Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/9/22)
Fallout from Backlash!
What’s next for RKBRO?
WrestleMania Backlash has come and gone, but RKBRO was on the losing end. How will the Raw Tag Team Champions handle the rebound?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Raw Tag Team Championships: RKBRO VS The Street Profits; RKBRO wins and retains the titles.
- Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley w/ Judgement Day; Ripley wins.
- Finn Balor w/ AJ Styles VS Damian Priest w/ Judgement Day; Balor wins, by disqualification.
- Sonya Deville VS Alexa Bliss; Bliss wins.
- Ezekiel VS Ken Owens; No Contest.
- Veer Mahaan VS Frank Lowman; Veer wins.
- WWE United States Championship: (Austin) Theory VS Cody Rhodes; Cody wins by disqualification, Theory retains the title.
- Sasha Banks & Naomi VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven & Nikki A.S.H; Sasha & Naomi win.
- Mustafa Ali VS Tommaso Ciampa, The Miz as special guest referee; Ciampa wins.
- Raw Women’s Championship Contender’s Match: Bianca Belair VS Asuka; Belair wins by disqualification, Asuka is denied a title match.
PLAY BY PLAY
RKBRO heads to the ring!
Randy Orton & Matt Riddle are still only Raw Tag Team Champions, even after losing to The Bloodline alongside Drew McIntyre. But will they still be Raw Tag Team Champions after tonight? Or will Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins get that gold back?
Before the match, Orton & Riddle get the mics and fans chant for “Randy! Randy!” Randy starts with welcoming the fans to the show. And unfortunately, at Backlash, he and Riddle gave it everything they got but lost the battle to the Bloodline. But before it’s all said and done, they will win the war. It was the Usos’ idea in the first place to go for tag title unification, but it didn’t happen, did it? Nothing was on the line last night because during the contract signing, the Big Dog, Roman Reigns, tore up the contract because he knows the Usos can’t hold a candle to RKBRO.
So here’s what happens, Usos! RKBRO want those SmackDown Tag Team Championships and unify the titles to become UNDISPUTED WWE Tag Team Champions of the World! Riddle adds that since the Usos can’t figure things out on their own and the Tribal Chief decides things for them, RKBRO will be going to SmackDown this Friday to go right up to the chief and demand that tag title unification match! Fans like the sound of that. And if Roman says no, then just goes to show that Roman has no confidence in his cousins. But that doesn’t matter, because the bros are still gonna show up with the scooter and… Randy being Randy cuz that’s all he needs as the Viper!
But here come their challengers! Ford & Dawkins have mics, and Ford sighs. “RKBRO. First and foremost, we must say… Ahhh… Tough loss last night.” Dawkins says the Bloodline is tough, but like the Profits showed, those ain’t the ones you need to worry about, the Profits are. And RKBRO wants to settle unfinished business with the Bloodline. But remember here tonight in Connecticut, the three most important words: #WeGotNext! It is Ford & Dawkins, the Profits, who will unify those tag team championships! RKBRO talking smack but didn’t mention the Profits once. Well maybe those 4/20 shirts got them all fogged up. But in a couple minutes, RKBRO VS Profits for the Raw tag titles.
And when the smoke clears, just like Genesis, not only do the Profits want the Raw Tag titles, but #WeWantTheSmoke! So they want the smoke? Yes, that’s what Ford said. Well Riddle says RKBRO 4/20 says “We just smoked your asses!” And they’ll do it with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K BRO! This is going to get all fired up, after the break!
Raw Tag Team Championships: RKBRO VS The Street Profits!
Raw returns and the introductions are made. The belts are raised and we see who is meeting the Usos for a date with destiny!
Ford starts with Riddle and fans rally as they circle. They tie up, Ford goes for a roll-up, TWO! Ford facelocks, cradles, TWO! Ford gets around for another roll-up, TWO! Ford pats Riddle on the head, then mocks Orton’s pose. Riddle gets up and circles with Ford again. They tie up, and Riddle gets a FLYING ARMBAR! Ford stacks, TWO, and Riddle shoots in to jump on for a SLEEPER HOLD! Ford fights free, but Riddle rolls him up. TWO, but Riddle pats Ford on the head in return. Riddle does the Orton pose and fans fire up. Fans chant “BRO! BRO! BRO!” and Ford gets heated. Ford and Riddle tie up again, Riddle headlocks but Ford powers out.
Ford bypasses Riddle to dropkick him down! Ford dusts himself off and taunts Orton, then he brings Riddle up. Dawkins tags in, they whip and run Riddle over, then cover. TWO, but Dawkins keeps close. Dawkins brings Riddle up but Riddle shoots around to gut wrench! Dawkins blocks, powers out, runs to hurdle and FLYING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Dawkins watches Riddle go to a corner, runs in, but the cyclone gets buckles! Riddle KICKS and KICKS and KICKS and has Dawkins in the corner. Tag to Orton and fans fire up! Orton throws EuroUppers, brings Dawkins up and bumps him off buckles.
Orton goes corner to corner to bump Dawkins off more buckles, then he climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, and Orton stops at 9 to put some stank on 10! Orton snapmares, then gives Riddle the ASSISTED FLOATING BRO! Cover, TWO! Riddle whips but Ford tags in, Dawkins reverses but Riddle holds ropes. Riddle headscissors Dawkins out, but Dawkins blocks Penalty Kick to trip Riddle up! Then Ford FLIES and takes Riddle out at the ramp! Fans fire up and Orton is worried for Riddle as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Riddle throws body shots and forearms on Ford! Fans rally, Riddle reaches but Ford keeps him from Orton! Riddle throws more forearms but Ford holds on! Ford then reels Riddle in for a LARIAT! Ford drags Riddle up, suplexes, but Riddle slips out and ripcords, FINAL FLASH! Both men fall back, tag to Dawkins and Orton! The Viper rallies with lariats, then ducks to POWERSLAM! Then POWERSLAM for Ford! Dawkins is in the ropes, Orton gives him the DRAPING DDT! Fans are fired up as Orton hears the voices in his head! RK_ NO! Dawkins powers out but Riddle tags in!
