Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/9/21)
Randy Orton returns!
Raw hears voices in it’s head~!
The Viper has been away but he’s finally back! What will Randy Orton do to the Raw Tag Team Champions as retaliation for Riddle?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Baron Corbin VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- Jeff Hardy VS Karrion Kross; Kross wins.
- Alexa Bliss VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven w/ Eva Marie; Bliss wins.
- WWE United States Championship Contenders Match: Sheamus VS Ricochet; Sheamus wins.
- John Morrison w/ The Miz VS Damian Priest; Priest wins.
- Mustafa Ali w/ Mansoor VS T-Bar w/ Mace; T-Bar wins.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Photobomb Bonanza: Reggie retains the WWE 24/7 Championship.
- Rhea Ripley VS Nikki A.S.H; Nikki wins, by disqualification.
- AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Randy Orton; Orton wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Randy Orton opens Monday Night Raw!
It feels like forever but the Viper’s finally back! Orlando is fired up as Orton makes his way to the ring and that gets Orton fired up. Orton feels good even getting to strike his pose on the corner again! The Legend Killer gets the mic as fans chant “RANDY! RANDY!” and he says, “I guess, ladies and gentlemen, this is where I’m supposed to say, ‘Welcome to Monday Night Raw!'” Bro… Here comes Matt Riddle! The Bro scooters right to the ring and gets right in! He kicks off the sandals right away and gets a mic. Riddle is happy to see Orton, but is it mutual? “Randy. I missed you so much, bro.” But where’d he go?
At first, Riddle thought Orton was hiding like a “big girthy anaconda,” but then thought maybe Orton just went on vacation, get some sand, some sun, whatever. But then Riddle just missed him so much, y’know? Fans appreciate that, and Riddle is happy to have Orton back! And that reminded Riddle of this time 25 years ago, when his stepdad left to get milk, but he “got lost and never came back.” Fans chant “RKBRO! RKBRO!” as Riddle says Orton is back! And y’know what that means? It means they can be R! K! BRO~! Riddle is fired up, gets a “RANDY! RANDY!” chant going again, but Orton speaks up. He wants to ask Riddle a question. Sure, anything! “What in the hell makes you think that I would want to team with you again?”
Listen, kid. They had a few matches, Riddle made some shirts, they both got a buzz on social media. But to be real, Orton works better alone. And he’s been watching from home that Riddle’s been fine on his own without Orton, or his stepdad’s. SO they’re not a team anymore…? The fans want RKBRO to work but Orton says they were, past-tense, a good team. But here come the Raw Tag Team Champions, Omos & AJ Styles! And they’re laughing at these guys! “You wanna be my bro, bro? What’d I do, bro? Where’s my stepdad, bro?” It’s embarrassing! Like, really really embarrassing. So much so that you can taste it! Some might even say it’s Too Sweet.
But Styles keeps going as he and Omos get in the ring. This is Orton, Riddle. Look at his nicknames: The Viper; the Apex Predator; the Legend Killer. Literally everyone he’s ever met has been used and abused, and you think he’ll be your friend? It’s silly, it makes no sense, because it’s Randy Orton. When Omos broke the scooter, Styles thought that’d hurt Riddle. Or when Omos was throwing Riddle around last week, that’d hurt him. “But never in a million years would I have thought it would be a broken heart that hurt you the most, by Randy Orton! Well done, Randy!” Orton tells Styles to shut his freakin’ mouth!
Orton’s been at home for 2 months, watching Styles run his mouth, walking around like he is THE MAN. His ego is so big, the only thing bigger is that jackass next to him! Hold on right there! That’s a lie! Omos is no jackass! But Styles has an idea, and he tells the fans to shut up for a minute so he can talk. Since Orton is solo, why not take on Styles tonight? And we’ll just see who runs Raw! Oh, that’s easy, because Orton accepts. So tonight, Orton will beat Styles and give him a spoiler: He’ll win tonight with the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment, R! K! Oh wait that was an uppercut!
Omos sees that, is angry, but he glares at Orton. Orton springs but Omos shoves him away! Omos dares Orton to do something more but Riddle is coiled! Omos turns around into an R- No, wait, he still stopped one! He choke grips Riddle, and CHOKE SLAMS Riddle down! Orton sighs. Riddle reaches out to him, but Orton says that was a dumb move. The Viper slithers off to prepare, will he have a phenomenal return to the ring tonight?
Baron Corbin’s backstage…?
The former king is a SmackDown superstar, but he’s here on Raw? Kevin Patrick interviews him, citing that Corbin is using the Brand 2 Brand Invitation to be here. What are Corbin’s reasons for coming here and challenging Drew McIntyre? Corbin isn’t sure if anyone on Raw understands how bad things are for Corbin. He’s fallen on hard times, and he just needs the money. He has quite literally lost everything: his crown, his cars, his house. Even his wife took the kids and left, so he’s homeless. He was staying inside a production truck last night when Jinder Mahal called him. Mahal is offering Corbin a chance to turn things around.
Corbin isn’t jumping for joy at going against someone who could “decapitate” him with a sword, but this is risk versus reward and Corbin is a desperate man. If beating McIntyre can get him out of these financial troubles, then so be it. Sword or not, Corbin will face the Scottish Warrior next!
Baron Corbin VS Drew McIntyre!
The Lone Wolf is doing the Modern Day Maharaja’s dirty work, emphasis on dirty because he’s wearing the last week right there on his sleeve. Corbin’s willing to use blood money to get by, but will he even survive a motivated and malicious McIntyre?
Raw returns as Kevin Patrick interviews McIntyre backstage. What is McIntyre’s reaction to Mahal paying Corbin to come here and face him? Well Mahal and his goons are running scared, but McIntyre “can’t quite put a finger on why…” As for Corbin, just look at how pathetic he’s become. But McIntyre is conflicted, so he asks the people: Should McIntyre feel any sympathy for Corbin? “NO!” Yeah, no. McIntyre’s known Corbin for years and he is a “genuinely terrible human being.” He remembers Corbin bragging about beating up a hobo, taking his money AND his dog! Orland surely wants to see McIntyre BEAT CORBIN’S ASS! Fans cheer yes!
