Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (10/17/22)
Raw’s getting wild!
Raw is entering BEAST MODE!
As if last week wasn’t big, this week’s Raw will have Rollins VS Riddle for the US title, the Good Brothers’ WWE in-ring return, and BRRROCK! LESNAR!!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Good Brothers VS The Alpha Academy; The Good Brothers win.
- Damage Control VS Candice LeRae & Bianca Belair; DMG CTRL wins.
- Baron Corbin w/ JBL VS Dolph Ziggler; Corbin wins.
- Dominik Mysterio w/ The Judgement Day VS AJ Syles w/ The Good Brothers; Dominik wins.
- The Miz VS Dexter Lumis; No Contest.
- WWE United States Championship: Seth Rollins VS Matt Riddle; Rollins wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bobby Lashley is already in the ring!
The All Mighty doesn’t wanna waste any more time! He’s calling out Brock Lesnar! If Lesnar has an issue, they can fight about it! Bring it on out and let’s fight for the fans in Oklahoma! And here comes The Beast! Fans fire up as Lesnar steps out on stage! Lesnar smirks as he starts down the ramp towards the ring. Lashley is pacing in the ring as Lesnar tips his hat to the fans. Lashley gets impatient and he rushes out after Lesnar! Lesnar RAMS Lashley into the apron! And then into the POST! Lashley staggers away but Lesnar hauls him up to a fireman’s carry! But Lashley slips off to POST Lesnar! Lesnar staggers, into a SPEAR through barriers!!
Fans are thunderous and management rushes out here with referees! They all swarm and drag Lashley up away from Lesnar! Lashley is up, superstars get involved now to keep Lashley back. But Lashley finds a way through, and he finds Lesnar again! SPEAR onto the desk! They flop over and fans are going nuts! Lashley still wants Lesnar’s blood, but Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander and others try to stop him! Lashley drags Lesnar up for a SPINEBUSTER through the desk!! Lesnar writhes in the wreckage while Oklahoma cheers Lashley! Lashley still has rage to spare but Lesnar isn’t getting up just yet. Will Lashley not rest until he’s destroyed The Beast?
The Good Brothers w/ AJ Styles VS The Alpha Academy!
The Original, the Official, and the ONLY Club that matters is back together! The Phenomenal One accompanies the Machine Gun, Karl Anderson, and Big LG, Luke Gallows, and they’re ready to continue where they left off. Will Gallows & Anderson make an example out of Chad Gable & Otis to the Judgement Day?
The teams sort out and Gable starts against Anderson. They tie up, Karl waistlocks but Gable wrenches out to a wristlock. Karl wrenches back, Gable rolls and spins through to headlock for a takeover! Karl keeps his shoulders up, fights up and powers out, but Gable runs him over! “A THANK YEW!” Fans boo and Styles is annoyed but things speed up. Karl hip tosses Gable then CLOBBERS him! Karl CHOPS Gable to a corner, brings him around to whip, and then he ELBOWS Gable down! Karl bumps Gable off buckles, tags in Gallows and fans fire up. Gable gets away and tags in Otis, and fans like the look of these two big men.
Otis and Gallows step to each other and Gallows throws hands! Otis kicks low and CLUBS Gallows. Otis runs in but is sent into the corner! Gallows runs in to back elbow! Gallows fires off body shots and an UPPERCUT! Gallows runs but into a WRECKER ELBOW! Otis swipes at Karl but he gets away, Gallows comes back with a BOOT! Tag to Karl, the Good Brothers mug Otis, and Karl uppercuts! Karl runs but into a cheap shot from Gable! Karl DECKS Gable but Otis CLOBBERS Karl! Gallows is mad but the ref keeps him back. Gable KNEES Karl into the POST! “A THANK YEW~!” Karl is down and fans boo while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis tags in. Gable whips Karl into a corner, Otis runs in and SPLASHES! Karl falls down and Otis climbs the corner! VADER FLOP as Karl moves! Fans fire up and Styles coaches Karl. Karl and Otis crawl, hot tags to Gable and Gallows! Big LG rallies with big clotheslines! And an UPPERCUT! Gable goes to a corner, Gallows runs in to back elbow! And then runs to FLYING ELBOW! YAKUZA KICK! Gable is down but Otis runs in! Otis dodges but gets a YAKUZA KICK! Gallows hauls Gable up, pump handle scoop, POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Gallows tags Karl! The Good Brothers set up, but Otis CLOBBERS Karl!
Otis CLUBS Gallows and clotheslines him out of the ring! Otis goes out, Gable NORTHERN LIGHTS Karl! Bridging cover, TWO! Otis runs at Gallows but is sent into steel steps! Gable drags Karl to a drop zone and climbs up top. MOONSAULT but he blocks the boot! ANKLE LOCK! Karl kicks Gable away, to hit a SPINEBUSTER! Tag to Gallows and they try it again! MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, Good Brothers win!
Winners: The Good Brothers, by pinfall
Styles celebrates with his boys, The OC is feeling Too Sweet! At least, until The Judgement Day shows up. Everyone has a mic but Finn starts with a “Tooooo Sweet~!” But that’s the same old same old crap! No one’s ever seen that before! Priest says the OC is crazy. The three of them think they accomplished something great last week! Fans chant, “You Suck!” Priest says they stopped caring about the fan a long time ago. But the only thing The OC accomplished is guaranteeing they’ll get cooked by the Judgement Day! Finn needs to remind us all that he’s the one who started that stupid little club! Finn made them, and he’ll break them!
That is why Judgement Day challenges the clowns to a match! But don’t get excited. It isn’t here tonight. It’ll be OC VS JD at Crown Jewel! Styles gets a mic to respond! “First of all, we accept. Second, I can’t understand why everyone does this. This is Monday Night Raw! You’re standing right there, we’re in the ring, let’s do this right here, right now! That is, unless you three boy shave to ask your mother for permission.” Dom tells Styles to shut up! Unless Styles wants to end up like Rey and end up running away to the other brand, tail between his legs, because he can’t hang with the Judgement Day!
