Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/11/23)
The second round begins!

Will the New Japan Cup stay tranquilo?
Tetsuya Naito and Sanada are both in the second round, and are now up against Bullet Club’s Chase Owens & Kenta! Will LIJ be tranquilo? Or will the cup be just Too Sweet?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Tama Tonga, Toru Yano & Oskar Leube VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS David Finlay & El Phantasmo; Finlay & ELP win.
- 8 Man Tag: Just4Guys VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Chaos wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Shota Umino & Ren Narita; Okada & Tanahashi win.
- New Japan Cup 2023 Second Round: Tetsuya Naito VS Chase Owens; Naito wins and advances.
- New Japan Cup 2023 Second Round: SANADA VS KENTA; Sanada wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Shota Umino & Ren Narita!
The Dream Team of the present takes on a dream team of the future! The Rainmaker & The Ace didn’t get the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, but will they stay strong as a duo? Or will the Roughneck and the Son of Strong Style show NJPW’s future is in good hands?
Tanahashi shows off the abs and fans cheer. The teams sort out and the young stars DOUBLE DROPKICK the Dream Team! The bell rings as Narita and Shota stomp away on Okada! They double whip and double shoulder tackle Okada! Tanahashi returns, but into double elbows! Fans cheer the guts the young stars are showing as they stomp Okada again. The ref reprimands, Narita backs off and Shota whips Okada. Shota elbows Okada down, and Narita PENALTY KICKS! Shota adds a basement dropkick, covers, TWO! Shota and Narita drag Okada up, bump him off buckles, then stomp a mudhole into him!
The ref reprimands again, both young stars dig their boots in, and Shota even shoves the ref! Then they stomp Okada more! Narita and Shota drag Okada up, whip him corner to corner, and Shota runs in to elbow! Narita runs in to elbow, and then Narita and Shota double suplex! Fans cheer, Shota covers, but Tanahashi stomps it. Shota and Narita mug Tanahashi then throw him out. Shota drags Okada up and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Narita, and Narita stomps Okada more. Narita stands Okada up to ROCK him with a forearm! Narita stomps away on Okada, but Okada gets up to fire forearm!
Okada eggs Narita on and Narita ROCKS Okada! Narita runs, but into the FLAPJACK! Fans fire up and Okada tags in Tanahashi. The Ace brings up Narita and whips him into a corner. Tanahashi fires body shots, fans rally up as he whips corner to corner. Tanahashi runs in, he blocks Narita’s boot, and he DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi drags Narita by the leg, ties it up with the other, and has the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! Shota storms in and Tanahashi lets Narita go. Fans fire up seeing the generational mirror images stare down, but the ref gets Shota to back down. Okada gets in to stomp away on Narita for earlier!
Tanahashi drags Narita up, he wrenches the arm and tags Okada in. Okada CLUBS the arm, throws Narita out, then drags Narita up to scoop and SLAM on the floor! Okada gets in to BLAST Shota! Okada whips Shota into railing! And then stalks him to scoop and SLAM on the floor! The Rainmaker’s wrath has been satiated for the moment and he drags Narita back into the ring. Okada stands on Narita for a cocky cover, ONE! Fans rally while Okada tags Tanahashi. Tanahashi stomps Narita, he drags Narita up, and then scoops Narita to SLAM him into the drop zone. Fans fire up as Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally as Tanahashi stays between Narita and his corner. Tanahashi drags Narita up but Narita fires off forearms! Tanahashi fires a strike fest in return! Narita UPPERCUTS! And KICKS, but Tanahashi blocks to CLUB the leg! Tanahashi runs, into a WHEEL KICK! Fans fire up as both men are down! Narita and Tanahashi crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies and then scoops to DROP, and then runs to UPPERCUT! Shota BLASTS Okada in return for earlier! Shota whips Tanahashi to a corner, runs in and UPPERCUTS! Then he FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Shota BLASTS Okada again!
Fans fire up as #SHOOTER gets the legs, for the STF! Tanahashi endure but Okada storms in to stomp away on Shota! Okada ROCKS Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Okada flops out of the ring! Shota goes back to Tanahashi, clinches, but Tanahashi fights him off with elbows. Tanahashi catches Shota but Shota fires elbows back! Shota swings, into a spin, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Hot tag to Okada! Fans fire up more as Okada stands Shota up. Wrench and MONEY CLIP! Shota endures, fans rally, but Okada squeezes tight on the hold!
Shota fights up, moves around, and powers Okada back. Okada sends him into the corner, runs in, but Shota dodges! Shota runs but Okada catches him, spins, but into a clinch! EXPLODER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Okada and Shota crawl, hot tag to Narita! Fans fire up as Narita fires off forearms on Okada and has him in the corner! The ref counts, Narita lets off, and then runs in, into a BOOT! But he comes back to DECK Okada! Narita snarls, drags Okada up, and whips him corner to corner. Narita runs in to back elbow! And then HALF HATCH BRIDGE! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up more and Narita snarls. Narita drags Okada up, clinches, but Okada fights the suplex! Okada CLUBS Narita, but Narita ROCKS Okada. Narita runs, but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up again and Okada calls in Tanahashi. The Dream Team double whip Narita to a corner. Tanahashi sends Okada in but Narita dodges to BOOT Tanahashi! Okada runs at Narita to UPPERCUT! Okada runs, into a clinch! EXPLODER BRIDGE!! TWO!!! Okada escapes but Narita roars! Fans rally behind him and he drags Okada up by the wrists. Narita reels Okada in, NARITA SPECIAL #4!! Bridging cover, TWO!!
But Narita still has the wrists! Only for Okada to short arm LARIAT! Okada drags Narita up, to short arm LARIAT again! Okada stalks Narita, drags him up and wristlocks, ripcord, but Narita ducks! REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Shota BLASTS Tanahashi off the apron! Okada endures but he’s fading! Okada reaches out to ropes with eyes wide and face turning red! But Narita brings him back! Then shifts to the COBRA TWIST! Okada fights it, hip tosses free, but Narita stands up! Into a scoop and LANDSLIDE! Okada wristlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER!! But Shota runs in to fire off on Okada! Okada scops, Shota slips free!
Shota ROCKS Okada, runs, but into a SLINGBLADE from Tanahashi! The Dream Team roars and drags Shota up! Scoop SLAM and then they each go to corners! MACHO ELBOW, and then HIGH FLY FLOW!! Fans are thunderous and Okada waits on Narita. Okada eggs Narita on and Narita stands. Narita swings, into a ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Cover, The Dream Team wins!
Winners: Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Shota and Narita may be the future of NJPW, but the NOW is the Rainmaker and the Ace! Will nothing stop Okada from being the best in NJPW?
New Japan Cup 2023 Second Round: Tetsuya Naito VS Chase Owens!
The Uncontrollable Charisma has already fought the Bullet Club in the tournament by defeating El Phantasmo, but now he’s up against the Crown Jewel! Will Naito keep things tranquilo? Or will Chase pull off a Jewel Heist?
Naito takes his time with his entrance attire, and Chase keeps his patience. Chase even mocks Naito by taking his time with his own jacket. Fans applaud, and Chase is adamant the ref pats down Naito. The ref checks Naito, but it’s all so Chase can sucker punch Naito! Fans boo, the bell rings, and Chase digs his fingers in! The ref reprimands, Chase lets off to then stomp away on Naito! Chase stands on Naito and raises his fist to mock LIJ. The ref reprimands again, Chase steps away, and fans rally for Naito. Chase drags Naito up to throw hands, CHOPS, and then whips. Naito holds the ropes to stop himself, and he BOOTS Chase back!
Chase runs in but Naito dodges to arm-drag! And then he kicks to throw Chase out. Naito builds speed, but he just fakes Chase out. To then baseball slide dropkick after all! Fans applaud the double swerve and rally for “NA-I-TO!” The ring count starts and Chase sits up at 5 of 20. Chase stands at 9 but Naito goes out after him. Naito puts Chase in, stomps him, then cravats. Chase endures, throws body shots, but Naito thrashes him around. Chase throws more body shots but Naito cranks on the cravat! Chase fights up but Naito spins him to a NECKBREAKER! And then cover, TWO! Fans applaud as Chase toughs it out.
Naito drags Chase up by his hair, cravats again, and he thrashes Chase. Chase endures, goes to ropes, but Naito holds on. The ref reprimands and counts, Naito lets off, and Chase bails out. Fans rally, Chase checks his neck, and Naito waits in the ring. The count returns, Chase wants a timeout, but there are no timeouts! Naito goes out after Chase and throws hands. Then Naito whips Chase into railing! Chase drops to his knees and Naito walks over. Naito drags Chase up, to whip him into more railing! Naito drags Chase up and into the ring and fans applaud. But then Chase bails out the side. Naito is annoyed but he still pursues.
Chase RAMS Naito into the apron! And then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into the railing! Both men are down and the ref goes out to check. Chase gets up and in the ring while Naito still writhes. Fans rally up for Naito as the ring count starts. Chase goes back out after Naito, brings Naito up and whips him into railing hard! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Chase goes out after Naito, snatches a LIJ Naito teddy bear, and he drops an elbow on it! Chase kicks it away, then he stands on Naito at the ropes! The ref counts, Chase salutes but steps off at 4. Fans rally, Chase drags Naito up and headlocks, to punch!
Fans rally for Naito while he writhes, but Chase just smirks. Chase whips Naito to a corner, runs in to FOREARM, then leg sweep and slingshot! “SUCK IT!” Basement dropkick! Chase mocks the Combinacion Cabron with the, uh, Combinacion Dulce? Chase even mocks the tranquilo and the eye opener. Fans rally for Naito but Chase drags him up to clamp onto the arms. CAMEL CLUTCH! Chase makes Naito open his eyes! And then he CROSSFACE FOREARMS! Chase mocks the fans rallying for Naito before bringing Naito up. Chase CLAWS Naito’s back! Naito swings but Chase ducks to then KNEE SMASH and mule kick!
Chase runs to SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Fans rally for Naito and Chase mockingly applauds. Chase kicks Naito around, slaps him around, then stands Naito up. Naito throws body shots and forearms! Naito whips, Chase reverses but Naito KICKS him back! Naito runs, but Chase scoops, rebounds off ropes and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Chase is annoyed but the fans rally back up. Chase looms over Naito, then drops a fist! Chase clamps onto Naito, fishhooks something of Naito’s face, then lets off as the ref reprimands. Chase brings Naito up to scoop and SLAM! Fans rally but Chase goes to the corner.
Chase takes Naito’s hat and puts it on, then climbs up. Chase leaps, but he blocks Naito’s boot! Chase drops an elbow, but misses anyway! Naito hits an atomic drop, turns Chase and hits a NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans rally back up. Chase staggers up but Naito fires off on him! Naito whips, ELBOWS Chase then runs to basement dropkick! Chase writhes, Naito whips him to the corner and runs in, JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION… CABRON! Naito tranquilos and fans rally up again. Naito snapmares Chase to wrap on the PLUMA BLANCA! Chase endures as Naito thrashes him!
