Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Anniversary Show Results & Report! (3/1/22)
It’s the 50TH ANNIVERSARY!
The greatest anniversary of New Japan’s history!
From 1972 to now, 2022, FIFTY YEARS of NJPW is celebrated this day! Today’s stars and legends of yesteryear converge as NJPW heads into the future!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: House of Torture VS Tiger Mask, YOH & Ryohei Oiwa; House of Torture win(s).
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Minoru Tanaka; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Strong Hearts; Strong Hearts win.
- 8 Man Tag: Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Yuto Nakashima & Kosei Fujita VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Shiro Koshinaka; LIJ wins.
- Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato; Goto & Hashi win.
- NJPW 50th Anniversary Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tatsumi Fujinami VS Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. & Yoshiaki Fujiwara; Okada, Tanahashi & Fujinami win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Minoru Tanaka!
El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori & Bad Luck Fale are a unique combo even within Bullet Club, but they’re up a unique combination. The Holy Emperor and Blue Playmaker are teaming with a different Minoru, but will The Special One help them take this win?
While Taichi shows off the dancing pecs, Taiji and ELP show they can do that, too. Bullet Club Low Sweets, and Bone Soldier steps up. Fans rally for “TA-NA-KA!” as he wants to Suzuki-Gun fist bump. But then he does a low bump to mock Bullet Club. The fans rally up as the bell rings and the two circle. Taiji and Tanaka feel out the grapple, Tanaka KICKS Taiji right in the leg! Taiji shakes that leg out while ELP talks trash. Tanaka ignores ELP to tie up with Taiji. Tanaka gets to a waistlock but Taiji switches. Tanaka wrenches free but Taiji rolls to wristlock back. Taiji hammerlocks, but Tanaka slips through to get around and hammerlock then headlock takeover!
Taiji headscissors, Tanaka kips free and fans cheer as the two stand off. Tanaka and Taiji circle and fans rally up. Tanaka shows that HE can do the dancing pecs, and then he approaches with Taiji. They feel out the grapple, and Tanaka sobats! Tanaka bumps Taiji off buckles, then holds Taiji’s nose closed! And then Tanaka CLUBS the nose! Fans fire up as Tanaka whips Taiji corner to corner, but Taiji reverses. Tanaka dodges Taiji as he runs in, but Taiji kicks Tanaka and runs. Tanaka drops to dropkick Taiji down! And a handspring just to show off! Fans fire up for Tanaka as he snapmares and KICKS Taiji in the back, then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
Tanaka argues the count but he drags Taiji up. Tanaka ROCKS Taiji, ELP complains to commentary that he’s never heard of this guy. Tanaka whips Taiji to a corner, Taiji slips out then slides under and then back out. Taiji shoulders into Tanaka, springboards over him and gets around. Tanaka switches but Taiji runs and throws Tanaka out of the ring. Taiji then blasts Taka and Taichi while Fale CLUBS Tanaka down! Fale drags Tanaka up to whip him into railing! ELP gets Taka with PURPLE NURPLES! Taiji gets back in the ring and Fale sets Tanaka up for ELP’s PURPLE NURPLES! The ring count starts and ELP lets off at 5 of 20.
Tanaka drags himself up at 11 of 20 as fans rally. Tanaka gets in at 14, Taiji bumps him off buckles. Tag to ELP and the Cutest Tag Team puts Tanaka up top and into the Tree of Woe. Taiji runs corner to corner, SLIDING DROPKICK! ELP runs corner to corner, HESITATION DROPKICK! Tanaka flops out of the Tree, ELP covers, TWO! Fale tags in, ELP holds Tanaka down and Fale turns him over to stand on Tanaka’s back! Tanaka endures, the ref counts, but ELP and Taiji climb onto Fale to add more weight! The ref has to keep Taichi and Taka back, and Bullet Club lets off before the count.
Taiji tags in, he CLUBS Tanaka down, then brings him up. Tanaka hits back with forearms, but Taiji ROCKS Tanaka back. Taiji runs, into a ROUNDHOUSE! FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! ELP breaks it fast, then DECKS Taichi! Fans rally up, Taiji tags in Fale, and Fale drags Tanaka up to scoop and SLAM! Fale runs the ropes, BIG elbow flop! Hot tag to Taichi! Taichi drags Fale up for Kowata Kicks! Fale gets up and roars but Taichi KICKS away on his leg. Taichi dodges Fale’s lariat to sobat! ELP kicks Taichi, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! But Fale runs Taichi over! Then he drops the BIG elbow! Cover, TWO!
