Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/13/22)
Mondays are for JUDGEMENT!
Will the Prince lead The Judgement Day to new heights?
After Finn Balor’s coup d’état, and with Rhea Ripley’s coming title match, will Raw soon belong to The Judgement Day?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Montez Ford w/ Angelo Dawkins VS Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso; Jimmy wins.
- WWE 24/7 Championship: Dana Brooke VS Becky Lynch; No Contest.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Tag: Alexa Bliss & Liv Morgan VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven & Nikki A.S.H; Alexa & Liv win and advance to MITB.
- Kevin Owens VS Ezekiel; Ezekiel wins.
- Cedric Alexander VS MVP w/ Omos; MVP wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Seth Rollins VS AJ Styles; Rollins wins and advances to MITB.
- Matt Riddle VS Tommaso Ciampa; Riddle wins.
- Mustafa Ali VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Gable wins.
- Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Veer Mahaan; Veer wins.
- Pose-Down: Bobby Lashley VS (Austin) Theory; Lashley wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Miz is already in the ring.
The Hollywood A-Lister opens tonight and Wichita is booing as he welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, MizTV. And please welcome his guest, a legend in the business, and- oh, Paul Heyman is already there! “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. And I serve as the legendary Special Counsel for your Undisputed Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns…!” Miz is so thankful that Heyman came here to the wasteland that is Kansas. Miz wants to talk Money in the Bank, but fans chant, “You Suck! You Suck!” He can’t suck, he’s not from Kansas!
Fans boo more but Miz says MITB is a high-risk but career altering ladder match in which the participants fight for the briefcases and the contracts inside that grant guaranteed championship matches any time, any place. Now, the MITB winner historically has an 85% success rate for a cash-in and championship win. And you are looking at a man that has a 100% cash-in record, CORRECT. Miz cashed in the contract TWICE to become champion TWICE. Now how did Miz do that? “You must wait for the perfect moment. When the champion is in a grueling match, and at the end of that match, that champion can barely get to his feet, can barely stand.
“And then all of a sudden, you hear… ‘AWWWESOME! I came to play!'” Miz’s music hits and there’s a look of dread on the champion’s face because they know Miz is about to cash in the contract and in three seconds, there will be a NEW champion. If the MITB winner plays their cards right, they will be able to catapult their career into mega super stardom like Miz did himself. The two-time WWE Champion and two-time Grand Slam Champion, and star of the highest rated original series on the USA Network this past year, Miz & Mrs. Which a new episode airs right after Raw tonight! It’s really funny.
But that all brings Miz to this year’s MITB. And the person that wins that contract more than likely will cash-in on the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. Heyman takes over to say, “And they shall fail in their attempt against Roman Reigns, because no matter what the percentage rate has been in the past, when the champion is Roman Reigns, that percentage rate goes down to zero.” Don’t boo and ooh at Heyman! But now, there are other pressing items to bring up tonight. Because this Friday, live on SmackDown, Your Tribal Chief will defend the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship against, of all people, Matt Riddle.
Fans cheer for The Bro, but Heyman facepalms. It annoys Heyman so much that as Special Counsel, he went to management and advised them on a stipulation to make the stakes even bigger. But here comes Riddle! “Hey, bros…! I could be hearing voices like my best bro, Randy, but uh… I could’ve sworn I heard you say my name. So I figured I’d come out here and hear this news first hand. Straight from the horse’s ass.” Miz says, “How dare you!” First last week, now this week! Miz says he and Heyman deserve and demand reverence and respect! Heyman cools things off, and wants some decorum.
We do have to admit, not only interrupting Paul Heyman but an episode of MizTV, Riddle’s got some set of balls. Speaking of balls, how are Miz’s feeling? And Paul, for a guy who talks as much as you, you don’t really say anything. Heyman doesn’t know Riddle, and Roman doesn’t know Riddle. They have no idea what he’s capable of. Fans cheer for that, and Riddle says they will this Friday, bro! Now, the Bloodline tried to end Riddle’s career, tried to end Randy’s career, so it doesn’t matter what stipulation is put on the match, because he’ll have to kill Riddle to stop him from taking that Universal Championship, BRO!
Fans fire up more for The Stallion and chant, “BRO! BRO! BRO!” Heyman tells “Mr. Riddle” that he has a lot of momentum, all in the name of his fallen bro, Randy Orton. That momentum will be stopped dead in its tracks this Friday by Roman Reigns. Heyman has admitted, he respects Riddle. But Riddle can’t beat Roman! As a matter of face, Riddle probably can’t beat his opponent tonight after what Heyman has to say. On behalf of the Tribal Chief, Heyman arranged for a stipulation. IF Riddle wins, then he will be the NEW Undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion.
But when he loses, which he will, then as long as Roman is champion, Riddle can NEVER get another opportunity at the title, ever again! This is what they call “do or die” on the Island of Relevancy. Which brings Heyman to the fact that he is going to introduce The Usos! Jimmy & Jey are here, staring Riddle down. Miz has a smug smirk on his face but Riddle is clearing the ring of the chairs. Which Uso is going to face Riddle 1v1 tonight? And will it really be 1v1 with the other brother sticking nearby? Wait! The Street Profits hurry out here to even things up! Here comes a change-up! It’s Montez Ford VS Jimmy Uso 1v1! Will he score one for the #BROfits?
Montez Ford w/ Angelo Dawkins VS Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso!
Raw returns and the bell rings to get this match going. Ford and Jimmy circle, tie up, and Jimmy pushes Ford but Ford puts Jimmy in a corner. Jimmy lets off to ROCK Ford with an uppercut, and CHOP him! And then repeat, uppercut and CHOP! Jimmy headlocks for the takeover, but Ford keeps his shoulders up. Ford fights up, fans rally, and he powers out, but Jimmy runs him over. The Usos raise the fingers, #WeTheOnes, but things speed up. Ford hurdles then dropkicks Jimmy, then he kips right up! Jimmy bails out, Ford taunts him with “Down Since! Day One!” The Usos keep it cool and Jimmy takes his time returning.
Fans chant “We Want the Smoke!” as Jimmy gets in the ring. Ford and Jimmy tie up, Ford waistlocks, but Jimmy elbows free. Jimmy CHOPS Ford again, then whips him to a corner. Ford hits buckles hard and falls to the mat. Jimmy drags Ford up, and whips him hard the other way! Ford against bounces off buckles and falls to the mat. Dawkins coaches Ford up, but Jimmy fireman’s carries. Ford fights free, shoves Jimmy then gets around to LARIAT! And DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Ford clamps onto an arm and grinds the shoulder. Jimmy endures, fights up, but Ford wrangles him back down!
Ford tells the Usos, “We the ones,” but Jimmy fights back up. Jimmy grabs at Ford but Ford wrenches the arm through. Jimmy HEADBUTTS Ford away! Jimmy has Ford in a corner and CHOPS him again. Jimmy brings Ford around to throw him over the ropes, but Ford lands on the apron! Ford ROCKS Jimmy, bumps him off buckles, and shoulders into Jimmy. Ford slingshots but Jimmy uppercuts him out of the air! Jimmy goes out to the apron after Ford, brings him up, apron snap suplex! Ford writhes and Jimmy grins while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ford fights free of a chinlock and he ROCKS Jimmy! Ford CHOPS, but Jimmy hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Jimmy clamps onto Ford with a rear bearhug, going after that sore back. Ford endures, Dawkins coaches him, and fans rally up. Ford fights up, pries free of the waistlock, and he gives Jimmy a BIG back suplex in return! Fans fire up while both men are down. Dawkins gets the fans chanting, “We Want the Smoke!” as Ford and Jimmy rise. Jimmy swings but Ford counter punches! And again! And then Ford fires off haymakers! Ford whips, Jimmy reverses but Ford LEAPING LARIATS!
Ford swings, but into a back suplex! Ford lands on his feet to mule kick, front kick, but Jimmy SUPERKICKS and UPPERCUTS! Ford ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up again as Ford crawls to a cover, TWO! Dawkins and Jey are both coaching their tag partners and Ford snarls as he stalks Jimmy to a corner. Ford whips, Jimmy reverses but Ford goes up and over. The back bothers Ford but he still hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Jimmy survives and Ford isn’t sure what to do. Both men slowly rise and Ford is on Jimmy. Fans rally, Ford stands Jimmy up but blocks the kick. Jimmy DRAGON WHIPS Ford back!
Jimmy whips, pops Ford up, SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Ford survives and Dawkins is pumped up! Ford crawls to the apron but Jimmy follows him out again. Jimmy drags Ford back up, but Ford fights the suplex to BOOT Jimmy! Ford decides to return the favor again, but Jimmy blocks the suplex. Jimmy POSTS Ford going backward! Ford leans against the post to stay up, but Jimmy runs in, only for Ford to dodge! Jimmy hits only post and gets stuck up top! Ford hurries inside and climbs the corner to get Jimmy. Fans fires up as Ford lifts but Jimmy fights the superplex! Jimmy throws body shots and a HEABUTT!
Ford staggers back, but runs back in! NO HANDS RANA!! Jimmy goes flying and fans fire up with Ford! Ford climbs, says it’s done! FROM THE HEAVENS onto knees! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
The Usos lost by count-out last week, but Jimmy redeems himself with a win in the ring! Will Jimmy & Jey keep the Undisputed Tag Team Championships with the Bloodline? Or will Ford & Dawkins be able to get back up and get those belts?
Seth Rollins has a sit down interview with Kevin Patrick.
Kevin Patrick thanks Rollins for his time, and starts with addressing last week and Rollins’ attack on Cody Rhodes. Rollins laughs and apologizes, but then does this mean he has no remorse for his actions? “Remorse? What? Wait, look. I know this is going to be difficult for you to understand, but try to follow along, okay? Last week, what I said to Cody Rhodes in that ring, I meant. It was real, it was genuine, honest, and from the heart. But Cody Rhodes is a virus. He’s a virus that’s been plaguing WWE since WrestleMania. And sometimes in life, you have to make hard decisions, you have to make unpopular decisions. And when nobody’s on your side…”
Rollins picks up the sledgehammer he used on Cody as he says, “You have to take matters into your own hands. Cody Rhodes was becoming not just a danger to the WWE, but a danger to himself. He wanted to compete in a Money in the Bank Ladder match with a torn pec? No, no. You see, in my WWE, it’s adapt or perish. Has been and always will be. So to answer your question, no remorse? No remorse? No. I take pride in what I was able to accomplish last week. I take pride in it! The American Nightmare is over! Monday Night Rollins is back and better than ever!” So then what is next? Oh, what IS next? That is the question.
Rollins looks at the hammer and says one of his finest moments just so happens to be the greatest MITB cash-in of all time. And Rollins was thinking… “Why not try to top it?” But he has to qualify for the match by defeating AJ Styles later tonight. Indeed he does. The Phenomenal One, truly one of the greatest ever. Rollins expects a hell of a fight, but let’s be honest. Styles isn’t on Rollins’ level, and he lacks the killer instinct Rollins has. Styles wants to stand in the way to Rollins getting the contract, Rollins might not just beat Styles. He might just do what he did to Cody Rhodes. Rollins laughs at his own nefarious ideas, but then STYLES runs in and DECKS Rollins!
“That’s for Cody.” Styles storms off and Rollins seethes. Will we see a brutal battle between the Phenomenal and the Visionary here tonight?
WWE 24/7 Championship: Dana Brooke VS Becky Lynch!
The Flex Appeal managed to get this title back during a normal 1v1 match with The Man, and that upset Becky so much that she challenged Dana to a title match right then and there! Dana retained with a little help from Asuka, but will Big Time Becks get big time payback by “righting the wrong” here tonight?
Raw returns and Becky makes her entrance. She looks incredibly angry but it doesn’t intimidate Dana. The introductions are made, but Becky just DECKS Dana! Becky stomps away on Dana, drags her up and bumps her off buckles before stomping in a mudhole! The ref reprimands but the match hasn’t even started anyway. Becky drags Dana up but Dana hits back. Becky CLUBS Dana then TOSSES her out! Becky goes out, drags Dana up and whips her into barriers! Becky says Dana wants to cheat her, this is what she gets! Becky smacks Dana off the desk, tucks her into the hood, then STOMPS the hood!
Becky then demands a mic! She gets one and she says she’s got a lot of anger right now. That’s pretty clear… But this was never about the title, no! Dana can keep that. This is about the disrespect Becky’s been shown week in and week out after forging a path of greatness for everyone else to follow! But no, they all fall into the holes and can’t climb out. But Becky’s different! She keeps climbing! And speaking of climbing… Becky looks up at the MITB briefcases and is thinking that the last time she was in an MITB ladder match, she was robbed and cheated. But not this time! No, this will be different! This will be HER year!
