Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Battle Autumn Results & Report! (11/5/22)
Battle Autumn’s series finale!

Who moves on to WrestleKingdom?
NJPW Battle Autumn wraps up with gold! Los Ingobernables de Japon and The United Empire fight over the Junior Heavyweight AND US Championships! Plus, the NJPW World Television Championship Tournament Semifinals wills end two to WK17 to fight for the gold! Will NJPW soon be completamente tranquilo?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: TJP & Francesco Akira VS BUSHI & Titán; TJP & Akira win and retain the titles.
- 8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, David Finlay & Alex Zayne VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- Hikuleo VS Yujiro Takahashi; Hikuleo wins.
- NJPW World Television Championship Tournament, Semifinal: Ren Narita VS SANADA; Narita wins and advances to WrestleKingdom 17.
- NJPW World Television Championship Tournament, Semifinal: EVIL VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins and advances to WrestleKingdom 17.
- Hiromu Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori VS Master Wato & El Desperado; Wato & Desperado win.
- Kazuchika Okada & Tama Tonga VS Jay White & KENTA; Okada & Tama win.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: FTR VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb; FTR wins and retains the titles.
- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay VS Tetsuya Naito; Ospreay wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: TJP & Francesco Akira VS BUSHI & Titán!
The United Empire lost the majority of the tune-ups to Los Ingobernables de Japon, but now it comes down to the match that matters! Can the Public Enemy & Nova Fireball conquer LIJ to open the night? Or will Black Mask & The #INMORTAL bring home the gold?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see just who conquers who!
The teams sort out, but then LIJ DOUBLE DROPKICK TJP & Akira! Fans fire up, the bell rings to get this on record as Bushi y Titan DOUBLE DIVE! The topes send TJP & Akira into railing and fans fire up again! Titan puts TJP in, stomps him, then Titan and Bushi double whip corner to corner. Bushi runs in to back elbow, then he sets up as a step stool. Titan runs and uses Bushi, but TJP dodges! Titan hits buckles, TJP holds Bushi down and Akira uses Bushi for FIREBALL IN MOTION! TJP then throws Bushi out and he gives Akira a boost to SHOTGUN Titan out! TJP slingshot dropkicks Bushi down!
Akira builds speed and TJP holds the ropes, Akira FLIES out to wipe out LIJ! Milano Collection AT lets out a very clear “OH SH*T!” on commentary! Fans are fired up as TJP and Akira put Bushi in the ring. TJP keeps Bushi down, Akira runs and TJP gives him a boost in an Electric Chair! Akira tells fans to take pictures now, and then he hits an ELEVATED SENTON! Cover, TWO! TJP DECKS Titan, he and Akira double whip Bushi, FLAPJACK FACEBUSTER! Cover off the Alley Oop, but Titan breaks it! Akira stomps Titan, he and TJP double whip him now, the mule kick, kick and KICK, basement SHOTGUN!
Akira goes out after Titan to keep him down, and TJP takes off his shirt to CHOKE Bushi with it! The ref counts, TJP lets off at 4, and Akira sends Titan into railing. TJP pulls Bushi’s shirt off and CHOKES him with it! The ref reprimands and counts, TJP stops at 4, and then TJP drags Bushi up. TJP taunts Titan, bumps Bushi off buckles and stomps him in the Empire’s corner. Fans rally as TJP scrapes Bushi’s face again and again. TJP runs side to side, but Bushi dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi crawls, but Akira trips Titan off the apron! TJP drops knees on Bushi’s back and Akira slides in.
The Empire stalks Bushi to ropes as fans rally. TJP & Akira double whip, but Bushi ducks the double lariats to send TJP into Akira! Bushi then DOUBLE RANAS! Fans fire up as those three are down and Titan is up! Bushi crawls over, hot tag to Titan! Fans fire up as Titan rallies on the Empire! Knuckle lock and CHOP for TJP, then Titan goes up and up and jumps around to then springboard MISSILE DROPKICK Akira! Titan dodges TJP, but TJP puts him on the apron. TJP runs but into a body scissor throw! Titan then resets, to TOP ROPE QUEBRADA! Direct hit on both TJP and Akira and fans fire up! Titan puts TJP in, covers, TWO!
Titan keeps cool and waits on TJP to stand. Titan KICKS, KICKS, SOBATS and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! TJP runs, but Titan follows to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as TJP is still in this. Titan pounds the mat, fans clap along, and Titan drags TJP up. Titan reels TJP in, Canadian Racks, and spins around, but TJP fights free! Tag to Akira, TJP holds Titan for the SUPERKICK! The Empire double whip Titan but he crisscrosses them. They kick, run, but Titan dodges to then DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Fans fire up as Titan rolls away, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi stomps Akira down then brings him up.
Akira rakes Bushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Akira puts Bushi in a corner and whips corner to corner. Akira runs corner to corner, but Bushi SWING KICKS him away! Bushi goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! And BUSHIROONI! Fans fire up and Bushi stomps Akira around more. Bushi drags Akira up, FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO! Bushi calls Titan in and they double whip Akira corner to corner. Titan whips Bushi for Bushi to whip Titan and repeat, Bushi staggers but he still forearms Akira in the corner! Bushi sets up again, TITAN IN MOTION! Then a feed to Bushi’s lift, Titan goes up, DROPKICK SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TJP breaks it!
Titan stomps TJP to a corner and he coordinates with Bushi. They double whip TJP corner to corner, then Bushi whips Titan in. TJP dodges Titan to SHOTGUN Bushi! SUPERKICK from Titan! SUPERKICK from Akira! Bushi monkey flips Akira but he lands on his feet! Bushi ducks Akira’s Superkick! Akira blocks Bushi’s kick, but he gets grazed by the enziguri and the HEEL KICK hits clean! Fans fire up as all four men are down! Fans rally, Bushi and Akira stir while TJP and Titan exit. Bushi and Akira head for each other, and Bushi throws a forearm. Akira throws it back. Bushi throws another forearm, and Akira staggers.
Akira throws a forearm again! Bushi throws it back! Akira throws forearm after forearm, then DOUBLE CHOPS! Bushi stays up, Akira eggs him on, and Bushi DOUBLE CHOSP back! Bushi fires off forearms, runs, but Akira follows to wheelbarrow and victory roll, STOMP 182! Fans rally with “A! KI-RA!” TJP joins in, he and Akira gets Bushi up in Electric Chair. Akira climbs the corner, but Titan GAMANGIRIS! Bushi slips off to BACKSTABBER TJP! Titan goes up, APRON DOUBLE STOMP for Akira! Bushi aims at Akira, sunset flip, then SPRINGBOARD SPLASH from Titan! Bushi covers, TWO!! Akira survives and fans fire up!
Bushi and Titan coordinate and they wait on Akira to stand. Akira is in the corner, Titan runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Bushi hits a CODE BREAKER! Titan hurries up, but TJP trips him! TJP dodges Bushi, waistlocks, but Bushi switches. TJP ducks and the SUPERKICK hits Bushi! Akira reels Bushi in, SPEED FIRES! TJP drags Bushi up, the Empire coordinates, they run, 2 BY 2!! Cover, but Titan breaks it!! TJP hurries after Titan but Titan whips TJP. Titan goes Matrix but TJP catches him! Akira goes up, DOUBLE STOMP FINAL CUT! The Empire hurry to get Bushi up, and they hit the LEANING TOWER!! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: TJP & Francesco Akira, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
All those losses in Battle Autumn mean nothing now, because the Empire won out in the end! But will the combination of Bushi y Titan be back with Super Junior Tag League right around the corner? Or will the Empire be on to a new challenge?
NJPW World Television Championship Tournament, Semifinal: Ren Narita VS SANADA!
The Son of Strong Style declares a changing of the guard, but he has to make it happen with his own two hands! Will he be able to do so in 15 minutes or less? Or will his quest hit a Skull End?
The bell rings and the countdown begins. Fans rally up as Sanada and Narita circle. They approach, feel things out, and Narita shoots in. Sanada holds him off, Narita shifts to go for an arm but Sanada goes for an arm, too. Narita facelocks, he brings Sanada down and then slips around to a back mount. Sanada moves around and gets around to waistlock. Narita and Sanada continue to go for arms and switch around with waistlocks. Narita goes for a leg but Sanada facelocks to block. Narita slips out to get a facelock back, and fans applaud this great technical exchange. Sanada fights up to fireman’s carry takeover, but Narita uses a leg guard to stop the lateral press.
Sanada and Narita sit up, Narita has a leg in between them as Sanada knuckle locks. Narita wants a headscissor but Sanada fights through to a cover, ONE. They stand and clinch, Narita pushes Sanada back to ropes, and fans applaud the ropebreak. Sanada turns things around, the ref calls for the break, and Sanada lets off to pat Narita on the shoulders. Fans applaud, Narita steps to Sanada and swings! But into a dragon sleeper! Narita scrambles to get the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets off slowly and fans applaud again. Narita runs in but Sanada trips him up to put him right in Paradise! Fans fire up as Sanada stands on Narita!
Sanada encourages the fans to get louder and they oblige. Sanada likes the volume, and he runs to dropkick Narita out of Paradise! But Narita comes right back to knee low! Narita snapmares and KICKS Sanada! Narita then throws Sanada out of the ring, goes out after him, and whips. Sanada reverses and Narita hits railing! Narita comes back, but into a BOOT! Sanada puts Narita on railing, MAGIC SCREW to the floor! Fans fire up and Sanada stands Narita up. Sanada headlocks and he brings Narita along to the outside to No Man’s Land. PILEDRVER to the floor! Narita writhes and fans fire up as Sanada shows some edge.
Sanada leaves Narita behind, and fans rally up with their claps, “SA-NA-DA!” “NA-RI-TA!” The ring count starts and climbs to 5 of 20, then 10 of 20. Narita returns to ringside at 13, staggers over and in at 15. Sanada stomps away at the ropes! We’re at five minutes and Sanada ties Narita up in the ropes! ROPE PARADISE! Fans applaud and Sanada offers them to take pictures. Sanada leaves Narita behind as the fans rally up. Narita tries to get free on his own but Sanada dropkicks him out of Paradise again! Narita falls to the floor, and then Sanada PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Narita! Fans fire up and Sanada puts Narita back in. Cover, TWO!
Sanada keeps cool and he brings Narita up into a chinlock. Narita endures, fights up, and throws elbows. Narita is free and he throws forearms! Sanada EuroUppers Narita in return! Sanada whips Narita corner to corner, Narita reverses but runs into a BOOT! Sanada runs, into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Narita roars and he stands back up. Sanada sits up and Narita KICKS! Narita whips Sanada to a corner, runs in, and back elbows! Then HALF HATCH! Bridging cover, TWO! TO AN ARMBAR! Sanada clasps hands but Narita pulls them apart! Sanada kicks and flails to the ROPEBREAK! Narita lets off as the ref counts and fans fire up.
Narita drags Sanada up to KICK again! And again! Sanada blocks the next one to CLUB the leg! Sanada swings, into a SLEEPER! Narita then shifts to a cobra twist! Sanada fights that to hip toss free! Fans rally, Sanada dragon sleepers but Narita snapmares free, only for Sanada to handspring through! Sanada DROPKICKS Narita back! Sanada reels Narita in to back suplex, but Narita lands on his feet! COBRA TWIST! Sanada endures as Narita puts on the pressure! Sanada steps towards ropes, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Narita lets off to KICK him! Then hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!
Narita is frustrated but the fans rally up. Narita tells Sanada to get up! Sanada stirs, Narita sits him up, and KICKS as we hit 10 minutes! And KICKS! And KICKS again! Narita KICKS Sanada to a corner then stomps a mudhole! Narita digs his boots in but the ref reprimands and counts. Narita lets off to go corner to corner. Sanada ROCKS Narita, then QUEBRADAS to get the dragon sleeper! Sanada drops back but Narita rolls through to get a SLEEPER! Sanada arm-drags free! Sanada fireman’s carries, but Narita fights that into an IRON OCTOPUS! Sanada endures, fights up to the fireman’s carry, and throws Narita into the dragon sleeper!
Narita slips free but Sanada waistlocks and uses ropes to O’Conner DRAGON SLEEPER! Narita endures, Sanada drops back, SKULL END! Narita endures again as Sanada puts on the squeeze! Fans rally but Narita is fading! The ref checks, but then Sanada lets off to go to the corner! Sanada goes up top, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Narita O’Conner Rolls and bridges! TWO!! Narita drags Sanada up, Sanada throws a forearm but Narita gives it back! They go back and forth, fans rally, and Narita gets the edge! ENZIGURI! BOOT! Sanada rebounds into a clinch, but he fights the lift! Narita HEADBUTTS away on Sanada!
