Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/11/23)
Who will face… HIM?
NXT prepares for Spring Breakin’!
With a NEW NXT Champion in Carmelo Hayes, there needs to be a NEW #1 Contender! Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, and two more mystery entries battle in a Fatal 4 Way!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre VS Kiana James & Fallon Henley; Dawn & Fyre win and retain the titles.
- Eddy Thorpe VS Javier Bernal; Thorpe wins.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Sol Ruca; Tiffany wins.
- High Stakes: Ilja Dragunov VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone; Dragunov wins, Wagner and Stone must part ways.
- Joe Coffey w/ Gallus VS Tank Ledger; Joe wins.
- NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh VS Grayson Waller VS Duke Hudson; Waller wins and will challenge Carmelo Hayes for the title at Spring Breakin’.
PLAY BY PLAY
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams are here!
Fans cheer for the NXT Champion and his right hand man as they head to the ring. They get the mics, and Melo has the fans settle down. He thinks it’s important to address what happened last week. Trick says talk about it. “Bron Breakker, everything between you and I was supposed to be about respect. I let my guard down, and I got caught slipping.” Trick says it won’t happen again. Melo agrees, but he also understands. Bron is still in his feelings about losing. Defeat is cold and lonely, Melo gets it cuz he’s been there. But if Bron thinks raising Melo’s hand was some kind of passing of the torch, he’s wrong. Bron didn’t pass Melo anything, Melo took it!
“Everyone at home, all these people here, they don’t want you to be their number one anymore, Bron. They want Melo.” Fans cheer and Trick says, “Hello!” Melo says he and Bron will be doing battle for a long time. WrestleMania Weekend was just a chapter of this story. So Melo will go ahead and flex the privilege by giving Bron a spot in the Fatal 4 Way to earn a rematch at Spring Breakin’. And that offer isn’t an ask, it’s a tell! Melo wants to get back- But wait! Here comes Dragon Lee! Fans fire up as The Wonder Boy, who is in that Fatal 4 Way, makes his way to the ring. Dragon gets a mic and stands with Trick Melo Gang.
Dragon says the champion is here. He congratulates Melo and shakes his hand. Fans chant for “Dragon Lee! Dragon Lee!” and Dragon days last week, Bron disrespected Melo. Dragon understands wanting revenge. But Dragon is here to fight the best. And that title says Melo IS the best! But it also proves that when Melo shoots, he doesn’t miss. Melo wants Bron, but after Dragon wins tonight, it’ll be Melo and Dragon at Spring Breakin’ for that title! Trick says Dragon’s spitting fire. Melo says okay. Give it up for Dragon Lee. Fans cheer again, and Melo tells Dragon welcome to NXT, pleasure to have him, he’s a phenomenal talent.
But here’s what you never do: NEVER interrupt the champion. But Dragon gets a pass for being new. If Dragon does get that W tonight, realize one thing. Melo has this title not because it looks nice around his waist, but because Melo is really like that. And at Spring Breakin’- Wait, here comes JD McDonagh! The Irish Ace is also already in that Fatal 4, and he tells Melo, “You gotta keep your head on a swivel when you’re the champ around here. You’ve got new challengers spring up left, right ‘n’ center. One week with that title, and your armor of invincibility is slipping already. One week with that title, and you two already got yourselves laid out by Bron Breakker.”
JD says that isn’t his style, though. Bron pulled a fast one. If it were him, he would’ve just headbutted Melo right in his face. And he would’ve done it because he likes the sound of skulls colliding. But everyone else needs to learn that “ego is loud and confidence is quiet.” JD doesn’t need to be an internet darling, he doesn’t need a fancy entrance with banners dropping, none of that matters or impresses him. When the bell rings, JD knows he’s number one. Dragon finds that out tonight, and Melo finds out in two weeks at Spring Breakin’. Melo says okay, he can’t even hold JD. Game recognizes game. But you still gotta get to the end of that rainbow to get this pot of gold, homeboy.
And yes, that’s a leprechaun joke. But that’s not what matters, either. What matters- is that Grayson Waller interrupts! Fans boo the 21st Century Success Story as he says, “Guess who the third superstar in the Fatal 4 Way is!” Fans boo but Waller says they’re dumber than they look. There’s a combined IQ here of 150. Dragon, Waller will translate. This audience, and Dragon, are estupido. But what Waller doesn’t have to translate is the fact that he’s winning the Fatal 4! Then a real superstar will take that title off Melo. Melo says okay, everyone wants to be a winner, but who’s gonna do what it takes?
In two weeks, it’s Spring Breakin’. Melo sees a whole lotta “them,” but there can only be one HIM. Melo raises the belt after throwing down the gauntlet, who wins big to go for the gold?
Fallon Henley talks with Kiana James backstage.
Their title match is up next, are they good? Let’s see. Considering Fallon tried to ruin Kiana’s relationship with Brooks, then yeah, they’re good. FALLON tried!? Yes, tried. Because Kiana and Jensen made up and are great. Now, let’s focus on getting the titles back. That’s something they can agree on. By any means necessary. There it is! Kiana has to- “I don’t want that goodie two-shoes Fallon Henley as my partner, I need YEEHAW B*TCH Fallon Henley!” Because that’s the only way they’re gonna beat Isla & Alba. Oh, Kiana wants to see that side of her? Fallon can show her right now!
Josh Briggs steps in and tells them to stop arguing. They’re up next, so why not focus on Isla & Alba instead of each other? Where’s Jensen? No idea. Kiana says he’s not coming. What? Why would he miss something this important? Because he doesn’t want to be around either Fallon or Briggs. Kiana heads out first, Briggs reminds Fallon this is about the belts, not the drama. Will it end up being both when the bell rings?
Sol Ruca was on TikTok.
The Sol Surfer wants to make sure everyone knows that her best friend, “Daredevil” Dani Palmer is making her NXT TV debut! They’re both so excited, but then Tiffany Stratton has to barge in. She asks what’s going on and Sol explains they’re making TikToks. They’re making TikToks in Tiffany’s parking lot? Uh, it’s not her parking lot. No, no, this is Tiffany’s space and they didn’t ask for permission. No one cares Dani’s debuting and no one cares she’s Sol’s friend. Tiffany heads off, Sol says whatever, just make sure to watch for Dani. But will Tiffany get in Sol’s space in their match tonight?
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre VS Kiana James & Fallon Henley!
The dark and devious duo have played mind games and put on the pressure, and that is how they got the gold at Stand & Deliver. But will it be even easier to keep the titles with Kiana and Fallon at each other? Or have they been playing with forces even they don’t understand?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if a team can be saved!
Kiana CLOBBERS Fyre before the bell! Then Fallon hits a THESZ PRESS and fast hands on Dawn! Fans fire up as Kiana and Fyre brawl on the outside. Fyre scoops, Kiana slips free and scoop SLAMS Fyre! Dawn CLUBS Fallon, whips, but Fallon reverses to forearm smash in the corner! Tag to Kiana, she stomps away, then RAMS into Dawn! Tag to Fallon, and a feed to the RUNNING UPPERCUT! Cover, ONE!! Fallon clamps on with a chinlock but Dawn pulls hair. Fyre tags in as Dawn powers out, then Dawn shoves Fallon so Fyre can trip her up! Fyre spins Fallon around to ROCK her with a forearm!
Fyre storms in, drops an elbow, and covers, TWO! We see outside that someone pulls up fast in a truck. It’s JENSEN! He’s coming in with a head of steam, but what happened to not wanting to be around his friends? Fyre bumps Fallon off buckles, Dawn mocks her pain, and Fyre stomps a mudhole. Tag to Dawn, she stomps away, then tags Fyre. They dig their claws and their boots in, but let off as the ref counts. The ref reprimands, Fyre argues with him, but that’s a distraction so Dawn can pull hair! Fyre storms up but Fallon BOOTS her away! Fallon elbows Dawn away, runs, but Fyre throws her back, to then back drop Fallon!
Fyre taunts Kiana, drags Fallon up, but Fallon JAWBREAKERS! Hot tags to Dawn and Kiana! Kiana rallies, whips, and RAMS into Dawn at the corner! And again! Kiana handsprings back, Fyre runs in, but Kiana just picks her up! Kiana SANDWICHES Dawn & Fyre, to then RAM into them both! Short arm LARIAT for Dawn! Tag to Fallon, she CALF KICKS Dawn! Fyre returns, Kiana kicks and TOSSES her out! Fans fire up and Fallon slides while Kiana goes to the apron. HAYMAKER MOONSAULT IN SYNC! Fans fire up with the businesswoman and the cowgirl as NXT goes picture in picture.
Kiana and Fallon cool off a moment, and Fallon fetches Dawn. Dawn hits back but Fallon CLUBS her! Kiana whips Fyre into the apron, CHOPS her, then mocks Fyre’s pain. But Fyre knees low and SMACKS Kiana off the apron! Fyre brings Kiana around but Kiana CHOPS back! Fallon keeps on Dawn, Fyre KNEES Kiana again, but Kiana POSTS Fyre! Fallon ROCKS Dawn, CLUBS her down, then reels her in. Snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fallon snarls but she brings Dawn up to CLUB her again. Tag to Kiana, they bring Dawn around to double whip and double shoulder tackle! Kiana covers, TWO!
Kiana snarls now but Dawn throws body shots. Dawn swings, but into a waistlock! Fyre tags in before the O’Conner, and she drags Kiana up to GOURDBUSTER onto Dawn’s knees! Cover, TWO! Fyre grows frustrated but she drags Kiana up to HEADBUTT her in the back! Fyre puts Kiana on ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Fyre lets off, and she brings Kiana around to tag Dawn. Fyre feeds Kiana to the TARANTULA, and she SUPERKICKS Kiana down! Dawn covers, TWO! Dawn drags Kiana back up, puts her in the corner and stomps away! Tag to Fyre, they mug Kiana, then Fyre stomps away.
Tag back to Dawn, the mugging continues! Dawn waistlocks but Kiana fights free with elbows. Only for Dawn to throw her down by her hair! Dawn wraps Kiana up in a seated cobra Twist! Kiana endures, even as Dawn digs knuckles into ribs. NXT returns to single picture, fans rally up, and Kiana pulls Dawn’s hair! Dawn KNEES Kiana in return! Dawn laughs at Kiana, drags her up, and whips her to ropes. Dawn RAMS into Kiana, then brings her up again. Dawn whips but Kiana sunset flips! TWO! Dawn RAMS into Kiana again! Tag to Fyre, she Gory Especials but Kiana BOOTS Dawn away!
Kiana sunset flips Fyre now, TWO! Fyre kicks low, brings Kiana up to suplex, but Kiana slips free! Kiana hits a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both women are down! Kiana and Fyre crawl, hot tags to Dawn and Fallon! Fallon rallies on Dawn and fans fire up! Fallon blocks a kick to ROCK Dawn! Fallon springboards, wheelbarrows and BULLDOGS! Dawn scrambles to a corner while fans fire up again. Fallon runs in to back body block! Fallon keeps going, RUNNING FACEBUSTER! Fyre runs in, Fallon DECKS her! Fallon goes up and up and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, but Fyre breaks it!
Kiana runs in, goes after Fyre, but Fyre throws her out. Fyre SUPERKICKS Kiana off the apron! Fallon KICKS Dawn, Dawn ducks, DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES take them both down! Fyre storms up again, Alabama Lifts, but Fallon makes it a DESTROYER! And here comes JENSEN! Jensen grabs the bag! Jensen gives Fallon the bag! Fallon gets upset, throws it back, and now the ref sees Jensen! The ref EJECTS Jensen! Fallon is upset, what is Jensen even doing? Briggs asks Jensen what he’s doing, too, but Jensen SHOVES Briggs! Fallon turns around, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Tag to Fyre, BACKSTABBER SWANTON COMBO!! Fyre covers, Fyre & Dawn win!
Winners: Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Jensen carries Kiana away, only caring about her now. Jensen tried to help in the way he thought was right, but it went all wrong. Will his friendship with Briggs and Fallon be done just like the Kiana-Fallon team-up?
Noam Dar speaks.
“NXT is about to blast off to a new stratosphere. Because finally, Supernova 11, Noam Dar, has arrived. I’m a combination of swag and style. An elegant savage of unlimited potential. There is a lot of fantastic superstars in WWE. There’s only one Supernova. I open people’s eyes, and take breaths away. And I break jaws. I’m a world-class performer, and I revolutionized a whole new match style: The Heritage Cup Rules match, designed to pay homage to the great history of European wrestling.