Chase endures, Naito makes him open his eyes! Chase moves around, pushes his way over and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and the ref counts, but Naito pretends he needs help. The ref makes Naito let go and Chase writhes. Naito paces, drags Chase up and hammerlocks, but Chase CLUBS free! Naito kicks low, whips Chase but Chase reverses. Chase runs in to forearm smash, snapmare and “I HATE YOUR FACE!” SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Naito as he shakes out the cobwebs. Chase aims a finger gun at Naito, drags him up, and he tucks the arms. But Naito RAMS Chase to a corner!
Chase runs at Naito but into a wrench and heavy elbows! Chase falls to his knees, but Naito brings him up for more heavy elbows! Chase falls again, and Naito brings him up again. Naito throws even more heavy elbows! Fans fire up as Naito lets off. Naito brings Chase up, throws still more elbows, then lets him down. Naito goes up the corner, brings Chase in, for ESPERANZA! Fans fire up as Chase flounders, and Naito aims. CORRIENDO- NO, Chase drops in a Switchblade type move. Naito grabs at Chase, stands him up, and Chase cradles! TWO!! Naito escapes, Chase runs in to fire off a strike fest!
Chase whips, Naito reverses and ELBOWS! Chase runs back in, into an ENZIGURI! CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!?! Chase survives but Naito keeps cool. The fans fire up more, Naito stands Chase back up to wrench and tilt-o-whirl, but Chase blocks! SNAKE EYES! Chase then runs in to C-TRIGGER! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Chase sits up first and he crawls over to Naito. Chase drags Naito up, wrenches and hammerlocks, JEWEL HEIST!! Cover, TWO?!? Naito survives and fans fire up while Chase grows frustrated. Chase drags Naito back up, to POINT-BLANK C-TRIGGER!!
Chase then brings Naito around, tucks the arms, but Naito powers out with a back drop! Naito runs in at the corner but Chase puts him up top to GAMANGIRI! Naito wobbles and Chase climbs up after him. Chase drags Naito up into a fireman’s carries, but Naito throws down elbows! Naito adjusts up top, but Chase claws eyes! Chase has Naito in position for a SUPER STYLES CLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Naito survives again and Chase is shocked! Fans are thunderous now as Naito stirs. Chase runs in, C-TRIGGER!! And then the tuck, PACKAGE- NO, Naito fights it! Naito wrenches out, Chase ducks the backhand to C-TRIGGER!
Chase fireman’s carries, pops Naito up, but Naito VICTORY ROLLS! NAITO WINS!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (advances to the third round)
Naito shocks everyone by snatching that one away from Chase! Naito beats the Headbanga, he beats the Crown Jewel, is he going to be tranquilo all the way to the finals?
New Japan Cup 2023 Second Round: SANADA VS KENTA!
We just saw LIJ beat Bullet Club with Naito advancing, but can the Cold Skull follow in his leader’s footsteps? Or will the Fang Revived, the NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, keep things Too Sweet?
The bell rings and fans rally up for “SA-NA-DA!” already. Kenta decides to step out to the apron. But there are Kenta chants, so that encourages him to go back into the ring. Kenta and Sanada circle, feel things out, and Kenta gets around to a waistlock. Sanada wrenches free, waistlocks in return, but Kenta wrenches out to a wristlock. Sanada wrenches and wrenches to wristlock, but Kenta trips Sanada. Kenta has the leg for a toehold but Sanada keeps his shoulders up. Sanada chinlocks but Kenta pulls the toehold. Sanada hooks Kenta with his free leg and heh wants the armbar! Kenta moves around and pushes Sanada to a cover, TWO!
Sanada keeps hold of the arm but Kenta fights around again. Kenta pops free to get a headlock. Sanada endures, fans duel, and Kenta thrashes Sanada around. Sanada fights up to his feet, but Kenta grinds the hold more. Sanada pops out the back and he puts the headlock on. Kenta rolls Sanada to a cover, TWO and Sanada keeps the headlock. Kenta fights up, throws body shots, but Sanada holds on as Kenta tries to power out. Fans continue to duel, Kenta pulls hair and Red Shoes reprimands. Sanada holds onto the headlock, Kenta fights up, and Kenta powers out to then pull hair! Kenta headlocks back while Red Shoes reprimands.
Sanada endures the headlock now and he fights up. Kenta throws a headlock punch, grinds the hold again, but Sanada pries free. Sanada wrenches out and headlocks in return! Fans applaud this technical exchange, but Kenta powers out, only for Sanada to run him over! Things speed up, Sanada arm-drags and dropkicks! Fans fire up now as Sanada stands tall. Kenta stands but Sanada whips him. Kenta holds ropes and bails out. Sanada waits, Kenta goes around the way to catch his breath. Sanada rushes out after him but Kenta RAMS him into the apron! Kenta whips Sanada but Sanada reverses. Kenta stops himself, then drop toeholds Sanada into railing!
Fans rally and duel as Kenta drags Sanada up. Kenta whips Sanada hard into railing! Sanada falls to the floor and writhes, but Kenta is right on him. Kenta brings Sanada up as the ring count starts, and Kenta puts Sanada in. Then Kenta drags Sanada out to refresh the count! And Kenta whips Sanada hard into railing! Sanada falls over again and Red Shoes wants Kenta to get in the ring. Kenta drags Sanada up as the ring count climbs. Kenta puts Sanada in at 9 of 20 and fans applaud. Kenta tells Red Shoes he was listening, and then he sits Sanada up. Kenta KICKS Sanada in the back! Fans applaud, that was a sharp one.
Kenta mocks the Sanada fans, then sits Sanada up to KICK him again! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Kenta drags Sanada up again but Sanada throws body shots! Kenta knees low, trips him, and then gets the legs. Kenta tries to figure out the Paradise Lock but it’s frustrating. Kenta stomps Sanada and asks Milano Collection AT for help. Milano politely declines but Kenta throws Sanada out. Kenta again asks Milano for tips, then he DDTs Sanada to the floor! Sanada clutches his neck and writhes but Kenta goes around the way. Red Shoes checks Sanada, and Kenta looks under the ring. Kenta can’t find what he’s looking for, so he stomps Sanada.
Kenta has the Young Lions help him look, and Oiwa finds a roll of spare wrist tape. Kenta puts Sanada in the ring, drags him up, and whips him to ropes. Kenta ELBOWS Sanada down, covers, TWO! Fans rally but Kenta grabs the wrist tape. Kenta decides to use the tape to help in the Paradise Lock! Red Shoes reprimands but Kenta keeps going! Kenta’s improvised Paradise Lock seems to be working. More like Dystopia Lock or something. Fans rally up and Kenta grins as he aims from the corner. Kenta mocks Sanada, lets him suffer for a moment, runs up, but then stops! Kenta goes back to the corner to lounge on the top rope!
Kenta has fun as he runs, to then power walk back. Fans applaud the trolling, this is quite clever. Sanada tries to fight out of the tape hold, and Red Shoes isn’t sure what to do. Red Shoes turns Sanada over but Sanada is stuck like a turtle! Kenta asks what the heck Red Shoes is doing, but Red Shoes gets Sanada free. And then Kenta basement dropkicks Sanada! Kenta drags Sanada up fast to NECKBREAKER! Cover, but Red Shoes refuses because of the shenanigans! Fans applaud but Kenta argues with him. Red Shoes doesn’t budge, so Kenta drops knee after knee on Sanada’s face! Then he pulls down the kneepad, jumps, and scuffs Sanada!
Kenta drops another knee on Sanada, covers, TWO! Kenta is upset with Red Shoes again but the fans rally for Sanada. Kenta drags Sanada up, but Sanada CHOPS him! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Kenta SOBATS! Sanada ends up in a corner, Kenta runs in but Sanada dodges! Kenta bounces off buckles, into a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down. Sanada stands up first and he drags Kenta up. Kenta knees low! Kenta whips, Sanada reverses and hurdles, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up again while Kenta bails out. Sanada PLANCHAS and direct hit at the ramp!
Fans fire up more and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada is pleased. Sanada brings Kenta up and puts him in, then covers, TWO! Sanada drags Kenta up, fireman’s carries, but Kenta claws the eyes! Kenta goes to a corner, Sanada runs in but Kenta BOOTS him! Kenta goes up, reels Sanada in, TORNADO HOTSHOT! Sanada flops away and Kenta climbs up top. Kenta FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Kenta gets a leg to stepover and STF! Sanada endures and fans rally up. Kenta talks some trash but Sanada crawls his way forward! Kenta pulls back but Sanada still endures! Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK!
Fans applaud, Kenta lets off quickly and the fans rally and duel. Kenta drags Sanada up and waistlocks but Sanada elbows free. Sanada swings, but into a DDT! Cover, TWO!! Kenta keeps on the arm, hooks it up, but Sanada scrambles to avoid the rest of the hold! ROPEBREAK!! Kenta lets go in frustration, stomps Sanada to the apron and then kicks him more. Kenta drags Sanada through the ropes, but Sanada slips free to RAM Kenta into the corner! Sanada runs in but into a BOOT! Kenta runs in to BOOT again! But Sanada just scowls. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Kenta scowls, and he ROCKS Sanada with a forearm!
Sanada UPPERCUTS! Kenta FOREARMS! UPPERCUT! FOREARM! Fans rally as the shots keep going, and then Kenta BOOTS! Sanada rebounds, Kenta dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! Fans rally up again as both men stir. Sanada kips up! Fans fire up while Kenta goes to a corner. Sanada runs in, but into a BOOT! Sanada comes back, but Kenta dodges! Sanada goes up and out and springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up, Sanada drags Kenta up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, he has to bail out as Kenta moves!
Kenta runs in, waistlocks, and he shoves Sanada at Red Shoes! Sanada avoids colliding with Red Shoes, and Kenta runs in. Sanada gets Red Shoes out of harm’s way, then runs at Kenta, but Kenta rolls him up! TWO!! Kenta falls onto Red Shoes! Kenta hurries to kick Sanada and DDT! Kenta sees Red Shoes is down, so he kicks him out of the ring! Kenta “apologizes,” then goes out to look under the ring. Kenta finds a chair! Kenta puts that chair in the ring, mocks the fans rallying for Sanada, and then the fans boo Kenta. Kenta mocks them, too, and aims at Sanada. Sanada stirs, but Red Shoes is back first!
Red Shoes takes the chair away! Kenta is furious, so he throws Sanada into Red Shoes! Red Shoes tumbles out to the floor! Kenta rains down fists on Sanada, getting away with many closed fists! Fans boo Kenta and rally for Sanada but Kenta gets that chair back. Kenta aims at Sanada, JAMS him in the ribs, then SMACKS him on the back! And again! And again! The chair bends and fans boo but Kenta soaks up the heat. Kenta sits Sanada up and aims again, but Sanada blocks the headshot! Kenta kicks him low, tries again, HEADSHOT!! The seat pops out of the frame! Fans boo more but Kenta hides the evidence.