But for now, she has more business to get to. She clears off the desk and drags Dana up, but here comes Asuka! The Empress of Tomorrow is here, and she runs in to fight Becky at the ramp! Asuka bumps Becky off the apron again and again and again! Fans fire up, Asuka throws Becky in and then she gets in, only for Becky to kick low! Becky EuroUppers, whips, but Asuka reverses and follows to run Becky over! Asuka is all fired up and she drags Becky up, only to block the sobat! URAKEN! URAKEN! SOBAT! Front kick and URAKEN! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Becky is scrambling away from Asuka, but are these two just one moment away from a collision course?
And while Becky is retreating, Alexa Bliss makes her entrance! The Man is even more upset now, but she tells her that she better win so she can get some of this in the ladder match. Alexa laughs that off, but will she and Liv be able to win together and go to Vegas? Or will Doudrop and the Almost Super Hero take those golden tickets for their own?
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Tag: Alexa Bliss & Liv Morgan VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven & Nikki A.S.H!
Raw returns and Liv makes her entrance. Then it’s Nikki in a new black and gold costume, and Piper in a new silver and blue snakeskin and plaid. The teams sort out, and Alexa starts against former friend and tag partner, Nikki. Nikki says this has been a long time coming, and she tie sup with Alexa. They circle, Nikki throws Alexa down, but then strikes a pose. Nikki brings Alexa up, whips, but Alexa turns hip toss into arm-drag and cover, TWO! Alexa blocks a punch to SLAP, ROCK and dropkick Nikki down! Fans fire up, but Nikki tags Piper Alexa dodges and comes back to tilt-o-whirl headscissor Piper to a corner!
Piper stops from hitting buckles, and she rushes Alexa. Alexa dodges, leaps, but into the arms and SLAM of Piper! Piper gives that a chef’s kiss, then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Liv was ready just in case but she hurries back to the corner. Piper tags Nikki back in, then she scoops Alexa to SLAM! Nikki adds a NECK SNAPPER, and covers, TWO! Nikki pushes Alexa down to rain down fists! And drive in knees, and then go for more fists! Alexa kicks Nikki away but Nikki clamps on a cobra clutch. Nikki thrashes Alexa around but fans rally as Alexa endures. Alexa fights up to her feet, she throws body shots, but Nikki clinches, only for Alexa to JAWBREAKER!
Alexa gets to a corner, but Nikki SPLASHES the corner! But Alexa just barely denies the bulldog! Both women are down, fans fire up, and hot tags to Piper and Liv! Liv dodges Piper, KICKS and KICKS and KICKS a leg, then kicks low to front kick and ENZIGURI! Piper staggers, Liv roars, and Wichita fires up as Liv hits a SPRINGBOARD CODE BREAKER! Liv runs in but Piper dodges, only for Liv to BOOT her! Liv goes up, leaps, and missile dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Liv hurries to get back up and tag Alexa back in. Alexa hits a BLOCKBUSTER, then covers, but Nikki breaks it! Nikki snarls but has to go back to her corner.
Alexa drags Piper up but Piper wrenches and HEADBUTTS! Piper DECKS Liv, too, then hurries to tag Nikki. Piper scoops Alexa, Nikki adds on, SIDEWALK SLAM DDT COMBO! Cover, Liv breaks it! Fans fire up, but Piper drags Liv out of the ring to scoop SLAM her to the floor! And she drops a SENTON but misses as Liv moves! But Nikki WRECKS Liv with a dropkick, then strikes a pose. Nikki hurries to get Alexa, but Alexa ROCKS her, and hits a DDT! Cover, Bliss & Liv win!
Winners: Liv Morgan & Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advance to the Women’s MITB match)
The Almost Super Hero almost had this for her team, but it was the Five Foot Fury who finishes this for her team! But who will live their bliss and win that Women’s MITB contract when it’s everyone for themselves?
Kevin Owens VS Ezekiel!
The “Last Honest Man on Raw,” as Corey Graves and the Prizefighter would put it, thought he had the truth last week. But he didn’t realize Elias’ young brother would lie and just claim he’s Elias in order to get this rematch! Will Kevin make whoever this is pay for angering him? Or will he just freak out when Wichita gets to #ZekeOut?
Raw returns and Kevin is impatient for Elias’ entrance. Ezekiel makes his entrance and Kevin says the titantron is lying! The bell rings and Zeke leaps at Kevin, but Kevin dodges! Kevin SUPERKICKS Zeke to the corner, then gets going to CANNONBALL! Zeke is down, Kevin goes up, and fans fire up for the SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Zeke survives and Kevin is furious! Kevin hurries as Zeke gets out of the ring. Kevin RAMS Zeke into barriers, ROCKS him, ROCKS him again, then CLUBS him! Kevin brings Zeke around but Zeke reverses things to POST Kevin! Fans fire up as Zeke gets back in the ring.
Zeke goes back out, restarting the count, and he fires off forearms on Kevin! And body shots, too! Zeke puts Kevin in, fans fire up but Kevin bails to the apron. Zeke hurries over, but Kevin HOTSHOTS him! Kevin says this is Elias, and some fans even agree, chanting, “YOU’RE ELIAS!” But either way, Kevin gets back in the ring and takes a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zeke drags Kevin around, stomps him, then drops a knee on the shoulder. Zeke goes up a corner, fans fire up, but Kevin rolls away to the apron again. Zeke hurries after Kevin, they’re both on the apron, but Kevin kicks low! Zeke shoves him away, kicks low, but Kevin blocks the suplex!
Kevin throws a body shot, then a KNEE! Zeke drops but manages to fireman’s carry Kevin off the apron! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER ONTO STEEL STEPS! Zeke may have just tweaked Kevin’s back but Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Kevin has Zeke down with a chinlock. Fans rally and Zeke endures, even as Kevin leans on the hold. Zeke fights up and pries at the hold, but Kevin throws him down by his hair! Kevin wags his finger at the fans, then drops a SENTON onto knees! The back is hurting all over again as Kevin gets to a corner. Zeke runs in to fire body shots but Kevin hits back with forearms. They go back and forth, forearms and haymakers, but Kevin headbutts! Zeke throws a body shot but Kevin knees low. Kevin whips., Zeke goes up and MULE KICKS him away! Zeke starts to rally with clotheslines and elbows!
Zeke bobs ‘n’ weaves, then gives Kevin an INVERTED FALL AWAY SLAM! Zeke runs corner to corner, STINGER SPLASH! Kevin fights the suplex, wrenches out, ducks the punch to kick and- NO, no stunner! JUMP KNEE! But Kevin falls all the way out of the ring and to the floor! Zeke goes out but Kevin RAMS him into the apron! Zeke BOOTS back, runs in, but Kevin dodges and Zeke hits POST! The ring count is past 5, but Kevin is furious that commentary keeps saying “Ezekiel!” Kevin loses track of the count, and ZEKE WINS!
Winner: Ezekiel, by count-out
Kevin is pissed at Mike Rome, but the count is the count! Kevin has only himself to blame, but Zeke gets a mic so he can speak to the Zeke Freaks! Ezekiel says he’s not done with Kevin! But there are bigger fish to fry: the MITB contract! Zeke wants in that match! And he is so ZEKED up about it, here’s some breaking news. Zeke reached out and got a hold of his brother, Elias! Elias is so excited for MITB that he is packing up his guitar and coming back to Raw! Fans fire up, and Zeke says that Elias might’ve aged but he is looking good. Zeke promises us this: He cannot wait to remind the entire world that WWE stands for, “WALK WITH ELIAS!”
Kevin is continuing to have a melt down, but will the return of The Drifter finally prove that Zeke’s been truthful this whole time?
John Cena made another wish come true.
It was June 4th, just outside of Amsterdam, that Cena met with a family of Ukrainian refugees. Their son, Misha, has autism and doesn’t speak, but he is a big fan of Cena, so it was a dream come true to meet his hero. The mother, Liana, was so grateful for Cena to do this for them. Cena even gave Misha the green and yellow gear and a replica WWE Championship belt. Cena was also grateful for getting to meet such a brave family.
Cedric Alexander VS MVP w/ Omos!
PRIMED Alexander got absolutely crushed by the Nigerian Giant, but he isn’t giving up on getting even with those who kicked him to the curb. Will Cedric have better luck with Montel Vontavius Porter? Or will MVP having Omos in his corner be advantage enough tonight?
Raw returns and MVP gets a mic. “Cedric Alexander, you have gotten on my last nerve. You don’t handle rejection very well. So poorly, in fact, you chose to insert yourself into our handicap match at Hell in a Cell. Your desperation is annoying. You’re always running around, ‘Now’s my time! Now’s my opportunity!’ And it never turns out the way you hope.” Cedric needs to realize that he belongs down here with the bottom feeders in the audience, while MVP and Omos belong way up there, at Money in the Bank! Realistically, all Omos has to do is step on the first, maybe second, rung and he has the contract!
So once MPV dispenses of Cedric once and for all, we can focus on the future that is the 7’4″ GIANT in the Bank! But here comes Cedric! The bell rings and MVP wants Cedric to hold on, and even pie faces him. MVP tells Omos to just focus on MITB, he can handle this. But then MVP turns around into fast hands from Cedric! Cedric whips, MVP reverses but Cedric dropkicks the legs out! Cedric wants to know what’s up, but MVP puts him on the apron. Cedric ENZIGURIS MVP, then steps in, TORNADO COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Cedric says MVP must want more! Cedric gets the fans fired up, and Cedric runs, but Omos is in the way.
MVP CLOBBERS Cedric! MVP wants Cedric to get up, and he throat chops him to then hit a KNEE SMASH to the face! Fans boo but MVP swaggers and runs. MVP shoots the BALLIN’ ELBOW! Cover, TWO! MVP drags Cedric up, reels him in, OVERDRIVER! Cover, MVP wins!
Winner: MVP, by pinfall
Cedric tried but could not get his revenge, and then Omos TOSSES him out of the ring! MVP raises Omos’ hand in victory, will we see the Nigerian Giant become the biggest MITB winner yet?
AJ Styles speaks.
“I can’t wait to beat Seth Rollins tonight and be able to compete in the Money in the Bank Ladder match. See, that’s the one that’s eluded me my entire career. That prize, that Money in the Bank contract. And I want it now more than ever, just to spite Seth Rollins. What he did to Cody Rhodes was disgusting, it made me sick. But Seth, he’s right. I’m not on his level. Seth Rollins is beneath me! SO everything I do to him tonight will make him think twice before he ever questions my killer instinct.”
Seth Rollins responds.
“Oh, AJ, you wanna sucker punch me? And then try to cover up your cowardice by saying you did it for Cody? HAHAHAHA! C’mon, man, I’m smarter than that. I’m in your head. I know it!” But since we’re making dedications, Rollins makes tonight’s victory, as well as his eventual MITB victory, out to the American Nightmare himself! “This one’s for you, Cody~! HAHAHAHAHA!” Rollins is laughing now, but will he have the last laugh here tonight?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Seth Rollins VS AJ Styles!
Raw returns and Rollins makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two tie up. Styles turns Rollins around to fire off hands and he has Rollins in the corner. The ref counts, Rollins gets away but Styles pursues to fire off! Styles whips,. Rollins reverses but Styles reverses back to backslide! TWO, Styles gets around to waistlock and O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Styles comes back, into a haymaker from Rollins! Rollins CLUBS Styles, BOOTS him down, then rains down fists! The fans fire up and Rollins lets off to seethe and pace around. Styles gets up, Rollins CHOPS him! Rollins runs, into a DROPKICK!
Styles sees Rollins bail out so he pursues. Styles walks into Rollins’ kick, then Rollins smacks him off the apron! Fans rally, Rollins whips and Styles reverses, Rollins hits barriers hard! Styles gets in the ring, but then SLINGSHOT FOREARMS Rollins down! Rollins goes to barriers but Styles brings him back into the ring. Rollins wants mercy but Styles just kicks him instead. Styles brings Rollins up, scoops him and hits a BACKBREAKER! Styles drags Rollins back up, throws hands at the ropes, then whips Rollins, only for Rollins to hold ropes. Rollins bails out again and fans boo but Styles just pursues again.
Rollins hurries back in the ring, and he throat chops Styles as he returns! Rollins hangs Styles out to dry on the ropes, then runs to DECK him! Styles tumbles to the announce desk, and Rollins builds speed! Rollins DIVES and Styles goes over the desk! The Visionary smirks while the Phenomenal One is down and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Styles fights against Rollins’ bearhug! Styles fires off haymakers, gets free and ROCKS Rollins again! But Rollins kitchen sink knees Styles down! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Rollins is annoyed and he tells fans to shut up about Styles. Rollins glances up at the briefcase and now fans chant “CODY! CODY!” to taunt Rollins. Styles stands and ROCKS Rollins again! And again! Rollins hits back, they go haymaker for haymaker and fans fire up! Rollins eggs Styles on, Styles ROCKS him again! But Rollins spins, into a block! PHENOMENAL BLITZ! Then the SLIDING FOREARM!