The rules are simple: two falls to a finish; six rounds; three minutes a round; 20 seconds in between. It tests your strategy, your stamina, and your technique. It started in NXT UK, but now I’ve brought my cup and my talents to NXT. And I’ll be honest, I’m a technical master. Nobody can do it like me. Slicing elbows, heavy knees, sharp kicks, slick submissions. The whole lineage of European wrestling belongs to me. I’m the longest-reigning and only two-time NXT heritage Cup Champion. And we came across the pond to see what NXT’s ‘best’ has to offer. So it’s time to separate the sheep from the goats. Which one of you dafties is gonna step up to the cup?
“But don’t forget. There’s levels to this, and I’m the top. Check, please.”
Chase U is in the ring.
There are red, white ‘n’ ‘black balloons, the students are right up at ringside, and there are pictures commemorating Duke Hudson’s big moment as Stand & Deliver. Andre Chase is at the podium and says good evening. He’s still here as professor and dean of Chase U, thanks to the courage of tonight’s award recipient. “At Stand & Deliver, the chips were down. And this man went above and beyond the call of duty. And he earned the distinction of Most Valuable Player! Now, we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I know the one thing that we can agree on is that you’ll always go to fight fo rme, and we’ll stand alongside each other, and we’ll welcome whoever steps up. And we’ll show those sorry ass mother-”
WHOA! Chase, cool down. Right, sorry, apologies. This is live TV. But without further ado, Chase presents the Chase U MVP, DUKE HUDSON! The trophy is revealed and Duke shakes Chase’s hand. Fans cheer and Duke takes the mic. He thanks Mr. Chase, and says that he doesn’t really like awards ceremonies. He doesn’t want the attention on him. It isn’t about Chase me, it’s about Chase U. But as Duke stands here, thinking about Stand & Deliver, and how millions across the world watched him on the biggest night of his career, at the biggest event NXT has to offer, Duke Hudson took the entire university, put it on his back, and took them to the Promised Land!
Fans cheer and Duke says, “Now, now, now. This isn’t just me coming out here and patting myself on the large back I was talking about earlier.” Duke knows it was a group effort, he merely led the march towards evil! Fans cheer that, too. Duke says to his mentor, Andre Chase, thank you. And to his fellow student, Thea Hail, thanks, sorta. And now Duke Hudson is Chase U’s MVP!! Fans cheer again, and Duke says he loves hearing MVP and spelling it out. But here’s another word to spell it out. He hasn’t gotten to do this before, so please pardon him. Rise from your seats, stand with him, and join in!
C! H! A! S! E! U! Bron hops the railing?! He “apologizes” for interrupting, but he’s pretty sure everyone here wants to hear what he has to say. Fans boo, that’s not true. Chase says Bron is interrupting something important. That’s for good reason. There’s a #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way later tonight, and everyone keeps asking Bron, “Why are you not in the match?” Melo came out, he wants Bron in that match, but Bron finally realized. That title is a curse on Bron’s career! Bron also realized that he doesn’t need the approval of these SCUMBAGS anymore! Fans boo but Bron smirks. Bron says, “You people are gonna see a side of me that you’ve never seen before.”
So Mr. MVP Duke Hudson, if anyone should take his spot in that Fatal 4 Way, it’s all his. Wait, really? Bron offers a handshake. Chase and Thea are unsure but Duke accepts it. Duke is now in the match, but then Bron SPEARS CHASE!! Fans boo and Duke is unsure what to do! Duke snatches the MVP trophy and runs for it! Fans boo as Bron grabs the Chase U flag, waves it around a little, then TEARS IT UP!! Thea is even more devastated than a second ago! But what about Duke? Will he be able to focus on the Fatal 4 Way after seeing his mentor struck down?
Gigi Dolin speaks.
“There it is. That’s where I grew up. In that house, if you can call it that. That window is where I’d stare out at night, dreaming of the day I’d get out. My brother and I, battling broken trust and my parents’ demons. The definition of a vicious cycle. My mother always told us that we didn’t even deserve to be happy, so as soon as I got the chance, I ran away and I never looked back.” Gigi is human, she wants to be loved like everyone else, and Jacy Jayne knows all of that. But that’s why she couldn’t let Gigi have her moment. “Always reaching for something better, kind of the story of my life.”
Jacy broke Gigi’s heart, her face, but she will NEVER break Gigi’s will. Like the rose tattoo on Gigi’s arm, her story started out jagged and ugly, but then bloomed into something beautiful. The Toxic Avenger is ready to show her thorns, will Jacy Jayne regret ever betraying her?
NXT Anonymous is always watching…
In a tweet captioned, “I see it all,” NXT Anonymous shares video they recorded over the weekend. Pretty Deadly were in the parking lot when Tony D’Angelo & Stacks JUMPED THEM! They beat down Elton then kidnapped Kit! The Don is resorting to his old ways to handle business, what will happen to Kit? What’ll happen to Elton if Kit never returns?
Eddy Thorpe VS Javier Bernal!
The Alpha Wolf made a big debut with a solid victory, but he’s not going to stop until he reaches the top. Will Thorpe keep moving forward into the future? Or will Big Body Javi make this all about him?
The bell rings and Javi kicks al eg out! Javi wrenches, wristlocks, but Eddy wrenches back. Javi spins, arm-drags, but Eddy holds on to wrench again. Javi rolls, monkey flips, but Eddy still holds on! Eddy drags Javi up, Javi wernches and slips through to wrench, but Eddy rolls, kips up and wrenches to a headlock. Eddy hits the takeover, Javi headscissors, but Eddy kips free. Javi headlocks for the takeover now, but Eddy fights up. Eddy powers out, Javi runs him over, and things keep moving. Eddy hurdles, CROSSBODIES, and fans fire up! But wait, Damon Kemp is on the ramp? Who’s he watching in this match?
Javi goes to ropes, Eddy runs in, but Javi ducks the Penalty Kick to schoolboy Eddy right outta the ring! Eddy hits the floor hard and Javi hurries to fetch him. Javi SMACKS Eddy of the desk, puts him back in the ring, and Javi hurries up after Eddy. Eddy CHOPS back! Javi kicks low, brings Eddy around to whip, then runs to BULLDOG! Javi keeps moving, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Javi stomps Eddy, CLUBS him, then ROCKS him at the ropes. Javi whips,. Eddy reverses, but Javi catches the dropkick! Eddy scrambles, reaches, but Javi turns him over! But Eddy turns back over! Javi tris again, but Eddy turns over.
Eddy kicks away at Javi, blocks the haymaker and ROCKS Javi! Eddy blocks a boot to COHP! Eddy fires off a strike fest, then a PELE! Fans fire up with Eddy, and he runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Javi survives but Eddy keeps cool. Eddy brings Javi up, facelocks, but Javi wrenches out. Javi reels Eddy in, SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Eddy survives but Javi keeps on him. Javi suplexes, Eddy slips free and spins Javy, but Javi cradles! TWO! Eddy BOOTS then SNAP GERMANS! Javy sits up in a daze, Eddy reels him in! MANIFEST DESTINY!! Cover, Eddy wins!
Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by pinfall
Fans fire up for the win, but the wolf notices the Golden Gopher. Will Kemp have business with the new kid on the block?
Tank Ledger gets his pictures taken.
Gallus walks over, and Joe Coffey says NXT is just letting anyone in here these days. Tank says hey, a lot has changed since Joe’s last seen him, okay? Oh, is that so? Yeah, man! As a matter of fact, Tank’s been training, and in a couple weeks, he’ll be making his NXT TV debut. Oho, hear that? A couple of weeks. Nothing like the present, though, right? Yeah, how about we bump things up to tonight and make it one to remember! Tank says sure! Let’s do it tonight! Security and producers get Tank and Gallus to back off, but then Gallus turns around to see The Schism. And Rip Fowler says, “Some things never change.” This is typical Gallus: picking fights with those they know they can beat.
Ava Raine says these street thug low lives only reach a certain level. Well, there’s enough Gallus to go around, lads. Oh, is that so, Markus? They’ll fight anyone and everyone, yet The Dyad has been ostracized from the Tag Division. Well, all they had to do was ask. They’d love another chance to kick their asses like back in the day. Well they’re not asking, they’re telling! The Schism heads out, but will Gallus still be on top against the grizzled Jagger & Rip?
SCRYPTS speaks.
“Axiom, what is your biggest fear? Is it in your future? Or is it your past? Is it looking in the mirror and seeing the guy behind the mask? It seems I have your attention, so what comes next wont’ be anything new. You can’t expose me, because I’m exposing you. Sincerely, Scrypts.”
Tiffany Stratton VS Sol Ruca!
Daddy’s Little Rich Girl wants to be the Center of the Universe, but she has to get past Sol first. Will there be a Tiffany Epiphany? Or will she just get her soul snatched?
NXT returns and Sol makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Sol pushes Tiffany to ropes, and Tiff complains. The ref counts, Sol lets off, and Tiff kicks low! Tiff wrenches an arm, UPPERCUTS it then YANKS it! Sol rolls, only for Tiff to throw her down. Tiff digs her knee into Sol’s head while bending the fingers! Sol fights up, fights through to wrench back and YANK the arm! And again! Sol CLUBS the arm, throws Tiff down, but Tiff kips up to backhand! Tiff runs, but Sol runs her over! Fans fire up, things speed up, and Tiff hurdles. Sol handsprings through the arm-drag, then jumps the sweep! But so does Tiff!
Tiff kicks low, whips Sol to a corner, but Sol goes up and over! Sol kicks low, whips Tiff to a corner, but Tiff goes up and over the same! Tiff CHOPS Sol, whips her to ropes, but Sol ducks ‘n’ dodges, both women handspring, and fans fire up for this acrobatic exchange! Sol and Tiff reset, and Tiff offers a handshake? Fans say “NO! NO! NO!” but Solo accepts it. Tiff kicks low! Tiff throws Sol down by her hair to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Tiff RAMS Sol into buckles, then kicks the rope to jam her up! Sol reaches for ropes, Tiff STOMPS the arm down! Cover, TWO! Tiff is annoyed, she stomps Sol to ropes.
Tiff KICSK the bad arm but fans rally for Sol. Tiff whips, ELBOWS Sol, and then wrenches the bad arm to WRING it out! Cover, TWO! Tiff clamps onto that bad arm with a top wristlock. Sol endures and fans rally up. Sol fights to her feet, but Tiff wrangles her back down! Fans rally again and Sol fights up. Sol arm-drags free, but Tiff ROCKS her! And CHOPS her! But Sol rebounds to run Tiff over! And again! Sol kicks Tiff, reels her in, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! And a kip up! Tiff stands, kicks back, then whips, but Solo reverses to gut wrench! POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tiff staggers to a corner but Sol runs in!
Sol handsprings, clotheslines, and scoops again. Another POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives, she kicks Sol’s arm as she gets away, but Sol runs in. Tiff KICKS Sol down first! Tiff drags Sol up, but Sol cradles! TWO! Sol shoots in, rolls Tiff, but Tiff grabs the rope. Tiff YANKS the arm as she gets away. But then Sol FLAPJACKS Tiff! Sol runs, but into a fireman’s carry! ROLLING SENTON! And then the BEST MOONSAULT WHATEVER! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Fans boo but Sol isn’t the center of the universe. Tiff is ready for the gold, but will she be ready for Indi?
Chase U regroups backstage.
Duke pumps up while Thea gets Chase water. Chase says he’s fine, and Duke thanks Chase for “taking one for the team,” sacrificing himself so that Duke can win the Fatal 4 Way. And now, Duke will be the first to finally bring home gold to Chase U! SWEET! Thea is so hyped up, but will the odds be in his favor in the main event?
Backstage interview with The Diamond Mine.
McKenzie Mitchell is with Ivy Nile & The Creed Brothers. She says Ivy requested this time, so what’s on her mind? “Divide and conquer. Last week, I handled my issue with Tatum, and now Diamond Mine is back to us three.” Julius says that at Stand & Deliver, Gallus played their ace in the hole when Joe Coffey came out to help them escape. But now they’re out of surprises. They can keep crossing their arms and acting all big ‘n’ tough, but next week, we find out! The Creeds want Gallus for the NXT Tag Team Championships!
