Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (11/18/22)

Ole~, ole ole ole ole~!

Published

2 years ago

November 18, 2022

Steven Mitchell

The SmackDown World Cup kicks it up a notch!

While Survivor Series approaches, the SmackDown World Cup continues at high speed! Sami Zayn VS Pete Dunne and Ricochet VS Mustafa Ali close out the opening round!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

SmackDown World Cup, Opening Round: Ricochet VS Mustafa Ali; Ricochet wins and advances.
Mad Cap Moss VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Kross wins.
Shotzi Blackheart VS Shayna Baszler w/ Ronda Rousey; Shotzi wins.
Six Man Tag: Imperium VS The New Day & ???; The New Day & Braun Strowman win.
SmackDown World Cup, Opening Round: Pete Dunne VS Sami Zayn; Dunne wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

Sheamus & The Brawling Brutes head to the ring!

The Fella is back and Hartford fires up for Fight Night! But they’re not alone, because DREW MCINTYRE is joining them! Fans fire up even more now that the Scottish Warrior goes with the Celtic Warrior, the Yorkshire Grit & the Bruiserweight to the ring. They’re reunited because of their common enemies in the Bloodline, and they’ll be taking them on at Survivor Series: WarGames! The Brutes and Drew get the mics, and Sheamus says, “Is this on this time? Yeah? You can all hear me, yeah? Hartford, how’re ya bleedin’ doing?

“Now I’m gonna start off with this. I know there’s a lot of people that’re happy that Drew McIntyre is standing by my side as the Brawling Brutes prepare to go to war with The Bloodline, considering the fact that you and me, man, we’ve had a 20 year storied feud, a rivalry. How many times have we gone to war, fella? How many people have questioned if we can actually trust each other? The truth is, though, man, the 20 year rivalry has created mutual respect.” Fans cheer that! Sheamus says it has created a bond so strong that Sheamus asked McIntyre to be his best man when he got married in New York three weeks ago.

Sheamus says the truth is… Fans start chanting “UCEY! UCEY!” Well, they may have an Ucey, but the Brutes want the “Brutey.” Brutey? Yeah. Well, okay. McIntyre’s feeling Brutey! Because when it comes down to it, there is no one Sheamus would rather be in the trenches with than Drew McIntyre. So what’s he say? Will he be their Honorary Brute? McIntyre grins and notices the fans chanting “BRUTEY! BRUTEY!” McIntyre says no one knows what it’s like to be outnumbered by the Bloodline more than him. Just when you think you’ve got them beat, another one appears! They multiply like friggin’ rabbits!

But when the odds are even, the story is different. If McIntyre’s going to war, he’s going to war with his brother. McIntyre offers a handshake, and Sheamus takes it! Fans fire up and Ridge says this is nice and all, but let’s get serious> Hartford, it’s FIGHT NIGHT! Fans fire up for that! And “Butch” says it’ll be WARGAMES!! And lads, McIntyre sees four. But who could be their fifth man, brother? Well Sheamus says he’s gonna tell ya! But then Sami Zayn comes out saying, “My dawgs.” And the “UCEY! UCEY!” chants start again.

Sami says he speaks on behalf of the Bloodline when he says they don’t care! The Bloodline is feeling good, feeling great, and yes, they’re feeling… Gassy? No, UCEY! But you think you’re getting in the Bloodline’s heads? Sami is the Master Strategist, AKA the Honorary Uce, AKA Sami Uso, AKA Ucey in the Sky with Diamonds! And you all think the Bloodline is worried? Sami doesn’t make a lot of guarantees, but he is putting his name on this one. As the Honorary Uce, Sami personally promises the Bloodline WILL win WarGames! And the Brutes look wound up. But Dunne doesn’t need to wait, he and Sami have a match in the SmackDown Cup!

So Sami is going to run through Dunne and give him a taste of what they can all expect next Saturday at Survivor Series! Wow, Sami, Sheamus is delighted to see he’s so confident. But when Sami finds out who the fifth man is, well… He’ll probably crap his bleedin’ pants. Because… It’s the last thing Sami’s gonna expect. Sami isn’t sure what to make of that, but will we all be in for a shock come Survivor Series?

SmackDown World Cup, Opening Round: Ricochet VS Mustafa Ali!

Speaking of that World Cup, the One and Only takes on The Beacon in what will surely be a fast and furious first round match! But who will be the one moving on to the next round?

SmackDown returns and Ali makes his entrance. Ali is worse for wear after a brutal match with the All Mighty, Bobby Lashley. But even with ribs taped, Ali wants to prove that if he can breathe and move, then he can fight! The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, Ricochet waistlocks, then rolls Ali, ONE! Ali gets up but Ricochet trips him to a jackknife! ONE, Ali sunsets, ONE! Ricochet spins things around to a backslide, ONE! Ali waistlocks, Ricochet switches, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Ali runs in but into a leg sweep! Cover, ONE! Ali scrambles to a corner and fans fire up as Ricochet waits on Ali.

Ricochet says they didn’t have to do this, and asks why Ali is doing this at all. Think of your future! Ali says he is, and he ties up with Ricochet. They break, tie up again, and Ricochet puts Ali in the corner. Ali turns it around, Ricochet turns it back, Ali switches again but Ricochet backs him into the corner. The ref counts, Ali hooks the leg but Ricochet throws an elbow. Ali CLOBBERS Ricochet from behind! Ali throws haymakers, he bumps Ricochet off buckles, then whips corner to corner. Ricochet staggers forward into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ali is annoyed but he keeps on Ricochet in the corner with a CHOP!

Ali whips corner to corner, Ricochet puts Ali out on the apron and ROCKS him with a right! Ricochet climbs up, drags Ali up, but Ali throws haymakers! Fans rally and Ali climbs, but Ricochet throws body shots. They brawl up there, Ali CLUBS Ricochet, and then Ali adjusts to SUPER BACKSTABBER! Ricochet writhes and falls out of the ring but Ali writhes inside as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Ali sits up for Ricochet to KICK down! Ricochet again asks Ali what’s the point of this, but Ali sits up so Ricochet KICKS him again! Ali sits up again, Ricochet KICKS him again. Ricochet drags Ali up to KICK and run, but Ali dodges and returns to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Ricochet flounders out of the ring but hurries back up, into a SHOTGUN! Ricochet hurries up again, Ali KICKS him back out! Ali grits his teeth as he takes aim, to PLANCHA! Direct hit but Ricochet rolls through to MICHINOKU DRIVER to the floor! Fans fire up while both men writhe at ringside at the ramp!

Ali crawls away, drags himself up with the barriers, but Ricochet goes to the ring. Ricochet doesn’t go in, he drags Ali up and puts him in first. Ricochet then climbs up the corner and takes aim, PHOENIX SPLASH FLOPS as Ali moves! KOJI KLUTCH!!! Ricochet flails, endures, moves around, reaches out with a leg, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Ali lets go in frustration, almost snatching that one away! Fans fire up, Ali drags Ricochet up and fireman’s carries, but the ribs hurt! Ricochet shoves Ali to a corner but Ali elbows him away! Ali goes up but Ricochet drags him off with a waistlock! Ali throws elbow after elbow but Ricochet SNAP DRAGON SUPLEXES!

Ali stands, into the DISCUS LARIAT!! Ricochet keeps moving, LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Ali survives and shocks Ricochet! Ricochet wants the ref to check on Ali but Ali refuses to let this end that way. Ali stands up again, Ricochet runs in, but Ali dodges the knee! Wheelbarrow, VICTORY ROLL! TWO!!! Ricochet SOBATS hard, then he whips Ali to a corner. Ali reverses, Ricochet goes up and over but Ali goes up to TORNADO DDT! Ali hurries to the corner! Ali climbs but those ribs slow him down. Ricochet is still down, Ali 450 FLOPS!! Ricochet hurries to stand back up, and fans rally as Ricochet climbs again.

Ali slowly stands, Ricochet aims and SHOOTING STAR ATTTACKS!! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (advances to the second round)

Another hard fought fight from Ali, but the damage done by Lashley was too much! But in the end, there is still respect between these two. Now, Ricochet goes up against the Monster of All Monsters, BRAUN STROWMAN! Will Ricochet survive his run in with the Strowman Express?

