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Mitchell’s TAKATaichi 50th Anniversary Results & Report! (12/19/22)
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Mitchell’s TAKATaichi 50th Anniversary Results & Report! (12/19/22)

Who will be the last man standing?

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Who will take the KOPW 2022 trophy into WrestleKingdom 17?

As NJPW prepares for WrestleKingdom 17, TAKATaichi puts on an extra special special event to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • 8 Man Tag: Ren Ayabe, Akira Jumonji, Eagle Mask & Fire Katsumi VS Yoshitatsu, Genta Yubari, Ichiha, Ryuya Takekura; Ayabe, Jumonji, Eagle Mask & Katsumi win.
  • Six Woman Tag: Misa Kagura, Yuu Yamagata & Sumika Yanagawa VS Hisoka, Rhythm & Aoi; Kagura, Yamagata & Yanagawa win.
  • Tomoka Inaba VS Suzu Suzuki; Inaba wins.
  • Minoru Suzuki & DOUKI VS Tomoaki Honma & Jun Kasai; Suzuki & Douki win.
  • El Desperado & Lance Archer VS Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Po; Desperado & Archer win.
  • Best 2 out of 3 Falls Million Yen Match: Taka Michinoku VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins the match, no one wins ¥1,000,000.
  • KOPW 2022 Takagi Style Last Man Standing Lumberjack Match: Shingo Takagi VS Taichi; Takagi wins and is THE Mr. KOPW 2022.

PLAY BY PLAY

Best 2 out of 3 Falls Million Yen Match: Taka Michinoku VS Hiromu Takahashi!

The Blue Playmaker and the Ticking Timebomb have really raised the stakes on this one! And if you survive the Michinoku Driver or “Unnamed” Hiromu-Chan Roll, you get a guaranteed ONE MILLION YEN! Who hits the jackpot just in time for Christmas?

Both men brings their fat stacks to the ring, and the referee makes sure both men brought the proper amount. Hiromu wants the ref to be careful not to lose any of it! The money is entrusted to a NJPW official but Hiromu is even suspicious of him. The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. Taka has them calm down, and he offers a handshake to Hiromu. Hiromu doesn’t trust that, either! They circle, Taka and the ref shake hands. Fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” and Taka offers the handshake again. Hiromu asks if he can trust Taka and fans say yes. Hiromu is still very skeptical, but they circle again as fans rally up.

Taka still offers the handshake, Hiromu wants everyone to know he is trusting their judgment. Hiromu shakes Taka’s hand, and then Taka pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Roll-up, TWO! Backslide, TWO! Hiromu blocks the finger poke! But Taka kicks the leg out! Oklahoma Roll, TWO!! Hiromu escapes out of the ring and is furious with the fans! Fans applaud as Hiromu goes around the ring blaming them for falling for Taka’s tricks. Taka offers Hiromu a chance to get in the ring and fans all chant for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Hiromu says no, he’s not falling for another trick. Hiromu gets himself in, he spins Taka, and he cradles! TWO, Taka has it, TWO!

Hiromu has it, TWO! Taka has it, TWO! Hiromu, Taka, they’re in a ROLLING CRADLE! They go around and around, Hiromu ends up on top, TWO!! Taka has it again, TWO!!! Hiromu escapes, and he blocks the eye poke to make Taka poke himself in the eye! Pump handle, UNNAMED HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! Hiromu scores!!

Hiromu: 1; Taka: 0 (Hiromu wins Taka’s ¥1,000,000)

Ka-ching! The Timebomb just cashed in! Taka is upset, but he has a chance to win it back with the second fall! Hiromu rallies up the fans and Taka catches his breath. Hiromu wants more, but Taka CLUBS him down! The second round starts as Taka kicks Hiromu out of the ring! Taka whips Hiromu hard into railing! Hiromu writhes and flounders away but Taka pursues. Taka drags Hiromu up, wrenches the arm, and whips him hard into more railing! Hiromu bounces off and flounders towards the entryway. Taka CHOKES him, and digs his knuckles into Hiromu’s face! The ref counts and Taka lets off at 4.