Sanada HEADBUTTS and Narita wobbles! Fans fire up and Sanada whips corner to corner, but Narita reverses. Sanada goes up and out and springboard MISSILE DROPKICKS! Two minute warning as Narita stands up and roars! Narita rushes in, but Sanada gets around to O’Conner BR- NO, Narita blocks the bridge to get a SLEEPER! Sanada rolls back to DRAGON SLEEPER! Narita drops to victory roll! TWO!! SLEEPER!! Sanada endures, fans rally up, and Sanada fights up! Sanada throws elbows, gets free, and both men catch their breath. Fans rally again as we hit ONE minute! Sanada swings into an EXPLODER! Bridging cover, TWO!!!
Narita is furious, but he turns around into a EuroUpper! Sanada spins into a SLAP! And an ENZIGURI! But Sanada ENZIGURIS back! Sanada ROLLING ELBOWS! Fans fire up with Sanada, ROLLING- NARITA SPECIAL!! NARITA WINS!!!
Winner: Ren Narita, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
With just THIRTY SECONDS to spare, the Son of Strong Style snatches victory away from the Cold Skull! Is the changing of the guard going to become a reality?
NJPW World Television Championship Tournament, Semifinal: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Zack Sabre Jr!
The King of Darkness continues to stack the deck, but the Submission Master has an arsenal to unload! Will Darkness Fall on WrestleKingdom? Or will Evil #JustTapOut this close to the finals?
Evil and Dick drag one of the Young Lions out in a ZSJ jacket! They’re making an example of Kosei Fujita! But wait, is that really ZSJ wearing that hat? Dick goes to check, but surprise! It’s Ryohei Oiwa! Dick DECKS him for tricking them! But THE ZSJ sneaks up behind Evil! SLEEPER! The ref rings the bell, ZSJ rolls Evil up, TWO!! ZSJ HEADBUTTS Evil, headlocks, but Evil powers out. Evil dodges the boot, ZSJ dodges the lariat, but Dick trips ZSJ while Evil is in the ref’s face! ZSJ bails out, Evil goes out after him, and Evil whips ZSJ into railing! Evil scoops Kosei Fujita and SLAMS him on ZSJ!
Evil then attacks Oiwa with a knee! Evil scoops him to SLAM him on ZSJ! Evil stomps the hat, too. Evil then takes off his shirt to CHOKE ZSJ! The ref reprimands, fans rally for “Z S J!” but Evil lets off. Evil brings ZSJ around, knees him low, then brings out some chairs! The ref reprimands but Evil still puts one chair around ZSJ’s head. Evil has the ref check the Young Lions, but then ZSJ BOOTS Evil! ZSJ kicks Dick, BOOTS Evil again, then BOOTS Dick. ZSJ gets the chair, throws it away, and he headlocks Evil. ZSJ brings Evil around to the timekeeper’s area and makes Evil take a seat by pulling on his ears!
ZSJ then fetches Dick and brings him around. ZSJ RAMS Dick into the timekeeper’s table! Fans are thunderous as Evil gets a taste of his own medicine! ZSJ throws the chair off himself and fetches Evil. Abe-san cleans up his table but Evil rakes ZSJ’s eyes! Evil whips Oiwa at ZSJ but ZSJ pushes him aside. But Evil RAMS Fujita into ZSJ! Then Evil rakes Oiwa’s eyes just because! Evil steps through on ZSJ, but ZSJ trips Evil up! Instead of a Scorpion Deathlock, ZSJ has a HEEL HOOK with a grapevine! Evil endures, the ring count climbs, Evil goes after ZSJ’s feet but ZSJ twists Evil’s leg more! The ring count is at 7 of 20!
Evil endures, ZSJ lets go at 10 of 20 and hurries into the ring! Evil hurries, but who is that under the ring grabbing at Evil? Evil looks under, and it’s Dick! Dick didn’t know who he was grabbing! Evil gets in at 18! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Evil is still in this but ZSJ scoops! Evil slips free, spins ZSJ around, EVERY- NO, ZSJ slips out of the STO to go around and bait Evil with a leg. Evil falls for it and ZSJ flips Evil over, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!?! Evil escapes and even he’s surprised! ZSJ kicks but Evil blocks! Evil gives the foot to the ref, but ZSJ blocks Evil’s kick to have an ANKLE LOCK! Evil endures as ZSJ leans on the hold!
Evil moves around, and he sends ZSJ at the corner! ZSJ stops himself, avoiding the bare buckles! Guess how that happened. Evil runs in, ZSJ dodges, and Evil has to stop from hitting bare buckles! ZSJ gets a SLEEPER! Dick gets on the apron but the Young Lions drag him down! Dick fights them off, but they YANK him down! But Evil MULE KICK LOW BLOWS! Cradle, TWO!!! ZSJ survives but Evil hurries to drag him up! EVERY- NO, ZSJ slips out, GROUND COBRA!! ZSJ WINS!!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
We didn’t even need the five minute call, ZSJ did that in 4 minutes, 48 seconds! The Submission Master is moving on to the finals, will he get that first singles title in NJPW at WrestleKingdom?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: FTR VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb w/ Gideon Grey!
Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood are still the THREE BELT CHAMPIONS, even after facing Aussie Open. But now The United Empire’s big guns are here! Will the Dominator & Imperial Unit take these titles? Or will #7StarFTR still shine through?
Gideon Grey gives the United Empire their introduction, and then FTR make their entrance. The IWGP belts are raised, and we see how hard these teams will fight to have them!
The teams sort out, FTR hugs and Cash starts. The Empire forearm bump and Cobb starts. Fans rally as the bell rings and the two circle. Cobb says FTR isn’t going to walk into the Empire’s house and get away with it. Cobb and Cash tie up, Cash tries to push Cobb but Cobb stays put. Cobb pushes Cash away, and Cash shrugs that off. They tie up again, Cash tries to push Cobb but Cobb pushes Cash away again. Fans applaud, Cash and Cobb circle, and Cash goes for a leg. Cobb stays back, they tie up again, and Cash gets a headlock. Cobb powers up but Cash thrashes the hold. Cobb powers out and they RAM shoulders! Fans applaud as neither falls.
Cash runs, gets around and waistlocks. Cash lifts Cobb! But Cobb arm-drags free! Cobb rushes in, waistlocks and SLAMS Cash, then facelocks. Fans rally as Cash slips through to headlock back. Cobb powers out, scoops but Cash slips free to RANA! Fans applaud but Cobb is annoyed. Cash throws up the V for victory, and he tags in Dax. Cobb tags Khan and fans applaud. Khan and Dax stare down, tie up, and Khan pushes Dax to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the ropebreak and Khan lets off with a hard pat on the shoulder. Fans applaud and Dax dusts himself off. Dax and Khan tie up again, and Khan again pushes Dax back.
Dax turns things around and now he has Khan on the ropes. Khan turns things back around but Dax then puts Khan in a corner. Red Shoes calls the break, Dax lets off slowly, and he sharply pats Khan on the shoulders. Khan storms up, headlocks, but Dax powers out. Khan runs Dax over but Dax is right up. Khan headlocks again, Dax powers out again, but Khan runs him over again. Dax stands right up and he headlocks Khan. Khan powers out, they RAM shoulders, and Khan stares Dax down! Khan UPPERCUTS, but Dax kicks low and suplexes! Khan stands right up, so Dax throws a forearm! Khan throws it back!
Fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Khan UPPERCUTS then MONGOLIAN CHOPS! And MONGOLIAN CHOPS! And then MONGOLIAN CHOPS Dax off his feet! Fans fire up and Khan stalks Dax to a neutral corner. Khan whips corner to corner, runs in, but Dax elbows him! Dax CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then snap suplexes! Dax drops a leg, then tags in Cash. Cash gets a boost for the BIG LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Cash drags Khan up, EuroUppers, and Khan falls over. Cash pulls Khan up, tags Dax, and they whip Khan to drop toehold and elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Khan stays in this, and Dax keeps Khan down with his ponytail!
Dax brings Khan around, but Khan throws a body shot! Khan shifts around to use his ponytail to CHOKE Dax! Cash protests but Khan lets off to CLUB away on Dax’s arm. Khan throws Dax out, then he swipes at Cash! Cobb POSTS Dax! Cobb puts Dax in for Khan to CLUB away on the arm again! Khan throws down elbows until Dax is on the mat! Khan then goes for a double wristlock! Dax endures, moves around, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it and Khan lets off. Khan puts Dax in the corner and Cobb holds Dax in place for Khan to sit on him! Fans applaud and Khan pulls back on Dax’s arms! Red Shoes counts and Khan hops down.
Tag to Cobb but Dax CHOPS! Cobb CHOPS and CLUBS Dax, then RAMS him in the open corner. Cobb hoists Dax up to RAM him in again! Fans applaud as Cobb drags Dax up on the apron. Cobb wraps the bad arm around ropes, but Red Shoes counts and Cobb lets off. Khan CLUBS Dax but Dax CHOPS Khan! Khan RAMS Dax into railing then puts Dax back in. Cobb covers, ONE!! Cobb is annoyed, but he drags Dax up. Tag to Khan, Khan DECKS Cash! Khan then storms back over, he wrenches Dax’s bad arm, but Dax SLAPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Khan ROCKS Dax! Khan CLUBS Dax, tags Cobb, and Cobb scoops Dax for a BACKBREAKER!
Cobb stands on Dax’s back, but no surfing this time. Cobb shifts to get the bad arm, but Cash reaches out. Fans rally, Dax stands, and Dax throws haymakers! Dax reaches for Cash but Cobb keeps him away. Dax throws more hands, Cobb shoves him away, but Dax runs in to sunset flip! Cobb stays up, drags Dax up, but Dax gets a leg! DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up as Dax and Cobb hobble up. Cobb catches Dax again! Dax reaches but Cobb throws him away. Cobb DECKS Cash, but Dax dropkicks the leg out! Both men are down and fans fire up, but Cash is still down, too! Cobb runs in to UPPERCUT Dax!
Cobb hauls Dax up, RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cobb then tags Khan and Khan stomps Dax. Fans rally, Khan CLUBS Dax, and then Khan wrenches to a wristlock. Dax endures, Khan twists the wrist, but fans rally more. Dax fights up, throws body shots, and he gets free. Dax swings but Khan ducks. Khan swings but Dax ducks. Dax feints and gets Khan with a DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Khan and Dax crawl, Cobb tags in! Cobb brings Dax up to whip him away, but Dax dodges in the corner, hot tag to Cash! Cash fires off haymakers, and a CHOP! Haymaker, CHOP, repeat! Cobb swings but into a waistlock!
Cash lifts but Cobb elbows free. Khan full nelsons but Cash BOOTS Cobb away! Cash breaks free, whips Khan but Khan reverses, only for Cash to duck ‘n’ dodge and LARIAT! Fans fire up as Cash spins Cobb around to UPPERCUT! And GERMAN SUPLEX!! Fans fire up and Cash goes up the corner. Cash leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Cobb flounders and Cash rallies the fans. Cash runs in at Cobb in the corner, but Cobb puts him on the apron. Cobb ROCKS Cash, and suplexes, but Cash blocks to HOTSHOT! Cash goes up, Khan is there with the IRON CLAW! Cash breaks free and brawls with Khan on the edge!
Cash’s UPPERCUT knocks Khan down, but Cobb ROCKS Cash. Cobb climbs, and he deadlift SUPERPLEXES Cash, but Cash slips out!! Cash tags Dax and Electric Chairs Cobb! FLYING BULLDOG!! Cover, Khan breaks it! The Steiner shoutout doesn’t finish it, and Khan clinches Cash for an EXPLODER! Fans fire up as Khan helps Cobb over to their corner. Khan tags in and Dax stares him down. Fans rally up, Dax ROCKS Khan! Khan ROCKS Dax! Dax ROCKS Khan! Repeat! Fans fire up as the forearms go faster and faster! Khan gets the edge, then whips Dax, only for Dax to reverse, wrench and short arm LARIAT! But Khan stays up!
Dax LARIATS, but Khan is still up! Khan then shoots around to LARIAT! Dax stays up! Khan LARIATS, Dax still stays up! DOUBLE LARIATS collide but both men stay up! DOUBLE LARIATS collide again, and again! Dax staggers back but Khan stays up and fans fire up! But both men roar as they storm up again! Khan SWATS the clothesline, ELBOWS Dax, then runs, and LARIATS! But Dax still stays up! Fans fire up but Khan can’t believe it! Dax swings, but into an STO! Khan has a head ‘n’ arm triangle for a cover, but Cash stomps it apart! Cobb runs in but Cash dumps him out, to then PLANCHA! But Cobb catches Cash!