The Bloodline talks backstage.

Jey Uso asks Sami what he was doing out there, talking on behalf of the Bloodline. Jey knows Sami ain’t dumb enough to actually go and guarantee a W at WarGames! They don’t even know who the fifth member of Sheamus’ team is! Sami asks Jey back what he possibly did wrong this time! All Sami did was say they’re going to win! What’s wrong with that? Does Jey not believe they’ll win? No, Jey KNOWS they’re gonna win. Okay, then why is he upset? Because Sami is running his mouth! Sami says, “My dawg,” but then Jimmy speaks up. They need to be on the same page. Roman Reigns is on his way, they all need to calm down before he gets here. Take a chill pill.

Jey tells Sami to chill. Sami say she is chill! Jimmy suggests he just take a breath. Sami accepts that. Sami heads out, and Jimmy tells Jey not to worry about Sami. This is Bloodline business! They need to figure out who the fifth man is! Jey agrees. They’ll handle business. Sami returns and gives Jimmy the secret handshake, and says that thing they talked about earlier is handled. Sami will let Jimmy know more later. Sami heads out again, but just what is he talking about? And will Sami be able to handle Pete Dunne with Jey on his case?

Backstage interview with The New Day.

Kayla Braxton tells Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston that she understands how much the longest tag team title reign record meant to them. How are they feeling? Woods says it’s not the best day. They know that when you want to become tag team champions, you have to win just one match. But in order to set such a record, you have to become champs and successfully defend those championships night after night for more than a year. So of course, they’re not in the best mood right now. Kofi says that losing the record was incredibly disappointing, more so because of how hard they worked.

But then Imperium walks in! Giovanni Vinci tells the New Day not to be so disappointed. They still have a record: the record of being the biggest bunch of clowns in WWE history. Ludwig Kaiser says the New Day is “exactly what is wrong with our beloved sport today. For the past eight years, you were making a mockery of it with your trombones and your dancing in the ring and all that nonsense. And of course now, it’s up to us to pick up the pieces of your work in order to restore the honor of that mat that is so sacred to us!” “Oh, he vants to westore ze honor~! He vants to shake ze hands!” “And grahb ze buttocks! UGH! YAH~!”

Gunther has Ludwig calm down and Kofi tells Woods, “You know who this dude looks like?” Who who who? That goofy guy from the Addams Family! LURCH! Yes, Gunther is Lurch! That has to be his uncle. But listen here, young bloods. Y’all don’t wanna settle this like gentlemen, so the New Day can find someone, and y’all can meet them in the ring. Gunther says, “Thank you for proving our point. We accept.” Imperium heads out, but will the New Day restore their honor by knocking down the naysayers?

Emma finds Mad Cap Moss at gorilla.

She says hey, and asks how Riddick’s doing. It’s been three weeks and he can still barely talk because of that damn Kross Jacket. Three weeks… But tonight is about revenge. It was humiliating! Emma stops him there. Tonight is a fresh start. She knows how good he is, and he’s way more athletic, so he should use his speed as his weapon. Then he can take the fight to him. Moss nods and heads out. Will the pep talk help Moss get even with Kross?

Mad Cap Moss VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!

SmackDown returns and Kross makes his entrance. The bell rings and Moss KNEES Kross into the corner! Moss fires off fast hands and fans fire up! The ref backs Moss off but Moss jukes him to get after Kross again! The ref counts, Moss stomps but lets off, all fired up! Kross stands but Moss runs in, and Moss blocks a boot to throw a hand! Kross hits Moss back, facelocks, but Moss wrenches out to kick low! Moss suplexes Kross up and over! Moss hurries after Kross but Kross knees low! Kross whips Moss to ropes but Moss reverses and hurdles! And drops, to then CLOBBER Kross with an elbow!

Kross wobbles, Moss runs and clotheslines Kross out of the ring! Moss hurries out after Kross to RAM him into barriers! The fans rally as Moss puts Kross back in the ring. Moss swings but into the chicken wings! TIGER SUPLEX! Moss flounders but Kross stalks him to the corner. Kross stomps a mudhole into Moss, the ref counts, and Kross stops at 4. Kross snarls and puts Moss on the ropes, to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Moss sputters, and Kross argues with the ref so that Scarlett can SLAP Moss! The fans boo but Moss is pissed now! Moss stands up and he fires off forearms! Kross knees low again and whips.

Moss CLOBBERS Kross! And again! Moss ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds up speed to run Kross right over! Fans fire up with Moss as he runs corner to corner, and he RAMS into Kross! Moss keeps moving, he RAMS into Kross again! Scarlett is worried as Moss RMAS Kross a third time! Moss then scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Kross flounders out of the ring but Moss goes out the side! Scarlett stands in his way and Kross gets back in the ring. Moss goes around her, but into a BOOT from Kross! Kross then POSTS Moss, and Moss flops back into the ring. Kross shrugs, and he wraps on the SLEEPER!

Moss flails, he fights the jacket being locked on, and he RAMS Kross backwards into buckles! Kross holds on, Moss picks him up as a backpack! BACKPACK SENTON!! But Kross rises up! KROSSJACKET!!! “You remember this?! You remember this!?” Moss TAPS, Kross wins!

Winner: Karrion Kross, by submission

But Kross won’t let go! He’s repeating what he did just last month! Kross lets go, fans boo, but in the end, Moss lost just like before. Emma hurries out to check on Moss as Kross & Scarlett laugh on their way out. Will no one stop Kross from taking control of SmackDown?

Bray Wyatt is here!

Hartford fires up and the fireflies come out as Bray makes his way through the mysterious door. Bray then goes to the ring, and he blows his lantern out. “My name is Bray Wyatt.” Fans cheer and Bray chuckles. “Lately, I’ve started to realize that I have been conditioned my entire life to be a certain way. And when you’re conditioned to be a certain way for that long, you start to feel like changing is impossible. I was conditioned to be strong, I was conditioned to take. I was taught that fear is respect. Lately, I’ve started to look at the path I’ve left behind me. And when I look at it, it is covered in ashes and blood.

“And I start to think, ‘Why do I do the things that I do? And can I actually change?’ If I was LA Knight, I know exactly how I would handle this situation, and that makes me sad, man. But I wanted to come out here to do this, and I feel real strongly about it. I wanted to apologize to LA Knight for what I did to him.” Fans boo, they don’t think he has to. But Bray “had a moment of weakness. And I strayed from my path.” But wait! Here comes LA Knight! “Lemme talk to ya! For seven days, I’ve run it over and over again, the cheap shot heard ’round the world, your head connecting with my chin. And each time, it gets me a little bit hotter than the last.”

But now Bray’s out here, talking about apologizing. To be honest, LA Knight’s a little conflicted. Because Bray talked about fear and respect. LA Knight is looking at Bray now and… Fans start to boo as Knight says that there’s something that tells him that last week, the fact that Knight didn’t fear Bray garnered him some of Bray’s respect. Because thinking about it, the rarest commodity around here is respect. It’s more valuable than money and it’s something Knight’s always wanted. Bray says he “gets” Knight, and no one’s every really understood Knight. Knight isn’t sure, but as he steps in the ring with Bray, Knight isn’t sure what to make of the apology.

But looking at Bray here, maybe Bray does respect him. So for that, Knight SLAPS Bray, and then walks away! Now they’re even, apology accepted! Knight says he and Bray can go their separate ways. Fans boo even harder as Bray tries to contain his anger. “Alright. We’re even, right? Even. Look, man. There’s a lot I wanna do to you right now, but I’m not going to, okay? There are a lot of urges, my brother. But listen. The decision you’re about to make right now is going to change the rest of your life, you understand me? We’re even.” Bray offers a handshake. Knight asks if Bray means it and Bray nods. Knight hesitates, but he SLAPS Bray again!

Knight says that was a two-for-one special, because that’s how Knight does it! Knight has wanted to do that all week. But then UNCLE HOWDY appears on the tron!! Bray’s face also says it all. Will the Mega Star regret playing games with the Eater of Worlds?

