Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW New Beginning Nagoya Results & Report! (1/22/23)
Will Nagoya be tranquilo?

It’s a New Beginning for NJPW!
With Shingo Takagi promising Kazuchika Okada that they’ll go Champion VS Champion in Osaka, can he stay Mr. KOPW after facing Great-O-Khan? Or will the Dominator slay the Rampaging Dragon?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Toru Yano & Togi Makabe VS Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima; Yano & Makabe win.
- 8 Man Tag: Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Ren Narita & Tomoaki Honma VS The House of Torture; Suzuki, Desperado, Narita & Honma win.
- 8 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Ryohei Oiwa VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Master Wato & Jado VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Taichi, DOUKI, Yoshinobu Kanemaru w/ Taka Michinoku; The United Empire wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Shota Umino, Ryusuke Taguchi & YOH VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Okada, Umino, Taguchi & Yoh win.
- KOPW 2023 Provisional Championship MMA Rules Match: Shingo Takagi VS Great-O-Khan; Takagi wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Taichi, DOUKI, Yoshinobu Kanemaru w/ Taka Michinoku!
This was meant to be an 8 Man Tag so that the Empire could take on all four guys, but it would seem “Public Enemy” TJP is unable to compete tonight. But that won’t stop Will Ospreay, Francesco Akira & Aaron Henare from settling things with the Holy Emperor, Japones Del Mal & The Heel Master. Will the Commonwealth Kingpin, Nova Fireball and Ultimate Weapon win the first battle in this war for New Beginnings?
The teams sort out but Ospreay and Taichi want after each other! They fire off forearms, so the others start brawling, too! Fans fire up and the bell rings as the former Suzuki-Gun members throw out Ospreay and Henare! Kanemaru stays on Akira, whips him to ropes, but Akira reverses. Taichi fires off kicks on Ospreay, then CHOKES him against railing! The ref reprimands as now Kanemaru and Akira go to the outside. Kanemaru whips but Akira reverses again, only for Kanemaru to reverse back! Akira hits railing, then Kanemaru puts him in the ring. Kanemaru and Douki regroup, mug Akira, then double whip him to a corner.
Douki runs in to elbow, Kanemaru runs in to elbow! Snapmare and DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Things settle down now as Kanemaru brings Akira up. Kanemaru has the leg, for a SHINBREAKER! Kanemaru kicks the bad leg and Akira flounders. Kanemaru brings Akira up but Akira CHOPS! So Kanemaru rakes Akira’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru lets off and whips Akira to ropes. Akira avoids the low dropkick, elbows Kanemaru, then dumps Kanemaru out of the ring! Akira then PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up! Then the Empire attacks on the outside! Henare throws Douki down while Ospreay sends Taichi into railing!
Ospreay fires haymakers on Taichi, Akira sends Kanemaru into railing, and Henare CHOKES Douki! Akira puts Kanemaru in the ring and stalks up behind him. Akira stands Kanemaru up to run and CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while Akira drags Kanemaru up. Akira bumps Kanemaru off buckles, tags in Ospreay, and fans fire up. Ospreay stomps Kanemaru, scoops him, and hits the SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay shouts out Nagoya and fans rally as he paces. Ospreay drags Kanemaru up, KNEES him in the back, and then Ospreay talks trash to Taichi. Ospreay stands Kanemaru up but Kanemaru throws body shots!
Kanemaru uppercuts but Ospreay DECKS him! Tag to Henare, and he talks trash on Douki. Henare drags Kanemaru up, clinches, and throws big knees! Henare snapmares Kanemaru to KICK him in the back, and drop a SENTON! Kanemaru writhes but Henare drags him up. Henare HEADBUTTS Kanemaru to ropes, and Ospreay CHOKES him! The ref reprimands, Ospreay lets off, and both Ospreay and Akira run to BLAST Douki and Taichi! Henare bends Kanemaru against the ropes, then beats the war drum! The ref reprimands and counts, Henare lets off at 4, but Ospreay gets a cheap shot in during the distraction!