Dawkins DECKS Orton, Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES! Ford runs in but Riddle TOSSES him! Riddle goes up and out and checks on Orton. Then he PENALTY KICKS Ford! Orton sets Ford up, SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BRO, but Ford moves! Only Orton takes the hit! Feed to the ANOINTING! Ford tags and climbs, FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, Orton breaks it in time!! Ford cannot believe Orton came back! Dawkins brings Orton up but Orton throws him out. Orton smacks Dawkins off barriers, Ford ducks a roundhouse to ENZIGURI! Ford goes back up, he wants it again! FROM THE- RKO!?!? Cover, RKBRO wins!!
Winners: RKBRO, by pinfall (still Raw Tag Team Champions)
Even Orton was amazed by that one! And after that RKO from the heavens, is it a done deal that the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Champions are going to Hell… in a Cell?
Kevin Patrick interviews (Austin) Theory on stage.
The WWE United States Champion is representing A-Town here in Connecticut, and Kevin asks him how he feels about his match with Cody Rhodes, who has been in sensational form beating Seth Rollins twice. Theory doesn’t need to prepare. He can do this all day. he is the youngest WWE United States Champion for a reason! He’s already great and barely scratching the surface of his potential. But do you hear that? Before Cody’s return at WrestleMania, Theory was practically in diapers when Cody was in the WWE. Theory doesn’t give a damn about Cody or the past, or respecting history! He is about the future, because the future is the WWE United States Champion, THEORY! But will Theory be taking a victory selfie? Or deleting this from his social media timeline?
Judgement Day heads to the ring.
Damian Priest and Edge are joined by their newest member, Rhea Ripley, as they descend upon the arena. They used their numbers to cast down AJ Styles at Backlash, but what will they do next? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and fans boo as Edge has the mic. Edge says they formed Judgement Day because they were tired of being sheep like all the fans. What did that get them? Edge got a Hall of Fame ring, sure, but he’s bigger than the Hall of Fame! And it also got him surgeries on just about any part of his body. Did fans care that he fought his way back? No! They just sit there with their supposed morals but hide their resentment, go home to their keyboards and make asinine comments! Fans hate what he says because it’s true! Judgement Day holds a mirror up to each and every one of them! They hate what they see because for one, they’re ugly.
When they look in a mirror, Judgement Day loves what they see. And for all the morons here in Hartford–because if you live in Hartford, you are a moron–but what all they don’t understand is that nothing and no one can touch Judgement Day! Fans chant “You Suck!” but Edge eggs them on. Priest says that the truth hurts. Individually, Edge and Priest could destroy each and every one of the fans’ favorites. But together, they’ve become even more! Together, they’re something else. And if you thought what they did to Styles was bad, just imagine adding an instrument of brutality like Rhea Ripley!
With that said, all rise! Priest said ALL RISE! This is the newest member of Judgement Day, Rhea Ripley! Rhea smiles then scowls as she says, “Joining Judgement Day was the easiest decision of my life. Edge, Damian, I saw the two of you change for the better, and I wanted that for myself.” Rhea is done signing autographs at the airport for all the little kids who want to be just like her when they grow up. Those autographs then get sold on eBay! Rhea is done being used. And that is why she joined Judgement Day. Speaking of being used, she has unfinished business she has to attend to: Liv Morgan! Liv will no longer ride Rhea’s coattails. Tonight, Rhea gives Liv a reason to cry when she absolutely destroys her!
Edge says unrealized potential is what this is about! Priest the punishment, Rhea the eradicator! They were ships without rudders, but Edge has given them direction! They have taken their fate into their own hands as his Saints of Fate! Listen up! A few weeks ago, Edge pulled Rhea aside and told her in his humble opinion that Liv was holding her down, like an albatross in the shape of a human sized LOL Doll. Poor lil’ Liv. Edge is the reason the fans’ favorite little tag team split up! Edge saw Rhea being wasted away. She was a juggernaut living in the slow lane instead of running everything over like she can!
Edge’s message… No, it’s even more than that! This MOVEMENT is not done. Judgement Day isn’t stopping, they’re just looking for more. But here comes Liv! Will Liv make sure Rhea is the one living a nightmare tonight? Or will Judgement Day sentence her to a Riptide?
Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley w/ Judgement Day!
Raw returns again and the bell rings. Liv and Rhea go right after each other with fast hands, but then Rhea shoves and HEADBUTTS Liv down! Edge and Priest are amused as Rhea TOSSES Liv to a corner, then RAMS into her! Rhea drags Liv up to TOSS her across the way, then runs in, into a BOOT! Liv runs into body shots and haymakers from Rhea, then Rhea RAMS into Liv again! Rhea digs her shoulder in, lets off at the ref’s count, and then Rhea hoists Liv up top. Rhea ROCKS Liv, adjusts, ROCKS her again, then climbs up after her. Liv throws body shots and trips Rhea up! Then Liv goes Old School to RANA!
Rhea staggers up into a SHOTGUN dropkick! Rhea is on the ropes, but she BOOTS Liv down! Edge loves it as Rhea covers, TWO! Rhea is annoyed but she drags Liv into some ground ‘n’ pound. Rhea says Liv did this to herself because she’s such a failure. Rhea rains down more shots, then lets off to pace around. Rhea drags Liv up to dribble her off the mat! Fans rally for Liv but Rhea CLUBS Liv down. Rhea scuffs Liv, stalks her, and she chokes Liv on the ropes! Edge mocks Liv’s pain while Rhea KICKS Liv down. Rhea scowls as fans rally for Liv. Rhea dribbles Liv off the mat again and again!
