Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/6/22)
New Day, GET THE TABLES!
One more stop before Backlash!
One more SmackDown before WrestleMania Backlash, and the Bloodline has one last face-to-face with RKBRO and Drew McIntyre!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Charlotte Flair VS Aliyah; No Contest.
- Sasha Banks w/ Naomi VS Shayna Baszler w/ Natalya; Shayna wins.
- Drew Gulak VS GUNTHER w/ Ludwig Kaiser; Gunther wins.
- Tag Team Tables Match: The New Day VS Sheamus & Ridge Holland; Sheamus & Ridge win.
- Sami Zayn VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Sami wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Charlotte Flair VS Aliyah!
The SmackDown Women’s Champion couldn’t put #Aliyah316 away in 1:41 and she is not happy about it! Charlotte beat up Drew Gulak for the loss last week, but will she get even with Aliyah this close to Backlash? Or will Aliyah just frustrate her even more?
Before the match, Charlotte gets the mic. “Long Island, New York, what is up? Look at all these people who paid their hard earned money to come see me! Thank you, thank you.” Charlotte doesn’t get why this is the “armpit of New York,” but she can empathize with those saying she was humiliated after losing the Beat the Clock Challenge. She was not, she was screwed! Aliyah clearly tapped out and said she quit before the time was up. And that moron, Gulak, what’s his problem? Time was going more up than down and that messed with Charlotte. Charlotte says the only one being humiliated is Ronda Rousey when she says she quits!
Charlotte says Ronda will cry like a baby, wah wah wah! Hell, when Ronda says she quits, she might quit WWE altogether! Bye, Ronda! Nana nana, hey hey hey, good-bye~! As for Aliyah, everyone say hi. Fans cheer and she waves. Charlotte asks Aliyah if she’s enjoying her 15 seconds of fame in the ring with Charlotte. Because we’re going to get a preview of what’ll happen at Backlash! Y’know what? Charlotte will even pretend Aliyah is Ronda now. “C’mere, Ronda, c’mere.” Closer, then SUCKER PUNCH! Then a LARIAT! Charlotte throws off her robe to stomp Aliyah then rain down fists, all while fans boo!
Charlotte wants Aliyah to say she quits as she pulls Aliyah’s hair. Charlotte drags Aliyah up to DECK her again! Then Charlotte soaks up the heat, only for Ronda to rush out here! Charlotte’s ready for it, and she kicks at the ropes. Ronda avoids that to drag Charlotte out! They brawl with fast hands and fans are going nuts! Charlotte RAMS Ronda into the apron, and again, but Ronda throws knees! Ronda POSTS Charlotte, then stalks her around the way. Ronda whips but Charlotte reverses to send Ronda into barriers! Charlotte steadies herself but fans rally for Ronda. Charlotte gets in the ring but Ronda pursues!
Ronda rushes in, but Charlotte TACKLES her! Charlotte gives some ground ‘n’ pound, but Ronda gets up to BOOT Charlotte. But then Charlotte BOOTS back! Charlotte RAMS her shoulders into Ronda, but Ronda gets a clutch! Refs and officials rush in to stop this brawl, but Charlotte starts shoving them! But then she BOOTS the official as Ronda ducked! The scrap continues, more knees and forearms, the refs keep trying and reinforcements rush out! Ronda keeps Charlotte from getting away, and she throws down elbows! The refs and officials force these two apart, but the animosity is still palpable! Ronda busts free to SPEAR Charlotte!
Fans want to “Let Them Fight!” as the refs and officials keep trying to stop this. Charlotte gets away but then shoves Jamie Noble away. Charlotte shouts that this is HER show, but will the SmackDown Women’s Championship still be her title?
Sasha Banks w/ Naomi VS Shayna Baszler w/ Natalya!
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are preparing to take on Spades & Hart, and now the Boss steps up to the Submission Magician! Will #BossTime turn into quitting time against Shayna? Or will Sasha avoid having to #TapNapOrSnap?
