me.” McIntyre says he’ll make it quick because it causes McIntyre physical pain to be this close to Solo and not beating Solo within an inch of his life. You like what McIntyre did to Jimmy? What about Sami and Jey? McIntyre wants to know, when Solo lies in bed at night, is he asking when McIntyre is coming after him? Because Solo is the one that cost McIntyre the title at Clash at the Castle.
Solo is the one who caused McIntyre’s family the pain and misery that caused him more pain and misery! But Solo also stood up to Roman Reigns. The only one to have the balls to stand up to Roman! The rest of them acted tough, acted like they were going to do something, but Roman snapped his fingers, didn’t change one bit. McIntyre’s heart says jump Solo, but McIntyre’s head says he and Solo have the same goal. So here’s what McIntyre is thinking: McIntyre can start working through the hit list, taking out more and more OG Bloodline members, and Solo does one thing for him: Take out Roman for good.
The fans boo but McIntyre says once all that business is finished, then he and Solo can settle theirs. But then JIMMY yanks McIntyre out of the ring! And CRACKS him with the crutch! And again! And then he runs up to CLOBBER McIntyre! McIntyre goes running into the crowd, Jimmy does his best to pursue, but now here comes LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade! The Bloodline has a Six Man Tag on their hands, will Knight even let Solo make it to LA?
Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade!
The brawl is on, Apollo after Tama, Andrade after Jacob, and Knight after Solo! Solo shoves back, but Knight LARIATS him up and out! Apollo DUMPS Tama and Andrade BOOTS Jacob! Apollo BOOTS Jacob, then Andrade BOOTS him again! Jacob tumbles out but Solo has him stand down! The Bloodline regroups while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and the match is already going as Apollo ducks ‘n’ dodges Tama to then slide under. Tama keeps moving, Apollo hurdles over, drops down, then DROPKICKS! Apollo fires up and the fans are with him, then Apollo gorilla presses Tama! The fans fire up and Apollo marches around. Apollo says this is for Solo, and he DROPS Tama! Tama flounders, Apollo brings him over, and he tags in Knight. Knight fires hands on Tama, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight brings Tama around to whip but Tama reverses. Knight catches Tama for a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Tama is tougher than that but Knight stomps him.
Tag to Andrade and the unlikely partners mug Tama. Andrade CHOPS Tama, then has him in a corner. Andrade tags Apollo, they double whip Tama to DOUBLE ELBOW! Apollo covers, TWO! Tama stays in this but Apollo drags Tama up. Apollo ROCKS Tama, the fans rally, and Apollo ROCKS Tama again. Apollo tags Andrade back in, they mug Tama, but Tama fires body shots! Tama shoves Andrade but Andrade RANAS on the return! Tama tumbles out, Jacob runs in, but Andrade DUMPS him out! Tag to Apollo, and then Andrade climbs! Apollo builds speed, and Apollo FLIES while Andrade ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!
The fans fire up as Knight then gets in to keep Solo back! Knight dares Solo to try something, but Solo stays back. Knight goes back to his corner while Apollo puts Tama in. The fans fire up as Apollo reels Tama in. Tama fires body shots and switches to a waistlock. Apollo elbows free, but Jacob sneaks a tag! Tama shoves Apollo and Jacob BODY CHECKS Apollo! The Werewolf is all geeked up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Solo whips Apollo to ELBOW him down! Solo throws up the one but the fans boo. Solo drags Apollo up, bumps him off buckles, and the fans rally. Solo UPPERCUTS Apollo down, then stalks him along the ropes. Solo drags Apollo up but Apollo fires hands! Solo keeps Apollo from his corner but Apollo throws more shots! Solo whips Apollo hard into the Bloodline corner! Tag to Jacob and he looms over Apollo. Jacob drags Apollo up to scoop and SLAM! The fans boo but Jacob runs to SENTON, onto knees! Apollo saves himeslf and both men are down! They crawl, hot tag to Andrade!
