Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/2/22)
The Bloodline is Raw!
The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion is here!
With a Six Man Tag set for WrestleMania Backlash, Roman Reigns and the Usos return to Raw to make everyone ACKNOWLEDGE THEM!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens & The Alpha Academy VS Ezekiel & The Street Profits; Kevin & The Alpha Academy win.
- Veer Mahaan VS Burt Hanson; Veer wins.
- AJ Styles VS Damian Priest w/ Edge; Styles wins and bans Priest from ringside at WrestleMania Backlash.
- WWE United States Championship Contenders Handicap Match: Mustafa Ali VS The Miz & (Austin) Theory; Miz & Theory win and deny Ali a title match.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Hallway Havoc: Nikki A.S.H wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- WWE 24/7 Championship: Nikki A.S.H VS Dana Brooke w/ Reggie; Dana wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- Bobby Lashley VS Cedric Alexander; Lashley wins.
- Six Woman Tag: Sonya Deville, Rhea Ripley & Becky Lynch VS Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan & Asuka; Bianca, Liv & Asuka win.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is here!
The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, leads the way out for Paul Heyman and the Usos. Roman wears the World title while Heyman cradles the Universal title, and the Usos hold up the fingers for #WeTheOnes. Heyman hands over the Universal title, and the belts are raised for the pyro. Then they continue to the ring, and Roman takes a moment to admire the Universal title before getting in the ring. Then the Bloodline lifts all the belts again, for another round of pyro. Heyman has the mic, and he says, “If the Bloodline recalls correctly, and the Bloodline is never wrong, this is the part of the show where I’m entrusted to say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night Raw!'”
Heyman says this is a special treat for everyone watching at home on TV and those live here tonight. “Ladies and gentlemen, you should put down your children because take a look at them anyway. You should stand on your feet because now, at this moment, you get a chance to revel in the greatness of your Tribal Chief, THE Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion… Roman. Reigns.” Heyman then hands the mic to Roman, and he says, “North Carolina. ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” But then RKBRO hit RKOS outta nowhere!! Roman is shocked as the Usos go down! But this ain’t all! HERE COMES MCINTYRE!
The Scottish Warrior storms out, sword in hand! And he raises it for his own pyro! Roman looks at the Raw Tag Team Champions and McIntyre, especially with McIntyre pointing his sword at Roman. McIntyre gets in the ring and RKBRO lets him have Roman all to himself. Roman tells McIntyre to go back now, but McIntyre says he’ll leave the sword on the outside. These two stare down, and McIntyre says he’s been waiting for this. The hands start flying! McIntyre and Roman throw haymakers, but Roman puts McIntyre in a corner to fire clotheslines! Only for McIntyre to clinch and hit back with haymakers and stomps!
The Usos return! But RKBRO goes after them! It’s a brawl all over, Orton going after Roman, McIntyre after Jimmy and Riddle after Jey! Security and officials get out there but the chaos continues, even as Raw goes to break!
The Street Profits talk backstage.
But then Ezekiel walked over and formally introduces himself. But they know him! It’s Elias’ young brother. And just like the good book says, it’s time to get ZEKE-AY! Here’s a cup, just for him. On three. One, two, three, ZEKE. Ezekiel takes a drink and wow. He’s feeling good now! But the Alpha Academy walk over and say drinking on the job is pathetic. Kevin Owens pops in to agree, it IS pathetic! And so is lying! The Profits can’t be believing him! SHOOSH! Ezekiel thinks he’s smart, huh? Smarter than Gable? He’s not! Never! In fact, Gable did research. He found out lie detector tests can be tricked, by only the most conniving of liars!
And Kevin shouts that that’s ZEKE! They’ll find a way! A better way! To expose him for the fraud he is so that even these idiots will know this is Elias! Dawkins says hold on, they gotta drop some truth. Ezekiel and the Profits are gonna kick their asses tonight. And that’s the bottom line~, because Zeke Da Freak and the Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! But then Kevin SPLASHES Ezekiel with his drink! Kevin and the Alpha Academy hurry off, but will revenge be served cold in the ring?
Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens & The Alpha Academy VS Ezekiel & The Street Profits!
The trios sort out, Gable starts with Dawkins. They tie up, Dawkins headlocks but Gable powers out, only for Dawkins to run him over. Things speed up, Dawkins hurdles then whips, but Gable catches the drop to a waistlock. Dawkins gets free, things keep moving, and Dawkins handsprings?! But into an arm-drag! Dawkins keeps moving to back elbow! Tag to Ford and the Profits double whip. They DOUBLE FLAPJACK, then Ford covers, TWO! Ford wrenches an arm, grinds the shoulder, and he leans on Gable. Gable fights up, Ford wrenches to a wristlock, but Gable rolls and bridges to then handspring, wrench, headlock and drop toehold!
Gable has the arm and shouts, “A THANK YEW~” while he wrenches the arm more. Ford endures, even as Gable twists the shoulder! Ford fights up, fans rally, and Ford whips Gable away. Things speed up again, Ford hurdles and arm-drags! Then he dropkicks Gable down! Gable bails out but Otis gets in, to run into a dropkick! The Profits DOUBLE DROPKICK but Otis stays up! Ezekiel joins in, TRIPLE DROPKICK! Otis tumbles out and Gable is furious while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Gable has Ford down with a top wristlock. Ford endures, fights up, but Gable shifts grip. Ford reaches for his corner but Gable DECKS Dawkins! Gable throws Ford out but Ford shoulders back in. Ford shoulder sin again, then slingshots, into a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Gable tags Kevin and they mug Ford. Kevin stomps away but lets off to tell Ezekiel, “SUCK IT!” Kevin then gives Ford a short arm LARIAT to SENTON! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Kevin clamps onto Ford with a chinlock and he grinds Ford down. Ford still endures, fights up again, and fans rally.
Kevin back suplexes, Ford slips out and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up and Ford crawls, hot tags to Gable and Ezekiel! Zeke rallies on Gable, whips him to ropes but Gable kicks him away. Zeke still gets him with a SPINEBUSTER! Otis runs in, into the JUMP KNEE! Zeke CHOPS, body shots and CHOPS again! He whips Gable but Gable reverses, only for Zeke to go up and MULE KICK! Gable goes to the far corner, Ezekiel runs in for a STINGER SPLASH! And then suplex, stall, and TWISTING SLAM! Cover, but Otis breaks it! Otis drags Zeke up to toss him aside, but Ford gets in. Otis scoops Ford, to TOSS him out of the ring!
Dawkins KNEES Otis out! Kevin SUPERKICKS Dawkins! Ezekiel trips Kevin up to fire off fists! Kevin gets away but Ezekiel wants after him! Ezekiel lets off to go after Gable, but he runs into a waistlock! Ezekiel fights the German Suplex but Kevin trips him! Gable Oklahoma Rolls Ezekiel, the Alpha Academy and Kevin win!
Winners: Kevin Owens & The Alpha Academy, by pinfall
The Prizefighter, “Master” Gable and Otis SHOOSH Ezekiel and the Profits with some trickery of their own! Are they going to prove Ezekiel is not Elias’ brother but Elias himself?
Backstage interview with AJ Styles.
Kevin Patrick asks the Phenomenal One about a stipulation that has been added to his match with Damian Priest tonight. Why is that? This is about Edge’s fragile ego. At WrestleMania, Styles had Edge beat, but Edge’s new buddy showed up and distracted Styles. Edge doesn’t like Styles saying he had that match won, it offends Edge. So then why not up the ante? If Styles beats Priest tonight, Priest is barred from ringside at WrestleMania Backlash! And if Styles doesn’t, then it’ll be an uphill battle. Kevin wishes Styles luck, will Styles be able to limit the omnipotence of Judgement Day?
Sonya Deville talks with Adam Pearce.
She wants to understand what this investigation into her conduct is even about. She’s done everything by the book! Pearce says upper management are looking into this. She puts herself in a title match, changes the stipulations, and still fails. So they want to see her compete again without her executive power behind her. Pearce has made a Six Man Tag, Sonya, Rhea Ripley & Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan, Asuka & Bianca Belair. Oh, cool. Then why don’t we make it No Holds Barred? Uh, no, Sonya, there is no “we.” Only Pearce has authority right now. Sonya has no power here. At all. Okay? Sonya doesn’t look happy about it, but will she just have to prove what she can do on her own?
Veer Mahaan VS ???
Undefeated at 3-0 but also unstoppable and with no remorse! Will Veer continue to victimize his opponents? Or will he finally run into someone he can’t manhandle?
Raw returns and Byron Saxton talks with Greensboro’s own Burt Hanson. Byron wants to ask, after seeing the damage Veer does to his opponents, why did Hanson sign up? Veer does scare Hanson, but he signed up because all his life, he’s wanted to be in the WWE in front of his hometown crowd. He worked down the street at Stevie’s BBQ just dreaming of this moment. Tonight, he makes a dream come true. Byron wishes Burt luck, but will he need a miracle?
The bell rings, Burt rushes in but Veer catches him to RAM him into the corner! Veer fires off body shots, the ref counts and Veer lets off to argue with him. Burt elbows Veer but that just angers him! Veer TOSSES Burt corner to corner! Burt staggers up and Veer is on him again, to whip him to ropes and KNEE him! Then back the other way, then back again! Veer whips and CLOBBERS Burt with a full body block. Veer then whips Burt to THESZ PRESS! Veer wants Burt to get up, and Burt manages to stand, for the MILLION DOLLAR LARIAT! Veer still isn’t done, he stalks Burt and hip drops! Then CERVICAL CLUTCH!! Burt taps, Veer wins!
Winner: Veer Mahaan, by submission
Veer tore into Burt like a pulled pork sandwich! But he goes after him more and stomps Burt right out of the ring! Veer goes out, drags Burt up and scoops him into the ring. Veer has Burt in the ropes for another CERVICAL CLUTCH! Veer thrashes, the ref reprimands but Veer lets go when he’s satisfied. Will all wrestlers, not just Raw superstars, learn to #FearVeer?
AJ Styles VS Damian Priest w/ Edge!
The Phenomenal One knows what is at stake with this match, but will he be able to remove the Archer of Infamy from Edge’s arsenal? Or will Judgement Day only solidify the advantage they have for Backlash?
Raw returns and Edge has a mic. “We are Judgement Day. Now I know most of you can’t stand to look at yourselves in the mirror. I know that most of you don’t like me anymore. In fact, you’re probably like everyone else in the world, perhaps you despise me. But that’s because you despise yourselves. You can’t look in the mirror because it’d make you physically ill. And if it doesn’t, it should. It is a miracle that everyone here in Greensboro, North Carolina- Oh shut up! It is a miracle that you can pull on your shoes, wobble out your doors, and count high enough to find your seats here tonight. The truth hurts, huh?”
In fact, if Greensboro could have a sports team, it’d be the Greensboro Lemmings. Edge knows that flew over their heads, so he’ll explain. A lemming is a rodent, or in this case a bunch of people with few teeth, that will join in a mass movement, rushing headlong into destruction. Styles, don’t be a lemming. For once, use your intelligence! But Edge knows it won’t happen. Styles’ heart outweighs his brain. But Styles, just know that by not staying home, hugging your wife and kids, you’re rushing headlong into pain at Backlash! Fans “WHAT” Edge and he repeats himself for the “peons.” He dares them to boo and they boo.
Edge knows Styles played the games, got Pearce to make tonight about removing Priest from Backlash. Kudos, well played, hope it’s worth it. Because now he feels the punishment he’ll receive when walking- Styles makes his entrance! Fans cheer as Styles gets in the ring and Edge exits. Will Styles make Edge eat those words when he removes his minion?
The bell rings and the two circle. Styles fires off haymakers, has Priest in a corner, but Priest tosses Styles to the corner! Style dodges, fires off more shots, and fans are fired up for Styles. Styles brings Priest around to CLUB him, but Priest shoves him back. Styles and Priest throw hands, Priest ROCKS Styles then UPPERCUTS! Priest whips to BOOT Styles down! Priest drags Styles up, whips him hard into the corner and Styles hits the mat. Priest stomps away on Styles, but lets off as the ref counts. Edge laughs at Styles and Priest brings Styles up for a suplex, BROKEN ARROW! Cover, ONE!!
Priest clamps onto Styles’ arm and grinds that bad shoulder. Styles endures, fans rally and Edge gets annoyed. Styles fights up, throws haymakers then KICKS! Priest grabs hair but Styles KICKS again. Styles throws more forearms, then whips. Priest reverses but Styles holds ropes. Styles elbows back, but Priest picks Styles up! Priest runs at ropes, they both tumble out but Styles lands on his feet! Edge looks worried as Priest staggers up. Styles aims and SLINGSHOT FOREARMS! Down goes Priest and Styles stares Edge down. Styles says Edge is getting this soon enough, and he goes back for Priest.
Styles bumps Priest off the apron, the ring count climbs to 5 of 10, but Styles POSTS Priest! Styles puts Priest in at 7, then gets in. Priest goes out the side, Styles hurries after him, but Priest scoops and POSTS Styles! Styles clutches the bad shoulder and writhes on the floor while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Priest staggers away to a corner. Edge is furious as Styles rushes in to corner clothesline! Styles fireman’s carries but Priest fights free. Priest clinches, throws knee after knee, then LEG LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Priest drags Styles around by the bad arm, puts him on the top rope, then ROCKS him with a right. Priest climbs up, fans boo but Priest brings Styles up. Styles slips under to get Priest in a torture rack! RACK BOMB! High stack, TWO!! Priest survives and Edge is pacing! Edge coaches Priest but Styles is up first. Styles drags Priest up, reels him in, but Priest powers out of the Clash! Styles sunset flips, TWO!
