Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/25/22)
NXT gets Toxic tonight!
In NXT, grudges lead to gold!
Toxic Attraction has been doing whatever they want, but that could change! Will Kay Lee Ray lead her team to victory over the women’s champions of NXT?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2022 Opening Round: MSK VS Jacket Time; MSK wins and advances to the semifinals.
- No Disqualification Falls Count Anywhere Match: Boa VS Solo Sikoa; Sikoa wins.
- Duke Hudson VS Guru Raaj; Hudson wins.
- Six Woman Tag: Toxic Attraction VS Kay Lee Ray, Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta; KLR, Hartwell & Pirotta win.
- Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2022 Opening Round: Grizzled Young Veterans VS Andre Chase & Bodhi Hayward; GYV wins and advances to the semifinals.
- Io Shirai VS Tiffany Stratton; Shirai wins.
- NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Cameron Grimes VS Tony D’Angelo; Grimes wins and will challenge Carmelo Hayes for the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
MSK admire the Dusty Cup.
Tonight’s the night! They won last year’s, and thanks to Matt Riddle, they know what it takes to get to the top again. But don’t touch it! Bad things happen when you touch the cup! Wes Lee says nothing’s gonna happen. They’re destined to win again. It all starts in three, two, one!
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2022 Opening Round: MSK VS Jacket Time!
Wes Lee & Nash Carter are ready to make history as repeat Dusty Rhodes Classic winners! But that means getting through Kushida & Ikemen Jiro! Will the semifinals be must-see or handsome?
The teams sort out, Carter and Kushida start and fans rally for Jacket Time. Kushida and Carter tie up, Kushida waistlocks but Carter switches. Carter drags Kushida down, floats, but Kushida gets a leg to a press, ONE! The two reset, Kushida gets a wristlock, Carter rolls, handsprings and flips to arm-drag free! Fans fire up, and the two reset again. Carter kicks but Kushida blocks to push him back. Carter sweeps the leg, tags Lee, and MSK get Kushida up to bump off buckles! Table top and SUPERMAN CLUTCH! Cover, TWO! Kushida kicks but Lee jumps over. Kushida still gets an arm and wrenches to a wristlock!
Jiro tags in and Jacket Time double wrench for DOUBLE ELBOW BREAKERS! Kushida and Jiro then DOUBLE PENALTY KICK the arms! Lee crawls but Jiro runs in, only for Lee to sweep legs! Cover, ONE! Lee sweeps legs again to cover, ONE! Lee avoids Jiro’s sweep with a handspring, but Jiro shows off his own moves! Lee dropkicks Jiro but Jiro stays up! Fans rally up, Le block s the jacket punch, but Jiro comes back with a JACKET PUNCH! Jiro stomps Lee to the corner, brings him up to CLUB, then tags Kushida. Jiro runs side to side, JACKET PUNCH! Kushida runs in, SHOTEI! JACKET PUNCH! SHOTEI! DOUBLE BULLDOG!
Fans are fired up as Kushida drags MSK and wrenches the arm. Tag to Jiro, Jacket Time CLUB the arms! Jiro ROCKS Lee then whips, but Lee reverses to ROCK Jiro back! Lee whips Jiro in, but Jiro puts him out! Carter tags in, Lee ENZIGURIS, then holds Jiro in for Carter’s BRONCO BUSTER! Carter taunts, covers, Kushida breaks it! Carter focuses on Jiro and holds him down with a facelock. Jiro moves around, Carter gets a chinlock. Fans rally, Jiro fights up and throws body shots. Jiro then throws hands, whips, but Carter holds ropes. Lee tags in, Jiro blocks Carter’s kick and shoves Carter into Lee!
Fans duel, Jiro dodges Carter to JACKET PUNCH! Carter falls out of the ring, Jiro builds speed, but into a STUNNER HOTSHOT! Carter holds Jiro for Lee to GAMANGIRI! Fans are torn as NXT goes picture in picture.
Lee gets in, covers, TWO! Jiro survives but Lee drags him around. Lee wrenches the arm, tags Carter, and MSK whips Jiro for a trip, Chancery and basement dropkick! Carter covers, Kushida breaks it again! Carter gets annoyed with Kushida but he stomps Jiro down. Carter drags Jiro up, EuroUppers him to the corner, then tags Lee. Snapmare and slingshot kneeboard senton! Lee paces, throws down fists into Jiro’s ribs then covers, TWO! Lee keeps cool, he drags Jiro up but Jiro throws body shots. Jiro JACKET PUNCHES, runs, but into a BIG dropkick! Cover, TWO! Lee drags Jiro by his leg, tags Carter in, and sets Jiro up for Carter’s slingshot senton! Cover, TWO!
Jiro reaches out, Carter drags him away and tags Lee back in. MSK mugs Jiro, Lee throws more body shots, and then back suplex, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jiro reaches out again but Lee keeps him from Kushida! Jiro schoolboys Lee away, hot tag to Kushida! Kushida rallies with SHOTEIS on Lee, then SHOTEI for Carter! Kushida whips, Lee sunset flips, Kushida rolls through to BUZZSAW! Carter runs into an atomic drop! Hip toss and basement dropkick! Kushida fires up, FAST BALL for Lee! Kushida then PENALTY KICKS an arm out! Kushida runs corner to corner, HANDSPRING KICKS for MSK!
Kushida goes out to put Lee back in, tag to Jiro. Jacket Time gets Lee up, double whips him to the corner, then Kushida goes in, but Lee tosses him out! Lee BOOTS Jiro, fakes Jiro out, and boots him away to hot tag Carter! Carter rallies, CHOPS, then whips Jiro. Jiro reverses, but Carter catches him out of the air for a flapjack! SNAP GERMAN! Fans fire up, Carter fires off kicks, sweeps the legs, PENALTY KICKS! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Jiro survives and Carter can’t believe it! Fans are loving this as Carter gets Jiro up. Carter CLUBS Jiro, tags Lee, “This is Awesome!” Lee goes up but Jiro fights free to shove Carter into him!
Jiro SUPERKICKS Carter down, but Lee shoulders in. Lee slingshots, but sunset is turned into Alabama lift! Jiro tucks Lee for the CRUNCHY! Cover, TWO!! Fans are dueling, “That was three!” “It was two!” Tag to Kushida, Jacket Time double whip to double hip toss, double basement dropkick! DOUBLE BUZZSAWS! Cover, Carter breaks it!! Kushida throws Carter out, tags Jiro in, and Jacket Time coordinate. Dragon sleeper, but Lee fights out to shove Kushida into Jiro! ROUNDHOUSE takes Kushida down! But Jiro is still up top, SWANTON FLOP! Both men are down, fans are thunderous, hot tags to Carter and Kushida!
Carter dodges Kushida to JUMP KNEE! MSK coordinate, PUSH-SAULT onto knees! HOVERBOARD LOCK!! Carter fights up to his feet but Kushida gets the body scissors!! Kushida cranks the arm but Carter RAMS him into buckles! Lee tags in, MSK coordinates, MUST-SEE BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, MSK WINS!
Winners: MSK, by pinfall (advance to the semifinals)
This was just the first round and it felt more like the finals! Biggest of all, Jacket Time and MSK show respect with bows and handshakes. But will MSK be able to make it back to those finals? Or will Malik Blade & Edris Enofe be bracket busters again next round?
Zoey Stark talks with Io Shirai backstage.
Zoey Stark says the Men’s Dusty Cup is in full swing, and asks if Shirai remembers that Zoey made her debut in NXT in last year’s Women’s Dusty Cup. And that is right around the corner. Zoey has been rehabbing like crazy, but she won’t be able to make it back in time. So…? So Zoey thinks Shirai should find a new partner. What? Well, Shirai has done everything there is to do in NXT, so how awesome would it be to have her name on that trophy? Shirai doesn’t want a new partner. Hold on. Is that because she likes Stark? NO! Tiffany Stratton walks in to say, “OMG, what are you wearing? Did you find it off the clearance rack?”
But fashion aside, Tiffany figures Shirai will have plenty of time to find a partner after she loses to Tiffany tonight. Toodles! Shirai rants in Japanese, but says it’ll be okay, she’ll definitely show Tiffany what’s up. Will the spoiled rich girl learn not to anger the Evil Genius?
Cameron Grimes speaks.
Tony D’Angelo, last week, before I put that portrait over your head, I heard you talking about your boys. Rick the Stick? Well I got some boys of my own. Ben, Benji and a whole lot of Franks.” But they’re not talking about their boys, but about who is the better man, the tougher man. And there is no man tougher than Grimes. Tony D, you’ll be dropped off at Lil’ Italy as Grimes goes after Melo and the North American Championship to take it #ToTheMoon.
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams arrive.
But not just them, OllieJayy was riding with them! Will they have VIP seats for when OllieJayy performs for NXT live?
MSK celebrates on stage, but they’re interrupted.
Legado Del Fantasma heads to the ring, but they simply move past MSK without a word. What will the Emperor of Lucha, Santos Escobar, have to say about his own near future? We find out, after the break.
NXT returns and Escobar has the mic. “Each and every week, ever since Bron Breakker has shown his hideous, ugly face in NXT, every single superstar says the same thing. At first, they go after the low hanging fruit. They mock him. Because of his father, because of his uncle, and of course, because of his family’s poor, poor math skills. And then when the jokes are done, everybody tells Bron just how special he is, and how he’s not only gonna be a huge star someday, some have the nerve to say he is a huge star now. Can you believe that?” Escobar refuses to do that, Bron. Escobar prides himself in being real, from the start, because that is a trait passed down to him by his father.
Bron and Escobar have similar upbringings. But that is why Bron’s family doesn’t impress Escobar, and why Bron himself doesn’t intimidate Escobar. Escobar doesn’t like Bron. Actually, he DESPISES Bron! He despises how fast Bron got here, how he’d been given all those opportunities, and most of all, he DESPISES hat Bron won the NXT title before Escobar! Bron’s been here only a handful of months, and he already makes Escobar sick! But here comes Bron! The NXT Champion gets in the ring with Escobar and Legado, gets himself a mic, and says let’s get to it then. Bron thinks Santos is a great superstar, but he’s insecure. He needs Mendoza, Wilde and Lopez.
Now yes, they have similar upbringings. But Bron’s family taught him to handle business head-on, while Escobar’s- Escobar won’t let Bron talk about his family! But Bron tells Escobar to callete! The champ’s speaking! If Escobar issues the challenge, then Bron will accept it. It’s that simple. Well Bron has a huge target on his back for someone who is always alone. But like Escobar said, things are done on his time. And trust him, when Escobar’s ready, Bron will know. Fans boo as Legado backs off, but then Wilde and Mendoza rush Bron! Bron CLOBBERS each of them, then dumps Mendoza out of the ring! Bron rips off his shirt, throws it at Escobar, but when will Escobar say it’s time?
