Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/13/22)

Tag titles takeover SmackDown!

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2022

Steven Mitchell

Anyone feeling lucky this Friday the 13th?

RKBRO said on Raw that they’re coming back to SmackDown because they want after The Usos and tag title unification! Will the Viper & Stallion make the Bloodline acknowledge them?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Sami Zayn VS Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton; Riddle wins.
SmackDown Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Ronda Rousey VS Raquel Rodriguez; Rousey wins and retains the title.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Sasha Banks & Naomi VS Shayna Baszler & Natalya; Sasha & Naomi win and retain the titles.
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS “Butch” Pete Dunne w/ Sheamus & Ridge Holland; Dunne wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

RKBRO heads to the ring!

Just as they said, The Viper & The Stallion, the Raw Tag Team Champions, return to SmackDown once again! The Tribal Chief may have cancelled the tag title unification match meant for Backlash, but Randy Orton & Matt Riddle are still hungry for that prize! Orton & Riddle get mics as fans chant, “Randy! Randy!” Orton welcomes us to the show, and says they’re very, very, very excited to be here. But they have to also admit, they’re sick and tired of the chase. It is obvious that the Usos don’t have the balls to make a decision for themselves. And it is very obvious to everyone that Roman Reigns is the only one that decides things in the Bloodline.

Riddle gives the Big Dog his props. Riddle thought they had the Six Man Tag in the bag but then Roman hit the Spear and they lost. “My bad, bro.” But Riddle says one of the things he does best is see the patterns. It’s like a sixth or even seventh sense. And one thing Riddle’s noticed is that whenever the Usos can’t handle business, Roman comes in to handle it for them. Orton sees it and they’re sick and tired of it. The fans are tired of it, too, right? The fans cheer in agreement, and Orton says the short ‘n’ sweet of it is that they demand to become Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions of the World!

“So, Big Dog, Tribal Chief, the mountain, moment maker, Roman Reigns, whatever you wanna call yourself. Get your happy ass out to my ring!” Fans fire up but here comes… Sami Zayn? The Master Strategist wears a Bloodline shirt and says, “Boys, c’mon. Do you not understand how things work here on SmackDown? Do you honestly think you can just snap your fingers and get Roman Reigns to come out whenever you summon him? That’s not how it works!” But as the locker room leader, Sami is happy to address this on Roman’s behalf. In fact, Sami speaks for the Bloodline and the SmackDown roster, and even the fans when he says nobody wants to see this tag team title unification match.

Fans boo because Sami is wrong. But Sami says RKBRO doesn’t want this match, because they will lose. Now, look. Sami is just trying to handle this with diplomacy. RKBRO has a good thing going, the fans love it, they’re champions on Raw. Fans chant, “Sami Sucks!” Sami speaks over them and suggests RKBRO just goes back to Raw and never comes back to SmackDown. Orton says he asked for Roman. Is Sami acting as Roman’s errand boy now? Yeah, it’s Samoan Sami! Riddle says Sami is rusty, cuz that’s the color of his hair. “Rusty! Rusty!” Sami says he is NOT Rusty, he is Sami Zayn, the locker room leader.

And look, Sami is not threatening anyone, but he’s just saying, RKBRO should think about how they talk about the Bloodline. The last person who disrespected them was Shinsuke Nakamura. And what happened to him? Last week, Sami took care of it. He did that. Oh, so wait, wait, wait. Sami isn’t an errand boy, he’s actually making some calls. Well, he has no official title but- No no, he’s a shot caller. He basically gets things done and that’s cool to Orton> Well, yeah, it’s kinda cool. Yeah, Sami is a vital part of SmackDown. Yes, Orton gets it! So then, Orton has the perfect solution. Sami is here as a shot caller, a decision maker. So this is perfect. Sami can do this.

Sami can make a match here tonight, Sami VS Riddle, and if Riddle wins, RKBRO gets the tag title unification match! What does he say? C’mon, Sami! Make the call! He could make a lot of people happy. C’mon, Rusty. Sami is kinda stuck, the fans chant “Rusty! Rusty!” and he wants everyone to hold on. But fine, let’s do it! Fans are fired up for that! Sami says, “However…” Sami bails out and says it can’t be tonight. Maybe next week. SmackDown is complicated, you have to run things up the flag pole. Sami can talk to Paul Heyman or- Adam Pearce walks out! Pearce can’t agree with Sami competing on behalf of the Bloodline, we’d all like to see Sami VS Riddle.

