Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/29/22)

Who quits first?

Published

2 years ago

April 29, 2022

Steven Mitchell

Friday is all about quittin’ time!

Before trying to make each other quit over the SmackDown Women’s Championship, Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey compete in I Quit time challenges!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Steel Cage Match: Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Ricochet VS Shanky w/ Jinder Mahal; Ricochet wins and retains the title.
Raquel Rodriguez VS Cat Cardoza; Rodriguez wins.
Naomi w/ Sasha Banks VS Shayna Baszler w/ Natalya; Naomi wins.
Ridge Holland w/ Sheamus VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston; Woods wins.
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Sheamus w/ Ridge Holland; Sheamus wins.
I Quit Match Beat the Clock Challenge: Ronda Rousey VS Shotzi Blackheart; Rousey wins in 1:41.
I Quit Match Beat the Clock Challenge: Charlotte Flair VS Aliyah; time expires, Rousey wins the challenge.

PLAY BY PLAY

Steel Cage Match: Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre!

The Master Strategist wants to fix his reputation, but he keeps running away like the Gingerbread Man. Will being put in a cage with the Scottish Warrior finally force Sami to fight? Or will Sami fully take advantage of win-by-escape?

Sami is very antsy about the door closing. McIntyre throws Sami down and then he slams the door shut himself! The bell rings courtesy of Drew Gulak, and Sami scurries up steel! McIntyre brings him down, then tells Sami there’s no escape. They tie up but Sami gets around and goes up steel! McIntyre drags him back down again, then TOSSES him into a corner! McIntyre kicks and punches away, then CHOPS Sami! Sami is stinging already as he flounders away. McIntyre brings Sami up, Sami grabs for ropes, so McIntyre RAMS him into steel! McIntyre says one more time and fans like the sound of that.

McIntyre brings Sami up, and he RAMS him into more steel! Sami flops down and McIntyre looms over him. Fans want more so McIntyre gives them more. But Sami uses that to go up the steel! McIntyre grabs at Sami, Sami kick shim away this time, then goes to a corner. But McIntyre LEAPS to CLUB Sami, then he goes up to fire off hands! Sami SMACKS McIntyre off the steel! And again! And again! Sami then adjusts position, to SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Both men are down and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and McIntyre is down! Sami digs McIntyre’s face into the steel, then stomps away on him! Sami lets off and McIntyre sputters, but Sami brings McIntyre up to dribble him off steel even more! “Do I look scared?!” But McIntyre blocks the dribbling, and he glares at Sami! McIntyre SMACKS Sami off steel! Sami goes tumbling, McIntyre gets out of the ropes, but Sami dodges and sends McIntyre into more steel! Sami then runs in to HELLUVA KICK McIntyre down! Sam then steps on McIntyre to start climbing! Sami reaches the top! But McIntyre springs up to catch up, and he grabs Sami by his hair!

McIntyre drags Sami back to SMACK him off the steel! Sami falls to the mat, McIntyre aims from a corner. But Sami runs in first to kick McIntyre! But McIntyre smacks Sami off steel again and again, side to side! Then a clinch for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! JUMPING NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up, fans fire up! McIntyre aims from a corner again, “Three! Two! One!” But Sami climbs! McIntyre hurries after him again, drags him back down, but Sami kicks at McIntyre. Sami kicks and kicks and McIntyre gets crotched! McIntyre flops down, Sami starts climbing again! Fans boo as Sami reaches the top, but McIntyre hurries!

McIntyre gets up there in time to drag Sami up by his hair! McIntyre drags Sami back over for a SUPERPLEX! Both men writhe but McIntyre kips right back up! Fans fire up and McIntyre starts the countdown again! “THREE! TWO! ONE!!” CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

Sami’s losing streak continues, but at least this one finished in the ring! Is Sami’s reputation done for? Will McIntyre use this to get back towards a title?

Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.

Kayla Braxton says Ronda Rousey wants to humiliate Charlotte, but Charlotte says she never gets humiliated. She is adored and worshipped. But Ronda will say “I Quit” and never show her face here again. Charlotte will win the Beat the Clock Challenge and we will see the embarrassment on Ronda’s face. Ronda might even quit before Backlash. The Queen is very confident, but will she be in the lead after tonight’s timed I Quit matches?

Happy Corbin makes his way to the ring.

He’ll be hosting another episode of Happy Talk, but all by himself this time. Will he be able to do well all by himself? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Corbin sits in his armchair as he welcomes us to the “new and improved” Happy Talk. He says that because we no longer have to deal with “a man who you all detest just as much as I do, the insufferable Mad Cap Moss.” Corbin won’t let Moss drag this show down with his awful, awful, awful jokes he insisted on telling every night that Corbin never found funny. Corbin will show Moss the one thing he did that was funny was think that he could beat Corbin. Moss is still living off his Andre the Giant Battle Royal victory, and he owes that to Corbin! Corbin made Moss! Corbin molded and shaped Moss into the man he is today.

Everything Corbin touches turns to gold! So just like he made Moss, he will destroy Moss. Tonight is special, though. Corbin will just settle for destroying the one thing Moss loves most: the Andre the Giant Battle Royal TROPHY! So welcome his special guest, the trophy! WWE staff carries out the trophy as Corbin has a video show just how he got this trophy. Moss won it at the SmackDown before WrestleMania, then had it ringside during his matches. Moss dealt with Los Lotharios, only for Corbin to attack from behind! Then Corbin carried the trophy away.

Back in the present, the trophy is on a pedestal and Corbin says he can’t wait to see Moss’ face after his one little accomplishment is smashed into a million little pieces. Corbin asks for a sledgehammer, but the crew member bringing the hammer in is MOSS! Fans fire up as Moss holds up the hammer, but Corbin keeps going on and on, gloating about how he’ll smash the trophy. But then Corbin turns around, and he sees Moss! Corbin wants Moss to take it easy, and then he narrowly avoids the hammer! Moss keeps Corbin from running away and he fires off hands! Corbin ends up in his chair and Moss dribbles him with haymakers!

Moss grabs the velvet rope stand but Corbin avoids that, too! Moss RAMS Corbin into a corner and then POSTS him! Corbin flops out and runs away and now Moss has his trophy back! Who will be the one left in stitches after this grudge match plays out?

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

The One and Only is a fighting champion, and so he gladly accepted the challenge of the Modern Day Maharaja’s towering protégé! Will Shanky do what Jinder could not and dethrone Ricochet? Or will Ricochet be flawless and fearless once again?

SmackDown returns and Shanky makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the bell rings. Ricochet fires off KICKS but Shanky shoves him away. Ricochet gets around, but Shanky CLUBS Ricochet off the waistlock, Shanky shoves Ricochet, powers through the boot and fires off haymakers! The ref counts, Shanky lets off, and Shanky CLUBS Ricochet down. Shanky CLUBS Ricochet in the chest, then throws big back elbows. Ricochet flops and Jinder applauds. Shanky snapmares to clamp on a neck wrench. Ricochet endures, fights up, but Shanky throws him down by his head!

Shanky pushes Ricochet down to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO! Shanky stalks Ricochet back to a corner, then stomps a mudhole. Ricochet tries to kick back, Shanky blocks, but Ricochet ENZIGURIS! Ricochet goes up but Shanky catches him to TOSS him across the ring! Jinder applauds as Ricochet staggers up. Shanky DECKS Ricochet with a right hand! Shanky clamps on a neck wrench again but Ricochet still endures. Ricochet fights up, but Shanky throws him down again! Ricochet avoids the elbow drop this time! Fans rally behind Ricochet and he fires off shots! Shanky shoves Ricochet again, but Ricochet ducks, dodges and springboard CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!

Shanky goes to a corner and Ricochet runs in to RAM a shoulder. Ricochet goes to the apron and ENZIGURIS Shanky away! Ricochet then goes up top, but Jinder trips Ricochet while Shanky distracts the ref! Shanky sits Ricochet up, fireman’s carries off the corner, but Ricochet moves around to sunset flip! High stack, Ricochet wins!