Cobb hauls Cash around to TOSS him to railing! Cobb then runs in, but Cash sends him tumbling over the railing! Cash gets to the apron but Khan DECKS him! Dax waistlocks but Khan fights free. Khan swings, but Dax dodges to ROCK him with a right! OLYMPIC SLAM! But Khan is right up! Dax BOOTS Khan, Khan LARIATS Dax! Khan hauls Dax up to suplex, but Dax slips out and suplexes in return. Dax puts Khan up top, then climbs up. Cash tags in and goes to the adjacent corner! SUPERPLEX! FLYING SPLASH!! Power and Glory!! Cover, Cobb breaks it!! Fans fire up as Cobb ducks Cash to ripcord and TOUR OF- NO, Dax chop blocks!
Cash turns things around, TORNADO DDT! Dax hurries after Khan and hauls him up. Dax whips but Khan KICKS him, and LARIATS Cash! Khan BOOTS Dax, scoops and TTD on Cash! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down! Khan clamps the IRON CLAW onto Cash! ELIMI- NO, Cash slips out and Dax tags in. Khan whips but Cash slides under! Dax flapjacks Khan, for the BIG RIG!!! Cover, FTR WINS!
Winners: FTR, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Cash & Dax not only stay IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, they stay the THREE BELT Champions! But with World Tag League around the corner, will FTR be able to keep things that way? Or will the United Empire be back for another round?
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay VS Tetsuya Naito!
The Commonwealth Kingpin didn’t like the idea of it, but a #1 contender’s match of sorts was held at Royal Quest II, and it was the Uncontrollable Charisma that came out on top! The United Empire has gone 1-1, but will Ospreay cap the night with a win? Or will even he be conquered tonight?
The introductions are made, with Gideon Grey making Ospreay’s. The US title is raised, and to finish Battle Autumn, we see who has a golden ticket to WrestleKingdom!
Naito hands over Grey’s jacket as if it’s a prize, and maybe in a way, it is. Naito then takes his time with his entrance attire, as he always does. Ospreay is annoyed but he lets it finish. The bell rings and Ospreay rushes in! Naito avoids the dropkick, arm-drags, but Ospreay headscissors. Naito kips free, he dodges Ospreay and RANAS, but Ospreay handsprings! Naito avoids the Penalty Kick and the standing moonsault, Ospreay runs to handspring! Naito avoids the kick, kicks Ospreay, and he throws Ospreay out! Naito builds speed but Ospreay knows what’s coming! Ospreay slides in and he copies tranquilo as Naito tranquilos!
Fans fire up as Naito and Ospreay both smirk. Naito and Ospreay slowly sit up as fans rally up. Ospreay and Naito stand and reset. Ospreay shows off doing jumping jacks, and then he and Naito approach. Naito avoids Ospreay, though, and fans applaud. Naito wants Ospreay to hold on, and they circle again. Naito steps forward but then back. The circling continues and fans rally up. Naito tries to fake Ospreay again but Ospreay pushes him to ropes. They both fight for control, and Naito has Ospreay against ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break, Ospreay turns things around, and then Ospreay lets off slowly.
Naito ducks the cheap shot to fire off fists on Ospreay! Naito whips, hip tosses Ospreay into a backbreaker! Ospreay writhes, Naito drags him up, NECKBREAKER! And PLUMA BLANCA! Ospreay kicks and flails to the ROPEBREAK! Naito claims he needs help again, but he does let go at 4. Ospreay bails out and is fuming. Fans rally while Naito now says Ospreay needs to hurry up. The ring count starts and Ospreay stands, but then he clutches his neck. Ospreay shakes out his bad arm and tries to get feeling, and the ring count reaches 10 of 20. Ospreay hears it reach 15, and he slides in at 17. Naito stomps Ospreay down!
Naito drags Ospreay up, snapmares, and cravats. Naito pulls on the hold but Ospreay endures. Ospreay moves around, fights up to his feet, and he throws body shots. Naito still puts Ospreay in the corner, Ospreay demands the ropebreak, and Red Shoes counts. Naito holds, Ospreay CLUBS him, but Naito throws a hard back elbow! Fans rally as Naito throws another hard elbow! And another! Naito lets off as Red Shoes reprimands, and Naito whips Ospreay corner to corner. JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! But Ospreay disrupts Combinacion Cabron and puts Naito up top! Ospreay CHOPS Naito and Naito falls to the floor!
Fans fire up while Naito writhes and clutches his stinging chest. Gideon coaches Ospreay as the ring count starts. Ospreay goes out and stalks Naito around the way. Ospreay brings Naito up, and whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over! Ospreay shakes out the bad arm while fans rally up again. Ospreay goes out to fetch Naito in No Man’s Land, and he CHOPS him! Naito rests on the spare table, but Ospreay drags him up. Ospreay has Naito sit on the railing, and DECKS him back into ringside! The ring count finally starts again and Ospreay drags Naito up. Ospreay puts Naito in at 9 of 20 and fans applaud.
Ospreay stalks Naito to the other side of the ring. Ospreay drags Naito up while fans rally. Ospreay ROCKS Naito with a forearm! Naito staggers, Ospreay CLUBS him on the back. Naito staggers into a CHOP! Ospreay stalks Naito, and CHOPS him off his feet! Ospreay covers, TWO! Fans applaud and rally up again, but Ospreay drags Naito up. Naito throws body shots and forearms! Ospreay EuroUppers! Ospreay whips, Naito reverses but Ospreay turns hip toss into COBRA TWIST! Naito CLUBS Ospreay but Ospreay scoops for the SPIN OUT BACKBREAKER! Naito flounders away but fans rally up again.
Ospreay stalks Naito, drags him up, and snapmares to then dig a knee into Naito’s back. Ospreay has the chinlock but Naito endures. Naito grabs at Ospreay but Ospreay pulls back on the hold. Fans rally as Naito continues to endure. Naito fights around but Ospreay digs that knee in! Naito kicks and flails and gets the ROPEBREAK! Ospreay lets off quickly, and he drags Naito up. Ospreay whips Naito to ropes, but Naito holds ropes to BOOT back! Naito runs, into an elbow! Ospreay runs, into a BOOT! Both men are down and fans rally up again. Naito stands up first, he throws haymakers and kicks!
Naito whips, ELBOWS Ospreay down, then basement dropkicks! Fans fire up and Naito has Ospreay in a corner. Naito whips corner to corner, runs in and JUMP KICKS! Ospreay swings but Naito ducks to sweep the legs! Ospreay hits buckles, and then Naito SWINGING DROPKICKS! Not quite Combinacion Cabron but good enough! Ospreay staggers and Naito poses. Fans fire up as Naito hits the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay barely gets a shoulder up, but Naito gives him toying kicks. Ospreay goes to the corner, Naito kicks him more, and fans rally up. Naito throws those heavy back elbows again!
Naito hoists Ospreay up, brings him out, and hits a SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! But Naito puts PLUMA BLANCA back on! Ospreay flails but Naito drags him away from ropes! Ospreay turns and reaches out but Naito drags him away from those ropes, too! Naito slaps Ospreay around while Ospreay endures the hold. Ospreay grabs at Naito but Naito reclines back. The fans rally, Ospreay kicks and moves around, then reaches out, to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud but Naito claims he needs help. Red Shoes isn’t falling for that so Naito lets go on his own. Ospreay clutches his shoulder again while fans rally.
Naito drags Ospreay up, but Ospreay throws a forearm! But it seems to take more out of Ospreay than it does Naito. Ospreay throws another, and another, but Naito ELBOWS and CLUBS Ospreay in return! Naito stomps Ospreay down, then glares at Gideon. Gideon backs off, Naito slaps Ospreay around. Naito whips, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Fans fire up as Naito bails out, and Ospreay hurries over to SLINGSHOT ELBOW! Direct hit and both men are down at ringside! Fans rally up while Red Shoes checks. Both men are okay to continue, and Ospreay sits up first. Fans applaud as Ospreay drags Naito up and puts him in the ring.
Ospreay aims from the corner, he springboards, but Naito gets under! Naito wrenches to TORNADO- NO! Ospreay blocks it! Ospreay suplexes Naito, but Naito slips out! Naito waistlocks, Ospreay switches but Naito elbows free. Naito runs, but into the Tiger Wall Kick! And ENZIGURI! Both men are down again and fans rally back up. Ospreay goes to the apron, he aims from the apron again, and springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while both men are down. Ospreay sits up and he calls his shot. But Naito anchors a leg! Ospreay gives him Kawada Kicks for that. Ospreay springboards but Naito trips him up! DRAPING NECKBREAKER!
Naito then drags Ospreay to the apron, another DRAPING NECKBREAKER, TO THE FLOOR!! Fans are thunderous while both men writhe! Red Shoes checks and Ospreay is okay to continue, despite all that damage to his neck and shoulders. Naito drags himself up with the railing, and he hobbles over towards Ospreay. Naito drags Ospreay up, and whips him into the POST! Ospreay wipes out at Gideon’s feet! Naito storms over as Ospreay flounders against railing. Naito grins and opens the gate. Naito CHOKES Ospreay on the railing, then CLUBS him! Naito then turns Ospreay, but Ospreay breaks free!
Ospreay uses a backslide hook to bring Naito back over! Ospreay then jumps off the railing, OSCUTTER TO THE FLOOR!! Fans fire up again and Red Shoes checks both men. They’re somehow okay to continue, and a ring count begins. Naito and Ospreay writhe and stir, the count is 10 of 20. Ospreay and Naito slowly sit up at 15, flounder their way over to the ring, and they both spring in at 19!! Fans rally back up as both men are stirring. They crawl after each other, and Ospreay throws a forearm! Naito sits back up and he throws a forearm into Ospreay! Ospreay sits back up and he forearms Naito. Naito forearms Ospreay.
Ospreay throws another forearm, but so does Naito. Fans fire up as Ospreay roars! Ospreay ROCKS Naito, but Naito ROCKS Ospreay! Ospreay eggs Naito on and the forearms fly fast and furious! The forearms slow down, Naito SLAPS Ospreay, Ospreay throws more forearms! Naito throws those all back! FIVE in a row! Fans are thunderous as Ospreay is dazed! Naito drags Ospreay back up, and he throws elbows! Ospreay gives Kawada Kicks! Naito gives elbows! Ospreay clinches to an EXPLODER! But Naito has the arm! Naito drags Ospreay up to throw more elbows! Ospreay drops to a knee and fans fire up!
Naito drags Ospreay back up, and he throws more back elbows! Ospreay falls back in a heap! Naito paces while Ospreay sits up in a daze. Fans rally hard as ever and Naito stands Ospreay up. Naito throws more elbows! Ospreay falls back in another heap! Naito drags Ospreay up again, to wrench, but Ospreay RAMS Naito into a corner. Ospreay runs in, but into a BOOT! Naito runs, to RANA, but Ospreay blocks! Ospreay gets Naito up but Naito slips out to TORNADO DDT! Ospreay goes to a corner, Naito hoists him up top again, and then climbs up behind him! Fans are thunderous for the SUPER POISON RANA, BUT OSPREAY LANDS ON HIS FEET!!
Ospreay springboards to OSCUTTER!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Ospreay crawls to a cover, TWO!!! Naito survives, but Ospreay is too tired to be upset about it! Fans rally harder and harder, Naito slowly sits up as we pass 25 minutes! Ospreay slaps some sense into himself while Naito crawls to a corner. Ospreay crawls over and brings Naito up in a waistlock. Ospreay hoists Naito up top now, and Ospreay then tucks Naito in! CHEEKY NANDOS! And then Ospreay gets under Naito for an Electric Chair! Ospreay goes up the corner?! But Naito fights it! Naito turns to SUPER STEINER!!
Fans are electric, Naito runs in, but Ospreay holds that off to DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! Naito survives and fans are electric again! Ospreay prepares his arm and he aims from the corner! But Naito wheelbarrows to victory roll! TWO!! Ospreay hurries, Naito ducks the superkick to ENZIGURI! Ospreay returns, but into a pop-up into the buckles! Naito then hurries to the corner, he gets Ospreay up, ESPERANZA!! Naito sets up again, he runs at Ospreay, CORRIENDO- NO! Ospreay slips free to SUPERKICK! And HIDDEN- DESTINO!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay survives but Naito drags him up! Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, NO! Underhooks and STORM- DESTINO!?!?!? Cover, TWO!?!?!?