Fans rally up but Taka digs his knees into Hiromu’s neck! The ref reprimands, Taka lets off and Taka drags Hiromu up. Taka CHOKES Hiromu right in front of the timekeeper! Hiromu grabs for the money he won but the ref keeps the stacks away. Taka lets off the choking to put Hiromu in the ring. Taka stomps away on Hiromu, drags him up, and knees low. Taka wrenches and whips Hiromu corner to corner, then runs in for a SHINING WIZARD! Fans fire up as Taka snapmares Hiromu and covers. TWO, but Taka sits Hiromu up for a SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Taka has a headscissor hold!

Hiromu endures while fans rally, and Taka pulls on one of Hiromu’s arms! KIMURA HEADSCISSOR COMBO! Hiromu endures more, flails around, kicks around, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, fans cheer, but Taka doesn’t let go until 4. Hiromu bails out again but Taka pursues. Taka kicks Hiromu down, then wraps the bad arm around the post! The ref reprimand and counts, Taka YANKS the arm! Taka then wraps the bad arm around the railing! Hiromu fights but Taka pokes him in the eye! Then Taka BOOTS the railing to jam the arm! Hiromu flops down and Taka leaves him behind in the ring.

Taka wants the ring count and it begins, but fans rally up for Hiromu. Hiromu sits up at 4 of 20, shakes out his arm as he stands, and he takes a moment. The count is 12 of 20, Hiromu slides in at 14, and Taka stomps Hiromu down! Taka throws a knee, then whips Hiromu to ropes. Hiromu ducks ‘n ‘dodges to RAN- NO, Taka shoves Hiromu down to get JUST FACELOCK! Hiromu endures, crawls, reaches out, but Taka shifts and rolls Hiromu away from the ropes! But Hiromu rolls Taka up, TWO! JUST FACELOCK! Taka pulls back on the hold but Hiromu fights all the same! Hiromu crawls his way over, reaches out, but Taka CLUBS away on him!

Taka pulls way back on the lock! Hiromu reaches out, Taka grabs that arm and shifts around, OG KILLER!! Hiromu endures and flails with the other arm, to get the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go but he drags Hiromu back up. Scoop and- NO, Hiromu slips out to UPPERCUT! Hiromu runs, Taka redirects and BOOTS Hiromu down! Fans fire up, Taka aims from a corner as he tunes up the band! Hiromu rises, Taka rushes in, but into a kick! Taka still ROLLING SOBATS, then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives but Taka vows to end this! Taka drags Hiromu up, scoops and- NO, Hiromu slips free again!

Hiromu pump handles but Taka pokes Hiromu’s eyes! Taka wrenches, pump handles, and STEALS the Unnamed Hiromu Roll!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hiromu escapes the “Michinoku Roll” with nanoseconds to spare! The loophole keeps Hiromu from losing a million. Taka scoops, MICHINOKU DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Hiromu survives Taka’s best shot?!? Taka doesn’t get his million back!! Taka is furious and argues with the ref! The ref says that was a fair count, so Taka says he’ll just cash-in this time! But Hiromu wrenches and pump handles! But Taka rolls through! Taka swings but Hiromu blocks the eye poke! But then Taka blocks the self-poke! Fans fire up as the two fight for control!

Taka starts to over power Hiromu! Hiromu can barely hold Taka back, so Hiromu pokes Taka’s eyes himself! Pump handle, Hiromu-chan Roll!!! TWO!?!?! Taka gets his million back!!

(Taka wins back ¥1,000,000)

Hiromu can’t believe it! He’s freaking out from losing what he won! SUPERKICK!! Taka goes down, but Hiromu drags him back up. Dragon sleeper, suplex, TIMEBOMB MKII!!! Cover, Hiromu wins!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, 2-0 (net gain: ¥0)

Hiromu wins the match, but he only gets back the million he put up as the ante. Taka gets back his million, so at least he didn’t lose more than a match. Hiromu offers a handshake to Taka to show no hard feelings. Taka accepts, but then Hiromu says he was asking for the million. Taka wants Hiromu’s million. Well, that’s not happening. The two leave it at this. Will Hiromu use this momentum going into his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4 Way to cash in on some gold?