Kanemaru flops back while Ospreay talks some trash. Fans rally up for Kanemaru as Henare scuffs him. Kanemaru throws body shots and an uppercut! But Henare ELBOW JABS! Henare whips, Kanemaru reverses and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Kanemaru crawls, hot tag to Taichi! Fans fire up as Taichi fires off Kawada Kicks! And a SOBAT! And then a whip to a corner, for a clotheslines! Taichi snapmares, KICKS, and wraps Henare up, but Akira attacks to stop the Seitei Jujiro! Akira CLUBS away but Taichi CHOKES him and THROWS him down! Ospreay runs in, dodges a boot and BOOTS back!
Taichi rebounds but Ospreay ducks the lariat to get around, only for Taichi to fight the lift! Taichi PELES! Ospreay scrambles away, his shoulder stinging! Henare runs in at Taichi, Taichi gets around but Henare fights off the Dangerous Saido! Henare CLUBS Taichi, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Fans fire up and Taichi feeds off the energy. Taichi brings Henare up and around, but Henare ducks the Buzzsaw! Henare shoves Taichi to a corner, Taichi dodges the Shining Wizard, but Henare elbows! And then FLYING CHUCKS! Henare tags in Ospreay and Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!
Ospreay adjusts the elbow pad while fans fire up. Ospreay drags Taichi up, turns him, but Taichi breaks free! Ospreay ROCKS Taichi with a forearm then eggs him on. Taichi KICKS Ospreay in the leg! Ospreay forearms, Taichi kicks, repeat! Fans rally as the strikes go faster! Ospreay fires off a flurry, runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, into the Tiger Wall Kick and ENZIGURI! Taichi staggers to a corner, Ospreay runs in but Taichi dodges! Ospreay hits buckles, then Taichi hits a GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and fans rally up! Taichi crawls, tag to Douki! Douki runs corner to corner to elbow Ospreay! Kanemaru adds his own elbow!
Kanemaru whips Ospreay but Ospreay BOOTS Douki down! Ospreay kicks Kanemaru, whips him, but Kanemaru ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Douki is up top, DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! But Akira stomps Douki! Kanemaru throws Akira back out, and Douki fires up! Fans fire up with Douki and he wheelbarrows Ospreay! But Henare stops the lift to KICK Douki down! Kanemaru dropkicks Henare’s leg out! Kanemaru keeps moving, but he runs into a BESERKER BOMB! But Taichi AX BOMBERS Henare down! But Ospreay HOOK KICKS Taichi down!
Douki is on the apron, Ospreay rushes over but into a shoulder! Douki slingshots, DAY- NO, Ospreay blocks to suplex! Douki slips out, waistlocks, but Ospreay standing switches. Douki breaks free, mule kicks, ENZIGURIS, and Ospreay flops to the corner. Akira climbs up but Douki dodges his leap! Akira keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges, and rolls to SATELLITE DDT! Ospreay adds HIDDEN BLADE! Cover, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
It was only three guys, but the United Empire still conquered them! Will Akira & TJP keep the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Kanemaru & Douki in Sapporo? Will Ospreay prove that he is the REAL Emperor of NJPW? Or will even the Empire fall to #Just4Guys?
8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Shota Umino, Ryusuke Taguchi & YOH VS Los Ingobernables de Japon!
The Rainmaker prepares to defend his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but he won’t be facing his challenger in this match. Instead, he, the Roughneck, the Funky Weapon and Direct Drive are taking on Bushi, Sanada, Hiromu y Naito. Will Okada lead his team to victory? Or will the New Beginning be tranquilo?
The teams sort out and Okada’s team mirrors LIJ just to taunt them. Naito takes his time with his entrance attire, but Shooter is calling him out. Fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” and Naito smirks, then he fist bumps with LIJ. Naito then attacks first with furious forearms! The bell rings, Naito whips, but Umino reverses and follows. Naito dodges, Umino dodges and shoves, but Naito holds the ropes so Umino’s dropkick misses. Naito rushes in but Umino ducks the basement dropkick to arm-drag! Umino has an armlock but Naito headscissors. Umino kips free, and Naito tranquilos! Fans cheer as Naito offers the fist bump.
