Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Sakura Genesis Results & Report! (4/8/23)
It is a golden Spring!
Will the landscape of NJPW change forever?
After changing allegiances and winning the New Japan Cup, Sanada gets another shot at Kazuchika Okada and the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship! Will the Cold Skull once again be a gold skull?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Shinnichi Champion Grand Prix Celebration Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, El Desperado & YOH VS Great-O-Khan, Toru Yano & Minoru Suzuki; Khan, Yano & Suzuki win.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS The House of Torture; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables VS Taichi, DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Taichi, Douki & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Tama Tonga, Hikuleo & Master Wato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- IWGP Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Mercedes Moné VS AZM VS Hazuki; Mone wins and retains the title.
- NJPW World TV Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shota Umino; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Bishamon VS Aussie Open; Aussie Open wins and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Robbie Eagles; Hiromu wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS SANADA; Sanada wins and becomes the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
The G1 Climax is gonna be hot all Summer!
Starting from Saturday, July 15th, in Hokkaido, all the way to Sunday, August 13 in Ryogoku, the classic red robin tradition returns for its 33rd year! Who will be in and who will win a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
IWGP Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Mercedes Moné VS AZM VS Hazuki!
The WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion dethroned the Pirate Princess in San Jose, but now she’s willing to take on a huge challenge! Will Mone still be money? Or will the High Speed Bomb Girl and the Wildheart take the gold away?
The introductions are made, the IWGP belt is raised, and we see if the numbers spell disaster for Mone at Sakura Genesis!
The bell rings and fans rally up already. The three ladies circle, Mone wary of both opponents. Hazuki & AZM both approach Mone but she stands her ground. They triple knuckle lock, but then Mone kicks Hazuki and AZM! She reels them both in for headlocks! But they throw body shots, double whip, and both drop. Mone hops over each of them, is sent through, but then stops herself by holding ropes. Mone BOOTS AZM, arm-drags Hazuki, but AZM keeps moving to springboard arm-drag Mone! AZM keeps it going to a cover but Hazuki pushes them both over, only for Mone to roll Hazuki! TWO and AZM rolls Mone, TWO! Fans fire up as all three ladies stand off!
Mone, Hazuki and AZM catch their breaths and circle again. Hazuki and AZM shake hands, then offer to Mone. Fans applaud, Mone ignores Hazuki to offer to AZM, but AZM says she’s not “A Z M.” She’s A-ZU-MI! Mone gets it right, and shakes hands with Azumi! Then they both kick Hazuki low! Mone & AZM double whip but Hazuki crisscrosses them into each other! Hazuki runs into double hip tosses but bounces off the ropes to DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! Fans fire up, Hazuki DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! AZM goes to the apron, Hazuki stands on Mone at the ropes. Hazuki boots, boots and boots, then BOOT WASHES!
Fans fire up with Hazuki and she brings Mone up. Hazuki full nelson SLAMS Mone, to then SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “HA-ZU-KI!’ as she brings Mone up. Hazuki suplexes, AZM runs in, but Mone BOOTS AZM and slips around Hazuki to Gory Especial. AZM returns, Hazuki BOOTS her now, and Hazuki slips free. Mone reels her in, Hazuk blocks the suplex, but then Mone blocks! They fight for control, Mone trips Hazuki to a jackknife bridge, but AZM DOUBLE STOMPS it apart! Fans fire up and AZM brings Hazuki up. Hazuki breaks free, but AZM ducks the kick! Hazuki also ducks a kick, jumps the sweep, and she rolls AZM.
Hazuki whips, AZM reverses but Hazuki uses that to DIVE onto Mone! Fans fire up with Hazuki, she CLUBS Mone down, but AZM is taking aim now! AZM goes up and up and SUPER CROSSBODIES! She wipes out Mone, Hazuki and even the Young Lionesses! Fans are thunderous for “A-ZU-MI!” as she puts Hazuki in. AZM kicks Hazuki to a drop zone, goes up the corner, and fans rally again. AZM DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Hazuki survives but AZM keeps her focus. AZM drags Hazuki up, runs, but Hazuki slips free of the tilt-o-whirl to a SLEEPER! AZM fights around, but she sits down!
Hazuki leans on AZM, but Mone is back to METEORA them both! And she puts on a DOUBLE BANK STATEMENT! Hazuki and AZM endure, AZM slips free, and she puts Mone in a CROSSFACE! But then so does Hazuki! Mone endures DOUBLE CROSSFACES, but who would get credit?! Mone pries at the holds, she BITES fingers!! Both Hazuki and AZM let go, and Mone hits DOUBLE BULLDOGS! AZM and Hazuki go to opposite corners, Mone runs in to DOUBLE KNEE Hazuki! And then she runs corner to corner to DOUBLE KNEE AZM! Then back again, METEORA for Hazuki! METEORA for AZM!
Mone goes side to side to BOOT WASH AZM! Then Mone goes around the world to BOOT WASH Hazuki! Fans fire up for Mone and she goes up the corner. Hazuki gets under Mone’s leap, but AZM runs in! Mone slips around to Gory Especial! But Hazuki runs in, CODE BREAKER on Mone! AZM sunset flips, but Hazuki breaks it!! Fans fire up, AZM shouts at Hazuki! Hazuki stands, AZM runs in, but into a takedown! CROSSFACE!! Hazuki pushes back, AZM fights around, but she’s caught! Fans rally and duel, “A-ZU-MI!” “HA-ZU-KI!” AZM scrambles around, Hazuki rolls her back, but AZM slips out to the FUJIWARA!
AZM shifts, NUMERO UNO!! But Mone barrels into her! They roll, and AZM gets Mone into the RINGS OF SATURN!! But Hazuki tackles AZM! They both stand, AZM runs and tilt-o-whirls on Hazuki to transfer to Mone for LA MISTICA!! Hazuki runs in, AZM drop toeholds her onto Mone! DOUBLE FUJIWARA!! And then, DOUBLE NUMERO UNO!!! But both Hazuki and Mone roll back, TWO!!! Fans fire up and AZM stomps away on Mone and Hazuki! AZM goes up the corner and fans rally again. But Mone and Hazuki both go after her! They climb up, fans fire up, but AZM fights them off!