Fale gets up and waits on Taichi. Fans rally up, Fale choke grips and pulls the pin, but Taichi avoids the Grenade! Taichi CHOKES Fale with both hands! The ref counts, Fale shoves Taichi over, but Taichi gets right up! Taichi eggs Fale on for some sumo, and Fale rushes in. Taichi hooks the arm and wants that toss! Fale hops around, Taichi gets the takedown! Fans fire up, but Fale hits Taichi hard in a body shot! Fale whips Taichi to a corner, but Taichi dodges the splash to GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hot tags to ELP and Taka! ELP kicks and whips but Taka reverses to drag ELP down! JUST FACELOCK!
ELP scrambles to the ropes, ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go in frustration but he gets ELP up to ROCK him with an uppercut. Taka whips corner to corner and SHINING WIZARDS! Snapmare and SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! But back to JUST FACELOCK! Taiji gets in to stomp Taka down! Tanaka gets in but Taiji kicks him first, then rakes Tanaka’s before throwing him out. Taiji kicks Taka, CLUBS him, but Taka pokes Taiji’s eyes! ELP CLAWS Taka’s back, but Taka CALF KICKS! ELP wobbles, Taka scoops him! ELP slips off to mule kick, front kick, and ENZIGURI! He tunes up the band, but does he have the confidence to try again?
Taiji coaches ELP, he can do it! But ELP says no, so Taiji gut wrenches! CIPHER UTAKI to THUNDERKISS 86! Cover, Bullet Club wins!
Winners: Bullet Club, by pinfall
The Headbanga is still in his head about Sudden Death not being “loaded,” but he and his team still find a way to win. Will ELP get through the mental block in time for the New Japan Cup? Or will it hold him back from rising up the ranks?
Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Strong Hearts!
El Desperado called out EL Lindaman, T-Hawk and CIMA in regards to his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship wish list, and now he’s getting them all at once! Will the Rogue Luchador win alongside the Heel Master and Japones del Mal? Or will the Strong Hearts show just how #GLEAT they are?
As the trios sort out, Desperado and Lindaman compare belts. Needless to say, the GLEAT G-REX title is bigger, but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title is more famous. The belts are put aside and the champions step up! Fans cheer, but then Desperado swerves everyone and tags Kanemaru. T-Hawk wants in so Lindaman tags him. Fans cheer as these two circle, only for Desperado and Douki to jump T-Hawk! Kanemaru knocks Lindaman and Cima down, then Suzuki-Gun all stomp T-Hawk down! The ref reprimands, but T-Hawk gets up to fire off forearms on all of them! But that’s 3v1, Suzuki-Gun gets the advantage.
Desperado and Kanemaru double whip T-Hawk and Douki runs in, but T-Hawk dodges Douki to dropkick Kanemaru’s leg out! T-Hawk then runs Douki over, but Desperado kicks low. Desperado reels T-Hawk in, but T-Hawk suplexes him first! Fans fire up with T-Hawk, but he turns around into Kanemaru’s dropkick to the leg! Kanemaru stomps T-Hawk, scuffs him and talks trash. T-Hawk gets up, Kanemaru ducks the chop and kicks low. T-Hawk tries again but Kanemaru blocks, kicks the leg again, then blocks another chop! T-Hawk still tries, Kanemaru ducks again, and Kanemaru kicks the leg yet again!
Kanemaru whips, T-Hawk holds ropes and kicks back, to CHOP and SPINNING CHOP! Tag to Lindaman and he goes right up top! BIG missile dropkick! Strong Hearts then blasts Desperado and Douki off the apron! Lindaman fires up, he facelocks Kanemaru and CLUBS him. Lindaman shifts to a cravat, tags in Cima, and snapmare for Cima’s slingshot senton! Cima drags Kanemaru around to hook up the legs in a deathlock! Kanemaru endures, fans rally, and Strong Hearts play defense. Kanemaru drags himself over to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Cima has the ref help him undo the leg lock, but Desperado gets in and stomps Cima!
Lindaman throws Desperado out, and Cima stomps Kanemaru. Kanemaru hits back but Cima knees him to the corner. Cima throws a forearm, tags in T-Hawk, and they double whip Kanemaru to ropes. They double elbow, roll Kanemaru to whip again, and then double hip toss into a SLAM! Lindaman gets in, TRIPLE DROPKICKS! Fans rally and T-Hawk drags Kanemaru up. T-Hawk scoops but Kanemaru slips free to shove T-Hawk into Cima! Roll up, TWO! Kanemaru dodges T-Hawk’s clothesline, Kanemaru tilt-o-whirls but T-Hawk sets him down. T-Hawk goes for the suplex but Kanemaru blocks!
