Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/16/23)
Raw is All Mighty!
The Rocky Mountain Machine is ready to wreck it!
Bobby Lashley is back on Raw, ready for the Royal Rumble! Who else will declare for that match and become another of Lashley’s targets?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Mustafa Ali VS Solo Sikoa; Solo wins.
- The Street Profits VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin; The Profits win.
- Elias VS
MVPOmos; Omos wins. - The Judgment Day VS The Alpha Academy; The Judgment Day wins.
- Iyo Sky w/ Dakota Kai VS “Michin” Mia Yim w/ Candice LeRae; Mia wins.
- Akira Tozawa VS Bronson Reed; Reed wins.
- WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Six Pack Elimination Match: Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley VS Finn Balor VS Baron Corbin VS Dolph Ziggler VS The Miz; Lashley wins and will challenge Austin Theory for the title next week.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Usos are here!
Jimmy & Jey are here, and so is Solo Sikoa! The Enforcer is going to be facing Mustafa Ali tonight, but The Bloodline always rolls deep. They head to the ring together, they get the mics, and Jey says, “Cincinnati, Ohio~…! The Bloodline is now in your city!” They raise the fingers because they the ones. Jimmy then says, “You see it. You see what The Ones are doing every single week. We running SmackDown and we running Monday Night Raw, every single week! But y’know what? Before Solo puts a beaten on Ali tonight, we need to address what happened on Friday.” Jey hopes KO got the message. He can’t cross the Tribal Chief and get away with it!
And at the Royal Rumble, Kevin learns one last, hard lesson from Roman Reigns. Speaking of the Tribal Chief, the Usos have something really big planned for Raw 30 next week. HUGE plans! Every generation of the Bloodline will be gathered together for an Acknowledgement Ceremony for Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And they’re going to defend the Raw Tag Team Championships against The Judgment Day, and they will BEAT The Judgment Day! Because they the twos, and #WeTheOnes! But as the Usos raise their fingers, the Judgment Day makes their presence known! They all have big matches tonight, but they go to the ring to confront the Usos.
Rhea Ripley tells the Usos to stop right there. “The only thing that The Bloodline needs to acknowledge is that The Judgment Day runs Monday Night Raw.” Finn says that’s right! Not only do they run this show, they ran the gauntlet, ran through the division, and now they’re running straight for The Bloodline. YEET! Finn leads the group into the ring, and Finn wants to take this moment to thank “Ex-Con Dom.” He stepped up and filled in for his fallen brother, and he helped the Judgment Day become #1 contenders to those Raw Tag Team Championships! Finn clutches his rib and curses Otis, and Priest has him calm down.
Priest says Finn will handle business in tonight’s huge main event, and Priest & Dom will handle the Alphas. As for those nice red tag titles, they’re coming back permanently to Monday nights! But Priest has a question. The Usos say the Bloodline runs Raw, they take out everybody and stuff, but have you ever seen them step to the Judgment Day? Not even once. That is odd. Not even a knock on the door? Why is that? Dom sniffs and he says he knows why. You smell that, Mami? Oh, she smells it, Dom-Dom. They smell fear! Because the Usos are scared! Jimmy, are you scared? Jey, are you scared?
Scared? Of who? Of little Machismo vato locos? Hey, Uce, check the track record. This right here is 546 DAYS! Every team that’s stepped up got sat down! The New Day: LOCKDOWN. RKBRO: LOCKDOWN! Street Profits: LOCKDOWN! The OC: LOCKDOWN! Brawling Brutes: LOCKDOWN! Los Lotharios: LOCKDOWN! This historic run started beating Dominik and his daddy! LOCKDOWN! And now at Raw 30, the Judgment Day will be welcomed to the Uso Penitentiary! Fans fire up but Dom says while he hears all this talk, the reality is that the Usos wouldn’t last a minute in the cell with the guys Dom was in with.
The Usos roll their eyes but Dom says “In the pen, y’know what we called the Usos? We called them wannabe eses.” The biggest wannabe was the Street Champion, standing around doing nothing. Solo steps up and fans fire up even more. But Rhea steps in and fans like the idea of Mami VS Enforcer! Solo steps back with his brothers, but then steps right back up to Rhea! Rhea grins, but Dom sucker punches Solo! Solo HEADBUTTS Dom down! The brawl is own! The Usos go after Priest and Finn! Finn and Priest throw the Usos out, Rhea turns Solo around! Rhea eggs Solo on, he looks to his thumb, and he roars!
But ALI flies in!! Mustafa Ali goes after Solo, wanting after him before their match! Solo shoves Ali away, and the brawl continues! Their match will happen now, after the break!
Mustafa Ali VS Solo Sikoa!
Raw returns and this match is underway! Solo TOSSES Ali to a corner, runs in, but Ali goes up and over! Ali CHOPS, CHOPS and whips corner to corner. Solo reverses, Ali staggers into a SAMOAN DROP! Solo snarls and he storms up on Ali in the corner. Solo rains down fists, the ref counts, and Solo lets off at 4. Solo backs up to the opposite corner, fans rally up, and Solo runs in, HIP ATTACK! Solo snarls, he covers, TWO! Ali is reminding everyone of his toughness but Solo clamps on a chinlock. Ali endures, fights up, and he throws body shots. But Solo HEADBUTTS Ali back down! Solo then whips Ali to ropes, but Ali holds ropes.
Solo runs in, Ali dodges, and Ali comes back to dropkick Solo! Ali runs again to dropkick again! Ali keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges, to SUPERKICK! Solo flops out of the ring! Fans rally, Ali builds speed, but Solo UPPERCUTS Ali down! Solo then runs in to LARIAT Ali upside-down! Fans fire up and Solo roars! Cover, TWO! Solo is annoyed but he stalks up behind Ali. “Get yo ass up!” Solo won’t be called out like that! Solo rains down fists on Ali, then backs off again. Fans fire up and Solo runs in corner to corner, but Ali dodges! The hips hit buckles! Ali then shoulders back in, slingshots, but into both hands! Solo POSTS Ali!