Priest ROUNDHOUSES the bad arm! Edge nods, but Styles ENZIGURIS! Priest staggers, Styles rushes in, but into a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Priest is frustrated, too, but he drags Styles up. Priest reels Styles in as fans rally up. Priest gets Styles up in the crucifix, but Styles slips off! PELE! Both men are down and fans fire up while Edge snarls. Priest gets to a corner, Styles runs in again, but Priest pops Styles out. Styles ROCKS Priest, springboards, but into a choke grip! SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and Edge is beside himself! Priest scowls but he nods, knowing Styles is tough.
Priest wants Styles to stand and Styles does get up. Priest reels him in but Styles throws elbows to fight the clinch, Priest ducks to BELL CLAP! Ripcord, but the heel kick misses! Styles gets the leg, rolls Priset, but Edge gest on the apron! Styles swipes at Edge and Priest is free! But Styles dodges the boot! O’Conner Roll, STYLES WINS!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (Priest is banned from ringside at Backlash)
But Edge goes right after him! The Iconoclast is just a sore loser! Edge drags Styles up, feeds him to Priest, FLATLINER! Edge then tells Priest to keep going, and Priest isolates the bad arm. Edge brings chairs to the ring! Priest sets one under the arm, but here comes FINN BALOR! The Prince has his own beef with Judgement Day, and he dropkicks Priest down, then tackles Edge! Fans are fire dup, Edge gets away but Priest gets a SLINGBLADE! Styles clotheslines Priest out and Edge bails! Judgement Day regroups and retreats from these two. Styles and Finn throw up the Too Sweet! Will they be united against Edge & Priest?
Omos and MVP talk backstage.
Omos says he’ll grab Lashley with both hands and just snap Lashley’s whole body. But then Cedric Alexander walks in. What does he want? He just wants to talk about MVP forming the Hurt Business. That was the best! They all got to be champions! And if not for Bobby’s and Shelton’s egos, they’d all still be champs! Right? MVP says he’s proud that Cedric sees the bigger picture, and that he is man enough to say it to MVP’s face. MVP gets why Cedric wants to return to that original role, but MVP is not interested. MVP has moved on from the Hurt Business to much bigger things. So he and Omos are gonna talk about how Omos will rip Lashley limb from limb.
Cedric says this is just him, no Shelton. He wants to show what he can do on his own. As such, Cedric requested a match with Lashley. Oka, now that has MVP’s attention. If Cedric can handle his business, then MVP and Omos will watch. Omos says that means Cedric has to go. Cedric leaves, but will he be back in business with Montel Vontavius Porter?
The Miz heads to the ring!
The Hollywood A-Lister is back to host another episode of MizTV, and he’s got Mustafa Ali as his guest? Will Miz be civil with the man who beat him last week? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Miz welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, and he says he had the privilege and honor to host WWE’s fastest rising star, the youngest WWE United States Champion ever, the man called Theory! But then his show was hijacked by the “man that time forgot.” Miz likes to be the bigger man, so he’ll have that man explain himself. Please welcome Mustafa Ali! The Beacon makes his way out, but then the music stops partway. Miz acts like that was all a mistake, and then he says the fans are here to see Mustafa Ali! Fans cheer because they do like Ali. Just like Miz is happy to see Ali. Please, have a seat.
So, “Must.” Do you mind if he calls you that? Oh no his mic isn’t working? Miz promises to get that fixed. This is so unprofessional. Speaking of, Miz was in the middle of giving valuable advice to Vince McMahon’s handpicked protégé, and then Must had to waltz out and interrupt. Who does that? That was rhetorical. Time for brass tax. Is it true that Must’s act of desperation is because he’s never been champion? Or is it because the WWE Universe forgot about Ali on his hiatus? Oh no, is the mic still not working? This is so embarrassing! MizTV is WWE’s flagship talk show, so you hate to see this. Please, Must, don’t go online and complain.
Mustafa snatches Miz’s mic! He and everyone here only have one thing to complain about: the fact Miz is STILL HERE! The difference between Miz and Ali is that when Miz feels unheard, he goes back there and whines to he powers that be. But when Ali feels unheard, he goes to the fans! Because for Ali, he fans are the ones that matter. Miz snatches the mic back to say- Oh wait, that was the bad mic. Oh no, is it not working? Ali laughs and Miz is upset. Miz wants Ali to understand: Ali will regret this. Oh, so Miz is gonna face him again? NOPE. (Austin) Theory makes his way out! Theory “apologizes” but he had something to say.
An apology? That’s a young man with manners, and a working mic. So unlike “Must,” Theory has something ot say fans will want to hear. Miz applauds that. Theory says last week, it bothered Theory that Miz couldn’t even prepare for his match. So Theory talked to his mentor, Mr. McMahon, and had that lost be stricken from the records! What a thoughtful gesture! Thanks, Theory. That’s the least Theory can do when some shmuck is making a name for himself at Miz’s expense. And Theory “appreciates” Ali wants the US Championship match handed to him. But what has he done? He doesn’t deserve this!
UGH! You BOTH talk too much! Fans applaud that. Miz, we get it. You’re embarrassed and mad, but Theory has it all wrong. Ali does want to be US Champion. But not an opportunity handed to him. Ali wants to fight for it! Good, because Theory spoke with Vince, and Vince has accepted that Ali gets a Championship Contenders Match tonight! And as Theory sees it, it won’t go well for Ali. The truth is, when it come to Theory, Ali can’t beat him. Theory is the youngest US Champion in WWE history. And Theory doesn’t know if Ali can handle that heat. Clever. But if there’s anyone that can handle heat, it’s Ali. Ali accepts, let’s go!
Okay, that’s fine. Theory can do this #ALLDAY. But uh, Miz deserves a chance to redeem himself. So that contender’s match is Ali VS Theory and The Miz! In a HANDICAP MATCH! And uh, what time is it? Oh, that match is NOW. Ali sees how the deck is stacked, but will he still have the winning hand?
WWE United States Championship Contenders Handicap Match: Mustafa Ali VS The Miz & (Austin) Theory!
Raw returns and Miz mugs Ali in the corner. Miz whips, Ali reverses but Miz sunset flips. Ali rolls through, fakes Miz out and stomps Miz’s leg! Ali kicks the leg, but Miz shoves Ali away. Ali CLOBBERS Miz, then CHOPS him against the ropes. Ali whips,. Miz reverses but Ali ducks and dodges, only for Theory to hold ropes open! Ali falls out and hits the floor hard and Theory shrugs, playing dumb as to what happened. Theory brings Ali into the ring and tags in, then grins as he pie faces Ali around. Theory taunts Ali, brings him up and DECKS him. Theory DECKS Ali again, then again, then snapmares for a stomp! Cover, TWO!
Theory clamps onto Ali with a chinlock and grinds Ali down. Ali endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Ali JAWBREAKERS free but Miz tags in! Miz rushes in to KICK Ali in the corner! Miz fires off IT KICKS, but lets off as the ref counts. Ali goes up and over and CHOPS Miz back! Ali whips but Miz reverses, so Ali uses that to DROPKCIK Theory down! Ali then dodges, somersaults and NECKBREAKERS! Cover, Theory breaks it! Theory drags Ali up, whips Ali at the ropes, but Ali slips out and trips Theory! Theory shoves Ali away but Ali then dodges. Ali kicks Theory from the apron, but runs into a FINALE! Cover, Miz and Theory win!
Winners: The Miz & (Austin) Theory, by pinfall (Ali is denied his WWE US Championship match)
Theory and Miz stand on Ali as they take their victory selfie. But will this be the finale of Ali going after Theory and the US Championship? Wait! CIAMPA attacks! This is just like last week! What does the Psycho Killer have against the Beacon?
Reggie and Dana Brooke argue backstage.
He wants Dana to listen to him, but she refuses to even stay put. What about their honeymoon? Their what? Reggie thinks Dana’s gonna go on that with him now? He’s crazy! But then R-Truth is talking with his other clients, Tozawa & Tamina. Dana says out of all people, she never expected Truth to try and pin her for the 24/7 Championship. Truth owes Dana an apology. Dana, that was just a test. Like keeping her alert. He is sorry, though. He just wants his baby back. He needs it back! He feels empty inside! Truth feels empty? Tamina’s waist feels empty! And Tozawa, you’re supposed to be helping her!
Tozawa’s sorry about that. But it’s right there! Tozawa and Tamina rush Dana but Reggie and Truth hold them back! Not today! This is the honeymoon period, love birds! Tweet tweet! But then Nikki A.S.H bum rushes them all! And she covers Dana! The ref counts, NIKKI WINS!
Winner: Nikki A.S.H, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Dana shouts, “Noooo~!” while Nikki runs away! Truth, Tamina and Tozawa give chase, and Dana shouts at Reggie for failing her again! Reggie says he was trying, but Dana says if Reggie wants to save the marriage, he will get her a rematch! Dana storms off and Reggie’s stuck in the middle. Will Reggie work on “Happy wife, happy life” tonight?
WWE 24/7 Championship: Nikki A.S.H VS Dana Brooke w/ Reggie!
Raw returns as the Almost Super Hero makes her entrance. Truth, Tozawa and Tamina are also ringside to see which way this goes. The belt is raised, and we see whose love wins the day!
Nikki taunts Dana that she’s champion and Dana is nothing! Dana storms in but into a kick! Dana blocks the buckle bump, throws a body shot and bumps Nikki off buckles. Dana whips, Nikki reverses and then runs in but Dana puts her on the apron. Dana DECKS Nikki, then runs, but slides into the apron skirt! Nikki fires off on Dana, lets off as the ref counts, and she strikes her heroic pose. The ref counts, Nikki puts Dana in, and she covers, TWO! Nikki drags Dana up but Dana fires forearms! Dana whips, runs and handsprings, and back elbows Nikki down! Dana keeps moving, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Cover, Dana wins!
Winner: Dana Brooke, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
But Tozawa sunset flips Dana! TWO as Truth drags him away! Truth “tests” Dana again, but Tamina drags him away. Dana scrambles as Tamina stares Truth down. Reggie rolls Dana?! How dare he! Dana SLAPS Reggie, then gets up on the desk. She has a mic to shout, “I want a divorce!!” Reggie freaks out and Dana storms off! Reggie hurries after Dana, can he salvage the marriage?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Kevin Patrick welcomes the former Raw Women’s Champion, and brings up her return to Raw last week was part of Asuka’s return. Becky doesn’t need to hear what happened, she was there. Does anyone understand the kind of bravery it took Becky to go out there and tell the world that she had hit rock bottom after losing the title? Her world, her identity. Only for Asuka, the woman who Becky literally handed that title to come out and disrespect her? When Becky left, she told Asuka to be a warrior while Becky became a mother. Becky kept up her end of the deal, but Asuka didn’t. As soon as Becky came back, Asuka disappeared!
Becky goes on the run of a lifetime, and as soon as Becky was at her lowest point, Asuka returns. Asuka’s never faced Big Time Becks, Asuka doesn’t know what she’s in for. Becky’s comeback story starts with ending Asuka’s! Will Becky and her team be able to stop the Empress of Tomorrow from taking over?
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
The Visionary, the revolutionary, the Architect, wants to make tonight all about himself! This is “Seth Freakin’ Rollins Appreciation Night,” but what will that mean? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Rollins has the mic while he swaggers and dances to his own theme. “Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby! The time has finally come! Monday Night Rollins has begun! HAHAHAHA! Last week, we celebrated 20 years of Randy Orton. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That was alright, it was okay. But it got me thinking. We should celebrate somebody who truly deserves it! Celebrate somebody who is underappreciated, undervalued. We should celebrate a trend setter, we should celebrate a fashion icon, a global sex symbol. Most importantly, we should celebrate a visionary, celebrate a revolutionary.”
Everyone, stand up! Clap for Seth Freakin’ Rollins Appreciate Night~! The spotlight shines on Rollins, but most fans boo. But then others sing his theme song, “OH~, OH~, OHHH~!” Rollins revels in it, he’s got the chills! This feels good, doesn’t it? Seth Freakin’ Rollins in the spotlight! HAHAHAHAHA! But then fans chant for “CODY! CODY!” Rollins says it’s funny they should mention that jerk. At WrestleMania, Cody tried to steal the spotlight. But at Backlash, Rollins will show the entire world why you can’t steal Rollins’ spotlight! Because Rollins IS the spotlight!! Fans still chant for “CODY! CODY!”
Rollins says this is HIS night, HIS spotlight, so shut up about Cody! See, that’s the problem! Some have forgotten just how good Rollins is. You get wrapped up in the American Nightmare fantasy and forget Seth Freakin’ Rollins is the standard bearer in this industry! Fans chant, “We Want Cody!” Rollins says they’ve forgotten how good Rollins is, but he loves to remind you. So here is the greatest highlight reel in the history of highlight reels, detailing Rollins’ rise to prominence! Appreciate Seth Rollins! “Wrestling has more than one… royal family.” Rollins is furious as Cody make his entrance instead!
Cody makes his way to ringside and Rollins is upset. Cody gets the pyro, the graphics, then more pyro. He then gets in the ring and gets the mic. But Rollins says before Cody speaks, he wants to know why Cody sticks his nose where it doesn’t belong! What is Cody out here for? If it’s not to give Rollins flowers, then shut up! Oh, Rollins wants flowers? Sure. Congratulations, Rollins, truly. But what is this all about? This literal unraveling we are all seeing, the superiority complex. It is like Cody’s win is an albatross around Rollins’ neck. Cody doesn’t want to invalidate those feelings, that’d be hypocritical.