SmackDown returns as Shayna and Natty make their entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Sasha goes after Shayna but Shayna backs her down. Sasha BOOTS Shayna, goes up, METEORA! Sasha rains down fists then covers, TWO! Sasha gets Shayna’s arm and wants to give it back for Naomi! But Shayna avoids the stomp, only for Sasha to dodge the boot. Sasha tilt-o-whirls and hits an ARM CODE BREAKER! Sasha isolates that arm again, then gets the other arm! Sasha bends the fingers and twists the wrist, doing just what Shayna would do! But Shayna KICKS Sasha, then drags her down!
Sasha resists the armbar and moves around but Shayna uses her legs to keep Sasha down. Sasha pushes to stack Shayna, TWO! Shayna clubs the arms but Sasha keeps her grip. Fans rally, Sasha moves around and fights free of the legs, but Shayna thrashes her around! Sasha headscissors to a victory roll, TWO! Shayna rushes in but Sasha catches her arm! Natty distracts, Sasha swipes at her! Shayna gut wrenches and SLAMS Sasha down! Natty cheers but fans boo while Shayna shakes out the bad arm. Shayna stalks Sasha to a corner and stomps away! Long Island is on Sasha’s side as the ref counts.
Shayna lets off to then whips but Sasha reverses. Shayna dodges, but then Sasha dodges, and Shayna hits buckles. Sasha throws fast hands, then whips corner to corner. Shayna reverses but Sasha goes up to headscissor, into a SIDEWALK SLAM! Natty applauds as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Sasha rolls Shayna, TWO! Shayna BOOTS and CLUBS Sasha, then has the double wristlock! Sasha endures, Shayna taunts Naomi with it, and fans rally. Shayna hammerlocks as Sasha fights up, and Sasha runs around to toss Shayna out! Shayna gets in, but Sasha throws her out the other side! Sasha builds speed while Naomi taunts back, and she baseball slides Shayna down! Sasha SMACKS Shayna’s arm off the desk again and again! Naomi is fired up with Sasha and Sasha puts Shayna back in. Sasha hurries to run, and BASEMENT METEORA! Cover, TWO!
Sasha is shocked Shayna survived but she keeps focus. Natty coaches Shayna but Sasha is after the arm. Sasha wrenches, Shayna body shots and KICKS, but Sasha pushes Shayna to the ropes. Shayna puts Sasha on the apron but Sasha shoulders into her. Sasha blocks the kick to KNEE Shayna, then she rolls in to wheelbarrow and BULLDOG! Sash then RANAS Natty to keep her away! Sasha hurries back in, but Shayna gets up to KNEE Sasha! Shayna drags Sasha into a fisherman bridge, TWO! Sasha gets around to backslide, TWO! Sasha tries to facelock, Shayna cradles, Natty helps Shayna keep feet on the ropes! SHAYNA WINS!
Winner: Shayna Baszler
But to be sore winners, Natty & Shayna beat up Naomi & Sasha! Natty full nelsons Naomi while Shayna gets the arm! Naomi still BOOTS Shayna down! And JAWBREAKERS Natty! Naomi and Sasha get Natty up, DOUBLE SOLE FOOD! Spades & Hart back down, but will they tear Sasha & Naomi apart to get those titles?
Backstage interview with The Usos.
Jimmy & Jey team up with Roman Reigns at Backlash to take on Drew McIntyre 7 RKBRO. Any final thoughts before tonight’s faceoff? NO! Because the time for talk is done. That fool Riddle talks too much anyway, always putting his foot in his moth. And The Viper ain’t scaring nobody! The Usos have the antidote to that poison. They’re gonna have some fresh snake skin Air Force Ones! Because they the twos, and #WeTheOnes!
Backstage interview with RKBRO.
Randy Orton & Matt Riddle surely heard the Usos just a moment ago. They sure did. To be honest, Riddle is confused. Do the Usos think he puts his foot in his mouth? That’s gross. But who is he to judge about what people put in their mouths? Orton has Riddle stop there. Wrong time, wrong place. But yes, Usos yapped yapped yapped but they’ve been doing that for weeks. Here it is loud and clear: at Backlash, the Usos don’t need to worry about their shoes, they need to worry about being in the ring with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K BRO! Yeah!
Happy Corbin heads to the ring.