Fans fire up with Styles and he brings Rollins up. Fireman’s carry but Rollins blocks! Rollins fights free, but swings into an atomic FACEBUSTER! Cover, Styles’ own foot is stuck under Rollins’ shoulder! Styles adjusts, now it counts, TWO!! Rollins survives because of the minor miscalculation! Rollins gets to a corner, Styles runs in and hits a BIG clothesline! Styles then fireman’s carries but Rollins slips off to roll-up, TWO! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down and fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins gets to his feet. Rollins goes to a corner, he soaks up the cheers and jeers as he starts conducting the “OH~ OH~ OOOOH~!”
Rollins runs in, but Styles avoids the stomp! Roll into the CALF CRUSHER! Rollins scrambles, reaches out, grabs at Styles and dribbles Styles’ head off the mat! But Styles holds on and cranks back!! Rollins freaks out but he gets the ROPEBREAK! Styles lets go and both men are down again. Fans rally, Styles stands and grabs the legs. Rollins kicks at Styles, but Styles YANKS Rollins up! Rollins lands on his feet! And then PELE! But Styles PELES back! Both men are down again and fans fire up! Rollins and Styles stir, sit up, and Rollins ROCKS Styles with a wild right! Styles DECKS Rollins with one of his own!
Rollins CHOPS Styles from the mat! Styles stands to HEADBUTT Rollins! Rollins throws a haymaker, Styles gives it back, and fans fire up as they go back and forth! Styles kicks, but Rollins ducks the enziguri to ROLLING ELBOW! And then BUCKLE- NO, Styles slips off to suplex Rollins into buckles! Cover, but they’re too close to ropes! Styles has to shift position, now it counts, TWO!! Another miscalculation and Rollins survives again! Styles is frustrated but the fans rally up. Styles drags himself to the apron, fans chant “BURN IT DOWN!” as Styles aims. Styles prepares the arm, springboards, but Rollins moves! Then he CHOP BLOCKS Styles down!
Fans boo while Styles writhes, but Rollins hurries to get Styles up! Rollins tucks the arms but Styles fireman’s carries to the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Styles clutches his leg, that bad leg could be why he lost the cover. Styles still gets himself back to the apron and he takes aim again. Styles shakes out the bad leg, climbs up the corner, but Rollins rushes over and springs right up! But Styles slips out and he trips Rollins! Rollins still elbows Styles away, gets him up, BUCKLE BOMB! Rollins goes up top now, to FROG SPLASH AND FLOP!! Rollins and Styles are down again, fans again say, “This is Awesome!”
Styles gets Rollins up, reel shim in, but Rollins CLUBS the leg! No Clash, but Styles tries again. Rollins back drops,. Styles sunset flips but Rollins sits on the cover! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (advances to the Men’s MITB match)
The Architect pulled off the game plan and now he is heading back to Money in the Bank! Will Rollins win that briefcase for a second time and one-up his own Heist of the Century?
Matt Riddle VS ???
The Stallion got fired up earlier tonight, and he might need that fire again when he doesn’t know who he’s facing! Will Riddle still be able to smoke the competition as he blazes a trail to this Friday night?
Raw returns and The Miz joins commentary so he can watch this one. Because it turns out, Riddle’s opponent is the Psycho Killer, the Blackhearted, Tommaso Ciampa! Ciampa did blindside Riddle last week before Riddle faced The Miz, will he be able to do the same now that they’re face to face?
The bell rings and Riddle avoids the knee! Riddle waistlocks, SLAMS Ciampa, then brings him up to SLAM again! And rolls into the ARMBAR! Ciampa moves around, but ends up in a TRIANGLE! Ciampa tries to stack Riddle but Riddle keeps his shoulders up. Ciampa deadlifts Riddle to bring him to a corner, and GUILLOTINE him under a buckle! Riddle lets go and Ciampa stomps away on him! The ref counts, Ciampa lets off and Miz says Ciampa is someone to be reckoned with. Riddle gets up to CHOP Ciampa, but Ciampa CHOPS back! They fire forearms back and forth, then CHOPS! Riddle forearms, but Ciampa blocks the kick to stomp the bare toes!
Ciampa gets Riddle in a DDT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa drags Riddle into a chinlock and grinds him down. Riddle endures, Ciampa leans on him, but fans rally. Riddle fights up, but Ciampa fights out of the scoop to REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stomps Riddle, then applauds himself. Riddle sits up in a daze, Ciampa slaps him around and eggs him on. Ciampa kicks Riddle, stands him up, but Riddle blocks to fire off palm strikes and a boot! Ciampa swings, but Riddle spins him for a PELE! Riddle kips up and fans fire up as he hits a forearm smash! Riddle goes side to side to hit another! But Ciampa elbows the Brosploder away!
Ciampa runs, into a POWERSLAM! Riddle puts Ciampa through ropes to shout out Randy, DRAPING DDT! Miz says Riddle needs his own moves, but that seems a bit hypocritical. Anyway, Riddle hears the voices, rushes at Ciampa, but Ciampa rolls him up! Cover, TWO! Into an ANKLE LOCK! Riddle turns over, but Ciampa bends the toes! Ciampa JAMS the toes into the mat! Miz loves this as Ciampa pulls the kneepad down, PSYCHO KNEE!! Cover, TWO!?! Miz loves this! Ciampa was so close to beating the #1 contender! Fans rally for Riddle but Ciampa drags him up. Ciampa reels Riddle in, underhooks the arms, but Riddle resists the lift!
Ciampa spins Riddle around but Riddle gets around to ripcord and FINAL FLASH! Riddle goes up, FLOATING BRO!! Ciampa writhes, but Riddle hears those voices! Riddle runs in, RKO!! Cover, Riddle wins!!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall
Miz is very upset that Ciampa didn’t break the Bro. Will Riddle be riding high into his high stakes showdown with Roman Reigns?
Bianca Belair is here!
The RawEST Women’s Champion makes her way to the ring, and Kevin Patrick is waiting in the ring for a very special interview. What will Bianca have to say about her coming championship defense? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Kevin Patrick brings up that the #1 contender, Rhea Ripley, “has shown a much more vicious side since joining The Judgement Day.” How prepared does Bianca feel for this version of Rhea? Bianca says first off, she’s prepared for anything. She stays ready so she doesn’t have to get ready. But she looks forward to this match at MITB. They are both at the forefront of this new generation of women in the WWE. So with all of Bianca’s big moments from the Rumble to Mania, Rhea was there doing amazing things, too. They’ve been doing this together, pushing each other as competition and mutual respect, which Bianca loved.
But ever since Rhea joined The Judgement Day, Bianca doesn’t recognize her. Rhea is soulless. Rhea joining Judgement Day seems to be all about intimidation, but Bianca is not the one. Rhea can go and scare everyone else, but when it comes to the title, Bianca isn’t afraid. Bianca will show Rhea that she doesn’t just talk the talk when she says she is the strongEST, the fastEST, the roughEST, the toughEST, the quickEST, the greatEST, the BEST, but that she walks the walk. At MITB, Bianca will walk out still- Wait, Rhea interrupts from the tron.
Rhea smiles and says Bianca is all talk. The Judgement Day speaks through actions. Finn Balor says they do what they want, when they want. And they’re tired of playing nice. They are tired of taking orders. That is why they knocked Edge from the pedestal and removed him from the group. Damian Priest says Edge had the right idea when he started this group. The Judgement Day was about a movement for those tired of living their lives for others. But Edge’s actions contradicted his own mission statement. He made himself the leader, and he would tell them to not do as they’re told. Edge sealed his own fate, and now The Judgement Day are all equals.
That brings us back to Bianca. Bianca cares about what everyone thinks, “even these half-witted nobodies here in Kansas.” But the fans hold you back. If Bianca stopped caring about the fans, she’d actually stand a chance at MITB. Bianca says she is the EST, but it sounds more like she’s trying to convince herself of that. Rhea doesn’t talk about being intimidating, she just is intimidating. And last week, that Fatal 4 Way, Rhea had her teeth knocked loose, and she loved it! In that match, Rhea took what she wanted. Now she is first in line for the title.
So Bianca, at MITB, the greatEST thing Bianca will be is her own downfall, and Rhea will eradicate her existence. Then Rhea will “walk the walk” as a TWO-TIME Raw Women’s Champion. Rhea smiles but Bianca laughs and shakes her head. Will the EST be able to show the “soulless” Saint of Fate that she has no power here?
Backstage interview with (Austin) Theory.
Sarah asks the WWE US Champion about his chances in the “Pose-Down” against Bobby Lashley. Theory asks what kind of question is that? He is clearly in the zone. His tan’s right, his pump’s right, his angles are right. But he shouldn’t have to explain himself because he’s on a different level. In fact, this bicep right here is just one of the muscles that will defeat the All Mighty Lashley in the Pose-Down. Sure, Lashley tried to embarrass Theory by flexing on him and kicking him from behind like a coward. But Theory will prove to the All Mighty that he’s not on Theory’s level, and definitely not worthy of a title match.
But Theory will also prove he is the best investment Vince McMahon has ever made. Theory is not only the youngest United States Champion in WWE history, but he is only getting started. In 20 years, when they celebrate Theory’s career, it’ll make this 20th #Cenaversary look like nothing! Theory laughs and gets back to pumping, but will he make it through the Rocky Mountain Machine here tonight?
Mustafa Ali VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
The Beacon may have failed to get the US Championship in his hometown of Chicago, but there’s always a road back. Will Ali win won in Wichita to make his way back up? Or will “Master” Gable make him SHOOSH?
Raw returns and Ali makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They knuckle lock, Ali spins and wrenches but Gable rolls and bridges. Gable handsprings, wrenches, then headlocks, spins and drop toeholds to the armlock! “A THANK YEW~!” Gable grinds the arm, but Ali fight sup. Gable wrenches, headlocks, but Ali throws body shots. Ali powers out, drops and bypasses to RANA! Then arm-drag after arm-drag, and Ali tells Gable to SHOOSH! Gable is upset, but he swings and misses. Ali headlocks, Gable puts him in a corner, then powers out. Ali goes corner to corner, then up and over, but Gable shoves him down!
Ali is back up, runs back in, but Gable sends him right into buckles! Otis mocks Ali’s pain, and the ref checks on him. Ali is dazed but still in this, and Gable stands him up to wrench, CHOP and repeat! Gable whips, CLOBBERS Ali, then covers, TWO! Gable clamps onto Ali’s legs, ties them up and says SHOOSH~! Fans boo instead, but Gable puts Ali in the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Ali endures the stretch, pops free, and covers, ONE! Gable catches Ali to chicken wings, TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Ali escapes but Gable hurries to put him in a drop zone. Gable goes up, MOONSAULTS, but has to land out as Ali moves!
Ali goes up and over this time, runs and CLOBBERS Gable! And then again! Ali keeps on Gable, whips him into a corner, then whips him corner to corner. Gable reverses, but Ali elbow shim away! Ali goes up for a TORNADO DDT! Gable is in a drop zone, Ali hurries up top, but Otis goes to save Gable. Ali KICKS Otis away, but Gable gets Ali with CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, Gable wins!!
Winner: Chad Gable, by pinfall
The tree trunk gives Gable a huge assist, and Gable wins one #ForTheAcademy! Will Ali be able to get back up after this?
Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Veer Mahaan!
The King of Lucha saved his son from the Lion of India’s clutches, and looks to bring Veer down directly! Will Rey be able to dial it in and get the win? Or will he also come to #FearVeer?
Raw returns and Veer makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally for Rey and he avoids Veer’s hands to KICK the leg. Veer stays up and he eggs Rey on. They tie up, Veer throws Rey down, then stomps him! Veer brings Rey up, whips him to ropes, but Rey ducks the boot to dropkick the leg! Rey KICKS the leg, runs, but gets run over! Dom rallies the fans for his dad but Veer looms over Rey. Fans boo, Rey gets to a corner but Veer SPLASHES him! Rey falls over and Veer looms over him again. Dom coaches Rey but Veer drags Rey up to slide him out to the floor! Veer is almost smiling as he goes out after Rey.
Veer tells Dom to stand back, and then he drags Rey into the ring. Veer stomps around, but Rey avoids the big elbow drop! Rey is in a corner, Veer goes after him and whips Rey corner to corner hard! Rey bounces off the buckles and Veer smiles again. Veer stalks Rey while fans rally. Veer kicks Rey to a corner, but Rey holds ropes to deny the whip. Veer kicks and whips again, then runs in, only to get buckles! Rey comes back, tilt-o-whirl headscissors sends Veer into buckles again! Rey KICKS the leg, but Veer blocks the whip! Veer knees Rey low and hard, then brings Rey up to whip him to a corner. Veer snarls, runs corner to corner, but Rey moves and Veer POSTS himself!
Veer tumbles out to the floor but is back on his feet. Dom talks a little trash and Veer BOOTS him down! And then MILLION DOLLAR LARIATS Dom into the timekeeper’s area! Fans boo as Veer gets back n the ring. Rey dropkicks Veer down, KICKS him, then runs. Rey ducks, dodges, and leaps, but into Veer’s arms! Veer swings Rey for a GUTBUSTER! And then, CERVICAL CLUTCH! Rey taps, Veer wins!!