Kenta goes to fetch Red Shoes now, he taunts Shingo Takagi on commentary, and Kenta puts Red Shoes in the ring. Kenta tells Red Shoes to wake up and do his job. Kenta then climbs a corner, COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, TWO!!! Sanada survives and fans fire up! Kenta slashes his throat and vows to end this. Kenta fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free! Sanada ROCKS Kenta with a forearm, spins, but into a PALM STRIKE! Kenta hits Sanada again! And again! And again! And again and again and again! Sanada wobbles, Kenta DECKS him with another palm strike! Kenta fireman’s carries, but Sanada flails free! SKULL END!
But Kenta rolls back to get an arm! GAME OVER!!! Sanada endures the crossface and fans rally up! Sanada fights his way around, Kenta fishhooks to keep hold! Kenta pulls back on the crossface but Sanada still endures! Fans are thunderous as Sanada moves around and reaches out! Kenta keeps pulling back! Sanada is fading! Red Shoes checks on Sanada, and Sanada gets a second wind to get the ROPEBREAK!! Kenta lets go in shock as Sanada survives by a toe! Kenta storms around, runs back in, KNEE to the back! Sanada staggers up, Kenta runs again, BU- NO, Sanada dodges the knee to O’Conner NO BRIDGE! TWO!!!
Kenta runs back in, Sanada fireman’s carries for T K O!! Fans fire up again and Sanada grits his teeth. Sanada slashes his throat, he vows to finish this! Sanada scoops and POWERSLAMS Kenta, to then go up top! ROUNDING BODY PRESS!! Cover, TWO!?!? Kenta survives and fans fire up! Sanada drags Kenta up into the dragon sleeper! Kenta spins around, waistlocks, and he RAMS Sanada into Red Shoes! Red Shoes has taken a lot of damage this match! Kenta RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS Sanada down! Kenta brings Sanada up but Sanada UPPERCUTS! But Kenta LOW BLOWS!! Fans boo as Kenta gets away with that!
Kenta goes out, he grabs his title belt from the timekeeper’s area, and he brings it in. Kenta aims as Sanada stirs. Sanada stands, Kenta runs in, but Sanada dodges to dragon sleeper! But Kenta BELT SHOTS from below!! Kenta runs in again, but Sanada kicks him low! Kenta staggers, Sanada PUNTS the belt into Kenta’s face! Fans fire up and Sanada drags Kenta up. SIDEWINDER DDT!!! Cover, Red Shoes is back, and Sanada wins!!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (advances to the third round)
Kenta tried all the tricks in the book, but none of them were able to stop the Cold Skull! Will the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion now owe Sanada a match down the line?
As for Sanada, he gets the mic and tells Nagoya that he knows he’s facing Tetsuya Naito in the third round. Only one of them can go on to win the New Japan Cup and challenge the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Sanada vows to come back to Nagoya as the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! So, are they ready to do “that?” Fans cheer, and so Sanada says he will give us that gift. The lights go down, the “stars” come out, and Sanada says that he must confess, he loves Nagoya the most. “OI, NAGOYA! See you next time!” A short and sweet message for everyone, will Sanada and Naito have the most tranquilo match in the cup?
My Thoughts:
Another really good night for the New Japan Cup, and the United Empire keeps winning in those Six Man Tags. Great 2v2 out of Okada & Tanahashi VS Shota & Narita. Okada’s got a mean streak developing and I kinda like it. I don’t think he’ll go Heel but this “Ragemaker” Okada could be a way to keep him and his title reign fresh. And even in defeat, Shota and Narita looked great, as they really are going to be the future of NJPW. And of course, great New Japan Cup matches. Naito VS Chase was perhaps the faster paced match while Sanada VS Kenta was the more cerebral, but the real surprise is that they’re gonna give us LIJ VS LIJ.
In Naito VS Sanada, I feel like Naito will get the win there, but Sanada has his win over Kenta to get himself a Strong Openweight Championship match if he so desires. Naito’s story is carrying over from last year where he is determined to get the title back and main event WrestleKingdom, so he doesn’t have to win now, but winning the New Japan Cup is a touch easier than winning the G1 Climax, so this could be Naito’s moment.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Tables, Ladders, and Chairs for the championships!
To finally settle things between The Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns and DIY, they battle for the WWE Tag Team Championships in TLC!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Los Garza VS Fraxiom; Fraxiom wins.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Jade Cargill; Jade wins, by disqualification.
- WWE Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice VS Zelina Vega; Zelina wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s United States Champion.
- WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: LA Knight VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins, by disqualification, no word on contender status.
- WWE Tag Team Championships TLC Triple Threat: The Street Profits VS Motor City Machine Guns VS DIY; The Profits win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
The final hour of SmackDown will be commercial free!
That’s right, we won’t have to miss a thing when it comes to tonight’s main event, that Triple Threat Tables, Ladders & Chairs match!
JOHN CENA is here!
Fort Worth, Texas erupts with, “JOHN CENA SUCKS~! JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as the NEW and historic SEVENTEEN-TIME WWE Champion makes his way out to the ring! But just like on Monday, Cena wants Mark Nash to join him in the ring. The fans boo while Mark reluctantly steps into the ring with Cena. The fans now chant, “LET’S GO, CENA!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena shakes his head in disappointment, but he gives Mark the same script as on Monday. Mark again apologizes that his announcement was still disrespectful.
Mark again redoes it, because this is the GREATEST of All Time! The Never-Seen Seventeen, gracing Fort Worth with his presence for the final time… THE LAST REAL CHAMPION, JOHN CENA! Mark exits the ring, the fans still chant, but Cena stares down a father and child in the front row. The booing returns, but then RANDY ORTON makes his entrance! Cena is stopped in his tracks while the fans cheer The Viper. Orton steps into the ring, has his time to pose, and then grabs a mic. The fans cheer on Orton, but Cena holds up the title. The fans boo and Orton smirks. Orton tells Cena, “Do you know what I found out just a couple days ago?”
In a couple months, it’ll be 25 years to the day that Orton and Cena first shook hands. 25 years. They have known each other for 25 YEARS. And this is a compliment: up until a couple months ago, Cena had not changed. He was always about hustle, loyalty and respect. It wasn’t just a catchphrase for merchandise, it was a way of life. It was Cena’s mantra for every day of his life. So Orton realized he needs to think what’s going on here. There must be a void in Cena’s life that needs fulfillment.
So Orton wracked his brain, thought about all the fans over the years. The millions and millions of kids who have looked up to Cena since day one! All the kids that Cena has motivated, that he has been a role model for. Kids accomplished goals and set more goals. Track & field, basketball, the classroom, generations upon generations looked up to Cena. Surely, that meant something to Cena. Cena has granted more wishes than anyone in the history of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You cannot tell Orton that each and every one of those sick children didn’t leave with a piece of Cena’s heart. They can’t just be a number to him.
So… Orton figured out how to fill the void. Take it from Orton, but Cena needs to have some damn kids of his own. Imagine a bunch of square-jawed, thick-armed little Cenas running around? The world would be a better place, and Cena would be back to who he is, and who Orton knows he is. Cena needs to grow up and be a father, it’ll make him a better human being. Cena thinks on that, then smirks. Cena says, “How dare you.” The fans boo, but Cena says how dare Orton prance out here with a smile on his face under the guise of making Cena feel better, than “parent shame” him in front of the whole world!
“Congratulations, Randy Orton. You have children and you love them. Good for you.” Does Orton want to know the real reason Cena doesn’t have kids? Because he’s spent the last 25 YEARS raising yours, fans! And by the sound of it from this group tonight, Cena has done an impeccable job! Here is the REAL truth! For the last 25 years, Cena has been a better parent to the fans’ children then they could ever be! That’s right, kids! Your dad’s a loser! Oh, wow, a six year old just gave him the middle finger. How classy. THAT is why Cena doesn’t have kids. He’s been policing brats like that for a quarter of a century!
The fans boo but Cena tells that one kid, “Never bring a knife to a gun fight. Bet your loser dad didn’t teach you that one! And don’t look at me like you’re gonna do something, either.” Cena asks Orton if we’re done here, and Orton says no, they’re not. Has the Hollywood rot set so deep inside Cena’s brain that he can’t hear Orton? It doesn’t have to be one or the other. The fans are why Cena is here before us in the ring now. They’re why Cena’s in Hollywood. WWE is why Cena is in Hollywood and he is crushing it. Cena cut his teeth in the WWE, developed his work ethic in WWE, and that’s why he’s crushing it.
Without the WWE, there is no Cena in Hollywood. And without the fans, there is no WWE. No matter how you add it up, no matter what math you apply to it, these fans are the biggest reason why Cena is in this ring with Orton today. Orton says he has made a lot of mistakes throughout his life and his career, and he’s learned from them on this long journey. But Orton can go into the locker room, head held high, and he can get disrespect from his peers. Orton is furniture here, he is here to stay. Cena is now just a guest. Cena says, “We all have our perspectives. I used to believe yours. That without them, there is no WWE.”
Cena used to think that they all won together. Cena was wrong. “We” didn’t win anything, CENA did! Cena has never needed a single one of these people! They will chant in the same breath, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “Cena Sucks!” The fans chant that very thing. Cena says he called out a rando and that guy turned pale white. Imagine having that chanted at you for 25 YEARS! The fans mean NOTHING to him! Orton is just like them! They’re all hypocrites! Because once you get tired of Cena, you can put your energy into any superstar you want. But if the roles are reversed, and Cena puts his energies into anything other than this, he’s an outcast? A guest?
That is why this is dysfunctional! That’s why this doesn’t work anymore! This is NOT a functional relationship, this is manipulation! The fans manipulate the truth to make themselves feel good about how they’ve done nothing with their lives! Cena points to a fan and says, “The only thing that man has done right there is dress up to look like Jack Black! He’s 100 years old and that’s all he has to say for his life!” Cena feels criticized and labeled as an outcast and guest for simply trying to do something different.
Orton says he was so… SO stupid for thinking that for one second, in this weird bizarro world where Orton’s now a good guy and Cena’s now a bad guy, that Cena would somehow listen. But the words coming out of Orton’s mouth are not penetrating that thick ass skull of Cena’s, are they? Cody Rhodes, before his badass entrance, it says wrestling has more than one royal family. And he’s not just talking about the Rhodes, right? He’s also talking about the Orton’s! Cena wants to ruin wrestling? Wrestling gave Orton everything! Ever since he came out of his mother’s womb, wrestling has provided for Orton!
Wrestling will provide for Orton, his family, his loved ones, until Orton is six feet in the ground. Ruin wrestling? No, not over Orton’s dead body. Cena shouts, “SHUT YOUR MOUTH! You just don’t understand, do you!? I’ll explain it to you. I’ve already won 17, okay? You’ve won 14. But after I take this home with me, you are forever frozen at 14! Yes, there will be another show. You will have other matches, they will create some tinfoil title and decide a champion. And if you are lucky to ever get your hands on it, your counter starts over at one, you babbling moron!”
The fans boo but Cena says what he’s trying to do is that when he leaves here, three generations of Orton’s family is ERASED! Cena paces around Orton but the fans chant for “R K O! R K O!” Orton looks at Cena and says Cena thinks he’s the Last Real Champion, but then prove it! Put the title on the line and fight Orton here and now! The fans like the sound of that! Orton says how dare Cena say what he said to Orton after everything Orton’s been through! Cena raises his title, and says, “No. No. And just like so many times over the past 25 years, I’m doing it to save your ass.
