Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/30/22)
The last SmackDown of 2022!
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We say good-bye to 2022 with the biggest SmackDown of the year!
Twenty years in the WWE, and John Cena returns to see 2022 off! But will he and Kevin Owens be victorious against Sami Zayn & Roman Reigns?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Sheamus w/ The Brawling Brutes VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos; Solo wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey w/ Shayna Baszler VS Raquel Rodriguez; Ronda wins and retains the title.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey w/ Shayna Baszler VS Charlotte Flair; Charlotte wins and becomes the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.
- Kevin Owens & John Cena VS Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn w/ The Bloodline; Kevin & Cena win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bray Wyatt is here!
The lights go down and the fireflies come out. The light shines behind the door, and when it opens, Bray makes his way out with his lantern. Bray enters the ring, puts out the lantern, and is in the spotlight. Bray grabs a mic and introduces himself to Tampa. “Honestly, deep down, I don’t really think of myself as a good person. Although I do try really, really hard, man. But when I look back on all the horrible things I’ve had to do to get to where I am today, man, honestly, I don’t regret much. However, last week, I did something that I do regret. And I wanted to apologize in all honestly. I attacked a cameraman in cold blood, and he didn’t deserve that, man. He didn’t deserve it.
“And if he’s watching this, man, I want you to know-” LA Knight is here! “Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Lemme talk to ya! Oh, I wanna apologize to the little camera man, boo hoo hoo. You gotta be kidding me. The master of the mind games, Bray Wyatt, getting gamed by the man they call the Mega Star, L A Knight. What happened to you, man? You can’t even keep your composure out here, you can’t even finish a sentence, and then you get all embarrassed, and you take it out on a poor cameraman. Wrong place, wrong time for him, I guess.” But Knight isn’t concerned about that. What he is upset about is Bray getting a goon to dress as “Captain Howdy” and assume that takes the heat off him. NO NO!
Knight says Bray is still a responsible party and it’s time to pay the check! “But hear this: You used to be something. You used to be a force.” Fans boo and chant “You Suck!” at Knight, but he tells them to pipe down. Knight gets into the ring and says Bray used to be something. But week after week, all he’s proven himself to be is a fraud and a loser, YEAH! But Knight has the medicine. The Royal Rumble’s coming down the pike. It will be Knight’s first, and he wants to make it a special one! And here’s how he’ll do that. Fans chant, “What?!” and Knight responds, “Huh?!” He tells them to shut up while he’s talking.
The way Knight makes it special is by taking Bray and putting him out of his misery when he breaks Bray like dishes! Bray says, “You little idiot. Who the hell do you think you’re talking to, son?” But Bray has been really patient, and he’s known in the back of mind he could’ve ended this whenever he wanted to. So Knight might be right! Maybe it is time Bray reminds Knight and the rest of us how cruel he can be when he feels like it. Fans like the sound of that! Bray says if we’re talking the Rumble, yeah, yeah, yeah. Challenge accepted! But then UNCLE HOWDY speaks! “Revel in what you are. Revel in what you are. Embrace the dark.”
Knight says that’s another of Bray’s tricks but the lights have gone down again. And here comes Howdy!! Howdy struts his way down the ramp with smoke and a spotlight following him. Howdy takes off the top hat, puts it aside, and goes up the steel steps. Knight is on his guard as he assumes this is 2v1, but even Bray gives Howdy space. Howdy stares Knight down, then looks at Bray. Howdy stands with Bray! Was Knight right all along? But then Howdy catches Bray in a clinch, for SISTER ABIGAIL!! Knight bails out while fans lose their minds! Knight can’t make heads or tails of this as Howdy takes his leave. Is Howdy his own man?
Sami Zayn walks up to the Bloodline locker room.
He knocks on the door, and Paul Heyman opens it up. They hug it out, and Heyman wants to hear how Sami’s Hanukkah. Oh, about as good as Heyman’s Ramadan. Blessed! It’s always a blessed day when Sami gets to see Heyman. So what can The Wise Man do for the Honorary Uce? Sami just figured he and the Tribal Chief should talk strategy. Wonderful idea, but Heyman and Roman Reigns were just talking, and the things Sami said last week, live to a global audience, that pledge of loyalty to the Bloodline and the declarative statements against John Cena and Kevin Owens, that passion that Roman’s always seen in Sami was finally brought to the surface!
