Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/4/23)
YES, BOY!
Fallout from Stand… And Deliver!
NXT returns home from Hollywood, but the action is still rolling! Will Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo take their frustrations out on Pretty Deadly?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins.
- DIJAK VS Odyssey Jones; Dijak wins.
- Dragon Lee VS Nathan Frazer; Dragon wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship: Indi Hartwell VS Zoey Stark; Indi wins and retains the title.
- Ivy Nile VS Tatum Paxley; Ivy wins.
- NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee VS Axiom; Wes wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Indi Hartwell heads to the ring!
Fans fire up for the Impressive NEW NXT Women’s Champion! Indi gives the belt a kiss then raises it up before getting the mic. Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Indi says, “Oh, man. Guys, you have no idea I waited to hear that.” Fans chant “Indi Wrestling!” and Indi says, “Man, I heard Alicia’s amazing introduction, and it’s been a few days now, but I can’t believe it’s real. I’m the NXT Women’s Champion!” Fans continue to chant for “Indi! Indi!” and she says she gave up a long time ago on what she would say when she finally won this title, because truthfully, she didn’t think it’d happen.
Indi gained momentum, picked up some wins, and then right back down. She really doubted herself. She was tag team champion with Candice, but could she do it on her own? Holding this title was just a pipe dream. But y’know who never doubted her? The fans! The fans stood by her, and just like that, they picked her up when she was down. They chanted “Indi Wrestling” when she needed it most. The outpour of love just makes this moment that much sweeter. Fans again chant, “You Deserve It!” The fans have no idea how much that means to her, really. Now, she doesn’t wanna take too much time, and she loves the fans, too.
But there are two more things she has to get to. First, there is someone else who was in that match that she has to acknowledge, and that is Roxanne Perez. Fans cheer for Roxie, and Indi says if not for Roxie, there wouldn’t have been a ladder match and Indi wouldn’t be champion. So that said, the first person to get a shot at Indi is Roxie. Fans are a bit torn about that, but Indi wants to move on to- Zoey Stark!? Stark says no no no, she cannot sit back there and listen to this crap anymore. This is nonsense! We get it, pigs fly, unicorns are real, and Indi Hartwell is the new NXT Women’s Champion.
Stark laughs and says Indi had quite the upset, but c’mon. Indi is holding a title that has been held by legends! Future hall of famers! And you wanna know what the worst part is? It’s that Indi has it now! The champions of the past worked so hard to build that title up, and brought it all the way up. Fans sing, “Oh~ Zoey is Angry~!” Stark says Indi is not at that level. She’s not even halfway. She’s more like, on the floor. Right down there. Fans chant “ZOEY SUCKS!” Stark ignores that to say that the most positive thing she got out of Stand & Deliver is that now, we have a very beatable NXT Women’s Champion!
Fans boo but Stark says if Indi is gonna talk about Roxie, well, Roxie’s been radio silent since Saturday. We haven’t heard a peep from her. Roxie goes to the back of the line, behind Stark. So talk about title matches, this is the first show after Stand & Deliver. If Indi wants to hand out shots, hand one to Stark tonight. Fans are more against that than Roxie’s rematch! They chant “NO! NO! NO!” and Indi says, “Zoey thinks I’m a beatable champion? Okay, I wanna see how beatable I am. Because Zoey, you’re right, it is the first NXT after Stand & Deliver, so I’m sure it’ll get approved. Let’s have ourselves a women’s title match, tonight!”
Stark says Indi just made the biggest mistake of her life! “Ladies and gentlemen, Indi Hartwell is gonna make history here once again, by being the shortest reigning women’s champion we have ever seen. Point blank, period.” Fans boo, but Indi holds up the title. Will the Hunter have the prize she wants? Or will she be less than Impressive?
NXT Media caught Wes Lee at the airport.