“There should be a match. Randy Orton VS John Cena, for the Undisputed Championship! But it shouldn’t happen here. I’ve already given you (Fort Worth) a hard enough time, it’s not your fault. It’s for Randy. It should happen at Backlash, Randy. Because Backlash is in St. Louis. I know that’s hard for you to hear, but for Randy, it’s great. Because Randy is from St. Louis. It’s so you can spend the whole day with your family, Randy. Make sure you show up well-rested. Randy Orton at his best. Because I need Randy Orton at his best. Because after Backlash, when you fail, you will have no excuses.
“Take a good look, Randy. This is what the Last Real Champion looks like.” The fans boo, but Cena says, “And this is as close to this championship as you’re ever going to get. Then Cena throws it to Orton, so he can DECK Orton! The fans boo as Cena stomps away on Orton! Cena snarls as he picks the belt back up, and then he takes aim! Orton slowly stands back up, Cena runs up, but Orton ducks! R K O!! The fans fire up as Orton gets Cena again! Orton throws his jacket to the fans, then he paces around Cena. The fans cheer Orton on as he picks up the title, and he stands on the corner! The fans cheer, could this be how it looks at the end of Backlash?
Los Garza VS Fraxiom!
While Angel y Berto are still hoping to be in line for a title shot after tonight’s massive TLC main event, a new team has already joined the roster! Nathan Frazer & Axiom may have only just lost the NXT Tag Team Championships, but will they be right back on track for more gold?
SmackDown returns as Fraxiom makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Axiom starts against Berto. They circle, tie up, and Berto pulls Axiom’s mask! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Berto stops at 4. Berto whips, Axiom RANAS in return! Axiom DROPKICKS Berto, tags Frazer, then they whip. Berto reverses but Axiom reverses back, and he has the IRON OCTOPUS! Frazer builds speed, and he DROPKICKS Berto! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but he runs into the Fraxiom speed combo! Kick after kick, then an assisted DROPKICK! Angel regroups with Berto outside, but Frazer DIVES! Direct hit on Berto!
Axiom DIVES and direct hit on Angel! They keep going, Frazer FLIES to take out both Garzas! The fans fire up and Axiom goes up, up, and GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Los Garza is down again and the fans fire up again! Fraxiom puts Berto in, Frazer covers, ONE! Tag to Axiom and he brings Berto around for a headlock. Berto endures, pulls the mask, and Angel tags in. Berto powers out, Axiom dodges, but Angel opens the ropes! Axiom tumbles to apron then floor, and Los Garza soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Axiom checks his neck, and Angel TAKES OFF THE PANTS! Angel soaks up the heat, then goes out to CHOP Axiom! Axiom falls over, Angel talks trash, but Axiom CHOPS back! Angel SMACKS Axiom off the apron, pushes him in the ring, then lines up a shot. Angel KICKS Axiom in the side! Then Angel sucker punches Frazer! Axiom CHOPS Angel, but Angel headlocks to snapmare and KICK Axiom! Tag to Berto, Los Garza stomp away on Axiom, but they stop as the ref counts. Berto drags Axiom up to CLUB him down, then brings him up for a clinch. Axiom headlocks, Berto powers out, and Berto scoops to BACKBREAKER!
Axiom writhes, Berto soaks up the heat, and Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Berto whips Axiom hard into the Garza corner, then tags Angel. Angel drags Axiom by a leg, stands on Axiom’s face, and then pulls on the ankle. Axiom kicks free but Angel rains down fists! Angel smothers Axiom, then drags him up. Angel reels Axiom in, lifts, but Axiom slips free to fire off CHOPS! Angel slips around the kick to Gory Especial! Tag to Berto, slingshot and the GORY CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives but Berto rains down fists! Angel snapmares to have a GROUND COBRA TWIST!
Axiom endures, SmackDown returns to single picture, and the fans rally up. Axiom fights up, fires shots, but Berto ROCKS him! Berto whips Axiom, but Axiom GAMANGIRIS Angel! Axiom goes up and over, hot tag to Frazer! AX HANDLE for Berto, then Frazer BOOTS Angel! CHOP for Berto, then a whip, but Berto reverses. Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges and just gets faster to CLOBBER Berto! Then SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up, Frazer runs again, QUEBRADA for the DDT! Then a RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this and the fans stay fired up. Frazer thinks of his options, and he brings Berto up.
Berto kicks, Frazer ducks, but the ENZIGIRI finds him! Angel sneaks a tag, Frazer ENZIGIRIS Berto! QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Angel covers, TWO!! Frazer survive but Angel rains down fists! Tag to Berto and Angel puts Frazer up top. Los Garza climb up to bring Frazer up, SUPER M T Y!! Then Berto MOONSAULTS!! Cover, AXIOM BARRELS IN AND BREAKS IT! “This is Awesome!” as the teams fall back, tag to Angel! Hot tag to Axiom, and he runs up on Angel! Angel CHOPS first! Axiom ROCKS Angel! Angel and Axiom go forearm to forearm, then just fast ‘n’ furious! Angel V-TRIGGERS! Axiom PELES!
Axiom runs up, but into a HEADBUTT! Axiom falls back, Angel goes to a corner, and Angel climbs. But Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom climbs, CHOPS, then brings Angel up, only for Angel to scoop! But Frazer CLUBS Angel! Frazer tags in, Axiom hits a SUPER SPANISH FLY! Frazer adds the PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, Fraxiom wins!
Winners: Fraxiom, by pinfall
The team that will #NeverSlowDown just hit the ground running, and they already have a massive win! Will nothing stop these two from taking over the SmackDown Tag Division?
Tiffany Stratton is here!
Fort Worth is fired up again as it is still #TiffyTime! That’s because “Pro-Wrestling Barbie” is still the WWE Women’s Champion, and she goes right to the ring. Tiff grabs a mic, and she asks, “What time is it?” “TIFFY TIME~!” That’s right! And at WrestleMania, in front of over 60 THOUSAND people, it was Tiffy Time. Tiff went toe-to-toe with one of the greatest in Charlotte Flair. And no lies, Tiff did doubt herself and the pressure got to her. But in the end, she prevailed and walked out of WrestleMania #AndStill THE WWE Women’s Champion! The fans cheer, and Tiff continues: For the longest time, she was always being called “The Next Charlotte Flair.”
“Wrong~! There may be only one Charlotte Flair, but I guarantee you there is only one Tiffany Stratton!” The fans cheer more, but wait! JADE CARGILL makes her way out here! The fans fire up again as now The Storm has come to Fort Worth. And Jade tells Tiff, “Cut it. Now I came here to give credit where it’s due, and your match with Charlotte was very impressive. But that did nothing but create a bigger target on your back. And since my business is finished with Naomi, I have nothing but time. So I think it’s time for me to remind everybody why I came here to the WWE! I think it’s time for everyone to see why I came here to be a champion.
“And I think it’s time for you to understand, just because you beat Charlotte doesn’t make you the best. Especially when you haven’t faced me.” The fans are torn, but Tiff tells Jade, “Okay. Well, why don’t you put your money where your mouth is, and let’s get a ref out right here, right now!” Jade agrees, the fans agree, and here’s a ref! Will these two tear it down on the SmackDown After WrestleMania? We find out, after the break!
Tiffany Stratton VS Jade Cargill!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Tiff and Jade talk a bit of smack before they tie up. The fans cheer, and Jade powers Tiff back. Tiff slips around to waistlock, but Jade switches to SLAM Tiff! Jade waistlocks again but Tiff rolls free. Tiff headlocks, Jade powers up but Tiff fights the suplex! Jade powers up and out this time, then she runs Tiff over! Jade flexes, the fans are torn, but Jade storms up to suplex! Tiff slips free, goes to a corner, then dodges Jade to roll her up! TWO, and the two stand off. Tiff says it was that close, and the fans rally up. Tiff and Jade circle, but then Tiff offers a handshake. Jade says sure, and they shake hands.
But then Tiff reels Jade in for a headlock! Jade powers up and out, drops down to then hurdle over! And arm-drag! Tiff flounders, stands up, then dodges Jade. Tiff drops down, hurdles over, but Jade blocks the hip toss to body shot! Jade fireman’s carries, but Tiff swings free to arm-drag! Jade is up, and she catches Tiff to BACKBREAKER! Tiff goes to the ropes, the fans rally up, and Jade runs in, only for Tiff to drop toehold her into ropes! Tiff runs and HIP ATTACKS! Jade flounders, Tiff runs up to TIFFY- NO, Jade sunset flips Tiff first! ONE, both women stand, and Jade hits a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while Jade covers, TWO!
Tiff stays in this, but Jade stays on her. Jade pushes Tiff, clinches, and BODY SLAMS again! Cover, TWO! Tiff is still tougher than that, so Jade lines up a shot. But Tiff dodges the boot and rolls Jade! TWO, and now Tiff SPINEBUSTERS in return! Cover, TWO! Jade is also tougher than that, and the fans rally up. Jade goes to a corner, Tiff handsprings in, BACK ELBOW! Tiff says it’s still her time, and then she goes back for Jade. Cover. TWO! Still a little too cocky but Tiff drags Jade back up. Tiff bumps Jade off buckles, stomps away, but stops as the ref counts. Tiff handsprings again for another BACK ELBOW! Another cover, TWO!
Tiff is growing annoyed, but she is still in control, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Tiff trades shots with Jade! The fans cheer, then Tiff kicks low, KNEES hard, and fireman’s carries! ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes up, up, and PRETTIEST MOONSAULT- Hold on, Tiff almost misses the ropes. Tiff jumps again, PRETTIEST- NO, Jade dodges! Jade comes back, Tiff kicks low, then Tiff runs. Cartwheel, but no Alabama Slam! Just a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives that sudden turnaround and Jade is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Jade looms over Tiff. Jade drags Tiff up, choke grips, and SLAM- NO, Tiff slips free and rolls Jade up! TWO, and Tiff goes to a corner.
Jade runs in, Tiff dodges, and Jade hits buckles! Tiff handsprings one more time, but Jade catches Tiff! But Tiff victory rolls through, runs, and TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Jade survives and now Tiff is shocked! Tiff hurries to a corner, climbs up, but Jade is right up after her! Jade brings Tiff up for a SUPERPLEX! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Jade stirs, Tiff rolls away, and Tiff is safe on the apron. The fans rally, Jade crawls, but wait! NAOMI IS HERE! NAOMI ATTACKS JADE!!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by disqualification
The fans boo as Naomi is not letting go of her grudge! She HAMMERS away on Jade, laughs maniacally, and then SLAPS Jade! Naomi drags Jade up, and POSTS her! Naomi then drags Jade out to POST her again! Naomi CLUBS away on Jade in the corner, showing no mercy! Naomi drags Jade out of the corner one more time, to POST her a third time! Jade flops to the floor, Naomi says kiss this, and she laughs like the villain she’s become! Tiff is back and she’s mad at Naomi for ruining her match. But Naomi just takes her leave, ONLY FOR NIA JAX TO ATTACK!! The fans boo the Irresistible Force as she DRIBBLES Tiff off the mat!
