Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (3/14/23)
Who answers the Open Challenge?
Even more titles are on the line after Roadblock!
Wes Lee loved the chaos of his previous NXT North American Championship Open Challenge so much, he’s doing it again! Who answers the call this time? Plus, Gallus defends the NXT Tag Team titles against Pretty Deadly!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS Pretty Deadly; Gallus wins and retains the titles.
- NXT Women’s Championship Qualifier: Zoey Stark VS Sol Ruca; Stark wins and advances to the title match at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley; Fyre & Dawn win and will challenge for the titles at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT North American Championship Open Challenge: Wes Lee VS ???; No Contest.
- Apollo Crews VS Dabba-Kato; Kato wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship Qualifier: Kiana James VS Gigi Dolin; Gigi wins and advances to the title match at Stand & Deliver.
PLAY BY PLAY
Johnny Gargano is here!
The fans fire up for Johnny Wrestling as he makes his way to the ring, ready to stand and deliver. Fans chant “Johnny Wrestling!” as Gargano gets the mic. Gargano says, “Let’s see. Where did we leave off?” Fans chant, “Welcome Home!” Gargano smiles, and asks them a favor. Last time he was in this ring, Waller jumped him from behind with a chair. Watch his back for him, yeah? Gargano says last time he was in NXT, he said he’d teach his son how to be the best man he can be. And to be the best man you can be, you finish what you start. It’s WrestleMania Season! And there’s a lot of talk about finishing the story. Well, Gargano is back in NXT to finish his story!
“15 months ago, my story ended on a cliffhanger. And when I came back to Monday Night Raw in August, it felt like a little piece of me was missing. Because the last time you guys saw me, I was lying face down on that announce table, with Grayson Waller standing above me. Grayson Waller didn’t just take my last moment from me, he took closure from me. He took out the Heart & Soul of NXT in my last night in the company. And y’know what? I hate to say this… But I kinda respect it. I kinda do. That’s why I gave you a gift, Grayson. I waited. I wanted to see what you’d do with that moment. Because the last guy who took me out, his name was Tommaso Ciampa.”
Gargano says Ciampa became one of the greatest NXT Champions of all time. So Gargano sat back and watched. What’d Grayson do? Fans chant, “NOTHING!” Waller had two chances, and he FAILED. Then what? Waller whined, cried, complained and blamed everyone but himself! Waller started disrespecting the fans, the locker room, and most importantly, he started disrespecting NXT! “A lot has changed in 15 months, but one thing that will never change, no matter what brand I’m on, NXT is my home! And Grayson, you do not screw with a man’s home!” Fans like the sound of that!
Gargano says that for seven years, blood, sweat and tears, in front of all these people- Wait! Vic Joseph is getting Gargano’s attention. Waller is AT Gargano’s house!! Waller is watching Gargano on NXT right now! Gargano hurries out of the ring, will he make it home in time?!
NXT shares footage of when Wes Lee arrived.
And Axiom finds him. Axiom says he’s gonna follow Wes everywhere today. No one is taking the title opportunity from Axiom. Wait, the match is eight HOURS from now. What’s he gonna do until then? Whatever Wes wants to do. Alright… Is he hungry? Yeah, Axiom could eat. If Axiom is going to shadow Wes Lee until the title match, does that mean he’s hanging out with the Cardiac Kid even now?
NXT returns as Gargano is on the phone.
Gargano tells Candice not to open any doors, he’s on his way. McKenzie Mitchell hurries after to ask Gargano how he’s feeling. Gargano just has to get home. Gargano gets in his car and drives out of the parking lot. Will Johnny Wrestling get home to stop Waller from violating any more of the Gargano family’s privacy?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS Pretty Deadly!
Speaking of titles, this all seems rather familiar. Mark Coffey & Wolfgang have made NXT their kingdom, but Elton Prince & Kit Wilson want those belts back! Will history repeat itself from NXT UK? Or will Gallus Boys stay on top?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who gets to #SidePlateCheck!
The teams sort out, Mark starts against Elton and they tie up. They go around, Mark puts Elton on the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Elton SLAPS Mark! Then mocks him! Mark ROCKS Elton but Elton throws hands. Mark headlocks, and holds on as Elton tries to power out. Elton throws body shots, fans duel, and Elton powers out, only to get run over! Mark arm-drags Elton, has the armlock, and he brings Elton back up. Elton throws hands, knees, and whips Mark to a corner. Mark reverses, Elton reverses back but Elton runs into an elbow! Elton bails out but Wolfgang is there! Elton runs away to his corner.
Elton and Kit talk, then sneak a tag! Elton anchors Mark’s foot, Kit sunset flips! TWO, but Kit cradles, TWO! Kit taunts that it was that close, but Mark says he still has the belt. Kit rushes in, but into an arm-drag! Tag to Wolfgang, he takes the handoff on the arm, and he STRAIGHT ARM SUPLEXES! Kit goes to a corner, Wolfgang SPLASHES! Wolfgang TOSSES Kit across the way! Wolfgang runs in, Elton gets Kit out of the way, and Kit fires off on Wolfgang! Fans boo but Wolfgang shoves Kit back. Kit runs in, Wolfgang puts him on the apron, but Kit shoulders in. Kit slingshots, but into Wolfgang’s arms!
Wolfgang TOSSES Kit, tags Mark, and Gallus drags Kit up. They whip Kit to a corner hard and Kit falls! Then Gallus DOUBLE MONKEY FLIP Kit back the other way! Elton runs in, but Wolfgang trips him! CATAPULT BACK DROP! Kit gets up, Mark DECKS him! Wolfgang clotheslines Elton out of the ring! Fans fire up and NXT goes picture in picture.
Pretty Deadly regroups on the outside while Mark has Wolfgang cool off. Wolfgang returns to the corner and Mark waits on Kit. Pretty Deadly Kit try to fake Mark out but Mark sees Kit coming! Mark ROCKS Kit, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Tag to Wolfgang, Gallus mugs Kit, then Wolfgang UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS !Kit yoyos, but into a clinch! Kit powers Wolfgang back, tags in Elton and they mug Wolfgang in the corner. Wolfgang hits back with big elbows! Elton CHOPS, but Wolfgang ROCKS Elton back. Elton CHOPS, Wolfgang ROCKS! Wolfgang stalks Elton but walks into a knee!
Elton headlocks, Wolfgang pulls hair and powers out, but Elton pulls hair to reel Wolfgang into another knee! Tag to Kit, but Wolfgang wrangles Kit to a hammerlock takedown! Wolfgang grinds Kit into the mat with a chinbar added on. Kit endures, fights up, but Wolfgang wrangles him back down! Wolfgang grinds on the hammerlock, chinbars again, and he drags Kit from the ropes. Kit fights up but Wolfgang has a cobra clutch! Kit throws hands but Mark tags in. Wolfgang RAMS kit, then feeds him to Mark’s FLYING SHOULDER! Cover, TWO! Mark now has Kit in a cobra clutch! Kit still endures as fans rally up.
Kit fights up, throws hands, but Mark ripcords. Kit still ROCKS Mark with another forearm! And another! Kit swings, but into a waistlock! Kit fights, gets a facelock, and now Mark endures the hold! Kit CLUBS Mark, facelocks again, but Mark pries free to put the cobra clutch back on! NXT returns to single picture as fans rally and duel. Mark ripcords, Kit gets around, Mark switches, O’CONNER! TWO, and Elton UPPERCUTS! Kit hits a BIG back suplex! Tag to Elton and he stomps away on Mark! Elton rains down fists then huffs and puffs. Elton drops a leg, covers, TWO! Fans rally up but Elton KNEES Mark in the back!
Elton tags Kit, Pretty Deadly double whip Mark to double elbow him down! Kit covers, TWO! Kit pie faces Mark, KNEES him in the side, then KNEES him again! Fans rally, Kit RAMS Mark into the corner, and Elton tags in. Elton taunts Wolfgang then runs to UPPERCUT Mark! Cover, TWO! Wolfgang coaches Mark, but Elton CLUBS Mark down. Elton stomps Mark in the corner, clotheslines, then stomps again! Elton repeats the process, pushes Mark down to cover, TWO! Mark hangs tough and fans rally up but Elton clamps on a chinlock. Mark endures as Elton grinds, and fans rally up more.
Mark fights up, but Elton wrangles him down! Cover, TWO! Elton tags Kit, Pretty Deadly mugs Mark. Kit soaks up the cheers and jeers, then waits on Mark. Mark rises, Kit BOOTS him down! Kit sits Mark up to BOOT him again! Kit clamps onto Mark with a neck wrench but Mark endures. Fans rally up again, Mark fights up but Kit knees low. Mark throws body shots, Kit knees low again. Tag to Elton, but Mark back drops Elton away! Then arm-drags Kit! Mark dodges Elton, hot tag to Wolfie! Wolfgang rallies on Pretty Deadly, fires off hands on Elton, then whips Elton for a CALF KICK! Then a SPLASH in the corner!
Kit rushes in but Wolfgang BOOTS him from the apron! Wolfgang goes up for an AX HANDLE! Wolfgang scoops to SLAM Elton, then he runs, for the BASEMENT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Elton is still in this but Wolfgang tags Mark. Gallus drags Elton up, hoist him up, DOUBLE URENAGE! Cover, but Kit dropkicks it apart! Wolfgang runs in but Kit fires off on him! Elton helps out, Pretty Deadly mugs then double clohtslines Wolfgang out! But Wolfgang drags them both out! Pretty Deadly mug Wolfgang again, then TOSS him over the announce desk! Fans go nuts over that one! Pretty Deadly then get up to their old tricks and grab the title belts!
Elton distracts the ref with his, but Kit CLOBBERS Mark with the other!! Cover, TWO!?!? Mark survives and shocks everyone! Tag to Kit, Pretty Deadly hurry to finish this! But Wolfgang dumps Elton out! Kit sees what happened, but turns around into an UPPERCUT! Mark tags Wolfgang and Wolfgang scoops Kit! Mark runs, KNEE-K-O!! Cover, Gallus wins!!
Winners: Gallus, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
A fast and furious finish fitting of Hollywood action movies! With this victory, will Mark & Wolfgang look to stand and deliver?
Fallon Henley & Josh Briggs sneak into Kiana James’ office.
What’s he wearing? She told him, “Covert ops!” Yeah, and? And, they can only see his face. That outfit is only good in the woods, not in an office building! Well, they’re here anyways. Fallon takes out a hairpin to pick the lock. But Briggs checks the knob. It’s unlocked! How’d Briggs know it’d be unlocked? Uh, the cleaning ladies let them in, so maybe she could try door handles first. Whatever, just look around for clues. Wait, Kiana has a Stand & Deliver guarantee? Fallon wants Briggs to read this, but he says it’s a paper in an office, big whoop. A noise makes Briggs hide behind Kiana’s plant.
Fallon says chill, this is a title match contract. Wait, really? Fallon reads it. “Kiana James agrees to be present and in condition for her NXT Women’s Championship Qualifying Match on Tuesday, March 14th.” That’s tonight! So much for being a team. But hey, why stop at one title, one guy, one relationship? That again? Just keep looking! There has to be proof! Briggs sees the photo of Kiana and Jensen at the diner. Briggs sure hopes for Jensen’s sake that they’re wrong. Did he get a good look at the card that came with the flowers? Nope, Kiana snatched it away and put it in a planner. Oh, like this one? BINGO! Bust it open, girl!
They flip through the pages, and Kiana even has something called “Operation: Boyfriend,” and it’s marked, “Ongoing.” What? Get Fallon team with her? Wasn’t that Fallon’s idea? She thought it was… Okay, the call home to mom and Zack, that checks out. Oh, the truth about ONE thing. Drinks with Sebastian? Dinner with Sebastian? THAT BITCH! Briggs tries to calm Fallon down, suggesting that Sebastian could just be a work colleague. Oh, c’mon. He’s really trying. OH! The card! From Sebastian!! “Thanks for the date. It was a truly unforgettable night. And morning?!” Poor Brooks…
Fallon can’t believe it! But now they have a name! Fallon, shh! They gotta leave quietly, too! Fallon snaps a pic of the card and puts the planner back. But who is this Sebastian?
Shawn Michael speaks.
Just as he tweeted out, HBK says, “As of Friday morning, Roxanne Perez was discharged from the hospital. However, after numerous tests, Roxanne’s health is still in question. With Stand & Deliver in less than three weeks, I have the obligation to announce we possibly have to crown a NEW NXT Women’s Champion. Starting tonight, there will be a series of qualifying matches with the winners advancing to Stand & Deliver to compete to become the NXT Women’s Champion in a Ladder match.” Will the Prodigy’s prize be literally up in the air in Hollywood?
NXT hears from the doctors.
Dr. Warren Becker says he and his team of sports medicine physicians have been running a series of tests on Roxanne Perez, checking three main areas: heard, heart and vessels in the body. Roxie’s bloodwork came back reassuring. She wasn’t dehydrated, her CT scans showed no abnormalities, and most importantly of all, her EKG came back showing no heart arrhythmia. But while all that is encouraging, it does present us the difficulty of knowing why Roxie collapsed. It is the doctor’s recommendation to continue testing, and maybe even bring in a clinical psychologist. They also do not have an estimated return date for Roxie.
NXT Women’s Championship Qualifier: Zoey Stark VS Sol Ruca!
The Hunter and the Surfer have collided before, and it was Stark’s win back then. But Sol prides herself on how hard she works on herself. Will Sol prove she’s leveled up past Stark? Or will Stark not be denied her golden opportunity in Hollywood?
NXT returns and Stark makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two tie right up. Stark puts Sol on the ropes but lets off with a shove. Sol shoves back! And again! And again! Stark knees low, whips but solo handsprings up and over! Sol kicks low, whips, and back drops! Stark lands hard, bails out, and fans taunt her, “OH~ Zoey is Angry~!” Stark gets in the ring in a huff, and she knees Sol low. Solo blocks buckle bump to buckle bump back! Sol bumps Stark more, whips her corner to corner, and runs in, but is put on the apron. Sol slingshots to CODE BREAKER! Stark flounders, fans fire up, and Sol stands Stark up.
Stark swings on Sol but Sol goes Matrix! Sol kips up to LARIAT! Cover, ONE! Stark bails out again but Sol pursues, into a SUPERKICK! Stark puts Sol back in the ring, covers, TWO! Sol rolls to ropes but Stark stomps her down. The ref counts, Stark lets off, and she CLUBS Sol. Stark whips, Sol reverses but Stark SMASHES her with a knee! Then SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Stark cravats and cranks the neck but Sol endures. Fans rally up but Stark keeps Sol down. Sol moves around, keeps her shoulders up, then fights to her feet. But Stark SLAMS her right back down! Stark pushes Sol to a cover, TWO! Stark clamps right back on with the chinlock!