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

Jinder and Shanky are shocked! Ricochet snags that one away, Jinder is furious with Shanky, but Shanky gets mad with Jinder! Shanky storms off, is he done listening to the Maharaja?

Backstage interview with Raquel Rodriguez.

Kayla says all eyes are on Raquel with her SmackDown in-ring debut. Is she nervous? When she looks this good, she’s used to having all eyes on her. But yes, she’s nervous. It’s like a party of butterflies. But she also likes being the center of attention. She’ll put on a show no one will ever forget. With that, Ricky Desperado heads to the ring! Who will be the first to feel the power of Big Mami Cool?

Raquel Rodriguez VS ???

SmackDown returns and Raquel’s opponent is “Cat Cardoza.” (Leila Grey) Cat fires off even before the bell! She throws forearms and knees, then hammers Raquel on the back! The ref backs Cat off, and Raquel says okay then. The bell finally rings, and Raquel CLOBBERS Cat! Raquel smiles as she drags Cat up, knuckle locks and wristlocks, then straight arm levers Cat to drop her down. Raquel flexes, drags Cat back up, and runs her over with a shoulder! Raquel brings Cat back up, whips her to a corner hard, and Cat bounces off buckles. Raquel gets Cat back up, for a FALL AWAY SLAM!

Raquel fires up and fans fire up with her. Raquel scoops for another FALL AWAY SLAM! Cat flounders, Raquel still smiles, and she steps on Cat to go to the corner. TWISTING VADER! Cat grabs ropes and kicks Raquel away, then HOTSHOTS from the apron! The ref reprimands, Cat hurries in, and she runs at the corner to SHINING WIZARD! Cat pushes Raquel around, then chokes her against rope! The ref counts, Cat lets off at 4, and then she runs in, but Raquel blocks the boot! CHINGONA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel wins!

Winner: Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall

Raquel wrecks Cat and has a strong debut on SmackDown! Will Big Mami Cool steamroll her way to the top soon enough?

Imperium speaks.

Ludwig Kaiser says, “Gunther is the embodiment of greatness. He pulverizes any and every opponent not worthy stepping on that mat that is so sacred to us!” Gunther says, “Respect will be taken by Der Ring General.” Will Imperium sanctify all of SmackDown for the name of this great sport?

RKBRO head to the ring!

Matt Riddle & Randy Orton are here, because tonight, they sign on the dotted line! RKBRO and the Usos will make the WWE Tag Team Championship Unification official, after the break.

SmackDown returns and the Usos make their entrance. Jimmy & Jey join RKBRO and Adam Pearce in the ring, the belts are set on the table, and Pearce thanks them for being here for the official signing. RKBRO and Usos have been part of enough of these so Pearce makes it simple: four signatures on the contract, and the unification match is official. Jimmy says to check this out. The Usos ain’t got nothing to prove to Pearce, the fans, or to RKBRO. Everyone in the arena and the whole damn world know that RKBRO are the twos, and #WeTheOnes! The Bloodline is gonna be draped in ALL the gold! After Backlash, they’ll need bigger luggage while RKBRO will do some acknowledging.

Riddle speaks up, saying he wants to say something. It’s good that Pearce and Orton are here. Riddle can’t tell the Usos apart, and that’s not fair! Orton has the tattoos and the moustache, Riddle has the long hair and no shoes. Can we get name tags for the Usos? Or maybe one of them can change their beard. Pearce will take that under advisement… Orton says he appreciates the insight from Riddle, but is he really serious that he can’t tell the Usos apart? Not at all, Randy. That’s funny, because Orton’s never had a problem. See, the one on the right is the Right Hand Man, Jey Uso. Okay, okay.

The one on the left is nothing but a bitch. OOOH! Jimmy DECKS Orton! Jey tosses the table! Then he goes after Riddle! They all brawl, Orton turns things around and so does Riddle! But here comes ROMAN REIGNS! The Tribal Chief makes his presence known, Paul Heyman carrying both belts. RKBRO is ready, but then the Usos CLOBBER them from behind! The Usos stomp RKBRO, then they DOUBLE SUPERKICK Orton! They whip Riddle, for the ONE D! Roman gets in the ring to loom over the contract. He picks it up and RIPS IT UP! Then he shoves it down Riddle’s mouth before throwing haymakers!

But here comes MCINTYRE! The Scottish Warrior won’t let the Head of the Table do what he wants! Jey rushes out but gets CLOBBERED! Jimmy DIVES into a haymaker! And now McIntyre has a clear path to Roman! McIntyre gets up in the ring as he stares Roman down. Fans are fired up but Roman says McIntyre doesn’t want none of this. McIntyre gets in the ring because he does! They throw haymakers back and forth, McIntyre gets the edge and clinches, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Roman bails out and regroups with the Bloodline! McIntyre says this has been a long time coming! Will McIntyre be taking aim at the Undisputed WWE Championship?

Paul Heyman meets with Adam Pearce.

The Special Counsel tells Mr. Pearce that while Pearce has his minions running around to get the inside scoops, he must surely know Roman Reigns is not happy. Pearce is aware. Then Heyman wants Pearce to have a good relationship with the Undisputed Universal Champion. As such, this tag title unification match, RKBRO VS Usos? Let’s say there’s been an upgrade. WrestleMania Backlash will have RKBRO & Drew McIntyre VS The Usos and Roman Reigns in a Six Man Tag! Pearce can’t just change things. The titles have to be on the line. Heyman applauds Pearce and says he admires a man “who will stick to his principles at the expense of his own career.”

It gives Heyman the ammunition to go to the board and file a complaint that Pearce would deprive the fans of such a match. Mr. Pearce can make that Six Man, and he will. Heyman leaves and Pearce seems to find himself between a rock and a hard place. Will the unification be set aside so that the Bloodline can settle a grudge?

Naomi w/ Sasha Banks VS Shayna Baszler w/ Natalya!

The Boss ‘n’ Glow know that Spades & Hart are coming for them and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, and are ready to fight. Will Naomi make Shayna #FeelTheGlow? Or will Shayna make Naomi #TapNapOrSnap?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Shayna waistlocks, SLAMS Naomi down, then floats around to keep Naomi down. Naomi fights up but Shayna SLAMS her down again. Naomi slips out with some Matrix and she basement dropkick! Naomi runs side to side for a SPLIT LEG LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Naomi wrenches Shayna, whips, but Shayna reverses. Naomi goes up and catches Shayna for the TWERK ATTACK! Naomi then kicks Shayna away, slides around her, wheelbarrows, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Shayna scowls and Natty soaks up heat. Shayna gets Naomi’s arm, twists the wrist, then has a double wristlock.

Naomi endures, fans rally, and Naomi fights up to throw body shots. Shayna RAMS Naomi into a corner then fires off body shots! The ref counts, Shayna lets off at 4, and then runs in, only to hit buckles! Naomi goes to another corner, Shayna rushes in, and Shayna blocks a boot. Shayna throws Naomi but she uses ropes to ENZIGURI! Shayna staggers, Sasha rallies the fans and Naomi wants the full nelson. Shayna fires elbows to get free, then she shoots around to KIRAFUDA! But Naomi snapmares free! Rear View gets caught, but Naomi victory rolls Shayna into buckles! Sunset flip, Naomi wins!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall

But Natty CLOBBERS Naomi! Sasha goes after the sore loser and whips her out of the ring! Sasha then KNEES Natty off the apron, and baseball slides. But Natty catches the leg to SMASH the knee into the apron! Natty then gets Sasha in a SHARPSHOOTER through the ropes! Sasha can only endure, and Shayna gut wrench SLAMS Naomi down! Natty lets Sasha go and elbows away on the leg! Natty then makes Sasha watch as Shayna isolates Naomi’s arm! Shayna STOMPS the arm! Fans boo as Naomi writhes and Shayna leaves her behind. Will Spades & Hart trump the champs and take those titles at Backlash?