But Rollins in this hideous outfit, and Cody’s hypocrisy knows no bounds so he’ll make it clear. Since Cody’s return, he’s been professional and courteous, even when Rollins shoved him off the top rope. But Cody has a feeling that Rollins is going to cross the line right before Backlash that he doesn’t want to cross. Rollins is one of the best wrestlers in 20 years. But he’s also delusional. Delusional? Rollins? DELUSIONAL?! Rollins laughs again and says that’s rich coming from Cody. But hear Rollins out: The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes, the late, great, and Cody’s father. Dusty wrestled hundreds, if not thousands of times in Greensboro.
Fans cheer for “Dusty! Dusty!” and Rollins says, “But just like you… He was an egomaniac who thought he was larger than life and thought he transcended the business. And it looks to me like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Dusty was delusional, and so are you!” Fans boo but Rollins says Dusty wanted to be WWE World Champion, but wasn’t good enough. And as long as Rollins is here, Cody won’t be good enough, either. Rollins laughs again, then he sucker punches Cody! Rollins fires off hands, throws off his jacket, but Cody turns things around on him! They brawl, Cody headlocks and punches!
Cody runs, springboards, to CODY CUTTER! Rollins flounders out of the ring and fans fire up! Rollins did cross a line, just as Cody knew he would. But will Cody have to cross over and join Rollins to settle this on Sunday?
Bobby Lashley VS Cedric Alexander!
The All Mighty has the Colossus coming for him at Backlash, but he isn’t going to back down. Will PRIMED Alexander just be a primer for Lashley? Or can Cedric somehow, someway prove himself worthy to MVP?
Raw returns and Cedric is already in the ring. The bell rings, Cedric talks smack but Lashley corners him. But then Omos makes his entrance! And Cedric uses that to sucker punch Lashley! MVP says how the mighty have fallen. Look at him! Cedric is beating- Oh, nevermind, Lashley CLOBBERS Cedric. Well, if he’s struggling with Cedric, what’s Lashley going to do with Omos? Lashley aims at Cedric, and runs in, but misses the spear! Cedric dropkicks Lashley’s legs out and rains down fists while MVP mocks “Robert.” Omos is just salivating thinking what he’ll do to Lashley’s limbs. Cedric stomps Lashley but the ref backs him up.
MVP talks more trash but fans rally for Lashley. MVP says that won’t help! Cedric kicks Lashley out, then builds speed. Lashley seethes, and he SWATS Cedric’s tope! Then he TOSSES Cedric into barriers! Lashley glares at MVP, then hauls Cedric up in a fireman’s carry! Lashley runs and POSTS Cedric! Fans fire up and Lashley glares at MVP again. Lashley puts Cedric back in the ring, MVP tells fans to shut up, but Lashley aims again. SPEAR!! But Lashley won’t end it there! He hauls Cedric up for the HURT LOCK! Cedric taps, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
Lashley throws Cedric down, then dares Omos to do something! But MVP says it’s not time yet. Backlash will be the time, but will time be up on the Rocky Mountain Machine? Or will Lashley repeat what he did to the Colossus at WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Liv Morgan.
Sarah asks her why she ambushed Rhea Ripley last week. Well Liv did to Rhea what Rhea did to her. Liv thought they were still a great tag team, but Rhea claims Liv was the disappointment that wasn’t holding up her end of the bargain. But Liv doesn’t think Rhea is disappointed in Liv. Rhea is disappointed in herself. And Liv isn’t going to take the blame or the beatings for Rhea. If Rhea doesn’t believe that, then just watch her. Will Liv more than hold her own in tonight’s Six Woman Tag?
R-Truth talks with Reggie backstage.
Truth says this situation with Dana isn’t that bad. Reggie has his health, those sharp suits and his acrobatic flips. But Reggie had it all! He was champion, had the love of his life. He blew it. Yes, he did do that. But Truth gets that feeling. He had the love of his life and let it slip away. Now Dana has the 24/7 Championship. Marriages are hard. 90% of divorces end in separation. But it’s all good. He has a prenup, right? A what? What!? Reggie doesn’t have a prenup!? Reggie, man…! If you don’t even know that, you’re gonna need Truth’s help as a certified divorce lawyer! Like his motto says, “If y’all can’t keep it together, The Truth will keep y’all apart.”
He’s esquire? The squire, the Duke of Earl, a baron and a jester! Did he ever tell Reggie about his certification to certify? Meanwhile, Nikki A.S.H. is bummed out on a road case. Doudrop walks over and asks if she’s done sulking around, playing games, and wants to take things more seriously. Yes, she does. Will Piper & Nikki soon make things very serious here on Raw?
Six Woman Tag: Sonya Deville, Rhea Ripley & Becky Lynch VS Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan & Asuka!
“Cruella” can’t bend the rules this time! She has to win this on an even playing field! Will she, the Aussie Nightmare and Big Time Becks prove why they’re the top of the Raw Women’s Division? Or will the EST, the Living End and the Empress of Tomorrow end those comebacks before they even begin?
Raw returns and Rhea makes her entrance, followed by Sonya. Liv makes her entrance next, then Asuka, and last but certainly not least, the Raw Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair! This star studded main event is about to go down, after the break!
Raw returns again, and Becky starts against Asuka as a preview of their coming showdown. Becky talks trash, Asuka says she’s just yapping away, but Becky says, “You don’t know who I am!” Becky swings but misses, then she dodges, only for Asuka to block her kick! Becky dodges and dodges and hurries to her corner! Asuka dares Becky to fight her, but Becky tags out to Sonya. Bianca wants in and Asuka obliges with a tag! Bianca and Sonya circle, but then Sonya runs away to her corner! Fans boo as Sonya tags Rhea. Rhea and Bianca circle, but Rhea smirks at Liv. Fans rally for the “E S T!” and Rhea is annoyed.
Rhea and Bianca tie up, Rhea waistlocks and SLAMS Bianca! Bianca fights up, switches, and SLAMS Rhea! Rhea fights up, pries the hold open but Bianca blocks the clothesline to reel Rhea in, for a suplex! Rhea slips off the stall to throw Bianca by her hair! Rhea then sucker punches Liv! Liv wants after Rhea but the ref keeps her back. Rhea bumps Bianca off buckles, tags Sonya, and they mug the champ. Sonya fires off kick after kick but lets off. Sonya then stands Bianca up to throw knees. Sonya snapmares, runs, but Bianca dodges to run Sonya over! Fans fire up and Bianca dusts off her hands before whipping Sonya to a corner.
Sonya reverses, Bianca goes up and over and handsprings, tot hen dropkick Sonya down! Bianca kips up, fans fire up, and Bianca puts Sonya in the corner. Tag to Liv, and Bianca whips Liv in for a back body blocks! Feed to Bianca’s scoop SLAM, then Liv covers. ONE, but Liv brings Sonya up. Sonya ROCKS Liv, then talks trash on her. Sonya whips, Liv reverses but Becky tags in. Sonya CLOBBERS Liv and Becky drops an elbow. Cover, ONE! Becky argues with the ref then says she should be champ. Becky EuroUppers Liv, but Liv turns it into a backslide! TWO, Becky kicks but Liv blocks to kick and KICK back!
Liv runs in to back body block in the corner, then she goes back in for a SHINING WIZARD! Liv snapmares Becky, goes up and leaps, missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Liv watches Rhea and swipes at her, but Becky grabs Liv by her hair! Liv JAWBREAKERS, then dodges to DIVE onto Rhea! Liv rains down furious fists but Rhea kicks her away. The ref counts, Liv stomps Rhea then goes back to the ring, to get WRECKED by a dropkick! Becky puts Liv in, climbs up the corner, THE MAN’S LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Liv is still in this and Becky is fuming as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again again, Rhea has Liv for a hip drop! Fans rally, Rhea dribbles Liv around, then she tells the ref to shut up about the hair pulling. Rhea stands Liv up, talks trash, but Liv SLAPS and SLAPS and SLAPS! Rhea SLAPS Liv down, and then checks her chin. Rhea gets Liv up to TOSS her to the corner! Rhea stands Liv up, RAMS into her, and again, and again! Rhea lets off at 4, tags Becky, and Becky stomps away on Liv. Becky mocks Asuka’s dance but Liv elbows Becky, then BOOTS her! Liv runs in, but into a MAN- NO! Liv arm-drags out and FLOAT OVER DDTS! Both women are down and fans are fired up as they crawl!
Hot tags to Rhea and Bianca! Bianca ROCKS Rhea, dodges her to DECK Sonya, then turns around, into a HEADBUTT! Rhea whips, Bianca dodges, ducks and runs Rhea over! Fans fire up and Bianca suplexes Rhea to hold her up! Bianca high steps then SLAMS Rhea, cover, TWO! Bianca shakes her head, then brings Rhea back up. Bianca scoops but Rhea slips off to RAM Bianca into a corner! Rhea RAMS her shoulder in, hoists Bianca up top, and ROCKS her with a haymaker. Then another! Rhea climbs up, but Bianca fights back with clubbing shots! Bianca bumps Rhea off buckles then DECKS her!
Rhea is on the mat, Becky hurries but Bianca kicks her away! Sonya distracts and Rhea BOOTS Bianca! Sonya tags in, she and Rhea climb up together. They get Bianca up for a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX! Sonya crawls to a cover, Liv breaks it! Fans fire up but Sonya whips Liv out of the ring. Bianca tags Asuka! Fans are thunderous as Asuka KICKS and KICKS Sonya. Sonya whips, Asuka swipes at Becky! Asuka dodges Sonya to then run her over! Fans fire up with Asuka as she HIP ATTACKS Sonya in the corner! Rhea runs in, into a ROUNDHOSUE! Sonya CLUBS Asuka, KICKs her, but Asuka blocks to get around and GERMAN SUPLEX!
Fans fire up and Asuka runs to SLIDING GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! Sonya survives but Asuka snarls. Asuka drags Sonya up, ELBOW BREAKER, and chicken wing! Sonya switches, shoves, Liv tags in, Asuka dodges to DROPKICK Sonya down! Asuka runs and HIP ATTACKS Sonya into a CODE BREAKER from Liv! Liv puts Sonya in, covers, Becky breaks it! Asuka BACK HANDS Becky down! Rhea BOOTS Asuka, but Bianca SPINEBUSTERS Rhea! Sonya throws Bianca out, but Liv O’Conner Rolls! ONE, to a roll-up! TWO, but Sonya KNEES Liv down!! Cover, TWO!! Liv survives and Sonya can’t believe it! Sonya runs in again, but Liv lets her hit buckles.
Sonya denies the code breaker and high stacks, with feet on ropes! But the ref sees that! He refuses to count, even as Sonya shouts at him! But she’s not management, she’s just a superstar tonight! Bianca pushes the feet off the ropes and Sonya is furious! Sonya turns around, into ObLIVion!! Cover, Liv’s team wins!
Winners: Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair & Asuka, by pinfall
Sonya tried to cheat but felt a bit of karma here! Will Sonya have to learn to do things by the book for real? Has Becky’s comeback hit a roadblock? And what will the Raw Women’s Championship scene look like moving forward?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good Raw, certainly making up for the subpar SmackDown from Friday. We got a good segment from Bloodline, RKBRO and McIntyre, but honestly, if not for being given the Six Man at Backlash, this felt like we were gonna get a Six Man tonight. Honestly, there was so much between SmackDown and this segment that could’ve been used to set up a Six Man tonight and we still get tag title unification. Whatever, we’ll just have to wait for title unification at Money in the Bank in Vegas or something. We got great stuff from Kevin, Alpha Academy, Elias/Ezekiel and Street Profits. Frantic Kevin is most hilarious Kevin, and that Six Man Tag was great stuff. The Heels winning makes sense, it puts pressure on the Faces, and Ezekiel will make the comeback.
Veer destroys another guy, and it was nice to at least get that guy’s last words as a promo. I’m disappointed Rey didn’t come out to confront Veer, Rey VS Veer should’ve been a Backlash match to avenge Dominik. Good promo from Styles, good rematch out of him and Priest, but I really don’t get why they needed a ringside ban stipulation on the line. Well, I suppose it does give a reason for the rematch. But then maybe Styles shouldn’t have won. It was still good for Finn to make the save, and I still hope we get Finn and Styles as a tag team. I wonder if SmackDown gets a bit of supershow treatment and have Raw stars since it’s the go-home show.
Good MizTV segment with Ali and Theory joining in. Ciampa’s attack last week made it clear Ali wasn’t getting at the US Championship right now anyway, and then Ciampa’s attack after the handicap match just doubled down. As I said last week, Ali VS Ciampa is going to good stuff, I hope they do that next week given this has been two attacks now. Then we’ll wait and see where things go as far as the US Championship. Hell, Ciampa should just go rogue Tweener and want after Theory on his own. We also got good stuff out of the 24/7 Championship Division, and Dana wanting that divorce was quite the shocker. But even better, Nikki is gonna put away the costume, and she will team up with “Doudrop” Piper Niven to give us a great tag team.
Good promo from Omos, MVP and Cedric, and fairly good match segment with Cedric and Lashley. Of course Lashley wins, but I feel like that just guarantees Omos wins, and probably with MVP’s help. Great segment out of the “Seth Freakin’ Rollins Appreciation Night,” with Cody showing up, too. Cody stands tall, and I bet that means Rollins wins to tie things up from WrestleMania. Then maybe the tiebreaker is at MITB, winner moving on to face Roman Reigns for the title(s).