Kevin asks about the sword and the use of it last week. Well to quickly review: he named the sword for his late mother, Angela, who passed away a few years ago; he misses her every single day; she had a genetic disorder but never complained; while she was pregnant with Drew, she was told to abort the baby, but refused and would rather have died. She still had McIntyre, took care of him, never complained, even in her last moments with cancer. So for one second, imagine how McIntyre feels about a person like Corbin, “karma is a bitch! And if you push Drew McIntyre, so is Angela.” Their will be no mercy from McIntyre, he’s heading to the ring!
The bell rings and Corbin wants McIntyre to take it easy. This is just a match and a paycheck, okay? That’s all. But then Corbin swings first and McIntyre kicks back! McIntyre bumps, ROCKS and CHOPS Corbin in the corner! McIntyre whips Corbin to ropes and CLOBBERS him with an elbow! McIntyre stomps Corbin, drags Corbin up and throws forearms. Corbin staggers, McIntyre whips him corner to corner and hard! Corbin falls over, Mahal and his men are watching backstage as McIntyre hits a dead lift suplex! Cover, TWO! McIntyre gets Corbin up to shove, Corbin holds ropes, McIntyre clotheslines him out!
McIntyre goes out after Corbin, drags him back up and CHOPS him against the announce desk! Corbin slumps down but he gets up to ROCK McIntyre with an uppercut! And RAM McIntyre into apron! Corbin gets McIntyre into the ring at 6 of 10, follows after, and gets McIntyre up for knees low and hard. Corbin throws McIntyre out hard, too, and then hurries out around the way. Corbin runs in at McIntyre, but into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Corbin crashes into barriers and McIntyre fires up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Corbin has control as he puts McIntyre up top! Corbin climbs up, throws hands, keeps climbing, then punches more. Corbin gets McIntyre up for a SUPERPLEX! Both men are down but Corbin crawls to a cover, TWO!! McIntyre is still in this and Corbin is beside himself! Corbin stands up and gets McIntyre up for haymakers. Corbin fires off body shots in the corner, whips McIntyre corner to corner, and McIntyre staggers into buckles. Corbin runs in, McIntyre moves. Corbin slides out, slides in but into a GLASGOW KISS! Both men are down from the headbutt and fans rally up!
Corbin gets to a corner, McIntyre rises, and McIntyre snarls as he fires off windmill haymakers! THe ref backs McIntyre off but he starts rallying on Corbin. McIntyre whips, OVERHEAD suplexes, then watches Corbin stagger. Corbin is in a corner,. McIntyre clinches for another OVERHEAD suplex! And then a NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up, fans fire up, and McIntyre aims. But as Corbin rises, he begs for mercy. “I had to do this! I have nothing else!” Weren’t they friends? So please, spare him! McIntyre gets a mic to talk to Corbin, “You’re absolutely pathetic.” Corbin says he knows, he has nothing! Well, McIntyre is starting to feel bad.
If things are this bad, and seems they are… How much does Corbin need for a few days so he can get a hot meal, a warm bed, “and for the love of God, a shower?” Corbin think about that, and asks “$100,000.” WHAT?! He is so reasonable, NOT. How about two hundred? Or three? Three, two, ONE! CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
“Good night, Corbin!” Corbin just doesn’t know when to quit, does he? Will Mahal learn the same lesson soon enough? Speaking of, though, Mahal leads the way out for Veer and Shanky, but McIntyre gets Angela! That stops the Maharaja and his men in their tracks! McIntyre dares them to try it, but they’ve at least learned this much. But when will McIntyre and Mahal finally fight it out, 1v1, no sidekicks or swords involved?
Riddle scoots after Orton.
Riddle knows Orton doesn’t want to be RKBRO anymore, but what about being friends? Riddle has more shirts he made, and he ordered Orton his own scooter so it’s already on its way… C-Can he at least be in Orton’s corner for the match with Styles? After all, Styles will have Omos, so Riddle just wants things to be fair. Riddle gets upset as Orton sighs again. “You can’t be serious, bro!” Orton looks at him and says, “I am serious. And don’t call me ‘Bro’.”
Jeff Hardy VS Karrion Kross!
The Charismatic Enigma is back! And though the NXT Champion went back and forth with Keith Lee lately, Doomsday has waited for the time when he could settle things with the extreme risk-taker. Has Hardy taken too big a risk taking on the sands of time?
Raw returns as Kross makes his entrance. The bell rings and Hardy dodges Kross to fire off hands,. Hardy runs but into a BOOT! Kross stomps Hardy around, drags him up and bump shim off buckles. Kross gets in Hardy’s face then ROCKS him with clothesline, elbow and forearm! Then an EXPLODER! “You remember that?!” Kross is making sure to repeat their previous match so as to correct his shortcoming. But Hardy hits back with body shots and then goes to arm-drag. Kross blocks, pulls hair and TOSSES Hardy out of the ring! Fans rally for Hardy but Kross stalks Hardy on the outside. Kross won’t let Hardy get away, “We’re not done yet!”
Kross whips Hardy but Hardy reverses, Kross hits steel steps! Hardy gets space, runs in and leaps off the steps, POETRY IN MOTION! Fans fire up with Hardy as he throws off his shirt! Hardy puts Kross in the ring, gets him up, and Russian Leg Sweeps! Hardy hurries to a corner, climbs up top, and fans fire up again! But Kross sweeps Hardy’s legs! Hardy tumbles to the mat and Kross laughs! “I know you, Jeff!” The apocalypse is gloating as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Kross ROCKS Hardy with forearms. Hardy hits back, kicks and reels Kross in to DDT! Both men are down and fans build to a rally. Hardy gets up first but Kross follows. Kross kicks, whips, but Hardy wrenches to ROCK Kross back! Kross runs into an ATOMIC DROP, then leg trip and LEG SPLITTER LEG DROP! Basement dropkick and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kross grits his teeth, still a lot left in him. Hardy clubs Kross to a corner, rams his shoulder in, but the ref counts. Hardy whips but Kross reverses. Kross runs in but into a BOOT! Hardy hops up top, fans fire up and he leaps, for another SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Kross snarls as he gets frustrated!
