Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/15/22)

Will Ricochet hinder Jinder?

Published

1 year ago

April 15, 2022

Steven Mitchell

Championships are (maybe) on the move!

While SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos, are after RKBRO’s Raw Tag Team Championships, Jinder Mahal is after Ricochet’s Intercontinental title! Will the Modern Day Maharaja add another championship to his accolades?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Naomi w/ Sasha Banks VS Rhea Ripley w/ Liv Morgan; Rhea wins.
Mad Cap Moss VS Humberto Carrillo w/ Angel Garza; Moss wins.
Drew McIntyre VS Sami Zayn; McIntyre wins.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Ricochet VS Jinder Mahal w/ Shanky; Ricochet wins and retains the title.
Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso VS Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton; Riddle wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

RKBRO is here!

The Usos visited Raw, so the Raw Tag Team Champions are returning the favor! Randy Orton & Matt Riddle high five and fist bump the fans here in Worcester before going to the ring. Fans are fired up as the Viper and the Stallion get the mics. Orton hears the fans chant his name, so he goes up onto the corner to revel in it. Riddle says he is so stoked to be back on SmackDown! Especially with his best friend, Randy. But they didn’t come all the way here just to say what’s up. Did Randy know that Worcester is where they got the sauce. But not here in Massachusetts, that’s the Worcester in London! He learned that from a Snapple cap. Best stuff on Earth!

Orton tells Riddle that that isn’t why they’re here, either. They are here because on their show, the Usos came and kicked Orton in the mouth in their ring. And they also challenged Orton & Riddle in a match to unify the tag team championships! Well, here we are in SmackDown’s ring and on the Usos’ show. If the Usos want an answer, then they should come to the ring! Does Riddle have anything to add? No, he’s good. The Usos appear and fans fire up again! Jimmy & Jey are fired up as they go to the ring and join RKBRO. The Usos then get the mics and Jimmy starts with, “Well check this out, Uce! Look who just showed up in Bloodline territory.”

Jey sees ’em! The Raw Tag Team Champions, RKBRO! But y’know what? You know where you are? You’re behind enemy lines, Uce! This is SmackDown Live, where the Bloodline resides! SO here’s the thing. The Usos came to Raw, issued the challenge, and RKBRO shows up on SmackDown. So then, what is the answer? But before they say it, Jey wants them to chill. Randy Orton, the Viper, the Legend Killer, before you say something you regret, the Usos wanna remind you who you’re dealing with. These are two twin brothers, the Usos. Jey has Jimmy’s back, Jimmy has Jey’s, the Usos. Jimmy goes left, Jey goes right, the Usos. Jimmy goes high, Jey goes low, the Usos.

The seven-time tag team champs, the Usos! THE tag team, the Usos! The longest reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions in history, THE UUUUUSOS~! So check it! Leave the belts right here and go back to Raw, cuz this is where you might get popped with the One ‘n’ Done! You the twos, #WeTheOnes! Orton says yeah, he loves their family, respects them all being a boy growing up with the Usos’ daddies, uncles and cousins. But these two, you two are a-holes! They’re just puppies yipping while the Big Dog let them off the leash.

This is their show? FRICK THAT! This ORTON’S show! Longest reign in the history? HAHA! Orton’s been setting records for 20+ years! Or did the Usos forget? Well then, let Orton reintroduce himself and Riddle. They are the three most dangerous, destructive letters in sports entertainment: R K BRO! Fans are all fired up and Orton says he almost forgot! The challenge? THEY ACCEPT! Orton throws down his mic and the champions all hold up their belts. The Usos back down first, and fans boo. Riddle and Orton get up on the corners to pose, but the Usos drag Riddle down! Orton rushes over but the Usos get away! Will Usos be the ones to do anything and everything to get all the gold?

Naomi and Sasha Banks talk backstage.

They’re in matching volt neon yellow, and it’s crazy that the boys are gonna unify the tag titles. Well they just gotta follow the lead of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, because the Boss ‘n’ Glow run both shows. They will prove that against Liv & Rhea, and tonight- Liv & Rhea walk in. Don’t stop on their account, Sasha. They wanna hear what Naomi has to do to beat Rhea tonight. All Naomi has to do is be Naomi. The Glow always outshines the night. That was good! Now let’s go. Well aren’t they feeling wild tonight. Liv says Rhea’s looking good, though. Will Naomi be able to keep the momentum going? Or will she need a nightlight to fight off the Nightmare?

RKBRO goes to Adam Pearce backstage.

Orton tells him enough of the back ‘n’ forth, he and Riddle want the match with the Usos. Okay, but the higher ups are deliberating. Pearce is hoping for an answer by tonight. Riddle says he wants to unify the belts more than anything, but dude, he just wants a fight with the Usos. Well, Pearce can do that. Riddle VS Jimmy Usos, tonight! That’s what Riddle’s talking about! It’ll be a nice little warm-up, bro! But with Jimmy & Jey having each other’s backs, will they find a way to solve Riddle tonight?

Naomi w/ Sasha Banks VS Rhea Ripley w/ Liv Morgan!

Though Team BAD won the tag match a couple weeks ago, the Nightmare managed to get management to give her and Liv a tag title match anyway. Liv went 1-1, but will Rhea be a tiebreaker before the title match?

The bell rings, Rhea and Naomi tie up, and Rhea powers Naomi to a corner. The ref counts, Rhea lets off but then swings on Naomi. Naomi gets around, but Rhea blocks the monkey flip! Rhea smirks and puts Naomi up top to then pat her on the shoulders. Naomi boots back, but Rhea catches her crossbody! Rhea pops Naomi up but Naomi slips out to waistlock and shove. Rhea just runs Naomi over! Naomi goes to a corner, Rhea RAMS her shoulder in! Rhea wrenches and YANKS an arm to put Naomi on the mat! Then again! Rhea grinds her forearm into Naomi’s face but fans rally up. Rhea whips but Naomi slides under the boot!

Naomi headscissors Rhea out of the ring! Fans fire up and Naomi eggs Rhea on! Rhea gets in but Naomi KICKS her first! Rhea blocks buckle bump to throw Naomi down! Rhea then goes up the corner, but Naomi GAMANGIRIS first! Rhea tumbles down and Naomi builds speed to slide. Rhea dodges to LARIAT Naomi down! Fans fire up and Sasha coaches Naomi as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Rhea has Naomi down with a grounded cobra twist. Naomi endures as Rhea digs knuckles into the ribs. Fans rally and Naomi fight sup to JAWBREAKER! Naomi mule kicks then runs, to SCISSOR KICK! Booker would be proud and fans fire up! Naomi headlocks to BUCKLE BULLDOG! Rhea falls back and Naomi goes up top! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Rhea is still in this but Sasha coaches Naomi more. Rhea kicks from below! Naomi staggers, comes back and dropkicks Rhea’s leg out! And then headscissors to SPIKE Rhea! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives but Naomi stays focused.