McKenzie points out that The Dyad also made their intentions clear. Brutus says those guys always get into everything, but the Creeds are not done with Gallus just yet. Julius says the focus is on Gallus. Joe Coffey is in action tonight, so they’ll be watching tonight. Thanks for your time, McKenzie. Diamond Mine heads out, McKenzie wants to send things back to ringside, but Tiffany walks over to say, “Um… Kenzie, to the surprise of no one, another victory for The Center of the Universe.
“How I’m not the #1 contender complete fascinates me. I mean, I know Indi Hartwell is like, totally scared of me. I’ve beaten her twice in like three months. She’s like, the most beatable champion like, ever.” So does that count as a Tiffany Epiphany? Gross, Kenzie. Tootles. Is Indi just going to have to watch her back at all times with this many challengers coming for her?
Cora Jade is here!
Fans boo as the Generation of Jade makes her way to the ring, following her ambush attack on Indi Hartwell in her return. Cora gets the mic to say, “Do I have everybody’s attention now? Last week, I returned to find the NXT Women’s Division completely flipped upside-down. So I believe it’s time to start humbling some people around here, shall we? I’ll start with the most athletic woman in NXT, Zoey Stark. Zoey, I’ll be honest, there’re some things you can do in this ring that even I can’t do, so I’ll give it to you. But there is one thing that you will never be able to do, so, I don’t know why you’re so angry, Zoey. I’m just the only one woman enough around here to say it.
“And the fact is that you will always be the challenger, and never the champion.” That brings Cora to the former champion, Roxanne Perez. Her old bestie~! “Roxanne, I put you on the map the second I put that tag team championship in your bag. I’m the only reason you’re here. But y’know what? What you went through, I’m not gonna touch, because it’s real. I knew you, and I still know you. I knew what you went through. So I’m not gonna talk about it. But the thing is, how long are you gonna use it as your crutch? We’re all fighting our own demons, Roxanne, you’re not some special exception.
“The only difference is, you’re just proof that some of us are a little bit better than handling the pressure than others. Speaking of handling the pressure, Gigi Dolin! To be honest, Gigi, I kinda thought you’d crumble without Toxic Attraction, and I probably speak for everybody else, but you didn’t. You were fingertips away from that title. And I saw your video earlier. But let’s get one thing perfectly straight: that title says Cora Jade. So why don’t you go on, and don’t let the door hit you on your big, Instagram famous ass, on the way out.” Fans boo but Cora says “Instagram Famous” brings her to only one person: Tiffany Stratton!
Listen, Tiff, Cora loves the confidence and the ego. Tiff looks the part and plays it even better, but here’s an epiphany for you: Cora runs NXT, not Tiff. Then, Lyra Valkyria. She doesn’t know anything about Lyra, or birds, or any of the weird stuff Lyra’s into. But Cora gives her credit, she attacks anything with a pulse. And in that ladder match, Lyra showed no fear. But if there’s one thing that Lyra should fear in NXT, it is CORA! Which leaves her with one woman left. The NEW NXT Women’s Champion, Indi Hartwell! “The biggest shock of WrestleMania Weekend!” Everyone is saying, “You Deserve It!” but Cora was thinking, “Took ya long enough!”
Indi, this isn’t your fairytale, this is CORA’S NXT, she is the hero of this story! It’s true. But wait! Here comes Lyra! She tells Cora that the fans said it best: Shut up. Cora can cut through the women’s division with her words, but what’s the reason for it? Lyra wants to be blunt for a second. Is it because in Cora’s absence, everyone took a step forward? Cora tells Lyra to do her a favor and fly off to wherever the rest of the division is. Lyra says watching Stand & Deliver didn’t create jealousy, did it? It must’ve been a reality check. A humbling experience. Fans chant, “Cora’s Jealous!” but Cora covers her ears.
Lyra wants Cora to look at her. If Cora wants to come back, a house on fire, and reach the peak on the mic, go ahead. Here’s your crown here and now. But when it comes to the title, if Cora even goes near it, Lyra will rip her eyes out. Cora SLAPS Lyra! And then laughs! But then Lyra catches that arm to ROUNDHOUSE Cora down! Cora scrambles up, and narrowly avoids the heel kick! Cora scurries away, Lyra wants her to come back for more! Will the Morrigan swoop in and snatch up the rat that Cora is?
Backstage interview with Wes Lee.
McKenzie says the North American Champion is on an amazing run, and is closing in on the current record of successful title defenses. How does Wes stay so sharp? It’s the chip on his shoulder. And with the amount of talent in NXT, he has to remain on point. So many great champions have come before him, and many of them are on Raw and SmackDown. Wes really wants to make sure his reign- Wait, Drew Gulak & Charlie Dempsey walk in. Gulak says Wes’s match with Axiom was just “so good.” Gulak is such a fan of that high-flying ability. The only question is, can Wes get it down when he’s grounded?
Wes asks if Gulak’s getting at a “styles make fights” thing. Dempsey says it isn’t a debate, it is a one sided argument. How is Wes supposed to run and jump when his ligaments are torn, his limbs are tied up, and the only option is to tap? Only option? Wes knows where this is going. If they want a shot, say so. He’s down. Bring game plans, strategies, whatever you want. Wes has one: keep the title. Now if you’ll excuse him, up top! McKenzie high-fives Wes, and he heads out. But will the Philly Stretcher & Son of the Gentleman Villain look to rip that gold away from him?
High Stakes: Ilja Dragunov VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone!
The Mad Russian didn’t win the North American Championship, but it’s not like big bad Von was even in Hollywood. Will this be the final straw for Von and Stone? Or can Von find that special something to finally get going?
The bell rings and Dragunov runs in, but into a BOOT! Von stalks Dragunov to a corner, fires big haymakers from all sides, then elbows! Dragunov falls, Stone cheers Von on, and Von whips Dragunov to a corner. Von runs in to SPLASH! Dragunov falls over again but Von drags him up. Von TOSSES Dragunov across the ring! Fans boo but Stone likes what he sees. Von drags Dragunov up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Dragunov bounces off buckles. Von CLUBS Dragunov but fans rally for the Czar. Von stands Dragunov up to whip him to another corner, but Dragunov elbows back!
Dragunov tries to suplex but Von is too big! von wrenches, and hits a BIG back suplex! Von looms over Dragunov and Stone says to finish this. Von waistlocks but Dragunov throws elbows! Dragunov wrenches to waistlock, but Von elbows. Dragunov lifts! Von throws more elbows, then headlock punches! Von switches, shoves, but Dragunov comes back, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! Fans fire up and Dragunov reels Von in! Another waistlock, but Von fights! Dragunov shifts to a Gotch lift, for the SUPLEX! Fans fire up while both men are down! Stone coaches Von but Dragunov goes to the corner!
Dragunov climbs, but Von CLUBS him first. Von chock grips, to ROCKET LAUNCH Dragunov! Von then BUTTERFLY POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Von throws hands, he BOOTS, but Dragunov PELES! And BUZZSAWS! And then runs for the FALLING FOREARM! Fans fire up, Dragunov aims again. “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!” TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Cover, Dragunov wins!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (Von Wagner and Robert Stone MUST PART WAYS)
Von loses, and yet Stone doesn’t look that upset. Stone tells Von he is DONE with him, what does Von do now? Wait, DIJAK is making his way out now! Dragunov is ready, but he also knows. Dijak appears behind him! Dijak steps into the ring and Dragunov is ready for the fight. Dijak says, “You say that pain makes you feel alive? That’s great. Because I’m gonna make you immortal.” Hard Justice has spoken, but will he be able to put #UNBESIEGBAR in lockdown?
Tank Ledger gets ready.
Hank Walker finds him and is fired up for his friend. Is Tank ready for this? Well, he wasn’t supposed to debut for a couple more weeks, so… Hank tells Tank that this is the WWE! Anything can happen! Tank says that’s right. And this isn’t his first run-in with Joe Coffey. Everywhere Joe’s been, he’s been a top guy. That means tonight, Tank will show what he’s all about. Hank says this is Tank’s moment, go get it! But will the Iron King ruin Tank’s dreams? Or can #MechanizedMayhem make a huge impact?
Joe Coffey w/ Gallus VS Tank Ledger!
NXT returns and Tank makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two tie up. Joe gets around, CLUBS Tank, but Tank shrugs it off. Joe throws body shots, does some rope a dope, then he pie faces Tank. Tank shoves Joe down! Fans fire up, Joe comes back to headlock. Tank powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, but neither falls. Joe ROCKS Tank, Tank ROCKS Joe! Tank headlocks, Joe powers out, but Tank ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING SHOULDER! Fans fire up, Tank covers, ONE!! Tank nods, he knows the Iron King is tough. But Joe ROCKS him again! Tank blocks the whip to RAM shoulders!
Tank whips Joe to a corner but Joe comes back to UPPERCUT and then SHOTGUN! Joe whips, Tank hits buckles hard, then Joe whips him back in! And then a scoop to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Joe keeps cool and he mocks Tank. Joe pie faces Tank, but Tank throws body shots! Joe BOOTS Tank down! Tank gets up, throws hands, but Joe gets an arm for a cording hold! Joe cranks the elbow, but Tank throws hands. Joe just switches holds! Joe grinds his wrist into Tank’s face, but fans rally up. Tank swings, but Joe traps both arms! Joe HEADBUTTS! Joe and Tank fight for control, and Tank OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes!
Fans fire up, Gallus gets worried, and fans are behind Tank. Tank and Joe stand, Joe swings but Tank counter punches! Joe rallies with some big clotheslines! Joe blows past but Tank ELBOWS him down! Fans rally and Tank cartwheels to then SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tank keeps his cool, he hoists Joe up into an Alabama, but Joe grabs the ropes! Tank pulls, Joe kicks Tank away. Tank comes back, only gets buckles, and Joe DECKS Tank! Tank falls right out of the ring but Joe goes out after him. Joe aims, runs in, GLASGOW SENDOFF into the steel steps! Fans fire up and Joe drags Tank back up.
Joe puts Tank in, fans rally as Tank crawls, and Joe waits. Tank stands up, for ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! Joe poses, fans boo, and Tank crawls to ropes. Joe is a bit surprised Tank even is getting up! Joe says fine, he’ll add on. ALL THE BEST again!! Cover, Joe wins!
Winner: Joe Coffey, by pinfall
The Iron King is back, and Gallus Boys are on top! Will Joe finally get himself some NXT gold to truly make this Gallus’ Kingdom?
But wait, here come The Creeds! Julius & Brutus promised to be watching, so here they are! And wait! THE DYAD jumps in, too! It’s a huge brawl! Gacy is after Joe, the tag teams brawl with each other, and refs rush in! Fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” and this is utter chaos! How will the tag title scene sort out with Spring Breakin’ only weeks away?
Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo talk backstage.
That little bit of roughing up on Pretty Deadly was good stuff, huh? Operation: Cobalt was a success. But hey, Roxanne’s here! How’re you doin’? Good, how about them? Yeah, good. What’s she doing here? Roxie says she just needed a break after Stand & Deliver, but she’s back and ready to get that title back. Tony & Stacks are after the tag titles, Roxie’s after the women’s title. The Don really thought Roxie was gonna get the first crack at Indi, but Zoey comes in and takes it outta nowhere. Yeah, she saw. But honestly, after what Zoey had to say about Roxie, Roxie’s glad Indi and karma got Zoey back.
Tony tells Rox that if she ever needs back-up, they- Wait, Zoey comes walking in, sarcastically applauding. “Well if it isn’t lil’ miss radio silence herself. So glad you’ve finally got the strength to show your face around here.” Wow, the mouth on this one, huh? Roxie tells Zoey that she’s exactly why people can’t be open and honest about anxiety. People like Zoey don’t get it and don’t wanna try. “But understand this: I have all the strength to beat you next week.” The Don & Stacks like the sound of that. They fist bump with Roxie and she heads out. Stacks starts to ask Zoey why she’s always angry, but PRETTY DEADLY ATTACKS!
Kit & Elton jump Tony & Stacks in return for being jumped this past weekend, and now the fight is on! Elton SMACKS Stacks off a table, Kit THRWOS Tony at a wall, and then Pretty Deadly mugs him! They stomp way on Stacks, snatch the jacket and hat, to cut them up with box cutters! Make fun of them now!! The NXT Tag Division is THEIRS! The Don & Underboss are down, but will they look to retaliate for this retaliation?
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh VS Grayson Waller VS Duke Hudson!