And it’s official!

Heyman wanted it, Pearce caved! The change to WrestleMania Backlash is done, it will be a Six Man Tag! The Bloodline VS RKBRO & McIntyre! Will the Tribal Chief and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions smash ’em, stack ’em and pin ’em? Or will the Scottish Warrior and the Raw Tag Team Champions prove that the Bloodline ain’t the ones?

Sheamus and Ridge Holland meet backstage.

It’s been a whole week and they haven’t found Butch! Who knows what he’ll do? Sheamus put posters everywhere, from the locker room to catering to the parking lot! What about Ridge? He also put posters up! Really? Where? The locker room, catering, and the parking lot! But that’s where Sheamus put his posters… Didn’t you see them? More the merrier. Sigh… Ridge says he can take them down. No, no time. They have a match. Well hey, Ridge put Big E out. He can do the same to Woods! Yeah, and if they ever show their faces again, they’ll run right into Fight Night!

Ridge Holland w/ Sheamus VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston!

The Northern Grit is ready to do what Pete Dunne couldn’t. But will that come to pass? Or will he end up lost in the #BackWoods, too?

SmackDown returns and the New Day make their entrance. Kofi says, “Well, well, well. It appears as though where once there was three, now there is only two! Two! Two! Two!” Where is Butch? Y’mean to tell ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, that they can keep it together since 2014, 8 YEARS, but these guys can’t even keep it together for a month and a half? Wow… Sheamus has had a lot of tag partners, actually. He’s like WWE’s resident thot. The tag team thot! First he was shakin’ it for League of Nations. Then for The Bar. Now he’s shaking it for two young booties who don’t know any better.

Sheamus is like Wreck It Ralph! Fans know Ralph. Then this is Shake It Sheamus. Fans chant it, “Shake It Sheamus!” But while Sheamus is busy shaking it on the outside, Woods will be destroying Ridge. Why? BECAAAAUSE~! NEW! DAY ROCKS!

Woods gets in the ring and Sheamus gets upset with the new nickname. The bell rings, Woods kicks Ridge in the leg, but Ridge doesn’t budge. They circle, Woods throws more kicks, then ties up with Ridge. Ridge powers Woods into a corner and he throws body shots and uppercuts. Ridge wrenches, reels Woods in and CLOBBERS him! Fans still taunt Sheamus but Ridge throws body shots. Ridge whips Woods, Woods leaps, but Ridge catches him! SLAM then knee drop! Sheamus wants Ridge to crush Woods, and Ridge stomps Woods’ hand. Ridge EuroUppers again, but Woods chops! And CHOPS!

Ridge kicks and CLUBS Woods, then whips corner to corner. Ridge runs in but Woods dodges, and Ridge hits POST! Sheamus is upset, and Woods springboards out to TORNADO DDT Ridge to the floor! Fans fire up and so does Kofi as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Woods climbs up a corner. Woods leaps, Ridge gets under, and Woods runs into a POUNCE from Ridge! Sheamus is fired up but fans boo as Woods writhes. Ridge stomps away on Woods, then drops a knee on Woods. Ridge drops elbows, knees, repeat! Ridge drags Woods around, fans rally with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods throws body shots, Ridge shoves him but Woods sunset flips. Ridge stays up but Woods avoids the knee drop. Woods CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS. Ridge blocks the haymaker to HEADBUTT Woods down. Sheamus says that’s using his head!

Ridge drags Woods back up and wraps on a chinlock. Woods endures, fans still taunt Sheamus, but Ridge grinds Woods down. Woods fights up, gets to his feet, and fans rally as he moves around and around and hits a JAWBREAKER! Woods CHOPS Ridge again, throws more hands and CHOPS, over and over and over! Woods whips, Ridge reverses, but Woods ducks and dodges then slides to ROLLING- SPINEBUSTER from Ridge! Cover, TWO! Woods survives and Sheamus is seething. Ridge looms over Woods, stands on his head and digs his heel in. The ref reprimands, but Ridge drags Woods up again.

Ridge reels Woods in, but Woods flops to the mat. Ridge laughs, Woods has nothing left. Ridge gets Woods up again, but Woods fights the powerbomb! Fans rally but Ridge CLUBS away on Woods’ back! Ridge brings Woods up again, but Woods turns bomb into cradle!! WOODS WINS AGAIN!!

Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall

The Back Woods is unstoppable! Sheamus says he’s through with games! “Sorry” won’t cut it this time! Sheamus dares Kofi to go 1v1 with him right now! Fans want to see it, so Kofi nods and throws off the vest! The Fella wants to fight, but will there be Trouble in Paradise in the near future?

Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Sheamus w/ Ridge Holland!

SmackDown returns as this match is going, and Sheamus whips Kofi to ropes. Kofi ducks and dodges then CROSSBODIES Sheamus and himself out of the ring! Fans fire up, Kofi runs in but Sheamus dodges. Kofi goes up to the apron, mule kicks, then TRUST FALLS! Sheamus goes down again! Kofi puts Sheamus in the ring, but Sheamus throws a hard body shot! Kofi is stuck on the apron, Sheamus CLUBS Kofi on the back, then stands him up. Kofi fights the Bodhrain and HOTSHOTS! Kofi somersaults to school boy, TWO! Sheamus rushes into a corner but only gets POST! Kofi then goes up top, FLYING AX HANDLE!

Fans fire up as Kofi KICKS and CLUBS and fires forearms on Sheamus. Sheamus hits back, but Kofi gets him for- NO! No SOS, just an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus holds on, to haul Kofi up for another IRISH CURSE! Sheamus says that’s not all, here’s a third IRISH CURSE! Sheamus turns Kofi over for a DUBLIN GRIN! Kofi endures, fights up, fans rally and Kofi throws elbows. Kofi runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Sheamus fires up and goes to a corner. Fans boo, but Sheamus soaks up the heat. Sheamus beats his chest, takes aim at Kofi, but Kofi ducks the Brogue! SOS!! Cover, TWO!!

Sheamus and Kofi get up, and Kofi hurries to a corner. Kofi climbs, Sheamus ROCKS him first! Kofi hits back, they brawl, Kofi throws a headbutt! Kofi stands up and leaps, into a KNEE! Sheamus runs, BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

The New Day goes 1-1 tonight with the Fight Night Boys, but Ridge RAMS Woods into barriers! Ridge fires off on Woods, then sets him up against steel steps. Sheamus brings out a TABLE! Fans are fired up as Sheamus sets the table up and Ridge digs his knee into Woods. The table is ready, Sheamus has Ridge get his revenge. POWERBOMB through the table!! Will the Celtic Warrior and Northern Grit still be formidable even without the wild and erratic Butch?

Lacey Evans speaks.

“I got kicked out of my home at age 17, but I was still the first in my family to not only graduate high school, but I decided to join the military, and I became a United States Marine at the age of 19.” Lacey graduated out of boot camp as her company’s highest shooter, and graduated the Military Police academy at the top of her class. She also became the only female Marine Corp. SWAT team member in South Carolina. On graduation day, all the other graduates were smiling and waving to their families, but not Lacey. Imagine looking up trying to find your father in a crowd of cheering people, only to learn he chose not to show up.

Imagine working your ass off in hopes of finally making your father proud, only for him to never show up to the most important things in your life. It gets to where you find a different driving force that just fills you with anger. It is like no matter what she did, begged or tried in wanting to show her family that addiction and depression weren’t the only options, that there was something better out there, it just never worked. Unlike the other female superstars, Lacey wasn’t blessed with perks or pats on her back and positive support. She’s never had it, doesn’t need it. She made it from trailer park to the WWE, and she is ready to take on every single woman in the division.

What Lacey has been through has created the woman she is today. A motivated, ready for anything, careful, confident mother, wife, sister, daughter, US Marine, and WWE superstar. She’s no better than anyone else, but they damn sure ain’t better than her.

I Quit Match Beat the Clock Challenge: Ronda Rousey VS Shotzi Blackheart!