Heyman says Roman is very proud of Sami. Sami says Roman looked proud, he seemed really happy about that. Yes, and mensch to mensch, if Heyman could, the whole concept of Roman Reigns, Undisputed Champion, The Tribal Chief, in the middle of the ring with Sami there and the fans are all chanting “SAMI! SAMI!” It just isn’t the right optics. Did Roman say something? No! But… Does he have to? Life on the Island of Relevancy is about staying three steps ahead at all times. But greenlight, delay tactics over, after you, sir. Sami laughs that off and walks inside the room, but Heyman sighs. Is there something just beneath the surface here?
Sheamus w/ The Brawling Brutes VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos!
Friday is once again Fight Night! The Fella is ready for the Bloodline’s Enforcer, and we already know this is gonna be a banger! But will The Celtic Warrior or the Street Champion of the Island be having the happier New Year’s Eve this weekend?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up and go around, then break. Fans rally, the two tie up again and Sheamus headlocks. Sheamus grinds the hold, Solo powers out but they RAM shoulders! Neither man falls and fans fire up again. Solo waistlocks but Sheamus wrenches out to an armlock. Sheamus grinds the shoulder, but Solo fights up to throw forearms! Solo powers out, Sheamus ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAM Solo! Solo rebounds to RAM Sheamus! Fans fire up and Solo UPPERCUTS Sheamus! Solo throws body shots, and a HEADBUTT! Solo whips, Sheamus reverses but Solo blocks the hip toss to CLOBBER Sheamus!
Fans fire up, the Usos cheer on Solo while the Brutes coach Sheamus. Sheamus goes to ropes but Solo CHOKES him! The ref counts, Solo lets off at 4, and Sheamus sputters. Solo soaks up some heat but Sheamus kicks low! Sheamus CLUBS then UPPERCUTS then CLUBS again! Sheamus ROCKS Solo, bumps him off buckles, then throws haymakers! The ref counts, Sheamus lets off at 4, and then Sheamus whips corner to corner. Solo reverses, runs in, but Sheamus BOOTS Solo! Sheamus runs to clothesline Solo up and out of the ring! Fans fire up but Solo is furious! Solo grabs a chair! The Usos calm their brother down while SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Solo clamps onto Sheamus’ shoulder! Sheamus grabs at Solo but Solo digs the claw in deeper. The fans rally up as Sheamus endures, and Solo shifts to a chinlock. Sheamus pries at the hold but Solo wrangles him down! Solo digs Sheamus into the mat, then sits him up for the chinlock again. Sheamus fights the hold, fans chant “UCEY! UCEY!” but Sheamus throws body shots and uppercuts! Sheamus runs but Solo fireman’s carries to SAMOAN DROP! Fans rally while Sheamus scrambles to a corner. Solo soaks up the cheers and jeers and mocks Sheamus pounding his chest.
Solo goes to the corner, runs in, but Sheamus LARIATS Solo down! Fans fire up and the Brutes coach Sheamus while the Usos seethe! Sheamus and Solo slowly rise, Sheamus blocks punches to give forearms! Sheamus whips, Solo reverses but Sheamus kicks! Solo roars, runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Fans fire up with Sheamus and he stalks Solo to the ropes. Sheamus has Solo against the ropes for BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes past ten to get 15!! Fans are thunderous as Sheamus lets Solo drop down! The Usos shout at Solo to get up, but Sheamus fires up. He pounds his chest, he runs in, but Solo SUPERKICKS first!
Sheamus comes back to KNEE Solo down! Cover, TWO!! Solo survives and Sheamus is shocked! Both men are down, but Sheamus stands first. Sheamus drags Solo up but Solo pulls the beard! Solo HEADBUTTS, but swings into the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus drags Solo into the CLOVERLEAF!! Solo endures, he reaches out, but Sheamus drags him from the ropes! The Usos coach Solo and he fights his way back over. Jey pushes the ropes but the ref reprimands! Fans boo, but Jimmy drags Solo out of the hold! The Brutes storm up but Jimmy SUPERKICKS Pete Dunne! Ridge fights with both Usos 2v1!