Liv flounders to a corner but Rhea drags her back up. Rhea CLUBS Liv down, then wraps on a body scissor squeeze. Liv endures, even as Rhea pulls on an ear. Liv and Rhea shout at each other, and Liv powers back to a cover, TWO! Rhea CLOBBERS Liv again! Cocky cover, TWO! Rhea stomps Liv down, then stands on her to grind her boot like she’s crushing a bug. Rhea tells Liv to stay down but Liv refuses. So Rhea hooks her up, RIP- NO! Liv slips out, shoves, dodges and fires forearms! Rhea swings, misses, and Liv fires off fast hands! Fans fire up as Liv kicks, kicks and ENZIGURIS! Rhea wobbles, into the FLOATING DDT!
Rhea flounders back up, Liv runs to springboard and FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rhea is still in this and Judgement Day looks worried for their new member. But then Rhea EDDY GORDO KICKS from below! Rhea runs but into an elbow! Liv goes up and up and missile flops as Rhea dodges! Rhea mule kicks then ties up the legs, PRISM TRAP! Liv endures, reaches out, but Rhea bends the legs! Liv taps, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by submission
Edge smiles, proven right about the brutality he has reinvigorated within Rhea. But to that point, he nods, and Rhea gets Liv back in the PRISM TRAP! Liv endures as Rhea thrashes her around with no remorse! Edge won’t let the ref get in, even as Liv taps again! But wait, here comes FINN BALOR! Priest stares the Prince down, but then Finn throws up the Too Sweet. Because here comes AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One and Finn throw it up, and Finn is about to throw down with the Archer of Infamy! Will Judgement Day be on the receiving end of their own punishment?
Finn Balor w/ AJ Styles VS Damian Priest w/ Judgement Day!
Raw returns yet again and the bell rings. They tie up, Finn waistlocks then goes after an arm. Priest stays up, powers up, and he scoops Finn, but Finn slips off. Finn headlocks, Priest powers out and runs Finn over. Edge nods but fans rally for Finn. Finn CHOPS, kicks and wrenches, but Priest ROCKS Finn to KICK him. Priest ROCKS Finn again, then whips him corner to corner hard. Priest runs in to back elbow! Priest runs more but Finn dropkicks the leg out! Finn KICKS that leg, then has it in the ropes to pull on it! The ref counts, Finn lets off, but Priest grabs Finn’s ears! The ref counts but Priest BELL CLAPS!
Priest CLOBBERS Finn and Edge likes what he sees. Priest fires haymakers, kicks, stomps, but the ref counts. Priest lets off at 4, then snarls as he drags Finn up. BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps onto an arm but Finn endures. Finn fights up and JAWBREAKERS! Fans fire up, Finn gets to a corner, and he BOOTS Priest from the corner. Finn runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps on with a chinlock and he digs a knee into Finn’s back. Finn endures again and Styles coaches him. Priest pushes Finn to a cover, TWO! Priest then clamps onto the chinlock again as he grinds Finn down.
Fans rally, Finn fights up, and he throws body shots. Priest knees low, whips Finn to ropes and tilt-o-whirls, but Finn slips into a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Both men are down and fans rally up! Finn stands to KICK and CHOP and KICK! Finn whips, Priest reverses but Finn dropkicks the leg! Finn then trips Priest for some ground ‘n’ pound! Priest shoves Finn away but Finn trips Priest to DOUBLE STOMP! Fans fire up and Finn has Priest in a corner for a CHOP! Finn rams his shoulder in again and again, then whips. Priest reverses but Finn reverses back, only for Priest to choke grip! But Finn wheelbarrows to a victory roll, TWO!
Priest runs but into a SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up and Finn clotheslines Priest out of the ring! Priest falls at Edge’s feet and Finn builds speed! But then Rhea stands in the way! Fans boo, Edge SPEARS Finn outta nowhere!
Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification
Styles goes after Edge! Fans are thunderous but Priest drags Styles up! Styles counter punches, so Rhea gets in! Styles hesitates to hit Rhea, but Edge POSTS Styles! Judgement Day isn’t done there, Priest sets Styles up, LEG SWEEP SPEAR COMBO!! Judgement Day stands tall as the boos rain down, but will the mountain of omnipotence not be moved?
Kevin Owens talks with The Alpha Academy.
Chad Gable explains that the technicians will pinpoint chromosomes, do some comparative analysis, see how it all aligns and- Kevin doesn’t understand, these words mean nothing to him. What is Chad getting at? Well, remember the red Solo cup they confiscated from Ezekiel? Er, Elias? Right, right, yeah. Chad had it sent to his friends in the DNA lab. Wow, he’s got friends in THE DNA Lab? Wow. Chad says that by next week, we’ll have irrefutable evidence that Ezekiel has been lying and that he IS Elias. No way! That’s amazing! No more lies, no more faulty devices. And perfect timing. Because tonight, Kevin has a very special guest.
Every year, Nova Scotia has a Grand Prix tournament. His brother “Ken” has won it three times. He’s a legend! Ken was supposed to be here closer to SummerSlam, but Ken was able to be here tonight! He is! And he’ll compete against Ezekiel! No, wait, ELIAS. Anyway, tonight, the lies are done. Kevin’s “older brother” beats the truth out of Elias. It’ll be great. Wait, is this what it sounds like?
Omos and MVP head to the ring!