El Idolo dodges Jacob, BLASTS Tama then ROCKS Solo! Andrade fires hands on Jacob, runs, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING FOREARM! Jacob tumbles to a corner while Andrade kips up! The fans fire up and chant “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs in, CIEN SHADOWES! Cover, TWO!! Jacob survives but Andrade keeps his cool. Andrade goes up a corner, MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Andrade is frustrated now as Jacob survives again! Andrade thinks on what to do, and he brings Jacob up. Andrade fires forearms but Jacob grabs Andrade’s neck! Andrade fights free and fires more shots, but Solo sneaks a tag!
Andrade whips, Jacob reverses, but Andrade KICKS Jacob away! Jacob just roars! Andrade runs up, Jacob FLAPJACKS him into Solo’s HOTSHOT! That combo sends Andrade tumbling out to the floor, and Solo brings him up to POST him! The fans boo as The Bloodline stands tall, and Solo shows off his ula fala. Solo goes back to Andrade and puts him in the ring. Tag to Jacob, and Jacob whips for a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Andrade sputters and coughs while Jacob is geeked up again, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob watches Andrade crawl to the apron, and waits for him to go to a corner. Andrade sits up but into the HIP ATTACK! Jacob snarls as he kicks Andrade around. Tag to Solo and he whips Jacob for Jacob to whip him! Another HIP ATTACK on Andrade! Solo scowls at the fans, then talks trash on Andrade. Solo drags Andrade by his foot and brings him over to tag Tama. Tama then slingshot ELBOW DROPS! Andrade sputters more but Tama covers, TWO! Andrade is still in this, but Tama rains down fists on Andrade to keep him down! Tama HAMMERS and CLUBS Andrade, then he talks smack on Apollo and Knight.
Tama kicks Andrade to the Bloodline corner, drags him back up, and then fires a BODY SHOT! Andrade sputters, Tama tags Jacob, and then Jacob whips Tama in for a STINGER SPLASH! Andrade falls over, Jacob clamps claws into the shoulders! Andrade endures, fights up, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down! Jacob clamps the claws on again and really digs into Andrade’s shoulders! Andrade kicks and flails in pain but Jacob just thrashes him around more! Jacob shouts at Andrade but Andrade fights up to his feet! Andrade fires body shots, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down again! Jacob stalks Andrade to a corner as SmackDown returns to single picture.
The fans boo but Jacob rains down fists in the corner! Jacob then sucker punches Apollo! Andrade sits up, Jacob runs in, but Andrade moves! Hip attack hits buckles and the fans fire up! Andrade and Jacob crawl, Solo shouts for Jacob to get up! Jacob grabs Andrade’s foot and brings him up! Andrade ENZIGIRIS free! Hot tags to Tama and The Mega Star! The fans are thunderous as Knight dodges then CLOBBERS Tama! Tama flounders to a corner, Knight stomps away on him, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight stops at 4, but then he CLOBBERS Jacob! KNEE for Tama! Solo runs up to TOSS Knight!
Knight dodges Solo in the corner and hits a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up even more and Knight tags Apollo. Knight hits Tama with the BIG back suplex! Apollo goes up top for the FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives but Apollo clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Knight WRECKS Jacob with a dropkick, and the Samoan Werewolf tumbles up and over the desk! Knight goes out to say that’s what Jacob gets, BUT SHINSUKE IS HERE!? Nakamura CLOBBERS Knight into the desk! The King of Strong Style gets away with that while the ref was busy checking Tama! Solo CLOBBERS Apollo, but Andrade whips Solo!
Solo reverses and ELBOWS Andrade! Solo drags Tama to their corner and then tags in. Solo aims at Apollo, HIP ATTACK! Solo hauls Apollo up, URENAGE! And then SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Bloodline wins!!
Winners: The Bloodline, by pinfall
It seems Drew McIntyre isn’t the only one who is surprisingly on Solo’s side. The sinister samurai made sure to strike from the shadows to screw over Knight, will Knight make sure Nakamura comes to regret it? As for Solo, he is rolling towards the Raw Netflix debut, will he not need his Bloodline to retain the ula fala?
Backstage interview with Motor City Machine Guns.