AZM pushes Mone back, she ends up in the ropes! AZM does the same to Hazuki, she’s also in the ropes! AZM stands up, but Hazuki trips her up! Mone gets out of the Tree of Woe while Hazuki climbs back up. Hazuki HEADBUTTS AZM! But Mone adds on! TOWER OF DOOM!! Fans are thunderous for the Sunset Bomb Superplex! The fans rally while all three women are down. They all approach center, Hazuki CLUBS Mone but AZM CLUBS Hazuki. Both Hauzki and Mone ROCK AZM! Then Hazuki ROCKS Mone! AZM ROCKS Mone! Mone ROCKS Hazuki! Hazuki and Mone brawl as they stand up!
Hazuki gets the edge, but Mone spins her to a BACKSTABBER! AZM runs in, but also into a BACKSTABBER! Mone goes to a corner, goes up, and fans fire up for the METEORA! Cover, TWO!!! AZM survives and shocks Mone! Mone refocuses, takes off her armband, and says she’s gonna finish this! Mone brings AZM up, BACKSTABBER, but AZM rolls through to DOUBLE STOMP! And then AZM SUSHI! Cover, TWO!! Mone stands, ROCKS AZM, but AZM ROCKS Mone! They brawl, forearm for forearm, and fans fire up! But Hazuki springboards in to DOUBLE MISSLE DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Hazuki BOOTS Mone! Cover, TWO!!!
Hazuki snarls and she drags Mone back up! Mone ROCKS Hazuki! Mone fires off shots from all sides but Hazuki just fires off a flurry! She has Mone down and keeps raining in shots!! Mone is all but out and Hazuki roars! Fans are thunderous, and Hazuki brings Mone up. Hazuki runs, Mone follows and slips around to KNEE Hazuki from the apron! Mone hurries back in, hurries back up, but Hazuki kicks the legs out! DRAPING CODE BREAKER!! Fans fire up and Hazuki climbs. Hazuki leaps, to FLYING CODE BREAKER!!! Cover, AZM BREAKS IT! Hazuki throws AZM out, then drags Mone back up.
Mone shoves free, but Hazuki boots! Mone blocks, KNEES and Gory Especials! But Hazuki fights free, drags her down, HAZUKI STAR! Cover, AZM breaks it! AZM SUSHI! TWO, AZM SUSHI RETURNS! Mone breaks it!!! Fans are thunderous as all three are down again! Mone drags Hazuki up, “I’m the CEO!” She SLAPS Hazuki! Mone runs, into a scoop and SLAM! Hazuki fires up again, brings Mone in, and she suplexes, but AZM hops on! O’Conner Roll, but Mone uses that to get AZM in the Gory Especial! MONEY MAKER onto Hazuki!! Cover on AZM, Mone wins!!
Winner: Mercedes Mone, by pinfall (still IWGP Women’s Champion)
As fast and furious as that was, Mone is still the one with the checkered flag! And now, Mercedes Mone will take this title to Stardom’s All-Star Grand Queendom! And speaking of, here comes her challenger, Mayu Iwatani! Mayu steps into the ring and gets a mic to speak. “NJPW, and everyone here, good evening!” Mayu congrats Mone on her title defense, but reminds her that on April 23rd, Stardom in Yokohama Arena, Mone’s belt will belong to Mayu! Mone shakes her head and raises the title high. Mone gets the mic to say, “Try it, b*tch!” And then she SLAPS Mayu down! Mone takes her leave, but will she leave Yokohama still in charge?
NJPW World TV Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Kosei Fujita VS Shota Umino!
The Front Man of TMDK is still rolling with this title, but he is up against the Roughneck who beat him in the New Japan Cup! Will #SHOOTER do it again, only faster? Or will the ZSJ Show continue?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if there’s a new star of the show!
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Shota rushes in, sunset flips, TWO! ZSJ sits on it, TWO! Shota sunsets again, ONE! ZSJ sits again, ONE! Shota sunsets, ONE! ZSJ sits, TWO! Shota sunsets, TWO!! ZSJ stacks, TWO!! Shota has ZSJ in the sunset again, TWO!!! ZSJ escapes by nanoseconds and the ref assures Shota, it was still just two. ZSJ applauds but fans rally and duel. “SHO-TA!” “ZA-KU!” ZSJ dares Shota to try something, and they feel things out. They knuckle lock, Shota rolls and wrenches but ZSJ wrenches back and top wristlocks. Shota headlocks, wrenches to a wristlock, but ZSJ drops to trip him to a standing toehold.
Shota rolls and gets free and fans applaud again. Shota and ZSJ reset, fans continue to duel, and the two feel things out. ZSJ kicks, UPPERCUTS, but Shota just frowns. They circle, ZSJ talks trash, but Shota UPPERCUTS in return! ZSJ shakes it off, circles with Shota, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ wobbles. ZSJ nods, then UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ flexes, fans applaud, but Shota comes back. Shota UPPERCUTS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, they go faster and faster! Fans rally, Shota gets the edge and UPPERCUTS ZSJ down! Fans fire up while ZSJ checks his chin. Shota stomps ZSJ, then brings ZSJ up.
ZSJ fights the lift, CLUBS Shota and runs, but Shota dropkicks the leg! Shota runs in, blocks a boot, and brings ZSJ out to dropkick the leg again! ZSJ hobbles, Shota has the leg, SHIN BREAKER! And then a takedown, into a roll and KNEEBAR!! ZSJ flails and gets the ROPEBREAK! Shota thrashes, but lets off at 4. Fans applaud while ZSJ checks his leg. Shota stomps ZSJ, gives some toying kicks, then stomps again! ZSJ hobbles up, Shota CLUBS him, then Shota paces around ZSJ. Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ drops to his knees. Shota stands ZSJ up to UPPERCUT again! Shota then scoops to DROP ZSJ, run and UPPER- NO, ARMBAR!!
