Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/29/22)
There’s gold in the Steel City!
Oh, it’s true. It’s DAMN true!
With Kurt Angle welcoming Raw to Pittsburgh, there will be NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions crowned as Kai & Sky face Raquel & Aliyah!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AJ Styles & Dolph Ziggler VS The Judgement Day; The Judgement Day wins.
- Six Woman Tag: Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka VS Dani Mo, Kay Sparks & Katie Arc; Bianca, Alexa & Asuka win.
- Kurt Angle’s Fate: The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy; The Profits win and Angle does not have to join the Alpha Academy.
- Bobby Lashley VS The Miz w/ Tommaso Ciampa; Lashley wins.
- Kevin Owens VS Jey Usos w/ Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn; wins.
- Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky w/ Bayley VS Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah; Raquel & Aliyah win and are the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
PLAY BY PLAY
AJ Styles & Dolph Ziggler VS The Judgement Day!
The Phenomenal One is in Pittsburgh and fans cheer as he heads to the ring. And then the Showoff makes his entrance for another team-up of A to Z. Will they be able to stand tall against the Prince and the Punisher? Or will this be their Judgement Day?
The teams sort out and Ziggler starts against Finn. They tie up, Finn headlocks but Ziggler powers out, only for Finn to run him over. Finn taunts Styles but Ziggler rolls him up! TWO, and Ziggler DROPKICKS Finn down! Tag to Styles but Finn gets away and tags Priest. The Prince isn’t going to let either opponent get proper payback for what he’s done. Styles and Priest circle, Priest kicks low then ROCKS Styles in the corner, firing off haymakers and stomps! The ref counts so Priest sucker punches Ziggler! Styles ROCKS, CHOPS and whips, but Priest reverses. Styles rolls off Priest’s back to DROPKICK him! Then he clotheslines Priest out of the ring!
Judgement Day regroups but Styles slingshots! The forearm takes out Priest, and Ziggler has Finn and Rhea stay back. The #PhenomenalShowoffs are in control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn has Ziggler down in a headlock. Finn thrashes Ziggler around, but fans rally up as Ziggler fights to his feet. Ziggler throws body shots but Finn knees low! Finn swings but Ziggler counter punches! And again, and again! Ziggler whips, Finn reverses but Ziggler sunset flips, only for Finn to roll through and basement dropkick! Finn looks at Styles but he drags Ziggler up and reels him in. Finn is mocking Styles even more now! But Ziggler slips out of the bomb to hit a FAMOUSER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Ziggler and Finn flounder for their corners, hot tags to Priest and Styles!
Styles dodges Priest, counter punches, PHENOMENAL BLITZ! Then SLIDING FOREARM! Styles fires up, stares Rhea down then hits a clothesline in the corner! Styles shoves Priest out but Priest dodges! Styles holds up from hitting Finn? Priest DECKS Styles into Finn! Finn falls, Priest choke grips Styles! SOUTH OF- NO, Victory Roll! TWO!! Priest kicks but Styles blocks into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Priest survives but Styles keeps on him. Styles reels Priest in but Priest powers out! Priest runs but Styles catches him for the roll, CALF CRUSHER! Priest endures and fans fire up!
Priest claws his way forward, Rhea and Finn push the rope closer, ROPEBREAK! The ref reprimands and counts, Styles lets go at 4. Ziggler CLOBBERS Finn! Styles runs, but into a BACKBREAKER! Priest drags Styles up, for the RECK- NO, Styles slips out! Styles ducks a kick to ENZIGURI! Priest wobbles, Styles tags Ziggler. They whip Priest but Priest reverses to back drop Styles! Ziggler O’Conner Rolls but Finn gets in while the ref is checking on Styles. Ziggler blocks a boot to SUPERKICK Finn! But Priest UPPERCUTS Ziggler, then choke grips for the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Cover, Judgement Day wins!!
Winners: The Judgement Day, by pinfall
Priest may have used the Prince as a pawn there, but a win is a win! Will this trio continue to punish all those who oppose them?
Wait! Driving into the arena… IT’S EDGE!! The Rated R Superstar has made the trip to Pittsburgh and the Judgement Day decides to stand their ground! Fans chant, “We Want Edge!” Will he go right for the trio? We’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns with Judgement Day pacing.
They all have mics and Rhea tells Edge, “We saw that you’re here, so why don’t you come down to the ring? Cuz I will happily smash what is left of your manhood!” Finn says he is so sick and tired of the so-called legends! Priest had Edge beat last week, but Edge gets the documentary? Finn beats Rey, but Rey Mysterio gets a documentary? Where’s Finn’s A&E special? He’s the Monday Night Maestro, he’s a legend, so show him some respect! Priest has Finn calm down, and he says the fans may not like it, but Finn didn’t tell any lies. And Priest says he kept his word last week. He had Edge beat! One South of Heaven, Edge was out!
But no, there was a ref who was “losing his shoes” in this ring, and that made him miss it. But Priest is a man of his word. They’re not in Toronto, Edge doesn’t have friends, family, or the one who wears the pants in the family in Beth Phoenix, to bail him out! Edge is all alone! So let Priest finish what they started last week! Tonight, Edge faces his Judgement Day! They wait, and “You think you know me.” Here comes Edge! The Rated R Superstar’s music hits, he gets on stage and he fires the fans up! Edge also has a mic, the pyro hits, and then Edge says, “Y’know what? The three of you made some valid points. You also made some completely ridiculous points.
“Finn. Rey Mysterio and I didn’t come back to steal your glory. As a matter of fact, I came back to teach you what it is to reach my glory because I’ve already had it. But your ego was too big and got in the way. Now I believe that you want to end my career. And we’re not in my hometown, we’re in Pittsburgh. And you’re right, I don’t have Beth here tonight to watch my back. But to talk about your other statement, I’m comfortable enough in my masculinity to admit that Beth and I both were the pants in our family. A) Because it’s 2022 so quit being a caveman, you’re gonna be single for the rest of your life.
“And B) Beth is a badass! And Rhea, you best keep your hands to yourself or you’re gonna find why she’s the Glamazon, kiddo. Now Priest, last week, you and I went to war. And I beat you! So now, I am standing here all by myself while the three of you are standing in that ring looking all angry and emo because you couldn’t score tickets to the My Chemical Romance tour, telling me that I gotta face my Judgement Day, whatever that means. But guess what? Here’s what you didn’t learn all those months sitting under my learning tree. You didn’t pay attention.” Edge gets up on the apron, and says he isn’t here alone!
The Mysterios sneak into the ring! And they SMACK Finn and Priest with kendo sticks! Then Edge gets his shots in! Edge and Rey beat up on Finn while Dom keeps after Priest. But Priest RAMS Dom into buckles! Edge gets in to clothesline Priest out! They brawl now, Edge DECKS Priest over barriers! But Rhea finds Dom all alone! Rhea tells Dom he doesn’t want to hit her. Just put the kendo stick down. Dom keeps hold of the kendo stick and tells her to stay back. He will hit her if he has to! Rhea smiles and tells him to put the stick away. She promises she won’t hurt him, and he lets Rhea take the stick.
Edge and Rey return and Rhea dares them to get closer so she can hit them! They dare her to try. But Priest and Finn get Rhea out of the ring! The Judgement Day stands down but Priest promises this isn’t done yet. What will happen next in this war of legends and icons?
The Miz and Tommaso Ciampa arrive.
Kevin Patrick wants to interview them but Ciampa cuts him off. Kevin apologizes but it’s a surprise after what happened last week, given Dexter Lumis kidnapped him. Miz will not speak about that. Why are we even worried about him? Lumis isn’t a WWE superstar, so who cares? But Lumis was arrested last Tuesday during NXT. Any insight on that at all? Miz says he doesn’t want to talk about it. He straightens Kevin’s tie for him, then leaves. Will we ever learn what the Tortured Artist did to the Hollywood A-Lister?
Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka are headed to gorilla.
With Clash at the Castle and it’s Six Woman Tag match coming, this trio is going to get a tune-up in! Will they be the readiEST team going into this Saturday?
Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah speak.
Aliyah’s bougie, Raquel’s badass, and tonight, they will leave the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! They’ve confident, but will they be able to keep Kai & Sky from taking control?
Six Woman Tag: Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka VS ???
The RawEST Women’s Champion, the Five Foot Fury and the Empress of Tomorrow are preparing for the Clash, so Pittsburgh’s own get to put them to the test! Will Bianca, Bliss & Asuka become a well-oiled machine? Or will they break down before ever heading for Cardiff?
The trios sort out and Bianca starts against Dani Mo. They tie up but Bianca shoves Dani back easily. Dani tags out to Kay Sparks, and Kay ties up with Bianca, only for Bianca to throw her down! Kay scrambles away to tag in Katie Ark, and Bianca waistlocks. Bianca whips, but Katie reverses, only for Bianca to go up, over and handspring all the way to the other corner. Bianca tells her to kiss this, and fans fire up as Katie runs in. Bianca flips up and over her to then DROPKICK her down! Bianca kips up and fans fire up. Bianca dares someone to bring it, so both Dani and Kay get in. Asuka & Alexa get in as Bianca dodges the double clothesline, and they double SHOTGUN Dani & Kay down!
Bianca brings Katie up, suplexes her for the longEST suplex! Tag to Alexa, she drops Insult2Injury MK. II! Then Alexa drags Katie up, wrenches and YANKS the arm, tag to Asuka! Asuka says kiss this, and Alexa whips Katie into Asuka’s butt! Asuka then uses a HIP ATTACK to knock Katie down! Asuka toys with Katie, Katie throws body shots then a flurry of forearms! Katie runs, Asuka dodges and runs her over! Asuka fires up, runs in, but Katie dodges! Hot tag to Dani, but Asuka is ready! Danie runs in, Asuka dodges, and fires off BACKHANDS and SOBATS! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Dani flounders and Asuka runs in, SLIDING KICK! Cover, Katie breaks it!
Katie drags Asuka up, but gets a ROUNDHOUSE into Alexa’s DDT! Kay runs in, Alexa ROCKS her, into Bianca’s torture rack! KISS OF DEATH! Asuka drags Dani back up, wrenches and hooks her up, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into the KOJI KLUTCH! Dani taps, Asuka and team win!
Winners: Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka, by submission
The trio is all tuned up, and Bianca gets a mic to say Bayley, Dakota & Iyo can try to come here and run this, but just a month ago, “Y’all didn’t even go here.” Bianca’s been holding it down since WrestleMania, so at Clash, Bayley’s team is going down. Bliss says it’ll get real twisted, because… Asuka says first in Japanese, and then in English, “None of you are ready for Bianca, Alexa and Asuka!!” Bianca says the three of them are talking about damage control, but at Clash at the Castle, this trio is taking control! Will Bianca, Bliss & Asuka show who runs Mondays? Or will they be facing the Role Model and the newly crowned WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions?
Ciampa and Miz talk.
Ciampa is preparing Miz for his match with Bobby Lashley, but then Adam Pearce walks in. Pearce wants to talk with The Miz, but Ciampa says Mike has been dealing with a lot of distractions already today. This match with Lashley is his focus. But Pearce was hoping to talk with Miz concerning what happened last week. Pearce wants Miz to know that he has the full support of the company and all their resources, including counseling. Just let Pearce know what he needs. Miz says he doesn’t want to talk about it. He wants to focus on his match. Okay, but Pearce needs to let Miz know, Lumis was released from police custody.
What? How is that even possible? Well Miz didn’t press charges! He didn’t give the police anything to work with! They couldn’t hold Lumis for anything more than trespassing. Miz not talking about this makes it easier for Lumis to get away with it. Miz says he has nothing to say. Pearce is just trying to help. Oh, is he? Is that why he put Miz in a match with Bobby Lashley?! After everything Miz went through last week?! Then tell Pearce what happened! No. Just go away. Miz has to prepare for his match. Fine, fine. Pearce leaves, but what happened to Miz that he’s clamming up so much?
BREAKING NEWS for Clash at the Castle!
After the confrontation between them, the Judgement Day will take on the living legends they love to loathe! This Saturday, Finn Balor & Damian Priest will take on Edge & Rey Mysterio 2v2!
Ladies and gentlemen, Kurt Angle is here!
Pittsburgh fires up for their hometown hero, and chant “You Suck!” to his theme song for old time’s sake. Angle is in a star-spangled tracksuit and is wearing his gold medal. He gets a mic to say it is so great to be back in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! This Saturday is Clash at the Castle, a PPV so good that you don’t wanna miss it. But then SHOOSH! It’s the Alpha Academy! Chad Gable & Otis head to the ring but fans boo. What business do “Master” Gable and the tree trunk have with the Olympic gold medalist? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Gable says, “A THANK YEW~! Pittsburgh… Kurt! It’s Kurt Angle, baby! Not only the hometown hero, but a personal hero of mine.” When Gable was chasing his Olympic dreams, Angle’s story was one that resonated with Gable, and one that motivated him day in and day out. Forget the fact that on top of all that, Angle won an Olympic gold medal. And with a broken freakin’ neck. Gable loves this guy! That brings Gable to his next point. The Alpha Academy is looking for new members. Gable was gonna continue his search here in Pittsburgh with the Alpha Academy Open Challenge, but there is not one shred of talent among the moronic mouth-breathers here!