 

KOPW 2022 Takagi Style Last Man Standing Lumberjack Match: Shingo Takagi VS Taichi!

The Rampaging Dragon and Holy Emperor went back and forth over this trophy before, and then reignited their rivalry during the World Tag League X Super Jr. Tag League tour! Repeated count outs and draws got on both men’s nerves, so in the end, we have a match where no one can escape and quick pins won’t finish it! You gotta pin then keep your opponent down for ten! Who will be the Last Man Standing to be Mr. KOPW 2022?

Naturally among the Lumberjacks is Suzuki-Gun’s Douki. The introductions are made, the trophy is raised, and we have our huge finale for TAKATaichi 50!

The bell rings, fans cheer and rally up as the two stare down. Taichi and Takagi circle, neither in any rush. The fans seem to be on Taichi’s side, and he and Takagi tie up. Taichi powers Takagi to ropes, the ref calls the break, and Taichi pats Takagi on the shoulder as he lets off cleanly. Takagi keeps cool as he and Taichi reset. Hiromu returns to be one of Takagi’s lumberjacks! Takagi and Taichi tie up again, Takagi puts Taichi on ropes now, and the ref counts the break. Takagi lets off slowly but Taichi pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Taichi kicks at Takagi and Takagi hits back! They grapple and Taichi pulls hair! Takagi pulls hair back!

The ref reprimands, both men let off the other and they argue. Fans fire up as the two RAM shoulders! And again! Takagi runs, RAMS Taichi, but Taichi BOOTS Takagi down! Takagi’s right up to run Taichi over! Taichi bails out, the Young Lion Lumberjacks hustle him back in! Fans cheer but Taichi is upset! Taichi kicks Takagi and throws him out! Douki attacks! But he doesn’t get more than a kick as the Young Lions throw Takagi back in the ring. Takagi is annoyed at Douki so Hiromu gets at him. Takagi and Taichi grapple, but Taichi is CHOKING Takagi! Taichi uses that to drag Takagi out with him!

The Young Lions hurry but Douki tries to attack again. Hiromu goes after Douki so now they’re brawling! The Young Lions get Takagi and Taichi in the ring, and Douki throws someone’s water at Hiromu! Takagi runs at Taichi but Taichi dumps him out! Young Lions hurry to get Takagi in before Douki can attack! Taichi runs at Takagi, but into a Ground Cobra Twist! Cover, THREE! And now the ten count starts! Taichi is all confused, but this is how a Takagi Style Last Man Standing Match happens! Taichi stands at 8 of 10, but runs into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up as Taichi is down again!

Fans fire up, Takagi steps on Taichi, then drops an elbow! And another elbow! And then a SENTON! Takagi stands on Taichi at the ropes, but the ref counts. Takagi lets off at 4 to stomp away on Taichi! The ref counts again, and Takagi lets off again. Takagi kicks Taichi out, the Young Lions hurry, and Douki is upset they weren’t faster about it. Takagi drags Taichi up, snapmares and then jumps for a BIG knee drop! Cover, TWO! Takagi tests the fans and they seem louder for Taichi than for him. Takagi drags Taichi up but Taichi kicks at him. Takagi eggs him on, Taichi gives more kicks, then stands.

Takagi KNEES Taichi, KNEES him against ropes, then whip Taichi to ropes. Takagi KNEES Taichi against the ropes to then run and run Taichi over! Fans fire up, Takagi brings Taichi back up. Takagi suplexes high and hard! Takagi then rains down elbows into Taichi’s shoulder! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Taichi is still in this but Takagi fires up the fans! “There’s more to come! OI! OI! OI!” Fans clap along with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi nods. Takagi drags Taichi up, but Taichi fights the saido with elbows! Taichi staggers away but Takagi stands up. Taichi kicks low, CHOPS Takagi, then CHOPS again!