ZSJ pulls on the arm, Shota kicks and flails to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, we pass five minutes, and ZSJ lets go. Fans rally up, ZSJ kicks Shota around, but Shota sits up in a corner. ZSJ KICKS Shota on the back! ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! ZSJ wrenches, wrenches, and wrenches again to a wristlock. ZSJ taunts Shota that he’s holding him off with one hand. ZSJ twists the elbow, wrangles and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! Shota clutches the arm but ZSJ eggs him on. ZSJ waits on Shota, and Shota throws a forearm! But that’s the bad arm! ZSJ eggs Shota on, Shota throws another forearm, but it hurts!
ZSJ SLAPS Shota to egg him on! Shota ROCKS ZSJ through the pain! Shota runs, ZSJ avoids the dropkick and KICKS Shota in the back! Shota fires up, but swings into an ELBOW BREAKER! ZSJ runs, into the scoop and DROP! RUNNING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up and Shota gets to his feet. Shota whips ZSJ to the corner, runs in and UPPERCUTS! Then Shota FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans rally and duel, “SHO-TA!” “ZA-KU!” Shota dragon sleepers, inverted suplexes, but ZSJ slips out to Cobra Twist! Shota endures, fights around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK!
Shota throws ZSJ on the apron, but ZSJ shoulders in! ZSJ slingshots to sunset flip, but Shota rolls through. Shota YANKS ZSJ up, but ZSJ uses it to get a GUILLOTINE! ZSJ has the body scissors, but Shota stays on his feet! Shota powers through to suplex! ZSJ slips out, to a SLEEPER! Shota reaches out but ZSJ squeezes tight! The ref checks Shota, he’s starting to fade, but then he comes back to life! Shota slips out to dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES! Shota holds on, he drags ZSJ back up! Inverted suplex, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! But Shota aims from the corner! Shota runs in, but ZSJ slips out of the swing!
ZSJ throws Shota to the ARMBAR, but Shota clasps hands! Shota fights to a stack, TWO!! ARMBAR!! ZSJ pulls hard but Shota endures! Shota kicks around, ZSJ puts as much pressure as he can, but Shota turns over! But into a DISARMER! Then ZSJ shifts his grip, SOUTH MIMMS SERVICES!! Shota is even more stuck being under ZSJ! Fans rally, but ZSJ pulls way back! Shota uses that rotation to ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ lets go and we’re at ten minutes passed! ZSJ tells Shota to give up but Shota drags himself up the ropes. ZSJ KICKS Shota in the chest! ZSJ runs, but Shota dodges to roll him up! TWO!!
Shota hurries to La Magistrol! TWO!! ZSJ scrambles up, but Shota kicks the bad leg! ZSJ ducks the enziguri, body scissors, to EURO- NO, Shota rolls through to O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!! ZSJ escapes in time! Shota rises, ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota roars, ZSJ uppercuts but into arm hooks! ZSJ spins Shota around to UPPERCUT again! ZSJ runs, into a POP UP UPPERCUT! Shota goes from the corner, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Shota keeps focused while the fans fire up! The three minute warning hits, Shota kicks low but ZSJ wrenches out of the underhooks! ZSJ UPPERCUTS but Shota kicks the bad leg!
Shota ROCKS ZSJ, spins, but into a SLAP! Shota blocks the roundhouse to ENZIGURI! ZSJ wobbles to a corner, but comes back to PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE?!?! ZSJ is shocked but time is still on his side. ZSJ shouts at Shota, runs in again, but into a Gory Especial! Backslide, roll through, underhooks! ZSJ wrenches out to PELE the arm! ZSJ runs in but Shota dodges to TORNADO DDT! Roll back to drag ZSJ up, DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, TWO!?!? ZSJ survives and no one can believe it! And we’re at the two minute warning! Shota drags ZSJ up, lifts him, HANGMAN DDT! Fans are thunderous, and Shota brings ZSJ up again!
But ZSJ slips out to backslide! Jackknife bridge, into a deep prawn hold, ZSJ WINS!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (still NJPW World TV Champion)
The Front Man snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Shota can’t believe it, either! Does the paradigm shift Shota promises still need something more? Will anyone ever snatch this title off of ZSJ?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Bishamon VS Aussie Open w/ The United Empire!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi went back and forth with Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis in the New Japan Cup, but those wins earned the young tag team this shot! Will the Aussie Arrow & Dunkzilla conquer the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter? Or will it be Lights Out for the future of tag team wrestling?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the United Empire conquers Chaos!
The teams sort out, and the Empire throw the crowns up before Fletcher starts with Hashi. Fans rally up as these two meet again from the New Japan Cup. They tie up, Fletcher wrenches, wristlocks, but Hashi reverses to wristlock. Fletcher reverses back, tag to Davis, but Hashi gets away. Hashi has Aussie Open back off, and Davis circles with Hashi. Davis swings, Hashi dodges and headlocks, but Davis powers out. They RAM shoulders, Davis swings but misses and Hashi mule kicks. Hashi headlocks, Davis powers out and Davis runs Hashi over! Davis brings Hashi up, wrenches, and tags Fletcher.
Aussie Open double whip but Hashi holds ropes. Davis rushes in but Hashi dumps him out! Fletcher scoops, Hashi slips off but Fletcher kicks low. Fletcher whips but Goto tags in before Hashi reverses. Bishamon then double shoulder Fletcher over! Hashi runs, for the ZENMAI! Davis returns, but into a kick! And the GOTO GOTO HUNTER! Fans fire up and Hashi runs at Fletcher. Fletcher throws Hashi out, Goto blocks Fletcher’s boot but Fletcher SUPERKICKS! Davis storms over to throw Goto out! Fans fire up and Davis DIVES! Direct hit and Hashi hits railing! Fletcher goes up, ARIHARA MOONSAULT!