And I really like that Sonya finally faced a situation where she can’t use her management authority to get out of it. That was basically where her story was going, anyway, so good they’ve given us a sample of it. Good promos from Becky and Liv going into tonight’s Six Woman main event, I just wish the match itself had more time devoted to it. Still a solid 15 minute match, and I figured the Faces would win. Sonya tastes more karma, Liv gets some points for the finish, but math stays even for each of the feuds. Liv VS Rhea probably goes Rhea’s way, Becky VS Asuka could probably go either way to set up a series of matches over the summer, and I would think Sonya has to choose between being a WWE official or a superstar if she wants another title match with Bianca.
My Score: 8.3/10
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YEAH VS YEHYEHYEHYEHYEHYEH!
LA Knight wants payback on Solo Sikoa’s rogue Bloodline, starting with The Good Bad Guy, Tama Tonga! But… is Solo Sikoa even still in charge?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Motor City Machine Guns VS Pretty Deadly; MCMG wins.
- Mia Yim & B-Fab VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven; Mia & B-Fab win.
- Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax, Candice LeRae & Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; Nia, Candice & Liv win.
- Johnny Gargano w/ Tommaso Ciampa VS Apollo Crews; Apollo wins.
- LA Knight VS Tama Tonga w/ Jacob Fatu; Knight wins.
- Damian Priest VS Carmelo Hayes; Priest wins.
- Kevin Owens VS Jimmy Uso; Kevin wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Joe Tessitore is in the ring.
He welcomes all the Longhorns here in Austin to SmackDown, and he welcomes out the WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as The American Nightmare makes his entrance, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody high-fives fans, goes to the ring, and he shakes hands with Joe. Joe says it’s a pleasure, and Austin cheers Cody on. Joe knows Cody always appreciates his family legacy, and that’s even more special here, because this is the hometown of The Son of a Plumber, Dusty Rhodes. But 24 hours from now, Shawn Michaels will moderate the contract signing for the ladder match at the Royal Rumble.
That means Cody will have to turn over something of his that is most cherished. With that thought, knowing that title will be gone for a week then suspended above, how does Cody feel knowing this could be the last moment with this title in his grasp? The fans cheer Cody again and Cody smiles. Cody says HBK is certainly the perfect person to moderate this contract signing tomorrow night. Cody saw HBK win not just one but two Royal Rumble matches, and he also knows a thing or two about ladder matches. And the WWE as a company has put the future of this company in the hands of HBK with NXT.
Cody has no problem handing over his title to HBK. Now, we’re in a season where everyone will talk about main eventing WrestleMania, and making WrestleMania Moments. It is very simple how you walk into WrestleMania and how you main event it: You have the Undisputed Championship with you. Joe says tomorrow night, Saturday Night’s Main Event, the last one of these saw a “post match horror” between Cody and Kevin Owens involving a package piledriver. Cody was out of action, only just recently cleared. It has been on-sight with Kevin ever since, so how can Cody explain what he sees in this version of KO?
Cody isn’t sure. Austin, what do you think about Kevin? The fans boo, and Cody smirks. Cody says you can ask this in ever locker room, the ecosystem of this sport, and you’ll get a mixed bag, a lot of opinions, and a lot of people judge the book by its cover. You shouldn’t do that with Kevin because he will subvert expectations every time with the feats he is capable of. Kevin is a genius in the ring, a hell of an athlete, a once in a generation athlete. But what hurts when it comes to Kevin Owens is that when he was faced with a choice of the easy way out or the hard way, 10 times out of 10, Kevin will choose the easy way out.
But that’s why a ladder match is so apt. There is not a referee to stop them, there is not a referee to miss a count, there is not a referee to call for a disqualification! It is simply about who can climb the ladder, find the grit, pull down the belt, and leave Lucas Oil Stadium as THE WWE Champion. Joe says that the ladder match is one week away, that’ll be the biggest title defense in Cody’s reign. But tomorrow, he will still be face to face with Kevin. Joe isn’t sure, based on the version of Kevin we’ve seen, that Kevin can remain calm enough to truly listen. But if Cody could look him in the eyes and say something before arriving in Indianapolis, what would Cody say?
Cody takes a moment to think while the fans cheer him on again. Cody says if he could look Kevin in the eyes, he’d say… That yes, maybe Cody smile and shake hands and appear to be a good guy, because that is what he’s trying to be. But that doesn’t mean that when you press a button, that this gnawing and pettiness ceases, that this covert BS, that this overt BS, like a package piledriver, continues. Cody would tell Kevin to not forget that Cody defeated Der Ring General! Cody dethroned the greatest champion of this era! Cody is the WWE QB in form and in function. Cody is the Grandson of a Plumber, but he is also the student of Randy Orton!
Before anybody loved The American Nightmare, Cody was as mean as they could get! Kevin, Cody has no problem punching you firmly in your face, right in the front seat of that car where you do your promos from, on the way to that Island of Self-Righteousness that you live on! Simply put, going into the Royal Rumble, Cody has one thing to say: Good luck. The fans cheer that! Cody shakes Joe’s hand and is more than ready for what’s coming, but will Kevin again subvert expectations between now and Indianapolis?
DIY talks backstage.
They talk about Johnny Gargano going after Apollo Crews. Gargano says he had it coming, he talks too much. Pretty Deadly walks over and Kit Wilson says tonight is a big night. Elton Prince says they wanna know the game plan. Game plan? Tommaso Ciampa is already annoyed but Gargano says he has a match with Apollo tonight. He’s got to to get ready, so sorry, but DIY can’t be out there to help. Elton says they made this arrangement, and Kit says they’re not feeling the quid pro quo. Ciampa says DIY are THE WWE Tag Team Champions! Are Kit & Elton questioning their integrity? No, they aren’t doing that.
But… Pretty Deadly does have Motor City Machine Guns tonight. They know that. So just handle your business. Kit says they will, but what about Legado? Ciampa says again: Handle your business! Gargano says they believe in Pretty Deadly. Do whatever they have to in order to get this done! #YesBoy! DIY leaves, Pretty Deadly heads out, but then Pretty Deadly runs across Legado Del Fantasma. Santos Escobar looks them up and down, then smiles. Legado steps aside, but will there still be scores to settle after Pretty Deadly “handles” things?
Motor City Machine Guns VS Pretty Deadly!
Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin beat A-Town Down Under, they beat Los Garza, so now they look to wrap up by beating Kit & Elton. Will MCMG run the table in this unofficial round robin? Or will DIY actually be saying #YesBoy to a tag title defense with Pretty Deadly?
SmackDown returns and Pretty Deadly makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Elton starts against Sabin. They tie up, Elton puts Sabin in a corner, and then Elton stomps Sabin! Elton whips corner to corner but Sabin goes up and over! Sabin arm-drags Elton down, then arm-drags him again! Elton avoids the leg sweep to BOOT Sabin! Elton CLUBS Sabin, headlocks, but Shelley tags in as Sabin powers up and out. Sabin drops down, Shelley ROCKS Elton, and MCMG pinballs Elton around. They double wrench, maypole the arms, and then DOUBLE GIRI SANDWICH! Elton falls, the fans fire up, and Shelley brings Elton around.
Elton stomps Shelley’s foot, then scoops to SLAM him! Tag to Kit, but Shelley BOOTS Kit away! Shelley fires forearms and body shots, then he tags Sabin. MCMG whips Kit, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! ELton gets mad but MCMG DOUBLE PUNCH him! Kit runs back up, into a DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Cover, ONE, but Sabin whips. Kit reverses, then distracts the ref so Elton can get a cheap shot in! Sabin ROCKS Elton for it, but Kit CLOBBERS Sabin! Sabin falls out of the ring, Elton tags in so he can go after Sabin on the outside! The fans boo but Pretty Deadly POST Sabin! Then they TOSS him over the barriers!
The fans are torn but Shelley attacks Pretty Deadly! The ref has everyone calm it down, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Pretty Deadly regroups in the ring and soaks up the heat while Shelley checks on Sabin. Sabin makes his way back over the barriers, and Elton goes out to fetch him. Elton puts Sabin in the ring, he soaks up more heat, then he rains down fists! Elton lets off to tag in Kit, and Pretty Deadly drags Sabin up. They mug Sabin, Kit covers, TWO! Kit drags Sabin up to wrench and whip, then HIP TOSS! Cover, TWO! Sabin stays in this but Kit stays on him with a rain of forearms! Cover, TWO! Kit snarls and he clamps onto Sabin with a cobra clutch! Sabin endures, fights up, wrenches out, and he hits a JAWBREAKER!
But Kit yoyos in the ropes to LARIAT! Sabin’s down and Kit tags Elton. Kit drops knees on Sabin’s arm, then Elton KNEES him in the back! Elton clamps on a top wristlock and he grinds Sabin down. Sabin fights up, fires body shots, then runs, but Elton catches him! Elton RAMS Sabin into the Pretty Deadly corner! Tag to Kit and he taunts Shelley before he UPPERCUTS Sabin! Kit drags Sabin to a cover, TWO! Kit drags Sabin up to UPPERCUT, and Sabin goes to ropes. Kit CHOKES Sabin while SmackDown returns to single picture. The ref counts, the fans boo, but Kit lets off at 4. Kit stomps Sabin, rains down fists, then he stomps Sabin again.
Kit tags Elton, they sit Sabin up for more stomps! Elton UPPERCUTS Sabin, puts him back in the corner, and he fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Elton knees low, then tags Kit. Shelley protests and the fans boo, but then Sabin fights back with CHOPS! Kit kicks low, Elton runs up, but Sabin TOSSES Elton up and out! Sabin BOOTS Kit, then runs up to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kit and Sabin crawl for their corners, hot tags to Elton and Shelley! Shelley fires haymakers on Elton! And he ELBOWS Elton! And DECKS him! Elton gets under, Kit runs in, but Shelley still BACKDROPS Kit away!
Shelley spins things around to facelock Elton, then he catches Kit on the return! COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton flounders away, Kit runs up, but Shelley TOSSES Kit! Tag to Sabin, Shelley runs to WRECK Pretty Deadly with a dropkick! Then Shelley holds the way open, Sabin DIVES to take Pretty Deadly out! Sabin puts Elton in, he and Shelley coordinate. UPPERCUT in the corner, tag to Shelley, and a feed to the clinch! Sabin goes up but Elton fights free! Elton sends Shelley into ropes and that trips Sabin up! Tag to Kit, Elton KNEES Shelley and whips. Shelley reverses but Kit goes up and over Elton!
Shelley runs up, Elton gives Kit the boost, BAD APPLE MARTI-KNEES! Shelley sputters, Sabin runs in, but Elton hurdles for Kit to DDT Sabin! Shelley staggers up, Elton tags back in! Elton brings Shelley around, Kit goes up! Half nelson and lift, FLYING BULLDOG!! Cover, TWO!! Shelley survives that combo, but Elton tags Kit back in! They hoist Shelley up, but Sabin climbs! Sabin MISSILE DORPKICKS Elton! Shelley slips free, Kit ROCKS Sabin! Kit dodges Shelley and kicks low! Kit whips but Sabin sneaks the tag! Shelley reveres to then pop Kit up! DREAM SEQUENCE! The fans fire up and we get the BOOT ENZIGIRI COMBO!
Kit staggers, Shelley tags back in! Shelley goes up, Sabin turns Kit, SKULL & BONES!! Cover, MCMG wins!
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns, by pinfall
Pretty Deadly brought out their best stuff, but it wasn’t good enough to stop the best! MCMG is putting DIY on notice, will they get those tag titles back soon enough?
Nick Aldis meets with The Miz.
Miz shakes hands with the SmackDown General Manager, and says he saw that interview Cody Rhodes did with Joe Tessitore. Joe does a great interview, but it’s no MizTV. Is that why Miz is here tonight? Is he to get Kevin’s side of the story? Um… No one told him? Miz isn’t just here for a visit, he is on SmackDown now. The Transfer Window. No. Yes. Seriously? Yes, welcome to team blue. Miz says the Wyatts are here, though. Yes, they are. No, Miz had them moved here strategically so he could get away from them! Why is he here?! Did Karrion Kross betray him!? Aldis says Miz might need to make some new friends, and fast.
The Hollywood A-Lister is not happy that he’s where Bo Dallas can find him, but will Miz find a way to avoid disaster? Or is this going to be the last time he’s on the USA Network?
Kevin Owens storms out here.
The Prizefighter tells Joe Tessitore that he’d love to know where HIS interview was! Explain that to him, Joe! Joe interviews Cody but not Kevin? What kind of journalist is he? Kevin can’t believe he’s going to say this, but Joe makes him miss Michael Cole! Of course, Cole is too busy kissing Pat McAfee’s ass to be here! Just like everyone is too busy kissing Cody Rhodes’ ass! Joe, The Rock, EVERYONE! Kevin gets on the desk with his Winged Eagle title, and he asks Joe why everyone wants to be Cody’s friend. Here’s what happens to Cody’s friends: He uses them then betrays them!
But that’s okay, because at the Royal Rumble, Kevin will prove to everyone that he is the TRUE, RIGHTFUL WWE Champion! Oh, what’re you looking at, McConaughey? McConaughey tells Kevin, “Boo-hoo.” Kevin says at the Rumble, he’ll beat Cody just like how Ohio State beat the stupid Longhorns. The fans boo even more, but then wait! Jimmy Uso is here! Kevin says McConaughey is lucky, and Kevin hops off the desk as #BigJim goes to the ring. Kevin has them cut “that terrible music,” and he asks what this is. What does Jimmy even want? Jimmy steps to Kevin in the ring and says this is cuz Kevin talks too damn much.