Stark CLUBS away on Sol, clamps on a chinlock tighter, but Sol still fights up. Stark CLUBS Sol, then has the cravat back. Stark thrashes Sol around but Sol still endures. Stark KNEES Sol in the head, but Sol spins to snapmare free! Sol blocks a kick to ROCK Stark! Stark ROCKS Sol back, the forearms fly! Sol dodges to FLYING SHOULDER! And another! Sol mule kicks, CLUBS and ENZIGURIS! Stark flounders to a corner, Sol runs and handsprings to SPLASH! Sol then scoops Stark for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Sol and she runs in to clothesline Stark up and out! Stark is dazed as she stands up but Sol is up top! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!
Fans fire up with Sol as she even sticks the landing! Booker T says that’s a ten! Sol puts Stark in, aims and springboards, but into a clinch! Z 360!! Cover, Stark wins!!
Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Stark snatches victory away from Sol and is now heading to Hollywood! But just how many of these qualifiers does HBK have planned?
SCRYPTS speaks.
“They say give a man a mask, and he will show you his true face. From my corner of darkness, my eyes scan across NXT to see metaphorical, physical and emotional masks, cloaking the ideals, faces and true feelings of many. But my gaze… is drown to one man. Sincerely, Scrypts.” Is the wicked writer looking to erase a certain someone?
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley!
On a night where the Women’s Division is fighting for gold, three teams fight to be the ones going after Fallon & Kiana! Will the Fire Keeper and the Wicked Witch cast a spell to eliminate all that stand in their way? Or will another team move up to go for gold?
NXT returns as the former champions, Kayden & Katana, make their entrance. Lastly, the Diamond Mine’s duo make their entrance. In this kind of Triple Threat, one member from each team is legal, so Tatum steps up with Katana and Isla. Isla kicks, Tatum blocks it, and she spins Isla so Katana can ROCK Isla! Tatum ROCKS Isla, Fyre protests, but then Katana headlocks Tatum. Tatum picks her up but Katana also headscissors Isla to THROW them both! Fans fire up and Katana dodges Ila to sunset flip! Tatum drags Katana off to suplex, but Katana cradles! Isla pushes it over and then throws Katana out.
Katana is on the apron, she knees into Isla then body scissors to throw her out! Tatum runs in but into a shoulder! Slingshot sunset flip, TWO! Katana DROPKICKS Tatum, tags Kayden, and Kayden trips Tatum. Katana cartwheel KNEE DROPS! Kayden hurries in to waistlock but Tatum switches. O’Conner Roll, TWO, and Kayden holds onto Tatum. Isla runs in but both Tatum and Kayden duck the Penalty Kick! Kayden rolls Isla while holding Tatum with body scissors! DOUBLE COVER, TWO! Tatum runs in but Kayden ROCKS her! Isla whips Kayden into Tatum then BOOTS Tatum! Roll up on Kayden, TWO!
Isla drags Kayden over, tags in Fyre and Isla stomps Kayden while Fyre fires off on Tatum. They coordinate, Fyre traps Tatum while Isla whips Kayden corner to corner. Kayden gets sent into Tatum! Fyre then ROCKS Tatum! Kaydne ROCKS Fyre! Tag to Katana, Kayden DROP SPLASHES Tatum and Fyre! Then she gives Katana the wheelbarrow back suplex SPLASH! Cover, Tatum breaks it! Tatum and Katan fire off, but Tatum scoops Katana to SLAM her on Fyre! Cover on Fyre, TWO! Tatum drags Fyre over, tag to Ivy, and the Diamond Mine girls double suplex! Cover, Katana breaks it!
Katana facleocks but Ivy TOSSES her! Ivy dodges Fyre, then KICK PUNCH COMBOS them both! Ivy TOSSES Fyre to a corner, DECKS her, then TOSSES Katana to a corner! Katana BOOTS back, goes up, CROSSBODIES, but Ivy rolls through! Ivy lifts Katana to fireman’s carry, but Fyre SUPERKICKS her down! Katana also goes tumbling away, Fyre tags Isla. Isla hits a METEORA! Cover, TWO! Kayden calls to Katana but has to avoid Fyre’s sweep! Kayden then SUPERKICKS Fyre away! Isla swings but misses, and then turns around into a ROUNDHOUSE from Ivy! Ivy crawls over to Tatu, but Tatum LEAVES HER HANGING!?
Ivy doesn’t understand, but Tatum says, “We were NEVER a team!” Fans boo but Isla DROPKICKS Ivy out of the ring! Katana runs in, dodges Isla and hits a CODE BREAKER! Hot tag to Kayden and Katana goes up, only for Fyre to shove her down! Kayden DECKS Fyre but Isla ROUNDHOUSES Kayden! Tatum adds on to Ivy with a KICK to the side! Fans boo but Isla loves seeing this! Tatum feeds Ivy to the BACK STABBER SWANTON COMBO!! Cover, Isla 7 Fyre win!
Winners: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships)
The Diamond Mine is falling apart and the party is over, because something wicked is coming to Hollywood! Will Fyre & Dawn soon break brittle bond between Fallon and Kiana?
Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo find Bron Breakker backstage.
The Don and Stacks say hey to the NXT Champion, and he asks what’s up. Bron says that Jailhouse Street Fight was a war, and Stacks says, “Yeah, you’re telling me.” Tony says it was, but that’s not why they’re here. Tell him, Underboss. Well, Bron has a big contract signing with Carmelo Hayes tonight, so they were just thinking, maybe they could “take him out” for Bron? That’s not what Bron had in mind. What’re they thinking? Oh, like the Sopranos or Godfather, right? Concrete shoes! Hit him with the Jim Brown! Ella Fitzgerald! Whoa, hold on, Bron, you’ve been watching too many movies.
Bron asks what they wanna do then. Take him to the park, pipe to the knee, crowbar to the biceps. Oh, bada bing bada boom boom bing bing! What? No. Bron says in all seriousness, he appreciates the offer, but he’s got this. Tony tells Stacks that it’s time they add gold to the family. So what? Tony VS the winner of Bron and Melo? Nah. Wes Lee Open Challenge? No. Tony said they add gold. Tag team titles! Stacks has been sticking his neck out for Tony for months, and almost lost his arm in that Jailhouse Street Fight! That doesn’t go unrewarded. So what does Stacks thing? The family as tag champs? He’s ready!
Ilja Dragunov is here!
Fans fire up as The Czar heads to the ring, and he gets the mic to say, “My career in WWE has been life changing. For me, for my son, for my wife, we have had opportunities that we never felt happening. But with every success, there was a blemish. Because with every step I take, there has been JD McDonagh cutting my legs out from under me. This could’ve been avoidable. But now, I have no choice. To keep my autonomy and to continue my ascension in NXT, I need to rid myself of JD McDonagh once and for all!” Fans love that, but speak of the devil, here comes JD!
The Irish Ace also has a mic and he says, “Ilja, please, do not come out here and pretend this was ever gonna be avoidable, because it never has been.” The two of them are two sides of the same coin. Whether Dragunov can see it or not, they are more alike than they are different. No, JD is wrong. And JD’s obsession will ultimately lead to his devastation! JD says, “My obsession with you!?” Dragunov is the one who drove him out of the UK, but then followed him to the States, and then put him in JD’s way of the title! And because of that, they both fell! Every time Dragunov draws them together, they both suffer!
JD says Dragunov needs to look in the mirror! “You can’t quit me!” Dragunov says this “friendship of suffering” is something JD talks about, but this is something Draguonv possesses. “Pain makes me feel alive. Pain makes the difference in my life. And I choose that life.” Funny he says that. Dragunov thinks he chooses pain and that puts him in control. Dragunov could not be more wrong, and that is not how things work around here. Dragunov’s greatest strength is what he’s willing to put his body through. But it is also the reason he’s in the ring with no title over his shoulder.
“We’ve been doing this, you and I, for years now.” Dragunov chases JD down because Dragunov wants to suffer. As for JD, he will never, ever getting tired of making up new ways to make Dragunov suffer. They are destined to do this for a long time together. Dragunov says no. This will end next week! There will be no more JD McDonagh. When Dragunov is through with him, there will be NOTHING left but a random pile of body parts, and the smell of fluids that spell out, “Here lies the Irish Ace!”
JD steps into the ring with Dragunov now, and tells him, “I look forward to our symphony of sadism more than you could ever imagine, Ilja. I’m going to commit it to memory. Because like a scalpel in my eye, it will be hard to watch. You and me, next week.” JD goes to headbutt but Dragunov dodges! The hands fire off, Dragunov gets the edge, but JD shoves him away. But then Dragunov clotheslines JD and himself out of the ring! But JD HEADBUTTS back! The brawl continues, fans fire up, and this goes to the back! Dragunov CLUBS JD down, stomps him, but JD gets up to ROCK Dragunov in return!
JD RAMS Dragunov into a door and they’re int he parking lot! Things are getting dangerous, what will it take for this to end?
Backstage interview with Pretty Deadly.
McKenzie says that was a tough loss to Gallus. At this point, they’re not going to Stand & Deliver. That’s harsh, McKenzie! Is she trying to rub salt in the wound? Have some class. But they can’t believe they lost to Gallus. Wait, wait. They are universally adored, are they not? They are. And then they don’t need Stand & Deliver. Stand & Deliver needs them! Of course, the fans can’t be deprived of seeing them! What match could contain them? NO match! It’s Hollywood! Why be on the show when you can BE the show? Yes! They should HOST Stand & Deliver! #YESBOY! Stand & Deliver? More like Snacks & Delicious! Now excuse them as they go pay a certain someone a visit.
Wes Lee heads for gorilla.
He fires himself up, but then he has to watch out as Dragunov and JD brawl right on through! Refs and security try to stop this, but that’s easier said than done. Wes tells JD to watch out or Dragunov’s gonna mess him up. JD pie faces Wes for that! Wes ROCKS JD, and now the brawl is 2v1! The refs stop Wes, he has to go to his Open Challenge! And Axiom is watching all of this from the shadows. Will The Undeniable Truth not be denied his shot at the champ?
Tyler Bate helps Thea Hail again.
He has her work on balance, but she has a hard time to stay on just one foot. She swears she’ll get it, but Andre Chase asks for a minute with Duke Hudson. Thea and Tyler leave and Chase asks Duke, “Well?” Well what? Duke’s clearly not happy with the Chase U win-loss record. Winning is everything, and people will judge them by their record. Chase agrees there. No matter what sport, anyone who is worth a damn believes that. “But then Chase U was born. And for the first time ever, it became about so much more than what the record books say. Chase U is more than buildings and books and desks. Chase U is a feeling.
“It’s where students can come to learn and grow and prepare for their future. Chase U is where I found my purpose in life, a place that I belong. And the same goes for you, too, Duke.” Duke doesn’t know about that, but Chase says to think about it. Before, Duke was happy just to skate by. But now, he is living and dying with every single win and loss. And why is that? Because for the first time ever, Duke actually cares. But wait, someone from The Schism sneaks up to listen to this. Chase says Duke was happy just to deal cards at the table and get his head shaved.
Duke may think Chase U has done nothing for him, but maybe, just maybe, Chase U’s done more for him than anything else in his entire life. Chase leaves, but then Duke notices the Schism person. It’s Ava Raine! And she leaves her mask with Duke. Which side will the former card shark choose to bet on?
Grayson Waller posts a video on Twitter.
Captioned, “Neighborhood Watch,” Waller cruises around Gargano’s home! “Wow, so this is what main roster money gets you, huh, Johnny? This place is like a palace! That must be at least six bedrooms in there. That’s so much room for action figures! You are living the high-life, Johnny!” But he knows Gargano isn’t home. This is a dangerous neighborhood! What if he left the door unlocked? Waller’s gonna go check, as as favor. The 21st Century Success Story continues to cross the line, will Gargano get home in time before he crosses another?
The brawl backstage is on!
Everyone, from Odyssey Jones, Damon Kemp and Quincy Elliot to Oro Mensah, Malik Blade and Edris Enofe are fighting it out to get at Wes Lee! Dante Chen slips through while Xyon Quinn fights off Von Wagner! Who will make it to the ring first?
NXT North American Championship Open Challenge: Wes Lee VS ???
Wes makes his entrance, but the chaos is already overflowing! Axiom doesn’t realize it, and he’s the first to get CLOCKED by Dante! Wes is amused and asks, “Who’s it gonna be?” Axiom just focuses on getting away, and he gets in the ring! But then SCRYPTS flies in!! Scrypts CLOBBERS Axiom and sends him back out! Wes is confused, he was more than willing to let Axiom get it on that. But then JD gets in the ring from behind and CLOBBERS Wes for earlier! Dragunov CLOBBERS JD! The brawling just gets wilder but Wes is pissed! Wes builds speed and he FLIES out onto everyone!! He bowls over the locker room!
Fans are losing their minds and loving it as this just keeps on going! Is the chaos too much? Is this Open Challenge canceled for the night?
Backstage interview with Dragon Lee.
McKenzie is with NXT’s newest signee, and welcomes him. He is thankful, and says that though he has been around the world, the fact he is finally here to start the biggest journey in his career is truly exciting. What can NXT expect to see from him? So much. He came to NXT to be a prime example of lucha libre and to show the world that Dragon Lee is Especial. And after seeing that Open Challenge, believe him, he’s gonna love it here. When and where will we see Dragon Lee hit the ring?
Backstage interview with Jacy Jayne.
McKenzie is with the Toxic Traitor, her arm in a sling, and notes that last week, she lost to Gigi Dolin, her long time friend turned bitter enemy. Jacy says she won’t even wait for a question, “Gigi Dolin did absolutely nothing last week. Even on her best day, she’s not even 1/10th as good as I am.” But she won… Oh, she won~! McKenzie, why don’t you report real news and real facts instead of pitiful gossip? One minute into the match, Gigi separated Jacy’s shoulder because she couldn’t handle her at 100%. Gigi had to take a shortcut, because that’s who Gigi is! Jacy could barely even lift her arm in that match!
“So Gigi wants to consider that a victory? Hah! she’s even more pathetic than I thought she was. Gigi, every day, every hour, every minute, every second that I’m away from this place, I’m gonna be thinking of you, and what you did to me. And when I return, I promise I’m gonna break your heart and your face, again!” Jacy leaves, but where and when will she return?
Apollo Crews VS Dabba-Kato!
Former friends have become bitter enemies, a story as old as time in pro-wrestling. Both men vow to make the other pay for their betrayal, but who is truly in the right?
Apollo doesn’t even wait for Dabba to get int he ring! He goes up top to CROSSBODY! Apollo SMACKS Kato off barriers, throws hands, but Kato hits back. Apollo RAMS Kato into barriers! Apollo fires hands, but Kato shoves him away. Apollo kicks low, CLUBS Kato again, and he eggs Kato on. Kato throws hands, CLUBS Apollo, but Apollo hits back. Kato clinches, but Apollo POSTS him! Kato CLUBS Apollo, puts him up top and he CHOPS! Apollo flops into the ring, Kato storms up, and now the bell rings! Apollo RAMS into Kato and they fall back out of the ring!! Fans fire up as Apollo HAMMERS away on Kato!