Takagi ROCKS Taichi with a forearm! Fans rally for Taichi and Takagi pie faces him. Taichi shoves, kicks, and CHOPS! Takagi gets in Taichi’s face! They pie face and shove, then they CHOKE each other! The ref counts, both men let off, and then they clinch! Taichi wants the waistband! Taichi throws Takagi out of the ring! The Young Lions gets him right back in, into GEDO CLUTCH! THREE!! And then the ten count begins! Taichi holds onto the hold to keep Takagi down!! Takagi kicks and flails but he’s stuck! Takagi gives one more strock kick and he’s out at 6 of 10! Takagi is upset about that, but he turns around into an AX BOMBER!

Fans fire up and Taichi gets them to get louder! And then OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims at Takagi from the corner as he powers out. But Takagi blocks the superkick! Takagi CLUBS the bad leg, ROCKS Taichi with a forearm, but Taichi just sneers. Taichi KICKS Takagi’s leg, Takagi throws a forearm! Taichi gives another KICK, Takagi CHOPS! Fans rally up as Taichi KICKS and Takagi ROCKS! Taichi KICKS, Takagi CHOPS! KICK! ROCK! KICK! CHOP! Takagi sticks to forearms but then he JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! Taichi wrenches and HEEL KICKS! Fans fire up as Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS!

Taichi SOBATS! Taichi runs, but into a clothesline! Takagi runs, into a choke grip! CHOKE SLAM!! But Takagi’s right up!? SAIDO!! Taichi is right up!! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Fans fire up as Takagi staggers, rebounds, and PUMPING BOMBERS!! But Takagi hits Taichi so hard that he falls out of the ring! And then Taichi flops out the other side! The Young Lions on all sides of the ring hurry to get each man back in the ring! Fans rally up as both men stir. Hiromu coaches Takagi, Douki coaches Taichi, and the fans are still leaning towards Taichi. Takagi goes to one corner, Taichi goes to the other.

Takagi and Taichi stand, they shout at each other, and then run in to DOUBLE BOMBER!! Neither man falls, and fans fire up more! DOUBLE BOMBERS collide again! They both stay standing, and they DOUBLE BOMBER again! Taichi drops to a knee! Takagi fires up as he runs, but into a clinch! They fight for control, Takagi shifts his weight to throw Taichi! Taichi springs up, rushes in, but into a half nelson and pump handle! MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Takagi hurries to haul Taichi back up, SNAP MADE IN JAPAN!! THREE!! And now the real count begins! Douki, Miho and even Desperado on commentary shout for Taichi to get up!

The count rises to 5 of 10, then 7! Taichi sits up at 8, drags himself with the ropes, and stands at 9!! Fans are thunderous and Taichi is untying the buckle pad! Takagi runs in, and he clotheslines Taichi against the corner! Takagi keeps moving, but Taichi falls over! Takagi has to stop, and he takes a moment to catch his breath. Fans rally up for Taichi but Takagi decides to do some buckle pad checking. The Young Lions untie it for him! Takagi kicks Taichi around. Takagi eggs Taichi on, he stands Taichi up, and Taichi CHOPS! Takagi shakes his head so Taichi CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Takagi fires off boxing elbows!

Takagi winds up to ROCK Taichi!! Taichi sets up, YOKOZUNA ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives that shot and Taichi is stunned! Taichi roars and fans fire up with him! Taichi reels Takagi in but Takagi fights the bomb lift! Taichi and Takagi fight for control, but then Taichi fires off Kawada Kicks! Taichi stands Takagi up for even more Kawada Kicks! He KICKS Takagi in the head, but Takagi ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up, Takagi runs in, but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Taichi BLINDSIDE AX BOMBERS, then DANGEROUS HIGH KICKS!! Fans are thunderous as Taichi drags Takagi up!

Taichi Alabama Lifts, but Takagi fights his way back down! He tucks Taichi’s arms, but Taichi fights the driver! Taichi back drops Takagi away, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- TENSHO JUJIHOU!! Taichi brings Takagi in, for the LAST RIDE!! High stack cover, THREE!! And now, the standing count begins! The count reaches 5 of 10 but neither man is up! Takagi stirs at 7, drags his way over to ropes at 8, and drags himself up to stand at 9.9!! But Taichi runs in to Alabama Lift! BLACK- NO, Takagi slips off to backslide! TWO, but Takagi hits a SLIDING FOREARM!! Both men are down again and fans fire up. Takagi drags himself to a corner as fans rally back up.