Fans boo but Gable tells them to shoosh. Fans boo more, and Gable says there is an Olympic hero here, as well as Kurt Angle ,so show some respect! Gable says he and Angle can change the world. For one night only, Gable is offering Angle something he won’t believe: Full-on, no questions asked, 100% acceptance into the Alpha Academy! They’re happy to have you! Otis, give him a jacket! A THANK YEW~! Exclusive merch right here! Great to have you, Kurt! Angel says he’ll pass. Fans cheer as he throws the jacket back! Um… Ex-squeeze me? Is that Angle turning down the single greatest offer ever? This can’t be true!
Oh it’s true. It’s- SHOOOOOSH! SHOOSH. Wait, wait, did Gable just shoosh Angle? Sorry, what Gable meant to say was, shoosh please, a thank yew~! No, Gable’s the one who can shoosh! What? You don’t shoosh the shoosher! Gable does the shooshing! So Angle can shoosh! Gable can shoosh! It’s a SHOOSH OFF! Gable is fuming! You don’t shoosh the shoosher! Otis, show our good buddy Angle what happens when you turn down an offer from the Academy. Otis steps closer, but wait! Here come the Profits! And they’re wearing Steelers colors! Montez Ford asks Pittsburgh, the Academy must not know the motto: You mess with Kurt, you gonna get hurt.
The Profits are back on Raw to make a fuss, because on Friday Night SmackDown, they made a mess of their bus! Which means the Academy so happen to be in the right place at the wrong time. Tonight, they’re looking for a fight! The Profits are up and #WeWantTheSmoke! NO! Everyone shoosh! SHOOSH THE HECC UP!! The Academy accept the challenge, on one condition: After the Academy wins, Angle must join Alpha Academy and does what Master Gable says day-in and day-out! A THANK YEW~! Ford asks Kurt and Pittsburgh: Is it true? Can they do what they do while Angle rocks the red, white ‘n’ blue? Oh it’s true! It’s DAMN true!
Fans cheer for that one! Will Ford & Dawkins make sure an Olympic gold medalist doesn’t end up Gable’s new student? Or will the Alpha Academy shoosh everyone and bump up their recruiting class?
Kurt Angle’s Fate: The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy!
Raw returns and Angle sits ringside as the teams sort out. The bell rings and Ford circles with Otis. Otis corners Ford and keeps him caught. The ref counts, Otis lets off, and Ford headlocks. Otis powers up but Ford holds tight. Otis powers out, Ford holds ropes, then Ford CHOPS! And CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Otis shoves Ford to a corner, but Ford elbows back. Ford ROCKS Gable, kicks Otis in the leg, then KICKS and CHOPS Otis again! Otis swings, Ford ducks ‘n’ dodges but runs into a POP-UP POWERSLAM! Otis scowls and Gable brags. Otis tags Gable in and Gable puts Ford in a corner.
Gable CHOPS Ford, CHOPS him again, then mocks Angle’s little spin. Gable tells Angle to watch closely, and he whips Ford corner to corner. Ford goes up and over then DROPKICKS Gable down! Ford shouts out the Steelers and he CLUBS Gable to the corner. Tag to Dawkins, they double whip and run Gable over. Then back suplex SPLASH! Dawkins covers, TWO! Dawkins chinlocks Gable but Gable fights up. Gable powers out but Dawkins runs him over. Things speed up, Dawkins hurdles and then whips Gable. Gable gator rolls but Dawkins slips away. Things keep moving, Gable hurdles but Dawkins handsprings, only for Gable to arm-drag!
Dawkins arm-drags back, fakes Gable out, then dropkicks him down! Otis gets in as Gable bails out, but Ford ENZIGURIS! Dawkins dropkicks Otis out! Fans fire up as Ford whips Dawkins, and Dawkins FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up! Dawkins puts Gable in then covers, TWO! Dawkins stalks Gable to a corner, ROCKS him with a right, then whips corner to corner. Gable reverses, blocks a boot and puts the leg in ropes. Gable gets the other leg, DRAGON SCREW! Dawkins writhes and Gable drags him around for a KNEE JAMMER! And another! Then he YANKS the leg before he tags in Otis.
Otis snatches the headbands off Dawkins and then CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref counts, Otis lets off, then drags Dawkins up. Otis CLUBS Dawkins down, taunts him, then brings him up. Otis CLUBS Dawkins down, tags Gable, and Gable stomps Dawkins. “A THANK YEW~!” Fans rally for Dawkins, he throws body shots but Gable keep shim from Ford! Gable whips Dawkins but Dawkins leaps over Gable, hot tag to Ford! Ford GAMANGIRIS Gable, goes up top and hits a CROSSBODY! Then he DECKS Otis! Ford doges Gable and LARIATS! Fans fire up and Ford gets Gable for a BIG back suplex!
Ford handsprings, flexes and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Ford hurries while Gable is still down! Ford gets to the top rope but Otis grabs at him! Ford kicks Otis away, but Gable goes up for a SUPER BELLY2BELLY!! Both men are down and Pittsburgh fires up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Gable brings Ford up. OLYMPIC- NO, Ford slips off, but then Gable arm-drags him away! Ford runs in but Gable catches him to keep him from Dawkins! Ford turns that into a SATELLITE DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up again! Gable and Ford crawl for their corners, hot tags to Otis and Dawkins! Dawkins dodges Otis, hurdles him, and FLYING ELBOWS! Otis stays up to DISCUS ELBOW! Ford gets back in but Otis POUNCES him way! Otis SPLASHES Dawkins, clinches and scoops, POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins survives but Otis tags Gable back in. Otis and Gable drag Dawkins up and set up.
Otis runs, but Ford dumps him out! Dawkins victory rolls, TWO! Dawkins runs in, CYCLONE SPLASH and an ENZIGURI for Gable! Then the SILENCER! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives and Dawkins can’t believe it! Angle is a bit nervous but Dawkins stalks Gable to ropes. Tag to Ford and Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts. Gable slips off to GERMAN SULEX! Ford CROSSBODIES, but Gable rolls it through! TWO!! Ford runs in but is put on the apron. Ford ROCKS Gable, shoulders in, slingshots, into the NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gable is furious but he tags in Otis. Otis drags Ford up to DECK him!
Otis drags Ford around by his legs, and CATAPULTS Ford! Ford lands on the ropes to springboard back! Ford sunset flips but Otis stays up! Gable tags in and Otis whips Ford, FLAPJACK! DIVING HEADBUTT from Gable! Cover, Dawkins breaks it!! Otis hauls Dawkins up, whips, but Dawkins dodges! DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES take them out! Otis and Dawkins bail out, and Gable stands up. Gable spots Ford, stalks up behind him but stares Angle down. Gable copies Angle again with the straps coming down! ANKLE LOCK!! Ford endures, flails, reaches out, but Gable drags him away! Ford powers up as fans rally, and he stands up!
Ford turns, Gable flips him, but Ford lands on his feet! Drop toehold to the ANKLE LOCK!! Ford has Gable now and Angle is loving this! Gable flails, reaches out, and Ford puts on the GRAPEVINE!! Otis runs in to SPLASH Ford!! Otis saves Gable and fans boo. Otis leaves the ring and says Angle’s joining the Academy! But then Dawkins POUNCES Otis over the desk!! Fans are thunderous and Gable is in shock! Ford gets Gable for a cradle, TWO!! Gable throat chops but Dawkins tags in before CHAOS THEORY! Ford lands on his feet! POUCNE GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Tag back to Ford and Dawkins drags Gable into the drop zone!
Ford is up top, to fly in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, the Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (Kurt Angle does NOT have to join the Alpha Academy)
The Profits are back up and Pittsburgh is loving it! And to celebrate, the Profits bring the red Solo cups to Angle! Ford pours some of that goodness, and they toast! Angle spews whatever that was right up! Oh, sorry, does he not…? Maybe it was just a little strong? Angle says he has something to make up for it. MILK!! They twist off the tops, and they chug that calcium and Vitamin D!
Raw shares footage from just before going on the air.
Matt Riddle had arrived, but Seth Rollins spotted him. They weren’t going to wait for their face-to-face so they brawled in the parking lot! Referees and security rushed in to stop it, and now instead of face-to-face, they must do things via video.
Corey Graves presides over the joint interview.
He thanks them for taking this time, and asks them, what was that we just saw? Rollins says what went down was Riddle was creeping by Rollins’ bus. Riddle says he was not creeping anywhere. Riddle was on the phone, and Rollins says oh sure, talking to Randy, right? They’re talking over each other so Graves has them move on. Where did this all begin? It seems like Rollins has been targeting Riddle for some time now. Rollins has Graves hold on. He hasn’t been targeting Riddle, Riddle has been a thorn in Rollins’ side since Money in the Bank.
The issue here is that Rollins is at the top of the food chain but Riddle is on the come-up. This battle was bound to happen but there’s only one problem: It’s Rollins’ time, not Riddle’s, and Riddle is not on Rollins’ level! Riddle says Rollins is scared of him and that he’ll get embarrassed again. Just like how Roman Reigns embarrassed Rollins, and just like how Cody Rhodes embarrassed Rollins. This is not about Rollins’ embarrassments! This is not about Roman, and this is not about Cody, this is about ROLLINS VS RIDDLE. And here’s a little secret, Riddle: no one likes you! No one can stand the way you talk or how you look.
Rollins promises to finish the job he started back at Madison Square Garden, and it won’t be for Rollins. No, no, no! This will be for EVERYONE, bro! Well if Rollins wants to end Riddle, it’ll take a lot more than what he’s been doing. Riddle will be here for a long, long time, so get used to it! Watch what you say, Riddle. Rollins will finish what he started. And if Riddle wants to be put on the shelf right next to Cody, then that’s what Rollins will do. Rollins will be done with Riddle to move on to the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, and there’s not a damn thing Riddle can do about it.
Speaking of this Saturday, Graves says these two compete for the first time 1v1 at a PPV. What can we expect? Rollins asks if Graves knows who he’s talking to. Seth Freakin’ Rollins will steal the show, stomp Riddle’s head into the mat one more time, and once and for all prove who the man around here is! Riddle will prove there’s only one man in Rollins’ marriage, and that’s Becky! Rollins is fuming, but the interview wraps. Will Rollins burn down The Bro? Or will this Riddle be too much for the Architect to solve?
The Miz and Ciampa walk the hall.
They have their plan, now they’ll execute it. Wait, was that Lumis?! Miz turns around, but there’s only a security guard there. Ciampa tells Miz to have that laser focus. Miz agrees, but he drops his sunglasses. Will Miz be able to focus with the specter of Lumis looming? Or will the All Mighty crush him before Lumis ever gets another chance?
Raw shares audio from Rollins and Riddle caught during the break.
They were still mic’d up, and Rollins made sure Riddle was still there. If Riddle wants to talk about Rollins’ family, then let’s talk about Riddle’s. Oh wait, he ain’t got one cuz the wife divorced him and took the kids because none of them want to see his bitch ass again! What did he just say? You heard him, bitch! Come find him! Riddle says he isn’t just gonna beat Rollins up, he’s gonna F him up!! Rollins can keep playing games, Riddle’s gonna get him! Has Rollins just lit a fire inside the Stallion he’ll regret starting?
Bobby Lashley VS The Miz w/ Tommaso Ciampa!
The WWE United States Champion cleared out the Psycho Killer as a contender, but the battles keep on coming! Will Lashley make sure the Most Must-See Superstar doesn’t see a title opportunity in his future? Or will Miz prove that he is still awesome?
The bell rings and Miz rushes in, only to get run over! Lashley frowns, drags Miz up and puts him in a corner to clothesline! Lashley throws back elbow after back elbow then ROCKS Miz with a forearm! Miz staggers to another corner but Lashley runs in to RAM him! Miz staggers away again and Lashley runs in at him. Lashley blocks Miz’s boot, brings him out and spins him around to hit an atomic drop! Miz staggers from those tiny balls getting hit! Lashley rips Miz’s shirt off, then gives him a stalling suplex! fans fire up and Lashley holds Miz up with one arm before the SLAM! Then Lashley clotheslines Miz out of the ring!
Ciampa coaches Miz up, but he gets too close and spooks Miz! Miz calms down and Ciampa tells him to get his head in the game. Miz turns around, and Lashley CLOBBERS him! Ciampa backs off as Lashley shows haymaker, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Miz endures the Canadian Torture Rack before the CLIFFHANGER! Miz bails out of the ring and Ciampa coaches him up again. Lashley storms out, fetches Miz and fireman’s carries, but Ciampa blocks the post! Miz slips off, Lashley stops from being posted, and he elbows Miz! Lashley puts Miz in the ring then glares at Ciampa. Ciampa backs off again, and Miz WRECKS Lashley with a dropkick! Ciampa fires up and Miz smacks Lashley off the desk! And again! And again! Miz then RAMS Lashley into steel steps! Ciampa and Miz applaud themselves and pat themselves on the back, but then Miz is spooked by the front row.