Umino steps forward, but Naito stands up to tag in Hiromu. And Hiromu wants Yoh! Yoh wants in, too, so Umino obliges. Fans fire up as Yoh rallies on the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! Yoh then whips, but Hiromu reverses, only for Yoh to duck ‘n’ dodge! Hiromu elbows Yoh, whips him to a corner, and corner clotheslines! Hiromu snapmares Yoh, runs, but Yoh gets up to dodge and RANA! Hiromu flops out of the ring, Yoh PLANCHAS, but Hiromu dodges! Hiromu whips but Yoh reverses to send Hiromu hard into railing! Yoh puts Hiromu in the ring, brings him up and FALCON- NO, Hiromu slips free!
Hiromu waistlocks, ducks Yoh’s elbow, and CHOPS! Hiromu runs but Yoh handsprings to dodge! Yoh mule kicks, turns Hiromu and hits a NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Yoh brings Hiromu up. Yoh CHOPS Hiromu to the corner, he tags in Taguchi, and Taguchi drags Hiromu up to whip him to a corner. CORNER HIP! Taguchi whips Hiromu the other way, another CORNER HIP! Taguchi whips again, but Hiromu reverses, only for Taguchi to reverse back! Another CORNER HIP! Taguchi keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Hiromu steps aside. Taguchi crashes and burns, LIJ BLASTS Okada’s team!
Sanada is after Okada, Bushi has Yoh and Naito is after Umino. Bushi rakes Yoh’s eyes while Naito whips Umino into railing hard! Hiromu goes back to Taguchi, SPANKS him, SPANKS him again, and has him in the corner. Tag to Bushi and he brings Taguchi up. Bushi snapmares Taguchi, stomps him, then has the legs. Bushi stands on Taguchi’s groin! The ref reprimands, Bushi lets off at 4, and Taguchi twitches. Cover, TWO! Taguchi is still in this and fans rally up. Bushi tags Naito, then he brings Taguchi around. Bushi underhooks, and he sits down to have Taguchi in the infamous Shameful Stretch!
Sanada distracts the ref as Naito steps in, runs and dropkicks Taguchi’s butt! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and fans rally up but Naito SPANKS Taguchi! Tag to Sanada and he brings Taguchi into an atomic drop! Taguchi hobbles while clutching his butt. Fans rally up, Taguchi runs at Sanada, but into another atomic drop! Fans rally more and Taguchi tries again, but he fakes Sanada out! Taguchi wags his finger, Sanada runs in, but into a HIP ATTACK! Taguchi is on wobbly legs, but he hot tags Okada! Okada rallies on LIJ with big forearms! He BOOTS Sanada, runs in and ELBOWS him down! Fans fire up with the world champion!
Okada whips Sanada corner to corner, runs in and back elbows! Then a kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! Okada drags Sanad around, ties up the legs and has the arms, STRETCH PLUM! Sanada endures, crawls forward, and grabs the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets off quickly, then he drags Sanada up. Okada gut wrenches, but Sanada fights free! Sanada waistlocks, Okada elbows free and runs, but into a low dropkick! Okada hobbles, and Sanada dropkicks him down! Tag to Naito! Fans rally and Naito stalks Okada, to sucker punch Umino! Okada CLUBS Naito, Naito fires off forearms in return! Naito whips, hip tosses, then basement dropkicks!
Naito brings Okada back up, whips him to a corner, then runs in, into a BOOT from Okada! Okada steps up, into a kick from Naito. Naito runs, into a FLAPJACK! Both men are down and fans fire up, hot tag to Umino! Umino aims, runs in at Naito, and RANAS! Umino BLASTS the LIJ corner, then he fires off forearms on Naito! Fans rally, Umino whips but Naito reverses. Umino holds ropes, BOOTS Naito, then sidesteps to hip toss! Umino keeps going, basement dropkick! Snapmare and Umino runs, for a SUNSET SENTON! Umino mocks the eyes-wide-open pose and fans fire up! Umino stalks Naito, drags him up, and whips him to a corner.
Umino runs in to elbow Naito, then brings him out for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but the fans still fire up! Umino drags Naito up as fans rally. Umino clinches but Naito CLUBS him down. Naito throws a forearm but Umino just stares Naito down. Umino throws a forearm and eggs Naito on, so Naito throws a forearm! Umino throws a forearm, Naito gives it back, and fans rally as they go back and forth, faster and faster! Umino gets the edge, whips, but Naito reverses to ELBOW! Umino staggers, into an atomic drop! Naito throws back elbows! And then turns Umino for a NECKBREAKER!