Stand & Deliver was a big night for all four men, but only one of them came away with a win, and that’s the Chase U MVP! Will Duke parlay that win into a golden ticket to Spring Breakin’? Or will someone else move on to face… him?
The bell rings and the four men stare down. Waller tells Duke they should work together here, Aussie Aussie Aussie and all that. Duke says sure, but then he sees the sucker punch coming! Duke DECKS Waller, tells him off, but then JD CLUBS Duke! Duke doesn’t even budge! Dragon runs in, is sent into Duke, then Waller drags Duke out to DECK him! JD headlocks Dragon, Dragon powers out but JD runs him over. JD ELBOWS Waller away and he falls on Duke. Dragon and JD speed things up, JD hurdles but Dragon leaps over! JD kips up, runs in, but Dragon steps aside. JD elbows the waistlock, whips Dragon, but Dragon DROPKICKS the hurdle outta the sky!
Fans fire up, but Waller runs in to CLOBBER Dragon! Waller stomps away, fans boo, and he taunts Duke. Waller says this is HIS house, but Dragon SLAPS him! But Waller fireman’s carries, only for Dragon to RANA! Dragon fires up, runs, but into an ENZIGURI from JD! SUPERKICK from Waller! JD PENALTY KICKS Duke! Duke stays up but Waller WRECKS Duke with a dropkick! JD and Waller are working together now and they get Duke back in. JD CLUBS Duke, Waller joins in, and they double suplex! Duke is too big for that, and he DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! Fans fire up with Chase U!
Duke scoop SLAMS JD, then scoop SLAMS Waller onto JD! Dragon returns, Duke scoops him, and fans fire up as he SLAMS Dragon on both JD and Waller! The MVP is fired up, he runs but Dragon dumps him out! Dragon builds speed and FLIES over JD to take out Duke! Waller returns, JD jumps the slide, Waller LARIATS Dragon! Waller sets Dragon back up, JD moonsaults to take out Dragon! Duke gets back in the ring, and fans rally up. Duke decides to gamble, says a quick prayer, but Waller somersault STUNNERS! Cover, but JD and Dragon break it! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down, and NXT goes picture in picture!
Waller goes to a corner, JD CLOBBERS Duke, and Waller throws Dragon out. Waller mocks the lucha lucha, but Duke CHOPS JD! Waller stomps and CLUBS Duke, kicks him in the leg, then wraps that leg around ropes! JD adds stomps! They keep on Duke’s leg with a standing toehold and some kicks! Dragon returns but Waller DECKS him! JD focuses on Duke’s leg by SMASHING it into the mat! JD then YANKS the bad leg, and Waller takes a turn. Waller drops an elbow and has a toehold, then JD does the same to the other leg! Duke tries to chinlock them both, but then JD and Waller split the wishbone!
Duke writhes, JD DECKS Dragon, and Waller brings Duke up. Duke hits back with body shots, then stands to throw hands! JD throws body shots, Waller CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! JD kicks Duke down. Waller goes out to LARIAT Dragon! JD sits deep on a Half Crab! Waller gets the other leg, DOUBLE HALF CRAB! So technically a full Boston Crab? Either way, Duke endures! Who would win if Duke gives up, though? NXT returns to single picture and everyone rallies up for Duke! Duke fights, reaches out, but JD has to let go to go after Dragon! Dragon KICKS JD, ROCKS Waller, and then slingshots up and over to RANA Waller!
Dragon turns around, JD kicks and whips but Dragon reverses to JUMP KICK! LEG SWEEP! SWINGING DROPKICK! Combinacion Cabron completed! Fans fire up and Dragon runs at Waller, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Fans rally for Dragon, he goes out to scoop JD. JD slips off to POST Dragon! Waller comes around, he high-fives JD, then POSTS him! No more team-ups here! Waller goes up to BALLER ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Duke survives and fans rally up again. Duke sits up, Waller throws hands. But Duke is powering up! He’s DUKING OUT! “U!!” Duke throws hands, CLUBS Waller, ROCKS him, then DECKS him!
Duke rallies with elbows, whips Waller to ropes, then scoops for the SIDEWALK SLAM! JD returns, but he gets a BIG back drop! Dragon returns, but Duke clinches to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fans are thunderous for Duke and he runs in to clothesline Dragon! JD runs in, he gets the U-RENAGE! Waller runs in, he’s sent into Dragon, and then Duke brings him around to RAM into Dragon! Duke has the fans chanting “M V P! M V P!” Duke JABS! JABS! Flip, flip and “U~!” ELBOW! SENTON for Waller! Dragon throws Duke out but Duke returns to shoulder in. Duke slingshots up and over to GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, Waller breaks it!
Thea frowns but fans rally up. Waller brings Duke up, but Duke blocks the whip! Duke whips Waller, Waller goes up but into the Electric Chair DROP! Duke brings Dragon up, Electric Chair DROP! Duke sees JD, he wants the trifecta! Electric Chair, but JD POISON-RANAS Duke!! Fans are freaking out, Waller runs in at JD but JD goes up and out! Waller hits buckles, JD trips him up then slingshots to TORNILLO SPLASH! Waller staggers, JD brings him up, DEVLINSIDE!! Cover, DIVING DOUBLE STMOPS from Dragon!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” for making this match happen!
Dragon brings JD up, but JD shoves him away. Dragon dodges, but JD puts him on the apron. JD swings but Dragon blocks to buckle bump and ROUNDHOUSE! JD staggers, Dragon goes up, but JD GAMANGIRIS! JD climbs up after Dragon, brings him up, but Dragon fights! JD sits down, Dragon hits him into the Tree of Woe! WOE STOMPS!! Dragon keeps moving and he DIVES onto Duke!! Dragon is still going, he watches JD get up! RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!?! JD survives and shocks Dragon! Fans argue the count on Dragon’s behalf but he just throws hands on JD. Waller returns but no stunner! V-TRIGGER!
JD JAWBREAKERS Dragon! Duke returns to BOOT Waller to the desk! And then he breaks through to DOUBLE LARIAT JD and Dragon! Fans fire up, Duke gets Dragon up, Crucifix for the- RANA INTO BUCKLES! JD SHOTGUNS Duke down! JD runs in, Dragon SNAP GERMANS! JD flops all the way out of the ring! Dragon drags Duke up, reels him in, and gets him up!? SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! High stack, SLINGSHOT STUNNER from Waller!! Waller takes the cover, and takes the win!!
Winner: Grayson Waller, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship)
The Grayson Waller Effect takes over as he snipes this win! Waller goes to the ramp and says he IS NXT, that this is HIS house, but here comes Melo! Waller grins, and turns around to look at the champion. A new champion and a new contender, but who will be the one running things after Spring Breakin’?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT here to keep things rolling. Spring Breakin’ is coming back, and a bit of a surprise to me since we’re also getting NXT Battlegrounds at the end of May. I guess they want something to wrap up certain stories before going towards the Premium Live Event. Great promo at the beginning to set up the main event, though Melo should’ve gotten more annoyed that, after he said you don’t interrupt the champ, people kept interrupting him. And great MVP award ceremony for Chase U, with Duke humble bragging and being rather selfish. Bron showing up during this segment was a nice surprise, and I kinda like his logic that the NXT Championship is just holding him back. It’s a sign he’s ready to move on to RawDown.
Great Fatal 4 Way main event, too, with everyone looking great. While Duke is just a moment away from becoming smug Heel again, fans still love him. But as Melo is now top Face and Waller is of course top Heel, they’re a natural choice for a match-up. But even if it’s a themed episode, that’s still on free TV, so Melo is gonna get his first defense in the books before we see what Battleground has for us. I hope Dragon Lee moves over to the Heritage Cup story like they teased last week. Noam Dar had a good promo to help get viewers who never watched NXT UK familiar with him. Honestly, why not give us a Heritage Rules Tournament to lead to Battleground and the winner faces Dar for the cup?
Good stuff from the Kiana story, but of course she and Fallon lose. Their story is going to now be Kiana more or less turning Jensen against Briggs & Fallon, and we probably get a Mixed Tag to finally put this away. As for Dawn & Fyre, we’re gonna need some new teams to give them contenders, I can only think of Katana & Kayden as the other team in the Women’s Tag Division. Maybe Dani & Sol can be a duo since they’ve now been established as friends. Good TikTok promo and great match from Sol and Tiffany. Commentary might be right, these two are probably going to lead the way for the division very soon. But Tiffany gets the win because she’s being built as top Heel in the Women’s Division.
Very good promo from Gigi, but… was that really the house she grew up in? That’d be pretty bold to do for this. But whenever Jacy is back to 100%, we’ll definitely get another match between them. Good promo from Cora, though maybe a little slow in pace and one bit too long. If she was interrupted by Lyra when she was calling Lyra out, that’d fit better. And I do appreciate that NXT didn’t just drop the story between these two. Though, where the hell was Stevie Turner in all this? Anyway, Lyra VS Cora will happen, Cora will probably cheat to win even though Lyra should win to humble her momentarily.
Decent promo from Scrypts, but they had a really missed opportunity to say “a kid behind the mask” instead of “the guy behind the mask.” It isn’t the strongest response to being humiliated in that failed sneak attack, but whatever. NXT Anonymous is still at it, and it has to be a group rather than one person because of how they get all over the place. Good promo from Roxie, Tony, Stacks and Zoey, and great ambush from Pretty Deadly. We’ll get matches out of both those stories and the winners can move up in the title races. Good match from Dragunov VS Von, and I figured Dragunov would win. Von struggling on his own might actually be a good story for him.
Really good promo from Wes with Gulak and Dempsey. Wes VS Dempsey will be great stuff and I can’t wait to see it. Good promo from Diamond Mine, good stuff out of Gallus and Schism backstage, and what a great way to elevate Tank Ledger’s in-ring debut by having him face Joe Coffey. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger should definitely be a team. Hank & Tank going to the top of the tag division together in late 2023! And while word was that Jagger & Rip (James Drake & Zack Gibson) wanted out of NXT, they’re still here. If that’s the case, can it at least mean they shake the Schism gimmick and return to Grizzled Young Veterans? Granted, being scam artists wasn’t a better gimmick, but they were a lot more fun as the team SSSSOOOON~ to be recognized as the best team in the WWE.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Will the Mad King regret this gamble?
Before putting both belts on the line against Katsuyori Shibata at AEW WrestleDream, Eddie Kingston defends his NJPW Strong title against Rocky Romero! Will plans have to change all thanks to Azucar?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party; The Acclaimed & Billy win and retain the titles.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero; Eddie wins and retains the title.
- The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar; The Righteous win.
- AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida; Shida wins and will challenge Saraya for the title on Title Tuesday, October 10th.
PLAY BY PLAY
AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party!
The open challenge was put forth, and it was answered very quickly! Will Matt, Jeff & Brother Zay DELETE the Scissor World Tour? Or will Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Daddy Ass keep the party going?
But of course, Platinum Max has a diss track! “Acclaimed on the mic, ’bout to leave these dudes up in smoke! Y’know we comin’ like the Colorado Buffalos! Matt, I don’t want any heat! I don’t need your crazy ass wife sendin’ me tweets! It’s the one guy in Private Party! Nowadays, he gets tag teamed by the Hardys! Jeff, I’m a leave you black in both eyes! You gonna need these sunglasses like Coach Prime.” Bowens takes the mic to say “COLORADOOOO~! The Acclaimed have arrived! Scissor Me, Daddy Ass~!” And he does! The belts are raised, and we see who survives WrestleDream weekend!
The trios sort out and Bowens starts against Kassidy. They shake hands, tie up, and Bowens waistlocks. Kassidy drop toeholds, facelocks but Bowens slips free to wrench. Kassidy rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Bowens powers out to headlock but Kassidy powers out, only for Bowens to run him over! Bowens self-scissors, then things speed up. Kassidy hurdles, Bowens shoves then follows but Kassidy arm-drags! Bowens arm-drags! Bowens blocks Kassidy’s arm-drag to whip, but Kassidy wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Bowens stands, into a RANA! Kassidy then pounds the mat and fans fire up.
Bowens kicks but Kassidy blocks to spin him. Kassidy kicks but Bowens blocks to flip him! Bowens then kicks, kicks and KOTARO KRUSHER! Fans fire up, “EVERYONE Loves The Acclaimed!” Bowens drags Kassidy up, tags in Caster, and they double whip. Kassidy holds ropes, TOSSES Bowens then BOOTS Caster! Tag to Matt and Matt BOOTS Caster! Kassidy hits a NECKBREAKER, Jeff tags in to go up, for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Jeff snapmares Caster to then NECK SNAPPER! Fans fire up with Jeff and he waits on Caster to stand. Kick but no Twist as Caster slips free! Jeff ducks the backhand to SPIN KICK!