Miz puts Lashley in the ring, clamps onto Lashley, but Lashley gets to ropes. Miz CHOKES Lashley, lets off as the ref counts, and Ciampa gets a cheap shot in! Fans boo but Miz runs to BOOT Lashley down! Cover, TWO! Ciampa applauds as Miz is still in control. Miz kicks Lashley around, puts him in a corner, and fires off IT KICKS! The fans taunt “TINY BALLS!” but Miz runs corner to corner, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz says they’re HUGE! Miz goes up the corner, leaps, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT! Fans rally while Ciampa coaches Miz. Miz gets to a corner, he rushes at Lashley, but Lashley CLOBBERS him!
Lashley ELBOWS Miz, then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Lashley runs in at the corner, clotheslines, then keeps moving to RAM into Miz! Miz staggers into a scoop but he slips off. Miz runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up and Lashley aims from the corner. Miz crawls to the far side, but Ciampa drags him out! Ciampa sneaks something to Miz, and then he delays Lashley. Lashley stalks after Miz as he gets back in the ring. The ref sees Miz has the laminated polaroid picture and stops him! Miz denies he had anything, and Ciampa CLOBBERS Lashley! BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!!
Miz is grinning as he has Lashley where he wants him! Miz gloats about big balls, and he drags Lashley up, but he sees LUMIS in the crowd!! The spotlight points Lumis out to everyone! Miz tells Ciampa to go after him but Ciampa says to worry about Lashley! Wait, Lumis is gone now? Lashley gets Miz in the HURT LOCK!! Miz taps, Lashley wins!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
Whatever it is that happened to The Miz, the fear of Lumis is doing more damage than anything! Will Miz ever get his head right? Or will Lumis be why Miz loses matches and his sanity?
As for Lashley, he keeps on rolling, seemingly unstoppable as US Champion. Who will be next to step up to him and challenge him for that title?
Kurt Angle talks with Edge backstage.
The legends are happy to see each other again, and Edge did something special for this homecoming of Angle’s. Edge got some pictures made. No, Angle isn’t falling for this again. Oh, there isn’t anything mean written on the back of this. Alright. Yeah, these are their greatest moments together. Check this one. Wait, there IS writing on the back of this one: “Sorry Rey and I beat you for the Tag Titles.” That was a good time! And then this, “Sorry I beat you for the US Title.” The picture is also not too fun, it was their Hair VS Hair where Edge won. But Angle does like being bald, though, so no big deal anymore. In relation to that, the third one reads, “Sorry I shaved your head bald.”
Then there’s this one, “Sorry I started the You Suck Chant.” And “I’m a dork!” “But… You STILL Suck!” Angle feels great after all these. Wow, the meta of how the picture was of Edge pulling this same gag. Angle shows Rey & Dom the pictures, and sees the punchline. He did it again! Cripes, Edge got him again! Rey & Dom chuckle at that, but then Dom brings up Clash at the Castle. He thought it was gonna be a family thing against Judgement Day? It is! Edge is like family to Rey. The reason Rey went with Edge is because he needs that experience by his side against Finn & Priest. Dom gets it, right? Rey wants Dom in their corner, though. He’ll be there, right?
Yeah, Dom gets it. He’ll be by both Rey’s and Edge’s side for Clash. Rey thanks him for that, and they hug it out. Will Dom be able to counter the presence of Rhea while the former tag team championship duo settles things with the Prince and the Punisher?
WWE looks back at the origins of Connor’s Cure.
In 2014, Connor’s Cure was established to honor the life and memory of young Connor Michalek to help find a cure for pediatric cancer, so that no one else would have to go through the pain he did. After his passing, he was enshrined as the inaugural recipient of the Warrior Award for his bravery, love and hope. Through Connor’s Cure and V Foundation’s funding, they’ve awarded $4.5 million in grants and helped over 500 families worldwide. The WWE Universe has come together offering hope in the mission to kick cancer’s butt!
The Usos & Sami Zayn are here!
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions and the Honorary Uce are feeling great after what they and the Tribal Chief did to Drew McIntyre on Friday Night SmackDown. They all raise their fingers to the sky, #WeTheOnes, then go to the ring, Sami getting his groove on to the Usos’ theme song. They get mics and Jey asks, “Do you see that? Monday Night Raw, the Bloodline is now in your city!” Jimmy says, “730 DAYS! This Friday, your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has been Undisputed WWE Universal Champion!” Sami adds a “YEE!” and Jimmy says everyone knows this Friday, it’s a big, BIG celebration for your Tribal Chief!
Jey gets started but Sami has him hold on. “Sorry to cut you off there, buddy, sorry. Before we get away from that point, I just wanted to add something that’s gonna make this championship celebration even bigger, if you can believe it! It’s that the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has personally appointed me as the master of ceremony for the night. Which, I mean, as the Honorary Uce, I gotta say, that’s huge.” Jey’s glare shuts Sami up. Sami says let’s not forget what we’re looking at here and now! You are in the presence of the most DOMINANT tag team in WWE History! You are in the presence of the UNDISPUTED WWE Tag Team Champions! Sami means the UUUSOOOS!
Nothing changes, Uce. Which means, Uce, Bloodline runs both shows, Raw and SmackDown! Roman Reigns will beat Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle! And it’ll be as simple as it gets around here, folks. But wait! Here comes Kevin Owens! The Prizefighter shakes his head as he looks at Sami. “First of all, the Bloodline doesn’t run anything on Monday nights, because I’ve made it clear these past few weeks, Raw is still the Kevin Owens Show.” But he is glad they’re all here, because he can remind them to tell their boss, Roman, that he owes Kevin one. Jey asks Sami, “Is this your boy right here?”
“Am I?” Kevin asks. “Am I your boy, Sami?” T-Technically… Well, then Sami better get him before Jey does! Oh, get him first, huh? Sami has everyone calm down. Sami will explain things to Kevin. Here’s the thing, buddy. Uh… Well, see, Roman Reigns doesn’t owe Kevin or anyone anything ever. That’s how it is. Kevin sighs. Sami, Kevin didn’t think you could find a way to make yourself stupider than when you started growing that insane hair out. And yet, every week, Sami manages to, by running around with the Usos and letting them treat him the way they do. Kevin means it, he is genuinely sad to see Sami forget that he is absolutely one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time!
And now, Sami is just the Bloodline’s personal clown. It’s pathetic. Kevin means that. They’ve been through a lot, they’re more than best friends, they’re brothers. So it is sad what Sami has become. Sami should really reassess things. Sami laughs that off. Kevin doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Kevin is just like the fans who send him the meme, “Oh, he think he on the team!” No, Kevin just can’t get it through his head that the Bloodline actually likes him! Jimmy likes Sami! They do the handshake! BET! And Jey… Uh… Well, they’re working on it. And most importantly, ROMAN likes Sami! Yeah! That’s why Sami gets invited to the locker room.
If you saw SmackDown, it was the four of them united that destroyed McIntyre! Jey tells Kevin if he doesn’t turn around and walk his ass back up the ramp, they’ll drop him like they did McIntyre! Fans boo and Kevin looks at the ramp. Kevin decides to go up the steel steps instead! Kevin tells Jey it doesn’t matter what they did to McIntyre. But Kevin cares what they did to him. Don’t think he forgot that Jey and Paul Heyman are the only reasons why Kevin didn’t beat Roman Reigns for the title at put an end to the reign 18 MONTHS ago! So Friday, you can celebrate 730 days for Roman, but you can also celebrate two years of having Jey’s head up his cousin’s ass!!
Sami tries to defuse things again. Here’s the thing. Kevin, Sami is trying real hard here to keep the peace. He doesn’t want problems. But the way Kevin is talking right now, he is begging for Jey to kick his ass. Jey steps to Kevin, and Kevin says, “Yeah? Y’know what, Jey? I think this is the part where we drop the microphones, get a referee out here, and just fight, isn’t it?” Fans fire up for that, because he comes a ref! Will KO give Jey payback for that screw job a year-and-a-half ago?
Kevin Owens VS Jey Usos w/ Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Kevin and Jey circle, tie up, and Kevin puts Jey in a corner. Jey turns it around, Kevin turns it back, but then Jey turns it back again. Kevin avoids the chop to CHOP and CLUB Jey! Kevin stomps Jey into the corner, the ref counts and Kevin lets off to tell Sami to “SUCK IT!” But Jey ROCKS Kevin with an uppercut! Jey throws hands but Kevin counter punches hard! Kevin CHOPS Jey and Jey flops out of the ring. Sami and Jimmy stay back as Kevin goes out, but Jey throws a body shot! Jey POSTS Kevin! Jey whips Kevin but Kevin reverses and Jey hits steel steps! The steps come apart!
Fans fire up as Kevin moves the steps around, but then puts Jey in the ring. Kevin throws hands, fires off in the corner, then lets off at 4. Kevin mocks Sami, Sami coaches Jey, but Kevin whips Jey corner to corner, Jey reverses and Kevin hits buckles hard! Sami and Jimmy applaud and Jey storms up on Kevin. Jey rains down fists, then shouts, “You think this is a game?” Jey ROCKS Kevin with a right! Jey brings Kevin up, whips corner to corner again and again Kevin hits buckles hard! Jey goes to the far corner and holds up the finger, #WeTheOnes. Jey runs in, but Kevin dodges the splash! Kevin then goes corner to corner to CANNONBALL!
Jey flops out of the ring again and Kevin hurries out after him. Kevin brings Jey around, reels him in, and aims for those steel steps! Jimmy shows superkick and Kevin storms up to him. Jimmy gets away, but Kevin turns around into Jey’s SUPERKICK! Jey then SAMOAN DROPS Kevin on the steps! Kevin writhes and Sami celebrates with Jimmy while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Jey has Kevin up top. Jey holds up the finger, fans boo, but Kevin resists the superplex! Kevin throws body shots, Jey hits back, but Kevin HEADBUTTS! Kevin hooks the leg, SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Jimmy checks on Jey and Jey gets to the apron. Kevin crawls after Jey, drags him to a drop zone, and now Kevin climbs! Kevin reaches the top but Jey ROCKS him with an uppercut! Jey throws off the wrist tape, ROCKS Kevin again then climbs up after him. Kevin and Jey brawl up top, forearm for forearm, haymaker for haymaker! Kevin HEADBUTTS Jey, then ELBOWS him down!
Jey falls into the drop zone, Kevin adjusts to SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives after that long range shot! Kevin gets to ropes, and fans fire up as he and Jey stand. Kevin aims, kicks, but no Stunner! Kevin blocks the superkick to SUPERKICK back! Kevin whips Jey, POP-UP, but Jey slips out! SUPERKICK!! Jey puts Kevin in the drop zone, hurries up top, USO SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Kevin survives and Sami argues with the ref. The ref says that as close as it was, the count was fair! Jimmy coaches Jey and Jey drags Kevin to another drop zone. Jey goes back up, fans fire back up, USO SPLASH onto knees! Cradle, TWO!!
Kevin SUPERKICKS Jey, then SUPERKICKS Jimmy off the apron! Kevin goes up top and Sami freaks out! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Jey survives and no one can believe it! But Sami is relieved that Jey is still in this. Jey bails out and Kevin goes out after him. Kevin reels Jey in, Sami says no! He knows what that will do. Kevin shoves Sami! Kevin dares Sami to do something, but Sami doesn’t get what Kevin is trying to get at. Jey DIVES onto Kevin!! Jey tells Jimmy and Sami to finish this! Get a chair! Get a chair?! YES, get a chair!! Sami goes to fetch a chair, Jimmy distracts the ref, and Jey puts Kevin on the ropes!
Jey wants Sami to hit Kevin! Sami hesitates, he is still Kevin’s friend. Sami refuses to use the chair so the ref spots him! Jimmy says Sami was supposed to hit him already! That was the plan! Jey turns around, into a STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin wins!!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall
Sami screws up not screwing Kevin over! Kevin gets some semblance of revenge, but which side is Sami really on?
Bayley, Dakota & Iyo speak.
“Bianca, you’re right. You have been holding it down since WrestleMania. As in, holding them back. And that’s why they need us to lift them up to bring this division back to life. And that starts this Saturday at Clash at the Castle, when we get rid of you, Alexa and Asuka. And pretty soon, everyone will be looking up at me again, The Role Model, while we all look down on you.” Dakota Kai says that doesn’t stop with Raw. They will take over the entire WWE! Tonight, Kai & Sky are in the finals of the tag title tournament. They won’t just say they’re in control, they’ll prove it! Raquel & Aliyah have beaten some of the best to get here, but it’ll hurt that much more when they’re sent back to SmackDown.
Iyo Sky adds in Japanese that this will be so amazing, and English, “We will rule Monday Night Raw as the NEW tag team champions!” Will the Genius of the Sky and #CobraKai raise those titles high overhead before heading for Cardiff?
The Miz is heading out!
Ciampa wants him to wait. He can’t be going home like this, but Miz says it’s fine. He’s fine. Ciampa accepts that and lets Miz get in his van. But Kevin Patrick rushes over! Miz tells him no, he doesn’t want to talk about it! Yes, but what was it that Miz saw during his match with Bobby Lashley? Miz just shuts his car door, but LUMIS IS IN THE BACK SEAT!!! Is Miz in even more trouble than last week?!
WWE Media catches up with Johnny Gargano.