Apollo rains down fists but Kato shoves him away. Kato gets up but Apollo RAMS him into barriers! Kato CLUBS Apollo more, knees him low, then whips him into the barriers! Apollo just stands back up to ROCK Kato! And again! Kato RAMS Apollo into steel steps, but then Apollo dodges as Kato runs in! Kato hits the steps, and Apollo puts him in the ring. Apollo stomps Kato, digs his boot in, then lets off as the ref reprimands. Apollo stalks Kato but Kato ROCKS Apollo in return! And then he STOMPS Apollo down while standing!! Fans boo but Kato looms over Apollo as NXT goes picture in picture.
Kato checks his chin, then he has Apollo on the ropes. Kato CHOKES Apollo but he lets off as the ref counts. Kato clamps on a half nelson in the ropes, lets off as the ref counts again, and he shoves Apollo to the apron. Kato drags Apollo up, and CLUBS him against the ropes! Kato then goes out to fetch the steel steps! Kato brings those around but Apollo CLUBS Kato first! Apollo CLUBS Kato more but Kato throws body shots. They go around the way, and Kato ROCKS Apollo again. Apollo gets into the ring, Kato storms up, and Kato scoops Apollo. Apollo slips off to fire off body shots! Kato shoves Apollo away to BOOT him down!
Kato drags Apollo back up, scoops him, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kato bends Apollo against his knee in a backbreaker rack! Apollo endures, fans rally, and NXT returns to single picture. Apollo pries the hand away from his face to KNEE Kato in the head! Apollo is free and fans rally up again. Kato stands in a daze, Apollo mule kicks. Apollo lifts but Kato’s too big! Kato scoops Apollo again, and hits a GUTBUSTER! Fans boo but Kato snarls. Kato stalks Apollo to ropes, brings him around, shoves him to CLUB him in the back! Fans boo more but Kato CHOKES Apollo on ropes again!
The ref counts, Kato lets off, and he brings Apollo back up. Kato swings but Apollo bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire off hands! Apollo throws body shots, haymakers, and Kato wobbles! Kato grabs at Apollo but Apollo ROCKS him! Kato KNEES low! Kato drags Apollo up, to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Fans boo but Kato runs to drop a leg, brother! Apollo clutches the back of his neck, and Kato grins as he stands. Kato clamps onto Apollo’s face and says this is what he gets! Kato pushes Apollo against the buckles! The ref counts, fans rally, and Kato lets off at 4. Apollo goes to the apron, Kato storms over, but into a GAMANGIRI!
Kato staggers back over, but Apollo HOTSHOTS him! And then Apollo hurries in to BOOT! And BOOT! And BOOT!! Kato falls to a corner, Apollo SPLASHES! Fans fire up with Apollo and he manages the OLYMPIC SLAM!! Apollo hurries up to the top rope and fans fire up again! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?! Kato survives and fans are shocked! But Apollo stays focused and he stalks Kato to the ropes. Apollo keeps Kato from crawling away, but Kato kicks Apollo away. Kato bails out, but Apollo goes around the way to LEAP, but into both hands! TWO HAND SLAM on the steel steps!! Fans boo but Kato leaves Apollo behind!
The ring count climbs, it’s at 5 of 10 as Apollo flops off the steps! Apollo crawls but the wrong way! We’re at 8, Apollo slides in at 9.9!! Kato is furious, he drags Apollo up again. TWO HAND SLAM!!! Cover, Kato wins!
Winner: Dabba-Kato, by pinfall
Big bad Dabba-Kato crushed his former friend and leader. Is Kato going to be the one going for gold now?
NXT Anonymous posts another video.
They’re spying on Wes talking with HBK. HBK tells Wes that he loves him and all, but the Open Challenge is causing too much chaos. Wes has to help HBK out here. Wes says all he wanted was a chance, and HBK gave him that in spades. Now he’s just paying it forward. He wants to give as many shots as he possibly can. HBK says Wes has already proven himself, he’s the NXT North American Champion. Wes says with all due respect, he disagrees, he has to continue to prove himself. And HBK should know best of all, because he did it day in and day out, especially after becoming a champion.
Wes wants to go even beyond that. At Stand & Deliver, Wes wants the TOP TEN! HBK can’t give Wes ten opponents. But he’ll meet him half way. Fatal 5 at Stand & Deliver, and Wes can pick who. Deal? Deal. They shake on it, and even hug it out. Then who will be in Wes’s top four to go on to Hollywood?
Jensen and Kiana try to reach Briggs and Fallon.
Where are they!? Kiana needs her partner! Her match is next! Jensen can go out there with her. No, she needs to be alone. Oh, okay. No, no, sweetie, not like that! Just for the match. Oh, duh! Then good luck. Thanks! She leaves without a good luck kiss, though. Is everything going to be fine? Or is this going to get real bad real quick?
NXT Women’s Championship Qualifier: Kiana James VS ???
The Calculator has tried to control the situation, as Fallon uncovered earlier tonight. But are there too many variables even for Kiana to solve? Or can she find a way to control her own destiny?
But wait, who is her opponent? It’s GIGI DOLIN! She avenged herself against Jacy, will she prove she can have gold all on her own?
The bell rings and fans rally for Gigi. She circles with Kiana, ties up, and Kiana gets the arm. Kiana wrenches to a wristlock but Gigi wrenches and wristlocks back. Gigi sweeps, rolls, and then steps over to La Magistrol! TWO, and Kiana rushes in, but into a waistlock, full nelson, spin and snapmare! Gigi keeps moving but Kiana ducks the Penalty Kick to roll Gigi up! TWO, and Kiana hurries, but Gigi wrenches, spins, cravats and KNEES to snapmare again. PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Gigi smiles as Kiana gets away, and Gigi runs in, but Kiana dodges. Kiana bumps Gigi off buckles, then fires off hands!
Fans chant, “Who’s Sebastian?” at Kiana as she stomps a mudhole in on Gigi. Kiana handsprings then RAMS into Gigi! Kiana brings Gigi out to NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Gigi hangs tough and Kiana grows frustrated. Kiana clamps onto Gigi with a chinlock and she grinds Gigi down. Fans rally, Gigi fights forward, ROPEBREAK! Kiana holds until 4, frustrated as she is, but she storms back up. Gigi elbows Kiana, ROUNDHOUSES her, but Kiana kicks back. Kiana clinches, but Gigi JAWBREAKERS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS again! Gigi wrenches, ROUNDHOUSES, and runs to STO! Cover, TWO!
Kiana is still in this but Gigi waistlocks to deadlift! Kiana fights, switches, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kiana runs, but into a clinch! FINAL NAIL!! Cover, Gigi wins!
Winner: Gigi Dolin, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)
What Kiana couldn’t account for was Gigi’s determination! Gigi has her golden ticket, but will it just be her and Stark? Or are we going to add even more fuel to the fire?
Speaking of fire, FYRE & DAWN appear, and they snatch Kiana out of the ring!! Fans boo as Dawn & Fyre stomp away on Kiana! Jensen runs out to stop this, but Dawn & Fyre just taunt Kiana. Fans continue to ask, “Who’s Sebastian?” Will the answer to that be the key to keeping the team together?
Gargano arrives home!
Gargano hurries out of the car and up to the front door. He looks around, but Waller CLOBBERS him from the bush! “Welcome home, Johnny!” Johnny TACKLES Waller! They brawl, Gargano throws Waller back into the bush! Waller writhes, Gargano is furious, but Waller throws dirt in Gargano’s eyes! Waller CLUBS Gargano, and he says this is HIS house now. Waller grabs the trash can but Gargano BOOTs it into him! And then TACKLES it into him! Gargano grabs the trash can to CHUCK it at Waller! Waller writhes, Gargano hurries after him to fire off haymakers! Gargano beats down on Waller at the steps!
Candice is there, Gargano tells her to stay in side. Waller LOW BLOWS Gargano in the distraction!! Waller beats down Gargano, and Waller tells Quill that he’s home! But Gargano LOW BLOWS in return! And then SLAMS Waller up against the wall! And again! Only for Waller to YANK Gargano into the wall! Gargano staggers, Waller gets the rake and he JAMS Gargano with the handle! Gargano sputters, Waller tells Gargano to go home. Candice wants the fighting to stop, but Waller BREAKS the rake on Gargano’s back! Candice tells Waller to stop while she calms Quill down. Waller doesn’t stop, he STOMPS Gargano into the dirt!
Waller grins as he sits Gargano back up to look at Candice. “This is your dad, Quill, and you’re proud of this man?” Waller pushes Gargano down, and he says Gargano ain’t the man he was. Candice calms the crying Quill, then hurries to Gargano’s side. Will Johnny Wrestling show his son that he is a man to be proud of? Will Gargano stand and deliver?
Briggs, & Jensen regroup backstage.
Jensen asks Kiana if she needs something. What she needs is to know why she got jumped by those witches alone! Fallon & Briggs arrive and Fallon asks what happened, why does she have nine missed calls? Uh, what’s Fallon wearing? What is BRIGGS wearing? Uh… Briggs says this isn’t what it looks like. Aw man. Briggs say that bear movie without him! No… Er, uh, yes! That’s totally what he did, but he’ll totally watch it with Jensen. Kiana asks where Fallon was! Jensen agrees, they need to know where she want, because those crazy redheaded ladies jumped Kiana! Uh, well, Fallon didn’t even know Kiana had a qualifying match. What’s that about, partner? Briggs adds, “Yeah!”
Uh, Kiana is not passing up an opportunity at THE NXT Women’s Championship! Jensen adds, “That’s right!” Kiana asks what they’re gonna do about Fyre & Dawn at Stand & Deliver? Wait, Stand & Deliver? What? Yeah, Fallon & Kiana have to face Fyre & Dawn because they are the #1 contenders after winning a Triple Threat tonight, and that’s why they were trying to call her! So whatever this is, handle it! Oh, it will be handled. But is this all playing right into the hands of their challengers?
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams head to the ring.
They’re dressed to kill because this is the contract signing for the NXT Championship! Melo waits by the table as Bron makes his entrance. Bron is still in jeans and a merch shirt because he still does things how he wants. They both take their seats now and fans applaud. Bron says it’s just gonna be them. Isn’t there someone to host this? Well, no, that’s not needed. The faster they get the contract signed, the sooner they can begin the countdown to a new champion. Oh, it’s like that, Melo? Bron didn’t think this was gonna be like all the other contract signings but Melo’s about to change Bron’s mind.
But wait! Pretty Deadly makes their way out! Elton says, “As your hosts of STAND & DELIVER, it only makes sense to come out here and host the contract signing for the NXT Championship match at STAND & DELIVER!” Kit adds, “But don’t mind us, guys. You’ll hardly know we’re here.” Kit & Elton get in the ring, they want everyone to keep calm. Melo and Bron sit back down and Melo says that he meant no disrespect. Bron’s carried the title and all the weight that comes with it. The responsibility, the legacy of all the previous champions, Bron did that and deserves to be recognized. Really, he does.
But on April 1st, you can feel it. The changing of the guard. Because Melo is taking that title, and he’s taking it way further than Bron ever could. Just like Melo did with the North American Championship and made it THE A Championship. So listen, respectfully, at Stand & Deliver, you’re coming in second to Melo. Kit & Elton react with “Oooh!” Bron will disagree except for that last part. Melo did take the North American title and made it, at least in his own mind, the top title. Melo made that title the top title because he knew he wasn’t ready for THE top title. And that’s fine.
But that’s not the Melo Bron wants to face. Bron wants to face the Melo that the fans get on their feet for. Bron wants the Melo that comes out here and fans chant his name. Bron wants the Melo that beat Ricochet! That beat Apollo! That knows deep down that in his heart and soul that he is READY! Melo don’t miss? Pretty fitting. Because on April 1st, there’ll be a first for everything. Fans chant, “BRON BREAKKER SUCKS~” a la “John Cena Sucks,” but Elton & Kit have a chuckle over how mad Melo’s getting. It’s so fun to watch! Kit’s favorite part is all the backhanded compliments. That’s all on another level.
Melo reminds Pretty Deadly they said they weren’t going to talk. Oh, right, right, sorry. Carry on. Then shut up! Melo tells Bron that in LA, here’s what Melo doesn’t want. Melo doesn’t want the Bron with the anger management issues. Or the Bron in the tux inducting his dad and uncle into the Hall of Fame. Or the Bron with the fishing pole or with the smiling. Leave that Bron at home. Bring the Bron that runs through walls. The Bron that won at WarGames. The Bron that made Ciampa tap out! As Melo says all these things, how can he deny Bron’s greatness? When Bron is that guy, he is unstoppable! Okay?
“Which is gonna make it oh so much sweeter when you give me everything you’ve got, and it’s still not good enough. And I don’t just say this because it sounds good, Bron. I say this because it’s true. I am him.” Pretty Deadly like that one. Bron says Melo IS him. Bron believes that! But Melo has to show it. Melo has to show “him” isn’t just something on a T-shirt! That “him” isn’t some random thing Melo came up with to further his character. Melo has to show Bron that it means something! Because if he does, he’ll get everything he wants outta this and Bron will get everything he wants.
Bron gets the smooth, the cool Melo, Trick Melo Gang that everyone has grown to love! The Melo that’s flying first class, because LA is more Melo’s vibe anyway. Melo is flying out, Bron stays in. Melo is up late, Bron’s in bed early. Elton points out these two are like yin and yang. Trick sees that. Bron tells them to stop, and Kit “scolds” Elton for interrupting. Bron says this is all 18 months in the making. This has the potential to be the biggest match in NXT history. Melo says it will be. Each guy points out the other unified titles. Bron’s had his for almost two years. And if anyone knows about long reigns, it’s Melo!
But then both of them need to understand that this is big. This is the “youngest” main event in WrestleMania Weekend history! There is a lot of pressure, a lot of eyes on them, but that is nothing new to either one of them. So Melo knows that at Stand & Deliver, he will deliver. He just wants to know Bron will, too. Bron smirks and says, “I guess something’s gotta give then, my dude.” Melo signs his part, and says he’ snot giving an inch. He passes the contract over, Bron signs his part, and says, “Neither am I.” Then it’s official! Bron Breakker VS Carmelo Hayes for the NXT Championship at STAND & DELIVER!
Melo and Bron shake hands, fans cheer the sportsmanship, but Pretty Deadly says no! Fans want drama! Not this! They need something more! Give them some action! Melo takes off the suit and glasses, Bron puts down the belt and tears off his shirt. Pretty Deadly fires up with the fans, and then Bron an d Melo step up. To DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX Pretty Deadly through the table!! Bron lifts up the belt and fans are thunderous! Who will come out of Stand & Deliver truly living the Hollywood dream?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT with a lot of development for Stand & Deliver, though I feel like we got a few go-home segments early. The final segment, for one, with the contract signing and a great promo from everyone involved, really could’ve been on the go-home episode. I also like the twist that Bron and Melo did their best to be respectful, but also passive aggressive. And then they take out Pretty Deadly to add on to those guys’ woes with that great table spot. As I’ve said, I think this has to be where Bron loses the belt. Melo can finally be THE champion, Bron can move on to RawDown, and the fans can relax and have someone they want to cheer as a Face.