Winner: Veer Mahaan, by submission
The dominance continues as Veer takes down an all-time great! Is Veer right that Rey is too weak? Or will Rey show Veer that real strength is about getting back up after being knocked down?
(Austin) Theory heads to the ring.
The ring crew is still setting up the carpet and pedestal as Theory swaggers out with a headset mic on. Theory says he is what a champion looks like, but will he look lesser next to Lashley’s All Mighty muscles? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns once more and Adam Pearce is in the ring for the “Inaugural Theory Invitational Pose-Down,” which Theory has of course issued the challenge to Bobby Lashley. Pearce formally introduces the youngest WWE US Champion in history, weighing in at 220 pounds, (Austin) Theory himself. And now, weighing in at 273 pounds, it is the All Mighty, Bobby Lashley! Lashley makes his entrance and gets in the ring to flex and set off the pyro. Theory talks some smack already but Pearce says there are ground rules. This is a spectator sport, and each man gets one attempt at three poses: Double Biceps; Side Chest; and “Most Muscular,” with the winner being decided by the fans in attendance.
Theory gets his headset going and says no, Pearce botched that. This is Theory’s show, but Pearce says Theory needs to get on the podium now to start the contest. Theory knows that and he’ll get on there, but he- Pearce tells Theory to get on the podium or be disqualified. Theory scowls and says fine! He puts his title down, gets on the podium, and starts with the Double Biceps. Theory flexes with the spotlight on him, and then he moves into the Side Chest! And lastly, MOST MUSCULAR! Theory talks trash as he flexes everything he’s got. Lashley does applaud, but Theory talks trash as he freestyles his own poses.
Lashley tells Theory to get off and to stop stalling. Theory brought this on himself, he’s getting what he deserves. Lashley will kick his ass at his own contest, and then kick his ass in a match, and like he said before, he’s taking the title from him. Lashley steps up, and he gets the spotlight for the Double Biceps! Fans fire up and love even the Side Chest! Theory tries to play it all off but then Lashley goes into Most Muscular, and that is EXTREMELY Muscular! Lashley also strikes a Hogan/Liger pose, and now the fans will determine the winner. Who thinks- NO NO NO! Theory doesn’t want anyone talking or booing or whatever!
But fans chant for Lashley, even as Theory demands them to say his name. It is clear that Lashley has won so Pearce makes it official!
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Lashley smiles but Theory wants everyone to hold on. There’s still one last pose. If Lashley thinks he can win, if he wants the title match, the last pose is this: BABY OIL TO THE EYES! Theory has blinded Lashley and is taunting him before the DROPKICK! Lashley staggers about outside the ring and refs hurry to wash out the baby oil. Theory takes selfies to “celebrate” him having the last laugh. But will Lashley show this poser that all the pictures in the world won’t save him or his title reign?
My Thoughts:
Well, up until the ending there, this was a really fun Raw. Theory and Lashley having a “Pose-Down” so Lashley can win against Theory without winning a match, and so that Theory can get heat at the same time, was just dumb. Was this supposed to be like HHH VS Scott Steiner from back in the day? That wasn’t a main event segment, was it? Because maybe back then, they understood it wouldn’t work as a closing segment. This would’ve been good in the middle, but I guess this goes hand-in-hand with Theory being Vince’s new pet project, and with how they’re setting him up against Cena, who Theory namedropped in his promo. Theory is being given the main event shine, even though this segment wasn’t worthy.
What was worthy was Rollins VS Styles in their MITB qualifier. Rollins has a very good promo to add to his story with Cody Rhodes, and I like that Styles get a shot on him right after. Rollins winning makes a lot of sense, he is definitely going to be a frontrunner for the Men’s MITB, and it fits the story with Cody because if Cody can make a return for the Rumble, Cody can go to Mania to take on Roman, and Rollins really can try to top the Heist of the Century. Finally, some good long term booking hopefully. The Women’s MITB qualifier tonight was pretty good, but I mostly like that we got Liv and Bliss as a team, I hope they carry this past MITB.
Becky of course wants in on MITB, but I did like the misdirect with the 24/7 Championship and Dana. Asuka making the save made sense, and now these two are poised to face each other for a spot in the ladder match. It feels like a shame that only one will make it in with this, but maybe they’ll have one of those “second/last chance” matches. If Becky ends up losing to Asuka, Becky can get in on that last chance and win her way back in. Every little step helps Becky’s “comeback” feel even bigger, and she’d make a great Ms. MITB if she and Rollins get to be side-by-side with those briefcases.
I kinda wish Cedric won against MVP, because otherwise it’s like his story against MVP and Omos has stalled out already. And Ali losing to Gable seems to be a sign that’s a new feud. I wish they’d do a bit more with Cedric and Ali, and maybe even make them a team after all this time post 205 Live. Veer winning against Rey is big for him in kayfabe because it’s Rey Mysterio, but I wish the match was made to feel a bit bigger. I suppose there could be a Men’s MITB qualifier between them as the rematch, but I feel like Veer would just win that, too. And this newest Kevin VS Ezekiel was great stuff, and it was hilarious how Kevin lost his temper and then lost by count-out. And I cannot wait to see how they’re going to give us Zeke and Elias in the same place at the same time.
We got a very good opening MizTV because Heyman was here to give us a good promo. Riddle had a good promo in response, and the “all or nothing” stipulation for Riddle is not a bad twist on the story. Riddle’s match with Ciampa was very good, and he gets momentum towards his match with Roman, but I still don’t see Riddle winning the title. For one, the match is happening on SmackDown, and as awesome as it would be for buzz, they’re not dethroning Roman on TV. And Riddle being blocked by stipulation could be a way to delay him until one day, someone does get the belt off Roman and we enter some brave new era.
My Score: 8.3/10
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SmackDown’s on the road to Riyadh!
John Cena dared CM Punk to challenge him at Night of Champions, and Miss Money in the Bank, Naomi, wants all champions to Proceed With Caution!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes; Orton wins and advances to the next round.
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim; Jade wins and advances to the next round.
- Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis w/ The Wyatt Sick6; Gacy & Lumis win.
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS
Chelsea GreenAlba Fyre; Alexa wins and advances to the next round. - King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Cody wins and advances to the next round.
PLAY BY PLAY
John Cena is here!
Lexington, Kentucky sings, “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he makes his way out in the University of Kentucky white ‘n’ blue. Cena goes to the ring, and while the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena signals to Mark Nash to give the proper introductions: Please welcome the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Lexington with his presence one last time, he is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA! The fans boo as Cena holds up the belt. Cena then grabs a mic and says, “Wrestling’s Mount Rushmore… is John Cena, John Cena, John Cena, and John Cena.” The fans boo but Cena says, there have been great wrestlers and great talkers.
But no one in the past, and certainly no one in the present nor the future, is comparable to him. And the very reason Cena will always outmaneuver the fans is not because he never gives up. It is because he is smarter than us. “You Can’t See Me, but you all wanna be me.” And whether watching at home or being mesmerized in this very arena, Cena is always 1000 steps ahead because everyone is worried about here and now, when he had already “won” this title over a year ago. Cena announced his retirement early so that he could have an extra six months to scout his potential opponents.
Cena knew anyone could enter the Rumble, so he did. And he knew that if he lost in the Rumble, he could use his seniority to enter the Elimination Chamber. And he knew that in the Chamber, Rollins and Punk would melt down to give Cena an easy win. Plus, Cody Rhodes was so focused on The Final Boss, Cena just had to seize the moment, shock the world, and become unpredictable. Then all he did was use Cody’s obsession with everyone’s love to guarantee the WrestleMania win. Cena used the fanfare and love of the 25 year rivalry to get a match in Randy Orton’s hometown, all to lull Randy into a false sense of security.
Cena put R-Truth in the Saturday Night’s Main Event so that all the fans would care, and the fans took the bait! While the fans tried to save Truth, Cena made friends with Logan Paul, just to eliminate him as a threat, and all to size up his next opponent in CM Punk. The fans boo but Cena says he used Punk’s rebellious nature and sociopathic self-confidence to back him into a corner. The fans cheer for Punk, but Cena says if Punk wants to take the title, he has to admit that he is a hypocrite! And Cena doesn’t even have to worry about Mr. Money in the Bank, Rollins will never cash in on Cena while he holds this!
Cena knows Rollins wants Cena to leave with the Undisputed title, Rollins becomes your only champion! Cena is the greatest for a reason! The fans boo but Cena says while they’ve been busy using their pathetic brains to come up with fake stories like if Cena “sold his soul,” all Cena has to do is put the math in his favor. He wins before the matches even start! In 25 years, he crunched every number, solved every puzzle and cracked every code. And thank God Cena doesn’t need the fans’ appreciation, because they won’t realize how good he is until three years after he’s gone! This is the greatest moment of their lives, but to Cena, they are just a mathematical equation.
And the math says that there is no one ever worthy enough to earn the right to hold the Undisputed title ever again. But wait, here comes Cody Rhodes! Lexington sings along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” as the American Nightmare makes his way to the ring. Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans in the front row, then steps up onto the corner for the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody throws his track jacket to the crowd as a free souvenir, then he grabs himself a mic. The fans cheer as Cody and Cena are face to face again, and then Cody gets the fans to fire up a bit more. Cody takes a moment, then asks Cena to go over what he just said.
Cena claims to be 1000 steps ahead because he’s so smart? No, no, he isn’t just smart! Cena’s a genius! It is unfortunate that everything Cena’s said has come true: Rollins and Punk melted down, Cody was distracted, and they all took their eyes off the prize. The homefield advantage was used against Randy, and the Mount Rushmore being all Cena, sure. But here we are, some sort of 25 year master plan, and there’s this variable that he didn’t account for, and it is simple. Cena laid out his whole story since his return, but why didn’t he include the simple fact that this past Saturday, he was looking up at the lights when Cody pinned him in the middle of this ring?!
The fans cheer, and Cody says he isn’t part of Cena’s plan, Cena is part of Cody’s. So “John Rushmore,” where does that leave the two of them? Well it isn’t just the two of them, because here comes Randy Orton! The fans fire up as The Viper goes right to the ring, gets right in Cena’s face, then pushes past him to grab himself a mic. Randy is back a month after Backlash, and he tells anyone and everyone that had a pulse and was watching Backlash knows Orton had Cena BEAT! Down and out, dead to rights, and about to remove Cena’s head from his shoulders! Until somebody out there decided to come and save John Cena.
Orton realizes now that he has to do whatever it takes. It doesn’t matter what or who it is he has to go through to get his fifteenth. Even being in the King of the Ring Tournament. Cody, Orton loves you like a brother, you know that… But if Orton has to put Cody’s ass down to get to Cena, he won’t hesitate to do it! But wait! Here comes LA Knight! Lexington fires up for The Mega Star as he already has a mic to say, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” “YEAH!” LA Knight says all week long, he’s heard the whole world saying #WeWantLAKnight! “YEAH!” Knight knows what they want, and he knows for damn sure what none of the other guys in the ring want, and that’s Knight walking down there.
So, why don’t we take a walk? Knight understands what this is as he defiantly walks down there. He is looking at the WEW Establishment! “YEAH!” Knight is the sore thumb sticking out here, and that’s how he likes it, YEAH! “YEAH!” But you gotta understand something. Cena, you have this great little master plan, BAH GAWD, it is genius. But Knight knows damn sure that the plans didn’t include Knight, YEAH! So let’s go ahead and throw the plan on it’s head. KOTR is around the corner, which means Knight has a shot at Cody, Orton, and Cena, all on the way to taking what is his! “YEAH!”
So unbreakable as Knight is walking in here, he’s gotta drop a viper, a nightmare, and if he has to drop “a genius balding b*tch John Cena,” he’ll do it to be WWE Champion, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Cena chuckles and steps out. The fans boo as Cena goes back up the ramp, but then R-TRUTH GETS HIM! Or, well, Ron Killings gets him! And he rains down furious fists on Cena right at the ramp! Security rushes out there, as do producers, and the fans boo. Cena kicks free as it takes everybody to hold Killings back! Will Cena even make it to Night of Champions with the walls closing in?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns as Melo joins Orton and Knight out here, followed by The Dark Father. The King of the Ring has a new format this year, which one of these four survives to head into the semifinals?
The bell rings and the four watch each other. Melo locks eyes with Knight, but then he goes after Aleister! They brawl with forearms and haymakers, then Melo throat chops! Melo whips, Aleister grabs ropes and BOOTS H1M back! Aleister TOSSES Melo, Knight and Orton tie up and they end up in a corner. Aleister whips but Melo reverses to send Aleister into barriers! Orton fires hands on Knight, then a KNEE! Knight turns thing around, only for Melo to roll him up! TWO, and Orton kicks Melo! Orton UPPERCUTS Melo, Aleister UPPERCUTS Melo, then Knight DECKS him! And LARIATS him up and out!