The Nigerian Giant, the Colossus, was victorious over the Rocky Mountain Machine, Bobby Lashley, at Backlash, but with a huge assist from Montel Vontavius Porter. What happens as they celebrate in the VIP Lounge? We’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns as Omos and MVP stand in the ring, with security at the ramp. MVP says this can only mean one thing: big, big, BIG things poppin’, little things stoppin’, so sit back and enjoy the view, because the VIP Lounge is for people better than you. So everyone needs to stand up and show respect to the man that dominated and defeated the so-called All Mighty at Backlash! This is the 7’3″ 403 pound Nigerian Giant, OMOS! Fans boo instead. MVP says respect the man who proved that MVP has been speaking the truth. Lashley became All Mighty because MVP did that. And then Lashley’s ego got so big that he didn’t want to share the spotlight.
Lashley went to WrestleMania 38 and hogged all the glory, leaving the man that made him WWE World Champion at home on the sidelines! That ungrateful so-called- Oh, wait, here comes Cedric Alexander. He wants to bust it wide open! “We did it! We did it!” Alexander is so proud of the big man. Everything MVP said was facts, no filler. Alexander wants to be let in, MVP shouts at the guy to step aside, and the guard moves. Alexander says with MVP’s intellect, Omos’s size and strength, and Alexander’s technical prowess, they can SMASH anyone that steps in their way. Uh, no, what is this “we” “they” stuff?
Alexander says it’s the three of them. Omos put down Lashley! MVP stops Alexander there. MVP still likes Alexander but- Here comes LASHLEY! MVP is furious and now he wants the security to do their job. Lashley CLOBBERS the first guy, SPINEBUSTERS the second, then scoops the third to POST him! Then he back drops another! Alexander aims form the apron to leap, into Lashley’s arms! Lashley TOSSES Alexander into barriers, then gets in the ring to stare Omos down. Omos shoves, Lashley dodges to clothesline Omos out of the ring! Omos lands on his feet, but Lashley glare at MVP! Alexander jumps on but Lashley tosses him again!
MVP bails out, Lashley rips up another VIP Lounge set! Alexander springboards back in, into a HURT LOCK! Lashley thrashes Alexander and Alexander taps so Lashley throws him down. MVP and Omos bail, this is not the time nor the place. But will they have no choice but to face the wrath of All Mighty Bobby Lashley?
Adam Pearce talks with Sonya Deville.
Sonya says enough with this investigation! We all know that whether she’s in the ring or acting as a WWE Official, she does things by the book and gets the job done. Who is she facing tonight? She is in rare form. Oh, as in wants to change rules to suit her? There can’t be any of that, they have to have a conversation. Well they can have it after her match tonight. Who is she facing? Well, a quality competitor- Sonya says it doesn’t matter. It’s not personal, it’s just business. Sonya smirks and exits on her new catchphrase, but will she regret not hearing who she’s facing?
Sonya Deville VS ???
Raw returns and Pearce has things hold on a moment. He was going to tell Sonya earlier, but the formal investigation into Sonya’s conduct has concluded. Upper management has found Sonya recklessly and unprofessionally abused her power, so it his duty to inform her that her contract as an official is TERMINATED! She is still a WWE Superstar, though, and he was going to tell her the name of her opponent. It’s… ALEXA BLISS! Fans are fired up to have the Five Feet of Fury back, and Sonya is in a tailspin! Will Sonya crash and burn against Twisted Bliss?
The bell rings and fans cheer Alexa while Sonya seems to realize she’s in a match. Sonya rushes in, Alexa dodges and kicks back to hit a DDT! Sonya flounders, Alexa drags her to a drop zone and goes up top! TWISTED BLISS! Cover, Alexa wins!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall
And just like that, she’s baaack~! Will the former Raw Women’s Champion be looking to return to the top soon enough? Will Sonya ever get over losing her authority?
Ezekiel VS Ken Owens!
So, the Drifter’s younger brother is taking on the Prizefighter’s older brother, but no one can be sure if any of that is real. Either way, will Ezekiel have another big win in the WWE? Or will the KO family have reason to celebrate?
Raw returns and “Ken” makes his entrance. It’s still to Kevin’s theme song, and clearly Kevin grayed up his beard and put on a messy wig. Ezekiel sure isn’t falling for it. “Ken” asks Ezekiel his name, and introduces himself. Ezekiel says hi to Ken, but Kevin doesn’t want him to do that. No one believes Ezekiel and Elias are different people. Okay, maybe some dumbasses do, but no one here. The ones in the back who call him “Ezekiel” are just playing along. No one buys this act, okay? Just to prove a point, Kevin asks the fans by show of hands who actually believes. Pretty much everyone raises their hands.
Did those same people finish high school? You’re either idiots or liars! And who knows what is worse! No, lying is worse! Kevin can’t stand them! Ezekiel is the worst! Ezekiel tells Ken that Ken doesn’t need to raise his voice. Kevin probably wouldn’t approve. Aha, see! Kevin would love the way Ken talks because it’s how Kevin talks because THIS IS KEVIN! You knew it all along, just like you’re Elias! So just admit it! Ezekiel is shocked. He is not Elias, and he could see that right now would be the right time for his brother to come out and sing a lullaby so Ken can calm down. Kevin DECKS Ezekiel! And then fires off more shots!
The ref wants Kevin to stop but Ezekiel hits back! And stomps away in the corner! The Alpha Academy appear, but Ezekiel BOOTS Chad! Otis gets in to CLOBBER Ezekiel, and now it’s 3v1! Kevin and Chad set Ezekiel up for Otis’ SPLASH! Otis kicks the Ken wig and then drags Ezekiel back up. Otis and Chad feed Ezekiel to Kevin’s STUNNER! “A THANK YEW~!” Kevin couldn’t get what he wanted to hear out of Ezekiel, but will Ezekiel let actions speak for him?