Naito doesn’t let that stop him! Fans are electric again and Naito drags Ospreay up! Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, but Ospreay slips out! Ospreay and Naito fight for control, POP-UP FOREARM!! And then HIDDEN BLADE to the face!!! Fans are at a fever pitch as Ospreay aims again, TRUE HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!?!? HOW?!?! But Ospreay doesn’t care, he just hauls Naito up again! Double underhooks, STORMBREAKER!!!!! Cover, OSPREAY WINS!!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (still IWGP US Heavyweight Champion)
Just after 30 minutes, this one comes to an end! Naito gave it his all, but it just wasn’t enough to dethrone Ospreay! If Naito can’t use the US title as a way to WrestleKingdom, then what is there for him?
As for Ospreay, he is helped up by Aussie Open, and Gideon Grey gets him the belt. Grey and Red Shoes raise Ospreay’s hands in victory, and then Gideon gets Ospreay the mic. Ospreay takes it and says, “And that is how you make the United States Championship worth it. Orange Cassidy, Dave Finlay, and now, Tetsuya Naito.” Ospreay counts three but he wants a fourth. “Well, Naito, gomenasai <very sorry,> no Tokyo Dome for you. But… My journey is still going. And we have in two, three weeks, Stardom NJPW crossover show! So… Open Challenge! Who is next?!” Ospreay and the Empire wait to see if someone will come out.
Well, no one? Then maybe someone should get on Skype or on Zoom. Anyone from “The Forbidden Door” want to show up? Who? No one’s answering! “Guess nobody wants to get in the ring with THE Best Wrestler in the World!” Gideon takes the mic to say Chaos, LIJ, and anyone else, there is just NO ONE that can do it night after night after night quite like the Empire! So on behalf of Aussie Open and Will Ospreay, Gideon thanks them for coming to see the United Empire!! The confetti flies and the crowns are up. Who will answer the call for the title? WAIT! Just as Ospreay’s heading out, the lights go out!
It’s… SHOOTER!! The Roughneck, Shota Umino, is back in Japan! Ospreay is a bit surprised, but he lets Shota approach and fans applaud. Ospreay and Shota get face to face, and Ospreay holds up the belt. “Is this what you want? Huh? Is this what you want? Welcome back, but you came back at the wrong time. I’m the United States Champion, what’re you gonna do about it?” Shota just pushes Ospreay aside to get the mic for himself. Shota holds up the mic, but then tosses it aside to DECK Ospreay! Shota then CLOBBERS Fletcher and DECKS Davis! Gideon gets in but Shota DECKS him, too!
Shota kicks Gideon out, then he dodges Ospreay’s belt attack! DEATH RIDER!! Shooter has learned a lot from the Maniac, Jon Moxley, and he holds up the title over Ospreay. Shota holds the belt up over his own head, but then bails out as the rest of the United Empire rushes out! Will the Roughneck have a golden homecoming at the Historic X-Over?
My Thoughts:
A great event for NJPW to wrap up Battle Autumn while moving things towards the next big events. Great opener for the Junior Heavyweight Tag titles, and I had a feeling the Empire would retain since they were losing so much during the build. Bushi and Titan got to show how great a combo they are during those tune-ups, but it seems TJP & Akira are still a better team when the pressure is on. The United Empire also winning that 8 Man Tag made sense to keep the rest of the faction strong going into the dual World Tag League, Super Junior Tag League series starting near the end of the month.
I skimmed the other matches, and I almost missed Hikuleo’s because it was so quick. Apparently, Sho tried to help Yujiro attack Hikuleo but Hikuleo whooped them both, and then all he needed was his finisher to get perhaps the fastest win in NJPW. I suppose that’s a good way to make it up to Hikuleo that he doesn’t get the NEVER Openweight title yet, and makes him look awesome so that of course he’ll be taking that title off Karl Anderson. I’m pretty sure the “Incredible Tag” of Hiromu & Taiji VS Wato & Desperado was great stuff, and the same for Okada & Tama VS White & Kenta, but those were of course just tune-ups. Wato & Desperado win, perhaps indicating they’re not going to win the Junior Heavyweight title.
We got great stuff in the NJPW World Television title tournament matches. I was rather shocked that Narita won, but they did bring it to the wire, and it fits the story Narita is telling about bringing around the new generation. And then it was hilarious that there were multiple Young Lions dressed like ZSJ, and that those guys came into play countering Dick Togo’s antics. ZSJ beats Evil surprisingly quick, too, and now we have the finals set for WrestleKingdom, with both guys getting to do a lot of build in the two months left. Now, the way the NJPW and TV Asahi officials introduced this title, it’s about the young generation, so I would think Narita is the one to win, but ZSJ really deserves to have a singles title finally, and being an inaugural champion would be great for him.
And of course, we got awesome stuff for the heavyweight tag titles and the US title. FTR VS Khan & Cobb wasn’t the insane match of the year contender that FTR VS Aussie Open was at Royal Quest II, but this was great stuff from both teams. I suppose FTR winning is fine, they can join World Tag League with the pressure of being champions on them, and we’ll see how that story plays out. Naito VS Ospreay was awesome stuff, practically WrestleKingdom worthy in itself, and it was a bit of a surprise that Ospreay won, but something made me feel like Naito’s story is going to be him scraping the bottom of the barrel to get on the WK17 card. Maybe he and Sanada get in WTL, too?
And then Shota returning here was great, he gets to have that rough Face persona where he’s not backing down from a fight. He is going to give Ospreay a great match since we saw a sampler at Royal Quest II. They can even build off that, where Red Shoes has to let his son take the brutal hits Ospreay is going to throw at him. I don’t think Shota gets the title but he’ll look great either way.
My Score: 8.8/10
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London calling to the champion crowns!
SmackDown brings gold to London as LA Knight defends his WWE US Championship and The Street Profits defend their tag team titles! Will the landscape change this close to WrestleMania?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly; The Profits win and retain the titles.
- Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice w/ Chelsea Green; The Secret Her-vice wins.
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman; Braun wins, by disqualification, and Knight retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab; Charlotte wins.
- Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- Jimmy Uso VS The Miz; Jimmy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
We follow The American Nightmare as walks to gorilla, then through the curtain, and London sings along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, says hello to fans along the ramp, and then we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, then kneels down to kiss the WWE logo on the mat. The fans continue to sing along all the way to the end, “I AM MY KINGDOM!” The fans then cheer, and Cody holds up the belt to fire them up even more! The fans now sing for “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and he soaks it in. The fans cheer again as Cody smiles, and he finally says, “So, London~! Whaddya wanna talk about?”
The fans chant “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cody hears that dueling, and he smiles again. The song of “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” returns, then they cheer. Cody says, “At WrestleMania 41, I will be facing John Cena…” The fans boo, but Cody says, “I will be facing John Cena as he goes to break the record and win 17. But that is WrestleMania 41. In just a few nights, I will be standing face to face with John Cena in this very same city, in this very same arena.” The fans cheer that, but then here comes Randy Orton! Now the fans sing along with Voices as The Viper heads to the ring. Orton also high-fives fans before he joins Cody.
Orton grabs a mic, paces while the fans keep singing on their own, and then the fans cheer. Orton says he’s not really the sentimental type, but for Cody and for London, screw it. The fans chant “R K O! R K O!” and Orton tells Cody, “Look at you. Look at who you are now, the man you are now. Look at where he came from.” The fans cheer and sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and Orton says he remembers a Cody in his early 20s, just breaking into the business. Cody was busting his ass harder than anyone else. He wasn’t exactly happy, and in fact, he was frustrated. But Cody was man enough, smart enough, to know he needed to grow, and that he couldn’t grow in the WWE.
Cody wasn’t exactly treated fairly in the WWE, so Cody left the WWE! That took some big ass balls to do what he did! Cody changed the business singlehandedly, and everyone in the back knows it. And Orton appreciates Cody for it. But then Cody came back, as they all knew one day he would. And the industry has been changed forever since the day Cody came back to the WWE. Cody is a bit teary eyed as Orton says Cody’s still the same guy, he just did what he set out to do, and he grew. Orton teases he would sing along with the fans, but the fans might leave. The fans again sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!”
Orton asks if they remember when Cody Rhodes faced Seth Rollins in Hell in a Cell. The fans cheer because they do. Orton says that was impressive, and even impossible, as he started with a partially torn pec and then ended with a fully torn pec! His body changed all kinds of shades of purple that Orton’s never seen on a human body. The pain he must have been in. Cody persevered not just for himself. Maybe not even at all for Cody. It was not even for his family legacy; it was for each and every single fan out there! Then Cody went on to WrestleMania, beat Roman Reigns and finished the story!
But there’s always another story, isn’t there? And Cody’s right in the middle of one. Cody is in charge of his legacy, and it is a privilege for Orton to watch Cody take control of it. Ticket sales have been up, there’s more intrigue around the world, and listen to the people! It is 99.9% all because of Cody! The fans cheer that, and of course they sing. Orton says what he’s trying to say is a long-winded version of he respects Cody, loves him, and is very, very proud of him. The fans cheer that! Orton then says, “But… But now it is time for WrestleMania.” They both look to the sign, and Orton says he can guarantee Cody that Orton will kick Kevin Owens so hard in the head…!
Orton can just feel it already! He forgets how many days are left, but he can’t wait to remove Kevin’s head from his shoulders. And Orton knows Cody will enter champion, exit champion, but not before he beats the holy hell outta Cena all up and down the Vegas strip! But after all the smoke clears and the dust settles, just like Orton wants Number 17, there will come a time when Orton will want Number 15. But Orton won’t kick Cody in the balls like a coward. Orton will look Cody in the eye because he respects Cody, is proud of Cody, and sees him as an equal. Orton will look Cody in the eye and tell him that he’s coming for the title.
The fans cheer but wait! Drew McIntyre is here! The fans cheer the Scottish Terminator as he steps out on stage, mic in hand, and has a wry smile on his face as he looks at the ring. Drew waves as the fans now sing, “OH~ Drew McIntyre~!” Drew says, “Isn’t this wonderful? A couple of nepo babies having a love fest in the middle of the ring> It makes me absolutely sick. What’d you just say, Randy? if Cody gets through Cena at WrestleMania, you’re coming for that title? What exactly have you done since that big comeback to justify that title match? Aside be Randy Orton. The only big moment I can remember is you being on the shelf for months and months and months.
“People like to make jokes about it, but more people talk about my five-minute-45-second title reign than your entire comeback so far! So get to the back of the line, sunshine! As for you, Cody, you should’ve listened to me. But you shunned me. You attacked me. Everybody should’ve listened to me about John Cena, but they didn’t. And the next night, he kicked you right in the twig ‘n’ berries, proving me right as usual. And the main event of WrestleMania should be Cody Rhodes VS The UK’s only ever world champion, Drew McIntyre!” Fans do like that idea. But sadly, it’s not, because of that guyliner wearing Temu Undertaker, Damian Priest!
Drew wants to talk about what is happening. And what’s gonna happen! Drew steps up to the ring while fans sing for him again. Drew says it will not be Randy that takes the title from Cody, should he get through Cena; it’ll be McIntyre. The fans cheer, but Orton says they were trying to have a moment. Can Drew just cut the crap already? Drew says okay, sure. He’ll tell the truth, because that’s all he ever does. The truth is, Kevin might have a point! If those Voices are talking to Orton again, then they know Drew very, very well. And he’s thinking, “My God, Randy looks great! Absolutely jacked! On the outside.”
On the inside, that back is hanging by a thread. And if Orton provokes McIntyre, McIntyre will break him. And as for Cody- Cody kicks Drew and UPPERCUTS him! The fans fire up, and Orton R- NO, Drew gets away! The fans boo, but the battlelines are drawn! Even if Cody makes it out of the frying pan that is Las Vegas, it’ll be into the fire that is these contenders waiting in line! Will the American Nightmare be ready for whoever comes for the crown?
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are finally golden again, but it’s time to put the titles on the line already! And while they’re ready for the grind, they’re up against the hometown heroes! Will the Profits still be up in the O2? Or will Kit Wilson & Elton Prince say #YESBOY to a new reign of their own?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really wants the smoke!