Wow, listen to Dom. He’s so bad. So long as he’s next to the Judgement Day. Dom is trash! Dom turned his back on his own father! Dom is scum! A punk! So if Dom wants to run his mouth, let’s do something different tonight. If Dom wants to talk the talk, then he has to walk the walk. Dom and Styles can go 1v1 to handle business! Rhea says Dominik will rip Styles limb from limb. Is Dom a man or a boy? Dom says he’s gonna wipe the floor with Styles and rip him limb from limb! Then bring yer ass down here and let’s see it! Dom says whoa, he’s not ready right now. He isn’t dressed or taped up. But when he’s ready, he’ll mop the floor with Styles. In like, an hour!
Styles says fine, get dressed, tape up and drink some water. Styles will do what Rey couldn’t, and that’s beat the piss outta Dom! And THAT will be Too Sweet! Will this be a phenomenal start to the OC putting Judgement Day in their place?
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
The Architect goaded Bobby Lashley into defending the WWE United States Championship last week, and now he is the NEW WWE United States Champion! Rollins swaggers his way into the ring as always, and he gets a mic as fans sing his song. “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” And he welcomes OKC to Monday Night Rollins! “Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am a Visionary! I am a revolutionary! I am Seth!” “FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!” Oh and yes, he is your NEW United States Champion~! “And uh, for all you folks out there who doubted me… All you haters out there who turned your back on me… Who stopped believing in me, who counted me out… You can… Kiss. My. Big, beautiful red behind! AHAHAH!”
But for all the fine folks out there who have always had Rollins’ back, who never counted him out and always believed in him, do what you’ve always done and sing his song. “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” Rollins laughs and says they sound beautiful. But tonight is historic! Tonight is the first defense in what will become the greatest US Championship run of ALL TIME! In tonight’s main event, Rollins will wipe this mat with Matt Riddle’s face! And in doing so, Rollins will clear up that “miscommunication” from Extreme Rules. Fans chant, “You Tapped Out!” but Rollins tells them that he may have tapped when Riddle had him in that triangle sleeper. But that was a strategic move!
Rollins tapped for the fans! Two days later, Rollins had to come to Raw and be in the best possible condition so he could beat Lashley and become the US Champion! He did it for you! For YOU! But wait, Mustafa Ali is making his way out? Ali has a mic to say, “Hey, Seth, uh… First of all, congratulations on becoming the new United States Champion.” Rollins likes the sound of that. He knew Ali was here to party. Ali was waiting for Rollins to give a shout out to his boy, Lesnar, but… Well, if Rollins won’t mention it, then neither will Ali. But what Ali wants to say is that the former champion, Bobby Lashley, promised Ali he was next in line.
Ali gets it, though. Things change. Champions change. But Ali’s challenge remains the same. Ali wants to face Rollins, and for that US Championship. Rollins laughs and says he has a question for Ali. “Do I look like Bobby Lashley? HAHAHA! Sorry, pal, you’re gonna have to get to the back of the line.” Rollins has to focus on Riddle, but here’s what they can do. Two options: Ali can stay out here, party with everyone to celebrate the new champion; or Ali can skedaddle outta the ring. Ali doesn’t belong in the ring with Rollins. HAHAHAHAH- Ali snatches Rollins’ glasses and throws them away!
It’ snot going down like that. This might be Seth Freakin’ Rollins but he’s staring at his next freakin’ problem! Ali isn’t going anywhere, he is not backing down, he wants to fight for the title! Rollins has him stop there. Rollins appreciates what Ali is trying to do. And this might be a surprise, but Rollins likes Ali. He respects Ali. Ali in the ring is one of the best performers WWE has today. But the thing some may not know about him is that Ali is an even better person. Rollins sees Ali helping the young guys, he’s a great friend and father, and SUCKER PUNCH! Rollins rains down fists and he then throws Ali out!
Fans boo but Rollins smiles and fixes his hair. Rollins goes out and says the problem is solved. NOT! Ali CLOBBERS Rollins and fires off against the barrier! “Fight me! Fight me!” Rollins shoves Ali and throat chops! And then POSTS Ali! Fans boo while Ali writhes, and Rollins snarls as he leaves Ali behind. Win or lose, is Rollins going to find Ali coming back for revenge?
JBL’s limousine drives into the arena!
Last we saw that car, John Bradshaw Layfield took a not-so-happy Corbin under his wing. Are JBL and Corbin back to spread some cheer?
Damage Control VS Candice LeRae & Bianca Belair!
Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky are in action to keep their edge as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions sharp. Bayley joins commentary while her girls take care of business, but will the Poison Pixie & The EST be the ones taking control?
The teams sort out and Candice starts against the Evil Genius. They tie up, Sky tackles Candice and rains down fists! Candice turns things around but then Sky turns it back for more hands. Candice turns it around, Sky bucks free but runs into an arm-drag! And another! Candice kicks low, runs, and tilt-o-whirl headscissors, but Sky handsprings through! Candice dropkicks Sky then tags in Bianca! HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bianca keeps on Sky with a scoop but Sky slips free. Tag to Kai, but Bianca gets around to waistlock. Kai elbows free, then headlocks. Bianca powers out and runs Kai over!