The Usos get the edge on Ridge, but Sheamus is up top?! DOUBLE FLYING LARIATS take out the Usos!! But Solo YANKS Sheamus into the post! And then APRON URENAGES! Solo puts Sheamus in the ring, to give him the SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
The Bloodline mugs Sheamus! Dunne gets up, but he gets a SUPERKICK! Ridge gets up, he gets DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Fans boo but Solo grabs that chair again. The Usos dig their boots in, then rain down fists. But Solo puts the chair around Sheamus’ neck! They’re gonna do Sheamus like they did Matt Riddle! But here comes DREW MCINTYRE! The Scottish Warrior storms his way to the ring, he BOOTS Jey and HEADBUTTS Jimmy! McIntyre stares Solo down, and fans fire up as they fire off! McIntyre dodges Solo to clothesline him out! McIntyre dodges Jimmy to CLAYMORE him down!
Fans are thunderous as the Brutes run off the Bloodline! This isn’t WarGames but the war is far from over! Will the Celtic Connection be just the combination that stops the Bloodline from doing what they want?
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey w/ Shayna Baszler VS Raquel Rodriguez!
The Baddest Woman on the Planet has bullied just about everyone on the roster, but Big Mami Cool isn’t backing down. Raquel won a gauntlet match with one good arm, and even with the Queen of Spades being Ronda’s ace in the hole. Now Ronda has no choice but to put up or shut up and defend the title! Will Ronda still be feeling rowdy after tonight? Or will she have to rip Ricky Desperado’s other arm off to stop her?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who ends the year on top!
The bell rings and the two tie up. Ronda tries to turn Raquel but she can’t, and Raquel shoves Ronda away! They tie up again, Ronda puts Raquel in the corner and wraps the bad arm around the ropes. The ref counts, but Raquel shoves Ronda away again. Ronda smirks, and she comes back with shots aimed at the arm! Ronda then SLAPS Raquel, and stands on top of her. Ronda mocks the fans and they boo her. Raquel runs Ronda over! And again! Raquel drags Ronda up, scoops her, and SWINGING SIDE SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Ronda scrambles to a corner then bails out. Shayna is there to coach her while fans boo.
Raquel goes out after Ronda! Raquel ROCKS Ronda, fireman’s carries, then APRON SLAMS her! Ronda tumbles into the ring, clutches a leg, but Raquel puts her in a corner. Raquel then TOSSES Ronda across the way! Ronda ends up in the corner, Raquel runs in to SPLASH! And then again! Raquel runs in again, Ronda ducks and Raquel POSTS herself! Raquel falls out of the ring and Shayna mocks her while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ronda wraps Raquel’s bad arm around ropes! The ref reprimands, but Ronda then grinds the bad arm against the ropes as she brings Raquel along! Ronda lets off at 4 and Raquel falls against the ropes. Ronda CHOKES Raquel now, and the ref counts again. Ronda lets off at 4, and KNEES Raquel in from the apron! Ronda stalks Raquel, drags her around, straitjacket kneebar! Raquel endures, reaches out but Ronda says she should just tap. Ronda hammers Raquel, but Raquel gets a high stack! TWO, and Raquel ROCKS Ronda! And again! But Ronda blocks to throw a body shot!
Ronda runs in, steps up, ELBOW JAB! Raquel goes to a corner, Ronda runs in but into an elbow! Ronda blocks Raquel’s boot for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ronda mocks Raquel’s hand for bleeding, and then grabs at the bad arm. DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Raquel endures, fans rally up, and Raquel fights her way up! Raquel fireman’s carries Ronda for a SAMOAN DROP! Fans fire up and Shayna is growing worried! Raquel and Ronda slowly rise, and Raquel runs in to CLOBBER Ronda! And again! Ronda ducks the right but the LEFT comes in! Raquel crawls to the cover, TWO!! Raquel’s bad arm slowed her down but she’s not giving up!
Raquel drags Ronda up, CLUBS her, then scoops her. Fans rally and duel, Raquel swings but Ronda hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Raquel scrambles, clasps hands, then shifts to get Ronda’s legs! Raquel has the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!! Ronda endures, rolls, and trips Raquel to an ANKLE LOCK!! Raquel endures and fans boo Ronda! Raquel turns over to BOOT Ronda away! Ronda runs back in, into a FLAPJACK! Both women are down and Tampa rallies up! Raquel drags Ronda up, hooks the leg, TEXANA- NO, Ronda shifts to have the arm! Ronda talks trash, and they tumble over the ropes!