Though I will say, Bron started tipping towards Heel in the promo he had with Tony D and Stacks. Bron and NXT really should’ve had him turn Heel sooner. Sure, there’s a lot of temptation to make him Scott Steiner 2.0, but he could still find ways of being an arrogant Heel unique to him. Tony and Stacks deciding to go into the tag division was a surprising choice, too. I feel like they should be adding new members to the faction to get back to that gang feel. Yes, they’re Faces now because of how the fans have grown attached, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t add to the D’Angelo Familia. Make the new guys the tag team, Stacks is midcard guy, Tony is top title guy.
Speaking of the tag titles and Pretty Deadly’s woes, great tag title match out of them and Gallus. For half a second, I thought Pretty Deadly was going to win, but Gallus pulls it out to retain. I do like the idea that Gallus being a “firm,” aka Scottish mafia, they’re going to go up against the D’Angelo Familia, an Italian American mafia. They can do promos like Tony did with Legado Del Fantasma, or like Gallus did with Die Familie in NXT UK, and then give us an awesome tag match at Stand & Deliver that could really go either way. And honestly, that’d be a great place to bring Joe Coffey back so that he tips the scales in Gallus’ favor.
Great stuff in the North American Championship story, too. I just knew Axiom would keep his eye on Wes, I knew and loved that they gave us the brawling chaos again, but I did not think this is where they’d finally pull the trigger on Scrypts going after Axiom. They should’ve done it sooner, and honestly could’ve waited until after Stand & Deliver on this. Wes being given the chance to choose four opponents for the North American title, he really could choose anyone, but something makes me think the four are obvious: Axiom, Scrypts, JD McDonagh and Ilja Dragunov. Why else would Wes cross paths with the brawling JD and Dragunov?
Great promo from JD and Dragunov, which of course turned into that great brawl, and great to know they’re getting that 1v1 match. Both guys are definitely deserving of a title shot, I’m just unsure how to feel about them being woven into the North American title story in a Fatal 5. The winner of JD VS Dragunov should be the clear cut contender to face just the champion. But in the end, at least it means they’ll be on Stand & Deliver and part of the huge WrestleMania Weekend.
But what was up with Scrypts becoming Soundwave from Transformers? They didn’t do that with his promo before, why’re they throwing that in on him now? I feel like Scrypts as a concept was really undercooked. But at the same time, there is some meta to it. Even Spider-Man had to work on his costume before he perfected the look. And while Scrypts comes off more as a villain, there is something to him as this writer/wrestler going through “rough drafts” until he has the final form. And good stuff from Chase U and The Schism. Chase gives Duke a lot to think about but so does Schism. Duke’s allegiance can be the key of where this story is going.
Great things out of the Women’s Division tonight. They’re going further with the Roxie health condition angle, and good ol’ HBK loves Ladder matches so he’s giving us one for the women’s title. I am so very sure this will somehow bring things to a recreation of HBK VS Razor Ramon, aka they will crown an Undisputed Women’s Champion with another ladder match. But for tonight, great rematch for Stark and Sol, and while Sol did better than last time, it makes sense Stark wins. Stark has done a lot of good work in NXT, this could be her moment to get that title. Of course, same can be said of Gigi as she was the surprise in facing Kiana. And who knows who else gets in on this thing, but I would love if they got Lyra Valkyria involved somehow.
The romcom of Kiana and Jensen continues to entertain. Briggs and Fallon sneaking around was funny, and the plot thickens with this “Sebastian.” Giving him a name kinda ruins them being able to make this guy a wrestler from Level Up, as the fans would’ve recognized “Sebastian” right away. Great Triple Threat Tag, and while I didn’t see Tatum’s turn on Ivy happening tonight, this was a great opening to do that. I knew Fyre & Dawn were getting this one, but what a great surprise for them to go after Kiana after her match. Fyre & Dawn are most surely winning at Stand & Deliver, and they can have a good reign with those belts.
And great stuff out of the building Gargano and Waller story. It seems like Waller predicted Gargano was gonna bring up NXT being his home with him going right to Gargano’s home. I feel like Waller should’ve first posted a video where he brought up that detail, but we still got a great brawl from the two of them. This was very much like the Rollins and Edge feud, or even the HHH and Randy Orton feud, proof that HBK and HHH see big things in Waller like they do Gargano. Their match is going to be a real show stealer, I’m sure of it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/15/25)
Round 3, all together!
Is there a changing of the guard in NJPW?
El Desperado and Hiromu Takahashi both lost last round, but the Best of the Super Juniors is far from over! Do Despy & Hiromu still have a chance to take their blocks?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS SHO; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Clark Connors; Dia wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Kevin Knight; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Ninja Mack; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Robbie X VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Robbie wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS MAO; wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Kosei Fujita; wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori; wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Francesco Akira; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 2-0, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Dragon Dia: 1-1, 2 points
Francesco Akira: 1-1, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-1, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-1, 2 points
Robbie X: 1-1, 2 points
Clark Connors: 1-1, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-1, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 0-2, 0 points
Here are the current B Block standings!
Nick Wayne: 2-0, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-0, 4 points
MAO: 2-0, 4 points
El Desperado: 1-1, 2 points
Titan: 1-1, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-1, 2 points
SHO: 1-1, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 0-2, 0 points
YOH: 0-2, 0 points
Taiji Ishimori: 0-2, 0 points
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS SHO!
The Funky Weapon had a solid first round win, but was then brought back down in the second by Titan. Meanwhile, the Murder Machine failed to cheat Nick Wayne but brought the House of Torture down on Yoh. Who rises and who falls to kick off round 3?
Okay, wait. Last round, Yoh brought out whiskey with Sho’s name on it. Tonight, Taguchi brings out a bottle of champagne. Why’s everyone drinking on the job? Even Sho is wondering what’s going on. Wait, is Taguchi going to do what Yoh did? Taguchi takes a swig of champagne from his cup, and runs up on Sho! Sho runs away and it is another chase in Korakuen Hall! Sho fears the booze smoosh! Taguchi chases Sho to the entryway, but then just like the other day, the Tokyo Pimp was waiting! Taguchi backs up and apologizes. Taguchi decides to go into the orange seats, just like Yoh! But that surely means Evil is waiting behind the exit!
Taguchi storms into the hall, but no, it’s SANADA this time! The fans cheer seeing Cold Blooded in his Astro Boy boots, and Taguchi is just as surrounded as Yoh was last time. Taguchi figures he’ll keep the parallels going, and he fires up! Sanada & Yujiro mug Taguchi while Sho keeps the ref distracted! But this time, Yujiro holds Taguchi. Sanada runs up, but Taguchi slips free and the BOOT hits Yujiro! Then Taguchi shoves Sanada into Yujiro, and uses the pimp cane to DOUBLE LOW BLOW! And he THRASHES it around! And he lifts it again and again! The fans cheer but here comes Sho! Taguchi hurries away, pimp cane in hand!
Taguchi returns to ringside, slides into the ring, and he twirls the pimp cane. The ref confiscates the can, Sho slides in, and the bell finally rings to make this a match! Sho runs in, but Taguchi dodges and sends him into bare buckles! Sho suffers his own cheap trick and Taguchi rolls him up! TAGUCHI WINS?!?
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Sho is absolutely dumbfounded! All those shenanigans beforehand don’t matter, this will go down as one of, if not THE quickest match in the tournament! Taguchi does a dance with Yujiro’s pimp cane, but Sho rushes back into the ring! Taguchi KICKS the ropes to jam Sho up! Yujiro storms in from the other side, Taguchi KICKS those ropes! Sanada tries from a different end, but Taguchi KICKS those ropes, too! The Funky Weapon gets the better of the House tonight and they go into retreat. He can be serious and he can be strange, but will Taguchi reach the top of the block one way or another?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Clark Connors!
The 1-1 traffic jam is much worse in A Block than B Block, but one man will break away and leave the other behind. Will the Infinite Carat Diamond make up for his loss to Master Wato? Or will 100 Proof shift into a higher gear?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Dia and Connors slowly circle. The fans bark with Connors but Dia stays cool. The two tie up, Connors puts Dia on the ropes, but Dia dodges his cheap shot! Dia kicks low, whips, but Connors reverses. Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slides under the boot! Dia tilt-o-whirl ARM-DRAGS, then DROPKICKS! Connors doesn’t budge! The fans cheer and Connors brushes himself off. Dia SOBATS, runs, but into the JEEP FLIPPER! The fans fire up as Connors calls it a homerun! Dia bails out but Connors is right on him. Connors CHOPS Dia, brings him around, and POSTS him! Dia flounders and Connors tells fans to move!
The fans hurry away, they know from yesterday how this goes. Connors ROCKS Dia, but then he makes Dia take a seat. Connors stands on a chair to rain down fists! The fans bark and Connors goes to nine, then UPPERCUTS to top it off! The ref reprimands, but Connors goes looking under the ring! It’s WHEEL-SAN~! The fans cheer and Connors aims, but Dia dodges! Connors turns around, throws Wheel-san at Dia, but Dia ducks, and Wheel-san bounces off the post to SMACK Connors! The fans cheer as now Dia takes Wheel-san for his own! Dia hoists Wheel-san up, just to put it back under the ring!
The fans cheer, Dia puts Connors in the ring, and he has Connors in the corner. Dia whips corner to corner, Connors reverses, but then Dia dodges! Dia goes to the apron, ducks a haymaker to trip Connors and slingshot SPLASH! Dia hurries up a corner and the fans rally. Connors stands, into the D D- NO, Connors stops the 4D and makes it a suplex! Dia slips free, runs up and rolls, REPTI- NO, Connors stops that to SITOUT POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Connors rises, paces, and he aims from a corner. Connors watches Dia rise, then runs in, but Dia hurdles the spear! Dia goes back up, DDDDT!! Dia crawls to the cover, TWO!
The fans fire up as Connors survives and Dia rises again. Dia hurries to the apron, takes aim and springboards, but into a SPEAR!! Connors crawls to the cover now, TWO?!? Connors survives and Connors can’t believe it! Connors slaps Dia around, whips him, but Dia rolls for the REPTILIAN! Cover, DIA WINS!!
Winner: Dragon Dia, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)
Connors tried burning rubber but now he’s hit a wall! Will he be able to make a U-turn and make it back to a winning way? Will Dia still be shining bright as the tournament rolls on?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Kevin Knight!
Direct Drive got screwed over by a stacked deck, but The Jet’s flight was grounded by MAO. Who finally gets going with their first points of the tournament?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yoh and Knight slowly circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Knight’s height becomes a point of leverage. Knight puts Yoh on the ropes, but he lets off slowly, then blows a kiss. The fans applaud and Yoh blows a kiss back. Knight offers a kiss on the cheek and the fans rally up. Yoh walk up, but Knight headlocks! Yoh powers up and out but Knight slides under the hurdle. Knight shoves Yoh, then he hurdles, to then jump and RANA! The fans cheer while Yoh tumbles to the apron. Knight triangle jump dropkicks him down! The fans cheer more as Knight builds speed!
Yoh hurries back in, and he dropkicks Knight’s legs out! The fans rally but Yoh basement dropkicks Knight! Knight goes to ropes, Yoh KICKS a leg, then CHOP BLOCKS it! The fans rally while Yoh covers, ONE! The fans applaud but Yoh clamps on with a HEEL HOOK! Knight endures, crawls over, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Yoh lets go. Yoh stalks Knight to a corner, but Knight fires body shots! Knight CHOPS, but Yoh kicks the leg! Yoh runs, but Knight scoops to BACKBREAKER! But that’s double-edged given the bad leg! The fans rally up while both men are down. Knight hobbles his way to ropes, then runs up to LARIAT!
Knight LARIATS, whips, but Yoh reverses. Knight manages to go up and over, then he avoids a dropkick to UFO SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yoh stays in this but then bails out. The fans rally and Knight fights through the pain to build speed. Yoh gets out of the way, only for Knight to slide out and then go to the corner! PLANCHA! The fans fire up as Knight knocks Yoh down! Knight fires up and the fans cheer as Knight hobbles back to Yoh. Knight puts Yoh in the ring, aims from a corner, and the fans rally up. Knight somersaults and- NO, Yoh stops the DDT to wrench, waistlock, only for Knight to buck the O’Conner Roll.
Knight aims, but Yoh blocks the superkick! Yoh then DROPKICKS the other leg! Yoh hurries to step through, and he has the FIGURE FOUR! Knight endures as Yoh has a slightly different angle on it than is traditional. The fans rally and Knight backstrokes to the ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go and the fans rally up again. Yoh brings Knight up to suplex and FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and the fans cheer. Yoh roars and he tunes up! The fans clap along and Yoh waits on Knight. Knight rises, but he avoids the superkick to SKY- NO, Yoh fights the bomb to whip! Knight reverses, and hits SKY2HIGH!
Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Knight crawls to the apron, goes to the corner, and takes aim. Yoh rises, Knight runs in, but Yoh dodges! Yoh runs in but then Knight dodges! Knight returns to LARIAT! Knight puts Yoh up top, climbs up after him, and SUPER STEINERS! Yoh writhes and Knight hobbles. Knight aims, runs up, somersault and SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives and Knight can’t believe it! Knight stands and he vows to end this. The fans rally as Knight goes to the apron. Knight aims again, springboards, but Yoh SUPERKICKS! And then suplexes, but Knight slips free to backslide! TWO!!
Yoh swings, Knight ducks and sunset flips, but Yoh sits on it! TWO!! Yoh is up, runs in at the corner, but Knight BOOTS him away! Knight goes up, FLYING- NO, Yoh dodges the lariat to DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Yoh wins!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
Knight tried to fly but Yoh used that to bring him down! Knight is 0-3, will his fortunes only get worse in round 4? Will Yoh stay fresh now that he’s finally on the board?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Ninja Mack!
It is shocking to say that the Time Splitter is 0-2 but that’s the truth after losing to Hiromu Takahashi and Robbie X. The American Ninja is only a touch better, having beat Robbie X to open, but then getting burned by Francesco Akira. Will Mack be on the attack and get back up? Or will Kushida finally hit 88 miles per hour and score?
Mack and Kushida bow and even shake hands. The fans applaud, the bell rings, and the two circle. Mack avoids Kushida’s leg trap, then things speed up. Mack rolls over the dropdown, hurdles, the backflips over Kushida’s slide! The fans cheer the standoff, but Kushida kicks and whips. Mack reverses, Kushida RANAS, but Mack handsprings through! The fans cheer but Kushida KICKS Mack’s leg! Kushida runs and tilt-o-whirl RANAS, but Mack handsprings and flips! The fans cheer as Mack shows off a bit, and Kushida isn’t sure what to make of it. The fans rally for “NINJA! NINJA!” and Mack dares Kushida to battle on his knees.