Fans fire up and Bianca drags Kai up. Kai throws body shots then CLUBS Bianca down. Kai drags Bianca over, tags in Sky, and they spin Bianca around to double suplex! But Bianca lands out of it to tag Candice! They DOUBLE DROPKICK Damage Control! Bianca fireman’s carries Candice to use her as a weapon against Kai & Sky! Bianca whips Candice and she WRECKS Sky with a dropkick! Kai swings on Bianca but into the chicken wings! Bianca dumps Kai out of the ring and fans fire up as Candice steps up. SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY! Candice Wrestling & the RawEST Women’s Champion have control as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Bianca reverses a whip only for Iyo to reverse it back! IRON OCTOPUS! Bianca endures and Bayley is all smiles. Bianca fights, Sky sunset flips, TWO! Bianca swings but Sky dodges to then tilt-o-whirl, but Bianca blocks that! BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up while both women are down. They both crawl, hot tag to Kai! Kai stomps Bianca, drags Bianca up and ROCKS her! Bayley says DMG CTRL is in control of The EST, but then Bianca starts fighting back! Bianca DECKS Sky, then goes up and over Kai! But Kai grabs the braid! Bianca reaches, the ref reprimands, but Bianca is bringing Kai along!
Sky goes after Candice but Candice kicks her away! Bianca elbows Kai and tags in Candice! Candice fires off on Kai, LARIATS, then fires off forearms and CHOPS! Candice fires off in the corner, Bayley starts making excuses, but Sky runs in. Candice dodges Sky and sends her into Kai! Candice fires off on Sky! Fans fire up with Candice, she runs in to back body block! Candice snapmares Sky, she snapmares Kai, then steps on Kai to SENTON Sky! And then she BOOTS Kai down! Cover, TWO! Candice is annoyed but she drags Kai up. Kai RAMS Candice into a corner, runs in, but into Candice’s BOOT! Candice goes up top but Sky distracts!
Kai TRIPS Candice off the top! Kai stomps Candice, Bayley is confident again, and Kai tags Sky. DMG CTRL bumps Candice off buckles, Sky digs her boots in then lets off to swinging METEORA! Bayley wants a replay but Sky covers, TWO! Bianca is back up on the apron but Sky drags Candice up. Sky waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Candice is dazed and Sky tags Kai. Kai digs her boot into Candice, and then runs side to side! BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO! Kai drags Candice up, CLUBS her, then reels her in. But Candice cradles, TWO! Kai rushes in but Candice slips under! Kai grabs a leg but Candice ENZIGURIS! Tags to Sky and Bianca!
Bianca rallies on Sky with clotheslines and a DROPKICK! Then a kip up! Bianca catches Kai, tilt-o-whirl GUTBUSTER! Sky runs in, into a back drop! Bianca goes after Sky in the corner to rain down fists! Fans count all the way to TEN, then past! Sky gets away at 12, but Bianca kicks her! Tag to Candice, Bianca goes up and over! Bianca spins Sky around and suplexes! Candice goes up top, MISSILE DROPKICK SLAM! Cover, Kai breaks it in time! Bayley breathes easier, Kai SCORPION KICKS Bianca! Bianca ducks the roundhouse to chicken wing! Kai victory rolls to send Bianca out! Kai runs and BOOTS Bianca down!
Candice runs in, CODE BREAKER! All four women are down and fans fire up. But Bayley gets off commentary to bring out a KENDO STICK! But Bianca grabs Bayley! Then she dodges the stick to SPEAR Bayley over the desk! Fans fire up and Candice rises. Candice brings Sky up but Sky Alabama Lifts! Tag to Kai, AIR RAID CRASH! Then a double pump handle, ELECTRIC CHAIR SLAM! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage Control, by pinfall
Kai & Sky snatch the win with Bayley keeping Bianca preoccupied! The champions are rolling with a title match set for SmackDown, will DMG CTRL keep control even against the Ballsy & the Badass, Shotzi & Raquel?
Backstage interview with Matt Riddle.
Cathy Kelley is back, and she asks The Bro his response to Rollins’ comments earlier tonight. “Y’know, Cath, I got to know Seth pretty well over the last few months, and I’ve come to realize he’s a lot like one of those cheap Hoverboards. He’s a lot of fun at first, but then it starts to overheat and sets your house on fire, a bunch of tech nerds try to cover it up. It’s wild. But what I’m trying to say is, Seth can use whatever excuse he wants, but I already exposed him in the Fight Pit, and tonight I’m gonna beat his ass BAD, and become the new United States Champion, Bro. Yeah.”
But then Riddle notices Ali coming back. That took guts to stand up to Rollins. If Riddle wins that title, he’ll give Ali the opportunity he does deserve. For real? Yeah, Ali’s a stallion, bro. Ali likes the sound of that. But then wait, they both hear Miz crying about his knee! What happened here? What, can’t they tell? He was looking over his shoulder for that psycho, Lumis, and then some incompetent high school dropout janitor didn’t do their job, Miz slipped and fell and hurt his knee! Miz, don’t be rude, the term is “sanitation worker.” Actually, it’s sanitation engineer.
Guys, c’mon! He’s got a torn ACL at least! Miz is gonna sue this building. He can’t compete tonight! Get the EMT or a trainer! Yeah, uh, sure. Help, guys, Miz needs help. Or he’s just trying to avoid a match by any means necessary. Will Miz avoid being silenced by the Tortured Artist?
Judgement Day hypes up Dominik.
Finn says they’ve been training together, and nice guys finish last. It’s always about the bad guys. Wait, behind Rhea is Cora Jade. Cora did say she’d come to Raw. Finn is sure Rhea has this under control, right? Yeah, she’s got it. What does Cora want? Well, Rhea knows Cora is facing Roxanne Perez at Halloween Havoc this Saturday, right? Yes. And Pick Your Poison is first. Roxie chose Raquel Rodriguez for Cora. Cora needs to pick Roxie’s poison, and was thinking that there was no one as ruthless and dominant as Rhea.
So let’s get this right: Cora wants Rhea to go to NXT to beat the crap outta Roxie, who used to be Cora’s friend and tag partner. Unfortunately, yes. Well, same for Rhea and Raquel. Rhea wouldn’t mind putting Roxie down for her. Rhea’s in. Cora has her proxy, will Rhea eradicate Roxie?
John Bradshaw Layfield heads to the ring!