The Usos find Kross and Scarlett backstage.

Jey asks Kross straight up if he’s the fifth man. Jimmy says, “Nah, that ain’t him, Uce.” Kross wants to explain something to them: he is not a follower. Well, then we won’t see him around when Sami takes on Dunne, right? And he won’t try and make a name for himself off The Bloodline, right? Right? Kross says when he comes for Roman’s titles, which he will, he’ll do it on his own time. And when he does, it won’t be part of a pack. It’ll be all on his own. Kross & Scarlett leave, and the Usos let him be. That’s one name off the list, but who else will the Usos ask?

Shotzi Blackheart VS Shayna Baszler w/ Ronda Rousey!

The Wild Child is the #1 contender and ready for war at Survivor Series, but it was the Queen of Spades who fired the first shot. Will Shayna soften Shotzi up for Ronda? Or will the Baddest Women in the WWE learn not to piss off a girl with a tank?

SmackDown returns and Shotzi makes her entrance. The tank fires its pyro and Shotzi hops into the ring. The bell rings and Shotzi is wary of Ronda on the apron. Shayna sucker punches Shotzi and sweeps the legs! Shayna rains down forearms, then smirks as she stalks Shotzi. She taunts Shotzi, brings her up, and clinches to throw a KNEE! Shayna CLUBS Shotzi down, talks trash, but Shotzi SLAPS Shayna and cradles! TWO! Shayna rushes in but Shotzi LARIATS first! Shotzi runs at the ropes but Ronda takes a swipe! The ref reprimands but Shayna CLUBS Shotzi! Shayna puts Shotzi in a corner to stomp a mudhole in!

The ref counts, Shayna lets off at 4, then she drags Shotzi up to snapmare and KICK! Cover, TWO! Shayna clamps on a top wristlock and Shotzi endures. Fans boo Shayna then rally up for Shotzi. Shotzi fights up, throws body shots and haymakers, but Shayna CLUBS her back down! Shayna stalks Shotzi, runs in, but Shotzi deflect the knee to KICK, KICK and ROLLING ELBOW! Shayna wobbles, the QUESTION MARK KICK hits its mark! Shayna bails out and Ronda is there! Fans boo but Shotzi hurries out. Shotzi gest in Ronda’s face, puts Shayna in the ring, but Ronda dares Shotzi to do something.

Shotzi gets on the apron, Shayna calls to the ref, but Ronda gets up on the apron. Ronda messes with Shotzi’s hair but Shotzi tells her to stay outta this. Shayna runs in but Shotzi dodges! Shotzi ENZIGURIS Shayna down! Cover, TWO! Ronda is annoyed now but Shotzi goes out to tell her, “Is this what you want?” But Shayna YANKS Shotzi back in! And then GERMAN SUPLEXES her! Shotzi flops and Shayna covers, TWO! Fans rally but Shayna sends Shotzi back out. Shayna tells Shotzi to go after Ronda. The ref reprimands Shayna and Ronda, Shayna goes out to stomp Shotzi and put her in the ring.

Shayna and Ronda high-five, but then Shotzi SHOTGUNS Shayna! And SPLASHES in the corner! Shotzi snapmares, runs, and SLING-DOGS! Fans fire up and Shayna is on the ropes, Shotzi hits the BALLPIT! Shotzi cravats, but Ronda gets on the apron again! Shayna POSTS Shotzi! Ronda talks trash while Shayna has Shotzi in a SLEEPER in the ropes! But wait! RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ appears! That startles Ronda as now Big Mami Cool is here to back up Shotzi! Shayna is upset that Raquel’s here, and she hurries to pick Shotzi up. Shayna isolates an arm, taunts Raquel, but Shotzi avoids the stomp! ROLL-UP, SHOTZI WINS!!

Winner: Shotzi Blackheart, by pinfall

And that’s what the bullies get! Shotzi & Raquel have the last laugh tonight, but what about the title match? Will Ronda need her sidekick to have a chance of surviving Survivor Series?

Backstage interview with LA Knight.

Megan Morant catches him on his way out of the arena to ask if he’s leaving because he’s afraid of Bray. Knight says, “Who’s afraid? Who just apologized to who out there?” Does Megan hang around work when she’s done working? No, probably not. So Knight’s done with these trash interviews. And that’s not an insult. That’s just a fact of life, YEAH! But when he opens the door, UNCLE HOWDY’S THERE!! Is this going to be Knight’s last night on SmackDown?

SmackDown returns and Knight’s been buried!

Referees and officials hurry to clear off chairs, tables, kegs, trash cans, and whatever else was backstage off of Knight! Did Bray give into those urges of violence and anger?

Six Man Tag: Imperium VS The New Day & ???

The Pride of Italy and the Impeccable German belittled the legacy of the ELEVEN-TIME W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Champions~, and now Kofi & Woods vow to show them who the real jokes are around here! But who (who who who) is going to be the third man? BRAAAUN~! The Monster of All Monsters once again reinforces the New Day, will Imperium all #GetTheseHands?

And the brawl is on! Gunther is in shock seeing Braun while Kofi has Ludwig and Woods has Vinci! Those four go into the ring and Gunther backs up as Braun approaches. Kofi shoves Ludwig to then duck and clothesline Ludwig out! Vinci whips, Woods reverses, and Kofi clotheslines him out, too! Fans fire up as Kofi climbs, and Kofi SUPER TRUST FALLS, into the arms of Imperium! FACEBUSTER on the apron! But Woods builds speed, but Gunther CHOPS him down! Braun gets in now, and he turns Gunther around! The bell rings and the giants start this one! Fans fire up as the two circle, but Gunther bails out!

Gunther regroups with Imperium as fans boo and Braun shouts at them to come get some! Imperium talks strategy while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Vinci has Woods down with a chinlock. Fans rally up, Woods fights up and he JAWBREAKERS free! Vinci keeps Woods from his corner but Woods throws forearms! Woods reaches, throws forearms, but Vinci whips him and throws him down! Vinci taunts Kofi while fans boo, and Vinci tags Ludwig. They whip and SPINEBUSTER to PENALTY KICK! Ludwig then sucker punches Kofi! Ludwig stays clear of Braun while fans boo. Ludwig grins as he looms over Woods, then he whips Woods to the corner. Woods ROCKS Gunther! And ROCKS Vinci! And he ROCKS and CHOPS Ludwig on repeat!

Fans fire up as Woods DECKS Ludwig! Ludwig anchors a foot to keep Woods from Braun! Ludwig reels Woods in, but Woods lands out of the back suplex! Woods slides under, reaches, but Ludwig gets his foot again! Woods BOOTS Ludwig away, hot tags to the Monster and Vinci! Braun rallies on Vinci, DECKS Ludwig, scares off Gunther, then whips Vinci to ropes. Vinci kicks Braun, tags Gunther, then dodges Braun to springboard, only for Braun to CLOBBER him out of the air! But Gunther gets in to CHOP! Braun just snarls! Fans fire up and Gunther wants Braun to hold on. Braun chases Gunther around the ring!

Braun CLOBBERS Vinci, and he CLOBBERS Ludwig, still chasing Gunther! They get in the ring, Gunther runs but into a scoop! Gunther slips off, CHOPS, but Braun just winces! Gunther runs, into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Braun is surprised, but he fires up and Hartford is with him! Braun reels Gunther in, but Gunther slips away to KICK the leg! Gunther tags Ludwig, but Kofi tags in! Kofi CROSSBODIES Ludwig! And KNEES Vinci away! Kofi spins, Ludwig ducks but Kofi BOOTS back! Woods tags in, Kofi scoops Ludwig! MIDNIGHT HOUR!! Cover, Braun scares Gunther, and Braun’s team wins!

Winners: The New Day & Braun Strowman, by pinfall

Hartford is fired up as Braun stands tall with Kofi & Woods! Will ya bois find their way back to the top of the tag team mountain? And will this mountainous monster manhandle everyone in the SmackDown World Cup to have an Intercontinental Championship opportunity?

Braun returns backstage and Kayla is there to interview him.