Fans rally as these two fight for suplex control! Kanemaru gets T-Hawk up and over! Fans fire up as both men are down! They crawl, hot tags to Desperado and Lindaman! Desperado rallies with shoulders and elbows, but Lindaman kicks and whips. Desperado reverses to SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Desperado DECKS Cima off the apron and fans rally up. Desperado gets Lindaman up but Lindaman blocks the Guitarra. Lindaman ROCKS Desperado, but Desperado comes back to ROCK Lindmana! Lindaman and Desperado throw more forearms back and forth, then Desperado CHOPS!
Desperado runs, but Lindaman back elbows, ROLLING ELBOWS and SAIDOS! Then a scoop with the straight arm lever to a SLAM! High stack, TWO, but right into a wheelbarrow! Desperado fights the suplex, wrenches and reels Lindaman in, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Fans are fired up as both men crawl. Hot tags to Douki and Cima! Cima dropkicks Douki right down! Cima whips, Douki reverses but Cima goes up and over, to kick and SLAM Douki down. Vader KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Cima drags Douki up, fisherman, but Douki slips out to waistlock. Cima switches, Douki elbows free, mule kicks and ENZIGURIS!
Kanemaru rushes in to dropkick T-Hawk! Douki kicks Cima, he and Kanemaru double whip Cima to a corner. Douki runs in to back elbow, Kanemaru adds his own. Kanemaru scoops and BRITISH FALL, Douki is up top for a DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Douki goes to the apron. DAYBREAK!! Cover, T-Hawk breaks it! Kanemaru throws T-Hawk right out then goes after him. But T-Hawk whips Kanemaru into the railing! Douki calls his shot, reels Cima in, but Cima fights the full nelsons. Douki HELL STABS, but T-Hawk pops Douki up for a KNEE! METEORA from Cima, INVERTED EXPLODER from T-Hawk!
Lindaman deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES Douki! T-Hawk dropkicks Desperado and Lindaman FLIES out onto him and Kanemaru! T-Hawk hits Douki with a NIGHTRIDER crucifix bomb! Cima’s back up top, METEORA!! Cover, Strong Hearts win!
Winners: Strong Hearts, by pinfall
Now that was GLEAT wrestling! Will El Desperado regret calling out these three? Or will he manage to survive, Cima, T-Hawk and Lindaman when the time comes?
10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Shiro Koshinaka!
Bushi, Sanada, Hiromu, Takagi y Naito are ready to win big together for the 50th Anniversary! But they’re up against a special reunion tour of the Great Bash Heel! Will Black Mask, Cold Skull, Timebomb, Roaring Dragon and Uncontrollable Charisma be tranquilo against Rampaging King Kong, Everyone’s Kokeshi, the Producer, the Stone Pitbull and Samurai Senshi?
Fans rally up as the elaborate ring gear is all put aside. The teams sort out, and Shiro steps up. He’s ready, but Naito wants him to relax. LIJ does the fist bump, and then Takagi leads the charge! It’s a huge brawl as Takagi’s after Ishii, Bushi has Shiro, Naito stomps Makabe down, Hiromu CLUBS Honma and Sanada throws Yano out. Hiromu throws Honma out, Bushi and Sanada have Shiro in the corner, and Hiromu coordinates with Naito to double whip Makabe to the corner. Naito runs in, but Makabe dodges to run Bushi over! Hiromu CLUBS Makabe, he and Naito double whip again. Makabe busts the line to DOUBLE LARIAT back!
Makabe has Naito in a corner, he climbs up and rains down fists! Fans rally, and Makabe laughs as he gets all 10. Tag to Yano, he fires up and drags Naito up to… drop Naito and untie the buckle pad! Yano goes after Naito but Naito whips him, only for Yano to reverse! Naito hits bare buckles and Yano fires up! Wait, he wants Shiro to help! Yano leads a “KO-SHI NA-KA!” chant and fans clap along. Yano fires up but LIJ attacks him and the rest of GBH! Takagi whips Ishii into railing then BOOTS him! Hiromu and Naito stomp Yano, then whip him into the bare buckles! Hiromu tags in, he and Naito mug Yano.
Hiromu whips Yano into the safe corner to clothesline, snapmare and then HIP ATTACK! Hiromu shows Shiro that he can do it, too! More hip attacks! Then he sucker punches Shiro! Shiro gets mad but the ref keeps him back. Hriomu and Naito bring Yano over, tag to Bushi, and Bushi stomps Yano. Bushi snapmares Yano then shows he can do the hip attack, too! Bushi stomps Yano, tags Takagi, and Takagi wants Shiro to watch. Takagi drags Yano up, snapmares, wraps on a chinlock to then drive elbows in. Takagi DECKS Ishii, ROCKS Shiro, and then hauls Yano up to the corner. Tag to Sanada and they mug Yano.