Ali crashes down and Solo soaks up the cheers and jeers. The ring count climbs, and the Usos sneak back out! The Usos cheer Solo, but here comes KEVIN OWENS! It seems the weekend was just enough time for the Prizefighter to recover what happened on SmackDown! He dodges Jimmy and fires off hands! But here comes Jey! Kevin knees Jey low, RAMS him into barriers, but Jimmy UPPERCUTS and sends Kevin into barriers !Jimmy whips but Kevin reverses, Jimmy hits the steps! Solo is distracted, and Ali TORNADO DDTS Solo!! Cover, TWO!!! Ali can’t believe it! But he hurries up top! 450- NO, he has to bail out!
Solo grabs Ali, SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
But Kevin gets in! STUNNER for Solo!! And then Kevin stomps a mudhole into Solo! And then fires off on Solo at the desk And then RAMS him into steel steps! Cincy fires up as Kevin clears the announce desk! Kevin SMACKS Solo off the desk, rains down more fists, then he goes up onto the barriers! But the Usos return to go after Kevin! Fans boo but Kevin deals with them! Kevin DECKS Jimmy, ROCKS Jey, but he’s still fighting 2v1! Kevin CHUCKS a chair into Jimmy’s face! And then one into Jey’s! Security, officials, refs, they all rush to stop Kevin but Kevin wants to #JustKeepFighting!! The Bloodline retreats, will nothing stop Kevin from taking down Roman Reigns?!
Bobby Lashley speaks.
“Put as many former champions in the ring as you want tonight. That doesn’t change a damn thing. There’s only one All Mighty. Making it elimination style? That just means five superstars are tapping out to the Hurt Lock. See, these aren’t hoops that you’re making me jump through, Theory. These are just extra victims. Your title reign has an expiration date, and that’s Raw 30. I’m coming for my United States title. And Theory, this time, I’m gonna put you away for good.” The All Mighty has spoken, will there be five other men broken at the end of the night?
Cody Rhodes’ comeback continues.
Victorious at Hell in a Cell, but in a bittersweet moment. The surgery was a success, but it also meant there was a long road ahead. The American Nightmare does not heal any faster than anyone else. Two months in, it already felt like six years to Cody. Nine months is the timeline, and he wants to respect that, but only four months in, he was hitting the gym. “This is the place where I can make myself bulletproof.” Brandi confirms Cody has put in the work, and that he looks and feels better than ever. Now it isn’t a question of if, but when can Cody return? Cody has made it clear what he wants, so at the Royal Rumble, HE’S BACK!!
Byron Saxton is backstage.
Byron waits outside Adam Pearce’s office, hoping to get a word. He notes that it has been “a revolving door of superstars” all day, all making their case for the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. And one of those stars is… Elias! Byron asks The Drifter’s intentions in the Rumble. Well, 2022 was a roller coaster year. He saw his brother’s career explode then fizzle out. Elias came back, lost a best friend, lost to the Bloodline, and it’s been rough to say the least. But it is time to right some wrongs! When Elias gets in the Men’s Rumble match, the vengeance tour begins. But out comes MVP! Watch the suit, barn owl. In fact, Elias, MVP will save him some trouble.
MVP knows things haven’t been going well for Elias, so if he ever wants those fingers to strum a guitar again, do NOT go in there to bother Pearce about the Rumble. The winner is a done deal. Oh, MVP? Seriously? He hasn’t been relevant in the ring in YEARS, let alone in a Rumble match. Talking like that, MVP will get Elias a match with the Rumble winner match here tonight. Oh, MVP wants to Walk With Elias? Then consider that a done deal! Elias will love this chance to showcasing himself. This is what the music industry calls a tune-up.
In that case, MVP will talk to Pearce right now. MVP calls this easy money, and goes back inside the office. Will MVP prove he’s still relevant?
The Street Profits VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin!
Two teams that didn’t win the gauntlet last week now face off here tonight! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins came oh so close if not for the Judgment Day, will they get the win here? Or will PRIME Alexander and the Gold Standard ruin the homecoming for Cincinnati’s own?
The teams sort out and Shelton starts with Dawkins. They circle, but then Shelton KNEES Ford down! Dawkins fires off, whips, but Shelton gest around to waistlock. Dawkins elbows free, runs, but blocks a kick! Dawkins spins Shelton, Shelton hits the DRAGON WHIP! And then a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Shelton drags Dawkins over, tags in Cedric, and the former Hurt Business mugs Dawkins. They double whip, but Dawkins sees the back drops coming so he stands Shelton up to DECK him! Dawkins dodges Ceric, hot tag to Ford! Ford GAMANGIRIS Cedric, goes up top, and CROSSBODIES!
Fans fire up as Ford dodges Cedric, follows, then LARIATS him inside out! Fans fire up more as Ford flexes and roars! Ford stands Cedric up, baits him in and dumps him out. Cedric ducks, drags Ford out to join him, but Ford holds ropes! The ref tells them to get in, and Ford stands up to elbow Cedric away! But Cedric catches Ford for an APRON SIDE EFFECT! The ref checks Ford but here comes MVP. Cedric and Shelton seem curious about it, too, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Ford powers out of a waistlock, only for Cedric to BELL CLAP him! Tag to Shelton, they double whip Ford into the corner. Shelton whips Cedric in, but Ford goes up and over! Cedric POSTS himself, Ford gets around Shelton, hot tag to Dawkins! Fans fire up as Dawkins rallies on Shelton! Then he DECKS Cedric for good measure! Shelton kicks low, whips, but Dawkins hurdles to FLYING ELBOW! Fans fire up and MVP looks upset at ringside. Dawkins runs in to CYCLONE SPLASH and ENZIGURI! Tag to Ford, Dawkins gives Shelton the ANOINTING! Ford FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, Cedric breaks it!
Cedric wags his finger, but Ford throws him back out. Ford tags Dawkins back in, and then Dawkins tags Ford. Ford goes up again, Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Shelton! But Cedric CHOP BLOCKS Dawkins! Shelton goes up top, SUPER OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Cover, Dawkins breaks it!! All four men are down and fans fire up more! “This is Awesome!” and MVP admits they’re right. Ford and Shelton stand, Shelton clinches but Ford breaks free to ENZIGURI! Hot tags to Cedric and Dawkins! Shelton runs back in but Ford dumps him out! Then Ford PLANCHAS to take out Shelton! Cedric runs in, Dawkins hurdles, but Cedric just DIVES onto Ford!