She congratulates Braun on that win in the tag match, he certainly sent a strong message to Gunther. Braun says that’s right! “You never take your eyes off the Monster of All Monsters, and I’m looking forward to winning this World Cup tournament and taking that Intercontinental Championship off Gunther’s hands.” But Ricochet walks in to say, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Listen, Braun, I know you’re not one for big thinking, you’re looking way too far into the future. Because if you keep looking past these, uh, ‘flippy flippers,’ your words, not mine… It might come back to bite you.”

Ricochet leaves Braun to think that one over. Will the monster double down on what he said? Or will speed beat strength to move on to the finals?

BIG matches for next week!

On the eve of Survivor Series, we will see some rather high stakes tag team matches! After Raquel backed Shotzi up against Shayna & Ronda, we see The Ballsy & The Badass team up against the Baddest Women! Will Ricky Desperado help Shotzi #TakeCareofBidness before going after Ronda? Or will Shayna & Ronda both make someone #TapNapOrSnap?

And while the fifth man has yet to be revealed, the advantage in the Men’s WarGames will be on the line! It will be McIntyre & Sheamus VS The Usos!! Can the Celtic Connection conquer the Undisputed Tag Team Champions to go man-up in the sinister steel? Or will the Usos be the ones to get it #OneAndDone for the Bloodline?

SmackDown World Cup, Opening Round: Pete Dunne VS Sami Zayn!

Butch has the Brutes backing him up as we close out this first round of the Cup! And surely, the Honorary Uce will have the Bloodline watching his back. Who fires the first shot towards WarGames with this golden opportunity on the line?

SmackDown returns and Sami makes his entrance, and yes, he has Solo Sikoa & The Usos with him. The bell rings and the two tie up. Dunne powers Sami to a corner but Sami turns Dunne around. Dunne dodgse the sucker punch to wrangle Sami with an arm! Dunen bends the fingers and Sami endures! Dunne isolates the arm, to STOMP the arm! Dunne then steps over, and hits the La Magistrol! TWO, but Dunne is right after Sami with another wrench. Dunen whips and CLOBBERS Sami, then he covers, TWO! Sami gets up and kicks Dunne low. Sami headlocks but Dunne powers out. Things speed up, Dunne hurdles, but into a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!

The Usos say that was pretty good, and Sami rains down fists on Dunne. Sami glares at Ridge and then drags Dunne back up. Sami throws Dunne out, and the ref tells the Bloodline to back off. The Bloodline eggs on the Brutes, and so does Sami. Sami goes out to fetch Dunne and puts him in the ring. Sami hurries in but Dunne goes up to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Sami is still in this and the Usos coach him up. Dunne runs in to GAMANGIRI! Sami goes down, Dunne goes up, but Sami anchors Dunne! Dunne pulls Sami’s fingers! So Sami SHOVES Dunne down! Dunne his LED barriers and the Bloodline fires up as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Dunne has Sami up top. Sami resists so Dunne bends the fingers! Sami throws body shots, then a HEADBUTT! Dunne falls from the corner, Sami stands up top, and Sami leaps, into a BIG forearm! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and Sheamus can’t believe it! Sheamus and his team rally up and so do the fans. Dunne shouts out Sheamus by beating his chest while aiming from the corner. Jey gets up but Dunne DECKS him! But Sami rolls Dunne up! TWO!! Dunne ENZIGURIS Sami back down! But Jimmy distracts now and Jey ENZIGURIS Dunne!! The Brutes protest but Sami hits BLUE THUNDER! Cover, TWO!!

Fans are torn, the Brutes rush the Bloodline and the brawl is on! McIntyre is after Solo, payback from Clash at the Castle! Ridge has Jimmy, Sheamus has Jey, and Sami is shocked! McIntyre and Solo spill over the desk! The Usos mug Sheamus and SMACK him off the desk! Dunne goes to the apron, but Sami grabs at him! But Dunne bends Sami’s fingers! And SNAPS them! Sami falls back, the Usos SUPERKICK Ridge, but then Dunne ASAI MOONSAULTS the Usos down! Dunne hurries back into the ring, he runs corner to corner, but Sami catches him! EXPLODER into buckles! Sami goes to the far side while Sheamus brawls with Jey!

Jey scurries into the ring, and he’s in Sami’s way! Sheamus drags Jey back out to TOSS into barriers! Dunne pump handles Sami! BITTER END!! Cover, Dunne wins!!

Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall (advances to the second round)

But before Dunne can celebrate, Solo CLOBBERS him! Solo scoops Dunne for the SPINNING SOLO! But Solo turns around into haymakers from Drew! Fans fire up as the brawl continues in the ring! Ridge TOSSES Jimmy, Solo fires hands on Drew, but Drew turns it around! Ridge and Jimmy brawl, but here comes ROMAN! The Tribal Chief has arrived, but McIntyre still beats down Solo! Roman SUPERMAN PUNCHES Ridge! And SPEARS Dunne! McIntyre stares Roman down and fans are thunderous! Roman gets in the ring, but Solo whips Drew! Drew reverses to toss Solo, but Roman SPEARS McIntyre!

Roman looks at the downed Honorary Uce, but then he looks at Sheamus as he steps in! The Fella brings the straps down and circles with Roman. Fans fire up and the brawl is on! They throw big haymakers back and forth, then Sheamus gets the edge! But Sami CLOBBERS Sheamus! Sheamus knocks Sami back down, but the SUPERMAN PUNCH hits Sheamus! Roman is all fired up, and fans are torn as Roman aims from the corner. But wait!! KEVIN OWENS is here?!? The Prizefighter knows WarGames, he knows Roman, and he knows Sami! This is just what Sheamus meant by the shocking fifth man!

Kevin SUPERKICKS Jimmy! He SUPERKICKS Jey! And now he has Roman all to himself! Fans fire up again as Kevin gets in the ring with Roman! Hartford is losing their minds over this one! And then the brawl is on!! Kevin gets the edge with haymaker after haymaker, and then he stomps a mudhole into the Head of the Table! Sami gets in, and now he has to choose: Tribal Chief, or best frenemy. Fans are losing their minds all over again, and they chant, “UCEY! UCEY!” But a SUPERMAN PUNCH takes Kevin down! Kevin flounders, but Ridge drags Sami out! Sami RAMS Ridge into barriers!

Roman lets out the battle cry, he runs at Kevin, but into a kick! AND STUNNER!! The Prizefighter just took the fight to the Bloodline, and his side is the one standing in the ring! Will the Bloodline survive Survivor Series with these five coming for them?

My Thoughts:

This was an awesome episode of SmackDown, and it really got things going for Survivor Series! For one, great promo from The Brawling Brutes and McIntyre to basically let bygones be bygones and give us the Celtic Connection once again. Sami also steps in it responding to them, and I just had this great feeling that Kevin Owens would be the fifth man because of all the continuity between him, Sami and Roman. This is going to be a great way to segue things back to Kevin & Sami reuniting to then take the Undisputed Tag Titles off the Usos.

And we got a great main event out of Dunne VS Sami, with everyone else around, of course. I’m a little surprised Dunne is advancing over Sami, but it still works in story that Sami can pivot to the tag titles with Kevin while we have the potential for Dunne VS Gunther for another title. I don’t know if that match is happening, but it’s great that they’re at least teasing it. The brawl to end the show and bring Kevin out was great stuff, felt almost go-home-esque, but we’ve got next week and the WarGames Advantage match to get to. That match can go either way, but it’ll be a lot of fun, and a great sampler of what we’ll see in the WarGames match itself.

Kross VS Moss II was a good rematch, but I figured Kross was going to win. Emma getting involved right away with Moss’ story is a nice way to get them both going again, but it’s really surprising that we could get Kross & Scarlett VS Moss & Emma before we get Miz & Maryse VS Dexter Lumis & Indi Hartwell. The Usos questioning Kross didn’t make much sense when we all know Kross hates McIntyre. But it was a good chance for Kross to make it clear he still wants the top titles. Maybe Kross will be more direct with Roman after or even during Survivor Series, unless we’re getting Sheamus VS Roman. We did get a nice tease of that during the brawl.