Therefore, it is OFFICIAL! Sami VS Riddle is happening, and it’s happening NOW! The elder statesman of SmackDown just put his foot in his mouth again. But will he end up with Riddle’s foot in his face?

Sami Zayn VS Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton!

SmackDown returns and fans rally as Riddle corners Sami. Sami gets to the ropes for defense, Riddle lets off, and fans chant, “Rusty Sucks!” Sami gets around Riddle, headlocks, but Riddle powers out. Sami runs Riddle over, things speed up, and Riddle gets a LEAPING TRIANGLE HOLD! Sami scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Riddle lets go and Sami bails out quickly. Sami sees Orton at ringside and wants him to back off. Orton wasn’t do anything, but Sami still protests. Riddle WRECKS Sami with a dropkick! Riddle gets in, keeps Sami from getting away, but Sami elbows him away! Sami CLUBS Riddle down then rains down fists!

Fans boo and Sami lets off but Riddle gets to ropes. Sami CHOKES Riddle, lets off at 3, then jumps onto Riddle to choke him more! Sami stops at 4, and he tells the fans to respect the locker room leader. Fans boo, Sami CLUBS Riddle with crossface forearms! Riddle sputters but Sami clamps on with a chinlock. Sami traps an arm but Riddle endures. Fans rally, Riddle fights up, and Riddle throws body shots and palm strikes! Riddle adds a BOOT, then a spin for a PELE! Sami flops down and fans fire up! Sami crawls to a corner, Riddle kips up! Riddle runs in to forearm smash! Then side to side for another! Then BROSPLODER!

Fans fire up, Riddle runs but Sami ducks the Penalty Kick and avoids the moonsault! BROTON hits knees! Sami hurries to a corner and aims at Riddle. HELLUVA- BOOT from Riddle! Riddle hops up the corner, but Sami SHOVES him off! Riddle crashes into barriers and Orton checks on him as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Sami rains down fists on Riddle. Fans rally for Riddle but Sami drags him to a drop zone. Orton gets the fans fired up more and Sami shakes his head as he climbs. Riddle springs up to get Sami, but Sami fights him with body shots and a forearm! Riddle crashes down, Sami laughs, but then he leaps into a FINAL FLASH! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and no one can believe it! Sami get sup but Riddle is right on him. Riddle fireman’s carries, but Sami slips off and ducks the roundhouse to BLUE- NO! Riddle fights that off with haymakers! Riddle runs, but into a scoop! MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!

Sami is furious and Orton is relieved that Riddle survives. Fans chant, “Rusty Sucks!” to taunt Sami again but he just drags Riddle back up. Sami puts Riddle through ropes and he taunts Orton! DRAPING- NO! Riddle slips off to TOSS Sami out! Riddle then PENALTY KICKS from the apron! And SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BROS! Direct hit and down goes Rusty! Riddle puts Sami in, dodges, and POWERSLAMS! Orton is loving the shout outs from his bro, and Riddle puts Sami through ropes! DRAPING DDT! Mohegan Sun Arena is thunderous as Riddle hears those voices, bro! Sami slowly gets up, but he bails out!

Fans boo as Sami flounders to the desk. Riddle pursues, but Sami POSTS him! Sami then hurries to get Riddle up and TOSS him over barriers into the timekeeper’s area! Sami wants to win this like he did with Nakamura! Orton hears the count, he coaches Riddle up, but we’re at 8 of 10! Riddle is up at 9 and in at 9.9!! Fans fire up and Sami argues with the ref. Sami gets Riddle, Riddle gets Sami! Gut wrench to BRO DEREK!! Cover, Riddle wins!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

Bro! Riddle just wrecked Rusty, and the Raw Tag Team Champions are rolling! But will they be able to prove themselves worthy of tag title unification with the Usos? Speaking of…

Roman Reigns and the Bloodline watch this backstage.

The Tribal Chief asks the Wise Man why RKBRO is on his show. They smashed RKBRO, they’re done with them. They whooped ’em at Backlash yet they’re still talking trash? And not just about Roman, but about the Usos, too. Saying Jimmy & Jey can’t do anything on their own. They’re the longest reigning tag team champions for a reason! But they’ll do this for the Bloodline, for the family! The whole world will acknowledge their Tribal Chief. Roman promises to give RKBRO an answer. Will it be one Orton & Riddle want to hear?