Fans are fired up but Fletcher landed pretty hard. The Empire checks Fletcher while fans rally up behind Aussie Open. The ref also checks but somehow Fletcher is still in this. Fletcher puts Goto in the ring, but Fletcher feels his own blood on the side of his head. Fletcher tags Davis, Aussie Open double whips and double CHOPS, then PENALTY KICKS to SENTON! Fans fire up, Fletcher gets checked while Davis covers, TWO! Davis KICKS Goto in the back, and again. Davis drags Goto up but Goto throws hands! Goto CHOPS and CHOPS but Davis knees low! Davis whips, Goto reverses and runs in, but into a boot!
Davis runs, Goto follows, Davis dodges but Goto deflects the boot to DISCUS LARIAT! Goto crawls to tag Hashi and fans rally up. Hashi RAMS Davis but Davis roars! Hashi ROCKS, body shots and CHOPS! Hashi whips Davis but Davis reverses. But Hashi comes back to CHOP! Hsahi mule kicks, turns Davis, but Davis elbows free! Hashi keeps moving, and he BLOCKBUSTERS! Fletcher, all taped up, storms in to kick and whip Hashi to ropes. Hashi holds ropes to stop himself, Fletcher runs in but Hashi FLAPJACKS him onto the top rope! Fletcher is stuck, Hashi DROPKICKS him out to the floor!
Fans fire up and Hashi runs at Davis in the corner, to clothesline! Hashi turns Davis, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and duel, Davis snarls and stands. Hashi mule kicks but Davis blocks. Davis lifts, Hashi fights free, but Davis swats the lariat to CHOP! And then BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi goes to an open corner, Davis crawls to his corner, tag to Fletcher! Fans fire up for Fletcher’s guts as he runs in at Hashi to GAMANGIRI! Hashi falls and the Empire fires up! Fletcher snarls, fights through the pain, and he brings Hashi up. Fletcher reels Hashi in to suplex, but Hashi blocks!
Fletcher fires forearms, but Hashi CHOPS! Hashi full nelsons, Fletcher breaks and switches but so does Hashi. They goa round more, Fletcher suplexes, but Hashi fights fere! Hashi swings, but into Fletcher’s HALF ‘N’ HALF! Fans fire up and rally as Fletcher tags Davis back in. Aussie Open drags Hashi up, feed and fireman’s carry, AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Fletcher BLASTS Goto, goes up, Davis scoops Hashi, LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Hashi is still in this but Aussie Open keeps focus. Fans duel, Davis tags Fletcher back in, and they each aim at Hashi. Hashi slowly rises, Aussie Open runs in, but Hashi dodges! The lariats collide!
Goto calls, Fletcher whips Hashi to Davis, AUSSIE- NO, Hashi blocks the dental work this time! And he sends that kick into Davis! Davis staggers away, Hashi hits a CODE BREAKER on Fletcher! All three men are down and Goto shouts to Hashi! Hashi crawls, fans rally up, hot tag to Goto! Fans fire up as Goto ROCKS Fletcher, clotheslines Davis, then blocks Fletcher’s boot! But Fletcher DECKS Goto! Davis storms up, Aussie Open whips Goto to a corner. Fletcher runs in but Goto dodges to LARIAT Davis! Fletcher returns, he and Goto fire forearms! Fans rally with every shot, things speed up, and Fletcher gets the edge!
Fletcher roars, runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT Fletcher inside-out! Fans rally for “GO-TO! GO-TO!” as Fletcher crawls to a corner. Goto runs in, to MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Fletcher is still in this, the white bandages turning more and more red. Goto fireman’s carries but Fletcher fights it! Fletcher spins, but Goto DECKS him! Goto roars, drags Fletcher up, and fireman’s carries, but Fletcher fights free! Fletcher waistlocks, Goto backs him into the corner, and Hashi runs in to clothesline Fletcher in the corner! Feed to Goto, but Fletcher SHOTGUN KICKS Goto down!
Hashi SUPERKICKS Fletcher! Davis BOOTS Hashi! Goto LARIATS Davis! Fletcher returns to kick, run, but into the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH!! Fans fire up with Bishamon and they drag Fletcher up. Dragon sleeper, leg capture, but Fletcher kicks Hashi away! Davis drags Hashi out, Fletcher victory rolls Goto, cover, TWO!!! Goto escapes by nanoseconds, but Fletcher runs in. Goto puts him on the apron, but Fletcher ROCKS Goto! Fletcher shoulders in but Goto drags him out! DRAPING G T R!!! Hashi sends Davis into railing! Fans are thunderous and the Empire is worried!
Goto fires up and aims at Fletcher. BUZZSAW! Goto drags Fletcher back up, fireman’s carries, Ushi throw, G Y W!!! Cover, DAVIS BREAKS IT! Davis drags Goto up, but Hashi is back! Fans duel, Davis fires off on Hashi and Goto! Davis CHOPS Hashi, roars, but runs into the HIDDEN GAP!! Goto runs to clothesline Davis up and out! Bishamon focuses on Fletcher, full nelson and leg capture, but Fletcher BOOTS free! Hashi still DRAGON SUPLEXES! But Fletcher rises!? Fletcher runs in, gets around Hashi, but Hashi fights the German Suplex! Hashi switches, and holds Fletcher up for Goto’s BLINDSIDE LARIAT!