What are his feelings about his return one week in? Last Monday meant everything to him. To hear that reaction, to hear the chants of “JOHNNY WRESTLING!” again, it gives him goosebumps just thinking about it. Because that isn’t just a fun nickname, wrestling is his life. And wrestling’s been out of his life for nine months. That’s the longest time he’s been out of the ring since he was 8 years old. Johnny Wrestling is excited to get back into arenas and do what he believes what he was put on this planet to do.
So (Austin) Theory didn’t ruin it for him? No. Honestly, Gargano was excited to see him. “Say what you want about that kid, but he’s like family to me.” Gargano sat back and watched, and is happy for all of Theory’s success, but it doesn’t surprise him. Theory has every genetic gift Gargano doesn’t have. That is why they were in NXT together. But success affects everyone differently. “You’re a different kind of winner when you start at the bottom.” Theory, given his gifts and who he knows, he didn’t have to start from the bottom. But Theory didn’t even contact Gargano once during those nine months, or even when the baby was born.
But wait! Theory sneaks up on Gargano. Theory says he’s just here to talk. Gargano’s the one that kicked him, after all. They sit back down, and Theory has a question. Why didn’t Gargano call Theory when he became US Champion? Or when he became the youngest Mr. Money in the Bank? Theory, you know why. Gargano was busy with the newborn baby! Oh, excuses, excuses. Baby Wrestling had to be fed and changed. All excuses to Theory. But maybe Gargano didn’t call Theory because he was jealous. Gargano was stuck at home, watching Theory compete at WrestleMania. Gargano was watching Theory become Mr. MITB.
But honestly, from Theory’s perspective, he excepted better. But it’s true: it is lonely at the top. Welcome to Raw, Johnny, and good luck. Because Gargano’s swimming with sharks now. Theory laughs his way off, but will that shark be the one swimming in waters too deep for him?
Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky w/ Bayley VS Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah!
After quite the rollercoaster of a tournament, we have finally reached the end! Bayley’s duo of Kai & Sky had the smoother ride, wiping out Dana Brooke & Tamina, then toppling Bliss & Asuka. As for Big Mami Cool and #Aliyah317, they overcame Shotzi & Xia, but had to power through Sonya & Natty. Will #CobraKai & the Evil Genius make their Grand Slam Champion Role Model proud? Or will the Bougie & Badass shock them all?
Raw returns as the SmackDown duo makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and one way or another, we will see NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions crowned!
Aliyah starts with Sky and they circle. They tie up, Aliyah headlocks, but Sky pulls hair and powers out. Aliyah RAMS Sky but Shy rebounds to run her over! Sky drags Aliyah to a jackknife cover, TWO and Aliyah sunset flips, TWO! Sky covers, TWO and Aliyah has it back in a ghost pin, TWO! Aliyah facelocks and brings Sky to the corner, tag to Raquel! They double whip, Aliyah does the splits and Raquel BOOTS Sky down! Cover, TWO! Raquel drags Sky up in a deadlift, but Sky victory rolls and STOMP 182! Tag to Dakota and Kai taunts Aliya before she hits a SCORPION KCIK! Sky hits a springboard missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!
Speaking of the beaten teams of Raw, Dana Brooke, Tamina, “Doudrop” Piper Niven and Nikki A.S.H. are all watching this match, as well as each other. Will they all be looking to immediately challenge the winners here? Dakota pushes Raquel around, drags her up, and whips, but Raquel blocks! Raquel runs Dakota over, tags Aliyah in and gives her a boost! ROCKET LAUNCHER CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Aliyah facelocks Dakota but she breaks free. Aliyah goes Matrix to dodge, then she hip tosses Dakota! Dakota bails out and Aliyah handsprings! Tag to Raquel and Aliyah builds speed! But Sky gets Kai out of the way then kicks Aliyah!
Kai RAMS Aliyah into steel steps! Raquel rushes out, and she pops Dakota up! SHOTEI from Sky, PENALTY KICK from Kai! Raquel goes down, then Kai whips Sky at Aliyah for a METEORA against the steps! The count is rising, Kai is in at 8! Raquel drags herself in at 9, but Bayley mocks Aliyah while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Kai tags Sky. They double whip Raquel and BOOT her, CHOP BLOCK her, then AX KICK! Sky tops it off with a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Bayley is frustrated but Raquel is alone as Aliyah is still down. Kai tags back in to SPIKE-RANA! Cover, TWO! Raquel is showing that toughness but Dakota kicks her around. Kai toys with Raquel, but Raquel shoves her away! Kai comes back, but no Code Breaker! Raquel tosses Kai, Sky tags in! Sky runs, but Raquel THROWS Sky at Kai!! Both of them are down and Raquel crawls for her corner. Aliyah isn’t there, so Raquel has to keep fighting.
Raquel blocks Sky’s punch, then the other, to then HEADBUT Sky! Raquel ROCKS Kai, BOOTS Sky, then ELBOWS Kai! Raquel SPLASHES Sky, then SPLASHES Kai! VADER BOMB onto Sky!! Cover, TWO!! Sky survives, and Raquel is remembering why Sky is also a top NXT Women’s Champion. Raquel drags Sky up, lifts, but Sky slips out to a CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! Raquel survives and Bayley is worried! Sky and Raquel glare at each other, Sky dodges to fire off boxing elbows! Sky fires off a flurry, then a SHOTEI! Sky runs, into a LARIAT!! Raquel hurries to drag Sky up, reel her in, but Kai distracts! Bayley pulls hair!!
Raquel goes down, Sky SPRINGBOARD STOMPS! Raquel flounders into a corner, Dakota goes Around the World to BOOT her down!! Sky then goes up top and jumps OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Raquel survives and Bayley is furious! That can’t be right! And then here comes Bianca, Asuka & Alexa! They run Bayley off from ringside so that Kai & Sky are all on their own! And ALIYAH TAGS IN!! She then hides to trick Kai & Sky, they go after Raquel! KAI-ROPRACTOR! And a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! But Aliyah rolls Kai up!! ALIYAH & RAQUEL WIN!!
Winners: Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Bianca, Alexa & Asuka return to celebrate with Raquel & Aliyah! Bayley is speechless, this was not how they wanted this to go, but now they must move on to Clash at the Castle! Will they get sweet revenge on Bianca, Alexa & Asuka in Cardiff? Or will things just keep falling apart for them?
As for the new champions, Aliyah finally has a title in the WWE, how hard will she and Raquel fight to hold onto these titles after waiting so long?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, but I don’t know if the fans were as excited as they could’ve been for this go-home. We did get some great segments with the hometown hero, Kurt Angle. That was a hilarious interaction with Chad Gable, and I still say he should’ve been Angle’s illegitimate son when they did that story. But anyway, we also got a great tag match of Profits VS Alpha Academy, and of course Profits win. Great nod to Angle’s career with him bringing out the milk, and another one with Edge pulling off that signboard gag on Angle again. Judgement Day has a very good tag match opener with Styles & Ziggler, and wow, interaction between Styles and Finn after the Judgement Day turn!
But anyway, of course Judgement Day wins, and of course we get a match set for Clash at the Castle. I liked the standoff between Dom and Rhea, because it was clear it wasn’t just because of the WWE’s rule against co-ed (well, more male hitting female) aggression. Rhea definitely scares Dom, so between that and Dom being the third wheel in Rey’s reunion with Edge, there is a very good chance Dom turns on Rey and joins Judgement Day to bring this feud into the next phase. And there’s a very good chance Beth Phoenix gets even more involved after Clash to bring the feud to Extreme Rules or even Survivor Series.
Great stuff out of The Miz being paranoid about Lumis, and Lumis giving him reason to be paranoid. While Lumis ended up bros with Theory, there’s clearly something more predatory in Lumis’ obsession with Miz. Now, while it was clear Lumis was where Miz saw him, it is a bit silly they’re playing it like only The Miz saw him. Blurring of the lines of where kayfabe starts and stops seems to be a thing HHH & HBK right now, as NXT had a similar inconsistency in presenting Apollo Crews’ future sight. But as far as Raw goes, of course Miz’s fear cost him against Lashley, and then we got a great punctuation on the night with Lumis in the back of Miz’s SUV. I can’t wait to see where this goes next.
Great promo from Gargano and Theory to add to what we got last week and to further reference NXT for the sake of those who weren’t watching then. And those were good kayfabe details about them not being in touch with each other for nine months, it takes advantage of the lack of continuity Vince kept between RawDown and NXT. We also got some strong stuff between Rollins and Riddle. That preshow brawl was well done, they did crosstalk effectively, and they got really, really personal. The heat just got turned up, and that match is going to be a show-stealer. We also got a bit of a show-stealer out of Kevin, Sami and the Usos. Great promo and great match, Sami is very conflicted and that puts him in a bad spot with the Bloodline, this is getting really good.
Decent Six Woman Tag win for Bianca, Alexa & Asuka over jobbers, though I’m not even sure I got those names quite right since we were told them, not shown them in a graphic. And of course, we got awesome stuff for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Kai & Sky had great teamwork, Raquel & Aliyah had great determination and grit. Good move for Bianca’s team to run Bayley off so she couldn’t keep helping, and what a surprise that Raquel & Aliyah won. At the same time, the math now works where Bayley’s team could win this Saturday to then earn Bayley that title shot against Bianca. And with all the other tag teams watching backstage, obviously Dana, Tamina, Nikki and Piper are going to go after Raquel & Aliyah for some great first feuds.
My Score: 8.5/10
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London calling to the champion crowns!
SmackDown brings gold to London as LA Knight defends his WWE US Championship and The Street Profits defend their tag team titles! Will the landscape change this close to WrestleMania?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly; The Profits win and retain the titles.
- Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice w/ Chelsea Green; The Secret Her-vice wins.
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman; Braun wins, by disqualification, and Knight retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab; Charlotte wins.
- Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- Jimmy Uso VS The Miz; Jimmy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
We follow The American Nightmare as walks to gorilla, then through the curtain, and London sings along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, says hello to fans along the ramp, and then we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, then kneels down to kiss the WWE logo on the mat. The fans continue to sing along all the way to the end, “I AM MY KINGDOM!” The fans then cheer, and Cody holds up the belt to fire them up even more! The fans now sing for “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and he soaks it in. The fans cheer again as Cody smiles, and he finally says, “So, London~! Whaddya wanna talk about?”
The fans chant “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cody hears that dueling, and he smiles again. The song of “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” returns, then they cheer. Cody says, “At WrestleMania 41, I will be facing John Cena…” The fans boo, but Cody says, “I will be facing John Cena as he goes to break the record and win 17. But that is WrestleMania 41. In just a few nights, I will be standing face to face with John Cena in this very same city, in this very same arena.” The fans cheer that, but then here comes Randy Orton! Now the fans sing along with Voices as The Viper heads to the ring. Orton also high-fives fans before he joins Cody.
Orton grabs a mic, paces while the fans keep singing on their own, and then the fans cheer. Orton says he’s not really the sentimental type, but for Cody and for London, screw it. The fans chant “R K O! R K O!” and Orton tells Cody, “Look at you. Look at who you are now, the man you are now. Look at where he came from.” The fans cheer and sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and Orton says he remembers a Cody in his early 20s, just breaking into the business. Cody was busting his ass harder than anyone else. He wasn’t exactly happy, and in fact, he was frustrated. But Cody was man enough, smart enough, to know he needed to grow, and that he couldn’t grow in the WWE.
Cody wasn’t exactly treated fairly in the WWE, so Cody left the WWE! That took some big ass balls to do what he did! Cody changed the business singlehandedly, and everyone in the back knows it. And Orton appreciates Cody for it. But then Cody came back, as they all knew one day he would. And the industry has been changed forever since the day Cody came back to the WWE. Cody is a bit teary eyed as Orton says Cody’s still the same guy, he just did what he set out to do, and he grew. Orton teases he would sing along with the fans, but the fans might leave. The fans again sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!”
Orton asks if they remember when Cody Rhodes faced Seth Rollins in Hell in a Cell. The fans cheer because they do. Orton says that was impressive, and even impossible, as he started with a partially torn pec and then ended with a fully torn pec! His body changed all kinds of shades of purple that Orton’s never seen on a human body. The pain he must have been in. Cody persevered not just for himself. Maybe not even at all for Cody. It was not even for his family legacy; it was for each and every single fan out there! Then Cody went on to WrestleMania, beat Roman Reigns and finished the story!
But there’s always another story, isn’t there? And Cody’s right in the middle of one. Cody is in charge of his legacy, and it is a privilege for Orton to watch Cody take control of it. Ticket sales have been up, there’s more intrigue around the world, and listen to the people! It is 99.9% all because of Cody! The fans cheer that, and of course they sing. Orton says what he’s trying to say is a long-winded version of he respects Cody, loves him, and is very, very proud of him. The fans cheer that! Orton then says, “But… But now it is time for WrestleMania.” They both look to the sign, and Orton says he can guarantee Cody that Orton will kick Kevin Owens so hard in the head…!
Orton can just feel it already! He forgets how many days are left, but he can’t wait to remove Kevin’s head from his shoulders. And Orton knows Cody will enter champion, exit champion, but not before he beats the holy hell outta Cena all up and down the Vegas strip! But after all the smoke clears and the dust settles, just like Orton wants Number 17, there will come a time when Orton will want Number 15. But Orton won’t kick Cody in the balls like a coward. Orton will look Cody in the eye because he respects Cody, is proud of Cody, and sees him as an equal. Orton will look Cody in the eye and tell him that he’s coming for the title.