Backstage, Sami comes across Shinsuke Nakamura.

The King of Strong Style smiles and says, Sami, Roman is the Head of the Table. But you… are the Table’s Ass! Nakamura then leaves and Sami sighs.

Ronda Rousey is here!

The Baddest Woman on the Planet is the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion, and she’s ready to celebrate after making Charlotte Flair say, “I Quit!” Ronda says Charlotte was a thirteen-time women’s champion. Impressive, but “was” was the keyword because now Ronda has the title! But she has to give it up to Charlotte, she’s one of the toughest competitors ever. Charlotte had to have her arm broken before she said those two words. Ronda would rather die than say those words, but that’s just her. Now, do fans want a fighting champion? Well Ronda wants to be a fighting champion so she is issuing an open challenge for her title right now! Who wants to make history!?

SmackDown Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Ronda Rousey VS ???

Big Mami Cool is coming to the ring! Raquel’s been NXT Women’s Championship and NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship, can she get another belt already? Ronda gets her game face on and drops her mic. Raquel tells Raquel, “campeona,” she is Rrraquel Rrrodrrriguez, and she accepts! She may be new here, but what better way to get going than be the new champion? And it would be an honor to step into the ring with a legend like Ronda. But tonight, Raquel is the one who makes history! Ronda smirks, clearly looking forward to it. Will Ricky Desperado take Rowdy Ronda Rousey to her limits?

SmackDown returns and the belt is raised on this surprise title match! The bell rings, Ronda and Raquel tie up, Raquel waistlocks and SLAMS Ronda down! Raquel smiles but Ronda gets up. They go again, Ronda waistlocks but Raquel elbows free. Raquel uses both hands to lift Ronda, and TOSSES her to the corner! Ronda JABS back, Raquel swings but Ronda gets under. Raquel KNEES free of the fireman’s carry to LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Raquel keeps on Ronda and lifts her to RAM her into the corner! Raquel digs her shoulder in, lets off as the ref counts, then stomps her. Raquel ROCKS Ronda, then scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM!

Ronda flounders but Raquel storms up on her to scoop again, for another FALL AWAY SLAM! Ronda is down, Raquel goes up, VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Raquel keeps cool, brings Ronda up in a gut wrench to a Canadian Rack! Ronda endures being bent on Raquel’s shoulder! Fans rally, Ronda fights free and throws fast hands, Raquel shoves and BOOTS Ronda, then whips her to a corner. Raquel runs in but only gets buckles! Ronda goes for an arm, Raquel fights to stay up! Ronda grinds the arm but Raquel powers up to SIDEWALK SLAM! Raquel shakes out the arm, hurries back to the corner, VADER FLOP as Ronda moves!

Ronda hurries to fireman’s carry but Raquel fights out. Ronda dodges the boot to KNEE Raquel. Ronda elbows from a corner, goes up and reels Raquel in, TORNADO- NO! Raquel blocks the DDT, but Ronda makes it a GUILLOTINE! Raquel powers out to suplex and SLAM Ronda down! Cover, TWO!! Ronda survives and Raquel is a bit surprised. Fans rally, Raquel slams Ronda’s arms on the mat then has a top wristlock. Ronda endures, fans rally, and Ronda fights up to throw knees. Ronda fights off the Chingona Bomb with knees, then throws more fast hands! Ronda knees low, but Raquel block the sayanagi throw!

Ronda comes back, JUMP KNEE! ROUNDHOUSE! Ronda fires up and she brings Raquel into the fireman’s carry! But Raquel slips off and torture racks! RACK BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ronda survives again but Raquel keeps on her. she drags Ronda up, hooks the leg, CHINGO- NO! Ronda gets the arm! It’s a floating armlock, but Raquel TOSSES Ronda into ropes! Raquel drags Ronda up, but Ronda gets the leg instead! ANKLE LOCK!! Raquel hops on one leg, reaches out, and Raquel turns to kick Ronda away! Ronda comes back, into a BOOT! Cover, TWO!! Ronda survives again, and Raquel is learning how tough the Baddest Woman really is!

Raquel tries again, but Ronda turns bomb into a RANA! Cover, Ronda wins!

Winner: Ronda Rousey, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)

Rowdy Ronda is a fighting champion, but she sure got a fight tonight! Big Mami Cool got caught, but Ronda shows her respect. Raquel stands up, and accepts the handshake. Fans cheer the sportsmanship, will Raquel find her way back to this belt in time?

