Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Music City Mayhem Results & Report! (7/30/22)
It’s going down on the Fairgrounds!
This may be Nashville, but someone will be playing the Blues!
NJPW isn’t just about the G1 Climax! Nashville hosts a country hoedown of a showdown with Music City Mayhem! And in the main event, Interim AEW World Champion Jon Moxley takes on El Desperado!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Fred Yehi, Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura VS Kevin Knight, Ren Narita & The DKC; Yehi, Umino & Uemura win.
- MLW National Openweight Championship: Davey Richards VS Rocky Romero; Richards wins and retains the title.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Fred Rosser VS Big Damo; Rosser wins and retains.
- Hiromu Takahashi VS Blake Christian; Hiromu wins.
- Six Man Tag: Alex Zayne & FTR VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- KUSHIDA VS Alex Shelley; Time Limit Draw.
- No Disqualifications: Jon Moxley VS El Desperado; Moxley wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
MLW National Openweight Championship: Davey Richards VS Rocky Romero!
Who needs to wait for a Forbidden Door? NJPW’s got a crossover right here with Major League Wrestling as the American Wolf brings this title to Nashville, to face his former tag team partner! Will Richards retain this title? Or will Azucar go from Player Coach to Player Champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who from the corps truly has no remorse!
Fans rally for “Rocky! Rocky!” as the two circle. They approach, and Richards offers a fist bump. Rocky is tentative, but he accepts, only for Richards to pull it back. They tie up, go around, and Richards puts Rocky on the ropes. The ref calls the ropebreak, but Rocky ducks Richards’ cheap shot to CHOP him down! Richards bails out of the ring while fans fire up. Richards hurries in, he and Rocky circle and knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder, but Richards drops, rolls, and wristlocks to wrangle Rocky down. Rocky keeps his shoulders up, then gets up to roll, slip around and hip toss to a wristlock!
Fans rally, Richards gets up, he rolls and handsprings and rolls again to then bridge and KICK Rocky away! Fans fire up for that exchange, and the two reset. They tie up but Richards kicks low. Richards fires a forearm, Rocky hits back. Richards kicks, Rocky kicks, but Rocky KICKS and KICKS! Richards trips Rocky, has a toehold, but Rocky keeps his shoulders up again. Rocky rolls, facelocks and cradles, TWO, into the ARMBAR! Richards moves into a STRETCH MUFFLER! Rocky gets the ROPEBREAK, and Richards lets off quickly. Fans fire up for that newest exchange, and the two reset again.
Rocky kicks low, CHOPS hard and whips Richards. Richards reverses but Rocky holds ropes. Richards runs in but is sent out! Rocky goes to the apron for a FLYING KNEE! Down goes Richards and fans fire up again! Rocky brings Richards up to CHOP him against the apron! Richards staggers around the way and the ring count starts. Rocky kicks Richards, puts him in the ring at 4 of 20, but Richards trips him! Richards has the legs and ties them up, and he gets the fans fired up for the TWIST! Rocky clutches his knee after that figure four tweak, but Richards gets Rocky up to whip then CLOBBER! Cover, TWO!
Richards gets Rocky up to a BIG back suplex! Then he grabs the leg for a HALF CRAB! Fans rally as Rocky endures being bent! Rocky fights up but Richards finishes the step over to have the leg pulled back deeper! Rocky still crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Richards lets off quickly again, then paces around. Rocky SPITS at Richards! So Richards KICKS Rocky in the back! Richards drags Rocky up to KICK him down, and then tells the ref to check. Rocky says he’s okay, and the fans rally up. Richards drags Rocky up, KICKS him down again, but Rocky gets up! Fans fire up but Richards clinches Rocky to KICK him down again!
But Rocky’s right back up! Rocky CHOPS, forearms, repeat! Rocky whips, Richard reverses but Rocky RANAS! Richards ends up in a corner and Rocky hobbles to the other. Fans rally behind Rocky and he runs in for the clothesline! Rocky goes corner to corner, another! The Forever Clotheslines are stopped by a forearm! Richards fires off KICK after KICK, then he runs side to side, into a LARIAT! Rocky got one last one in there, and then he KICKS a wobbly Richards, CHOPS him, and cravats! No Sliced Bread but Rocky UPPERCUTS Richards, then FLYING TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up as Rocky has Richards on the apron. Rocky brings Richards up and through the ropes to CLUB him! Richards shoves Rocky, Rocky CLUBS him and kicks, but Richards blocks that! Richards has Rocky in the ropes but Rocky ROCKS Richards first! Then CHOPS him again! Rocky suplexes but Richards blocks! Richard suplexes but Rocky blocks! They fight for suplex control, but then Rocky HOTSHOTS the arm! Rocky drags Richards through ropes, goes up the corner, and jumps for a missile dropkick! Direct hit and Richards flops back in! Cover, TWO!! Richards is still in this but the fans fire up!
Rocky KICKS Richards’ bad arm, and KICKS again. Then SOBATS! Richards is in the corner, Rocky runs in but Richards dodges! Richards is on the apron, he has the leg, and he DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Rocky flounders away but Richards’ bad arm slows him down. Fans fire up with Richards as he climbs all the same, and howls to the moon! DOUBLE STOMPS MISS as Rocky moves! BUt Richards gets around to waistlock. Rocky elbows free, runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Richards gets ROcky up, Rocky throws more elbows, but Richards ducks the enziguri, only for the rewind heel kick to hit! Then the JUPM KNEE!
Rocky runs, for the SHIRANUI!! Cover, TWO, but into a DIABLO ARMBAR!! Richards clasps his hands but Rocky pulls them apart! Fans fire up, Richards rolls through to the ANKLE LOCK! Rocky endures, fans rally up and he rolls to kick Richards away. Richards rebounds to PENALTY KICK! Richards stands Rocky up to suplex, for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!?! But it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK!! Rocky survives only to endure! Rocky rolls, victory rolls, TWO! Richards has it now, Richards wins!!
