Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/12/22)
Who will be the contenders?
Visionary VS All Mighty! Five Foot Fury VS Role Model!
Tonight, live in Milwaukee, new #1 contenders will be named for the WWE United States and Raw Women’s Championships!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Alexa Bliss VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL; Bliss wins and will challenge Bianca Belair for the title.
- AJ Styles w/ The OC VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Styles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Akira Tozawa & The Street Profits VS The Judgment Day; The Judgment Day wins.
- Candice LeRae VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL; Sky wins.
- Elias VS Solo Sikoa w/ Sami Zayn; Solo wins.
- Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Asuka; Rhea wins.
- WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley; Rollins wins and will challenge Austin Theory for the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Alexa Bliss VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL!
The two Triple Threats for last week gave us two contenders, but now we see who is THE NUMBER ONE! Will the Five Foot Fury return to the top of Raw? Or will the Role Model get one more chance against Bianca Belair?
But wait! Becky Lynch gets revenge on Kai & Sky! Fans cheer as Becky POSTS Dakota then TOSSES her over the timekeeper’s area! Then she does the same to Iyo! Fans fire up as The Man has a chair! Bayley freaks out as Becky runs off the sidekicks! And now here comes Alexa! Alexa smiles while Bayley stresses out over this being truly 1v1. But then wait! Bianca Belair makes her way out to watch this in person! Bayley is even more upset, and the bell rings. Alexa and Bayley circle, tie up, and Bayley kicks low to throw Alexa down. Cover, TWO, but Bayley SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, ONE!
Alexa goes to a corner but Bayley back elbows her! Bayley taunts the fans and she whips Alexa corner to corer. Alexa BOOTS Bayley, hops on and hits a SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO, and Bayley bails out! Bayley grits her teeth while the ring count climbs. Alexa waits on Bayley, Bianca is watching from an armchair, and Bayley gets to the apron at5 of 10. Alexa rushes over, Bayley jumps back, and then she HOTSHOTS Alexa down! Bayley stomps Alexa, CLUBS her down, and drags Alexa up. Snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Bayley is annoyed but she stomps Alexa around. Bayley drags Alexa up but fans are dueling, “Let’s Go, Bayley!” “BAYLEY SUCKS!”
Bayley ROCKS Alexa, but Alexa JAWBREAKERS back! Alexa rallies with shoulders, and then a THESZ PRESS! Alexa fires off fast hands but Bayley kicks her away. Alexa comes back with another THESZ PRESS! Alexa fires more fast hands, then takes Bayley down with an STO! Insult2Injury 2.0! Cover, TWO! Alexa clamps onto Bayley’s arm but Bayley gets to ropes. The ref counts, Alexa lets off, and she brings Bayley back in. Bayley stomps Alexa’s foot, then ROCKS her with a forearm! Bayley whips Alexa to ropes but Alexa ducks ‘n ‘dodges to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Alexa is annoyed but she steps on Bayley as she goes to the corner.
Alexa climbs up, Bayley bails out, but Bianca tells her she can’t run from this. Alexa hops down to grab at Bayley but Bayley ROCKS Alexa! And then POSTS her! Alexa falls to the floor and fans boo Bayley while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bayley has Alexa in a chinlock. Bayley digs her knee in but Alexa fights back, so Bayley CLUBS her and KNEES her. Fans boo but Bayley drags Alexa up. Bayley whips Alexa to the corner, back elbows, and then talks trash to the fans. Fans boo more as Bayley snapmares to a cover, TWO! Fans rally but Bayley drags Alexa back up. Alexa throws body shots and fans fire up! Alexa throws more hands, then throws Bayley down by her hair! Insult misses as Bayley moves! BLINDISDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley drags Alexa up but Alexa throws more body shots. They scrap and Alexa fights Bayley to a corner.
Bayley turns things around, puts Alexa up top but Alexa BOOTS back! Alexa FLYING RANAS! It wasn’t the prettiest but Alexa crawls over to drag Bayley up. Cradle, TWO! They both clinch, Bayley rolls Alexa, TWO! Alexa stands but Bayley CLOBBERS her! Fans boo but Bayley snarls as she drags Alexa up. Bayley wrenches and fireman’s carries, and swings Alexa, to a SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Alexa bails to the apron but Bayley pursues. Bayley drags Alexa up through the ropes and tells the fans this is for them! But Alexa shoves her away! Bayley storms in, into a HOTSHOT! Bayley sputters and both bail out.
Bayley rushes Alexa but Alexa KICKS her! And then KICKS her again! Alexa hurries into the ring but Bayley grabs her feet. Alexa BOOTS Bayley, then goes to the apron. CANNONBALL! Direct hit and fans fire up! Alexa puts Bayley back in, covers, TWO! Bayley hangs tough but Alexa clamps on with a choke grip. Bayley wrenches out but Alexa mule kicks and DDTs! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Alexa climbs the corner! Bayley ROCKS Alexa first! Alexa throws hands back, sends Bayley staggering away, but Bayley comes back! Alexa hooks Bayley up again, but Bayley swings to SLAM Alexa into buckles!
Bayley waits for Alexa to stand up, SUNSET BUCKLE BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Bayley drags her up, BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Bayley is furious that Alexa survives! Bianca tells her that was just two, but Bayley undoes a buckle pad! Fans boo but Bianca points out what Bayley did! Bayley is upset with Bianca but Alexa DROPKICKS her out of the ring! Bayley returns to HOTSHOT Alexa! Bayley tells Bianca to stay out of the way. Alexa runs, slides, but Bayley ducks! Alexa avoids hitting Bianca, and she ducks Bayley’s haymaker! Bianca blocks the punch and stares Bayley down.
Bianca lets Bayley go, Bayley ELBOWS Alexa! Bayley and Bianca argue, Bayley returns but into a flurry from Alexa! SHOTGUN to the corner! Alexa has Bayley in a drop zone and climbs up top! TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, Alexa wins!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Champion)
And now Bianca knows who her next opponent will be! Bianca joins Alexa in the ring to congratulate her, but also to hold up the belt. Bianca offers a handshake, but Alexa wants a hug. But then White Rabbit!! Alexa reels Bianca into a clinch!! But then Alexa snaps back to normal! She realizes what almost just happened, apologizes, and leaves. Is there still a darkness in the back of Lil Miss Bliss’s mind?