Shotzi Blackheart talks with Adam Pearce backstage.

That shouldn’t have been Raquel! Raquel shoved Shotzi out of the way to steal that opportunity! Well, no one can prove that but… Aliyah then walks in to say Shotzi stuffed her in the locker room and blocked the door! Shotzi says that did not happen, but they start arguing about who is next. Pearce does his best to sort this out, will Shotzi and Aliyah just have to earn an opportunity?

Kayla Braxton is in the ring.

She welcomes us back from break, and welcomes out her guest, the 2022 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner, and the man who beat Happy Corbin at Backlash, MAD CAP MOSS! He gives two big thumbs up to the Andre the Giant trophy, then joins Kayla in the ring. Fans cheer and give two thumbs up in return. Kayla says Moss has been on the roll these last six weeks. He won the battle royal, parted ways with Corbin, and had perhaps the biggest win of his career at Backlash. A recap package shows the Happy Folks Civil War and Moss says that WAS the biggest win of his career!

Moss says Corbin is powerful, physically imposing, and not to mention he can really wear you down… with his terrible personality. If he had just stood six feet away and told another story about his expensive watch, Moss would’ve just tapped out from boredom! It was tough, but Moss persevered. He stifled yawns, looked past the horrible tattoos, and shielded his eyes from the glare off that head and beat the Big Bald Wolf! So where does Moss go from here? Well, his WWE career is just beginning. Moss wants it all! Mixed Tag Team with Sasha Banks, Mad Cap Boss. Climb the ladder and grab the Money in the Bank briefcase! Replace title belts with title suspenders!

But then SMACK! Corbin hits Moss with a chair! And again! And again! This Corbin isn’t Happy, he’s angry! And he again grabs the trophy. But not to steal it? He puts it in the ring, SMACKS Moss with the chair, JAMS him in the back, and then puts the chair around Moss’ head and neck! Corbin lifts the trophy and aims for the chair! HE SMASHES THE CHAIR CLOSED!! Moss writhes and gasps as security and officials rush out! They tell Corbin to go but he was leaving anyway. Corbin smiles as medics bring out a backboard and stretcher. Has Corbin made sure Moss told his last joke?

SmackDown returns as Moss is brought to the back.

But Corbin intercepts him! Corbin asks him, “What do you call the place that tends to you? The MOSS-pital!” Corbin laughs at his own bad joke, but is he going to have the last laugh after all?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Sasha Banks & Naomi VS Shayna Baszler & Natalya!

The Boss & Glow have been spotless since winning these titles, but they could be in for their toughest test yet. Will the Spades & Hart trump Sasha & Naomi? Or will they #FeeltheGlow on #BossTime?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who shines with the gold in the Mohegan Sun!

Shayna and Naomi start, tie up, and Naomi headlocks. Shayna powers out to wrench and WRING the bad arm! Naomi clutches the shoulder and gets to a corner. Shayna runs in but Naomi elbows her away! Naomi then slides the roundhouse, kangaroo kicks, and tags Sasha. Fans fire up as the champs double wrench and DOUBLE SOLE FOOD! Shayna flops, Sasha covers, TWO! Tag to Natty! Sasha swipes at her but the ref has her back up. Natty kicks and ROCKS Sasha, then bumps her off buckles to stomp away! The ref counts, Natty lets off, but she drags Sasha back up. Natty whips, Sasha reverses and runs in, but Natty puts her on the apron.

Sasha bumps Natty off buckles, goes up and headscissors Natty down! Fans fire up as Sasha hits a BASEMENT METEORA! Cover, TWO! Sasha drags Natty up but Natty lifts her! Sasha sunset flips, TWO, but Sasha grabs at Natty fast. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Natty rolls Sasha, TWO! BANK STATEMENT! Sasha has the crossface but Shayna coaches Natty to the ropes. Natty crawls all the way over, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Natty gets around Sasha to rebound and sit her down! Shayna tags in before Natty steps on Sasha, but Sasha trips Natty! Sasha goes for the crossface again but Shayna’s the legal one! And Shayna stomps Sasha’s leg!