Nia looms over Tiff now, and drags her to center, for the LEG DROP, brother! Nia says “One More Time! One More Time!” Then she drags Tiff to a drop zone, goes up, A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia smiles as she sits on Tiff, then gets up just to grab the title. Nia holds it up, will Tiffany finally feel the backlash of her cash-in?
Jacob Fatu is here!
Fort Worth fires back up as now the NEW WWE United States Champion heads to the ring, Solo Sikoa by his side. Jacob holds up the title, the fans fire up, and Jacob swings the belt around, almost hitting Solo. Solo nods, he understands how fired up the Samoan Werewolf is about this. Solo has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, show some love and respect, for your NEW United States Champion, Jacob Fatu!” The fans cheer that! Solo says at WrestleMania, the world saw what Solo already knew: Jacob Fatu is the future. Fatu is the future of this company, but let’s remind you of something: Nobody in Solo’s family wanted Fatu here, except Solo.
The Bloodline thought Fatu was trouble. They thought he was too much of a risk. But y’know who changed that? Y’know who made it all happen? It was Solo! Solo is the reason Fatu is champion! Solo brought Fatu here, brought him to the Promised Land, got him off the streets and made him a champion! Fatu is champion because of Solo! This is exactly what happens when you love your family! Fatu would not be- Fatu snatches the mic from Solo! The fans fire up as Fatu stares Solo down. Fatu tells Solo to not get it twisted. Fatu told Solo that Fatu would win the US Championship. Fatu told Solo that the US title was coming home to the family!
And Fatu told Solo that Fatu would do it with him, or without him! And that is exactly what Fatu did. So, Texas, look at your NEW US Champion! The fans fire up for Fatu, and Fatu says see? He knows that this title makes him America’s Most Wanted! Hell, this title makes Fatu a menace to society! But at the end of the day, you better get in where you fit in! He all gas, no breaks with it! YADADADA MEAN!? But then LA KNIGHT is here! The fans fire up as The Mega Star has a mic, and from the stage, he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says at WrestleMania, he guaranteed that Fatu would eat a BFT, and BAH GAWD, he ate a BFT!
Knight knocked Fatu on his big fat head, Fatu reached out for the ropes, and good for him, because from there, Fatu was able to capitalize and win. Knight gives credit where credit is due, cuz it can happen to anybody on any night. Anybody can get it. But you gotta understand something, Knight goes to the back, everybody back there’s saying, “Man, you had one hell of a match at WrestleMania.” “YEAH!” Knight says he doesn’t care about having “one hell of a match,” Knight cares about winning a match! And about taking the title back. What he’s saying is, he wants his rematch, and he wants it tonight!
But wait! Drew McIntyre shows up! The Scottish Terminator steps out on stage, mic in hand, and Drew tells “Dallas” that it isn’t always easy being Drew McIntyre. Personally, it is, because he’s tall, jacked, handsome, and much like Texas, he has big guns. But professionally, Drew has been screwed time and time again. World title match after world title match. WrestleMania, Drew had to get through one last roadblock, and he and Damian Priest had one of the most violent matches in the history of WrestleMania! So Priest, you aren’t here tonight, we won’t see you for a while, so Drew will “thank” you. It was a pleasure to embarrass him in front of his entire family.
Drew tells the next stop was to be challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship, but Randy Orton jumped the line! The same Randy Orton that Drew beat three weeks ago. Is this World Wrestling Entertainment? Or Nepotism Wrestling Entertainment? Speaking of which, hi, Bloodline! Knight “yawns” and asks if Drew is done yet. Drew says he’ll get to Knight in a second. Okay, then continue on. Drew says he’s been watching Cena these past few weeks. Cena ain’t the same guy, he’s a punk now. Drew wants to fight the baddest dog in the yard. He wants the baddest champion in the yard. Jacob, Drew wants to fight you!
Knight says, “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Can somebody wake me up when this mush mouth is done?” Drew says always with the jokes, huh? The only joke here was Knight’s last US title reign. Knight smirks and says, “Oh~! I would say your last title run was a joke, but I can’t remember it.” So if Drew has a problem with Orton, go talk to Orton. But right now, Drew is standing on time that belongs to Knight. Knight wants his US Championship, But if Drew wants to make claim, then why not come on in and show us? The fans cheer, Drew says okay, and he steps up! But Nick Aldis has everyone hold on a moment.
The fans boo but Aldis says we all know where this is going. Before Knight and Drew tear each other apart, here’s an alternative. They can all come backstage, put the tights and the boots on, lace ’em up, and here in Fort Worth, Texas, Aldis will give us Knight VS McIntyre 1v1, the winner is the #1 contender to the US Championship. The fans love that! Drew already heads back, and Knight warns Jacob that he’ll be coming back soon enough. But who will survive tonight to step to the Samoan Werewolf?
Backstage interview with Zelina Vega.
Byron Saxton catches La Muneca on her way to gorilla, and wants to review: Zelina beat Chelsea Green by count out two weeks ago, then beat her by pinfall just last week. If things go her way tonight, she will be the NEW Women’s US Champion. Where are her thoughts? Zelina says honestly, she’s known for having a big mouth, but tonight is one of those nights where she’s speechless. That’s how much this means to her. She’s wanted this for so long. Just like her mentor, Rey Mysterio, a former Men’s US Champion, and the late Eddie Guerrero, another former US Champion, it is time to bring some Latina Heat into the match.
And of course, just like how they do it here in Texas, you go big or you go home. Zelina ain’t going home until she has the title around her waist. Will Zelina finally add a bit more gold to her list of achievements? Or will there be no ending the Green Regime’s term?
WWE Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice VS Zelina Vega!
SmackDown returns as the challenger makes her entrance, followed by the champion’s. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is THE champion-in-chief!
The bell rings and Chelsea runs up, but Zelina sends her into the corner! Zelina fires hands, whips corner to corner, but Chelsea reverses. Zelina goes up, Chelsea stays back and chicken wings. Chelsea turns Zelina but Zelina waistlocks back. Chelsea switches, they go to ropes, and Zelina bucks the O’Conner! Zelina wheelbarrows, FACEBSUTER, and cover, TWO! Zelina runs up to reel Chelsea in. Chelsea fights free, goes to ropes, but Zelina runs up to slip around to the outside! Chelsea fights free but Zelina trips her up! Zelina sees Piper & Alba creeping up, but then Chelsea BOOTS Zelina down!
Zelina argues with the ref, and that lets Alba RAM Zelina into the apron! Then Piper adds a SENTON on the floor! The fans boo but Chelsea salutes, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Chelsea has Zelina up top. Cheslea SLAPS Zelina, climbs up, and then brings her up. Zelina fights the suplex and fires body shots! Chelsea ROCKS Zelina, then fireman’s carries! Zelina fights around, waistlocks, and pulls! Chelsea holds onto the ropes, but Zelina powers up to SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX! Both women are down, and the fans fire up! Zelina and Chelsea rise, the fans duel, and Zelina runs up. Zelina dodges Chelsea to LARIAT! And LARIAT again! Zelina blocks a boot, ELBOWS Chelsea, and Cheslea sits down! Zelina runs up to METEORA! Snapmare and Zelina goes up!
Zelina gives some Latina Heat, for another METEORA! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives and Zelina is shocked! Alba argues from the apron, but Zelina DECKS her! Chelsea runs up to ENZIGIRI! Chicken wings, turnaround, but Zelina hits a BACKSTABBER! Chelsea ends up on ropes, the fans fire up as Zelina dials it up, but PIPER trips Zelina! The ref saw that! The fans boo Piper, but then the ref spots Alba creeping up on Zelina! The ref says no more shenanigans! He EJECTS the Secret Her-vice! The fans fire up as Piper & Alba throw a fit! Zelina waves bye, but Chelsea CLBOBERS Zelina! Chelsea whips, Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, ZELINA WINS!!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s United States Champion)
But now the Secret Her-vice rush back to the ring! Zelina dodges them, and she finally has her first singles title! The Green Administration is out, let’s pledge allegiance to the VEGA Administration!
Carmelo Hayes admires the Andre the Giant trophy.
Last week on WrestleMania SmackDown, it came down to H1M and Andrade, and in the end, Melo put his name down in history. The Miz is with H1M to say when it is all said and done, Melo will go down as the greatest Andre the Giant Battle Royal winner of all time! That is why Miz sacrificed himself for Melo! Because Miz has a vision for Carmelo Hayes. To commemorate this achievement, Miz got Melo something. Really? Really. Now c’mon, open it up. Melo pops the box open and inside is an Andre the Giant necklace! A big golden head on a big golden chain, and Melo tries it on. Perfect fit!
Miz says Melo earned it. Melo says yeah. This is bigger than just the win. This represents the chip that is on Melo’s shoulder. With this around Melo’s neck, he refuses to be overlooked. Yeah, cook! He refuses to be denied! Let’s go! And in the true spirit of Andre the Giant, with this around his neck, Melo is larger than life! He is the Tenth Wonder of the World! Because he is… HIM! Miz is inspired! He’s gonna go to the ring to get something off his chest. Miz lets Melo stay back here to enjoy his moment, cuz Miz is about to make his own. Miz heads to gorilla, but what exactly is The Hollywood A-Lister about to do?
SmackDown returns and Miz is in the ring.
Miz has a mic to say, “Since 2007, I’ve been an integral part of WrestleMania. But this year, at the highest grossing WrestleMania in history, I had no match, no mention, nowhere to be found. May I remind you, I main-evented WrestleMania, beating John Cena, retaining the WWE Championship, something that Cody Rhodes, your chosen hero, could not do last week. And yet he gets the cheers! The pyro, the spotlight, and I get it, I get it, he was champion, he deserves to be on WrestleMania. But when Rey Mysterio comes hobbling in to WrestleMania, does he come to a fellow legend to fill his boots?
“No, he goes to a guy who’s been here for two weeks. I’ve been here for 20 YEARS! What do I have to do? Wear a lucha mask and call myself ‘Rey?’ Then KO goes down! Orton needs an opponent! He needs an opponent! Do you guys want a guy who’s beaten Randy Orton for the WWE Championship? NO! You guys want a guy who’s an internet meme! A TikTok trend! A guy who does musical theater in a wrestling ring! I am sick of it! I am sick and tired of people showing up in the WWE, people I am a bigger star then! People that cannot lace my boots in this ring! I’m sick of them getting opportunity after opportunity!
“May I remind you, that I am the A-Lister! I am the Most Must-See WWE Superstar of all time! And may you never forget that I am the Miz! And I am…” The lights go out! Uh oh… Because ALEISTER BLACK is back in the WWE! The fans fire up as The Dark Father rises up from the shadows, and he goes right to the ring! The fans fire up more and even chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” as Aleister puts his vest aside. Miz is frustrated that his time in spotlight was taken away again, and then asks Aleister, “Who the hell do you think-” BLACK MASS!! Miz falls right over, and then Aleister sits cross-legged in the ring. Will SmackDown #FadeToBlack once again?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.