The North American Champion returns from Stand & Deliver victorious, how is he feeling? He feels really good, the title is one piece of luggage he does not wanna lose. But then Axiom walks over to congratulate him. Wes thanks Axiom for that. Axiom says he’d be lying if he still didn’t wonder how it’d be if it was him and Wes 1v1 for the title. Wes says Axiom really brought it on Saturday, so yeah, see you Tuesday. And that title match is happening TONIGHT! Will the Cardiac Kid keep rolling the dice and winning? Or will the Undeniable Truth be unstoppable when he has 50-50 odds?
Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo VS Pretty Deadly!
The Don and Underboss were in no mood for Kit Wilson & Elton Prince poking fun at them after the NXT Tag Team Championship Triple Threat. Will the family beat down these wise guys? Or will the tasty dishes get back in the title hunt?
The teams sort out, Stacks starts against Elton, and the two circle. Fans rally, the two tie up, and Elton pulls hair! The ref reprimands but then Stacks pulls Elton’s hair! The two let go, argue, and Elton pushes Stacks. Stacks pushes back! Kit tags in, Elton anchors a leg and Kit CLOBBERS Stacks! Kit mocks Tony with spooky fingers, then UPPERCUTS Stacks! And again! Stacks staggers as fans duel, and Kit atomic drops! Kit whips, Stacks blocks the hip toss to backslide! TWO, and Stacks DROPKICKS Kit! Kit wobbles, Stacks whips but Kit reverses. Stacks ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard FOREARM!
Fans fire up, Stacks taunts Pretty Deadly then tags Tony. They whip, body blow and knee lift! Tony talks trash, brings Kit up for hockey scrum body shots, but Elton talks trash. Tony says Elton’s next, but Kit JAWBREAKERS Tony away! Tag to Elton, he runs in, but Tony dodges to kick lock! And just as he said, Tony gives Elton some body shots! Tony then hits a HALF HATCH SUPLEX! Elton flounders to a corner while fans fire up with Tony! Tony throws hands, the ref counts, but Tony whips corner to corner. Tony runs in, into a BOOT! Elton goes up, “Yes boy~!” Elton jumps, into a body shot! Tony runs and CLOBBERS Elton!
Tony dares Kit to talk trash, then he scoops Elton. Elton slips free, waistlocks, but Tony bucks the O’Conner. Elton dropkicks the legs out! Tag to Kit, but Tony TACKLES Kit! Tony brings Kit up by an ear, but Kit stomps Tony’s foot. Kit knees low, “Don’t disrespect me! These people love me!” Kit SLAPS Tony! Fans boo, but Tony SLAPS Kit! Fans fire up, Tony bobs ‘n’ weaves then DECKS Kit! Elton gets in, Stacks DECKS him! Fans fire up with the “EY~!” But then Pretty Deadly both kick low! “Oooh~!” Pretty Deadly double whip but the family reverses to back drop! Fans fire up with “EY~!” and Stacks tags in.
Stacks runs in to UPPERCUT Elton! HIP TOSS SENTON into Kit! Fans fire up more with the family, and Pretty Deadly regroups. Stacks dares one of them to come back, Pretty Deadly shouts, “TAG!” and they high five. The ref says that doesn’t count, but Elton still distracts Stacks. Kit slides in and attacks from behind, wrenches and WRINGS Stacks’ arm into the mat! Kit stomps away, puts Stacks in the corner and wraps the arm around the ropes. Tag to Elton for real, and Pretty Deadly double whip Stacks hard in to the corner! Fans boo but Pretty Deadly soaks it all up. Elton brings Stacks up to WRING his arm! Cover, TWO!
Elton drags Stacks up, steps over, and hip drops the arm! Tony rallies the fans behind Stacks, but Elton cranks on Stacks’ arm. Elton bends the fingers, twists the wrists, but Stacks endures. Stacks fights up, throws body shots, but Elton RAMS him into the corner. Tag to Kit, Pretty Deadly whip again and Stacks hits buckles hard! Kit wrenches the bad arm, but Stacks rolls him up! TWO, and both men scramble up! Stacks dodges Kit, hot tag to Tony! Kit tags Elton but The Don rallies on them both! BELLY2BELLY for Kit! Elton whips but Tony reverses, to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Tony then waistlocks Kit, but Kit holds ropes!