Boa speaks.
“Once I become one with these powers, impeding doom awaits you. These powers are uncontrollable.” He tried to warn Solo Sikoa, “You don’t understand the fire you have ignited.” Solo fought Boa and got burned, but now nothing is holding these two back! Where will this fight end when these two can do anything and go anywhere?
No Disqualification Falls Count Anywhere Match: Boa VS Solo Sikoa!
NXT returns, and Sikoa makes his entrance, only to be blindsided by Boa! The Tian Sha paint is on, the vengeful spirit is in control! Boa uses a kendo stick to SMACK Sikoa into the ring, the bell sounds, and Boa keeps firing off! Fans rally up for Sikoa but Boa goes out to bring out chairs! Boa puts the chairs in the ring but Sikoa grabs one. Boa tosses a trash can in, gets in, but Sikoa hits a SAMOAN DROP! Fans fire up as both men crawl. Sikoa and Boa each get a chair, and they each wedge them into the corners. There’s one chair left, both men jump for it! They each get hands on it and fans rally up as they tug-o-war!
Boa gets the chair, JAMS Sikoa then SMACKS him down! Boa SMACKS Sikoa in the arm, then SMACKS him in the other arm! And again! Boa tosses that chair aside to get the trash can. Boa throws knees then reels Sikoa in, BUTTERFLY SUPLEXÂ onto the can! Cover, TWO! Boa roars, goes back outside, and brings out a TABLE! Sikoa flops out of the ring as Boa sets up the table at ringside. Sikoa ROCKS Boa with an uppercut! They go towards the crowd and brawl into the back. Sikoa DECKS Boa into spare armchairs, then uses a chair to SMACK Boa down! Sikoa and Boa keep brawling and go further into the back.
Sikoa whips but Boa stops himself to then BOOT Sikoa into a table. Boa RAMS Sikoa into spare ladders, then KICKS him against them! Boa RAMS Sikoa back into the ladder, CLUBS him, then throws ladders! Sikoa avoids getting hit, but Boa RAMS him with one! Boa runs in, but Sikoa dodges and Boa hits garage door! Sikoa dribbles Boa off the garage door, gets the ladder and he RAMS it into him with a body check! Sikoa covers on the cement, TWO! Sikoa dribbles Boa off the garage door more, then gets space. Sikoa runs, but Boa dodges and Sikoa hits only garage door! Both men sputter but Boa drags himself over to Sikoa.
Boa dribbles Sikoa off the steel, then KICKS him against it. Boa throws Sikoa out through the door, then fires up, only for Sikoa to block the door! Boa decides to raise the garage door, but all that damage done to it makes that hard. Boa gets it open enough and Sikoa SPRAYS Boa with fire extinguisher! “Got yo’ ass!” Sikoa punches Boa and SMACKS him with a chair, and they return to ringside! Sikoa POSTS Boa, puts him in the ring, and gets that third chair to put in another corner. Sikoa gets Boa up, throws knees, then RAMS Boa into one of the chair corners! And then the second! And then the third! SUPERKICK!
Sikoa goes up and fans are fired up! But Boa hits ropes to trip Sikoa up! Sikoa falls out of the ring, Boa goes out to bring him towards the table. Boa smacks Sikoa off the announce desk, KICKS him, and KICKS him, but Sikoa SAMOAN DROPS Boa against the hood! Boa flops down, Sikoa rains down fists! Sikoa puts Boa on the table he set up, then goes to the ring. Sikoa climbs the corner, fans are going nuts as he FLYING SPLASHESÂ through the table!! Cover in the wreckage, Sikoa wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
Sikoa threw caution to the wind and took the win in this brutal battle! Has Sikoa exorcised Boa and that evil spirit from his path?
Imperium speaks.
Marcel Barthel says, “Our name stands for dominance, our name stands for pride, and our name stands for success.” The same goes for Walter’s new name. “The name I’m known as all over the world, the name my parents gave me in honor of our family patriarch, my grandfather, the man who introduced me to this great sport. But now it’s time to leave the past behind and guide Imperium into the future, standing on my own two feet, with my own identity.” Barthel says this is the “dawn of a new time for Imperium.” They’re closing the door to the past to open one to a whole new future, a whole new age!
Fabian Aichner says “It’s going to be a future led by this man, a man who will spread pain and fear throughout the entire WWE.” He is now… GUNTHER. A rose by any other name would still have thorns, so will Walter’s transformation into Gunther simply mean he brings his devastating power into a new realm to conquer?
Duke Hudson VS Guru Raaj!
No more jiggery-pokery, the deck has been put away and Duke is playing for keeps! He demolished Guru Raaj’s match with Dante Chen last week, will Duke just demolish Raaj directly?
The bell rings, and Duke BOOTS Raaj right down! Duke rains down furious fists, turns them into clubbing forearms, then drags Raaj up to put in a corner. Duke throws body shots, forearms, haymakers, and stomps! “Dukie Sucks!” but Duke just whips Raaj into the corner to scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Duke shouts at the fans but they boo him. Duke drags Raaj up, reels him in, and gut wrenches to the crucifix, for THE RIVER! Cover, Duke wins!
Winner: Duke Hudson, by pinfall
But Duke can’t celebrate long as Dante Chen appears to call him out! “I’m going to give you the respect that you didn’t give me last week, by letting you know, here I come.” Dante gets in and brawls with Duke! The refs hurry in but Duke KNEES low! Fans want to “Let Them Fight!” and then Duke gets free to CHOP BLOCK! He went right for the leg of Dante’s that just healed! Has Duke made sure the Singaporean Warrior can’t raise the stakes?
Backstage interview with Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta.
Persia loves Duke’s aggressive side. And he looks good with short hair. Indi tells Persia to focus, but Persia says “Mrs. Lumis” is one to talk. But in all seriousness, they’re focused. This is a big match tonight, and Indi’s been training her butt off. These two are gonna be one step closer to winning the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships. Kay Lee Ray walks in, with her bat, saying, “Championships, championships, championships. We know that there’s more to being champion than just doing photoshoots. But what Mandy Rose represents is the complete opposite of that title around her waist.” Persia says to add Gigi & Jacy to that, too.
KLR says that tonight, they can all stake their claims to the titles. “Soon, Toxic Attraction are gonna realize that the next photoshoot they do might be without those titles.” Will the Scary Queen of Scots and the impressive duo behind her soon make Toxic Attraction face utter destruction?
Backstage interview with Legado Del Fantasma.
Wilde & Mendoza are still seething, and though McKenzie asks why Escobar didn’t take Bron on, Mendoza answers. “What the hell is going on?” He goes off in Spanish, and then Wilde says that Bron needs to find out what happens when you disrespect Legado! Escobar says the young champion has made a mistake. These two will get a piece of Bron, 2v1. Unless of course, Bron can find a friend. That’s unlikely since Bron is NXT Champion, and that is a very, very lonely job. So safe to say, Bron’s growing pains are just going to continue. Lopez remembers Bron said it himself, he’s first to arrive and last to leave. Maybe Legado hangs around, too.
Six Woman Tag: Toxic Attraction VS Kay Lee Ray, Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta!
NXT returns and KLR makes her entrance. Indi and Persia are already there, and the teams sort out. Persia starts against Mandy and the two circle. KLR wants in and Mandy doesn’t want any of that! KLR tags in, Mandy runs away to her corner, and Mandy talks things over with Jacy. Jacy tags in, Jacy circles with KLR. They tie up, go around, and KLR powers Jacy to the corner. Tag to Indi, Indi stomps away on Jacy then waistlocks. Jacy switches, Indi runs to ropes to buck Jacy away. Jacy comes back, is put on the apron through ropes, and Indi EuroUppers to then BOOT Jacy down! Cover, ONE!
Indi keeps on Jacy but Jacy wrenches and shoves Indi to then KNEE her to the corner! Jacy RAMS in, tags Gigi, and the tag champs mug Indi. Gigi snapmares, but Indi ducks the Penalty Kick to roll her up! TWO, and Gigi KNEES Indi down! Gigi drags Indi up, whips her to the corner, then CHOPS her! Tag to Mandy, Mandy stomps Indi, then Mandy brings Indi in for a snap suplex! Mandy soaks up the cheers and jeers, then pie faces KLR. KLR runs back in and that scares Mandy, and Indi rolls her up! TWO, but Indi CLOBBERS Mandy with an elbow! Indi drags Mandy over, tags Persia, and feeds Mandy to a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Indi adds a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Persia drags Mandy, KLR wants in, so Persia tags her in! Mandy bails out, but KLR gives chase! They go out, around, back in, but Mandy kicks at KLR. Mandy runs in at the corner, but KLR puts her on the apron and shoulders her down! Toxic Attraction regroups with their leader, Persia and Indi are there, KLR goes up and up and DIVES! Direct hit onto all of Toxic Attraction! KLR drags Mandy up and puts her in, fans rally as KLR stalks Mandy, but Gigi distracts from the apron. Mandy crawls, tag to Jacy, and KLR is furious! KLR fires off on Jacy, CHOPS her, then CHOPS her again! Tag to Persia, and she stomps away on Jacy!
Persia RAMS her shoulders in, tags Indi, and Indi stomps away on Jacy! Indi brings Jacy out but Jacy DECKS Indi with a right! Jacy runs in but Indi BOOTS her! Indi ROCKS Mandy, ROCKS Gigi, but they both pull Indi down! Jacy hits a CANNONBALL! Cover, ONE! Jacy CLUBS Indi, drops a SENTON, then drags her back. Tag to Gigi, she whips and ROCKS Indi with a forearm, then whips and ROCKS her again! Gigi snapmares Indi to KICK her in the back! Gigi gives Indi Kowata Kicks! Gigi bumps Indi off buckles, tags Mandy in, and they mug Indi. Mandy keeps Indi from her corner with an elbow drop!
Mandy mocks Indi’s pain, drags her back, but Indi crawls forward. Indi kicks Mandy away, but Mandy comes back to get an arm. Indi blocks the whip, sends Mandy into the corner, but Mandy DECKS KLR! Mandy backs away from Persia, but into Indi’s SIDEWALK SLAM! Jacy rushes in to drag Indi from Persia, but Indi kicks Jacy out of the ring! Indi and Mandy crawl, but Jacy YANKS Persia down! Gigi tags in, and she kicks Indi down! SWITCHBLADE KICK! Cover, TWO! Gigi is frustrated but fans rally up as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Indi fights out of Mandy’s body scissor chinlock combo. Indi pushes back to a cover, TWO! Indi is free but Mandy stomps her down! Mandy drags Indi up, fans rally, but Jacy tags in. Toxic Attraction mugs Indi, then Jacy stomps Indi down. Indi hits back with body shots, then shoves, but Jacy ROLLING ELBOWS! And a RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Indi is showing impressive toughness, and her team coaches her up. Jacy drags Indi up, CHOPS Indi but Indi CHOPS back! Jacy CHOPS, Indi CHOPS, then Indi blocks the lariat. Jacy dodges but DOUBLE BOOTS take them down!