Adam Pearce talks with Asuka backstage.
He tells the Empress of Tomorrow that she is more than deserving of a match with Bianca Belair. Asuka thanks her, but Becky Lynch walks in and says “deserve” is a funny word. The Man is the greatest Raw Women’s Champion ever and she still hasn’t gotten a rematch. But then Asuka just reappears and Pearce is just handing her a shot. Pearce says Asuka is not being handed anything. If Asuka beats Bianca tonight, then she has a title match. Oh, beat the champion to then get a championship match. That doesn’t make any sense! Well, Asuka’s team did win last week. But Asuka didn’t get the pin, that was Liv! And they were working together.
And Liv did get a pin on Sonya. Did Pearce orchestrate something? It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t make sense! Last time Asuka was champion, Becky literally handed her the title. She had to take it off and hand it over. That was two years ago, doesn’t matter now. And Asuka gets fired up and she calls Becky out. Asuka didn’t even NEED Becky! Pearce runs away and Becky says fine, he can play his favoritism and stack the deck! Becky’ll knock it down and make her comeback! Asuka says okay then, well, Becky did give her the title to become a mommy, yet Becky’s the one acting like a baby! Crying and begging and throwing tantrums!
Becky says Asuka’s the stupid one with the green tears! Becky storms off and Asuka laughs at her, but will Asuka still be laughing after taking on the EST?
Veer Mahaan VS ???
The Lion is back, and he’s still on the hunt. Will he slaughter another opponent served on a silver platter? Or will someone finally bankrupt the Million Dollar Arm?
Raw returns and Byron Saxton interviews Veer’s opponent, Frank Lowman. Frank, we’ve seen week after week of Veer decimating and hospitalizing men. Does he have any concerns about accepting this match? Of course Frank does. He doesn’t wanna be carted out of here, but he has a wife and three beautiful little triplets that expect him to provide for them. So he has to do this for his family! Will his family be meeting Frank at a hospital in Hartford?
The bell rings, Veer and Lowman tie up. Veer waistlocks and SLAMS Lowman, stays on and SLAMS him again. Veer still has the waistlock, gets Lowman up but Lowman throws elbows. Lowman dodges the lariat to BOOT Veer! Veer wobbles, Lowman kicks again! Lowman runs, but Veer hits the THESZ PRESS! Veer drags Lowman up, reels him in, and hits a SIDEWALK SLAM! Lowman writhes, Veer looms over him, and Veer gets Lowman up again to whip into a corner. Veer then runs in to SPLASH! Then MILLION DOLLAR ARM!! Lowman flounders, fans chant, “He Has Kids!” but the CERVICAL CLUTCH is own! Lowman taps, Veer wins!
Winner: Veer Mahaan, by submission
Another week, another victory, and for once, Veer shows mercy. But given how he made such quick work of such a big man, will everyone come to #FearVeer?
Kevin Patrick interviews Cody Rhodes backstage.
This is the American Nightmare’s first WWE United States Championship match ever, but Kevin Patrick does congratulate him first on his victory at Backlash. What is next for Cody and Seth? What’s next? Hopefully nothing, for fear of going to the limit for a third time. Rollins is top tier no matter how you slice it, but Cody walked away with the moment, the money and the victory. So as far as Cody’s concerned, the chapter of Cody VS Rollins is closed. Theory, the youngest US Champion in history is brimming with potential, but just like gold, you need to dig to find it. Theory better be ready to dig down, because nothing sounds better than The American Nightmare as the NEW United States Champion. Cody heads out, but will he be leaving with the gold around Theory’s waist?
WWE United States Championship: (Austin) Theory VS Cody Rhodes!
Raw returns and Theory makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see who really represents Hotlanta!
Fans are behind Cody as he circle with Theory and feels out the grapple. Cody gets a leg, Theory gets to a corner and the ref counts the ropebreak. Cody lets off, but Theory shoves him! Theory talks trash to Cody and the fans but the fans boo. Cody and Theory reset, knuckle lock, then collar ‘n’ elbow. Cody wrenches to a hammerlock, Theory switches it onto Cody, but Cody trips Theory and has the legs! Theory scrambles to a ropebreak to avoid the figure four. Fans boo and Cody taunts Theory as Theory gets back up. They circle, tie up, and Theory headlocks. Cody powers up but Theory grinds the hold.
Cody powers out but Theory runs him over, then cartwheels to mock Stardust. Cody gets up and says that’s clever. Then he kicks Theory low and drops for the Rhodes Uppercut! Roll-up, TWO! Theory swings but into a backslide, TWO! Theory rushes in but into a waistlock! They go to ropes, Theory slips in between for a defense, then he cheap shot elbows Cody away! Theory wrenches an arm but Cody ROCKS Theory! Cody goes to a corner, Theory runs in but is put outside. Theory HOTSHOTS Cody, then somersault SHOTGUN dropkicks! Cover, ONE!! Cody hurries up but Theory CLUBS him on the neck.
Theory snapmares and stomps Cody down, then covers, ONE! Theory clamps on with a chinlock but Cody moves around. Cody fights up as fans rally and he throws body shots. Cody arm-drags free, but Theory comes back to CLOBBER Cody with an elbow! Cocky cover, ONE! And Cody ROCKS Theory with haymakers and forearms! Cody whips, Theory reverses and Cody hits buckles hard! Theory snarls as he looms over Cody. Fans chant, “You Suck!” but Theory shakes his head. Cody gets a foot but Theory CLUBS Cody down. Theory ROCKS Cody but Cody ROCKS Theory back. Theory dropkicks the leg out!