Backstage interview with The Alpha Academy.
Byron Saxton found Chad Gable & Otis as they arrived, and oh, they still smell like milk. Byron says Gable & Otis planned to spoil Kurt Angle’s birthday but they were left udder-ly embarrassed. Gable says he sees through the double meanings! It isn’t punny! See? Two can play at that stupid game. But moving on, Kurt Angle is a dinosaur and not credible enough to be in the same ring as the Alpha Academy. That’s why Angle plays these little tricks, like driving a milk truck and dousing them with 2%! Otis has been washing that out of his beard all weekend! The OC come in and laughing, and Gable asks what’s so funny. Did one of their bar wives get a typo on her tramp stamp?
Oh calm down, Gable. Karl Anderson sent them a video while he’s in Japan “handling some business.” But it was of the Academy getting hosed with milk! It’s hilarious and Japan loves it! Gable says cute. But Styles is no different than Kurt: a fossil. Because all anyone talks about is how good Styles used to be. But if he got in the ring with Gable, he’d get a free lesson in embarrassment on the world stage. Yeah, Gable does know about getting embarrassed. But then let’s do it again tonight. Get your gear. The ones that doesn’t smell like cheese or Otis’ beard. Gallows says they stink! “NERDS!” Will Styles make tonight phenomenal?
AJ Styles w/ The OC VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
While the toughest man in the room, the Machine Gun, Karl Anderson, is handling business in Japan, the rest of the Club is here in Milwaukee to do the same! Will Styles make Gable feel as sour as he smells? Or will Gable make all the puns “SHOOOOSH~” once and for all?
The bell rings and Gable circles with Styles. They tie up, Gable waistlocks, spins Styles, trips him and then facelocks for a gator roll. Gable waistlocks again, rolls Styles and facelocks again, but Styles gets the ropebreak. Gable lets off cleanly and Otis talks some trash. Gable tells Styles “SHOOOOSH~!” then headlocks. Styles powers up and out, DROPKICKS Gable down, and fans fire up. Styles tells Gable to “SHOOOOSH!” then bumps him off buckles. Styles CHOPS, bumps Gable off more buckles, then CHOPS again! Styles scoops Gable to a BACKBREAKER! Fans cheer as the OC throw up the Too Sweets.
Styles stands Gable up but Gable throat chops! Gable CHOPS and CHOPS Styles against ropes, then says, “A THANK YEW~!” Gable runs but Styles dumps Gable out onto Otis! Otis catches Gable and sets him down safely, but Styles runs in to SLIDING- NO, Gable fireman’s carries to SNAKE EYES Styles! Then Gable KNEES Styles into steel steps! Styles tumbles, clutches his own knees, and Gable shouts, “A THANK YEW~!” as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Styles is up top, but Gable ROCKS him! Gable climbs up, brings Styles up, but Styles slips under to trip Gable! Gable hits buckles on the way down and fans fire up! Gable staggers to his feet, and Styles LARIATS! And then again! Styles snapmares, and SLIDING FOREARMS! Fans fire up and Styles runs in to clothesline at the corner! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Gallows & Mia coach Styles up as he drags Gable into position. But Gable slips out of the Clash, only for Styles to fire off the Phenomenal Blitz! But Gable gets under the lariat to GERMAN SUPLEX!
Gable holds on, he GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Otis says Gable’s got the hips! But Styles elbows free of the third! PELE! Gable staggers, Styles swings but into another GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans rally up while both men are down! Styles and Gable crawl to opposite sides, and Gable runs in, but Styles catches him! Styles rolls, but Gable rolls through to have the ANKLE LOCK! Gable leans on the hold, Styles rolls and gets Gable’s leg! CALF CRUSHER! Gable flails, reaches out, powers up and rolls through, to ANKLE LOCK!! Styles endures now, he powers up and rolls to throw Gable away! Styles swings, into a spin and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Mia and Gallows are relieved while Otis is frustrated. Gable drags Styles to a drop zone, shouts “SHOOOOSH~!” and climbs. MOONSAULT, but Gable bails out as Styles moves! Styles trips Gable to a jackknife, TWO! But then into a STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Now that was a phenomenal way to turn things around! Mia and Gallows celebrate with Styles, will The OC get back up in time for the holidays?
Johnny Gargano talks with Dexter Lumis.
They’re brainstorming ideas for using the money they have after the poker invitational last week. Baby bling, cloning their dog, making functional Iron-Man suits, all good stuff. But that real-life Scrooge McDuck money pool thing might not be so possible. Diving headfirst into coins will more than likely break your neck. Candice LeRae walks over and asks just what in the world they’re doing. They’re trying to figure out what to do with the money. How much is even left? Show her. Lumis opens the bag and WOW, that’s still quite a bit. Candice has a match so good luck, guys. Good luck, Candice!
And Candice says the reason they can’t figure out what to do is that they have everything they need. It’s the holiday season, though, so maybe time for giving? That gives Gargano an idea. Grab the cash and let’s go. Lumis does, but he still seems to want Iron-Man suits. What is the wonderful holiday idea Gargano just got?
Six Man Tag: Akira Tozawa & The Street Profits VS The Judgment Day!
Speaking of that poker invitational, The Stamina Monster caught Dominik Mysterio cheating, they had it out in the ring, but Dominik managed to lie, cheat and steal the victory. But Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins weren’t going to let the Judgment Day beat down Tozawa, and so that confrontation led to this match! Will Tozawa, Ford & Dawkins make the Judgment Day pay for pushing the limits? Or will they bust like a bad hand at the table?
Raw returns and Cathy Kelley interviews Tozawa & The Profits at gorilla. She wants to know why the Profits came to Tozawa’s rescue at all last week. Ford says that is everyone’s question the last seven days: Why did the Profits come to the aid of Tozawa? Because it’s Akira Tozawa! Dawkins says he’s their ninja. Tozawa put his all into that match, and though he failed, does anyone deserve to have salt poured on their wounds? NO! While the Profits were gone, the Judgment Day was running around on Raw like they run things, but they don’t! The Profits & Tozawa run this! And they’re about to show- Tozawa shouts, and then says, “We! Want! The smoke!”