Fans fire up as both women crawl, hot tags to Gigi and Persia! Persia rallies on Gigi, and she runs into the corner to SPLASH! Persia scoops Gigi for SNAKE EYES! Then a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, Jacy SENTONS to break it! KLR ROCKS Jacy, Indi hits a SPINEBUSTER! Mandy KNEES Indi down, but KLR glares at Mandy. KLR dodges the boot and SUPERKICKS Mandy down! KLR gets her baseball bat! “You wanna run, Mandy?!” Mandy gets out of the ring but KLR gives chase! Mandy dodges and KLR hits steel steps! But KLR still stalks Mandy around the way, and SMACKS the post! Mandy runs away to the back but KLR just keeps following!
Persia and Gigi get up, Persia kicks Gigi and reels her in. Suplex, but Gigi fights to a cradle! TWO! Gigi can’t believe it, but she turns around into a BOOT! Persia fireman’s carries for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, Persia and team win!
Winners: Kay Lee Ray, Persia Pirotta & Indi Hartwell
Powerhouse Pirotta just put this one away, and now she and Indi are on the doorstep of those NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions! Is Toxic Attraction just one match away from losing all the gold?
NXT hear from Malik Blade & Edris Enofe.
Malik can’t believe they’re in the semifinals! And Enofe says they could go all the way. If they do make it and win, they can ask out Mandy Rose. Whoa, what? But she won’t ever say yes. What? No one thought they’d make it even this far, and yet here they are. People thought they’d lose to Harland & Gacy, and then to Legado. But they’ve shocked the world and busted brackets. They can win the whole damn thing, and get those NXT Tag Team Championships! And asking out Mandy. Well, we’ll see. Enofe says Malik can ask out Mandy, while he asks out Gigi AND Jacy.
Malik has seen Enofe’s Instagram. He’s a bad influence. Some might say toxic. Enofe shows off the dancing pecs, but will they be able to impress against MSK?
Cora Jade finds Raquel Gonzalez working out.
So, has Raquel thought about it? Yes, and the answer is still no. What? Why? Raquel isn’t interested in the Women’s Dusty Cup, Cora. What does Cora have to do? Does she have to lift the same weight Raquel does? She can totally do that. Don’t go hurting yourself, kid. Cora tries but it doesn’t budge. Cora asks if this is about New Year’s Evil. No, it’s not. Raquel won the Dusty, knows what it takes, and as much as she hates Dakota, Dakota also knows what it takes and does whatever it takes to win. So can Cora! Okay, Cora jumped off the top of a cage, but that was one time.
The Dusty Cup is round after round. Raquel needs someone she can trust, someone who can get up after getting knocked down. And that just isn’t Cora. Cora says it is! No it isn’t. Yes it is! NO. IT’S NOT. Cora wants to prove it, but Raquel easily blocks her slap. Don’t push it. Raquel storms off, but will Cora get the hint?
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2022 Opening Round: Grizzled Young Veterans VS Andre Chase & Bodhi Hayward!
Ever since arriving in NXT UK, Zack Gibson has been saying he and James Drake are SSSOOOON to be the top tag team in the WWE. But NXT UK Tag Team Championships aside, “soon” has yet to arrive. Will GYV finally get one step closer to that lofty goal? Or will they get failing grades against the professor of Chase U and his star pupil?
NXT returns as Team Chase U makes their entrance. The teams sort out, Drake starts against Chase. They tie up, go around, Drake wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Drake wrangles Chase, steps over and JAMS the arm. Chase backs off, Drake eggs him on. Chase returns, circles with Drake, but Drake gets his arm again. Drake wrenches, wristlocks, but Chase rolls, kips up and WRINGS Drake out! Fans fire up for Chase and even Bodhi is impressed. That was a #TeachableMoment! Drake throws a fit but Gibson calms him down, only for Chase to get a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Chase stomps and fans spell out “CHASE U!”
Chase EuroUppers Drake to the corner, tags Bodhi and Bodhi CLUBS the arm. Bodhi wrenches, tags Chase back in and Chase CLUBS the arm. Chase wrenches, tags Bodhi back in, and Chase feeds Drake to Bodhi’s shoulder. Slingshot sunset flip, TWO! Bodhi wrenches Drake’s arm, tags Chase in and Chase climbs up. Chase hits an AX HANDLE! Drake shoves Chase but Chase JABS, JABS and JABS! Flip, flop, fly and BIONIC ELBOW! Gibson backs off before Chase can give him one! Drake gets Chase, Gibson tags in, Drake powers out and Gibson trips Chase up! Gibson gut wrenches, Drake slingshots, ASSISTED SHOULDERBREAKER!
GYV get in Chase’s face, “Do something!” “This is what we meant!” Gibson puts Chase in the ring, rams shoulder after shoulder into him, and then gets in Chase’s face. Gibson DECKS Chase, drags him back up and whips him into the corner, Chase boots back and elbows Drake! Chase fights out of the GYV corner, but Gibson whips him! Chase spins things around, backslide! TWO, and Gibson keeps Chase from Bodhi! Drake and Bodhi each reach out, Gibson back drops but Chase sunset flips! Gibson stays up, steps through but Chase kangaroo kicks, then flips around to hot tag Bodhi! Fans fire up as Bodhi CLOBBERS Gibson and DECKS Drake!
Bodhi keeps going, Gibson dodges but Bodhi catches him for a scoop SLAM! Bodhi fires himself up, then hits a SPLASH! And then another SPLASH! And then a third SPLASH! Bodhi gets Gibson up but Drake distracts him. Gibson throat chops Bodhi down! Drake tags in, he dropkicks Chase down! GYV run at Bodhi, DOUBLE CODE BREAKER! Cover, GYV win!
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall (advance to the semifinals)
Andre Chase U put up a fight but it wasn’t enough against the street smart savvy of Gibson & Drake! Will they have another game plan to take out The Creed Brothers? Or will Diamond Mine soon break Grizzled Young Veterans?
Von Wagner gets in and attacks Bodhi! OLYMPIC SLAM! Robert Stone is there, too, admiring Von’s work as he gives Chase a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Stone then enters the ring, and he gives Von a suit to wear. The Robert Stone Brand has been resurrected, and it has incredible brawn to match Stone’s brains. Will these two take over NXT soon enough?
Grayson Waller speaks.
“LA Knight. You thought you had me dead to rights. Dexter Lumis doing your dirty work, but NAH NAH. You thought it was going to be the end of Grayson Waller, but my star is shining brighter than ever. Now, the Grayson Waller Effect is going global, baby!” He has the Bollywood Star by his side as his secret service, protecting NXT’s hottest commodity. And Knight is at a third grade reading level, so he needs to read the restraining order. Sound out those bigger words. It’d be a shame if he goes to jail. Knight might find a way around it, but Waller will be waiting for him. And Sanga, well, he’ll wanna meet Knight first.
Io Shirai VS Tiffany Stratton!
Whether or not the Evil Genius has warmed up to Zoey Stark, she can’t stand Daddy’s Spoiled Princess. Will Shirai simply add Tiffany to the long list of people she’s defeated here in NXT?
NXT returns and Tiffany has made her entrance. The bell rings, fans sing, ‘Io’s gonna kill~ you~!” They tie up, Shirai waistlocks but Tiffany switches. Shirai wrenches free, Tiffany cartwheels through to wrench back. Shirai rolls, kips up and wrenches to another wristlock. Tiffany slips through, goes up the corner and rebounds to arm-drag! Shirai comes back but into a knee. Tiffany runs, Shira drops to hurdle, Tiffany leaps over. Things keep moving until Tiffany holds ropes. Tiffany sticks her tongue out at Shirai, Shirai rushes over but Tiffany sends her out of the ring! Tiffany dusts off her hands but Shirai gets upset.
Shirai goes around the way as Tiffany shrugs. Shirai gets in, Tiffany ROCKS her with a right, then whips but Shirai reverses and FLAPJACKS! Shirai kips up, fans fire up and Shirai mocks Tiffany, “Do you wanna call your dad?” Shirai stomps Tiffany down, runs and runs and basement dropkicks her down! Cover, TWO! Shirai keeps on Tiffany with a crossface! Tiffany scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Shirai lets go at 4, and Tiffany throws her down by her hair! Tiffany says Shirai doesn’t do that to her! Tiffany stomps Shirai, and wraps on a cobra clutch. Shirai endures, fans rally, and Shirai fights up, only for Tiffany to wrangle her down.
Shirai fights to move around, Tiffany leans on her but Shirai gets to her feet. Shirai pries the hold but Tiffany knees low. Tiffany whips Shirai to a corner, handsprings and SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Tiffany grows frustrated, drags Shirai up but Shirai pushes her away. Tiffany kicks low, talks trash but Shirai blocks the kick. Shirai spins Tiffany for a SHOTEI! Tiffany ends up in a corner, Shirai runs in, SHINKANSEN! And then a scoop SLAM puts Tiffany in the drop zone! Shirai steps on Tiffany, goes to the corner, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Shirai wins!
Winner: Io Shirai, by pinfall
Money can’t buy the experience and talent Shirai has! Is it still 100 years too early for Tiffany to ever beat the Evil Genius?
Malcolm Bivens speaks.
“Gunther? What an awful name, I can’t believe your parents named you that. It should’ve been ‘DUMBASS,’ in all caps. I don’t care what you call yourself or what your legacy may be, because everyone keeps talking about, ‘This is a new beginning for Imperium.’ No. This is the beginning of the end for Imperium, because the Creed Brothers are gonna win the Dusty Classic, and then they will become the new NXT Tag Team Champions. And then Roderick Strong, the leader of Diamond Mine, Gunther, he’s gonna chop you down like the big dumb Austrian tree you are.” And then, Ivy Nile will stretch Gunther from here to his mama’s house.
So next week, Gunther can bring his boys, Bivens will bring his, Six Man Tag big money. Julius Creed says Imperium thinks they’re tough, but compared to Diamond Mine, they’re just European pretty boys. Brutus agrees, and says that they’re world class athletes that will take them down whenever they want! Strong says no one out trains, outlasts, or outworks Roderick Strong and Diamond Mine. Enjoy last week’s win, because that is never gonna happen again. Diamond Mine forever!
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams head to the ring.