Kushida isn’t sure about this, but Mack insists. Kushida agrees to the kneeling duel. Mack asks the ref also join them. The ref is surprised by that, but he also agrees. The fans cheer as Kushida and Mack tie up, break, then tie up again. Mack headlocks and hits a short takeover. Kushida headscissors, Mack kips up but to his knees, and the ref scoots around. Kushida and Mack scoot, as well, but then Kushida seems to chase the ref! Mack chases Kushida, and Kushida wants a timeout. Kushida stands but Mack just goes back to center. Kushida kneels again, they tie up again, and Kushida wrenches to a wristlock.
Mack rolls, waistlocks, but Kushida sits down to then float around. Mack switches, Kushida switches, then Kushida floats all around. Kushida has the waistlock again, Mack decides to stand, and he runs to ropes to TUMBLE to the apron! Kushida lets go, Mack mule kicks him, and then the Young Lions hurry over! The fans fire up for Mack’s TOP ROPE DOUBLE MOONSAULT!! Mack knocks everyone down and the fans are thunderous! Mack rises and fires up, so the fans fire up with Mack! Mack shouts out Pat McAfee, then he drags Kushida up. The fans rally for “NINJA! NINJA!” and Mack puts Kushida in the ring.
The fans rally as Mack climbs, then DIVING HEADBUTTS! Both men writhe, perhaps that was double-edged for Mack… Mack says, “Itai, itai!” but he still crawls to a cover, TWO! Mack puts on a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Kushida fights up but Mack hops on, it’s a HOVERBOARD!! Mack is using Kushida’s own move, but Kushida powers out to then put Mack in the HOVERBOARD!! Kushida rolls back, Mack reaches for ropes, but Kushida rolls through! Kushida hooks a leg, but Mack fights that into a ROLLING ROLLING ROLLING CRADLE~! Cover, TWO!!! Both men are up, Kushida somersaults, but Mack denies the satellite DDT!
Mack throws Kushida back to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up as Mack hurries to the corner and climbs again! NINJA- NO, Kushida moves and Mack has to roll through! Mack goes to the far corner, Kushida runs up, but Mack BOOTS him! Mack runs, and he handstand walks over Kushida’s dropdown! But Kushida PENALTY KICKS the arms out! The fans fire up as Kushida takes aim! Mack rises, into the SHOTEI! Cover, TWO!! Mack survives, but Kushida is right on him with a fisherman and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mack earns 0)
It was a wild ride, but The Time Splitter finally has points on the board! But is there still time for Kushida to again be the Best of the Super Juniors? Can Ninja Mack still get back on a winning track?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles w/ Hartley Jackson VS Nick Wayne!
Two of the three 2-0 block leaders meet already, so someone is taking an L! Will the Sniper of the Skies be the first to shoot down this Prodigy? Or will the ROH World Television Champion stand tall over the Soul of PWA?
The moment Eagles is ringside, Nick FLIES out onto him! The fans fire up as Nick hurries to put Eagles in! The bell rings, Nick is up top, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Eagles survives this sudden start and Nick takes time to take off his jacket. Nick takes Eagles’ shirt off and KICKS him in the back! The fans rally and duel as Nick lines up another shot. Eagles duck that kick, runs and RANAS, and then he WHEEL KICKS Nick down! Eagles kips up, the fans fire up, and Eagles starts up “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!”
Then Robbie KICKS Nick in the back! Cover, TWO! Eagles grabs a leg to drop an ELBOW on it! Nick scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, but Eagles drags him back. Eagles KICKS away on that leg, but Nick BOOTS Eagles away with the other. Eagles goes to the apron, springboards in, but Nick dodges. Eagles kicks first, then CHOPS! Eagles whips, Nick reverses, then Nick hurdles, bypasses, and UPPERCUTS! Nick kips up, the fans fire up, and Nick pushes Eagles to a cover. TWO, and the fans rally up again. Eagles goes to ropes but Nick is on him. Nick stands Eagles up, winds up, and CHOPS! The fans rally while Nick brings Eagles around.
Nick snapmares Eagles, drops a leg, then covers, TWO! Eagles is tougher than that but Nick stays cool. Nick drags Eagles around, has the legs, and ties them up into a modified figure four! Nick then sits Eagles up so he can twist a wrist! Eagles endures as Nick has a double wristlock! Eagles uses his free arm to crawl over and have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Nick slowly lets go. Nick stomps Eagles on the back, then he brings Eagles up. Nick waistlocks, then goes for the nelson. Eagles fights that off, fires elbows, but Nick has the half nelson! Eagles drops down, slips under, and SNAP SAIDOS!
But Nick is right up! Only for Eagles to CHOP BLOCK! And then BLINDSIDE LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Eagles rises, and he KICKS Nick in the chest! And KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles runs, the fans rally, and Eagles LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up more and Eagles feeds off the energy. Nick goes to a corner, Eagles runs in and DOUBLE KNEES! Nick sits down, Eagles runs in again, METEORA! The fans fire up and Eagles covers, TWO! Nick stays in this but Eagles vows to end it. Eagles drags Nick up, cravats, ASAI- NO, Nick stops the DDT to go for the nelson! Eagles mule kicks free, but Nick slips around to STUNNER!
Nick cravats, ASAI- NO, Eagles slips free and then he ASAI DDTS! Cover, TWO! But into the RON MIILLER SPECIAL!! Nick endures and the fans fire up! Eagles puts on the pressure but Nick still fights his way forward, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Eagles drags Nick back! Eagles KNEES Nick’s knee, but Nick spins to cradle! TWO!! Eagles escapes, runs up, but Nick avoids the low dropkick! Eagles blocks Nick’s kick, hooks him up, but Nick full nelsons! DRAGON SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Nick’s bad leg held him back on that but the fans rally up all the same. Eagles stirs and Nick slowly rises.
Nick calls his shot, goes up the corner, but Eagles anchors him! Nick kicks and Eagles tumbles away, but then Nick jams his leg! Nick still tries, up, up and WAYNE’S- NO, Eagles dodges and Nick’s leg jams again! Eagles runs up but Nick ducks Hyperion! Eagles ducks the roundhouse, hops up, and POISON-RANAS!! Nick flounders to the corner and the fans fire up! Eagles roars, the fans fire up more, and Eagles runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Nick goes up but Eagles BASEMENT 619s! Then SNIPER DROPKICK to the leg! The fans fire up as Eagles then steps through, but Nick UP KICKS! Eagles wobbles, but he feints the slap to KICK the leg!
Nick still blocks Eagles’ kick and ROUNDHOUSES back! Nick goes up, up, into WAYNE’S WORLD!! Cover, NICK WINS!!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
Truly historic! Nick Wayne isn’t just the youngest entrant in BOSJ history, he’s the youngest to go 3-0 in his first BOSJ! Will nothing stop The Prodigy at this rate? As for Eagles, he may have fallen, but The Mighty Don’t Kneel! Will he get back up and soar higher than before?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Robbie X VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Mr. X is feeling good coming off a clean win over Kushida while the Heel Master had to get down and dirty to screw over Clark Connors. Will everyone hop on the X Express? Or will Kanemaru find a way to screw over another War Dog?
Well speaking of, the moment Robbie is on the apron, Kanemaru knocks him back down! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Kanemaru stomps Robbie, wrenches his arm and hammerlocks, so that he can POST Robbie shoulder first! Kanemaru CHOKES Robbie with his own shirt! The bell rings, the ref reprimands, but Kanemaru stomps Robbie more. Kanemaru CLUBS Robbie, but Robbie SMACKS Kanemaru! Kanemaru stumbles, Robbie is right on him with another forearm! Robbie SMACKS Kanemaru off the apron, then he runs a lap around the ring! Robbie come sin for a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK!
The fans fire up with Robbie while Kanemaru falls. Robbie puts Kanemaru back in the ring and the fans cheer. Robbie aims and springboards, but Kanemaru dodges. Robbie rolls and comes back, but Kanemaru BOOTS him! Kanemaru wrenches the arm to YANK, YANK, then hammerlock and SLAM! Robbie writhes but Kanemaru stalks him to a corner. Kanemaru drags Robbie up, YANKS the arm, and then wrenches again. Kanemaru WRINGS the arm out and Robbie writhes more. The fans rally for Robbie but Kanemaru stands him up again. Kanemaru WRINGS the arm out a second time, then stalks Robbie.
Robbie tells the ref not to call this, but Kanemaru just stomps him around. Kanemaru whips, Robbie handsprings, but the bad arm gives out! Kanemaru BOOTS the bad arm, but Robbie CHOPS! Robbie fires up, runs, and still handsprings! But Kanemaru uses the ref as a shield! Robbie has to give up on the cutter, and then Kanemaru tilt-o-whirl DDTS! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru “falls” on the ref! The fans know better than that, but Kanemaru takes off his boot! Kanemaru aims, runs up, and he CLOBBERS Robbie with it! Then Kanemaru takes time to put his boot back on! Kanemaru then scoops for BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO!!!
Robbie survives and Kanemaru is mad with the ref now. Kanemaru goes up, waits on Robbie to stand, and then DEEP- NO, Robbie turns that into a deep atomic drop! The fans fire up, Robbie hits the NO HANDS HANDSPRING! LETHAL INJECTION X!! And then X EXPRESS!! Cover, ROBBIE WINS!
Winner: Robbie X, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
The Heel Master thought he could get away with more trickery, but Robbie X has those intangibles of grit and determination! Will Robbie continue to rise up the ranks until this becomes the X Block? Can Kanemaru go back to the drawing board and come up with new ways to cheat?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS MAO!
El Inmortal snatched a quick victory from Ryusuke Taguchi last round, but the Idol Warrior is undefeated at 2-0! Will Titan stay alive? Or will he be cut down as things heat up?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Kosei Fujita!
The Way of the Grandmaster crosses paths with the Japanese Young Punk in a partial rematch of their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match. But will Wato win now like he did then? Or will Fujita grab the golden ticket?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Rogue Luchador lost to The Prodigy, but that proved him right: anyone can win any given match. But will Desperado get back up and keep Taiji down? Or will the Bone Soldier win over THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Francesco Akira!
The Ticking Timebomb lost in last round’s main event to Fujita, and Fujita beat Akira to open the tournament. But the Crown of Fire reignited by beating Ninja Mack and is ready to burn even brighter. Just how explosive will this main event be to close round three?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 2-0, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Dragon Dia: 2-1, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 1-1, 2 points
Robbie X: 2-1, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-2, 2 points
Clark Connors: 1-2, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-1, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-2, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-2, 2 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Nick Wayne: 3-0, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-1, 4 points
MAO: 2-0, 4 points
El Desperado: 1-1, 2 points
Titan: 1-1, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-1, 4 points
SHO: 1-2, 2 points
YOH: 1-2, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 0-3, 0 points
Taiji Ishimori: 0-2, 0 points
My Thoughts:
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The Road to Money in the Bank is paved with golden opportunities!
While SmackDown superstars battle to enter Money in the Bank, Tiffany Stratton defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Nia Jax! Is Tiffy Time about to run out?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Alexa Bliss; Bliss wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- Fraxiom VS #DIY; Fraxiom wins.
- Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes w/ The Miz; Aleister wins, by disqualification.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Rey Fenix VS Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo; Solo wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- LA Knight VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu; JC wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Nia Jax; Tiffany wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring!
The would-be Head of the Table smiles as he leads Jacob Fatu and the newest member of the WWE roster, Jeff Cobb, to the ring. The Samoan Werewolf is also still WWE Untied States Champion thanks to Solo and Cobb, and the fans cheer for “FATU! FATU!” Solo has the mic to tell Greensboro, “Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome the man who helped keep the United States Championship in this family… My man, JC!” The fans boo as Solo and Cobb dap it up. Solo says, “When Roman lost to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, he ruined everything for my family. He ruined everything! We lost everything!
“But now, I’m here to take it all back.” The fans boo, but Solo says that starts with him winning tonight’s qualifying match, going on and winning Money in the Bank, and then going after the title to bring it back to the family where it belongs. And if there is anybody in the back that tries to step in front of Solo, they will be dealt with by his man, JC, and the Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu! The fans do cheer that part, and Solo says check it! They better get in where they fit in, cuz Solo’s all gas- Fatu stops Solo from using his shtick! The fans cheer but Solo is upset. Solo lets it slide, and Fatu says, “Let’s keep it 100. Don’t you ever get this thing twisted over here.
“I told y’all I was bringing the US title to the family!” The fans cheer that! “And I told you I was gonna do it with your or without you!” The fans also cheer that. “And if anybody gets in my way, well line ’em up, cuz I’ma deal with ’em all by myself!” The fans cheer again, and Fatu says at the end of the day, FATU is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADA- Solo interrupts by mocking the Yadada over and over. JC chuckles and Solo says of course he knows what Fatu means! Everyone knows what Fatu means! Solo does, and so does JC. But Fatu, don’t worry. The reason Solo is doing all of this is because he loves Fatu. This is all to help!
Look at your shoulder, Jacob. What is that? That is proof! That title is proof of Solo telling Fatu that Solo loves Fatu. But there is something Solo needs to hear from Fatu. Solo is sure Fatu remembers what he used to say all the time, loud ‘n’ proud, every minute of the day. What was that? How’d Fatu used to do it? Fatu says, “I love you, Solo.” The fans boo and Solo laughs. That wasn’t it! That’s not how he used to do it! Everyone here knows how! He used to be loud ‘n’ proud. C’mon, Jacob! Solo pushes Fatu, and asks Fatu who he loves. He wants Fatu to do it the old way. Fatu takes off his sunglasses, but then here comes LA Knight!
The fans fire up as the Mega Star sneaks in from the crowd! Knight drags JC out and SMACKS him off the desk! Knight fires hands, then he gets away before Solo & Fatu can get him! Knight says that’s what they get for messing him over at Backlash! Knight’s willing to fight all three members of Solo’s “family,” but with Solo in tonight’s qualifier, will it be Fatu or JC that deals with LA?
B-Fab talks with Mia Yim backstage.
Fab tells Mia that #MichinInTheBank sounds great. So we need Mia to go out there and win the qualifier. Because you know what goes good with the briefcase? The tag titles~! Mia says yeah, once she brings that briefcase back to them, they’ll have it all! But then the Green Administration laughs their way in. Chelsea tells Mia & Fab that while this is cute, if anyone is winning MITB this year, it is the VIP of last year. But she still lost last year… Chelsea says once she wins, she is going to ring in a beautiful “social economic policy” that has a trickle down effect to lower interest rates for all of… her Secret Her-vice.
But Alexa Bliss walks over and taps Alba on the shoulder. Alba freaks out, as do Piper and Chelsea. Alexa just tells the others, “See you out there.” Piper & Alba calm Chelsea down, but then B-Fab tells them that no, there’s a ringside ban in place. What? Who approved that? Fab says either way, they’re stuck watching backstage with her. Have fun~! B-Fab accompanies Mia to gorilla, and Chelsea shouts she’s putting tariffs on mediocrity! Mia & B-Fab are first on the list! Well, delusions of grandeur aside, will there be no road back for the Hot Mess to MITB? Or can she somehow get one over on the Head Baddie in Charge and Lil’ Miss Bliss?
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Alexa Bliss!
SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, followed by Chelsea. The bell rings, and Mia SUPERKICKS Chelsea! The fans are torn but Mia and Alexa high-five. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They go around, Mia headlocks and hits a takeover. Alexa slips out to headlock right back. Mia fights up, powers out, but Alexa tilt-o-whirls, only for Mia to swing her around. Mia whips, Alexa ducks ‘n’ dodges. Chelsea is back in but Alexa slides to trip her up! Mia adds a basement DROPKICK! Chelsea tumbles out, Alexa rolls Mia, TWO! Mia blocks another try and she backslides Alexa, TWO! Alexa drop toeholds! Oklahoma Roll, TWO!
Mia is up and she body scissor rolls Alexa, TWO! The two stand off and the fans cheer. Chelsea complains but what else is new? But then Alexa & Mia DOUBLE DROPKICK Chelsea! Chelsea is furious, but then Alexa & Mia DOUBLE WRECKING BALL DROPKICK! Chelsea tumbles to the ramp but Mia goes out to fetch her. Mia puts her in the ring, but then Alexa YANKS her down! Alexa goes up but Mia YANKS her down! They argue, and Chelsea DIVES onto them both! Greensboro fires up for Miss Green, and she salutes before shouting, “PLEDGE YOUR ALLEGIANCE!” Hard to tell if anyone does as SmackDown goes to picture in picture.
Chelsea drags Alexa up, THROWS her into barriers, then drags Mia up to throw her into barriers! Chelsea storms back over to Alexa and she puts her in the ring. Cover, TWO! Chelsea is upset with the ref but the ref defends the count. Chelsea bumps Alexa off buckles, talks trash, then bumps Alexa off more buckles. Chelsea whips Alexa right back into the corner, then grabs the arms. Chelsea gives Alexa the motorcycle STOMP into the buckles! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is annoyed but she drags Alexa up and TOSSES her out! Chelsea soaks up cheers and jeers while she leads a Pledge of Allegiance to Chelsea Green.
Chelsea then storms out and whips Alexa into barriers! Chelsea pulls Alexa’s hair, drags her into the ring, and CLUBS her down! Chelsea CLUBS Alexa again, then BOOTS Mia from the apron! But Alexa rolls Chelsea! TWO, Chelsea clinches but Alexa fires body shots! And an ENZIGIRI! Chelsea comes back to SMACK Alexa off the mat! Chelsea soaks up cheers and jeers, but Mia is in! GERMAN SUPLEX for Chelsea! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX for Chelsea! Chelsea elbows free of the third, but Mia blocks her kick! Mia slips under Chelsea to lift her up, and SIT-OUT POWERBOMBS! Cover, Alexa breaks it!
Mia is frustrated but all three women are down while SmackDown returns to single picture. Mia storms up on Alexa, but Alexa blocks a shot! Mia still fires fast hands and kicks, then a PELE! Mia whips Alexa to a corner but now Chelsea runs in! Mia dodges and PELES Chelsea, too! Chelsea falls onto Alexa, and Mia says get this twerk! Mia runs up to CANNONBALL! Mia then drags Alexa to a high stack, TWO! Cover on Chelsea, TWO! The fans rally up as Mia drags Chelsea around. Wrench and- NO, Chelsea avoids Da Feet, then avoids Alexa’s haymaker! Chelsea pokes Alexa in the eyes! Mia runs up, Chelsea dodges, the BOOT hits Alexa!
Mia turns around, she and Chelsea DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSE! Both women fall, and that means all three are down! The fans fire up while the three stir. “This is Awesome!” as Mia bails out. Chelsea and Alexa crawl to each other. Chelsea shouts at Alexa but Alexa fires a forearm! Chelsea fires back, the forearms go back and forth! The fans are torn, but Alexa blocks to SLAP, ROCK, and DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Alexa runs, but Mia SHOTGUNS Alexa down! Only for Chelsea to chicken wing Mia! Mia wrenches out, and EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT AGAIN! Mia is frustrated, but Alexa dodges her to tilt-o-whirl and DDT!
The fans fire up and Alexa puts Mia in the drop zone! Alexa climbs, the fans fire up, and it is TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, Chelsea breaks it!! Chelsea DUMPS Alexa out, drags Mia up, UNPRETTY HER!! But Alexa drags Mia out of the ring! Chelsea is furious, takes a swing, but into the clinch! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, Alexa wins!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Green saw red, but Alexa used that against her! Will Alexa make this #MoneyInTheBliss? Or will there be a second chance waiting for Mia and Chelsea?
Fraxiom VS #DIY!
Whether or not Nathan Frazer & Axiom were in the wrong for facing The Street Profits when Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins were less than 100%, that’s hard to say. But Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano used it as an excuse to go after the new kids on the block instead of admitting they’re jealous of the new kids on the block. But will the undefeated Fraxiom #NeverSlowDown? Or will DIY prove that if you want to get ahead, you gotta Do It Yourself?
SmackDown returns as DIY makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Axiom starts against Ciampa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Axiom waistlocks, Ciampa wrenches to a wristlock, and Ciampa grinds the arm down. Axiom endures, the fans rally, and Axiom fights up. Ciampa keeps on the arm, but Axiom rolls, bridges, then breaks free to DROPKICK! Tag to Frazer, they whip Ciampa and wrap him up but Ciampa fights the Iron Octopus! Ciampa is now in a GROUND OCTOPUS, and Frazer still runs to DROPKICK him! Ciampa bails out, Gargano runs in, but into KICK after KICK, ASSISTED DROPKICK!
Gargano bails out, Frazer DIVES onto Ciampa! Ciampa almost ends up in the front row! Axiom DIVES onto Gargano! Frazer DIVES onto Ciampa again, and he DOES end up in the front row! Axiom DIVES again and Gargano hits barriers! DIY is down, Greensboro fires up, and Frazer drags Ciampa back into the ring. Tag to Axiom and he goes up a corner. Ciampa staggers to his feet, but he avoids the leap. Axiom dodges the chop, but Gargano inadvertently(?) trips him at the ropes! The ref reprimands, but Ciampa KNEES Axiom down. Tag to Gargano, and Gargano LARIATS Axiom down! The fans boo but Gargano grins.
Gargano drags Axiom up, brings him around, and THROWS him into barriers! DIY sits on the barriers, and they applaud themselves and pat themselves on the back. Gargano then puts Axiom in the ring, but Axiom CHOPS! And CHOPS! And then fires forearms! Axiom reels Gargano in, but Gargano scoops to SLAM Axiom into the ropes! Axiom tumbles out of the ring, DIY soaks up the heat, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ciampa keeps Axiom from Frazer. Axiom fires hands, Ciampa KNEES low, then Ciampa whips Axiom to the corner. Axiom ROCKS Gargano, goes up and over Ciampa, and then rolls! Hot tags to Gargano and Frazer! Frazer springboards to AX HANDLE Gargano, then he BLASTS Ciampa! Frazer LARIATS, whips, but Gargano reverses. Frazer goes up and over then handsprings away! Gargano runs up but into a SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up and Frazer keeps moving, QUEBRADA, then DDT! Frazer keeps moving, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Gargano survives that speed blitz but Frazer hurries to a corner!
The fans rally as Frazer goes up, up, and PHOENIX- NO, Gargano moves! Frazer rolls through, Gargano ROCKS him! Gargano runs, but Frazer JUMP KNEES! Frazer runs, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Gargano tags Ciampa and Ciampa reels Frazer in! Underhooks, SUPERKICK into FAIRYTALE ENDING!! Cover, AXIOM BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while DIY regroups. Gargano TOSSES Axiom, then PLANCHAS! Ciampa hoists Frazer up, PROJECT CIAMPA!! Cover, TWO!?! Frazer survives and “This is Awesome!” Ciampa takes his kneepad down and aims from a corner. PSYCHO- NO, Frazer dodges and the knee hits buckles!
Gargano tags in, he BLASTS Axiom and then BOOTS Frazer! Gargano goes up, Frazer GAMANGIRIS! Gargano wobbles, Frazer climbs up, and Frazer brings Gargano up! Gargano fires body shots, SHOVES Frazer, but Frazer backflips through! Ciampa storms up but Frazer ENZIGIRIS first! Frazer hurries back and jumps up to the top rope! Axiom tags in, and Frazer hits the SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, and Frazer suplexes Gargano! Axiom adds a SUPERKICK, CHASING THE DRAGON!!! Cover, CIAMPA KNEES AXIOM DOWN!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ciampa and Frazer bail out, Gargano and Axiom scrap with each other!
Gargano stands to ROCK Axiom, but Axiom CHOPS! Gargano ROCKS, Axiom CHOPS, repeat! Gargano fires a flurry, but then Axiom ducks the rolling elbow! Gargano fights the German Suplex, bucks the O’Conner Roll, but Axiom kips up! INTO A SUPERKICK! Gargano then rolls Axiom up, with tights! TWO, and into a RINGS OF SATURN!! Gargano endures, Ciampa hobbles in, and he grabs at the mask! Frazer SUPERKICKS Ciampa down! Gargano SUPERKICKS Frazer! Roll up, but Axiom sits on it! FRAXIOM WINS!!
Winners: Fraxiom, by pinfall
Gargano is stunned! But then he and Ciampa CLOBBER Fraxiom! The fans boo but DIY are sore losers! And they still rip at Axiom’s mask! But here come the Motor City Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin grab Ciampa, ENZIGIRI FLATLINER to the floor! Gargano realizes he is alone and he runs for it! But MCMG flanks him, and Sabin PENALTY KICKS from the apron! MCMG take care of DIY, and they help Fraxiom to their feet. When and where will the two fastest moving tag teams face off?
Rey Fenix prepares backstage.
Andrade finds him and wishes him luck tonight. Fenix thanks Andrade, and also says last week was a great match. Andrade says maybe they’ll see each other in the MITB ladder match. Fenix says he had his WrestleMania Moment, and though he failed, that fire inside him is burning brighter than ever! Fenix feels it! That next level is MITB. But Solo Sikoa says, “Ey, Carnal!” Solo asks Fenix & Andrade where LA Knight went. El Idolo & the Firebird have no idea. Solo says he’s no good at Espanol. Solo and Cobb storm off, Fatu looks Fenix and Andrade over, then Fatu follows.
Will Solo’s family find LA Knight before the night is over? How will Solo prepare for his qualifier if he’s obsessed with the Mega Star?
Fraxiom regroups backstage.
Frazer & Axiom are fired up, because they are on a roll! No one can stop them! But then The Street Profits walk up and applaud. Dawkins says, “Congratulations, boys! You’re on a roll! Beat DIY, Pretty Deadly, Los Garza, and the other night, y’all even got one over on us.” Ford says what they did is so special! So special that Ford & Dawkins just talked with Aldis, and Aldis has granted Fraxiom their tag team championship match! How ’bout that? AHAHAHA! But guess what? The best part is… They don’t gotta wait until MITB, or even Saturday Night’s Main Event! The WWE Tag Team Championship match is next week!
Fraxiom is fired up, and Frazer says all they have to do is beat the Profits again! Axiom stops Frazer there, and says what Frazer means is that they’re looking forward to this. The Profits shake hands with Fraxiom, and Dawkins says they’ll be 100% then. Hopefully Fraxiom will be, too. The Profits head out and Frazer says they’re speed-running this! Axiom has Frazer calm down and focus on next week. Frazer says yeah, let’s go work on that! Will the Jersey Island Rocket & Undeniable Truth be undeniable as #1 contenders? Or will The Profits not only get that smoke, but get that respect?
Exclusive sit-down interview with R-Truth.
Wade Barrett thanks Truth for meeting with him. To get right to it, during the Backlash press conference last Saturday, John Cena hit Truth with an Attitude Adjustment through a table. What is going on with them? Truth says life is tough. This is the constant pressure, man. Career, family, friends, bills. But regardless of what’s going on in your world, you can always depend on John Cena. When you feel like you want to quit, what would Cena say? Never give up! You didn’t know when it was gonna come, when it would happen, but what would Cena say? Your Time Is Now! Hustle, Loyalty, Respect! Those are not just words, those are a beacon of light.
If Cena did it, so can you! Wade wants Truth to listen to himself. Truth sounds crazy! Truth basically won that match for Cena at Backlash when he stopped Randy Orton from punting Cena. And then look how Cena repays Truth! And Truth wants to sing Cena’s praises? Truth says Cena won that on his own. You don’t know Cena like Truth knows! That man at the press conference was NOT John Cena! The Cena that Truth knows would never turn his back on the people that support and love him. The Cena that Truth knows wouldn’t talk about ruining wrestling, or put his friend and brother through a table!
Truth doesn’t wanna fight Cena. But if he has to beat some sense into Cena, then Truth will do it. Truth will do it. He already talked to Nick Aldis. It is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event! Cena is the Greatest of All Time, but Truth remembers what his hero told him about facing the impossible: Never Give Up! Regardless of what happens, Truth will hold his head high, because he will live by Hustle, Loyalty & Respect! That’s what’s up! Wade says this has been rather enlightening, and best of luck against Cena at SNME. Truth says much obliged. So then, will Truth be able to make Cena see the truth? Or will the Never Seen 17 still ruin wrestling?
Damian Priest speaks.
“Drew. It feels like we’re stuck in a cycle. You get involved in my business, I get involved in yours… Sabotage each other until we destroy everything. I’m banged up, I’m frustrated, but most of all, I’m pissed off at myself for getting stuck in this vortex that is Drew McIntyre’s petty, childish, vindictive BS. We need a conclusion, Drew. At Saturday Night’s Main Event, a simple match won’t do it. I want you to hurt real bad. I want you to feel real pain. I want to bash your face in so bad that the hospital will need dental records to identify you. Anarchy, violence, I want this to happen inside a steel cage.
“I hope this is what you wanted, Drew. Because it’s what you’re gonna get. The cycle ends here.” The Archer of Infamy has spoken, will he send the Scottish Warrior way past South of Heaven?
Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes w/ The Miz!
The Dark Father made the Hollywood A-Lister #FadeToBlack, and then he made H1M miss like an airball. But will Aleister stay untouchable in his return? Or will this be the night Melo hits the game winner?
SmackDown returns and The Miz tells the camera, “Allow me to explain exactly what is about to happen.” Melo stops Miz there and says he’s got this. “Aleister Black! Ptew! Even saying your name makes me sick. Last week, you had the opportunity to take my head off, and you didn’t take it. And that’s the biggest mistake of your life. Because now, this beef, it will never end. Okay? It’s not over until I win. You in the playoffs, big dog. Ask the last guy, cuz it’s Melo over everybody! It’s MOE! I’m the Tenth Wonder of the World! I am H1M!” Miz says, “Who’s H1M?” Melo says, “I am.” “Who’s H1M?” “I am!” “WHO’S H1M?!” “I AM!”