Great stuff out of the rest of the SmackDown World Cup. Ricochet VS Ali was a great match that did a great job tying in Ali’s story from Raw, but it also gave Ricochet some edge that he’s needed. Ricochet also does a great job using Braun’s Crown Jewel tweet to get at him. Big hoss VS high-flyer, tale as old as time in pro-wrestling, but after Braun got involved with the Six Man Tag, I feel like Braun is winning his way to the finals. Braun put the fear of God into Gunther, and that would be a great fight on par with Gunther VS Sheamus from Clash at the Castle. At the same time, I’m thinking Gunther finds a way to win, since he has Imperium watching his back to cheat for him.

But did you know that the SmackDown World Cup on Fox is on Fox? I would’ve never known what channel I was watching if they didn’t say it as part of the introductions AND on commentary! C’MON, WWE. I know this is Fox corporate pushing for a tie-in with actual sports, but we don’t need to be told like we’re four years old. That is something that WWE needs to stop, especially now that we’re in the HHH Era.

But what was great was seeing Bray and Knight interact tonight. Bray’s story has a bit in common when Kevin was on that “And that’s no lie” angle where he was a Heel trying to go Face. But with Bray, there’s this compulsion represented by Uncle Howdy, and Knight is the one pushing his buttons because he couldn’t just accept a handshake and an apology and instead escalated things with two cheap shot slaps. Of course, he was literally buried in the backstage area, and I’m very intrigued in where we go from here. Knight might accuse Bray of doing it, but it’ll likely be Bray’s newest alter ego(s) who did it, and that’ll push things ever closer to Bray literally fighting Uncle Howdy in a new cinematic match. After all, this year WrestleMania Goes Hollywood.

My Score: 8.8/10

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!

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Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (11/18/22)

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Andrew’s IMPACT Results & Match Ratings: 11.17.2022

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.24.25

We get another chapter of Hardy Compound shenanigans! NEMETH BROTHERS! WE KNEW YOU’D COME!

Published

2 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Andrew Balaz

Oh boy, the best thing to come from the TNA product has been on WWE programs for the last month or so. Can we start getting some non-garbage episodes that make sense with wrestling that isn’t useless or atrocious? And Trey Miguel is the first person out…so my faith is dwindling.

I hate these early stages of the Delirious Dreamer combination. This crap makes me miss Tigre Uno, Dixie Carter, hell even the Claire Lynch angle was so disgustingly cringe it was car crash entertaining. You know, like Jersey Shore. So let’s see if something can stop sucking.

.@NicTNemeth has a strange run-in with Willow The Wisp…

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchIaY pic.twitter.com/oATIF574yn

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025

Ratings:

Trey Miguel & Ace Austin vs Moose & JDC w/Alisha: JDC wins after interference – ** 1/4
Jacy Jayne w/ Fatal Influence vs Rosemary: Jacy wins via Rolling Punch – **
Cinematic Hardy Compound: Kaiba Boys vs Hardy Boyz: 15/7, 10/10, 100/100, Hardy thing ever!
Tessa Blanchard vs Missa Kate: Tessa wins via Buzzsaw DDT – **
Joe Hendry & Elijah vs Ethan Page & Kaz: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ** 3/4

Results:

Trey Miguel & Ace Austin vs Moose & JDC w/Alisha

JDC and Trey start it’s just chain wrestling, nothing worth notating. The big early spot is slow and dumb, Trey goes for a Springboard Moonsault while in the Arm Wringer to turn it into a slow Arm Drag followed by a slow Dropkick. Throws JDC into the face corner, and Moose is late to the help spot so Trey has to beckon for him to come forward for a Tandem Drop Toe Hold causing Moose to Headbutt JDC in the groin. Double Dropkick sends Moose to the floor, but he doesn’t sell it long so he plucks Trey off the apron, smashes him and JDC tags out as we go to commercial. Jesus Christ this is cornball trope start and no one is looking good in the first 5 minutes. Am I possibly a little a jaded? Well of course, the shows have sucked for weeks and you start with bog standard “make fun of the heel” team start and its slow and unengaging. Maybe Dreamer should ask Trips if TNA talent can use the PC to learn psychology or…something interesting.

We come back and the heels are still magically in control with JDC locking in a Hammerlock Suplex into a Keylock. Tag to Moose and Trey is sooo banged up apparently an Arm Wringer throws him to the mat like a bitch. Starting off the show so damn slow is not really a good luck to keep people watching the show. It’s only like 8:20 and I want to go to sleep. Moose of course gets cocky taking his time to do a Jacknife Powerbomb so of course Trey counters, Ace gets the hot tag and guess what? Ace starts laying out both guys with quick strikes, Tijeras, Kicks, Click Click Boom, his corner dodge into the Mochizuki Triangle Kick but Moose kicks out. *sigh*

Ace decides to tag Trey back in, but their version of Poetry in Motion gets caught by Moose and Moose Powerbombs Trey into Ace. System tandem offense, Dropkick from JDC, Uranage from Moose, Down and Dirty from Dango but Ace breaks up the pin. Ace assists Trey with the Knee Slide Tornado DDT to take out Moose, they look for a finish but Lish distracts the ref, Dango kicks Trey in the dick, Brian Myers interferes and JDC wins the match.

Yawn…basic bullshit is not really driving attention.

Next is a video package for Masha and Tessa with Masha talking…who can’t cut a promo in English and Dreamer of course inserts himself for a fake “do it for your trainer” add. Oh Christ, this is like Rocky IV from Wish, but the Russian is the babyface. I hate every second of this and welcome the commercial break.

While I think this promo goes on entirely too long, you can decide if it sucks or not:

.@Santana_Proud reflects ahead of #TNARebellion, where his war with @MustafaAli_X reaches its boiling point in a Falls Count Anywhere match.

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchalq pic.twitter.com/zeSr7tQQVT

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025

Jacy Jayne w/ Fatal Influence vs Rosemary

Start isn’t really a thing since Rosemary feigns the Mist so Jacy runs away, when she does get back in Rosemary clocks her, beats on her in the corner, Upside Down and then gorgeous Fallon and the pack tactics give Jacy enough of a distraction to PK kick Rosemary and take control. Rosemary gets out of a Headlock with biting, then bits Jacy on the face and follows it up with a Shotgun Dropkick. Jacy tries to Reverse the Irish Whip but Rosemary kicks off the buckle, turns and connects with a Flying Forearm. Rosemary gets a little distracted, eats a V-Trigger but zombie rises from the dead and Face Buster into a Spicolli Driver attempt, but Jazmyn gets involved, Rosemary drops Jazmyn and when she turns around Jacy connects with her Rolling Punch for the finish.

Fatal Influence attack Rosemary and Mirror Match Xias come to make the save.

.@milanmiracle is ON THE CASE! @Jazmyn_nyx_wwe, @FallonHenleyWWE and @jacyjaynewwe vs. @XiaBrookside, @TheLeiYingLee and @WeAreRosemary at #TNARebellion!?

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchIaY pic.twitter.com/eTAQNOgiO8

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025

Cinematic Hardy Compound: Kaiba Boys vs Hardy Boyz

Willow the Wisp sighting early, he drops the umbrella and starts dancing to Kendrick’s They Not Like Us, then Jeff shows up and attacks Nic, they brawl in a pickup truck. Seto Nic Ziggler hits the Superkick, but Jeff turns it around, they get on top of the cab and Jeff wants to Powerbomb Nic through conveniently placed tables, but Back Body Drop sends Jeff crashing. Nic goes into the truck and finds a tag team title. Is that the idea? First person to find the titles like an RPG quest?

Matt Pearl Harbors Mokuba near a fountain as it cuts to Nic walking through the house at the arcade, and he finds their title case and he thinks it’s booby trapped so he does the heist thing of replacing the title with an exercise weight. Matt has a PREMONITION!!! THe Kaibas have the titles! And Ryan turns things around for a moment until he eats gate and gets Speared into the pool with Reby playing piano looking like a snack. Ryan is teleported into the house for Maxel the Great with Senor Benjamin as the ticket taker and most of the Hardy kids sitting in the theater. It’s an old 1920s Silent Film with Maxel beating up Ryan and the kids keep saying he sucks. He gets showered in roses, Benjamin is crying the kids rejoice and cut back to Ryan floating in the pool. Dr Wolfie is diagnosing Ryan on the couch and they have a fantastic conversation. Wolfie blames the Matt Hardy fans for Booing Wolfie. Wolfie asks if Ryan if he ever hugged his parents and Ryan starts crying and Wolfie goes “That’ll be 500 dollars for the emotional damage”.