Trick says, “Now as you know, Trick ‘n’ Melo always here to steal the show. But tonight, we’re here to introduce our girl to the WWE Universe!” Melo says y’all better put some respeck on the name! She is the FLIEST chick to ever set in the WWE, so make some noise for OllieJayy! Ollie thanks the boys, and says she IS NXT 2.0. She’s here to perform her track, “Make ‘Em Fall.” After Ollie finishes, Melo says Ollie don’t miss! That’s all it is, and that’s all it ever gon’ be!
Tony D’Angelo speaks.
He heard Grimes chirping earlier. That’ll stop when Tony busts Grimes’ face open in two seconds. Then after Grimes, Tony D has a date with destiny and the North American title at NXT Vengeance Day. Will the Made Man make himself #1 contender in tonight’s main event?
Tiffany Stratton complains to her dad.
Did he see what happened? That ref was so unfair! The incompetence level was so beyond, she couldn’t believe it! Hold on. She sees Wendy Choo sipping her drink. Tiffany shouldn’t feel too bad. Everyone loses to Io. Tiffany gets upset and slaps Wendy’s drink out of her hand! That was her free refill! Tiffany says there are so many freaks here. Wendy says she’s not a freak, she just likes being comfortable. But will Tiffany stop whining long enough to actually work and get better in the ring?
NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Cameron Grimes VS Tony D’Angelo!
The Carolina Cash Money Caveman was once Million Dollar Champion, but “that damn” Ted DeBiase took back that golden legacy real quick. Now Grimes wants more gold so he can go #ToTheMoon! But Tony D, he sent the Bruiserweight to the hospital with a busted face from a crowbar. Will Tony break the bank and take the golden ticket to Vengeance Day? Or will Grimes be the one cashing in big like he did all last year?
The bell rings, the two circle, and Grimes shoots in for a leg. Tony stays up, gets to ropes, but then he pulls Grimes’ hair! Grimes wrenches a wristlock, Tony rolls and drags Grimes down to get the wristlock back. Grimes kips up, slips through to wrench and arm-drag Tony around! Grimes tells Tony to #KissMahGrits! Tony seethes, rushes Grimes but is sent out of the ring! Grimes then goes to the apron to PENALTY KICK Tony down! Melo and Trick watch from the perch but Grimes puts Tony in the ring. Grimes gets around to waistlock and CLUB Tony, then EuroUpper! Tony staggers into a KICK and a CHOP!
Grimes bumps Tony off buckles, whips him to ropes, but Tony throws Grimes down by his hair! Tony then sets up, clinches Grimes and hits an EXPLODER! Fans rally with Tony as he talks trash to Grimes and Melo. Tony stomps Grime sin a corner, digs his head into the mat, but the ref counts. Tony lets off at 4, stomps Grimes, then RAMS his shoulder in. Tony whips Grimes corner to corner hard, and Grimes tumbles up and out of the ring! Tony goes out, puts Grimes back in and pushes Grimes around. Tony whips Grimes to ropes, scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tony grows annoyed but fans rally as NXT goes picture in picture.
Tony stomps Grimes, talks more trash, and Grimes drags himself to ropes. Tony chokes Grimes on the ropes, the ref counts, and Tony lets off at 4. Tony reels Grimes in, throws body shots, and then cranks on the facelock. Grimes endures, fights up, but Tony whips him to ropes. Grimes ducks and dodges, to then CROSSBODY! Down goes Tony and fans fire up! Grimes watches Tony go to a corner, storms over but Tony YANKS him into buckles! Tony scuffs Grimes’ head, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Tony clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Tony gets frustrated, and he digs his forearms into Grimes’ head.
Tony sits Grimes up and wraps on a chinlock. Grimes endures as Tony squeezes tight and leans his weight on him. Grimes fights up, Tony throws body shots and brings Grimes back down. Grimes reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Tony lets off and stomps away on Grimes! The ref has Tony back off, Grimes gets up but Tony reels him in for more body shots. Tony clinches again, BELLY2BELLY! NXT returns to single picture as Tony covers, TWO! Fans are thunderous as Grimes fights back up but Tony stomps him down. Grimes blocks a stomp, SLAPS Tony in the face, but Tony reels Grimes in for more body shots!
Tony hits a HALF HATCH! Tony wraps Grimes up in a modified chinlock but Grimes fights up. Tony TACKLES Grimes, covers, TWO! Trick doesn’t seem impressed, but Tony rains down forearms on Grimes. Tony shifts to a rear bearhug but Grimes endures. Fans rally up, Grimes fights up, reaches out, but Tony keeps him from ropes. Grimes stands, throws elbows, and then arm-drags Tony away! RANA! Fans fire up behind Grimes as he runs, and Grimes rallies with forearms! Grimes goes corner to corner, but Tony dodges the boot! Grimes gets stuck in the ropes, Tony brings him out, GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!!
Tony is furious as Grimes survives but fans are fired up! Tony drags Grimes up, throws more body shots, but Grimes turns fisherman into a cradle, TWO! Grimes ROCKS Tony, Tony ROCKS back! Grimes throws a forearm, Tony throws a haymaker! Tony runs, Grimes dodges, COLLISION COURSE! Cover, TWO!! Tony survives, Melo and Trick just shrug. “This is Awesome!” and Grimes grits his teeth. Grimes sees Tony flounder up in the corner, and he fires off KICK after KICK after KICK! Grimes runs corner to corner, GAMANGIRI! But Tony CLUBS Grimes in the back! Tony blocks the kick for an EXPLODER into the buckles!! Cover, TWO!!
Tony is losing his cool and even Melo is shocked by that one! Tony paces around in frustration, but he drags Grimes up to ROCK him with a haymaker! Grimes BOOTS back from the corner! Grimes goes up, but his legs wobble! He goes again, QUEBRADA! Grimes still hits Tony, then runs corner to corner to FLYING BOOT! Tony staggers, Grimes goes up and CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Tony survives and Grimes is shocked! Fans fire up, “TO~ THE~ MOON!” But Tony bails out to the announce desk. So Grimes gets Tony’s hat! The ref tells Grimes to put that back, but PETE DUNNEÂ SMACKS Tony’s hand with a wood cricket bat!!
The Bruiserweight glares at Tony as he gets his revenge, then shrugs. Tony gets in the ring in a huff, CAVE-IN!! Cover, Grimes wins!
Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Champion)
Grimes is coming for the gold! He and Melo are gonna meet on Vengeance Day, but will it be the day Grimes finally gets that North American Championship?
NXT Media catches Bron Breakker on his way out.
What’re his thoughts on Escobar’s tag team challenge? Who will Bron ask to be his tag partner? Bron says Escobar is a number’s guy. As far as partners go, it doesn’t really matter. But wait, who is this pulling up? Legado is here, ready to jump him! NOW is the time Escobar wants to fight Bron! Bron’s ready, but stepping up to reinforce him is TOMMASO CIAMPA! Bron says the math checks out. See you later! Bron and Ciampa fist bump, will they break Wilde & Mendoza to leave Escobar without his pawns?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT, with a lot of great stuff set up for the return of NXT Vengeance Day. That main event, especially. Grimes wins in a great match with Tony D’Angelo, and Grimes is going to have an awesome match with Melo. However, I’m moderately confused with Pete Dunne showing up. If he is being called up to RawDown, why is he back? I suppose screwing Tony over is good enough, but perhaps they’re giving him one more match for a better sendoff than that crowbar to the face? Similarly, what about Ciampa? I like that he’s the one backing Bron up against Legado, but what about Xyon Quinn? Shouldn’t Xyon want payback on Legado for his own story? Or is that going to happen in next week’s tag match anyway?
We got awesome Men’s Dusty Cup matches tonight, especially MSK VS Jacket Time in the opener. That really could’ve been how they booked the semifinal or final match, and I think MSK’s in-ring action is finally winning the performance center crowd over. Enofe & Malik have a good promo to hype their match with MSK up, but it again seems like erryone in NXT 2.0 is thirsty. Grizzled Young Veterans VS Chase & Bodhi was good stuff, and Chase U got to look great in defeat. Diamond Mine is calling Imperium out, so I’m thinking Imperium wins the Six Man Tag to give Creed Brothers the math to win against GYV. Though that’s a bit of a shame for GYV.
Speaking of Imperium, their promo was very good, and it does give reason for Walter to change his name to Gunther, but I gotta agree with Biven’s line about it being a dumb name. But Walter-Gunther will certainly be on his way to a singles title past Vengeance Day, so the winner of Grimes VS Melo better watch out. Waller had a good promo to call out LA Knight and give us Saurav Gurjar’s new name. Sanga better be more careful on social media this time. But he’ll have a good match against Knight to give Knight the momentum going into whatever match he has with Waller. Duke dominating Raaj was great, as was his brawl with Dante. Their match is going to really good, too.
Boa VS Sikoa in the No DQ Falls Count Anywhere match was awesome stuff. They didn’t explore as much of the arena as they could have, and they really focused on the garage door. Maybe too much, since it was so hard for Boa to pull the chain and lift it after all the dents made. But that table spot was an awesome finish, and Sikoa himself could be waiting on the other side of the Vengeance Day North American Championship match. OllieJayy is here, she’s clearly going to be NXT 2.0’s answer to Poppy. Having her already have a kayfabe link to Melo & Hayes is a good start to getting fans to know her, but honestly, it doesn’t really matter to me if she shows up more or not. I was behind in watching and just used fast-forward through her song.
Tiffany Stratton of course loses to Shirai, but I’m curious to what she’ll get Daddy to do about her complaints. The interaction of Shirai and Stark was much more interesting, but I’m not sure Shirai will bother with the Women’s Dusty Cup, even if Stark was healthy. I didn’t think Cora’s new strategy to get Raquel on her side would be to slap her, and we’re going to get a match out of that. Pretty sure Cora will “impress” Raquel by getting up after every big shot she takes until the Chingona Bomb. Then they end up a Dusty Cup team, and who knows how that goes. The Six Woman Tag was good stuff, I still feel like Jacy was a bit awkward but she’s been improving.
KLR chasing Mandy off was great, as was Persia finishing it off. If the tag title story doesn’t go in their favor, I see Persia going after Indi and they feud. Persia could definitely be built as a singles wrestler since Vince loves big powerhouses. The next two weeks will definitely set up title matches for Vengeance Day, but who knows if Toxic Attraction drops any of the belts.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Both United States Championships are on the line!
Like America, SmackDown is the land of opportunity! That is why Ilja Dragunov issues another United States Championship Open Challenge while Giulia defends her title against Chelsea Green!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Johnny Gargano w/ DIY; Dragunov wins and retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair w/ Alexa Bliss VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Chelsea Green w/ Alba Fyre; Chelsea wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s United States Champion.
- Rey Fenix VS Talla Tonga w/ MFT; Talla wins.