The WWE Hall of Famer, JBL, is back on Raw! Fans chant for JBL as he gets the mic. “It takes a momentous occasion for the Wrestling God to come back to the WWE, and tonight is no exception. I have got an announcement that will shake the very foundation of Monday Night Raw. But before I make that announcement, I would like to say something from the bottom of my heart. And in all sincerity, to the world… I apologize. For doing this… in Oklahoma. You gotta be kidding me! The great state is right there! The Promised Land is just south of the Red River, and you trailer parker living hillbillies don’t even have the common sense to leave?
“But wait, you did leave a couple weeks ago in the Red River Shootout, when God bless Texas put up half a hundred points on the Boomer idiots! They say you’re going to the SEC? How about trying the MAC? That’s a little more your speed. But I would love to just stand out here and bash Oklahoma because honestly, I really, deep down, despise this state and every one of you. But I have got great news. Rey Mysterio has left Monday Night Raw. Dominik has finally figured out what we knew decades ago: that that deadbeat dad, Rey Mysterio, is one of the worst human beings on the planet. He wears a mask because he is ashamed of himself.
“But that void has created the greatest trade since the Bambino came to the Bronx! And I’m talking about this! So I want you ladies and gentlemen to get on your little sweat hog feet, put your fat, chubby redneck hands together, and welcome the greatest addition to Monday Night Raw in history, and that is MR. BARON CORBIN!” No longer happy, but still very rich, Baron Corbin swaggers his way out and still has pyro! Corbin swaggers his way to the ring to join JBL and shake his hand. Fans boo but JBL says, “Look at this man. He’s two, three times the size of Rey Mysterio. And the dominance of Baron Corbin starts tonight.”
JBL asked for competition, and what the WWE gave Corbin is a former world champion, a former MITB winner. JBL knows Dolph Ziggler stole the show, but he’s been stealing money from the company in 15 years! If Ziggler was around in the Attitude Era, he wouldn’t have made the cut! And after walking around backstage, looking at the roster, if any of them had been around, Hornswoggle would’ve had competition, but the only way these superstars would’ve enjoyed the show is if they bought tickets to the show like the fans. And then they would’ve enjoyed the real stars, like Corbin! “This is a star that would be a champion in any generation.”
JBL wants us to remember these words, write them down, etch them in stone: This is the Raw Emergence of a Modern Day Wrestling God! Fans boo, no way Corbin fits any of that. But here comes the Show-Off! Can Ziggler shut Corbin down and shut JBL up in one go?
Baron Corbin w/ JBL VS Dolph Ziggler!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Ziggler and Corbin circle, Ziggler slips around but Corbin TOSSES him to a corner. Ziggler elbows Corbin back but Corbin clotheslines Ziggler out! JBL is on commentary as Corbin goes out to grab Ziggler. Corbin puts Ziggler in, JBL runs down poor Kevin Patrick, but Ziggler kicks and kicks and ROCKS Corbin! Ziggler ROCKS Corbin again but Corbin BOOTS Ziggler! Corbin talks trash on OKC but they boo him. Corbin drags Ziggler up, DECKS him, then drags Ziggler up. Corbin puts Ziggler in the corner, throws hands, talks trash to fans, then he DECKS Ziggler!
Corbin digs his boots into Ziggler, lets off as the ref counts, and then drags Ziggler up. Ziggler throws hands, runs, but Corbin CLOBBERS him! Cover, TWO! Corbin looms over Ziggler, he drags Ziggler up but fans rally up. Corbin whips Ziggler, Ziggler KICKS back! Ziggler goes to a corner, he dodges Corbin and sends him into buckles! Ziggler leaps up to rain down fists! Corbin stops that at five, and he brings Ziggler around to TOSS! But Ziggler lands on his feet to ROCK Corbin, and hit a SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO! JBL says Corbin is the new WEW cornerstone. Corbin gets to ropes, fans rally up, and Ziggler goes after Corbin.
Ziggler ROCKS Corbin, headlocks and grinds Corbin’s face on the ropes. The ref counts, Ziggler lets off to kick and stomp and rain down fists! The ref counts, Ziggler lets off, then he brings Corbin up to scrape Corbin’s face again! The ref counts, Ziggler lets off, then turns Corbin. Corbin dragon sleepers to inverted suplex! Fans rally while Corbin goes to a corner. Corbin runs corner to corner, Ziggler dodges, Corbin slides out then in to CLOBBER Ziggler! JBL is reminded of his clothesline, and he says, “Excuse me, Dolph, you’re missing your head.” Corbin soaks up the heat, goes out after Ziggler, and Corbin drags Ziggler up to RAM him into steel steps!
Ziggler writhes, fans boo more, but Corbin is all smiles as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Corbin rains down fists on Ziggler! Fans boo and Corbin snarls, but then Corbin throws down another fist! And another! And another! Fans taunt “BUM ASS CORBIN!” as he goes to a corner. Corbin tells OKC they’re the bums, and then he drags Ziggler up. Ziggler throws body shots, Corbin shoves him away but Ziggler holds ropes. Corbin runs in, Ziggler dodges and Corbin tumbles out of the ring! Corbin gets on the apron and Ziggler fires off at the ropes! The ref counts, Corbin shoves Ziggler away. Corbin gets in, Ziggler dodges to come back with BIG clotheslines! Then a leap in the corner for a rain of fists, getting to TEN fast!
Ziggler brings Corbin out for a NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up with Ziggler, and Ziggler drops a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Corbin and Ziggler slowly rise. JBL has absolute confidence in Corbin, but Ziggler kicks a leg. Ziggler runs, into a scoop! Corbin gives us a FALL AWAY SLAM, a la his mentor! Cover, TWO! Corbin is frustrated and fans keep calling him “BUM ASS CORBIN!” Corbin drags Ziggler up, reels him in, but Ziggler slips through to a FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO!! Corbin survives and JBL is stone faced confident he’ll turn it around. Corbin and Ziggler rise, and they start throwing hands!