Jeff CLUBS Caster, Caster scrambles away, tags to Billy and Matt! Fans fire up as Matt says “DELETE! DELETE!” Billy says “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” And repeat! Then Billy headlocks! Matt throws body shots, powers out, but Billy runs Matt over! Billy flexes and does a dance, and then he runs in. Matt ELBOWS Billy, BOOTS him, then bumps him off buckles! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Billy gets all three layers, and Matt tags Jeff. Jeff tags Kassidy, and the Hardys set up fort he classic POETRY IN MOTION! Then Kassidy adds PARTY IN MOTION! But The Acclaimed CLOBBER Kassidy & The Hardys!
Fans fire up as Caster has Kassidy up to scoop and SLAM! Billy helps get the legs, and Bowens goes up to SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Kassidy squeals before impact! Cover, TWO! Kassidy survives but The Acclaimed have control as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Billy brings Kassidy up, bumps him off buckles, and he hears the fans singing. Billy ROCKS Kassidy with a right, apologizes to the ref, then tags to Bowens. Bowens drags Kassidy up to ROCK him with haymaker after haymaker! Bowens then brings Kassidy up to tag in Caster. They double suplex Kassidy, Caster covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Caster keeps Kassidy down with a chinlock while fans rally up. Kassidy fights to his feet, throws body shots, and he fires forearms as Rampage returns to single picture. Kassidy runs but Caster CLOBBERS him! Tag to Billy and they mug Kassidy.
Billy brings Kassidy to an open corner, stomps and ROCKS him on repeat, then lets off to smirk at the Hardys. He dares them to do something, but Matt tells Billy to suck it! So Billy DECKS Matt! Billy runs corner to corner but Kassidy dodges! The splash hits buckles and Billy falls back! Fans rally up as both men crawl, but Billy gets Kassidy’s leg! Kassidy stands up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Jeff! Jeff rallies on Billy, on Bowens, and on Caster! Fans fire up and Jeff clotheslines Billy up and out! Jeff CLOBBS Bowens, then catches him for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Leg hook cradle! Cover, Caster breaks it!
Caster helps Bowens up, then runs in, but Jeff ELBOWS caster and ROCKS Bowens! Jeff goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Jeff gets both Caster and Bowens but everyone is down! Billy returns, kicks low, says ‘SUCK IT!” and runs, but Jeff dodges! Matt kicks Billy for a TWIST OF FATE! Jeff hurries up top, fans fire up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Bowens breaks it in time! Matt CLUBS Bowens, Bowens hits back, and Bowens calls to Caster. They whip Matt to a corner, forearm then ELBOW then forearm again! And a feed to the POWERSLAM! ROLLING ELBOW for Jeff! The Acclaimed regroup, and Billy crawls to the corner.
Fans fire up as Billy drags Jeff over. Jeff gets loose, hot tags to Kassidy and Bowens! Kassidy dodges Bowens to DROPKICK Caster! “This is Awesome!” as Kassidy BOOTS Bowens! Kassidy goes up, leaps, FLYING FLATLINER! Billy stands, runs in, but Kassidy dumps him out! Kassidy slingshots out then QUEBRADAS to take Billy down! Kassidy mocks the scissoring, then tells Bowens to get up. Kassidy springboards in, but Bowens dodges and Caster BACKHANDS Kassidy! Then Bowens BACKHANDS Kassidy! Bowens fires off the Five Tool Strike Fest! Caster hoists Kassidy up and Bowens helps, to give Kassidy the PLATINUM BOMB! Cover, The Acclaimed win!
Winners: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Championships)
A huge win for the champions, and the Scissor World Tour continues! In fact, it is heading to Seattle for WrestleDream’s Zero Hour! TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito are waiting, will they show The Acclaimed that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Eddie Kingston speaks.
“Well folks, tonight, it’s me and Big Rock, Rocky Romero, for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship. Rock, I got nothing but respect for you, dawg, so it’s gonna be an honor and a pleasure to defend this against you. You’re the man that got me into the G1. You’re the man that got me-” Wait, Team Triple J is interrupting. Jay Lethal says that if we’re talking honor and respect, Eddie is standing here with two titles on his shoulders, and that is worth respecting. But Lethal can’t get behind how Eddie is the ROH World Champion. Lethal dedicated his life to that title! His blood, sweat, tears, all to honor a tradition that meant that every person to hold that title would be a pure athlete!
And Eddie, you are no pure athlete! Now as for this NJPW Strong Openweight title, Lethal doesn’t care if Eddie wins it or loses it here tonight. He really doesn’t. But he just cares that Eddie is unfit to be ROH World Champion! Eddie says okay, he’s got Lethal. But excuse his back, he’s gotta go beat up Romero. The Mad King leaves, but will he still have both crowns going into WrestleDream?
AEW shares an interview from after last week’s Collision.
Lexi Nair was with Andrade El Idolo after he was bandaged up from the beating Bullet Club Gold gave him. He almost won, but Juice Robinson interfered. What was that about? Andrade says everyone saw that Andrade had White beat. But the question for Juice is… “Do you have a problem with me? With Andrade El Idolo? Lemme tell you something. See you Saturday in Seattle!” Andrade wants his revenge on Rock Hard, will he get it on WrestleDream Eve?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero!
The Mad King beat Kenta at NJPW Independence Day back in July to have his first singles title under the NJPW banner. And now he defends it against Azucar as a favor for getting him in the door. Will Rocky repay this favor by taking this title from Eddie? Or will Eddie still head to Seattle as a double champion?
The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and fans rally up for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” The two circle, Rocky tests things with a kick but Eddie stays back. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Eddie waistlocks, Rocky wrenches, wristlocks, but Eddie clinches. Fans rally, Rocky keeps on the wristlock but Eddie powers through to wrench and wristlock back. Rocky rolls, breaks free and DROPKICKS! Fans are torn as Rocky swaggers, but he and Eddie reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Rocky knees low. Rocky headlocks, grinds the hold, but Eddie powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, but Eddie stays up with a smirk.
Fans fire up as Rocky smirks back, but then pie faces Eddie! Rocky runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Eddie bails out, Rocky builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit but Eddie stays up, so Rocky goes again! DIVE and Eddie drops to his knees! Rocky keeps going, and he DIVES for the hattrick, only for Eddie to catch him! Stalling suplex, to the floor! Fans rally behind Eddie while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Eddie stands, stretches out his back, and then he gets Rocky up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Eddie keeps cool, and also chooses not to rain down fists, instead clamping on a chinlock. Rocky endures as Eddie grinds him down, and fans rally up. Eddie cranks the headlock but Rocky refuses to give up. Rocky fights up, throws elbows, but Eddie knees him low! Eddie whips to knee low again, then whips for another knee! Eddie whips but Rocky rolls him up, TWO! Rocky BUZZSAWS Eddie, then TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down and a standing count begins. Rocky stirs at 3, crawls over, and he brings Eddie up.
Eddie pushes Rocky, runs, but into an IRON OCTOPUS! Eddie endures, pries at the hold, and pops free, only for Rocky to wrangle him with a ghost pin! TWO, and Eddie goes to ropes. Rocky storms up, KICKS Eddie in the back, but Eddie just grimaces. Eddie eggs Rocky on so Rocky KICKS him again! Eddie growls and eggs Rocky on more as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Rampage returns and Eddie suplexes, but Rocky knees free! Rocky knees low, Eddie rebounds, but into a JUMP KNEE! Eddie goes to ropes, Rocky storms over and brings him up through the ropes, to KICK! Eddie eggs Rocky on even though he’s stuck, so Rocky SLAPS Eddie! Eddie SLAPS Rocky! Rocky SOBATS! Then Rocky goes up a corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this and Rocky argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Rocky drags Eddie up, cravats, but no Sliced Bread! Eddie runs in to clothesline in the corner! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up and Eddie hoists Rocky up top!
Eddie climbs up behind Rocky, stands him up, but Rocky throws hands! Rocky CLUBS Eddie, cravats, and hits SUPER SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Eddie survives, and Rocky grits his teeth. Rocky pumps up and fans rally. Rocky runs in to clothesline! That’s one-ever! Two-ever! But URAKEN stops that! URAKEN again!! Eddie drags Rocky into the STRETCH PLUM!! Rocky taps, Eddie wins!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by submission (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Azucar could not dethrone The Mad King, but he still shows Eddie respect with a handshake and hug. Eddie is still NJWP Strong, but will he have to fight even harder to survive The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata?
Wait! That’s Shibata’s music! Shibata is HERE! He goes into the ring and shakes hands with Eddie. These two respect each other, and that means they will give it everything they’ve got! Will Eddie still be a two belt king? Or will Shibata become a TRIPLE CROWN Champion?
Aussie Open speaks.
Mark Davis says he is so tired. So tired of hearing the “top blokes” walk around here the last year, hubris unchecked, lying to the people that they are the best in the world. Kyle Fletcher says that for the last 365 days, everything Aussie Open has done has been to get back to FTR. When FTR beat them a year ago, it broke Fletcher. Fletcher felt like a failure and felt lost. So what he wants more than anything is to make FTR feel that pain. This Sunday, Aussie Open takes the AEW World Tag Team Championships, burns down the legacy of #7StarFTR, and from the ashes, rebuild a new empire that they will stand atop of to proclaim that THEY are the best tag team in the world!
The Aussie Arrow and Dunkzilla are ready to bring down Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, will they fulfill that WrestleDream?
The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar!
Speaking of tag titles, Dutch & Vincent are aimed at the ROH World Tag Team Championships! However, Adam Cole will be out with injury so it’ll just be Maxwell Jacob Friedman meeting them in Seattle. Will this tune-up prove to be more than enough going into that tag title handicap match?
The teams sort out, but then Dutch just CLOBBERS Crush & Gunnar! Fans boo as Dutch says just a few more days and those titles will be theirs! Vincent rains down fists on Crush, then drags him up to UPPERCUT! Vincent bumps Crush off buckles, tags in Dutch, and the Righteous mugs Crush before the BOSS MAN SLAM! Gunnar staggers up but Dutch feeds him to Vinnie’s KNEE! Then Vinnie feeds him to a BOSS MAN SLAM! Tag to Vinnie, fans are torn as the Righteous pace around Crush. Vinnie snaps his fingers, then cravats, AUTUMN SUNSET! Cover, Righteous win!
Winners: The Righteous, by pinfall
A swift and dominant win, these are the two men coming for the tag titles! Will The Righteous purge ROH of the “false friendship” that is the brochachos? Or are even two Righteous men combined not on the level of the Devil?
Ortiz sits alone in a room.
He looks back on his career alongside Mike Santana. They were at the top of their game coming into AEW, but then it ended up going downhill. There’s even audio from Konnan touching on how Ortiz and Santana stopped talking to each other and how Konnan was saddened by that. Ortiz has the footage stop there. What will it take for him to get Santana to talk to him?
Darby Allin speaks.
After replaying what Christian Cage said just last Wednesday on Dynamite, the Relentless One reiterates that he is NOT losing in Seattle, Washington! Will Darby defend home turf against Captain Charisma?
Nick Wayne speaks.
He knows Darby has a lot to say about Christian Cage, and all of that will be part of the Countdown special. But Nick also knows Darby’s actions will speak louder than his words at WrestleDream. And although Darby told Nick not to be there ringside, Nick doesn’t really want to anyway because of what Christian & Luchasaurus are capable of. So, while they let Christian and Darby settle their business, how about Nick and Luchasaurus settle theirs? For months and months, Luchasaurus walked around here while another man held his title. And Luchasaurus followed Christian around like he was some kind of father figure.
And Nick isn’t sure what it is about Christian where he thinks he can even be such a figure to “us Lost Boys,” but Nick had a father. And he told Nick at a young age “to never leave your debts unpaid.” Nick owes Luchasaurus. At Wembley Stadium, Luchasaurus choke slammed Nick onto a skateboard and Nick never forgot it. Nick will repay Luchasaurus this Sunday during Zero Hour. And Nick will even hand Luchasaurus a receipt. Nick brings his own skateboard, will he grind it right into the Right Hand of Destruction?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
AEW is going to do it big for WrestleDream Eve as, with Zack Sabre Jr. on commentary, we see an 8 Man Tag! FTR teams with Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta to take on Aussie Open, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey! Plus, Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega test their tag team chemistry against The Gates of Agony! Will The Ocho & The Cleaner survive Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun to take on the Don Callis Family? And Julia Hart gets in action to build some last minute momentum, will she be ready for Kris Statlander and their TBS Championship match set for Sunday?