Naito tags Bushi and Bushi climbs a corner. Fans fire up as Umino stands, and Bushi MISSILE DROPKICKS! Bushirooni! Sanada and Hiromu BLAST Okada and Yoh! Bushi & Hiromu whip Umino to a corner, Hiromu clotheslines and Bushi elbows! Feed to Hiromu’s mule kick, Sanada adds his front kick, and Bushi hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Bushi drags Umino up, fisherman’s the leg, but Okada runs in to BOOT Bushi down! Sanada dropkicks Okada’s legs! Yoh DROPKICKS Sanada down! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Yoh down! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Hiromu! And HIP ATTACKS Naito!
Taguchi HIP- NO, Bushi hits an atomic drop! Umino staggers up, Bushi swings on him, but Umino blocks and spins Bushi around, only for Bushi to slip free! Umino blocks one kick and ducks the enziguri, but not the HEEL KICK! Bushi runs, into a pop-up UPPERCUT! Umino dragon sleepers, for the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Bushi is still in this but fans fire up with Umino as he roars! Umino stalks Bushi, waits on him to rise, then reels him in! DEATH RIDER!! Cover, Umino’s team wins!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, Shota Umino, Ryusuke Taguchi & Yoh, by pinfall
The Roughneck takes down the Black Mask to win this for his team! Does this mean Shooter will shoot down Naito? Will Yoh take the title from the Best of the Super Juniors? And will the Rainmaker still reign through the New Beginnings? Or will everything still be tranquilo in 2023?
KOPW 2023 Provisional Championship MMA Rules Match: Shingo Takagi VS Great-O-Khan w/ The United Empire!
This match is for more than just the new blue belt the Rampaging Dragon has. The Dominator wants to prove his technical fighting skills, become a two belt champion, and take away Takagi’s shot at Okada’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship! With nothing to lose and everything to gain, will Khan conquer NJPW for the United Empire? Or will Takagi beat Khan at his own game and then go right for the Rainmaker?
Per the rules, both men wear traditional martial arts gi, though Takagi still has his wrestling tights on under his. The introductions are raised, the KOPW belt is raised, but so much more is on the line!
The bell rings and fans rally as the two stare down. They approach, feel things out, and Khan gives some testing kicks. Takagi stays up and comes back to try again. They feel things out, but back away, and fans applaud the savvy. Khan then presses the offense, but Takagi rests against the ropes. Khan backs off, fans rally for Takagi as he and Khan reset. They feel things out, clinch, then break. They go again, fight for control, go around, but Takagi avoids a leg sweep. They tie up again, and Khan hits a takedown! Takagi clasps hands to fight the armbar, and he goes to roll Khan, but Khan keeps his shoulders up.
Khan shifts to get a triangle hold, but Takagi powers his way through. Khan fights off the lateral press, rolls things over, and then he tries for the lateral press. Takagi fights that so Khan wants the arm again! Takagi stacks Khan, then slips away before getting caught in the Triangle again. Both men egg each other on, and Khan has his leg guard up. Takagi keeps his distance as he goes around, Khan, then he drops to the mat to show he can do the leg guard, too! Khan rushes in, Takagi pushes him down and they clinch on the mat. Khan keeps his shoulders up and slips through to get a leg! The Empire applauds but Takagi gets the ROPEBREAK!
Fans cheer and Red Shoes calls the break, so Khan lets off. Fans applaud as the two reset again. Takagi and Khan feel out the grapple, grab at sleeves while kicking at legs, but then they clinch. Takagi puts Khan on the ropes, gives some short shoulder thrusts, then he throws Khan down! Takagi runs Khan over, then drops a SENTON! Cover, but Red Shoes reprimands! This is MMA rules, not pro-wrestling rules. Takagi sighs while Khan gets away to the outside. The Empire regroups, fans Khan off, and Ospreay wants a timeout. Red Shoes says those aren’t part of these rules, Khan has to return. Takagi waits, Khan slides in, and they reset again.