Naomi sits Rhea up with a full nelson, but Rhea fights free to HEADBUTT! Rhea then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Naomi is still in this and Rhea is beside herself! Rhea gets to a corner and fans rally up. Rhea slaps herself to fire up but Naomi ROCKS her first! Naomi goes up to CLUB away on Rhea’s back. Rhea hits back with body shots then HEADBUTTS Naomi again! Rhea pump handles but Naomi fights with knees! Naomi gets free but Rhea BOOTS her! Rhea goes up to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Naomi survives and Rhea can’t believe it! Rhea staggers to her feet and drags Naomi up.

Rhea reels Naomi in but Naomi turns it to a cradle, TWO! Naomi ducks the clothesline to springboard, FLYING CHUCK! Both women are down, Naomi hobbles up to get the full nelson! BUBBA BOMB! Body scissor cradle, TWO! Rhea has the pump handle! But Naomi elbows at her! Only for Rhea to make that part of the RIPTIDE! High stack cover, Rhea wins!!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall

Liv and Rhea celebrate, and they stare Sasha down! Will #Liv4Brutality be taking those titles away this Monday?

Backstage interview with The Usos.

Kayla Braxton wants to get a comment from them first. The unification match is on the table, and Jimmy is going to face… The Usos don’t care, they go into Roman Reigns’ locker room. What will the Tribal Chief have to say about the road to the tag title unification?

Backstage interview with Happy Corbin.

He’s no longer friends with Mad Cap Moss, and even calling him that puts him on the same level as him. Moss was a hanger-on, a minion, a gopher. A lackey! Corbin kept Moss around a long time because he was funny to laugh at. But Moss soon became an anchor around Corbin’s neck, dragging him down. Corbin would still be undefeated at WrestleMania if not for Moss. So Corbin dropped the deadweight and is reaching peak levels of happiness. Moss is on his own, trying to make a name for himself, and Corbin says good luck. If you think he’s happy now, just wait until Corbin sees Moss falls flat on his face and becomes the laughing stock of SmackDown.

Drew Gulak interviews Moss backstage.

The former Cruiserweight Champion talks with the NEW Andre the Giant Battle Royal winner, and Gulak asks Moss’ response to Corbin saying he’s better without Moss. No, Moss feels sorry for Corbin. Imagine being so terrible, that people liked him better as a bum. But Moss does give Corbin credit. Corbin brought Moss to SmackDown, bought him some great pairs of suspenders, and did teach him how to tell jokes. That’s why those jokes were so bad. Rule one of communication is, “Know your audience.” And Moss’ audience was a large, bald, rather simple man who loved puns. Moss is glad he can move on.

Speaking of, he is taking on Humberto Carrillo of Los Lotharios. Moss knows Carrillo is tough, talented and has Angel Garza watching his back. But if they think they’ll make Moss the laughing stock, they can take that kiss cam and put it right to Moss’ behind. Pucker up! Will Moss be laughing all the way to the bank now that he’s a solo act?

Mad Cap Moss VS Humberto Carrillo w/ Angel Garza!

SmackDown returns as the Lethal Lovers make their entrance. “And now, the Los Lotharios Kiss Cam.” Humberto & Angel look at their options, and they again find a young lady in the front row. They give her kisses on the cheeks, then she blows a kiss back. Humberto gets in the ring but Moss again offers them a chance at his cheeks. But the bell rings and Moss circles with Carrillo. Garza slides in but slips out as Moss rushes over. Carrillo goes right after Moss with hands and stomps in the corner! The ref counts, Carrillo lets off but then CLUBS Moss down. Carrillo digs his boots into Moss in the corner but lets off at 4.

Carrillo soaks up heat and distracts the ref, Garza gets his shots in! Carrillo tells Moss to kiss his ass, but Moss throws body shots! Carrillo CLUBS and uppercuts, and Moss staggers to another corner. Garza is all fired up, Carrillo hits a headlock takeover and throws down hands. Moss fights free but Carrillo KICKS him in the corner. Carrillo snapmares and wraps on a chinlock. Moss fights up, throws more body shots, but Carrillo CLUBS him again. Carrillo whips, Moss ducks and dodges and builds speed to CLOBBER Carrillo! Moss starts to rally, he whips Carrillo to CLOBBER him again! Carrillo flounders and Moss puts him in a corner.

Carrillo elbows back, goes up and crossbodies, but Moss catches him! Fans fire up to see that, and then the FALL AWAY SLAM! Moss fires up again and he has Worcester giving thumbs up! But Garza saves Carrillo from the corner tackle, only to get himself hit! Moss grins at Garza, but Carrillo rolls Moss up! TWO! Moss runs in and he RAMS Carrillo after all! Moss reels Carrillo in, thumbs up, PUNCHLINE! Cover, Moss wins!

Winner: Mad Cap Moss, by pinfall

Moss wins and that ain’t no joke! Will Moss be having some real fun now that he doesn’t have Corbin holding him back?

Adam Pearce is visited by Charlotte Flair.

She wants to know who accepted that request for the I Quit match! She wants to know but Gulak walks in to ask Pearce how he did in his interview. Gulak feels he has a knack for hard-hitting journalism. But Charlotte asks him, “You think you can just barge in on a conversation to ask for an evaluation for your new job as an interviewer?” How about this? Maybe he should interview her, a real star, in the ring. She tells him not to be nervous. Is this Gulak’s chance to shine?

BREAKING NEWS!

It is official! The Usos and RKBRO will be going #WinnersTakeAll tag title unification at WrestleMania Backlash on May 8th! Who will be both Raw & SmackDown Tag Team Champions for the first time in history?

SmackDown returns with Gulak in the ring.

Gulak says it is his great privilege to interview someone truly special. A living legend, a thirteen time champion and perhaps the most dominant woman in all of the WWE, the SmackDown Women’s Champion, CHARLOTTE FLAIR! Charlotte makes her way out, spins for her pyro, and then continues to the ring. Gulak helps her through the ropes, and then he welcomes her. Gulak asks if he’s ready for this hard-hitting interview. She tells him to just do it. Then last week on SmackDown, she declined the challenge for an I Quit match, but management made it official. Is she concerned about Ronda Rousey’s submission game?

“Number one, I didn’t refuse the I Quit match. And number two, I was trying to protect Ronda. I was trying to do Ronda a favor by telling her to go to the end of the line. I mean, we all know how fragile Ronda’s ego is.” But no, Ronda had to whine, moan and cry and go to management to get the match that she wanted. And that makes Charlotte nervous. We saw how devastated Ronda was after WrestleMania. So just imagine the humiliation after the I Quit match! Well, Gulak did watch WrestleMania, and it looked like Ronda made Charlotte tap out. Fans rally behind that but Charlotte says that is ridiculous.

Charlotte tells the fans that she was fixing her bra! She was fixing her bra! None of the fans would understand. Gulak say she didn’t mean to impose. Then don’t! But Gulak saw the ref could’ve been in position, and if so, Ronda would’ve become champion. Charlotte says that is out of line. Charlotte is champion, and she didn’t tap out. Fans keep taunting her with, “You Tapped Out!” but she gives them “What? What?” Charlotte decides to ask Gulak a question! Did Gulak quit being a competitor so he could stand here with a mic and ask stupid questions? No, because people like Gulak are used to quitting!