Tozawa drinks up, and roars! Ford and Dawkins join in! “AHHHH!!” Tozawa smashes the cup, splashes some of Dawkins’, but the Profits love that energy! The three head out, will that Powah of Tozawa lead them to victory?
The teams sort out and Dawkins starts against Priest. They circle, tie up, and Dawkins headlocks. Priest powers out but Dawkins RAMS shoulders with him. The two stare down and fans rally up. Priest runs, Dawkins drops and hurdles, but Priest blocks the hip toss! Dawkins avoids the clothesline, avoids the jump kick, and DROPKICKS Priest down! Fans fire up as Priest goes to a corner. Dawkins whips corner to corner, Priest reverses but Dawkins goes up and over. Things keep moving, Dawkins ducks but Priest ROCKS Dawkins! Tag to Dom and the JD mug Dawkins. Fans boo hard as Dom fires body shots on Dawkins.
Tag to Finn, Finn RAMS into Dawkins again and again! The fans boo more but the JD just soak up the heat. Finn taunts Ford but Dawkins DROPKICKS him down! Tag to Ford, the Profits whip and DROPKICK Finn down! Ford kips up, covers, TWO! Ford wrenches Finn’s arm, tags Tozawa, and Tozawa climbs up to AX HANDLE! Tozawa is all fired up, he whips Finn but Finn reverses to kick low. Finn runs, sunset flips but Tozawa rolls through to PENALTY KICK! Fans fire up with Tozawa but Finn RAMS him into the corner! Finn RAMS in again and again, then CHOPS! Finn roars in Tozawa’s face, then ROCKS him with rights.
Finn whips Tozawa corner to corner to CHOP! Finn gives another “AHH!” then whips again. Tozawa BOOTS back, runs in and RANAS Finn out of the ring! Tozawa builds speed but Priest stands in the way. Fans boo, but Tozawa CHOPS! Priest doesn’t flinch! Tozawa apologizes, but then Finn CLOBBERS Tozawa! Finn drags Tozawa over, climbs the corner, and the Judgment Day poses and soaks up the heat together as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Priest has Tozawa in a motorcycle stretch. Fans rally, Tozawa kicks from below, but Priest scoops him! Tozawa slips off, and hot tags Ford! Ford fires off hands on Priest! Priest shoves, but Ford avoids the kick and the backhand to kick, KICK and- Choke grip from Priest! Ford slips free, runs, and LARIATS! Priest stays up and roars, but Ford BACKHANDS Priest! Priest is furious, but Ford ducks the roundhouse to run and BLOCKBUSTER! Ford roars at Finn, tells him to “SUCK IT!” but Priest puts Ford on the apron. Ford GAMANGIRIS, then DECKS Finn! Dom sweeps but Ford jumps it to PENALTY KICK!
Ford talks trash on Dom, but Priest POUNCES Ford over the desk! Priest high-fives Rhea and the JD regroups to laugh at Ford. Dawkins checks on Ford but the ring count starts. The count reaches 5 of 10 before Ford crawls out from behind the desk. Ford flounders at 8, but jumps in at 9! Priest runs in to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ford is still in this but Priest tags Dom. They mug Ford and fans boo. Dom CHOKES Ford on the ropes, Rhea is pleased, but Dom lets off as the ref counts to give some Latino Heat. Dom drags Ford up again and makes Dawkins watch! Uno Amigo! And then Dos Amigos! And then Dom dumps Ford down to taunt the fans.
Tag to Finn, he and Dom CHOKE Ford on the ropes. The ref counts, Finn lets off but then facelocks to GUILLOTINE Ford. Ford endures, reaches out, but Finn keeps him back. Fans rally, Dawkins and Tozawa coach Ford, and Ford powers up! Ford carries Finn, but Finn brings Ford back! Ford powers Finn back a bit, he’s so close! Ford tags Dawkins! But Priest was distracting the ref!! Finn pushes Ford back and stomps away! Finn DECKS Tozawa, Priest gets a cheap shot on Ford, then Priest tags in! Priest runs to back elbow Ford, tags Finn, and Finn stomps Ford. Tag to Dom for the slingshot SENTON!
Tag back to Finn, he drags Ford up and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ford is still in this after that onslaught, but Finn drags him up. Finn back suplexes but Ford lands on his feet to ENZIGURI! Both men are down and fans fire up! Ford crawls, Finn stirs, hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on the JD! Dom gets scared of the haymaker, so Dawkins DECKS Priest! Dawkins whips Finn but Finn reverses, only for Dawkins to hurdle and FLYING ELBOW! Fans fire up and Dawkins runs in to CYCLONE SPLASH! And ENZIGURI, to the SILENCER! Cover, Dom breaks it! Fans boo but Dom gets away before Dawkins can get him.
Dawkins drags Finn up, scoops but Finn dragon sleepers to the ELBOW DROP DDT! Fans rally as both men are down again. Hot tags to Dom and Tozawa! Tozawa dodges, fires off haymakers, and fans fire up as he takes it to Dom! The haymakers aren’t stopping! Tozawa knees low, whips Dom to ropes, and then SOBATS! Dom ducks the spin kick but Tozawa slides under to reel Dom in. Dom fires off elbows, Tozawa ends up in a corner. Dom runs, into BOOTS! Tozawa MISSILE DROPKICKS Dom! SOBAT for Finn, Ford CROSSBODIES Finn down! Priest SUPERKICKS Ford! BELL CLAP for Dawkins! COMPLETE SHOT!
Priest choke grips Ford, SOUTH OF HEAVEN! Priest LARIATS Dawkins out of the ring! Fans boo as Priest roars, but Tozawa dumps Priest out! Dom rolls Tozawa, TWO!!! Tozawa dumps Dom out, builds speed, and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp!! Tozawa puts Dom in the ring! Tozawa climbs, Dom springs up to get under the leap! Finn runs in, but Tozawa kicks him first and hits a DDT! Dom runs in, into a SATELLITE DDT! Tozawa hurries up top and fans fire up! But Rhea distracts the ref! Priest drags Tozawa off with an inverted crucifix! RAZOR’S EDGE!! Dom covers, and the Judgment Day wins!!