Theory snap suplexes Cody to cover, TWO! Theory is annoyed but he stalks Cody as he crawls to a corner. Theory brings Cody up, fans rally for Cody and that annoys Theory. Cody throws body shots, Theory hits back, they brawl, and Theory kicks low. Theory reels Cody in but Cody blocks the suplex. Cody suplexes to GOURD BUSTER! And a dropkick sends Theory out! Fans fire up with Cody and he goes up, DISASTER KICK! Theory hits the floor and Cody goes out after him! Cody aims from the apron but Theory blocks the kick to trip Cody up! Theory snarls, and he uncovers the announce desk! Theory goes back in, scrapes Cody out, and brings him to the desk.
Cody turns things around on Theory with hands and CHOPS! And CHOP after CHOP! They get on the table but Theory scrambles away into the ring! Fans boo but Theory is on the defensive as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Theory has Cody down with a chinlock. Fans boo Theory and Cody fights his way up. The fans rally as Cody gets to his feet, and Cody pries free! But Theory CLUBS him on the back, reels him in, and back suplexes! Cody lands on his feet, ducks and dodges, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Both men slowly rise as the fans fire up. Cody counter punches Theory, throws haymakers, then whips. Theory reverses but Cody CLOBBERS Theory! Cody goes to the corner, goes up and over and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Cody keeps his cool. Cody stalks Theory now, and decides to go up top!
Theory stands, Cody MOONSAULTS! Direct hit, cover, TWO! Cody grows a little frustrated but he fires himself up. Fans rally as Cody brings Theory up. Theory swings, misses but he back elbows hard! Fisherman, AOI SHODOU! Cover, TWO! Cody survives and Theory seethes but the ref defends his count. Theory says A-Town Down, and he hauls Cody up. Fireman’s carry, but Cody elbows free! Cody ducks and springboards, DISASTER KCIK! Theory stays up so Cody springboards, CODY CUTTER! Fans fire up with Cody, and he gets Theory up, but ROLLINS attacks!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification; Theory retains the title
The Visionary ruins Cody’s moment! Rollins stomps away on Cody, kicks him out of the ring, then goes out to CLOBBER him! Rollins rains down fists, fans boo, but Rollins drags Cody up to smack him off the desk! And again! Rollins tells Cody he will NOT take anything from Rollins ever again! Fans chant, “You Suck!” but Rollins dribbles Cody’s face off the desk! Rollins then clears more space, and CURB STOMPS Cody on the desk! Cody falls back and fans boo, but Rollins just glares down at Cody. Rollins then tells Cody that never again will Cody take something from him! Is Rollins writing a new chapter in this story whether Cody likes it or not?
Sasha Banks & Naomi VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven & Nikki A.S.H!
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are gearing up for a title match with Shayna Baszler & Natalya, but will they overlook the newest tag team on the block? Or will this Celtic connection make management see they are worthy?
The teams sort out, Naomi starts against Piper, and they two circle. They approach, Naomi dropkicks but Piper stays up. Naomi dropkicks again, runs in, and hits a forearm smash! Naomi whips but Piper blocks to headbutt! Naomi flounders and Piper stalks her to ropes. Naomi dodges the haymaker to slide and twerk, then kangaroo kick! Naomi runs to sunset flip but Piper stays up to DROP on Naomi! Cover, TWO! Naomi survives but Piper CLUBS her to a corner. Piper chokes Naomi on ropes but the ref counts. Piper lets off at 4, then brings Naomi up to CLUB her again. Piper dribbles Naomi off the mat while fans rally up.
Naomi gets to ropes, Piper brings her up and chinlocks. Piper taunts Sasha by holding out Naomi’s hand, then she thrashes Naomi in a cobra clutch. Naomi fights up, throws body shots, then JAWBREAKERS! Naomi is free, but Piper grabs her by her hair. Piper throws Naomi away from Sasha and Naomi gets to a corner. Piper runs in to SPLASH! Naomi sits down while Piper dusts off her hands. Piper stalks Naomi, brings her away from Sasha again, but Naomi keeps reaching. Piper scoops, Naomi slips out and dropkicks! Piper wobbles, Naomi headlocks and BUCKLE BULLDOGS! Sasha tags in and fans fire up!
Sasha and Naomi DOUBLE SOLE FOOD Piper in the corner, then Sasha goes up to CROSSBODY! But Piper catches her to SLAM her down! Nikki tags herself in and she hurries to cover, TWO! Nikki rains down fists on Sasha, then drags her up to a top wristlock. Sasha endures, fights up, but Nikki throws her down for a NECK SNAPPER! Cover, TWO! Nikki drags Sasha up, brings her around, strikes the heroic pose, and Piper wants in. Nikki says she’s got this, but then Sasha slips out and gets around to waistlock! Nikki switches but Naomi tags in and ROUNDHOUSES Nikki! Sasha DECKS Piper, then RENT’S DUE! Cover, the champs win!
Winners: Sasha Banks & Naomi, by pinfall
Piper seethes as the Boss & the Glow take the win! Piper wants Nikki to take this seriously. They need to work together. This is what happens when Nikki doesn’t listen! But before Nikki can respond one way or another, The Miz arrives! And he’s a referee…? He’s the special guest referee for what’s up next! Will he be fair? Or will he be The Miz?
Mustafa Ali VS Tommaso Ciampa!
Raw returns and both The Beacon and the Blackheart are in the ring. The Miz has a mic to say he has been thinking, and Ali has a point. Ali has not been treated fairly in the WWE, so Theory went to Vince McMahon and got Ali someone impartial, honorable and respected: The Miz. Miz vows to call this down the middle, so ring the bell! The bell does ring, and Ali circles with Ciampa. They tie up, go around, Ciampa pulls hair and puts Ali in a corner. Miz calls the ropebreak, Ciampa lets off but Ali ducks the cheap shot to CHOP Ciampa! Miz reprimands Ali, but then Ciampa sucker punches Ali!