Backstage interview with Zack Sabre Jr.
Renee Paquette is with The Front Man of TMDK, and says we’re just days away from WrestleDream, where ZSJ takes on The American Dragon, Bryan Danielson. ZSJ just came off a three week tour in NJPW and just got here to the States, is he worried at all about acclimating? ZSJ asks Bryan “Dragon Bullocks” Danielson, “Where are you, darling?” As Renee just said, ZSJ got off a 16 hour flight from Tokyo and is feeling fresh as a daisy. But perhaps this company’s keeping Bryan wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, or keeps him in a giant Zorb ball. At this point, a strong gust of wind will knock Bryan over.
And is ZSJ supposed to be honored that Bryan chose him as part of the year long retirement tour? Newsflash: Bryan barely has a weekend. This Sunday isn’t just about finding out who the best technical wrestler is, no no. Bryan has retired once in Seattle, so ZSJ will make it final. Ya like that? The final retirement~! Submissions in Seattle, see you on Sunday. The NJPW World Television Champion has put Bryan on notice, but will he be able to slay the American Dragon?
AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida!
While the Outcasts stand at two members, Saraya is looking forward to a friendly showdown with the Runaway in a little under two weeks! But will Ruby make sure there is No Future for the Shining Samurai? Or will Shida take down one Outcast to go after another?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans fire up as Ruby and Shida step up, and they’re on Shida’s side. Ruby shoves, runs, and RAMS Shida, but Shida just fires up! Ruby headlocks, Shida throws body shots, and then she powers out. Shida then runs past Ruby to run Ruby over! Fans duel, Shida has the majority, and she goes to the corner. Shida climbs up but Ruby slips away before any fists can rain down! Shida is annoyed but she waits on Ruby to return. Ruby takes her time going to the apron, steps in at 6 of 10 but wants Shida to stay back. Shida gets annoyed as the ref keeps her back, but then Ruby pulls Shida’s hair to throw her down!
Ruby throws hands, puts Shida in the corner, then RAMS into her again and again! Fans boo but Ruby runs, only to miss! Shida ROCKS Ruby, then climbs up to rain down fists! Ruby gets away before three, runs back in but into a BOOT! Shida bumps Ruby off buckles, climbs up and rains down those fists! Ruby slips out at five to YANK Shida down! Ruby whips, Shida goes up and CROSSBODIES! Shida then drags Ruby up, puts her in yet another corner, and tries one more time! Shida rains down fists, and goes all the way to TEN! Fans fire up with Shida and she kicks Ruby out, to then MISSILE DROPKICK!
Fans fire up as Shida drags Ruby up, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Ruby CLUBS away on Shida to stop the lift, then shoves her to a corner. Ruby runs in, Shida dodges, but Ruby ELBOWS her! Ruby goes up to hit DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby digs Shida into the buckles, lets off as the ref counts, and then brings Shida up to snapmare. Ruby covers, TWO! Ruby throws down fists now, but lets off with a smug smirk. Ruby puts Shida on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Ruby lets off, and then Ruby has Shida in the ropes to throw knees! A shoutout to Saraya, and Ruby lets off at 4. Ruby stalks Shida, looms over her, and pushes her around. Shida pushes back but Ruby eggs her on.
Shida ROCKS Ruby, then fires again! Ruby claws Shida’s face! And throws her down by her hair again! The ref reprimands, but Ruby clamps on a straitjacket stretch! Shida endures, but Ruby grinds her into the mat! Fans rally, Shida fights up, and she arm-drags free! Ruby returns to CLOBBER Shida! Cover, TWO! Ruby is annoyed but Shida grabs at Ruby’s hair! Ruby CLUBS Shida, drags her up, and stomps a hand! Shida scrambles to a corner while the ref reprimands but Ruby stomps a mudhole in. Ruby lets off as the ref counts, and Ruby storms around. Shida drags herself up, but Ruby CHOKES her on the ropes!
The ref counts while Ruby BITES Shida’s ear! Ruby lets off at 4, drags Shida up, but Shida ROCKS her! And again! And again! And again! But Ruby knees low! Ruby talks trash, whips Shida to ropes, but Shida ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS knock both women down! Rampage returns to single picture as the standing count climbs. Fans rally, both women are down at 5 of 10 but Shida goes to ropes. Shida snarls, she and Ruby stand at 7, and they storm up. Shida fires a forearm, Ruby gives it back! Shida throws another, so Ruby gives it back! They go back and forth, harder and harder, faster and faster!
Ruby gets the edge, but Shida ROCKS her! And ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! Shida whips to JUMP KNEE! Shida then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shida fires up again and the fans are with her! Shida aims, KATA- NO, Ruby ducks and bails out! Fans boo but Shida goes out to pursue! Shida runs in, jumps off the steps, and DROPKICKS Ruby down! Fans fire up again and Shida stands Ruby up. Shida torture racks Ruby, then goes to the ramp!? Fans are thunderous but Ruby fights free! They throw forearms, and CHOPS! Shida CLUBS Ruby, Ruby throws body shots, but the count is climbing!
They both hear it’s 8 of 10 and start sprinting! They both slide in at 9.5!! Fans are thunderous and then Ruby swings, but Shida blocks! Ruby HEADBUTTS, blocks a kick, then KICKS back! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and Ruby grows frustrated. Ruby goes to a corner, and she takes Shida’s kendo stick for her own! The ref stops Ruby, takes the kendo stick, but then Ruby brings out the spray paint! Shida and the ref both block that and they’re all fighting over it! Down goes the ref!! Shida and Ruby are both stunned, but then Ruby HEADBUTTS! DESTINATION UNKNOWN! But no ref to count the cover!
Ruby is furious, she would’ve had this! But then she sees the kendo stick! Ruby grins as she wields Shida’s weapon! Fans boo, but Shida blocks the strike to kick and HEADSHOT! Then KATANA KICK!! Cover, but still no ref! Wait, here comes Aubrey! Aubrey slides in, counts the cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida fires up! Shida puts Ruby in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and she METE- NO! Ruby dodges to then STO! Ruby drags herself up the corner, goes to the very top, and STAGE DIVE SENTONS onto knees! And then FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida won’t stop there!
Shida hauls Ruby up but Ruby wrenches to NO FUTURE KICK! But Shida rebounds to KATANA!! Cover, Shida wins!!
Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Champion)
The Shining Samurai takes down The Runaway, but wait! Here comes Saraya! #TitleTuesday is coming, will that be a good Knight for the champ? Or will Shida take this belt back to become a historic THREE-TIME champion?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage, especially as the go-home to WrestleDream. I figured the title matches would end with the champions retaining, but we got really good stuff out of Acclaimed VS Hardy Party and Eddie VS Rocky. As for their title defenses on WrestleDream, I don’t see TMDK taking the trios titles as this will be their AEW debuts. And as I’ve said a few times already, Eddie isn’t losing both belts he worked so hard to have so soon. Plus, it feels like there’s some tension between NJPW the company and Shibata, or else Shibata would already be NJPW Strong Openweight Champion and not one of ROH’s champs.
Speaking of Eddie, good promo from him before his match with Rocky, and good interaction with Team Triple J. I wasn’t exactly expecting Jay Lethal to be Eddie’s first actual feud for the ROH World Championship, but I suppose it does make sense as Lethal was a major player in ROH. I hope these guys actually show up on ROH programming, but also, Tony Khan wants this feud to be seen so it’ll end up on AEW programming instead. Y’know, just like all these other ROH title stories outside of the AEW Women’s title.
Good squash from The Righteous, and I’m really curious as to how the tag title match goes on Sunday. There’s a lot of stuff MJF still has to do with Cole, Roddy and The Kingdom, and now this intrigue with Jay White, Bullet Club Gold and the backstage attack at the end of Dynamite. I still feel it should’ve been The Kingdom in the PPV match anyway, but it seems they were going to drag this story out even before Cole hurt his foot. Good promo from Nick Wayne to call out Luchasaurus, but I feel like Luchasaurus ends up winning that match just to make a point of Nick not being able to show up ringside for Darby.
Good promo from Andrade to call out Juice for this week’s Collision, and I’m still wondering if/when La Faccion Ingobernable helps Andrade against Bullet Club Gold. For that matter, why can’t MJF be paying LFI to beat up on White and the BCG? He’s had business dealings with Andrade & Rush before, let’s strike that up again for some continuity. Really good promo from Aussie Open ahead of their tag title match, and from ZSJ to call out Bryan. That 8 Man Tag tomorrow night is going to be good stuff, and perhaps rather telling about where the PPV matches go. The only reason I don’t see Aussie Open winning against FTR is because of that big Fatal 4 Way tag contenders match, but who knows, maybe Aussie Open wins to bring the AEW belts to NJPW events as they take on like Goto & Hashi.
And of course, a great main event from Shida and Ruby. Seems a little silly to set up Ruby as a contender, wouldn’t that just end up in a Finger Poke of Doom situation with Saraya? Which therefore meant Shida was winning. Saraya VS Shida for this Title Tuesday Dynamite is going to be good stuff, but something makes me feel like Ruby is just gonna help Saraya retain. And not to be mean to Shida, but if she’s already a two-time champ, I don’t see her becoming three-time so soon. Why not get Shida in on the TBS Championship story? Britt Baker wants to be the first to have held both titles in AEW, but Shida should want that distinction, too. Then that lets us have Britt VS Shida as we should’ve gotten by now given everything else we’ve been seeing lately.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (9/29/23)
King VS Emperor to determine a champion!
One way or another, the US title belongs to the LWO!
Rey Mysterio defends his WWE United States Championship against friend and protege, Santos Escobar! But will things stay friendly between them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson; Jimmy wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes; Theory wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar; Rey wins and retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL; Charlotte wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is here!
Fans boo as Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa & Paul Heyman head to the ring. And Jimmy is definitely hyped over how he and Solo took down AJ Styles and John Cena, putting the tag team match at Fastlane into question. Heyman has the mic to introduce himself, but the fans keep on booing. His name isn’t “Boo,” he’s Paul! Heyman! And tonight, a rare opportunity that he doesn’t have to do this into the phone but live to the world here from SmackDown, in the hell hole of Sacramento, California. “We ACKNOWLEDGE our Tribal Chief!” The Bloodline throws up the ones, and Heyman says, “And so do each and every single one of you!”
The fans boo, though some do raise the fingers. Heyman asks us why do they acknowledge Roman… Reigns? Because it is in Roman’s name that last week, the second greatest of all time, John Cena, took a beating at the hands of the Bloodline in a way Cena hasn’t taken in at least a decade. And to wit, Heyman calls our attention to the Bloodline version of the Zapruder Film. Heyman plays footage from just last week, where Cena was the only one who signed the contract to have a match for Fastlane. Cena hoped AJ Styles was going to be his partner, but then the Bloodline struck first and hospitalized AJ Styles.
And back to present, fans are booing but Jimmy’s almost cracking up. Heyman says not to get involved in Cena’s business, but a little birdie told Heyman that there are some transportation issues this evening. And while Cena is expected to make it here, you can’t see him because Cena is NOT here. But y’know who else ain’t here? AJ Styles! And why is that? Because he’s lying in a hospital bed, watching them on SmackDown and- Jimmy holds his hand out for the mic? Heyman says he wasn’t done but Jimmy snatches the mic. “Sacramento! The Bloodline is now in your city!” Heyman sighs while Jimmy raises the one.
Jimmy tells the Wise Man, you are too kind. The real reason Cena isn’t here tonight is because he’s scared! Scared of one JIM USO! Jimmy says if Cena is smart, he’ll stay far, far away. If not, they’ll take care of him like they did the Phenomenal One! The one who built the house, place, face- KARL ANDERSON CLOBBERS SOLO! Then he TACKLES Jimmy! Jimmy gets up but Karl clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up for Karl as he represents for The OC! Karl says he told Styles not to get in Bloodline business and now Styles is in the hospital. So now, this is OC business! Any one of them, get in the ring with him!