The fans cheer but wait! Drew McIntyre is here! The fans cheer the Scottish Terminator as he steps out on stage, mic in hand, and has a wry smile on his face as he looks at the ring. Drew waves as the fans now sing, “OH~ Drew McIntyre~!” Drew says, “Isn’t this wonderful? A couple of nepo babies having a love fest in the middle of the ring> It makes me absolutely sick. What’d you just say, Randy? if Cody gets through Cena at WrestleMania, you’re coming for that title? What exactly have you done since that big comeback to justify that title match? Aside be Randy Orton. The only big moment I can remember is you being on the shelf for months and months and months.
“People like to make jokes about it, but more people talk about my five-minute-45-second title reign than your entire comeback so far! So get to the back of the line, sunshine! As for you, Cody, you should’ve listened to me. But you shunned me. You attacked me. Everybody should’ve listened to me about John Cena, but they didn’t. And the next night, he kicked you right in the twig ‘n’ berries, proving me right as usual. And the main event of WrestleMania should be Cody Rhodes VS The UK’s only ever world champion, Drew McIntyre!” Fans do like that idea. But sadly, it’s not, because of that guyliner wearing Temu Undertaker, Damian Priest!
Drew wants to talk about what is happening. And what’s gonna happen! Drew steps up to the ring while fans sing for him again. Drew says it will not be Randy that takes the title from Cody, should he get through Cena; it’ll be McIntyre. The fans cheer, but Orton says they were trying to have a moment. Can Drew just cut the crap already? Drew says okay, sure. He’ll tell the truth, because that’s all he ever does. The truth is, Kevin might have a point! If those Voices are talking to Orton again, then they know Drew very, very well. And he’s thinking, “My God, Randy looks great! Absolutely jacked! On the outside.”
On the inside, that back is hanging by a thread. And if Orton provokes McIntyre, McIntyre will break him. And as for Cody- Cody kicks Drew and UPPERCUTS him! The fans fire up, and Orton R- NO, Drew gets away! The fans boo, but the battlelines are drawn! Even if Cody makes it out of the frying pan that is Las Vegas, it’ll be into the fire that is these contenders waiting in line! Will the American Nightmare be ready for whoever comes for the crown?
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are finally golden again, but it’s time to put the titles on the line already! And while they’re ready for the grind, they’re up against the hometown heroes! Will the Profits still be up in the O2? Or will Kit Wilson & Elton Prince say #YESBOY to a new reign of their own?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really wants the smoke!
The teams sort out and Kit starts with Dawkins. They tie up, Dawkins headlocks, but Kit powers up and out. Dawkins runs Kit over, the fans fire up, and Dawkins fires hands on Kit in the corner! The fans rally for Pretty Deadly, Dawkins whips Kit to a corner, but Elton takes that bump! Kit CLOBBERS Dawkins, then tags Elton! Atomic drop into DROPKICK! Ford runs up, but into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Dawkins whips, Elton reverses, and then Elton hurdles so Kit can DDT! The fans fire up with Pretty Deadly while the Profits bail out. Pretty Deadly has control while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Elton is right on Dawkins as he gets in, and UPPERCUTS him to the corner. Elton clinches Dawkins for another UPPERCUT! Tag to Kit, and Elton RAMS into Dawkins so Kit can UPPERCUT! Dawkins flops over, Kit drags him up to wrench the arm. Kit whips, Dawkins reverses, but Kit grabs ropes. Kit ELBOWS Dawkins, DECKS Ford, but Dawkins CLOBBERS Kit! The ref reprimands but Dawkins RAMS Kit into the corner again and again! The ref counts, Dawkins fires fast hands, then he tags in Ford. Ford says, “SUCK IT!” then he KICKS Kit! Ford scuffs Kit, then drags him to a cover, TWO!
Ford keeps Kit down with a facelock, but Kit endures the grind. Kit fights up, fires body shots, but Ford whips him away. Kit sunset flips! Ford rolls through, and PENALTY KICKS! Ford mocks Elton with the Scott Hall fingers, and the ref has to keep Elton back. Ford drags Kit up, tags Dawkins, and the Profits mug Kit. Dawkins CLUBS Kit down, then stalks him. Dawkins stays between Kit and Elton, then whips Kit into the Profits’ corner. CYCLONE- NO, Kit dodges! Ford tags in, he keeps Kit from Elton now, but Kit slips out of the suplex! Kit fakes high to go low, hot tag to Elton! Elton rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT!
Elton kicks and whips Ford to a corner, then UPPERCUTS! Elton whips the other way, UPPERCUTS again, and then does it again! Elton adds to the hattrick with a lift, Ford says a quick prayer before the SUPLEX! Ford flounders, gets to his feet, but Elton dodges to springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Ford stays in this, but Elton stays on him. SmackDown returns to single picture and fans rally for Pretty Deadly as Elton gives Ford a back suplex. Ford lands out, waistlocks, but Elton switches and shoves Ford. Ford CLOBBERS Elton in return! Ford is also dazed but he covers, ONE!
Kit reaches out, Elton and Ford both crawl, hot tags to Kit and Dawkins! The fans fire up as Dawkins wrenches Kit, underhooks and SILENCER! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Kit, Ford climbs, but Kit slips free! Kit shoves Dawkins into Ford! Ford falls to the floor, but Dawkins ENZIGIRIS Kit! Elton tags in, and Kit LARIATS Dawkins! Pretty Deadly combine for DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins survives and the Profits are a bit unsure of what to do next. Dawkins crawls to a corner, Elton runs up, but Dawkins dodges! Elton hits buckles and Dawkins TOSSES Kit, then Dawkins hits a SKY HIGH on Elton!
Dawkins hurries to tag Ford and Ford climbs up! But Kit pushes Elton out of the way! Kit takes FROM THE HEAVESN, and Elton ghost pins Ford! TWO!! Ford escapes, and he ROCKS Elton! Elton UPPERCUTS Ford! Dawkins sneaks a tag, Ford SUPERKICKS! POUNCE SAIDO COMBO!! Cover, KIT BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! The teams go to opposite ends, then they all stand up in the corners. They all roar, all run in, and Kit SPEARS Ford while Elton FLYING UPPERCUTS Dawkins!! London is thunderous, and Kit hurries to tag in! Pretty Deadly gets Dawkins up, for SPILT MILK!! Cover, FORD BREAKS IT!
The fans are shocked, as is Elton, but Ford saves this for his team! “This is Awesome!” as Ford runs up and Elton TOSSES him out! Now DRY MARTI- NO! Dawkins doesn’t accept the second serving, and he DUMPS Kit out! Kit skins the cat while Dawkins DECKS Elton! Dawkins catches Kit to an Electric Chair! Ford rises, DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
Pretty Deadly put up a heroic fight, but the hometown heroes could not capture the gold. Dawkins & Ford hold onto the gold, will this be the strongest the Profits have ever been?
Kayden & Katana talk with Zelina Vega.
Carter & Chance know La Muneca got screwed over by The Green Administration. Chelsea thinks she’s untouchable, but someone’s gonna stop them eventually. Well, speaking of, Alba Fyre leads the way in as she & Piper Niven “scope the perimeter.” There’s one small threat. They frisk the “miniscule” threat, but nothing they haven’t dealt with before. Chelsea struts in and says, “The Eagle has landed~!” Zelina says she is so glad the “Bootleg Men in Black” have crashed the party. Now, yeah, they all know she’s small. But clearly this small “threat” is a big threat to Chelsea’s title reign. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken all three of them to beat her.
KC Squared agree with that. How about tonight, we see what happens when the odds are even? Chelsea says that’s fine, because Agents P & A are ready. The Secret Her-vice has been given their next mission, but will they be able to crash the party? Or will the party crash them?
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice!
SmackDown returns and The Green Administration makes their entrance. The teams sort out, Alba starts against Katana, and the two tie up. Alba KNEES low, CLUBS Katana down, then fireman’s carries. Katana fights free, tags Kayden, and they KICK, double whip, and then trip Alba up for the basement DROPKICK! Katana adds a slingshot SENTON, Kayden covers, TWO! Kayden tags Katana, they double whip Alba to a corner, then Kayden runs in. Alba DUMPS Kayden out, ROCKS Katana, and she tags Piper! Katana arm-drags Alba out, then goes out to run up. Kayden gives her a boost, Katana CROSSBODIES Alba down!
The fans fire up, but Piper goes up and out?! CANNONBALL and down goes KC Squared! Piper salutes Chelsea and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Kayden rallies on Alba while the fans rally up. Kayden fires up, runs in and whips, but Alba reverses. Kayden wheelbarrows, victory rolls, then SUPERKICKS! Kayden fires up again but the fans are torn. Kayden runs in at Alba to BOOT WASH her against the ropes! Chelsea protests, Kayden kicks at her, then Kayden springboards for a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Alba survives, Kayden whips, but Alba KICKS back! Tag to Piper, but Kayden jackknife bridges Alba! The ref explains bout the tag, Piper runs up, but Kayden moves! The SENTON hits Alba! Piper panics, Kayden tags Katana!
Katana goes up onto Kayden’s shoulders, VICTORY ROLL LAUNCHER, but Piper catches Katana! Katana fires hands, BOOTS, and then hurries to go up again. Kayden ROCKS Piper, and fireman’s carries?! SAMOAN DROP! Kayden then gives Katana the boost, for the KEG STAND SPLASH!! Cover, ALBA BREAKS IT! Kayden runs up on Alba to BOOT her out! Katana gives Kayden the boost now, SUPER CROSSBODY onto Alba! Kayden hurries to tag back in, and she brings Piper up. Piper swings, Kayden dodges and SUPERKICKS! Katana goes up, Piper staggers over that way, but Chelsea distracts the ref!
The fans are torn as Alba grabs Katana. Katana kicks Alba down, chases Chelsea off, but Piper sends Kayden into her! Piper scoops to PIPER DRIVER!! Cover, Secret Her-vice wins!
Winner: The Secret Her-vice, by pinfall
The Women’s US Champion helps her team, and now they all mug Kayden & Katana! But here comes Zelina! Vega runs down the ramp, CLOBBERS Alba, and then she gets in the ring! Zelina tilt-o-whirl DDTS Piper! And she KNEES Alba off the apron! But Chelsea CLOBBERS Zelina! Chelsea fires up, the UK is oddly with her, and she chicken wings Zeina. But Zelina fights free to fire forearms and body shots! And a BACK ELBOW! Zelina reels Chelsea in, CODE- SUPERKICK from Alba! SENTON from Piper! The Green Administration is just too much for Zelina to fight against alone! But can she, Kayden & Katana find a way to turn things around?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman!
Did the Mega Star just get this title back from Shinsuke Nakamura? YEAH! Did he help the Monster of All Monsters fight off Solo Sikoa’s rouge bloodline? YEAH! And now, does he have to defend this title against the monster he just helped? YEAH!! But will Knight still reign this close to WrestleMania? Or will Braun #GetTheseHands back on a championship?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for Knight’s biggest challenge, YEAH!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. The two tie up, and Braun SHOVES Knight away. Knight comes back, Braun SHOVES him down again! Knight gets up, gets around, and he headlocks. Braun powers up to back suplex, but Knight lands out! Knight tries but Braun’s too big to suplex! Braun ELBOWS Knight, storms up on him, but Knight fires haymakers! Knight whips, Braun reverses, but Knight KICKS back! Knight runs, but Braun HIP TOSSES! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this, but Braun brings him up. Braun puts Knight in a corner, CHOPS, then runs, for a SPLASH! Knight sputters along ropes, Braun keeps moving, but Knight DUMPS him out!
The fans fire up as Knight then WRECKS Braun with a dropkick! Knight keeps moving, and he WRECKS Braun again! The fans fire up with Knight, but then Braun BOOTS Knight down! The fans are torn but Braun stands tall as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Braun puts Knight back in the ring. The fans cheer as Knight KICKS Braun! Knight tries again, but Braun’s still too big to back suplex! Braun CLUBS Knight, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS Braun, goes up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Knight and Braun rise back up, and Knight dodges a shot to JAB! Then he dodges to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But Braun KNEES low! Braun scoops, Knight slips free, and Knight RAMS Braun into buckles! Then the BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Knight rises again! Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!
Braun has plenty left in the tank but the fans rally for Knight. Knight stands Braun up to kick low, but Braun THROWS Knight away! Knight rises, and Braun LARIATS Knight up and out! The fans fire up as Braun rips the shirt! Braun gets on the track, and he runs in, STROWMAN EXPRESS MEETS JACOB FATU!! The Samoan Werewolf strikes Braun down!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification; LA Knight retains the title
The fans boo as Jacob now goes after Knight! He just ruined what was becoming a great match, but Jacob fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT on Braun! SAMOAN DROP onto the desk!! The desk doesn’t budge, but Braun might’ve been broken in half! The UK fires up for Fatu as he puts Braun in the ring! Jacob fires more HEADBUTTS, then HEADBUTTS away on Braun in the corner! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE, FATU~, FATU~!” Jacob runs corner to corner, but Knight kicks him first! Knight fires haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Jacob denies the BFT to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! And then HIP ATTACK for Braun anyway!