It’s another edition of Happy Talk just days before Backlash and the grudge match between Corbin and Mad Cap Moss. What will the host with the least have to say about that? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Corbin has the mic. A highlight reel plays of Moss taking back the Andre the Giant trophy after getting the drop on Corbin. “If you think that bothers me, you’re crazy.” Corbin is so happy thinking about what he’ll do to Moss at Backlash this Sunday. But then Moss interrupts on the tron. No one wants to hear Corbin talk, man! They want to hear Moss make jokes. He’ll make us happy. Did Corbin wanna start singing? Because he looks like a Pitbull cover artist. Moss says in all seriousness, Corbin does a lot of charity work. For years, he’s let tattoo artists do all their worst ideas on him.
Moss doesn’t want to alarm Corbin, but it looks like Hot Topic threw up on his chest. And Corbin has many names- Corbin interrupts Moss. Moss feels safe in the back, hiding in some dark corner telling these lame jokes. But Corbin gets it. Moss doesn’t have the guts to come out and say all this to Corbin’s face. Funny Corbin should mention that. Moss walks off screen, to come out on stage! He wasn’t hiding all that far away at all! And again, Moss got the better of Corbin here. Moss gets in the ring and gets himself a mic. “Okay then, Corbin, to your face it is.” Corbin’s gone through a lot of phases: Baron; Constable; King; Broke Ass; Happy. Maybe next will be Entertaining Corbin.
Corbin could go back to being a Lone Wolf, but wolves have hair. Moss figures Corbin could be the Big Bald Wolf. Give it up, Long Island, for the Big Bald Wolf! Fans chant along with Moss, and he laughs it up. Corbin frowns and storms off. Is Corbin going to go from Happy to Angry Corbin after facing Moss at Backlash?
Drew Gulak VS ???
After being competitor, interviewer, assistant to Adam Pearce, and timekeeper, what can Gulak possibly be? Well, back to competitor, of course! But who will he face in his first match back in months? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Gulak’s opponent is… Wait, the lights go down. And Ludwig Kaiser addresses the fans. “Ladies and gentlemen. Der Ring General! GUNTHER!!” Can Gulak switch out with someone else real quick? No? Well, nice knowing you, Gulak…
The bell rings and fans chant, “U S A!” for Gulak. Gulak circles with Gunther, they tie up, and Gunther gets the arm to wrench to a wristlock. Gunther grinds Gulak’s shoulder, stands on the arm, but Gulak fights and rolls and wrenches. Gulak wrenches, but Gunther facelocks to turn Gulak and CLUB him down! Gulak gets to a corner but Gunther is right after him. Gunther brings Gulak out but Gulak ROCKS Gunther! So Gunther BOOTS Gulak! Gunther then stands Gulak up to CHOP! Gulak flounders, Gunther bumps him off buckles. Gunther puts Gulak on the top rope to CHOP him, then stand on him!
Gulak endures, the ref counts, Gunther lets off at 4. Gulak flops to the mat and Ludwig has goosebumps. Gunther drags Gulak in with a SLEEPER HOLD! Gulak flails but Gunther thrashes him around! Gulak fades, but Gunther hits a GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, Gunther wins!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall
Gulak should’ve said nein but Gunther didn’t give him time to think. Will Gulak decide to take a sabbatical? Ludwig officially announces Gunther’s victory, but will it only be a matter of time before Ludwig announces Gunther’s championship victory?
Backstage interview with Shinsuke Nakamura.
The Bloodline has a huge target on their backs with McIntyre & RKBRO, but Nakamura has his own bone to pick. The Bloodline hurt his tag partner and friend, Rick Boogs. Then they tried to hurt Nakamura. He hasn’t forgotten that. One day soon, when the time is right, Nakamura gets a piece of Roman Reigns, and then Roman will never forget the King of Strong Style. But Sami Zayn is creeping again! Is he gonna tattle on Nakamura to Roman like he did McIntyre?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
The Scottish Warrior has heard the trash talk from The Bloodline. Everyone knows they’d rather talk trash than throw hands. But that won’t happen on McIntyre’s watch. Especially when it comes to Roman Reigns. Backlash, Six Man Tag, Bloodline VS Drew & RKBRO, or RKMCBRO. But that’s then, this is now. Tonight, the fans deserve to see something special. Maybe a sneak peak? The Head of the Table getting his head kicked off! McIntyre likes that idea.