Winner: Davey Richards, by pinfall (still MLW National Openweight Champion)
Fifteen years later, these two men are veterans of the ring, but it’s Richards who comes out the alpha! Rocky shoves Richards but Richards shoves back. They both wind up, to hug it out! Fans cheer, will the American Wolf continue to hunt for more challengers around the world?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Fred Rosser VS Big Damo!
Mr. No Days Off has been running strong as the Openweight Champion, but he’s running right into the Beast of Belfast! Will Rosser have no choice but to take days off after tonight? Or will he be able to survive the North Ireland Nightmare in Nashville?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised by none other than Tiger Hattori, and we see who stays strong in this summer heat!
Rosser rushes Damo at the bell, but Damo CLOBBERS him! Damo gets Rosser up and puts him in a corner for big body shots! Rosser escapes to CHOP, LARIT, CHOP, repeat! But Damo shoves Rosser away. Rosser CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Damo kicks low! Damo tosses Rosser out, but Rosser comes right back! Rosser CLUBS Damo, fires off forearms and jabs, but Damo knees low and TOSSES Rosser out. Rosser gets right back in, and he CLUBS and CHOPS Damo again! Damo kicks, CLUBS and TOSSES Rosser again. Rosser gets up but Damo KNEES him at the apron! Damo goes out after Rosser, drags him up, but Rosser fires off elbows first!
Rosser turns Damo around, but Damo’s too big to lift! Rosser CLUBS Damo on the back, tries again, but Damo didn’t get smaller! Damo throws body shots then he CLOBBERS Rosser into the ring! Fans fire up as Damo slingshot SENTONS! Fans fire up more as Damo goes back out and drags Rosser from the apron. Damo SLAMS Rosser on the floor, then stands on him! Damo balances himself, but hops off as the ref reprimands. Damo refreshes the ring count and he waits on Rosser to get up. Damo mule kicks Rosser in the ribs! Then Damo drags Rosser up to RAM into railing! Front row fans get to see Damo CHOP Rosser, then CHOKE him, then CLUB him!
Rosser flounders around, but Damo drags Rosser up and into the ring. Fans rally but Damo stomps Rosser’s hand! Rosser CHOPS and headbutts and scoops! But Damo’s still too big! Damo throws a hard body shot, shoves Rosser down, and then he stands on Rosser again, before a SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and rally but Damo clamps onto Rosser’s face! Damo lets off as the ref reprimands, but Damo CLUBS Rosser. Damo whips Rosser for the DIVIDE! Cover, TWO! Rosser survives but Damo clamps onto him with a cording hold. Damo also gets a leg, he stretches Rosser back in a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow!
Rosser endures, crawls forward with his free arm and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Rosser kicks with his free leg, but Damo lets off at 4. Damo paces and soaks up the heat from fans, and Damo BOOTS Rosser down! Damo drags Rosser around, fishhooks the face then elbows him! Damo clamps on a cording hold to stretch Rosser’s ribs! Fans rally and taunt Damo, and Damo throws Rosser away to FLASH them! That’s the Celtic salute right there! Damo stalks Rosser to a corner, then whips him corner to corner hard! Rosser falls, Damo soaks up more heat, and Damo drags Rosser up to a pump handle GUT BUSTER!
Fans rally for Rosser but Damo gets the legs tied up. Damo then chinbars and digs his knees in, FULL BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Rosser endures and pops out to a cover, TWO! Rosser gets up but Damo ROCKS him with a body shot! Rosser falls out, Damo grins and fans duel. Damo stalks Rosser, drags him up by an ear, but Rosser uses a camera cable to get at Damo! The ref reprimands, Rosser lets off at 4, and Rosser gets in while Damo sputters. Damo pie faces Rosser, talks trash and slaps him around. Rosser snarls and fans rally up behind him. Damo keeps pie facing, then he CLUBS Rosser! And throws forearms!
Rosser still snarls so Damo throws another heavy body shot! Damo talks more trash, stands Rosser up, but Rosser fires off boxing elbows! Damo HEADBUTTS but Rosser LARIATS! Damo stays up to Rosser keeps throwing LARIAT after LARIAT! Damo staggers but Rosser CLUBS him around! PINBALL LARIATS! But Damo just fires up! Rosser BOOTS Damo, and Rosser fires up! Rosser runs, and LARIATS Damo down!! Fans fire up as Damo staggers, and Rosser CHOPS and LARIATS and repeat in the corner! Rosser gets a leg to KICK the thigh, then he fires off more forearms and CHOPS! Rosser drives his knee in again and again, but lets off at 4.
Fans fire up while Damo is dazed. Rosser throws off his elbow pads to HIP ATTACK Damo in the corner! Cover, ONE!! Rosser pushes Damo down, drags him around, STF! Rosser CLUBS away on Damo to get the arm, but Damo resists! Rosser HEADBUTTS Damo, but Damo BITES the hand! The ref reprimands, Damo elbows Rosser away! Fans fire up, Damo slaps Rosser but Rosser JABS! Rosser fires off more boxing elbows but Damo EuroUppers! Rosser wobbles, but he HEADBUTTS! Rosser fires more boxing elbows, but Damo ROCKS Rosser, then EuroUppers and mule kicks! Damo runs, but Rosser KNEES him low!
Rosser fires off haymakers from all sides, then another HEADBUTT! Both men wobble but Rosser CHOPS! Fans fire up with Rosser, and he ROLLING ELBOWS! Down goes Damo! Rosser looms as Damo staggers up, and Rosser scoops him! But Damo CLUBS the ribs! Damo is free to POP-UP SPINEBUSTER to an ELBOW DROP! Damo fires up and he drags Rosser back up! Fireman’s carry for the WASTELAND, to the SENTON! Damo then goes up the corner, but Rosser anchors his foot! Damo rakes Rosser’s eyes! Rosser staggers away, but he comes back to CLUB the legs and back! Damo shoves Rosser away, but Rosser fires off more shots! ROLLING ELBOW!
Rosser drags Damo off the top! SIDEWINDER POWERSLAM! Cover, Rosser wins!