Jacob keeps going, HIP ATTACK for Braun again! Jacob throws off his jacket, glares at Braun, and he runs in for a third HIP ATTACK! Braun flounders into the drop zone, so Jacob goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! Direct hit on Braun, but the fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Jacob obliges, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The Samoan Werewolf just tore up #OneBigSOB and LA Knight, will there be no stopping him from taking the United States Championship?
Backstage interview with Jimmy Uso.
Jackie Redmond is with #BigJim, and she says that while she knew WWE was going global this month, she did not know they’d get the slap heard ’round the world! Jimmy says he’d do it again, and he’ll slap Gunther as many times as he needs! Jimmy knows Jey is up in his own head, doubt is creeping on him. But just because Jey’s 0-3 against Gunther doesn’t mean Gunther’s unbeatable! The Ring General CAN be got! Jimmy’s going to Raw this Monday, he will bust Gunther’s ass, Jey will go to Mania and bust Gunther’s ass to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And then they leave Las Vegas just like this: YEET!
Jimmy heads out, but then The Miz & Carmelo Hayes walk by. Miz is mocking Jimmy’s words, and he asks excuse me. Miz says it’s just funny that suddenly, Jimmy is a tough guy, even though for most of his career, he’s been “The Other Uso.” Doesn’t Jimmy get it? Jimmy and Jey are career sidekicks while Gunther is a main character. Gunther is the lead, neither Jimmy nor Jey can beat him. And here’s another thing: The Usos are just blips on the trailer that was Roman Reigns’ Bloodline. Melo says Jimmy & Jey are stuck outside the club, they can’t even get in.
Miz says as a former WWE Champion, a former WrestleMania main eventer, Jimmy will never know what it is to carry this industry. And after this year’s WrestleMania, neither will Jey. Oh, and by the way, if Jimmy ever slapped Miz like that, Jimmy would still be on the ground. Jimmy feints the slap and Miz freaks out. Jimmy says it may be him and Gunther on Monday, but he’ll holler at Aldis real quick so it can be Jimmy VS Miz here tonight. Yeah, YEET! Jimmy heads out, Melo says he thought Miz was gonna do something about the slap. Will Miz have to do something about running his mouth before he gets his teeth kicked in?
Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga find Jacob Fatu backstage.
Solo asks Jacob what the Hell he was doing out there. Jacob goes out there alone without saying a thing to them? Jacob says he ain’t gotta say nothing to nobody! Matter fact, didn’t Solo not tap in with him last week? Tama says, “But Jacob,” only for Jacob to say, “But nothing, Tama!” Solo wants Jacob to lower his tone, but Jacob says okay. Let him be very clear with them. When it comes to Braun Strowman, Jacob WILL be the last man standing. Y’all better get in where you fit in, cuz that US title? Oh, Jacob’s bringing it home to the family. And he will do it with them, or without them! Yadada mean? Fatu heads out, is the Samoan Werewolf no longer following Solo?
Naomi speaks.
“I mean… How did we even get here? I don’t know. One thing that I do know is that I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. So Bianca, what makes you think that my attack on Jade was anything different from me doing the right thing? When I sit here and I think about all that I’ve sacrificed, all that I’ve given, and that’s what really breaks my heart. Because through all of that, I’m made to be the bad one in this situation. I just don’t understand, how does Jade come in outta nowhere and take my place with you? I want you to ask yourself this, Bianca. Who inspired you? Hmm?
“Who’s inspired women over the last decade? Who’s always had your back from day one of you being here? Me. Not Jade. Hmm. But you know what? What I’ve learned through all of this: You teach people how to treat you. And I’m done with being treated as a third wheel. I’m done being pushed to the side, I’m done with being too nice, I’m done with being undervalued, underutilized, underappreciated! So moving forward, hmm… Moving forward, here’s my message to you, Jade. If you continue to be in my way, I strongly advise you to proceed with caution.” The Glow shows her dark side, but will the storm be moved?
Nick Aldis meets with Jade Cargill.
Speaking of, the SmackDown General Manager understands things have been rather difficult for her as of late. Jade says she’s been trying to get her hands on Naomi for the past few weeks, now where is she? No one has seen her all day, so as far as anyone knows, Naomi’s not here. Well, when Jade catches Naomi, it’s on sight. Jade leaves, B-Fab & Michin are there. They let her know that what Naomi did to her was straight trash, totally uncalled for behavior. And after Jade gets her hands on Naomi, she’ll handle that business. Jade agrees. Mia says they’ve all got business to handle. Jade’s got Naomi, and Mia’s gonna get Charlotte for messing with her girl, B.
B-Fab says Naomi’s got what’s coming to her: no sympathy, no regrets. Jade, just do what you gotta do. Oh, she will. Jade also wishes Mia luck tonight. Mia & B-Fab head out, will the Head Baddie in Charge make the Queen bow down in London?
The darkness approaches.
“You are as I was. As I am, you will be.” The shadows are starting to take shape, but is SmackDown about to fade to black?
Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab!
The Queen looks down on everyone, so it’s no surprise that everyone else wants to take her down. Charlotte may have checked off B-Fab, but will the HBIC be a much different story? Or will Charlotte only sharpen her edge before facing Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania?
WAIT! NAOMI ATTACKS B-FAB & MICHIN! Naomi drags Mia up for a FACEBUSTER! Naomi rains down fists, the ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Naomi tells the ref to back off. Naomi then BOOTS B-Fab off the apron! Naomi goes out after B-Fab to THRWO her into barriers! Naomi SLAPS B-Fab, tells her to stay down, but B-Fab gets up. Naomi fires hands, then she SMACKS B-Fab off the desk! Naomi rains down fists, but here comes Jade! Jade hurries down the ramp, she runs around the way, but Naomi runs away! Jade makes sure B-Fab is okay, but refs have to help her to the back. And what of Mia? Will she even be able to compete?
Charlotte makes her entrance, not really caring about what Naomi just did to Mia. But that means she also crosses paths with Jade. The fans like the look of this stare down, but Jade and Charlotte both let the other slide. Charlotte gets her pyro, and it seems she’ll still get her match. Will Mia be little more than an appetizer now?
The bell rings, and Charlotte BOOTS Mia down! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this and the fans rally up. Charlotte just struts around while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Charlotte has Mia down with a chinlock, but the fans rally up. Mia fights up, fires body shots, and she then blocks a shot to ROCK Charlotte! Mia ROCKS Charlotte again and again, then reels her in for a TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Mia hurries to cover, TWO! Mia drags Charlotte up, wrenches, but Charlotte says no to Da Feet! BIG back suplex! Mia stagger sup, Charlotte whips her, but Mia reverses! Charlotte goes up and out, BOOTS her away, then slingshots in and rolls Mia! Mia rolls through and BUZZSAWS! Mia runs corner to corner, but Charlotte avoids the cannonball!
Charlotte YAKUZA KICKS Mia down, then fires herself up! The fans “WOO~!” as Charlotte has Mia in the drop zone,. Charlotte steps on her, goes up the corner, but Mia gets underneath her! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives and Mia is shocked! Mia nods as the fans rally back up, and she brings Charlotte up. But Charlotte ROCKS Mia! Mia SOBATS, PELES, and then runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Charlotte stays in this, Mia grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Mia uses that energy to stay focused, and she stalks Charlotte to waistlock. But Charlotte ELBOWS her away!
Charlotte CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOSP! Charlotte winds up, and she CHOPS again! Mia sputters, but then she dodges the boot! Charlotte is caught, and Mia hits a SAIDO! Charlotte flounders to a corner, the fans rally behind Mia, and Mia runs up, CANNONBALL! Mia hurries to wrench and EAT- NO, Charlotte shoves Mia away! Charlotte gets under, back suplexes, but Mia lands out! EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Charlotte’s long legs help her survive by a literal foot! Mia is beside herself while Charlotte bails out. Mia storms after Charlotte, runs up, but Charlotte dodges! Mia’s kick hits steel steps!
Mia hobbles away, goes to the apron, but Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg out! Charlotte grabs Mia’s leg, drops a KNEE on the knee, but fans chant, “We Want Tiffy!” Charlotte just steps through, FIGURE FOUR, into FIGURE EIGHT!! Mia taps, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
Charlotte got more of a fight out of Mia than expected, but she still won. Will The Queen be more than ready to reign again after WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Jackie Redmond is with the WWE Women’s Champion and says Charlotte certainly looks confident. Let’s be real, Charlotte came at Tiff pretty hard. It got a lot of people talking. Tiff says yes, people talk. And Charlotte sure loves to hear herself talk. Ten years into the business and Charlotte is still so insecure that she can’t let a “rookie” get a word out. But last week, Tiff did learn something: She learned that walking into WrestleMania, she isn’t the one with something to lose. Truth is, if Tiff loses, then she lost to the great Charlotte Flair, as just a 25-year-old rookie with one year into SmackDown.
But if Charlotte loses… Well, then she lost to an “undeserving, delusional, unoriginal, backflip doing, blonde-hair-having, little girl.” Did she get it all? And Tiff can’t wait to hear the look on Charlotte’s face when they hear the words, “And STILL!” Then maybe Charlotte will finally shut up for the sake of literally everyone! They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and Tiff will make damn sure what stays is Charlotte’s massive ego. Tiff is walking into and out of Mania as the WWE Women’s Champion. Tootles! Tiff heads out, will it still be #TiffyTime after WrestleMania?
Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre!
The Viper told Cody how proud he was, but also how he wants the next shot after John Cena. The Scottish Terminator took offense to that, and basically said he is taking that shot instead. Will this match be an unofficial #1 contender’s match between these two former world champions?
SmackDown returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans sing, “OH~, Drew McIntyre~!” and chant “R K O! R K O!” Drew and Orton circle, tie up, and they go around in a deadlock. Drew powers Orton to a corner, but Orton headlocks back. Drew powers up and out, then he runs Orton over! Orton hurries to ropes and Drew mockingly asks, “How’s the back feel, Randy?” Orton stands, he and Drew reset, and the fans duel some more. Drew calls for a knuckle lock, Orton accepts, but then Drew kicks low! Drew bumps Orton off buckles, then climbs up, but he panders for too long and Orton YANKS him down!
The fans fire up as Orton climbs now! Orton rains down fists, and the fans count to nine. Orton hops down, brings Drew around, and POSTS him for ten! Drew tumbles out of the ring, Orton goes out after him, and they’re by the desk! But Drew kicks Orton first and SMACKS him off the desk! Drew clears the desk, and he brings Orton up for the DESK- NO, Orton fights free! Orton turns things around, DESK BACK SUPLEX for Drew! The fans fire up while Orton leaves Drew behind, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew writhes on the floor, but Orton goes out to fetch him! Orton brings Drew around, UPPERCUTS him, then says one more time! DESK BACK SUPLEX! Drew writhes as that desk stays standing! Orton grins, refreshes the ring count, and then he storms up on Drew. Drew pokes Orton in the eye! Drew POSTS Orton now, then brings him around to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into barriers! Orton slumps down, and Drew also grits his teeth from that double-edged attack, but Drew fires up as he stands tall. Drew drags Orton up, puts him in the ring, then stalks Orton. Drew looms over Orton, and HIP DROPS him!
Orton sputters, Drew says one more time, and he winds up for the HIP DROP! Drew paces around Orton, says maybe one more time, and he pretends he can’t hear the fans. Drew winds up again, but Orton flips over! Hip drop meets kneecaps! And then Orton pokes Drew in the eyes! The ref reprimands but Orton rises up. Drew sputters and flounders, Orton ROCKS him with a right! Drew ROCKS Orton back! Drew storms up, Orton kicks low, but Drew fires another haymaker! The haymakers go back and forth, Orton gets the edge, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Drew clamps onto Orton with an armlock!
SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans rally up. Orton fights up, pries at the chinbar, and then throws right hands! Drew CHOPS Orton in return! The fans “WOO~” and Drew winds up. Drew ROCKS Orton again, eggs him on, then CHOPS again! Drew shoves Orton to a corner, CHOPS again, then dares Orton to fight! Drew whips corner to corner, but Orton comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Drew swings, Orton dodges, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Orton stalks Drew to the apron. Drew HOTSHOTS Orton first! Drew then runs in, but Orton puts him through the ropes!
The fans fire up as Orton has Drew for the DRAPING DDT! The fans fire up for Orton, and Orton hears those voices! Drew rises, but then Orton spots KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter is on the ramp, Orton glares at him, but then he turns around into a CLAYMORE!! Cover, DREW WINS!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Kevin’s mere presence costs Orton, and now Drew has a huge win propelling him down the Road to WrestleMania! As for Orton, Kevin drags him out of the ring, SMACKS him off the desk, and then climbs up to join him! The fans boo but Kevin and his hot pink sneakers have Orton in position, but Orton slips free and TRIPS Kevin up! Kevin hits the desk then the floor! Orton staggers around, the fans rally behind him, and Orton stalks Kevin to the corner of the barriers. Orton lines up the shot! Orton runs in, but Kevin jumps over barriers! Security is there to stop Orton from pursuing, so Kevin runs away into the night!
The fans boo, but The Viper was that close! Will Orton be able to strike Kevin down and completely take him out?