One month ago was Aleister’s grand opening. Tonight in Greensboro, it’s closing night. Melo & Miz go to the ring, but will they make this Melo’s Rocky 2? Or is this more like riding into the Perfect Storm?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Melo headlocks, but Aleister powers his way out to wrench and wristlock. Melo rolls, trips Aleister, then floats to a headlock. Aleister fights up, he and Melo fight for the clinch, then they end up in a corner. Aleister turns things around, lets off slowly, but Melo SLAPS him! The fans boo, Aleister swings but Melo dodges. Aleister dodges Melo and runs, but Melo drops down. Aleister stops himself and arm-drags! Melo fights up, arm-drags free, but Aleister runs him over! Cover, ONE! Melo sweeps to cover, ONE! Both men kip up and the fans fire up!
Melo shakes his head, but then he narrowly avoids Black Mass! Aleister sits down cross-legged but Melo gets up in a huff. Aleister blocks a kick, reels Melo in and waistlocks. Melo ELBOWS free, whips, but Aleister reverses. Melo springboards, but into a BOOT! Melo tumbles out of the ring and Miz is worried. Aleister goes to a corner, goes up and out, but Miz gets Melo in the ring! Aleister MOONSAULTS, lands on his feet, and wonders what happened. Aleister glares at Miz, but Melo FLIES! Down goes Aleister and the fans are torn, but Miz is all fired up! The ref reprimands Miz but Melo puts Aleister in the ring.
Melo springboards, FADE AWAY DDT! Cover, TWO! Aleister stays in this but Melo says he is H1M, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns as Melo goes, but Aleister runs up and steps up to BOOT Melo down! Melo falls to the floor and Miz is worried. The ring count climbs while Miz coaches Melo up. Melo rises at 5 of 10, crawls over at 7, and he rolls in at 8! Aleister dodges Melo to then rally with forearm sand elbows! Aleister ducks a shot, fires a strike fest and sweeps the legs! Then SLIDING KNEE! Aleister handsprings, the fans fire up, but Melo waistlocks! Aleister switches, Melo elbows free, but runs into a DROPKICK! Melo bails out, Aleister goes up, and this time he MOONSAULTS onto Melo! The fans fire up and Aleister puts Melo in. Aleister hurries to cover, TWO!
Melo survives and Aleister grows a bit frustrated. But Greensboro says “This is Awesome!” as Aleister waistlocks Melo. Melo fights up, reaches out, and throws elbows. Aleister lifts, Melo victory rolls, TWO! Aleister escapes, but Melo SUPERKICKS! Melo runs, tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! And then Melo reels Aleister in for the suplex, only for Aleister to sunset flip! TWO, and Melo BOOTS Aleister! Aleister is in the corner, Melo blocks a boot, but not the KNEE! Aleister goes up to METEORA! Aleister then fires up, to ROUNDHOUSE! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Melo survives again and even Miz is surprised!
The fans rally up and Aleister rises. Aleister waits on Melo to rise, but Miz creeps up! Miz swipes at the feet, the ref reprimands, but Melo rolls Aleister! TWO, and Aleister KNEES Melo! Aleister runs, but into another LA MYSTICA! And then a suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Melo is beside himself, Miz argues with the ref, but then Miz tells Melo to go for that three pointer! Miz is on the apron, the ref reprimands, and Melo brings Aleister up. Melo and Miz argue about the game plan, but Aleister shoves Melo into Miz! Cradle, TWO!! Melo escapes, but the SHADOW ELBOW finds him! Aleister fires a strike fest, but the FIRST 48 hits!
Aleister rebounds, BOOTS Melo, then JUMP KNEES! Melo sputters and Aleister lifts with his foot. But Miz CLOBBERS Aleister!!
Winner: Aleister Black, by disqualification
Miz drags Aleister up into a full nelson, but Aleister powers out! BLACK MASS!! But then Melo CHOP BLOCKS Aleister! Melo rains down fists, then he goes to the corner. Melo is going to do just as Miz said to, NOTHING BUT NET!! Melo hits that three pointer but only after the match was done. Will Melo make sure he’s the one who wins in the end?
Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.
Byron Saxton says last week, she made her return, and tonight, she is the first to qualify for this year’s MITB. How does it feel? Alexa says it is amazing. Now her goal is to be the first woman to win MITB twice. She wants to take that briefcase and… Alexa trails off, then asks to be excused. Alexa walks down the hall, and she sees Charlotte Flair waiting outside Nick Aldis’ office. Alexa says hey, and Charlotte asks Alexa, “What’re we doing here?” Alexa just wants to know if Charlotte gave any thought to what they talked about last week. Charlotte says yeah, they aren’t friends. They weren’t even that close.
No, but when Alexa first came to NXT, no one gave her the time of day. Charlotte took Alexa under wing, and was for some reason a decent human being. Alexa never forgot that. Charlotte doesn’t remember that. Alexa says fine, but then out of the office steps GIULIA! Aldis also walks out to introduce the newest member of the SmackDown roster. Aldis then tells Charlotte, “Let’s talk Money in the Bank.” Charlotte tells Alexa to just stay out of her way, because Charlotte doesn’t need Alexa. Alexa says, “Keep telling yourself that.” Just what was Alexa hoping for from The Queen? And way to bury the lead, will all of SmackDown soon succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
Drew McIntyre is here!
Greensboro is torn as the Scottish Terminator makes his way to the ring, though rather gingerly. Drew still stands on the corner for his pyro, and then he gets the mic. The fans cheer and jeer, but Drew says, “I heard what you had to say, Priest. The only thing that was accurate in that entire video was how much violence we’ve inflicted on each other. But you’re stuck in the Drew McIntyre Vortex, is that what you said? I’ve been in this vortex for over a year. That so-called Drew McIntyre Vortex you’re in is the only reason you’re relevant and the only reason anyone gives a damn about you!” The fans are torn but Drew paces.
“I’ve been trying to tell you for months and months. I beat you at WrestleMania in your own match. I beat you in a Street Fight clean, and you keep getting involved in my business. You’re obsessed with me! It’s getting to the point I was genuinely concerned you wanna wear my skin to your birthday party. But I know what this is. This is jealousy. This is a psychotic level of jealousy! You look at me and you see everything you’ve ever wanted. I am better than you in every single way! I’ve got all the accolades. I would’ve been a Grand Slam Champion if it wasn’t for you at Backlash! You’re trying to take out the competition!
“And I genuinely believe you’re willing to kill me to do it, because you choke slammed me off a 15 foot platform and SLAMMED MY HEAD INTO THE CONCRETE!” The fans are torn but Drew calms himself down a moment. Drew scowls and says, “This has to end. I’ll see you inside that cage next Saturday. And I’m gonna make you a guarantee, because when Drew McIntyre makes a guarantee, it happens. Only one man is gonna walk out of that cage. The other is leaving on a stretcher!” Drew throws down the mic, but who survives when they lock these two in and throw away the key?
As Drew makes his exit, Solo Sikoa makes his entrance, accompanied by Fatu & “JC Mateo.” Drew glares at them, especially the United States Champion. Drew moves on, and Solo’s “family” continues to ringside. Solo may still want LA Knight’s head, but will he settle for the golden ticket to Los Angeles?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Rey Fenix VS Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo!
SmackDown returns and we follow #BigJim on his way to gorilla. “Money in the Bank is around the corner! But tonight, it’s qualifying night. I gotta get through Solo and I gotta get through Rey Fenix. I’ma take my ass to MITB, climb that ladder, snatch that, win that, cash that. Who’s dat? Big Jim with a big win!” Jimmy makes his entrance, followed by Rey Fenix. The bell rings and Solo CLOBBERS Fenix! Solo rains down fists, perhaps unhappy Fenix didn’t hel;;p him find Knight. The fans boo as Solo THROWS Fenix down, then he tells Jimmy they can work together as true blood brothers.
Solo raises the one, Jimmy raises it, too, but then Jimmy UPPERCUTS Solo! Jimmy CHOPS Solo, CHOPS again, but Fenix runs up! Jimmy gives Fenix a boost to ENZIGIRI Solo! Solo staggers, Jimmy & Fenix DOUBLE LARIAT Solo up and out! Except Solo’s hand gets stuck in the ropes! Jimmy & Fenix get Solo free and Solo clutches that hand, so Fenix rolls Jimmy up! TWO and Jimmy CHOPS! Fenix falls, Jimmy looms over him, and then stands Fenix up. Jimmy whips, Fenix reverses, but then Jimmy dodges. Fenix goes Spider-Man to go to the apron. Jimmy runs up, Fenix RAMS him, and then Fenix GAMANGIRIS!
Fenix slingshots and somersaults to RANA! Cover, TWO! Fenix keeps moving, tilt-o-whirls, but Jimmy fights. Fenix still puts on the IRON OCTOPUS! Jimmy endures so Fenix CLUBS him, CHOPS him, and has him in the corner. Fenix CHOPS again, but Jimmy CHOPS back! The fans “WOO~” and Jimmy whips. Fenix reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, and the two RAM shoulders! Jimmy CHOPS, Fenix BOOTS, and Fenix goes up, up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Fenix covers, TWO! The fans rally with Fenix but Jimmy UPPERCUTS! Fenix goes to ropes, Jimmy stalks up and CHOPS again!
The fans rally up, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy whips, Fenix reverses, but Jimmy stops himself to BOOT Fenix down! But then Solo drags Jimmy out! Solo SMACKS Jimmy off the desk! And SMACKS him off the desk again! Solo’s wrist seems okay, but then Fenix kips up to SUPERKICK Solo! Fenix then goes up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Fenix takes down Jimmy and Solo, and Greensboro fires up with Fenix! Fenix puts Solo in, goes to a corner, and springboards, but into the URENAGE! Solo roars but the fans boo. Solo goes to the ropes, Jimmy drags himself up, and Solo BLASTS Jimmy off!
Jimmy hits off the desk, and then Solo goes out after him. Solo drags Jimmy up, pushes him against the desk, and he says Solo is winning MITB! Understand!? URENAGE onto the desk!! Solo soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Solo points up at the briefcases, then he stalks Fenix. Solo drags Fenix up, DECKS him, then drops a SENTON! Solo looks to Fatu and says, “I love you, Fatu!” Jimmy is back but Solo has him at the ropes. Jimmy blocks the punch to give a punch! And more punches! Jimmy RAMS into Solo, then slingshots, but into an UPPERCUT! Jimmy falls back down and Solo goes out after him. Solo looks under the ring, looking to use that No Disqualification rule to his advantage. Nothing on this end, so Solo just goes back to Fenix. Solo talks trash but Fenix CHOPS! And CHOPS! Solo eggs Fenix on, then HEADBUTTS him down!
Solo paces around Fenix, stomps him down, and he SUPERKICKS Jimmy off the apron! Solo drops the leg on Fenix! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives but Solo just soaks up the heat. Solo stalks Fenix, drags him up, but Fenix blocks the suplex! Solo still tries, but Fenix fights again. Jimmy returns to help Fenix out, and he mule kicks Solo! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, then he and Fenix POST Solo! Solo falls back while Jimmy and Fenix catch their breath. SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans want tables! Fenix ROCKS Jimmy but Jimmy CHOPS Fenix down! Jimmy goes to the corner and climbs while the fans rally up.
But Fenix somersaults and SHORYUKENS! The fans fire up and Fenix climbs. Fenix CLUBS away on Jimmy, then CHOPS him! Fenix cravats, but Solo is up! Fenix somersaults to get him, but Solo stops the victory roll! Jimmy adjusts, leaps, but Fenix victory rolls through! The ref checks Jimmy as he rolls, but he misses the cover! TWO, and Fenix SUPERKICKS Solo down! Fenix ELBOWS Jimmy away, then goes up, up, and leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Solo is back to LARIAT Jimmy! The fans boo but Solo whips Fenix for a SAMOAN DROP! Solo drags Jimmy up, fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! The fans boo more but Solo sees targets in corners.
Solo runs in at Fenix, HIP ATTACK! The fans boo but Solo runs in and HIP ATTACKS Jimmy! Solo holds up his thumb and the fans boo more. Solo drags Fenix up, tells Jimmy he could’ve helped Solo. SAMOAN- NO, Fenix slips around the spike! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Solo into the takedown! Cover, JIMMY BREAKS IT! Jimmy cleans up the mess he made, and the fans rally up. Solo bails out, Jimmy and Fenix go forehead to forehead. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans duel, Fenix CHOPS, then he boots Jimmy’s uppercut away! Fenix kicks the legs out, then BUZZ- NO, Jimmy ducks! Fenix blocks the superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP!
The fans fire up as Jimmy reels Fenix in for a fireman’s carry. Fenix slips free, shoves, and DROPKICKS! Fenix goes up the corner, ADIOS AMIGO! Jimmy flounders away and Fenix says “ANIMO!” Fenix runs in, but into a SPEAR!! Jimmy covers, TWO?!?! Fenix survives and Jimmy cannot believe it! The fans rally up and Jimmy climbs a corner. But then Fatu runs up! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Fatu, but that lets Solo hit the SAMOAN SPIKE!! But ADIOS AMIGO AGAIN!! Fenix goes up, up, and DOUBLE STOMPS Solo’s back! JC is up but Fenix DECKS him! Fenix fires up, but then a SAMOAN SPIKE finds him!!! Cover, SOLO WINS!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
As always, it takes the whole family, but Solo is still going to Los Angeles! But then LA Knight attacks JC and Fatu! He gets a chair to keep them all at bay! Nick Aldis shouts for everyone to stand down right now! Aldis tells Knight that if he’s so desperate to get his hands on JC, and if JC loves sticking his nose in other people’s business, then let’s handle this in the ring! In fact… Get a ref right now! JC can make his SmackDown in-ring debut now! JC Mateo VS LA Knight is happening after the break, but will the Mega Star be able to tear down the new recruit? Or will that be the other way around?
LA Knight VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and Knight talks trash with the former Olympian turned enforcer. They tie up, JC shoves Knight, and then talks trash. Knight and JC reset, tie up, and Knight waistlocks. JC switches, then he THROWS Knight away! The fans boo but JC eggs Knight on. Knight and JC circle, tie up, and JC waistlocks. Knight endures the bearhug, fires elbows, then rolls, but JC stays up! JC stomps Knight down! The fans boo but Solo cheers him on. JC stands Knight up to ROCK him, then scoop him! Knight slips free, headlocks, but JC powers up and out! Knight RAMS JC, but JC doesn’t budge!
JC tells Knight to run, but Knight kicks and fires haymakers instead! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, JC reverses, but Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges! Knight CROSSBODIES, but JC catches him! JC pops Knight up to a suplex, but Knight slips free! NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! JC is tougher than that, but Knight storms up to RAM into him! And RAM, RAM, and RAM! Knight climbs up and he rains down fists! The fans “YEAH!” along, but JD stops Knight at five! JC carries Knight but Knight still throws hands! Knight fights free of the grip, throws more hands, and then runs, but into an ELBOW! JC trucks Knight and Solo is pleased.
JC drags Knight up to ELBOW him in the head! JC drags Knight up, CLUBS him, then ROCKS him in the back! Knight drops to his knees, but JC waistlocks. Knight fires elbows, then HAYMAKERS! Knight runs, but into another bearhug! Knight BELL CLAPS free, then whips. JC reverses, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS JC, goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Knight hurries to another corner, goes back up, but Solo is on the apron! Knight runs Solo off, but JC CLUBS Knight down! JC brings Knight up, clinches, and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES Knight up and out of the ring!