Tag Team Tables Match: The New Day VS Sheamus & Ridge Holland!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods are going to settle things with the Fight Night Boys one way or another! And one way or another, someone’s going through a table! Who will be the team picking splinters out of their sides after this one?
SmackDown returns and the New Day makes their entrance. The brawl is on with the ring! Ridge is after Kofi, Sheamus has Woods. Woods CHOPS Sheamus, then he dodges Sheamus’ haymaker to mule kick. Kofi and Ridge brawl outside the ring, Woods whips but Sheamus reverses. Woods goes up but gets caught, only to hit a TORNADO TAG! Woods hits a forearm smash, Ridge CLUBS Kofi, but Kofi hits back. Woods rain down fists in the corner, but Sheamus hits an atomic drop! Woods ducks the lariat to mule kick the legs out! Woods runs to SLIDING KNEE! Sheamus goes out but Ridge gets in to CLOBBER Woods!
Ridge throws crossface forearms then he drags Woods up to back suplex. Woods lands on his feet, Kofi leaps in with a FLYING AX HANDLE! Fans fire up as Kofi and Woods KICK away on Ridge’s legs! Then his chest! Then they DOUBLE BULLDOG! Sheamus drags Kofi out but Woods WRECKS Sheamus with a dropkick! Fans fire up as the New Day get a table! They don’t set it up, they run and RAM Sheamus with it! Fans fire up as New Day want Sheamus to get up again. Sheamus does, and the New Day RAMS him down again! The table is then put in the ring and Woods starts setting it up.
Kofi kicks Ridge down, throws forearms and haymakers, then the New Day coordinate. Sheamus tips the table but Ridge still takes the double suplex! Sheamus CLUBS Woods and Kofi down, then he brings Kofi up for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes out to get himself a table, and he starts setting it up already. Sheamus drags Kofi over, gets Kofi up, but Woods tips the bomb over! Ridge CLOBBERS Woods! Ridge brings Woods around to ROCK him with forearms, then he runs, only to be sent into steel steps! Sheamus hurries back in the ring but Woods is there. Sheamus throws heavy body shots then fireman’s carries!
Kofi saves Woods from White Noise, then SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Sheamus avoids the table, but Kofi goes up for a SUPER CROSSBODY through the barriers!! Long Island is loving this as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again and Sheamus drags Woods up. Sheamus CLUBS Woods down while Ridge fetches something. Sheamus has Woods against ropes for Beats of the Bodhrain! Ridge CLUBS Kofi at the same time! The count hits 9 then Sheamus winds up for 10! Then he lets Ridge carry Woods to POST him! Ridge and Sheamus soak up the heat before putting Kofi in. Ridge and Sheamus hoist Kofi up and aim at the table in the corner. Kofi wriggles free and then BOOTS Sheamus! Ridge swings but into SOS! Sheamus rushes in but Kofi dumps him out! Kofi then gives Sheamus Beats of the Bodhrain!
Sheamus elbows free at 5, hoists Kofi up, APRON WHITE NOISE!! Kofi flops down but Woods WRECKS Sheamus with another dropkick! Woods gets in, dodges Ridge, then slides to ROLLING ELBOW! Woods kicks, SOBATS and down goes Ridge! But Sheamus gets up, only for Woods to DECK him !Woods gets around Ridge, and again, sunset flip and roll, to a LEG LARIAT! Fans fire up and Woods rearranges the table in the ring. Woods has it at center, Ridge hurries after Woods! They tug-o-war, Ridge HEADBUTTS Woods! Ridge then runs at the corner but only gets buckles! Woods SUPERKICKS Ridge onto the table!
Woods makes sure Ridge is in place and then he goes to the corner! Woods climbs up, fans fire up, but Sheamus trips Woods up! Ridge gets off the table, Sheamus drags Woods up and he bumps Woods off buckles. Sheamus drags Woods up and suplexes, but Kofi dropkicks Sheamus down! Kofi FLIES and takes Sheamus out! Kofi fires up and he clears off the announce table! Kofi brings Sheamus up but Sheamus Alabama lifts! Kofi kicks and sunset flips to DOUBLE STMOP! Sheamus flounders, TROUBLE IN PARADISE puts Sheamus on the desk! Woods aims from the top again, but BUTCH APPEARS!!