Winner: Fred Rosser, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Rosser put the “strong” in NJPW Strong with that one! He used all his strength to get Damo up and bring him down! Who is next to test the strength and stamina of Mr. No Days Off?
Hiromu Takahashi VS Blake Christian!
The Ticking Timebomb didn’t get to be part of Forbidden Door, but this might be the next best thing. Will Hiromu get a big win in Nashville? Or will not even the Threepeat Best of the Super Juniors winner stop the beat of All Heart?
Even bigger than this, Daryl returns to NJPW! He joins Ian Riccaboni and Matt Rehwoldt on commentary! The bell rings and fans duel, “All Heart!” “Timebomb!” Hiromu and Blake circle, then they rush in! Hiromu dodges, headlocks but Blake powers out. Hiromu runs Blake over but Blake gets right up to run Hiromu over! Things speed up, Hiromu follows Blake and runs him over again, only for Blake to kip up! Blake wags his finger, but Hiromu CHOPS him down! Hiromu stomps but Blake blocks and kips up! Blake wags his finger again but Hiromu dropkicks the leg! Hiromu whips but Blake reverses to CHOP!
Blake whips, Hiromu reverses and hurdles, but Blake front flips over! Things keep moving, pop-up RANA! Hiromu bails out and fans fire up! Blake builds speed and then handsprings to fake Hiromu out! Hiromu gets in but Blake still wheelbarrows, victory rolls and SPLASHES! Hiromu bails out again and fans fire up as Blake builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp, and Blake lands on his feet! Nashville is fired up for “ALL HEART!” as he drags Hiromu back up. Blake puts Hiromu in, covers, TWO! Daryl is worried but Blake drags Hiromu up to ROCK with a forearm. Blake whips, Hiromu holds ropes, and then BOOTS back!
Hiromu goes up to HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Blake flails and the ref counts, Hiromu lets off at 4. Hiromu drags Blake out to POST Blake! Fans rally up while Hiromu catches his breath. Hiromu CHOPS Blake against railing, then CHOPS him again! Hiromu drags Blake around to snap suplex to the floor! Fans fire up while Blake writhes. The ring count starts, Hiromu gets in the ring at 5. Blake gets in at 7, but Hiromu is on him in a corner. Hiromu CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Blake fires off forearms! Blake CHOPS, Hiromu CHOPS! Blake ends up in the corner, Hiromu whips him corner to corner to then clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up as Hiromu drags Blake into the headscissor squeeze! Blake endures and fans rally up. Blake turns, pries at the hold, but Hiromu squeezes tighter! Blake moves around, flails and reaches out, to the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets off at 4, and pretends to be shocked. Fans chant “OH MAH GAWD!” as Hiromu drags Blake up. Blake slips out of the suplex to half nelson but Hiromu elbows free. Hiromu ducks the heel kick but not the ROUNDHOUSE! Blake whips, Hiromu reverses but Blake handsprings for a NEURALIZER KICK! Fans fire up and Blake drags Hiromu up. Blake half nelsons but Hiromu elbows back.
Hiromu rolls but Blake rolls with him! HALF ‘N’ HALF! Hiromu bails out but Blake builds speed again! Blake FLIES with the Fosbury, Flop, and has a dragon sleeper! REVERSE DDT to the floor! Hiromu writhes but Blake drags him up to put in the ring. Cover, TWO! A cut on Blake’s forehead is open again, but he ignores it as he kicks Hiromu around. Blake throws forearms while egging Hiromu on. Hiromu gets up so Blake throws more forearms. Hiromu ROCKS Blake, Blake fakes Hiromu out to trip and DOUBLE STOMP! Fans fire up again and Blake goes to the corner. Blake climbs, Hiromu rushes over, but Blake boots him away!
Hiromu rushes in again but Blake goes up and over! Blake runs back in but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Blake slips off, wheelbarrows, victory rolls and SPLASHES onto knees! Cover, TWO!! Blake survives, and he’s got half a crimson mask going now. Fans rally up, Hiromu rises and he drags Blake up. Hiromu fireman’s carries but Blake fights that off. Blake waistlocks but he ducks the back elbow to throw a forearm! Hiromu throws it back so Blake throws another! They go back and forth with forearms, fans rally up as they go faster and faster, and Hiromu DECKS Blake! Blake kips back up!? Blake fires off a flurry, then runs, into an elbow!
Hiromu runs, into a mule kick! Blake runs but Hiromu follows to elbow! Hiromu runs, Blake follows to QUEBRADA! Fans fire up with Blake and he runs, into a fireman’s carry! Blake fights off to fireman’s carry in return, AIRPLANE SPIN! But Hiromu slips free to ROCK Blake! Blake BOOTS, then DOUBLE FOREARMS hit! DOUBLE LARIATS hit, then Blake ROUNDHOUSES! Blake runs, into a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! But Blake lands right on his feet?! And he DISCUS LARIATS Hiromu in return!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! Blake gets up at the ropes, he hobbles over to Hiromu, and he drags Hiromu up.
Blake fireman’s carries and starts up the AIRPLANE SPIN, to then ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Blake goes to a corner, springboard 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and Blake can’t believe it! Fans rally again as Blake drags Hiromu to a drop zone. Blake goes up the corner, slashes his throat, and 450, but he has to roll through as Hiromu moves! Blake comes back, but Hiromu gets him for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly into the corner! Blake goes down and Hiromu gets to center. Fans rally up, Hiromu grits his teeth and drags Blake up. Fireman’s carry, but Blake fights, so Hiromu throws Blake into the dragon sleeper!
Hiromu inverted suplexes but Blake slips out to get a dragon sleeper! But Hiromu spins around to suplex, but Blake knees free! SCREW HIGH KICK! Hiromu wobbles, Blake runs, into a SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, but Blake gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO!!! Blake can’t believe it, but he runs into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Hiromu gets Blake back up, VICTORY ROYALE!! Cover, TWO!! “This is Awesome!” as both men are still going! Hiromu runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Then dragon sleeper, lift and TIMEBOMB MK. II!! Cover, Hiromu wins!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall
The Timebomb learned why Blake is #AllHeart, but Blake learned why Hiromu won the BOSJ three years in a row! But both men respect each other after this battle. Will we see Blake make history in his own right one day? Will Hiromu get back up to the top soon enough?