Dawkins shrugs, and fans fire up as he builds speed! Dawkins FLIES and takes out everyone! Dawkins brings Cedric up and puts him back in, to then run corner to corner. CYCLONE SPLASH! But then MVP drags Cedric away! The ref reprimands, fans boo, but Shelton stands Dawkins up! Shelton and Cedric coordinate, ATOMIC KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins has the ghost pin, PROFITS WIN!!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall
Montel Vontavius Porter tried to help his former associates, but it only made things worse! Cedric & Shelton are upset with MVP, but is this the sign that the Profits are getting back up?
Cathy Kelley interviews the Judgment Day.
Well, she’s trying to, but they’re busy talking among themselves. She asks if they have a second. How is Finn feeling going into tonight’s Six Way? Oh, she means the Six Pack Challenge? Hey, if anyone’s ready, it’s Finn. Then looking forward to next week, Dominik & Damian have the Raw Tag Team Championship match- “SHOOOOOSH~!” Chad Gable cannot believe his cauliflower ears when he heard Judgment Day say they ran through the Raw Tag Division. No, no, quite the contrary. The Judgment Day barely snuck by The Alphas. In fact, they should’ve been medically disqualified.
But no matter. The Alphas get redemption tonight against the thugs that cheated them. Rhea tells Gable to get lost. Before she does something she won’t regret. Dom tells Gable to listen to Mami. He spent all day and all night pumping iron in the yard, and yet not even he will be able to hold her back. Gable laughs at Dom. No wonder Dom ended up on the wrong side of the system. With a strong body must come a strong mind. But from the looks of it, Dom needs to work on both. Next time Dom’s in prison, sign up for the Alpha Academy’s online courses. Maybe he can make something of himself.
Dom tells Gable not to make fun of prison life like that. Gable doesn’t even wanna know what’d happen to guys like him. Priest says he’s done with the fun and games. Take a walk, Gable, or else you won’t even make it to the ring. Gable says that’s a good idea, Otis hasn’t gotten his steps in today. The Alphas head out, but will they be able to handle the Punishment and the Prisoner?
Becky Lynch is here!
Cincy is fired up to see The Man has come around! But not from the stage, she’s coming in from the bleachers! Becky high-fives as she goes down the steps and makes her way to ringside. “How ’bout that Bengals win yesterday?” Fans cheer that, and Becky says she even dyed her hair orange for it. But as much as she wants to stand around and talk, she has business to take care of! “So Bayley, get out here, ya dope.” Becky tells the “dopey coward looking fool” to get out here already. Is Karen too busy yelling at a manager or something? But here comes The Role Model, as well as the rest of Damage CTRL!
Bayley laughs at Becky, and fans boo seeing her 49ers jersey. Bayley says, “This is embarrassing. Guys, I think I beat Becky so bad the other week, that she forgot what my name was.” Fans boo and Bayley tells them to shoosh, please. She’s Bayley, not Karen. No, she’s a Karen, idiot. Or maybe just “BOOO!” Bayley is a person, and her name is Bayley. Becky is Becky, this is Iyo, this is Dakota, etc. Wow, can someone explain to Bayley what “a Karen” is? A moody, entitled idiot with a bad haircut. Bayley storms up into the ring and says that’s real mature.
Fans chant “BECKY! BECKY!” but Bayley tells her that she’s standing there, calling Bayley names, but this seems like Becky is just upset and bitter that she lost, still here with no friends. HA! Fans boo but Becky says she has plenty of friends. She has an arena full of friends here in Cincy! Fans cheer and Becky says Bayley is “a sour faced cheating dope that peaked in 2015.” Wow, 2015? The year that Bayley ran NXT while Becky ran off with the other Horsewomen to take Bayley’s spot?! Oh, okay, now Becky sees it clearly. Is this why Bayley found two random “friends” and are claiming to be a faction? Is she trying to recreate something?
No, she’s not recreating something. She was ROBBED by Becky! Becky took Bayley’s spot on Raw, on SmackDown, at WrestleMania, and everything Becky has should be hers! Becky says the point Bayley is missing is, they didn’t call Becky up because they saw more in her than they did in Bayley. No, no, Bayley was kept in NXT because Bayley wanted to be a leader. She wanted to be a champion! She wanted to help the future! At least, that’s what she said. Or, perhaps, maybe she’s always been full of crap like Becky said she was. That one shuts Bayley up.
Becky continues and says Bayley was supposed to have her own spotlight while Becky was seen as just another body. Becky wasn’t supposed to be The Man, she wasn’t supposed to change the game or be the first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania. But she did, because she loves this, works for this, and works harder than anyone else! And she will keep doing that until she can’t do it anymore! Fans fire up for that one! Becky knows Bayley loves this, too, but the difference between them is, when it’s not Bayley’s going, when it’s not her being the focal point, she just whines and moans and blames everyone else! “It’s the fans’ fault! It’s Bianca’s fault! It’s Becky’s fault!” No, it’s YOUR fault!
Fans chant for Becky more but Bayley says not to even bother with that! They know NOTHING! They don’t know Becky! The only reason Becky became “The Man” was because she was punched in the face by another woman! Oh, how original. But maybe Becky will punch Bayley in the face so Bayley can get out of the rut she’s stuck in! Fans like the sound of that! Or will Bayley keep hiding behind Kai & Sky like she has been? Speaking of, they do step up. Bayley says she doesn’t need them. She didn’t need them to beat Becky before, and she doesn’t need them now! Well, alright, Bayley will have no problem facing Becky next week?
Bayley says she won’t have a problem. Okay, so Bayley won’t have a problem going 1v1 against Becky? Nope! So she won’t have a problem facing Becky in a Steel Cage match? Uh… N-No problem… That sounded like hesitation. No, there’s no hesitation. No problem, you idiot! Then it’s official. See you next week. Becky heads off, getting the rematch she wants. Is The Man going to prove who is the real Role Model on Raw?
Mustafa Ali finds Dolph Ziggler backstage.