Hashi rolls Fletcher back and Goto dragon sleepers! Leg capture, but Fletcher just fights free again! But he’s sent into the HIDDEN GAP! Leg capture, but Davis ENZIGURIS Hashi! Fletcher feeds Goto to a BIG forearm! Underhooks and BUTTERFLY BOMB!!! Cover, HASHI BREAKS IT!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down! The teams regroup, Davis aims at Hashi and BOOTS! Hashi wobbles, into a SUPERKICK! Hashi roars and fires off forearms and CHOPS! But he gets a BOOT SUPERKICK COMBO!! Aussie Open aims from opposite corners, Goto crawls to Hashi, Bishamon gets the LARIAT SANDWICH!
Aussie Open TOSSES Hashi, Davis stomps around and fans are with them! Goto staggers up, into the LARIAT SANDWICH!! Pump handles, COREALIS!!!! Cover, AUSSIE OPEN WINS!!!
Winners: Aussie Open, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
As Kevin Kelly says on commentary, “To be the best, you have got to beat the best, and Aussie Open just did it!” Literal blood, sweat and tears were shed in this match, and now the Empire has complete IWGP tag team dominance! Will there be no stopping Will Ospreay’s army from taking over NJPW now?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Robbie Eagles w/ TMDK!
The Ticking Timebomb made it through the Final Hour against Lio Rush, but now he takes on TMDK’s newest recruit! Will Hiromu survive the Sniper of the Skies? Or will Robbie prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the more lethal weapon!
The bell rings and both men rush in! Eagles wheelbarrows to victory roll, wants the legs, but Hiromu kicks him away! Hiromu bails out to cool off and fans rally up. Eagles rushes out, Hiromu hurries in, but Eagles springboards! Hiromu ducks under, whips Eagles, but Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag! Things speed up, Eagles RANAS but Hiromu blocks! Hiromu deadlifts Eagles to fireman’s carry, swing and- NO, Eagles sunset flips the Timebomb, only for Hiromu to stay up and step through! RON MILLER SPECIAL!? Eagles scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu puts on the pressure but lets off as Red Shoes counts.
Fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as Eagles bails out. Hiromu smirks and waits on Eagles. Eagles hurries up but Hiromu ROCKS him! Hiromu runs and SUNSET FLIPS, but the bad leg won’t let him finish! Eagles FLYING CHOP BLOCKS! Fans rally up, Eagles drags Hiromu’s leg through railing! Eagles bends the leg, then DROPKICKS the railing! Eagles then uses the railing in a RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Hiromu flails, Red Shoes reprimands, and the ring count starts. Eagles thrashes Hiromu around as the count reaches 10 of 20. Eagles finally lets Hiromu go, and he drags Hiromu up and into the ring at 17!
Eagles steps through again, Hiromu scrambles, ROPEBREAK! Hiromu escapes to the outside again but Eagles pursues. Eagles KICKS Hiromu against the railing! Eagles whips but Hiromu reverses and Eagles hits railing hard! But Eagles just roars as he comes back! Only for Hiromu to KICK him down! Hiromu puts Eagles in the ring, then slides in, but Eagles slingshots to YANK Hiromu’s leg on the apron! Innovative savagery from the Sniper! Hiromu writhes while fans rally up, but Eagles SLAMS the bad leg on the apron edge! Eagles pushes Hiromu in, and gets the fans going with “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!”
Eagles has the standing toehold the entire time the fans call and respond, and then Eagles SNAP LOCKS it! Eagles mocks Hiromu with a wave, then kicks him down. Eagles drags Hiromu up and SLAPS the bad leg. Eagles puts Hiromu in the corner, CHOPS, then whips him corner to corner. Hiromu barely makes it, and he BOOTS back! Hiromu runs, RANAS, but Eagles drops Hiromu down to tie up the legs, and STOMP them! Eagles rips at the tape around the knee! Fans are shocked as Eagles rips it away to drop a KNEE on the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Eagles lets off. Fans duel, but Eagles grabs the leg.
Eagles takes aim, and FIELD GOALS the leg! The kick is good but Hiromu is clutching his leg. Eagles mockingly encourages Hiromu, then brings him up. Hiromu CHOPS, but Eagles just shrugs it off. Hiromu CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Eagles CHOPS! Eagles CHOPS Hiromu again, fires up, but Hiromu BOOTS him! Hiromu hops up to headscissor, only for Eagles to Electric Chair and DUMP! And CHOP BLOCK! And BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! But into the KNEEBAR!! Eagles pulls on the leg and ZSJ coaches him, but Hiromu still scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets go but ZSJ says he’s got this.
Fans rally and duel, “HI-RO-MU!” “ROB-BI-E!” Eagles kicks Hiromu around, but Hiromu just gets mad. Eagles mocks Hiromu’s pain while kicking the bad leg. Hiromu stands up to ROCK Eagles with forearm after forearm! Eagles knees low! Eagles KICKS Hiromu right down! Eagles mocks Hiromu to get up, then KICKS him again! And again! And again! Eagles runs, but Hiromub locks the Penalty Kick! Hiromu fights up, traps an arm but Eagles ROCKS Hiromu with a left! Eagles runs, Hiromu dodges and runs to RANA! Fans fire up as Hiromu is back in this! Eagles goes to a corner as the fans rally again.
Hiromu hobbles up, roars and runs through the pain, to clothesline and snapmare! Then Hiromu runs, but into a CHOP BLOCK!! Hiromu tumbles out, Eagles runs to DIVE! Direct hit and both men hit the railing! But Eagles still fires up! Fans rally, Eagles apologizes to the fans, and he puts Hiromu in. Eagles aims, springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK to the legs! Eagles then steps through, but Hiromu boots him away! Eagles hits buckles, comes back, and Hiromu runs in to SUPER- NO, Eagles blocks, clinches, SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Into the RON MILLER SPECIAL!!! Eagles thrashes and Hiromu endures!