Six Man Tag: Alex Zayne & FTR VS The United Empire!
The Sauce teams up with the simultaneous AAA, ROH & IWGP Tag Team Champions in a battle with TJP and Aussie Open! Will Zayne help Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood bring the heat to Nashville? Or will Kyle Fletcher, Mark Davis & Public Enemy #1 prove they’re worthy of being contenders?
Tanga Loa joins commentary for this one as the trios sort out. He really likes that Zayne has tacos all over his social media. Fans rally for “F T R!” as they hug it out with Zayne. Zayne starts against TJP and they circle. They tie up, TJP headlocks and hits the takeover. Zayne rolls, waistlocks, and he SLAMS TJP down! TJP fights up, reaches out but Zayne SLAMS him to keep him from the corner. TJP gets up, slips around to wrench an arm, but Zayne rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. TJP rolls, spins, cartwheels, drags Zayne in and TWISTING RANAS! But Zayne headscissors back! TJP headstands and pops free, but Zayne ducks the Penalty Kick!
Zayne rolls TJP up but TJP rolls through, to avoid the Eddy Gordo kick! Zayne blocks a kick, DOUBLE DROPKICKS cancel out, and both men kip up! Fans fire up as Zayne stares down the bigger men in Fletcher and Davis. But then he turns around, and TJP is dabbing on him! Zayne offers a handshake out of respect, but TJP SLAPS Zayne instead! Fans boo but TJP kicks and whips Zayne. Zayne catches the hurdle to a FLAPJACK, then runs to MARIPOSA! TJP tags out to Fletcher but Zayne dodges to mule kick! Zayne then runs for the SOMERSAULT AX KICK! Fletcher flounders but Zayne drags him up and tags in Dax!
Fans fire up as Dax the Ax is in and he stares Fletcher down. Fans rally for FTR again as Dax and Fletcher circle. They tie up, Fletcher puts Dax in a corner but Dax turns it around. Fletcher turns it back around, he lets off but then CHOPS! Fletcher throws a heavy body shot, then he stomps Dax in the corner. Fletcher CHOPS but Dax CHOPS Fletcher down! Fletcher flounders but Dax CHOPS him in the corner! Dax snapmares Fletcher, CHOPS him on the back, and then pushes him to a cover, TWO! Dax clamps on a chinlock to grind Fletcher. Fletcher fights up, pops out the back and headlocks back.
Dax powers up and out but Fletcher runs him over! Fans boo but things speed up. Dax DROPKICKS Fletcher, and Fletcher flounders away. Dax clutches an arm, though. The landing from the dropkick was rather double-edged, given Dax’s bad shoulder as a result of that Best 2 Out of 3 Falls at Death Before Dishonor. Fletcher waits on Dax while fans rally up. Dax stands, Fletcher storms over, but Dax gets a cradle! TWO, and Fletcher DECKS Dax! Fletcher drags Dax up, CHPOS him down, then puts him in a corner to CHOP again! Dax ROCKS and CHOPS away on Fletcher! Dax whips, Fletcher reverses and Davis gets a cheap shot in!
Fletcher CLOBBERS Dax, rains down fists, then tags in Davis. Aussie Open throw hands on Dax at the ropes, then Davis fires off more forearms! Dax staggers around, Davis has him against ropes again to whip. Dax reverses, Cash gets a cheap shot in, and then Dax CLOBBERS Davis! FTR returns the favor and fans fire up as Dax drags Davis up. Tag to Cash, FTR double whips to DOUBLE HAYMAKER! Davis falls and fans fire up more. Cash brings Davis up but Davis knees low. Davis scoops, Cash slips off to JAB, JAB, bob ‘n’ weave, uppercut and CHOP! Davis CHOPS back and Cash falls down!
Davis drags Cash up to ROCK with a forearm, then he whips Cash to a corner. Davis runs in to forearm smash, then he runs the ropes, but Cash RAMS into him! Cash LARIATS Davis down, then drags Davis up to HEADBUTT! Cash goes corner to corner but Davis puts him on the apron. Cash ROCKS Davis, CHOPS Fletcher, ROCKS Davis again, then CHOPS TJP! But then Davis DECKS Cash! Fletcher gets Cash up to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Dax rushes over to CHOP Fletcher! Zayne goes after TJP, Dax and Fletcher fire off haymakers, and fans fire up for the brawl! TJP gets Cash by his ears while Davis CLOBBERS Dax into railing! A fan even falls over!
Davis gets in and has Cash for a cover, but Cash has the ropes! Davis stomps the arm, but Cash CHOPS back! Fletcher grabs Cash, he and Davis mug Cash but the ref counts. Aussie Open lets off, Fletcher tags in, but here comes Dax with a chair! The ref stops that, and Fletcher gets the chair out of the ring. Aussie Open double whip Cash to DOUBLE ELBOW, PENALTY KICK and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Cash survives but Fletcher drags Cash up into a cobra twist! Fletcher CLUBS Cash in the ribs and stretches him more. Cash endures, fans rally up, but Fletcher scoops and SLAMS Cash down! Cover, TWO!
Fletcher tags TJP, and Fletcher scoop SLAMS Cash again. TJP slingshots sentons then covers, TWO! Fans rally up but TJP wraps Cash up in another cobra twist. Cash endures, fans rally, and Cash powers free to arm-drag TJP! TJP runs in but into body shots and haymakers! TJP ROCKS Cash but Cash ROCKS TJP! TJP ROCKS Cash, then SOBATS! Cash ends up in United Empire territory and TJP digs his boots in! The ref counts while fans boo, but TJP scrubs Cash’s face before 4. Fans rally for FTR, TJP runs but Cash CLOBBERS TJP! Both men are down and crawling, hot tag to Davis!