Aleister goes up, out, and TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Down goes Melo and Knight has Orton! Orton denies the BFT, but then Knight denies the RKO! Aleister runs up, Knight ducks the Black Mass! The fans fire up the huge standoff, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Melo has Knight in a corner. Melo rains down fists, but Knight stops him quick! Atomic drop and a LARIAT! Knight storms up on Melo to stomp him into a corner, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then goes to Orton in the other corner and stomps away! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes back to Melo, but Melo SUPERKICKS! Aleister is back, Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! But then Knight runs up, only to be put on the apron. Knight slingshots but into a CUTTER! Melo has Knight in the ropes, FADE AWAY LEG DROP! DROPKICK for Orton, but Aleister ROCKS Melo!
Aleister whips, Melo springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Melo shoots his free throw, then FLIES to take out Aleister! The fans fire up and Melo goes back to the ring, but Knight WRECKS him with a dropkick! “YEAH!” Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Melo up to SMACK him off the desk! Knight dribbles Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Orton has Knight for a back suplex, but Knight lands out! Orton blocks Aleister’s boot, spins him around, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Knight then RAMS Orton into the apron! The fans rally, Knight fetches Melo, and Knight puts Melo in the ring. Knight storms up, “This is Awesome!” as Knight hoists Melo up top.
Knight climbs but Melo throws hands! Knight CHOPS, they brawl some more, and Knight fires a flurry! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight steadies himself, brings Melo up, but Melo fights the lift! Melo fires body shots then he shoves Knight down! But Orton runs up to ROCK Melo! Orton gets Melo up but Melo CLWWS the eyes! Aleister STEP-UP KICKS Melo! Melo wobbles, Aleister TOSSES Orton, but Orton drags Aleister out! Orton whips, Aleister reverses and he POSTS Orton! Knight springs up to get Melo! Melo shoves Knight away, aims, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Aleister breaks it! The fans fire up as this one continues, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns once again and Aleister KNEES Melo, then ENZIGIRIS! Knight runs u;, Aleister goe sup and over, then he spins Knight to ELBOW him! Orton stumbles up but Aleister stops the RKO! Orton avoids Black Mass, Aleister grabs Knight but Knight rolls him up! ONE, and Aleister aims, but Knight dodges so the BOOT hits Orton! Knight has Aleister but Aleister denies BFT to KNEE Knight down! Melo headlocks but Aleister handsprings out of the bulldog! Aleister fires off a strike fest and a BOOT! Cover on Melo, TWO! Aleister grows frustrated but he has all three opponents down! The fans fire up as Aleister aims, runs up, but Orton LARIATS!
Orton LARIATS again, then dodges to SNAP POWERSLAM! But Knight runs up, he gets a SNAP POWERSLAM! Melo ROCKS Orton, runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up for Orton as he drags Melo up. Orton puts Melo in the ropes, but then Aleister runs up. Orton kicks Aleister, has him in the ropes, but then Knight adds on! JUMPING NECKBREAKER DOUBLE DRAPING DDT COMBO!! Cover on Orton, TWO!! Orton stays in this for everyone’s sake and Knight is a bit stunned. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” Knight watches Melo rise, kick and B- NO, Melo powers out! Knight swings on Orton but Orton ducks!
Orton aims, but Knight denies the RKO, and he sends Orton into Melo’s FIRST 48! Aleister BOOTS Melo! Knight has Aleister, B F T!! Cover, MELO BREAKS IT!! Melo denies Knight that game winner, and now they rise up. Melo vows to end this, but Knight wrenches and kicks, to then whip and POP-UP and POWERSLAM! Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes to the corner. The fans rally as Knight climbs, “L! A! KNIGHT!” BUT BRONSON REED YANKS KNIGHT DOWN! The Colossal Aussie gets revenge for Monday, but speaking of! BRON BREAKKER SPEARS KNIGHT!! They cost Knight at MITB, he cost them in KOTR, so now they get him out of KOTR!
Melo grins and takes aim, NOTHING BUT RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just when Melo thought he was taking advantage of an opening, he left himself open to The Viper! Will Orton be meeting Cody Rhodes at the end of this tournament? Or will Sami Zayn make sure he isn’t just someone’s stepping stone?
Jacob Fatu walks ‘n’ talks backstage.
“Lexington, Kentucky. The United States Champion is here. Hell, the United States Champion is America’s Most Wanted, and I’m coming live and direct inside The Rupp Arena! YADADADADADADA mean?!” The Samoan Werewolf is all fired up, but what more will he say on how Saturday was the night he broke free from Solo Sikoa? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
Fatu heads to the ring! Lexington cheers the Samoan Werewolf, and he grabs the mic to say, “Lexington, Kentucky! Let’s keep it 100! Just because you’re family don’t mean that you can go behind their back and try to snake ’em. Just because we both come from the same bloodline don’t mean that they can take all the credit for your hard work! So Solo says I wouldn’t be nothing if it wasn’t for him. Solo says Jacob Fatu would be nothing if it wasn’t for him!” The fans boo that, and Fatu says this is why he had to remind Solo at MITB what happens when you don’t get in where you fit in! The fans cheer that!
So now, it is Fatu against the world! Cuz Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADA MEAN~?! But wait, Solo Sikoa is on the tron, sarcastically applauding. Solo says that’s it, Jacob, tell ’em how you feel. Solo leans in close and asks Fatu if he’s done getting it all off his chest. At MITB, Fatu could’ve made the biggest mistake of his life. And Solo can forgive him for that. One year ago, when Solo visited Fatu in Sacramento, Fatu was doing nothing. NOTHING. No one wanted Fatu around until Solo brought him here to the WWE. Solo made Fatu into a WWE Superstar, put money in his pocket, put him in the position for success, and even made him a champion!
This is all because of SOLO, you stupid…! Solo holds back, and he says next week, Solo will be in the ring with open arms, willing to take Fatu back. But there is something Solo needs from Fatu. He needs those four words from him: I Love You, Solo. And just remember… Solo brought Fatu into the WWE, and he can take him out of it. Yadada mean? Solo leaves Fatu to think on this ultimatum, but is it already obvious what Fatu will say to Solo next week?
Nick Aldis meets with The Secret Her-vice.
“Special Slaygent” Piper informs the SmackDown General Manager that Chelsea Green needs to speak with him. But Chelsea isn’t here in the room…? She’s on the phone. And Chelsea apologizes, she had an impossible time finding a flight to get her to Lexington, so can they postpone her Fatal 4 Way until next week? Aldis says no, they’re not postponing anything for little ol’ Chelsea. But if her Secret Her-vice is here… Alba is ready for competition, right? So then Alba will take Chelsea’s place! Perfect! Chelsea says no, she will filibuster and- Oh, sorry, no, Aldis authorized it, he doesn’t care what Chelsea has to say, so Alba has to go get ready now.
Alba grumbles that she has to change from her security suit to her wrestling suit. Chelsea complains and complains, but then Zelina Vega steps in. Zelina takes the phone and hangs up on Chelsea so she can talk with Aldis. She wants Giulia now! Well, she’s not here tonight. Oh, that’s convenient. Aldis says he understands that Zelina wants after Giulia after last week. Zelina says first of all, she’s been snatched unawares much harder by much better. Second, don’t worry about the girl that does the sneak attacks, worry about the girl that gets up after every beating. One sneak attack isn’t gonna scare her, she is THE Women’s US Champion!
So next week, Zelina will confront Giulia, because she doesn’t need to pretend or hide. The smallest girl with the biggest mouth is gonna make Giulia look stupid! Zelina storms off, will the Beautiful Madness learn not to get on La Muneca’s bad side?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim!
A storm has come to Lexington, and she wants to make her way to Riyadh! Will the Irresistible Force, the Special Slaygent and even the Head Baddie in Charge be unable to slow her down? Or will someone else grab that spot in the semifinals?
SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, joining Jade and Piper, leaving Nia for last. Nia says she won the crown last year, she’ll just do it again. The bell rings and Piper fires off on Mia while Nia RAMS Jade! The fans boo but Jade elbows Nia and bumps her off buckles! Jade RAMS into Nia but Piper has Mia on the outside. Piper whips Mia into barriers! And then puts her up against the post. Nia and Jade have moved their brawl outside while Piper runs up on Mia. Mia dodges so Piper POSTS herself! Nia whips, Jade reverse, Nia hits steel steps! The fans fire up as Jade and Mia meet in the ring.
Mia and Jade run up, Mia slips around to waistlock, but Jade switches to SLAM Mia down! Mia fights up while Jade holds on, but Jade whips. Jade hurdles, then scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this but Jade stays on her. Jade suplexes, holds Mia up, but Mia slips free! Mia goes to a corner, dodges Jade, but Jade keeps moving! Mia ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ redirects to RANA! Mia runs and SHOTGUNS Jade down! The fans rally, Mia covers, TWO! Jade is tougher than that but Mia stomps her. Mia runs but Piper trips her up! Piper drags Mia out and scoops to SLAM her on the floor!
Nia drops an ELBOW on Jade! Piper SENTONS Mia! Nia soaks up the heat, drags Jade up, and Nia bumps Jade off buckles. Nia CHOPS Piper, then shakes her hand. Nia whips corner to corner, Jade bounces off buckles, and Nia signals for that crown. Jade fires forearms but Nia HEADBUTTS her down! Nia fireman’s carries and SAMOAN DROPS! Piper adds a SENTON! Piper and Nia stare down, but they decide to work together on Jade. Nia & Piper mug Jade in a corner, then whip corner to corner. Jade ELBOWS Piper away, dodges Nia, and Nia POSTS herself! Jade runs to PUMP KICK Piper outta the ring!
But Nia drags Jade out of the ring! The mugging continues, but Mia goes up and up to ASAI MOOONSAULT! Direct hit and all four are down! The fans fire up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Jade SPLASHES Piper in one corner, then SPLASHES Nia in the other! And repeat! But then Nia follows, only for Jade to dodge! Nia SPLASHES Piper, then Jade ROCKS her! But Piper CLOBBERS Jade! Nia DRIBBLES Jade off the mat, the fans boo, and Nia salutes with Piper. They drag Jade up, whip her to a corner, then Nia runs to SPLASH! Piper adds a SPLASH of her own! Jade sits down, Nia HIP ATTACKS! Piper CANNONBALLS! Cover, but Nia won’t let Piper get it! Piper says okay, okay, she was just kidding around. But Nia shoves Piper! Piper shoves Nia! Mia RANAS Nia, then JAWBREAKERS Piper!
Mia has Piper for a TORNADO BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Piper stays in this but Mia drags her up. Jade CLUBS Mia, whips her, but Mia RAN- NO, Jade blocks it! SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Mia survives, and Piper SPLASHES Jade! Piper drags Mia up, reels her in, but Mia slips out of the scoop! SLICED BREAD! Mia hurries to cover, but Nia breaks it! Nia SENTONS onto Mia! Cover, TWO! Mia toughs it out and Nia grows frustrated. Nia & Piper go after Jade on the outside but Jade fights them off! SUPERKICK for Piper! HAYMAKER for Nia! Piper HEADBUTTS Jade, Nia ROCKS Jade, and then they two TOSS Jade over the desk!
Wade Barrett gets wiped out by The Storm and Nia just flips them both off! But Mia WRECKS Nia with a dropkick! Piper is up, Mia dodges and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Cover, Nia breaks it! Mia drags Nia up to fire hands, then she fires hands on Piper! The fans rally, Mia runs, but into double guzels! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Nia applauds, the fans boo, and Wade is apparently okay, but then Nia DECKS Piper! Nia dumps Piper out, drags Mia to a drop zone, then she goes up! The fans boo the A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, PIPER BREAKS IT! Piper and Nia go outside, and Piper POSTS Nia! Piper then runs to SPEAR Nia through the barriers!!
The fans go nuts as Piper proves she’s the more destructive powerhouse! Piper then storms over to Mia, she goes up the corner, VADER BOMB! But Jade is up!! Chicken wings on Piper, JADED for Piper!!! Cover, JADE WINS!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just as it looked like she was done for, Jade snatches this win away for her own! The Storm is in the semifinals, will she make quick work of The Prodigy, Roxanne Perez?
Naomi watches this backstage.
She’s not exactly pleased that Jade is advancing, but she’s also the one holding the Money in the Bank briefcase. Naomi heads for gorilla, what will she have to say about her huge victory? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
Lexington fires up as Naomi heads to the ring! “Yes, I see some o’ y’all looking real surprised! Real shocked! Real stupid! I dunno why, because I told y’all I was done accepting scraps. I took what I deserve, and look at me now. Miss Money in the Bank! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” The fans are torn, but Naomi says what’s really funny is the entire time, when she was trying to beat Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship, y’know who was there with a briefcase to stop it? Y’know who distracted her? Who bashed her in the head?! It was Tiffany Stratton. “Too Nice Naomi” just let it happen. But the Naomi now aini’t lettin’ nothing sliding! She’s here for payback!