Sanada CLUBS Yano, drags Yano up and fans rally. Yano breaks free but Sanada trips him up! Sanada ties Yano up in Paradise! Fans cheer and Sanada encourages them to get louder. But Shiro gets in to save Yano from Paradise, and Sanada complains! Sanada drags Yano up, whips, but Yano reverses to throw Sanada down by his hair! Fans rally, hot tag to Shiro! HIP ATTACK for Sanada! Haymakers for the rest, but Hiromu and Bushi get in! Makabe & Honma intercept them, and they feed each of them to HIP ATTACKS from Shiro! Then a double whip to a HIP ATTACK for Sanada! Sanada bails out, Shiro runs and FLYING HIP ATTACK off the apron!
Shiro puts Sanada in and fans rally up. Honma puts Sanada in a corner, he and Makabe double whip him into the bare steel! Back elbow, clothesline, and then Shiro goes up, MISSILE HIP! Shiro gives Sanada some point blank hip attacks, but Sanada suplexes Shiro down! Fans rally up as both men are down. Sanada and Shiro crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Ishii! Dragon and Pitbull ram shoulders over and over! Then Ishii forearms, runs, rams but Takagi rams back. Ishii rams again, Takagi runs him over! Scoop, SLAM and SENTON! Cover, TWO! But Takagi only fires up more, and fans rally up behind him!
Takagi kicks Ishii, throws forearms, and even a headbutt. JAB, CHOP, on repeat! JAB JAB JAB JAB! Ishii drops but Takagi stands him up. Takagi CHOPS, but Ishii just glares. Ishii CHOPS, forearms, and repeat! Fans fire up as the shots keep coming! Ishii whips, Takagi reverses but Ishii comes back to run Takagi over! Ishii kicks at Takagi, Takagi eggs Ishii on. They start throwing slaps! Then forearms! Takagi ROCKS Ishii, and again, and again! Takagi whips Ishii to a corner, blocks a boot and corner clotheslines! Takagi runs, into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up, Takagi gets Ishii and spins him, BRAINBUSTER!
But Ishii’s right back up! Ishii suplexes Takagi high and hard in return! Fans fire up as both men are down, and they crawl to their corners. Hot tag to Honma, and Yano joins him in knocking down LIJ! They and Makabe have Takagi, CLOTHESLINE SANDWICH! Yano trips Takagi to CATAPULT him into the bare buckles! Takagi staggers into the HIP ATTACK! Honma fires up, runs, KOKESHI! Cover, TWO! Takagi is still in this but Honma fires up again. Fans rally as Honma runs, LARIAT! Takagi stays up and roars, so Honma runs again. ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Takagi has LIJ get involved, Hiromu CHOPS Honma to a corner.
Hiromu & Bushi double whip Honma to a corner, Hiromu runs in to lariat! Sanada back elbows, Bushi back elbows, and then snapmare to a QUADRUPLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Bushi sits Honma up for SLIDING LARIAT from Takagi! Cover, but Ishii breaks it! Ishii fires off on Takagi, but Takagi ROCKS him back! Bushi dropkicks Ishii out, then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Makabe CLOBBERS Hiromu on the outside! Takagi fires up and fans rally, and Takagi drags Honma up and pump handles. Honma fights free and Takagi point-blank LARIATS! Honma stays up on determination alone!
Takagi and Honma fire off forearms back and forth, but Honma gets the edge! Takagi fires boxing elbows in return! But Honma ROCKS Takagi and HEADBUTTS! Honma runs, but Takagi lariats at the ropes! Takagi runs and PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives but Takagi roars again! LIJ keeps GBH out, Takagi gets Honma up, LAST OF THE DRAGONS! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
And so, LIJ proves they are greater than GBH! Will we see each of the ungovernables make it through the first round of the New Japan Cup?
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato!
The 92nd IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, #BISHAMON. The 69th IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, #SixOrNine. The Anniversary Show tradition takes on a new form as these two teams face off! Will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter show the heavyweight division’s dominance? Or will the Funky Weapon & Way of the Grandmaster shock the world just as they did in winning their titles?
The teams sort out and fans rally up, Goto and Taguchi start as a reunion of the 2002 NJPW Dojo class! They circle, tie up, and Taguchi manages to push Goto to ropes. The ref counts the ropebreak, Taguchi lets off cleanly and the fans cheer. Goto and Taguchi circle again, tie up again, and Goto powers Taguchi to ropes now. The ref counts the ropebreak again and Goto lets off cleanly. The two reset and tie up again, and Goto headlocks. Taguchi pries at the hold but Goto holds tight. Taguchi powers up, powers out and gets the headlock for his own. Goto fights up, but Taguchi holds tight now.