Davis drags Cash away, to SENTON onto knees! Cash saves himself, Davis tags Fletcher and he rushes the corner. He misses but Dax and Zayne, Cash back drops him! Hot tag to Dax! Dax JABS, JABS and DECKS Fletcher! Davis gets in, Dax ROCKS him first! TJP gets in, Dax DECKS him! Dax CHOPS and UPPERCUTS Fletcher, but Davis knees Dax! Davis whips, Dax reverses and wrenches to LARIAT! Davis stays up and roars, so Dax LARIATS him again! Davis still stays up so Dax reels him in. Davis dodges one lariat but not the NEXT! TJP gets back in, Dax gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Dax holds on, Zayne intercepts Fletcher! DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Zayne still has Fletcher, Dax still has TJP, and Cash intercepts Davis now! TRIPLE GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans are thunderous as Dax gets Fletcher up for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Fletcher survives but Dax drags him over to tag Cash. Cash tags Zayne, FTR gets Fletcher up while Zayne climbs. ASSISTED GOURD BUSTER, and Zayne CINNAMON TWISTS!! Cover, TJP breaks it! TJP and Davis throw FTR out, Aussie Open double whip Zayne to a corner. TJP whips Davis on to forearm smash! TJP whips Fletcher in to GAMANGIRI! Then Aussie Open gives TJP a boost for DOUBLE KNEES! TJP feeds Zayne to double underhooks POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Fans are thunderous as Zayne survives! The United Empire is frustrated but Fletcher tags in Davis. Fans rally, Davis drags Zayne up and ROCKS him with a right. Zayne is in a corner, Davis tags Fletcher, and Aussie Open puts Zayne up top. Davis CHOPS Zayne, Aussie Open climbs up after Zayne, and they double pump handle! Zayne fights free, TJP runs in but is sent into Aussie Open! TJP is down, Zayne uses him as a pommel horse to DOUBLE DRAGON RANA Aussie Open!! Fans fire up, FTR returns, they clothesline Davis and TJP out! Zayne has Fletcher for the LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Fletcher survives and shocks everyone!
Zayne hurries to get Fletcher up! Straitjacket and pump handle but Fletcher slips out. Fletcher shoves Zayne at Dax, Dax moves Zayne aside, Fletcher SUPERKICKS Dax! Zayne waistlocks Fletcher, rolls him up, but the ref is busy with Dax! Davis whips Zayne, he and Fletcher hook him up, COREALIS!! Fletcher covers, The United Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
Fans can’t believe it! The United Empire wins, though not over #SevenStarFTR. Will Aussie Open add the NJPW Strong Tag Team Championships to the collection of gold? Fletcher gets a mic to tell the Top Guys that before they head back to AEW, this is how things go in NJPW. When a team beats a current champion, which FTR are the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, right? That means that they’re next in line! The mic cut out a bit so fans aren’t sure what was said. Dax gets a mic but it isn’t working, either. So Dax gets up as high as he can to shout to everyone, he’s more than ready to fight Aussie Open! In Australia, even!
Dax also adds that uh… Top Guys Out! Will FTR look to take Aussie Open on once they’re champions in their own right?
KUSHIDA VS Alex Shelley!
The Time Splitters meet again! But they’re not teaming up tonight, they’re testing each other 1v1! Will Kushida prove to the Bone Soldier he is worthy of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship? Or will this Motor City Machine Gun take that right for his own?
Fans are already fired up for “Both These Guys! Both These Guys!” The bell rings and Kushida rushes in! Shelley dodges, headlocks but Kushida powers out. Things speed up, Kushida jumps on with body scissors! Shelley knows Kushida wants his arm so he gets the ROPEBREAK! Kushida lets go and Shelley bails out. Kushida says it was that close. Shelley says no it wasn’t. Shelley gets back in the ring and the fans cheer as the two circle again. They feel out the grapple, Shelley trips Kushida up and then runs. Shelley hops over Kushida’s dropdown to bring him up, but Kushida reverses the whip, only for Shelley to reverse the arm-drag!
Things keep moving, Kushida sunset flips but Shelley stays up to KIMURA! Kushida endures his own favorite hold as he scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Shelley lets off and Kushida pushes him away to get out of the ring. Fans rally and duel, Shelley holds ropes open for Kushida. Kushida accepts the gesture, and fans applaud the sportsmanship as Shelley leaves him be. Shelley and Kushida circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Kushida powers Shelley to a corner, the ref calls the break, and Kushida lets off cleanly. Fans fire up and Shelley comes back. Kushida rushes in but Shelley avoids the drop toehold. Kushida still approaches with his leg guard ready.
Shelley goes around, Kushida rolls and gets up. They tie up again, they end up on ropes and then in a corner. The ref counts, Shelley lets off with a kiss on the forehead. Fans fire up while Kushida keeps his cool. They tie up again, Shelley headlocks and he grinds Kushida down. Kushida endures, fights up, and powers out. Fans rally as Shelley runs Kushida over. Kushida gets up in a huff and shoves Shelley! They argue, Kushida shoves more so Shelley shoves back. They shove, shove, CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Fans fire up as they CHOPS keep going back and forth! Shelley ROCKS Kushida, throws body shots, then ROCKS Kushida again.
Shelley uppercuts and Kushida staggers. Shelley whips him to ropes but Kushida handsprings to back elbow! Fans fire up as Shelley goes down! Kushida aims from a corner, runs in but Shelley slips out, only for a SHOTEI to floor him, literally! Shelley sits up at the ramp but Kushida waits. The ring count starts so Kushida goes out, and he puts Shelley in. Kushida stalks Shelley and fans rally up. Kushida gets the arm, YANKS it, CLUBS it, then digs his knee into Shelley’s shoulder. Shelley endures as Kushida has both arms, chicken wing cradle! TWO, but Kushida keeps on the arms. Kushida moves around, headstands, then has CATTLE MUTILATION!