Byron is with The EST, and he notes her match at WrestleMania with Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley was an instant classic. One of the best matches of the entire weekend, really. Unfortunately, Bianca didn’t win the title, and she didn’t leave Las Vegas unscathed. Can she tell us about her hand? Bianca says her fingers hurt, her feelings hurt, but no, she’s just kidding. She walked into WrestleMania with a broken finger, but it was worth it. They all fought ’til the end, and things didn’t go her way, but she is so proud of what the three of them did.
To her point, it was a great outing, but things didn’t go Bianca’s way. Iyo Sky is still the Women’s World Champion. Bianca says yes, Iyo found the perfect opportunity to capitalize, and Bianca can’t blame her because Bianca would’ve done the same thing. Now, Rhea… Well, Rhea found a way to slip her way into a match that Bianca earned, so that won’t be the last time Rhea and Bianca meet. But right now, Bianca is just focused on healing so she can get back to SmackDown, her home, and well, her home is divided. Bianca knows that when she returns, she’ll settle some unfinished business. Byron wishes The EST well, but when and where will Bianca make the biggEST return?
Naomi and Nia cross paths.
Nia tells Naomi that she doesn’t care about Jade. But when it comes to Tiffany and the title, just stay out of her way. Naomi says, “So long as you proceed… with… caution!” Naomi storms off, Nia isn’t quite intimidated, but will these two clash over their grudges? Or will things end up working together for what they both want?
WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: LA Knight VS Drew McIntyre!
We just saw these two argue over who gets to fight Jacob Fatu, so now they have to fight it out with each other. Will the Mega Star go right back for the belt he just lost? Or will the Scottish Terminator be one step away from completing his WWE Grand Slam?
SmackDown is picture in picture for the entrances, then returns to single picture once McIntyre has his pyro. The bell rings and the fans fire up. Knight and Drew circle, the fans rally up a bit more, and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Drew slips around to waistlock and SLAM! Knight flounders to a corner but Drew flexes. The fans cheer, Drew signals he’ll have the belt, but Knight brushes that off. The two reset and tie up again. The fans rally, Drew waistlocks, but Knight switches. Knight pushes Drew down and slaps him around! The fans cheer as Knight flexes! Drew brushes that off, and the two reset again.
Drew runs up, Knight dodges and Knight headlocks. Knight grinds but Drew power sup to back supelx! Knight lands out, pushes Drew, but Drew comes back to run Knight over! Drew slaps Knight around! Drew runs, Knight drops low, hurdle sover, and then BACK ELBOWS! The fans cheer as Knight gets around again, and he hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Knight scuffs Drew, but Drew throat chops Knight! The fans are torn, Drew CHOPS Knight, and fans “WOO~!” Knight CHOPS, Drew CHOPS, repeat! Drew ROCKS Knight, then whips him, but Knight grabs the ropes. Knight then TOSSES Drew out! Drew lands on his feet!
Drew trips Knight and drags him out, but Knight ROCKS Drew! Knight brings Drew to the desk, the fans fire up, but Drew gets away. Knight pursues Drew into the ring, and he ROCKS Drew! And ROCKS him again! Knight has Drew up but Drew HOTSHOTS Knight! Drew then runs, and he BLASTS Knight off the apron! Knight hits barriers then the floor, and Drew soaks up cheers and jeers. Drew clutches his side, still feeling that Sin City Street Fight, so he lets the ring count handle this. The fans rally and even sing, “OH~ Drew McIntyre~!” Knight rolls in at 7 of 10, but Drew rains down fists! Drew then deadlifts Knight for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Knight stays in this but Drew grits his teeth. Drew stands Knight up, but Knight counter punches! Knight fires hands, whips, but Drew reverses. Knight goes up, but Drew KICKS Knight outta the air! Cover, TWO! Knight survives, Drew snarls as he has to catch his breath, and he storms up on Knight again. The fans rally, Drew CHOPS, and Knight staggers away. Drew stalks Knight, Knight CHOPS, but Drew CHOPS! Drew KICKS Knight, DECKS him, then stomps away! The ref counts, Drew stops, and he has Knight on the apron. Drew drags Knight up, has him against the ropes, and ROCKS him!
Knight flops back into the ring, Drew eggs him on, and the fans duel. Drew stands Knight up, reels him in, and he suplexes, only for Knight to block! Drew CLUBS away on Knight, then suplexes, only for Knight to fight that! Drew KNEES low, CLUBS Knight down, then huffs ‘n’ puffs. Drew eggs Knight on again, and Knight rises up, only for Drew to reel him in. But Knight suplexes instead! The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight and Drew rise up slowly, and Knight fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Drew reverses, but Knight LEAPING LARIATS! Then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS!
Drew staggers, Knight whips, but Drew reverses to scoop. Knight slips free, shoves Drew into buckles, then JUMPING NECKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Drew survives and the fans rally! Knight drags Drew up, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Then the underhooks, but Knight rolls through the Future Shock! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Knight goes to a corner, and he BOOTS Drew down! Knight goes up, spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew survives and the fans are torn again. Knight stalks Drew, kicks and cravat, but Drew rolls Knight away!
Drew runs up, Knight puts him on the apron! Then Knight ducks a punch to HOTSHOT Drew! Knight then runs to WRECK Drew with the dropkick! The fans fire up as Knight DRIBBLES Drew off the desk! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight winds up, and he SMACKS Drew off the desk again! The fans cheer as Knight puts Drew in the ring, but then SOLO SIKOA is here! The ref is busy with Drew, SAMOAN SPIKE for Knight!! Solo puts Knight in the ring, and Drew is confused. Drew says screw it, and he aims from the corner! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But then DAMIAN PRIEST drags Drew out!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by disqualification
Priest fires off on Drew and the fans fire up! Priest THROWS Drew over barriers! Then he drags Drew back to ringside to ROCK Drew! Drew slumps against the desk, Priest choke grips! SOUTH OF HEAVEN through the desk!! The fans are thunderous as The Punisher just dealt out street justice to Drew McIntyre! But what does this mean for the #1 contender’s status? Knight tells Priest that Preist might’ve just cost him! But then JACOB FATU DIVES from the ring!! The fans are thunderous again, and Jacob POSTS Priest! Knight is up, but Jacob brings him around to RAM into steel steps!
Fatu puts Knight back in the ring, then he puts Priest in the ring, and he has a target in each corner! HIP ATTACK for Knight! SPLASH for Priest! Knight is in the drop zone, Fatu goes up, up, and BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Then a HIP ATTACK for Priest!! Fort Worth is fired up, and Priest goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER for Priest!! The Samoan Werewolf just slaughtered two men at once, will no one even be able to face him for the title?
John Cena crosses paths with R-Truth!
They’re backstage, and Truth is glad Cena won the title. He’s been rooting for his hero since the beginning! If Cena needs Truth at any time for anything, just call. Cena doesn’t even respond, he just walks away. And then Jimmy Uso steps in. He shakes hands with Truth, and he asks when John Cena became so whack. Truth says there’s two sides to every story, Uce. That’s a REAL world champion. When Truth grows up, he’s gonna be just like Cena. But… You’re already grown up, Truth! Will Truth learn the truth about Cena on his own?
WWE Tag Team Championships TLC Triple Threat: The Street Profits VS Motor City Machine Guns VS DIY!
After months of back and forth between these three teams, and a few others here on SmackDown, it is time to finally put this one to rest. With tables, ladders, chairs, and no holding back, who will finally prove they are THE team on SmackDown?
The introductions are made, the belts are already high overhead, so it’s time to see who rises up and claims them as their own!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as all six men look up. But then DIY goes after MCMG! The Profits go after DIY, but DIY CLAW the eyes! Ciampa stomps Ford, Gargano stomps Dawkins, then they go out to fetch themselves a ladder! The fans want tables, but MCMG DROPKICK that ladder into DIY! The fans fire up, then the Profits and MCMG brawl! Shelley has Ford, Sabin HEADBUTTS Dawkins, and MCMG climb up to rain down fists! But DIY stop MCMG, they brawl some more, but Sabin & Shelley turn things around on Ciampa & Gargano. MCMG then crisscross to ELBOW the Profits, ROCK DIY, and repeat!
Ciampa swings, but into an atomic drop! Dropkick and Last Chancery, DREAM SEQUENCE! The fans fire up and MCMG set things up. Shelley holds the ropes open and Sabin DIVES into a chair!! Gargano then SMACKS Shelley in the leg! Gargano uses offense as defense, and then Ciampa JAMS Ford up with a chair! But Dawkins POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Gargano runs up, Dawkins picks him up, and he POSTS Gargano! Dawkins fires up, the fans fire up with him, and Dawkins fetches a ladder. Dawkins puts the ladder in, he’s all alone, and he hurries to set the ladder up. Dawkins climbs, but Sabin is in!
Sabin hops on for a SLEEPER, but Dawkins still climbs! The fans fire up, Dawkins fires elbows, but Shelley trips Dawkins up! Dawkins has a leg stuck int he rungs, and Shelley CLUBS away on it! Then DRAPING DRAGON SCRWE in the ladder rungs! Dawkins falls in a heap, and now MCMG take ownership of the ladder. Gargano is back, only for MCMG to mug him! They SMACK Gargano off rungs! Ciampa is back, MCMG mugs him now, and they stomp him down in the corner. MCMG drag Ciampa up, and they SMACK Ciampa off rungs! MCMG keeps the ladder standing and the fans rally up.
Ford is back, but now MCMG mugs him! They whip, Ford ducks the ladder, but the ladder is sent into Ford! Dawkins is back to DECK Shelley and DECK Sabin! Dawkins folds up the ladder, puts it aside, and he CYCLONE SPLASHES Shelley! CYCLONE SPLASH for Sabin! Dawkins goes up, up, but MCMG trip him up! MCMG have Dawkins in the Tree of Woe, and they stand on the groin! The Curse of Greatness is feeling really bad right now, but MCMG grab themselves a chair. The fans cheer as Sabin sets the chair in place, for Shelley’s FULL METAL DROPKICK! MCMG then see Ford coming, and Shelley JAMS him up!
But Ford blocks the chair shot! Only for Sabin to FULL METAL MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up again, and MCMG fetch the ladder. They set that in front of Dawkins’ face, but Gargano drags Shelley out of the ring! Gargano SMACKS Shelley off the apron! Ciampa does the same to Sabin, and then DIY YANKS the ladder into Dawkins’ face! DIY and MCMG brawl on the outside gain, but Ford FLIES over the corner! Direct hit on DIY and MCMG, and the fans are going nuts! All six men are down and writhing, but Ford manages to rise up. Ford hobbles around, finds himself a ladder, and he puts that in the ring.