Taguchi grinds but Goto fights up and powers out. Goto and Taguchi ram shoulders but neither falls! Fans rally up, Taguchi runs and they ram shoulders again. Goto eggs Taguchi on, Taguchi runs but he ducks, dodges and HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up and Taguchi gives Goto point-blank hip attacks. Taguchi runs, but Goto-Hashi run him over together! Then hip toss senton! Wato gets in, he RANAS Hashi, then gives Goto a back elbow, uppercut and sobat! Fans fire up and Wato coaches Taguchi. Wato stomps Goto, Taguchi gets up and they double whip Goto to double drop toehold and double basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!
Taguchi drags Goto up to throw more hip attacks, then runs, but Goto follows! Goto LARIATS Taguchi down and then brings him over to the corner. Tag to Hashi, they bring Taguchi up to hammer him down! Wato runs in but into a kick. Wato gets hammered, too! Fans cheer, Hashi brings Taguchi up and CLUBS him on the back. Hashi bumps Taguchi off buckles then CHOPS him! Taguchi drops to the mat, Goto tags in and Goto stomps Taguchi. Goto drags Taguchi, snapmares him and clamps on a chinlock. Taguchi endures as he has a knee in his back, and fans rally as Goto JAMS an elbow into Taguchi’s forehead. Cover, TWO!
Goto brings Taguchi up and over and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Hashi, they stomp Taguchi but Taguchi throws body shots. Hashi CLUBS Taguchi, stomps him more, but fans rally up. Hashi brings Taguchi up but Taguchi CHOPS and CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS back! Hashi runs, but fakes out the hip attack! Taguchi crashes, but he gets right back up as Hashi runs, HIP ATTACK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hot tag to Wato! Wato rallies with elbows and a BOOT! Wato whips, dropkicks and then builds speed as Hashi bails out. Goto gets in to kick Wato! Goto whips, Wato reverses and dropkicks Goto down!
Goto regroups with Hashi outside, Wato builds speed to FLY! Direct hit on both heavyweight champions! Wato fires up and the fans rally behind him as he points to the 50th Anniversary logo. Wato puts Hashi in, climbs up the corner and aims, BIG missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Wato roars, drags Hashi back up, GERMAN- NO! Hashi fights the suplex, throws elbows and is free. But Wato boots him back! Wato whips, runs in at the corner, but Hashi CHOPS! Hashi mule kicks, turns Wato and NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs but into a CALF KICK from Wato!
Wato and Goto are down, Wato crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi aims at Goto on the ropes, HIP ATTACK! Another HIP ATTACK! And then baseball slide, APRON HIP ATTACK! Taguchi aims at Goto as fans rally up, MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up behind “TA-GU-CHI!” as he drags Goto up. Taguchi snap suplexes, Uno Amigo! Then Dos Amigos! Taguchi wants three, but Goto denies! Fans rally as the two fight, Goto suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Both men are down, the fans rally up and Goto gets to ropes. Goto stands, runs in, but Taguchi gets around. Goto fights the waistlock and puts Taguchi in the corner!
Hashi runs in, Goto gets clear and Hashi CHOPS Taguchi! Hashi whips Taguchi corner to corner, then he whips Goto in. But Taguchi dodges and Goto gets buckles! Wato FLYING UPPERCUTS Hashi! Wato sobats Goto, fires off forearms, then he and Taguchi double whip. They keep Goto moving, HIP TOSS to BUMAYE! Cover, TWO! Fans are fired up as Goto survives! Taguchi drags Goto up, Goto fights the chicken wings and throws elbows. Taguchi runs in, into a fireman’s carry! Taguchi slips off, HIDDEN GAP hits! Hashi SPIN KICKS Wato, and then GOTO GOTO HUNTER! Goto and Hashi get Taguchi up, but Taguchi boots Hashi away!
Wato drags Hashi out while Taguchi victory rolls Goto! TWO!! Goto escapes, but Taguchi has OH MY GARFUNKLE! Goto endures, fans rally up, Taguchi leans on the hold! Goto claws his way over towards the ropes, but Wato KICKS the hand away! Taguchi drops an elbow on the leg! Taguchi has BOTH legs caught! Fans are thunderous as Goto endures, Taguchi leans all his weight on the hold! Hashi gets past Wato to stomp away on Taguchi! Wato gets in to CLUB Hashi and throw him out! Wato calls to Taguchi and they get Goto up. Wheelbarrow, but Goto fights free! BOOT for Wato, arm-drag for Taguchi!
Taguchi dodges to HIP ATTACK Goto! Hashi runs in, HIP ATTACK for him! Taguchi sends Hashi into Goto, and then he runs, but Hashi moves! Taguchi lands on Goto’s knee! SUPERKICK! Pump handle torture rack, JIGOKU KURAMA! Goto brings back a classic! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi survives but Goto drags him back up. Fans are thunderous as they set Taguchi up, but Wato BOOTS Hashi! Wato ROCKS and KICKS Goto, then KICKS again! Wato runs, into a fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH!! Goto-Hashi refocus on Taguchi, but they switch it up! Taguchi fights out, Goto tries again but Taguchi slips free!