Winners: The Judgment Day, by pinfall
Fans boo as Dom gets another assist in the win! Will the Judgment Day continue to stack the deck in their favor?
Gargano & Lumis go to the merch stand.
Good stuff! Lumis drops the big bag of cash on the table, and Gargano says, “We’ll take it.” Take what? Everything! Whoa, okay. Gargano says Candice was right, this is the giving season, so they’re gonna spread some WWE holiday cheer. Yes, there is still a lot of money in that bag, but this is a great start, right? Gargano grabs the merch with both hands, and says they’re gonna need something to carry all this in. Oh, another idea! Let’s get this all to the ring! Lumis makes sure a kid waiting in the pavilion gets a free teddy bear. Seems there is a heart behind that silent and scary exterior.
Raw returns as Gargnao & Lumis make it out to ringside.
Gargano says, “Happy Holidays, everyone!” Lumis pulls the wagon full of toys and Gargano says they’ve got a lot to be thankful for this year. They came into all this money, Lumis won his WWE contract, and Gargano & Candice returned to the WWE after having a beautiful baby boy, Quill Gargano. The holiday music starts and Gargano says that’s wonderful! Gargano says “Baby Wrestling” lent them this wagon to carry all the goodies, which Lumis starts tossing to the fans at random. This is a token of gratitude from Gargano & Lumis by giving back with cool stuff! Gargano gets in on throwing the merch around to the fans up front.
They keep on moving along ringside, and they’re feeling good about it. Hopefully fans aren’t fighting over this stuff. Gargano offers something to Graves, but then gives it to Kevin Patrick instead. Gargano even throws some of his own Johnny Wrestling shirts out. Gargano gets on the desk and Lumis hands over a T-shirt cannon! Fans cheer as Gargano takes aim and… FOOMP! Wow, that one got far! But then someone CLOBBERS Lumis into Gargano! And they snatch the bag of money! It’s MIZ! Miz steals back what’s left of the money he gave over to Lumis! But then Pearce stops Miz at the ramp to say, “Where the hell do you think you’re going with that?”
Pearce says Miz is gonna go back to the ring with that money and give it back to Lumis! NOW! Miz is upset but Pearce says this is what Miz deserves! Miz goes back, Gargano and Lumis are there, and Gargano dares Miz to get in the ring. Miz steps forward with Pearce by his side. Gargano tells Miz to give the money back. Miz holds the bag out, but then clings to it. Miz gets a mic first to say, “Let me make this perfectly clear to all of you. This is MY money!” Fans boo, but then Lumis goes for the wagon. Gargano says Miz is in trouble now, Lumis wants his ax. Pearce says no, no axes. Just please, handle this peacefully, we can’t let the show devolve into chaos.
Gargano says Pearce should’ve remembered from SmackDown just a few days ago. That’s what happens here. Well not here in Milwaukee. Miz, give the money to Lumis, NOW. Miz says, “What do I have to do to keep this? I will do anything! I’m desperate! I will even earn it back with a rematch.” Gargano says Miz wants a rematch with Lumis? That IS desperate! Well yeah, you don’t have to rub it in! Gargano and Lumis talk it out, and Lumis gives a thumbs up. “Okay, Mike.” “Miz.” “Okay, Mike-” “THE MIZ!” Fans chant “MIKE! MIKE! MIKE!” Either way, does he want to hear what Gargano has to say? Yes! Then okay, Mike!
Gargano says that if Pearce is okay with this, Lumis is willing to give Miz a chance to win that money back next week. But, but, but… Let’s raise the stakes, literally. The rematch will be a LADDER MATCH! Whoever climbs up and brings down two bags of money wins it all. Okay! Wait, two? Yes! If Lumis is putting his money on the line, Miz has to put some, too. DOUBLE OR NOTHING, WINNER TAKES ALL! No, Miz already doesn’t have the cash! Oh, so Miz wants everyone to think he’s broke? We all know he’s rich! He brags about it all the time! Well no he’s not broke! He’s just not liquid! He has a ton of money in the accounts… that Maryse controls…
Don’t anyone laugh! We all know Candice controls the finances for Gargano! Good point. Miz has an allowance, and Maryse gives him that allowance. Fans taunt “TINY BALLS!” Miz, Mike, whatever, in case you can’t hear, you have tiny balls. Miz angrily defends he has MASSIVE balls! Well, then ask Maryse for an advance on the allowance. Oh, that’d be so easy, asking his wife for money to put on the line in a ladder match! ARE YOU CRAZY!? But Miz promises to figure out how to get the money. Okay, cool. One more, small little thing. If Miz wants the rematch, there is still a lot of merchandise to give away, so Miz needs to help.
Fans cheer and Gargano says Miz needs to do it dressed as an elf! Pearce loves that idea! It is official, go get a costume! Happy Holidays, Miz! In the meantime, this is still Lumis’ money so thanks. Merry Christmas, have fun. Go, Miz. Gargano and Lumis make Miz be their little helper, but will Miz be able to find the funds to face Lumis next week?
Candice LeRae VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL!
We saw Becky get some revenge on Bayley’s crew, but now Mrs. Wrestling is after her own payback! Will she pile on to DMG CTRL’s bad night? Or will the Evil Genius be able to turn things around?
Graves reprimands Kevin Patrick for not preparing a seat for Bayley, but then the bell rings and Candice stares down with Sky. They approach, Candice blocks a kick but Sky dodges the haymaker. Candice avoids the handspring, then rushes in. Sky dodges but Candice arm-drags to a cover, TWO! Candice clamps onto an arm, whips, but Sky reverses. Candice holds ropes to avoid the dropkick, and then she hits the step-up SENTON! Cover, TWO! Candice drags Sky up but Sky shoves her away. Candice returns to tilt-o-whirl but Sky handsprings through! Sky comes back but Candice ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up and Candice runs, into a FLAPJACK!