Fans rally, duel, and Hiromu reaches out. Hiromu claws over but Eagles drags him away! Eagles puts on more pressure, but Hiromu fights around. Eagles puts on as much pressure as he possibly can, but Hiromu refuses to quit! Hiromu crawls his way forward, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets go in frustration to drag Hiromu up and cravat. STANDING SLICED BREAD! Eagles puts Hiromu in the drop zone, goes up top, and 450 SPLASH onto knees!! Hiromu saves himself but that was double-edged! Fans rally as both men writhe on the mat. Eagles sits up but he sputters as he goes back for Hiromu.
Eagles drags Hiromu by his bad leg but Hiromu kicks him with the other. Hiromu keeps kicking, but Eagles KICKS the bad leg! Step through, but Hiromu BOOTS Eagles! Fans rally up, both men stand, SUPER- NO, Eagles blocks again, another clinch, but Hiromu slips free to suplex! Eagles lands out, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Dragon sleeper, spin around, VICTORY ROYALE! Fans rally up while Hiromu writhes and clutches the knee. Eagles sits up first and heads over to Hiromu. Hiromu ROCKS Eagles, but Eagles keeps coming. Hiromu ROCKS him again, and again, but Eagles keeps trying.
Hiromu ROCKS Eagles with another forearm, and another, and another! Hiromu just keeps throwing shots, but Eagles backs off. Eagles takes off the bandana, stands Hiromu up, and SLAPS him! Hiromu spins, misses, SNAP SAIDO! But Hiromu’s back?! GERMAN SUPELX! Eagles is back, SNAP SAIDO! Hiromu is back, SNAP GERMAN! Fans fire up as Eagles just comes back again! Hiromu switches, GERMAN, but Eagles lands on his feet! Eagles runs, into a fireman’s carry! CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu holds on, spins, TIMEBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? Eagles barely gets the arm up, and we’re only at 15 minutes!
Fans rally up, Hiromu snarls, and he forces himself to stand! Hiromu runs, into a SUPERKICK! Eagles gives another SUPERKICK! But Hiromu ducks the enziguri to SUPERKICK back! Eagles returns, into the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! But Eagles stands up again! Eagles dodges the lariat to run, into the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Fans fire up with Hiromu! Hiromu drags Eagles up in the dragon sleeper. Inverted suplex, but Eagles fights! They end up in a corner and Eagles skins the cat to the top rope. But Hiromu CHOPS Eagles! Eagles wobbles, and Hiromu climbs up. Fans rally as Eagles punches the bad leg!
Eagles cravats! But Hiromu fights with body shots! Hiromu fireman’s carries!? Eagles fights with elbows, pops up, SUPER POISON-RANA!!! Eagles hurries up top, to 450 SPLASH the legs!! Step through, but Hiromu cradles! TWO!!! RON MILLER SPECIAL!!!! Hiromu shouts and flails but ZSJ says this is it! Eagles puts on all the pressure, fans are thunderous, and Eagles drags Hiromu away from the ropes!! Hiromu pulls at his own hair, flails and reaches out, grabs at Red Shoes desperately but he still has to fight! The fans are thunderous as he fights forward, but Eagles drags him away again!! Hiromu is losing his mind!!
Hiromu fights up, pushes back, cradles, TWO!!! Hiromu still hasn’t put this away, but Eagles runs in! Eagles blocks the kick, spins around, uppercut and elbow, but Hiromu fights the clinch! Pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL! TWO!!! Eagles runs in, into a SUPERKICK! Both men are down and ZSJ shouts to Eagles. Fans are electric as we hit 20 minutes! Hiromu roars, but Eagles SWEEPS the leg! Eagles roars, steps through, but Hiromu fireman’s carry takeovers! And then fireman’s carry lift, DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu is furious but he beats his bad leg into working.
Hiromu roars, runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, TIMEBOMB MK II!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Somehow, someway, the Timebomb finds a way to win! Hiromu is still the Best of the Super Juniors, but Eagles came close. Will the return of the BOSJ tournament be where Eagles earns another shot? Will Hiromu even survive to that point?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS SANADA w/ Just5Guys!
The Rainmaker considers the Cold Skull his rival, and the feeling is mutual. But both men have changed since the last time they battled. Will Okada’s new edge cut down Sanada? Or will Sanada show that he doesn’t need to be tranquilo to be the best?
Sanada’s got a new attitude, and now he’s got a new theme song and new gear! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the best in NJPW today!
The bell rings and fans are dueling already, “O-KA-DA!” “SA-NA-DA!” The rivals stare down, circle, feel things out, and then back away. They circle again, tie up, and are in a deadlock. The deadlock lasts quite a long time, but then Okada shoots to a waistlock. Sanada switches, but Okada hammerlocks. Sanada reaches around, headlocks, and grinds. Okada powers up and puts Sanada on the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Okada lets off slowly, but then throws a forearm! No playing around this time! They tie up again, go around, and Sanada puts Okada on the ropes. Red Shoes wants the break, Sanada lets off, but Okada wants to get hit!
Sanada just pats Okada on the shoulder like Okada would, but then he kicks low! And then CLUBS Okada! Sanada whips, Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges and ELBOWS! Fans fire up, Okada brings Sanada up, and he throws Sanada out. Okada pursues, whips, and Sanada hits railing hard! Okada storms up, brings Sanada back up, and wrenches to whip Sanada hard into more railing! Okada runs in to BOOT Sanada into the crowd! Fans rally up, Okada drags Sanada back up, and he drags him out along the railing, but Sanada fights! Sanada turns things around on Okada, MAGIC SCREW to the bare concrete!
Red Shoes checks on Okada as Okada clutches his neck. Just5Guys chill with Sanada but Okada is somehow okay to continue. Sanada leaves Okada behind as the ring count starts. Okada is still down at 8 of 20, crawls at 10 and hobbles at 12. Okada makes it back in at 15, but Sanada stomps him down. Sanada drags Okada up, CLUBS him on the neck, and then paces around. Sanada CLUBS Okada again then stalks him to the corner. Sanada cravats to wrench the neck, but Okada endures. Sanada CLUBS Okada, brings him up, and hits a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while Sanada watches Okada writhe.