The fans are all quitters, right? Seriously! She bets they’ve all quit the gym! Or a job! Hell, they probably quit relationships! But not Charlotte, she is not a quitter, it is not in her DNA. But y’know what IS in her DNA? WINNING~! Charlotte is a submission MASTER! She has been submitting competition for over a decade! Actually, Gulak doesn’t deserve to interview her anymore, so get out of her ring. NOW! Gulak turns to leave and Charlotte taunts him with “Nana na na.” But then she CHOP BLOCKS him, and trips him up! FIGURE FOUR! And FIGURE EIGHT!! Gulak taps, Charlotte sits him up to SLAP him around!

“Say you quit! Just like Ronda will!” Gulak says, “I QUIT!” but she wants it louder! Then she puts the Figure Eight back on! Referees rush out and tell Charlotte to stop! She lets Gulak go and dusts her hands off. She forces a ref to bring her the title, and then she holds it up. Charlotte says she isn’t a quitter, but will the Baddest Woman on the Planet give her no choice but to say those two dreaded words?

Imperium speaks.

Ludwig Kaiser stands with Der Ring General, GUNTHER, and says, “To us, the mat is sacred. Gunther protects the honor of this great sport. He is the epitome of elegant destruction, doling out punishment to the weak.” Kaiser says it again in German, and adds that Gunther is perfection. Gunther himself says you will all obey the Ring General! Will anyone on SmackDown be brave enough to say NEIN to this man?

Drew McIntyre VS Sami Zayn!

This match happened last week all because the Scottish Warrior walked out of the locker room and made the Great Liberator put his foot in his mouth. But then Sami made sure McIntyre didn’t put his foot in Sami’s mouth and ran away! Management isn’t going to let Sami back out of his own bet, so here we are again! Will McIntyre finally get to Claymore Sami’s head in? Or will the Master Strategist have a new plan to avoid all that?

SmackDown returns and Sami makes his entrance. He has a mic to say that something needs to be addressed. “For awhile now, and especially after WrestleMania, my reputation has taken a major, major hit. And it’s been made even worse by the fact that now, people are under the misconception that I ‘ran away’ from my match with Drew McIntyre. Let me explain something: I wasn’t running away, I am not afraid of Drew McIntyre. I am not afraid of anything or anyone! I am the MASTER! STRATEGIST!” Everything Sami does is calculated, part of a master plan. Not that the fans would understand.

Sami wants McIntyre to hear this in a way even he understands: Sami will not run or hide, but he will beat McIntyre in this ring and gain the respect that the people OWE him! Fans boo so that’s clearly not working. The bell rings, but then Sami bails out. McIntyre goes out after him and RAMS him into the apron! And then barrier! And then barrier, and back again! Sami flounders, McIntyre puts him in the ring and dusts off his hands. Fans cheer but Sami bails out again. McIntyre pursues, Sami crawls over the announce desk!? And throws chairs at McIntyre! McIntyre throws those chairs aside, but Sami hides behind McAfee!

McIntyre holds back his haymaker until McAfee gets free, and then McIntyre ROCKS Sami! McIntyre and McAfee high-five, and then McIntyre puts Sami in the ring. Sami just bails out again, only for McIntyre to grab Sami by the hair! The ref tries to get McIntyre to back off, and Sami CLAWS McIntyre’s eyes! Sami fires off with furious hands, and shouts, “I’m not scared of you!” Fans boo, McIntyre RAMS Sami into a corner! And then OVERHEAD suplexes! Sami ends up across the ring, and McIntyre has the fans rallying behind him. Sami CHOPS, but it doesn’t do a thing! GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!

Fans fire up as McIntyre aims from the corner! The countdown begins, but Sami runs away again! McIntyre keep shim form hopping the barriers this time! McIntyre puts Sami in, Sami runs, but McIntyre dodges! Sami bails out before the Claymore fires! And he’s out in the crowd again! Sami manages to get up the steps as the ring count climbs, and Sami is counted out again!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by count-out

But while Sami says he ain’t afraid, McIntyre say she ain’t done! McIntyre chases Sami up those stairs! Sami slips away into the back, but will he have nowhere to run and hide with the Scottish Warrior coming for him?

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Join them to restore hope on World Wish Day, 4/29/2022.

Sami is still on the run!

He looks all around him, wary of McIntyre, and he bumps into Pearce! Pearce says Sami can’t keep doing this! Sami tries to say it won’t happen again, and Pearce says that’s right. They’ll have another rematch next week, and there won’t be running. It’ll be in a LUMBERJACK MATCH! Sami is about to lose his mind, but will he lose to McIntyre again, and in the ring?

Backstage interview with Ricochet.

Kayla says the One and Only will have to be flawless as he is going to defend his WWE Intercontinental Champion against a former WWE United States and World Champion in Jinder Mahal. Ricochet agrees, just look at Jinder’s physique and aggression. But Ricochet sees another man who cannot match what Ricochet can do in that ring. Ricochet sees another tree trunk that he’s gonna chop down. The reason Ricochet is “flawless” is not because he’s perfect, he just makes it all look perfect. But the bottom line is, this beautiful title isn’t going anywhere. Just watch!

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Ricochet VS Jinder Mahal w/ Shanky!

SmackDown returns as Jinder & Shanky make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the Modern Day Maharaja can ground the King of Flight!

Jinder and Ricochet tie up, Jinder scoops and SLAMS quickly! Jinder wraps on a chinlock and grinds Ricochet down. Ricochet fights up, but Jinder CLUBS him with crossface forearms! Jinder then springboards for knee drop after knee drop! And then he YANKS Ricochet into the air for a SLAM! Cover, TWO! Jinder stays on Ricochet with more of those clubbing crossface forearms! Then he wraps on a half nelson chinbar to thrash Ricochet around! Fans rally as Ricochet endures, but Jinder RAMS Ricochet to a corner. Jinder fires off with big forearms and stomps, but the ref counts. Jinder lets off at 4 while fans boo.

Ricochet ENZIGURIS from the corner! And SHOTGUNS Jinder to then kip up and shoulder in! Ricochet goes to the apron, springboard CROSSBODY! And STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Ricochet aims from a corner, but Jinder avoids Recoil to KA- NO! Victory roll, but Jinder sits on the cover! TWO, and RECOIL! Ricochet gets Jinder this time and he goes up top! Shanky is freaking out, so he drags Jinder out of the ring! Fans boo, but Ricochet just turns and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Fans are all fired up and Ricochet puts Jinder in the ring. Ricochet climbs back up, for a SHOOTING STAR! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Now that was flawless! Will Ricochet continue to make it look picture perfect as Intercontinental Champion?

Backstage interview with Sheamus, Ridge Holland & “Butch” Pete Dunne.

The Fight Night Boys are back, and Megan says there was a bit of dissention last week. A recap video shows Xavier Woods getting Dunne with “The Back Woods” inside cradle, and then Dunne started butch slapping his friends! Dunne clearly has a temper problem, but Sheamus laughs that off. They’ve had bigger fights over the remote control. That’s just a civilized discussion there. But for the matter at hand, they talked it out, and they all agreed that Dunne needs to harness his aggression. Dunne has also come to a conclusion that Sheamus & Ridge aren’t the enemies. Their enemies is who? Who who who?