The fans boo but Solo mockingly claps and says, “Yeah.” Knight sputters and writhes but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and the fans rally as Knight fights up. Knight throws elbows to get free of the bearhug, then he fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight runs and ROCKS JC again! And ROCKS him again! And then- NO, JC hits a SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but JC grows frustrated. JC drags Knight around, ELBOWS him in the shoulder again and again, then looms over Knight. JC clinches again, OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but Solo says to finish this! JC puts Knight in a corner, but Knight fires hands!
Knight backs JC down, but JC ROCKS Knight! JC whips, Knight KICKS JC, but then JC ELBOWs, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives that Rampaging Dragon combo, but JC has the rear bearhug on again! Knight endures, fights up, but JC wrangles him back down. JC leans on Knight, then thrashes Knight around! Knight still endures and the fans still rally up. JC taunts Knight, Solo says to squeeze Knight, and Knight is fading! Knight reaches out feebly, but then he gets a second wind! The fans rally as Knight rises up. Knight pries at the grip, throws elbows, but JC blocks to HEADBUTT!
JC TOSSES Knight out, then grins as he goes out after Knight. JC clamps onto Knight, and POSTS him! JC pushes Knight against the post, tells him this is what he gets for St. Louis! JC runs up, but Knight dodges! JC POSTS himself! Solo is upset but Knight and JC slowly rise. Knight rolls in at 8 of 10, JC is in at 9! Both men slowly rise, and JC swings, only for Knight to counter punch! And punch! Knight dodges JC’s punch to JAB, JAB, JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” JC grabs Knight, TOSSES him to a corner, but Knight dodges! JUMPING NECKBREAKER! And then a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, JC reverses, and JC scoops!
Knight slips free, REVERSE DDT! Time to spell it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! JC stays in this and LA grows a bit frustrated. Knight rises again, rallies the fans, and he waits on JC. Knight kicks low, but JC CLUBS Knight out of the BFT! Then ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! Knight survives, but GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives again and JC is shocked! JC vows to end this now, and he drags Knight up. JC whips, Knight grabs ropes, and then Knight ELBOWS JC! Knight runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Knight staggers, JC runs in, but Knight dropkicks the legs!
JC hits ropes, Knight goes to the apron, and Knight KNEES JC back in! Solo storms up, Knight mule kicks him! Knight then springboards to CROSSBODY onto Solo & Fatu! Knight hurries back in, slingshots, but into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Even with Solo’s presence being part of it, JC still put Knight down himself! Will nothing stop Solo’s family now that this Imperial Unit is behind him?
Santos Escobar meets with Angel backstage.
The Emperor of Lucha wants to know where Berto is, and Angel says he can’t seem to reach him. Berto wasn’t home, he isn’t answering messages, but Angel feels maybe Berto just needs his space. Santos says he fears Berto is listening to the wrong people. People who don’t understand about loyalty and the bigger picture. Santos is willing to forgive Berto for last week. Why? Because there is something on the horizon. It’s an opportunity that Santos secured for Legado, for all of them. This opportunity will help them make a statement, but Santos needs Angel to find Berto and bring him home. That is because Santos wants to share this together.
Santos says we can call this an invitation to a sit-down dinner party on him. They can discuss this. This opportunity will help put their names where they belong. Angel says okay, he will try his best, but no promises. Santos tells Angel that when you stand up for something bigger than yourself, something special, that will scare people. But loyalty is the one thing Santos has always seen from Angel since day one. It’d be a shame if they lost all this for the actions of one selfish person. Legado is…? Familia. That’s it! Santos heads out, but could Angel start seeing things more Berto’s way? Or can they all patch things up before it’s too late?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“LA Knight… You haven’t changed. You’re still the same man as you were when you fought me for the US Title. I see what’s behind the chant…. A hunger for recognition. It’s that hunger that will bring you down. Aleister Black… I do not fear you. You hide behind smoke and mirrors, but deep down inside, you fear the darkness. But there is a deeper darkness lurking behind the shadows. I am sharpening my katana and watching all the while. I know every moment when your heart beats, and ever trigger that makes you lose control. Next week, when you two sink at my feet… I will have my ticket to the Money in the Bank contract.
“And only then will you know that I am an unstoppable storm, an unstoppable blade, and an unstoppable being.” The sinister Samurai of Strong Style is ready to cut down all in his way, but will he be the one to #FadeToBlack? Or will we all be saying YEAH on the way to LA?
BREAKING NEWS for next week!
SmackDown’s next round of qualifiers is set! We already heard from Nakamura calling out Aleister and Knight, so for the women, it is a Triple Threat of Charlotte Flair, Zelina Vega, and the newest member of the roster, GIULIA! Will it be The Queen, the Women’s US Champion, or the Beautiful Madness that earns a ticket to Los Angeles?
Jade Cargill finds Tiffany Stratton backstage.
The Storm tells the champ that she just wants to wish her luck. But to be honest, it doesn’t really matter who wins, because Jade’s got next. Jade will win her qualifying match, will win the MITB briefcase, and then will take her title the same way Tiff did from Nia, “you little backstabber.” Tiff tells Jade that she can talk all she wants, but if Tiff were Jade, do not get comfortable. Tiffy is always ready. Jade might be good enough to win a qualifier, and she might be good enough to win the briefcase, but for as long as Tiff is champion, Jade will never be good enough to cash-in on her. Tootles. Tiff heads out, but will she find herself in the eye of The Storm soon enough?
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Nia Jax!
While it’s as Jade said, with #TiffyTime only happening because of an MITB cash-in, the Wrestling Barbie has proven herself a champion by holding onto the belt ever since. However, the Irresistible Force is now going to have Tiff all to herself, no caveats or disclaimers! Will Nia break Tiff like a Barbie doll? Or will Stratton find a way to survive?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Tiff’s still the Center of the Universe!
The bell rings and the fans rally for “TIFFY TIME! TIFFY TIME!” Tiff and Nia circle, tie up, and Nia SHOVES Tiff down! The fans boo while Tiff flounders to a corner. Nia soaks up the heat, runs up at Tiff, but Tiff dodge! Tiff kicks Nia blocks it to HEADBUTT her down! Nia shoves Tiff to a corner, whips her corner to corner, but Tiff goes up and over! Tiff handsprings, DROPKICKS a leg out, then runs, only for Nia to CLOBBER her! Nia soaks up more heat, then she stalks Tiff. Nia drags Tiff up, whips her to a corner, then runs in. Tiff dodges, ROCKS Nia, then ROCKS her again! Tiff wrenches, ROCKS and KICKS, then puts Nia in a corner.
Tiff goes to the far side, handsprings corner to corner, but Nia catches her and HOTSHOTS her on the ropes! Tiff sputters and the fans boo, but Nia pushes Tiff around. Nia eggs Tiff on, POSTS her, then goes to the apron. Nia mocks the Tiffy Time, then runs up and HIP ATTACKS Tiff against post!! Tiff falls to the floor in a heap and Nia soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nia looks down on Tiff quite literally, then drags her up and into the ring. Nia storms in and flexes before she clamps onto Tiff with a motorcycle stretch. Tiff endures, fights to stand up, but Nia THROWS her down! Cover, TWO! Nia is amused at this point, and she kicks Tiff around. Nia puts Tiff on the ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Nia stops, and then Nia paces around. Nia clamps onto Tiff with a COBRA CLUTCH! Tiff endures, fights up, and snapmares Nia away! Nia tumbles to ropes, Tiff runs up to HIP ATTACK! Tiff keeps moving but Nia ELBOWS her down! Cover, TWO! Tiff toughs it out but Nia clamps on with the COBRA CLUTCH!
Tiff endures all over again, even as Nia thrashes her around. Tiff stands to JAWBREAKER free! Nia staggers, Tiff goes to a corner, but Nia runs up! Tiff BOOTS Nia away, goes up the corner, but Nia ROCKS her first! Nia then climbs up, fireman’s carries, and SUPER SAMOAN DROPS!! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives and now Nia is frustrated. SmackDown returns to single picture while the fans rally up. Nia drags Tiff up, runs her to the corner and POSTS her! Nia goes to the apron again, runs in, but Tiff avoids the hip attack! Nia hits post, Tiff RAMS Nia down! Tiff runs and WRECKS Nia with a dropkick!
Nia staggers around, Tiff hurries after Nia, and Tiff whips, only for Nia to reverse! Tiff hops over the barrier, then goes up! FLYING RANA and Nia hits POST, head first!! Tiff hurries to POST Nia again and again! Tiff puts Nia in, hurries up the corner, and Tiff CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Nia survives and now Tiff is frustrated. Tiff runs and TIFFY STOMPS! Nia sputters, Tiff runs again, but Nia fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives and Nia is getting mad. Nia watches Tiff go to a corner, runs in at her, but Tiff dodges! Roll up, TWO! Tiff KNEES Nia, then runs corner to corner! Handspring and BACK ELBOW!
Nia sputters and the fans fire up! Tiff manages the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia stays in this and Tiff isn’t sure what to think! The fans rally behind Tiff, Tiff gets running, but Nia stops the cartwheel! POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO, but Nia deadlifts Tiff for another POWERBOMB! Nia DROPS THE LEG, BROTHER! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives again and Nia is losing her cool. Nia drags Tiff to a drop zone, goes up, but Tiff rises! Tiff SHORYUKENS! Tiff climbs, Nia fires body shots, and Nia scoops! SUPER POWER- DDT!!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives the counter, and wait! NAOMI IS HERE?! And she has a chair!
Naomi and her bad attitude storm down to the ring, but the ref tells her to hold on! Naomi wants after somebody, but here comes Jade! The fans fire up as Naomi swings on Jade! Jade dodges and SUPERKICKS Naomi! Then Jade TOSSES Naomi over the barriers! Jade and Naomi brawl off into the night, and Tiff is in the corner! Nia runs up, Tiff dodges! Nia hits POST, Tiff pushes her down! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Nia survives and Tiff cannot believe it! Nia’s the first person to survive Tiff’s best shot! Tiff hurries to drag Nia back into a drop zone and then goes back up top!
The fans fire up as Tiff climbs, but Nia SHOVES Tiff to the floor!! Tiff clutches e leg, Nia storms out and clears off the desk! The fans fire up but the ref says keep this in the ring! Nia drags Tiff up, reels her in for a fireman’s carry, SAMON DROP on the desk! These desks really are reinforced! Nia grins and puts Tiff back in the ring. Tiff sputters, Nia steps on her in the drop zone, then goes up! A-NIA- NO, Tiff slips under her!! Tiff pulls, but Nia SUPER A-NIA-LATES Tiff!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!??! Nia sees that hand on the ropes but she doesn’t believe it!! Nia is furious with the ref and Greensboro is also losing their minds!
But then Nia storms out and grabs the belt? Nia claims it is hers, no matter what anyone says!? The ref reprimands, so Nia says fine. Nia gives him the belt to put back, only to grab the chair Naomi left behind!! But Tiff FULL METAL DROPKICKS Nia!! Nia is busted open, Tiff goes up, up, and PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!!! Cover, TIFF WINS!!!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)
After fury and violence, the dust has settled and Stratton is still at the Tiffy Top of the mountain! If not even Nia can take this title off her, will anyone take this title from the Wrestling Barbie? Or can only an MITB cash-in put an end to Tiffy Time?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of SmackDown here, especially to start us on the road to MITB. Great promo from the women involved in tonight’s qualifier, and Chelsea continues to make her political parody funny. Great match, and it made sense for Alexa to win. She’s finally getting her return push, and there’s also this story they’re building with her and Charlotte. Charlotte is likely to win her qualifier, but that’s a bit tricky with Giulia making her SmackDown in-ring debut. I suppose Zelina can be involved in an opportunistic finish, but maybe shenanigans happen.
Shenanigans sure happened in the men’s qualifier with Solo having Fatu and now “JC Mateo” with him. WWE pulled a JD McDonagh with Jeff Cobb’s WWE name. JC is obviously for “Jeff Cobb,” and then they just threw on a last name that fits his nationality. Solo winning his qualifier is fine, as it’s hard to say he’ll win the briefcase. But Knight doing his hit ‘n’ run on them to then give Cobb his first WWE match was good stuff. For those who’ve seen Cobb before, you can tell this was definitely more an LA Knight paced match. But even then, Solo & Fatu were of course why Cobb won. But this is a great start for “JC Mateo,” surely he and Fatu will feud soon enough and really show what Cobb can do.
Nakamura calling out Knight almost made me fear they were going to run the feud back, but then he pivoted to Aleister and I was relieved. A Triple Threat of Knight, Nakamura and Aleister will be great stuff, but there are a lot of ways that can go. Aleister wins against Melo again, but Melo did stand tall, so maybe #MeloDon’tMiz interfere to screw Aleister over. I feel like Nakamura and Aleister should come to an understanding to take on Melo & Miz as a team, and then Aleister can move on from Melo & Miz to feud with Nakamura. Aleister VS Nakamura would be awesome stuff, and can help build someone (Aleister) towards a title opportunity.
Speaking of title opportunity, Fraxiom getting their shot next week is fine, it’s still the go-home episode to SNME, part of the BIG Tampa takeover WWE is doing for Memorial Day weekend. Fraxiom of course got the win on DIY, and MCMG of course made the save, but I don’t see Fraxiom winning against the Profits. At least, not if it’s only the go-home to SNME and not on SNME or a PLE like MITB or SummerSlam. Good promo from Santos and Angel, and things feel that much closer to Legado falling apart. As for Santos’ apparent opportunity, I’m thinking it relates to AAA now being part of the WWE Universe. Legado is already slated to appear at TripleMania Regia on June 15, 2025, so the team has to stick together at least that long.
Very good promos from both Damian and Drew, but it’s a bit of a worked shoot where they’re both talking about how the feud should’ve ended already because yeah, maybe it should have. But a Steel Cage match where neither guy has anyone to interfere on their behalf will be good stuff, like a smaller version of the Hell in a Cell match Drew and Punk had. Very good promo from R-Truth with Wade Barrett. Truth partly excuses Cena’s actions, but then still has some clarity by saying Cena isn’t himself right now. Cena VS Truth is non-title but that’s because the mission is getting Cena to see the error of his ways. Maybe Truth manages that, or maybe it causes Cena to double down as he resists his better nature out of bitterness.
And awesome stuff with the women’s title tonight. Good promo from Jade with Tiff to establish the line of contenders, and then an awesome match that could’ve been on a PLE or even SNME. Naomi wanting after presumably Tiff and Jade running her off was good stuff, maybe those two are in a qualifier down the line with the third person benefitting from the grudge taking the focus off the MITB opportunity. And then that chair really got Nia good, that was rather wild. But Tiff retains to certainly put her in the position Nia was last time with always worrying Miss MITB is going to try something. Can’t wait to see how Tiff handles things with the proverbial shoe on the other foot.
My Score: 8.8/10
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