The teams sort out and Kit starts with Dawkins. They tie up, Dawkins headlocks, but Kit powers up and out. Dawkins runs Kit over, the fans fire up, and Dawkins fires hands on Kit in the corner! The fans rally for Pretty Deadly, Dawkins whips Kit to a corner, but Elton takes that bump! Kit CLOBBERS Dawkins, then tags Elton! Atomic drop into DROPKICK! Ford runs up, but into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Dawkins whips, Elton reverses, and then Elton hurdles so Kit can DDT! The fans fire up with Pretty Deadly while the Profits bail out. Pretty Deadly has control while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Elton is right on Dawkins as he gets in, and UPPERCUTS him to the corner. Elton clinches Dawkins for another UPPERCUT! Tag to Kit, and Elton RAMS into Dawkins so Kit can UPPERCUT! Dawkins flops over, Kit drags him up to wrench the arm. Kit whips, Dawkins reverses, but Kit grabs ropes. Kit ELBOWS Dawkins, DECKS Ford, but Dawkins CLOBBERS Kit! The ref reprimands but Dawkins RAMS Kit into the corner again and again! The ref counts, Dawkins fires fast hands, then he tags in Ford. Ford says, “SUCK IT!” then he KICKS Kit! Ford scuffs Kit, then drags him to a cover, TWO!
Ford keeps Kit down with a facelock, but Kit endures the grind. Kit fights up, fires body shots, but Ford whips him away. Kit sunset flips! Ford rolls through, and PENALTY KICKS! Ford mocks Elton with the Scott Hall fingers, and the ref has to keep Elton back. Ford drags Kit up, tags Dawkins, and the Profits mug Kit. Dawkins CLUBS Kit down, then stalks him. Dawkins stays between Kit and Elton, then whips Kit into the Profits’ corner. CYCLONE- NO, Kit dodges! Ford tags in, he keeps Kit from Elton now, but Kit slips out of the suplex! Kit fakes high to go low, hot tag to Elton! Elton rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT!
Elton kicks and whips Ford to a corner, then UPPERCUTS! Elton whips the other way, UPPERCUTS again, and then does it again! Elton adds to the hattrick with a lift, Ford says a quick prayer before the SUPLEX! Ford flounders, gets to his feet, but Elton dodges to springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Ford stays in this, but Elton stays on him. SmackDown returns to single picture and fans rally for Pretty Deadly as Elton gives Ford a back suplex. Ford lands out, waistlocks, but Elton switches and shoves Ford. Ford CLOBBERS Elton in return! Ford is also dazed but he covers, ONE!
Kit reaches out, Elton and Ford both crawl, hot tags to Kit and Dawkins! The fans fire up as Dawkins wrenches Kit, underhooks and SILENCER! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Kit, Ford climbs, but Kit slips free! Kit shoves Dawkins into Ford! Ford falls to the floor, but Dawkins ENZIGIRIS Kit! Elton tags in, and Kit LARIATS Dawkins! Pretty Deadly combine for DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins survives and the Profits are a bit unsure of what to do next. Dawkins crawls to a corner, Elton runs up, but Dawkins dodges! Elton hits buckles and Dawkins TOSSES Kit, then Dawkins hits a SKY HIGH on Elton!
Dawkins hurries to tag Ford and Ford climbs up! But Kit pushes Elton out of the way! Kit takes FROM THE HEAVESN, and Elton ghost pins Ford! TWO!! Ford escapes, and he ROCKS Elton! Elton UPPERCUTS Ford! Dawkins sneaks a tag, Ford SUPERKICKS! POUNCE SAIDO COMBO!! Cover, KIT BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! The teams go to opposite ends, then they all stand up in the corners. They all roar, all run in, and Kit SPEARS Ford while Elton FLYING UPPERCUTS Dawkins!! London is thunderous, and Kit hurries to tag in! Pretty Deadly gets Dawkins up, for SPILT MILK!! Cover, FORD BREAKS IT!
The fans are shocked, as is Elton, but Ford saves this for his team! “This is Awesome!” as Ford runs up and Elton TOSSES him out! Now DRY MARTI- NO! Dawkins doesn’t accept the second serving, and he DUMPS Kit out! Kit skins the cat while Dawkins DECKS Elton! Dawkins catches Kit to an Electric Chair! Ford rises, DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
Pretty Deadly put up a heroic fight, but the hometown heroes could not capture the gold. Dawkins & Ford hold onto the gold, will this be the strongest the Profits have ever been?
Kayden & Katana talk with Zelina Vega.
Carter & Chance know La Muneca got screwed over by The Green Administration. Chelsea thinks she’s untouchable, but someone’s gonna stop them eventually. Well, speaking of, Alba Fyre leads the way in as she & Piper Niven “scope the perimeter.” There’s one small threat. They frisk the “miniscule” threat, but nothing they haven’t dealt with before. Chelsea struts in and says, “The Eagle has landed~!” Zelina says she is so glad the “Bootleg Men in Black” have crashed the party. Now, yeah, they all know she’s small. But clearly this small “threat” is a big threat to Chelsea’s title reign. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken all three of them to beat her.
KC Squared agree with that. How about tonight, we see what happens when the odds are even? Chelsea says that’s fine, because Agents P & A are ready. The Secret Her-vice has been given their next mission, but will they be able to crash the party? Or will the party crash them?
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice!
SmackDown returns and The Green Administration makes their entrance. The teams sort out, Alba starts against Katana, and the two tie up. Alba KNEES low, CLUBS Katana down, then fireman’s carries. Katana fights free, tags Kayden, and they KICK, double whip, and then trip Alba up for the basement DROPKICK! Katana adds a slingshot SENTON, Kayden covers, TWO! Kayden tags Katana, they double whip Alba to a corner, then Kayden runs in. Alba DUMPS Kayden out, ROCKS Katana, and she tags Piper! Katana arm-drags Alba out, then goes out to run up. Kayden gives her a boost, Katana CROSSBODIES Alba down!
The fans fire up, but Piper goes up and out?! CANNONBALL and down goes KC Squared! Piper salutes Chelsea and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Kayden rallies on Alba while the fans rally up. Kayden fires up, runs in and whips, but Alba reverses. Kayden wheelbarrows, victory rolls, then SUPERKICKS! Kayden fires up again but the fans are torn. Kayden runs in at Alba to BOOT WASH her against the ropes! Chelsea protests, Kayden kicks at her, then Kayden springboards for a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Alba survives, Kayden whips, but Alba KICKS back! Tag to Piper, but Kayden jackknife bridges Alba! The ref explains bout the tag, Piper runs up, but Kayden moves! The SENTON hits Alba! Piper panics, Kayden tags Katana!
Katana goes up onto Kayden’s shoulders, VICTORY ROLL LAUNCHER, but Piper catches Katana! Katana fires hands, BOOTS, and then hurries to go up again. Kayden ROCKS Piper, and fireman’s carries?! SAMOAN DROP! Kayden then gives Katana the boost, for the KEG STAND SPLASH!! Cover, ALBA BREAKS IT! Kayden runs up on Alba to BOOT her out! Katana gives Kayden the boost now, SUPER CROSSBODY onto Alba! Kayden hurries to tag back in, and she brings Piper up. Piper swings, Kayden dodges and SUPERKICKS! Katana goes up, Piper staggers over that way, but Chelsea distracts the ref!
The fans are torn as Alba grabs Katana. Katana kicks Alba down, chases Chelsea off, but Piper sends Kayden into her! Piper scoops to PIPER DRIVER!! Cover, Secret Her-vice wins!
Winner: The Secret Her-vice, by pinfall
The Women’s US Champion helps her team, and now they all mug Kayden & Katana! But here comes Zelina! Vega runs down the ramp, CLOBBERS Alba, and then she gets in the ring! Zelina tilt-o-whirl DDTS Piper! And she KNEES Alba off the apron! But Chelsea CLOBBERS Zelina! Chelsea fires up, the UK is oddly with her, and she chicken wings Zeina. But Zelina fights free to fire forearms and body shots! And a BACK ELBOW! Zelina reels Chelsea in, CODE- SUPERKICK from Alba! SENTON from Piper! The Green Administration is just too much for Zelina to fight against alone! But can she, Kayden & Katana find a way to turn things around?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman!
Did the Mega Star just get this title back from Shinsuke Nakamura? YEAH! Did he help the Monster of All Monsters fight off Solo Sikoa’s rouge bloodline? YEAH! And now, does he have to defend this title against the monster he just helped? YEAH!! But will Knight still reign this close to WrestleMania? Or will Braun #GetTheseHands back on a championship?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for Knight’s biggest challenge, YEAH!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. The two tie up, and Braun SHOVES Knight away. Knight comes back, Braun SHOVES him down again! Knight gets up, gets around, and he headlocks. Braun powers up to back suplex, but Knight lands out! Knight tries but Braun’s too big to suplex! Braun ELBOWS Knight, storms up on him, but Knight fires haymakers! Knight whips, Braun reverses, but Knight KICKS back! Knight runs, but Braun HIP TOSSES! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this, but Braun brings him up. Braun puts Knight in a corner, CHOPS, then runs, for a SPLASH! Knight sputters along ropes, Braun keeps moving, but Knight DUMPS him out!
The fans fire up as Knight then WRECKS Braun with a dropkick! Knight keeps moving, and he WRECKS Braun again! The fans fire up with Knight, but then Braun BOOTS Knight down! The fans are torn but Braun stands tall as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Braun puts Knight back in the ring. The fans cheer as Knight KICKS Braun! Knight tries again, but Braun’s still too big to back suplex! Braun CLUBS Knight, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS Braun, goes up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Knight and Braun rise back up, and Knight dodges a shot to JAB! Then he dodges to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But Braun KNEES low! Braun scoops, Knight slips free, and Knight RAMS Braun into buckles! Then the BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Knight rises again! Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!
Braun has plenty left in the tank but the fans rally for Knight. Knight stands Braun up to kick low, but Braun THROWS Knight away! Knight rises, and Braun LARIATS Knight up and out! The fans fire up as Braun rips the shirt! Braun gets on the track, and he runs in, STROWMAN EXPRESS MEETS JACOB FATU!! The Samoan Werewolf strikes Braun down!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification; LA Knight retains the title
The fans boo as Jacob now goes after Knight! He just ruined what was becoming a great match, but Jacob fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT on Braun! SAMOAN DROP onto the desk!! The desk doesn’t budge, but Braun might’ve been broken in half! The UK fires up for Fatu as he puts Braun in the ring! Jacob fires more HEADBUTTS, then HEADBUTTS away on Braun in the corner! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE, FATU~, FATU~!” Jacob runs corner to corner, but Knight kicks him first! Knight fires haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Jacob denies the BFT to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! And then HIP ATTACK for Braun anyway!
Jacob keeps going, HIP ATTACK for Braun again! Jacob throws off his jacket, glares at Braun, and he runs in for a third HIP ATTACK! Braun flounders into the drop zone, so Jacob goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! Direct hit on Braun, but the fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Jacob obliges, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The Samoan Werewolf just tore up #OneBigSOB and LA Knight, will there be no stopping him from taking the United States Championship?
Backstage interview with Jimmy Uso.
Jackie Redmond is with #BigJim, and she says that while she knew WWE was going global this month, she did not know they’d get the slap heard ’round the world! Jimmy says he’d do it again, and he’ll slap Gunther as many times as he needs! Jimmy knows Jey is up in his own head, doubt is creeping on him. But just because Jey’s 0-3 against Gunther doesn’t mean Gunther’s unbeatable! The Ring General CAN be got! Jimmy’s going to Raw this Monday, he will bust Gunther’s ass, Jey will go to Mania and bust Gunther’s ass to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And then they leave Las Vegas just like this: YEET!
Jimmy heads out, but then The Miz & Carmelo Hayes walk by. Miz is mocking Jimmy’s words, and he asks excuse me. Miz says it’s just funny that suddenly, Jimmy is a tough guy, even though for most of his career, he’s been “The Other Uso.” Doesn’t Jimmy get it? Jimmy and Jey are career sidekicks while Gunther is a main character. Gunther is the lead, neither Jimmy nor Jey can beat him. And here’s another thing: The Usos are just blips on the trailer that was Roman Reigns’ Bloodline. Melo says Jimmy & Jey are stuck outside the club, they can’t even get in.
Miz says as a former WWE Champion, a former WrestleMania main eventer, Jimmy will never know what it is to carry this industry. And after this year’s WrestleMania, neither will Jey. Oh, and by the way, if Jimmy ever slapped Miz like that, Jimmy would still be on the ground. Jimmy feints the slap and Miz freaks out. Jimmy says it may be him and Gunther on Monday, but he’ll holler at Aldis real quick so it can be Jimmy VS Miz here tonight. Yeah, YEET! Jimmy heads out, Melo says he thought Miz was gonna do something about the slap. Will Miz have to do something about running his mouth before he gets his teeth kicked in?
Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga find Jacob Fatu backstage.
Solo asks Jacob what the Hell he was doing out there. Jacob goes out there alone without saying a thing to them? Jacob says he ain’t gotta say nothing to nobody! Matter fact, didn’t Solo not tap in with him last week? Tama says, “But Jacob,” only for Jacob to say, “But nothing, Tama!” Solo wants Jacob to lower his tone, but Jacob says okay. Let him be very clear with them. When it comes to Braun Strowman, Jacob WILL be the last man standing. Y’all better get in where you fit in, cuz that US title? Oh, Jacob’s bringing it home to the family. And he will do it with them, or without them! Yadada mean? Fatu heads out, is the Samoan Werewolf no longer following Solo?
Naomi speaks.
“I mean… How did we even get here? I don’t know. One thing that I do know is that I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. So Bianca, what makes you think that my attack on Jade was anything different from me doing the right thing? When I sit here and I think about all that I’ve sacrificed, all that I’ve given, and that’s what really breaks my heart. Because through all of that, I’m made to be the bad one in this situation. I just don’t understand, how does Jade come in outta nowhere and take my place with you? I want you to ask yourself this, Bianca. Who inspired you? Hmm?
“Who’s inspired women over the last decade? Who’s always had your back from day one of you being here? Me. Not Jade. Hmm. But you know what? What I’ve learned through all of this: You teach people how to treat you. And I’m done with being treated as a third wheel. I’m done being pushed to the side, I’m done with being too nice, I’m done with being undervalued, underutilized, underappreciated! So moving forward, hmm… Moving forward, here’s my message to you, Jade. If you continue to be in my way, I strongly advise you to proceed with caution.” The Glow shows her dark side, but will the storm be moved?
Nick Aldis meets with Jade Cargill.
Speaking of, the SmackDown General Manager understands things have been rather difficult for her as of late. Jade says she’s been trying to get her hands on Naomi for the past few weeks, now where is she? No one has seen her all day, so as far as anyone knows, Naomi’s not here. Well, when Jade catches Naomi, it’s on sight. Jade leaves, B-Fab & Michin are there. They let her know that what Naomi did to her was straight trash, totally uncalled for behavior. And after Jade gets her hands on Naomi, she’ll handle that business. Jade agrees. Mia says they’ve all got business to handle. Jade’s got Naomi, and Mia’s gonna get Charlotte for messing with her girl, B.
B-Fab says Naomi’s got what’s coming to her: no sympathy, no regrets. Jade, just do what you gotta do. Oh, she will. Jade also wishes Mia luck tonight. Mia & B-Fab head out, will the Head Baddie in Charge make the Queen bow down in London?
The darkness approaches.
“You are as I was. As I am, you will be.” The shadows are starting to take shape, but is SmackDown about to fade to black?
Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab!
The Queen looks down on everyone, so it’s no surprise that everyone else wants to take her down. Charlotte may have checked off B-Fab, but will the HBIC be a much different story? Or will Charlotte only sharpen her edge before facing Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania?
WAIT! NAOMI ATTACKS B-FAB & MICHIN! Naomi drags Mia up for a FACEBUSTER! Naomi rains down fists, the ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Naomi tells the ref to back off. Naomi then BOOTS B-Fab off the apron! Naomi goes out after B-Fab to THRWO her into barriers! Naomi SLAPS B-Fab, tells her to stay down, but B-Fab gets up. Naomi fires hands, then she SMACKS B-Fab off the desk! Naomi rains down fists, but here comes Jade! Jade hurries down the ramp, she runs around the way, but Naomi runs away! Jade makes sure B-Fab is okay, but refs have to help her to the back. And what of Mia? Will she even be able to compete?
Charlotte makes her entrance, not really caring about what Naomi just did to Mia. But that means she also crosses paths with Jade. The fans like the look of this stare down, but Jade and Charlotte both let the other slide. Charlotte gets her pyro, and it seems she’ll still get her match. Will Mia be little more than an appetizer now?
The bell rings, and Charlotte BOOTS Mia down! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this and the fans rally up. Charlotte just struts around while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Charlotte has Mia down with a chinlock, but the fans rally up. Mia fights up, fires body shots, and she then blocks a shot to ROCK Charlotte! Mia ROCKS Charlotte again and again, then reels her in for a TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Mia hurries to cover, TWO! Mia drags Charlotte up, wrenches, but Charlotte says no to Da Feet! BIG back suplex! Mia stagger sup, Charlotte whips her, but Mia reverses! Charlotte goes up and out, BOOTS her away, then slingshots in and rolls Mia! Mia rolls through and BUZZSAWS! Mia runs corner to corner, but Charlotte avoids the cannonball!
Charlotte YAKUZA KICKS Mia down, then fires herself up! The fans “WOO~!” as Charlotte has Mia in the drop zone,. Charlotte steps on her, goes up the corner, but Mia gets underneath her! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives and Mia is shocked! Mia nods as the fans rally back up, and she brings Charlotte up. But Charlotte ROCKS Mia! Mia SOBATS, PELES, and then runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Charlotte stays in this, Mia grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Mia uses that energy to stay focused, and she stalks Charlotte to waistlock. But Charlotte ELBOWS her away!
Charlotte CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOSP! Charlotte winds up, and she CHOPS again! Mia sputters, but then she dodges the boot! Charlotte is caught, and Mia hits a SAIDO! Charlotte flounders to a corner, the fans rally behind Mia, and Mia runs up, CANNONBALL! Mia hurries to wrench and EAT- NO, Charlotte shoves Mia away! Charlotte gets under, back suplexes, but Mia lands out! EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Charlotte’s long legs help her survive by a literal foot! Mia is beside herself while Charlotte bails out. Mia storms after Charlotte, runs up, but Charlotte dodges! Mia’s kick hits steel steps!
Mia hobbles away, goes to the apron, but Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg out! Charlotte grabs Mia’s leg, drops a KNEE on the knee, but fans chant, “We Want Tiffy!” Charlotte just steps through, FIGURE FOUR, into FIGURE EIGHT!! Mia taps, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
Charlotte got more of a fight out of Mia than expected, but she still won. Will The Queen be more than ready to reign again after WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Jackie Redmond is with the WWE Women’s Champion and says Charlotte certainly looks confident. Let’s be real, Charlotte came at Tiff pretty hard. It got a lot of people talking. Tiff says yes, people talk. And Charlotte sure loves to hear herself talk. Ten years into the business and Charlotte is still so insecure that she can’t let a “rookie” get a word out. But last week, Tiff did learn something: She learned that walking into WrestleMania, she isn’t the one with something to lose. Truth is, if Tiff loses, then she lost to the great Charlotte Flair, as just a 25-year-old rookie with one year into SmackDown.
But if Charlotte loses… Well, then she lost to an “undeserving, delusional, unoriginal, backflip doing, blonde-hair-having, little girl.” Did she get it all? And Tiff can’t wait to hear the look on Charlotte’s face when they hear the words, “And STILL!” Then maybe Charlotte will finally shut up for the sake of literally everyone! They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and Tiff will make damn sure what stays is Charlotte’s massive ego. Tiff is walking into and out of Mania as the WWE Women’s Champion. Tootles! Tiff heads out, will it still be #TiffyTime after WrestleMania?
Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre!
The Viper told Cody how proud he was, but also how he wants the next shot after John Cena. The Scottish Terminator took offense to that, and basically said he is taking that shot instead. Will this match be an unofficial #1 contender’s match between these two former world champions?
SmackDown returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans sing, “OH~, Drew McIntyre~!” and chant “R K O! R K O!” Drew and Orton circle, tie up, and they go around in a deadlock. Drew powers Orton to a corner, but Orton headlocks back. Drew powers up and out, then he runs Orton over! Orton hurries to ropes and Drew mockingly asks, “How’s the back feel, Randy?” Orton stands, he and Drew reset, and the fans duel some more. Drew calls for a knuckle lock, Orton accepts, but then Drew kicks low! Drew bumps Orton off buckles, then climbs up, but he panders for too long and Orton YANKS him down!
The fans fire up as Orton climbs now! Orton rains down fists, and the fans count to nine. Orton hops down, brings Drew around, and POSTS him for ten! Drew tumbles out of the ring, Orton goes out after him, and they’re by the desk! But Drew kicks Orton first and SMACKS him off the desk! Drew clears the desk, and he brings Orton up for the DESK- NO, Orton fights free! Orton turns things around, DESK BACK SUPLEX for Drew! The fans fire up while Orton leaves Drew behind, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew writhes on the floor, but Orton goes out to fetch him! Orton brings Drew around, UPPERCUTS him, then says one more time! DESK BACK SUPLEX! Drew writhes as that desk stays standing! Orton grins, refreshes the ring count, and then he storms up on Drew. Drew pokes Orton in the eye! Drew POSTS Orton now, then brings him around to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into barriers! Orton slumps down, and Drew also grits his teeth from that double-edged attack, but Drew fires up as he stands tall. Drew drags Orton up, puts him in the ring, then stalks Orton. Drew looms over Orton, and HIP DROPS him!
Orton sputters, Drew says one more time, and he winds up for the HIP DROP! Drew paces around Orton, says maybe one more time, and he pretends he can’t hear the fans. Drew winds up again, but Orton flips over! Hip drop meets kneecaps! And then Orton pokes Drew in the eyes! The ref reprimands but Orton rises up. Drew sputters and flounders, Orton ROCKS him with a right! Drew ROCKS Orton back! Drew storms up, Orton kicks low, but Drew fires another haymaker! The haymakers go back and forth, Orton gets the edge, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Drew clamps onto Orton with an armlock!
SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans rally up. Orton fights up, pries at the chinbar, and then throws right hands! Drew CHOPS Orton in return! The fans “WOO~” and Drew winds up. Drew ROCKS Orton again, eggs him on, then CHOPS again! Drew shoves Orton to a corner, CHOPS again, then dares Orton to fight! Drew whips corner to corner, but Orton comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Drew swings, Orton dodges, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Orton stalks Drew to the apron. Drew HOTSHOTS Orton first! Drew then runs in, but Orton puts him through the ropes!
The fans fire up as Orton has Drew for the DRAPING DDT! The fans fire up for Orton, and Orton hears those voices! Drew rises, but then Orton spots KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter is on the ramp, Orton glares at him, but then he turns around into a CLAYMORE!! Cover, DREW WINS!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Kevin’s mere presence costs Orton, and now Drew has a huge win propelling him down the Road to WrestleMania! As for Orton, Kevin drags him out of the ring, SMACKS him off the desk, and then climbs up to join him! The fans boo but Kevin and his hot pink sneakers have Orton in position, but Orton slips free and TRIPS Kevin up! Kevin hits the desk then the floor! Orton staggers around, the fans rally behind him, and Orton stalks Kevin to the corner of the barriers. Orton lines up the shot! Orton runs in, but Kevin jumps over barriers! Security is there to stop Orton from pursuing, so Kevin runs away into the night!
The fans boo, but The Viper was that close! Will Orton be able to strike Kevin down and completely take him out?
Fire, thunder, smoke…
The force of nature is drawing ever closer. And he’s ready to fly! REY FENIX arrives next Friday Night SmackDown!
Jimmy Uso VS The Miz!
#BigJim gave Gunther a piece of his mind and a mark on his cheek, but it seems not everyone got the message. Will the Hollywood A-lister soon star in the Uso Penitentiary? Or will he prove Jimmy is NOT ready for a world champion level opponent?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Jimmy powers Miz to a corner, Miz turns things around, and the ref counts. Miz takes a swing, Jimmy ducks it to CHOP! And CHOP! Miz shoves Jimmy back, then runs up, but Jimmy TACKLES Miz! Jimmy rains down fists, Miz shoves him away to go to ropes, but Jimmy storms back up. Miz ELBOWS Jimmy away, then runs back up, only for Jimmy to LARIAT him down! The fans fire up while Jimmy storms up on Miz. Jimmy CHOPS Miz, has him in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Miz reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, then UPPERCUTS! Miz staggers back to ropes, but Jimmy is right on him.