Dunne shoves Sheamus as he shouts, “NEW DAY!” Well see that? There’s no trouble in their paradise. And all anyone has to do- Ridge keeps poking Sheamus and says they’ve lost Butch! What?! How? He’s not bleedin’ car keys! But if Butch has gone rogue, what’s stopping him from going wild again?

The New Day is signing merchandise.

Kofi Kingston says, “We don’t talk. We do what we do.” Woods says that Butch’s aunt was looking real good in that G.I. Jane remake. But speaking of, Dunne JUMPS the table to get at Woods! Kofi grabs at Dunne, but then Sheamus and Ridge come busting in! It’s a 3v2 brawl but referees and producers hurry to stop this! Pearce appears and shouts at the refs to get Dunne back! The Bruiserweight instigated this, what consequences will he face for this?

Lacey Evans speaks.

After Lacey’s mother took the kids and ran, it wasn’t long until Lacey’s father caught up to them in Texas. The anger and sadness only grew. Her father wanted to teach them values that he thought were important, but he taught them in ways that scarred them for life. Lacey was cleaning up job sites and shoveling shingles in middle school. If their pig pens weren’t cleaned out right, they’d be forced to sit in them for hours. If his food wasn’t hot enough, or not what he’d wanted, he’d just flip the tables. Then he’d go to his room, slam the door, and leave them all covered in food and cleaning up broken glass.

Lacey takes a breath and says eventually, her father’s mental health and addiction made him a wanted man with assault charges. Once again, the Evans were on the run. But this time, they were living in tents and jumping state to state. Lacey learned about fighting, hiding and using both to her advantage. Child Protective Services got involved and just as much as law enforcement. The problem was neither could save her or her family. Lacey relied on herself because no one else would save her. She kept her head up and kept fighting no matter what. And she’s neve been handed anything in her life.

Lacey’s ability to still find positives in all the negative made her who she is today. You gotta keep your head up and work hard. Unlike everyone else, Lacey is comfortable at rock bottom. No one can faze her. Because of what she’s been through in her life, Lacey is a motivated, confident, caring and careful daughter, mother, wife, sister, US Marine, and WWE superstar. That doesn’t make her any better than the others, but that doesn’t make them better than her.

Natalya and Shayna Baszler don’t seem to care.

Natty even goes so far as to say, “Cry me a river.” We’ve all had tough lives! What even happened to this place? The Land of Opportunity is just the Island of Misfit Toys! From Lacey to Liv to Rhea to Aliyah, there is no respect for legends like Natty & Shayna. And then this new girl who has all her stuff all over the place! Their sanctuary has become her personal playground! The future is bleak. But that very person Natty means is Raquel Rodriguez! They shake hands and Natty puts on a fake smile. Natty decides they should go. Will the Hart & Spades have to learn respect is a two way street against Big Mami Cool and the Model Soldier?

Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso VS Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton!

The Winners Take All, Tag Title Unification match is official, so consider this an appetizer! Who comes out of this with momentum going towards WrestleMania Backlash?

SmackDown returns and the Usos make their entrance again. The bell rings and Riddle circles with Jimmy. They tie up, Riddle waistlocks and SLAMS Jimmy, then has a facelock. Jimmy gets up but Riddle KNEES, KICKS, but Jimmy denies the RKO! Jimmy slips out to regroup with Jey, and Jey says they saw what Riddle’s up to, “chess moves.” Riddle rushes out after Jimmy but Jimmy gets back in to CLOBBER him! Orton coaches Riddle but Jimmy rains down right hands. Jimmy lets off to drag Riddle up and CHOP him to a corner. Jimmy whips corner to corner hard, and Riddle bounces off buckles!

Jimmy paces around Riddle, wraps on a chinlock and grinds him down. Fans rally up with “BRO! BRO! BRO!” and Riddle fights up. Riddle throws body shots, but Jimmy shoves him and CLOBBERS him with an elbow! Jimmy stalks Riddle to a corner, stands him up and CHOPS him again. Jimmy says that was for Orton. Jimmy whips corner to corner, Riddle goes up and over and KICKS Jimmy down! Riddle then gut wrench suplexes! Jimmy bails out but Riddle goes to the apron, only for Jimmy to block the kick and trip Riddle! Riddle hits apron, then Jimmy whips him into steel steps!

Jimmy drags Riddle up to whip him into barriers! Orton can only watch as Jimmy SUPERKICKS Riddle over barriers! Riddle is down in the timekeeper’s area as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Riddle fires off hands! Jimmy shoves him away, kicks, but Riddle blocks, only to get the DRAGON WHIP! Cover, TWO! Riddle is still in this but Jey coaches Jimmy up. Orton coaches Riddle as he gets up, but Jimmy brings him up for a back suplex. Riddle lands on his feet, BOOTS, then spins Jimmy for a PELE! Riddle kips up and runs in at the corner, forearm smash! He goes side to side, another forearm! BROSPLODER! Jimmy sits up but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Jimmy also avoids the standing moonsault, but not the BROTON! Riddle runs to PENALTY KICK after all!

Fans fire up and Riddle drags Jimmy to a fireman’s carry. BRO TO SLEEP, to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Jimmy is still in this but Jey looks worried. Orton rallies the fans and Riddle gets Jimmy to a drop zone. Riddle goes up and fans fire up, FLOATING BRO onto knees! Jimmy gets up to pop-up SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Riddle is still in this but Jimmy’s too tired to be upset. Jey is again worried but Orton coaches Riddle. Worcester rallies up, but Jey gets in Orton’s face. This distracts Orton and Jimmy WRECKS him with a dropkick! But Jimmy turns around into a FINAL FLASH KNEE!

Riddle gets himself to a corner, but while Orton is complaining to the ref, Jey trips Riddle up! Riddle flounders to his feet, Jimmy SUPERKICKS him back down! Jimmy hurries to a corner now, but Orton brawls with Jey! BACK SUPLEX to the desk! Jimmy gets distracted by that, USO SPLASH but Riddle dodges! Jimmy pops Riddle up, RKO!! Cover, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

Orton is all fired up and even Riddle is shocked! The Raw Tag Team Champions strike back for what happened Monday, but will they be able to pull this all off again at Backlash? Or will Jimmy & Jey join Roman Reigns in being undisputed champions?

My Thoughts:

A pretty great SmackDown after last week only being okay. Naturally, RKBRO shows up to respond to everything the Usos did on Monday, and naturally we get that undisputed, unified tag title match for Backlash. Good promos, and a very good main event out of Riddle VS Jimmy. Riddle winning here puts RKBRO up but there’s still time before Backlash so don’t count RKBRO out just yet. I would love if RKBRO won instead of Usos, at least to start this undisputed tag title era. Usos can “disappoint” Roman and chase the undisputed titles all the way to SummerSlam where they have another awesome match and then the Usos win, right as Roman possibly loses his title(s).

Pretty good stuff out of the women’s tag title story, both with Rhea VS Naomi actually lasting longer than a commercial break, and with Naomi and Sasha coordinating their outfits in highlighter yellow. Rhea gets the win here to get momentum back for her team, but there’s a very good chance Rhea & Liv lose then break up while these titles stay with SmackDown. Lacey gives another powerful promo to share her true life story, and wow, Natty is really being booked as cold-blooded. She doesn’t care for Cora’s story or Lacey’s, it’s like she’s heartless. Awful pun aside, I did like that she’s intimidated by Raquel. The irony, Raquel and Cora were a team in NXT but they’ll both be feuding with Natty on different shows.