Tony keeps trying, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES Kit! The buckle pad comes off the corner and goes flying with Kit! Tony storms after Elton, but Elton grabs the apron! Tony drags Elton in, the apron skirt comes with, but Elton lets go as Tony WHEELBARROW GERMANS! Fans fire up, Elton flounders but Tony whips him. Tony hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Kit breaks it! Stacks runs in to ROCK Kit, but Kit POSTS Stacks! Stacks flops out, Tony DECKS Kit! Elton headlocks, Tony shoves him away, but heads collide!! Kit gets Elton out, and the skirt covers his hair! Tony drags “Elton” out, but surprise! It’s Kit!
The ref reprimands, Kit shouldn’t be in the ring! Elton slides in to RAM Tony into the exposed buckle!! Roll up, Pretty Deadly wins!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by pinfall
Did Elton & Kit just steal this one? #YesBoy! But will a win like this really get them back to the titles?
Jacy Jayne speaks.
“Gigi Dolin, you poor, pathetic soul. You really thought that you were gonna have your big Hollywood moment. Fueled by all your setbacks, betrayal, your mother’s anger. And the joy you had on your face. You really thought you were gonna be the NXT Women’s Champion. I watched you climb that ladder rung by rung… But delusion is quite the disease. Because within one second, I was able to push that all away.” Jacy laughs, and says Gigi was never going to win that match, because Jacy was going to make sure of it. Jacy broke Gigi’s face, her heart, and now all that’s left to do is break her will. Will the Toxic Traitor have her way by any means necessary?
DIJAK VS Odyssey Jones!
#HardJustice is ready to #SoundTheAlarm after these two brawled it out during the battle royal. Will Dijak put Odyssey on lockdown? Or will Odyssey be the one dishing out true justice for that battle royal screw job?
The bell rings, and Dijak LARIATS! Jones stays up and shakes his head. Jones fires off haymakers from all sides! Jones backs Dijak down, whips him to a corner, then runs in to back body block! Fans rally, Jones runs, but into the CYCLONE BOOT! Cover, TWO!! Dijak CLUBS away on Jones, stomps him, but Jones RAMS into him! Jones throws hands, Dijak KNEES low! Dijak whips, Jones blocks and whips Dijak hard! Dijak tumbles up and out of the ring! Fans fire up, Dijak gets in, and Jones rallies with big shoulders! Jones whips, to hit a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up with Jones while Dijak crawls to a corner.
Jones storms up but into a BOOT! Dijak goes up, leaps, but Jones catches him! POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives and Jones is shocked. Jones frowns, brings Dijak to a drop zone, then climbs up. Fans fire up but Dijak gets up to SUPERKICK! Jones wobbles, Dijak drags him off the corner into a fireman’s carry! Fans can’t believe it but Dijak hits the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Jones survives and Dijak is shocked! Dijak hurries up top, to MOONSAULT!!! Cover, Dijak wins!!
Winner: Dijak, by pinfall
Both men defied physics, but Dijak just hit harder. Jones staggers out of the ring, and Dijak says that he hopes everyone had a good time at Stand & Deliver. Because now, he’s PISSED OFF! Will Dijak take his rage out on whoever has gold after tonight?
Trick Melo Gang arrives.
They pull up in the Audi and head to the back. The NEW NXT Champion is feeling good, what will he say in celebration of his title win?
Backstage interview with Gallus.
McKenzie Mitchell is with the NXT Tag Team Champions, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang, and the returning Joe Coffey. Markus says the team is finally complete! Wolfgang says Hollywood got a wee taste of Glasgow on Saturday, and Joe agrees. Gallus Boys remain on top, just where they belong. Mark loves it when a plan comes together. And if you thought they were a problem before, just imagine what a full strength Gallus will be. Joe says they might as well start billing them from on top, because that’s not changing. Well, now that Joe is back, what can we expect from him? Uh, well, since Mark & Wolfie are champs, Joe is gonna add some gold.