Fort Worth still wants tables, but Ford sets his ladder up because he wants the prize! Ford climbs, but Ciampa is in! Ciampa grabs at a foot, Ford kicks free, so Ciampa climbs the other side! Ciampa keeps Ford from grabbing belts, but Ford does the same. Gargano is setting up another ladder right behind them! Gargano climbs while Ciampa and Ford brawl. The belts are so close, but neither Ford nor Gargano can get a good grip! Gargano figures screw it, FLYING FLATLINER off the ladder! Ciampa grabs the belts! But Dawkins drags Ciampa down! Dawkins DECKS Ciampa! Dawkins now sets the ladders side-by-side before he climbs.
DIY returns, and Ciampa grabs at Dawkins while Gargano climbs the second ladder. Gargano CLUBS Dawkins, goes up, but then Dawkins scoops Gargano! The fans fire up for the SUPER BIG ENDING!! Shoutout to Big E, but then Ciampa tosses one of the ladders. Ciampa focuses on one, but Sabin hurries to stop him! Sabin has an arm through the rungs! Dawkins is back, and he SHOVES the ladder over! Ciampa ends up crotched on the rope! Sabin is managing to cling to the ropes, but Shelley is there to fire hands on Dawkins! Shelley TOSSES Dawkins out, then he and Sabin reset the ladder. But Ciampa is back!
Ciampa SMACKS Shelley with a chair! And he SMACKS Sabin with a chair! Gargano returns with a chair of his own! Ciampa puts a chair around Shelley’s neck! Gargano aims, and he hits a HOMERUN!! Shelley sputters and falls away, Ciampa keeps Sabin down, and Gargano shoves the ladder over. But the ladder’s so tall, it bounces off the ropes to stand back up! Gargano tries again and the ladder finally stays on the ropes. Ciampa then suplexes Sabin, FULL METAL BRAINBUSTER!! Dawkins is back, but Gargano JAMS him up! And SMACKS him down! Ciampa SMACKS Dawkins again! Gargano JAMS Dawkins again and again!
The fans boo but DIY sit their chairs side-by-side. Gargano says hold on. And he flips them around! It’s a wedge! The fans freak out as DIY DOUBLE- NO, Dawkins fights the suplexes! Ford drags Ciampa out of the ring! Gargano DECKS Dawkins, DECKS Ford, but then Dawkins ROCKS Gargano! SILENCER on the chair wedge!! Gargano writhes and the fans go nuts again! The Profits then have the ladder to themselves. But then they say, “GET THE TABLES!!” The fans fire up for the Dudley shoutout, and the Profits find a table! They put that in the ring, Ford moves the ladder aside, and Forth Worth cheers for “TABLES! TABLES!”
Ciampa YANKS Dawkins down, but Ford SUPERKICKS Ciampa! Dawkins has Ciampa in the Electric Chair, and Ford takes aim! Ford builds speed, and FLIES! BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY onto everyone!! All six men are down, and the fans lose their minds all over again! “This is Awesome!” as all six men slowly rise, and Dawkins ROCKS Sabin! Ford borrows a fan’s prosthetic leg! Ford CLUBS Gargano with it! He gives it back to the fan and the crowd is loving this! Ford then sets up a ladder bridge between ring and barrier. The front row sits back a bit, but Ciampa CLUBS Ford! Ciampa SMACKS Ford off the bridge!
Shelley SMACKS Gargano off a table, Ciampa storms up to CLUB Shelley, and then DIY mugs Shelley. Sabin and Dawkins brawl on the other end, and Sabin JAMS Dawkins with a chair. Sabin puts Dawkins on a table and rains down hands! Wait, Ciampa is bringing a table of his own around the way, and he SMACKS Ford off the edge of it! Gargano and Shelley brawl, but Ciampa finally has his table set up on the ramp side. Shelley SMACKS Gargano off steel steps, then SMACKS him off there again! Ford turns things around on Ciampa to put him on a table! Sabin goes up, FROG SPLASH on Dawkins through the table!!
Ford sees that, but then he looks at Ciampa on that table. Ford says bet, and he builds speed to FLY! SWANTON BOMB on Ciampa through the table!! The fans are thunderous as now Gargano and Shelley are the only ones not in some kind of wreckage! “This is Awesome!” as Ford crawls away from Ciampa. Sabin leaves Dawkins behind, but Gargano is in with Ford. Ford is up top but Gargano fires hands! Ford GAMANGIRIS in return! Then Ford goes back up, but Ciampa rises! Ciampa drags Ford down, but Ford SUPERKICKS! Ford runs up, but into a BOOT! And then another BOOT! Ciampa reels Ford in and looks to the bridge!
Ciampa fireman’s carries, AIR RAID CRASH down through the ladder bridge!! Fort Worth loses their minds all over again as Ciampa shouts for Gargano to climb! Gargano sets the ladder up, climbs, but Shelley anchors a leg! Gargano fights Shelley, but Sabin is climbing in from the other side. Gargano ROCKS Sabin, DECKS Shelley, and repeat! Sabin wobbles, Gargano lines up his shot. ONE FINAL- NO, Sabin stops the DDT! He SHOVES Gargano into the post, then MCMG give Gargano a DOUBLE BOOT SANDWICH at the corner! Sabin drags Gargano closer to the table, then stands on it…?! Shelley goes up, SKULL & BONES through the table!!!
The fans are going nuts all over again as MCMG risks it all just for this match! “This is Awesome!” as all six men are down somewhere around ringside. But Ciampa slowly rises! He slaps himself to fire back up, and he climbs the ladder! Ciampa is within reach of those belts, gets his hands on the bracket, and- WAIT! MCMG is folding up that ladder! Ciampa is now pulling a Jeff Hardy by dangling from the belts! MCMG grab chairs, Ciampa is a pinata for the beating! Ciampa’s legs are the only real targets, though, so that’s not enough. MCMG get a table under Ciampa, but they don’t see Dawkins climbing the ladder!
MCMG pull at Ciampa’s legs, but Dawkins takes aim! Well, if Ciampa is Jeff Hardy, then Dawkins is about to go Rated R! Dawkins FLYING SPEARS Ciampa off the belts and down through a table!!!! Everyone is losing their minds, including MCMG! MCMG clears the wreckage, and fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” But someone has to win these belts, and now MCMG sets the ladder back underneath them. Shelley climbs, but Gargano JAMS Sabin up! And then he CHUCKS the chair at Shelley! MCMG is down, Gargano climbs up, and the fans boo. Gargano reaches the top, paws at the belts, but Sabin hurries up after him!
Gargano and Sabin brawl up top, they touch the belts, then throw more hands! The fans cheer Sabin and boo Gargano as the shots keep going. Sabin gets the edge, he SMACKS Gargano off rungs, and Gargano falls! But Ford SPRINGBOARDS to the ladder!! Ford DECKS Sabin, grabs the belts, but Gargano drags him back down! Gargano traps Ford’s legs in the rung! SUPERKICK! Ford is stuck and Gargano literally climbs over him! Gargano reaches up, but Sabin is back again! Sabin fires hands, Gargano fires back, and Ford gets free!? Ford climbs from the side of the ladder! Ford fires hands on each of them!
Ford SMACKS Gargano, SMACKS Sabin, and they both fall! Ford is back up top, and he has the belts off the hook! PROFITS WIN!!
Winners: The Street Profits (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
Fort Worth cheers as The Profits are still up! They wanted the smoke, they got the smoke, and they walked through the fire to still be forged in gold! Will anyone ever bring them down from the heights they’ve reached?
My Thoughts:
An awesome SmackDown After Mania, with a great pivot towards the Backlash build, since they’ve gotta get on that with it only two weeks away. Very good promo from Cena and Orton to open tonight, though framing this as “Cena should settle down and become a family man” is a bit odd. Cena did do a good job roasting that kid and his dad, though. It was obviously going to be Cena VS Orton in St. Louis, so they just made it official. Orton standing tall twice in one week already indicates that Orton is not winning. There is going to be much more drama in this, with Cena trying to run out the clock, so to speak. Also, good to finally see R-Truth and John Cena interact, and I hope we get more of this as time goes on.
Awesome match from Los Garza VS Fraxiom to make Fraxiom’s call up official. Great win for Fraxiom, but I’m very curious to see if the team sticks together much longer. They love playing up the dysfunction, and the first promo segment from them likely keeps that going, but they’re still a great team so they could go for the tag titles before a break-up happens. Aleister Black’s return being knocking out Miz was a decent move, especially after Miz got done ranting about how he feels overshadowed. Also, Miz giving Melo that goofy Andre the Giant necklace is a bit much, but whatever, Melo surely will have a good run from here on out.
Good promo from Tiffany and Jade to give us their “impromptu” match, but it makes so much sense for Naomi to go after Jade and Nia to go after Tiff. We’re definitely getting a rematch of Naomi VS Jade, and obviously Tiff VS Nia is on the table, but I wonder if we get a “Can they coexist?” type tag match as part of the build. We might even end up with something bigger given Jade and Naomi also deserve something title wise. Especially when sadly, Bianca Belair can’t do anything with Jade and Naomi given that bad hand. But she did hint that no matter what, she’s staying on SmackDown, which makes sense because duh, her husband Montez is here.
Very good match but great moment for Zelina to win the Women’s US Championship. Zelina herself has been deserving something like this, it’s partly why she is the inaugural Queen of the Ring, and now she has even more validation of her hard work and ability. Great stuff in the Men’s US Championship story, with Fatu putting Solo in his place but then Knight and McIntyre stepping up. Great contender’s match, even with Solo going after Knight and Priest going after Drew. I feel like we’re getting a Fatal 4 Way here, but maybe that’s too much for Fatu’s first defense. Either way, I’m liking that Drew could be getting himself that Grand Slam with this US Championship.
And what an amazing main event. In many ways, these tag titles should’ve been on the WrestleMania card somewhere, perhaps swapping places with the World Tag Team Championships. There’s probably something about how Mania having all those sponsors, The War Raiders felt more Clash of Clans coded than the three teams in this match. And maybe there’s something about the “star power factor,” aka Logan Paul gets a spot because he’s Logan Paul, barf.
But at the same time, I think the Mania snub motivated these six guys to really go above and beyond. Them recreating THE famous spot from Dudley Boyz VS Hardy Boyz VS Edge & Christian was awesome. Kudos to Dawkins being Edge in that moment. Ford did a lot of great stuff himself, and him finishing it off was also great, I really hope we get more great stuff from the Profits and the whole SmackDown Tag Division.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.24.25
We get another chapter of Hardy Compound shenanigans! NEMETH BROTHERS! WE KNEW YOU’D COME!

Oh boy, the best thing to come from the TNA product has been on WWE programs for the last month or so. Can we start getting some non-garbage episodes that make sense with wrestling that isn’t useless or atrocious? And Trey Miguel is the first person out…so my faith is dwindling.
I hate these early stages of the Delirious Dreamer combination. This crap makes me miss Tigre Uno, Dixie Carter, hell even the Claire Lynch angle was so disgustingly cringe it was car crash entertaining. You know, like Jersey Shore. So let’s see if something can stop sucking.