Ziggler ROCKS Corbin, Corbin ROCKS Ziggler, repeat! Ziggler HEADBUTTS, but Corbin bucks the ZigZag to get a DEEP SIX! And a deep one! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler survives and Corbin is furious! Corbin drags Ziggler up and tells OKC to shut up. The fans refuse, “BUM ASS CORBIN” puts Ziggler up top. Ziggler throws hands on Corbin over and over then HEADBUTTS again! Ziggler adjusts, leaps, but into a choke grip! CHOKE SLAM- NO, Ziggler slips out to DROPKCIK! Ziggler dodges the boot to ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!?! Now JBL is worried! Fans fire up while both men are down, but Ziggler rises first!
Ziggler fires up and so do the fans! Ziggler tunes up the band, but Corbin blocks the superkick to reel him in! END OF DAYS!! Cover, Corbin wins!
Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall
JBL joins Corbin in the ring to celebrate this victorious “emergence!” Will the whole WWE Universe have no choice but to accept JBL’s proclamation that Corbin will become the next Wrestling God?
Miz gets checked by the trainer.
He can’t even look! Is it out of place? Is it shattered? Just do the surgery now! Byron Saxton asks if Miz can face Lumis tonight. Miz says he is in an immense amount of pain, and it doesn’t seem he’ll be able to compete tonight. Well, yes, Miz does seem bad at the moment. But a number of people on the custodial staff have come forward and claimed they saw Miz pouring water on the floor and then sitting on it. And that he set up the wet floor sign nearby. In fact, the records shows the floors haven’t needed mopping since last night. Is Byron implying Miz set this accident up? That he’s just making this up to get out of a match? How dare you!!
Miz gets mad now. Miz is very, very hurt right now, and of course people will claim he staged this. They’ll fabricate some kind of alibi because he has a huge lawsuit. But then Johnny Gargano shouts, “OH MY GOD, IT’S DEXTER LUMIS!” Miz springs up out of fear, but it seems his leg is fine. Gargano says “My bad, that’s Byron. Common mistake.” Johnny Wrestling just exposed Miz! Seems Miz can face Lumis after all. Yes. Miz’s superior DNA has allowed him to heal faster than a normal human, so that’s bad news for He Who Shall Not Be Named. Miz vows Lumis will be the one injured tonight. Will Miz find a way to fake his way through that match like he tried faking his way out of it?
MVP speaks.
“Allow me to make this very clear. I am not here to disparage Braun Strowman. To the contrary, I’m here to celebrate Braun Strowman. His size, his strength, his ferocity. A former Universal Champion. The very mention of the name, ‘Braun Strowman,’ strikes fear in the hearts of ordinary men. But as you can see, this gentlemen standing to my right is very far from ordinary. He is in fact the personification of the word, ‘Extraordinary.’
“That’s why this Friday, we’re going to SmackDown. And the Nigerian Giant, Omos, is gonna walk right up to Braun Strowman, and look down at him, directly into his eyes, to make sure that the so-called Monster of All Monsters understands that the 7’3″, 403 pound Nigerian Giant fears no man. Because let’s face it, monsters aren’t real. But giants are.” Omos looks ready to smash Braun, but will he #GetTheseHands instead?
The OC talk backstage.
The know the Judgement Day will be up to something but Styles doesn’t want Gallows or Anderson to get involved. Styles doesn’t want to get disqualified. But then Cameron Grimes walks in! What brings him to Raw? Grimes has a problem with these Schism guys in NXT, so he wanted to see if they would be his tag team partners tomorrow night. Gallows asks “Uncle Allen” if this is the guy with all the “ki-zash.” The millionaire? It’s in crypto, though. Money is money, guys. Well, sorry, Grimes, but they’re cash only brothers. So if Grimes needs partners, they’ve got his back. That is TOO~ Sweet! See you tomorrow night, fellas!
Styles tries to argue the pitfalls of crypto but the Good Brothers say they like money. They haven’t changed. Will Gallows & Anderson help Grimes beat up the Schism and get that sweet, sweet moolah?
BREAKING NEWS for Crown Jewel!
Given the insane brawl to open the night, Bobby Lashley and Brock Lesnar will have it out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia! Will the All Mighty and the Beast bring that same level of destruction overseas?
Dominik Mysterio w/ The Judgement Day VS AJ Syles w/ The Good Brothers!
The ingrate son of the King of Lucha revels in Rey leaving Raw because of him. But all that bad attitude might become bad karma against the Phenomenal One tonight! Will this be a phenomenal ass whooping ahead of that 3v3 at Crown Jewel? Or will the Judgement Day have more tricks up their sleeves?
The bell rings and Dom swings on Styles! Styles dodges then CHOPS Dom down! Styles bumps Dom off buckles, fires off hands, then bumps Dom of more buckles! Styles CHOPS again, has Dom in another corner and ROCKS him! Judgement Day coach Dom but Styles scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Dom flounders away and Styles stalks him. Styles brings Dom up for another BACKBREAKER! Styles says Dom’s nothing! Priest says Styles is nothing! Styles KICKS Dom to a corner, drags him up and around for a snap suplex! Dom gets to ropes, Judgement Day coaches him up but Styles CHOPS again.
Styles whips Dom to ropes, Dom KICKS back! Styles just ENZIGURIS Dom! Dom flounders away and gets to ropes. Styles bumps Dom off buckles again, climbs up the corner and rains down fists! Fans count all the way to TEN, then Styles hops down. Dom sits down and fans fire up as Styles glares at him. Dom bails out and flops to the barriers but Styles goes out after him. Dom wants mercy but Styles brings him up to bump him off barriers! Styles puts Dom in the ring, Rhea waves hi. Rhea dares Styles to hit her, and Styles says he’d love to, but he won’t. Styles says, “This chick needs to be blasted,” but Dom jumps out to PLANCHA!