Byron Saxton is with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin ahead of the emotional grudge match. Shelley takes on his former friend, student, and the man who betrayed MCMG to take those WWE Tag Team Championships. That man is Johnny Gargano, so what thoughts are flowing through Shelley’s mind? Shelley says it is one thought: Payback. Sabin says they’ve known Gargano almost 20 YEARS, and only now does Gargano let the mask fall away to show us the truth. Shelley says it cuts a lot deeper when it’s someone you considered a little brother. Shelley tells Johnny that he makes sure Gargano knows he made the BIGGEST mistake of his life.
Sabin asks Shelley if he’s ready to do this. Shelley says this is something he has to do alone. He wants to see if Gargano is man enough to do the same. Sabin says okay, let’s get warmed up. Shelley wants a 1v1 shootout with Johnny Wrestling, but will Gargano do anything but do this himself?
SmackDown shares footage from after Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Byron Saxton was with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven and said before anything else, congratulations. Chelsea pats herself on the back, Piper pats Chelsea a bit, too, and Byron takes her back through the closing moments. Unpretty-Her on Michin, the bell rings, and we hear Lilian Garcia say the words, “AND NEW Women’s United States Champion, Chelsea Green.” What went through her mind? Chelsea takes out her gum and puts it in “Bryan’s” hand, and then tells him that she always knew this would happen. He might be surprised, and that’s so cute, but she wasn’t. She’s been doing this for ten YEARS, and worked her entire life to be an overnight success.
This is Chelsea’s time! Red, white and Green! Say it with her, Bryan! #RedWhiteAndGreen. So then, let’s talk the historical significance. Chelsea will now go down in the history books as the FIRST-EVER Women’s US Champion, so how does she’s now synonymous with the likes of Harley Race, the first-ever Men’s US Champion? She would say, “Duh.” She’s in the books where she belongs. Probably should’ve been three years ago, but she was released. It should’ve been way back in 2015, but she wasn’t hired. So now is the time. NOW IS THE FREAKIN’ TIME!! Yes, it is her time. What does a Chelsea Green reign look like going forward?
Chelsea says it looks like she’s going to Disneyland, so she’s got a plane to catch. Can they wrap this up? Of course. Have fun in Disneyland. Yes, well-deserved. Piper calls for champagne. Will we never hear the end of this now that Chelsea has gold to go with the ego?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“What happened after Saturday Night’s Main Event was not my fault. There’s a lot of people to blame for it. Cody Rhodes, the referees, Nick Aldis, WWE Management, they’re all to blame. I was screwed out of winning that championship. What happened to me is a travesty, a tragedy! I should be standing here Undisputed WWE Champion, but I’m not. But I took this (the Winged Eagle belt) because I deserve it. And I’m not giving it back until I get what i want. Everyone needs to understand, you can only push a man so much until they snap. But the good news is, I haven’t snapped yet.
“It can all get so much worse, trust me. You don’t want me to snap. So Cody, Nick Aldis, WWE officials, what happens next is on all of you.” The Prizefighter has said his piece, will he hold the championship hostage until his demands are met?
DIY talks backstage.
Ciampa gets it, Gargano’s known MCMG a long time. So it surprises Ciampa that Shelley is so dumb! He wants this grudge match but he can’t win the tag titles back in a singles match. So what’s he doing? Gargano says Shelley wants his payback, that’s obvious. But Shelley wants to challenge Gargano’s manhood?! Gargano is all man! He made a kid! Yeah, Papa John, Daddy Ciampa, of course they made kids. But Shelley did specify that he wants to do this on his own, so Ciampa knows what that means, right? Ciampa has to stay backstage, too. Gargano will handle business by himself. He’s not some naive 18-year-old kid with a dream anymore! Dream came true!
Gargano will go remind Shelley that he’s Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling! So Ciampa can just relax right back here. Ciampa says go get him! Ciampa won’t even move a muscle from here, you can trust him. Can he? Or is this all another facade to lower everyone’s guard?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect!
A-Town Down Under is already in the ring, and fans boo as Austin Theory & Grayson Waller show off the abs. Waller then welcomes us to the Grayson Waller- And Austin Theory…! Effect. The hottest show keeps getting hotter cuz Waller gets scoop after scoop, lads. And tonight is a big scoop! A big, BIG scoop! The first transfer from Raw to SmackDown, it’s the Monster of All Monsters, BRAUN STROWMAN! The fans cheer as Braun makes his way to the ring, and he’s coming out as Santa Braun! Or perhaps, Strowman Claus? Either way, Braun throws free merchandise to the fans, what a gift for Christmas!