And when Naomi CLOCKS Tiffy Time in the head with this briefcase, it’ll feel so good when Naomi becomes the NEW WWE- Well, here comes Tiffany herself! The fans cheer as Tiff goes to the ring, and she grabs a mic to say, “You talk a big game, Naomi. So why don’t you just do it? Just cash in and take my title… right now.” The fans chant “DO IT! DO IT!” Tiffy says see, she’s still the same ol’ Naomi: all talk and no action. That is why Naomi never beat Nia. But please, prove us all wrong! The fans cheer, Naomi snarls, and she says, “Do I look stupid to you?! Do I look like Booboo the Fool? I ain’t gonna cash in on you now. I’ma cash in when you least expect it.”
Fans go, “What?” and Naomi shouts, “B*tch, you heard me!” Naoim says in the meantime, she will enjoy making Tiffy’s life HELL! Naomi says tick-tock, Tiffy, time is almost up! So Naomi strongly advises to #ProceedWithCaution. The fans are torn, but while Naomi holds up the briefcase, Tiffy holds up the belt. When and where will we see- WAIT! NIA is here! Nia and Tiff brawl, the fans fire up, and Nia shoves Tiff. Tiff DROPKICKS Nia’s legs, then DROPKICKS Nia in the face! Naomi runs up, Tiff DECKS her, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff! Nia may not be going to Riyadh, but she wants to get hers now! A-NIA-LATOR on Tiff!!
Naomi hurries back up, but Nia steps in the way! Nia tells Naomi to back off, so Naomi backs off. Will Nia get payback on the Wrestling Barbie before Naomi can? Or will Tiffy still have time on the clock?
Nick Aldis meets with the SmackDown Tag Division.
He thanks the Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom & DIY for coming to discuss the Wyatt situation. Johnny Gargano interrupts, saying this is a big decision. DIY feels this is a huge opportunity… for Fraxiom. Everyone else says they knew DIY would pull that. Fraxiom says they’re not afraid, but Tommaso Ciampa says if nothing else, the Street Profits should step up as the champions. Angelo Dawkins says bet, they’re already ready. Aldis suggests they all let him finish his explanation. Taking all this into account, MCMG are the veterans, so they will set the tone. They get the Wyatts tonight.
The others applaud and Dawkins says yes, set that tone. Will Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin be able to have an impact on the Wyatt Sick6? Or will the Motor City Machine Guns have no effect on what goes bump in the night?
Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis!
SmackDown returns as the lights go down and the fireflies come out. The chair and the lantern wait on stage as the Wyatts make their entrance. Uncle Howdy sits in the chair, Nikki Cross & Erik Rowan stay close, and Gacy & Lumis rush the ring! The fans cheer as the brawl is on! The bell rings, Gacy has Shelley while Lumis has Sabin! The ref reprimands, Gacy whips Shelley to a corner then CLOBBERS him! Lumis & Gacy whip Sabin, DOUBLE ELBOW, then Lumis drops an AX HANDLE! Gacy drops a SENTON! Cover, ONE!! Gacy drags Sabin up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Lumis.
Lumis brings Sabin around but Sabin swings. Lumis duck sot hit a BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up and LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Sabin is tougher than that, but Lumis drags him up. Gacy tags in, they mug Sabin, and then Gacy whips. Scoop and BACKBREAKER! Gacy goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gacy BLASTS Shelley off the apron and he tags Lumis in. They get Sabin up, UPPERCUT and then a kick down low. Lumis wrenches Sabin, tags Gacy back in, and the mugging continues. They double whip, but Sabin breaks the double lariat! Gacy runs up but Sabin DUMPS him out! And then he TOSSES Lumis!
Tag to Shelley and MCMG set up! The fans fire up as the Machine Guns DOUBLE DORPKICK! Then they DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go Lumis & Gacy and the fans fire up! MCMG stare down with Rowan while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and both Shelley and Gacy are down. The fans rally, Shelley crawls, hot tag to Sabin! Sabin goes up to MSSILE DROPKICK! Gacy flounders, Lumis tags in, but Sabin dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Sabin whips, Lumis reverses but Sabin BULLDOGS! The fans fire up and Lumis staggers up. Sabin runs and GAMANGIRIS! Sabin drags Lumis to a cover, TWO! Howdy is antsy as Sabin tags Shelley. Shlley goes to the apron, Sabin follows, and MCMG DOUBLE SUPERKICK Lumis! Lumis sputters, MCMG drags him inside, and Shelley whips Lumis to the corner. LARIAT, then he tags Sabin!
Shelley clinches but Lumis ELBOWS free! Lumis trips Sabin up, then hurries to tag Gacy! Gacy runs in to handspring, and DOUBLE UPSIDE-DOWN!! Tag back to Lumis and they have Sabin! Whip and POP-UP POWERBOMB onto Sabin! The fans fire up as Lumis covers, TWO!! Sabin survives but Lumis snarls. Lumis watches Sabin stir, drags him up and wrenches to then whip him to the corner. But Sabin DROPKICKS Gacy! Lumis runs in, Sabin BOOTS him away, then Sabin runs up, DDT! Hot tag to Shelley! Lumis staggers up, Shelley whips, BIG atomic drop! Then the DREAM SEQUENCE!
The fans fire up with MCMG and Howdy doesn’t like that. Sabin tags back in, he drags Lumis up while Shelley climbs. Sabin turns Lumis but Gacy trips Shelley! Gacy HEADBUTTS Sabin, he and Lumis aim, HIGH LOW!! Cover off the superkick and leg sweep combo, but they ask Howdy for permission. “YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH~!” Lumis goes up, Gacy CLOBBERS Shelley, and Lumis hits a SUPER LEG DROP!! Cover, The Wyatts win!
Winners: Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis, by pinfall
The chaos is back and it is on top as Lumis & Gacy break the Machine Guns. Will they tear through the rest of the division until they’re the champions?
John Cena encounters Jimmy Uso backstage.
Cena and #BigJim stare down, and Cena asks if Jimmy has seen R-Truth. No, he hasn’t. Then has he seen Ron Killings? Listen, man… Jimmy ain’t seen either one of ’em. Cena says he knows Jimmy and Truth are close. So let Killings know that Cena’s going back to the ring, and he wants Killings to meet him there. Cena heads out, will Ron get the message? Will Cena get the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth?
SmackDown returns and…
“JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he goes right back to the ring, just as he promised. And he tells everyone to shut up! Cena paces and says, “There is a level of disrespect that I can tolerate. R-Truth, you just crossed the line!” The fans chant, “We Want Truth!” and Cena frowns. Cena says for once, he agrees. There is a time to talk and there is a time to fight, so Truth, get out here so they can fight! BUT WAIT! CM PUNK is here instead! Cena is stunned and maybe even a little scared to see Punk here on SmackDown. Punk goes right to the ring as the fans cheer, and he grabs himself a mic before sitting on the top rope.
The fans cheer Punk on even more and Punk asks, “Is it great to be alive on a Friday night in Lexington, Kentucky or what?” The fans cheer that! And Punk asks Cena if he said something about disrespect. Cena is tired of being disrespected? “John, these people are tired of being disrespected! But now, CM Punk has a microphone, and I think you can trust when I say that we have yet to begin the reach the levels of disrespect that we are capable of.” Punk says for old time’s sake, he’ll give Cena a chance, the benefit of a doubt. Maybe Punk’s empathy is too much, too Obi-Wan talking to Darth Vader, hoping to see Anakin still in there.
So Punk will give Cena a chance in front of this legendary wrestling town. “Stop what you’re doing, let these people celebrate who and what you are, let them put you on a pedestal on your way out. Let them celebrate the sacrifices you have made for them and this business. Give them a happy ending!” Punk steps back and Cena steps up. Cena asks, “Why? Why would I waste my time?” The fans boo, but Cena says the people don’t matter, this place doesn’t matter, basketball doesn’t matter, horse racing doesn’t matter! THIS Undisputed Championship is the only thing that matters! So Cena is to eat crow to the same idiots wearing his shirt but singing Punk’s song? Fat chance!
Punk says okay, okay, let the record show that Punk and Lexington gave Cena an out. But now, let’s do it Cena’s way. Let the disrespect being. Ironically that is the Punk way! When the static hits and Cult of Personality plays through sold-out arenas, everyone knows it is about to get real. And ladies and gentlemen, watching and working at USA Network, it’s about to get real. Here’s the truth Cena wants so badly. The saying goes, “You tell a strong man a lie to offend him.” That’s why it pisses Punk off when Cena calls him the hypocrite. Conversely, you tell a weak man the truth and that offends him.
Fans chant, “We Want Truth!” Punk says the truth here is… Cena can’t beat Punk. When Punk is at his best, Cena never could. And now Cena wants to ruin wrestling? Well, Punk is going to take it upon himself to save it. Bare with Punk, because as always, he has a lot to get off his chest. That other thing about sociopathic confidence? Punk takes that as a compliment. Because it is that confidence that brought Punk to the mountaintop time and time again. Especially when people like Cena say they wanna see it but claim Punk didn’t have it. But Punk is not as confident as Cena, because Punk would never dress like a toddler who looks like he struck out at T-Ball.
The fans laugh, Punk says he wants that stricken from the record, because y’know who that sounds like? That sounds like the PG John Cena. Which is ironic, because right now, y’know who Cena sounds like, saying he’s gonna ruin wrestling, take the strap and go home… That sounds like C M PUNK! And yes, that is ironic. Cena is stealing Punk’s best material. Punk won that title, he left with the title, and Cena is trying to follow in those footsteps. Punk did it! He said he would and he did, and Cena couldn’t stop him. Cena thinks challenging Punk at Night of Champions is going to stop him? “John Boy, just like old times, here’s CM Punk to make your title run interesting.”
Here comes CM Punk to make John Cena’s retirement tour interesting! Watchable! Get the rocket fuel to fuel that private jet! Punk would go to MARS to beat Cena’s ass! Punk will follow Cena to Hell to prove he is better than Cena! But here’s more truth, it isn’t all bad. Cena IS a GOAT, but so is Punk. Punk beat Cena in Chicago, he beat Cena in Boston, and he will beat Cena at Night of Champions. Cena is the “Goat” that Punk will spit-roast and sacrifice to the gods of wrestling! Legends who actually belong on the Mount Rushmore! Terry Funk, Harley Race, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero! The AUDACITY of Cena to put himself on that mountain once, let alone all four times. What a joke.
The fans cheer but Cena smirks. Punk says here’s more truth: You can’t see me? No, Punk sees through him, and always has, and that’s the truth. Punk leaves Cena with that, and then KILLINGS STRIKES AGAIN!! And he puts Cena in the STF!! Punk mockingly says, “I’m sorry~! But the Truth hurts!” Cena suffers his own signature submission but security rushes out here! The fans boo as they drag Killings off Cena and Cena scrambles away! Cena hops and hobbles on one good leg, are the bridges he burned going to take them down with him?
Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.
Byron Saxton is with Lil’ Miss Bliss at gorilla, and notes that she took a tough loss at MITB. What is the mindset going into the future? Alexa says she’s won MITB, cashed in, made history, so she isn’t rattled. Tonight, she reminds everyone of who she is, and will be one step closer to becoming Queen of the Ring. But then in steps Charlotte Flair. And she says, “Sweetie, did you say, ‘Queen?’ There’s only room for one queen in this division. WOO~!” Charlotte makes her entrance first, but both she and Alexa will have to fight their way into the next round. Will it be either of them that moves forward? Or are they overlooking the Poison Pixie and the Firestarter?
Nick Aldis finds R-Truth/Ron Killings backstage.
Aldis asks Truth what the hell he’s doing, he can’t just keep jumping Cena like that! What’s Aldis supposed to do? Truth says he wants a match with Cena next week. Next week? Yeah. Done. Killings says he’s driving now! Will he run Cena right off the road?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS Alba Fyre!
SmackDown returns and Candice makes her entrance to join Charlotte, Alexa, and Alba. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The four watch each other, but Alexa and Charlotte stare down as they step up. Alba and Candice jump on them! Candice is after Alexa, Alba is after Charlotte, and they put the two in corners. Alba RAMS into Charlotte again and again while Candice stomps a mudhole into Alexa. Alba digs her boots in, Candice SPLASHES Alexa, and then Candice fires elbows. Charlotte CHOPS Alba, storms up to RAM Alexa into Candice, then Charlotte POSTS Alexa! Alexa tumbles out and the fans are torn for Charlotte.
Charlotte dusts herself off, then THROWS Candice into Alba! Charlotte drags Alba to a cover, ONE!! Cover on Candice, ONE!! Charlotte CHOPS Alba, CHOPS Candice, and repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! But then Candice grabs a leg, Alba BOOTS Charlotte down, and they mug Charlotte! Alba smothers Charlotte using her tie! Alba CLUBS Charlotte down, then she and Candice mug her, returning the CHOPS! Alba kicks Charlotte, she and Candice have Charlotte on the ropes, and they CHOP again! They double whip Charlotte, but Charlotte grabs ropes. Charlotte KICKS Candice, ROCKS Alba, then LARIATS Candice!