UPPERCUT! Jimmy tackles Kevin, rains down fists, but Kevin shoves him away! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Kevin down! T he fans fire up as Jimmy climbs, but Kevin scrambles away! The fans boo but Jimmy grins. Jimmy tells Kevin, “Where you running to, boy?” Things get weird in Austin? How about tonight, we get Kevin Owens VS Jimmy Uso! HOOK ‘EM! McConaughey approves! Will Jimmy make sure Kevin is anything but ready for Saturday Night’s Main Event?
SmackDown returns and…
Nick Aldis finishes a phone as Carmelo Hayes walks in. Melo asks what’s going on here. Kevin VS Jimmy? It was supposed to be H1M VS Jimmy! Aldis knows, things happen. But the match of Melo VS Jimmy will be next week. Though this is also quite the opening. The Transfer Window has brought another star over to SmackDown, and Melo would make the perfect first opponent. Melo doesn’t trust that. Aldis did that with Braun. Melo wants to see this guy first. That’s fair. In fact, he could wait a moment because he’s on his way. Melo says that’s perfect. He’ll tell this guy that SmackDown is the land of the sharks. Melo will humble and embarrass this guy!
Aldis says he looks forward to seeing that. But could Melo be setting himself up for another moment like with the Monster of All Monsters?
Mia Yim & B-Fab VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven!
There is safety in numbers, so in order for Michin and Miss Fabulous to get even, they’re sticking together! Will they look to humble the Hot Mess and her “Spicy Service Agent?” Or will the blue brand still be #RedWhite&Green?
The teams sort out and Mia starts against Piper. They tie up but then Mia dodges to fire forearms and CHOPS! Mia headlocks, but Piper keeps her from B-Fab. Piper sends Mia to the corner, then runs in, but Mia dodges! Mia HEEL KICKS and Piper wobbles! Chelsea tags in and talks smack, but Mia bends Chelsea’s accusing finger! Mia TOSSES Chelsea, then brings her up to wrench. Chelsea says no to Da Feet, and she chicken wings. Mia fights the spin and shoves Chelsea to a corner. Mia CHOPS, then says get this twerk! But Piper says you can’t do that to the champ! Mia DECKS Piper, then runs in to CANNONBALL! Chelsea dodges and Mia hits buckles!
Chelsea stomps and KICKS Mia around, then she stands Mia up. Chelsea salutes, snap suplexes, and covers, TWO! Mia stays in this, but Chelsea stands on Mia’s hair and pulls the arms! Chelsea then argues with the ref. Mia KICKS Chelsea away, so Chelsea tags Piper! Piper drags Mia back, but Mia kicks and kicks and BOOTS Piper away! Piper runs back up, but Mia avoids the elbow drop! The fans fire up and Mia crawls! Piper also crawls, hot tags to Chelsea end B-Fab! B-Fab dodges to fire forearms on Chelsea! B-Fab SLAPS Chelsea, struts around, then runs up to LEG LARIAT! B-Fab whips Chelsea, then swings to BOOT Chelsea down!
Chelsea staggers up, B-Fab gets around, DDT! Cover, Piper runs up to ELBOW DROP the whole thing! Piper realizes that hurt Chelsea, too! Piper says she’ll fix it! She shoves B-Fab, Mia tags in before B-Fab takes that SCRAPBUSTER! Piper talks smack, but Mia SHOTUGNS her down! Chelsea has Mia’s arms! But Mia wrenches out, to make Chelsea EAT DA FEET! Cover, Mia & B-Fab win!
Winners: Mia Yim & B-Fab, by pinfall
Not only did they win, The Head Baddie in Charge gets a pin on the Women’s US Champion! Can Mia make good on one more shot at the title?
Melo is still waiting.
He’s pacing and saying Aldis won’t embarrass H1M this time. But then in steps Damian Priest! The Punisher shakes hands with Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t wait to get started. Priest feels the same way. Melo says, “Nah… Nah…!” Oh, right, sorry. Aldis tells Priest that Melo was interested in a 1v1 match with him here tonight. Oh, is that so? Well, Priest is here to work, and he’s ready to punch in. Melo storms off, Aldis tells him to lace ’em up tight. Priest thanks Aldis, and it looks like the former world champion is already settling in. Melo may not miss, but will he ever learn not to shoot his mouth off?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“There is a difference between confidence and arrogance. Arrogance is insecurity. It’s convincing someone of who you are. Confidence is knowing. It’s walking into a room and everyone sits up straight because they know The GOAT doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, and I mean no one, can touch. And I know exactly who I am. And I’m back. So when I walk through that curtain and enter the Royal Rumble with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye, I’m going to remind you all who owns the night. WOO~!” The Queen is on her way back, will she take over this Road to WrestleMania?
Tiffany Stratton is here!
Austin fires up because it’s #TiffyTime! The WWE Women’s Champion struts right to the ring, and she gets herself a mic. “Once again, I am the center of everybody’s attention. Because next week, at the Royal Rumble, 30 women will be fighting for a chance to face me at WrestleMania. Which is funny because just last week, I beat last year’s Royal Rumble winner, Bayley. So I’m not worried even in the slightest. And next week, whoever wins, they’re gonna be running on Tiffy Time.” BUT WAIT! Rhea Ripley is here?! The fans go wild and Tiff is shocked to see the WWE Women’s WORLD Champion here on SmackDown!
Rhea smiles and makes her way to the ring, and she grabs herself a mic. Rhea knows Tiff is still a little bit new here, but she wants Tiff to know, she’s a champion, too. So champion to champion, Rhea just wants to say that she respects what Tiff did to Nia Jax. But it won’t compare to what Rhea does to Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Well hold on, here comes Nia Jax now! She and Candice LeRae are on stage, and Nia says, Look what we have here.” First, why is she catching strays? That’s rude. Right, Candice? Yes, very rude. Nia says she wants both champions to know this is a historic moment.
Because see, Nia is officially announcing that she is entering and winning the Women’s Royal Rumble! The fans continue to boo as Nia & Candice go to the ring. Fans chant “You Suck!” and Nia tells one of ’em, “Your mom sucks, kid!” Nia says she knows what everyone is thinking: Isn’t Rhea’s title reign gonna end tomorrow night when Nia beats her? Yes, you’re correct. But Nia is gonna beat Rhea~ Ripley~ AND still win the Royal Rumble, so Nia can take the title that is rightfully hers! WAIT! Now we add Bianca Belair & Naomi! The fans fire up as the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions make their way out, mics already in hand.
The StrongEST Glow can ‘t believe this. The ring is filling up real quick. But that is why they came out here to say that Naomi will be entering and WINNING the Women’s Royal Rumble! Bianca says she likes that, except that she is also entering and winning the Royal Rumble! But if Bianca doesn’t win, then maybe Naomi wins. Yes, that’s a good point, because if Naomi doesn’t win, Bianca will win. So long as one of them wins, that’s all that matters! It definitely won’t be anyone else. And certainly not Nia. Hold on! Now Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are here! Liv has a mic to say, “Well, well, well. Raquel, look what we have here.”
There’s the girl that lost her man to a real woman, that’s Rhea. Then there’s the wannabe Liv holding a title that’d look way better on Liv, in Tiffy. And we have a bunch of other women declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble, but Liv~ doesn’t~ care~! Do you know why she doesn’t? Because the headline won’t be about them, it’ll be about her! Liv hereby declares her entry to the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble. And not only that, but she declares her victory! And she is the only person in this company who can do that. Why? Because Raquel Rodriguez is going to ensure that victory for the Royal Rumb- HEADBUTT from Rhea!!
The fans fire up as the brawl breaks out! Nia & Candice mug Rhea, Naomi & Bianca fight Raquel, but Liv gets up to help Raquel. Tiff got away and is laughing at everyone else going wild. Rhea ROUNDHOUSES Nia! The tag champs toss Liv & Raquel, and they stand tall with Rhea. Aldis makes his way out here, what will he do to sort out the madness?
Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax, Candice LeRae & Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
SmackDown returns and in Aldis’ best Teddy Long, he’s put together this tag match! Will Mami & The StrongEST Glow shine together as champions? Or will the Irresistible Force, the Poison Pixie & the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour be rolling on the Road to WrestleMania?
The teams sort out, Rhea and Nia start, and the fans rally up. Rhea and Nia talk trash, but then Nia runs away to tag Candice. Rhea takes a deep breath, Nia is just playing games. Candice runs up to fire forearms, then runs the ropes. Candice ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, but Rhea stops the crucifix takedown. Candice swings but Rhea stops the arm-drag! Rhea throws Candice to a corner, but Candice BOOTS back! Candice goes up, TORNADO- NO, Rhea stops the DDT! Rhea suplexes Candice and holds her up! Bianca reaches out to tag in, Rhea SLAMS Candice down! Bianca tags Naomi, they run up on Nia to DOUBLE DROPKICK!
Liv stays back while Naomi gets a boost from Rhea & Bianca, rockabye baby in the treetop SPLASH for Nia! Then a cover on Candice, TWO! Naomi keeps Candice back, but Candice BOOTS her away! Tag to Liv, but Naomi RANAS first! Liv flounders, Naomi tags Bianca. The tag champs double whip Liv to DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Then Bianca and Naomi secret handshake before the STANDING MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Bianca while Liv scrambles to a corner. Bianca runs up and RAMS into Liv! Bianca then climbs up and she rains down fists! The fans count along, but Candice runs up from the apron!
Bianca gives Candice number six, but Liv YANKS the braid! Nia tags in, Bianca BACKFLIPS free! Bianca DROPKICKS Liv, kips up, but Nia LARIATS Bianca down! Nia soaks up the heat then LASHES Bianca with her own braid! The ref reprimands, Nia HEADBUTTS Bianca down, then she DRIBBLES Bianca off the mat! Nia soaks up heat, tells Rhea to “SUCK IT!” and then she brings Bianca up. Nia scoops Bianca, SLAMS her into the drop zone, then goes up the corner! But Bianca stands to SHOVE Nia over! Bianca ROCKS Nia, Nia falls to the floor! Raquel checks Nia while Bianca crawls for her corner.
The fans rally, Nia sputters, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nia drags herself up and into the ring, hot tag to Candice! Hot tag to Naomi! Naomi rallies on Candice with LARIAT after LARIAT, then she whips. REARVIEW! Naomi is all fired up but Candice flounders away. Nia tags back in and she storms up on Naomi. Naomi fires forearms but Nia shoves her away. Naomi slides under the lariat, MULE KICKS, then DROPKICKS! Nia staggers around, Naomi runs up on her, but Nia puts Naomi on the apron. Liv runs up but Naomi DECKS her! Naomi RAMS Nia, then brings her into the ropes for a slingshot sun- NO, Nia stays up out of the sunset! Candice keeps Naomi down, Nia SITS on Naomi! Cover, TWO!!
Naomi survives that downsized A-Nia-Lator but only barely. Nia argues with the ref about it, but then she tags Candice. Candice stomps Naomi, CHOKES her on the ropes, but lets off at the ref’s count. Candice drags Naomi back, covers, TWO! Candice keeps Naomi down with a facelock but Naomi endures the grind. Naomi fights up, fires body shots, and she backs Candice down! Candice digs her heels in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! Naomi crawls, reaches out, but Candice CLOBBERS her! No tag, and Candice drags Naomi all the way back. Liv tags in and she stomps away on Naomi!
Liv drags Naomi up, reels her in, and snap suplexes! Una Amiga, and Liv hits another snap suplex! That’s Dos Amigas, and then THREE AMIGAS! Liv shouts out Dirty Dom, then ENZIGIRIS Naomi! SmackDown returns to single picture with the cover, TWO! Liv is frustrated but she drags Naomi back. Nia tags in, Nia stomps Naomi, and then Nia whips Naomi to a corner. Nia runs up to SPLASH in a corner! Naomi sits down, Nia says kiss this, HIP ATTACK! And STINK FACE! Nia rubs it in, then soaks up the heat. Nia storms back up, but Naomi kicks her low! And kicks again! Naomi stands to ROCK Nia, and roll her up! TWO!
Nia is up, and she CLUBS Naomi down! Nia brings Naomi away to tag Candice. They mug Naomi, the fans rally for Rhea, but Liv tells them to shut up. Candice snapmares for a NECK SNAPPER! Then jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice knees on Naomi’s neck but the ref notices that. Candice steps away to stomp Naomi, but Naomi KICKS from below! Naomi crawls, Candice CLUBS her down, then Candice sucker punches Rhea! The fans boo but Candice snap suplexes! Cover, but the ref is busy with Rhea! Candice drags Naomi to the corner, argues with the ref, then she stands on Naomi. The ref counts, Candice steps off at 4.
The fans rally for “MAMI! MAMI!” but Candice keeps on Naomi. Naomi fights back, but Candice blocks the kick! But the REBOUND ENZIGIRI takes Candice down! Liv panics, but Nia already YANKS Rhea off the apron! The fans boo as Nia gets away with one! Liv then YANKS Bianca down! The ref can’t keep up with all these underhanded tactics! Candice RAMS Naomi into the corner, but Naomi fights free! Naomi goes up and up and FLYING FACEBUSTERS Candice! The fans fire up as everyone is down! Raquel coaches Liv and Nia, but Rhea rises! Naomi crawls her way over, hot tag to Rhea! The fans are thunderous for Mami!