.@NicTNemeth has a strange run-in with Willow The Wisp…
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchIaY pic.twitter.com/oATIF574yn
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025
Ratings:
- Trey Miguel & Ace Austin vs Moose & JDC w/Alisha: JDC wins after interference – ** 1/4
- Jacy Jayne w/ Fatal Influence vs Rosemary: Jacy wins via Rolling Punch – **
- Cinematic Hardy Compound: Kaiba Boys vs Hardy Boyz: 15/7, 10/10, 100/100, Hardy thing ever!
- Tessa Blanchard vs Missa Kate: Tessa wins via Buzzsaw DDT – **
- Joe Hendry & Elijah vs Ethan Page & Kaz: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ** 3/4
Results:
Trey Miguel & Ace Austin vs Moose & JDC w/Alisha
JDC and Trey start it’s just chain wrestling, nothing worth notating. The big early spot is slow and dumb, Trey goes for a Springboard Moonsault while in the Arm Wringer to turn it into a slow Arm Drag followed by a slow Dropkick. Throws JDC into the face corner, and Moose is late to the help spot so Trey has to beckon for him to come forward for a Tandem Drop Toe Hold causing Moose to Headbutt JDC in the groin. Double Dropkick sends Moose to the floor, but he doesn’t sell it long so he plucks Trey off the apron, smashes him and JDC tags out as we go to commercial. Jesus Christ this is cornball trope start and no one is looking good in the first 5 minutes. Am I possibly a little a jaded? Well of course, the shows have sucked for weeks and you start with bog standard “make fun of the heel” team start and its slow and unengaging. Maybe Dreamer should ask Trips if TNA talent can use the PC to learn psychology or…something interesting.
We come back and the heels are still magically in control with JDC locking in a Hammerlock Suplex into a Keylock. Tag to Moose and Trey is sooo banged up apparently an Arm Wringer throws him to the mat like a bitch. Starting off the show so damn slow is not really a good luck to keep people watching the show. It’s only like 8:20 and I want to go to sleep. Moose of course gets cocky taking his time to do a Jacknife Powerbomb so of course Trey counters, Ace gets the hot tag and guess what? Ace starts laying out both guys with quick strikes, Tijeras, Kicks, Click Click Boom, his corner dodge into the Mochizuki Triangle Kick but Moose kicks out. *sigh*
Ace decides to tag Trey back in, but their version of Poetry in Motion gets caught by Moose and Moose Powerbombs Trey into Ace. System tandem offense, Dropkick from JDC, Uranage from Moose, Down and Dirty from Dango but Ace breaks up the pin. Ace assists Trey with the Knee Slide Tornado DDT to take out Moose, they look for a finish but Lish distracts the ref, Dango kicks Trey in the dick, Brian Myers interferes and JDC wins the match.
Yawn…basic bullshit is not really driving attention.
Next is a video package for Masha and Tessa with Masha talking…who can’t cut a promo in English and Dreamer of course inserts himself for a fake “do it for your trainer” add. Oh Christ, this is like Rocky IV from Wish, but the Russian is the babyface. I hate every second of this and welcome the commercial break.
While I think this promo goes on entirely too long, you can decide if it sucks or not:
.@Santana_Proud reflects ahead of #TNARebellion, where his war with @MustafaAli_X reaches its boiling point in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchalq pic.twitter.com/zeSr7tQQVT
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025
Jacy Jayne w/ Fatal Influence vs Rosemary
Start isn’t really a thing since Rosemary feigns the Mist so Jacy runs away, when she does get back in Rosemary clocks her, beats on her in the corner, Upside Down and then gorgeous Fallon and the pack tactics give Jacy enough of a distraction to PK kick Rosemary and take control. Rosemary gets out of a Headlock with biting, then bits Jacy on the face and follows it up with a Shotgun Dropkick. Jacy tries to Reverse the Irish Whip but Rosemary kicks off the buckle, turns and connects with a Flying Forearm. Rosemary gets a little distracted, eats a V-Trigger but zombie rises from the dead and Face Buster into a Spicolli Driver attempt, but Jazmyn gets involved, Rosemary drops Jazmyn and when she turns around Jacy connects with her Rolling Punch for the finish.
Fatal Influence attack Rosemary and Mirror Match Xias come to make the save.
.@milanmiracle is ON THE CASE! @Jazmyn_nyx_wwe, @FallonHenleyWWE and @jacyjaynewwe vs. @XiaBrookside, @TheLeiYingLee and @WeAreRosemary at #TNARebellion!?
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchIaY pic.twitter.com/eTAQNOgiO8
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025
Cinematic Hardy Compound: Kaiba Boys vs Hardy Boyz
Willow the Wisp sighting early, he drops the umbrella and starts dancing to Kendrick’s They Not Like Us, then Jeff shows up and attacks Nic, they brawl in a pickup truck. Seto Nic Ziggler hits the Superkick, but Jeff turns it around, they get on top of the cab and Jeff wants to Powerbomb Nic through conveniently placed tables, but Back Body Drop sends Jeff crashing. Nic goes into the truck and finds a tag team title. Is that the idea? First person to find the titles like an RPG quest?
Matt Pearl Harbors Mokuba near a fountain as it cuts to Nic walking through the house at the arcade, and he finds their title case and he thinks it’s booby trapped so he does the heist thing of replacing the title with an exercise weight. Matt has a PREMONITION!!! THe Kaibas have the titles! And Ryan turns things around for a moment until he eats gate and gets Speared into the pool with Reby playing piano looking like a snack. Ryan is teleported into the house for Maxel the Great with Senor Benjamin as the ticket taker and most of the Hardy kids sitting in the theater. It’s an old 1920s Silent Film with Maxel beating up Ryan and the kids keep saying he sucks. He gets showered in roses, Benjamin is crying the kids rejoice and cut back to Ryan floating in the pool. Dr Wolfie is diagnosing Ryan on the couch and they have a fantastic conversation. Wolfie blames the Matt Hardy fans for Booing Wolfie. Wolfie asks if Ryan if he ever hugged his parents and Ryan starts crying and Wolfie goes “That’ll be 500 dollars for the emotional damage”.
Gothic Baby Shadow Realms Ryan into his Emo Phase with Simple Plan playing. Then he has a roast battle with Bardie. Ryan is getting pelted with eggs while Matt is drowning him in the pool. Nic saves his Little Brother from drowning in the pool (been there). Maxel attacks, Nic Pie Faces the kid, Ryan ambushes Matt with a title shot and then BROTHER NERO! We’re just missing Itchweed to complete the essences of Jeff.
Nemeths see Jeff stalking them and they bail. So we may get a return to the Broken Brothers.
.@ryrynemnem is working some things out with Dr. Wolfie.
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/ZTlWqchIaY pic.twitter.com/ydPCkpfP6l
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 25, 2025
That was glorious and the fact it’s used as a set up for a real match instead of a replacement for a real match makes it actually better.
Tessa Blanchard vs Missa Kate
Tessa doesn’t take her serious after a quick flurry so Kate lands a Tilt-a-Whirl Gourdbuster before Tessa turns things around and lays in offense. Dropkick, Springboard Elbows, Teardrop Suplex, and Tessa calms down a little after taking complete control again. Tessa keeps Kate in the corner and lays in Forearms, Kicks, goes for a Splash but Kate finally dodges and slams Tessa face first into a Buckle. Tessa hits the Cutter, goes to the top, MAGNUM, Buzzsaw DDT just because.
Masha attacks Tessa after the match and hits the Russian Death Device and puts her in a Fujiwara Armbar until Tessa gets away and bails to the floor while Masha holds the ring.
Joe Hendry & Elijah vs Ethan Page & Kaz
This whole match is stupid. Hendry had no tape at Mania, went against “doctor’s orders” to defend the title at Rebellion this Sunday anyway…so they put him in a worthless tag match when they didn’t want him active? Delirious and Dreamer need to be shot in the head. It won’t hit anything.
Elijah and Kaz start this match, Kaz looks dumb and gets dogwalked and then Rope Walked because heels aren’t allowed to be competent against “fan favorites” until at least 3 minutes into a match. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Back from the commercial break, Hendry and Elijah Double Clothesline Kaz and he’ll prolly slip something in a minute or so. Elijah does 10 Count Punches dropping Kaz, into the ropes, Kaz hops over him but Elijah throws him towards Page. Weird…but okay. Ethan calls for Hendry, and they lock up causing Hendry to wince at the arm that isn’t Kayfabed well, but Hendry hits the ropes, Shoulder Tackle into Hip Toss with “bad” arm, now Stalling Suplex that is just dropped immediately because of “arm”. Tags out quickly to Elijah and Ethan gets Manhattan Dropped and Big Booted into Saturday. Kaz takes a cheap shot when Elijah hits the ropes, so Ethan pounces and the heels finally have some momentum. Double Team on Elijah into a Rude Awakening from Kaz for two.
Ethan tries to keep Elijah isolated, Elijah gets the boot up, but he cuts off Elijah from the tag, Ethan tags in Kaz and a Slingshot Leg Drop gets another two. Elijah fights out of the corner, knocks down Ethan, counter wrestling from Kaz and Elijah before a Jumping Knee Lift levels Kaz. Elijah looks for the tag but Ethan picks Hendry off the apron and throws him into the steps. Heels doing the dogpile thing. Ethan throws Elijah into a corner, Up and Over but Ethan catches him just to get kicked away. Joe drags himself to the corner, simultaneous tags, Lariats into Sack of Shit for both heels. Attitude Adjustment on Kaz for only two. Hendry is overselling the injury no one cares enough about to write logically. So good for him that he’s doing their job, it’s just creative that isn’t. Kaz catches Hendry in Fade to Black but Hendry gets out, Scoop Slam into the Springboard Leg Drop but Hendry kicks out. Kaz wants the Chicken Wing on the bad arm, but Ethan tags himself in causing infighting, Avalanche Tandem Superplex but Elijah shoves Ethan into the pinfall to break it. Elijah and Ethan throw hands, Crossroads from Elijah, Backstabber from Kaz, Rope Run Cutter from Hendry on Kaz, Spin and pose, Standing Ovation attempt but the arm gives, Elijah tags in, Ethan refuses to tag Kaz, Highwayman’s Farewell from Elijah.
Overall Score: 6.4/10
All of the points are for Fallon Henley existing, Lei Ying Lee and the Hardy Compound match. Without the Hardy match the show was like a 2. Bad logic, bad booking, heels are too samey with everyone being a dweeb that has to get beat on for 3-5 minutes before they can remember they can wrestle. Sean Waltman is also an interesting wrinkle in the System and Rascalz thing, but the first hour of this show was useless. If people continued to watch for the Hardy match, that was the only thing that may have entertained new eyes because of WrestleMania.
Rebellion is Sunday and next Thursday starts at 10 Eastern…ugh. If TNA doesn’t get off the west coast or work days, I won’t review any of this positively. First World problems, fully aware. But come on now, especially with the shit writing from the last month or so, this show isn’t worth staying up if they TNA personally paid people to review it. It would be totally different if the content was entertaining.
You know what, just give the Hardy’s the book. I’d rather insanity than forgetting to write in logic to a kayfabe injury and because things are pre-taped the WM appearance makes no sense and sudden over selling makes less sense. This isn’t booking into a corner this is booking into a Short Bus with a flat tire.
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