Braun empties the bag and then goes to the ring. Turns out, nothing for Waller & Theory! Waller sits behind the desk and thanks Braun for coming. And how nice of Braun to help all the poor here in Hartford. The fans boo and Braun asks if Waller’s really starting this like that. Is he really trying to piss Braun off already? No no no! Braun is right, it really is nice. And this is big! The biggest acquisition in SmackDown history! On the biggest talk show in WWE history! Braun says it doesn’t get any bigger than this, baby! The fans cheer and Waller says before we start, he knows how this goes, sometimes.
Waller just wants us to know that he invested a lot of money into the new set. Maybe we continue to spread Christmas cheer and have a civil conversation. No damage. Well, if Waller runs his mouth, then Braun can promise he’ll wear Waller out using all the stuff in here. Waller says he’s a bit surprised Braun agreed to this. If no one has said before, but Braun is a little intimidating. But the more Waller thought about it, the more it made sense. Even Braun sees the sense in associating with ATDU! The fans boo and Braun says he threw up a little bit in his mouth, and that get a good laugh.
Waller says okay, but SmackDown’s a bit scary right now. Bloodline is going wild, people are getting attacked backstage, and you don’t wanna be alone in the car park. Sorry, parking lot. Braun asks if Waller knows who he’s talking to. No, he didn’t mean anything by it. Waller just figures, it’d be a good idea if Braun looked after Braun for once. And that means setting up the ultimate alliance. Braun Strowman & A-Town Down Under as the same team! They’d be untouchable! The cunning and intelligence of Waller & Theory, Braun’s strength. Get it? Brains & Braun. Braun says he already told Waller to watch his mouth! Does Waller want his set shoved up his-
Wait! Carmelo Hayes makes his way out here! Braun sighs and Melo says no, no, no, cut this out. Melo has a bone to pick with Braun. Aldis thought he was going to humble Melo by setting him up against Braun. Everybody here knows that that wasn’t fair. But newsflash, Nick Aldis, you can’t humble greatness! Melo might lose, but he’ll never quit. So Braun, “you big ugly dumb Santa Claus b*tch,” let’s run this thing back right here, right now! Cuz now, Melo’s ready! Braun says if Melo didn’t learn his lesson last week, Braun will remind him what the Braun Strowman Effect is! Waller & Theory run away as Braun grabs the fake palm trees!
Braun CHUCKS trees at Melo but Melo just laughs. Will Melo not miss the game winner in this rematch? Or will Braun be the one to humble H1M?
Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Braun chuckles at Melo wanting to tie up. They do tie up but then Melo slips around to KICK the leg! Braun just brushes that off as he and Melo circle. Melo uses the ropes and even the ref as a shield so Braun backs off. Melo comes back, taunts Braun, then drops back to ropes. The ref wants Braun to let off, and Braun does, but then Melo sucker punches him! Melo talks smack, then whips, but Braun blocks! B raun shakes his head, whips Melo, but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides out. Melo says safe! Melo says he’s smart, but then gets spooked as Braun storms up to ropes!
The ref has Braun stay back, and Melo gets cocky again. Braun signals to the fans that he’s taking a lap and the fans fire up. Braun goes outside, builds speed, but Melo runs! Melo slides into the ring, Braun gets on the apron, but Melo KICKS him! The fans boo but Melo hits the FADE AWAY! Braun flounders, Melo CLUBS and KNEES and repeat! Braun SHOVES Melo out of the ring! Braun shakes it off then storms back up on Melo. Braun YANKS Melo up by his hair! And then he TOSSES Melo across the way! The fans fire up and Braun drags Melo up again. Braun whips, Melo dropkicks the legs out! Braun falls, Melo runs, FADE AWAY, but into Braun’s hands!