The Baddest Woman on the Planet wants to embarrass and dethrone Charlotte Flair, and she gets to set the bar for tonight! Will she make quick work of Shotzi? Or will the Wild Child refuse to say those two words?

SmackDown returns and Shotzi is already in the ring. But then Charlotte makes her entrance! The SmackDown Women’s Champion wants to watch this for herself, and perhaps put pressure on Ronda. The bell ring, the clock is ticking, and Ronda rushes Shotzi but Shotzi bails out. They go around the ring, in and out, Shotzi keeps moving, but Ronda keeps chasing. Ronda catches up to Shotzi, gets a leg in the ropes, but Shotzi clubs and claws at Ronda. Ronda lets go, Shotzi fires up but misses the roundhouse! Ronda ROUNDHOUSES Shotzi and Shotzi falls out of the ring. Ronda goes out, Shotzi gets back in.

Shotzi kicks from the apron but Ronda blocks and trips Shotzi up! Ronda’s a minute in but she’s after Shotzi on the ropes again. Shotzi gets away, Ronda gets the leg and hits a GOTCH SUPLEX! Then she scoops Shotzi for an EXPLODER! Ronda sees the click ticking so she gets serious! Body scissor roll and ANKLE LOCK to KNEEBAR!! Shotzi quits, Ronda wins!

Winner: Ronda Rousey, in 1:41

A minute and 41 seconds! Ronda has set the pace, but Charlotte steps up for her turn. Fans taunt Charlotte with “You Tapped Out!” but she tunes it out. Charlotte gets a mic to “congratulate” Ronda, it was amazing. But go ahead, do the victory lap now, because that will be Ronda’s last win for a long, long time. Now shoo. Aliyah has to get her 10 seconds of fame with Charlotte Flair. She can even post it on social media that she’ll be the next one to lose to Charlotte. Aliyah makes her entrance, can she last more than 101 seconds?

I Quit Match Beat the Clock Challenge: Charlotte Flair VS Aliyah!

The bell rings and we start counting down. Charlotte doesn’t seem in a hurry, but then she ties up with Aliyah. Charlotte throws Aliyah down but fans still taunt her. Charlotte tells Aliyah to quit now. Aliyah dodges the boot, ENZIGURIS, but Charlotte LARIATS her back! Charlotte tells Aliyah to quit, pushes her around, and scoops. Aliyah slips out, shoves her, wheelbarrows, and BULLDOGS! Ronda smirks as Charlotte is down and Aliyah goes up. Aliyah CROSSBODIES but FLOPS as Charlotte moves! Charlotte runs in to BOOT Aliyah down! Charlotte tells Ronda to watch this but Ronda says to watch the clock.

Charlotte steps through but Aliyah boots her out of the ring! We’re under 30 seconds and Ronda taunts Charlotte about the clock. Charlotte gets in, 20 seconds, and she gets the legs! She steps through but Aliyah scrambles! Figure Four is on, we’re at 5! Charlotte wriggles to FIGURE EIGHT, but TIME IS UP!!

Time Limit

Charlotte is shocked! Aliyah taps after the buzzer, so Ronda wins the challenge!! And who is the one feeling embarrassed and humiliated right now? Not Ronda! Fans taunt Charlotte again as she gets out of the ring. She makes her way to the timekeeper, and she points at Gulak! Gulak drops the hammer, and Charlotte says, “How hard is your job? Are you stupid?!” Gulak defends he’s not stupid, but then Charlotte BOOTS him! And then SLAPS him! All he had to do was ring the bell at the right time! Charlotte slaps him around but she’s the one who ran out of time. Charlotte grabs the bell hammer to ring the bell, but that doesn’t make much of a point.

So she brings the bell in to CLOBBER Gulak with it!! “How hard is your job?!” Right now, very. Charlotte scuffs Gulak as she leaves. Lucky for her, there is no time limit on the I Quit Match at Backlash. Will Charlotte have all the time in the world to prove she’s still championship material? Or will Ronda make sure Charlotte’s reign ends quickly and painfully?

My Thoughts:

Well, this was certainly an episode of SmackDown, but I suppose this was WWE scrambling to adjust in a minor emergency. While well executed, I’m a bit disappointed they are delaying the tag title unification match just so they can cover for Roman Reigns still not being 100% after Mania. I guess they don’t want the Tribal Chief to look lazy taking a PPV off, so they’re giving us a Six Man Tag. Kinda wished it was Nakamura, not McIntyre. For one, Boogs went down during the tag title match at Mania, and they teased Nakamura going after Roman before they started having to hide his bad shoulder.

McIntyre at least got his cage match with Sami done to start the show. As cage matches go, it was okay. Obviously there was a lot of climbing from Sami, but McIntyre wins to put this feud away. Ricochet having his title match second match of the night was itself very confusing. I mean, Shanky was of course losing, but just on status, the title match could’ve been left for the second hour. But I did like that Shanky is breaking away from Jinder. I don’t know where either will go from here, but I didn’t see them going very far still together, either. Happy Talk was a good segment, mostly because Moss pulled off the disguise of ring crew.

Decent promo from Imperium, but I wonder if Marcel/Ludwig will be anything more than a mouthpiece. Good match from Raquel, though I thought it was going to be a squash. “Cat” got a good showing, maybe WWE will give her a shot? Naomi VS Shayna was a decent match, could’ve been better since this is to hype up the tag title match, but Shayna & Natty beat up Naomi & Sasha was pretty standard stuff. I don’t see Sasha & Naomi losing anyway, so this is par for the course. Lacey had another powerful promo, I hope she gets going in the ring again so we can see how this more genuine attitude looks in matches.

Good stuff out of New Day and Fight Night Boys. Woods VS Ridge was really good, and of course #BackWoods wins again. Sheamus taking on Kofi was good stuff, but because it was going during commercial, we only got to see so much. It makes sense they’d go 1-1, they’ll have a tag team blow-off that could go either way. I hope with Dunne staying away, this is a sign he’s transforming back into the Bruiserweight. Or at least going solo. If he isn’t teaming with Moustache Mountain, he doesn’t need to be in a faction.

The Beat the Clock Challenges as the closer was whatever. I thought Charlotte would set the bar and then Ronda beats that, but I guess Charlotte wasting 100 seconds was still a good way to write this. Just maybe not as the main event. Charlotte beating up Gulak feeds into the story I’m expecting, where Gulak will snap on the next Heel to bully him, and then Gulak gets back in the ring with fans supporting him.

My Score: 7.7/10

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

Up Next

Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/29/22)

Don't Miss

Andrew’s IMPACT Results & Match Ratings: 4.28.2022

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/1/23)

SmackDown hears voices!

Published

1 hour ago

December 1, 2023

Steven Mitchell

The Viper is here for The Bloodline!

He returned at WarGames, he returned to Monday Night Raw, and now, The Apex Predator, Randy Orton, returns to Friday Night SmackDown! Will he be able to strike at The Bloodline tonight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Pete Dunne VS Bobby Lashley w/ The Street Profits; wins.
Kevin Owens VS Grayson Waller; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Bianca Belair is here!

Brooklyn cheers The EST as she skips to the ring, her team victorious against Damage Control in WarGames! After a recap package, fans chant for Bianca and she gets the mic to say, “Man, it is so cool to be in one of the best boroughs in one of the greatEST cities in the world, Brooklyn!” The fans cheer that! Bianca says DMG CTRL really tried to take them out, but her team did what needed to be done. So shout out to Becky Lynch for coming through, showing up and showing out. Shout out to Shotzi for her guts and passion. And shoutout to Charlotte Flair for being a bigger person and making that call to Becky.