Pete Dunne emerges from under the ring and he attacks Kofi! Woods sees that and attacks Dunne! They brawl, Dunne ROCKS Woods and Ridge holds Woods for a BROGUE!! Dunne KNEES Kofi down! Sheamus hauls Woods up and puts him in for Ridge! Ridge and Sheamus get Woods up, DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM through the table! The Fight Night Boys win!!
Winners: Sheamus & Ridge Holland
Pete goes after Woods in the wreckage! Sheamus and Ridge pull him off but he goes back for more! They stop him again, and are all smiles thanks to that huge assist.
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla mentions McIntyre wanting to kick the head of the Head of the Table. The Special Counsel to the Tribal Chief asks, “Are you flirting with me?” Trying to get a rise out of him? Or to take her for pizza in Long Island? Sami hurries over and wants a moment. NO! But Sami has something to tell Heyman! He is a confidant to the Bloodline, just like Heyman. And as a locker room leader, he heard Nakamura talking about Roman and the Usos. Nakamura wants payback, not letting this go. Sami knows Roman has a busy night, but Heyman can tell Roman that Sami will take care of Nakamura on Roman’s behalf. Just make sure Roman knows that.
Heyman has news for Sami he shouldn’t repeat, but… Roman appreciates that initiative. Yes! This is how Sami can get his respect back. Sami wants Roman to know what’s happening. Heyman promises to handle this. Sami accepts that. Heyman is a good man. Heyman thanks Sami and Sami thanks Heyman. Will Sami handle the King of Strong Style on the Tribal Chief’s behalf? Or will he just run away when the going gets tough?
Sami Zayn visits Adam Pearce.
Sami wants Pearce to know that on behalf of The Bloodline, Sami is requesting a match with Nakamura for next week. Not to get into the details but this is important for his credibility. Pearce will do Sami one better: do it tonight. N-now? As in, right now? Well, a few minutes to get ready. Sami is upset but he says fine. Sami heads out, will he regret taking on the Tribal Chief’s business?
Lacey Evans speaks.
“My father lost his battle with mental health and addition, and he overdosed two months before my WWE tryout. I had one family member attempt suicide in the same timeframe, and by the time I found them, they were gasping for air, and tried to apologize as I tried to stop the bleeding.” Then before her first match in NXT, another member of her family overdosed in a parking lot not too far from the show. Her knees got weak and she couldn’t be sure how much more she could take. That was the day she decided to do what was best for her family and her mental health. She’s tried to make her family proud and break the cycle and motivate them to succeed.
But instead, what should’ve been the happiest moment of her life, the most important moment in her career, and instead of excitement, she was wrecked. But it was also the first time she didn’t drop everything and go. She stayed, washed up and put on her first match, her daughter watching with the world’s biggest smile. Then after the show, Lacey went to the hospital to face the inevitable. For years, Lacey carried the weight of her family’s pain. She has been put through the worst by those who should’ve been there for her. But this is her time. She will show the world and her daughters the power you have to break the cycle.
Lacey will show everyone that you have the power to defy where you come from. When you feel so broken, you can keep fighting. And as for the superstars, she has one question: What can they do to stop her? What can they do that life hasn’t already done? What she went through has made her the motivated, careful, confident, ready for anything mother, daughter, wife, sister, US Marine and WWE superstar. And soon to be SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Announcer Samantha Irvin says this has been quite the story. And before we introduce the true Lacey Evans, let us show the proper respect. Ladies and gentlemen, Lacey Evans! Lacey makes her way out in camouflage and sheer as she high-fives all the fans and celebrates with Long Island! Will Lacey shine and make her way to the top of SmackDown?
Sami Zayn VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
The Usos said Riddle sticks his foot in his mouth, but clearly they forgot about the Master Strategist. Will Sami at least be able to not have Nakamura’s knee in his mouth? Or can he actually come through on the promise he made to the Bloodline?