Rhea and the Judgement Day laugh at Styles, and Dom puts Styles in. Dom hurries in to throw hands and rain down on Styles! Fans boo but Dom soaks up the heat. Dom CHOKES Styles on the ropes, lets off at 4, and Rhea mocks Styles sputtering. Dom stomps a mudhole in the corner, lets off at 4 again, and Dom soaks up even more heat. Dom storms back over to Styles but Styles throws elbows and haymakers! Styles throws Dom out to the apron but Dom HOTSHOTS back! Dom hurries up, gives some Latino Heat, and then slingshot sentons! Cover, ONE!! Judgement Day is upset but that count was fair.
Dom drags Styles up but Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz! LARIAT! Dom flops out of the ring again and Styles aims. Styles slingshots, for a BIG forearm! Styles drags Dom up and TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! Fans fire up with Styles while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Dom wants mercy as Styles storms up on him. Styles chooses to BOOT him instead! Fans fire up and Styles drags Dom up at the ropes. Styles bumps Dom off more buckles, then off more buckles. Styles scoops to SLAM Dom into a drop zone, then he goes up the corner. Fans fire up as Styles gives us some Latino Heat! But Dom hurries up after Styles to throw hands! Dom then brings Styles up, but Styles throws body shots! Styles ROCKS Dom and Dom falls to the mat! Finn distracts the ref, Rhea trips Styles up! Styles falls, Dom hurries over but the Good Brothers confront the Judgement Day!
Dom stomps away on Styles, soaks up the heat, then brings Styles up. Dom whips Styles into the corner, runs in and clotheslines! Styles drops to a knee, Dom pushes him over to a cover, ONE!! Judgement Day is frustrated but Dom stomps away on Styles! DRAGON STOMPS! Dom drags Styles up, gives us more Latino Heat, and then Dom suplexes! Uno Amigo! Fans boo but Dom suplexes again, Dos Amigos! Dom gets up again, for THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Dom stands and fans rally for Styles, but Dom eggs on the Good Brothers. Styles rises and he ROCKS Dom with haymaker after haymaker!
Styles whips Dom to a corner, Dom dodges but then Styles BOOTS him! Styles runs to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Styles snapmares Dom, runs and SLIDING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with Styles but Judgement Day is freaking out. They shout to Dom but Styles reels Dom in for a pump handle and GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Dom toughs it out, showing his championship DNA, but Styles hoists Dom up top. Dom throws hands and the Judgement Day coaches him. Dom throws down elbows, then TORNADO- NO, Styles puts Dom back up top to CHOP! Dom HEADBUTTS, and FLYING DDTS instead! Cover, TWO!!
Rhea is furious about the count but the ref defends the two. Styles rises, Dom DROPKICKS him onto the ropes! Dom dials it up, 619 misses and Styles rolls Dom! CALF CRUSHER!! Dom endures, he crawls, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Styles lets go in frustration, but he grabs Dom. The Judgement Day drags Dom out to safety, but the Good Brothers storm over. The OC and the Judgement Day stare down, and Styles DECKS Dom! The ref keeps the Good Brothers from brawling with Finn and Priest, Styles puts Dom in the ring, but Rhea anchors Styles! Styles kicks her away, Dom rolls Styles! Cover, DOM WINS!!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall
The Judgement Day helps Dom steal away a win over a Grand Slam Champion! Fans boo and the OC is just as mad, but the showdown at Crown Jewel is coming. Will Styles & the Good Brothers avenge this loss in the Six Man Tag?
Johnny Gargano finds The Miz backstage.
Miz asks what Gargano wants. Gargano feels compelled to help a fellow Clevelander. Gargano has known Dexter Lumis a long time, and he knows “the real story.” What’s Gargano talking about? If Miz doesn’t wanna have this match, he just has to tell everyone the truth. The truth? The truth is, Miz has been “victimized by a stalker.” And after tonight, after Miz wins, He Who Shall Not Be Named- Dexter. His name’s Dexter. He will be banned from the WWE forever! Well, good luck with that. Miz tells Gargano that after he’s done with Lumis, he’ll have a score to settle with Gargano. Alright. Knee looks great, by the way. Real powerful.
Gargano leaves Miz alone, but what secret past is he talking about? Will that come to light before the end of the night?
The Miz VS Dexter Lumis!
The Hollywood A-Lister may not be liked by many, but for whatever reason, he is the obsession of the Tortured Artist, who is still an unsigned free agent! If Lumis wins here tonight, he earns a contract with the WWE as a Raw roster superstar. Will Lumis rejoin the WWE at Miz’s expense? Or will Miz make sure Lumis ends up blacklisted instead?
Lumis makes his entrance, and Miz attacks from behind! WITH A CHAIR! Miz SMACKS away on Lumis on the stage! He doesn’t stop until that chair is BENT! Fans boo as Miz then drags Lumis up with a full nelson, to hit a SKULL CRUSHING FINALE on the chair!! Fans boo more as Miz leaves Lumis down and out. Referees check on Lumis, this match is called off! Miz beat Lumis down, but he didn’t beat Lumis. Will this do anything to stop Lumis’ obsession?
No Contest
Backstage interview with Damage Control.
Byron congratulates them on their win tonight, but what’s next? Kai says back, “What’s next? What’s next!? You don’t want to shed some light on how we just beat the Raw Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair, and Candice LeRae?” Bayley agrees, she is so sick of people asking them what’s next instead of appreciating what is unfolding in front of their eyes. Let’s appreciate the now! And now, Bayley asks Byron, “Where’s Alexa Bliss?” Not sure. They got rid of her! You’re welcome! And where’s Asuka? GONE! And that’s just a preview of how DMG CTRL will continue to reign over the women’s tag division. They are the best tag team, so Shotzi & Raquel better be watching! They don’t stand a chance on SmackDown!