Ali wishes Ziggler good luck in the main event. But oh, don’t pay attention to him. Y’know, the guy you screwed over for the US title. The guy you refused to team with in the Tag Team Turmoil. It must be so good to be Ziggler, a guy who gets opportunity after opportunity literally handed to him. Ziggler says Ali knows better than anyone that no one gets anything handed to them here. So from one professional to another, Ziggler doesn’t have time to pay attention to Ali today, he’s got to get into the zone. Ali knocks Ziggler over! Does he have Ziggler’s attention now? Ali storms off, will Ziggler be able to focus on the five other big names in the main event?
Elias VS MVP!
The Drifter wants into the Rumble, but he’s taking on the man who Montel Vontavius Porter claims is the future Royal Rumble winner. But MVP isn’t dressed to compete? He has a mic to say, “You seem confused, Elias. Did you think you were gonna face me tonight? Oh, well I’m sorry, Mr. Rock ‘n’ Roll man. It seems we had a communication breakdown. That’s what happens when you don’t have any pull around here. You get left out of the loop. And I know that lately, things have not been going well for you, but they’re about to get a lot worse. Because you are facing the 2023 Royal Rumble winner, but it’s not me. It’s this man.”
IT’S OMOS!! Elias realizes what he’s gotten himself into. The Nigerian Giant is back, and he’s ready to make his return a devastating one! Will Elias even be able to walk away after this?
The bell rings and Elias rushes in! He fires off on Omos, the fans fire up, but Omos TOSSES Elisa to the corner! Omos runs in, Elias dodges, then he fires off again! Omos shoves Elias away, then BOOTS him down! Omos looms over Elias and taunts him. Elias rolls out of the ring, the ref wants Omos to stay in the ring. Omos backs off, but then goes out the side! Only for Elias to RAM him into the apron! Elias fires off hands all over! Elias goes up the steps and hops on for a SLEEPER! But Omos TOSSES Elias away! Elias gets up, Omos runs in, but Elias dodges! Omos POSTS himself! Elias then runs in, but MVP stands in the way!
Fans boo, Elias pushes MVP aside, but MVP threatens Elias with his cane. Elias backs off, to get his guitar! Fans fire up but Omos grabs the guitar! And then HEADBUTTS Elias! MVP tells Omos to do something about the guitar, so Omos SMASHES it on the grounds! Omos chases Elias back into the ring, but he gets a GAMANGIRI! Omos staggers, into a SYMPHO-KNEE! And then another! Elias runs, to SYMPHO-KNEE again! Omos falls to his knees!? MVP freaks out as Elias climbs, only for Omos to grab him with both hands! MOUNTAINTOP SLAM!! Cover, Omos wins!
Winner: Omos, by pinfall
The giant is back, and he’s continuing where he left off. Will Omos follow through on MVP’s promise and win the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble match?
Backstage interview with Adam Pearce.
Byron Saxton finally gets his chance to talk with Pearce, and he asks us for a taste of what’s in store for Raw 30 next week. Pearce had a feeling Byron would ask that. Pearce can promise us that Raw 30 will be unforgettable, perhaps even the greatest Raw of them all. Tonight’s Six Way main event and it only gets bigger! Six of Raw’s top superstars, all fighting for a chance at the US Championship on Raw 30. That’s big. But in comes Akira Tozawa! He has something that’s bigger: The Royal Rumble! And he wants in! Pearce appreciates that, but they can’t just throw opportunities around. Tozawa has to earn a spot.
Then Tozawa wants a match tonight. Tozawa will show Pearce that he deserves to be in the Rumble. Well, Pearce can’t promise anything, but he will give Tozawa a match. No promises, but if Tozawa wins, it can go a long way in considering him for the Rumble. That’s good by Tozawa. LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE! The Stamina Monster pumps himself up, but just who will he face in order to prove himself?
The Judgment Day VS The Alpha Academy!
Whether or not Dominik actually served hard time in a dangerous prison, he at least stepped up for the team when they needed him most. Dom and Damian are taking on the Usos next week, will Chad Gable & Otis be the perfect tune-up? Or will “Master Gable” and his number one guy create another situation of medical disqualification?
The teams sort out and Dom starts against Gable. They circle, Dom eggs Gable on, and then Dom calls for a test of strength. Gable fakes Dom out with a step and gets him to fall on his face! Fans laugh at Dom but Rhea coaches Dom. Gable and Dom reset, circle, and Dom avoids Gable to tag Priest. Priest and Gable circle, approach, and Gable avoids Priest’s grapple. Gable comes back to go for a leg but Priest gut wrenches him up! Priest throws Gable away, they go again. Gable waistlocks, avoids the elbow, and holds onto the hold. Priest reaches around but can’t find Gable. Priest pries the waistlock open and he throws Gable out!
Gable finds himself in enemy territory, he hurries back in, and he ties up with Priest. Priest wrenches an arm, Gable rolls and bridges to roll and handspring and wrench back. Gable headlocks, spins and drop toeholds, but Priest stays up! Priest stomps but Gable avoids it! The two stand off and fans rally up. Gable bobs ‘n’ weaves to avoid the hands, and then he blocks a kick to get an ANKLE LOCK! Priest hops his way to a corner, the ref calls the ropebreak, and Priest kicks Gable away. Gable runs in but Priest BOOTS him down! Priest stares Otis down, goes back to Gable, and Priest fires off hands. Priest whips corner to corner, runs in, but only gets buckles!
Gable gest the leg, DRAGON SCREW! Tag to Otis and Cincy fires up! Gable cravats Priest and Otis runs, to BELLY BUMP him! Fans fire up and Otis storms up to wrench Priest. Otis wristlocks Priest, tags Gable, and Gable goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Gable BLASTS Dom, too, but Priest headlocks. Gable powers out, Priest whips Gable and Dom holds the ropes! Gable tumbles out to the floor hard, and Rhea mocks Gable while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Gable has Dom in a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Gable lets off and Dom scrambles away to tag Priest. Priest chases Gable and POUNCES him before he reaches Otis! Priest glares at Otis, taunts Gable, and then he KICKS Gable! And KICKS! And KICKS! Fans rally for Otis but Priest hits a ROLLING ELBOW on Gable Priest runs in to back elbow! Then suplex for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Gable is showing his toughness, but Priest sucker punches Otis! Fans boo but Priest puts Gable up top. Gable fires forearms but Priest ROCKS Gable with one! Tag to Dom and Dom climbs up after Gable.