Alexa is back and she CROSSBODIES onto Charlotte! Cover, ONE! Alexa clinches, but Candice & Alba mug Alexa! Charlotte gets away while Candice bumps Alexa off buckles. Alba stomps Alexa, Charlotte DECKS Candice, and she DECKS Alba! Cover on Alba, TWO! Charlotte scowls as she stands back up. The fans rally while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Charlotte storms up on Candice, reels her in, but Candice fights the suplex. Alba joins in, they DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte! Cover, but Alba stops Candice. A parallel to Piper and Nia, we know how that turned out… But Alba & Candice still mug Charlotte together for now. Charlotte JAWBREAKERS Alba, dodges Candice, but Candice tilt-o-whirls to RANA! And then ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is tougher than that and that annoys Candice. Alba BLASTS Alexa off the apron, Charlotte RAMS Candice into a corner, but Alba CLUBS Charlotte down. Candice climbs the corner while Alba stands Charlotte up, but Charlotte ELBOWS free!
Charlotte BOOTS Candice off the corner, but Alba rolls Charlotte to BOOT her down! Cover, WTO! Alba seethes and throws her suit jacket at Charlotte. Alba stomps a mudhole into Charlotte, then stands on her hair! Alba salutes while Candice SMACKS Alexa off the apron. Alba pulls Charlotte’s arms and Candice SMACKS Alexa off the desk! Alba & Candice work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte, but Alba has Candice stay back. They drag Charlotte up again, but she ROCKS Alba and ROCKS Candice! Then repeat! Alba kicks low, Candice comes back, and they double whip Charlotte to a corner.
SmackDown returns to single picture as Charlotte goes up and out! She BOOTS Alba, RAMS Candice, then goes up the corner! The fans fire up but Candice SMACKS Charlotte first! And SMACKS her again! Alba climbs up to join them, but Alexa sneaks in underneath! TOWER OF DOOM! The fans fire up and Alexa crawls to cover Charlotte, TWO! Alexa is frustrated but the fans fire up. Alexa and Candice stand, Alexa RUNS her over! She even RUNS Alba over! Alexa SLAPS Candice, DECKS her, then blocks Alba’s kick to DRAGON SCREW! Charlotte runs up, Alexa clinches to S T O! And then INSULT2- NO, Candice makes it a CODE BREAKER SENTON!
Alba has Candice, wrenches and reels her in, GOURD BUSTER! But Alexa hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Candice hits NATURAL SELECTION!! Charlotte drags Alexa around, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! And the push-up into the FIGURE EIGHT! But Candice LIONSAULTS it all apart!! Alba SUPERKICKS Candice! Charlotte is up, Alba spins her around, Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up and Alba drags Alexa up. Alexa mule kicks, DDTS, and then hurries for a corner! Lexington cheers on Alexa, TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, CHARLOTTE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but Charlotte TOSSES Alexa!
Alexa is on the apron, Charlotte BOOTS her down! But Candice rolls Charlotte! TWO!! Charlotte escapes, Candice ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, TWO!! Candice shows that toughness and Charlotte is frustrated. Charlotte has the legs, steps through, but Alba SUPERKICKS Charlotte! Alba roars, turns her, but Charlotte powers out of the Unpretty-Her! BOOT!! FIGURE FOUR!! Then FIGURE EIGHT!!! Alba endures, but Alexa catches Candice!! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, ALEXA WINS!!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Charlotte lets go of Alba and is in disbelief! But Alexa smiles as she snatches this win right out from under Charlotte’s nose! Charlotte may call herself the queen, but will Alexa be the one to wear the crown?
Cody heads to gorilla.
And he crosses paths with Punk. Cody says they can’t run away from each other forever. Punk says he knows. But good luck tonight. After Night of Champions, we’ll see who’s chasing who. Cody moves on, but will he move on in the tournament? Or will the American Nightmare’s nightmare of losing that Undisputed Championship only get worse?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
SmackDown returns as the King of Strong Style makes his entrance, followed by El Idolo, leaving the Archer of Infamy for last. The bell rings and the fans rally. All four men are wary of each other, but Nakamura winds up, only to not say his signature “C’mon” to just bail out. But then Cody DIVES onto him! Priest swings on Andrade, Andrade dodges to WRECK Cody! Priest KICKS, KICKS, and ROLLING ELBOWS Andrade! Priest winds up, Andrade dodges, FLYING FOREARMS! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up, and Andrade rallies the fans with ‘SI! SI! SI!” But Cody stops Cien Knees to take an elbow!
Priest mule kicks Andrade, then suplexes for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop- BELL CLAP from Priest! But Cody rebounds to LARIAT Priest up and out! Priest drags Cody out, they brawl, and Cody SMACKS Priest off the apron! Nakamura FLYING KNEES Priest! Nakamura kicks Cody, ROCKS Priest, they all brawl outside, but Andrade goes up! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit and everyone is down while the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture!
All four men stir and Andrade is first up. Andrade puts Nakamura in the ring, covers, TWO! Andrade whips Nakamura to a corner, runs in, but Nakamura dodges! Andrade’s knee hits buckles and he tumbles out! Nakamura goes after Andrade to put him on the apron, and then runs to KNEE Andrade down! Priest and Cody brawl in the ring, and Priest ROCKS Cody to a corner. Priest whips, Cody reverses to kick and RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody whips, Priest reverses, and Priest runs up, only for Cody to go up and over. Priest feints running up so Cody’s snap powerslam gets nothing! Priest then KICKS Cody down!
Cody sputters but Priest is on him. Priest ROCKS Cody again, Nakamura stomps Andrade, then Nakamura KICKS Priest! Nakamura fires off fists and kicks in the corner, so Andrade rolls Cody! TWO, and Cody powers Andrade to a corner. Cody climbs up to rain down fists, only for Andrade to slip out at nine and YANK Cody down! Nakamura brings Priest around but Priest DECKS him! Priest stomps away on Nakamura, then he goes over to Andrade, Priest stands Andrade up to DECK him! Cody SMACKS Nakamura off the desk! Priest drags Andrade up while Nakamura SMACKS Cody off the desk! Priest ROCKS Andrade, then he has Cody in another corner.
Nakamura fires off on Andrade, Priest digs his boots into Cody, and then Nakamura bumps Andrade off buckles. Cody turns things around on Priest to CHOP, but that just pisses Priest off. Priest DECKS Cody! Cody sputters, Priest puts him in the corner, but Nakamura fires off strikes on Priest! Nakamura has Andrade on the top rope, and SmackDown returns to single picture as Nakamura runs in for a TOP SHELF KNEE! Andrade falls to the floor, but then Priest runs up! Nakamura dodges, runs back in, and he blocks boots to ROUNDHOUSE Priest! Nakamura puts Priest in the ropes to SLIDING GERMAN!
Nakamura hurries back in while fans fire up. Cody swings, misses, but then Cody ducks a roundhouse, only for the WHEEL KICK to hit! The fans fire up as Nakamura gives Cody some BAD VIBRATIONS! Nakamura goes corner to corner and the fans rally. Cody dodges, Nakamura hits buckles, and Cody grabs a leg! Cody trips Nakamura, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Nakamura endures, fights the main leg, but Andrade is up top! FROG SPLASH onto Cody! Nakamura is free, but then Priest JUMP KICKS Andrade! Priest drags Cody up, ROCKS him, and then runs to ELBOW Andrade! ELBOW for Cody! SHOULDER TACKLE for Andrade!
The fans fire up for Priest and he goes to the outside, to leap off the steel steps and AX HANDLE Nakamura! Priest puts Nakamura back in the ring, drags him up at the ropes, and he knuckle locks so he can climb! The fans cheer as Priest goes Old School, only for Cody to jump up after him! But Priest then grabs Cody in a guzel! Nakamura trips them both up! Nakamura CLOBBERS Priest, Andrade rolls Nakamura, TWO! Andrade swings, but into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! The fans fire up as Cody DIVING SPLASHES! Cody TOSSES Nakamura, covers Andrade, TWO! Cover again, TWO! Cody is frustrated but he goes outside.
The fans fire up as they sense what’s coming! Cody brings out a TABLE! Cody sets “Slim Jim” up at ringside, goes back to the ring for Andrade, and he lines up the shot. But Andrade hooks the ropes to block! Andrade suplexes but Cody blocks! They fight for control, but Priest CLUBS Andrade. Priest and Cody stare down, but they decide to work together! The fans fire up as they hoist Andrade up, but Nakamura makes the save! Only to INVERTED EXPLODER Andrade! DYNAMIC DROPKICK and Cody falls through the table! Cody snaps into a Slim Jim and the fans go nuts! Nakamura goes outside while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nakamura fetches Priest, brings him over, but Priest blocks the desk smack to ROCK Nakamura! Priest SMACKS Nakamura off the desk now! And again! Priest brings Nakamura around to DECK him, but then Andrade CLUBS Priest! Andrade SMACKS Priest off the desk, then he and Nakamura actually work together to BOOT Priest onto the desk! But they’re not done as they TOSS Priest over the desk! Wade got outta there this time! Andrade then clears off the desk! Nakamura & Andrade bring Priest around to TOSS him over barriers! Then Nakamura CLOBBERS Andrade! Nakamura applauds his trickery before putting Andrade in the ring. Nakamura covers, TWO!
Nakamura is annoyed and he KICKS Andrade in the side. Andrade sputters but Nakamura paces. Andrade rises to CHOP! Nakamura dusts himself off to KICK Andrade down! Andrade stands but into KNEES and KICKS! Andrade blocks one, but not the ENZIGIRI! Andrade ends up in a corner, Nakamura whips corner to corner, but Andrade reverses. Andrade runs up, Nakamura puts him on the apron, but Andrade ROCKS him! Andrade climbs, but Nakamura ROCKS him! Nakamura climbs now but Andrade fires back! They brawl up top, and Andrade HEADBUTTS Nakamura down! Nakamura GAMANGIRIS in return!
SmackDown returns to single picture again as Nakamura climbs back up. Priest returns to CLUB Nakamura! He has Nakamura in the crucifix, but Nakamura fights free! Priest drags Nakamura down, Nakamura fires a strike fest! Priest clinches to FLATLINER! Andrade MOONSAULT DOUBLES! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura LARIATS! Andrade BOOTS! Nakamura PELES! These three are down, and Cody rises from the wreckage! The fans fire up for Cody as he drags himself into the ring. Cody runs up to LARIAT Andrade! And LARIAT Nakamura! Cody whips Priest, Priest reverses, but Cody goes up and over, and this time, SNAP POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up and Cody blocks Andrade’s kick to then run and BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cody catches Nakamura, Nakamura drops down to UP KICK! Snapmare and SLIDING KNEE! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT!! Priest has Andrade, Andrade schoolboys him into buckles! The fans fire up, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner, CIEN KNEES for Nakamura! Then Andrade goes again, CIEN- NO, Priest has Andrade by the neck! Andrade breaks free to CHOP, but Priest ROCKS Andrade! Andrade comes back, SHADOW ELBOW! THE MESSAGE!! Cover, NAKAMURA AX KICKS IT APART! Nakamura drags Andrade up, but Andrade ROCKS him first!
Nakamura snarls and ROCKS Andrade back! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Andrade CHOSP! Nakamura KICKS! Nakamura CLUBS Andrade, KNEES him low, but Cody is back! Cody dodges Nakamura, to DOUBLE CODY CUTTER!! Not the cleanest but it didn’t need to be! Priest kicks Cody low, reels him in, Canadian Rack, but Cody slips free! Cody goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTERS!! Priest tumbles out of the ring and Cody roars! He catches Andrade, CROSS RHODES!! And then he drags Andrade up again, only for Nakamura to clamp on a SLEEPER!! Cody flails, claws at the grip, but Nakamura dragon sleepers!
Nakamura vows to end this, but Cody flips that around on him! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, CODY WINS!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Lexington cheers and sings with Cody’s song as he comes out on top! We know Sami Zayn and Randy Orton are one semifinal match, but Raw will determine the other! Sheamus, Rusev, Bronson Reed, or MAIN EVENT JEY USO, who survives to then meet Cody in the next round?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with a lot of action from doing all the SmackDown Fatal 4 Ways in the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments. And each Fatal 4 Way was great, because Fatal 4 Ways always lend themselves to fast, chaotic action. Great opening promo from Cena with Cody, Orton and Knight to help segue into the first match, but also great stuff with R-Truth going after Cena. Orton winning was a bit of a surprise, and makes for a very interesting match with Sami Zayn. I suppose Sami going hard against Orton and finding a sneakier way to win could go with how Karrion Kross has been working to bring that side out of Sami.
Jade winning her match made sense, as Piper is still just Chelsea’s sidekick and Mia isn’t quite at that QOTR top title level. It also puts her in line with Naomi’s story of being Miss MITB, because Naomi can mess Jade over in a title match just as much as she can Tiffany. Very good promo from Naomi with Tiffany to tease a cash in, but also set up Tiffy VS Nia one more time. Chelsea also had a hilarious video call promo, and good on Aldis to stand up to her by putting Alba in the match instead. Alexa winning was only a little surprising, as she’s on that return push. And it makes for a fresh match-up no matter who from Raw wins the final Fatal 4.