Khan and Takagi circle, feel things out, grab sleeves, then go around. Khan fights off a throw, gets free of Takagi’s grip, and they approach again. They tie up, clinch, fight for control, and fans cheer as each tries for a sweep. They end up on the ropes but Khan has control. Fans applaud as LIJ appears to be Takagi’s cornermen just like the Empire is for Khan. Khan and Takagi break, and they reset. Takagi and Khan go again as fans rally up. They feel out the grapple, clinch again, but Khan uses a grip on the collar. Takagi keeps Khan from tripping him, but Khan hits a MONKEY FLIP! Takagi bails out but the Empire puts him back in!
Khan is right on Takagi with a rear mount and a double wrist hold! Khan smothers Takagi into the mat but Takagi endures. Khan turns Takagi over but they end up in the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Khan lets off cleanly. Takagi bails out again but Ospreay pushes him back in! Khan drags Takagi up, and hits a SAYANAGI! Khan now has a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Takagi endures, Khan moves around, but Takagi pushes him over. Takagi fights the leg guard but ends up in a TRIANGLE! Khan rolls but Takagi grabs the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Khan lets off and Takagi goes to a corner.
Fans rally as the two reset again. Takagi shakes out his arm and he circles with Khan. They tie up, Takagi tries a throw but Khan smothers that. Khan gets around to then tie up a leg, CALF KILLER! And Khan adds an arm to the mix! Takagi endures so Khan rolls to have NAPALM DEATH! A very Zack Sabre Jr. style hold, but Takagi scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Khan lets go, and he rushes after Takagi to rear mount again. Khan SLAPS Takagi around, has a body scissors squeeze, but again Takagi gets a ROPEBREAK! Khan lets off, but then he scrapes Takagi out of the ring with a kick!
LIJ regroups and helps Takagi up and into the ring. It’s practically a Lumberjack match at this point. Takagi and Khan go again, clinch, but Khan drops to get an arm and leg! Takagi grabs a leg, too! They have DUELING HEEL HOOKS! Khan shifts around, grabs at the collar, but Takagi holds him off. Khan uses his legs to pry at the arm and then he has the HEEL HOOK! Takagi pops his arm free to get the ROPEBREAK! Khan lets go, but then he digs his knee into Takagi’s chest. Red Shoes reprimands and Takagi protests, but Khan digs his knee in! Khan talks trash, then jams Takagi before he finally backs off.
Fans rally for Takagi while he goes to the corner. Khan clinches but Takagi pushes him down and has a toehold! Khan endures, so Takagi shifts around. Khan wants the triangle but Takagi gets free again. Takagi shakes out his sore limbs but Khan is fairly cool. But then Takagi fires off forearms and knees! Strikes are still part of judo but he’s got Khan against the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Takagi lets off, and Khan rushes in! Khan fires off knees of his own! Khan backs Takagi to a corner, throws in more knees, but Red Shoes reprimands. Khan lets off, brings Takagi out, and then throws more knees!
Takagi is down and Red Shoes starts a standing count! Fans rally up and Takagi sits up at 4 of 10. Takagi uses ropes to drag himself up at 8 and fans applaud. Takagi headbutts the buckle to fire back up! Khan eggs Takagi on, they tie up again, and Khan tries for the throw! Takagi holds it off, pushes Khan to ropes, and uses the rebound for his SAYANAGI! And then PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi takes off the gi! Fans fire up as Takagi is gonna fight this his way! Takagi drags Khan up, whips him to ropes, and knees low! Then a DDT! Takagi runs to SLIDINGN LARIAT! And then Takagi throws down fists, before clamping on the KATA GATAME!
Takagi leans all his weight on Khan while Khan endures! Fans rally, Khan clasps hands to relieve pressure, then he pulls Takagi’s hair! Takagi sits back to pull on the hold, but Khan moves around! Red Shoes checks, but Khan reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Takagi lets go and Khan bails out for a breather. But then LIJ hurry to grab him! Khan grabs railing, and the Empire rushes over! Naito holds them off, Hiromu and Sanada put Khan in the ring. Fans fire up and Takagi brings Khan up. Takagi fires off forearm after forearm, but Khan clinches again. Takagi tries to trip Khan, but Khan URENAGES Takagi!