Dom CLUBS Gable, brings him up to the top, and gives some Latino Heat. Fans boo but Gable throws body shots! Gable shoves Dom down! Rhea freaks out, Gable adjusts, and Gable DIVING HEADBUTTS!! Even Finn and Rhea are shocked! Both men are down, and fans fire up as Otis is back! Gable and Dom crawl, hot tags to Priest and Otis! Cincy fires up as the tree trunk rallies on the Punisher! And on Dom! Otis gives Dom a BELLY BUMP! Otis scoops Priest, Priest slips off to BELL CLAP! Priest choke grips, but Otis breaks free to HEADBUTT! Priest rebounds, to SUPERKICK! Otis rebounds, to scoop and WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!! Cover, TWO!!!
Priest survives being compacted and he gets up. Priest BOOTS Otis away, Dom tags in, but Otis SPALSHES them both! Otis whips Priest to a corner, to SPLASH again! Priest wobbles, then falls into the drop zone! Fans fire up again as Gable says it’s time! Otis activates the CATERPILLAR SPLASH! Tag to Gable, and Otis goes up, only for Dom to trip Gable! Gable hits an EXPLODER on Dom! But Priest CLUBS Otis, climbs up and choke grips! SUPER SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!! But Gable hits the CHAOS THEORY!! But Dom is legal, he rolls Gable up! TWO!!! Gable has the leg! ANKLE LOCK!!! Dom flails, Rhea and Finn freak out, they push the ropes!
The ref reprimands, Gable drags Dom away, but now Rhea and Finn distract the ref! Priest BELL CLAPS Gable! And SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Dom crawls to cover, Judgment Day wins!
Winners: The Judgment Day, by pinfall
Gable and his 4.0 GPA should’ve known, four is greater than two! Dom survives thanks to Mami, but will he and Priest be able to do the same to The Usos? Or will Dom be back in lockdown for Raw 30?
The WWE honors Martin Luther King Jr.
A man had a dream for a better world. A dream that his children would one day live in a nation where they are not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. That the greatness of America is the right to protest for rights. That though we are not satisfied, we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness flows like a mighty stream. He knew he would not make it there with us, but that as a people, we would one day reach the promised land. And his dream lives on that one day, all of God’s children, Black men and White men, will join hands and sing, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, free at last.”
Iyo Sky w/ Dakota Kai VS “Michin” Mia Yim!
While the Role Model has a cage match with Becky to worry about next week, the Evil Genius is going to fight to prove the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are still razor sharp. But will Iyo be able to cut down #MICHIN? Or will Mia prove she is still the Head Baddie In Charge?
But what’s this? Mia knows not to trust #CobraKai at ringside, so she’s bringing the Poison Pixie! Mrs. Wrestling, Candice LeRae, is familiar with DMG CTRL even before they came to Raw, so will she be able to watch Mia’s back in this one? The bell rings and Mia circles with Iyo. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Iyo pulls hair! Mia throws Iyo down by her hair in return! The ref reprimands them both and they reset. Iyo kicks low, whips Mia but Mia reverses then follows. Mia redirects and DROPKICKS Iyo down! Iyo goes to a corner but Mia runs in to forearm smash! Mia whip scorner to corner, Iyo slips out and then taunts Mia.
Mia swings but Iyo goes Matrix to dodge the haymaker! Iyo goes to buckle bump but Mia blocks to elbow her away. Mia drags Iyo up but Iyo HOTSHOTS Mia! Iyo steps up but she has to hop back down as Mia rushes in. Iyo avoids the shoulder to KICK Mia back! Iyo then goes up top, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as Mia flounders away and Iyo kips up. Iyo runs corner to corner, SHINKANSEN! Cover, TWO! Iyo is annoyed and she CLUBS away on Mia. Iyo bumps Mia off buckles, pulls Mia’s hair, and grinds her against the ropes! The ref reprimands, Iyo talks trash on Mia in Japanese, but Mia pushes her away. Then BOOTS her!
Mia runs to fire off forearms on Iyo, but Iyo catches one to a takedown! CROSSFACE! Mia endures, pries free, but then Iyo hooks the arm again into a LEBELL LOCK! Mia endures, rolls Iyo, TWO!! Iyo lets Mia go, and she DOUBLE CHOPS Mia down! Iyo drags Mia around, underhooks the arms, but Mia drops down and Alabama Lifts to back drop! But Iyo lands on her feet?! SHOTEI! Mia wobbles, Iyo fires up, but Mia reels her in for a lift! Iyo fights the suplex with elbows! Iyo runs, but Mia blocks the rana! Mia powers Iyo back up, Iyo fights the bomb, but Mia hits a NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Candice coaches Mia.
Mia stands up but Iyo follows. Mia blocks, ROCKS and repeat! Mia BOOTS Iyo, then ROUNDHOUSES her down! Iyo gets up, into another KICK! Iyo staggers into a FLAPJACK! Mia runs to basement dropkick! Mia doesn’t stop, she whips Io, only for Iyo to hold ropes. Iyo breaks free, Mia ducks the kick and waistlocks, but Iyo resists. Mia shifts to a wheelbarrow GERMAN SUPLEX! Mia then wrenches Iyo’s arm, but Dakota distracts her from the apron! Iyo trips Mia, jackknife bridges, TWO! Candice YANKS Dakota down! Fans fire up but Iyo WRECKS Candice with a dropkick! So Mia wrenches Iyo for EAT DA FEET! Cover, Mia wins!
Winner: Mia Yim, by pinfall
But Dakota goes after Mia! Fans boo but Candice gets in to BOOT Dakota down! And then CODE BREAKER! Dakota flops out of the ring, and Cincy cheers as Candice and Mia stand tall! Will these two go after those tag titles now that numbers are even?
Bianca Belair is here!
The RawEST Women’s Champion returns after the damage done by Alexa Bliss. Bianca gets a mic and the fans cheer for the “EST! EST!” Bianca says, “Now, I know it’s only been a couple of weeks, but I have missed y’all so so so so much. You best believe, if it was up to me, I would never miss a Monday Night Raw. But with this job, this job that I have, this job that I absolutely love, it’s just not possible without risk. Just like the risk of me getting my face busted right there on those steel steps. But y’know what? Even if I end up with this scar on my face after what Alexa did to me, I would still face her. Again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again!”