Raquel lands on her feet, she has Ronda up again! Ronda freaks out, APRON TEXANA BOMB!!! Both women are down and Shayna panics while SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again and Raquel has Ronda up in a suplex! Who knows how long she was holding it, but she SLAMS Ronda down! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Ronda survives by inches and Raquel grows a little frustrated. Raquel drags Ronda up but Ronda WRINGS the bad arm! Ronda goes after the arm and has the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK again! Raquel endures as Ronda leans on the hold! Fans rally and duel, Ronda claws at the mat, then powers through to roll and scoop Ronda! FALL AWAY SLAM! Tampa fires up again while both women are down! Raquel slaps the bad arm to get it going and fans rally with her!
Raquel stands, storms up on Ronda and drags her back up in a scoop! But Ronda sits up to get the arm again! And then she shifts into a SLEEPER HOLD! Raquel flails with Ronda on her as a backpack! Ronda talks trash to the fans, Raquel is fading, and Raquel drops to a knee! Shayna says this is it, but Raquel gets a second wind! Raquel RAMS Ronda into buckles! And again! Ronda still holds on, so Raquel roars, runs and RAMS Ronda face-first into buckles! Ronda is down but Raquel almost posted herself! Raquel runs to BOOT Ronda down! Shayna gets on the apron, Raquel BLASTS her! Raquel runs at the corner, TWISTING VADER! Cover, Shayna gives Ronda the ROPEBREAK!
The ref notices Shayna over there! The fans boo, they know it, too! The ref tells Shayna to back off, and Raquel storms up on Ronda. Raquel scoops Ronda to RAM her into the corner! Raquel puts Ronda up top, ROCKS her, then CLUBS Her! Ronda BOOTS the bad arm! Raquel ROCKS Ronda again! Raquel climbs up after Ronda, fireman’s carries, but Ronda throws elbows! Ronda shifts around for an ELEVATED ARMBAR!! The ref counts, Ronda holds on, and Raquel falls back! RAQUEL TAPS, RONDA WINS!!
Winner: Ronda Rousey, by submission (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)
The Queen of Spades was once again the insurance policy Ronda needed! Shayna helps Ronda celebrate, and Ronda gets the mic, but wait! That music! CHARLOTTE FLAIR IS BACK! THE Queen of WWE has returned! Ronda and Shayna stand their ground as Charlotte struts into the ring. Charlotte gets herself a mic as Tampa goes wild! Ronda says Charlotte’s arm must be better. How’s the rehab? Oh, Ronda already guesses that the elbow’s all better and Charlotte wants to challenge for the title at SummerSlam. Oops! That happened. Royal Rumble is sooner. But depends on how that arm is feeling, right? How’s the Queen feeling?
Fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte tells Ronda no, she’s challenging for the belt tonight! Fans go nuts but Shayna says no, they gotta go. But fans are thunderously chanting, “YES! YES! YES!” Ronda isn’t one to back down from a fight, so she throws the belt down! “You’re on, because I’m feeling spicy!” Shayna keeps trying to convince Ronda not to, because she just had one hell of a match against Raquel! Ronda says so what? IT’S ON!!
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey w/ Shayna Baszler VS Charlotte Flair!
The bell rings, Charlotte BOOTS Ronda down!! Cover, TWO!!! Ronda survives and Shayna is on the apron already! Charlotte BOOTS Shayna down and fans are thunderous! Ronda rises, Charlotte runs in again, SPEAR!! But Ronda turns it around?! ARMBAR!! But Charlotte stacks Ronda! CHARLOTTE WINS!!!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall (NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion)
Ronda almost turned Charlotte’s ego around on her, only for Charlotte to turn it back around on Ronda! And now 2022 ends with The Queen back on her throne for a FOURTEENTH TIME!! Will 2023 be the Year of Flair?
The Bloodline talks in their locker room.
They’re sharing holiday stories and Sami says the kids don’t know how good they have it. Roman just wants to give his kids everything that he had growing up. Sami wants everyone to be on the same page tonight. It surely didn’t bother anyone that the fans chanted for Sami while Roman was out there, right? That doesn’t get to Roman at all, right? Roman sits there quietly, and then says, “God no!” Oh, okay, good! Sami didn’t think so. Roman wanted to say this, but the way Sami was locked in, how could anyone pay attention to anything else but what Sami was saying? If Sami has even 10% of that tonight, it’s a night off for Roman! It’ll be that easy!