“Now while it feels great to be standing in this ring and celebrating that W from WarGames, my war with DMG CTRL, it ain’t over~! Cuz Iyo Sky, I’m still coming for you, cuz I want my title back!” Fans also cheer that. But speaking of Iyo, here she comes! The Evil Genius leads DMG CTRL out, though where’s Bayley? That aside, Dakota Kai is the one to tell Bianca, “It’s really great how uh, you can get all of these people to cheer for you.” The fans boo her but Dakota tells them to shut up! Dakota says just earlier, Iyo was saying how gross it is here in Brooklyn! It smells! Who would want to live here?!

DMG CTRL slide into the ring, and Dakota says Iyo was also saying that Bianca is in way over her head, dude. Iyo already beat Bianca twice. So… if Bianca wants to get yet another shot, she’ll have to go through all of DMG CTRL. Well that ain’t nothing new. So who wants it first, huh? But wait! Here come Charlotte & Shotzi to back Bianca up! Fans cheer as Charlotte says “Ladies~…! Bianca isn’t the only one coming for you. And I’d love to go through all of DMG CTRL.” Shotzi says it seems to her that there’s enough DMG CTRL to go around. They rush in, and the brawl is on! Fans fire up but Iyo TOSSES Bianca and helps Asuka against Charlotte!

Shotzi and Kairi brawl in a corner, Bianca returns, Charlotte BOOTS Asuka way while Bianca RAMS Iyo into a corner! Bianca stomps Iyo down, Charlotte helps Shotzi with Kairi, and Charlotte sets Kairi up for Shotzi’s BOOT! Iyo ends up isolated, and Bianca hits a SPINEBUSTER! Iyo scrambles out, DMG CTRL regroups, are their days on top numbered?

Pete Dunne VS Bobby Lashley w/ The Street Profits!

With Sheamus recovering from injury and Ridge Holland just ditching him last week, The Bruiserweight is all alone against The All Mighty! Will Dunne stand a chance against the overwhelming strength of Bobby Lashley?

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

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (12/1/23)

A Block, round 5!

Published

2 hours ago

December 1, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Will it be Chaos for the Reiwa Musketeers?

Shota Umino & Ren Narita are just outside the top spot in A Block, can they take over and truly lead NJPW’s future in World Tag League?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Six Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Six Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Tiger Mask, Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr; Just5Guys win.
Six Man Tag: Master Wato, Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki VS Ryusuke Taguchi, Lance Archer & Alex Zayne; Wato, Nagata & Suzuki win.
8 Man Tag: Yoh, Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Yoh, Bishamon & Oleg win.
2023 World Tag League, Block A: The Gates of Agony VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi; Evil & Yujiro win.
2023 World Tag League, Block A: TMDK VS Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa; TMDK wins.
2023 World Tag League, Block A: Great-O-Khan & Henare VS Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin; Kidd & Coughlin win.
2023 World Tag League, Block A: Shota Umino & Ren Narita VS Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii; Yano & Ishii win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings.

TMDK: 3-1, 6 points
Shota Umino & Ren Narita: 3-1, 6 points
Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-2, 4 points
War Dogs: 2-2, 4 points
The United Empire: 2-2, 4 points
Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii: 2-2, 4 points
The House of Torture: 1-3, 2 points
The Gates of Agony: 1-3, 2 points

2023 World Tag League, Block A: The Gates of Agony VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi w/ The House of Torture!

Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona finally got on the board, beating the War Dogs. Meanwhile, the House of Torture is falling apart as they just keep losing! Will the Gates slam shut on them, too? Or will the King of Darkness & Tokyo Pimp find a way to lie, cheat and steal a win once again?

Wait, the Gates are coming out wearing House of Torture shirts? And then they wait for the House to make their entrance? Is this a sign that they’ve become allies? Dick Togo, Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and of course Evil & Yujiro all come out together and they seem pretty chummy with the Gates. All seven go to the ring now, and this is a rather interesting development. Did Prince Nana approve this deal? Everyone shakes hands and “put one out” so clearly there’s something to this. They even pose for photos! But then Kaun & Liona quickly and quietly TOSS Sho & Kanemaru, then they TOSS Dick! Yujiro & Evil don’t understand!

Kaun & Liona throw forearms, the bell rings and the Gates whip Evil & Yujiro. Yujiro & Evil hold ropes to then BOOT in return! But they run into double scoop SLAMS! The Gates tear off the House of Torture shirts, and Liona even wipes his butt with it! Evil & Yujiro are in opposite corners, Kaun runs in to ELBOW Yujiro and Liona SPLASHES Evil! Then the Gates trade, ELBOW for Evil and SPLASH for Yujiro! And back the other way! Fans fire up as the Gates tricked the tricksters! They fire each other up, and Kaun sends Liona into SPLASH Evil! The fans rally up, the Gates run in to SPLASH SANDWICH Evil!

Liona stands Evil back up, he and Kaun OPEN- NO, Yujiro saves Evil and they bail out. The House falls back, daring the Gates to come out after them. The Gates storm out after them, but going all the way to the entrance is suspicious. Sho & Kanemaru attack from behind with chairs! Fans boo as Dick distracts the ref so that the House can mug the Gates! Sho CHOKES Liona with his chair, but Liona bench presses it away! Yujiro helps Sho while Evil drags Kaun around, to RAM into the timekeeper’s area! Poor Abe-san! The fans boo but Evil gets on the mic to basically say this is what they get for messing with the House!

Yujiro SMACKS Liona off the timekeeper’s table, but Liona roars! So Yujiro POSTS Liona to knock him down! Evil drags Kaun up, puts him in the ring, and fans rally up. Evil CLUBS Kaun, CLUBS him again, and calls to the ref. Marty Asami returns and Evil stomps Kaun. Evil drags Kaun up, wrenches the arm and tags in Yujiro. Yujiro CLUBS Kaun’s arm, then reels him in to snapmare and ROCK with a haymaker. Yujiro looms over Kaun to rain down more fists but the ref reprimands. No closed fists! So Yujiro fishhooks Kaun’s nose! Yujiro sits Kaun up to run and basement BOOT! Cover, ONE!!

Yujiro is annoyed but he drags Kaun back up. Yujiro wrenches, wristlocks, and he CLUBS the arm. And stomps it! Kaun clutches the arm, it is taped up from that fight with the War Dogs. Yujiro wraps the arm around ropes! The ref counts, Yujiro lets off at 4 but the House all complains. Tag to Evil and he throws his shirt at Liona. Now the ref has to keep Liona out, and Evil throws Kaun out for the boys to stomp away on! Fans boo these vultures, but then Sho puts Kaun back in for Evil. Cover, TWO! Evil argues with the ref but the fans rally up. Evil tags Yujiro then runs to BLAST Liona! Liona stays up and roars, so Evil pokes him in the eyes!

Evil and Yujiro drag Kaun up, whip him to a corner, and Yujiro runs in but into Kaun’s BOOT! Kaun catches Evil for an URENAGE! Then Kaun uses Evil as a step to SHOTGUN Yujiro! Fans fire up while they’re all done, and Kaun crawls over. Hot tag to Liona! Liona rallies on Yujiro, BOOTS him, then catches Evil for a spin and LARIAT! Fans fire up more and Liona has targets in opposite corners. Liona roars, then SPLASHES Evil! SPLASH for Yujiro! SPLASH for Evil! SPLASH for Yujiro! Liona just keeps going, then he whips Evil into Yujiro! Fans fire up with Liona, and he runs back in, but both Yujiro and Evil dodge!

Yujiro & Evil kick low, double whip to ropes, but Liona breaks the line to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Fans fire up again and Liona roars for Kaun! Kaun rises and tags in, and the Gates get Yujiro up! But Yujiro moves, the double lariats collide! Kaun hurries to grab a leg but Yujiro BOOTS Kaun into Liona! Evil tags in and he storms up to CLUB Kaun! Evil stomps Kaun, Yujiro joins in, and the ref reprimands. Yujiro drags Kaun to a corner, he and Evil double whip Kaun corner to corner. Yujiro runs in to BOOT! Evil runs in to clothesline! Snapmare and then they set Kaun up while Sho distracts! Dick hops up, DICK CHOP!!