- Cody Rhodes VS Aleister Black w/ Zelina Vega; No Contest.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
The American Nightmare has Greenville, South Carolina singing his song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Coody gets his pyro, then he shakes hands and high-fives as he continues down the ramp. We get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro, then Cody steps inside the ring. Cody grabs the mic and the fans cheer him on. Cody says, “So, Greenville, South Carolina…! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer again, and Cody says, “We could talk about what we just saw, we could talk about Saturday Night’s Main Event, Drew McIntyre…” The fans boo that name… But Cody says Drew introduced the title into the match, he introduced a weapon into the match.
The fans sing for “Cody, Cody Rhodes~!” and Cody continues by saying this will be a fun show. But they’re here to have a good time, aren’t they? The fans cheer in agreement, and Cody brings up Drew again. The fans boo again, and Cody says, “For someone who expects us to know every detail of what makes Drew tick, every detail of his career, Drew clearly does not understand my reluctance to pull the trigger in the past has cost me, and cost me dearly. But with Drew McIntyre, there was no reluctance, there was no hesitation to pull the trigger. Drew McIntyre is one of the most impressive, strongest, walks into the room and everyone turns their head.
“But also, the most in-his-own-way, self-sabotaging pro-wrestler in the history of the business. And unfortunately at this point, Drew, I am moving on.” The fans cheer that! Cody says Drew is in the rearview mirror, and tonight’s business of SmackDown, tonight’s business of the WWE Championship, the most important title in all of pro-wrestling, Cody wants to do something different. Cody would like, if the fans were okay with it, Cody would like to sit with them. The fans already cheer! Cody steps back out and says he’d like to join the fans and watch SmackDown to decide who is next in line for THE WWE Championship. Is that okay?
Cody goes to the crowd, but then the lights go down! And when they come up, it is Aleister Black! The Dark Father walks down the ramp, Zelina Vega by his side and a mic in hand. Aleister tells Cody that if he’s moving out, then let Aleister move in. Ever since setting Damian Priest on fire, Aleister has been ready for something new. The fans boo but Aleister asks if they didn’t like setting Priest on fire. But Aleister says he has this chip on his shoulder. It is about the size of the WWE Undisputed World Championship. Cody loosens his tie and steps to Aleister, but Zelina stands in the way. The fans boo but Zelina has the mic now.
La Muneca says, “It’s too bad that your nightmare begins now.” Then she SLAPS Cody! The fans boo and Cody frowns, but Nick Aldis walks out here. The SmackDown General Manager says tensions are running a bit high, and some can’t keep their hands to themselves. Greenville, are you thinking what he’s thinking? Aldis says if Aleister wants a fight, then he can fight Cody in the main event tonight! The fans like the sound of that! Will Aleister make Cody #FadeToBlack here in Greenville? Or will Cody prove why he’s the elite around here?
Ilja Dragunov heads to gorilla.
But in his way is Tama Tonga. The Mad Dragon and the Good Bad Guy stare down, but will Tama answer tonight’s challenge? We find out in a matter of moments!
WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS ???
SmackDown returns and Ilja has the mic. “For the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, who will step up? Because tonight, my dear friends, and enemies, PAIN shall entertain you.” And so, Tommaso Ciampa steps up! The Sicilian Psycho brings up how he came out to answer the challenge last week. Not only did Ilja deny him, but he had the balls to call Ciampa a jackass! He is a TWO-TIME NXT Champion, and you dare call him a jackass? He is a TWO-TIME SmackDown Tag Team Champion, nobody calls Ciampa a jackass! And now Ciampa comes to Greenville, surrounded by jackass, to say that title is his! Ring the bell!
Ciampa steps into the ring, Ilja says okay, y’know what? Ciampa is right. The fans chant, “JACKASS! JACKASS!” and Ilja chuckles. But Ciampa is right! Listen, Ciampa is right. Ilja accepts the challenge for the United States Championship… from Johnny Gargano! The fans cheer for “Johnny Wrestling! Johnny Wrestling!” Ciampa seethes, but he tells Gargano to get him then! The champ trolls Ciampa again, but will Ilja regret angering the Sicilian Psycho?
The bell rings, Gargano and Ilja circle, but then Ciampa distracts from the apron. The fans boo as Gargano CLOBBERS Ilja and stomps away! The ref counts as they’re against the ropes, so Gargano stops at 4 to soak up heat. Ciampa then sees himself to the back while Candice stays to coach Gargano. Gargano SMACKS Ilja off buckles, the fans rally, but then Ilja blocks a kick! Ilja spins Gargano, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, then he drags Gargano back up, for another GERMAN SUPLEX! Gargano sputters but Ilja will not let him go. Ilja drags Gargano up again, the fans want that ‘One More Time!” but Gargano blocks the lift!
Ilia spins Gargano, and HAMMERS him with elbows! The fans rally, then Ilja HAMMERS away on Gargano some more! Ilja scoops Gargano while trapping the arms, for a TRAPPED EXPLODER! The fans fire up with Ilja, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Gargano writhes while Ilja paces. Candice is worried as Ilja drags Gargano by a leg to the drop zone. Ilja fixes his hair before climbing up, but then Candice gets on the apron! That distraction lets Gargano get up! Gargano SUPERKICKS the legs out! Ilja falls to the mat, then flounders to the apron. Gargano hurries to BOOT WASH Ilja to the floor! Ilja writhes and clutches his face while Gargano huffs ‘n’ puffs. Gargano goes out to fetch Ilja, ROCKS him with a forearm, then SMACKS him off the apron. Gargano THROWS Ilja back into the ring, but then Ilja ROCKS Gargano! They throw forearms back and forth, then Gargano GAMANGIRIS!
Ilja staggers, comes back, but into the SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Cover, TWO! Ilja is tougher than that but Gargano talks some smack. Gargano drags Ilja up and puts him in the corner for a CHOP! Ilja snarls and pushes Gargano all the way to the other corner! Gargano avoids a chop to CHOP again! Gargano snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja checks his head and neck while Gargano paces. Gargano says he’s gonna be the champ, then he drags Ilja up, But Ilja slips around to waistlock! Gargano fights with elbows, then goes to ropes to HOTSHOT the O’Conner! Ilja falls back, Gargano BOOTS him down!
Gargano paces, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a right! Ilja CHOPS in return! Gargano ROCKS Ilja, Ilja goes to a corner, but then Ilja kicks in return! Ilja CLUBS Gargano, Gargano fires elbows and then RAMS into Ilja again and again! The ref counts, but Gargano wrenches and traps Ilja in a modified COBRA CLUTCH! Ilja endures, even with both arms trapped. Ilja powers up, powers out, and he ROCKS Gargano! SmackDown returns to single picture as Ilja fires forearms, but Gargano fires boxing elbows! ROLLING ELBOW! But Ilja jumps up to ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
Candice is worried and she coaches Gargano but Ilja junkyard dog headbutts! Gargano kicks back, kicks again, but Ilja CLUBS him down! Ilja then drags Gargano up to UPPERCUT! Gargano fires a forearm, Ilja fires a forearm, repeat! Ilja CHOPS, Gargano ROCKS, but then Ilja JUMP KICKS! Gargano returns, Ilja dodges, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! The fans fire up while both men rise up again! They go to corners, and Ilja runs up to KNEE Gargano in the corner! Ilja keeps moving, BOOT WASH! Payback from earlier and the fans fire up with Ilja! Ilja hops up, aims, KING KONG KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!
Gargano survives and Candice coaches him again. Gargano kicks at Ilja, but Ilja stomps Gargano. Ilja roars, the fans rally up, and Ilja goes up the ropes. Gargano stands, Candice panics, COAST2- SUPERKICK! Gargano hits Ilja first, then runs up to BLINDSIDE SUPERKICK! Ilja sputters, staggers, and Gargano hops up! POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and the fans fire up again! Gargano is frustrated, but he puts Ilja in a corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Gargano puts Ilja up top, then uses the corner to scoop, but Ilja fights back! Ilja CHOPS down on Gargano’s chest again and again! Then he YANKS Gargano up to HEADBUTT him down!
Ilja goes to the very top and the fans fire up! SUPER SENTON! Ilja clutches his own neck but he makes the cover, TWO!! Gargano survives thanks to that delay, but Ilja goes to a corner. “This is Awesome!” and Ilja winds up, H-BOMB FORE- NO! Gargano UP KICKS first! Ilja rebounds, JUMP STOMP! Then a back suplex URENAGE! The fans fire up again while both men are down. Gargano talks with the ref about his neck, but that just lets Candice trip Ilja up! The fans boo but Gargano says he’s okay now. Gargano DIVESÂ to TORNADO DDT on the floor! Gargano puts Ilja in, slingshots, ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, TWO!!
Gargano and Candice are shocked! That was NOT the final beat for Ilja, his heart is much stronger than that! Gargano kicks at Ilja from the mat, but “This is Awesome!” Gargano drags Ilja by his hair, goes back to the apron, and he reloads, only for Ilja to BOOT him! Ilja SMACKS Gargano off the crossbar! Ilja then deadlifts to SUPERPLEX! And roll through, for the H-BOMB!! Cover, ILJA WINS!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
Gargano couldn’t do it by himself, and he couldn’t even do it with help from Ciampa and Candice! The Czar continues his reign, but will he have no choice but to face Ciampa next?
Nick Aldis talks with the head referee.
The selections for the Last Time is Now tournament are being made, they’ll need to inform the chosen participants, but in steps Sami Zayn first. He asks if the GM has a second, and Aldis says of course. Sami knows Aldis surely saw last week, the numbers game The MFT loves to use, and Sami know she is not cleared. He just wants to be out there for Rey Fenix. Aldis knows it kills Sami to be on the sidelines and that he wants to be there for his friends, as well as get into it with MFT, but Aldis reiterates: Sami is NOT medically cleared! If Sami is ringside, he is a liability to SmackDown. All Aldis needs Sami to do is to get healthy.
And Sami, with all due respect, Aldis is not asking. Sami says alright, fine. But he’s telling Aldis right now, he won’t just stand by much longer. Sami heads back out, but in steps R-Truth. Truth asks if he has a minute to talk and Aldis says of course. Truth asks if this is really how they’re picking opponents for his “older brother,” John Cena. Uh, yes, names at random. Then Truth wants in. Truth needs this! Truth, no, you don’t understand- Truth says he came here to put his balls in Aldis’ hand. And he hands over lottery balls. Truth needs this, man! Aldis explains to Truth that his name is already in the tumbler. Truth IS in!
Is that how it is? Fine. Truth doesn’t want his balls touching Aldis’ balls anyway. Truth takes his lottery balls back and Aldis is very confused. But will John Cena’s biggest fan get the biggest opportunity in this tournament?