Braun pops Melo up, but Melo SPIKE-RANAS! Braun sputters and Melo soaks up heat. Braun rises up like the monster he is! Melo turns around, Braun runs up, but Melo DUMPS Braun out! Melo BOOTS Braun away, then gets cocky again. Melo goes out the side and he runs up a la Braun. But Braun BOOTS Melo right down! The fans fire up and Braun looms over Melo. Braun drags Melo up, whips him at steps, but Melo goes up! Melo leaps, but into Braun’s arms! We’re at 7 of 10 as Melo slips free! Melo SLAPS Braun! Braun grabs Melo by the neck and TOSSES him into the ring! We’re at 10!! MELO WINS!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by count out
Talk about rope-a-dope! Melo steals this win by getting the better of Braun’s anger! Braun scowls at smart-aleck Melo, and he storms in! Melo runs out to the crowd and into the night, but Braun pursues! Will Melo #GetTheseHands one way or another?
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae talk backstage.
They’re both excited for the tag title match tonight, because Nia can become a double champion. Tiffany Stratton walks in and Nia says there she is! Tiff wishes them luck tonight, and cannot wait to be there ringside when the ref raises their hands. Nia gets a guilty look on her face and Candice tells Tiff that they were talking… It’s best if Tiff stays in the back. But hey, she can take some notes if she wants. And if she wants to help, she can prepare champagne, balloons and maybe even streamers. They’re gonna need all that after the big win. So Tiff should get on that while Candice & Nia strategize.
Tiff looks to Nia but Nia just says, “Thanks, Tiff.” Tiff leaves, Nia shrugs off the guilt and says she and Candice are ready. Candice is sure Tiff will have the most beautiful party ready for them. Will the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie succeed in taking the tag titles for their own? Or will it be Bianca & Naomi having that champagne to celebrate?
Melo returns backstage.
And he’s on high alert knowing Braun is still hunting him down. Melo bumps into Legado Del Fantasma, and then Braun storms up! Braun asks where Melo went. Santos Escobar says screw that, he’s no snitch. Braun says not telling is gonna get Santos worse. Angel steps in and says Melo went that way. Braun thanks Angel and storms off after Melo. But then Pretty Deadly asks Braun to please read through their script. Braun slaps the script down and says he doesn’t care about their stupid musical! But then Melo SMACKS Braun with a chair! And SMACKS him again! Melo talks trash before heading out, but Braun gets back up.
Braun is angrier than ever, and he still hunts Melo down! Is there going to be nothing left of H1M after Braun #GetsTheseHands on him?
Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley!
Longtime friendships thrown away in order to get ahead is practically cliche in pro-wrestling, but to think Johnny Wrestling would be the kind to do that. Will Shelley make Gargano regret ever treating 20 YEARS like it was nothing?
The bell rings and Gargano runs up! Shelley dodges to fire hands, then he bumps Gargano off buckles. Shelley stomps a mudhole in, then stands Gargano up to dig his forearm in! The ref counts, Shelley lets off, then he climbs up to rain down fists! Gargano YANKS Shelley down! Shelley flounders, Gargano CHOPS Shelley to a corner, then he mocks the MCMG hand pointing. Gargano CHOPS Shelley, ROCKS him, then wrenches him to whip corner to corner. Gargano runs up but Shelley ELBOWS him away! Shelley goes up to FLYING KNEE! And then he CLOBBERS Gargano! The fans fire up as Shelley drags Gargano up.
Shelley wrenches, hammerlocks, but Gargano elbows free! Gargano brings Shelley around to schoolboy ROUNDHOUSE! Shelley sputters, Gargano brings him up, and Gargano says he’s no longer the student. Gargano ROCKS Shelley, stomps away, but stops as the ref counts. Gargano soaks up heat, then shakes out his left hand before he runs up. Shelley puts Gargano on the apron to HOTSHOT! Gargano falls, Shelley aims, and Shelley slingshots to stomp Gargano’s bad hand! Gargano staggers away, but runs back up on Shelley, only for Shelley to jump the sweep! SUPERKICK! Then FLYING KNEE!