Rhea rallies on Liv with LARIAT after LARIAT, then a ripcord and HOOK KICK! Then a FACEBUSTER! SLIDING KICK! Rhea runs to DROPKICK Nia & Candice! Raquel is furious but the ref stops her from storming in! Rhea goes after Raquel, but Liv hits a BACKSTABBER! Rhea tumbles, Bianca tags in! Bianca stops Liv’s Code Breaker to throw her back! Liv returns, but Bianca wrenches and suplexes! Liv slips free, but Bianca ducks the enzigiri! Bianca handsprings, knocks Candice down with it, but Liv’s knees hit the moonsault! Both Liv and Bianca runs, and Bianca SPEARS Liv!! Cover, Nia breaks it!
The fans boo but Naomi runs up! POP-UP HEADBUTT from Nia! Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia!! RIP- NO, Liv jumps on Rhea! Rhea still DECKS Nia, then she THROWS Liv off her! Rhea pump handles Liv, RIPTIDE onto Nia!! Raquel is up again, so Rhea BOOTS her back down! But Candice DUMPS Rhea to the apron! And then CODE BREAKER in the ropes! Rhea falls, but Bianca torture racks Candice! KISS OF DEATH!! Only for Liv to ghost pin Bianca! LIV’S TEAM WINS!!
Winner: Nia Jax, Candice LeRae & Liv Morgan, by pinfall
The EST had this, but the chaos allowed Liv to steal it from her! Will the Royal Rumble be even wilder than this? Will the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour go all the way to WrestleMania?
Chelsea Green & Piper Niven regroup backstage.
Chelsea complains even while Piper tends to her. Where was Piper? Look what happened! How did it happen!? Mia & B-Fab walk in, and B-Fab says it happened because the math is finally mathing, and things were even. And Piper has to protect Chelsea even more now since Mia has back-up. And Mia is feeling real good about taking that US title. Actually, Mia talked with Aldis, and she gets one final crack at it next week. Good luck, Chelsea. You’re gonna need it. Mia & B-Fab head out, and Piper says they need a bigger security detail. But who could they possibly get that can stomach- er, guard Chelsea Green?
Johnny Gargano w/ Tommaso Ciampa VS Apollo Crews!
Johnny Wrestling doesn’t appreciate Apollo telling Pretty Deadly the truth, so he has to shut him up personally. Will DIY show Pretty Deadly how to handle business? Or will Apollo show up Gargano 1v1?
SmackDown returns as Apollo makes his entrance. The bell rings and the brawl is on! Apollo runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then he RUNS Gargano over! Apollo suplexes Gargano, holds him up, but Gargano fires knees! Apollo keeps Gargano off the mat to suplex again! The fans fire up for the SLAM! Apollo then storms up on Gargano at the ropes. Gargano fires hands in return, then whips. Apollo reverses, hurdles, then drops down. Apollo DROPKICKS Gargano and the fans fire up! Gargano bails out but Apollo aims, PLANCHA! Gargano slips in, Apollo lands on his feet. Gargano slides out but Apollo dodges to ASAI MOONSAULT!
The fans fire up with Apollo, but Apollo keeps his eyes on Ciampa. Apollo puts Gargano in the ring, goes up a corner, and he leaps, only for Gargano to move! Apollo rolls through the splash, but the SUPERKICK hits! Cover, TWO! Gargano is already frustrated but he stomps Apollo in the corner. The ref counts, Gargano stops at 4, but Ciampa is there to talk trash on Apollo. Gargano and Ciampa applaud themselves, pat themselves on the back, and Apollo goes to another corner. Gargano runs up, but into a BOOT! And an ELBOW! Apollo blocks a kick to mule kick, KNEE LIFT, and whip! LEAPING LARIAT!
The fans fire up with Apollo and he military presses Gargano! The fans fire up for the PRESS SLAM! And then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gargano survives but Apollo keeps cool. Gargano goes to a corner, Apollo builds speed, but Gargano dodges! Gargano comes back, blocks a kick, and he puts it in the ropes to KICK the thigh! Then ENZIGIRI! Apollo is stuck in the ropes, DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Gargano grows frustrated again but Ciampa still talks trash on Apollo. Gargano brings Apollo up, but Apollo ROCKS Gargano! Gargano fires forearms in return, but Apollo fires back!
The fans rally behind Apollo but Gargano fires a flurry! And a ROLLING ELBOW! But Apollo BOOTS! Gargano rebounds, but Apollo ENZIGIRIS! Apollo runs up, but Gargano sends him out! Apollo clutches his arm, Gargano distracts the ref, Ciampa KNEES Apollo down!! Ciampa puts Apollo in and Gargano brings Apollo up. But wait, MCMG is making their way out here! DIY tells MCMG to watch themselves, but Apollo rolls Gargano! APOLLO WINS!
Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall
DIY should’ve been watching themselves, because Apollo just snatched victory from the jaws of defeat! MCMG shrug, but will DIY have to face the facts that they can’t do it themselves?
Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga walk backstage.
The Samoan Werewolf says, “YEAH! Tomorrow night, Braun Strowman…. The Werewolf VS The Monster. Hell, Godzilla VS King Kong. Hell, you ain’t Godzilla or King Kong! Cuz I’m BOTH! Hey, don’t get it twisted now, Braun. They don’t make ’em like me no more! They ain’t never made ’em like me! I’m off the scale with it. I’m raw, uncut with it. I’m all gas, no brakes with it. Know what I mean?! First off, LA Knight, my taka ua is coming live!” Tama Tonga adds, “With everybody saying, YEHYEHYEHYEHYEH!” The Good Bad Guy makes his way to the ring, Jacob at his back. Will the rogues of the Bloodline be even more dangerous without Solo Sikoa around?
LA Knight VS Tama Tonga w/ Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and The Mega Star makes his entrance, “YEAH!” But Knight gets a mic to say cut it. “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The man they call The Mega Star is in the building in Austin, and that means these two cross-eyed halfwits have hell to pay! “YEAH!” They ain’t gonna cost him the US Championship and think they’re getting away with it. He may not have ended up on top, but he got his ass kicked and was willing to take it if it meant getting a piece of them. But tonight, he won’t just get a piece, he’s getting a whole big chunk! “Tommy Tonga” just drew the short straw, and that means he’ll get the BFT for his troubles.
And if Jacob wants to get his fat head in here, Knight will kick him so hard, he won’t be able to stop the shakes. Knight mocks Jacob’s shaking around, and says that there might not be anything left for Braun on Saturday. Sorry, Braun, but it’s gotta be done. But it starts right now with Tama getting his first class ticket to getting his head stomped in! With everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” Knight storms in, dodges Tama’s sucker punch, and the brawl is on! The bell rings and the fans fire up as Knight fires more shots! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Tama reverses to ROCK Knight!
Tama fires hands, CLUBS Knight, then fires even more shots. Tama whips, Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges to then catch Tama, POWERSLAM! Cover, ONE!! Tama survives but Knight stomps him. Tama goes to ropes, Knight stomps him, then Knight ROPE GUILLOTINES! Tama tumbles out, Knight pursues, and Knight fires more hands. Knight stalks Tama, SMACKS him off the barriers, and the fans fire up. Knight whips, Tama reverses, and Knight hits the barriers now! Knight staggers, the fans cheer him on, but Tama runs and uses the steps! FLYING- NO, Knight catches Tama to FLAPJACK him off the barriers!
Knight winds up and he LARIATS Tama into the crowd! The fans fire up as Knight stands on the corner. “YEAH!” Knight then goes back out, and he drags Tama up, only for Tama to HOTSHOT him off barriers! Knight staggers away, Tama climbs up, and Tama tightrope walks so he can FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Knight and Tama soaks up the heat. The ring count is climbing, but Tama fires hands on Knight. Tama brings Knight over but Knight SMACKS Tama off the apron! Knight puts Tama in at 8 of 10, then RAMS into him! Knight slingshots, FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Tama right up to whip him again.
Knight BACKDROPS Tama, and Tama flounders. Knight runs up to LARIAT Tama out of the ring! The fans fire up again and Knight goes after Tama. Knight stares Jacob down, but Tama runs up! Knight counter punches Tama, stalks him, then he blocks a kick But Tama blocks the lariat to COMPLETE SHOTÂ into the steps! Knight goes down in a heap and the fans boo, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Knight fires hands on Tama! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight scoops, Tama slips free, but Knight buck sthe O’Conner! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tama stays in this and Jacob seethes. Knight whips, Tama grabs ropes, and then Tama DUMPS Knight ot the apron! Knight ROCKS Tama, steps in, but Tama grabs a leg! DRAGON SCREW! Knight clutches that leg but Tama drops an ELBOW on the knee! And another! And then Tama DDTS the foot! Knight crawls away but Tama stalks him to the corner. Tama stomps Knight, then HEADBUTTS him! The fans rally and Knight rises.
Tama reels Knight in, but knight slips free of the suplex, to hit a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tama survives, Knight whips, but Tama reverses. Kitchen sink knee for Knight! Tama paces while the fans boo. The fans rally for Knight but Tama clamps onto Knight’s shoulders. Tama digs the claws in, but Knight fights up. Knight fires elbows, fires haymakers, but Tama knees low! Tama whips, Knight LEAPING LARIATS! The fans fire up as Knight rains down fists! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight stands Tama up to whip him hard into a corner, then JUMPING NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Knight again while Tama goes to thea pron.
Knight storms over, but Tama RAMS into him! Knight ROCKS Tama in return, “This is Awesome!” Knight storms back up, but Tama HOTSHOTS Knight! Tama hurries back up, but Knight BLASTS him off the apron! Tama hits the desk, and then Knight WRECKS Tama with a dropkick! Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs as he drags Tama up and into the ring. Knight hurries to reel Tama in, but Tama fights the torture rack! Tama fires hands, but Knight dodges the boot! Tama dodges a lariat to VENOM DDT! Cover, TWO!! Tama seethes as Knight survives. Tama stalks Knight to a corner, hoists him up top, and he climbs up.
But Knight fires haymakers! Tama and Knight brawl, “YEAH! BOO!” Tama fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! But then Knight DECKS Tama! Knight adjusts, but Tama returns to ROCK him! Tama goes back up, but Knight SUPER GOURD BUSTERS! Tama flounders, Knight powers up, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” DOUBLE JUMP ELBOW DROP! Knight brings Tama up again, but Jacob gets on the apron! Knight BOOTS Jacob! Tama rolls Knight! TWO!! Tama scrambles, but Knight kicks low! B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall
But Jacob drags Knight out of the ring! Jacob RAMS Knight into the apron, then fireman’s carries to SAMOAN DROP Knight on the desk! The desk doesn’t break so Jacob stands tall! Jacob then TOSSES the armchairs aside, drags Knight up, and he HEADBUTTS Knight back onto the desk! Jacob HEADBUTTS Knight again, and again, and again! The fans boo, but here comes BRAUN!! Jacob spots the #OneBigSOB heading down the ramp! They stare down from across the ring, and Braun steps in. Braun says come get some, Tama wants Jacob to stand down! Jacob shoves Tama away to get in the ring!
The fans are losing their minds as monster and monster stare down! Braun rips his shirt off, roars, and the fans are even more fired up! Jacob roars, but Tama gets in! Braun grabs Tama, but then he dodges Jacob! Braun runs to LARIAT Jacob up and out! Tama now gets Jacob to stand down, and Knight manages to get in the ring. Braun tells Jacob that they don’t run SmackDown anymore! Will Jacob #GetTheseHands when these two arrive in San Antonio?
The Miz talks with A-Town Down Under.
He is glad to see two bright, young talented superstars, the next big thing in WWE, and him, the reality icon and first-ever TWO-TIME Grand Slam Champion in WWE history! They are made from the same cloth. Just imagine: Marine 7! Waller, Theory & Miz. Box office gold! Theory says they’ll be rich! Waller feels this was meant to be. Together, they can run SmackDown! But Aldis steps in and says he has three words for them: Pack your bags. Transfer Window is sending them to Raw! What? They’re going to Raw? AWESOME! ATDU is fired up, and tell Miz they’re still in for Marine 7. Laters!
Miz can’t catch a break. Will no one be around to save him from the Wyatts?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“This is a warning to all those who challenge for my United States Championship. The attempt will be a fruitless effort. Even if you challenge with the determination to seek glory and give it everything, you will get nothing. The only thing left will be the body that has been crushed, hurt, and shattered, and this title will still be in my hands. But that’s not enough. I aim for further heights. Shinsuke Nakamura will bein the Royal Rumble! Just as I won before, I will seize the victory again. 2025 will be the year of my conquest, beginning with The Royal Rumble.”
Damian Priest VS Carmelo Hayes!
Much like with Braun Strowman, The Punisher was a bit more of a surprise than expected for Melo. But now that Priest is on SmackDown, will we #AllRise for the outlaw? Or will Melo finally start living up to being H1M?
SmackDown returns and Melo makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Melo and Priest feel things out, then Melo slips around Priest. Melo brushes himself off and circles with Priest again. They knuckle lock, then Melo kicks low! Melo fires hands, CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Melo whips but Priest blocks! Priest stands up tall, whips Melo, but Melo rolls off Priest’s back! Melo CLUBS Priest on the back, runs, but Priest CLOBBERS him! Priest TOSSES Melo to a corner, ROCKS him, then fires off more shots! Priest stomps away, the ref counts, and Priest stops at 4. The fans cheer while Priest drags Melo up.