Goto deflects the boot to DISCUS, but Taguchi ducks it! HIDDEN GAP!! Goto gets Taguchi back up, FIERCE FLASH! And they call their shot! Fans fire up, Goto drags Taguchi up, SHOUTO!! Cover, the heavyweight champions win!
Winners: Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall
Six Or Nine gave them one hell of a match, but Bishamon comes out the victors! And they show their respect to Taguchi and Wato, as well. The Heavyweights maintain their dominance over the Junior Heavyweights, but will Goto-Hashi make it through the New Japan Cup’s first round? As for Wato, is he ready to face whoever it is that wins between Kazuchika Okada and El Desperado?
NJPW 50th Anniversary Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tatsumi Fujinami VS Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. & Yoshiaki Fujiwara!
What a collection of stars to finish out the show! The Rainmaker and the Ace join forces with the ORIGINAL Dragon while the King of Pancrase and the Submission Master are joined by the Terror of Showa! Legends new and old collide, who stands tall on the biggest night in NJPW history?
The teams sort out and fans are already rallying, perhaps clapping for “NEW JAPAN!” more than any individual wrestler. Okada starts against ZSJ and the two circle as fans continue to rally. They feel out the grapple, go for knuckle locks, but ZSJ rolls and wrenches to have a wristlock. ZSJ wrangles Okada down, Okada rolls and trips ZSJ to have a toehold. ZSJ chinbars, then chinlocks and brings Okada down. ZSJ gets body scissors, then shifts to go for an arm. Okada makes it a cover, TWO! Okada waistlocks, headlocks, but ZSJ endures the grind. ZSJ fights up but Okada hits the takeover.
ZSJ headscissors and holds tight! Fans cheer as the technical exchange continues. Okada moves around, pops out, and he puts pressure on ZSJ’s legs. Okada gets the headlock but ZSJ gets the headscissors back! Okada fights around again, ZSJ squeezes tight to keep Okada down. Okada hops and headstands and fans cheer as he pops free again. Okada turns ZSJ over, ZSJ reels Okada in to a headlock. Okada powers up but can’t power out, and ZSJ cravats to snapmare. Okada slips out of the headlock to wristlock but ZSJ rolls, bridges and wrenches to WRING Okada. Okada boots ZSJ away and fans cheer as the two stand off!
Fans rally up again and ZSJ waves Okada off to tag Suzuki. Okada looks to his corner, but Suzuki CLUBS Okada from behind! Suzuki snapmares Okada to a motorcycle stretch, to a crossface! Suzuki dares Okada’s partners to do something with just a glare, but Okada fights up and powers Suzuki to the corner. Fujinami tags in and fans fire up as the legend has Okada stand down. Fujinami and Suzuki circle now, they feel things out, and then Fujinami gets the arm. Suzuki resists, Fujinami hits a double wristlock takedown, then shifts to a headscissors! Suzuki endures, Fujinami gets an arm to keep Suzuki down.
Suzuki fights up and around, pops free, and he gets the leg for a standing heel hook! Fujinami breaks Suzuki’s stand and gets the heel hook for himself! Suzuki smirks as Fujinami lets off and the two reset. Fujiwara wants in and fans fire up! Tanahashi tags in, Suzuki leaves the legend on his team hanging! Suzuki and Tanahashi tie up, Tanahashi wrenches, hammerlocks but Suzuki wrenches back. Suzuki has the hammerlock and he powers Tanahashi to the corner. Suzuki pulls on Tanahashi’s hair, and Fujiwara tags himself in! Suzuki is mad but Fujiwara pie faces him! Suzuki’s still a kid to this old man!
Suzuki gets hot so Fujiwara SLAPS him! Suzuki SLAPS back! So Fujiwara SLAPS Suzuki! Red Shoes has Suzuki go to the corner and fans rally up for Fujiwara! Fujiwara and Tanahashi circle, feel out the grapple, and Fujiwara headbutts, to go for his armbar! Tanahashi scrambles and gets to the ropes! Fujiwara lets Tanahashi go, and the two resist. Tanahashi gets a leg, trips Tanahashi, and has the heel hook! Fujiwara endures, grabs Tanahashi’s leg, and he gets the heel hook! Tanahashi scrambles to get the ropebreak and Fujiwara lets him go. Tanahashi and Fujiwara go again as fans rally up.