Sanada sits Okada up in a chinlock. Fans rally up, Okada endures, but Sanada thrashes around. Okada fights his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets off, and he looms over Okada. Sanada drops an elbow! Cover, ONE!! Okada snarls and fans fire up again. Sanada drags Okada up, but Okada ROCKS Sanada again and again! Sanada knees low, whips, but Okada reverses. Okada runs in but Sanada dodges, to back suplex! Okada lands on his feet, then FLAPJACKS! Fans fire up while both men are down! The fans duel, “O-KA-DA!” “SA-NA-DA!” Both men rise, Okada snarls and he watches Sanada.
Okada runs in to DECK Sanada! And ELBOW! And whip, but Sanada reverses. Sanada dodges Okada’s elbow but runs into the BOOT! Fans rally, Okada scowls, and Okada drags Sanada up. Okada whips Sanada corner to corner, runs in, and elbows! Sanada staggers into a kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, the “SA-NA-DA!” side getting stronger than the “O-KA-DA!” Okada waits on Sanada again, Alabama Lifts, but Sanada kicks free! Sanada CLUBS Okada, but Okada ROCKS Sanada! Okada whips Sanada, runs in, but Sanada elbows! Sanada goes up, but Okada DROPKICKS him to the outside!
Fans rally and we’re only past 10 minutes. Okada goes out to fetch Sanada, telling Just5Guys to back off. Okada pulls up floor mats! Okada wants to return the favor from the Road to Sakura Genesis! Okada brings Sanada over, DDT to the concrete!! Sanada clutches his forehead while Okada leaves him behind. Just5Guys check Sanada but he’s somehow okay to continue. The ring count begins and Okada patiently waits in the ring. Sanada slowly stirs at 12 of 20, sits up at 14, and springs in at 15! But Okada is right on him, wrench and MONEY CLIP! Sanada endures, reaches out, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK!
Okada holds until Red Shoes counts. Okada brings Sanada around, scoops and SLAMS, then he goes to the corner. Okada climbs, but Sanada springs up! Okada leaps over him, returns, but runs into the fireman’s carry! Okada fights free, whips Sanada to a corner, but Sanada goes up and out and springboard MISSILE DROPKICKS! Direct hit and both men are down! Fans rally, “SA-NA-DA!” “O-KA-DA!” Sanada goes to a corner, Okada to the other. Sanada runs corner to corner, but Okada BOOTS him! Sanada runs back in, into another BOOT! Okada runs, but Sanada hurdles, hurdles and DROPKICKS!
Okada bails out, Sanada PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up! Sanada and Just5Guys encourage them to get louder, and the fans get louder! Sanada goes back to Okada, drags him up, and puts Okada back in the ring. Fans applaud and Sanada stalks Okada. Sanada brings Okada up, hoists him onto the ropes, MAGIC SCREW! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps his cool, the fans continue to duel, but Sanada dragon sleepers! Okada fights from below, arm-drags free, then catches Sanada for the MONEY CLIP! Sanada arm-drags free of that! Both men run in, Sanada fireman’s carries, Ushi throw, dragon sleeper!
Sanada drops but Okada rolls back and drags Sanada to gut wrench! Sanada slips free, Okada elbows and runs, but into the fireman’s carry! TKO! And then dragon sleeper, SKULL END!! Okada is caught in the body scissors! Okada pops free of the sleeper, pries the scissors open, but Sanada wants the sleeper again! Okada fights but gets caught! Okada again slips free but Sanada catches Okada again! SKULL END!! Okada is fading, and Sanada puts him in the drop zone! Sanada goes up top, ROUNDING BODY PRESS into knees!! Okada saves himself there but both men are down! Fans rally up, Just5Guys coach Sanada up.
Okada rises first, he hobbles over and drags Sanada up. Okada wraps on the MONEY CLIP!! Sanada endures, Okada puts on the pressure, but Sanada powers him back. Okada puts Sanada in the corner first, runs back in, but into a BOOT! Sanada runs, but spins into a HIGH GERMAN SUPLEX! Okada holds on, ripcords, but Sanada BOOTS! Okada still has the wrist, and he glares at Sanada. Sanada BOOTS, but Okada still holds on. Sanada BOOTS, Okada short arm LARIATS! Okada scowls, drags Sanada up, and short arm LARIATS! MONEY CLIP!! Sanada kicks and flails and reaches out!
Okada puts on the pressure, grits his teeth, but fans rally harder! Sanada still reaches out, so Okada drags Sanada from the ropes! Sanada is turning red! He’s fading! Red Shoes checks Sanada, we past 20 minutes, and Sanada stays awake. So Okada copies Sanada by putting him in the drop zone and goes up the corner, MACHO ELBOW! Okada gives us the Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up, Okada brings Sanada up, but Sanada elbows away! Okada scowls, Sanada runs, but Okada DROPKICKS! Okada brings Sanada up, gut wrenches, but Sanada fights, and he has the dragon sleeper! But Okada still hits LANDSLIDE!
Ripcord! RAIN- NO, Sanada ducks to ripcord and steal the RAINMAKER!!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down again! Okada and Sanada stir as the fans duel! Just5Guys coaches Sanada, and he slowly sits up. Okada is dazed, but he still pushes himself up. Okada and Sanada crawl towards each other, and Okada’s rage is in his eyes. Sanada throws a forearm, Okada gives it back! The fans duel harder as Sanada forearms again! Okada throws another! Sanada forearms! Okada forearms! Both men steady themselves, stand up, and Sanada ROCKS Okada! But Okada comes back to ROCK Sanada!