SmackDown returns and Nakamura makes his entrance. Pat McAfee says it isn’t quite the same without Boogs, but this is still good. The bell rings and Sami tells Nakamura not to talk bad about the Bloodline. Nakamura swings a kick but Sami gets clear. They circle, tie up, and Sami gets around to headlock. Sami gets an arm, wrenches, and grinds Nakamura’s shoulder. Fans rally but Sami scuffs Nakamura’s head. Nakamura gets up, rolls, kips up and cartwheels to WRING Sami out. Nakamura kicks Sami around, wrenches to wristlock and then snapmares for a knee drop! Cover, TWO! Sami hurries to ropes but Nakamura keeps him from running.
Sami elbows Nakamura away, CLUBS him down then stomps him. Nakamura crawls, Sami stalks him and brings him up to ROCK him with a haymaker. Sami puts Nakamura on ropes to choke him, but lets off as the ref counts. Sami brings Nakamura up, wrenches and whips but Nakamura reverse to kitchen sink knee! And SLIDING BOOT! Then Nakamura KICKS Sami again and again. Sami blocks one but Nakamura ENZIGURIS! Sami staggers away, Nakamura blocks his boot and puts him in ropes. ROUNDHOUSE to SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up as Nakamura gets back in and takes aim from the corner.
Sami staggers up, but he catches the Kinshasa to a MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives but rolls away as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Sami rains down fists on Nakamura’s head, then shifts to crossface forearms! Sami clamps on a chinlock but Nakamura endures as fans rally up. Nakamura fights up, powers Sami to a corner, but Sami holds on! Nakamura RAMS Sami in again and gets free! But Sami hops up to leap, and AX HANDLE! Cover, TWO! Sami argues with the ref but the ref says it was fair. Sami then goes to another corner and hops up again. Sami waits on Nakamura, and leaps, into a KICK! Nakamura and Sami get up, Nakamura KNEES and AX KICKS! Then he aims from a corner, Sami grabs one leg but Nakamura BOOTS him over and over and over!
Sami finally lets go, Nakamura hops up and leaps, FLYING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Sami is still in this and Nakamura grows frustrated! Fans rally, Nakamura brings Sami up but Sami throws a haymaker! Nakamura KICKS, Sami throws a punch, repeat! Nakamura gets the edge with kicks, then a strike fest. Sami dodges the haymaker but runs into a ROLLING ARMBAR! Sami clasps hands, Nakamura breaks the grip! ARMBAR! Sami flails, reaches, sits up, stacks Nakamura, TWO!! Nakamura gets up but Sami ducks one kick, but not the LEFT! Sami goes to a corner, Nakamura goes to the other!
Nakamura fires up and so do the fans! “YAO~!” Nakamura runs, but Sami bails out! Is this a repeat from fighting McIntyre? Nakamura goes out after him, DYNAMIC DROPKICK! Both men are down, Sami crawls but Nakamura pursues around the announce desk. Sami shoves Nakamura, HELLUVA KICK! The ring count is 9! Sami rushes in, and wins!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by count-out
And Sami celebrates like he did something! But will Nakamura now focus on Sami before going after the Bloodline?
RKBRO heads to the ring!
The Raw Tag Team Champions head out, but they won’t be alone for long! Will the faceoff before Backlash turn into another brawl? We’ll find out, after the break!
SmackDown returns once more and McIntyre makes his entrance to join Orton & Riddle. Then McIntyre addresses, “Strong Island, ACKNOWLEDGE-” Whoa, whoa, Drew. Before the Bloodline and all that jazz, what do these bros acknowledge? Riddle acknowledges that Orton is his best friend! Acknowledged. Orton acknowledges that he still has McIntyre’s handprint on his chest from when Orton beat him for the WWE World Championship two years ago. Oh, okay. Acknowledged. McIntyre acknowledges that Orton kicked him four times when McIntyre won back that title. Acknowledge. But also, also, acknowledge that bygones are bygones. Acknowledged.