Priest knuckle locks Melo, twists the wrist, then climbs up the corner. Priest tightrope walks, and the fans love that he goes OLD SCHOOL CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Melo goes to the apron and Priest grins. Priest goes outside, brings Melo around and ROCKS him! Priest shakes out his hand, that’s how hard he hit Melo. Priest scoops Melo, takes aim, but Melo slips free! Priest sops from hitting the post, but Melo ducks the roundhouse! Priest is stuck partly on the apron, so Melo ENZIGIRIS, then KICKS the plant leg! Melo POSTS Priest, then soaks up heat while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Melo rains down fists in the corner! Priest shoves Melo away at 5 but Melo runs up to fire more shots! Then Melo BOOTS Priest to the outside! Priest stands, storms up to the apron, but Melo KNEES him down! Melo then builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Priest and the fans admit, that was good. Melo drags Priest up and into the ring, then he goes up the corner. Priest stands, Melo leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Melo is annoyed but he brings Priest around for a top wristlock. Priest endures, fires body shots, but Melo CHOPS! Melo taunts Priest, CHOPS again, then CHOPS again!
Priest gets mad and the fans fire up! Melo is worried, but he runs, only for Priest to DECK him! And DECK him! Priest kicks, KICKS, and KICKS, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Priest winds up to DECK Melo again! The fans fire up with Priest while Melo staggers to a corner. Priest runs up, Melo BOOTS him away! Melo brings Priest in, but Priest suplexes first, for the BROKEN ARROW! Priest goes to a corner to take aim. Priest runs in, ELBOW in the corner! And then a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Priest grows frustrated but he powers up the arm. The fans rally, Melo rises, but Melo also bails out! The fans boo but Priest goes out the side.
Priest runs in around the way, and he POUNCES Melo into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up and Priest high-fives McConaughey. Priest TOSSES Melo back to ringside, then back into the ring. Priest goes up, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Melo runs, springboards, but into Priest’s hands! SOUTH OF- NO, Melo wheelbarrows, STUNNERS, and then hurries to run up, FIRST 48! Cover, TWO! Priest survives and Melo grows frustrated again. Melo goes to the corner, climbs up, and he wants that three pointer! Melo shoots, NOTHING BUT- NO, he misses! Priest runs up, Melo dodges, and Melo sips through the lariat!
Melo manages a cradle, TWO!! Priest escapes, and Priest gets moving! COMEBACKER LARIAT! The fans fire up as Priest brings down the straps! Melo stands, into the choke grip! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
The Punisher got the better of H1M and has his first win here on SmackDown! Will Priest be able to reach new heights now that he’s away from Judgment Day?
DIY complains to Aldis.
They say MCMG cost them, and look! Here they are! Sabin tells DIY to relax, and asks Aldis if he told them already. Tell them what? Aldis says he was going to get to it, but MCMG can do it now. Sabin says DIY clearly have done everything they can to avoid giving MCMG a rematch for the tag titles, but… Here’s a surprise! Because Aldis already told MCMG, that at the Royal Rumble, the rematch happens! But hey, it’ll also be a Best 2 Out of 3 Falls match! Gargano says tonight sucks! DIY storms off, MCMG thank Aldis, and one way or another, this score will be settled! Will Sabin & Shelley finally have the gold back around their waists?
Damian Priest returns backstage.
And there waiting is Cody Rhodes. Cody says, “SmackDown, huh?” Priest says, “Looks that way.” Then Cody’s glad to have him. They shake hands, and Priest says, “See you soon, champ.” Could the former World Heavyweight Champion look to become an undisputed champion?
The Miz talks with Andrade.
The A-Lister says El Idolo has the look, the presence, the athletic ability in that ring. All he needs is someone to help guide him to become the superstar he truly is. Andrade says yes, he loves that idea! But he’ll go find someone who can do that. W-Wait, what? No, Miz meant… Jimmy walks by and grins at Miz as he gestures for NO YEET. Jimmy then heads to gorilla, only for Melo to be there. Melo says it’ll take a lot more than just four moves to beat KO. Oh, will it? Then how about next week, Jimmy only needs three to beat H1M? Oh, and uh… NO YEET! Jimmy makes his entrance, but Melo follows him! Melo ATTACKS at the ramp!
The fans boos as Melo rains down fists! Jimmy fights back, refs and producers get in there and separate the two! Jimmy shrugs that off, he clearly got under Melo’s skin. Will Jimmy still be ready for his fight with The Prizefighter? We’ll see, after the break.
Kevin Owens VS Jimmy Uso!
SmackDown returns and Kevin makes his entrance. He’s wearing Naomi merchandise to get at Jimmy, her husband! Kevin taunts McConaughey with the Winged Eagle title, then he puts the belt aside. The bell rings and then Kevin bails out. The fans boo but Kevin goes back to talking trash on Joe Tessitore. Jimmy storms out to UPPERCUT Kevin! Jimmy SMACKS Kevin off the apron, then off the barriers! The fans cheer, Jimmy puts Kevin in the ring, and then Jimmy says hook ’em. Jimmy steps in but Kevin fires off in the ropes! Kevin headlocks and he grinds Jimmy down. Jimmy powers up and out, but Kevin runs him over!
Kevin keeps moving, and he uses Jimmy’s dropdown against him by hitting a SENTON! “And that’s why this is MY show!” The fans boo more but Kevin CLUBS Jimmy. Jimmy goes to the corner, Kevin fires body shots, then Kevin CLUBS Jimmy. Jimmy goes to another corner, Kevin RAMS into him again and again, then he lets off as the ref counts. Kevin stands Jimmy up, whips him corner to corner hard, and it busts the corner camera! Kevin makes sure Joe saw that! Kevin whips Jimmy corner to corner the other way, and Jimmy hits the buckles hard again. Kevin brings Jimmy around to CHOKE on the ropes!
The fans boo, the ref counts, but Kevin lets off. Kevin CLUBS Jimmy, taunts the fans, mocks them, then CLUBS Jimmy down. Kevin whips corner to corner, but Jimmy comes back to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Jimmy gets the “UCE! OH!” going. Jimmy runs up, but Kevin bails out! No hip attack, but Jimmy slides out. Jimmy SMACKS Kevin off the desk! And again! And again! Jimmy again says hook ’em, then he fires hands on Kevin! The fans join in with “Hook ’em!” Jimmy puts Kevin back in the ring, goes back up to the apron, but Kevin BLASTS Jimmy into the desk! Jimmy falls back, and Kevin hits a FROG SPLASH to the floor!
Kevin mockingly cheers, “Feel the Glow~! Get it?” and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Kevin drags Jimmy up, brings him around, and throws him into the barriers! Kevin then RAMS Jimmy into more barriers! Kevin talks smack to the fans, then goes into the ring. Kevin takes a bow while the count climbs, and he mockingly blows kisses. Jimmy slides in at 8 out of 10! Kevin is annoyed, and he ROCKS Jimmy with a haymaker! Kevinn puts Jimmy in a corner, wraps an arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Kevin stops at 4, then he brings Jimmy out for an AMRBAR DDT! Cover, ONE!! Jimmy shows some grit, but Kevin stomps the arm! Then he stomps the other arm! Then he stands on one arm to SLAM the other!
Kevin SLAMS Jimmy’s arm again, and he mocks the fans some more. Kevin stands on Jimmy’s hand, to then STOMP Jimmy’s head! Jimmy scrambles to a corner, Kevin storms up, but Jimmy pushes him away. Kevin chuckles and then storms up again anyway. Jimmy guards the bad arm but Kevin still grabs it. Kevin wraps the arm around the ropes, pulls on it, then KICKS the ropes to jam it up! Jimmy falls over but Kevin brings him back up. Kevin wrenches the bad arm, but Jimmy fires hands! Jimmy ROCKS Kevin, but Kevin kicks and DDTS Jimmy down! Cover, TWO! Kevin is annoyed but he clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock.
Jimmy endures, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Kevin taunts McConaughey with “Alright, alright, alright~!” The fans rally for Jimmy but Kevin shakes his head. Jimmy fights up, fires haymakers, and he HEADBUTTS Kevin! Jimmy goes to fireman’s carry, but Kevin pulls on the bad arm! ARM CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Jimmy stays in this but Kevin stays on the bad arm! Kevin stomps the hand, stomps the elbow, then SLAMS the arm down! And SLAMS it again and again! Jimmy writhes, Kevin drags him to a drop zone, and Kevin climbs. The fans rally, and Jimmy stands! GAMANGIRI!
Jimmy goes up to get Kevin, but Kevin fights the suplex! Kevin fires body shots, and he YANKS the bad arm! Jimmy falls into the buckles and then falls to the mat! Kevin adjusts, and he SWANTON BOMBS, but onto knees! Jimmy saves himself and Kevin ends up in a corner, HIP ATTACK! Jimmy falls back, the pain in his arm is holding him back! The fans rally as both men stir, and Kevin uses ropes to stand. Jimmy HEADBUTTS! And counter punches! Jimmy mule kicks, UPPERCUTS, and kicks. Kevin blocks and spins Jimmy, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! And then a SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up, Jimmy covers, TWO!
Kevin survives but Jimmy is too beat up to be mad. Kevin goes to a corner, Jimmy runs in again, but Kevin dodges the splash! Kevin runs, but Jimmy SUPERKICKS! Kevin falls, Jimmy covers, TWO! Kevin is still tougher than that and Jimmy is beside himself. Jimmy crawls over, brings Kevin up and reels him in, but Kevin WRINGS the bad arm out! Kevin then hoists Jimmy up, BLUE THUNDER BOMB?!? Cover, TWO!! Kevin gives a shoutout to Sami Zayn but Jimmy survives! Kevin goes to ropes and stands up again. Kevin waits on Jimmy, and he wants Jimmy to get up. Jimmy slaps the bad arm, and he stops the stunner!
Kevin stops a superkick to SUPERKICK back! Jimmy rebounds to SUPERKICK again!! Jimmy hurries to cover, TWO!! Kevin is still in this and Jimmy can’t believe it! The fans rally up for Jimmy as he goes to a corner. Jimmy climbs, the fans fire up, and Jimmy USO- NO! Kevin moves, SUPERKICKS, and then whips! POP-UP- NO! Jimmy slips free to SUPERKICK again!! Cover, TWO!!! Kevin survives again, and Jimmy doesn’t know what to make of it! Jimmy and Kevin crawl to corners, and Jimmy takes aim. Jimmy runs in, but Kevin KCIKS the spear away! But Jimmy stops the stunner! Both men run, and Jimmy SPEARS!!
Kevin scrambles but ends up in a drop zone! Jimmy goes up the corner! USO- NO, Kevin YANKS Jimmy down by the bad arm! And then Kevin POSTS Jimmy! And then Kevin whisp Jimmy, for the POP-UP POWERBOMB! Cover, Kevin wins!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall
#BigJim put up a big fight, but it just wasn’t enough to get one over on the “rightful” champion. Wait, Kevin isn’t done with Jimmy! He clears the desk, drags Jimmy up to join him, but here comes Cody! Kevin goes after Cody in the ring and they brawl it out in the ring! Cody stomps a mu7dhole into Kevin, Kevin CLAWS Cody’s face, but the hands fly! Cody stomps away on Kevin again! Austin is thunderous as Cody roars, but Kevin comes back with haymakers! Cody TOSSES Kevin, then goes out the side! Cody sends Kevin into the steel steps! And then back into the ring! SmackDown has to go off air, will Cody and Kevin brawl all the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown that not only builds up the Royal Rumble a bit more, but was also a go-home to Saturday Night’s Main Event. Great stuff with getting pretty much all the top women on main roster involved in one segment tonight. Everyone wants to win the Rumble, and we got a great Six Woman Tag out of it. The Heels getting the win is fine, it certainly gives Liv momentum going into the match. It also means Nia has momentum going into SNME, where I’m fairly certain she loses so that Rhea has a strong first defense of her newest reign. And calling the Women’s Rumble is really tricky as there are a lot of possibilities.
Jacob Fatu had an awesome promo before Tama VS Knight, which was a very good match. I feel like Knight’s promo beforehand was a little uncertain, he maybe improvised most of that, but he still made it work. Great win for Knight, but of course Jacob went after him, bringing out Braun. I feel like the best result for Braun VS Jacob is either a No Contest or some kind of draw. I can picture them both crashing through something and neither gets up to get back in the ring before 10, but then Jacob stands up after to show he’s still the tougher monster. From there, Jacob can do any number of things, maybe even go after the US title.
Nakamura had a great promo to call out those in the midcard, but also to declare for the Rumble. I feel like we’ll get great interactions between Nakamura, Jacob, and a few others interested in the US title, helping to sort out who challenges Nakamura next. Melo can be in that group, as well, with a great showing even in losing. Priest ended up on SmackDown just as I knew he would, and he had a good interaction with Cody. Priest can certainly use the rest of the year to build up to the WWE Championship, assuming Cody doesn’t get transferred to Raw like I’ve been thinking. Because again, Netflix will want the best names they can get for Raw since domestically here in America, NXT and SmackDown are still contracted to cable networks.
There’s also some more Transfer Window shenanigans going on, with some of it making sense. Miz gets forced onto SmackDown because SmackDown is on USA Network and so is Miz’s reality show, Miz & Mrs. Plus, this is a second chance for Miz and the Wyatt Sick6 to properly have their story play out. A-Town Down Under moving to Raw is mostly to freshen up the tag scene over there. SmackDown’s tag division is very lively now, and we got a very good story tonight. MCMG VS Pretty Deadly was great stuff, especially with Pretty Deadly bringing out that aggression they had in NXT UK. Very good match from Gargano VS Apollo, and good win for Apollo thanks to MCMG. DIY VS MCMG in a 2 Out of 3 for the Rumble is going to be great stuff, and hard to call in a good way.