And as for Bayley, she’s over what happened at Extreme Rules. Bianca didn’t pin Bayley. Bayley won’t let Bianca off easy. Next week, Bayley shows us what it’ll be like when she’s back in control! We get a non-title rematch next week, but will Bayley earn herself another championship opportunity with another pin?
The Miz runs across Gargano backstage.
Gargano shakes his head. “Bad move, Mike.” Does he really think that’s gonna stop Lumis? The only thing that will stop is Miz giving Lumis what he promised. Miz doesn’t know what Gargano is talking about! But what Miz does know is that Lumis is NOT getting a WWE contract any time soon. Gargano feels bad for Miz. What is the worse that would happen if Miz told the truth? Miz gets canceled, loses the house, lives on the street, Gargano & Candice take over Miz & Mrs. as The Wrestling Family and- SHUT UP! The hell is Gargano even wearing?
Oh, Miz knows what this is: it’s a whistle. Gargano has it for dramatic effect. But if Miz doesn’t come clean, Gargano will become a whistleblower on Miz. Gargano teases it but Miz storms off. Just what secret is Gargano holding over The Miz?
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the return of ELIAS!
The Drifter is in the ring and fans cheer as he stands in front of a keyboard. Elias introduces himself, and says it feels great to be back. Now as you may or may not know, his younger brother, Ezekiel, had his wrestling career cut short. But that is the reason Elias is back. There’s a saying in their family: the show must go on. So, Elias has one question for the fans tonight. “Who wants to walk with Elias?!” OKC does! Elias says normally he’d play a song on a guitar, but he wants to do something special for OKC tonight. He wrote a song that’s straight from the heart and soul, and wants to play it from the keys. But he does get a bit emotional.
Please, silence your cellphones and hold your applause until the end so he doesn’t get choked up. Elias takes a deep breath, but “Bro…” Matt Riddle makes his way out? He has BONGOS! Riddle is going to the ring with bongos and a mic and Elias says dude, it’s great to see you, Riddle, but this is Elias’ big night and you interrupt him? C’mon! Oh, bro, no, he’s not interrupting. Riddle has a big title match up next, but he is a HUGE fan! Elias freakin’ rocks, bro! When Zeke was around, Riddle would get so Zeke’d up, it was crazy! Riddle brought his bongos! Does Elias want a hit of the bong…os? Elias says that’s not really his thing but…
Riddle has an idea. He knows everyone knows that there’s one truth. And that is that WWE means… “OH~ Walk With Elias~!” Fans sing along Seven Nation Army style, and Riddle starts hitting the bongos. Elias can’t help but crack up, and he has Riddle calm down a second. That’s great, Elias appreciates it and he appreciates all his fans. But listen, Riddle came out, he has a big match up next. So here’s an idea: Riddle can get a front row seat, with his bongos, everyone’s in a great mood, and Elias will play the song. Then can they one day play together? Fans like the sound of that! Elias promises us right now, in front of the world, one day they will. YES!! Elias is the best!
Riddle thanks Elias, and says if Elias needs anything, he’s right here. Thanks, Riddle. Riddle sits down, the lights go down, and Elias begins. Riddle vibes as Elias plays the long intro. But then Seth Rollins makes his entrance! Elias is frustrated and Riddle is also upset, but Rollins is laughing and swaggering to the ring as always. Fans sing, “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” for the Visionary, but will Rollins be singing the blues at the end of their title match?
WWE United States Championship: Seth Rollins VS Matt Riddle!
Raw returns and Elias is still ringside as the introductions are made. The belt is raised, and we see which way this tie breaks!
The bell rings, they both rush in, and Riddle gets a FLYING TRIANGLE! Rollins scrambles to the ROPEBREAK Riddle lets off, Rollins bails out, and Rollins wants Riddle to stay back. Rollins tells Elias to leave, he has nothing to do with this. Elias says he’s here for his fan, Riddle. Rollins goes up the steps, steps inside, and circles with Riddle. Rollins then bails out again to cool off. Riddle goes up the corner to tell Rollins to get in the ring! Rollins tells Riddle to back off, and then Rollins steps inside again. They circle, feel things out, Riddle throws kicks at the sore ribs, and then he fires off in the corner!
The ref counts, Riddle KICKS and KICKS until 4, and then Rollins bails out again. Riddle goes out after Rollins, and he CLOBBERS Rollins! Riddle puts Rollins in the ring, hurries after him, and deadlift gut wrenches Rollins for the suplex! Fans fire up while Rollins grits his teeth. Rollins throat chops then he CLUBS Riddle down! Rollins stomps away on Riddle, drags him back up and bumps him off buckles. Rollins whips corner to corner hard and Riddle bounces off buckles to hit the mat. Fans rally and duel but Rollins rains down fists on Riddle. Rollins drags Riddle up, but Riddle throws counter punches!
Rollins ROCKS Riddle, but Riddle counter punches again! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, and Riddle gest the edge. But Rollins SOBATS, then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and duel, Rollins drags Riddle up and CHOPS! Rollins CHOPS Riddle against ropes, and then he fishhooks Riddle’s nose. The ref counts, Rollins talks trash but lets off at 4. Riddle catches Rollins for a headscissors to the floor! Riddle then goes up, but Rollins runs away! Riddle goes into the ring instead, Elias tells Rollins how close that was, and Rollins gets mad! Rollins pie faces Elias while the ref keeps Riddle back. Elias JUMP KNEES Rollins down!
Fans fire up and Riddle has a big smile on his face. Elias gets away with one and Rollins could be out cold as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Riddle fires off forearms on Rollins. Rollins ducks the roundhouse, then fakes superkick to mule kick the legs out! Rollins SUPERKICKS Riddle down, covers, TWO! Riddle is still in this and Rollins is furious! Rollins argues with the ref but the ref says it was a fair count. Rollins fumes and tells Elias he’s gonna get his. Rollins drags Riddle up as fans rally, and Rollins gives Riddle some Kawada Kicks! But Riddle blocks the stomp to spin and PELE! Riddle kips up to forearm smash in the corner! And then another! Rollins blocks the exploder and fights free with elbows. Rollins spins, into the BROSPLODER!