Awesome main event Fatal 4 but I figured Cody would win, as it makes for a unique match-up of Cody VS Jey. Jey being put in was a bit of a surprise, but perhaps the wrestlers we’re waiting to return (Roman Reigns, but maybe even Ilja Dragunov) just aren’t ready yet. And given Bronson & Bron screwed Knight over, Knight will surely show up on Raw again to keep that feud going. Sheamus and Rusev have their own story, so Jey is the default choice. I almost feel like they should’ve flipped the brackets so that it would give us Orton VS Cody and Sami VS Jey in the semifinals, but those combos probably serve for stronger finals matches.
Very good stuff with the tag division, but MCMG VS Gacy & Lumis could’ve been a bit better. Part of the problem that comes with the Wyatts being gone away so long is that there might be some ring rust. Lumis & Gacy were on point, but they needed time to coordinate some things first and that slowed the overall pace down. The Wyatts won, of course, and will likely deal with Fraxiom next, what with DIY volunteering Fraxiom and Profits ahead of them. Then, Cena and Punk had a great promo, with it mostly being Punk tearing into Cena. Surprisingly, no allusions to Punk’s incendiary comments from years ago, but that’s very Punk of Punk.
And Killings going after Cena again was great stuff. Cena VS Killings will be a great match next week, and Cena probably rubs it in that he’s using one of his precious final appearances was used to beat Truth again. Though, to build Killings up, I would think they find a way for him to win that “isn’t definitive,” like a count out victory or some kind of disqualification. I was hoping for an R-Truth celebration at Saturday Night’s Main Event akin to Lex Luger over Yokozuna, but maybe that happens next week.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.12.2025
DO SOMETHING WITH JASON HOTCH AND KC NAVARRO – that is all.
So Against All Odds…was barely passable and that’s only with Xanax. The Knockouts title match was awful, the 4 Man “Home Town Man” was stupid and the only good part was remixing the old Jerry Lynn & AJ Styles “Born in the USA” theme for Home Town Man. Maclin needs to stop having brawls, they’re boring, give him a bump guy. Kaibas and Rascalz was underwhelming. Santino vs Robert Stone was funny, Elias vs Trick was too chalk and lame. IInspiration (IIconics) returning was big news at least. Hendry losing to Kaz was also obvious since Kaz hasn’t won a match in forever.
The show dragged, and as much as I usually like Masha’s wrestling ability…her last 3 title matches have sucked and its not her opponents fault. Killer Kelly returning is sexy though…I mean, good. Yes, good. Saving the best for last, Mustafa Ali vs Jason Hotch was the best match of the show, and really damn good in general. Workrate was great, Tasha and Skyler being conflicted and popping for Hotch when he was doing well was great character work. Hotch looked amazing in the loss, if they don’t capitalize on it, that would be a huge screw up from TNA.
Not really sure what kind of shows we’ll be getting, and I’m not excited.
.@MATTHARDYBRAND and @JEFFHARDYBRAND have a message for FIR$T CLA$$ ahead of TONIGHT's MAIN EVENT!
WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmexl pic.twitter.com/mTnNBEFBcb
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
Ratings:
- The IInspiration vs Missa Kate & Brittani Brookes: IInspiration wins via Idolizer – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Jon Skyler vs Leon Slater: Leon wins via Swanton 450 – ** 3/4
- 8-4-1 Knockouts Match: Tessa Blanchard, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Rosemary vs Killer Kelly, Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat & Tasha Steelz: Indi wins via Hurts Don’t It – ** 3/4
- Indi Hartwell vs Killer Kelly vs Jody Threat vs Tasha Steelz: Kelly wins via Hurts Don’t It – ***
- Fir$t Cla$$ vs The Hardy Boyz: Hardyz win via DQ – ***
Results:
Santino opens the show informing Santana of a suspension, kicking Robert Stone out and recapping his victory party before introducing the IInspiration for their first match back.
The IInspiration vs Missa Kate & Brittani Brookes
A bit of talking and pandering from IInspiration, they’re dominating the jobbers and there’s not much to discuss here. They do the IIconics Pose and actually keep the control. Cassie pulls off some kind of Butterfly Facebuster which looks cool, Jess comes in and the Jobbers cheat a little to take over. Jess tags in Cassie and Scorpion Kick, decent comeback, corner Hip Attacks, Neckbreaker, Jumping Kick to the Head into Fisherman’s Suplex Hold for 2. Idolizer (Magic Killer variant) is hit and IInspiration win, and didn’t look bad. Cassie (Peyton) is still the better wrestler of the two, but neither looked bad.
Jason Hotch w/Jon Skyler vs Leon Slater
I don’t hide the fact I heavily dislike Slater. He has no personality, he’s all flips, no ability to talk…he’s boring. He’s ROH Will Ospreay or Flip Gordon, does flippy crap to pop morons but he’s a worthless character. Since he wants to become the Youngest X Division champion, and they’ve talked about for like the last 7 months…sadly it’s probably going to happen.
Chain wrestling start and Hotch already looks like the better wrestler. Hotch is on his SANADA in LIJ arch where he looked great losing to the leader, falls back in line but then he hits a Spinning Overhead Kick for a near fall, so I’m not allowed to finish my thought because Hotch is fun to watch. Leon is such a bad wrestler…he held the rope and looked back to take a forearm shiver, the nerd had to watch it to sell it. Man’s not talent.
Hotch has Leon in an Arm Iso Cravat, Leon tries to fire and then Hotch keeps him down. Leon counters a Slingshot Suplex into his own Final Cut to get space to breathe. Double sell, Leon leap frogs, then rope runs, Lariats and Lethal Injection from Leon for 2. Hotch is so fluid, dodges the corner attack, rope assisted side kick, Outside In Neckbreaker for a near fall! Hotch will probably lose, but he looks like the better wrestler by miles. Heavy Irish Whip counter from Leon, into Blue Thunder Bomb. Leon goes to the top, Hotch cuts off, Leon dodges, hits the Knife Edge Chop and they wrestle on the apron, Front Kick from Hotch sends Leon into the post, Double Stomp onto the apron, Hotch wants a finish but counter, Cradle trades and then Hotch gets caught by a Leg Lariat, Swanton 450, selling from Leon was spotty and bad during this whole match.
Fun moments but the wrong kid died…
.@MeanGiaMiller gets Tessa Blanchard's thoughts ahead of TONIGHT's 8-4-1 Match!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmexl pic.twitter.com/kurcKH2vtH
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
8-4-1 Knockouts Match: Tessa Blanchard, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Rosemary vs Killer Kelly, Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat & Tasha Steelz
Dani and Jody start, so at least there’s a measure of story telling, but I still detest Jody. Sloppy counter wrestling start, Jody stops herself from punching Dani and tags in Tasha. Tasha pauses and jaws to her team and gets Back Body Dropped by Dani, Dani tags in Xia and Tasha pokes her eyes immediately and lights up Xia. Xia fights back, Rope Assisted Headscissors, Crossbody and near fall. Xia tags in Rosemary and Rosemary looks at her like death, then Rosemary goes after Xia, but a Codebreaker from Tasha gives space to tag in Kelly. Kelly kisses Rosemary and then they brawl in full mount. I’m not sure if I clicked the orange website or TNA…oh there’s a Lariat…it’s wrestling again.
Jody doofus tags in, the crowd wants Indi, no one wants Jody and Rosemary Upkick, Drop Toe Hold, Tessa tags in, works over Jody, Jody tries to go to the top, Victoria Crawford fka Alicia Fox trips her, Tessa gets the momentum back, a bunch of distraction and Tessa tags in Dani. Then Dani tags out to Rosemary. Whip, Rosemary misses the Spear, Tessa tags herself in and they’re keeping Indi out of the ring. Tessa crashes and burns as Jody dodges and fights back. Rosemary tags in, Indi gets the tag. Bunch combo, Spinebuster, Dani breaks the pin and now signature spam spot.
Indi is the last on to hit her moves, Hurts Don’t It takes out Rosemary after Tessa just walks out.
Indi Hartwell vs Jody Threat vs Killer Kelly vs Tasha Steelz
Commercial happened and we’re back and it’s Indi vs Jody. Jody takes her down with a Shoulder Tackle, Jody hits the Exploder, and Indi finally stalls some of the offense, Indi throws Jody into the ropes and Jody takes it bad. Jody Drop Toe Hold, looking for her Knees into German spot, but Kelly pulls her out, Tasha tries to pick the bones but Kelly comes in and attacks Indi. Tasha and Kelly have a heel agreement to gang up on Indi. Kelly goes for the pin, so hells are arguing, throw forearms, Kelly with the Double Overhooks, Headbutts, Angel’s Wings gets hit from Kelly but Tasha kicks out. Jody Crossbody takes out both heels.
Jody and Indi team up and 10 Count Lariats on the Heels, pop spot for the crowd since Indi is in the driver’s seat, Simultaneous Lariats each other and everybody down. Mickie James Bulldog from Tasha but Jody pushes her off, Indi tries the Cradle for two. Indi misses the Boot, eats a German. Tasha hits the Mickie Bulldog, but Jody kicks out. Indi grabs Tasha, Hurts-nope. Tasha wanted Blackout, Indi says no, Hurts Don’t It, but Kelly takes out Indi and steals the pinfall. Kelly wins.
.@TheEricYoung will see @TheSamiCallihan NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT!
WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmMmT pic.twitter.com/NtKjpYIIRa
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ vs The Hardy Boyz
AJ charges before the bell, Hardyz dodge and Lariat AJ to the floor and work over KC with their usual Arm Bar Extreme Elbow, Delete Arm Breakers and Back Elbow Hardyz combo. AJ tries to get back in and the Hardyz attack, Poetry in Motion, AJ is back to the outside. Commercial break time, I wonder if the heels will be winning coming back…OH no, Jeff is still isolating KC. Pleasantly surprised I suppose.
Arm Wringer, simple offense, Jeff tags in Matt, Stalling Tandem Suplex and Matt covers, only 2. Matt with Short Arm Shoulder Tackles, close quarters forearms and the Rocket Launcher into the middle rope followed by a Leg Drop onto the apron, KC keeps kicking out but he’s getting dog walked. Stomps into Splash, KC needs to tag out, but Jeff stays on him, AJ finally pulls out Jeff, KC flies into Jeff and tags out. Finally AJ gives KC a break and bends Jeff back in a Bow and Arrow Stretch. Jeff tries the comeback, AJ pulls the hair to throw him down, stomps his face and AJ is manhandling Jeff as KC is sucking wind. Little Bro deserves a big break.
Tennessee Whiskey from AJ, connects and “Money, Money, Money”. AJ gets a little distracted trying to one up Matt, Jeff hits two Twists, and tags in Matt, so Delete Face Smashes and AJ is getting rocked. AJ reverses the Irish Whip, but Back Elbow from Matt into a Middle Rope Side Effect. Trick Williams comes out to attack the Hardyz. Hardyz win via DQ, but then Hendry and Elijah come out for the save. System is out…old school TNA donnybrook.
Overall Score: 5.5/10
The ring work was mediocre at best, but nothing miserable. Cassie and Jess look like they never missed a beat, take that for what you will if you loved or hated the IIconics. Trick solidifying his alliance with First Class makes for interesting cross promotion. If Fir$t Cla$$ ends up with the NXT Tags while Trick is the TNA Champ…that’s…a pretty neat visual I ain’t mad at. Yes I’m bias because KC is awesome, but AJ has done good work in TNA, so he deserves some flowers. Tessa keeping Victoria Crawford in the Robert Stone ejection is wonderful. I’ve always loved Alicia Fox and teaming her with Tessa is very interesting for the obvious reasons I don’t need to mention again, just search Twitter, you’ll understand.
Sami looks like a doofus getting sideswiped, Jay-SANADA Hotch is the best thing TNA has right now for home grown talent. Slater is still useless but oooo he can flip…I hate no personality flip-tards. Indi getting screwed sets things up nicely to not push her too quick to the top of the card, but she’s very over. The lack of Lei Ying Lee is annoying since I really don’t think the poor match was her fault. Also, putting her in a throwaway tag match against the Elegance girls next week? TNA really doesn’t know what to do with Lei, do they? She’s been mishandled the entire time since debut.
So even with my nitpicks, there were a lot of building blocks in the show. Hell Tessa insulting Gia is also probably something brewing…but I’m glad we didn’t lose Gia when we lost Ace. Gia is the best backstage interviewer since Lauren Brooke. So very middle of the road show, either things will get slightly better going to Slammiversary, or it’s the calm before the storm. We…shall see.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (6/12/25)
Prove you are worthy!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (6/11/25)
Winning is just the beginning!
Classic POD is WAR: The Dollar Man (6/10/2021)
Tune in for another CLASSIC episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (6/11/25)
Lights, Camera, Action!
RETRO Babyface Heel Podcast: WWE Money In The Bank and More! (2021)
On the heels of WWE Money In The Bank, we go retro with the OG Babyface Heels reacting to the...