Shelley endures, kicks around but Kushida brings him away from ropes! They move around, Kushida floats to a cover, TWO! Kushida clamps on a chinlock then makes it a headlock to grind Shelley into the mat. Shelley endures, moves back, but Kushida shifts his leverage. Shelley fights up to avoid the Bully Choke, and he KICKS Kushida’s leg! Shelley throws a body shot and fans fire up as he runs. Kushida body scissors and rolls Shelley to an ARMBAR! Shelley hurries to clasp hands, but Kushida just mounts to shift, ARMBAR! Shelley reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Kushida lets go quickly and fans applaud the exchange.
Kushida drags Shelley around to omoplata one arm, and cording hold the other, then he adds a leg! Shelley is a pretzel right now but he still endures. Kushida steps over to hook both arms up, DOUBLE ARM TWEAK as he drops back! Fans rally and Kushida brings Shelley up. Kushida CHOPS, and CHOPS, then copies the Nature Boy’s strut before he wrenches Shelley’s arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! Shelley staggers away to a corner and fans fire up. Kushida runs in but Shelley elbows him away! Shelley goes up to FLYING KNEE Kushida’s arm! And he dropkicks the leg out! Shelley checks his bad arm while Kushida goes to the apron.
Fans duel, “Let’s Go, Shelley!” “KU-SHI-DA!” Shelley finds Kushida in a corner, runs in and gets a leg to put it on the ropes. Shelley KICKS the leg, pie faces Kushida and pulls on the leg! The ref counts, Shelley lets off but then gets the other, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Kushida grimaces in pain while he leans against ropes. Shelley drags Kushida out of the corner, has the leg again, and the arm! Shelley hits a DRAGON SCREW ARM WRINGER! Fans rally up while Kushida writhes. Shelley drags Kushida away, ties up the legs and simply squats on the DEATHLOCK! Kushida endures, fans rally up, and Kushida sits up, only for Shelley to HEADBUTT him down!
Shelley stands up to add Kushida’s arm into this pretzel knot of his own design! Kushida endures, he only has one arm free! Shelley BENDS the fingers, too! Shelley SNAPS those fingers, steps over the arm to omoplata and have a modified cradle! TWO!! Kushida manages to escape but Shelley keeps his cool. Shelley looms over Kushida and kicks him around. Shelley drags Kushida up by the bad arm but Kushida KICKS the leg! And again! And again! Fans rally, Shelley gets double knuckle locks and moves right to a straitjacket! Kushida endures, fights up, and fans rally again. Kushida turns things around on Shelley, but Shelley turns them right back!
Shelley keeps on the straitjacket, into a BACKSTABBER! Kushida writhes and fans rally up as Shelley aims. Kushida avoids the Penalty Kick and catches the clothesline to a spin, for a NECKBREAKER! Kushida roars, he and Shelley rise, and Kushida KICKS away on Shelley’s bad arm. Shelley reverses the whip but Kushida CROSSBODIES! Then fakes Shelley out to PELE him down! Kushida wrenches the arm, Shelley wrenches it back, but Kushida wrenches and wrangles Shelley into an omoplata, ARM TWISTER! Then DARK ARMBAR!! Shelley endures his arm being pulled back, and he kicks around with his legs!
Kushida grabs a leg, uses that to turn Shelley over, O’Conner Bridge! TWO!! Kushida runs in at the corner to SHOTEI! Fans fire up as Kushida shoves Shelley, and then jumps on! Body scissors and HOVER- NO, Shelley powers through to give Kushida the HOVERBOARD!! But Kushida reaches back to clasp hands, then he wrenches out to ROCK Shelley! Shelley staggers into a fireman’s carry! Shelley fights off, spins Kushida for a ROLLING ELBOW! But Kushida ROCKS Shelley again! Shelley spins, into the FASTBALL! Kushida fireman’s carries for the CRADLE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO!?!? Shelley survives but Kushida hurries to get him up
Kushida double underhooks, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX with a bridge! ROPEBREAK!! Shelley survives by inches! But Kushida goes out to the apron and climbs up the corner. Kushida leaps to KNEE the bad arm! And then somersault, spring up, but Shelley wrenches! Kushida KICKS the bad arm, but Shelley CLUBS that leg! Kushida kicks with the other but Shelley blocks to a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up again as Shelley watches Kushida stir. Shelley aims, but Kushida blocks the kick! Shelley SLAPS then ENZIGURIS, but Kushida PENALTY KICKS the bad arm! Hip toss and handspring dropkick! Fans fire up again as both men go to opposite corners.
Kushida runs in but Shelley catches him for a BUCKLE SHOT! Shelley goes up the corner while Kushida is down! Shelley reaches the top but Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS! Kushida then positions Shelley, goes up top after him, and has the HOVERBOARD! But that’s not all! Kushida stands up on top, but Shelley fights back! SUPER ATOMIC DROP! And then a SUPERKICK! Kushida wobbles, Shelley wrenches to fireman’s carry, for AIR RAID CRASH!! Cover, TWO!! But into the BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Kushida endures the over-the-shoulder crossface! He fights around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! And we’re at the two-minute warning!
Fans fire up as we’re so close to the end! Shelley drags Kushida up but Kushida fires off forearms! SHOTEI! But Shelley CHOPS! Kushida falls, so Shelley brings him up. Shelley CHOPS, Kushida is down, so Shelley brings him up again, for a CHOP! Shelley drags Kushida up one more time, wrenches through to an ELBOW BREAKER! One minute left in the 20 minute time limit! Shelley wants the Border City Stretch again, but Kushida arm-drags him away! Kushida slips around to roll-up, then roll then STEALS BORDER CITY STRETCH!!! But Shelley rolls it to a deep cradle! TWO!! Shelley ducks the buzzsaw, rolls Kushida, 30 seconds left!!
Shelley wants the stretch but Kushida slips around and STEALS BORDER CITY STRETCH AGAIN!! But Shelley slips out to put it on Kushida! But Kushida tips it to a deep cradle, TWO!!! DOUBLE LARIATS! DOUBLE LARIATS! BLADERUNNER!! Cover, TWO!!! INITO HOVERBOARD!!! The countdown is coming, Shelley endures and the bell rings!! TIME LIMIT DRAW!