The fans fire up while Gargano goes down, and Shelley says that’s what Gargano gets while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Gargano has Shelley in a clinch. Gargano fires body shots, then he hits a JAWBREAKER! Gargano goes to a corner, Shelley runs up, but Gargano BOOTS back! Gargano runs up and slips around Shelley to SLINGBLADE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Gargano is frustrated but he stalks Shelley to the apron. Gargano brings Shelley up, talks more smack, and he fireman’s carries. Shelley slips out but Gargano ROCKS him! SLINGSHOT- SUPERKICK! Shelley takes Gargano out of the air and both men are down! The fans rally up, and Shelley stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again!
Shelley CHOPS, whips, then kitchen sink knees! And then PENALTY KICKS! Ghost pin, TWO! Gargano escapes, but Shelley wants the arm! Shelley uses the Garga- NO, Gargano turns chicken wing into roll up, TWO!! Shelley escapes, clinches, and spins Gargano, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Shelley wants the arm again! The fans rally as Shelley drags Gargano up, wrenches and wristlocks, but Gargano ROCKS Shelley with forearms! Shelley CHOPS back, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Shelley wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! But Gargano ENZIGIRIS! Shelley runs up, Gargano dodges and SUPERKICKS!
Gargano scoops Shelley, takes aim at a corner, LAWN DART! Cover, TWO!! Shelley survives and the fans rally up! Gargano grows frustrated but he brings Shelley around. Gargano wants the arm now! GargaNO Escape, but Shelley says NO to that! They both fight up, end up in a corner, and the ref counts. Gargano lets off, to then ROCK Shelley with a cheap shot! Gargano runs up, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Shelley shakes out the stars and he goes to the corner. The fans fire up as Shelley climbs, but Ciampa shows up! Gargano GAMANGIRIS Shelley down! But wait, here comes Sabin! Ciampa violated the deal first so Sabin’s not letting him do worse!
Gargano climbs up while Sabin chases Ciampa off, but Shelley SHOVES Gargano! CROSSBODY! Gargano rolls through, and pulls tights! Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
Distraction tactic and pulling the tights? Gargano has no shame! But he and Ciampa have the WWE Tag Team Championships, so is that all that matters?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair & Naomi.
Byron Saxton is at gorilla with The EST & The Glow, and before they head to the ring, he wants to recap the crazy couple of weeks. The mysterious attack on Jade Cargill, the big win at Survivor Series in WarGames, and now they can solidify themselves as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Bianca says these past few weeks have been rough to say the least. And while you can trust Bianca will find out what happened to Jade, you best believe they won’t be stripped of the tag titles. That’s just what the culprit wants and Bianca isn’t going down without a fight. Thankfully, Bianca has a friend who always has her back.
Naomi says yeah, she’s got her back forever! And she can never turn down a good “snatch ‘n’ drag.” But she also knows how important these titles are to Bianca & Jade, and they’re just as important to her. Naomi will go out there and do everything she has to in order to keep the titles. Bianca holds out Jade’s belt to Naomi, but Naomi says no. Not until she’s earned it. Bianca says okay, and the music hits. Naomi is fired up, will this be the StrongEST Glow yet?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!
SmackDown returns as the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie make their entrance together. The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and we see who is truly the strongest duo!
The teams sort out and Bianca starts against Candice. They tie up as the fans rally, and Bianca powers Candice right to a corner. But Candice pulls the braid! The ref reprimands, Candice shoves Bianca, then pie faces her! But Bianca SHOVES Candice to the corner! Bianca runs up but into an elbow! Candice goes up but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca gorilla presses Candice but Candice scrambles free! Candice hurries away and she tags in Nia. Bianca says bring it and the fans rally for the “E S T! E S T!” Nia and Bianca tie up, Bianca headlocks, but Nia powers up and out. Tiff is watching backstage as Nia scoops Bianca, only for Bianca to slip free.
Bianca runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and DROPKICKS! Nia rebounds but Bianca avoids the elbow drop! Bianca tags Naomi then sets Nia up! Naomi and Bianca both run the ropes, Bianca handsprings, SPLIT LEG DROP AND MOONSAULT COMBO! Naomi covers, TWO! Naomi hurries back after Nia but Nia shoves her away. Naomi slides under the lariat then mule kicks! Naomi runs but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Nia drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Naomi stays in this for Bianca’s sake but Nia storms back up as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nia DRIBBLES Naomi off the mat, then stares Bianca down. Nia stalks Naomi to a corner, puts her on ropes, and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Nia lets off, and then Nia drags Naomi over to the corner. Nia traps Naomi while she tags Candice. Nia fires some elbows before backing off, and Candice RAMS Naomi! Candice ROCKS Naomi, sits her down, then stomps a mudhole in. Candice taunts Bianca, drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS Naomi down, then clamps on with a top wristlock. Naomi endures while Candice leans on the hold. Naomi fights up, arm-drags free, then hurries for her corner!