Jimmy whips, Miz reverses and kitchen sink knees! Then basement BOOTS! The fans fire up, Miz scowls, and Miz KNEES Jimmy in the back again and again. Miz stalks Jimmy to the ropes now, and he CHOKES Jimmy! The ref counts, Miz runs, and Miz STRADDLE ATTACKS! The fans boo, but Miz runs again. Jimmy ducks the boot, then dodges a lariat! Jimmy runs up to LARIAT Miz up and out! The fans fire up and Jimmy builds speed, but Miz runs away! Jimmy smirks as he goes out the side, and UPPERCUTS Miz over the barriers! Jimmy makes sure Gunther knows he’s coming to get him, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both men are down. Miz and Jimmy crawl, and Jimmy pounds the mat. The fans rally, Jimmy rises and runs up to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And mule kick! Jimmy then UPPERCUTS Miz, dodges a lariat, then SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up, Jimmy goes to the corner, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but Miz puts him on the apron! Jimmy UPPERCUTS again! Jimmy climbs, leaps, but Miz gets under! Miz then waistlocks, ripcords, and MOVIE MAKER! Fans boo that blatant parody, but Miz full nelsons! Jimmy drops, victory rolls, TWO! Miz has the cover, TWO! Miz hurries to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally up as Jimmy survives! Miz stalks Jimmy, the fans rally up more, and Miz fires a KICK! And then another KICK! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, but then Miz winds up. Jimmy ducks the buzzsaw, Miz blocks the superkick, but the DRAGON WHIP connects! Miz rebounds to B-MOVIE KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! The parodies don’t get it done, but Miz still has his original work to fall back on. The fans rally for “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Miz runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz shoves Jimmy down, then springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy hurries up top, for the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Miz may be a movie star, but Big Jim’s the one winning this main event! Jimmy then borrows Joe Tessitore’s headset to call out Gunther! He’s coming after dat ass on Monday! Gunther won’t be the ring general, he will be “Private Gunther,” and he will salute Big Jim! Uh, uh, YEET! Will Jimmy be the one making examples out of the World Heavyweight Champion? Or will everything come crashing down when Gunther gets his turn?
Drew McIntyre returns backstage.
And he says hey to Lewis Capaldi, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, and also a big fan of Drew’s. They’re ready to have a good night in the pub, but Jackie Redmond walks over to congratulate him on the win tonight. She was hoping to get some thoughts on that victory and what happened with Orton and Kevin. Drew says it’s alright, this is what happens. He doesn’t care about anybody else’s business, but no one gets away with screwing him over. And when no one meddles in his business, he wins! Drew called out Priest, where is he? Priest doesn’t have the balls! So time to get mad in the pubs, everyone’s invited!
Drew turns the corner, but PRIEST IS THERE! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the door, then throws him into road cases! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the trunk of a car, and then again! Or since it’s London, “the boot.” The driver complains, but Priest BODY SLAMS that guy through a table! Drew comes back to KNEE Priest low, SMACK him off the trunk, and then off the side! They go to the hood, or bonnet for UK. Drew drags Priest up, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s eyes! Priest then sends Drew SOUTH OF HEAVEN through the windshield! Priest tells security that he’s done for now. Any more jokes, Drew? Didn’t think so! RIP, jackass!
Priest leaves, the producers hurry to help Drew, and Drew’s got glass in his eye! Will that glass help Drew see why he shouldn’t piss off the Punisher?
CM Punk heads to gorilla.
He has a security detail with him, and he passes by Drew writhing in pain. Punk chuckles, then continues on. Will his contract signing with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins be just as brutal? We find out, after the break.
Nick Aldis is in the ring.
The SmackDown General Manager welcomes us back, and says it is his honor and privilege to be here in the O2 in London. Now, we all know why he and this table is here, and why additional security is here tonight. Tonight, we are here to sign a contract for a Triple Threat. Perhaps the biggest Triple Threat in the history of WrestleMania: Seth Rollins VS CM Punk VS Roman Reigns! The fans cheer all those names, and here comes the OTC! London puts the ones up, and Paul Heyman accompanies THE Tribal Chief out on stage. Roman raises his finger to the sky for the pyro, then security follows him to the ring.
SmackDown goes picture in picture as Roman’s entrance continues, and he raises his finger to the sky for the second round of pyro. Roman steps into the ring, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Heyman hands him a mic. The fans sing, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!” Roman nods, the fans cheer, and now they chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman tells London, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again, and again chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman smiles, but he sees the chairs are not to his liking. Heyman makes sure to put one at the head of the table. Heyman also dusts the chair off while Roman enjoys the singing of, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!”
Roman takes a seat and says that was beautiful. The way they sing to their Tribal Chief, it’s just beautiful. The singing continues, and Heyman even joins in! Roman smiles, and he says that is what he’s talking about. That’s the OTC for you, baby! The biggest star on the planet! The OTC came here for two reasons. One: to be acknowledged; check! And two: to sign this contract. Roman does just that, and he says he’s checked both boxes. That means- “BURN IT DOWN!” Seth Rollins interrupts! The fans now sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in his red wine paisley suit and conducts the O2 Choir all the way into the ring.
The fans cheer while Roman frowns, but Rollins takes the seat to Roman’s left. Rollins offers Heyman a chance to sing to this song, but Heyman frowns. Rollins chuckles, and he says the fans do have beautiful singing voices. He doesn’t know why Roman is in such a hurry to leave, though! This is their building! There’s a lot of history here! 12 years ago, they landed on the roof of this place in a helicopter! They came down those stairs over there, “ready to burn down the old guard!” They put the Undertaker down through the desk, and they were going to remake this company in their image!
Now don’t get him wrong, Rollins knows a lot has happened since then. They fought against each other, with each other, a little bit of love and a whole lot of hate. But Rollins dare says, as the fans continue to sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~,” that Rollins and Roman accomplished their mission. The fans start to chant for CM Punk, but Rollins tunes them out. Roman says, “We? We? You keep saying we. Our mission? We died a long time ago. It’s only been ME. You been here, but I done all the work! I’ve made this place what it is today! I took us to the level that we are here today! I made this place better than we found it!
“I’m the one that made us desirable to Netflix! I’m the one that took us into billion-dollar deals! Tell me, what have you done?” Rollins shouts, “I’ll tell you what I’ve done! YOU, YOU, YOU, it’s that mindset that keeps me having to screw you! You understand that? And your biggest mistake is not understanding the danger that’s right in front of us! The danger that’s right in front of you! You let the biggest snake in the world, CM Punk, into the garden! And you could’ve cut his head off at WarGames! But instead, you shook his hand. You could’ve let me finish him inside the cage at The Garden, but you didn’t. And now, I am left to do what I always do: Clean up your mess, again.”
Rollins drops his mic, picks up the pen, and signs his part. And now, here comes CM PUNK! The fans fire up and sing along with Cult of Personality, then join in on saying, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk goes to the ring, but as he grabs a mic, he goes up a corner, just like he did last Friday. “I have come here to chew bubblegum and sign a contract. And I’m all outta bubblegum.” The fans cheer the Rowdy Roddy Piper reference, and Punk hops down to take his seat on Roman’s right. Punk looks over said contract, but Roman asks if Punk needs a highlighter or something. What’s he doing? Just go to page four, clause five.
Punk does as Roman says, but Roman says Punk needs to hurry, this is precious TV time. Punk reads the segment, Roman tells Heyman to just smarten Punk up. Heyman tells Punk he knows what Punk is looking for. It is in there. They’re closing the show at WrestleMania. The fans go wild hearing that! Heyman tells Punk that he gets to live his dream of dreams. CM Punk will be a WrestleMania main eventer! The fans cheer and while Roman smiles, Rollins is furious. Roman says, “One man’s dream is another man’s favor! CHECK!” Wait, this was the favor? Rollins says no! This is not something to laugh at, and Punk does not get to tear up!
Punk is NOT deserving! He does NOT deserve this! The fans boo but Rollins continues to throw a fit! Main eventing WrestleMania is SACRED, the most important thing in the world to Rollins! More than anything! Except the fact that Punk NEVER gets to main event! This is all Roman’s fault! This is all Heyman’s fault! Rollins THROWS his mic down, paces angrily, but Punk picks up the mic. The fans cheer Punk on again, and Punk stands to thank London, to thank Chicago, to thank Louisville, Kentucky, and to thank ALL the fans. As corny as it sounds, he thanks the WWE Universe who stood by him and chanted his name for TEN LONG YEARS!
Roman says hold on, hold on. Punk shouldn’t be thanking the fans! He should be thanking the Tribal Chief! It is because of Roman that Punk gets this honor! So please, take this moment, close the show with that acknowledgement! Do this the right way. The credits are already rolling as Punk kneels before Roman!? Punk smiles, and he thanks “My Tribal Chief, the holder of the ula fala, the Head of the Table, the… Big Dog? Thank you for allowing a kid from Chicago to be graced by your presence. Thank you, My Tribal Chief, for allowing me to stand in your ring. And thank you so much. Thank you, Roman Reigns, so very much.
“But because of you, I will see you in the main event of WrestleMania.” And again, Rollins is agonizing over this. Punk finishes putting his signature on the contract, and London tells him, “You Deserve It!” Punk thanks Roman again, and then says, “But that’s not the favor that I’m owed.” WHAT?! Roman looks at Heyman and Heyman can’t look him in the eye! If getting this Triple Threat made into the main event isn’t the gift of the Wise Man, then what is?!
My Thoughts:
A good SmackDown, but they pulled off quite the paradox. They made it feel like they were struggling to fill three hours, yet they also filled the show to the point where that contract signing segment was almost bleeding over the three hour mark. Ironically, part of the problem was just how excited the London crowd was for this. The superstars still wanted to enjoy the chants and songs, but that’s time SmackDown doesn’t have to spare. It made the opening promo from Cody, Orton and Drew take longer, and it kinda did the same to the contract signing at the end. Even so, we still got a very good promo, and good stuff to set up Orton VS McIntyre.
Orton VS McIntyre was a great match, but of course Kevin costs Orton. McIntyre gets his win, Kevin and Orton have a bit of a brawl, but of course Kevin ends up on the losing end and runs off. McIntyre’s trash talk also comes back to bite him as Priest gets the better of him in their brawl. Here’s hoping Drew didn’t actually get glass in his eye, but that being the thing in kayfabe can be some good stuff. I can imagine McIntyre with an eyepatch, and he takes it off at the opportune time to get the better of Priest in their match. Also what a fitting choice for Punk to be passing by Drew suffering because of real glass.
Very good title matches tonight, but of course the status quo was kept. Pretty Deadly gets to look great here in London, but the Profits only just got the belts, they’re not going to be transitional champions like that. And Knight VS Braun was really good stuff, but honestly, Jacob Fatu going after them both should’ve been a given. Jacob also had a great promo with Solo & Tama to start adding to that divide between Jacob and Solo. I would hope Solo doesn’t screw Jacob out of the US Championship, but it feels like he will as Solo won’t stand for Jacob defying his authority, even though Solo’s been trying to make Jacob the champion all along.
Very good stuff from Jimmy Uso tonight, from his promo with #MeloDon’tMiz and then a great match with Miz. Their match ended up the de facto main event match, so that’s also great for both guys. Great win for Jimmy, but that’s likely because Jimmy is losing big time to Gunther on Monday. And it might just be me, but it feels like only now is the Jey VS Gunther build really moving, largely in part because Jimmy got involved. Jimmy’s promo after his match is something along the lines of what Jey should be saying. But I suppose as brothers, Jimmy is the one who knows Jey best and knows what Jey needs to be motivated again. And seeing Jimmy get beat up by Gunther will definitely motivate Jey…
Good final vignettes for Rey Fenix and Aleister Black. I’m a little surprised they confirmed Rey Fenix is showing up next week, and that they confirmed who Rey Fenix even is. I believe commentary confirmed Rey Fenix is Penta’s real brother, even namedropped “Lucha Brothers,” but all that is still surprising considering Fenix is going to start on SmackDown. Aleister’s vignette (at least I am fairly confident it’s his) was giving us glimpses of his silhouette, but I think there was usage of AI in the snake imagery. It was fine they did it for El Grande Americano because that is all trolling, but they really should try and do things the old fashioned way of photoshop and stock imagery.
Very good stuff in the Women’s Division tonight, though the WWE Women’s Championship portion was the weaker. Naomi’s got a great Heel persona going, her promo was great, and her going after B-Fab & Michin over them supporting Jade was a great detail. Jade runs Naomi off, helps B-Fab, but there was no helping Michin in being fed to Charlotte. Tiffany had a decent promo, and it does fit how Charlotte kept her from speaking so she finally gets things out here. It didn’t really add that much, though, but they already gave us a great brawl so not sure what more they can give.
KC Squared VS The Secret Her-vice was a very good match, but of course Chelsea made sure her team won. A Six Woman Tag of Zelina & KC Squared VS The Green Administration is certainly coming, to help give us Zelina VS Chelsea for the Women’s US Championship.