Sky growls and she stomps Candice around. Sky talks trash, Candice pushes Sky but Sky pie faces Candice. Candice throws body shots, Sky kicks Candice down! Dakota rallies for Sky as she CLUBS away on Candice. Sky drags Candice up by her hair but the ref reprimands. Sky lets off but pulls hair again to throw Candice out. Candice lands on the apron, she drags herself back up, but Sky runs in, Candice KNEES Sky in the ropes! Candice turns Sky for a NECKBREAKER in the ropes! Bayley is frustrated and Candice is climbing as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Sky has Candice in a straitjacket stretch. Candice endures, fights up, but Sky wrangles her back down. Sky digs her knee into Candice’s back but Candice fights back up. Candice arm-drags free, Sky runs in and spins Candice to tuck and underhook! Candice fights the lift, and back drops free! Fans fire up but Bayley says they suck! Sky and Candice stand, and Candice fires off forearms! Candice CHOPS, forearms, repeat, and she fires off on Sky in the corner! Fans fire up with Candice as the ref counts. Candice whips corner to corner but Sky reverses. Candice comes back to CLOBBER Sky!
Fans fire up, Candice runs in at Sky to back body block! Candice snapmares Sky, goes up the corner, and she brings Sky in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Sky survives but Candice drags her back up. Sky resists the waistlock and she RAMS Candice into a corner. Sky is free, she runs back in, but into a BOOT! Candice goes up, but Sky hurries up to DROPKICK Candice to the floor!! Bayley & Dakota fire up while Candice flounders. Candice drags herself to the apron, but Sky runs to SUNSET- NO, Candice holds off the bomb! Sky avoids the stomp, and the Penalty Kick, to Electric Chair! Candice fights to POISON-RANA to the floor!!
Candice puts Sky back in the ring while Bayley & Dakota panic! Cover, TWO!!! Sky survives and Candice isn’t sure what to do to finish this. Candice drags Sky up, but Sky SHOTEIS! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Candice survives and Sky is beside herself! Sky drags Candice to a drop zone, steps on her while going to the corner, and she goes up top, only for Candice to trip her! Candice climbs up after Sky, and brings her in, only for Sky to shove her down! Sky adjusts, for OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Sky wins!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
DMG CTRL celebrates with the Evil Genius, but they have a short week to recover. Kai & Sky face Liv Morgan & Tegan Nox on Friday Night SmackDown with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on the line, will DMG CTRL return to Raw still holding onto gold?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens.
Cathy asks the Prizefighter what his reaction is to The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa brutalizing Matt Riddle. Riddle is now out for six to eight weeks with a damaged trachea. Kevin says that Solo is a very dangerous man, and he proved it last week. But then Elias strums his guitar as he walks in. He wants to talk with Kevin. Elias is facing Solo up next, The Bloodline is gonna be out there, Sami Zayn included. The Bloodline took Sami from Kevin and took Riddle from Elias, so maybe Kevin can back Elias up tonight?
Kevin can’t believe Elias is asking him to be in his corner tonight. Does Elias think Kevin just forgot what Elias did to him earlier this year?! The MONTHS and MONTHS of mental torment! Kevin didn’t forget! Elias says that wasn’t him, that was Ezekiel! Kevin stops him right there! Even if Kevin believed all that, the last time he was in the ring with Elias, the one right here, Kevin was smashed with a guitar! Not that one but a different one, because that one was smashed to pieces and this is a new one! But that’s what Kevin remembers, so why would he have Elias’ back? Elias says Kevin took out Zeke, Elias took out Kevin, so let’s wipe the slate clean and start over.
HOW!? How are they even!? Elias and Zeke are separate people, according to Elias! So how does this work? Elias says it’s all the post. Let’s focus on tonight. Can Kevin be out there for Elias? He needs Kevin. He needs Kevin!? Yes! Kevin is speechless as he walks off, but then he comes back. He’s still speechless, so he walks off again. For now, that seems like a no. Will Kevin change his mind before the match is over?
Ladies and gentlemen: Elias.
Elias is in the ring and he strums his guitar. He makes his introductions, and he clearly has a picture of Riddle and Riddle’s bongos on display. Elias thanks the fans for coming out to the Matt Riddle Tribute Concert. Elias has his match with Solo up next, after Solo ripped away Elias’ opportunity at the tag team championships. But Elias wanted to honor his friend first. Riddle is charismatic, charming, and had a childlike wonder for both Elias and his brother, Ezekiel. Riddle also had an unmatched love for music, namely Elias’. Elias believes Riddle knew the universal truth that we all know deep in our hearts: WWE stands for Walk With Elias!
Elias is happy to hear Milwaukee knows. But it was Riddle’s dream to perform with him in the ring. Elias thought he’d do something special for Riddle. He thinks about the bongos, and those won Elias over. Elias was picking up Riddle’s stuff and he found something: a rolled up paper of lyrics. Riddle was writing a song. Elias sets that up on his stand and will honor his buddy. Riddle, if you’re watching, please enjoy. Elias starts strumming a tune, and he sings, “Grass is green. The sky is blue. I’m your best friend. You’re mine, too. I’ll walk with you wherever you go. Elias, you’re my bro.
“Elias, you’re jacked. You’re such a freak. I wonder who’s bigger: you or Zeke. I walk with you wherever you go. Elias, you’re my bro. I said, Elias, you’re my bro! Everybody! Elias, you’re my bro! One more time. Elias, you’re my bro!” Elias wants everyone to understand, he didn’t write this, Riddle did. But it’s time for a solo. And yep, Solo Sikoa makes his way out! Elias is upset but Sami is dancing his heart out to Solo’s theme. Will Elias be able to make Solo face the consequences of his sadistic actions? Or will the Street Champion of the Island walk through Elias?
Elias VS Solo Sikoa w/ Sami Zayn!
The bell rings and fans chant “UCEY! UCEY” for Sami. Elias rushes in to scare Sami off and fire off on Solo! Elias CHOPS but Solo clinches and tosses Elias to a corner. Elias elbows back, kicks low and ROCKS Solo. Elias CHOPS, Solo UPPERCUTS! Solo HEADBUTTS Elias, but fans chant for “SAMI USO!” Solo storms up on Elias, drags him up and HEADBUTTS him again! Elias flounders to ropes, Solo stands Elias up to whip him and ELBOW him down! Solo roars and Elias crawls to ropes. Solo CHOKES Elias, but he lets off at 4. The fans rally with “UCEY! UCEY!” and Solo swings, but Elias counter punches!