Naomi protests but the ref keeps her back. Shayna stalks Sasha and CHOP BLOCKS her as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Sasha arm-drags Natty off her. Sasha leaps but Natty keeps her from Naomi with a SPINEBUSTER! Natty then DECKS Naomi, and tags Shayna. Shayna hauls Sasha up, Natty runs, HART ATTACK!! Cover, Naomi breaks it in time! Naomi throws Shayna away, Natty gets in but Naomi throws her back out. Fans fire up, but Shayna trips Naomi off the apron! And isolates the arm! But Naomi avoids the stomp! Sasha KNEES Shayna down, tag to Naomi! CROSSBODY from the apron! Naomi rains down fists as fans fire up! Naomi puts Shayna in, runs in, CALF KICK! Naomi DECKS Natty in return, and rallies on Shayna!

RUNNING JAWBREAKER! Naomi kips up, runs in at the corner, but Shayna BOOTS her down! High stack, with feet on ropes! Natty helps, but the ref sees it this time! He reprimands, Shayna lets off and tags Natty. Naomi kicks, Natty blocks, then Natty ducks and the ENZIGURI hits Shayna! Natty rolls Naomi, TWO! Naomi dodges the discus to springboard, FLYING CHUCK! Fans fire up as Naomi watches Natty flounder up. Naomi drags her over, tags Sasha, and Sasha hits SWINGING DOUBLE KNEES! Sasha tags Naomi, runs, but Natty breaks free of the full nelson to DISCUS Sasha down! Naomi still tries the BUBBA BOMB!

Naomi uses a body scissor clutch cover, but Shayna PUNTS the bad arm! Shayna drags Naomi up, KIRAFUDA- BACKSTABBER from Sasha! But that sends Naomi into the SHARPSHOOTER! But Naomi makes it a small package! Naomi & Sasha win!!

Winners: Sasha Banks & Naomi, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Spades & Hart busted, they miss out on the gold! Will Sasha & Naomi keep glowing on all brands?

Drew Gulak talks with Ricochet backstage.

Gulak feels like these last few weeks have been a nightmare. Ricochet can relate, but if he’d just given up when times were tough, he wouldn’t be Intercontinental Champion. Ricochet took control of the noise. If Gulak wants to be the best version of himself, the only one who can do that is him. Ricochet’s right. This version of Gulak won’t let Gunther chop him down to size! Next time he sees Gunther, he’ll put him in his place. Alright, then! Ricochet encourages Gulak and he walks down the hall, only to run into Imperium…

What was that about going after the Ring General. Gulak? Gunther RAMS Gulak into a wall, rips his shirt off, and CHOPS him down! Gulak is left sputtering, will the next version of himself know better?

Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS “Butch” Pete Dunne w/ Sheamus & Ridge Holland!

The New Day got quite a surprise when Butch magically appeared from under the ring to cost them the Tables Match last week! Will Kofi get some payback on the Bruiserweight for that here? Or will it just be another Friday for the Fight Night Boys?

SmackDown returns as the Celtic Warrior leads his lads in their entrance. The bell rings and Dunne rushes in, but into a dropkick! Kofi fires off fast hands in a corner but Dunne turns it around< Kofi dodges to fire back on Dunne, then whips corner to corner. Kofi runs in to SPLASH, then he whips back the other way. Dunne CLOBBERS Kofi this time, then he snarls as he drags Kofi from ropes for ground ‘n’ pound! Sheamus & Ridge are fire dup but the fans boo. Dunne gets Kofi’s arm and bends it back, then twists the wrist! Dunne pulls on the fingers, twists the elbow, then stomps the hand!

Dunne scuffs Kofi and Sheamus hopes Pat saw that. Dunne drags Kofi up but Kofi throws body shots! Fans rally but Dunne ROCKS Kofi! Dunne runs in but Kofi TOSSES him out of the ring! Kofi builds speed to slide but Dunne dodges. Sheamus distracts, Dunne grabs Kofi’s hair! Kofi PELES Dunne away! Then Kofi springboards to AX HANDLE! Fans fire up as Dunne bails out and Kofi bounces on the ring to fake him out. Woods plays the trombone, Dunne swipes at him. Woods gets away, Kofi PENALTY KICKS Dunne down! Fans fire up as Woods lifts Kofi and still play the trombone, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Dunne grinds Kofi down with a hammerlock and chinbar combo. Kofi fight sup as fans rally, and Kofi throws body shots to get free! Kofi throws haymakers but Dunne keeps wrist control. Kofi keeps throwing hands, has Dunne on ropes, and fires off more and more! The ref counts, Kofi lets off, and he dodges Dunne to DOUBLE CHOP! And DOUBLE CHOP! And dropkick! Sheamus coaches Dunne up, he dodges the leaping lariat and back elbows! Dunne swings, but into SOS! Cover, TWO! Sheamus and Ridge are relieved as Dunne survives. Kofi drags Dunne up but Dunne pulls on the ears!