Candice scrambles after Naomi and THROWS her by her hair! Candice stomps Naomi to the corner, tags Nia, and Nia runs up to HIP ATTACK! Nia taunts Bianca, drags Naomi up, and clamps on with a cobra clutch! Nia leans on Naomi to grind her down. Naomi endures, fights up, and JAWBREAKERS free! Nia staggers around, but she scoops Naomi! Naomi slips free to the apron and HOTSHOTS Nia! Naomi BOOTS Candice. RAMS Nia, then reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Naomi is down, but she BOOTS Nia away before heading for her corner. Candice hurries and tags in, but Naomi hot tags Bianca!
Bianca rallies on Candice with shoulder tackles and DROPKICK! Bianca kips up, wrenches, and suplexes Candice! SmackDown returns to single picture as Candice slips free! Candice dodges Bianca, Nia sneaks a tag, and Bianca scoops Candice for a GUT BUSTER! Bianca runs at the corner to RAM Candice, then she climbs up! The ref tries to explain but Nia runs up! Bianca backflips up and over! Nia almost squashes Candice, but she turns around. Bianca dodges Nia, but Candice hits a CODE BREAKER! SAMOAN DROP from Nia! Cover, TWO! Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Nia snarls as she drags Bianca into a motorcycle stretch!
Bianca endures and the fans rally up. Bianca fights up but Nia POSTS her first! Nia then mocks the fans with clapping, then she scuffs Bianca. Nia dares Bianca to tag, then she THROWS Bianca by the braid! Bianca goes to ropes, and Nia pulls the braid around them! The ref reprimands, Nia lets off, but Candice gets her shots in! The fans boo but Bianca gets away. Nia soaks up the heat and then brings Bianca around. Nia has the cobra clutch back on and she thrashes Bianca around. The fans rally as Bianca endures, and Bianca fights back up. Nia kicks Bianca but Bianca rebounds to reel Nia in!
Bianca tries to suplex but Nia’s too big! Nia shoves Bianca to the corner, but Bianca BOOTS back! Bianca ELBOWS Candice, runs up on Nia, but Nia picks her up! Nia RAMS Bianca into the corner! Tag to Candice and she climbs. Nia holds Bianca up, Candice MISSILE DROPKICKS Bianca into the SPINEBUSTER! Candice then BLASTS Bianca off the apron, then uses Nia as the step for the STEP-UP SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives, she’s the toughEST for a reason! Candice is frustrated and she CLUBS away on Bianca! The fans rally for “E S T! E S T!” Bianca throws a body shot but Candice CLUBS her down again.
Candice tags Nia and Nia pulls the braid to keep Bianca back. Nia whips Bianca to Candice but Bianca slips around. Candice standing switches, Nia runs up, but Bianca ducks and Nia clips Candice! Bianca scrambles while Nia checks Candice, hot tag to Naomi! Naomi LARIATS Nia but Nia stays up! So Naomi UPPERCUTS Nia! Nia still stays up! Naomi dodges, goes up the ropes, FLYING CHUCK! Nia wobbles and the fans fire up with Naomi! Naomi reels Nia in but Nia whips her away! Naomi BOOTS from the corner, then goes up! FLYING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia stays in this but Naomi pounds the mat.
The fans rally up, Naoim brings Nia up, but Nia HEADBUTTS her! Nia runs up at the corner, but Naomi dodges to POST her! Nia is down, Naomi goes up! SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT FLOPS as Nia moves! Nia CLUBS Naomi, puts her in the drop zone, then goes up! But Naomi SMACKS Nia off the post! Tag to Bianca, and Naomi gets under Nia?! POWERBOMB!! Naomi drags Nia into the drop zone! Bianca aims for the 450!! Cover, CANDICE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Nia is busted open from hitting that post, but here comes TIFFANY! Is she doing what it looks like? Tiff cheers on Candice & Nia, no cash-in yet.