Gothic Baby Shadow Realms Ryan into his Emo Phase with Simple Plan playing. Then he has a roast battle with Bardie. Ryan is getting pelted with eggs while Matt is drowning him in the pool. Nic saves his Little Brother from drowning in the pool (been there). Maxel attacks, Nic Pie Faces the kid, Ryan ambushes Matt with a title shot and then BROTHER NERO! We’re just missing Itchweed to complete the essences of Jeff.

Nemeths see Jeff stalking them and they bail. So we may get a return to the Broken Brothers.

.@ryrynemnem is working some things out with Dr. Wolfie.

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchIaY pic.twitter.com/ydPCkpfP6l

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025

That was glorious and the fact it’s used as a set up for a real match instead of a replacement for a real match makes it actually better.

Tessa Blanchard vs Missa Kate

Tessa doesn’t take her serious after a quick flurry so Kate lands a Tilt-a-Whirl Gourdbuster before Tessa turns things around and lays in offense. Dropkick, Springboard Elbows, Teardrop Suplex, and Tessa calms down a little after taking complete control again. Tessa keeps Kate in the corner and lays in Forearms, Kicks, goes for a Splash but Kate finally dodges and slams Tessa face first into a Buckle. Tessa hits the Cutter, goes to the top, MAGNUM, Buzzsaw DDT just because.

Masha attacks Tessa after the match and hits the Russian Death Device and puts her in a Fujiwara Armbar until Tessa gets away and bails to the floor while Masha holds the ring.

Joe Hendry & Elijah vs Ethan Page & Kaz

This whole match is stupid. Hendry had no tape at Mania, went against “doctor’s orders” to defend the title at Rebellion this Sunday anyway…so they put him in a worthless tag match when they didn’t want him active? Delirious and Dreamer need to be shot in the head. It won’t hit anything.

Elijah and Kaz start this match, Kaz looks dumb and gets dogwalked and then Rope Walked because heels aren’t allowed to be competent against “fan favorites” until at least 3 minutes into a match. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Back from the commercial break, Hendry and Elijah Double Clothesline Kaz and he’ll prolly slip something in a minute or so. Elijah does 10 Count Punches dropping Kaz, into the ropes, Kaz hops over him but Elijah throws him towards Page. Weird…but okay. Ethan calls for Hendry, and they lock up causing Hendry to wince at the arm that isn’t Kayfabed well, but Hendry hits the ropes, Shoulder Tackle into Hip Toss with “bad” arm, now Stalling Suplex that is just dropped immediately because of “arm”. Tags out quickly to Elijah and Ethan gets Manhattan Dropped and Big Booted into Saturday. Kaz takes a cheap shot when Elijah hits the ropes, so Ethan pounces and the heels finally have some momentum. Double Team on Elijah into a Rude Awakening from Kaz for two.

Ethan tries to keep Elijah isolated, Elijah gets the boot up, but he cuts off Elijah from the tag, Ethan tags in Kaz and a Slingshot Leg Drop gets another two. Elijah fights out of the corner, knocks down Ethan, counter wrestling from Kaz and Elijah before a Jumping Knee Lift levels Kaz. Elijah looks for the tag but Ethan picks Hendry off the apron and throws him into the steps. Heels doing the dogpile thing. Ethan throws Elijah into a corner, Up and Over but Ethan catches him just to get kicked away. Joe drags himself to the corner, simultaneous tags, Lariats into Sack of Shit for both heels. Attitude Adjustment on Kaz for only two. Hendry is overselling the injury no one cares enough about to write logically. So good for him that he’s doing their job, it’s just creative that isn’t. Kaz catches Hendry in Fade to Black but Hendry gets out, Scoop Slam into the Springboard Leg Drop but Hendry kicks out. Kaz wants the Chicken Wing on the bad arm, but Ethan tags himself in causing infighting, Avalanche Tandem Superplex but Elijah shoves Ethan into the pinfall to break it. Elijah and Ethan throw hands, Crossroads from Elijah, Backstabber from Kaz, Rope Run Cutter from Hendry on Kaz, Spin and pose, Standing Ovation attempt but the arm gives, Elijah tags in, Ethan refuses to tag Kaz, Highwayman’s Farewell from Elijah.

Overall Score: 6.4/10

All of the points are for Fallon Henley existing, Lei Ying Lee and the Hardy Compound match. Without the Hardy match the show was like a 2. Bad logic, bad booking, heels are too samey with everyone being a dweeb that has to get beat on for 3-5 minutes before they can remember they can wrestle. Sean Waltman is also an interesting wrinkle in the System and Rascalz thing, but the first hour of this show was useless. If people continued to watch for the Hardy match, that was the only thing that may have entertained new eyes because of WrestleMania.

Rebellion is Sunday and next Thursday starts at 10 Eastern…ugh. If TNA doesn’t get off the west coast or work days, I won’t review any of this positively. First World problems, fully aware. But come on now, especially with the shit writing from the last month or so, this show isn’t worth staying up if they TNA personally paid people to review it. It would be totally different if the content was entertaining.

You know what, just give the Hardy’s the book. I’d rather insanity than forgetting to write in logic to a kayfabe injury and because things are pre-taped the WM appearance makes no sense and sudden over selling makes less sense. This isn’t booking into a corner this is booking into a Short Bus with a flat tire.

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/24/25)

The Chef is back!

Published

6 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Steven Mitchell

It’s a night of returns!

Tonight, The Kingdom, The Righteous, and ROH Women’s World Television Champion, Red Velvet, are all returning to Honor Club!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

8 Man Tag: The Premier Athletes & The Righteous VS The Kingdom & Spanish Announce Project; The Premier Athletes & The Righteous win.
Lance Archer VS Crowbar; Archer wins.
ROH Women’s World Television Championship Proving Ground: Red Velvet VS Ashley Vox; Velvet wins and denies Vox a title match.
8 Man Tag: Shane Taylor Promotions VS Mark Briscoe, AR Fox & Top Flight; Briscoe, Fox & Top Flight win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mark Sterling interrupts the show’s introductions?!

“Smart” Mark issues a verbal cease and desist and says he will take it from here. “Everybody knows that this is Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese, The Premier Athletes! Folks, it took me 20 years of living in this town to realize that it was just East Albany. I gotta tell ya, nothing has ever sprung from this field for a very long time. Especially these losers right here.” Sterling is pointing at the Danhausen cosplayer and their friends. But Sterling says he’s going to let them be part of a winning team for once, unlike the Thunderbirds! So, when Sterling says, “Athletes,” you say, “Rule,” nothing else! Hands in, boys. Ohh… “ATHLETES!” “SUCK!”

The fans got Sterling again! But now they’re joined by their tag partners in tonight’s opening. It’s The Righteous! But it isn’t just good ol’ Dutch & Vincent making their returns to start the show. Matt Taven & Mike Bennett are back and standing alongside Angelico y Serpentico! Will Nese & Daivari be feeling very self-righteous with a win tonight? Or will the fans be justified in saying “Athletes Suck?”

8 Man Tag: The Premier Athletes & The Righteous VS The Kingdom & Spanish Announce Project!

The teams sort out and Angelico starts against Daivari. Nese tries to get the fans to play along again, “ATHLETES!” “SUCK!” Still not learning their lesson… The bell rings, Daivari and Angelico circle, and Angelico still offers the Code of Honor. Daivari says sure, why not. He shakes hands, but then kicks low! Daivari bumps Angelico off buckles, tags in Nese, and the Athletes mug Angelico. “ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!” The Athletes double whip but Angelico grabs ropes. Angelico TOSSES Daivari, BOOTS Nese, then wrenches Nese to tag in #SNAKEMAN! Serpentico goes up, and he DOUBLE STOMPS Nese’s arm!