Yes, it’ll be a great night. A great night for The Bloodline. Yeet! Secret handshake with Jimmy and Sami is feeling good. But will things really be Ucey to end 2022?
The Mysterio Familia Telenovela continues!
As if crashing Thanksgiving wasn’t bad enough, Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio crash Christmas at Grandpa’s house! Rey told Dom & Rhea this wasn’t going to happen again. Dom says he’s just here with open arms to celebrate with the family and Mami Rhea. Rey says they should take this outside. They go outside, Dom shoves Rey! Mama Mysterio goes to slap but Rhea blocks her! So Mama SLAPS Mami! Rhea is pissed, but cops are here! The police arrest Dominik for intruding! Rhea protests, she got hit! Dom told Rhea to get Finn and Priest! He won’t make it in jail! Rhea is furious, this is ruining Christmas! Dom did make bail, but will the Judgment Day learn not to be Grinches from now on?
Hit Row talks backstage.
They’re talking reverse limbo with The New Day! Is this low enough for Top Dolla to jump over? HA! The others in the locker room, such as Ricochet, Mad Cap Moss and the Maximum Male Models, have a good laugh. Dolla says the last time he tried jumping a broom didn’t work out so well, either. Woods says the last time Dolla jumped at all didn’t really work out. Kofi says he isn’t Top Rope Dolla, after all. Adonis says they may have jokes and all, but if Jimmy didn’t save Jey, Hit Row would be the new tag champs. Facts! Now, now, Adonis, let’s not jump to conclusions. Good one from Mace. Mansoor says they’re jumping the shark!
Moss says “Top Dolla? More like Flop Dolla!” OOOOH~! Mad Cap’s still got it! Ricochet says, at least now Dolla knows that it isn’t as easy as Ricochet makes it look. Oh, okay, okay. But then Dolla shoves Ricochet?! Guess that was one joke too far. Will Dolla cool off and learn to laugh at himself? Or will he be hopping mad all the way to a match with the King of Flight?
BREAKING NEWS on Bray Wyatt VS LA Knight!
At the Royal Rumble, it will be Bray’s return to action, in a PITCH BLACK MATCH! But what does this mean? And who will win such an ominous match?
Imperium heads to the ring!
Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci & Der Ring General, GUNTHER, are here, and they look to look back at 2022 and their “path of destruction.” What will Imperium have to say about what they’ve done, and where they’re going next? We find out after the break.
SmackDown returns and Ludwig has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen. 2022 was the Year of Der Ring General!” Vinci says that Gunther has proven to be THE most dominant Intercontinental Champion in history! No man on SmackDown will take this title from him! But do not take their word from it, just take a look at the men who tried. A video packages rolls to give highlights of Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Mysterio, Sheamus, and Ricochet all losing to Gunther. Gunther has the mic now, but BRAUN STROWMAN is here! And he storms his way right to the ring!
Braun steps in, he gets a mic, and he tells Gunther that he noticed something in that video: He wasn’t in it! That means Gunther hasn’t beaten Braun! Now, maybe Gunther’s boys are right, that there isn’t a man that can beat Gunther. But what about a monster? Imperium turns to leave but Braun tells them hold on, that wasn’t him asking for a title match. Braun is telling Gunther! Braun turns Gunther around but Vinci & Ludwig rush in! They mug Braun but he shoves them both away! Vinci tumbles out of the ring, Braun clotheslines Ludwig out! And that leaves Gunther alone! Gunther swings but Braun blocks the chop! And then he CLOBBERS Gunther!
Gunther bails out but Braun says it’s time to get on the tracks! The Strowman Express CLOBBERS Ludwig, CLOBBERS Vinci, but Gunther sends Braun through barriers! Gunther SMACKS Braun with a chair! Ludwig & Vinci drag Braun up for Gunther to SMACK again! Then Imperium sends Braun into steel steps! But that’s not enough, they put Braun in the ring. Gunther KICKS Braun’s arm, and has it in a top wristlock! Gunther pulls on the arm but Braun endures! Referees rush out, Imperium keeps them from Braun! Management get involved, Imperium stops them, but here comes Ricochet! With a chair!