Fans fire up but Heyman has Solo stand down. Heyman whispers things to The Enforcer, and then Solo tells Jimmy to handle this or he’ll do it for him. Jimmy says he’s got this. Solo doesn’t return the high-five, but will Jimmy return fire on the Machine Gun?
Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson!
SmackDown returns and the match is going as Karl bumps Jimmy off buckles! Then CHOPS! And fires off haymakers! The ref counts, Karl lets off but then stomps a mudhole! Karl lets off to tell Heyman & Solo they made this personal. Karl stands Jimmy up but Jimmy swings. Karl dodges to JUMP KICK! Karl says he told Styles not to get involved but too late now. Karl whips, Jimmy BOOTS back! Jimmy runs, but Karl gives him a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Heyman is worried but Solo is stoic as Jimmy survives. Karl storms up on Jimmy, UPPERCUTS him to the corner, then UPPERCUTS again!
Karl brings Jimmy up to the top rope, ROCKS him with rights, then climbs. Solo steps forward and that distracts Karl, as well as the ref. Jimmy CLAWS Karl’s eyes! The ref misses it but fans boo as Jimmy rains down fists on Karl. Jimmy snarls, goes to a corner, and he SUPERKICKS Karl down! Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and scowls at the booing fans before the USO SPLASH! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Heyman is relieved and he whispers something more to Solo. Jimmy may be getting himself into trouble, but he’s also getting himself out, will this get Jimmy back in the Bloodline?
Wait, Karl isn’t done! He gets up to throw more hands with Jimmy! Solo storms in to hit the SAMOAN SPIKE! Solo roars as Karl is down, no back-up even possible with both Styles and Gallows hurt. Is the OC no longer a problem for The Bloodline? Wait, Michin is here! She SLAPS Jimmy right down! Fans are thunderous as she storms to the ring. Jimmy asks what the heck! Mia Yim packs a punch, will that knock some sense into Jimmy?
Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.
Cathy Kelley is with The Emperor of Lucha, and says that he faces his mentor and LWO teammate, Rey Mysterio. Where is his mind at tonight? Santos says his mind is focused, but his stomach has butterflies. But this match is about heart. And Santos has already said this is a dream match for him, and he has been working his entire life for it. Now, with the whole world watching, he has a chance to make the dream come true. He never gives up on his dreams, and he will fight for them, so Rey is in for the fight of his life. May the best man win. Will it be Emperor or King of Lucha that reigns as the United States Champion?
The Bloodline regroups backstage.
Jimmy is fuming and he yells at a production staff member just for looking at him. He asks another if they saw what happened, then just shoves the guy down! Jimmy storms off, Solo follows and Heyman has the staff relax. Then he puts in a call to Roman Reigns. What will The Tribal Chief have to say about Jimmy’s attitude?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect.
The Aussie Icon, the Moment Maker, the Dynamite From Down Under is already in the ring on his set, and he says what a wild night already. Cena may be the greatest of all time, but he ain’t the greatest at being on time! Hah! But don’t worry, because Waller is here to save the show. Fans boo but Waller thanks them. Waller’s guests just keep getting bigger, and this is literal given the physical specimen. He has done everything in the WWE as a performer, but not as a talent scout. But that’s alright, he gets what he’s always been missing: the Waller rub! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the All Mighty Bobby Lashley!
Fans cheer as Lashley makes his way out and Waller does some push-ups so he looks at least a little bigger standing next to him. They shake hands and then sit at the desk. Waller says he wasn’t lying when the guests keep getting bigger, right? How does he fit into the suit? But Waller appreciates Lashley being on the show, especially after the week he’s had. His boys, the Street Profits had a devastating loss last week. Lashley says he made a mistake. He was looking for the next big thing, he thought the Profits had what it takes to do whatever they want, but seems not. Back to the drawing board, huh?
Wow, that must be hard for the Profits to hear. But yeah, if you’re looking for a tag team, they need to be willing to do whatever it takes. A team with unbridled charisma! A team that is undefeated! Maybe a team like Austin Theory & Grayson Waller! Lashley’s stare makes Waller slow his roll. Lashley knows all about Theory, that’s a pass. Yeah, but Theory’s changed! If you get to know him, he’s a good bloke! And- Wait! Here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins came dressed to match Lashley, and Lashley seems rather upset and confused. The Profits step into the ring, mics in their hands.
Lashley steps to them, and he stops Dawkins before he gets started. No excuses, no reasons. If they want something out of Lashley, they need to prove it. Lashley goes to leave, and then the Profits look to each other. They storm out after Lashley and get up in his face! Lashley says he told them what to do. Now go do it. He keeps on moving, and Waller says how awkward. Hey, light the beam for the 153 million hit man, Austin Theory! Theory makes his entrance, walking past Lashley on the stage, and then continues down the ramp. He smirks at the Profits and goes to the steps, with Waller being the only one cheering.
But will it be A-Town Down as Theory faces Cameron Grimes? Or will SmackDown go TO~ THE~ MOON~?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes!
SmackDown returns, Theory is busy looking at NXT’s Dragon Lee watching from the front row, and the bell rings. Theory turns around into a BOOT from Grimes! Grimes fires off KICKS, UPPERCUTS, and then CHOPS! Grimes whips, Theory reverses but Grimes CLOBBERS Theory! Grimes keeps moving and he CLOBBERS Theory again! Atomic drop, then KICK! Then a KICK, run, and SHOTGUN dropkick! Cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE! Theory scrambles, Grimes has the leg, and Grimes drags Theory back. Theory kicks free, Waller coaches Theory up and Theory ELBOWS Grimes! And throat chops!
Theory throws down clubbing hands while fans boo, but Theory shouts at everyone. Theory brings Grimes up, talks trash, but Grimes eggs him on! Grimes fires off fists, body shots, then backs Theory to a corner. Grimes whips, Theory reverses, then Theory runs in. Theory blocks a boot but Grimes ENZIGURIS! Grimes goes up, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Theory hangs tough and Waller relaxes. Grimes aims, and he BUZZ- NO, Theory ducks! So Grimes backflips to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Theory survives but Grimes storms up on him in the corner. Grimes KICKS Theory against ropes!
Grimes runs, then he clotheslines Theory out of the ring! Grimes goes to the apron, and he PENALTY KICKS Theory down! Fans fire up with the Carolina Caveman as he takes it to Mr. ATL. Waller talks trash, though, and Grimes stares him down. Theory POSTS Grimes in the distraction! Waller laughs, Theory drags Grimes up and in, and then Theory slingshots. Somersault SHOTGUN! Grimes staggers into the fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN! Cover, Theory wins!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall
Waller’s a baller with that assist to his boy, and The Now comes out on top! Will these two look to take over SmackDown one win at a time? Theory also talks some trash on Dragon, then pie faces him! So Dragon hits back! Fans fire up but the ref keeps Theory back. Dragon is here as a guest, but Waller says Dragon can’t do nothing anyway. Will this duo hope Boy Wonder stays away from this brand?
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
Kayla Braxton is with the US Champion and says earlier tonight, Santos said this wasn’t just a dream match, but the fight of their lives. What is Rey’s response? Rey says LWO is familia and will always be that. But he knows how hard Santos has worked to get here. Heck, Rey grew up watching Santos’ father, El Fantasma. So Rey has nothing but love and respect for Santos. But be careful what you wish for. Every time Rey steps in the ring, he expects the best of his opponent and brings the best in return. So Santos, like they say, this IS the fight of their lives! May the best man win. Rey seems to feel the same way as Santos, but will either man still feel good after taking a loss?
The Bloodline is beating up Ashante THEE Adonis?!
B-Fab shouts for Jimmy to stop but Jimmy stops when he says he’s stopping! Refs and producers rush in and Jimmy says okay, his bad, he’s done now. Adonis crawls away, but Solo is there! Jimmy says finish this, Solo! UREANGE through the table!! Hit Row suffers the wrath of The Bloodline, but when and where will it stop?
WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar!
SmackDown returns as Zelina is ringside for both men, and Santos makes his entrance. Santos says hola to Dragon before getting in the ring. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who holds gold for the L W O!
The bell rings and fans fire up as the two tie up. They go around, Santos waistlocks but Rey works on an escape. Santos holds tight, they sit down, and Rey moves around. Rey fights up, jumps, but Santos holds on during the flying mare! Santos shifts to go for an abdominal stretch but Rey fights it to have a toehold. Fans rally and duel, Santos chinlocks but Rey pulls on the leg. Santos uses that to body scissor, and he rolls Rey to a cover, ONE! Rey is still stuck in the scissors but he moves around. Rey claws at the hold, Santos shifts and has the back mount to then roll Rey again. Rey slips free and the two stand off.
Fans cheer as Rey and Santos reset. Santos trips Rey, blocks the headscissor, but Rey gets up. Santos wrenches, wristlocks, but Rey flips through! Santos whips, Rey reverses but Santos reverses again. Rey is on the apron but he RAMS into Santos! Rey slingshots but Santos stops the rana to GAMANGIRI! Rey falls, Santos PLANCHAS! Down goes Rey at the ramp and Zelina is worried for both men as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Santos has Rey in a modified stretch. Rey endures, Santos shifts his grip, but Rey fights free. Santos has a hammerlock to keep Rey close, and Santos wrangles Rey down. Rey fights up, fans rally, and Rey jumps to hit that flying-mare! Fans fire up as Santos speeds things up and runs Rey over! Things keep moving, Rey dodges but Santos DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Rey hangs tough, and Zelina is again torn. She rallies the fans more for the LWO than for either man. Santos waistlocks, Rey switches, but Santos switches back. They go to ropes and Rey bucks the O’Conner.
Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA Santos outta the ring! Fans fire up and Rey builds speed, goes up the corner to PLANCHA! Down goes Santos! Fans fire up with Rey and he hears the ring count. Rey drags Santos up, puts him in at 6 of 10, and then climbs the corner. Santos stands, Rey SEATED SENTONS! Rey keeps moving, and he CLOBBERS Santos! Both men are down and fans rally up more. But wait, Jimmy and Solo are still wreaking havoc backstage? SAMOAN SPIKE for security! Jimmy says that guy won’t be Cena’s partner, either! Back to the ring, fans rally for “619! 619!” as Rey goes to ropes.
Santos stands, he rushes in to sunset flip, but Rey rolls through to BUZZSAW! Santos is dazed, Rey calls his shot and he drop toeholds Santos onto ropes! Rey dials it up as fans go wild, but Santos SUPERKICKS Rey outta the ring! Santos takes aim, builds speed, ARROW FROM HELL!! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes Rey! Santos catches his breath while he stands back up, and then he goes up the barriers? To MOONSAULT Rey on the ramp! Zelina is worried again but Santos puts Rey back in the ring. Rey staggers and goes to the far side but Santos takes aim. “This is Awesome!” as Santos spells it out, “L! W! O!”
Santos goes corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES! Rey wobbles, but Santos puts him back in the corner. Santos goes again, DOUBLE KNEES! Santos hoists Rey up top, climbs up after him, but Rey HEADBUTTS! Rey fires forearms and he knocks Santos down! Santos stands up while Rey steadies himself, but Santos GAMANGIRIS first! Santos climbs up again, goes to the very top, and he whistles for the SUPER STEINER! Zelina couldn’t even watch that, worried for both men. Santos goes to the apron, to SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and Santos is a bit surprised as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns yet again and Santos has Rey against ropes. Santos CHOPS, and fans “WOO~!” as Rey staggers. Santos whips, BOOTS, and then brings Rey around. Santos picks Rey up into a GORY ESPECIAL! Rey endures being bent back, and Santos even pulls on the arms! Fans rally, Rey fights against the hold, and pops free to arm-drag! Fans fire up as REy goes to a corner, and Santos runs in, only to be put on the apron! Santos GAMANGIRIS, Rey staggers, and then Santos fires up! Santos climbs, leaps, but Rey dodges and the crossbody flops! Rey lines up a shot, runs and springboards but then Santos dodges!
Rey and Santos are both down after those belly flops, and fans rally as both men rise up. Santos runs in, scoops Rey and hits a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally as Rey staggers up, but into a tilt-o-whirl torture rack! Santos runs around with Rey, then hits a RACK DROP! Cover, TWO!! Zelina is relieved again but Santos is surprised. Rey tells Santos to bring it on, there needs to be a winner. Santos storms up to CHOP! And whip, but Rey KICKS back! Rey runs to RAN- NO, Santos blocks that! Santos swings Rey up but Rey sunset flips! TWO!! Santos escapes and even Zelina is stunned! Fans fire up again, “This is Awesome!”