Time Limit Draw
Fans give this one a standing ovation, because “Both These Guys!” gave it 110%! The Time Splitters share a smile, they’re still good friends. Will they both prove they’re still the top of the Junior Heavyweight Division?
No Disqualifications: Jon Moxley VS El Desperado!
The Interim AEW World Champion says to take that “interim” and shove it! The Maniac says he is THE champion, and he is THE Best in the World, despite CM Punk being out with injury. Will Moxley prove that, even when visiting NJPW? Or will the Rogue Luchador show he’s the Best in the World by beating Moxley at his own game?
As Desperado makes his entrance, he has a guitar on his shoulder and a bouquet of roses in his hand. Will he look to use both here tonight? And as we see the ring, it seems someone has already set up wooden planks with barbed wire all over them! As for Moxley, he actually enters from the ramp for once. The bell rings and fans rally up, “F him up, Moxley, F him up!” Moxley and Desperado circle, wary of those planks. They tie up, and Moxley powers Desperado towards one of those planks! Desperado turns it around and wants to send Moxley face first into it! Moxley fights back, waistlocks, but Desperado fights the suplex.
Desperado throws elbows, gets free, and fans fire up. Moxley and Desperado each check the barbed wire, and it is legit. They tie up again with knuckle locks, and they’re in a test of strength. Desperado pushes Moxley back but Moxley turns things around to get a full nelson! Now Moxley wants to send Desperado into wires face first! Desperado switches, pushes Moxley, but Moxley holds ropes to avoid the barbed wire. Moxley elbows Desperado, whips him but Desperado stops before hitting the corner! Fans fire up the standoff as the two circle again. They talk some trash and Moxley dares Desperado to hit him! No guard, even!
Desperado throws a forearm, so Moxley forearms back! Fans rally as Moxley eggs Desperado on. Desperado fires a forearm, Moxley gives it back, and they go back and forth! Fans rally, Desperado pokes Moxley in the eyes! Desperado runs, rams Moxley, but Moxley rebounds to run Desperado over! Fans fire up, and Moxley says he’s going to take off that mask! Moxley drags Desperado around and he claws at the eyes of the mask! Desperado fights to keep the mask together but Moxley stands him up to CHOP! And CHOP! Moxley fires off forearms and CHOPS on repeat, then a ROLLING ELBOW sits Desperado down!
Moxley whips Desperado corner to corner, Desperado dodges and runs back in, and he blocks Moxley’s boot! DRAGON SCREW! Moxley hobbles and falls while Desperado fixes his mask. Desperado SPLASHES the leg, then he stalks Moxley to ropes. Fans rally, Desperado digs is boots into Moxley at the ropes! Desperado lets off, even though there’s no ropebreak count, because he’s going for his bouquet of roses. Surprise, it was never about the roses! He hid BAMBOO SKEWERS in there! Fans are freaking out already as Desperado prepares a handful of them! Moxley blocks the skewer attack! Moxley throws a body shot, runs, but Desperado dropkicks the leg out!
Fans fire up as Desperado gets Moxley up! AND DIGS IN THE SKEWERS! Desperado JAMS THEM IN!! About a dozen skewers stay stuck in, but that’s still not even half of how many Desperado had! Desperado kisses Moxley’s forehead wound before a MONO LOCO to push the skewers in more! Fans freak out while Moxley gets up with skewers dangling all over his forehead! Obviously Moxley’s bleeding, and Desperado has Moxley on the ropes as he pulls them out, one at a time! Desperado has unskewered Moxley and he stomps him down. Moxley flounders away onto ropes, Desperado DIGS at the forehead wound!
Desperado wipes Moxley’s blood on his body like it’s paint, then digs in at the wound more! Desperado kicks Moxley around but Moxley throws a haymaker. Moxley’s the one who falls over, though, but Desperado drags him up. Moxley blocks the whip into barbed wire plan, but Desperado stomps the feet! Desperado pushes Moxley’s face into the wires, making sure the forehead gets plenty of it! Moxley gets free of the barbs but Desperado taunts Moxley, “You Can’t See Me!” Desperado avoids the wild haymakers, and he gets a leg to step through, DEATHLOCK! Desperado thrashes the hold but Moxley endures!
Fans rally up as Desperado puts more pressure on the legs. Moxley fires off haymakers, then pulls at the mask! He rips the eye hole open more! Desperado lets Moxley out of the hold, and Moxley CHOPS him! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Moxley whips, Desperado holds ropes and then dumps Moxley out! Moxley flounders, a crimson mask forming. Desperado builds speed and DIVES into a smash hit!! Moxley used Desperado’s guitar against him! Fans lose their minds over that one while Moxley tears up what’s left of the guitar. Moxley then holds onto a jagged edge of it and he brings Desperado up.
Moxley puts Desperado into the ring, and he sits him up, to JAM Desperado’s forehead with the wood shard! And then HAMMER ELBOW! WOOD JAM, HAMMER ELBOW, on repeat! Then Moxley focuses on the wood piece! Now Desperado is bleeding from his forehead! Moxley positions a barbed wire cross and he grins as he fetches the twin. Moxley says he’ll use them both if he has to, and he brings Desperado up. Scoop, but Desperado slips off! To SPEAR Moxley through a wood plank!! Moxley’s groin is trapped inside the barbed wire! Moxley manages to get free, but Desperado drags him up! Desperado whips, but Moxley reverses!
Desperado stops himself short, Moxley runs in, and he SHOTGUNS Desperado into the other wood blank!! Fans are thunderous as they lose their minds over Desperado being caught in wires! The tassels of his mask are tangled up but Moxley drags Desperado out. Moxley reels Desperado in, gets him up, PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives and Moxley can’t believe it! Fans fire up as Moxley gets up and fires up. Moxley goes out to look under the ring. Moxley searches, fans chant, “We Want Tables!” Tada! A TABLE! Moxley sets this up at ringside while Desperado flops out of the ring. Desperado finds chairs!