Sterling protests but SAP double whip, double drop down, and then HIP TOSS for the HIP TOSS SENTON! Serpentico adds a SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Serpentico wrenches Nese, tags in Taven, and the fans cheer Taven as he wrenches Nese to a wristlock. Nese takes a swing, Taven ducks to waistlock, but Nese bucks the O’Conner. But Taven arm-drags Nese! Nese powers up, whips Taven to a corner, but Taven goes up and over. Taven comes back, slides under the hurdle, then DROPKICKS Nese down! The fans fire up, because “IIIII’M! MATT TAVEN!” Taven storms up on Nese, wrenches, and he tags in Bennett.

The fans fire up as Bennett whips Nese into Taven’s BOOT, then ROCKS Nese so Taven can LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Daivari and Sterling protest, “One in, one out!” Bennett keeps Nese from his corner and CHOPS him against the ropes! Bennett whips Nese but Nese grabs the ropes to bail out! The fans boo but Bennett pursues! Bennett pushes Nese back into the ring but Daivari eggs Bennett on. Bennett gives back the trash talk, but then he dodges Nese’s baseball slide dropkick! Bennett DECKS Nese, then he DECKS Daivari! Sterling steps up but Bennett asks, “You want some, too?!” Sterling backs off, but Nese BLINDSIDES Bennett!

The fans boo and Bennett’s team protests, but the ref keeping them back allows Sterling, Daivari & The Righteous the chance to mug Bennett on the outside! The fans boo more, but the ref misses all of this, and Dutch puts Bennett in the ring. Nese covers, TWO! Bennett is tougher than that but Nese tags in Vincent. They mug Bennett, and Vincent DECKS Bennett. Vincent then puts Bennett in the corner to ROCK him, and he tags Dutch. Dutch fires body shot after body shot, then an UPPERCUT! Bennett sits down, Dutch taunts Taven, and Vincent CHOKES Bennett behind the ref’s back! The fans boo but Dutch drags Bennett up to bump him off buckles.

Dutch whips Bennett corner to corner, LARIATS him down, and then covers, TWO! Dutch clamps onto Bennett with a chinlock and he squeezes tight. Bennett endures, the Premier Athletes soak up the heat, and then the fans rally. Bennet fights to his feet, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Dutch staggers, Nese tags in! Nese STOMPS Bennett down, then taunts Taven and SAP! Nese drags Bennett back to have a chinlock of his own. Nese grinds Bennett down but fans chant, “Athletes Suck!” Bennett fights up, fires body shots, and is free! Only for Nese to pick him up and RAM him into the corner! Nese fires off, but Bennett fires back!

Bennett DECKS Nese, then he ROCKS Dutch, ROCKS Vincent, and ROCKS Daivari! Bennett runs up, but DOUBLE LARIATS take him and Nese down! The fans fire back up while Taven and SAP coach Bennett on! Sterling shouts to Nese, both men crawl, and the fans rally up more. Hot tags to Daivari and Taven! The fans fire up as Taven dodges Daivari to SPLASH Nese! Then Taven BOOTS Daivari, and he GAMANGIRIS Nese! HEEL KICK for Daivari! BACKDROP for Nese! The fans fire up and Taven runs to LION- NO, Daivari moves! Taven lands out, and he dodges to SUPERKICK! Then the LIONSAULT! Cover, Dutch breaks it!

The fans boo but Taven and Dutch brawl! Vincent tags in, and The Righteous double whip, only for Serpentico to tag in! Taven stops himself at the ropes, then bails out! Serpentico eggs Dutch on, Dutch runs up, but SAP DUMP Dutch out! Vincent runs up, Angelico GAMANGIRIS! Then Angelico FLYING LARIATS Dutch down! Serpentico arm-drags Vincent, then SUPERKICKS! Then BASEMENT FLATLINER! The fans fire up, but Daivari is back to clinch and URENAGE! But The Kingdom is in, Taven pops Daivari up for the BOSTON BAYONET! Sterling gets on the apron to yell at them, but The Kingdom DOUBLE SUPERKICK him down!

The fans fire up more and Bennett tells Sterling to “SUCK IT!” but The Righteous are back! They CLOBBER The Kingdom from behind! The fans boo, but Serpentico shoves Vincent into Dutch, O’Conner Roll, TWO! BLACKHOLE SLAM!! And then ORANGE SUNSHINE!! Cover, Righteous & Athletes win!

Winners: The Premier Athletes & The Righteous, by pinfall

Sterling celebrates like he and his guys actually did something there. But then the way The Righteous look at them, the Premier Athletes get outta there. Now that they are back, will death walk through ROH, Dutch & Vincent following behind?

Nick Wayne speaks.

It was after Spring Breakthru Collision that the Prodigy said, “When you normally see me, I’m always with the family, I’m always with The Patriarchy. But tonight, I did this on my own. I won this on my own! I didn’t need Kip Sabian, I didn’t need Christian Cage, and I sure didn’t need my mother ringside to do things like this! It’s reasons like this why they call me The Prodigy. It’s reasons like this why I’m the future of professional wrestling. ROH just became Wayne’s World, and you’re all just living in it.” Nick did make history all on his own, but we saw last night on Dynamite that Christian Cage is trying to take that from him. Will Nick Wayne finally be his own man?

ROH Women’s World Television Championship Proving Ground: Red Velvet VS Ashley Vox!

The Chef is back, and she’s ready to heat the kitchen up again. She knows La Catalina is waiting her turn for a shot at this title, but will Velvet owe another golden ticket? Or is the Reel Catch about to get cooked in ten minutes or less?

The Code of Honor is not upheld as Velvet leaves Vox hanging to smooth her hair. Velvet says sorry, sorry, she’s just kidding around. She offers the handshake again, but then pulls the same joke! The fans boo and Vox is annoyed. Velvet says for real this time, but then Vox grabs Velvet’s hand to make her shake. The bell rings, but Velvet doesn’t let go! She short arm LARIATS Vox and the fans boo! Velvet mocks them, and then she rains down furious forearms! Velvet soaks up the heat, but Vox rolls her up! TWO, and Velvet is annoyed. Velvet CLOBBERS Vox, talks trash, “You think you’re gonna beat me?”

Velvet puts Vox on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Velvet steps off at 4, and then Velvet taunts the fans, and even mocks Vox’s fishhook finger. Velvet winds up, but Vox blocks the shot to HOTSHOT the arm! The fans rally for Vox and Vox ROCKS Velvet again and again! Velvet KNEES low, CLUBS her, then bumps her off buckles. Velvet runs Vox side to side, but Vox blocks and bumps Velvet! The fans rally, Vox whips, but Velvet reverses! Velvet dribbles Vox off buckles, then she lets off. Velvet storms back up to snapmare Vox, push her to a cover, ONE!! Vox shows some toughness, but Velvet kneels on her to CHOKE her!

The ref reprimands, Velvet steps off, and Velvet tells the fans to shut up. Velvet clamps onto Vox with a chinlock and grinds her down. The fans rally, Vox endures, and Vox fights up. Vox arm-drags free! The fans fire up, Vox runs in, but Velvet dodges! Velvet unloads the body shots! The ref counts, Velvet lets off, but then she stomps a mudhole into Vox! Velvet stops at 4, then she digs her boot into Vox! Velvet does the split, she taunts the fans, but she stops as the ref counts again. Velvet swaggers and stirs it up, to then run back in, only for Vox to ELBOW her! Velvet runs up, Vox BOOTS her! Vox goes up, Velvet staggers around, Vox MISSILE DROPKICKS!

Velvet flounders away and the fans rally up. Vox runs, dodges, and KNEES Velvet down! The fans fire up as Vox holds up the hook! But Velvet BOOTS the hook away! Vox dodges to HEADBUTT! And then she reels Velvet in, for the FISH HOOK! Vox ripcords and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Velvet survives and Vox can’t believe it! The fans rally, but time is on Vox’s side! Vox stalks Velvet, brings her around, fisherman, but Velvet wrenches out! Velvet dodges the lariat, and she DECKS Vox!! Cover, Velvet wins!

Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall (denies Ashley Vox a title opportunity)

That punch might as well have been a knockout, but The Chef is- interrupted by La Diva del Ring! Catalina is here, and she signals that she’s gonna have that belt. The fans cheer as Catalina steps up to Velvet in the ring, and the two talk a bit of smack. When and where will Catalina be on the menu with Red Velvet?

ROH announces entrants for the Women’s Pure Championship Tournament!

Leila Grey says listen up, because she has some exciting news! The Last Baddie Standing is officially in the tournament! And it is about time she has her name added to the history books. Go ahead and underestimate her, but don’t get it twisted. A tournament means opportunity. And Deonna Purrazzo says this is the perfect opportunity for her. If we’re talking the inaugural ROH Women’s Pure Champion, who better than The Virtuosa? Because when you think women’s wrestling and ROH, you think Deonna Purrazzo. There is not another woman in this tournament who has done what she’s done!

But then Taya Valkyrie says, “Pure class, pure perfection, pure style. I just knew this championship was made for me. And when you think of ‘pure,’ you think of Taya! I am the epitome of a rule follower. I will be an awfully good girl and take myself all the way to the end.” Taya does note that her partner, Deonna, will be in the tournament, too. How amazing it would be for a perfectly Pure Vendetta finals? That sounds absolutely delicious. But Deonna warns Taya. The best pure technical women’s wrestler will win this, and we all know who that will be. The Virtuosa clearly thinks herself ahead of La Wera Loca, but who will be the very first ROH Women’s Pure Champion?

8 Man Tag: Shane Taylor Promotions VS Mark Briscoe, AR Fox & Top Flight!

Speaking of Pure Championship titles, Lee Moriarty still has his, but he, The Infantry and Shane Taylor himself want all the gold! Will they finally get closer to dominating ROH? Or will the Sussex County Chicken, the Whole Fox’n Show and the Martin Brothers all #ManUp and get themselves some title opportunities?

The fans cheer on Top Flight, and then the teams sort out. Mark starts against Shane, but Shane SPITS on the Code of Honor! The fans boo, the bell rings, and Mark asks, “It’s like that?” Shane says yeah, it’s like that! The forearms start flying! They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans fire up! Mark ROCKS Shane, then bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire more forearms! Mark runs, but Shane swings! Mark ducks ‘n’ dodges, then CROSSBODIES, but Shane catches him! Shane shakes his head, pops Mark up, but Mark slips free! REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUT! Then a ROLLING ELBOW! Mark runs, but Shane CLOBBERS him!

Lee tags in, but so does Fox. Fox kicks, Lee blocks and KICKS, but Fox ENZIGIRIS! Fox runs, but Lee GAMANGIRIS! Lee fires up and the fans are torn. Lee wrenches Fox, tags Carlie Bravo, they double whip. Fox holds ropes, DUMPS Lee out, then TOSSES Carlie! Fox sweeps the legs! Fox runs and SLINGSHOT STOMPS Carlie, to then CROSSBODY Lee! The fans fire up for Fox and he goes back to the ring. Fox trips Carlie up, then MOONSAULTS onto Lee! Fox goes back up the corner, and he SWANTON BOMBS onto knees! Carlie saves himself, then gets Fox into the corner. Tag to Dean and Carlie feeds Fox to a clinch!

Dean lifts, Carlie helps out, BOOSTED URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Fox is tougher than that, but Dean stays between him and his team. Dean stalks Fox, then he RAMS Fox into the STP corner again. The whole team mugs Fox! The fans boo, Carlie says that’s how it is! Dean tags Carlie, and Carlie stands Fox up for more shots! Carlie tells the fans to shut up, then he CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Carlie fireman’s carries, then he spins to GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Fox survives but Carlie keep shim down with a chinlock. Fox endures, the fans rally, and Fox fights around. Fox fires body shots, but Bravo CLUBS him!

Fox reaches for his corner, Bravo kicks Fox, but Fox still fights! Bravo ROCKS Fox, kicks and reels him in, but Fox suplexes first! ANARCHY! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fox and Bravo crawl, hot tags to Dean and Darius! Darius CLOBBERS Dean, BLASTS Lee, then fires hands on Dean! Darius whips, Dean reverses, but Darius atomic drops! Then he BULLDOG HOTSHOTS! BOOT for Bravo! GAMANGIRI for Dean! Lee lurks and grabs a foot! Darius kicks free, Shane tags in, and Darius steps in, into a HAYMAKER! Shane hauls Darius up, and he URENAGES! Shane talks trash, then SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, TWO!!

Darius survives but Shane drags Darius up. Shane puts Darius in a corner, and CHOPS! Dean says, “That’s a man right there! That’s a man!” Darius comes back to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! ROLLING- NO, Shane ducks, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then HEADBUTTS! Tag to Bravo and they stomp Darius. Tag to Dean, he sends Carlie in for a SPLASH! Then “Psyche!” Dean sends Carlie back in for another SPALSH! Dean runs, but into Darius’ SPANISH FLY! Both men are down, they flounder, hot tags to Lee and Dante! Dante ELBOWS Lee, DECKS him, then whips. Lee reverses, Dante slips to the outside to go up and over!

Dante KICKS Carlie, GAMANGIRIS Lee, then MOONSAULTS onto Carlie! Dante springboards and CROSSBODIES Lee! Dante keeps moving, he DIVES onto Shane! The fans fire up and Dante springboards again, CANNONBALL on Lee! Cover, TWO!! Lee survives but Dante stays focused. The fans rally, Dante drags Lee up, but Lee fights the half nelson! Lee slips around, wheelbarrows, victory roll! TWO, and Dante runs up, but Lee slips through to hammerlock and NECKBREAKER! Hot tags to Carlie and Mark! Mark dodges Dean, and then he fires off forearms and CHOPS on the Infantry! The fans fire up, Dean grabs Mark, but Mark BOOTS Carlie!

Mark breaks free to PELE Dean! Then he catches Carlie for an EXPLODER! But Shane storms in! Mark bobs ‘n’ weaves to RKF UPPERCUT! Shane blocks the whip to whip Mark, but Mark BOOTS Lee! Mark then DUMPS Shane out to the floor! Darius DIVES to take out Lee! Dante DIVES to take out Dean! Fox FLIES to take out Shane! Mark baits Carlie into a kick, underhook, and JAY DRILLER!! Cover, #DemBoys win!

Winners: Mark Briscoe, AR Fox & Top Flight, by pinfall

A big win for this rough ‘n’ tumble unit! Will this momentum help all four men head for titles? Will Top Flight at least be in good shape going into their Tornado Tag Match with The Cru?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH that clocked in at about 46 minutes, a great runtime. Also, I like that for what was advertised, they lumped together the two returns of The Kingdom and The Righteous with that 8 Man Tag. It works especially given the history of The Kingdom VS The Righteous, which I kinda hope they revisit as both teams wait on the ROH World Tag Team Championships. Because as it stands, The Sons of Texas are going to continue their reign until ROH & AEW are back in Texas for both Supercard of Honor & All In.

Speaking of which, that schedule change has yet to be addressed in terms of the ROH Women’s Pure Championship, which was meant to start with Supercard of Honor, back when it was only going to be a couple weeks away in May. Now that it’s in July… Well, pfft, Tony Khan’s bad pacing of the women’s midcard might still work out where this tournament goes all the way from May into July and the inaugural champion is crowned for Supercard of Honor: Texas. Bad pacing aside, good promos from Leila, Taya and Deonna. It is rather interesting Taya and Deonna are both in this tournament, but I feel like they won’t even meet. Also, feels like TK ran out of ideas for The Vendetta, because again, the bad pacing and bad creative.

Velvet VS Vox was good, but of course Velvet won. Catalina showing up was a natural move, too, and who knows when her match with Velvet happens as they didn’t establish anything. As I just got through criticizing, the pacing of the women’s midcard is not the best, so it might be a few weeks before these two have their match. Not sure why, as I don’t exactly see Velvet losing the title. And very good 8 Man Tag main event with Briscoe, Fox & Top Flight getting a very good win. It’s a bit of a shame as I feel STP really should start moving up the ranks, but I suppose Shane Taylor can still get singles wins, or even just confront Bandido over the ROH World Championship.