Ciampa CLUBS Ali, hauls him up and whips him to ropes. But Ali KICKS back and then trips Ciampa for a jackknife bridge. Miz is slow to checking, Ciampa is out before a count! Ali complains but Ciampa CLOBBERS him! Miz shrugs, like it’s not his fault he wasn’t fast enough. Ciampa stomps Ali, has him in a corner, and keeps stomping. Miz technically reprimands Ciampa, and he slowly counts the ropebreak. Ciampa lets off at 4, though it was more like 8 in real counts, and then he runs side to side. But Ali dodges and Ciampa knees the buckle! Ali then HOTSHOTS Ciampa, but Ciampa come back to KNEE Ali down!
Ciampa goes out after Ali to CLOBBER him! Ciampa sits o the desk to applaud and pat himself on the back. Miz slowly ushers Ciampa back into the ring with a slow ring count. Ciampa gets Ali in at 2 but it was more like 4 of 10, and then Ciampa goes to Ali. CRADLE! Miz is slow again, ONE for Miz is more like five for real refs. Ciampa CLOBBERS Ali and throws down elbows. Ciampa clamps on a chinlock and cranks back as Ali endures. Miz checks with Ali, but Ali says he’s not giving up. Miz tells the timekeeper that’s a no, and fans rally up. Ali fights up but Ciampa snapmares and stomps Ali down!
Ciampa drags Ali back up, whips corner to corner hard and Ali flops to the mat! Miz mocks Ali’s pain and asks if he wants to give up. Ciampa clamps the chinlock on again, Ali says no, and he fights up. Fans rally up, Ali throws body shots but Ciampa knees low. Ciampa whips, Ali reverses and runs in, but into a BOOT! Ciampa runs in but into a LARIAT! Ali fires up and the fans are with him, and Ali counter punches Ciampa! Ali throws haymakers, whips, but Ciampa reverse. Ali ducks and dodges to CLOBBER Ciampa! Ciampa goes to a corner, Ali CHOPS and whips corner to corner, Ali runs in to DROPKICK!
Ciampa flounders, Ali somersaults in for the NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Ali drags Ciampa to the drop zone. Ali goes up top, 450 but he has to roll through! Ciampa ripcord ROLLING ELBOWS, then BOOTS Ali! Ali staggers, Ciampa waistlocks but Ali bucks the O’Conner! UPERKICK, Ali springboards, FLYING DDT! Cover, Miz is slow again, TWO!! But again, that’s more like seven or eight for a real ref. Ali is furious and Miz says he is the ref here, don’t hit him or you’ll be disqualified! Ciampa hits a REVERSE DDT! Miz counts and it’s like a cheetah! Ciampa wins!!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Miz turned three into 1.5 and Ali loses because of it! But will Ali make sure to get back at Miz one way or another?
Lacey Evans speaks.
“I was a child of abuse. My father struggled with mental health and addiction, which meant spending a majority of my childhood jumping state to state just to get away from him, or running from the things he had done. My mother tried to find us refuge in various women’s shelters and camp grounds, but ultimately my father found us. My mother broke, and we were brought back into his web of anger and addiction. Neither child protective services nor law enforcement could save me, but through my experiences, I learned how to save myself.” Lacey learned to hide, fight and when to use them.
She became a wrestling state champion by the age of 15, but she had to learn how to juggle a job, wrestling and school. She had to learn to do her own make-up because she didn’t have a mother who could teach her about beauty and confidence. IN fact, Lacey had so little support, she was kicked out of her home at 17 and was still the first in her family to graduate high school and become a US Marine. She has spent her entire life thinking that if she just proved herself worthy of her father’s love, then maybe he would choose that over addiction. She graduated as a US Military Police Officer, but he didn’t even show up for the ceremony.
One thing her father did show up for over and over again was the call to addiction and depression and anger. That led her father to overdose two months before her WWE tryout. And right before her first match in NXT, another member of her family overdosed in the parking lot. The threat of death and depression around every corner has been a constant reminder of what she lives for. She lives for her daughter’s smile, and to show the world that the weight of another’s pain doesn’t have to be carried on your back. She lives and fights to beat the cycle. Those experiences have made her into the motivated, careful and confident mother, wife, sister, daughter, US Marine and WWE superstar.
Bobby Lashley speaks.
“The only reason Omos won at WrestleMania Backlash was because of you, MVP! And then you bring him out here tonight, parading around your new Nigerian Giant, victorious to the world to share the spotlight with him. Why don’t you let him have a spotlight of his own without your interference? Next week on Monday Night Raw, I want that 7 foot 3 Nigerian Giant trapped inside a 15 foot steel cage!” The All Mighty has spoken, will not even the Colossus survive this one?
R-Truth meets with Dana Brooke and Tamina backstage.
His job is one the line. Are they both sure they want to go through with this? YES! Dana is right! Both these marriages are done. So the guys are meeting them here? Yes, and Dana tricked them into thinking it was a double date. Snakes! But Reggie and Tozawa arrive with flowers and chocolates to apologize. Well, just Reggie has chocolate. No candy from Tozawa? Well they got you these. DIVORCE PAPERS!? Yep! Truth is certified to serve, so y’all just got served. Tozawa, too?! He panics and runs away. Tamina is upset at Truth that it isn’t official until Tozawa holds the papers. Oh, right. Truth takes off after Tozawa, and Reggie pleads with Dana.
Tamina says oh no. Not now! Tamina and Dana storm off, but is this truly the end of these love stories?