Rey runs in, Santos puts him on the apron but Rey ROCKS Santos first! Then Rey goes up a corner, brings Santos up to join him, and then adjusts position to fire off hands! Fans fire up as Rey calls the shot, but Santos drags Rey into a fireman’s carry! Rey fights with elbows, then pops up to SUPER RANA!! Fans are thunderous while Santos sits up in a daze! Rey DROPKICKS Santos onto ropes! Dial it up! 6 1 9 BLOCKED! Santos drags Rey into an Alabama Lift! But Rey holds the ropes for dear life! Rey then RANAS Santos back onto ropes, redials, and 619 HITS!!! Rey hurries up top, says hey to Eddie, and hit a FROG- NO!
Santos avoids the splash, CLUBS Rey, covers, TWO into the ghost pin! TWO!!! Both men escape by nanoseconds but Santos fireman’s carries! PHANTOM- TAKEDOWN! Rey has a spladle! REY WINS!!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
And the greatest luchador of all time comes out the champion! Santos is stunned, but Rey offers him a handshake of respect. They are still familiar, aren’t they? WAIT! The Profits attack!! Dawkins & Ford mug Rey & Santos, this must be how they’re proving Lashley wrong! They hit Escobar with a BIG LARIAT! Fans boo but here comes Lashley! The All Mighty says that’s it! That’s what he wanted! But then here comes the rest of the LWO! Lashley CLOBBERS Wilde while Ford & Dawkins mug Cruz! But Dragon Lee wants to get in! Security keeps him back, he’s just here as a guest! So Wilde is fed to the REVELATION!
The fans boo but The All Mighty has his Profits! Will they soon run SmackDown with iron fists?
The LWO regroups.
They’ve all got icepacks in the medical trainer’s room, and Kayla walks in to congratulate Rey on the win. But before the team could celebrate the moment, they got jumped by The Profits. Santos says sorry, excuse him, but the Profits ruined the moment! Rey says they beat the Profits last week, and now Lashley and them act like they run SmackDown! LWO challenges Lashley & The Profits to a match at Fastlane! Let’s see how tough they are when it’s fair and square! What will happen when these factions go to war in Indianapolis?
WWE announces a huge signing!
Former AEW TBS Champion and rising star, JADE CARGILL, is now with WWE! She got 20 MILLION views on a video just for showing up at the Performance Center! Will a storm be coming for the WWE Women’s Division?
John Cena arrives backstage!
He pulls in rather fast and furious, and he storms right into the arena, that tag match contract in his hands! Will Cena find someone Jimmy & Solo haven’t destroyed to sign on the dotted line? Is there even anyone left?
Pretty Deadly has a video message.
“On July 14th, 2023, Elton prince suffered a devastating shoulder injury. Despite all odds, he is on the road to recovery.” It’s another rehab workout montage, but Elton is still in the wheelchair… Elton works on reaching out for hot tags, swinging chairs, ends up rolling downhill during a celebration, and can’t even poke eyes properly. But as he continues to work at it, he has the courage to stand up and tag in Kit! #YESBOY! #EltonStrong.
The Brawling Brutes are watching this.
Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne look at each other, and neither of them can even process this. Dunne feels maybe they should’ve broken Elton’s leg. The idiots. Will Elton & Kit hope they can stay far, far, far away from Northern Grit and the Bruiserweight?
Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL!
The Queen did what she could to help The Empress of Tomorrow hold off the Evil Genius and her cohorts, but all that got them was a win for Iyo Sky and this rivalry rematch with the Role Model! Will Bayley make an example out of her fellow Horsewoman? Or will Charlotte make Bayley bow down?
SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance, Iyo and Dakota right behind her. But then Charlotte has Bayley hold on so she can get a mic. Charlotte has a question for Bayley: What’s happened to you? Bayley is one of the Four Horsewomen, but now she’s just happy carrying Iyo’s bags. Bayley has become a stepping stone while Charlotte is still the measuring stick. And in the end, it doesn’t matter. Bayley is just in Charlotte’s way. She’ll beat Bayley tonight, and then challenge Iyo for the WWE Women’s Championship at Fastlane! Fans fire up for that, and the bell rings. Bayley CLOBBERS Charlotte!
Bayley fires off, all riled up after what Charlotte said. DMG CTRL cheers and high-fives Bayley. Bayley CHOPS Charlotte, bumps her off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in! Bayley ROCKS Charlotte, lets off, and brings Charlotte around to whip. But Charlotte reverses to send Bayley into the corner, and she CHOPS! Fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte CHOPS again! Charlotte whips, Bayley reverses but Charlotte goes up and out to BOOT Bayley down! Iyo swipes at Charlotte, then Bayley BLASTS Charlotte down! Bayley goes out to the apron, to then FLYING ELBOW Charlotte down! DMG CTRL is fired up as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Charlotte is up top, to CROSSBODY Bayley down! Fans fire up with Charlotte as she storms around. Bayley flounders to ropes, stands up, and Charlotte CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And then CHOPS again! Fans fire up as Charlotte says one more, then CHOPS Bayley again! Charlotte swings, Bayley dodges but Charlotte scoops! FALL AWAY SLAM! Charlotte kips up and fans fire up again! Charlotte handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley is still in this but Charlotte knows she’s tough. Bayley bails out to the apron, Charlotte storms over, but Bayley HOTSHOTS!
Bayley slides in, waistlocks, but Charlotte bucks the O’Conner, to then trip Bayley! Bayley scrambles, Charlotte steps over to drop a knee on Bayley’s knee! Bayley goes to a corner and Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Bayley staggers, but she BOOTS back! But then Charlotte BOOTS back! Cover, TWO! Charlotte keeps her cool while the fans rally up. Charlotte steps on Bayley and goes to the corner, then goes up the corner, only for Bayley to YANK her down! Bayley puts Charlotte in the ropes, throw hands, then hits a STOCK DROP! Shoutout to another of the Horsewomen! Bayley then SUNSET BOMBS Charlotte into buckles! Bayley drags Charlotte to a cover, TWO!
Bayley tells fans to shut up, don’t cheer for her! Dakota and Iyo cheer her on, though, and Bayley fires forearms on Charlotte! Bayley mocks the “WOO~!” then CHOPS! Bayley CHOPS Charlotte again and again, runs, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, Charlotte wins!!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall
DMG CTRL can’t believe it, but their Role Model lost! The Queen is already wearing yellow ‘n’ block to match Fastlane’s logo, will she take that gold off Iyo? Bayley gets a mic to shout, “Cut the music, you idiots!” Bayley won’t let Charlotte just cut the line! Bayley vowed to end Charlotte, and that’s what DMG CTRL is gonna do! The three surround the ring, but here comes ASUKA! The Empress joins the Queen to run off their common enemies! Asuka gets a mic to shout “OI OI OI OI!” What do you idiots think you’re doing?! She won’t let them do whatever they want! Bayley says okay, they want a Triple Threat for the women’s title?! Then they’ve got it!!
Wait, what? Iyo is confused, but Bayley says this is totally what Asuka said. No, Iyo knows what Asuka said and it wasn’t that! But Bayley says this is so they can teach both Asuka and Charlotte a lesson! Bayley sticks her foot in Iyo’s mouth again, will the Evil Genius have to really work hard on a plan to survive Fastlane?
John Cena heads to the ring!
Sacramento fires up as Cena storms out, saying we’re getting serious tonight! Cena slides into the ring, contract still in hand. Cena also gets a mic, and he tells Sacramento, “I hear ya out there!” Sacramento chants for Cena and so he knows they hear him. And he knows that because last week, he said he was back to compete and that he wanted a match. The Bloodline didn’t take too kindly to that, though. They left Cena knocked out, but they also left him with the contract. This is the contract for a match with them at Fastlane. Yeah, a little lukewarm, because there’s a problem: Cena doesn’t have a partner.
Cena says tonight is very important, because now he has a choice to make. He could rip up the contract and act like this didn’t happen. Fans boo that idea. Or he could stand and fight. The fans like that! So what do you think the man who wears the words “Never Give Up” is gonna make? They cheer the second so he says that’s damn right! He will honor this contract! And if he doesn’t find a partner by Fastlane, then he will fight The Bloodline by himself in a 2v1 Handicap! But speaking of, here comes The Bloodline! Jimmy grins as he has the mic again. “Well, look who finally showed up.”
Cena’s out here talking about Fastlane? Did he not just see what The Bloodline’s been doing all night? They were sending messages! If you team with Cena, you get got by The Bloodline! Fans boo, but Jimmy goes to the apron to tell Cena, “You’re not making it to Fastlane!” But then Cena DECKS Jimmy! Solo stares Cena down, fans fire up, and Solo gets in the ring! Cena throws off the shirt because it is go time! Solo swings, misses, and Cena fireman’s carries, but Jimmy SUPERKICKS him! Flashbacks to last week, HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Solo adds a HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Jimmy whips Solo in for another HIP ATTACK!
Fans boo as Cena flops out of the ring. The Bloodline clears off the announce desk! They put Cena on it, and Jimmy raises the one. Jimmy goes up the steps but Solo stops him. Solo wants this one! Jimmy grins and nods and lets Solo climb. But L A KNIGHT is here!! Fans are thunderous as the Mega Star storms down, slides in, and he dodges Jimmy to BLAST Solo! And then he BLASTS Jimmy! Knight stomps a mudhole into Jimmy but Solo stops him! So Knight fires off haymakers! Solo TOSSES Knight, but misses the splash! JUMP NECKBREAKER! Jimmy is up, Knight scoops to POWERSLAM!
Fans fire up, and they spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BIG elbow drop for Jimmy! Cena is back and he TOSSES Solo! Knight TOSSES Jimmy! Mega Star and Greatest of All Time look to each other, and Knight picks up the contract! Fans are electric as Knight signs his name! Cena can’t believe it, either! He has a tag partner for Fastlane? YEAH!! Will Cena and Knight show The Bloodline whose game is it? With EVERYBODY saying… L A KNIGHT, YEAH!!
My Thoughts:
An awesome episode of SmackDown, especially with how fired up the Sacramento crowd was for everything. Great stuff with Bloodline and such, taking logical yet still exciting turns. Karl Anderson going after The Bloodline was good, because as much as Karl didn’t want Styles getting involved, but he also wasn’t going to let The Bloodline get away with this. Though, Karl didn’t really accomplish much as he got cheated in that match. That slap from Mia was great, though. Then Jimmy & Solo going on a rampage backstage was a great way to show how Jimmy is drunk with power all because he thinks Roman will have his back. Roman most certainly won’t now that Jimmy’s actions have brought LA Knight into the story. Great save from Knight, and he will make a great team with Cena.
Great “main event” match from Charlotte VS Bayley, and that black ‘n’ yellow gear is pretty cool stuff from Charlotte. DMG CTRL of course tries to help Bayley but that backfires. And then I actually like that we’re going back to Bayley talking big and putting Iyo on the spot. The Triple Threat title match is going to be great, and is actually some mad genius thinking from Bayley. DMG CTRL can now legally interfere to make sure Iyo wins against Charlotte and Asuka, but I feel like this can also bring in Shotzi or even Bianca to counteract DMG CTRL. Either way, it’ll be some great stuff to really up things in the SmackDown Women’s Division.
Hilarious vignette from Pretty Deadly, and good response from Brawling Brutes. That feud will definitely start up again after Fastlane and give us a SmackDown contender for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Really good stuff out of the Grayson Waller Effect with Lashley putting the pressure on the Profits. Almost thought they were gonna jump Theory since Lashley doesn’t like Theory, but I guess that would make this faction Faces since Theory is Heel. It was nice to see Grimes back, though he does lose to Theory. Dragon Lee being here tonight makes me think he is called up to SmackDown after he screws Dominik Mysterio out of the North American title tomorrow night.
And after just an awesome US Championship match, the Profits instead go after the LWO, a logical move given the back and forth between the factions. LWO wants a Six Man Tag, but does that mean it’ll be Santos, Cruz & Wilde? Or is Rey going to take one of the spots? Either way it’ll be a good time but it feels like the All Mighty Profits are going to take that one to build their momentum towards their own title goals. Lashley VS Rey for the US Championship with Santos helping feels like the move. Maybe there’s tension created as Santos costs Rey, or as Rey says Santos can’t be bending rules just to win. It just feels like something’s going to/has to change in the group dynamic.
My Score: 8.9/10
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