Sanada ROCKS Okada! Okada ROCKS Sanada! Sanada, Okada, repeat, faster and faster! Okada ROCKS Sanada and he staggers, but Sanada shakes his head. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Okada drops to a knee, but he huffs and puffs. Okada runs in to BOOT Sanada down, but Sanada’s right back up! Okada SHOTGUNS, but Sanada’s right back up! Sanda fires forearms, runs, but into the DROPKICK! Okada ripcords, but Sanada POP-UP CUTTERS!! Fans are thunderous, the “SA-NA-DA!” is stronger than “O-KA-DA!” Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS to Okada’s back! And then ROUNDING BODY PRESS to the front! Cover, TWO!?!?
Okada survives but Sanada shakes his head. Just5Guys coach him up as we pass 25 minutes! Sanada drags Okada up, reels him in, SIDE- NO! Okada slips out to ENZIGURI! Sanada drops to his knees, and Okada brings Sanada up. Gut wrench, but Sanada slips free to O’Conner Roll BRIDGE!! TWO!??!? Even Okada has to check with Red Shoes! Sanada runs in to tilt-o-whirl! But Okada blocks! Sanada fights with the dragon sleeper! Okada is turning red, but he manages to arm-drag free! SHINING WIZARD!!! Shoutout to The Great Muta!! Sanada hauls Okada up, DEAD- NO, Okada slips free to gut wrench, COBRA FLOWSION!!!
Okada ripcords again, RAIN- CLINCH! DEAD FALL!!!! Cover, Sanada wins!!!!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
Just5Guys are ecstatic! They celebrate with their guy, who is now THE guy! Okada falls to his rival, what will become of him now?
As for Sanada, he is presented with the belt, and Just5Guys help put it on him. Sanada has the New Japan Cup trophy, the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and now the mic. “Finally, finally! I’m the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion!” The fans cheer that! Sanada tells Okada, “You and I are the same age, we’ve been through so much, and I thank you. Now, I’m in the position where I can say to you, ‘Let’s do it again.'” Fans rally for “SA-NA-DA!” and the stars are already coming out. Wait, Hiromu hobbles his way back out here? Sanada’s former friend in LIJ hops into the ring?!
Fans rally, Hiromu gets the mic and tells Sanada, “You won the New Japan Cup. You won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Congratulations. You left LIJ and changed the world, proving everything you said. So, it might be a bit sudden, but can I challenge you for the world title?” Fans are excited for that idea! They chant for “HI-RO-MU!” now! Sanada tells Hiromu that he can, but there’s someone he has to deal with first. Sanada looks to Just5Guys, and he gives the mic to the Heel Master!
Yoshinobu Kanemaru tells Hiromu, “You’ve brought up my name before. Before you challenge Sanada, let me challenge you for your title! Oi, you don’t have the right to decide. I WILL challenge you next!” Hiromu tells Sanada that before their match, he’ll take on Kanemaru with the belt on the line. “That sounds like a prize to me! What a trial! So I will beat Kanemaru, retain my title, and live my dream of becoming IWGP World and Junior Heavyweight Champion! You will then see the power and strength of LIJ!” Fans fire up for Hiromu, and a series of challenges has been set! Will the Timebomb survive?
Sanada tells Hiromu that now that business is done, Sanada is going to wrap the show, so please, get outta here. Hiromu takes his leave, and congratulates Just5Guys one more time. Sanada then asks the fans if they want to do “that.” The lights go down, the stars are out in full, and Sanada continues. “I want to say that this is my gift to you. But this is in truth your gift to me. Thank you. Did I make myself clear? Now, let me just do one thing. I love the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship more than anything. OI, RYOGOKU! See you next time!” Will Just5Guys have even more gold the next time they are in town?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for NJPW here, and it’s been a minute since we’ve had a Sakura Genesis. I did skip a bit, but I really should’ve gotten that Six Man of Tama, Hikuleo & Wato VS Bullet Club, because the biggest development wasn’t even Bullet Club winning. It was that El Phantasmo tried to stop David Finlay & Kenta from beating them all down! And that in turn got ELP kicked out of the Club! There was already tension with how Finlay went after Jay White and it blew over here. Though it was a little messed up they swerved us multiple times, with Kenta and Taiji Ishimori, ELP’s tag partner, turning on him. There won’t be a Bullet Club Civil War, but there could be ELP teaming with the Guerrillas of Destiny to go after Finlay’s Bullet Club.
The IWGP Women’s Championship Triple Threat was awesome stuff, especially for the pace of it. Mone winning made sense to help hook American fans for the Stardom show in a couple weeks, and Mayu Iwatani is a fitting choice, she’s been a big name in Stardom for a long time. No idea who wins, though, but that’ll be a really good match. ZSJ VS Shota was awesome stuff, and it came really close to that 15 minute limit. I was actually a little surprised Shota didn’t get it, but ZSJ snatching the win with that quick pin was a good way to keep Shota strong in losing. ZSJ still has tons of possibilities for challengers as he’s still just the inaugural champion.
Bishamon VS Aussie Open was also amazing, especially given how Fletcher kept fighting even after getting a pretty good cut on the side of his head. Aussie Open are the champions now and the Empire adds more gold to the collection. Great-O-Khan has the Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Championship, Francesco Akira & TJP still have the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, and Aussie Open has the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Ospreay is hurt but he’ll be back, probably going for the world title. Henare missed out on the KOPW title, and Cobb lost against Kenny Omega for the US Championship, but they could try for the NJPW World TV or NEVER Openweight Championship.
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight was also an awesome match, with Hiromu’s leg being a great part of story. But given the BOSJ is on the horizon, and Eagles only just returning, it makes sense Hiromu retained. Okada VS Sanada was also just an awesome match, lots of brutality from both guys to show how they’ve changed from before. I said on Monday that one, Sanada has proven himself worthy, and two, we could really explore this “Bully Okada” persona if he lost the title, and then we get Sanada winning! Sanada finally reaches the top and I’m very happy for him. And Hiromu VS Kanemaru before Hiromu VS Sanada, that is quite the set-up, can’t wait to see how that goes.
My Score: 9.1/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
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