Hardy gets Kross up to throw hands then whips. Kross blocks, CLUBS and ROCKS Hardy, but Hardy JAWBREAKERS back! Kross staggers, Hardy rolls him up, with tights, TWO! Kross is furious, he felt that! Hardy kicks but no Twist! Kross shoves Hardy at a corner but Hardy elbows him back. Hardy goes up, but Kross drags him down, into the DOOMSDAY SAIDO!! And the KROSSJACKET!! Hardy TAPS, Kross wins!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by submission
The NXT Champion is savage and he devastated a living legend. But Kross isn’t satisfied so easily, either! He gets Hardy back up, for another DOOMSDAY SAIDO! And the KROSSJACKET again!! Hardy taps but then fades out! Kross is warning all of Raw and even all of NXT that no matter where, no matter when, you will #FallAndPray.
Backstage interview with Riddle.
Kevin asks Riddle now that Orton is back but made clear he doesn’t want to be a teammate, is this really the end of RKBRO? K-Peezy, today has been a real roller coaster. Riddle was stoked to see Orton but then Orton doesn’t want to be on his team, as his bro or in his corner. Riddle doesn’t know what to feel, say or do. But if Orton wants to be alone, Riddle has to respect that and let Orton do what he’ll do. But this stallion will do what a stallion does, and that’s ride! Riddle scoots away, but is he really feeling better? Or just scooting to keep from thinking about things?
Alexa Bliss VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven w/ Eva Marie!
Lil’ Ms. Bliss may be twisted, but even she isn’t calling someone by a name she made up herself and taking credit for that person’s accomplishments. Will Alexa halt the #EvaLution through the proxy, Pip- er… “Doudrop?”
Raw returns and the #EvaLution makes their entrance. The bell rings and Alexa makes sure Lilly is comfortable in the corner. Alexa stares Piper down but the ref tells Eva to get out of the ring. Eva refuses and sits on top of a corner, as if mocking Lilly! Fans chant “WE DON’T WANT YOU!” and the ref keeps telling her to leave. Eva leaves the ring but paces around ringside. Alexa glares over at Eva, then ties up with Piper. Alexa fires off kicks, forearms, repeat, but Piper shoves her down. Alexa contorts to Grudge/Ring walk! Piper snarls to get over the fear and scoops Alexa! But Alexa slips around to a SLEEPER! Piper throws Alexa off hard, then drops a back senton that flops!
Alexa KICKS Piper in the back, KICKS her in the front, then with Lilly watching, covers. ONE, but Alexa gets Piper up. Piper blocks the whip, whips her, but Alexa is a spider as she springboards to crossbody! Cover, ONE! Piper is still strong but Alexa bails out. Fans cheer as she walks by, and Alexa smiles as she walks around the way towards Eva. Eva wants her to stay away, swipes at her feebly, and Alexa blocks! Piper runs in to CLUB Alexa on the back! Eva soaks up the heat as Piper gets Alexa up and whips her into barriers! Piper drags Alexa up, puts her in the ring, and gets in the ring at 9 of 10. Piper drags Alexa around, KICKS her in the back, then drags her up.
Piper bumps Alexa off buckles, Eva tells fans to stop chanting for Alexa. Piper whips her corner to corner. Piper SPLASHES Alexa, snapmares her out, then taunts, “Lilly can’t help you now~! She’s just a stupid, dirty doll!” But then Alexa contorts again and grins! She’s looking at Lilly, and then Piper looks back at it. Lilly winks?! Piper gets freaked out, but Alexa rolls her up! High stack, Alexa wins!!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall
Every good manager/cornerman knows how to help their superstar! So, this makes Lilly better than Eva! And Eva keeps acting like this is all on Piper! Will Alexa and Lilly completely ruin the EvaLution?
John Morrison and The Miz talk backstage.
Johnny Drip Drip says that the fact is, Damian Priest can never “Jump in the river” because he’s too dry. He doesn’t get #TheWettertheBetter. Miz can’t stand Damian! But then in walks Sheamus, face mask and all. Y’know what he can’t stand? “Gobshites with silly hair, ridiculous outfits, and obnoxious catchphrases.” Who is he referring to? YOU, Morrison! You’re the “waterhead” who cost Sheamus his match with Priest. Don’t you know they’re after his gold? Fella, you must be trippin’, so it’s time for Johnny to start drippin’. He’s gonna rain the pain! Go ahead, make Sheamus’ day! Miz says to stand down.
But this is what’s wrong with them both. Sheamus has bigger, or rather smaller, things to worry about when he gets to stand on and crush that rat, Ricochet. But as for America’s Moist Wanted, he better get the job done tonight. Or else he’s in for one hell of a drought! The Celtic Warrior takes on the One and Only, next!
WWE United States Championship Contenders Match: Sheamus VS Ricochet!
The Archer of Infamy hit the mark and has a title match in his back pocket, will the King of Flight get a golden ticket for himself? Or can the Fella fend off at least one hungry challenger tonight?
Raw returns as Ricochet makes his entrance. The bell rings and Ricochet circles with Sheamus. Ricochet gets around to waistlock but Sheamus throws him off. Ricochet resets, he and Sheamus tie up, and Sheamus puts Ricochet in a corner. The ref counts, Ricochet pushes back and things get chippy. Ricochet CLUBS away on Sheamus’ back but Sheamus elbows Ricochet away. Sheamus CLUBS Ricochet, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Ricochet powers out, Sheamus runs him over with a shoulder! Sheamus gloats and soaks up the heat, but things speed up!
Ricochet hurdles to run, duck, dodge and tilt-o-whirl headscissor! Ricochet adds a dropkick and Sheamus bails out! Fans fire up with Ricochet but Sheamus is flustered. Sheamus tells fans to shut it then he goes back to the ring at 5 of 10. Sheamus and Ricochet circle, feel things out, but Sheamus kicks low then knees hard! Sheamus wrenches, wrangles Ricochet down, then clamps on with a chinbar. Ricochet fights up, fans rally, and Ricochet throws body shots. Ricochet ROCKS Sheamus with hands, then an uppercut in the corner! Ricochet CHOPS, Sheamus KNEES, then Sheamus scoops and SLAMS! Ricochet slowly sits up but Sheamus throws body shots.
Sheamus whips Ricochet to ropes, but Ricochet hits a KNEE SMASH! Ricochet keeps moving, but runs into a fireman’s carry! Ricochet fights free, baits Sheamus in and dumps him out of the ring! Ricochet builds speed and WRECKS Sheamus with a dropkick! Sheamus hits announce desk, Ricochet keeps moving, he SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES Sheamus onto and OVER the announce desk!! Orlando fires up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Sheamus has Ricochet with a neck wrench. That chants of “YOU LOOK STUPID!” return to haunt Sheamus after all this time, and Ricochet fires off body shots. Ricochet throws haymakers, CHOPS, and forearms! Ricochet runs but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREKER! Sheamus fires up, “Are you not entertained?!” Orlando is divided as Sheamus gets Ricochet up. Sheamus grinds Ricochet down with a chinbar but fans rally up. Ricochet fights to his feet, throws body shots, elbow after elbow after elbow after elbow! Fans fire up with every shot but Sheamus CLUBS Ricochet down! But Ricochet dumps Sheamus out!
Sheamus fights up to the apron and drags Ricochet up but Ricochet punches the mask! Ricochet’s hand hearts, Sheamus climbs up top. But an ENZIGURI gets Sheamus first! Ricochet climbs up, throws hands, but Sheamus shoves Ricochet away. Ricochet flips through to land on his feet, then NO HANDS RANA! Sheamus goes tumbling, Ricochet aims from the apron, springboard FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Then a high LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and fans can’t believe it! Ricochet keeps focus, Sheamus gets up, and Ricochet stands Sheamus up. Ricochet fireman’s carries but Sheamus fights free!
Sheamus shoves Ricochet to a corner but Ricochet drop toeholds Sheamus into buckles! Ricochet hurries up top, leaps, but Sheamus uses the mask in a headbutt!! Sheamus benefits from his own injury, and he BROGUES Ricochet down!! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
No win, no title match for the One and Only Ricochet! But will the Celtic Warrior’s armored skull be what breaks the Archer of Infamy’s arrows? Wait, speaking of, here comes Damian Priest! He isn’t going to wait for Sheamus to leave, he wants to soak up the spotlight right now. He even gets in Sheamus’ face! Sheamus is furious Priest is “stepping on his moment,” but fans chant, “NO HE’S NOT!” Priest dares Sheamus to do something about it then, but Sheamus leaves. Only to rush Priest from behind! Priest sees that coming and dumps Sheamus out! The Fella is furious, but here comes the Guru of Greatness!
John Morrison w/ The Miz VS Damian Priest!
Miz fires the Drip Stick as they make their way down the ramp! America’s Moist Wanted is ready to extinguish Priest, but will he end up the one devastated and evaporated?
The bell rings and Morrison circles with Priest. They approach, Morrison gets around but Priest throws him down with an arm-drag. Priest clamps onto the arm, Morrison fights up but Priest wrenches to wristlock., Morrison knees low, uppercuts, and goes after Priest in a corner. Priest TOSSES Morrison into a corner and fires off fast hands! Priest ROCKS Morrison with a right, then glares at Miz. Miz claims he’s not doing anything, but then he secretly loads up a Drip Stick. Morrison crawls away but Priest drags him back from the ropes. Priest gets Morrison up but Morrison PELES him down! And then SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, ONE!!
Miz is upset about the count but Morrison goes to ground ‘n’ pound. Miz quotes Karate Kid, “Get him a body bag!” as Morrison floats all over to rain down more shots. Priest endures, Morrison digs his knee in and shifts to an armlock and chinlock combo. Miz rallies for Morrison as Priest works on an escape. Priest clubs at Morrison’s chest and then uses his leg to club Morrison over and over! Priest is free, he gets up, and Morrison hurries up. Priest dodges to BELL CLAP, then spin for KICK, KICK and KICK! ROLLING ELBOW! Morrison staggers and rebounds into a LARIAT! Fans fire up with Priest as he paces around Morrison.
Priest gets Morrison up, suplexes, but Morrison fights free to fire off! Priest knees low, Morrison ROCKS him with a forearm! Priest ROCKS Morrison back! Priest blocks a kick, Morrison blocks a kick, they both block elbows! Morrison cartwheels over a leg sweep but Priest ducks the Penalty Kick! Priest schoolboy rolls Morrison, Morrison rolls through, BOTH men kick from the mat! Fans fire up as both men are down from that striking extravaganza! Priest gets up as fans rally, “This is Awesome!” Morrison gets to a corner, Priest stalks over, but Morrison throws Priest out! Morrison WRECKS Priest with a dropkick, then climbs up top! TORNILLO PLANCHA!!
Miz is fired up, fans can’t believe what they saw, and Morrison puts Priest in. Priest kicks but Morrison dodges to hang that leg on the ropes. Morrison EDDY GORDO kicks, then springboards, into a WHEEL KICK! Priest drags Morrison up, dragon sleeper, but Miz SQUIRT SQUIRT! Priest just smiles and blows a kiss to Miz, as Morrison gets THE RECKONING!! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
#HitTheLights, Morrison is out! But Priest still feels Miz needs to learn. Miz scoots back as best he can, Morrison rushes out but Priest DECKS him! Miz double barrels but then stops. Priest takes the sticks to SQUIRT SQUIRT Johnny Drip Drip! Fans cheer as Priest points to Miz, and Miz shouts, “NO! NO!” But Miz cornered himself. Priest says he OWNS Miz, but Miz gets furious and stands up!?! His leg wasn’t injured at all?! Even Morrison can’t believe Miz was faking! Well in that case, Miz RUNS away! All the way to the stage in a flash, the A-Lister is gone!
Priest gets a mic to tell Orlando, “Hell yeah! Hey, for months, we’ve all seen Sheamus come out here. And he comes out to run his mouth, pick apart his opponents when they’re not looking-” But Sheamus walks back out to interrupt “Damo,” and tell him that if he has something to say, say it to Sheamus’ face. Don’t wait until he leaves the room. He expects more from Priest on that. Priest says that’s rich coming from Sheamus. But for months, we’ve all seen this: Sheamus treats people like garbage and is straight up a bully. But here’s the thing. Just like every other bully in life, Priest will get him, too. But this will be at SummerSlam for the US Championship!!
Sheamus says “Priesty” talks a big game, and he calls Sheamus the bully. Well maybe he IS a bully! And maybe he likes being a bully! But the truth is, Sheamus doesn’t care what Priest or anyone else thinks. But he will put Priest in his place! Be ready for the fight of your life, because Sheamus ACCEPTS! Las Vegas just got that much more golden! Wait, Morrison is getting back in! Priest BOOTS him down! Wait, that was more like a Brogue! “See that, Sheamus? That’s gonna be YOU at SummerSlam!” The Celtic Warrior, the Archer of Infamy, who survives Sin City to have the title around their waist?
Mansoor apologizes backstage.
He is so sorry for their loss last week, but to make it up to Mustafa Ali, Mansoor got him this new jacket. Mustafa actually admits it’s amazing! Nice job, kid. But like he’s said before, Mansoor has to stop apologizing. There’s no need to apologize when you make a mistake, but you do need to learn from those mistakes. Understand? Of course. Yeah, he’ll do better next time. In the meantime, Ali will show Mansoor “how it’s done.” All Mansoor needs to do is watch and learn. They head out, will the reinvigorated Beacon be able to topple the towering T-Bar?
Mustafa Ali w/ Mansoor VS T-Bar w/ Mace!
They split things in tag matches, now they try things 1v1! Will extinction still come to Ali and Mansoor, even if it’s just one at a time?
Raw returns as Ali and Mansoor make their entrance. Ali still doesn’t want Mansoor to be chummy, despite the nice gift of the jacket. The bell rings, Ali and T-Bar circle. They tie up, T-Bar TOSSES Ali to a corner then back elbows! T-Bar whips Ali corner to corner, then BACK DROPS him on the rebound! Cover, TWO! T-Bar keeps cool as he drags Ali up. Ali throws body shots, T-Bar knees low then whips Ali to ropes. Ali ducks and dodges and dropkicks T-Bar out of the ring! T-Bar gets back in but into Ali’s KICK! Ali PLANCHAS and takes T-Bar- NEVERMIND! T-Bar rolls through to pick Ali up to KNEE and SWING into barriers!
T-Bar drags Ali up, throws him into the ring at 6 of 10 and follows. T-Bar scowls as he aims, CYCLONE KICK!! Cover, TWO!?! Ali survives and shocks T-Bar! Ali gets to ropes, T-Bar stalks after him, and T-Bar gets Ali up to whip him corner to corner. Ali boots back, hops up and up and leaps, but into a choke grip! CHOKE BACKBREAKER! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Ali survives again and T-Bar can’t believe it! T-Bar glares at Mansoor, but Mace CLOBBERS Mansoor! “Snitches get stiches, boy!” T-Bar drags Ali up, choke grips, but Ali wheelbarrows! Ali goes up and over to waistlock and O’Conner Roll, TWO! Ali goes up and up and leaps to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up as T-Bar is in a drop zone!
Ali goes up top, takes aim, but T-Bar BOOTS from below! Ali is tripped up, T-Bar hauls him out to a torture rack, FEAST YOUR EYES!! Cover, T-Bar wins!
Winner: T-Bar, by pinfall
Ali is still in trouble as Mace drags him back up! Double choke grips, but Mansoor FLIES in! Missile dropkick takes T-Bar out! Then he fires off on Mace! Mace swings, Mansoor dodges and fires off more forearms! Mace blocks the whip, whips Mansoor, but Mansoor dumps Mace out! Mansoor triangle jump DROPKICKS Mace down! The titans regroup as Mansoor stands tall! Ali can’t believe it, either! But does this mean he and Mansoor are a real team now?
Reggie has a photoshoot.
The WWE 24/7 Champion says it feels good on this side of the camera. Carmella and Nia Jax always had him work the camera, taking hundreds if not thousands of photos, all just to post one on Instagram. A janitor with a suspiciously fake beard wheels in as Reggie says he could get used to this. But then a delivery man steps into frame, with his own suspiciously fake facial hair. Uh, does Reggie know you? “SPRING SHOT MEMORIES~!” It’s Akira Tozawa and he throws the packages at Reggie! Reggie stumbles, Tozawa rolls him up, ref counts… Truth breaks it up! Truth was the janitor!
Truth and Tozawa argue about what the other is doing, because they’re BOTH letting Reggie get away! Reggie gest around the janitor cart, around the prop ring, over road cases, but now he’s stuck! Wait, nope! He LEAPS over Tozawa to get to the exit! Tozawa and Truth argue about whose fault this was, but the point is: Will anyone ever wrangle Reggie with such amazing agility at his disposal?
Backstage interview with AJ Styles & Omos.
Kevin wants Styles’ reaction to Orton’s return. Oh, so glad he’s back, really, great moment. NOT. Styles doesn’t care that Orton is back, that he broke up his little team, that he feels better off alone, Styles doesn’t care! What Styles care about is, if Orton thinks he can come right back and be the top of the mountain after being away so long, he’s mistaken. Styles is a champion. Omos is a champion. They deserve respect. Orton made a big mistake, a colossal mistake. So just like Riddle’s scooter, they’ll have to break Orton and put him back on the sidelines, for good. Omos says, “C’mon, bro,” and the two head out. Will Styles back up his talk? Or will he be snake-bit by the end of tonight?
Bobby Lashley is here!
MVP accompanies The All Mighty, the Chief Hurt Officer, the WWE World Champion out to the ring, knowing full well Goldberg’s coming for him and the title at SummerSlam. Montel Vontavius Porter has a mic to ask the fans to please rise and show the proper respect to the champion. Then he notes last week, Lashley being gracious enough to bless the world with a blockbuster of a main event: The All Mighty Lashley VS WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg for THE WWE Championship! Now sadly, that announcement has been “mired in controversy.” There are some “false narratives being spun” on which MVP needs to set the record straight.
If Goldberg was looking for a fight, it was right here in this ring, just inches away. But Goldberg never raised his hand to the man, and wisely. Goldberg left in an orderly fashion, and maybe he was embarrassed or wanted to save face, but he savagely and cowardly returned and attacked MVP with a “rib-crushing” Spear for absolutely no reason at all! And then, because Goldberg needed to make up for that, he LIED and said he did it because MVP was threatening his 15 year old son. MVP is a father, Lashley is a father, they have sons of their own and they would never do such things. They were acting in humanitarian capacities.
What MVP said was simple: If you love you father, Gage, please dissuade Goldberg from this fool’s errand; if Goldberg shows up at SummerSlam, his career will be over. Lashley will end Goldberg’s career. For that, Goldberg attacks MVP! MVP has been slandered before, but when you slander him, you slander Lashley, as well! Now most don’t know what it’s like getting hit by a Goldberg Spear, “but it’s like getting hit by a Mack truck!” MVP has tearing in his knee, four bruised ribs and two cracked ribs on the other side. His x-rays can prove it. But the only thing more devastating than a Goldberg Spear is an All Mighty Lashley Spear.
MVP tells Goldberg, “you have no one to blame but yourself.” They’re violent men by nature, but if you’re a WWE superstar, and you involve your son in your battles, anything can happen! Maybe don’t’ bring him here! MVP takes a moment, the ribs make it hard to breathe. He can’t cough, he can’t sneeze, he can’t even laugh, but that’s appropriate. This is no laughing matter. Goldberg got Gage involved, so this is for Gage: “Please, I beg you, convince you father not to show up to SummerSlam.” Because if that happens, Gage will watch his father be “humiliated, annihilated and absolutely destroyed in a way you’ve not seen before! Because Bobby Lashley is gonna END Goldberg’s career!”
Look at the upside, though. The upside is that Gage will have his dad home for his football games, baseball games, and they can sit on the couch to watch the WWE as they reminisce about the time Gage didn’t care enough about his dad to stop him from facing Lashley. They can have all the father-son time they want after that. Isn’t that beautiful? Lashley agrees, and has a message for Goldberg now: “Bill, do NOT let your son watch SummerSlam. Because if he does, he will watch the destruction that I’m gonna put upon you! And it’s gonna be so bad, that you won’t even want to have him share the same last name as you!” At SummerSlam, Goldberg isn’t next. He’s DONE.
Mighty words from the All Mighty and MVP, but will this only motivate the old gladiator to get back to being that old gladiator again?
Backstage interview with Rhea Ripley.
Sarah asks her about Nikki A.S.H’s win over Charlotte Flair in the No Holds Barred match, and how that makes her feel about tonight’s match. Rhea said it last week, there’s nothing more brutal than NHB, and she gives credit to Nikki for holding her own. Nikki’s held her own rather well as Raw Women’s Champion, and that takes a lot of heart and guts to be an Almost Super Hero. But almost isn’t good enough to stay champion. As a former Raw Women’s Champion, Rhea understands the balance between light and dark needed to be a champion. Does Nikki have a dark side? Rhea hasn’t seen it.
So unfortunately for Nikki, no matter how hard she tries, how hard she believe in herself, it won’t protect her from the Nightmare unleashed tonight, nor at SummerSlam, when Rhea becomes NEW Raw Women’s Champion. That alone right there was her brutality, but Rhea unleash even more of it as she tests Nikki’s might?
Rhea Ripley VS Nikki A.S.H!
Raw returns as the Almost Superhero is interviewed backstage. Sarah says last week was one of the biggest wins in Nikki’s career, but is she at all prepared for Rhea? Nikki says being almost a superhero means she has to be prepared for things not always going her way. “But if you believe in yourself enough, you can achieve your dreams! Just look at her as Raw Women’s Champion! Tonight, Nikki’s dream might turn into a nightmare. But she’ll be okay because she has the trusty nightlight that is her spirit and her drive!
When she began this journey, when she became champion, she knew that Rhea and Charlotte would be dangerous. But Nikki didn’t almost beat Charlotte last week, she DID beat Charlotte last week! And tonight, she’s almost positive she’ll win here. At SummerSlam, she has the odds stacked against her, but she’ll do whatever it takes to remain Raw Women’s Champion! Nikki’s music plays, she heads out for the ring, but will she almost or definitely maintain her momentum for SummerSlam?
The bell rings, Rhea and Nikki circle. They tie up, Rhea throws Nikki down hard, but Nikki avoids the kick to the ribs! Roll up, TWO, but Nikki headlocks. Rhea powers up, Nikki grinds the hold tighter, but Rhea powers up again. Nikki makes it a takeover, Rhea fights around to her feet, but Nikki uses the corner to go up and around for another takedown! Rhea gets frustrated but she fights back up. Rhea throws body shots, powers up again and SLAMS Nikki down face-first! Nikki clutches her bad ribs, Rhea kicks her in the side! Nikki gets to a corner, Rhea RAMS into her! Rhea throws body shots to go after those bad ribs!
Rhea bumps Nikki off buckles, then TOSSES her across the ring! Nikki gets to the other corner and Rhea dares her to get up. Nikki does and Rhea RAMS back into her! The ref counts, Rhea lets off, Nikki hits back! Rhea CLUBS Nikki down, gets her up, and whips her to a corner hard! Nikki bounces off buckles, Rhea taunts her about the bad ribs, then CLUBS her on the back. Rhea throws Nikki out of the ring, goes out after her, but Nikki shoves her away. Nikki runs but into a flapjack to the apron! Nikki falls to the floor and writhes in pain while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Rhea has Nikki in a rear bearhug! Fans rally as Nikki fights but Rhea slams her down! Rhea knees Nikki in the back again and again, then cubs away on her! Nikki gets to ropes and Rhea has to back off a moment. Rhea stalks Nikki to a corner, gets her up and throws hands. Nikki shoves Rhea, boots her, then elbows her away. Nikki fires counter punches, Rhea shoves her but Nikki turns back drop into a DDT! Nikki and Rhea are down and fans rally. Nikki gets up and drags Rhea around. Nikki fires forearms, but Rhea blocks the whip. Rhea whips Nikki but Nikki tilt-o-whirls to headscissor! Rhea ends up in a corner, Nikki RAMS in!
Nikki runs, wheelbarrows, and victory rolls, TWO! Rhea staggers up, kicks Nikki down, then drags Nikki up. Pump handle, but Nikki fights to turn Riptide to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Nikki winces and walks into Rhea’s kick from below! Rhea gets Nikki up in a corner and fires off body shots! Rhea hoists Nikki up top, throws hands, climbs up to join Nikki, and fans fire up as they stand on the very top! Nikki resists, fights back, forearms and knocks Rhea down! Nikki adjusts position but her ribs slow her down! Nikki- GETS SHOVED by Charlotte?!
Winner: Nikki A.S.H, by disqualification
The Queen strikes at the most opportune time! And she BOOTS Rhea down, too! Charlotte gets Nikki up, scoops and EXPLODERS! Charlotte kips up, fans go nuts with ‘WOO~” and “BOO!” but Rhea gets NATURAL SELECTION!! Charlotte soaks up the cheers, jeers and everything in between as she snatches the Raw Women’s Championship. Will SummerSlam end with Charlotte getting her twelfth (14 if you include NXT) women’s championship reign?
Elias… walks… alone…
The Drifter drags his guitar along as he walks through the woods. There’s a bonfire that calls to him. Elias stares into the flames, then holds his guitar in hands. His head is full of fans chanting “Walk With Elias,” but also the sound of his back being battered by every manner of wooden guitar, cello or other string instrument by all his past opponents. From Braun Strowman to Jeff Hardy to most recently, Jaxson Ryker. Elias looks at his guitar, strums it one more time, and takes a deep breath before he tosses his guitar to the flames. “WWE stood for Walk With Elias. But Elias is dead.” Then, who is this that now walks through the shadows?
Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.
Can she shed some light as to why she attacked Nikki and Rhea tonight? Well to spell it out for Sarah, “As I watched those two tear each other apart, I created a strategic opportunity to rub salt in the wounds.” Charlotte doesn’t need to be pinned to lose the Triple Threat. While she wants to reclaim the title, she’s not taking any chances. If Rhea and Nikki were on Charlotte’s level, they would’ve anticipated the attack. Anyone who’s been at the top and stayed at the top knows that you become a target. Hell, she showed last week that a little bit of empathy, maybe even vulnerability, and she becomes a target for criticism!? One loss and that erases everything before?!
Charlotte is THE MOST DECORATED WOMAN in WWE history. Everyone can pray for her downfall or steal the opportunities she creates and earns, but nothing is stopping her walking out of SummerSlam THE Raw Women’s Champion. The Queen is confident, but can she really outplay two opponents at once?
Backstage interview with Randy Orton.
Can he explain why he’s distancing himself from Riddle? It’s simple: Orton works better alone. He doesn’t need teammates, distractions, or friendships. He just needs to defeat Styles, which he will, and he will do that alone. The Viper heads out, but will these words all come back to bite him?
AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Randy Orton!
A phenomenal main event, a phenomenal rematch from many times before, but will it be Too Sweet? Styles and Orton finish the night off, after the break!
Raw returns once again as Styles and Omos make their entrance. The bell rings and fans rally behind “RANDY! RANDY!” as Styles goes right at Orton! Orton counter punches, gets Styles in a corner and stomps away! Orton bumps Styles off buckles, gets him up to EuroUpper, then stalk him as he staggers about. Orton throws more hands, Styles kicks back then CHOSPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Orton to reverse. Styles slides under, Oroton EuroUppers Styles down! Orton suplexes to hang styles out to dry! Styles flops down on the apron, clutching his ribs. Orton paces, glares at Omos, but Omos shakes his head.
Orton stomps Styles, fans chant “R K O!” but he stomps Styles’ head instead. Styles bails out, Orton goes out after him, and they end up by the announce desk. Orton stares Omos down, and bumps Styles off the desk! Orton gets Styles up, but Omos takes a step closer so Omos shoves Styles aside. They stare down, Styles whips Orton but Orton reverses to send Styles into the apron! Orton puts Styles in the ring, he glances back at Omos, but the ring count is climbing! Styles WRECKS Orton with a dropkick and the count rests. Styles SLINGSHOT FOREARMS and Orton is down! Omos nods as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more and Styles has Orton in a headlock. Orton fights with body shots but Styles dropkicks him down! Orton sits up in a daze, into the SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Styles grows frustrated but Omos has confidence in him. Styles gets Orton in a chinlock and squeezes tight. Orton pulls Styles’ hair but lets go as the ref reprimands. Styles taunts Orton but Orton fights up. Fans rally as Orton pulls hair again! The ref reprimands, Orton HEADBUTTS Styles before 4! Styles ROCKS Orton with a right, but Orton ROCKS him back! The haymakers fly back and forth, fast and heavy! Orton gets the edge, Styles kicks low! Styles runs, but Orton CLOBBERS him!
Orton rallies, ducks, and SPINNING POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Orton is a bit surprised and also amused that Styles survived. Orton glares at Omos, drags Styles up, but Styles KICKS Orton’s leg! Orton hobbles, Styles whips him, but Orton reverse to the BACK2BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Orton seethes, stalks Styles around the ring, and puts Styles in a corner. Orton puts Styles up top, throws hands, then climbs up to join him. Orton blows a mocking kiss to Omos, gets Styles up, but Styles slips through to trip Orton up! Orton hits buckles on the way down, Styles rolls him for a CALF- NO! Orton sits up to avoid the hold, only for Styles to CRANK back on the leg!