Takagi headbutts the blue buckle pad and then shouts, “OI! OI! OI!” Fans clap along, Takagi staggers over to Taichi and drags him up. Pump handle, torture rack, but Taichi fights free! Choke grip, and Taichi shoves Takagi into the bare buckles! Then he SLAM DUCKS Takagi on them!! Takagi sputters, Taichi climbs the corner! Taichi stands Takagi up again, brings him up to the top to join him, and choke grips! But Takagi fights the lift! Fans are thunderous, Takagi throws down chops! Taichi HEAD CHOPS Takagi, but Takagi throws back elbows! Takagi throws HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Takagi shifts position but Taichi throws elbows!

Takagi still fireman’s carries Taichi and tucks the arm!! STAY DREAM!!! But Takagi can’t make the cover from that crash landing!! Fans rally, Takagi crawls his way over but Taichi rolls to his stomach. Takagi drags Taichi up, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK MEPHISTO!! DOUBLE COVER!? DOUBLE THREE!!! Now the standing count is on both men!! Fans are thunderous and everyone ringside is cheering them on! Taichi and Takagi both grab at the ref, and they end up bringing him down! They use each other to stand! Takagi says he’s not done! He gives short headbutts, then a POINT-BLANK BOMBER!

Taichi paces around and he SHORT-ARM BOMBERS! Fans fire up, Takagi BOMBERS! Taichi staggers, and BOMBERS! Both men are still standing, so Takagi BOMBERS! Taichi shakes his head and BOMBERS! Takagi wobbles and wavers, but he BOMBERS! Taichi grits his teeth, and he BOMBERS again! Takagi staggers back against the ropes! Takagi comes back to BOMBER!! Taichi wobbles, Takagi stands him up to BOMBER! And BOMBER! Taichi staggers away to ropes, but he scowls as he comes back. Taichi KICKS Takagi in the chest! Takagi BOMBERS! Fans fire up more and more as Taichi comes back again!

Takagi eggs Taichi on so Taichi KICKS! Takagi staggers to ropes, but he comes back again. Fans are thunderous for Taichi but Takagi BOMBERS! Taichi roars to stay standing, and he KICKS Takagi down!! Taichi sits Takagi up again, to KICK! But Takagi just glares at him defiantly! Takagi blocks a kick, JABS, HEADBUTTS, and PUMP- NO! Taichi clinches!! They fight for control, and Taichi throws Takagi! Takagi runs back in, but Taichi dodges to DROPKICK!! Off comes the armband, DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Bridging cover, THRE!! Takagi is down and the standing count begins! Takagi’s down past 5 of 10! Hiromu shouts but we’re at 8! Takagi staggers up at 9.999!!!

Taichi DECKS Takagi with the Yokozuna Elbow!! Taichi roars and vows to end this! Taichi drags Takagi up, Alabama Lifts, but Takagi fights again! Tuck and lift, TAKAGI TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Taichi survives but Takagi is too tired to be upset! The fans are still thunderous and they rally back up. Taichi and Takagi stir as Douki and Hiromu coach them up. They each go to corners, Takagi runs in, but into a kick! ENZIGURI! Takagi wobbles around, Taichi hurries back to his feet! Taichi GAMAN- LARIAT! Takagi blocks the kick with a clothesline! Takagi runs, into a ROUNDHOUSE!! Taichi runs, but is sent into bare buckles!

BLINDSIDE PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi runs for a HUGE PUMPING BOMBER!!! Fans are electric as Takagi drags Taichi back up! Pump handle, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!! Cover, THREE!!! And once again, Taichi is under the standing count! The fans are thunderous as they implore Taichi to stand! The count is 6, Taichi flounders to ropes at 8, drags himself up but FALLS again!! TAKAGI WINS!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi (THE Mr. KOPW 2022)

The Holy Emperor could not slay The Rampaging Dragon! And so, the year will end for the KOPW Division, with Shingo Takagi on top! He is presented with a much bigger trophy to commemorate finishing out 2022 as KOPW, and he even gets a holiday bonus from NJPW. Takagi takes the mic to say, “Taichi. Taichi… You’re as good as they come.” He thought he was done for quite a few times. Taichi probably didn’t like the rules, thought they were hard to follow, but how about the fans? The fans applaud, they really liked this match.