Fans cheer Bianca’s resolve, and she says that with every risk comes the reward of remaining your Raw Women’s Champion! Fans cheer that, too! “EST! EST!” Bianca tells Alexa, “I might not have been here last week, but you best believe that I heard everything you had to say, so now, I wanna know if you got the guts to come out here and actually say it to my face.” And here comes Alexa! Twisted Miss Bliss has a new take on her theme song, and she has a mic to tell Bianca that she will gladly repeat herself for Bianca and anyone else that needs to hear it. “You fear me because you don’t know what to expect from me. No one does.
“But let me let you in on a little something going on in my mind right now. The Royal Rumble is in two weeks-” Bianca says, “Girl, uh-uh. I’m just gonna stop you right there. I mean, do you really wanna try to beat 29 other women to try and get a title opportunity at WrestleMania? Or, do you wanna face me for the Raw Women’s Championship at Royal Rumble?” Fans like the sound of that, too! Alexa says, “What’s the catch?” Bianca steps outside the ring to say that Alexa is the one who wants to be in control. So the choice is hers. Alexa says, “I’ll see you at Rumble.” The match is made, but Bianca says Alexa can see her tonight.
The belts and jackets are put aside, the jewelry comes off, and the forearms fly! Bianca then POSTS Alexa! And RAMS her into barriers! And into the apron! And then the apron again, and again, and again! Bianca aims, whips, but Alexa reverses! Bianca stops from hitting the steps, and she elbows Alexa back! Bianca shoves Alexa into more barriers, then runs in, only for Alexa to toss her up and over! Alexa checks her chin, stands up, but so does Bianca! Bianca turns Alexa around and drags her over! They brawl in front of fans! Bianca tosses Alexa, then BOOTS her into the wall! And then fires away with clubbing forearms!
Bianca shoves Alexa into a trash can! And then she sits some chairs up, kicks Alexa around, and then brings Alexa to the chairs! Bianca torture racks Alexa! But the light! UNCLE HOWDY IS HERE?!? He’s creeping up and Alexa slips free! DDT to the floor!! Howdy waves hi to Alexa, and Alexa realizes she may not really be in control. One way or another, will Twisted Lil’ Bliss take the title from Bianca now that she revels in what she is?
Akira Tozawa VS ???
The Stamina Monster wants to prove himself worthy of a spot in the Men’s Royal Rumble, but that meant taking on whoever Adam Pearce could find. So who did Pearce fine? THE COLOSSAL BRONSON REED! Will Tozawa not survive the Tsunami coming for him?
The bell rings and the two circle. Reed corners, Tozawa, clinches him, and hits a SNAP Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Tozawa fights up but Bronson has a rear bearhug! Tozawa grabs the ropes, the ref counts and Reed lets off at 4. Tozawa DROPKICKS Reed, but Reed stays up! Tozawa fires off a strike fest, SOBATS, and runs into a BODY PRESS!! Fans feel that one, and Reed stands Tozawa up to HEADBUTT! Reed CHOPS Tozawa and Tozawa staggers away, chest stinging! Reed CLUBS away on Tozawa, stomps a mudhole in, but he lets off as the ref counts. Reed drags Tozawa up, whips him corner to corner, then SPLASHES!
Tozawa sputters, falls over, and Reed says Tozawa’s got nothing. Reed drags Tozawa up, scoops him, and SLAMS him! Then Reed runs to ROLLING SENTON! Reed grins and dusts off his hands. Reed then drops onto Tozawa to clamp on another rear bearhug. Tozawa endures, fans rally up, and Tozawa fights up. Tozawa throws elbows, but Reed CLUBS him down! Reed back suplexes, but Tozawa lands on his feet! SOBAT, spin, slide under, and SPIN KICK! Reed wobbles, Tozawa runs, and RANAS! Reed tumbles out of the ring and Tozawa runs to dropkick Reed away! Tozawa keeps going, and DIVES! Direct hit and Reed hits barriers!
Fans fire up with Tozawa but Reed is still standing. Tozawa goes to the apron, CANNONBALLS, but he gets caught! BARRIER BOMB!! Reed leaves Tozawa behind to refresh the ring. And then from the apron, FLYING SHOULDER!! Tozawa gets plastered to the floor! Reed drags Tozawa up, puts him in the ring, and then climbs up the corner. Fans freak out but here comes the TSUNAMI!! Cover, Reed wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
Not even all the stamina in the world could withstand that! Will Bronson Reed prove to everyone that he is the Top Dog around here?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
The Visionary is fired up and he says, “Just when I think I’m out, the United States title pulls me back in, Saxton.” Rollins had his eyes set, his mind made up, he was going to the Royal Rumble to then go on to WrestleMania. But then the WWE officials called, they said, “Sethy, it’s Monday night, it’s the main event, we need you! We need you! Are you in?” Rollins said, “hey, hey, hey! We are in Cincinnati, baby~! The town that loves to party~! The town that loves to sing. So of course I’m in! Old plan out, new plan in.
“Are you ready? Are you ready? Tonight, I win the Six Pack Challenge. Next week on Raw 30, I take back my United States Championship. I go on to San Antonio, win the Royal Rumble, and then take it all the way to the main event of WrestleMania, where I kick Roman Reigns’ ass like only I can! In the immortal words of the great Freddy Mercury, I want it all, and I want it now! HAHAHAHA!” The Visionary has seen his new path forward, but will he be able to make it a reality against the five other top stars he’s going up against?”
WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Six Pack Elimination Match: Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley VS Finn Balor VS Baron Corbin VS Dolph Ziggler VS The Miz!
From the Visionary to the All Mighty to the Prince to the Modern Day Wrestling God to the Show-Off to the Hollywood A-Lister, they are ALL former United States Champions. Austin Theory is The Now, but who will be his next challenger?