My Score: 8.7/10
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!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 3.27.2025
Bad news out of the TNA management side, but this is a taped episode from El Paso! So we won’t see any of the fallout just yet!

Now we all heard the news about the TNA change in hierarchy, and I…have no positive outlook on that. Delirious sucked at booking and creative in the dying days of ROH before it got bought as a B show. Dreamer having even more control is concerning because his ideas the last two years haven’t been much better.
Gail leaving makes more sense to me. Be it firing or a “you can’t quit, you’re fired” kind of situation, the Knockouts division is the worst it’s been in a long time and Gail was close with Scott D’Amore. So I don’t think Gail parting ways is as big of a problem since TNA has slowly been bleeding out with the Scott faithful.
Granted, I think the next few shows were already taped before the firing so things shouldn’t be completely unwatchable for at least a week or two. So let’s see where we’re going.
.@WeAreRosemary sends @XiaBrookside a CHILLING message!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/srciTTbel0
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Ratings:
- Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge: Ash wins via Rarefied Air – ** 1/4
- Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr: Chavo wins via Gory Bomb into Frog Splash – *** 1/4
- Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich: Masha wins via Russian Death Device – ***
- Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin: Eric wins via Piledriver – ** 1/2
- Seto & Mokuba – I mean – Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater: Nic wins via Danger Zone – *** 1/4
Results:
Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge
Ash and Gigi start off, Gigi with a little Rascalz after her first takedown. So both her and Wentz are making it obvious something’s going on between them, and I’m not mad at it. Good for my man Wentz.
Tatum and Gigi get some quick tandem offense in, Ash does manage to scurry off to a tag and Heather gets bent into a Pretzel. Some kind of Inverted Tarantula from Tatum, Gigi tags in, Bronco Buster on Heather followed by Kawada Kicks. Heather sells against the ropes, Gigi goes for a Hesitation Dropkick, but Concierge pulls her away so Gigi crashes and burns. Ref is distracted, Ash gets in some cheap shots and then the Elegant duo starts working over Gigi. A few quick tags, but once Heather comes in, Gigi fights out of the corner, gets the hot tag to Tatum. Tatum stacks up both Elegance members, Corner Stacked Crossbody, Butterfly Suplex and an Elbow Drop with some some flare. Tatum goes to the top rope, Heather pulls Gigi off the apron, Concierge shoves Tatum off the turnbuckle and Ash hits Rarefied Air for the win.
Post match the Elegance Clique wants to make their wish with the cake, they light the candles and Tatum and Gigi recover enough to do what we all expected last week, the cake in the face spot. Some…suggestive licking from both of our Hot Topic Hotties, so…no complaints here.
.@Ashamae_Sebera, @Heathereckless and @IamGeorgeIceman are having a meltdown!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/FnKwPqm2ff
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr
Chavo and Kaz start since he’s King Petty, a quick rope run turns into a Headscissor from Chavo. Kaz recovers, they lock up, Kaz hits the Knee Lift during the lock up to tag out to KC. KC pulls off some athletic dodges, gloats a bit so Chavo waits, measures and nails a gorgeous Dropkick. Laredo comes in on fire, quick high spots that send KC bouncing around like HBK against Hulk. KC powders after sells the Satellite Takedown, AJ checks on him and we go to commercial.
Back from commercial, Octagon is lighting up KC’s chest with overhand chops, he perches, Sunset Headscissor Flip from corner to corner, KC tries to Back Drop him but Octagon does a headstand, kicks KC away and lays him out with a high spot. AJ gets on the apron to stop Octagon from running the ropes, the referee has a stroke or something because he stops paying attention and AJ pulls Octagon out of the ring and chucks him. KC with the Tope con Hilo and tag (tag ropes haven’t mattered since the 80s we all know this). So AJ is getting taunted by the crowd in Spanish, but he’s manhandling Octagon since it looks like a Child fighting their parent. AJ knocks off Chavo and Laredo, Laredo pops up and tries to get involved but he’s caught on the shoulders, Octagon goes for the Crossbody but gets caught and AJ pulls off “World’s Strongest Wasteland” but Chavo breaks up the pinfall. AJ throws Octagon into the corner, Tennessee Whiskey, and tag out to KC. KC hits a few moves, but starts to lose the momentum until he connects with a Super Kick. Simultaneous rope run into the Dueling Crossbodies, so we get the timely tag outs from both sides. Kaz and Laredo come in, Laredo lands like two moves before Kaz hits a Sole Butt, Lariat and eats his lunch. KC and Kaz try to double team Laredo but he fights out and the crowd is chanting for Chavo.
Chavo tags in, and he’s rocking KC, Saito Suplex, Low Bridge to AJ, Reverse the Whip so Chavo goes to the corner and perches, KC feeds, Chavo Backflips to safety, rolls through and lays out KC. Chavo is feeling himself, 3 Amigos start on KC but only 2, Kaz comes in and Chavo switches to Kaz for the Amigos, only 2 again before AJ breaks it up. AJ goes for the disrespect, but Chavo counters and hits the 3 Amigos on the biggest Culero. Aztec Warriors dive to stop AJ and Kaz, KC tries a Dirty Victory Roll but Chavo kicks out. GORY BOMB into FROG SPLASH!
Chavo looked fantastic and he’s the one in the best shape in the ring. I wouldn’t be mad at more Chavito.
Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich
I expect very little from this match.
Collar and Elbow, gator rolling for the first 30 seconds or so, then Jacy goes to some Hair Pull takedowns and does a little taunt before Masha pops back up and hits a Lariat into a Dive. Jacy sells it like she’s really hurt, even the ref tries to hold Masha back a little before Masha gets annoyed and just grabs her, Masha throws her in, looks for a Dive and Jacy sees it and powders. Masha tries to go back to the well for the Dive again but Jacy hits the Uppercut and then an Apron Run PK to drop Masha. Forearms rain down into a Foot Choke as Jacy continues to arrogantly play to the crowd. Another Foot Choke into a Cannonball, and near fall.
Masha gets space with a Sole Butt, tries to snap off Requiem but Jacy fights off, fights through a Sunset Flip another effective PK keeps Masha on her ass. Jacy looks for a kinda half-assed Camel Clutch as Masha is fighting up, but Jacy runs her into the corner, gets distracted mouthing off to the crowd, so Masha recovers, 5 Hole Up Kick sends Jacy into the corner, Yakuza Kick into Capo Kick for two. Requiem attempt again, but Jacy pushes off, a little back and forth, Masha tries a Backslide but Jacy gets away and hits a V-Trigger but only a 2 count. Jacy looks for the Discus Punch but Masha ducks it, they strike back and forth, but some dodges from both leave the exchange more even. Jacy with the Front Kick to the face sends Masha to the outside. Jacy wants another PK, but Masha blocks, Electric Chair Apron Snake Eyes. Masha throws her in, a PK into a near all. Requiem attempt 3, and thwarted from Jacy with a Superkick into a Neckbreaker. Senton misses from Jacy, Buzzsaw Kick, into Spinning Back Kick and Russian Death Device for the win.
Better than I expected, and Tessa attacks as soon as the bell rings. Xia Brookside and Lei Ying Li make the save after Tessa grabs the belt.
Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin
Ace and Eric tie up, World of Sport start but as soon as Ace starts to get away EY punches him in the face. Eric looks at the camera and says “This is what trust looks like”, turns his back on Ace, when Ace looks to attack, the loser duo cut him off. EY takes advantage of the weird situation, but Ace with some Up and Over quick spots, into an Inside Cradle and La Magistral. EY kicks out of the quick flash attempts, but eats a Dropkick, and Ace goes all Speed Kils on him with fast strikes and then a face buster for another near fall. Strike spot very early in the match, Ace gets the best of it, goes for a Tear Drop Suplex but EY sits on it to block, Headlocks to keep him close and then a snap Lariat into beatdown bully tactics. EY takes the referee’s attention and one of the nerds punch Ace in the face.
Eric tries to lean on Ace, but Ace fires, a few strikes, Click Click Boom, the Miz Seated Lariats in the corner, Mochizuki Triangle Kick connects! Only a 2 count, but Ace seems to be in control. Ace puts EY on the ropes, a few strikes to keep him rocked, wants a Superplex, but EY blocks, bites the face and Macho Elbow gets a very close two count. EY tries the Piledriver but Ace turns it into a Jacknife Cradle,Spinning Heel Kick, calls for The Fold, but the losers hop on the apron to distract, Ace attacks them. Ace tries to time out the Triangle Kick again, but Eric dodges, throws Ace head first through the buckles. As Ace stumbles out of the corner, Piledriver, and it’s over.
Oh look it’s the “we’ll hear from Joe Hendry” segment. Again, I’ve loved this gimmick since Day 1, even didn’t hate his What Culture Pro stuff, but there is such a thing as milking a cow too much.
Elijah interrupts the whole “Who’s next” speech. When Elijah comes out he says he’s not the challenger and he believes in Joe. The crowd wants Elijah to turn on Hendry. Elijah pauses for a moment, and starts proving his friendship with stating his favorite color and a little “You Got a Friend in Me”. The crowd is into singing along and waving their cameras like Lighters to a 30 year old song. THANKFULLY Kaz breaks up the hug fest. Now he gets the “Culero” chant.
Kaz pulls out a Bass…what the hell is this Jam Session. Kaz has to warm up so he plays “La Cucaracha” on the bass. Kaz…is a national treasure. Hendry kicks Kaz out of the ring after his Heelish and playfully racially charged song choices. Kaz tries to sow dissension, but Joe and Elijah pinball Kaz between them. Kaz slips a power move and tries to shove Elijah into Joe but Elijah puts the brakes on, a small tense moment. But then Joe and Elijah play “Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey, Goodbye”…and that goes right into a commercial. Oddly…perfect.
Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater
Nic shoots the half immediately for a flash pinfall but Leon kicks out at one. Nic continues to keep things grounded with his amateur wrestling skills, and then does a little Dolph Ziggler show off. So Nic isn’t really taking this seriously, and Leon starts getting the best of things with an Arm Wringer, into drag, Shoulder Tackle and rope run as Nic tries to Leap Frog and Leon puts on the brakes and just shoves Nic on his ass. Nic gets annoyed, a few strikes, grinds his face along the ropes, but Leon keeps stringing some offense together, Back Handspring Elbow into his Corner con Hilo.
Ahh the classic formula of the commercial gives the heel the advantage, Twisting Suplex from Leon stops Nic’s offense momentum, right hand, Leon lifts Nic up for something, Nic slips it, kicks him in the gut, looks for the FameAsser, but Leon catches him into a Blue Thunder Bomb variation. Slater wants the Swanton 450, but Nic powders. Leon tries to adjust into a Dive, but Nic cuts him off, counter for counter and a FameAsser out of the counters for a two count. Nic starts the big brother tactics, bootwashes and arrogance, Slater fires, punches into a Yakuza Kick. Leon wants another Lethal Injection variant, but Nic catches him into a Rear Naked Choke. Slater tries to turn it into a pin so Nic breaks it. Leon wants a Leg Lariat but misses and gets unceremoniously dropped by Nic. Nic puts Leon up on the buckles, Superplex possibly but Slater counters, tries to collect himself for a move, but Nic falls into the ropes to crotch Leon, and finally hits the Superplex.
Twist of Slate from Leon, Swanton 450 but knees get up. Locomotion Cradles from both but they kick out, Ryan picks the ankle to trip up Leon just a touch and then Danger Zone ends the match.
Ryan starts the post match beatdown, but the Hardy’s music hits and they come down to the ring for the save. Matt challenges the Nemeths for Rebellion because they’re not medically cleared yet.
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Decent story motion, no match was offensive, and there was actually some solid match action for television standards. I don’t have a ton to complain about aside from the Knockouts Division is in a weird spot, and giving Hendry a lot of just talking and hollow payoff segments feels stupid. If we need to hear from him every week, give him a talk segment like Highlight Reel or something. Yes I know First Class just got The Penthouse, but if Hendry is going to talk more than wrestle, give him a talk segment for us to sink our teeth into.
There was the announcement that Xia, Lei Ying and Masha will face Tessa, Jacy and a mystery partner. So you gotta wonder if there’s going to be another NXT mercenary, a surprise return or if it’ll just be Rosemary since she’s got her issues with Xia. Also I just realized that Unbreakable is going to be on a Thursday, seemingly after iMPACT? I’m gonna have to see how they do it, because if there’s an Impact episode and 2-3 hour PLE…I do not want to be awake until 1am. People need to work, and I will be Unwakeable if things go that long.
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!