DIY regroups backstage.
Gargano apologizes for losing, but Ilja is a psycho. And then Fraxiom walks over, having a bit of a laugh. Nathan Frazer says it is really rough going after the US Championship when Ilja shuts you down two times in a row. Especially when Ilja chooses your own tag team partner over you. That’s what you get for being, what was it again? Oh, right! A JACKASS! Fraxiom heads out, Ciampa seethes more, but will this only motivate Ciampa to be first in line next time?
Jade Cargill is here!
The Storm has hit Greenville, and the fans cheer on the NEW WWE Women’s Champion! Jade goes right to the ring to revel in this moment. “Y’all saw what happened to Tiffany, and that goes for every woman in that locker room! Make no mistakes about it, I’m That B*tch!” Mic drop with the message sent, will no one stop Jade now that she’s on top? Oh wait, Charlotte Flair makes her entrance while Jade is on her way out! The Queen has a match with the Irresistible Force. One half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions tell Jade, “You do you, baby.” Will Charlotte stay focused and put Nia in her place? Or will this confrontation pull her focus?
Chelsea Green talks with Alba Fyre.
The Hot Mess tells “Slaygent A” that tonight is the night! Or should she says, esta noche una campeona mas! And she is going to solidify her place in the history books the longest-reigning, first and best- But then Mia Yim & B-Fab step in. Michin doesn’t think that longest-reigning thing is gonna work out anymore. Giulia literally just surpassed her today. The math is not mathing. Holidays don’t count! Oh, how convenient. But with that ego of Chelsea’s overlooking Giulia, we all already know how things are going to go. Chelsea says yes, she’s going to win! The first-and-fourth-ever US Champion, and a DOUBLE CHAMPION to boot!
Chelsea will be the greatest Women’s Champion on SmackDown there is! In fact, she already is! But then Jade steps up behind Chelsea. Chelsea trails off but Jade tells her to keep going. Chelsea says Jade is gorgeous. Yeah, Jade thought so. Because if Chelsea keeps talking, Jade will stomp a hole in her chest. Chelsea says no bueno! She and Alba have to go, adios! They head out, and then Jade tells B-Fab to move. Whoa, why does she think she can have attitude? Oh, sorry, did they say something? B-Fab tells Jade that while congratulations are in order, Jade doesn’t need to be like this.
Jade says she does what she wants. If you got a problem, step up and get stepped on. B-Fab says bet. Jade storms off into the locker room, and both Michin and B-Fab say Jade is all King Kong right now. But will King Kong not have anything on Jade?
Charlotte Flair w/ Alexa Bliss VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns as Nia Jax makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans all, “WOO~!” Nia is annoyed by that but she and Charlotte circle. They tie up, Nia powers Charlotte back, but Charlotte digs in her heels. Nia shoves Charlotte, they reset, and Charlotte slips around to headlock. Nia powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, but Nia doesn’t even budge. Nia talks trash then pie faces Charlotte. And pie faces her again! Charlotte SLAPS back! Nia runs up, Charlotte ducks ‘n’ dodges to THESZ PRESS! Charlotte rains down fast hands but Nia shoves free. Nia HEADBUTTS Charlotte down, then shakes out th estars.
Charlotte goes to the corner, Nia runs up, but Charlotte dodges! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Nia staggers, Charlotte BOOTS her, then Charlotte runs up, but into a POP-UP! Only to RANA free! And then she DROPKICKS Nia down! Charlotte kips up and even impresses herself a bit. The fans cheer as Charlotte then goes after Nia. Charlotte brings Nia up but Nia stops the buckle bump. Nia gives the buckle bump to Charlotte, then soaks up heat. But Charlotte CHOPS! And CHOSP! And then whips, but Nia reverses. Charlotte goes up but Nia CLOBBERS her in the corner! Charlotte is down, Nia soaks up heat, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Charlotte ROCKS Nia! And ROCKS her again! Charlotte whips, Nia reverses, but Charlotte goes up, out, and BOOTS back in! The fans fire up with Charlotte and she climbs up, CROSSBODY! Charlotte kips up and the fans fire up again! Charlotte CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! “WOO~! WOO~! WOO~!” Charlotte then BOOTS Nia, dodges the lariat, and CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Nia is down but hurries back up, Charlotte HANDSPRING LARIATS! The fans fire up and Charlotte steps on Nia to go to the corner. The fans cheer as Charlotte goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and the cover, TWO!!
Nia survives but the fans rally behind Charlotte more. Charlotte wants a leg, Nia throws hands then a HEADBUTT! Charlotte staggers, rebounds, but into the POP-UP POWERPOMB! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Nia is frustrated. The fans rally for Charlotte but Nia drags her into the drop zone! Nia goes up, mocks the “WOO~,” A-NIA- NO!! Charlotte avoids the sit-down and ghost pins, TWO! Nia fireman’s carries Charlotte and goes up the corner! Charlotte escapes to the apron, GAMANGIRIS again, and Nia is stuck in the Tree of Woe! SLINGSHOT KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives and now Charlotte grows frustrated!
Charlotte hurries to get the legs again, but Nia BOOTS her into the corner! Nia stands up, fireman’s carries, but Charlotte slips free! TORNADO DDT! cover, TWO!! Nia survives again and Charlotte is stunned! Wait, LASH LEGEND DECKS ALEXA BLISS!? The Bougie Bully is here, but why!? Lash THRASHES Alexa in a SLEEPER, and the distraction lets Nia CLOBBER Charlotte! A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, NIA WINS!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
The fans all boo, but why would Lash Legend help Nia Jax?! Or are these two bullies about to work together to become champions?
Nick Aldis speaks.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and privilege to draw the next two match-ups in the Last Time is Now tournament. The names have been circulated, fate has spoken, and a once-in-a-lifetime, career-changing opportunity is on the line. The first match that’s been drawn is between two of the most decorated WWE superstars of all time, as two-time Grand Slam Champion, The Miz, takes on Main Event Jey Uso. The second match-up will be between The Mega Star, LA Knight, and the name that is in my hand.” Aldis opens up the capsule and reads the slip of paper. And Aldis says he’ll keep this one a surprise.
Aldis smiles as LA Knight now goes up against a wild card! Who helps kick off the road to Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington DC?
Backstage interview with Nia & Lash.
Cathy Kelley welcomes us back to SmackDown, and she brings up that for as many times as Nia has faced Charlotte, no one could’ve predicted that ending. Can they tell us anything about how this partnership came about? Nia asks if Cathy had her glasses on during the match. Nia clearly would’ve beaten Charlotte anyway. Nia then mockingly says it was so~ hard~ working with Lash because they’re not friends or blah blah blah. But Alexa & Charlotte told her to find a friend, so jokes on them, she found a friend. She had a friend! Nia faced Lash in NXT, she is a formidable adversary and a straight badass. That’s why they’re friends.
But can Alexa & Charlotte say one of their friends is a former NCAA world record holder? Take it away, Lash. Lash says, “Thanks, my girl. Clearly, if you didn’t know, I’m Lash Legend, the one and only Bougie Bully. And based on what I just did to Alexa, clearly I’m everything I say I am. And thus believe, we’re going straight to the top. And tonight was just the beginning.” Lash & Nia snap snap and head out, will they break the bonds between #Charlexa to be the next tag team champions?
WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Chelsea Green w/ Alba Fyre!
Giulia has already overtaken first place in the history books, in part thanks to Miss Management making sure she only faced the very best. But will Slaygent A make sure The Hot Mess expands her executive championship powers? Or will even Chelsea succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
The introductions are made, the US title is raised, and we see if the history books need to be changed!
The bell rings and Chelsea talks trash. She points to Ethan Page in the crowd, her tag partner as AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion, and says he’s a double champion, so she’s going to be a double champion. Then she SLAPS Giulia! The fans fire up, Giulia SLAPS back! Giulia headlocks for the takeover, then she rains down fists! Chselea gets up, blocks a kick, but not the HEADBUTT! Giulia reels Chelsea in as the fans duel, snap suplex! Giulia drags Chelsea up, suplexes again, but Chelsea slips fee! Chelsea rolls Giulia, Giulia rolls through, ARRIVEDERCI KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Giulia drags her up.
Giulia brings Chelsea up to THROW her! Chelsea flounders, Alba shouts, but Giulia ROCKS Chelsea! Then TOSSES her out! Giulia brings Chelsea in through the ropes, and ROCKS her! Chelsea flops down, flounders around, but Giulia CHOKES her on the ropes! The ref counts, Giulia backs off, but Kiana ROCKS Chelsea! the fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Kiana! The fans fire up but then Giulia WRECKS Alba with a kick! Chelsea rolls Giulia with feet on ropes! CHELSEA WINS!!
Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s United States Champion)
Chelsea celebrates with All Ego because now the Canadians are dripping with gold! Is this Two Person Power Trip about to take over the world?!
MFT is backstage.
They’re all talking up Talla Tonga, telling him to grab Rey Fenix out of the heavens and bring him back down to earth. Solo Sikoa steps in, and he says, “Good job to everyone last week. But it wasn’t good enough. Sami Zayn, he’s still walking around. The Wyatt Sicks, they got something that belongs to this family. Ilja Dragunov… He’s got something that belongs to this family. We are going to take it back.” Tama nods and says, “YEYEYEYEH! We got this!” Solo nods, and says tonight is about the big man! Talla, got out there, make a statement, smash Fenix, and show everyone not to ever, EVER disrespect My Family Tree again. Understood?
Talla ROARS, he is ready to fight! MFT heads out, but then The Wyatts sneak in! Erick Rowan has them stand down, saying, “Not yet.” If not now, then when and where will the scariest forces on SmackDown collide?
The medical staff check on Alexa & Charlotte.
Alexa’s neck is understandably ailing her, he goes to get ice. Charlotte is sorry for losing but Alexa says no, she’s sorry that she got jumped. How was Alexa ever friends with Nia? But in steps someone with the icepack, but it’s not the doctor. It’s ASUKA! BLUE MIST!! The Empress of Tomorrow and “Nurse Kairi” run away having added insult to injury! Will “The Kabuki Doctors” pay for this sneak attack? Or are the walls closing in on #Charlexa?
Rey Fenix VS Talla Tonga w/ MFT!
SmackDown returns with The Firebird already waiting in the ring as MFT makes their entrance. But then Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns go after Tama, Loa & JC Mateo! The fans fire up as those six bralw, then Fenix DIVES onto Talla! Talla staggesr around but he stays up, so Fenix DIVES again! Another direct hit and Talla hits barriers! The fans fire up as Fenix keeps moving, for another DIVE! But Talla catches him! Talla scoops Fenix, but Fenix slips free! Fenix POSTS Talla first, then hurries after him! Talla just grabs Fenix again to TOSS him into the ring! The fans rally but Talla storms into the ring, and the bell sounds.