Candice tags in, goes after Bianca, but Bianca RAMS Candice into the corner! Bianca runs but into a BOOT! Candice goes up, TORNADO DDT! Cover, Naomi GAMANGIRIS Candice! Fans cheer “CASH IT IN!” at Tiff but Bianca tags in Naomi. Nia sneaks a tag, and as the Naomi goes after Candice, the ref has to explain. In that distraction, Nia asks for the briefcase! Tiff is conflicted, but she hands it over. But then the ref sees Nia with it! Bianca HANDSPRING KICKS Nia off the apron! Nia falls right at Tiff’s feet! Bianca tags Naomi, then PLANCHAS onto Nia! Naomi has Candice but Candice cradles! TWO!! Naomi KNEES Candice down!
Naomi hurries up, up and SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, NAOMI & BIANCA WIN!
Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Tiff’s hesitation costs Nia, and that means Naomi has earned that title belt! Bianca personally hands it to her and the two celebrate together. Will they hold onto the titles all the way ’til Jade is back in action? Or will a team come along that outshines even the StrongEST Glow?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of SmackDown here, though I think it was also prerecorded. They were in Hartford last week, weren’t they? And I thought that was prerecorded given how Jimmy Uso’s promo was received… But speaking of, good stuff from Bloodline to open. McIntyre calling a true with Solo was a bit of a surprise, but I suppose we should’ve seen that coming with how McIntyre is a Heel and often a hypocrite. Jimmy going after McIntyre was also good stuff, he can clearly still be a factor even with a bad toe. Very good Six Man Tag, too, but I should’ve known Nakamura would interfere and cost Knight’s team. Good win for Solo, and we’ve still got a couple weeks before Raw on Netflix, so the go-home math will still sort out with the first SmackDown of 2025.
Very good promos from MCMG and DIY, and of course Ciampa still went out to ringside despite the “promise” he made. And of course Gargano cheated, but that adds heat to the coming tag title rematch. They might even put that on the first SmackDown of 2025 to hype it up. Especially as I think it’s going to be the first THREE HOUR SmackDown. NBC is willing to do that knowing Raw is going to Netflix, meaning SmackDown will get more time to do more great things, which works with all the belts we’ve got now.
Good stuff with Braun and the Grayson Waller Effect, but of course we set up more between Braun and Melo. Clever move for Melo to win by count out, and of course Melo gets cocky for it. Braun was almost classic Braun with how he shrugged the chair shots off backstage. We’ll of course get one more Braun VS Melo, and maybe someone from Legado or Pretty Deadly screws Braun over given how he treated them. Very good promo from Chelsea after her big win on Saturday, and I’m sure she’ll be celebrating this win in both kayfabe and real-life through the holidays, ready to start her first title feud on January 3rd.
Very good promo from Kevin Owens, but I feel like he had to contradict himself here from what he said during the Raw on Netflix “kickoff show” on Wednesday. Kevin said then that he’s going to act as the defending champion with the holiday house show tour, but he said here he isn’t the champion since he got screwed. Either way, he’ll really play up how he is somehow the victim in all this, making the return of Cody Rhodes all the better. We’ll surely get one last match of Cody VS Kevin, maybe with a big stipulation on it, and then we’ll have a moment of (more than likely) Cody holding up both Winged Eagle and corporate logo championships.
And of course, very good stuff in the two main Smackdown women’s stories. That promo from Nia, Candice and Tiff was really good because you kinda feel for Tiff being treated as the odd one out. And then very good promo right before the match with Bianca & Naomi. I like Naomi wanting to earn the belt, and we got a great tag match. Nia surely got busted open “hard way,” aka legitimately, that post surely has edges you gotta watch out for. But Tiff showing up was of course for the briefcase distraction, not cashing in. Tiff hasn’t been pushed that far yet, that might come with the Netflix debut. But Naomi & Bianca of course retained the titles, that’ll cue up Jade making a return to identify her attacker, and it might be Naomi after all…
My Score: 8.8/10
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