But of course, Austin Theory himself makes his way out to ringside. Rollins dares “the kid” to come closer, but the bell rings and brawls are on! Corbin goes after Lashley, Miz goes after Ziggler, and Finn goes after Rollins! Miz stomps Ziggler at the ropes, Corbin fires off in a corner, but Rollins DECKS Finn first! Lashley goes out after Corbin, Rollins goes after Finn, and Cincy fires up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Rollins is back in the ring with Finn, but they’re still throwing haymakers! Fans fire up while Ziggler still has Miz, just by commentary, and Lashley still brawls with Corbin at the ramp. Ziggler SMACKS Miz off the desk! Finn and Rollins hockey scrum, but then Finn blocks a kick! Finn spins Rollins but Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS! Finn CHOPS! Rollins PELES! Finn PELES! Both those men go down while Theory is on commentary, saying it is so great seeing all six men fight for his title. Lashley aims at Corbin, but JBL CLUBS him!? Fans boo JBL but he realizes he messed up as Lashley storms up on him.
But then Corbin KNEES Lashley down and into the barriers! Ziggler has Miz against barriers, eh runs in, but Miz tosses him into the timekeeper’s area! Miz grins while Theory talks trash on all six men being “the past.” Miz drags Ziggler back up, but Ziggler HEADBUTTS him! Ziggler then hops onto the barrier, to SATELLITE DDT Miz to the floor! Meanwhile, Rollins has Finn in a fireman’s carry, for a GUTBUSTER! Finn clutches his ribs while he’s down, and Rollins climbs up top. Fans fire up but Corbin trips Rollins! Fans boo, Theory says that is what Rollins deserves, and Corbin climbs up after Rollins.
Rollins resists the superplex and throws body shots! Finn hops up, he CHOPS Rollins, then helps Corbin out. But then Lashley joins in on that! Cincy fires up for the TOWER OF DOOM!! Lashley stands tall after that Superplex Double Powerbomb and Cincy loses their minds! Lashley then aims at Rollins, runs in, but Rollins sends the Spear into the POST! Miz LARIATS Rollins! Ziggler jumps at Lashley but Lashley shrugs him off! Miz full nelsons, Lashley throws him off! Ziggler comes back, FAMOUSER for Lashley! And then Miz hits the SKULL CRUSHING FINALE! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives Miz’s best shot and Miz can’t believe it!
Miz stands, Ziggler jumps in, but Miz stops the satellite DDT this time! Miz puts Ziggler in the corner to fire off KICK after KICK after KICK! Miz runs corner to corner, to A-LIST LARIAT! Miz pushes Ziggler down, he BOOTS Corbin away, then slides to sunset flip Ziggler! TWO, but Miz BOOTS Ziggler back down! Fans boo but Miz waits on Ziggler. Miz KICKS Ziggler, but then Finn rolls Miz up! TWO!! Miz kicks the bad ribs, then fires off KICK after KICK and KICK! Miz BUZZSAWS Finn down, then he runs in at Ziggler. Ziggler ducks the Buzzsaw but Miz blocks the Superkick! Miz trips Ziggler, and steps through for the FIGURE FOUR!
Fans “WOO~!” as Ziggler endures! Miz puts on as much pressure as he can but Ziggler fights to turn things! Miz tries to stop that but Ziggler pushes it through! Miz endures the leglock! CURB STOMP!! Cover on Miz, Rollins ELIMINATES him! We’re finally down to five and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Ziggler is in one corner while Rollins is in another, as Finn and Corbin seem to be working together again. They mug Rollins in one corner, then Finn goes after Ziggler. Finn throws body shots to keep him down, then he whips Corbin in. Corbin SPLASHES Ziggler and Ziggler falls down! Finn whips Corbin the other way, but Rollins dodges! Corbin slides out, but Lashley is there to CLOBBER him! Finn CLOBBERS Rollins but realizes what happened to Corbin. Lashley fireman’s carries Corbin, but Finn makes the save! And then he and Corbin POST Lashley! Finn gets in the ring, but Rollins rallies on him!
Rollins SUPERKICKS, front kicks, then DISCUS LARIATS! Finn flops out of the ring but Rollins goes to the apron. Rollins hits a FLYING KNEE and down goes Finn! Rollins sees Theory on commentary, grabs the water, takes a big sip, and then SPITS it at Theory! Theory gets all flustered but Rollins puts Finn in the ring. But Finn dragon sleepers! Rollins drops down, kicks him away, but Corbin scoops Rollins! Ziggler saves Rollins to fire hands on Corbin! Rollins joins in, they pinball Corbin with haymakers! They fake Corbin out, to stomp his foot and DROPKICK Corbin down! Rollins and Ziggler stare down, but they understand it worked for Finn and Corbin, so…
They run to forearm smash and splash Corbin and Finn! Then they run the other way to hit another! Then Lashley drags Corbin out of the ring to RAM him into steel steps! Ziggler rolls Rollins up! TWO, Rollins rolls Ziggler up! TWO, and Rollins runs, but he dodges the Superkick to DIVE onto Lashley and Corbin! Finn bumps Ziggler off buckles, then he runs to FLY! Finn takes out everyone else! But then Ziggler climbs up top! The Show-Off SUPER CROSSBODIES! Direct hit on all four other men! Cincy fires up as all five are down, and JBL is beside himself. Ziggler stands up, he drags Corbin up and puts him in the ring.
Ziggler goes to the apron but Corbin KICKS the ropes! Ziggler gets jammed up, Corbin reels him in to POPWER- NO, Ziggler slips off! SUPERKICK!! Ziggler has to fight off Finn, and then Lashley runs in! Ziggler KNEES Lashley, then hits the ZIGZAG! Finn goes up top, leaps, but into a SUPERKICK! Rollins returns, kicks and underhooks, PEDIGREE on Ziggler!! Cover, Rollins ELIMINATES Ziggler! The Visionary has taken out the first two, and Theory is still fuming, as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again, Corbin and Finn are still working together. Corbin whips Finn in to RAM Rollins, then he whips Finn in to RAM Lashley! Corbin helps Finn up and whips him the other way, to RAM Rollins again! Finn wants Corbin to hold on, the ribs are still bugging him. Corbin whips Finn back in, but then reverses direction to hit a DEEP SIX!! Cover, TWO!! Corbin rains down fists, the alliance now over! But Rollins goes after Corbin. Corbin ROCKS Rollins with haymaker after haymaker, showing off those Golden Gloves! Corbin eggs Rollins on, so Rollins ROCKS Corbin back! Rollins fires off fast hands and fans fire up!