Elias CHOPS but Solo throat chops! Solo HEADBUTTS, then he ROCKS Elias with a haymaker. Solo CHOPS then whips Elias corner to corner. Elias goes up, Solo catches the legs, but Elias mule kicks free! Elias rushes in but into another UPPERCUT! Fans fire up as Solo runs, but Elias dumps Solo out! Elias BOOTS Solo down! Sami checks on Solo but Elias runs in to WRECK Solo with a dropkick! Solo stays up and he’s pissed! Sami stops Solo from bringing the chair into the ring! Sami has Solo cool off, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Elias throws body shots to back Solo down. Elias then fires forearms and whips corner to corner. Solo reverses and then SAMOAN DROPS on the rebound! Cover, TWO! Sami argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Solo paces around Elias, then goes to the corner. Solo hops up and Sami gets hyped for the DIVING HEADBUTT FLOP! Fans rally as Elias goes to a corner. Solo run sin but Elias dodges! Solo hits buckles, then staggers into right hand after right hand from Elias! Elias CHOPS Solo in a corner, ROCKS him, CHOPS him, repeat! Elias whips corner to corner, runs in and SPLASHES!
Elias keeps moving, he SPLASHES again! Elias keeps going, he dodges Solo and hits a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up while Sami is panicking! Elias drags Solo up to turn him, but Solo powers out of the neckbreaker! SAMOAN- NO, Elias slips free to SYMPHO-KNEE! And then NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Elias goes to a corner, but he has to tell Sami to get away so he can climb. The ref reprimands, Solo waistlocks Elias but Elias switches to roll Solo! TWO, and Elias kicks low! Elias whips, Solo blocks and reverses! Elias goes up but no mule kick as Solo throws Elias into the ropes! SUPERKICK! Elias flops down, Solo drags him back in! SPINNING SOLO!! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
Sami helped out just enough and the Enforcer beats the Drifter! Is it only a matter of time before all of The Bloodline is going for gold?
Wait, Solo goes back for seconds! He hammers away on Elias, and then Sami helps drag him up. Solo has the thumb at the ready! SAMOAN SPIKE!! Sami grins and says, “I know what that’s like.” But now Solo grabs a chair! Sami has Elias in the corner, and he says this is because Elias messed with the Bloodline. Solo stomps Elias into the corner, and he puts the chair around his head! Solo goes to the far corner, wanting to repeat what he did to Riddle. Fans boo but here comes Kevin! Kevin hits Solo with a STUNNER!! Sami runs for it to help Solo get out of here, and Kevin takes the chair off Elias’ head.
Solo wants to get back at Kevin but Kevin has the chair! Sami brings Solo away and says not now. When and where will Kevin get his hands on the rest of the Bloodline? Elias thanks Kevin, but then Kevin gives Elias a STUNNER! That’s for the whole Zeke thing! Kevin isn’t fighting for anyone else but himself, so how long will he #JustKeepFighting?
Tribute to the Troops hits its 20th anniversary!
John Cena narrates as footage plays of the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida back in 2003. WWE superstars and staff volunteered time to entertain those who risk it all to defend America’s freedoms. And no one then expected this was just the first step of a 20 year journey. Tensions were high as they were headed into a warzone. Final destination: Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq. Vince McMahan said on behalf of the WWE and the United States, “Thank you.” It was bringing a piece of home to those so far from home. And 20 years later, it is a tradition like no other.
From Baghdad to the US, the WWE will go to thank the troops who serve and remain steadfast. It is a debt that can never be fully repaid, but as we celebrate 20 years of Tribute to the Troops, we have one message: Thank you for protecting the freedoms of the United States of America.
Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Asuka!
The Judgment Day’s Eradicator got hit with blue mist at WarGames, and though she lost the Triple Threat that following Monday, she still got some semblance of revenge after that match. But now the Empress of Tomorrow looks for payback for that payback! Will Rhea not be ready for Asuka? Or will the eradication be complete tonight?
Raw returns as Rhea makes her entrance, Dom by her side. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Rhea shoves Asuka down but Asuka’s right back with KICK after KICK! Asuka gets a leg, Rhea stays up and facelocks in return. Asuka switches around to a facelock but Rhea elbows free. Asuka dropkicks Rhea, fires off in the corner, and CLUBS away! Rhea shoves Asuka but Asuka catches an arm! Rhea shoves free, tries again, but Asuka catches that arm! Rhea ROCKS Asuka, then storms up on her in the corner, but Asuka bumps Rhea off buckles. Asuka goes again but Rhea blocks the bump to give the bump!
Rhea scowls but Asuka SOBATS! Asuka runs, but Rhea holds off the armbar takedown! Rhea SLAMS Asuka down, stomps her around, and kicks her for good measure. Dom soaks up the heat for Rhea and then cheers her on. Rhea talks trash on Asuka as she dribbles Asuka off the mat. The ref says to watch the hair pulling but Rhea tells him to shut up. Rhea stands Asuka up but Asuka throws more hands. Rhea knees low, then drags Asuka up to TOSS her! Rhea tells the booing fans to shut up, too, then she drags Asuka up. Asuka hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! Rhea flails, stands up, stacks to a cover, ONE as Rhea deadlifts!
But Asuka hits another takedown! Rhea reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Asuka lets go, runs in but Rhea avoids the shoulder to KNEE Asuka back. Rhea drags Asuka to the apron, but Asuka fights the suplex. Asuka blocks the kick, puts that leg in the ropes, and fires off forearms! Asuka ROCKS Rhea, to then HIP ATTACK her into the post! Rhea staggers, into an APRON CODE BREAKER! Rhea falls to the floor and Dom panics while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Rhea stands tall over Asuka now. Rhea sits Asuka up to KICK her in the back. Rhea then runs but Asuka avoids the dropkick! Asuka KICKS and KICKS but Rhea ducks the buzzsaw to BOOT Asuka down! Dom applauds Rhea and she stomps Asuka down. Asuka snarls and fans rally as Rhea clamps on with a waistlock. Rhea drags Asuka around in a rear bearhug but fans rally up for Asuka. Asuka fights up to throw elbows! Rhea ducks and RAMS Asuka into a corner, then hauls her back up for a front bearhug! Asuka endures the squeeze, throws elbows of her own, but Rhea throws Asuka. Asuka sunset flips but Rhea rolls through to BOOT her down!