The ref counts, Dunne CHOPS Kofi to a corner. Dunne runs in but Kofi slips out to SWING KICK! Dunne staggers back, Kofi springboards in, but into a JUMPING FOREARM! Cover, TWO!! Kofi survives and the former NXT UK Champion is learning how tough #GrandSlamKofi really is. Fans boo but Sheamus and Ridge rally with “FIGHT! NIGHT! FIGHT! NIGHT!” Dunne runs in, Kofi dodges the boot to mule kick! Dunne ENZIGURIS! Kofi flounders, Dunne aims again, and Dunne runs corner to corner, into a JUMPING DOUBLE STOMP! Fans fire up and Kofi aims now! Kofi claps it up, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!”

Ridge get sup, Kofi ROCKS him and Woods trips Ridge! Sheamus BROGUES Woods, Kofi DECKS Sheamus! Dunne gets Kofi with the BITTER END!! Cover, Dunne wins!

Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall

And a bitter end, indeed! Ridge and Sheamus want to celebrate with him, but Butch leaves? He goes up the bleachers and into the crowd! Is this how Dunne celebrates now? Will anyone ever understand what’s going on with him?

Sami talks with Heyman backstage.

Sami knows Roman is busy, talking to the Usos and getting them ready to address tag title unification. But Sami just wants Heyman to check if things are okay with the Bloodline after that debacle of Sami maybe overstepping and accepting things on their behalf. Sami just wants Roman to see Sami’s intentions. Sami stood up for SmackDown. No one else! RKBRO came over from Raw, disrespected the Bloodline and the entire locker room, but Sami stood up! And he just wants to be sure that Locker Room Leader and Head of the Table have a synergistic relationship. Sami is simply asking Heyman to give his respects to Roman, and to make sure that Roman isn’t mad.

Heyman tells Sami that the Tribal Chief appreciates him. Heyman then goes into the locker room, without Sami. Sami is very nervous, but does he have nothing to worry about?

The Bloodline heads to the ring!

Roman Reigns’ music plays, because he is accompanying the Usos out here. The belts are raised for the pyro, and then they continue down the ramp. They get in the ring, and of course they raise their belts again for the second round of pyro. Fans are torn between boos and raising fingers but Roman soaks it all in. Heyman hands Roman a mic, and Roman says, “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania… ACKNOWLEDGE ME! Now, we been doing this for a minute. Y’all know the deal. We smash ’em on Sunday, and then we come out the next Friday to tell y’all what’s next.

“Smashed John Cena, came out the next Friday, told y’all what’s next. Smashed Brock Lesnar, came out the next Friday and told y’all what’s next. But you see, this Friday is a little different. Last Sunday, we smashed RKBRO and Drew McIntyre, and Wise Man.” “Yes, My Tribal Chief?” “There ain’t nobody next!” “No there isn’t, My Tribal Chief.” The Bloodline done smashed ’em all! Everyone’s afraid, no one wants to step up to the mountain! “The Tribal Chief is untouchable. But y’see, this is where things get interesting. The Usos, my cousins, my blood, they might have somebody next because there’s a challenge on the table for these boys. And the question is, what’re they gon’ do about it?”

Roman hands the mic to Jimmy, but then RKBRO returns! Roman chuckles as the Raw Tag Team Champions head right into the ring. Orton sees Roman smiling but he didn’t smash John Cena. Cena is TEN TIMES the superstar Roman ever will be. BELIEVE THAT! And Riddle says before going to bed, he likes to turn on the laptop, turn the lights off, set the mood, and reach over into his nightstand- Orton stops Riddle there. Uh, he was going to say he gets his headphones. Okay, Orton had no idea where this was going, so sorry. C’mon, Randy. Get your mind out of the gutter. Riddle watches old matches!

And before going to sleep last night, Riddle rewatched their loss at Backlash. And he was thinking, “We need to make that unification title match happen.” What do the fans think about that? They cheer because they want it! Orton says Jimmy & Jey, both of them combined have one brain, so he’ll say this real slow so they understand: “Riddle and I… want a tag, team, title match. We want that match because we’re going to take your set of titles, and then we’re gonna have both sets of titles! And once we have both sets of titles, then we’re gonna combine both sets of titles, and have one set of titles, and we’re gonna call those titles the UNDISPUTED WWE Tag Team Championships!”