Fenix SOBATS, KICKS, then mule kicks a leg! Fenix whips, but Talla blocks! Talla whips, Fenix goes out and dropkicks legs out! Then Fenix goes up, up, and FLYING- NO, Talla avoids the Quebrada. Fenix hurries to KICK and KICK and KICK Talla’s leg! Fenix fires hands, then CHOSP! And CHOSP! Talla shoves Fenix to FLAPJACK! Talla huffs ‘n’ puffs while Fenix flounders out of the ring. Talla waits on Fenix at the apron, then runs up to BOOT him down! Fenix hits barriers on top of it, and Talla rests while the ring count climbs. Solo applauds from his armchair, and Fenix is still down at 5 of 10.
Fenix rises up, but Talla storms out to fetch him. Talla scoops Fenix to then SNAKE EYES off the barriers! Fenix falls, Talla paces, and the ring count is again 5 of 10. Talla looms over Fenix while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Fenix fires off fast hands! Talla egg shim on so Fenix CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Talla shoves Fenix, Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard, FLYING HEADBUTTÂ bounces off of Talla! Solo smirks as Fenix flounders. Talla CLUBS Fenix, then drags him back up to talk trash. Talla dares Fenix to hit him, so Fenix fires forearms! Talla winds up, and he LARIATS Fenix inside-out! The fans boo but Talla drags Fenix back up. Talla ROCKS Fenix and ELBOWS him in the corner. Tala eggs Fenix on, then kicks low. Talla whips corner to corner, runs up, but Fenix dodge! Talla hits POST!
Fenix goes up to BOOT Tall! Talla SWATS the superkick! Talla whips, Fenix goes Spider-Man, then SUPERKICKS! Talla goes to a corner, Fenix runs up, JUMP SOBAT! Talla is dazed and the fans fire up! Fenix goes corner to corner, jumps up, but Talla stops the monkey flip! Fenix sunset flips, but Talla YANKS him right up, to UPPERCUT him right down! Solo applauds but the fans boo. Talla snarls and waits on Fenix. Fenix rises on the apron, Talla runs up again, but Fenix gets him stuck on the ropes! Fenix GAMANGIRIS, then HOTSHOTS! Then GAMANGIRIS! Talla sputters and Fenix hurries up the corner! ADIOS AMIGO KICK!
Talla staggers around, Fenix goes up again! FLYING CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Talla still has so much left in the tank! Fenix is stunned, but he shouts “ANIMO!” SUPERKICK! Talla sputters, Fenix reloads, and he goes back up top! Talla stands, Fenix FLYING- NO! Talla catches Fenix! CHOKE- RANA! But Talla blocks! TALLA BOMB! Then he guzels for a deadlift and CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, Talla wins!
Winner: Talla Tonga, by pinfall
The unseen variable of Nakamura & MCMG aside, Talla still took Fenix down. But Solo says they need to do more! WAIT! Sami Zayn rushes out here, with a chair! The fans cheer as Sami runs Solo & Talla off to protect Fenix! Medically cleared or not, will Sami settle this score with Solo once and for all?
Backstage interview with The Miz.
Cathy Kelley is with the Hollywood A-Lister and brings up he is in the first round of The Last Time is Now Tournament, going up against Main Event Jey Uso. Before more on that, she wants to address the payback on Carmelo Hayes last week. Miz says, “Payback? You thought me hitting Carmelo Hayes with a Skull Crushing Finale was payback? Perspective, Cathy. A reminder of exactly what I’m capable of, because everyone seems to forget that everything I touch becomes important. The Intercontinental Championship, I made prestigious. Talk shows, I made them must-see. Carmelo Hayes, I made H1M relevant!
“I beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania! Which should, should, make our final match inevitable, but now there’s some sort of farewell tournament that he announces? Opening the door for NXT, outsiders, and rookies like it’s some sort of open tryout at the Performance Center! There shouldn’t be a tournament! Especially, especially, when his final opponent is staring you right in the face! Now, I have to face Jey Uso, who’s full of emotion, fire and passion. Everything he does is a highlight. Highlights fade. Legacies don’t. And that’s where I live. I will beat Jey Uso, I will win this tournament.
“The critics will cry, the internet will whine, but the headline will read, ‘The Miz beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania, The Miz ended John Cena’s career, because The Miz is AWESOME!'” Miz storms off, but will he make it all the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event? Or will Jey YEET Miz right out of the first round?
Cody Rhodes VS Aleister Black w/ Zelina Vega!
The American Nightmare wanted to sit back and watch tonight with all the fans here in Greenville, South Carolina, but he was called out by The Dark Father. Aleister has his eyes on the gold, but will he make Cody #FadeToBlack? Or will Cody show Aleister is not undisputed?
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, Cody headlocks and hits the takeover, but Aleister headscissors. Cody kips free, Aleister headlocks for the takeover, but Cody headscissors. Aleister kips free, then he slips around to waistlock. Cody switches as thee fans sing for him, but Aleister bucks the O’Conner. Cody arm-drags, but then Aleister arm-drags! Aleister facelocks, powers Cody to a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Aleister KNEES low, reels Cody in, and he suplexes, but Cody blocks! Cody suplexes, and he hold Aleister up for TEN before the GOURD BUSTER! The fans cheer while Aleister goes to a corner.
Cody storms up, whips corner to corner, but Aleister reverses. Cody goes up and over, but Aleister avoids the snap powerslam! Cody still kicks and drops, but Aleister blocks the uppercut into an ARMBAR! The fans rally as Cody fights around, stacks Aleister up, TWO! Cody ducks ‘n’ springboards, into a JUMP KNEE! Aleister knows Cody all too well, and he smirks while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Aleister sits cross-legged while the ring count climbs. Cody rises at 5 of 10, so Aleister steps outside. Aleister stalks Cody, but Cody kicks low. Cody SMACKS Aleister off the apron, then CLUBS him. Cody aims at the desk but Aleister turns things around to SMACK him off the desk! Aleister puts Cody in the ring, then stalks him to center. Aleister whips and ELBOWS Cody down! Cover, TWO! Cody is tougher than that, but Aleister stomps him around. Aleister drops a KNEE, and he paces while Cody writhes. Aleister drags Cody up, but Cody RAMS him into the corner! Cody fires hands, but Aleister BOOTS him down! Aleister then brings Cody up to UPPERCUT!
Cody staggers to ropes, Aleister CHOKES him! The ref counts, Aleister stops at 4, but ZELINA CHOKES CODY! The ref misses that but the fans boo. Aleister covers Cody, TWO! Aleister is annoyed, but he still runs the ropes to leg drop, brother! Cover, TWO! Cody survives, Aleister stalks him and KICKS him, then brings him around. Aleister snapmares Cody into a chinlock. Cody endures and reaches out while the fans rally. Aleister stands Cody up, whips him to a corner, then runs up. Cody goes up and over, and he SNAP POWERSLAMS as SmackDown returns to single picture! Cover, TWO! Aleister stays in this but Cody stays cool.
Cody storms up on Aleister, but Aleister trips him! Cody kicks Aleister away, avoids the Penalty Kick, then rolls Aleister! TWO, and Aleister BOOTS Cody right down! Cover, TWO! Cody is tougher than that but Aleister paces again. Cody goes to a corner, Aleister fires forearms. Aleister BODY SHOTS, ROCKS, and KICKS Cody! The ref counts, Aleister snapmares Cody down, and the fans boo. Aleister clamps on another chinlock but Cody hurries to his feet. Aleister KNEES low, ROCKS Cody, then runs, only for Cody to CLOBBER him! Codey goes up and over i the corner, another SNAP POWERSLAM!
The fans rally up and Cody keeps close. Cody springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Cody snarls but he waits on Aleister. The fans rally behind Cody, he roars, and he dragon sleepers! But Aleister KNEES free! Aleister fires more knees, then he sweeps the legs! The fans boo but Aleister PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this and Zelina is frustrated on Aleister’s behalf. Aleister frowns, but then drags Cody up. Aleister back suplexes, but Cody lands out! Cody runs to springboard, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Aleister survives and Zelina is relieved while Cody grits his teeth.
Cody waits on Aleister to rise up, then he JABS! JABS! JABS Flip, flop, but ROUNDHOUSE from Aleister! Aleister then shoves and KNEES Cody, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Cody escapes in time but Aleister paces. Cody rises, Aleister runs up, but Cody BOOTS him first! Dragon sleeper, but Aleister snapmares free! Aleister waistlocks, Cody bucks the O’Conner, but Aleister BOOTS! Cody BOOTS! Cody ducks a kick, Aleister ducks a haymaker, both men BOOT the other down! The fans fire up while Zelina panics! But wait, someone is in the crowd! CLAYMOREÂ to the ref?!? Drew is furious at the ref for screwing him over on Saturday Night!!
Cody CLOBBERS Drew and fires hands! The fans are going nuts as now Aleister CLOBBERS Cody! Aleister stomps Cody, then Drew joins in! They mug Cody, but DAMIAN PRIEST is here! The fans fire up as The Archer of Infamy storms in! But he gets mugged 2v1 now! Priest ROCKS Aleister, fires hands on Drew, then he TOSSES Aleister to a corner! Priest fires hands, but Drew shoves Priest! Priest clinches Drew! FLATLINER! Aleister runs up, but inot a FLAPJACK! Priest LARIATS Aleister up and out! Drew is after Priest, but Cody CLOBBERS Drew! Priest goes to Aleister, and he HAMMERS away on Aleister!
Zelina JUMPS onto Priest! Priest TOSESS her aside out of instinct, but Aleister CLAWS the burned eye!! Zelina helps Aleister get away into the crowd, Cody hits a CODY CUTTER on Drew! The match is for all intents and purposes through, but Nick Aldis storms out here! He says he gives Drew an inch and Drew takes a mile! NO MORE! Effective immediately, Drew McIntyre is SUSPENDED!! The Scottish Terminator is furious with Aldis now, but this is all Aldis can do to stop this madness! What can Drew do to get what he wants when he’s getting what he deserves?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to build off Saturday Night’s Main Event, and we’re certainly building towards some big things for Survivor Series. Ilja trolling Ciampa is great, and definitely teases an awesome match once those two have their match. It also feels like there might be another DIY VS Fraxiom match with their promo backstage. Great stuff with Talla VS Fenix, and especially with Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns evening the odds a bit. Sami also having a part to play in that story, they have to be setting up a WarGames match, or even just an old school 5v5 elimination tag, it’s the only reason we’d have something like this.