Rhea drags Asuka up and reels her in, double pump handles, and flips Asuka up into a HUGE suplex, but Asuka cradle counters! TWO!! Rhea ROCKS Asuka, Asuka comes back with an elbow! Rhea ROCKS Asuka again, Asuka elbows then SOBATS! And ROUNDHOUSES! Rhea goes down, Asuka storms up, but Rhea CAPOERIA KICK! Fans fire up as both women are down but Dom gets nervous. Dom coaches Rhea up, Asuka and Rhea stand, and Asuka dodges the haymaker to fire off KICK after KICK! Rhea blocks one but Asuka ducks the haymaker to URAKEN, URAKEN, SOBAT and KICK!
Rhea ducks the uraken but not the HEEL KCIK! Cover, TWO!! Asuka roars as Rhea survives, she KICKS! Rhea grins but Asuka SLAPS her! Rhea is pissed now, so Asuka BUZZSAWS her! And SLIDING KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally and Dom panics again. Rhea gets to the apron, Asuka runs in to HIP ATTACK! Rhea falls to the floor and Dom hurries to mami’s side. Asuka goes out after Rhea, but Dom stands in the way. Dom tells Asuka that if she wants after Rhea, she has to go through him. Okay. She kicks at Dom! Dom runs away but Rhea RAMS Asuka into the apron! Rhea puts Asuka in the ring while fans boo.
Rhea makes sure Dom is okay, Dom says to go finish Asuka. Rhea hurries into the ring, but Asuka kicks! Rhea ducks, pump handles, RIP- NO, Asuka slips out to the ASUKA LOCK!! Fans fire up as Asuka drags Rhea down! Rhea flails, reaches out, Dom grabs a foot to put it on the ropes! Fans boo again as Dom points out the ropebreak! The ref counts, Asuka lets Rhea go, and then Asuka glares at Dom. Dom says the Judgment Day runs this! BLUE MIST!! Dom gets a face full! But then Rhea shoves Asuka into Dom! RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
Rhea wins by using Dom as a pawn! Rhea is upset at Dom for getting that close, and she wants water to wash Dom’s face. Did Dom get what he deserves for helping mami? Will Asuka ever get back up after getting screwed over again?
The Judgment Day regroups at the trainer’s room.
Dom says the mist burns his eyes, but Finn tells Dom it’s alright. The trainer brings eye drops but Rhea is pacing. Dom does his best to open his eyes for the drops, but he asks if this trainer even has his license. Finn tells Dom to go to his happy place. Priest says it could be worse. Something else could be burning. Rhea slaps Priest on the shoulder and tells him not to joke right now. Sorry. Priest tells Dom he’s tough, he can take this. The drops don’t seem to work all that well, will Dom need something stronger for that burning sensation?
Dolph Ziggler speaks.
“The United States Championship. It’s not just a championship. It’s not just the workhorse title of Monday Night Raw. It means more than that. That’s why two of the best in the business right now, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, those two are gonna go to war tonight for a chance, an opportunity, at the United States Championship. That’s what that title means. Not just to me, not just to everyone in the back, everyone out there. That’s what that title means.
“Austin Theory. You’re the United States Champion. On paper. You’ve done it all! You’ve come a long way in a short amount of time, but you walk around with this chip on your shoulder. Like if someone calls you ‘kid,’ you’re gonna snap and take it out in the moment. That’s not what a champion does. That’s not how a champion lives. At any given moment, you need to be able to put that title over your shoulder and put this show on your back. You don’t know what that’s like yet. That cocky arrogance of not being able to be knocked off your pedestal. That will be your downfall. That is why you are not a deserve United States Champion.
“Watch your back, kid.” The Show-Off warns The Now of WWE, but will Theory be more concerned with who is next? And speaking of…
WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley!
The Visionary and the All Mighty have gone around a few times already in regards to the US Championship. But after Theory got a little lucky at Survivor Series, these two must now fight to be Theory’s challenger! Will Rollins #BurnItDown in Milwaukee? Or will the Rocky Mountain Machine keep his mind clear and eyes focused on the mission?
Raw returns as Rollins makes his entrance. The fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” even before the bell. The bell rings, Rollins enjoys the singing but Lashley CLOBBERS him! Lashley brings Rollins up to bump off buckles and fire off haymakers! The ref counts, Lashley stomps but lets off at 4. Fans rally for Rollins and he fires forearms back! Rollins runs but Lashley runs him over! Rollins staggers up but Lashley clotheslines him out! Rollins stagger sup, Lashley storms out after him and RAMS him into barriers! Fans rally, Lashley hauls Rollins up to a fireman’s carry, but Rollins fights free to POST Lashley first!
Rollins climbs to the apron, gets some space, and he leaps to FLYING KNEE Lashley down! Milwaukee fires up and sings, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~” as Rollins brings Lashley up. Rollins puts Lashley in, taunts him, and says, “I told you Lesnar was stronger than you.” Rollins kicks, underhooks, but Lashley back drops Rollins out of the ring! Lashley then goes out after Rollins while Theory is seen watching backstage. Lashley SMACKS Rollins off the steel steps, and he drags Rollins up again. Lashley SMACKS Rollins off the steps again, then again! Theory smirks as Lashley pulls the steel steps apart! Lashley aims at Rollins, but the ref tells him no!
Lashley drops the steps, but Rollins comes back! Lashley TOSSES Rollins into the crowd! Fans fire up as Lashley pursues and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Lashley has Rollins in a corner. Lashley RAMS into Rollins, brings him out and puts him in another corner to RAM him again and again. Then Lashley hits a NECKBREAKER! Lashley drags Rollins up, suplexes, and fans fire up as he hold Rollins up! Lashley SLAMS Rollins down after ten, then covers, TWO! Lashley drags Rollins back up, puts him back in a corner and then puts him up top. Fans rally, Lashley ROCKS Rollins, and then Lashley climbs up. Lashley stands Rollins up but Rollins throws body shots. Rollins BITES Lashley’s forehead! The ref reprimands but Rollins shoves Lashley away!