Imperium has a fairly good promo, it definitely brings everything they’ve said in NXT to SmackDown for those unfamiliar with them. I wonder when “Ludwig” gets his first match on SmackDown. Corbin had a good promo to try and put everything on Moss, and then Moss had a very good promo before facing Carrillo. That was a good match, and of course Moss wins. Corbin’s gonna get frustrated watching Moss get a win streak, so he’ll surely go after Moss himself and we’ll get a Backlash match out of them. And if Moss wins there, Corbin needs to enter a new phase, like Angry Corbin, where he can’t calm down because he’s so upset he lost.

Of course Sami runs away from McIntyre again. I was hoping Pearce would say Falls Count Anywhere, but instead they go with Lumberjack so I guess it’ll give more people screen time without having to add matches to the card. Ricochet VS Jinder was a really good title match, but I don’t get where this “flawless” thing for Ricochet is coming from. I mean, obviously I know, it’s Vince and his team. But whatever, as long as it means Ricochet gets to have great matches and a great title run, and being called flawless is still good. At least he’s not “Butch” being impulsively violent. I will say, that leap over the table was great, though. I hope all this adds up to Dunne separating from Sheamus’ trio because even Sheamus can’t tolerate Dunne’s behavior.

Drew Gulak is definitely a professional. He has stuck with WWE, or rather the WWE sees value in Gulak. “Transitioning” to interviewer is keeping him around, and could be a way to find him an in-ring story down the line. With Ronda not making an appearance tonight, using Gulak to build Charlotte’s heat was an interesting choice, but Gulak can definitely talk the talk to confront her on her Heel behavior. And as a wrestler, he can take the bumps and the holds so that Charlotte can beat someone up without worrying about hurting them. She would not have been able to do all that to Kayla Braxton or Kevin Patrick.

My Score: 8.3/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Mitchell’s AEW Battle of the Belts Results & Report! (4/16/22)

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Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/15/22)

Coverage

Mitchell’s NXT No Mercy Results & Report! (9/30/23)

There’s No Mercy in Bakersfield!

Published

42 mins ago

September 30, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Will the Mad Dragon slay… HIM?

In a rematch from The Great American Bash, Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov once again battle over the NXT Championship! But will history repeat itself? Or will history be made?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four VS Pete Dunne; wins and
Blair Davenport VS Kelani Jordan; wins.
NXT Tag Team Championships Fatal 4 Way Tag: Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo VS The Creed Brothers VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo VS #OutTheMud w/ SCRYPTS; win(s) and
Bron Breakker VS Baron Corbin; wins.
NXT North American Championship, Special Guest Referee Dragon Lee: Dominik Mysterio VS Trick Williams; wins and
NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes VS Ilja Dragunov; wins and
NXT Women’s Championship Extreme Rules Match: Becky Lynch VS Tiffany Stratton; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the No Mercy Kickoff Show!

Join Megan Morant, Matt Camp & Sam Roberts in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action about to go down in Bakersfield!

Time to play the game.

Plug in the cartridge and load up the brand new NXT edition of No Mercy! Press start and make the match! Will there be no asterisk next to tonight’s NXT Championship match? Will the Bruiserweight snap Noam Dar’s reign? Or just his fingers? Who will truly be #MeanerThanEvil? Is karma going to bite Dirty Dom right on the ass? Or will he still #WhoopDatTrick? And in the biggest and most violent match of her career, will Tiffany Stratton take back the title? Or will the Big Time still be too much for Wrestling Barbie?

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (9/29/23)

Eddie Kingston is on a Rampage!

Published

22 hours ago

September 29, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Will the Mad King regret this gamble?

Before putting both belts on the line against Katsuyori Shibata at AEW WrestleDream, Eddie Kingston defends his NJPW Strong title against Rocky Romero! Will plans have to change all thanks to Azucar?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party; The Acclaimed & Billy win and retain the titles.
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero; Eddie wins and retains the title.
The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar; The Righteous win.
AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida; Shida wins and will challenge Saraya for the title on Title Tuesday, October 10th.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party!

The open challenge was put forth, and it was answered very quickly! Will Matt, Jeff & Brother Zay DELETE the Scissor World Tour? Or will Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Daddy Ass keep the party going?

But of course, Platinum Max has a diss track! “Acclaimed on the mic, ’bout to leave these dudes up in smoke! Y’know we comin’ like the Colorado Buffalos! Matt, I don’t want any heat! I don’t need your crazy ass wife sendin’ me tweets! It’s the one guy in Private Party! Nowadays, he gets tag teamed by the Hardys! Jeff, I’m a leave you black in both eyes! You gonna need these sunglasses like Coach Prime.” Bowens takes the mic to say “COLORADOOOO~! The Acclaimed have arrived! Scissor Me, Daddy Ass~!” And he does! The belts are raised, and we see who survives WrestleDream weekend!

The trios sort out and Bowens starts against Kassidy. They shake hands, tie up, and Bowens waistlocks. Kassidy drop toeholds, facelocks but Bowens slips free to wrench. Kassidy rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Bowens powers out to headlock but Kassidy powers out, only for Bowens to run him over! Bowens self-scissors, then things speed up. Kassidy hurdles, Bowens shoves then follows but Kassidy arm-drags! Bowens arm-drags! Bowens blocks Kassidy’s arm-drag to whip, but Kassidy wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Bowens stands, into a RANA! Kassidy then pounds the mat and fans fire up.

Bowens kicks but Kassidy blocks to spin him. Kassidy kicks but Bowens blocks to flip him! Bowens then kicks, kicks and KOTARO KRUSHER! Fans fire up, “EVERYONE Loves The Acclaimed!” Bowens drags Kassidy up, tags in Caster, and they double whip. Kassidy holds ropes, TOSSES Bowens then BOOTS Caster! Tag to Matt and Matt BOOTS Caster! Kassidy hits a NECKBREAKER, Jeff tags in to go up, for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Jeff snapmares Caster to then NECK SNAPPER! Fans fire up with Jeff and he waits on Caster to stand. Kick but no Twist as Caster slips free! Jeff ducks the backhand to SPIN KICK!

Jeff CLUBS Caster, Caster scrambles away, tags to Billy and Matt! Fans fire up as Matt says “DELETE! DELETE!” Billy says “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” And repeat! Then Billy headlocks! Matt throws body shots, powers out, but Billy runs Matt over! Billy flexes and does a dance, and then he runs in. Matt ELBOWS Billy, BOOTS him, then bumps him off buckles! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Billy gets all three layers, and Matt tags Jeff. Jeff tags Kassidy, and the Hardys set up fort he classic POETRY IN MOTION! Then Kassidy adds PARTY IN MOTION! But The Acclaimed CLOBBER Kassidy & The Hardys!