Becky Lynch heads to ringside!
The Man makes tonight Big Time as she is joining commentary for this one! Will she have anything to say about the Empress of Tomorrow going after the title?
Raw Women’s Championship Contender’s Match: Bianca Belair VS Asuka!
Raw returns once more and Asuka makes her entrance. Then Bianca makes her entrance, but Becky isn’t impressed by either of them. The bell rings and Asuka stares down with Bianca as Becky says she wasn’t in game mode at WrestleMania. Bianca and Asuka tie up, go around, and Bianca wristlocks. Asuka wrenches to wristlock back, but Bianca rolls, kips up and wrenches back. Asuka reaches out, throws forearms, then uses ropes to flip through and wrench back. Asuka waistlocks, Bianca switches and SLAMS Asuka down, then floats to a headlock. Asuka fights up, throws body shots and powers out.
Bianca rams Asuka but Asuka stays up. Asuka roars, fans fire up and things speed up. Bianca handsprings then tells Asuka to kiss this. Asuka runs in, Bianca hurdles but Asuka turns hip toss into takedown and press, TWO! Bianca runs Asuka over and swaggers while Becky gets mad about losing again. Bianca drags Asuka up, whips her to a corner but Asuka reverses. Bianca goes up and over and handsprings again, but Asuka elbows her then ROUNDHOUSES! SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! Asuka smirks and she brings Bianca up to suplex. Bianca blocks, suplexes back, then rolls through to deadlift!
Asuka slips out, dodges Bianca, but Bianca ducks the roundhouse to chicken wing! But Asuka victory rolls, TWO! But into an ARMBAR! Bianca scrambles, clasps hands, powers up but Asuka makes it a TRIANGLE HOLD! Bianca flails and moves around, then deadlifts again! POWERBOMB! Becky storms off commentary to trip Bianca and throw her into steps!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by disqualification
Big Time Becks then goes into the ring to BOOT Asuka down! Becky runs to drop a leg, brother! Then an elbow for good measure! Becky says this should’ve been her contender’s match, and she drags Asuka up again. MANHANDLE SLAM! Becky raises her hand as if she won, but will she be in for big time consequences?
My Thoughts:
This was a really good follow-up to Backlash, until the last half hour or so. They started cramming a crap ton of stuff that wasn’t even really needed. I’m not sure why a supercut of Lacey Evans’ promos from SmackDown the last month was played here, unless there’s a “trade” between brands in the works. Or maybe even more concerning, just an end to the brand split. Then they shoved in Reggie and Tozawa being served papers, even though I feel like they could’ve kept Tozawa & Tamina going. In the end, the main event is not even 10 minutes, and it gets “ruined” by Becky anyway. It seems they’re blending Asuka VS Becky in with the Raw Women’s Championship, Triple Threat at Hell in a Cell, and because of that, we could get just about anyone winning.
I did like that we got the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions having a match on Raw, but I’m disappointed that they’re putting dysfunction in the team of Piper and Nikki already. The champs were of course winning, but why not just win a good match? Nikki is still being superhero even though last week Piper told her it was time to stop playing around. Hopefully the team sticks together as Nikki finally does shed the costume, the RawDown Women’s Tag Division needs to keep teams together. I will say it was great that Sonya got stripped of her management power and then was so distraught, she got squashed by a returning Alexa Bliss. Another good part of that is Alexa is a hybrid of Fun House Bliss and the Goddess. Only time will tell which side has more power.
RKBRO and Profits opening was great stuff, both promo and match. I like that RKBRO still want that tag title unification so their trip back to SmackDown will be good stuff. And as such, of course RKBRO wins the match and what a great finish. I’m all for the unification match happening at Hell in a Cell, but I don’t think they need this one in the cell. Just let it be another 2v2 classic. As for matches that will be at HIAC and in the cell, my number one is Cody VS Rollins Part 3. We got a great US Championship match from Cody and Theory, and the US title’s current design fits so well with Cody’s gear, but sadly this was just a vehicle to Cody VS Rollins, HIAC match.
Judgement Day has a decent group promo. For Edge talking about being a superior intellect, he just resorts to pedestrian “run down the fans” promos. But Priest and Rhea held up their parts of this, and we got some great matches from tonight. Judgement Day handing the win to Finn and then beating him and Styles down should’ve been expected. I am hoping for a Six Person Tag, Liv joining Styles and Finn against Judgement Day. Maybe Liv does what Rhea did and makes the male superstars conflicted about hitting her, and then Finn or Styles capitalizes to win.
Miz being special guest for Ali’s match was a dead giveaway he was screwing Ali over, but at least Miz was good at playing it up. Maybe Ali gets an ally and gets a tag match with Miz and Ciampa? Veer got another win, and while Frank Lowman had a good promo before hand, I’m disappointed that it was another week and still no Rey Mysterio. I guess they’re going to push this closer to HIAC, but Veer didn’t even destroy Lowman like he did everyone else so I’m not even sure Veer VS Rey is still happening.
The VIP Lounge stuff was decent stuff, with Alexander of course wanting back into the Hurt Business and Lashley of course going after everyone. Lashley wanting a Steel Cage is a pretty good move if they’re not going to HIAC, but there’s still a lot MVP can do to help Omos so Lashley isn’t guaranteed a win. And I again love everything going on with the Ezekiel story. Kevin was hilarious during Chad’s promo about doing testing on Ezekiel’s DNA from the Solo cup, and of course “Ken” was just Kevin copying Elias/Ezekiel. Can’t wait to see how they play the DNA test results. I would love if they said it was 100% match, but then Ezekiel claims he’s actually been Elias’s twin brother, as twins (most of the time) have matching DNA.
My Score: 8.3/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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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!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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