But in the meanwhile, Joe might just pick a couple of fights. Then people will start realizing that this is THEIR kingdom! Will the Iron King soon reign over NXT?
Dragon Lee VS Nathan Frazer!
The Wonder Boy showed the WWE audience what he can do at Stand & Deliver, even though he fell short of the NXT North American Championship. Will he get back up towards a title shot? Or will the British Prodigy push past him to reach a new atmosphere?
Wait, who is that hopping the railing? IT’S NOAM DAR!! And he has the NXT UK Heritage Cup trophy with him! Nathan notices as Noam sets up on commentary and grabs the mic! “Hello, hello, hello! Hear me now, dafties rejoice. The rumors are true, the saved the best for last. And after months of negotiation, the most sought after transfer from across the pond, Supernova 11, Noam Dar, is FINALLY here in NXT!” Fans do cheer for that, and Dar says as you can see, he has his big, beautiful, prized chalice, the Heritage Cup. HOWEVER…! Dar will be the one who decides if there’s anyone fit enough to be graced with an opportunity to challenge for it.
“Because there’s levels to this, and I’m at the tippy top. Now go on, continue with your little daft match.” Dar drops the mic and sits with commentary, and the bell rings. Dragon and Nathan stare down, and they shake hands. Fans cheer the sportsmanship and the two circle. They tie up, Dragon gets around to a waistlock but Nathan switches, only for Dragon to switch back, repeat. Dragon drops, Nathan facelocks but Dragon spins to put it on Nathan. Nathan spins to put it back on Dragon, and repeat! Fans fire up, and then fire up even more as the two separate and stand off. Dar, meanwhile, is not impressed.
Dragon and Nathan reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder for a test of strength, and Dragon bends Nathan back. Nathan powers back up! Nathan starts bending Dragon back! Dragon bridges, Nathan sweeps the legs but Dragon turns mount into monkey flip! Both men are down, it’s a cover, ONE as they lift one side up. They rest, it’s another cover, ONE as the other side lifts up. They both stand while keeping the knuckle lock, and Nathan rolls, breaks the grip, then headlocks. Nathan then spins and waistlocks but Dragon reaches for ropes. Nathan keeps him away, but Dragon kicks a leg!
Dragon headlocks, Nathan powers up but can’t get free as Dragon holds tight. Fans rally and duel, Nathan fights up and powers out, but Dragon runs him over! Things speed up, Nathan redirects, goes up and over in the corner, and then keeps moving to duck ‘n’ dodge and RANA! Dragon handsprings through!! Dragon deflects the superkick, snapmares, but Nathan handsprings through! Nathan trips Dragon, covers, ONE! Nathan jumps the sweep, Dragon ducks the kick, and fans cheer as the two stand off again! Dar is only mildly impressed, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Nathan and Dragon reset again, tie up, and Dragon wrenches to a wristlock. Dragon hammerlocks, RAMS Nathan into the corner, then brings him around to wrench. Dragon YANKS the arm, wristlocks, but Nathan rolls, handsprings, and wrenches again! Dragon handsprings, breaks free, but Nathan trips him. Dragon kicks Nathan away, but Nathan jumps over to arm-drag! Dragon gets up, but Nathan arm-drags again! Nathan has the armlock but Dragon endures. Dragon fights up, arm-drags but Nathan arm-drags right back! Nathan still has the armlock, but Dragon fights back up.
Dragon whips free, CLOBBERS Nathan, then covers, TWO! Dragon keeps Nathan down with a chinlock. Nathan endures, fights up, and he RAMS Dragon into a corner! Nathan is free, CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Nathan runs in but into a BOOT! Dragon goes up, but Nathan DROPKICKS him down to the floor! Nathan hurries out after Dragon, puts Dragon in the ring, and glares at Dar while he lounges. Nathan hurries in but Dragon drags him into a cradle! TWO, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men are still up, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! They run, dodge, and DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men are down and fans fire up!
Dar is not really impressed as both men stir. NXT returns to single picture as fans duel. