Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (8/13/21)
The Summer of Cena continues!
The Tribal Chief looks to confront John Cena!
After swiping the Universal Championship opportunity from Finn Balor then being away a week, JOHN CENA returns to SmackDown, and Roman’s looking for him!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews w/ Azeez VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs; Nakamura wins and becomes the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
- The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy; The Street Profits win.
- The Mysterios VS The Dirty Dawgs; The Mysterios win.
- $1000 or No More Begging: Kevin Owens VS Baron Corbin; Kevin wins and Corbin MUST STOP begging.
PLAY BY PLAY
JOHN CENA is here!
He says it’s “A very important night tonight!” and goes to the ring. And he welcomes Tulsa to SmackDown! The contract was signed, sealed and delivered, the match is ON for SummerSlam! Schools are back up and running, too, so this is a great occasion to give Roman Reigns his report card. Cena says Roman is a D. And below average, too. D-Head, D-Bag, and above a D-isappointment. Because for TEN YEARS, the WWE has been selling the fans Roman. And judging by the numbers, the only one buying it is Roman Reigns. That’s why Cena’s back, with a very specific agenda. Cena is gonna give Roman an F. That is to say, at SummerSlam, Roman Reigns gets an F from John Cena.
But… Cena wants to hear what Tulsa feels about this. Tulsa seems pretty fired up hearing this. Cena has a pop quiz and the fans start chanting, “CENA! CENA!” Well, what a lively class! So here’s the question: “Do you think Roman Reigns will beat the hell out of me at SummerSlam?” Fans mostly boo. Okay, now, class, this is your chance to stand up and be heard. Do you think Roman Reigns will beat the hell out of Cena at SummerSlam? They boo even harder! Cena does still have his doctorate in Thugonomics, so here’s the answer to the question: Roman Reigns will beat the hell out of me at SummerSlam; but Cena also knows Roman will still lose and there’s nothing he can do about it!
But speaking of, here comes the Tribal Chief! The WWE Universal Champion takes his time walking out with Paul Heyman in toe. The title is handed over, Roman holds it up, and here’s the pyro! Roman takes his time going to the ring, so SmackDown takes a break.
SmackDown returns as Roman finally enters the ring. He holds the belt up again, and more pyro goes off. Fans chant, “Roman Sucks!” and Cena says here he is, pyro, Paul and all, ROMAN REIGNS! This is a lively bunch tonight, so thanks for joining them. Heyman hands Roman the mic and he tells Cena not to waste time and just get to it. Cena says he’s not wasting time, but he will wait for one week from tomorrow to embarrass Roman on the “biggest stage of them all.” Fans cheer and Roman just asks, “Is that it? That’s all you got?” Cena says, “Roman, that’s all IÂ need.” When he looks in Roman’s eyes [a KFox14 flash flood warning gets in the way here]Â and fans agree.
Cena continues to say Roman thinks we all have to play by his rules. And that this is his company. Everybody knows it belongs to the fans. Yes, Roman wants to throw up in his mouth thinking about that because he’s “so far above” everyone else. That’s why Cena’s back. He’s the only one who can shut Roman up. See, the WWE has been pushing Roman for a decade now, failure after failure, after failure, and Roman is still here “because you’re the best chance they got.” Roman built such a layer of protection over himself that no other WWE superstar even has a chance in there with him.
But this is where Cena comes in. They asked Cena to come back, because Roman needs a big ol’ piece of humble pie and he’s gonna get one when Cena beats Roman’s ass at SummerSlam. Fans cheer big for that one! Cena wants Roman to see that the fans know. It’s starting to build! There’s one week left to choose: Team Reigns (which gets lots of boos), or Team Cena (which gets lots of cheers). Well, seems Tulsa has chosen. Roman’s table seems pretty small right now, huh? SummerSlam is gonna be history, count on that! Roman wants to talk but fans chant for Cena. Cena said this was their show, didn’t he?
Roman says he thought there’d be something original and fresh, but instead Cena makes D jokes, penis jokes, all the same stuff about beating his ass. This is all stuff we heard before. Where’s something good? Hit Roman with the good stuff. Cena will. He won’t beat Roman’s ass. Roman’s gonna beat Cena’s ass. Yes, real good stuff. Spear after Spear, big strong punch named for that DC Comics superhero, and another one. Hypeman Slimey in the corner, holding up the title-aka Paul Heyman-and Roman will be kicking Cena’s ass at SummerSlam! Cena doesn’t need to prove himself to Roman, though. That’s what is so historic about this. Cena just needs to pin Roman, 1-2-3.
See, if Cena can hold onto a world title just one more time, that’d make it 17 times for Cena. Fans like the sound of that! And then in the halls of immortal achievement, that’d make Cena the most decorated champion of all-time. That match would make history! All Cena needs to do is 1-2-3. As fun as that would be, it’s really all about Roman. Cena is here to help Roman. That’s how good Cena is, huh? Heyman jokingly suggests he say, “Thank you.” He’s here to help Roman, the Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table. But Roman isn’t like Cena. He isn’t going to bury his opponent then go say he’ll out there and beat a bum, no.
Roman respects Cena and is sophisticated about this. This is compelling story telling here. This is JOHN CENA, arguably the greatest of all time! “Underappreciated, not enough respect on this man’s name.” Cena’s done things that nobody’s done before. Fans start to “WHAT?!” Roman here as he says Cena is almost a 17-time world heavyweight champion, and nobody else can say that! That is incredible! Cena is the best, Mount Rushmore of the WWE, all the spots. Roman’s just proud to say that he could beat John Cena, that’s how good Cena is! Even good enough to juggle Hollywood and WWE at the same time! Wow! There’s not enough time here to promote all Cena’s movies!
Wait, doesn’t he have like four movies out right now? Cena’s good. His career says so, it’s on the wall. Cena’s good enough to be in this ring and verbally joust with anybody, that’s not Roman’s game. Cena’s good enough to main event SummerSlam with the Tribal Chief. Cena’s so good enough to… To win the WWE Championship. But not good enough to win the Universal Championship. And see, John, 20+ years of missionary might’ve been good enough for Cena, but it wasn’t good enough for Nikki Bella. Ooooof! Roman will smash Cena, retain the title, pack Cena up on a private jet and send him back to Hollywood. But Cena should enjoy this.
Roman wants Tulsa to know, this might be the last time we ever get to see John Cena again. OOOH! So take this home, “kid.” No problem! If Roman wants a compelling story, and to hypocritically criticize Cena for being in Hollywood and (is there a mute censor problem here or something?) but Roman hasn’t been embarrassed. He’s been protected! The pretty face, the giant bars of soap for teeth, and the Shield. Roman almost ruined Seth Rollins, ran Dean Ambrose out of the WWE- OH!! And then 10 whole years, FIVE Mania main events, Heyman in the corner, two lackeys to do his dirty work, the protection of the system, and it still isn’t working! Roman needs to be embarrassed!
Fans want a compelling story at SummerSlam, right? YES! They want to be on the edge of their seats, wanting to know what will happen! SummerSlam will be compelling, and Cena will go to a Hollywood movie set, and Roman will smash Cena, but Heyman knows better than anybody how much punishment Cena can take, and never quit. Cena’s been against the odds his whole life, he helped build Suplex City, and he just needs to hang in there 1-2-3, and Roman is again the biggest failure in WWE history. Roman has to shine! Roman has to smash, and bash and overachieve while Cena just needs 1-2-3.
Roman is then the answer to a trivia question: Who did John Cena beat to become 17 time champion? WA WA WAA! Roman will show up all full of himself and put on one hell of a show, but Cena will hang in there for 1-2-3. Then Cena will take that title, jump the barricade and run out of the Allegiant Stadium as fast as he can, and might even blow Roman a kiss good-bye. This is what Roman doesn’t get yet, though: it is inevitable. No one can protect Roman anymore. At SummerSlam, the champ… is GONE. 1-2-3. Mic drop. Roman smirks and the fans cheer as Cena takes his leave. Roman still holds up the title, but is his reign just a week away from ending?
Nakamura and Boogs rock out backstage.
They’re getting ready as King Shinsuke is getting ready to take on the Pride of Nigeria! Will the King of Strong Style regain that title and add it to his golden collection?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews w/ Azeez VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs!
SmackDown returns as Nakamura makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and a king sees if he can dethrone a prince in Oklahoma!
Apollo and Nakamura circle, tie up, and Apollo kicks and CLUBS Nakamura down. Apollo snap suplexes, covers, ONE! Apollo gets Nakamura by his hair, whips to ropes but Nakamura ducks, dodges and DYNAMIC DROPKICKS! Nakamura goes to the corner to give Apollo GOOD VIBRATIONS~! Fans are fired up for Nakamura as he snapmares Apollo and drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Azeez gets on the apron but Nakamura kicks at him. Azeez gets away, Nakamura turns around into Apollo’s dropkick! Apollo gets Nakamura up, whips him to ropes and then elbows him down! Apollo paces, Azeez smirks and fans rally up.
Apollo sits Nakamura up to ROCK him with a right. Nakamura throws body shots, Apollo CLUBS him down, then Apollo drags Nakamura up to whip to a corner. Apollo runs in but into a knee! Nakamura puts Apollo up for the TOP SHELF KNEE! Then Nakamura positions Apollo and climbs up top. Apollo throws body shots, then headbutts Nakamura down! Apollo gets up but Boogs rocks out! Fans like that but Apollo doesn’t. The ref reprimands and Boogs acts like he doesn’t know what’s going on. The ref EJECTS Boogs?! And in this distraction, Azeez tries to sneak in, but he’s too big to be stealthy! The ref sees him and EJECTS him, too!! At least now it’s fair again as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns as Nakamura covers, TWO! The fans are fired up as Nakamura goes to a corner and climbs up. Fans fire up as he climbs, but Apollo ENZIGURIS Nakamura first! Apollo gets Nakamura up, climbs up, brings Nakamura to the top, but Nakamura resists! Apollo powers through to SUPERPLEX Nakamura! Apollo crawls to a cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and fans are fired up! Apollo gets up and drags Nakamura up, but Nakamura gives a strike fest! Apollo avoids the ax kick, kicks low and reels Nakamura in for a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO but into a SIT-OUT BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Fans are fired up even more but Apollo is furious!
Apollo drags Nakamura to a drop zone, goes up top, FROG SPLASH onto knees! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Nakamura aims from a corner, “YAO~!” But Apollo ENZIGURIS Nakamura first, then rolls him up, with the ropes?! Cover, the ref notices just as Nakamura kicks out! The ref reprimands Apollo, Apollo says it doesn’t matter anyway since Nakamura kicked out. Apollo GERMAN SUPLEXES Nakamura, covers, TWO!! Nakamura survives again and Apollo is seething. Apollo stands up, wants Nakamura to get up, and Nakamura slowly rises. Apollo OLYMPIC- Nakamura arm-drags out of the slam! Apollo ducks one kick but not the WHEEL KICK!
Apollo staggers, Nakamura fireman’s carries to an AVALANCHE DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Apollo survives but Nakamura is right on him with an INVERTED EXPLODER! Fans fire up again as Nakamura goes to a corner and aims… KINSHASA!!! Cover, Nakamura wins!!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall (NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Now king AND champion, he holds the belt up high with pyro going off, and Boogs is back to rock out along with his king! Oh and Pat McAfee gets in on it, too. Will this second time with the title be even bigger than the first?
The Street Profits talk backstage.
Kayla Braxton walks up and asks Montez Ford about the recap package just shown, recapping how his ribs were injured by Otis’ massive splash. Is there any concern going into tonight’s match that Otis will do the same or even worse? Oh, Kayla. Last time Ford and Otis fought, it was one of the most painful experiences of Ford’s life. Laying in bed, ribs on fire, not being able to sleep or laugh. Do you know how dark life is when you can’t even laugh, for two months? Ford was laying in bed, he had one thing in mind: “When I get on these toes, I’m gonna throw these balls.” Now that he’s recuperated, rejuvenated, rehabilitated, Ford ain’t concerned. He’s EXCITED.
Dawkins says Ford is more than just his tag partner. They’re brothers, family. Dawkins hope the Alpha Academy enjoyed their time, because now with Tez fully healed, the Street Profits are once again up! AND WE WANT THE SMOKE!! The music plays and we’re about to get one fired up grudge match!
The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy!
We just heard from Tez and Dawks, but now it’s time for actions to speak louder than words! Will Chad Gable & Otis regret ever thinking there was something they could help the Profits with?
SmackDown returns as Gable & Otis make their entrance. The teams sort out and Ford starts with Gable. They circle and tie up. They go around, Ford wrenches to a wristlock, Gable spins through to wrench back and wristlock. Ford rolls, handsprings, wrenches and wristlocks. Gable drops to a knee, rolls, bridges, then handsprings to slips through and back drop to an armlock. Ford moves around but Gable digs a knee into Ford’s shoulder. Ford headscissors to bring Gable down but Gable kips free. Gable headlocks, spins to a headlock then a drop toehold. Gable has a mounted chicken wing and hopes Otis is taking notes.
Ford gets up, Gable whips him to a corner but Ford goes up and over and shows off that agility! Fans fire up as Ford eggs Gable on. Gable runs in but into an arm-drag. Gable gives it back, Ford steps up and around to roll up, ONE! Gable hurries to get a leg, ankle pick but no lock as Ford stands. Ford flips back and ENZIGURIS Gable! Gable staggers all the way to his corner and Otis tags in! Ford fires himself up as Otis approaches. Dropkick! Otis stays up so Ford mule kicks, front kicks, but Otis shoves him. Dawks tags in, but Otis POP-UP STRONGEST SLAMS Ford?! Dawkins dodges, returns and back elbows!
Otis staggers, Dawkins CYCLONE SPLASHES but Otis denies the bulldog! Otis then hauls Dawkins up for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Otis gets up as Gable shouts, “For the Academy!” Gable tells Otis what to do, and Otis RAMS into Dawkins in the corner. Gable tags in, he gets Dawkins with more shoulders, then Otis tags in again. Otis rams his shoulder in again and again, then Gable tags in. Gable rams in again and again, then Otis tags in! Gable holds a towel in front of Dawkins to say “TORO! TORO!” Otis runs in and RAMS into Dawkins! Gable pats Otis on the shoulder and tells him Otis is his number one guy, but the ref also says that counts as a tag!
Gable argues with the ref, but the ref tells Gable to get in. Gable tries to explain but Dawkins RAMS Gable into Otis! Dawkins has Gable while Ford FLIES OUTTA NOWHERE! Direct hit on Otis and yet Otis only leans over into the announce desk! But Dawkins hits the CASH OUT! Cover, the Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall
But Otis TOSSES Ford into the barriers and then rushes into the ring! Dawkins gets out, regroups with Ford, and The Dozer can only seethe! Is the Payback Season only starting #ForTheAcademy?
Seth Rollins rants at production.
He knows they know what he needs, so why are they just staring at him for? Do your jobs, guys, get this done! But what is it Rollins is even talking about? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Rollins goes to the ring!
The Architect’s drip has reached a new level but that’s not really the point. He revels in his own song as well as the various reactions from the fans before he gets the mic. “Yes! Tulsa, you have been on fire tonight!” But Rollins hates to play the role of “party-pooper,” but his sources have told him that Edge will not be here tonight. Hey, now, c’mon. He’s just as disappointed as they are, because he’d love nothing more than to put his fist in Edge’s face for all the “misinformation” and lies that Edge spread about Rollins last week! Fans chant, “WE WANT EDGE!” and Rollins explains he wants Edge, too. But according to Edge, you’ve got the next best thing in “Edge Lite,” Seth Rollins.
Rollins says Edge had the nerve to say Rollins is “Edge Lite.” “If that is not the most narcissistic, egotistical thing” Rollins has ever heard, but it makes perfect sense! Because Edge is a Hall of Famer, he’s done EVERYTHING there is to do in the WWE, and he can’t stand that [another Flash Flood Warning from KFox 14] Rollins’ resume is better than his, and that everything Edge has done, Rollins has just done better. Hey, this isn’t just Rollins’ opinion, there is verifiable, documented video proof! Rollins has taken the liberty of putting together a “career retrospective” of Rollins and Edge, to show you the truth. Roll the footage.
The Rollins-Edge comparison video package begins. “Over his storied career, Edge has led the blueprint for a legendary career. But the Architect has improved upon it at every step, blazing a trail to even greater heights. When Edge arrived in the WWE, he began his career as a member of infamous factions and achieved a modicum of success. But when Seth Rollins burst onto the scene, he led The Shield, the most dominant faction in WWE history.” The commentary snippets are of course to put The Shield over, but also to make it seem like Rollins was in charge, while showing the many times Rollins did something big as a member of the trio.
“Edge made history as the first to cash-in his Money in the Bank Briefcase on the WWE Championship. But that footnote has been forgotten compared to Seth Rollins’Â glorious cash-in at WrestleMania 31, The Heist of the Century. Edge has won two Royal Rumbles, including this past year’s, only to fall short at WrestleMania (37). But after Seth Rollins’ 2019 Royal Rumble victory, who could ever forget the epic moment when Seth Rollins became The Beastslayer.” This was also the moment Rollins became a WWE Grand Slam Champion.
Yes, Edge may claim to have done it all first in the WWE, but when it comes to Seth Rollins, Edge will always be beneath him. “I don’t need to be you, because I am better than you.” We return to reality- er, the present, and Rollins sees no likes. The footage doesn’t lie, but the fans say, “YOU SUCK!” Rollins wants to share that as he was watching the video, he had a bit of a revelation. Hear him out. Rollins realized that Edge should be thanking Rollins! Not just Edge, but all of the fans should be thanking him. Hear him out, listen! If Rollins had stomped Edge back in 2014, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation!
This, this uh… Dream Match, at SummerSlam, Edge VS SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS, wouldn’t even be on the table. All of those moments, from Edge’s epic comeback at the Royal Rumbles, the main event at Mania, none of that would’ve happened back in 2014! Edge’s acting career? POOF, gone. Edge wouldn’t be able to even push his little girls on their little swing set at home “because THEY’D be pushing him in a damn wheelchair!!” Rollins takes a moment to think while fans continue to say, “WE WANT EDGE! WE WANT EDGE!” Rollins tells them no, Edge has pushed Rollins too far. Rollins is saying things he doesn’t want to say and thinking things he shouldn’t think.
Rollins says Edge is making Rollins into a person he doesn’t want to be. But Edge has been the guy between Rollins and the Universal Championship too many times. That is compromising Rollins’ future and the future of Rollins’ family. He wants the camera to come in close. “Edge, this… This is not 2014 anymore. Times have changed, I’ve changed, and at SummerSlam, I will not hesitate. I will not hold back. I will… stomp your head… into this mat… And if that puts you out for good… Then so be it.” The fans boo at those horrible and horrifying words. But will the Savior of SmackDown go to a place that is more than just Rated R to win?
Rey and Dominik Mysterio talk backstage.
Father reminds son that they’re going for the SmackDown Tag Team titles, but getting back up from Dominik’s loss is making this harder. Dom nods as Rey tells him no more mistakes. Dom says for sure, and he’s not even worried. They won the first time to get the titles, they have the Usos’ number! Rey wants his son to understand, you can’t have that mentality. Stay humble and hungry, especially after a loss. No overconfidence. Just do it for Rey, okay? Let’s go and take care of business. That’s the Mysterio way. Dom says he’s got this, and the Mysterios head to the ring!
The Mysterios VS The Dirty Dawgs!
While Rey & Dom are getting their title shot at SummerSlam, the Show-Off & GLORIOUS One will surely want to ruin things for them here tonight. Will Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode make sure the lucha libre familia fails big time?
SmackDown returns as the Dawgs make their entrance. Rey wants Dom to watch closely as he starts with Roode. The bell rings and Roode kicks Rey right in the stomach! Roode bumps Rey off buckles, throws body shots then whips corner to corner. Roode runs in but into a boot! Rey runs to tilt-o-whirl headscissor Roode down! Ziggler creeps in but Rey runs him over. Rey turns around into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Roode boots Rey down, catches his breath, then gets Rey in a corner. Roode whips Rey corner to corner, tags Ziggler then whips Ziggler in for the SPLASH! Ziggler feeds Rey to the atomic drop, SHOTGUN BOOT RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO!
Ziggler stays between father and son then wraps on a chinlock. “You ain’t going nowhere!” Ziggler thrashes Rey around as the fans and Dom rally up. Rey fights up, Roode gets in so the ref won’t see Ziggler dig fingers into Rey’s eyes! Ziggler puts Rey in the corner, Roode tags in, and Roode stomps Rey. Roode hoists Rey up top, throws hands, then tags Ziggler. Rey kicks Roode, fires off hands on Ziggler then adjusts to FLYING SEATED SENTON! Hot tag to Dom and he goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Dom dodges to NECKBREAKER! Dom DECKS Roode, blocks the superkick from Ziggler to roll him, TWO! FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO!
Ziggler drags Dom up, whips him to ropes but Dom kicks back. Ziggler blocks that kick but Dom ENZIGURIS! The Usos are on the tron! Jimmy & Jey talk trash and do sarcastic commentary to distract Dom. “Go~ Dom, Go~!” Rey tells Dom to ignore that and Roode tags in. Rey sees it, gets Dom out of the way, and Roode hits buckles! Rey says Dom needs to pay attention! Roode DECKS Rey, Dom victory rolls Roode, the Mysterios win!
Winners: Rey & Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall
Now that is some veteran savvy beyond Dom’s years! He refocused quickly and quickly got the win! The Usos still taunt the Mysterios, saying that win must’ve felt real good. But in one week, they’re stepping inside the ring with the SEVEN TIME TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, the Usos! See you there, Uce. Nos vemos at SummerSlam! Rey and Dom encourage each other that they’re going to get those belts back. Will the Mysterios hit the jackpot in Vegas?
Baron Corbin walks out on stage.
Fans boo as the even more disheveled Lone Wolf walks by and he just can’t understand why. Apparently this will be Baron Corbin’s “last plea” for help, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Corbin has made it to the ring. He has a mic and says, “As all of you may already know, I’ve really been down on my luck lately. The sad part is, it’s so much worse than that. If things don’t turn around quickly, I’m gonna have to file… bankruptcy.” Fans jeer and there’s a set of signs in the crowd that read: “Corbin stole my lunch money,” “Corbin owes me $20,” and “Hey Corbin, you left your tent in our backyard!” Corbin says that this is what’s wrong with society today. When someone like Corbin falls, they want to keep that person down, don’t they? So this is why this is his last public plea to any of the fans.
Look, Corbin is used to a very certain way of life, so he really needs each and everyone here to contribute a minimum of $1000. WHAT?! Now he’ll make it very easy: He has a credit card scanner attachment for his phone. McAfee asks, “How the hell did this bum get a credit card scanner?” But here comes Kevin Owens! The fans are fired up for the Prizefighter and Corbin says Kevin has to be here for the right reasons: to contribute. Now, this may not work with Canadian credit cards, but- Kevin stops Corbin there and says he’s NOT here to help. Kevin’s here to say Corbin needs to STOP begging people for money and embarrassing himself.
Kevin reminds Corbin of how he tried to help Corbin a few weeks ago, because Kevin thought Corbin was more like Kevin. Kevin thought Corbin was someone who made mistakes in the past and was learning from them, but he’s not. This is that Corbin is just trying to use sympathy to his advantage. Just look the last few weeks: Ruining Finn Balor’s title contract signing just so Corbin could get the high paying championship match; oh and then on Monday Night Raw, when Drew McIntyre seemed kinda sorta interested in trying to help, Corbin asked for $100,000! Who begs for a HUNDRED THOUSAND? Someone who NEEDS a hundred thousand!
Corbin asks Kevin for his spare change. For that matter, Corbin isn’t leaving this arena until Kevin gives him a minimum of $1000. Kevin says “Y’know what? I will give you $1000! Should I give him $1000?” The fans say NO so Kevin will give him $1000. But to do that, Corbin just has to beat him in a match RIGHT NOW. You win the match, you get 1000 bucks. But one more thing, if Corbin loses, this all stops now. No more begging people for help, no more embarrassing the WWE by constantly the WWE Universe for help, and Corbin helps himself. What’s Corbin say? Corbin thinks it over and fans chant “YES! YES!”
Corbin agrees but he wouldn’t be in this situation if Kevin wasn’t such *finger poke* a *finger poke* cheap *finger poke* piece *finger poke* of- STUNNER! Kevin and the fans are fired up, and he’s already got Corbin in the red! Will the match still happen now?
Sasha Banks swaggers around backstage.
The Boss is ready for the contract signing to make her WrestleMania rematch at SummerSlam official! Will she and the EST be able to keep things peaceful tonight?
$1000 or No More Begging: Kevin Owens VS Baron Corbin!
Corbin is finally back on his feet, in the literal sense, but he’s still sputtering. Kevin dares him to get back in the ring for their high stakes bet! Will the Lone Wolf get $1000 the hard way? Find out, after the break.
SmackDown return and the bell rings. Corbin wants more time, his neck is still bothering him from the Stunner. But that’s to lull Kevin into a false sense of security! Corbin rolls Kevin up, ONE, and Kevin throws forearms! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Kevin brings Corbin around but Corbin turns suplex into cradle! TWO, and Kevin kicks Corbin to CLUB him down. Kevin CHOPS, then he reels Corbin for a short arm clothesline! BACK SENTON! Cover, ONE! Corbin sits up but Kevin looms over him. Kevin bumps Corbin off buckles, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again. Kevin asks the ref hold on a moment with the count, then DECKS Corbin.
Kevin whips Corbin corner to corner but Corbin reverses. Corbin runs in, slides out, slides in but into a SUPERKICK! Corbin is in the corner, Kevin CANNONBALLS! Cover, TWO! Kevin gets to the corner, climbs up, but Corbin choke grips Kevin! Kevin throws hands, bumps Corbin off buckles then rock shim. Kevin slingshots into a BIG right hand! Corbin wants the count out and Kevin stands at 5 to get in at 6! Corbin throws hands, stomps Kevin down, then rains down fists. Corbin covers but he’s in the ropes. Corbin adjusts, ONE! Corbin and the ref argue, Kevin CHOPS Corbin! And CHOPS! But Corbin ROCKS Kevin and Kevin flounders in the ropes.
Corbin goes out to the apron and kicks Kevin low. Corbin reels Kevin in, but Kevin blocks the suplex. Kevin throws body shots, suplexes but Corbin blocks. They brawl, Kevin ROCKS Corbin then reels him in, but Corbin resists to back drop Kevin on the apron! Kevin writhes and Corbin wants a count out but SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Kevin climbs a corner while Corbin pushes himself up. Corbin ROCKS Kevin at the top, then climbs up to join him. Corbin gets Kevin up but Kevin resists the superplex. Kevin throws body shots, then headbutts! Corbin falls down into the drop zone, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Kevin stands back up. Kevin drags Corbin up, whips him to ropes, but Corbin holds ropes and boots back. Corbin shoves Kevin to ropes but Kevin bucks the O’Conner Roll. Kevin runs in as Corbin rolls back to his feet, choke grip to CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and Corbin is losing his cool.
Corbin drags Kevin up, reels him in but Kevin throws forearms first! Kevin HEADBUTTS, runs, but into a DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO!! Still no big money but Corbin tries again, TWO! Double leg cover, TWO!! Corbin is beside himself with and he gets to a corner. Corbin runs corner to corner, slides out then in as Kevin evades, but is ready for the Superkick this time! Corbin POSTS Kevin, roll up with ropes, TWO!! Corbin is upset about the count but that was a fair count. Kevin dodges to kick, but Corbin shoves the Stunner away. Kevin dodges again, sunset flips, Kevin wins!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall (Corbin MUST stop begging)
As if the Lone Wolf couldn’t feel any lower! Though this was deserved. And so is this STUNNER! Kevin doubles down on Corbin and fans are fired up for the Prizefighter! Will Corbin
Big E helps Bianca Belair practice her signature.
The board has an example of her name, “Bianca,” and she recreates it letter for letter, trying to make hers match up as bEST she can. Will her signature be the cleanEST on the contract?
Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
Kayla asks him, “So what now?” He can’t even say anything, but then he spots someone. It’s Big E! And while Big E is distracted, Corbin SNATCHES THE MITB BRIEFCASE!! Corbin just got the golden ticket, but will Big E hunt him down and get the briefcase back?
Sonya Deville presides over the SmackDown Women’s Championship contract signing.
“When Bianca Belair faced off with Sasha Banks in the main event of WrestleMania, they made history! And when Bianca defeated Sasha in one of the greatest matches that I’ve ever seen, they made memories that would last a lifetime. And once this contract is signed, Sasha Banks is officially gonna get her championship rematch at SummerSlam!” And with all that said, please welcome the challenger, the Blueprint, the Standard, the Legit Boss, Sasha Banks! Sasha makes her way to the ring, then Sonya introduces the SmackDown Women’s Champion, the EST of the WWE, Bianca Belair! Bianca makes her entrance while Sasha scoffs and rolls her eyes.
Bianca takes her seat now and Sonya presents the contract. Bianca says, “Sasha girl, you ready? Or are you gonna run away again? Or, should I turn my back so you can Backstab me again?” Look at her rolling her eyes. Sasha’s still petty, still jealous, but Bianca should’ve known better. Bianca should’ve known Sasha would do that. “But gurrrl… If you wanted your WrestleMania rematch, all you had to do was ask.” Sasha repeats “Ask?” Bianca, you only won by using that “stank braid” against Sasha! Then there was literally a scar that kept her away for months. And yet Bianca’s out here, expecting them to be friends? “Get real, B*TCH!”
Sasha and Bianca start arguing and Sonya tells them to stop! They are not doing this again! Contract signings are going haywire lately, so both of them just need to sign the contract now. Bianca dares Sasha to sign it. Sasha has Bianca give her some space and then takes the pen to… tease signing. “Hold up, wait, wait, wait.” Before Sasha signs it, she needs some “witnesses.” Carmella and Zelina Vega both head to the ring! Despite things last week, it seems these three are all in this together since it’s about being against Bianca. The rookie didn’t see that coming, did she? Sasha is always two steps ahead. Sasha quickly signs her name, and Bianca gets impatient.
Bianca gets a pen, signs her part, and then she throws the contract at Sasha! Bianca’s ready for the other two, too, and she DECKS Vega and THROWS the arm chair! Mella dodges, and Bianca handspring seated sentons onto Sasha! Bianca rains down fists and forearms, Mella grabs at her but Bianca DECKS her! Vega returns but Bianca bumps her off buckles then stomps a mudhole in! Mella goes after Bianca again but Bianca throws her right out! But Sasha hits a BACKSTABBER! Sasha hammers Bianca, Vega and Mella join in, and Sasha has them let off so she can finish this. Sasha drags Bianca back up to SMACK off the table, then drag her out by her ponytail, to KNEE her face!
Speaking of face, Sasha dribbles Bianca’s face off the SmackDown Women’s Championship itself over and over again! Sasha takes the belt and holds it up high, as she stands on the table and over Bianca. Then Sasha uses Bianca’s own braided ponytail in the Bank Statement! “See you at SummerSlam!” Sasha laughs as she keeps torturing the EST in perhaps the nastiEST form of the crossface yet! SmackDown fades out before anyone stops Sasha, will Bianca be passing out off the air?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, though it seemed like this was already the go-home episode for SummerSlam. The contract signing, for one, had a good closing shot just now, and you can bet Sasha will “try” to recreate this for the title match only to have that be why she fails. And the fact Vega and Mella were willing to work with Sasha was a decent surprise. Enemy of my enemy is my friend type stuff, and they could probably kayfabe it as Sasha promising each of them a title match after SummerSlam.
Kevin VS Corbin was a really good match, and so I suppose it worked out for the “main event match.” I almost feel like Corbin could’ve won this one since it’d be kayfabe money anyway, and then he starts literally fighting people for money for a few weeks. But I suppose it is becoming his thing to be the “contract swiper” since he stole Big E’s MITB briefcase. Big E VS Corbin, a match for the briefcase, is a bit Miz VS Otis from last year, but hopefully Big E gets the briefcase back and keeps it. Also I’m realizing that Corbin’s character is based on those stories you hear about the ungrateful beggars where they feel someone refusing their insane request is offensive.
I like that there’s this tension slowly building between Rey and Dom in their promos. I am still hoping, though they missed the window in their feud with Corbin, that Dom is becoming more his Guerrero side than his Mysterio side. The Mysterios still win off the Dawgs to get momentum for facing the Usos, but the Usos had a good promo in their attempt to distract as well as hyping up the match. That tag title match could go either way, and I’m thinking the Usos win in a way that pushes Rey and Dom to the point where Dominik Guerrero emerges to again put a positive spin on the “Who’s Your Papi?” story from years ago.
The Profits VS The Academy was really good and it was a great win for the Profits to get now that they’re back up as a tag team. I’m sure the Profits will be waiting on the other side of SummerSlam to take on the Usos. The match with the biggest impact tonight was the Intercontinental Championship match. Nakamura VS Apollo was very good, and was oddly the opener but I suppose it was to make sure they got it in before all the other segments that needed room to breathe. Nakamura winning this title on a SmackDown is a great move just on the surprise, and I can’t wait to see what champion #Kingsuke and Boogs will do now.
Seth Rollins had a great promo and vignette to give both a heavily biased comparison of himself and Edge, and to sound incredibly scary at the same time. Edge VS Rollins has already been a highly anticipated match, this made it even higher than that. And of course, the first segment being a promo battle of Roman and Cena, of course we were going to get great stuff. Roman’s improved but Cena is still Cena and he did a great job showing that he didn’t even need to take digs at Roman. In a clever move, he didn’t attempt to bury Roman since Roman (and a lot of Cena’s past feud opponents) claimed that’s all Cena does. Cena was just stating fact over and over in such a way that it was to get on Roman’s nerves. And even though he laughed it off, Roman surely got annoyed by it.
Cena had that great line in reference to CM Punk, but I guess there was something about “dipshit” blah blah blah that wasn’t appropriate and got muted? I went over it a few times to make sure it wasn’t KFox or my own hearing. And unfortunately, just the timing of El Paso facing insane levels of flooding in the streets, the news did in fact have to post those warnings, I just wish there was a way I could’ve still heard those lines that got covered up.
My Score: 8.5/10
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)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?
While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
- Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
LA Knight is here!
Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!
And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…
The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?
Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.
Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!
The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!
Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?
SmackDown returns and…
Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!
Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.
Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!
The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!
The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISSÂ onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?
Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.
And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.
But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?
Alexa Bliss returns backstage.
And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.
So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?
Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!
The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?
Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.
Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?
Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.
Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.
Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!
Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.
The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”
The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.
And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”
The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?
King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.
Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEXÂ again!
Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!
Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!
Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!
Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!
“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?
Nia Jax is here!
Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”
The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!
The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?
Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!
The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?
SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!
Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.
Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?
Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.
Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.
SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.
Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.
And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.
Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!
And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.
The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?
Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!
The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?
Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!
The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.
Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?
John Cena VS Ron Killings!
The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?
SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!
Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.
Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!
The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Truth hitting all sorts of other iconic moves! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!
Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification
Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.
Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTÂ through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.
“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”
Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”
The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.
“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.
Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.
Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with an awesome ending. All those years ago, when CM Punk dropped THE OG “Pipebomb” promo, no one could’ve ever in a million years guessed that here tonight, we would’ve gotten the John Cena remix. Not only was that promo of the year, but Cena blew up go-home math. I can’t see Cena losing the title to Punk now. He can lose the match since Cena loves getting disqualified, and there’s the possibility of Rollins trying a cash-in, but Cena is leaving Saudi Arabia as champion to then go to SummerSlam. It also works because Cody Rhodes still feels like the favorite for King of the Ring.
A lot of that has to do with how Sami lost to Orton tonight. Great promo from the four semifinalists, especially since it was Jey, Sami and Orton kinda keeping Cody from talking since there isn’t more Cody needs to say. Win or lose, no explanations needed at this point. Sami VS Orton was an awesome match, but I could just feel an RKO countering the Helluva Kick as the way to go and that’s what they did. Now, as awesome as it would be for Jey to beat Cody, and then for Jey to beat Orton to go for the World Heavyweight Championship again, there are a lot of moving parts right now that it would just be the easiest for Cody to win the crown and have his rematch with Cena.
And while talking the WHC, Gunther VS Goldberg IS confirmed for the title, but has also been confirmed as Goldberg’s last match. This is a huge indicator that despite Rollins teasing a cash-in on the Undisputed title, he will likely be thwarted and then falls back to the title he feels is rightfully his. That is to say, Rollins cashes in on the winner of Gunther VS Goldberg, which I half expected even before all this talk of Goldberg’s last match. Rollins can take this title from Gunther and Goldberg, and then we can throw Jey and even LA Knight into the mix as things are getting heated between Knight and the henchmen.
Great promo from Knight with Heyman, great match with Knight VS Bronson, and a really powerful beating Knight takes from Bron & Bronson. If nothing else, Knight costs Rollins his cash-in. Truth going after Kit Wilson was an interesting move. Also a shame Elton Prince is hurt, Pretty Deadly gets going and then something happens to slow them down. But Kit was going to lose to Aleister so this really messes Aleister up more than anything. Priest keeping the peace between Aleister and Truth was good stuff. Priest and Truth being allies on SmackDown can be some real fun stuff, and I feel like they’re already set up for a feud with Aleister.
Very good stuff with Fatu, Solo and this US Championship story. Fatu VS Solo was the natural move, and I like that Jimmy Uso ends up an ally for Fatu. The title match is set, I wonder if we get a tag match first. In fact, next week is title night in Riyadh with Tiffany Stratton giving Nia the Last Woman Standing match, and basically setting the stage for Naomi to cash in. She almost did tonight but Nia was again able to stop her, so I would think Naomi waits until the very end of the Last Woman Standing match to take full advantage. Then, if Jade wins Queen of the Ring, we get Jade VS Naomi at SummerSlam.
Good promo from Jade, B-Fab & Michin watching Asuka VS Alexa. Asuka winning made the most sense, Alexa clearly has story with Charlotte and Asuka is just that good. Jade VS Roxie will be a good match but Roxie’s story in Judgment Day might keep her from winning. But then the fallback there is Roxie might actually sub in for the tag titles like I was thinking. Charlotte VS Chelsea was very good, and of course the Secret Her-vice does what they can to help. The beatdown they put on Charlotte and then Alexa making the save, that’s going to be one of those “can they coexist?” tag matches for sure.
Honestly, a little surprised we didn’t get any tag team promos tonight, unless I completely missed something. I believe title night is going to have Profits VS Gacy & Lumis for the tag titles, too, so that’s going to be something wild. And while DIY is scared of the Wyatts, I feel like they’re going to interfere because they don’t want the Wyatts to take the titles. But at the same time, the Wyatts need something substantial this time around, so maybe they win the titles at SummerSlam.
My Score: 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)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?
Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.
Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.
.@Kelly_WP is back in TNA Wrestling and has a message for TNA Knockouts World Champion @mashaslamovich!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZKKuL pic.twitter.com/tnm4TIuPUz
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Ratings:
- Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
- Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
- Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
- Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***
Results:
Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers
Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.
EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.
I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win.Â
Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match?Â
Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge
ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.
Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever?Â
.@indi_hartwell has a run in with Tessa Blanchard!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZLikj pic.twitter.com/I6UCCk2fAG
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad.Â
Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man
I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.
JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.
Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.
Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams
Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.
The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.
Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.
Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…
Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!
Overall Score: 4/10
Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.
Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
4 Corners Podcast: The Fabulous Finals
The NBA and Stanely Cup Finals near their respective conclusions. Dave and Pat break down the action and whether anything...
4 Corners Podcast: Serving Up A Classic
Patrick returns as he and Dave discuss the Stanley Cup Finals, the NBA Finals, Coco Gauff's epic triumph, and a...
4 Corners Podcast: The Rematch & The Rebuild
Dave and PC Tunney preview the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals as the NBA and NHL reach the conclusion...
4 Corners Podcast: Blown Off Course
Dave and Tunney break down the Conference Finals in the NHL and NBA, discuss the NFL going to the Olympics,...
4 Corners Podcast: Bettor Late Than Never?
Dave, Patrick, and Tunney break down the NHL and NBA Playoffs and a pretty stunning decision from the MLB Commissioner's...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (6/20/25)
It's Electric!
Bandwagon Nerds #293: Father Figures
The Nerds review the latest trailers for Iron Heart and Superman. A Spaceballs sequel is now official and why are...
Bandwagon Nerds #292: Where’s Michael’s Guitar?
The first ever Movie Year Draft highlight's this week's Episode. Plus, the Trailer Park rolls on, as does the search...
Attitude Of Aggression #310- Unidentified History: The Battle of Los Angeles
Unidentified History returns as Dave recaps his visit to Contact in the Desert and the guys do a deep dive...
Bandwagon Nerds #291: Its Pronounced Tuh-Doom
The Nerds cover all the best trailers from Tudum, discuss DC- Marvel crossovers, and get concerned for the future of...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/20/25)
One step closer to the end!
DWI Podcast #479: Ron The Truth Simmons
Don't drink and drive, drink and podcast! Join AJ, DP and PC weekly for their thoughts on RAW, SmackDown and...
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (6/19/25)
Rumble, Bad Man, Rumble!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (6/18/25)
Can the BOAT Evolve?
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (6/18/25)
Viva La AEW!
Babyface Heel Podcast: LOL Charlotte Wins… AGAIN!
Even when she's not wrestling, Charlotte Flair keeps winning! Greg and Patrick breakdown her latest winning comments!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/17/25)
Trick'N Ain't Easy
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/16/25)
The last spots are on the line!
Mitchell’s NJPW Dominion Results & Report! (6/15/25)
Who leads the revolution?