Fans boo as Evil covers, TWO!! Kaun survives and the fans fire up again! Evil slashes his throat, drags Kaun up, and spins him around, but Liona is back! HELL STAB! Then a HEADBUTT for Yujiro! Liona & Kaun BLAST Dick & Sho off the apron! The fans fire up as now Evil is alone! Kaun & Liona high five and LARIAT SANDWICH! They roar again and they get Evil up. HEAVEN’S GATES!! Cover, but Dick YANKS the ref out!! Fans boo, but Yujiro slips back in to CLUB the Gates! Kaun ROCKS Yujiro in return! Kaun & Liona set Evil & Yujiro up, but they block double low blows! Kanemaru and Sho get in, they DOUBLE LOW BLOW!!

Fans boo as the House stomps away on the Gates! Yujiro has his cane, Dick has the Spoiler Choker. Liona shoves Sho aside but gets the CANE SHOT! Dick CHOKES Kaun, Kanemaru gives him WHISKEY MIST! And then Sho CLOBBERS Kaun with his wrench! Dick gets the ref back in as Evil hits EVERYTHING IS EVIL on Kaun!! Cover, The House wins!

Winners: Evil & Yujiro Takahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Gates of Agony earn 0)

Kaun & Liona lured the House in, but one good trick wasn’t enough to beat the numbers game. The House even mugs the Young Lions trying to help The Gates! Will this be the beginning of the most unwanted comeback in World Tag League history?

2023 World Tag League, Block A: TMDK w/ Kosei Fujita VS Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa!

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls did fall for the trickery of Toru Yano. Will TMDK be able to rebound and stay at the top of the block? Or will the Green Supernova and his protege still #CreateTheFuture?

The teams sort out and Mad Mikey starts against Oiwa. They tie up, fans rally up, and Oiwa pushes Mikey back, only for Mikey to put him on ropes. Mikey lets off but shoves Oiwa. Oiwa shoves back! They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Mikey claws eyes, headlocks, and brings Oiwa over. Shane tags in, Oiwa gets away, and then Oiwa arm-drags Mikey! Shane runs in, but into an arm-drag! Oiwa wrenches and whips Shane to ropes, Kaito joins in so they can DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! And then DOUBLE DROPKICK! The fans fire and Oiwa has Shane in a corner. Shane throws a chop, but Oiwa stomps and ROCKS Shane in return.

Oiwa drags Shane up to wrench and wristlock, then he scoops to POWERSLAM! Oiwa runs, but Shane gets up to DROPKICK back! Shane puts Oiwa on ropes, stomps away, and then BLASTS Kaito! Mikey smothers Oiwa on the apron, lets off before he gets caught, and then Shane slides to SHOVE Oiwa to the floor! The ref has to keep Kaito back, so that lets Mikey stomp Oiwa. Mikey puts Oiwa in, Shane covers, TWO! Shane drags Oiwa up, brings him around and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Mikey and he CHOPS! Fans rally, Mikey eggs Oiwa on then CHOPS him again! Mikey ROCKS Oiwa, Oiwa ROCKS Mikey!

Oiwa fires off on Mikey but Mikey ROCKS him right back! And CHOPS him right down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Mikey sits Oiwa up and runs. Oiwa avoids the sliding lariat! Mikey hobbles up, throws a forearm but Oiwa throws back a flurry! Mikey fires a flurry of his own! Mikey runs, into an UPPERCUT! Oiwa runs and ROLLING ELBOWS Mikey down! Fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tag to Kaito! Kaito rallies on TMDK, whips Mikey and DROPKICKS him down! Shane kicks and runs, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up again and Kaito whips corner to corner. Mikey reverses but Kaito comes back to NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up again as Kaito drags Mikey up and reels him in. Mikey fights the suplex, but Kaito fires forearms! Kaito reels Mikey in but Mikey suplexes! Kaito slips free, ducks Mikey’s elbow, but Mikey DDTS! Fans fire up while both men are down, Mikey crawls to hot tag Shane! Shane UPPERCUTS again and again on Kaito, whips him to a corner then BLASTS Oiwa before he UPPERCUTS Kaito! Shane keeps moving, CANNONBALL! Fans fire up with Hysterical Haste and he drags Kaito up, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Kaito survives and fans rally up. Shane calls his shot and he drags Kaito back up to reel him in.

Shane underhooks the arms, lifts, but Kaito fights free to chicken wing! Shane fights that to ROCK Kaito! Shane eggs Kaito on then UPPERCUTS him! Kaito comes back to UPPERCUT Shane! Shane UPPERCUTS Kaito! Kaito grits his teeth and shakes his head. Kaito UPPERCUTS, Shane UPPERCUTS, repeat! Fans rally, Shane gets the edge with UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT, but Kaito rebounds to RUNNING UPPERCUT! Both men are down again, and the fans fire up! Shane crawls to an open corner, Kaito crawls to hot tag Oiwa! Oiwa runs in to forearm smash, then he whips Shane corner to corner. Oiwa runs in to DROPKICK!

Fans rally up again as Oiwa clamps on a gut wrench, for a GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Oiwa drags Shane up again, GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Oiwa isn’t done, he drags Shane up for a GUT WRENCH BRIDGE! Cover, TWO! Oiwa BLASTS Mikey and Kaito slides in. They double whip Shane, then Kaito sends Oiwa in to ELBOW! Kaito runs in to forearm! Feed to the SPIN POWERSLAM! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Kaito TOSSES Mikey and Oiwa fires up! Oiwa drags Shane up in a waistlock but Mikey makes the save! Mikey CHOPS and Shane LARIATS! They coordinate, fireman’s carry, HIGHWAY TO HELL! Cover, Kaito breaks it!

The fans fire up again but Mikey tosses Kaito out. Shane kicks Oiwa around, eggs him on, but Oiwa sits up. Kaito gives more kicks, and a boot! Shane aims from a corner, runs in, but Oiwa dodges the Shane-ing Wizard to single leg, ANACONDA SUPLEX! Shane staggers back up, Oiwa gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, but Mikey sweeps Oiwa’s legs! Mikey whips, Oiwa reverses and DROPKICKS! Oiwa calls to Kaito and he returns. They get Shane up and fans fire up with them. Oiwa Electric Chair Lifts while Kaito climbs. But Shane victory rolls under the crossbody! TWO!! Mikey catches Kaito for a MIKEY BOMB!

Oiwa fires off on Mikey and DOUBLE CHOPS! But Shane SUPERKICKS! Mikey scoops, TANK BUSTER!! Cover, TMDK wins!!

Winner: TMDK, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kaito & Oiwa earn 0)

A powerful battle from both teams, but only one team was mighty! Will Shane & Mikey still be the A Block finalists

2023 World Tag League, Block A: Great-O-Khan & Henare w/ Callum Newman VS Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin!

The Dominator & Face of Fury are holding on at 2-2, but so are #WarReady and the Dreadnought! Will the United Empire conquer these War Dogs and stay strong? Or will Kidd & Coughlin win won for the Rebel?

But of course the War Dogs attack at the ramp! But the Empire is ready, and Khan JAMS Kidd with his banner’s staff! Henare fires hands on Coughlin, HEADBUTTS him, and Khan CHOKES Kidd with the staff! Khan throws Kidd down, Henare CLUBS away on Coughlin, and the Empire gets the Dogs set up for Callum! Callum FLIES! Direct hit and he even lands on his feet! Fans fire up with the Empire and they throw the crowns up. Khan CLUBS Kidd, Henare LASHES Coughlin with his vest, and then Khan whips Kidd hard into railing! Red Shoes says fine then, and the bell rings to get this on record.

Fans cheer while Henare puts Coughlin in and throws forearms. Henare runs to then run Coughlin over! Fans cheer more, and Henare aims. Henare KICKS Coughlin in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare snapmares Coughlin to KICK him again! Then he SENTONS onto knees! Coughlin deadlifts and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Coughlin stomps Henare while Kidd whips Khan hard into railing, sending him up and out! Kidd then drags Khan to the back area of the stands, and whips him all the way into a wall! Coughlin digs his boots into Henare in a corner, then his knee. Red Shoes reprimands and Coughlin lets off.