Corbin shoves Rollins away, puts him on the apron, but Rollins elbows Corbin away. Rollins slingshots, but Corbin DECKS him outta the air! Rollins falls to the floor but Lashley storms up behind Corbin. JBL tries to warn Corbin but Lashley fires a haymaker! Corbin hits back, they brawl, and Lashley gets the edge! Lashley whips corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines! Lashley keeps moving, he RAMS into Corbin! And again! And again! Lashley drags Corbin out to hit a NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as Lashley clotheslines Corbin out of the ring! Finn returns but gets run over! Lashley drags Finn up, but Rollins runs in! Lashley catches Rollins, too! COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO!
Lashley kicks Rollins, hoists him up, and hits the DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and Lashley focuses on Finn. Finn is on the apron, but Lashley blocks his gamangiri! Lashley drags Finn up to suplex him! Lashley holds Finn up, and then SLAMS him down! Fans fire up and Lashley soaks it all up. Finn slowly rises, Lashley is ready, but wait, here comes OMOS! MVP is behind the Nigerian Giant as he walks to the ring, and Lashley remembers going a couple rounds with him. Corbin returns, runs, and he LARIATS Lashley down! Corbin clotheslines Finn in the corner,. then runs again. Finn dodges to SLINGBLADE!
Corbin gest up at the ropes, but Rollins clotheslines him and himself out of the ring! Finn focuses on Lashley, runs in and SHOTGUNS! Lashley hits buckles and is down in the drop zone! Finn goes up, COUP DE GRACE!! But CURB STOMP OUTTA NOWHERE!! Rollins covers, Rollins ELIMINATES Finn!! Rollins has taken out HALF the field! Rollins aims at Corbin, but Corbin avoids the stomp! Corbin throws Rollins into barriers, then whips him at the steps. Rollins hops up and over, Corbin rushes in, into a SUPERKICK! Theory scowls at Rollins but Rollins hurries to the apron. Omos grabs Rollins?! Omos TOSSES Rollins over the announce desk!
Fans boo and Omos glares at Corbin. Corbin stands, even he looks small compared to Omos. Corbin gets in the ring, SPEAER from Lashley!! Lashley covers and ELIMINATES Corbin! Rollins and Lashley are the last two standing, Theory now knows he’s having a rematch either way. Lashley tells MVP and Omos to stay out of his business, but Theory BELT SHOTS Lashley!! Theory wants to high-five Omos, but Omos choke grips him! Omos lifts Theory up near the desk, but Theory fights the grip! Theory drags Omos out along the desk, and Rollins CURB STOMPS Omos down!! The Nigerian Giant isn’t in the match but count that as being eliminated!
Rollins then LEAPS at Theory, CLOBBERS him, then clotheslines him over the barriers! Rollins runs into the ring, he wants after Lashley, but MVP is on the apron! SUPERKICK for MVP! Rollins runs, into a SPEAR!!! Cover, Lashley wins!!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE United States Championship)
Theory gets back up, and he sees the All Mighty is the last man standing! Will Lashley have his vengeance on The Now to become THE NEW US Champion for Raw’s 30th anniversary?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, especially as a go-home to the special “RAW IS XXX” 30th anniversary episode. For one, great linking of stories again as the Bloodline shows up to talk trash on Kevin Owens, but they’re confronted by the Judgment Day first. The quality comedy in that promo comes from the subtext that Dom is acting hard to guys who have actually been arrested for more than just being an uninvited guest. But there was also a great stare down from Solo and Rhea and then the brawl that Ali got in on. Solo VS Ali was a great match but of course Solo wins. And of course Kevin comes out to go after Solo & The Usos to give us a great brawl.
We also got good promos from Judgment Day and Alpha Academy backstage ahead of their tag match, and the match was great stuff. Fans are back to liking Otis, so maybe the Alphas can turn Face soon. Judgment Day should stay Heel since Dom is being fake hard. And as such, they win the Heel way and have momentum going into the Raw Tag title match. That’s going to be a great match, and I feel like of the two choices, Usos could drop the Raw titles and still go strong with the SmackDown titles as the story with Sami and Kevin continues. And good promo from Ali to get in Ziggler’s face, that is definitely a feud that can happen for the Rumble match and beyond.
Good new video for Cody Rhodes, and of course he’s back in time for the Royal Rumble. Cody is a frontrunner for winning that so that he can get at the world title. And it was good story for the roster to be talking with Pearce about getting a spot in the Men’s Rumble. Tozawa VS Reed coming about because of that was a good move, and of course Reed wins. Reed should definitely have a strong showing in the Rumble to better establish himself. And of course MVP was tricking Elias. Omos is back as MVP’s client, and Omos squashes Elias to reestablish himself just in time for the Rumble. Omos meeting Reed in that match will be awesome stuff, too.
Great match from Profits VS Cedric & Shelton, but MVP seems to be serious about reestablishing the Hurt Business. It didn’t really work out for Cedric & Shelton here, but I’m sure MVP will keep trying to convince them to join him again. However, MVP and Omos getting involved ultimately did help Lashley, so maybe Lashley will be more open to the idea of reforming the group. Lashley VS Theory is going to be a really good match, but even with next week being the 30th anniversary episode, I just don’t see Theory dropping the title yet. If the Hurt Business does reform, Lashley will be their world title guy and Omos can move into being the midcard guy.
And great stuff from the Women’s Division here. Great promos from Bianca and Alexa to establish a title match for the Rumble, and great brawl where Uncle Howdy again makes his presence known on Raw. As I said before, this is probably going to turn more into Alexa VS Howdy’s control over her rather than Alexa VS Bianca, and that will help Bianca retain. Becky gives another great promo with Bayley that just shuts Bayley down, then tricks her into a cage match. Bayley says she’ll do this without Kai & Sky but you can’t trust that. But even if Kai & Sky get involved, I think Becky should and will come out on top. Plus, Kai & Sky have Mia & Candice to worry about. We got a good match out of Mia VS Iyo, but that was all mostly to set up Mia and Candice as a team so Kai & Sky can defend the tag titles again.
My Score: 8.4/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
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