Rollins CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Lashley swings, misses, and Rollins PELES! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Lashley and Rollins slowly stand up and fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Lashley runs in but Rollins dumps him out! Rollins builds speed to DIV! Direct hit and Lashley is sent into barriers! But Rollins keeps moving, he DIVES again! Another hit into the barriers! Rollins keeps moving, but he has to dodge Lashley! SUPERKICK! Rollins suplexes Lashley but Lashley blocks! Lashley suplexes but Rollins knees free! Rollins suplexes for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!
Both men are down again and fans rally back up. Rollins sits up first as the fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Lashley bails out but Rollins keeps his eyes on him. Rollins goes out the side, runs in around the way, but Lashley fireman’s carries! Lashley POSTS Rollins! Fans fire up as Lashley drags Rollins back into the ring. Lashley aims at Rollins, runs in at the corner, but Rollins jumps! Lashley hits buckles, Rollins rolls him up, TWO! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Lashley survives but Rollins hurries up top! Fans fire up for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives and Rollins is beside himself!
Fans rally up again as Rollins aims from a corner. Rollins runs in, CURB- NO, Lashley just braces himself to stay up! Lashley scoops Rollins, for a POWERSLAM! Rollins staggers, into the HURT LOCK!! Rollins flails, pushes Lashley back, the ref falls out of the ring as he gets out of the way! Lashley lets Rollins go, and he SPEARS Rollins down! The ref hurries in to count the cover, TWO!!! The delay may have just saved Rollins! Lashley is furious but the ref explains about the bad leg! Lashley just aims again, Rollins stands up, and Lashley runs in! SPEAR becomes PEDIGREE!! Cover, Rollins wins!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE United States Champion)
Lashley gets up and is furious with the ref all over again! He doesn’t let the ref leave, another erf runs in, but Lashley DECKS him! Lashley’s temper gets the better of him and Pearce runs out to get in Lashley’s face about it. Didn’t they talk about this last week? Lashley says he made a mistake, but Pearce says his hands are tied now. But then Lashley SHOVES Pearce aside!! Pearce is furious now, he says some things that get censored, and he says LASHLEY IS FIRED?!?! Fans sing, “Nana na na, hey hey hey! Good-bye~!” The All Mighty, gone from the WWE? What is he to do now?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, with a lot of great story progression. Great #1 contenders matches that made for good bookends of the night. Bliss VS Bayley was great stuff, and I like that Becky came out after Dakota & Iyo to run them off. I’m a little surprised we didn’t get more from Becky after, but that was a good bit after what we saw last week. Bliss winning was of course the right call, we’ve had plenty of Bianca VS Bayley already. And also, great teaser from White Rabbit and Alexa almost using Sister Abigail on Bianca. This is great stuff, and it will add a lot to the title build. And I think in the title match, that is the moment Alexa goes full Twisted Bliss and maybe even wins the belt.
The US Championship contender’s match in the main event was a great stuff, especially with Rollins playing such a good Tweener. Rollins winning makes sense with the interactions of him and Theory. Ziggler had a good promo to call out Theory, it makes me think Ziggler tries to screw Theory over and that screws Rollins instead. Lashley losing his cool and knocking out a ref follows the story, but I was surprised he shoved Pearce. And then Pearce firing Lashley, I wonder if this brings Triple H back on screen as an authority figure to try and figure this out. There’s no way they can (kayfabe) let Lashley go when he’s a top star.
Good promo from the Alpha Academy and The OC. Nice mention that Karl Anderson is in Japan, so he must be getting in on the Road to Tokyo Dome events leading to NJPW WrestleKingdom 17. Anyway, great match from Styles VS Gable, and seriously, that was another awesome way to get to the Styles Clash. The OC hasn’t quite found their next feud but they’re having fun giving us these great matches just for fun. The Judgment Day is getting their feud going with The Street Profits, and we got a great match out of them and Tozawa. Tozawa is looking great, even though he’s the one taking the losses. I hope they can keep this going until Bianca can join in.
Really fun stuff from Lumis, Gargano and Candice, such as the promo about how to use the money. I like that they gave fans free stuff, but I feel like it’s tricky because quite a few fans miss out. Miz showing up to try and steal his money back was good stuff, but then the promo started to drag down as Miz tried to come up with excuses about Maryse controlling his money. But a ladder match is going to be awesome stuff for Miz and Lumis. And since it’s kayfabe money, I would love if Miz lost again. Miz should face his own little crisis like Baron Corbin did as “Bum Ass Corbin,” because I swear this has to somehow bring Maryse into it so Indi Hartwell can show up on Raw already.
Candice VS Sky was a very good match but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why fans just don’t get that excited. Sky winning made sense, though, so that she and Kai have some momentum going into this Friday’s tag title match. Kai & Sky VS Liv & Nox is going to be really good stuff, but I would think DMG CTRL retains. Rhea VS Asuka was great stuff and the fans got excited for that, maybe it’s the names involved. Well, it was probably cuz they got to boo Dom. Dom getting hit with the mist and playing it up in that promo right after was great, but he really should’ve been upset that Rhea shoved Asuka into him so she could win. Hard to say what Asuka does next. Heel turn? New partner? Some kind of character reset?
Great stuff from Elias, Kevin and the Bloodline. Kevin Owens is a genius for using continuity and natural human behavior in how he dealt with Elias. Elias VS Solo was a great match, but of course Solo wins. And of course Kevin runs Solo and Sami off, to then also hit Elias for what happened during the Ezekiel saga. Kevin will continue to get involved with anything Bloodline related until Sami comes around to see things his way. Also in the case of Matt Riddle, we all know that neck injury wasn’t legit but don’t expect him to “defy” that return timeline. Word has it he’s really going into rehab for a drug test failure, so let’s hope and pray he makes it through that and comes back soon.
My Score: 8.6/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
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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
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Oblong Ball Foot Show: One For The Road
The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! Tune in as we recap an excellent NFL season and touch on a...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Super Bowl LIX Preview
The culmination of a season long journey is upon us. Andrew, Rey and Tunney break it all down for you...
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
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Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s WWE Vengeance Day Results & Report! (2/15/25)
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AEW Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s AEW Grand Slam: Australia Results & Report! (2/15/25)
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Coverage4 days ago
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
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Coverage5 days ago
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)