Styles pull hard but Orton endures the Calf Crusher to get the ROPEBREAK! Styles lets go in frustration, but both he and Orton slowly rise. Orton gets to a corner, Styles runs in, but Orton puts Styles on the apron! Styles ROCKS Orton with a forearm, springboards, but Orton moves! Styles stops his flight and Orton CLOBBERS him on the apron! Orton fires up and gets Styles through the ropes! Fans fire up for the DRAPING DDT! Orton then hears the voices in his head! But Omos drags Styles to safety! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Omos and Orton talk trash at each other. Orton says Omos doesn’t put his hands on Styles, that’s Orton’s job!
Orton then dares Omos to take off his nick jacket and do something! Omos does take off the jacket, but Styles ENZIGURIS Orton! But here comes RIDDLE!! He POSTS Omos and jumps on for a SLEEPER!! Fans are going nuts as Omos can’t get Riddle off his back! So Omos RAMS Riddle into the post! Styles springboards, INTO AN RKO!!! Cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall
Orton kept his word! He got Styles with the three most dangerous letters in wrestling today! But then Orton notices Riddle and Riddle apologizes, but he knew Omos was gonna do something like that! Fans chant “R K BRO!” as Riddle wants a hug. Orton can’t believe Riddle even thinks that’s possible! Orton says no, he goes to the apron, but Riddle says, “Please! Listen tot he people!” The fans get louder, Orton gets back in the ring and Riddle holds out his arms. Orton- Wait, THEY HUG IT OUT?!! Orton has Riddle calm down, and then Riddle raises Orton’s hand in victory! Orton lets Riddle keep going, and then an R K O FOR RIDDLE!!!
So close and yet so far. The Bro was warned, even by The Viper, but he still didn’t think it’d ever happen. But wait, is Orton now patting Riddle’s head? Just when you think RKBRO is done, Orton pulls us back in. Is the Viper’s volatile and variable nature the real riddle in all this?
My Thoughts:
This is such a great yet conflicting episode, because while it’s been the same people again and again, and while there are still some glaring flaws in how Team Vince is booking it, so much of the action was great so that there wasn’t anything boring. To get the flaws out of the way: another inconsistent use of the “Championship Contenders Match,” where Sheamus VS Ricochet was but Nikki VS Rhea wasn’t; equally arbitrary use of Brand 2 Brand Invitation; the pacing of #EvaLution and “Doudrop.” The first one is obvious, it’s another weird Vince whim that just adds unnecessary details. People will understand if a match with a champion is non-title just on the phrase “is for the [something something] championship” NOT being said. This is way too hand-holding condescending to me.
The Brand 2 Brand is still a novel idea allowing USA Network and Fox to “share” superstars of certain standing and popularity levels, and honestly it could be used more. And also, it only made Corbin a buffer in the McIntyre VS Mahal story since pacing is a lost art on Raw. Similarly, there’s bad pacing and story direction in the Eva-Piper stuff. Multiple times, they had the opening for Piper to ditch Eva, go by her REAL name, and have the fans behind her (especially since they’re so solidly against Eva Marie). Then Piper could be getting in on the Raw Women’s title scene, or at least feuding with Shayna, Nia, maybe even Rhea.
Speaking of the Raw Women’s title scene… Rhea’s promo was alright, but it is out of nowhere for her to say a line like “I know how to balance the light and the dark,” and for her to dare Nikki to bring out a darkside. But given how RawDown mentality completely dumps on NXT, of course no one acknowledges the wild, frantic SAnitY Nikki here, not even those who were in NXT at the same time. Nikki’s own promo was solid, but she had multiple lines that would’ve worked as the punctuation on the promo and then she kept adding. The Nikki VS Rhea match was still really good, and Charlotte’s ambush worked out fairly well, too.
Tonight’s 24/7 Championship segment was great fun and certainly the most dynamic with the camera following Reggie all over like that. There was good progress in the story of Ali and Mansoor: the jacket Mansoor got Ali does look great; Ali VS T-Bar was a really good match to remind us of Ali’s resilience; Mansoor looked great fighting off Mace. These two teams are tied in tag matches so obviously we need a tiebreaker soon. And while MVP and Lashley didn’t falter and delivered strong promos, this whole angle with Gage is so forced. It’s just a cheap way to get Heel Heat on Hurt Business and give Face points to Goldberg, because this is the “dream match” no one was dreaming of.
Elias throwing away his guitar is actually rather compelling. You don’t always get to see the (kayfabe) process of a wrestler changing or the emotional attachments and internal conflict that go with that. I am actually curious to see where Elias goes from here. Kross’ story on Raw defaulting back to Hardy is whatever, but I guess Keith Lee and Kross going back and forth is just filler for right now. Maybe once Kross is on Raw full-time, he and Keith get to settle things in a match on par with what NXT would put on, and then fans can understand what WWE sees in Kross. Maybe.
But the best stuff was the RKBRO story. Orton is back, he doesn’t want Riddle around but not so much that he can yell our shout at him to go away. Orlando really liked Riddle so that helped the story. Riddle is to be the one we’re sympathetic towards, even if Riddle was more loyal to Orton than Orton was to Riddle. Orton VS Styles is another great match and great main event. Omos continues to do well as the stoic statue at ringside, always confident because Styles is that good and Omos himself is that big. And the very last moment is so good that I am equal parts excited and bummed out.
I really, really wanted Styles & Omos VS RKBRO, as did a LOT of fans, and WWE certainly felt that. I won’t give them so much credit as to say, “Oh they had this moment here tonight locked in since the start of this.” But it was obvious what the different possibilities were, and just as it seemed it was a “yes” to RKBRO at SummerSlam, it was a swift “no,” but then perhaps a “maybe.” This is all very wild and unpredictable, and I remember back to a time in these articles when I said that wrestling was fun when it was all that. And it still is, even if it is a bit confusing at the same time!
My Score: 8.3/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
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