Fans fire up and Riddle BROTONS onto knees! Rollins runs in at the corner, into an ELBOW! Riddle goes up, FLOATING BRO ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Rollins escapes and Riddle is surprised! Riddle rises as fans rally up and duel. Riddle drags Rollins up, lifts, but Rollins slips free to underhook! Riddle back drops, Rollins sunset flips, TWO! Riddle runs, into a ROLLING ELBOW! Rollins turns Riddle, for the DREAM SMASH- NO, Riddle ducks to ripcord, FINAL FLASH! And then gut wrench into the BRO DEREK! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and Riddle can’t believe it! Elias coaches Riddle to keep focus and fans rally up.
Riddle drags Rollins to a drop zone and he goes up top again. Fans fire up, but Rollins CLUBS Riddle first! Rollins climbs up behind Riddle, CLUBS away some more, then he stands Riddle up! Dragon sleeper for the INVERTED SUPERPLEX! And a roll-through, for an INVERTED FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!?! Riddle shows his toughness and “This is Awesome!” Rollins goes to a corner, he climbs up while snarling at Riddle. FROG SPLASH into the TRIANGLE!! Rollins flails, Riddle throws down elbow after elbow! Rollins deadlifts to POWERBOMB! But Riddle holds on!! Rollins endures, deadlifts again, to BUCKLE BOMB!
Riddle is still holding on?! So Rollins drags him up for a RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! And Riddle still has the arm!! Riddle has that Triangle Hold in deep, but Rollins moves around! ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Riddle lets go at 4 in frustration. Rollins sputters and gasps, fans are thunderous but Elias talks some trash. Rollins leans against the announce desk, fans rally for Riddle, and now Rollins dares Elias to hit him. Elias won’t with the ref looking. So Rollins SUPERKICKS Elias! Riddle PENALTY KICKS Rollins! Riddle puts Rollins in, ducks the clothesline and POWERSLAMS! Fans fire up as Riddle puts Rollins through ropes, for the DRAPING DDT!
Fans fire up and Riddle hears the voices, bro! Riddle pounds the mat, aims, RK- NO! And Elias comes in! Rollins shoves Riddle into Elias, then hits CURB STOMP!! Cover, Rollins wins!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
And a CURB STOMP for Elias, too!! The Visionary gets the last laugh, taking out The Bro and The Drifter in one go! But he’s not done here! Rollins puts Riddle’s head on the belt! Rollins aims, but ALI ATTACKS! Ali won’t let Rollins get his way any longer! He blocks a kick to WHEEL KICK! Rollins flops out of the ring, but Ali DIVES out after him! Rollins hits the desk! Fans fire up with Ali as he throws off his jacket, and LEAPS over the desk to get at Rollins!! Rollins tries to run away but Ali clotheslines him over the barriers! Rollins runs away to the back and Ali shouts at him. “I’m a problem! I am YOUR problem!” Will Rollins have to look over his shoulder for The Beacon coming for him?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, with a lot of great build for Crown Jewel. For one, what an awesome opening segment with Lashley being there before cameras were live, and he calls out Lesnar, and they brawl. Lashley leaving Lesnar laying was a surprising and great turn around from last week, and now they’re going to have a great match at Crown Jewel. We also got a good match from Good Brothers VS Alpha Academy, of course Good Brothers win. Good promos from Judgement Day and The OC setting up their Crown Jewel match, and a really good match out of Dom and Styles, at least in terms of story. Of course Judgement Day cheats to give Dom the win, and that Six Man will be a lot of fun.
Another fun thing is that Grimes came here to ask Gallows & Anderson to be his teammates. I like that they’ll do it if he can pay them, and so there might be a moment tomorrow on NXT where they ask for the money. Cora also showed up like she promised last week, and she did ask Rhea to be her Pick Your Poison proxy, so it’s going as expected. We got a good tag match out of DMG CTRL VS Bianca & Candice, and of course they cheat to get the win. A tag title match happening on SmackDown is fine, but I suppose this is just to clear Shotzi & Raquel out of the way. I have a feeling Bayley will also cheat to beat Bianca next week, and then Crown Jewel can have a Raw Women’s Championship match.
Great return match for Corbin now that he’s back to just being Baron Corbin by name. He could’ve used way better ring gear, that cross stitch portion is flesh colored and just looks weird. I was also hoping for Corbin to incorporate more of a cowboy gimmick but oh well. If JBL keeps showing up to be on commentary for his matches, that much is going to be a lot of fun. And we got great stuff out of The Miz, and I like this new wrinkle that he supposedly promised Lumis something but is denying it. The No Contest was a bit lame but Lumis will definitely have a response, and this will escalate into something great for the promised match of Miz VS Lumis. I hope Ciampa returns so that we can get Miz & Ciampa VS Lumis & Gargano at some point.
Good promo from MVP to call out Braun on behalf of Omos, and that confrontation on SmackDown will be pretty fun. And we got great integration of stories for the US Championship. Ali wants after Rollins since Rollins took the title from Lashley, and then I almost thought Elias was going to go Heel on Riddle because of his interruption. Elias stays Face to be friendly with Riddle, and almost helps Riddle win against Rollins only to be the reason Riddle loses. I don’t know about Riddle, but I bet Ali AND Elias are going to go after Rollins and the US title for Crown Jewel. That Triple Threat would be a great match, because then Rollins can find an opportunistic way to win so no one is really hurt in defeat.
My Score: 8.7/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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There’s a lot going on this time around!
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The Bracket of Courage!
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The Final Boss is back!
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So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
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Anillo de Honor!
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NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
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Phoenix is Dynamite!
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NXT is Absolute!
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G'day, mates!
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Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Grand Slam: Australia Results & Report! (2/15/25)
AEW goes down under!
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