Takagi says that while he started 2022 in WrestleKingdom 16’s main event, this match, this win, somehow feels heavier than that win. Of course, he says that now because he doesn’t have a WK match this year. Takagi also admits that he was annoyed being “dragged” into the KOPW Division, by Taichi, but now that it’s done, thanks to KOPW, or rather, thanks to Taichi, it was a good year. Taichi made Takagi grow, so Takagi thanks Taichi for that. Fans applaud that sign of respect. Takagi continues to say that whether it’s a NJPW ring, in the Tokyo Dome, or here at Yoyogi Gymnasium, “as long as we have a hot match, that’s all that matters!” Fans cheer for that, too.

Takagi says that this was his first Yoyogi event, he won the main event, that means he gets the mic, and that’s satisfying. But he knows everyone wants to hear from Taichi. Fans applaud, and Takagi says that this is the last TAKATaichi, and the last few days of Suzuki-Gun. “I’ll leave it to you then.” Fans applaud more as Takagi drops the mic in front of Taichi. Taka returns to also take part in this. Taka says, “When we started these TAKATaichi events nine years ago, we could only get a couple hundred people into places like the Shinjuku FACE, Shinkiba, Chiba Blue Field. Humble beginnings. Just a couple guppies in the Junior Heavyweight Division.

“But check it out now, Taichi. Look at all these people showing up to watch our hot matches. We’ve done a lot, all in dramatic fashion. This is proof that we had the right idea behind TAKATaichi.” Fans applaud that. Taka then sits with Taichi as he continues. “Only me and Taichi could have done this. And now we’ve done it all. I lost today. So did Taichi. But I’m pretty damn happy with how all this turned out. I’ve only made it these past nine years because of you, Taichi. Thank you.” Fans applaud that heartfelt speech from Taka as he bows to Taichi. Fans cheer and rally for Taichi, and he finally pushes himself up off the mat.

Taka hands over the mic, and Taichi sits up against the ropes to speak. “Takagi… Takagi… For coming out here today, for dealing with me all year, thanks. I made no mistake in choosing you. Today, again, you didn’t hold back. Thank you very much.” Fans applaud the sign of respect back to the Dragon. Taichi does his best to stand up as he continues with, “In the end, I’m left with nothing. And Suzuki-Gun will be no more. Now there’s no one left to fight alongside. No one to give me a hand.” Taichi thanks Taka for his years of friendship, he truly appreciates it. Fans applaud that as Taichi sits back down again.

“It’s time for us to end this, Taka. For everything you’ve done for me, since way back then, thank you. You took care of me.” Fans applaud again, and then Taichi looks to Miho. “There is no need for you to stand next to such a pathetic man anymore. I can no longer bring you to stages like this one. Miho, you’ve been good to me for so long. Thank you.” Fans applaud but Miho cries bittersweet tears. Taichi looks to commentary to thank El Desperado, and he looks to ringside to thank Douki. And he also thanks Lance Archer, Zack Sabre Jr, and “Boss” Suzuki. Then he asks Taka to bail him out, he’s at a loss for words and isn’t sure what he’s saying.

Fans cheer while Taichi rests on the mat and Taka takes the mic again. Taka asks Douki and Desperado to join them in the ring. He also asks “Boss” Suzuki and Lance Archer to come back out. Fans applaud and Miho wipes her eyes before Suzuki-Gun is all together. Taichi then gets himself to stand back up, but Suzuki takes the mic first. “I could close this the Suzuki-Gun way, but this is TAKATaichi, so you close it.” Fans applaud this show of respect from the leader to his lieutenant. Taichi takes the mic, fans cheer him on and Miho manages to smile a bit.