Fans fire up as Caster has Kassidy up to scoop and SLAM! Billy helps get the legs, and Bowens goes up to SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Kassidy squeals before impact! Cover, TWO! Kassidy survives but The Acclaimed have control as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Billy brings Kassidy up, bumps him off buckles, and he hears the fans singing. Billy ROCKS Kassidy with a right, apologizes to the ref, then tags to Bowens. Bowens drags Kassidy up to ROCK him with haymaker after haymaker! Bowens then brings Kassidy up to tag in Caster. They double suplex Kassidy, Caster covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Caster keeps Kassidy down with a chinlock while fans rally up. Kassidy fights to his feet, throws body shots, and he fires forearms as Rampage returns to single picture. Kassidy runs but Caster CLOBBERS him! Tag to Billy and they mug Kassidy.

Billy brings Kassidy to an open corner, stomps and ROCKS him on repeat, then lets off to smirk at the Hardys. He dares them to do something, but Matt tells Billy to suck it! So Billy DECKS Matt! Billy runs corner to corner but Kassidy dodges! The splash hits buckles and Billy falls back! Fans rally up as both men crawl, but Billy gets Kassidy’s leg! Kassidy stands up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Jeff! Jeff rallies on Billy, on Bowens, and on Caster! Fans fire up and Jeff clotheslines Billy up and out! Jeff CLOBBS Bowens, then catches him for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Leg hook cradle! Cover, Caster breaks it!

Caster helps Bowens up, then runs in, but Jeff ELBOWS caster and ROCKS Bowens! Jeff goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Jeff gets both Caster and Bowens but everyone is down! Billy returns, kicks low, says ‘SUCK IT!” and runs, but Jeff dodges! Matt kicks Billy for a TWIST OF FATE! Jeff hurries up top, fans fire up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Bowens breaks it in time! Matt CLUBS Bowens, Bowens hits back, and Bowens calls to Caster. They whip Matt to a corner, forearm then ELBOW then forearm again! And a feed to the POWERSLAM! ROLLING ELBOW for Jeff! The Acclaimed regroup, and Billy crawls to the corner.

Fans fire up as Billy drags Jeff over. Jeff gets loose, hot tags to Kassidy and Bowens! Kassidy dodges Bowens to DROPKICK Caster! “This is Awesome!” as Kassidy BOOTS Bowens! Kassidy goes up, leaps, FLYING FLATLINER! Billy stands, runs in, but Kassidy dumps him out! Kassidy slingshots out then QUEBRADAS to take Billy down! Kassidy mocks the scissoring, then tells Bowens to get up. Kassidy springboards in, but Bowens dodges and Caster BACKHANDS Kassidy! Then Bowens BACKHANDS Kassidy! Bowens fires off the Five Tool Strike Fest! Caster hoists Kassidy up and Bowens helps, to give Kassidy the PLATINUM BOMB! Cover, The Acclaimed win!

Winners: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Championships)

A huge win for the champions, and the Scissor World Tour continues! In fact, it is heading to Seattle for WrestleDream’s Zero Hour! TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito are waiting, will they show The Acclaimed that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

Eddie Kingston speaks.

“Well folks, tonight, it’s me and Big Rock, Rocky Romero, for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship. Rock, I got nothing but respect for you, dawg, so it’s gonna be an honor and a pleasure to defend this against you. You’re the man that got me into the G1. You’re the man that got me-” Wait, Team Triple J is interrupting. Jay Lethal says that if we’re talking honor and respect, Eddie is standing here with two titles on his shoulders, and that is worth respecting. But Lethal can’t get behind how Eddie is the ROH World Champion. Lethal dedicated his life to that title! His blood, sweat, tears, all to honor a tradition that meant that every person to hold that title would be a pure athlete!

And Eddie, you are no pure athlete! Now as for this NJPW Strong Openweight title, Lethal doesn’t care if Eddie wins it or loses it here tonight. He really doesn’t. But he just cares that Eddie is unfit to be ROH World Champion! Eddie says okay, he’s got Lethal. But excuse his back, he’s gotta go beat up Romero. The Mad King leaves, but will he still have both crowns going into WrestleDream?

AEW shares an interview from after last week’s Collision.

Lexi Nair was with Andrade El Idolo after he was bandaged up from the beating Bullet Club Gold gave him. He almost won, but Juice Robinson interfered. What was that about? Andrade says everyone saw that Andrade had White beat. But the question for Juice is… “Do you have a problem with me? With Andrade El Idolo? Lemme tell you something. See you Saturday in Seattle!” Andrade wants his revenge on Rock Hard, will he get it on WrestleDream Eve?

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero!

The Mad King beat Kenta at NJPW Independence Day back in July to have his first singles title under the NJPW banner. And now he defends it against Azucar as a favor for getting him in the door. Will Rocky repay this favor by taking this title from Eddie? Or will Eddie still head to Seattle as a double champion?

The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!

The bell rings and fans rally up for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” The two circle, Rocky tests things with a kick but Eddie stays back. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Eddie waistlocks, Rocky wrenches, wristlocks, but Eddie clinches. Fans rally, Rocky keeps on the wristlock but Eddie powers through to wrench and wristlock back. Rocky rolls, breaks free and DROPKICKS! Fans are torn as Rocky swaggers, but he and Eddie reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Rocky knees low. Rocky headlocks, grinds the hold, but Eddie powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, but Eddie stays up with a smirk.

Fans fire up as Rocky smirks back, but then pie faces Eddie! Rocky runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Eddie bails out, Rocky builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit but Eddie stays up, so Rocky goes again! DIVE and Eddie drops to his knees! Rocky keeps going, and he DIVES for the hattrick, only for Eddie to catch him! Stalling suplex, to the floor! Fans rally behind Eddie while Rampage goes picture in picture.

Eddie stands, stretches out his back, and then he gets Rocky up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Eddie keeps cool, and also chooses not to rain down fists, instead clamping on a chinlock. Rocky endures as Eddie grinds him down, and fans rally up. Eddie cranks the headlock but Rocky refuses to give up. Rocky fights up, throws elbows, but Eddie knees him low! Eddie whips to knee low again, then whips for another knee! Eddie whips but Rocky rolls him up, TWO! Rocky BUZZSAWS Eddie, then TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down and a standing count begins. Rocky stirs at 3, crawls over, and he brings Eddie up.

Eddie pushes Rocky, runs, but into an IRON OCTOPUS! Eddie endures, pries at the hold, and pops free, only for Rocky to wrangle him with a ghost pin! TWO, and Eddie goes to ropes. Rocky storms up, KICKS Eddie in the back, but Eddie just grimaces. Eddie eggs Rocky on so Rocky KICKS him again! Eddie growls and eggs Rocky on more as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Rampage returns and Eddie suplexes, but Rocky knees free! Rocky knees low, Eddie rebounds, but into a JUMP KNEE! Eddie goes to ropes, Rocky storms over and brings him up through the ropes, to KICK! Eddie eggs Rocky on even though he’s stuck, so Rocky SLAPS Eddie! Eddie SLAPS Rocky! Rocky SOBATS! Then Rocky goes up a corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this and Rocky argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Rocky drags Eddie up, cravats, but no Sliced Bread! Eddie runs in to clothesline in the corner! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up and Eddie hoists Rocky up top!