Riddle also acknowledges that Orton has the most muscular legs in the WWE. Acknowledged…? Riddle knows McIntyre’s are bigger, but Orton’s are more cut and vascular. Acknowledged. Orton acknowledges that the sky is blue and grass is green and that the Usos have had their lips permanently attached to Roman’s ass for the last few years! BIG acknowledgement! McIntyre acknowledges that he has all kinds of ideas of what he can do to the Bloodline. But they’re a team, they’ll do a game plan. It’s a joint decision. Acknowledged, bro! “ACK-NOW-LEDGE! ACK-NOW-LEDGE!” And they all acknowledge that Roman is the biggest piece of crap walking the earth!!
But here comes the Bloodline! Oh, what a shocker, all that worked to get them out here. Roman wears the World title, Heyman carries the Universal title, and the Usos have their SmackDown Tag Team Championships. They raise the belts and the pyro fires off. Roman has a mic already, but he ditches that to then give Heyman both belts. Roman leads the way down to the ring and the Usos follow. #RKMcBro is ready, and the Bloodline stares them down at the ropes. The Bloodline gets in, fans are thunderous, and the brawl is on! Roman and McIntyre, Orton and Jimmy, Riddle and Jey! Jey POSTS Riddle, Jimmy tosses Orton, but McIntyre fights them both off!
Roman SUPERMAN PUNCHES McIntyre down! The Usos regroup, they hold McIntyre up for Roman to mug! Roman talks trash, but Riddle gets in to RKO Jey! Then FINAL FLASH Jimmy into an RKO from Orton! Roman runs in, Orton dodges, and Roman turns around into a CLAYMORE!! McIntyre kips up while Roman is dazed! The Bloodline just got dropped, but will this happen all over again at Backlash?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode for SmackDown, especially as the go-home to Backlash. It didn’t have that much of go-home syndrome, thankfully, with not quite as many recaps and just a lot more action. Opening with Charlotte and Ronda was a good move, especially when Charlotte took care of talking and then she and Ronda brawled. There was no standing tall here so it’s still anyone’s guess as to who wins. But, with Lacey Evans punctuating her life story with wanting to become SmackDown Women’s Champion, maybe Charlotte wins to be Heel Champion to Lacey’s Face Challenger. It would also be a good way to make up for the awkward and interrupted feud between them from Raw.
Good segment from Corbin and Moss, though not too much affect on the go-home math. Moss makes fun of Corbin and Corbin leaves, but I would hope Moss wins so he can use that momentum to go for something bigger. Drew Gulak having a match this week was a bit of a surprise. I thought there’d be one more week where some male Heel mocked him and Gulak snapped, setting up a match for next week. Instead, Gulak gets slaughtered by Gunther. That’s good stuff for Gunther but I don’t know where Gulak goes from here.
We got a mostly great table tag match, but a little disappointing that “Butch” went missing just so he can screw New Day over. If not for Big E’s legitimately broken neck, he’d be back and we’d finally get their Six Man, but maybe New Day can get a third man to help them. We got a great match out of Sasha VS Shayna, and it was a very clever use of the Heel cheat with Natty helping Shayna keep the cradle. The Women’s Tag Title match is next week and that hopefully is a PPV level match because that is what this RawDown Women’s Tag Division needs and deserves. But with Natty also busy in NXT, pretty sure Naomi & Sasha retain.
Sami had a good bit trying to weasel into the Bloodline’s favor, and Pearce making him face Nakamura tonight rather than next week or even at the Backlash kickoff show was a good move from him. Did not think Sami would be able to pull off the count-out switcheroo, and honestly feels like something he should’ve tried during his series with McIntyre, but whatever. Maybe Nakamura and Sami have a rematch and then Nakamura can win to have momentum as he goes after the Bloodline.
And of course, great stuff out of the Bloodline and #RKMcBro, from the promos to the brawl to close out the night. Even though the Faces stand tall tonight, the Six Man Tag means the Bloodline could lose and it not be on Roman. If anything, McIntyre, Orton or Riddle pinning an Uso would be great to build towards those title feuds. RKBRO VS Usos, Tag Title Unification should still happen to parallel Roman getting the top titles, and then McIntyre or Nakamura, or even both, can get after Roman for the summer.
My Score: 8.5/10
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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
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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.
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