Fire, thunder, smoke…
The force of nature is drawing ever closer. And he’s ready to fly! REY FENIX arrives next Friday Night SmackDown!
Jimmy Uso VS The Miz!
#BigJim gave Gunther a piece of his mind and a mark on his cheek, but it seems not everyone got the message. Will the Hollywood A-lister soon star in the Uso Penitentiary? Or will he prove Jimmy is NOT ready for a world champion level opponent?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Jimmy powers Miz to a corner, Miz turns things around, and the ref counts. Miz takes a swing, Jimmy ducks it to CHOP! And CHOP! Miz shoves Jimmy back, then runs up, but Jimmy TACKLES Miz! Jimmy rains down fists, Miz shoves him away to go to ropes, but Jimmy storms back up. Miz ELBOWS Jimmy away, then runs back up, only for Jimmy to LARIAT him down! The fans fire up while Jimmy storms up on Miz. Jimmy CHOPS Miz, has him in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Miz reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, then UPPERCUTS! Miz staggers back to ropes, but Jimmy is right on him.
Jimmy whips, Miz reverses and kitchen sink knees! Then basement BOOTS! The fans fire up, Miz scowls, and Miz KNEES Jimmy in the back again and again. Miz stalks Jimmy to the ropes now, and he CHOKES Jimmy! The ref counts, Miz runs, and Miz STRADDLE ATTACKS! The fans boo, but Miz runs again. Jimmy ducks the boot, then dodges a lariat! Jimmy runs up to LARIAT Miz up and out! The fans fire up and Jimmy builds speed, but Miz runs away! Jimmy smirks as he goes out the side, and UPPERCUTS Miz over the barriers! Jimmy makes sure Gunther knows he’s coming to get him, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both men are down. Miz and Jimmy crawl, and Jimmy pounds the mat. The fans rally, Jimmy rises and runs up to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And mule kick! Jimmy then UPPERCUTS Miz, dodges a lariat, then SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up, Jimmy goes to the corner, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but Miz puts him on the apron! Jimmy UPPERCUTS again! Jimmy climbs, leaps, but Miz gets under! Miz then waistlocks, ripcords, and MOVIE MAKER! Fans boo that blatant parody, but Miz full nelsons! Jimmy drops, victory rolls, TWO! Miz has the cover, TWO! Miz hurries to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally up as Jimmy survives! Miz stalks Jimmy, the fans rally up more, and Miz fires a KICK! And then another KICK! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, but then Miz winds up. Jimmy ducks the buzzsaw, Miz blocks the superkick, but the DRAGON WHIP connects! Miz rebounds to B-MOVIE KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! The parodies don’t get it done, but Miz still has his original work to fall back on. The fans rally for “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Miz runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz shoves Jimmy down, then springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy hurries up top, for the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Miz may be a movie star, but Big Jim’s the one winning this main event! Jimmy then borrows Joe Tessitore’s headset to call out Gunther! He’s coming after dat ass on Monday! Gunther won’t be the ring general, he will be “Private Gunther,” and he will salute Big Jim! Uh, uh, YEET! Will Jimmy be the one making examples out of the World Heavyweight Champion? Or will everything come crashing down when Gunther gets his turn?
Drew McIntyre returns backstage.
And he says hey to Lewis Capaldi, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, and also a big fan of Drew’s. They’re ready to have a good night in the pub, but Jackie Redmond walks over to congratulate him on the win tonight. She was hoping to get some thoughts on that victory and what happened with Orton and Kevin. Drew says it’s alright, this is what happens. He doesn’t care about anybody else’s business, but no one gets away with screwing him over. And when no one meddles in his business, he wins! Drew called out Priest, where is he? Priest doesn’t have the balls! So time to get mad in the pubs, everyone’s invited!
Drew turns the corner, but PRIEST IS THERE! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the door, then throws him into road cases! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the trunk of a car, and then again! Or since it’s London, “the boot.” The driver complains, but Priest BODY SLAMS that guy through a table! Drew comes back to KNEE Priest low, SMACK him off the trunk, and then off the side! They go to the hood, or bonnet for UK. Drew drags Priest up, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s eyes! Priest then sends Drew SOUTH OF HEAVEN through the windshield! Priest tells security that he’s done for now. Any more jokes, Drew? Didn’t think so! RIP, jackass!
Priest leaves, the producers hurry to help Drew, and Drew’s got glass in his eye! Will that glass help Drew see why he shouldn’t piss off the Punisher?
CM Punk heads to gorilla.
He has a security detail with him, and he passes by Drew writhing in pain. Punk chuckles, then continues on. Will his contract signing with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins be just as brutal? We find out, after the break.
Nick Aldis is in the ring.
The SmackDown General Manager welcomes us back, and says it is his honor and privilege to be here in the O2 in London. Now, we all know why he and this table is here, and why additional security is here tonight. Tonight, we are here to sign a contract for a Triple Threat. Perhaps the biggest Triple Threat in the history of WrestleMania: Seth Rollins VS CM Punk VS Roman Reigns! The fans cheer all those names, and here comes the OTC! London puts the ones up, and Paul Heyman accompanies THE Tribal Chief out on stage. Roman raises his finger to the sky for the pyro, then security follows him to the ring.
SmackDown goes picture in picture as Roman’s entrance continues, and he raises his finger to the sky for the second round of pyro. Roman steps into the ring, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Heyman hands him a mic. The fans sing, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!” Roman nods, the fans cheer, and now they chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman tells London, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again, and again chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman smiles, but he sees the chairs are not to his liking. Heyman makes sure to put one at the head of the table. Heyman also dusts the chair off while Roman enjoys the singing of, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!”
Roman takes a seat and says that was beautiful. The way they sing to their Tribal Chief, it’s just beautiful. The singing continues, and Heyman even joins in! Roman smiles, and he says that is what he’s talking about. That’s the OTC for you, baby! The biggest star on the planet! The OTC came here for two reasons. One: to be acknowledged; check! And two: to sign this contract. Roman does just that, and he says he’s checked both boxes. That means- “BURN IT DOWN!” Seth Rollins interrupts! The fans now sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in his red wine paisley suit and conducts the O2 Choir all the way into the ring.
The fans cheer while Roman frowns, but Rollins takes the seat to Roman’s left. Rollins offers Heyman a chance to sing to this song, but Heyman frowns. Rollins chuckles, and he says the fans do have beautiful singing voices. He doesn’t know why Roman is in such a hurry to leave, though! This is their building! There’s a lot of history here! 12 years ago, they landed on the roof of this place in a helicopter! They came down those stairs over there, “ready to burn down the old guard!” They put the Undertaker down through the desk, and they were going to remake this company in their image!
Now don’t get him wrong, Rollins knows a lot has happened since then. They fought against each other, with each other, a little bit of love and a whole lot of hate. But Rollins dare says, as the fans continue to sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~,” that Rollins and Roman accomplished their mission. The fans start to chant for CM Punk, but Rollins tunes them out. Roman says, “We? We? You keep saying we. Our mission? We died a long time ago. It’s only been ME. You been here, but I done all the work! I’ve made this place what it is today! I took us to the level that we are here today! I made this place better than we found it!
“I’m the one that made us desirable to Netflix! I’m the one that took us into billion-dollar deals! Tell me, what have you done?” Rollins shouts, “I’ll tell you what I’ve done! YOU, YOU, YOU, it’s that mindset that keeps me having to screw you! You understand that? And your biggest mistake is not understanding the danger that’s right in front of us! The danger that’s right in front of you! You let the biggest snake in the world, CM Punk, into the garden! And you could’ve cut his head off at WarGames! But instead, you shook his hand. You could’ve let me finish him inside the cage at The Garden, but you didn’t. And now, I am left to do what I always do: Clean up your mess, again.”
Rollins drops his mic, picks up the pen, and signs his part. And now, here comes CM PUNK! The fans fire up and sing along with Cult of Personality, then join in on saying, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk goes to the ring, but as he grabs a mic, he goes up a corner, just like he did last Friday. “I have come here to chew bubblegum and sign a contract. And I’m all outta bubblegum.” The fans cheer the Rowdy Roddy Piper reference, and Punk hops down to take his seat on Roman’s right. Punk looks over said contract, but Roman asks if Punk needs a highlighter or something. What’s he doing? Just go to page four, clause five.
Punk does as Roman says, but Roman says Punk needs to hurry, this is precious TV time. Punk reads the segment, Roman tells Heyman to just smarten Punk up. Heyman tells Punk he knows what Punk is looking for. It is in there. They’re closing the show at WrestleMania. The fans go wild hearing that! Heyman tells Punk that he gets to live his dream of dreams. CM Punk will be a WrestleMania main eventer! The fans cheer and while Roman smiles, Rollins is furious. Roman says, “One man’s dream is another man’s favor! CHECK!” Wait, this was the favor? Rollins says no! This is not something to laugh at, and Punk does not get to tear up!
Punk is NOT deserving! He does NOT deserve this! The fans boo but Rollins continues to throw a fit! Main eventing WrestleMania is SACRED, the most important thing in the world to Rollins! More than anything! Except the fact that Punk NEVER gets to main event! This is all Roman’s fault! This is all Heyman’s fault! Rollins THROWS his mic down, paces angrily, but Punk picks up the mic. The fans cheer Punk on again, and Punk stands to thank London, to thank Chicago, to thank Louisville, Kentucky, and to thank ALL the fans. As corny as it sounds, he thanks the WWE Universe who stood by him and chanted his name for TEN LONG YEARS!
Roman says hold on, hold on. Punk shouldn’t be thanking the fans! He should be thanking the Tribal Chief! It is because of Roman that Punk gets this honor! So please, take this moment, close the show with that acknowledgement! Do this the right way. The credits are already rolling as Punk kneels before Roman!? Punk smiles, and he thanks “My Tribal Chief, the holder of the ula fala, the Head of the Table, the… Big Dog? Thank you for allowing a kid from Chicago to be graced by your presence. Thank you, My Tribal Chief, for allowing me to stand in your ring. And thank you so much. Thank you, Roman Reigns, so very much.
“But because of you, I will see you in the main event of WrestleMania.” And again, Rollins is agonizing over this. Punk finishes putting his signature on the contract, and London tells him, “You Deserve It!” Punk thanks Roman again, and then says, “But that’s not the favor that I’m owed.” WHAT?! Roman looks at Heyman and Heyman can’t look him in the eye! If getting this Triple Threat made into the main event isn’t the gift of the Wise Man, then what is?!
My Thoughts:
A good SmackDown, but they pulled off quite the paradox. They made it feel like they were struggling to fill three hours, yet they also filled the show to the point where that contract signing segment was almost bleeding over the three hour mark. Ironically, part of the problem was just how excited the London crowd was for this. The superstars still wanted to enjoy the chants and songs, but that’s time SmackDown doesn’t have to spare. It made the opening promo from Cody, Orton and Drew take longer, and it kinda did the same to the contract signing at the end. Even so, we still got a very good promo, and good stuff to set up Orton VS McIntyre.
Orton VS McIntyre was a great match, but of course Kevin costs Orton. McIntyre gets his win, Kevin and Orton have a bit of a brawl, but of course Kevin ends up on the losing end and runs off. McIntyre’s trash talk also comes back to bite him as Priest gets the better of him in their brawl. Here’s hoping Drew didn’t actually get glass in his eye, but that being the thing in kayfabe can be some good stuff. I can imagine McIntyre with an eyepatch, and he takes it off at the opportune time to get the better of Priest in their match. Also what a fitting choice for Punk to be passing by Drew suffering because of real glass.
Very good title matches tonight, but of course the status quo was kept. Pretty Deadly gets to look great here in London, but the Profits only just got the belts, they’re not going to be transitional champions like that. And Knight VS Braun was really good stuff, but honestly, Jacob Fatu going after them both should’ve been a given. Jacob also had a great promo with Solo & Tama to start adding to that divide between Jacob and Solo. I would hope Solo doesn’t screw Jacob out of the US Championship, but it feels like he will as Solo won’t stand for Jacob defying his authority, even though Solo’s been trying to make Jacob the champion all along.
Very good stuff from Jimmy Uso tonight, from his promo with #MeloDon’tMiz and then a great match with Miz. Their match ended up the de facto main event match, so that’s also great for both guys. Great win for Jimmy, but that’s likely because Jimmy is losing big time to Gunther on Monday. And it might just be me, but it feels like only now is the Jey VS Gunther build really moving, largely in part because Jimmy got involved. Jimmy’s promo after his match is something along the lines of what Jey should be saying. But I suppose as brothers, Jimmy is the one who knows Jey best and knows what Jey needs to be motivated again. And seeing Jimmy get beat up by Gunther will definitely motivate Jey…
Good final vignettes for Rey Fenix and Aleister Black. I’m a little surprised they confirmed Rey Fenix is showing up next week, and that they confirmed who Rey Fenix even is. I believe commentary confirmed Rey Fenix is Penta’s real brother, even namedropped “Lucha Brothers,” but all that is still surprising considering Fenix is going to start on SmackDown. Aleister’s vignette (at least I am fairly confident it’s his) was giving us glimpses of his silhouette, but I think there was usage of AI in the snake imagery. It was fine they did it for El Grande Americano because that is all trolling, but they really should try and do things the old fashioned way of photoshop and stock imagery.