Kidd and Khan keep brawling in the back as Coughlin CHOPS Henare! Coughlin whips Henare corner to corner then clotheslines! Coughlin then scoops Henare, and hits a FALL AWAY SLAM! Henare tumbles and writhes while fans applaud the show of strength. Coughlin covers, TWO! Tag to Kidd, and the War Dogs get Henare up. Coughlin holds the arms back so Kidd can CHOP Henare! And CHOP again! Kidd then stands on Henare’s head but Red Shoes reprimands. Kidd steps off to storm around. Kidd mockingly asks where Will Ospreay went. Kidd says he’s beating up Ospreay’s boys like they’re his b*tches!

Kidd DECKS Henare, then digs his knee in again. Tag to Coughlin, he drags Henare up, and says “Knock knock” as he taps Henare on the head. Henare snarls but Coughlin SLAPS him down! Coughlin says Henare’s supposed to respond, “Who’s there.” Coughlin kneels on Henare but Khan knocks him over! The War Dogs mug Khan, Kidd drags him out of the ring, then whips him hard into railing! Kidd even DECKS Callum for the hell of it! Fans boo but Kidd says he’s a madman! Coughlin stomps Henare, drags him up, and RAMS him into the corner. Tag to Kidd and Kidd RAMS into Henare. Kidd then snapmares Henare to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO!

Khan runs back in but Kidd DECKS him! Kidd drags Khan up to throw him out, and Coughlin hauls him up to whip hard into more railing! Kidd storms around, kicks Henare, but Henare grits his teeth. Kidd eggs Henare on, kicks again, but Henare blocks! Henare steps over to WHEEL KICK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Henare crawls, Khan drags himself up! But Coughlin runs in to BLAST Khan off the apron! Coughlin then goes out to stomp on Khan, and Kidd CLUBS Henare. Coughlin sends Khan into railing again! Kidd drags Henare up, ROCKS him, then bumps him off buckles. But Henare just growls!

Kidd bumps Henare off more buckles, but Henare just headbutts the buckles! Kidd eggs Henare on, CHOPS him, then whips him. But Henare reverses to SAMOAN DROP! Fans fire up as Henare crawls for his corner. Hot tag- NO, Coughlin YANKS Khan down! Red Shoes reprimands, Coughlin whips, but Khan reverses to send him into railing! And then Khan BOOTS Coughlin down! The fans fire up, hot tag to Khan! Khan runs Kidd over, whips him to a corner and clotheslines! Then torture rack and swing, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kidd is still in this but the fans rally behind Khan. Khan sits Kidd up, into the IRON CLAW SLEEPER!

Kidd BITES the fingers! And SNAPS them! Kidd runs, rebounds, but Khan gets under! Henare runs in, ASSISTED SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Kidd survives but Henare and Khan coordinate. Shoutout to Aussie Open, RUNNING KICK SANDWICH! Scoop, HEEL KICK T T D!! Cover, Coughlin breaks it! Coughlin and Henare trade big forearms! Fans fire up as they go back and forth! Coughlin gets the edge, but Henare BODY BLOWS! And ULTIMA- NO, Coughlin fights the full nelson! So Henare shoves him to a corner for a SHINING WIZARD! Then snapmare and RUGBY KICK! And then the Monster Rage boils over!

Henare drags Kidd up, fireman’s carries, and Khan runs. But Kidd slips free to shove Henare into Khan! Kidd BITES Henare, TOSSES him out, talks trash, but turns around into the HELL STAB! IRON CLAW, but Kidd grabs at Red Shoes! RIGHT HAND!! Kidd and Khan fall over after that closed fist shot! Fans rally up as hard as they can but Kidd snarls as he drags Khan up. Kidd runs, springboards, OSCUTTER?!? Kidd sends a message to Ospreay, and Coughlin is back in! Gut wrench, Coughlin goes up, HIJACK TOMBSTONE!! Cover, War Dogs win!!

Winners: Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Khan & Henare earn 0)

That madman tells Ospreay that he’s dead when they finally face off 1v1! December 16th is still two weeks away, is Kidd going to overlook the rest of the WTL all because he wants after the Kingpin?

2023 World Tag League, Block A: Shota Umino & Ren Narita VS Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii!

The Reiwa Musketeers are coming off a big main event win last round, and are near the top of the block! But the Clown Prince & Stone Pitbull just took down the top of the block last round against TMDK! Will Yano & Ishii pull off another shocker to get to the front of the line? Or will the Roughneck & Son of Strong Style make it through the Chaos?

The teams sort out and Ishii starts against Narita. The fans rally, the two tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Every step Narita pushes Ishii back, Ishii pushes Narita back. Ishii uses his stockier frame to keep pushing Narita, and they end up on ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Ishii lets off, but Narita intercepts the forearm with a forearm! Narita fires off more shots, but Ishii eggs him on! Ishii and Narita trade forearms back and forth, fans fire up as they pick up speed! Narita ROCKS Ishii, runs, but Ishii avoids the boot. Narita avoids the lariat to BOOT Ishii down after all! Fans fire up and Narita stomps Ishii. Narita then stands Ishii up to bump off buckles.

But then Ishii hits Shota! Shota hits back, Ishii fights both Musketeers at once! That doesn’t go well and they mug him 2v1. Tag to Shota and he digs his boots in while Narita BLASTS Yano! Red Shoes counts, Shota & Narita double whip Ishii to ropes, then DOUBLE ELBOW! SENTON! SOMERSAULT SENTON! Then they shake hands to DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Shota kicks Ishii around, eggs him on, but Ishii stands. The two stare down, and Shota throws a forearm. Ishii eggs Shota on now, so Shota throws more forearms. Ishii leans into the shots and backs Shota down like that! Shota keeps throwing shots, but Ishii DECKS him!

Fans fire up and Ishii rains down more shots on Shota! Red Shoes counts, Ishii lets off, and then Ishii eggs Narita on. Red Shoes keeps Narita back and Yano tags in. Yano fires up, and he unties a buckle pad! Then he throws it to Shota and tattles on him to Red Shoes! Shota gives the buckle pad over, and Yano SLAPS Shota in the head! Fans cheer but Shota scowls. Yano claws the eyes! Yano runs, Shota ELBOWS him then runs to basement dropkick! Tag to Narita, and Narita whips Yano to ropes, for a NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Yano is still in this and fans rally up. Narita brings Yano up but Yano pulls hair!

Narita kicks and whips but Yano reverses to throw Narita down by his hair! Yano drags Narita up and whips him into the bare buckles! Narita writhes, Yano BLASTS Shota, and Ishii rushes over to go after him! Yano throws Narita out and then goes out after him. Yano whips Narita hard into railing! Ishii whips Shota hard into railing, too! Yano drags Narita back up, puts him in the ring, and he stomps Narita around. Yano drags Narita up, tells haters to shut up, then tags in Ishii. Ishii CHOPS Narita, stalks him, and CHOPS him against the ropes! Ishii eggs Narita on and CHOPS him again. Ishii continues to egg Narita on, so Narita throws a forearm!

Ishii slaps Narita around, Narita throws more shots, but Ishii CHOPS him back down! Fans applaud, and Ishii taunts Shota. Shota coaches Narita but Ishii gives Narita toying kicks. Ishii HEADBUTTS Narita, CHOPS him, then CHOPS and CHOPS again! Narita roars but Ishii CHOPS him back down! Ishii whips Narita corner to corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Narita runs up, Ishii ROCKS him! Ishii swings, but into a HALF HATCH! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Hot tag to Shota! Shota fires off on Ishii, whips him to ropes, but Ishii reverses. Shota CLOBBERS Ishii, then BLASTS Yano! Fans fire up behind Shota and he sends Ishii to a corner.