Mia & B-Fab VS Chelsea & Piper was good stuff, and I figured Mia would pin Chelsea to earn one last title match. However, this one is hard to call, and a bit in the bad way. The match is set for SmackDown, not SNME or Royal Rumble, and Chelsea only got her reign going. Mia winning would be quite the shock to help send us into the Rumble, but I don’t know if even HHH would pull that anymore. But then, what is Mia to do if she’s not even going to win the midcard title on a special go-home episode? She and B-Fab being pals now, they could go for the tag titles, but even then that might be a hard win to get with all the teams across three brands.
And great stuff with the Cody VS Kevin story tonight. Good opening promo from Cody, and of course Kevin feels he’s being treated unfairly. Jimmy going after Kevin was certainly an interesting choice, but it still works as Kevin is hating on those who helped Roman, Jimmy is someone who helped Roman, so Jimmy is stepping up on behalf of the family. Jimmy and Melo having a brawl was good stuff, too, and then we got an honestly great match from Kevin and Jimmy. Jimmy has been doing his best to be a singles guy just like Jey, and Jimmy could certainly get in on the US Championship scene. He might not win, but he’ll be able to raise the level of competition a bit.
As for Kevin and Cody, closing the show with a brawl is good stuff, and it works since SNME isn’t a match but a contract signing, and then we’ve still got Raw and next week’s SmackDown for the go-home math. Kevin continues to be a genius Heel with his choice of shirts and the moments of sound logic followed by moments of emotional outbursts, all fitting to how Cody basically complimented him in the promo. Some fans do want to see Kevin win just to take us on a detour, and I’m kinda half tempted to see that, too.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s LIVE TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.23.25
NXTNA kicks off the post-Genesis TV with a Live show! Fraxiom defend the NXT Tag Titles on TNA television against The Rascalz!
So we’re gonna be getting Live action for iMPACT for the first time in 8 years! NXTNA should bring some interesting layers with this episode. Fraxion is facing The Rascalz. We could see some stuff with 23 pay off, we could maybe get a Cora Jade appearance and who knows what else we’ve got. Genesis could’ve been the beginning of something big, but at least we make sure Hendry Mania can run wild as the TNA World Champ!
We're kicking off the night with NEW TNA World Champion @joehendry!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/EkIqqcvwIi pic.twitter.com/jORQS6swtu
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 24, 2025
Ratings:
- Rosemary, Heather & Ash by Elegance vs Masha Slamovich & Spitfire: Ash wins via Victory Roll – ** 1/2
- JDC & Moose w/Alisha Edwards vs The Hardyz: Jeff wins via Swanton Bomb – ***
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Fraxiom (c) vs The Rascalz: Fraxiom retain via Spanish Phoenix – *** 1/4
- TNA World Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Matt Cardona: Hendry retains via Standing Ovation – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh look, Joe Hendry comes out to kick off the Live episode. Hendry says he’ll be a fighting champion and face anyone at anytime, so Santino’s music hits and we may get a surprise very soon. Oh nevermind, it’s Matt Cardona. If this was supposed to be a big reveal I don’t think it came over well.
Rosemary, Heather & Ash by Elegance vs Masha Slamovich & Spitfire
Jody and Ash start, Ash gets in a cocky slap but then a few strikes and a T-Bone suplex lead to tagging in Dani and a few assisted Slam moves and we see a near fall. Ash retreats to her corner, tags in Heather, Heather is afraid of Dani so she blind tags Rosemary. Spitfire do some tandem stuff on Rosemary and the Demon Assassin finally slips a move from Jody, shoves Jody into her corner, Heather tries to blind tag but Rosemary grabs Heather, Ash calls a timeout to explain to Rosemary that they’re a team and tags herself in. A few shortcuts that the ref conveniently can’t see and Ash tags in Rosemary cleanly. Rosemary throws Jody around, Exploder Suplex for two, and Ash tags in, hits a Snap Suplex, tries to go after Dani and Masha but Masha pops her and Jody hits a Codebreaker to tag in Masha.
Masha comes out hot and beats the hell out of Heather and Rosemary. Masha tried Requiem on Heather, but Rosemary hits the Scorpion Deathdrop, Dani Shotgun kicks Rosemary, Satellite DDT from Ash takes out Dani, Jody takes out Ash, Heather hits a John Woo Dropkick to send Jody crashing to the outside. After the signature spam, Dani gets back on the apron, Masha tags her in and Dani is taking Ash to Suplex City. Cora Jade’s music hits in the middle of the match and she hands a folder to Masha with her picture in it, like Masha used to do. Ash takes advantage of the Cora distraction and Victory Rolls Dani for the flash win. Cora makes her intentions known and the match was fine.
Northern Useless Armoury comes out to look pathetic and Josh talks. Sinner and Saint are about as impressive as a wet fart running down your legs in the middle of summer. They are pathetic and that makes this whole heel turn look worthless. Jabroni squad says Josh can’t leave and attack him. EY hits the ring to make a save, and cut an obvious promo to make a tag match. The crowd is mostly comatose, Sinner and Saint look stupid, have done nothing, and have terrible names.Â
JDC & Moose w/Alisha Edwards vs The Hardyz
System attacks immediately, the bell just rings, but the Hardyz reverse the Irish Whip spot, stack em in the corner and Poetry in Motion while still wearing the belt so he does the Splash version. Matt does the Delete Corner Face Smashes to JDC and turns it into the pull out of the corner Powerbomb. Extreme Elbow from Matt, Matt goes for the Twist, but JDC shoves off, Lish paws at the ankle and Moose attacks him while the ref is trying to figure out who to look at. Moose tags himself in, beats on Matt and then a few quick tags keep Matt isolated in the corner. JDC with a nice Strong Whip and Splash, tags back in Moose and Moose goes for the Camel Clutch to try and keep the pressure on but Matt starts to fight back. Moose doesn’t lose too much momentum, takes out Jeff, rocks Matt with an Uppercut into Senton and JDC tries Down and Dirty but misses! Simultaneous tags and classic Jeff Hardy offense gets a near fall that JDC has to break up.
Jeff dispatches with JDC, Moose misses Lights Out, Twist of Fate, goes for the Swanton but JDC cuts him off, Matt Twist of Fates JDC, Moose tries to pull Jeff off but gets Headbutt down and Swanton Bomb on Moose for the win! Jeff gonna go for the X Division Title now?
Twenty Three stuff happens on the tron before a commercial break, coming back Sami hits the ring calling out 23. Steph De Lander comes out to show she’s 23 because she won the Digital Media Title in the Divorce. But Sami can meet her new boyfriend, Mance Warner!Â
NXT Tag Team Championships: Fraxiom (c) vs The Rascalz
Axiom with a bit of World of Sport counters to the Arm Wringer, kicks Trey in the teeth, tags in Frazer and he rips across the ropes and kick Trey again, but Trey does turn things around. ACS Rush from The Rascalz. Quick tandem offense from Fraxiom with interwoven Forearm Shivers and a near fall. Axiom locks in a Sleeper and tries to ground Trey. Trey tries to fight back up but eats a Back Elbow. Tandem offense again, Double Superkicks from Fraxiom forces Wentz to break things up a little. Trey has been isolated for a while and Axiom is just keeping a solid Armbar but Trey fights up, manages to get away and hits a Rebound Switch Suplex.
Simultaneous tag and Wentz and Frazer go back and forth. Wentz has the early advantage, Knee Lift into the Rolling Snapmare Shining Wizard then the Running Corkscrew Moonsault. Axiom breaks up the Wentz offense, Fraxiom double teams Trey and takes him out with an Avalanche Total Elimination. More tandem spots from Fraxiom which end with a Brainbuster and Superkick combo but only two! Trey manages to get Frazer out of the ring, Wentz with the Back Handspring Knee Lift but everyone is down and a little gassed. Axiom tries a German, Wentz shrugs him off, Axiom Kips Up into a Superkick, Wentz goes for the UFO Cutter but eats the Superkick. Rascalz tandem Superkicking people out of the Sky, STREET SWEEPER for two! Cheeky Nandos, but Wes Lee hits the ring to distract the ref, Tyson and Tyriek attack, Spanish Fly into Phoenix Splash finish and Fraxion retain!
Solid match that hopefully leads to more stuff. Santana comes down to cut a typical man of the people babyface promo. But the biggest pop of the night (not counting the Hardyz) is when Mustafa Ali’s music hits! Ali is back! He says he signed with TNA.Â
Tessa comes out to cut a promo, Tully is in the crowd and cuts a decent anti-San Antonio promo. Not as good as Charles Barkley, until she mentions fat women. She’s getting a visceral negative reaction, and it’s pretty great. She basked in the heat and decent promo.
TNA World Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Matt Cardona
Slow start, shove from Joe so Matt powders and then they go into Arm Wringer World of Sport stuff, but still mostly posturing. At least the crowd is engaged. Cardona feints the Test of Strength, kicks Hendry and shoves him into the corner with Chops, but Joe no sells and lights up Cardona until Cardona sells to a different corner to hit a sneaky Forearm. Rope Run, Leapfrog spot which ends with Hendry hitting a Knee Lift into the Stalling Suplex. Cardona side steps Hendry after the Suplex and then hits a Wrecking Ball Dropkick before using his ripped t-shirt to choke Hendry and just gets yelled at a little. Cardona Crossbody from the steps, but Hendry catches him, throws him on his shoulders and Attitude Adjustment on the apron. Joe goes for another but Matt claws the eyes and whips Hendry into the steps.
Commercial happens and as soon as we’re back, Hendry hits a Sunset Flip into Locomotion Cradle spots before Cardona hits the Diving Polish Hammer to stall Hendry. Cardona locks in a Guillotine, but Hendry powers up and Vertical Suplexes out of it! A few right hands, Lariat, Sack of Shit into the Kip Up and the turn to the camera! Standing Ovation is being called, Cardona fights it off and hits the Flashback for a near fall. Reboot connects from Cardona, he tries another and gets caught, goes for a Powerbomb but Cardona Throat Chop, Missile Dropkick, Snap DDT for a near fall! Radio Silence attempts from Cardona, Hendry ducks it, Running Boot kills the referee, and Hendry hits a Pop Up Powerbomb for what would’ve been the win, but no ref. Cardona hits the Low Blow and then wanders over to the title, very slowly, looks to use it but OH MAH GAHD MAGGLE ITS JBLS! Clothesline from Hell hits Cardona and Hendry stares down JBL. Cardona recovers enough to hit Hendry with the title as Hendry was distracted by JBL existing.
Cardona tries the title again, Standing Ovation, 1-2-3.
Overall Score: 6.5/10
The effort to make this show special was apparent. Wes Lee, Tyriek and Tyson interfering, Cora Jade costing the faces a match, Mance Warner, JBL on a Live TNA, Mustafa Ali returning and Hendry bookending the show is good stuff. Lapsed viewers or WWE fans got to see a lot of people they recognize, sure Steph De Lander’s whole explanation was moronic, Cardona was a fart in church and JDC not eating the pinfall seems silly unless it truly does lead to a Jeff Hardy X Division challenge. But the effort was all there.
There were no real production hiccups or audio problems, the crowd was receptive to the important things, Tessa got booed out of the building but steered into it and embraced the hate. Now she just needs to walk out with a Real American Beer or have Hulk and Tully escort her out for Slammiversary or BFG, and it will truly just steer so hard into the skid people might pop for the acknowledgement.
But it was a fun show, yes the Josh stuff is stupid. The Knockouts aren’t in a great spot (but the NXT help will bolster that), and JBL is still confusing…but the show was entertaining.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Hockey (and Sports) Talk- Age Is Just a Number [011425]
The guys discuss Alex Ovechkin making more history plus a recap of the CFP Semi-Finals and much more.
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Wildcard Weekend
Dave Wortz joins the show this week as we breakdown the NFL's Wildcard Weekend!
Hockey (and Sports) Talk- Time 4 A Cool Change [010725]
The guys discuss the CFP Quarterfinals and how Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's record this season now appears very likely.
Bandwagon Nerds #272: Nerdosity
The Nerds discuss the MCU including Captain America, Daredevil, Avengers, and Vision Quest. Plus, the Switch 2 is official and...
Bandwagon Nerds #271: Jack Quaid aka Jack Paid
The Nerds review 2024 and reveal their choices for the best of the year in categories such as best series,...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (1/11/25)
Setting the Brackets!
Bandwagon Nerds #270: Deathgrass & Rainbows
The Nerds return to the Trailer Park, address some rumors about Half-Life 3 and the MCU, and discuss Jason Mamoa...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (12/31/24)
History comes full circle!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: TNA Genesis!
Rob watched the TNA and has the breakdown. Then we talk about the WWE/TNA deal and give our SNME predictions!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/24/25)
The Mega Star is back!
DWI Podcast #460: There Has To Be A Title Change
The Greatest tag-team Never has got you covered as we are just days away from Saturday Night's Main Event from...
Andrew’s LIVE TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.23.25
NXTNA kicks off the post-Genesis TV with a Live show! Fraxiom defend the NXT Tag Titles on TNA television against...
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (1/23/25)
EPISODE 100!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (1/22/25)
New best bruvs?
#TheOddity 026: Soup You Can Suck On
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/21/25)
NXT stacks the gold!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/20/25)
WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