Fans fire up as Khan and Takagi go to opposite corners. Khan and Takagi get up, they tie up again, and Khan throws Takagi down! Fans rally up, Khan and Takagi stand back up, and Khan roars as he rushes in! They clinch, go for trips, then clinch. Khan hits an STO into a KATA GATAME! Takagi clasps hands, kicks around, and gets the ROPEBREAK! But Khan rolls Takagi away from the ropes! Hiromu protests but Takagi endures again. Red Shoes reprimands, and Khan lets go in frustration. Khan opens up his gi, to SMOTHER Takagi with it! Khan also traps an arm but LIJ protests. Khan lets Takagi go to stomp him down.
Khan paces around Takagi, and then uses his BLACK BELT to choke Takagi! Hiromu gets on the apron to protest, but Akira runs in to BLAST him off the apron! Red Shoes reprimands Akira, Khan has Akira cool off, and Akira exits the ring. Khan goes back to Takagi to CHOKE him again! Red Shoes reprimands, Khan sits Takagi up and dumps him out of the ring! Khan CHOKES Takagi with the belt, practically hanging Takagi from the ropes! The Empire keeps LIJ away and Red Shoes is busy reprimanding them all! Akira fires forearms on Hiromu but Hiromu throws Akira away! Red Shoes sees what Khan is doing and makes him stop!
Fans rally for Takagi while Sanada helps Takagi with the belt. But Ospreay whips Naito into railing, and Henare does the same to Sanada! Red Shoes is busy with Akira and Hiromu as they brawl more, so Henare stands Takagi up! Ospreay hits an OSCUTTER to the floor! Henare puts Takagi in the ring, Khan gets Red Shoes’ attention and drags Takagi up. Khan kicks Takagi down, then drags him up, URENAGE! Khan wants the standing count so the count begins. Fans rally for Takagi but he’s still down at 5 of 10! LIJ coaches Takagi up, this is for both KOPW and his shot at Okada! Takagi drags himself up at 8 and stands at 9!
Takagi has his dukes up, but Khan uses an arm for a SAYANAGI! And then another SAYANAGI! Khan drags Takagi up by his arms, reels him in, but Takagi turns that to a SLEEPER! Fans fire up, but Khan grabs at Takagi’s hair. Khan slips around to SLEEPER! Khan hops on with body scissors! Takagi is fading with Khan as his backpack, but then he hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Both men are down, and Takagi goes to the apron! Takagi goes up the corner, for a DIVING KNEE DROP! Fans fire up with Takagi and the “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi stands Khan up, fires off boxing elbows, then HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Takagi ROCKS Khan, but runs into a SLEEPER!
Khan squeezes tight and Takagi is fading! Fans rally and Red Shoes checks. Takagi gets a second wind! Torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGONS! Both men are down and fans fire up again! It’s a double down count! Fans rally, as do the Empire and LIJ! Takagi goes to a corner, stands at 5, but Khan is still down at 7! And at 8! Khan rises at 9, but the SLIDING FOREARM knocks him back down!! Takagi sits Khan up for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then a HALF NELSON SLEEPER! Khan flails, fights, but Takagi rolls him to have the body scissors! Khan endures, reaches out, but he’s fading! Khan is OUT, Takagi wins!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by submission (still Provisional KOPW 2023 Champion)
Though they didn’t quite stick to MMA rules the entire time, this was still one hell of a fight! The Rampaging Dragon slays the Dominator, will Khan have to go back to the drawing board on how to dethrone Takagi?
As for Takagi, he has the belt and an icepack, then gets a drink of water before talking on the mic. “Somehow, I was able to win.” Fans cheer that. Takagi says that yesterday, it was NJPW VS NOAH, and he was able to get revenge on Nakajima. Today, Takagi defended the KOPW Championship in an MMA Match, and he won against Khan. It goes to show that Shingo Takagi has no reason to be afraid of anyone or anything. So next, on February 11th in Osaka, is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada. “And there’s something I want to say to the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. So, shall we bring him out here?”
Fans fire up and chant for “O-KA-DA!” Takagi waits, looks around, and here comes the Rainmaker! Okada has the world title on his shoulder, and Takagi says, “Since I interrupted you on January 4th and 5th, it’s only right I invite you here tonight.” Okada joins Takagi in the ring, and Takagi again says he has something important he wants to say to Okada. “I got through yesterday, I got through today, so next is our title match. I pulled through last year with a cheap KOPW 2022 trophy. Now, I have a KOPW 2023 belt. And now, I bring this into the main event. So, how about this? If you’re putting up that world title in the main event of Osaka, how about I put up the KOPW title, too?”