Tanahashi and Fujiwara knuckle lock, and Fujiwara brings Tanahashi towards a corner. Fujiwara uses Tanahashi’s waistband to turn things around on him! Fujiwara still has heavy hands as he rocks and SLAPS Tanahashi! Tanahashi SHOTEIS back! Tanahashi headlocks Fujiwara, tags in Okada, and they mug Fujiwara! Okada DECKS Fujiwara, no mercy even for an old man! Fujiwara gets up on the apron, Okada headbutts him, but hurts his own head? Fujiwara’s still a tough bastard! And then he unwraps a corner crossbar! Fujiwara wants fans to hush for a second. Fujiwara HEADBUTTS the crossbar, and you can hear the thunk!
Fans cheer even more as Fujiwara isn’t even fazed! He HEADBUTTS the bar again just to prove a point! Fujiwara smirks, ties up with Okada, and he gets Okada’s head, to HEADBUTT! Okada scrambles away, Fujiwara waits on the young’un to come back. Okada returns, he ties up with Fujiwara, and Okada wrenches to bring Fujiwara back. Fujinami tags in and fans fire up to see these legends active at the same time! Fujinami gets Fujiwara’s attention, headlocks, and then hits a takeover! Fujiwara rolls it to a cover, TWO! Fujinami keeps the hold, Fujiwara tries again, TWO! Fujinami still has the headlock and fans rally up!
Fujinami gives up the headlock to drag Fujiwara up and put him in the corner. Tanahashi tags in, Fujinami CHOPS and Tanahashi throws body shots. Fujiwara throws shots and those heavy hands ROCK Tanahashi! HEADBUTT and down goes the Ace! Fujiwara tags ZSJ in, even though Suzuki was the one reaching out! ZSJ wrenches Tanahashi’s arm and wrenches again. Suzuki steps in, he and ZSJ hand off arm wrench after arm wrench. Red Shoes reprimands but they just keep going after and faster, and then ZSJ BOOTS the arm! ZSJ then gets a double wristlock and drags Tanahashi around! Tanahashi moves, ZSJ stays on the arm, but Tanahashi gets the ROPEBREAK!
Fujiwara stands on Tanahashi’s foot to keep him anchored, and ZSJ stands on Tanahashi’s arm! Suzuki joins in by going after the other leg! ZSJ gets Tanahashi for a double wristlock, Suzuki and Fujiwara each have a heel hook! Red Shoes keeps Fujinami and Okada back, so Tanahashi has to endure even longer! Red Shoes finally sees the triple submission sand counts the ropebreak. Tanahashi is set free, but ZSJ drags him up to wrench the arm. Tanahashi ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm, but ZSJ EuroUppers back. The forearms and EuroUppers continue, ZSJ headbutts low, and then again. ZSJ whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS in return!
Fans rally up as Tanahashi drags ZSJ up. Tanahashi fires fast hands and then scoops ZSJ to SLAM him into the drop zone. Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again and Tanahashi waits on ZSJ to stand. Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ turns Slingblade into cobra twist! Tanahashi powers out with a hip toss, and hits a jumping elbow drop, into ZSJ’s ARMBAR! ZSJ has the arm but Tanahashi fights and moves around, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and fans rally up again. Tag to Suzuki, he drags Tanahashi up and ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! Tanahashi fires up to fire back!
Suzuki ROCKS Tanahashi and then laughs as he ROCKS Tanahashi again! And again! Tanahashi SHOTEIS, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and fans fire up! Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Okada! Okada and Fujinami both get in, they whip Suzuki but Suzuki BOOTS Okada! Suzuki kicks at Fujinami but he blocks it! Suzuki SLAPS Fujinami, but Fujinami still DRAGON SCREWS Suzuki down! ZSJ gets in but Tanahashi blocks the kick, and Tanahashi DRAGON SCREWS! Okada sees Fujiwara, blocks the kick, but he isn’t so sure about the dragon screw so he just CLUBS the leg! Fans fire up as Okada gets Suzuki.
Okada Alabama lifts to REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Okada gut wrenches but Suzuki slips out to headlock. Okada powers out but Suzuki holds hair to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Fujiwara steps in to show Suzuki a proper HEADBUTT! Then they get Okada up, DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Suzuki then drags Okada down into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! ZSJ intercepts Fujinami, and wrangles him down for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Tanahashi runs in, but Fujiwara himself gets Tanahashi, for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Fans are loving the TRIPLE FUJIWARAS!!
Okada endures, he gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, all the Fujiwara Armbars are released. Okada gets up, Suzuki runs in at the corner, BOOT! Snapmare and PENALTY KICK! But Okada stays up! Okada eggs Suzuki on, so Suzuki PENALTY KICKS! Okada still eggs him on so Suzuki KICKS him again! Okada gets up to throw EuroUpper after EuroUpper! Suzuki stays up and he ROCKS Okada with a forearm! And another forearm! And another forearm! Okada wobbles, Suzuki fires off slapping palm strikes! Then SLEEPER HOLD! Okada starts to fade and turn red already! Fujinami gets in to get Suzuki with a DRAGON SLEEPER!