Shota runs in to UPPERCUT, then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Shota keeps going, and he turns Ishii over into an STF! Yano stomps Shota, so Shota kicks Yano and tosses him out. Shota goes back to Ishii, stands him up, and clinches. Ishii fights the lift with elbows! Shota ROCKS Ishii, gives him taunting kicks, but Ishii ROCKS Shota back! Shota and Ishii stare down, and Shota fires off forearm after forearm! Shota has Ishii in the corner for more shots! Red Shoes reprimands but Ishii roars and turns things around to CHOP and ROCK Shota on repeat! The fans rally up as Shota sits down, only for Ishii to stand him back up for more!

Ishii CHOPS and ROCKS Shota into sitting down again, and the fans fire up! Ishii eggs Shota on, kicks him around, slaps him even, and Shota scowls. Shota storms up on Ishii, Ishii throws a forearm. Shota eggs Ishii on, and leans into the shots a la Ishii. Shota then ROCKS Ishii and he staggers away! Ishii comes back, Shota clinches but Ishii slips around. Shota elbows Ishii, whips, but Ishii reverses to SAIDO! Fans fire up while both men are down! Shota and Ishii crawl, hot tag to Yano! Yano fires up and whips Shota, but Shota reverses. Yano avoids the bare buckles, to then bait Shota into them! Roll up, TWO!

Yano runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up again, and Shota crawls to hot tag Narita! Narita runs up on Yano, BACK ELBOW! Then HALF HATCH BRIDGE! Cover, TWO! Yano escapes, but Narita BLASTS Ishii to cut off the tag. Narita clinches but Yano fights the lift! So Narita trips Yano, and rolls him, CROSS ANKLE CLOVERLEAF! Yano endures, the fans rally up, but Narita drags Yano from ropes! Yano keeps fighting around, he reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Narita lets off in frustration but the fans rally up again. Narita stands Yano up, reels him in, COBRA TWIST! But Yano powers free with a hip toss!

Narita runs in but Yano trips him! CATAPULT into the bare buckles!! Ishii clotheslines Narita, too! Then he BLASTS Shota! Yano fires up and he hauls Narita up. ONI- NO, Narita fights free! Narita gets around, SLEEPER! Yano is fading fast, but Narita goes to the COBRA TWIST now! Yano endures, fans rally up, and Yano fights his way around. Shota keeps Ishii out, and Narita brings Yano away with the SLEEPER! Then back to COBRA TWIST! Yano is turning red like his favorite chair! But Ishii sends Shota into railing, to then TACKLE Narita! Fans fire up while Narita tosses Ishii back out. Narita roars and goes back for Yano.

Narita drags Yano up but Yano fights the suplex. Narita knees low, runs, but Yano avoids the boot to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up while both men are down! Yano and Narita crawl, hot tag to Ishii, and he BLASTS Shota! Ishii drags Narita up, throws him into Shota, then runs, but Narita BOOTS! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ishii escapes and the fans fire up again. Narita crawls, hot tag to Shota! Shota aims at Ishii, BANG and V-TRIGGER! Shota then slingshots to APRON DDT Ishii!! Fans are thunderous and Shota stands tall as Ishii flops over. Red Shoes checks but Ishii is somehow still in this.

Shota drags Ishii up as the ring count begins. Shota puts Ishii in, climbs up a corner, and he MISSILE DROPKICKS Ishii down! Then Shota resets, to slingshot CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans fire up again! Shota drags Ishii up, dragon sleepers, but Ishii fights free. Ishii runs, into a snap cradle, that then shifts into a BONE LOCK!! Ishii endures the over-the-shoulder crossface, but Narita keeps Yano out! Shota pulls on the hold, but Ishii still fights around! Ishii reaches out, but Shota pulls back more! Ishii flails and kicks around, to have the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go and the fans fire up again.

Narita slides in, he and Shota coordinate. Shota wrenches Ishii, dragon sleepers, and then gets Ishii up. Narita runs, BOOT into SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous again! The Musketeers stay focused, though, and they haul Ishii up. They double whip him to a corner, Shota runs in to ELBOW! Narita runs in to JUMP KICK! Feed to Shota’s forearm! Narita’s BOOT! Shota’s ROLLING ELBOW! Another BOOT! And then the lift, for the HART ATTACK! Cover, YANO BREAKS IT! Fans fire up but Narita fires off on Yano! Yano gets around, fireman’s carry takeover! Yano kicks and whips Shota, but Shota reverses!

But Yano denies the tornado DDT! Yano atomic drops Shota, then pops him up. Shota fights the Onigoroshi, underhooks Yano, but Yano RAMS Shota into bare buckles! Ishii reels Shota in, hoists him up, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up again! Ishii roars, the fans duel, and Shota flounders up. Ishii runs, Shota BOOTS him, blocks the lariat, and ENZIGURIS! Narita is back to WHEEL KICK! Narita hurries to get Ishii up and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Then a clinch, but Ishii HEADBUTTS free! Narita ENZIGURIS, Shota full nelsons! Narita runs, but Ishii gets free, the BOOT hits Shota!

Ishii shoves Shota into Narita, Yano drags Narita out! LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?! Shota survives and fans are thunderous again! Ishii grits his teeth and he stands back up. Ishii roars and looks to finish this off. We’re at 20 minutes, Ishii suplexes, but Shota slips free! HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Ishii gets right up to CLOBBER Shota! But Shota’s right up to SHOTGUN Ishii! Ishii’s back, but Shota pop-up KNEES, and LARIATS! Fans fire up again and Shota drags Ishii up. HALF ‘N’ HALF BRIDGE! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous and Shota just fires up again! Shota aims from a corner, vowing to end it here!

Ishii slowly rises, Shota runs in, BLAZE BLADE!! But Shota isn’t done! Underhooks and- NO, Ishii wrenches out to PELE!! Both men are down and the fans are electric! Ishii goes to the corner while the fans duel, and he SLIDING LARIATS!! Cover, NARITA BREAKS IT! Yano runs in to toss Narita out! Ishii roars and he drags Shota back up. Ishii suplexes, but Shota fights free! Shota wrenches, ROCKS and ROLLING- NO, Ishii ROCKS Shota! But Shota catches Ishii, only for Ishii to wrench out! Shota POP-UP UPPERCUTS! And then V- NO, Ishii blocks to HEADBUTT! And then Ishii spins Shota to a BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, CHAOS WINS!

Winners: Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Narita earn 0)

There weren’t any tricks needed here, Ishii & Yano beat the Musketeers straight up! Is it still too soon for Shota & Narita to say the Paradigm Shift is coming?

And because it’s Ishii who won this, he’s a true strong silent type, so he and Yano just get outta here! No closing address tonight, but will actions speak louder than words for the Stone Pitbull in this tournament’s second half?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

TMDK: 4-1, 8 points
Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii: 3-2, 6 points
Shota Umino & Ren Narita: 3-2, 6 points
War Dogs: 3-2, 6 points
Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-3, 4 points
The United Empire: 2-3, 4 points
The House of Torture: 2-3, 4 points
The Gates of Agony: 1-4, 2 points

My Thoughts:

Another great round for World Tag League and this block, with some rather shocking moves. I really thought The Gates were going to get going after their win last round, but I guess the House of Torture couldn’t just drop off that badly so they had to win this here. And as we saw in that main event, Yano & Ishii are making a go of it in this block. They beat Shota & Narita, who are certainly still frontrunners, but that was great stuff to make a point that Shota & Narita aren’t ready to beat the real “old guard” they’re talking about replacing here. War Dogs beating the Empire seems fine, they’re mostly just keeping pace so they could cost somebody later.

And great match from TMDK VS the Noah duo, and a great win for TMDK to again be the clear first place team. 4-1 at the halfway point, this block is on Shane & Mikey to win or lose, and as I’ve been saying, TMDK as both a group and as just these two, the OG members, have been solid a long time. It’d be great if they got to the tournament finals here, maybe even get that title shot at WrestleKingdom.