Taichi says, “When Suzuki-Gun started, we were slandered. Labeled a bunch of morons up to no good. It only got worse, but Taka and I had the bright idea to start this thing. I never thought we’d have such a grand stage, with so many people watching. And we both lost today. That’s so us, isn’t it? A couple o’ bums to the end. But even so, we made it this far. We’re scum, idiots and low-lifes, right? So, where do we stand? We know Suzuki-Gun is on top, ichiban, but how about us? Niiban? <Number two?>”

Taichi asks the fans, “Where do we stand?!” Fans shout but it’s hard to say what. Taichi asks what number, and he says, “For today, WE’LL be number one!” Fans like the sound of that! Taichi says that everyone at TAKATaichi thank them all very much. “TAKATaichi… ICHIBAN!” And with that emotional farewell, the book closes on TAKATaichi events. Suzuki-Gun will go until the end of the year, will they go out as number one?


My Thoughts:

Really fun stuff from this event, even though I did skip a lot. From what I saw, Suzuki, Douki, Honma and Kasai went hard in that tag match. Like, they were all bloody by the end as if they were in AEW or something. The Million Yen Match’s rules were a little hard to keep track of, but I should’ve figured that no one would leave with more money than they came in with.

The Last Man Standing Lumberjack Match was an interesting combination of rules, but I think it worked out really well here. The fans loved Taichi but I figured Takagi would retain. It would be a bit of a letdown for Takagi to lose right at the end but also for Taichi to really only be Mr. KOPW 2022 for today. The New Japan Ranbo will start the cycle all over again at WrestleKingdom, who knows if either Takagi or Taichi get in on that, let alone win it. I would love to see that, though, given the great stipulations we’ve seen to make this a somewhat more serious division.

But of course, a very emotional ending from the hosts of these events. Them striking out on their own to do these for nine years, that in itself is pretty cool stuff. Not something you’d see WWE letting their people do, at least. Between this and the Road to Tokyo Dome show on the 23rd, this is the last time Suzuki-Gun will be together as a faction, and it’s a somewhat sad moment, even with them almost always playing the Heels. Taichi also saying Miho doesn’t have to be his valet anymore was probably the most surprising thing. I can’t imagine what comes from that move, other than maybe Miho telling Taichi that she doesn’t care about his wins or losses, just that they’re a duo.

My Score: 8.6/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/30/25)

The greatEST SmackDown!

Published

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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?

SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
  • R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
  • Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
  • Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
  • Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.

PLAY BY PLAY

Bianca Belair is here!

Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!

Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!

Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!

Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.

Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!

Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?

Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!

SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!

Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!

Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.

Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!

Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!

Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”

Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?

 

Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.

Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.

Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?

 

Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.

The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!

Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”

The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?

 

Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.

Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?

 

R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!

To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?

SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!

JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!

Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall

Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?

 

The Street Profits are here!

The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”

The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…

Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!

Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.

Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!

Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?

 

Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!

Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?

Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!

Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!

Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.

Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.

Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.

Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.

Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!

Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!

Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!

Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall

All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?

 

The Wyatts speak.

“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?

 

Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!

La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?

The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.

Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!

The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!

The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.

Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!

Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!

Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall

Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?

 

The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.

Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.

But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?

 

Giulia speaks.

“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”

Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?

 

Zelina returns backstage.

She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?

 

Damian Priest is here!

Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.

“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!

The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.

Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?

Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!

SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!

Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!

Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.

Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.

Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.

Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.

Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.

Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.

Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!

The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!

The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!

Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!

But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!

Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?

 

Backstage interview with LA Knight.

Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!

“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.

“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?

 

Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.

Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”

 

Cody Rhodes is here!

Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.

Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.

The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.

Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.

“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!

The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!

The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.

The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”

Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.

“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!

Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!

Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!

Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?


My Thoughts:

A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.

The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.

Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.

R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.

Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.

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!

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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25

Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.

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Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.

Ratings:

  • The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
  • Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
  • ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
  • Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
  • Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
  • International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***

 

Results:

The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System

Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb. 

Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.

KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.

AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.

Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali

Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.

Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.

Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.

This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”. 

ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee

ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.

Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!

Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber

Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.

Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa

Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.

Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.

International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona

A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.

Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!

Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!

 

Overall Score: 4.5/10

Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?

Go home TNA, you’re drunk.

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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!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


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