Very good stuff in the Women’s Division tonight, though the WWE Women’s Championship portion was the weaker. Naomi’s got a great Heel persona going, her promo was great, and her going after B-Fab & Michin over them supporting Jade was a great detail. Jade runs Naomi off, helps B-Fab, but there was no helping Michin in being fed to Charlotte. Tiffany had a decent promo, and it does fit how Charlotte kept her from speaking so she finally gets things out here. It didn’t really add that much, though, but they already gave us a great brawl so not sure what more they can give.
KC Squared VS The Secret Her-vice was a very good match, but of course Chelsea made sure her team won. A Six Woman Tag of Zelina & KC Squared VS The Green Administration is certainly coming, to help give us Zelina VS Chelsea for the Women’s US Championship.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 3.27.2025
Bad news out of the TNA management side, but this is a taped episode from El Paso! So we won’t see any of the fallout just yet!
Now we all heard the news about the TNA change in hierarchy, and I…have no positive outlook on that. Delirious sucked at booking and creative in the dying days of ROH before it got bought as a B show. Dreamer having even more control is concerning because his ideas the last two years haven’t been much better.
Gail leaving makes more sense to me. Be it firing or a “you can’t quit, you’re fired” kind of situation, the Knockouts division is the worst it’s been in a long time and Gail was close with Scott D’Amore. So I don’t think Gail parting ways is as big of a problem since TNA has slowly been bleeding out with the Scott faithful.
Granted, I think the next few shows were already taped before the firing so things shouldn’t be completely unwatchable for at least a week or two. So let’s see where we’re going.
.@WeAreRosemary sends @XiaBrookside a CHILLING message!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/srciTTbel0
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Ratings:
- Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge: Ash wins via Rarefied Air – ** 1/4
- Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr: Chavo wins via Gory Bomb into Frog Splash – *** 1/4
- Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich: Masha wins via Russian Death Device – ***
- Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin: Eric wins via Piledriver – ** 1/2
- Seto & Mokuba – I mean – Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater: Nic wins via Danger Zone – *** 1/4
Results:
Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge
Ash and Gigi start off, Gigi with a little Rascalz after her first takedown. So both her and Wentz are making it obvious something’s going on between them, and I’m not mad at it. Good for my man Wentz.
Tatum and Gigi get some quick tandem offense in, Ash does manage to scurry off to a tag and Heather gets bent into a Pretzel. Some kind of Inverted Tarantula from Tatum, Gigi tags in, Bronco Buster on Heather followed by Kawada Kicks. Heather sells against the ropes, Gigi goes for a Hesitation Dropkick, but Concierge pulls her away so Gigi crashes and burns. Ref is distracted, Ash gets in some cheap shots and then the Elegant duo starts working over Gigi. A few quick tags, but once Heather comes in, Gigi fights out of the corner, gets the hot tag to Tatum. Tatum stacks up both Elegance members, Corner Stacked Crossbody, Butterfly Suplex and an Elbow Drop with some some flare. Tatum goes to the top rope, Heather pulls Gigi off the apron, Concierge shoves Tatum off the turnbuckle and Ash hits Rarefied Air for the win.
Post match the Elegance Clique wants to make their wish with the cake, they light the candles and Tatum and Gigi recover enough to do what we all expected last week, the cake in the face spot. Some…suggestive licking from both of our Hot Topic Hotties, so…no complaints here.
.@Ashamae_Sebera, @Heathereckless and @IamGeorgeIceman are having a meltdown!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/FnKwPqm2ff
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr
Chavo and Kaz start since he’s King Petty, a quick rope run turns into a Headscissor from Chavo. Kaz recovers, they lock up, Kaz hits the Knee Lift during the lock up to tag out to KC. KC pulls off some athletic dodges, gloats a bit so Chavo waits, measures and nails a gorgeous Dropkick. Laredo comes in on fire, quick high spots that send KC bouncing around like HBK against Hulk. KC powders after sells the Satellite Takedown, AJ checks on him and we go to commercial.
Back from commercial, Octagon is lighting up KC’s chest with overhand chops, he perches, Sunset Headscissor Flip from corner to corner, KC tries to Back Drop him but Octagon does a headstand, kicks KC away and lays him out with a high spot. AJ gets on the apron to stop Octagon from running the ropes, the referee has a stroke or something because he stops paying attention and AJ pulls Octagon out of the ring and chucks him. KC with the Tope con Hilo and tag (tag ropes haven’t mattered since the 80s we all know this). So AJ is getting taunted by the crowd in Spanish, but he’s manhandling Octagon since it looks like a Child fighting their parent. AJ knocks off Chavo and Laredo, Laredo pops up and tries to get involved but he’s caught on the shoulders, Octagon goes for the Crossbody but gets caught and AJ pulls off “World’s Strongest Wasteland” but Chavo breaks up the pinfall. AJ throws Octagon into the corner, Tennessee Whiskey, and tag out to KC. KC hits a few moves, but starts to lose the momentum until he connects with a Super Kick. Simultaneous rope run into the Dueling Crossbodies, so we get the timely tag outs from both sides. Kaz and Laredo come in, Laredo lands like two moves before Kaz hits a Sole Butt, Lariat and eats his lunch. KC and Kaz try to double team Laredo but he fights out and the crowd is chanting for Chavo.
Chavo tags in, and he’s rocking KC, Saito Suplex, Low Bridge to AJ, Reverse the Whip so Chavo goes to the corner and perches, KC feeds, Chavo Backflips to safety, rolls through and lays out KC. Chavo is feeling himself, 3 Amigos start on KC but only 2, Kaz comes in and Chavo switches to Kaz for the Amigos, only 2 again before AJ breaks it up. AJ goes for the disrespect, but Chavo counters and hits the 3 Amigos on the biggest Culero. Aztec Warriors dive to stop AJ and Kaz, KC tries a Dirty Victory Roll but Chavo kicks out. GORY BOMB into FROG SPLASH!
Chavo looked fantastic and he’s the one in the best shape in the ring. I wouldn’t be mad at more Chavito.
Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich
I expect very little from this match.
Collar and Elbow, gator rolling for the first 30 seconds or so, then Jacy goes to some Hair Pull takedowns and does a little taunt before Masha pops back up and hits a Lariat into a Dive. Jacy sells it like she’s really hurt, even the ref tries to hold Masha back a little before Masha gets annoyed and just grabs her, Masha throws her in, looks for a Dive and Jacy sees it and powders. Masha tries to go back to the well for the Dive again but Jacy hits the Uppercut and then an Apron Run PK to drop Masha. Forearms rain down into a Foot Choke as Jacy continues to arrogantly play to the crowd. Another Foot Choke into a Cannonball, and near fall.
Masha gets space with a Sole Butt, tries to snap off Requiem but Jacy fights off, fights through a Sunset Flip another effective PK keeps Masha on her ass. Jacy looks for a kinda half-assed Camel Clutch as Masha is fighting up, but Jacy runs her into the corner, gets distracted mouthing off to the crowd, so Masha recovers, 5 Hole Up Kick sends Jacy into the corner, Yakuza Kick into Capo Kick for two. Requiem attempt again, but Jacy pushes off, a little back and forth, Masha tries a Backslide but Jacy gets away and hits a V-Trigger but only a 2 count. Jacy looks for the Discus Punch but Masha ducks it, they strike back and forth, but some dodges from both leave the exchange more even. Jacy with the Front Kick to the face sends Masha to the outside. Jacy wants another PK, but Masha blocks, Electric Chair Apron Snake Eyes. Masha throws her in, a PK into a near all. Requiem attempt 3, and thwarted from Jacy with a Superkick into a Neckbreaker. Senton misses from Jacy, Buzzsaw Kick, into Spinning Back Kick and Russian Death Device for the win.
Better than I expected, and Tessa attacks as soon as the bell rings. Xia Brookside and Lei Ying Li make the save after Tessa grabs the belt.
Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin
Ace and Eric tie up, World of Sport start but as soon as Ace starts to get away EY punches him in the face. Eric looks at the camera and says “This is what trust looks like”, turns his back on Ace, when Ace looks to attack, the loser duo cut him off. EY takes advantage of the weird situation, but Ace with some Up and Over quick spots, into an Inside Cradle and La Magistral. EY kicks out of the quick flash attempts, but eats a Dropkick, and Ace goes all Speed Kils on him with fast strikes and then a face buster for another near fall. Strike spot very early in the match, Ace gets the best of it, goes for a Tear Drop Suplex but EY sits on it to block, Headlocks to keep him close and then a snap Lariat into beatdown bully tactics. EY takes the referee’s attention and one of the nerds punch Ace in the face.
Eric tries to lean on Ace, but Ace fires, a few strikes, Click Click Boom, the Miz Seated Lariats in the corner, Mochizuki Triangle Kick connects! Only a 2 count, but Ace seems to be in control. Ace puts EY on the ropes, a few strikes to keep him rocked, wants a Superplex, but EY blocks, bites the face and Macho Elbow gets a very close two count. EY tries the Piledriver but Ace turns it into a Jacknife Cradle,Spinning Heel Kick, calls for The Fold, but the losers hop on the apron to distract, Ace attacks them. Ace tries to time out the Triangle Kick again, but Eric dodges, throws Ace head first through the buckles. As Ace stumbles out of the corner, Piledriver, and it’s over.
Oh look it’s the “we’ll hear from Joe Hendry” segment. Again, I’ve loved this gimmick since Day 1, even didn’t hate his What Culture Pro stuff, but there is such a thing as milking a cow too much.
Elijah interrupts the whole “Who’s next” speech. When Elijah comes out he says he’s not the challenger and he believes in Joe. The crowd wants Elijah to turn on Hendry. Elijah pauses for a moment, and starts proving his friendship with stating his favorite color and a little “You Got a Friend in Me”. The crowd is into singing along and waving their cameras like Lighters to a 30 year old song. THANKFULLY Kaz breaks up the hug fest. Now he gets the “Culero” chant.
Kaz pulls out a Bass…what the hell is this Jam Session. Kaz has to warm up so he plays “La Cucaracha” on the bass. Kaz…is a national treasure. Hendry kicks Kaz out of the ring after his Heelish and playfully racially charged song choices. Kaz tries to sow dissension, but Joe and Elijah pinball Kaz between them. Kaz slips a power move and tries to shove Elijah into Joe but Elijah puts the brakes on, a small tense moment. But then Joe and Elijah play “Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey, Goodbye”…and that goes right into a commercial. Oddly…perfect.
Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater
Nic shoots the half immediately for a flash pinfall but Leon kicks out at one. Nic continues to keep things grounded with his amateur wrestling skills, and then does a little Dolph Ziggler show off. So Nic isn’t really taking this seriously, and Leon starts getting the best of things with an Arm Wringer, into drag, Shoulder Tackle and rope run as Nic tries to Leap Frog and Leon puts on the brakes and just shoves Nic on his ass. Nic gets annoyed, a few strikes, grinds his face along the ropes, but Leon keeps stringing some offense together, Back Handspring Elbow into his Corner con Hilo.
Ahh the classic formula of the commercial gives the heel the advantage, Twisting Suplex from Leon stops Nic’s offense momentum, right hand, Leon lifts Nic up for something, Nic slips it, kicks him in the gut, looks for the FameAsser, but Leon catches him into a Blue Thunder Bomb variation. Slater wants the Swanton 450, but Nic powders. Leon tries to adjust into a Dive, but Nic cuts him off, counter for counter and a FameAsser out of the counters for a two count. Nic starts the big brother tactics, bootwashes and arrogance, Slater fires, punches into a Yakuza Kick. Leon wants another Lethal Injection variant, but Nic catches him into a Rear Naked Choke. Slater tries to turn it into a pin so Nic breaks it. Leon wants a Leg Lariat but misses and gets unceremoniously dropped by Nic. Nic puts Leon up on the buckles, Superplex possibly but Slater counters, tries to collect himself for a move, but Nic falls into the ropes to crotch Leon, and finally hits the Superplex.
Twist of Slate from Leon, Swanton 450 but knees get up. Locomotion Cradles from both but they kick out, Ryan picks the ankle to trip up Leon just a touch and then Danger Zone ends the match.
Ryan starts the post match beatdown, but the Hardy’s music hits and they come down to the ring for the save. Matt challenges the Nemeths for Rebellion because they’re not medically cleared yet.
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Decent story motion, no match was offensive, and there was actually some solid match action for television standards. I don’t have a ton to complain about aside from the Knockouts Division is in a weird spot, and giving Hendry a lot of just talking and hollow payoff segments feels stupid. If we need to hear from him every week, give him a talk segment like Highlight Reel or something. Yes I know First Class just got The Penthouse, but if Hendry is going to talk more than wrestle, give him a talk segment for us to sink our teeth into.
There was the announcement that Xia, Lei Ying and Masha will face Tessa, Jacy and a mystery partner. So you gotta wonder if there’s going to be another NXT mercenary, a surprise return or if it’ll just be Rosemary since she’s got her issues with Xia. Also I just realized that Unbreakable is going to be on a Thursday, seemingly after iMPACT? I’m gonna have to see how they do it, because if there’s an Impact episode and 2-3 hour PLE…I do not want to be awake until 1am. People need to work, and I will be Unwakeable if things go that long.
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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!
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