Fans cheer for that as Orton asks, “Do you understand the words coming out of my mouth? I just noticed, I am way taller than you, by the way.” Roman smirks at Orton’s little dig. But what is the answer? Fans rally for RKBRO, and Jimmy says if they want an answer, then they ACCEPT! Fans fire up and Jey says they accept, just not here tonight! Next week on Friday, it’s on, Uce. Then the Usos will be the NEW unified WWE Tag Team Champions. And check this out, RKBRO. There’s gonna be two titles right here on Jimmy, two titles right here on Jey, and two titles on Roman. Roman grins and holds up his belts, but Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES him in the face!!

Jimmy rushes after RKBRO but the get away! Shots fired on the Bloodline, will they be the ones that lose their belts?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode of SmackDown to follow up both Backlash and Raw. We got a great opening segment from RKBRO calling out the Usos, but instead getting Sami. Sami’s great at weaseling up to the Bloodline, and I even liked that Pearce didn’t throw the Bloodline into doing something just because of Sami. Sami VS Riddle was still a great match, and of course Riddle wins to get momentum. We got a great closing segment with the Usos actually accepting. And of course, a great way to finish with Riddle’s knee just hitting Roman! I think I laughed out loud at that. Roman is gonna be pissed, and I have a bad feeling he disqualifies the Usos to get revenge, but then we get the true unification match at Hell in a Cell.

I also like that Nakamura got to taunt Sami. It implies we could get a rematch of Sami VS Nakamura at Hell in a Cell or around that time, and Nakamura can win to maybe go back for a top title opportunity. No McIntyre this week was a surprise but the show still flowed without him. Moss getting attacked by Corbin shouldn’t have surprised anyone, but Corbin going that far was definitely a surprise. Corbin should go from Happy to Psycho Corbin or something like that, that was pretty brutal. Moss will be “hurt” until a little closer to Hell in a Cell, or maybe past it so that Moss and Corbin can compete on the road to Money in the Bank, which Moss did mention in his promo.

Gulak getting encouragement from Ricochet was a nice touch to his story, as was getting beat up by Der Ring General. I wonder if this will give us a tag match of Gulak & Ricochet VS Imperium, and through that, Gunther earns himself an Intercontinental Championship match with Ricochet. No former NXT UK Champion has yet to get a RawDown belt and the longest reigning and most dominant NXT UK Champion to date should be the first one to do it. “Butch” might if he gets away from Sheamus & Ridge. Kofi VS Dunne was a great match, and good to know they’re letting Dunne still call his finisher the Bitter End. Dunne ditching Sheamus & Ridge is a good sign to me, maybe he’ll go solo and want the Intercontinental Championship, too.

Great title matches for the Women’s Division tonight. Ronda bringing out the Open Challenge was cool, and it was pretty cool that Raquel Rodriguez not only answered it, but she got to look so strong in this match. I also like the argument promo from Shotzi and Aliyah, with Shotzi claiming Raquel sniped her, and Aliyah saying Shotzi sniped her first. Shotzi VS Aliyah should definitely be a match, both need TV and ring time to get SmackDown’s midcard going. A shame they moved Lacey Evans over to Raw just because of Vince’s whims. Lacey VS Natty would’ve been good with Lacey in the seemingly Face role. Still a dumbass move if they want to make her a Heel after those life story promos.

And we got a pretty good Women’s Tag match from Sasha & Naomi VS Shayna & Natty. I had a feeling Sasha & Naomi would retain, even though there are no other teams on SmackDown and Raw has “Doudrop” Piper Niven & Nikki A.S.H./Cross working on their chemistry. Maybe an NXT team will be called up soon enough because they’ll just have to slap two random choices together again.

My Score: 8.4/10

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

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Mitchell’s NJPW Capital Collision Results & Report! (5/14/22)

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Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (5/13/22)

Coverage

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

SmackDown hears voices!

Published

17 mins ago

December 1, 2023

Steven Mitchell

The Viper is here for The Bloodline!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kevin Owens VS Grayson Waller; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to the scheduling choices of KFOX14 (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of SmackDown will not begin until 9PM Eastern]

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

Coverage

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

A Block, round 5!

Published

36 mins ago

December 1, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Will it be Chaos for the Reiwa Musketeers?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

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

My Thoughts:

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

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