Eddie climbs up behind Rocky, stands him up, but Rocky throws hands! Rocky CLUBS Eddie, cravats, and hits SUPER SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Eddie survives, and Rocky grits his teeth. Rocky pumps up and fans rally. Rocky runs in to clothesline! That’s one-ever! Two-ever! But URAKEN stops that! URAKEN again!! Eddie drags Rocky into the STRETCH PLUM!! Rocky taps, Eddie wins!!

Winner: Eddie Kingston, by submission (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)

Azucar could not dethrone The Mad King, but he still shows Eddie respect with a handshake and hug. Eddie is still NJWP Strong, but will he have to fight even harder to survive The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata?

Wait! That’s Shibata’s music! Shibata is HERE! He goes into the ring and shakes hands with Eddie. These two respect each other, and that means they will give it everything they’ve got! Will Eddie still be a two belt king? Or will Shibata become a TRIPLE CROWN Champion?

Aussie Open speaks.

Mark Davis says he is so tired. So tired of hearing the “top blokes” walk around here the last year, hubris unchecked, lying to the people that they are the best in the world. Kyle Fletcher says that for the last 365 days, everything Aussie Open has done has been to get back to FTR. When FTR beat them a year ago, it broke Fletcher. Fletcher felt like a failure and felt lost. So what he wants more than anything is to make FTR feel that pain. This Sunday, Aussie Open takes the AEW World Tag Team Championships, burns down the legacy of #7StarFTR, and from the ashes, rebuild a new empire that they will stand atop of to proclaim that THEY are the best tag team in the world!

The Aussie Arrow and Dunkzilla are ready to bring down Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, will they fulfill that WrestleDream?

The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar!

Speaking of tag titles, Dutch & Vincent are aimed at the ROH World Tag Team Championships! However, Adam Cole will be out with injury so it’ll just be Maxwell Jacob Friedman meeting them in Seattle. Will this tune-up prove to be more than enough going into that tag title handicap match?

The teams sort out, but then Dutch just CLOBBERS Crush & Gunnar! Fans boo as Dutch says just a few more days and those titles will be theirs! Vincent rains down fists on Crush, then drags him up to UPPERCUT! Vincent bumps Crush off buckles, tags in Dutch, and the Righteous mugs Crush before the BOSS MAN SLAM! Gunnar staggers up but Dutch feeds him to Vinnie’s KNEE! Then Vinnie feeds him to a BOSS MAN SLAM! Tag to Vinnie, fans are torn as the Righteous pace around Crush. Vinnie snaps his fingers, then cravats, AUTUMN SUNSET! Cover, Righteous win!

Winners: The Righteous, by pinfall

A swift and dominant win, these are the two men coming for the tag titles! Will The Righteous purge ROH of the “false friendship” that is the brochachos? Or are even two Righteous men combined not on the level of the Devil?

Ortiz sits alone in a room.

He looks back on his career alongside Mike Santana. They were at the top of their game coming into AEW, but then it ended up going downhill. There’s even audio from Konnan touching on how Ortiz and Santana stopped talking to each other and how Konnan was saddened by that. Ortiz has the footage stop there. What will it take for him to get Santana to talk to him?

Darby Allin speaks.

After replaying what Christian Cage said just last Wednesday on Dynamite, the Relentless One reiterates that he is NOT losing in Seattle, Washington! Will Darby defend home turf against Captain Charisma?

Nick Wayne speaks.

He knows Darby has a lot to say about Christian Cage, and all of that will be part of the Countdown special. But Nick also knows Darby’s actions will speak louder than his words at WrestleDream. And although Darby told Nick not to be there ringside, Nick doesn’t really want to anyway because of what Christian & Luchasaurus are capable of. So, while they let Christian and Darby settle their business, how about Nick and Luchasaurus settle theirs? For months and months, Luchasaurus walked around here while another man held his title. And Luchasaurus followed Christian around like he was some kind of father figure.

And Nick isn’t sure what it is about Christian where he thinks he can even be such a figure to “us Lost Boys,” but Nick had a father. And he told Nick at a young age “to never leave your debts unpaid.” Nick owes Luchasaurus. At Wembley Stadium, Luchasaurus choke slammed Nick onto a skateboard and Nick never forgot it. Nick will repay Luchasaurus this Sunday during Zero Hour. And Nick will even hand Luchasaurus a receipt. Nick brings his own skateboard, will he grind it right into the Right Hand of Destruction?

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

AEW is going to do it big for WrestleDream Eve as, with Zack Sabre Jr. on commentary, we see an 8 Man Tag! FTR teams with Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta to take on Aussie Open, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey! Plus, Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega test their tag team chemistry against The Gates of Agony! Will The Ocho & The Cleaner survive Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun to take on the Don Callis Family? And Julia Hart gets in action to build some last minute momentum, will she be ready for Kris Statlander and their TBS Championship match set for Sunday?

Backstage interview with Zack Sabre Jr.

Renee Paquette is with The Front Man of TMDK, and says we’re just days away from WrestleDream, where ZSJ takes on The American Dragon, Bryan Danielson. ZSJ just came off a three week tour in NJPW and just got here to the States, is he worried at all about acclimating? ZSJ asks Bryan “Dragon Bullocks” Danielson, “Where are you, darling?” As Renee just said, ZSJ got off a 16 hour flight from Tokyo and is feeling fresh as a daisy. But perhaps this company’s keeping Bryan wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, or keeps him in a giant Zorb ball. At this point, a strong gust of wind will knock Bryan over.

And is ZSJ supposed to be honored that Bryan chose him as part of the year long retirement tour? Newsflash: Bryan barely has a weekend. This Sunday isn’t just about finding out who the best technical wrestler is, no no. Bryan has retired once in Seattle, so ZSJ will make it final. Ya like that? The final retirement~! Submissions in Seattle, see you on Sunday. The NJPW World Television Champion has put Bryan on notice, but will he be able to slay the American Dragon?

AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida!

While the Outcasts stand at two members, Saraya is looking forward to a friendly showdown with the Runaway in a little under two weeks! But will Ruby make sure there is No Future for the Shining Samurai? Or will Shida take down one Outcast to go after another?

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans fire up as Ruby and Shida step up, and they’re on Shida’s side. Ruby shoves, runs, and RAMS Shida, but Shida just fires up! Ruby headlocks, Shida throws body shots, and then she powers out. Shida then runs past Ruby to run Ruby over! Fans duel, Shida has the majority, and she goes to the corner. Shida climbs up but Ruby slips away before any fists can rain down! Shida is annoyed but she waits on Ruby to return. Ruby takes her time going to the apron, steps in at 6 of 10 but wants Shida to stay back. Shida gets annoyed as the ref keeps her back, but then Ruby pulls Shida’s hair to throw her down!

Ruby throws hands, puts Shida in the corner, then RAMS into her again and again! Fans boo but Ruby runs, only to miss! Shida ROCKS Ruby, then climbs up to rain down fists! Ruby gets away before three, runs back in but into a BOOT! Shida bumps Ruby off buckles, climbs up and rains down those fists! Ruby slips out at five to YANK Shida down! Ruby whips, Shida goes up and CROSSBODIES! Shida then drags Ruby up, puts her in yet another corner, and tries one more time! Shida rains down fists, and goes all the way to TEN! Fans fire up with Shida and she kicks Ruby out, to then MISSILE DROPKICK!