Moxley has the table ready, but Desperado uses one chair to sit up while he brings out more. Moxley finds Desperado, and Desperado drop toeholds Moxley onto the one chair! Then he JAMS Moxley’s face with the other! Desperado brings Moxley up to put him on the table. Desperado RAKES the bloody forehead, then makes his way up the corner! Fans fire up again but Moxley goes up after Desperado! Moxley THROWS Desperado off the top and through the table!! Fans are thunderous again while Desperado is down in the wreckage. Wait, what did Moxley just find? A plank covered in cut-up aluminum cans?!?
Fans chant, “YOU SICK F***!” at Moxley for even imagining that contraption, because who else would make that? Moxley drags Desperado in, and then X-PLEXES Desperado onto the cans!! Cover, TWO!?!? Desperado barely gets that arm up but he still got it up! “This is Awesome!” as Moxley and Desperado stir. Moxley stands, runs, and PENALTY KICKS! Desperado sits back up and eggs Moxley on!? Moxley accepts and runs gain, PENALTY KICK! But Desperado rises again! Moxley PENALTY- NO, Desperado blocks, spins Moxley around, dropkicks the leg out from behind, then DRAGON SCREWS it!
Desperado holds onto the leg, stomps away on Moxley’s hip, and then hooks him up in the STRETCH MUFFLER!! Moxley endures as Desperado thrashes the leg around! Moxley fights, sits up, and gets the ARMBAR!! But Desperado stands to steal DRAGON STOMPS!! Desperado isn’t Blackpool Combat Club but he knows that’s Bryan Danielson’s move! Desperado then goes to a corner, climbs up top, and FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!!! Moxley survives but fans fire up! Desperado gets up, stalks Moxley, and he brings Moxley in, but Moxley ROCKS him with a forearm! Desperado hits back, Moxley hits again, and fans rally up!
Moxley JABS, JABS, but Desperado ROCKS Moxley! And again! And again! Moxley fires off a flurry of forearms, but swings into a spin and backslide, but Desperado turns that into PINCHE LOCO!! But he holds onto the underhooks, only for Moxley to wrench out and LARIAT! Moxley hauls Desperado up, DEATH RIDER!!! But Moxley isn’t done there, he clamps on the BULLY CHOKE!!! Desperado endures, flips Moxley off, but he passes out! Moxley wins!!
Winner: Jon Moxley, by submission
These two went to the extreme just for fun, and it was one hell of a match! And because this is a NJPW show, Moxley gets the mic to close this out! Fans chant for “Moxley! Moxley!” as he paces, and Moxley, “In case you haven’t noticed with everything going on. In case you haven’t noticed, look to your right and to your left and even behind you at all these fans here in Nashville. Professional wrestling in the year of our Lord, 2022, was alive and well!” Fans cheer for that! Moxley does his best to continue, even though the mic sucks.
Moxley says it doesn’t matter if the card says NJPW, AEW, or ROH, the only three letters that matter on the card are M-O-X!! When you see those letters, you know that no matter where we are, no matter what day of the week it is, you know s*it is about to go down!! Moxley stands tall, what will it take to hang with the Death Rider himself?
My Thoughts:
A great event for NJPW on a busy weekend in wrestling. NJPW had the G1 Climax, this event, and NJPW Ignition, and then of course WWE had SummerSlam. I skipped the opening match because while it’s cool to see Shota Umino here, it was all NJPW Strong guys that are borderline Young Lions.
Then we got some great midcard championship matches here, with a quick crossover with MLW here. Richards and Rocky were tag team partners like 15 years ago, so it great to see them sorta reunite here. That said, Richards naturally retains as he’s the MLW guy and I don’t see Rocky bringing that MLW title all around NJPW, AEW and CMLL. Great match from Rosser and Damo for the NJPW Strong Openweight title, and while I haven’t been keeping up with NJPW Strong, it seems Rosser is being booked strong (no pun intended) as the second-ever champion. Those who know NJPW Strong would know who else is/isn’t being booked strong, too, so maybe Rosser keeps giving us great matches for this title during his run.
A great singles match from Hiromu and Blake Christian. This match should prove to everyone that Blake Christian is a top talent already, even with him still being so young. WWE was foolish to let him go, and they were definitely misusing him in a romcom angle with Cora Jade and something about superheroes. Maybe Blake can get an Openweight title shot? As for Hiromu, great for him to get this win after losing out on the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, and great to see Daryl back period, I do not know what’s been keeping him away. Also an awesome match out of Kushida and Shelley, and I love that they went to a time limit draw. It would’ve been really hard to choose a winner, what with Shelley challenging for the title in Impact.
Great Six Man Tag from Zayne & FTR VS United Empire. Just as I was wondering if Zayne was in the match to take the pin, that’s what happens. But even then, Aussie Open feels that entitles them to a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Sadly, the one glaring flaw of this event was the technical difficulties with those wireless mics. But either way, it was clear that FTR is willing to take on anyone from NJPW, and it would be really interesting if Aussie Open wins the NJPW Strong Tag Team Championships to try and make things Winners Take All again. How wild would it be if FTR added those brand new titles to their achievements while being only the second ever champions? Though, maybe for that reason alone, the other team wins and Aussie Open have nothing to lose.
And of course, Moxley in anything No Disqualification is going to be insane. Barbed wire planks that were shaped like crosses, skewers hidden inside of roses, the guitar smash, and much more, Desperado proves he can go in a hardcore environment. But in the end, Moxley wins because as AEW World Champion, interim or otherwise, he can’t lose until that title is on the line. Again, technical difficulties ruined most of Moxley’s promo, but he got the tagline of it out. Moxley obviously takes pride in leading the way for all of the non-WWE pro-wrestling that’s going on, and will do everything in his power to get AEW, NJPW, ROH and wherever else he might be asked to appear the attention of the wrestling fandom.
My Score: 8.6
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
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