Suzuki flails, Tanahashi gets in to keep Fujiwara out. Fujinami feeds Suzuki to the SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi keeps Fujiwara in the corner, Okada gut wrenches Suzuki! SPINNING TOMBSTONE! Okada drags Suzuki up, ripcords, but Suzuki spins him around to the SLEEPER! Okada flails, gets an arm, ripcord but Suzuki SLAPS Okada! Suzuki fakes out the dropkick to SLAP him again! Suzuki runs, into the DROPKICK! Okada hurries to get Suzuki up, gut wrench and LANDSLIDE! Then ripcord, RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada’s team wins!
Winners: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tatsumi Fujinami, by pinfall
Fujiwara was still terrorizing Tanahashi and Fujinami on the outside, he missed what happened! In the end, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion finishes it off! Will Suzuki and ZSJ be able to recover and redeem themselves in the New Japan Cup?
As for Okada and his team, they celebrate with their photo ops, and then Okada gets the mic. “Everyone, thank you for your enthusiastic and passionate support today!” Okada thanks Tanahashi and Fujinami, and then says, “It’s the 50th Anniversary of NJPW, and with all these legends here today, I really felt the weight of NJPW again. I’ve said I’ll carry the load, but now I know I have to be prepared. I’ll do what I have to to make this anniversary even more exciting!” Fans cheer that sentiment.
Okada then says that while many appeared, Inoki hasn’t arrived. “I believe that the first step Inoki-san took is what led to this NJPW. Against all odds, he fought and created what we have here. I believe he will return to this ring! Until then, we’ll keep bringing the entertainment, so keep supporting us!” Fans cheer that sentiment, too, and Okada hands the mic to Tanahashi. Tanahashi also thanks the fans for coming out today. “I will carry on the 50 year history and continue to make NJPW great in the future! Thank you very much. And finally…! I LOVE YOU~! And…” The mic is given back to Okada so he can say, “I’ll keep making it rain in NJPW!” And…
“Let’s send some energy to Inoki-san! Fujinami-san, if you’d please.” Fujinami is given the mic, he also thanks the fans for coming to the 50th Anniversary Show. He also thanks Okada and Tanahashi, and though they just mentioned Inoki, he wants to call Inoki out for next time. So let’s all do “that thing” and send him some energy! Fujinami even calls to Chono and Choshu on commentary to help out. Fans cheer and both Chono and Choshu are a bit surprised. They stand up at the desk, and on the count of one, two, three! “DAAA!” Fans cheer this amazing moment, and we all hope Inoki-san can return! But for now, onward! To another FIFTY YEARS of NJPW!
My Thoughts:
A great event for NJPW, and I was going to only skip one match, but unfortunately, Tenzan AND Kota Ibushi are still unable to compete. That is rough for Ibushi especially, since he has been out of action since I believe mid 2021. So Young Lions took the losses to House of Torture and United Empire, hence skipping them. Good showings, though, from what I skimmed. A lot of the returning stars and legends had great showings. Minoru Tanaka was a great part of his Six Man Tag, but Bullet Club won to further the dysfunction going on in that faction, such as ELP still having a crisis of confidence over his cheat being taken away.
Suzuki-Gun VS Strong Hearts was a very good Six Man, and that was quite the win for Strong Hearts. While the New Japan Cup is starting tomorrow, I feel like Desperado is out in the first round because he’s up against Okada. Then Desperado can defend his Junior Heavyweight title against the members of Strong Hearts, and then build to his friendly showdown with Kanemaru. That 10 Man was a lot of fun, especially because it was a reunion for Great Bash Heel. But LIJ is rolling strong, especially with Sanada as the new IWGP United States Champion. Naito is among the EIGHT matches to open the NJ Cup, this will be good momentum for his win over Yujiro Takahashi.
The tag champions VS tag champions match was great stuff. For one, this was serious Taguchi here taking on Goto. And the Junior Heavyweights looked so close to taking the win, but it’s only natural that the Heavyweights won out. Goto and Hashi are also part of tomorrow’s NJ Cup opening day, so I bet they each win their matches. And then we got an awesome main event. Fujiwara is the epitome of Murder Grandpa here, and somehow, someway, he was able to keep up. Hell, those headbutts to the crossbar were crazy. He also had great interactions with Suzuki, it was somewhere between father-son and older brother, younger brother. But in the end, Faces win so we could have that feel good moment to close the night.
My Score: 8.8/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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