Ricochet hurdles over Vinci! And SMACKS Ludwig on the run! Ricochet gets in the ring, Gunther clears out, but Ricochet still SMACKS him at the ropes! Vinci gets up, Ricochet swings on him! And he swings on Ludwig! Ricochet dares Imperium to do something but Adam Pearce appears to have everyone stand down. Will we get another showdown like last week’s Miracle on 34th Street Fight? Or will this battle need something even bigger to settle the score?
BREAKING NEWS on the next few weeks of SmackDown!
After the brawl between Braun and Imperium, Der Ring General is not going to have a choice! In two weeks, Gunther defends the Intercontinental Championship against Braun Strowman 1v1! Will Braun #GetTheseHands on that title? Or will even a monster fall to the might of Der Ring General?
And after everything we saw after Sheamus VS Solo, next week is the match-up we were always meant to see! Sheamus & McIntyre team back up to face the Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships! Will the Celtic Connection finally be golden? Or will Jimmy & Jey still be the ones?
The Bloodline heads for gorilla.
Sami and Roman are ready, with the Usos talking them up. Will the Honorary Uce & Tribal Chief smash ’em and stack ’em to finish SmackDown?
Kevin Owens & John Cena VS Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn w/ The Bloodline!
The Prizefighter said he was done with Sami, but he continues to be a thorn in the side of the Bloodline. Things escalated and in a move to get ratings, a tag match was made! Kevin could choose anyone as his tag partner, and he chose the SIXTEEN-TIME WORLD CHAMPION! Will KO and Cena become more than just a problem? Or will the Tribal Chief & Honorary Uce ruin the return of the living legend?
Fans are thunderous for Cena’s entrance, but then The Bloodline makes theirs. The titles are raised and the pyro goes off. Then the Bloodline goes to the ring, they raise the belts again, and the second round of pyro goes off. Tampa Bay is fired up for everyone in this match as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once more and the teams sort out. Kevin and Sami start and fans are fired up already as the two circle. Sami dares Kevin to bring it, and they tie up. Sami waistlocks, headlocks, but Kevin powers out. Sami springboards up and over to CLOBBER Kevin! Sami raises the finger, Roman smiles and fans are torn. Kevin kicks low but Sami denies the stunner! Kevin ROCKS Sami with fists, whips and CLOBBERS him with an elbow! Then SENTONS! Kevin stares Roman down but goes back to Sami. Sami slips out to the apron, Kevin storms over but Sami HOTSHOTS him! Sami kicks low then reels Kevin in.
Kevin fights the suplex to hang Sami out to dry! Sami flops off the ropes hard! Kevin eggs Sami on now! “You’re embarrassing yourself in front of the Tribal Chief!” Kevin then mocks Sami’s bloody nose, and wants Sami to show Roman what he’s got. Fans rally for Sami, but Sami looks to Roman. Roman reaches out for the tag, and Kevin mocks Sami that he’s being a good little lapdog. Sami tells Kevin, “Good luck,” and he tags in Roman! Fans now rally for Cena! Cena reaches out, and Roman tells Kevin to go ahead. Fans chant, “We Want Cena!” That’s something we haven’t heard in a long time, but then Roman CLOBBERS Kevin!
Roman stomps away on Kevin at the ropes, digs his boots in, but the ref counts and reprimands. Roman lets off at 4, drags Kevin up, and hits an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Roman glares at Cena but drags Kevin back up as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Sami has Kevin in the Bloodline corner. But Kevin kicks and punches back! Kevin DECKS Roman, then fires off on Sami! Fans fire up but Sami gets around Kevin to HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Kevin’s right up to LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Cena shouts to Kevin and reaches out! Kevin and Sami crawl, Sami grabs at Kevin’s foot, and Roman trips Cena! Roman fires off hands then RAMS Cena into barriers! Fans boo and Sami runs out to BOOT Cena down! The Bloodline cheers, Sami goes back to the ring and he runs corner to corner at Kevin, but Kevin hits a SUPERKICK!
Both men are down again and Roman is confused! Sami and Kevin crawl but Cena’s still down! Sami runs in but into another SUPERKICK! Kevin whips Sami for a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Cover, Roman breaks it! Roman rains down fists on Kevin, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Roman drags Sami over and tags in. Roman then ushers Sami out, and he takes aim at Kevin. Roman raises his finger, he’s the one. Roman locks ‘n’ loads, but Kevin dodges the Superman to SUPERKICK! Kevin goes up top, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives but Kevin fires back up! Kevin whips Roman, to POP-UP- SUPERMAN PUNCH!!