Fans fire up as Shida drags Ruby up, and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Ruby CLUBS away on Shida to stop the lift, then shoves her to a corner. Ruby runs in, Shida dodges, but Ruby ELBOWS her! Ruby goes up to hit DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby digs Shida into the buckles, lets off as the ref counts, and then brings Shida up to snapmare. Ruby covers, TWO! Ruby throws down fists now, but lets off with a smug smirk. Ruby puts Shida on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Ruby lets off, and then Ruby has Shida in the ropes to throw knees! A shoutout to Saraya, and Ruby lets off at 4. Ruby stalks Shida, looms over her, and pushes her around. Shida pushes back but Ruby eggs her on.

Shida ROCKS Ruby, then fires again! Ruby claws Shida’s face! And throws her down by her hair again! The ref reprimands, but Ruby clamps on a straitjacket stretch! Shida endures, but Ruby grinds her into the mat! Fans rally, Shida fights up, and she arm-drags free! Ruby returns to CLOBBER Shida! Cover, TWO! Ruby is annoyed but Shida grabs at Ruby’s hair! Ruby CLUBS Shida, drags her up, and stomps a hand! Shida scrambles to a corner while the ref reprimands but Ruby stomps a mudhole in. Ruby lets off as the ref counts, and Ruby storms around. Shida drags herself up, but Ruby CHOKES her on the ropes!

The ref counts while Ruby BITES Shida’s ear! Ruby lets off at 4, drags Shida up, but Shida ROCKS her! And again! And again! And again! But Ruby knees low! Ruby talks trash, whips Shida to ropes, but Shida ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS knock both women down! Rampage returns to single picture as the standing count climbs. Fans rally, both women are down at 5 of 10 but Shida goes to ropes. Shida snarls, she and Ruby stand at 7, and they storm up. Shida fires a forearm, Ruby gives it back! Shida throws another, so Ruby gives it back! They go back and forth, harder and harder, faster and faster!

Ruby gets the edge, but Shida ROCKS her! And ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! Shida whips to JUMP KNEE! Shida then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shida fires up again and the fans are with her! Shida aims, KATA- NO, Ruby ducks and bails out! Fans boo but Shida goes out to pursue! Shida runs in, jumps off the steps, and DROPKICKS Ruby down! Fans fire up again and Shida stands Ruby up. Shida torture racks Ruby, then goes to the ramp!? Fans are thunderous but Ruby fights free! They throw forearms, and CHOPS! Shida CLUBS Ruby, Ruby throws body shots, but the count is climbing!

They both hear it’s 8 of 10 and start sprinting! They both slide in at 9.5!! Fans are thunderous and then Ruby swings, but Shida blocks! Ruby HEADBUTTS, blocks a kick, then KICKS back! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and Ruby grows frustrated. Ruby goes to a corner, and she takes Shida’s kendo stick for her own! The ref stops Ruby, takes the kendo stick, but then Ruby brings out the spray paint! Shida and the ref both block that and they’re all fighting over it! Down goes the ref!! Shida and Ruby are both stunned, but then Ruby HEADBUTTS! DESTINATION UNKNOWN! But no ref to count the cover!

Ruby is furious, she would’ve had this! But then she sees the kendo stick! Ruby grins as she wields Shida’s weapon! Fans boo, but Shida blocks the strike to kick and HEADSHOT! Then KATANA KICK!! Cover, but still no ref! Wait, here comes Aubrey! Aubrey slides in, counts the cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida fires up! Shida puts Ruby in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and she METE- NO! Ruby dodges to then STO! Ruby drags herself up the corner, goes to the very top, and STAGE DIVE SENTONS onto knees! And then FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida won’t stop there!

Shida hauls Ruby up but Ruby wrenches to NO FUTURE KICK! But Shida rebounds to KATANA!! Cover, Shida wins!!

Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Champion)

The Shining Samurai takes down The Runaway, but wait! Here comes Saraya! #TitleTuesday is coming, will that be a good Knight for the champ? Or will Shida take this belt back to become a historic THREE-TIME champion?

My Thoughts:

A great Rampage, especially as the go-home to WrestleDream. I figured the title matches would end with the champions retaining, but we got really good stuff out of Acclaimed VS Hardy Party and Eddie VS Rocky. As for their title defenses on WrestleDream, I don’t see TMDK taking the trios titles as this will be their AEW debuts. And as I’ve said a few times already, Eddie isn’t losing both belts he worked so hard to have so soon. Plus, it feels like there’s some tension between NJPW the company and Shibata, or else Shibata would already be NJPW Strong Openweight Champion and not one of ROH’s champs.

Speaking of Eddie, good promo from him before his match with Rocky, and good interaction with Team Triple J. I wasn’t exactly expecting Jay Lethal to be Eddie’s first actual feud for the ROH World Championship, but I suppose it does make sense as Lethal was a major player in ROH. I hope these guys actually show up on ROH programming, but also, Tony Khan wants this feud to be seen so it’ll end up on AEW programming instead. Y’know, just like all these other ROH title stories outside of the AEW Women’s title.

Good squash from The Righteous, and I’m really curious as to how the tag title match goes on Sunday. There’s a lot of stuff MJF still has to do with Cole, Roddy and The Kingdom, and now this intrigue with Jay White, Bullet Club Gold and the backstage attack at the end of Dynamite. I still feel it should’ve been The Kingdom in the PPV match anyway, but it seems they were going to drag this story out even before Cole hurt his foot. Good promo from Nick Wayne to call out Luchasaurus, but I feel like Luchasaurus ends up winning that match just to make a point of Nick not being able to show up ringside for Darby.

Good promo from Andrade to call out Juice for this week’s Collision, and I’m still wondering if/when La Faccion Ingobernable helps Andrade against Bullet Club Gold. For that matter, why can’t MJF be paying LFI to beat up on White and the BCG? He’s had business dealings with Andrade & Rush before, let’s strike that up again for some continuity. Really good promo from Aussie Open ahead of their tag title match, and from ZSJ to call out Bryan. That 8 Man Tag tomorrow night is going to be good stuff, and perhaps rather telling about where the PPV matches go. The only reason I don’t see Aussie Open winning against FTR is because of that big Fatal 4 Way tag contenders match, but who knows, maybe Aussie Open wins to bring the AEW belts to NJPW events as they take on like Goto & Hashi.

And of course, a great main event from Shida and Ruby. Seems a little silly to set up Ruby as a contender, wouldn’t that just end up in a Finger Poke of Doom situation with Saraya? Which therefore meant Shida was winning. Saraya VS Shida for this Title Tuesday Dynamite is going to be good stuff, but something makes me feel like Ruby is just gonna help Saraya retain. And not to be mean to Shida, but if she’s already a two-time champ, I don’t see her becoming three-time so soon. Why not get Shida in on the TBS Championship story? Britt Baker wants to be the first to have held both titles in AEW, but Shida should want that distinction, too. Then that lets us have Britt VS Shida as we should’ve gotten by now given everything else we’ve been seeing lately.