Great promo from R-Truth with Aldis to plug the Last Time Is Now Tournament, and same with Miz’s promo later. But I feel like Melo is going to cost Miz so that they have their own match. Great match from Charlotte VS Nia, and quite the surprise with Lash Legend showing up to go after Alexa. Lash & Nia definitely could take those tag titles just on physical attributes, but then Asuka & Kairi showed up just to add on, that’s a Triple Threat for the tag titles right there. Then any team can win without hurting the others in their power rankings. A little surprised we’ve moved away from Kairi being as conflicted as she was helping Asuka, but that also has to do with where Iyo went during all this.
Jade had a great promo for keeping it short and sweet, and I’m somewhat impressed WWE is letting her bring “That B*tch” as her nickname back from AEW. Great promo with her and the other women backstage, and pretty sure she’ll beat B-Fab with ease. Giulia VS Chelsea was a little too quick with what we know both women can do, but I suppose with all the Heel shenanigans going on, it doesn’t really matter. Chelsea winning is great for her and honestly a great move overall because of how fans really do like Chelsea and how she’s just everywhere right now between SmackDown, NXT and AAA. But this might indicate she and Ethan retain the AAA Mixed Tag titles at Gold Rush in a couple weeks because they have all the momentum.
And of course there were shenanigans going on with Cody VS Aleister to end things. Priest warned Aleister that they weren’t done, and Drew McIntyre isn’t the kind of character to just leave things as they are. Aldis “suspending” Drew is an interesting move but a logical one. I feel like Drew won’t care, though, he’ll still go after Cody and force one last title match where Drew is going to do anything and everything he can to finally win. And honestly, it should happen. It can give something more to this story as we head for the New Year, Cody needs a reason to fight harder. As for Aleister and Priest, they also need to do one more really extreme match to settle things.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Open Fight Night Results & Match Reviews: 11.6.2025
At least it’s some kind of new content before the Live shows next week!
Bet you thought I died or finally threw in the towel from the miserable Delirious and Tommy Dreamer booking. But nope! TNA has just been on boosted clip show crap since Bound For Glory. You think I was gonna cover some Hardy goofball Elvira clip show? UH-UH. So today we’ve got Open Fight Night for the first time since like…2017 I think? That was around the dark TNA times so I only have vague recollections of that, like those bathroom floor memories from a really good night out with your boys.
Let’s see if anything entertaining happens today, or if I’m gonna be nursing this hangover until the Live Impact and PLE next week.
.@milanmiracle welcomes us to Open Fight Night! #TNAiMPACT
Subscribe to TNA+: https://t.co/UCGu4PGEus pic.twitter.com/s1sGM0mina
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 7, 2025
Ratings:
- Two Losers vs The Rascalz (Wentz & Trey) vs Great Hands w/Tasha Steelz vs The System (Myers & Eddie) w/Lish: System wins via Boston Knee Party – ** 3/4
- Dani Luna vs Jody Threat: Dani wins via Luna Landing – ***
- Mike Santana vs Cedric Alexander: Mike wins via Spin the Block – *** 1/2
Results:
Two Losers vs The Rascalz (Wentz & Trey) vs Great Hands w/Tasha Steelz vs The System (Myers & Eddie) w/Lish
Hair Jabroni and Wentz start off the match, Collar and Elbow, World of Sport open, Wentz with the Arm Drag counter, Jabroni powders, Great Hands try to attack, Rascalz turn it around, System clears the Hands, Rascalz Superkick Party System out and then the Double Dive keeps the Smoke rising to the top of the treehouse. Back from commercial the Rascalz are still beating up the jabroni with hair. They pull off the MCMG High Speed Dirty combo move, but Hotch tags in off Wentz and Jabronis are working over Hotch. Hotch is too talented to bump for these waste of space morons. Hotch thankfully floats over, pokes the eye, but Myers tags bald Jabroni and makes Hotch pay for the arrogance.
Skyler distracts Myers, Myers gets Dropkicked to the outside, cheap shot from Skyler and now Hotch is in charge. Great hands with the quick tags, Tree of Woe Myers, taunt Eddie to distract the referee and Double Oh Canada Crotch Stand. Skyler has Myers in a Headlock, Myers fires, Skyler puts the breaks on it and then slaps Eddie off the apron. More quick tags from Hands, Side Russian/Rolling Neckbreaker Tandem move, but only a two count. Myers gets the fire moment which works, Sunsets Hotch, but Hotch kicks out, Hotch responds with a Dropkick into his own near fall, and Hands maintain control. Skyler tosses Myers to the outside, distracts the ref and Tasha gets in some cheap shots. Hotch doubles over Myers with the Knee Lift, goes to follow but eats the Pele Kick, simultaneous tags, Eddie goes NOAH on Skyler, makes Hotch Fly with a big Overhead Body Drop. Rascalz knock out Hotch, Jabronis take out Trey, try some kind of redirect Dive and it looks bad. Skyler eats hair Jabroni with a Slingshot Spear. But Myers hits the Spear, Eddie with Boston Knee Party, System Wins.
Decent match, but those Jabronis are still the worst thing I’ve ever seen in a relevant promotion (ROH, AEW, MLW, TNA, NXT, WWE).Â
The Elegance Brand are on the hunt for Mr. Elegance and they want to hear from YOU – submit your video entries via email HERE: EleganceBrand@tnawrestling.com#TNAiMPACT @Ashamae_Sebera @Heathereckless @justmaggielee @IamGeorgeIceman pic.twitter.com/SiOEqxcifK
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 7, 2025
Well it looks like they’re back to steering too far into the cringe with this Mr. Elegance thing. I…hate this promo, and I like the Elegance Brand generally speaking. This is just too cringe for me.
Dani Luna vs Jody Threat
Jody wanted the fight so Dani obliged. Jody gets the early offense and nearly messes up her Dive but hits enough. Dani tries to Powerbomb off the apron, Jody kicks Dani off and tries to Senton to the floor but Dani dodges, Jody crashes and Dani drives and elbow into the back. Dani LunaTIC is a step I’m enjoying, she’s starting to Suplex Jody around the ring, wants the Irish Whip but Jody blocks and Jumps on Dani’s back for a Rear Naked Choke or something, but Dani slams her back into the corner to break it. Jody tries to fight from beneath but Dani smacks her around, drags her to the center of the ring, tries an Exploder Suplex, but Jody counters, hits her own Exploder, kicks Dani in the face. Looks for her Knees and German, but Dani reads it, dodges and hits her own German Suplex for a near fall.
After the commercial Dani is still in control with a Top Wristlock while Jody is seated, Dani starts raining down elbows but Jody tries to power out, they counter each other’s next few moves, Chop Battle, Suplex counter, but Jody hits a Lariat, then another Lariat sending Dani over the top to the floor and Jody hits the Apron Senton she missed earlier. Throws Dani back in, Jody goes to the top, Crossbody connects, Jody hits a Jackhammer for a two count. Dani connects on an Elbow, into a Back Body Drop, but eats a Boot from Jody. Dani blocks the next move, Rope Assisted Blue Thunder Bomb for Dani but only two again. Dani connects with a few deliberate punches and hair pulls, argues with the official so Jody sneaks a Rear Naked Choke and Dani barely gets to the ropes.
Jody tries to continue, eats a knee, they start trading shots, then Jody ducks a punch, quick strikes before Dani Vader Hammers the back of Jody’s head. Luna Landing attempt but Jody turns it into a Headscissors of sorts. Dani with a beautiful Outside In Apron German Suplex into a Luna Landing for the win. Good job Dani Dumptruck.
Long video package of like post Bound For Glory and future taping places or whatever. Nothing overly relevant aside from El Paso invoking Eddie Guerrero mentions. Oh they decide to show us some Primo & Epico vs Hardyz when they were in El Paso before in a Street Fight of Who Asked For This? I’m not covering this.
TNA Flashback: AJ Styles vs Bobby Roode, TNA Heavyweight Championship 5.24.2012 Open Fight Night
Nice to see a classic with two of the more beloved TNA Originals. But this just proves they didn’t have enough to produce a full show, so there’s a lot of filler and a lot of matches that don’t really matter. And now we get to listen to Kelani Jordan struggle with a heel promo again. Christ, she’s an awful heel. Her promo on NXT was one of the worst things I’ve heard in a while (and Taylor Swift has a newish album, so that’s saying something).Â
Mike Santana vs Cedric Alexander
Starting the double babyface, putting each other over and a little hand shake. Tie Up, into a clean break, so now we just have to figure out when its gonna pick up. At least 10 minutes in the match since there should be a commercial before the end. Quick World of Sport style counter holds, Arm Wringers, flippy twisty stuff into Head scissors and misses. Cedric dodges the Spin the Block and playfully fans himself as he retreats to the rope for a moment. Shoulder Tackle, Leap Frog, Arm Drag countered with Mexican Arm Drag, Up and Over, Pepper a Forearm, Duck, Dodge, Springboard Crossbody, Cedric pulls Santana to the outside, Superkick from Mike, Mike tries the Dive, Cedric runs in and counters the Dive. Pump Kick from Mike on the Apron, Cedric Apron DDT for the commercial break.
We come back from commercial, Cedric is stalking, hits a German Suplex into two near falls. Santana walks around the corners and lets Cedric Chop him three times, turns it around, Cedric turns around the Irish Whip and hits the Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Cedric has him down in a Chin Lock, peppers in a few shots to the small of the back, but Santana fires up with the crowd, Cedric tries a Lumbar Check but Mike flips out of it. Rope run, Mike with the Diving Lariat, Kip Up, gets Irish Whipped, Up and Over, Enzuigiri, Rope Run again into Rolling Buck Fifty, but Cedric counters with the PK into Fisherman’s Buster for two. The crowd rises for Cedric, he wants the Lumbar Check again but Mike fights it off. Struggling in the corner, Chops from Mike. Superplex attempt countered, Cedric looking for the Avalanche Sunset, Mule Kick from Mike, Cedric is staggered, Rolling Buck Fifty for a two count! Fighting Spirit moment, which only somewhat makes sense because they’re both babyfaces, but still dumb in Western Wrestling. Double Kick counters on the rope run, Locomotion Cradles, La Magistral, Counter STB, Counter Lumbar Check, Cedric hits the ropes and Mike takes his head off with the Spin the Block! Santana wins!
Overall Score: 4/10
Dani actually winning a match and the main event being a good match is nice, but this was a mostly useless show. Lots of filler clips and videos, plus I think Mr Elegance is the dumbest idea they’ve had with the Elegance Brand, and I’m aware that’s encapsulating a lot of cringe, but this is awful. Kelani is a terrible heel so that whole interview was definitely a bathroom break. They also need to stop trying to make those Jabronis from Northern Armoury a thing, they suck, they’re generic looking, they couldn’t draw if you handed them a box of Crayola and construction paper. Do Feast or Fired and get these nerds fired.
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