Roman goes to the corner, fans are torn, but Roman lets out the battle cry! But Kevin dodges and the Spear hits POST! Roman flops back and Cena rises up! Fans are thunderous as Kevin and Roman crawl! Kevin and Roman hot tag Cena and Sami! Fans fire up as Cena dodges and then unleashes the shoulder tackles! And then the SPIN-OUT BOMB! And of course, “You Can’t See Me!” Roman is pissed, he runs in, but into a SPIN-OUT BOMB!! Cena tags Kevin, and together, they say “You Can’t See Me!” They run, DOUBLE FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE!! Is that ten? ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT for Roman!! Sami staggers, into a STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin & Cena win!!
Winners: Kevin Owens & John Cena, by pinfall
The Prizefighter and the GOAT just beat the Tribal Chief and his Honorary Uce! Will Sami take the heat for this one? Will Kevin be going after the Head of the Table and the Undisputed Universal title next?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown to end 2022, but perhaps with one very odd move. After a truly great match from Ronda VS Raquel, which I figured Ronda would win with some help from Shayna, it was a great surprise to see Charlotte Flair back. And while the live audience was excited to see Charlotte put Ronda in her place, it all just seemed too fast. Charlotte beats Ronda in a very Flair way, or perhaps a bit Money in the Bank way, but who does it really help? Well, I mean, it helps Charlotte get ever closer to being the first 16-time Women’s Champion so she can parallel her father, but honestly, why not build this up towards the Rumble?
I do appreciate that Ronda was so confident she didn’t back down, giving her character consistency, but I feel like it just hurts Ronda and Raquel that Charlotte is still the favorite, even in the HHH Era. This feels like HHH’s first real misstep since taking over. Another segment that was good but still odd was everyone in the men’s locker room making fun of Dolla for his botched tope conjilo. I do get Dolla getting mad, but why not at Maximum Male Models so we can get a tag match? I suppose Dolla gets to shine as a singles guy against Ricochet, though I don’t see him winning.
Really good opening segment from Bray, Knight and Howdy. Knight still thinking Howdy and Bray were in cahoots was good character stuff, and that helped make Howdy suckering Bray in for that Sister Abigail more effective. The Pitch Black match, as rumored a few weeks ago, is still happening, but Howdy is more than likely going to get involved with that somehow. I’m more curious as to what the Pitch Black match is supposed to be. If it’s the same as the NXT UK World of Darkness and NXT Lights Out match, then that’s a bit lazy on WWE’s part, just having another name for a match where you dim the lights.
I love that we got to see the newest Mysterio family drama. I’m surprised they didn’t try and bring this up on Raw, but maybe they’re building towards something where the Judgment Day ends up on SmackDown so that Dom and Rey keep getting closer and closer to having a match with each other. If they pace it right, that match happens for WrestleMania for a real big blow-off. Speaking of blow-off, good stuff from Imperium and Braun, though I’m surprised Ricochet makes the save and it doesn’t turn into another tag match. Braun does get his title match, though, but I can’t be sure he wins. As great and popular as Braun is, Gunther is just as great and has good Heel heat, so he should keep going with this title.
Great stuff from Sheamus VS Solo, and of course the Usos interfere. But McIntyre making his return was great stuff. The Undisputed Tag title match we were meant to get before now happening to kick off 2023 is great, and while it’d be awesome for McIntyre & Sheamus to reign together, I just don’t see the Usos losing the titles on TV. But at the same time, I don’t know who will be coming after them for the Rumble. And good stuff from the rest of the Bloodline, such as Sami and Heyman with their hallway promo, and the private room promo where Roman again teased being upset but said he wasn’t.
The tag match was great, and I’m surprised there wasn’t something more from the Usos & Solo. But at the same time, Sami and Roman were trying to win on their own, and they end up losing on their own. Sami had a look at the end where he knew he was in trouble. For one, Sami did take the pin, but pretty sure Roman would never take the blame even if he was the one who lost. Sami will surely say he’ll make it up to Roman and Roman says of course Sami will make it up to him, and maybe we get a huge match between Sami and Kevin that determines whether or not Kevin can challenge Roman at the Rumble.
My Score: 8.4/10
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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?
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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.
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