Fans like the sound of that! But Takagi has more to say. Takagi says that perhaps, for the first time ever, they have it be Winner Takes All under KOPW rules! How about it, Okada? Takagi hands the mic over, and Okada says, “Everyone knows that when I was IWGP Heavyweight Champion, I had a sixty minute best 2 out of 3 falls match that was pretty famous. So, the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship really should be about man to man, straight up pro-wrestling as it should be. The KOPW Division is incredible, but I don’t want two belts at the same time. I can’t love two, I only have eyes for one, and I only love the IWGP World Heavyweight title.”
Fans applaud Okada’s loyalty, but Okada continues to say that it seems Takagi can’t beat Okada without some kind of gimmicky set of rules. If that’s the case, then Takagi doesn’t deserve his title shot. Let’s just wrestle the NJPW way in Osaka! Takagi takes the mic back to say, “Yeah, I figured you’d say that. So I get it. In that case, after our match, I’ll be the double champ! So it will not be a double title match, it’ll just be the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. But it’ll be an all-out battle, and we’re going to beat the hell out of each other!” Fans cheer them sticking to the old school. Okada raises his belt for the photo op, then takes his leave.
Takagi continues to say that was a bit awkward. But to get things back on track, Takagi invites LIJ into the ring with him. He thanks his “lumberjacks” for helping him out, and notes that LIJ won against KONGO 3-2 last night in Yokohama. Takagi is KOPW Champion, Hiromu is IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, but there is still more for LIJ to do! “Oi, Nagoya. You guys have had great energy all night! NAGOYA!” “OI!” “NAGOYA!” “OI!” “Osu! Let’s close out the main event here in Nagoya. From now on, as a group, as a whole, as a unit, we will rampage like a dragon!” Takagi drops the mic, LIJ poses together, but will they rise together in 2023?
My Thoughts:
Really good stuff out of NJPW, though I did again skip things because of limited time. But of course the Young Lions lost to Yano & Makabe, and I figured Suzuki’s new team would get the win over the House of Torture. I’m glad to see my idea of Suzuki feuding with Evil came true, even if it isn’t Suzuki-Gun anymore. And naturally TMDK’s new formation wins out with ZSJ sporting his new look. He’s clearly building towards his first NJPW World Television Championship feud with Tomohiro Ishii, and that should be an awesome match, even with the 15 minute time limit the NJPW World TV Division comes with. Bullet Club also gets an obvious win, Jado taking the loss. It feels like we’re building back to more Tanahashi VS Kenta, which is great because those two don’t disappoint.
The United Empire VS #Just4Guys being downgraded to 3v3 was a shame, but it was still a really good match. The Empire was the right choice to win here, but I still think each individual showdown can go either way. It’d be amazing if Douki & Kanemaru won the Junior Heavyweight Tag titles off TJP & Akira, especially as Douki has yet to hold any gold. We got a good 8 Man from Okada and his team against LIJ. Umino getting the win there was great for him, but I don’t see him beating Naito 1v1. Hiromu VS Yoh could go either way, but I’m leaning towards Hiromu retaining.
The MMA Rules match was not quite what I expected, but that’s probably because as an American, I’m conditioned to picture UFC or Bellator when the phrase “Mixed Martial Arts” comes up. This was more how Japan sees MMA, in that it was more the martial arts foundation of MMA. But at the same time, the match itself didn’t really pick up until they started throwing in all the pro-wrestling elements, such as the factions getting involved and both Takagi and Khan resorting to strikes. I do appreciate that Takagi now has a submission in his moveset, that half nelson sleeper is a pretty good answer to Okada’s Money Clip.
And good closing promo from both Takagi and Okada, in which I appreciate that Takagi appreciates Okada keeping things to a traditional singles match. Okada doesn’t want NJPW returning to a Two Belt Top Champ era, the very thing that gave us the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in the first place, and so that is how things will go. As great as Takagi is, Okada only just got the world title back, so Okada isn’t giving it up. And Takagi can still continue on past New Beginning to defend the KOPW title against whoever in whatever stipulations that they can come up with. Though Takagi may have to try really hard to come up with new stuff, the MMA Rules match probably one won because we already saw the First to 30 Count.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.

Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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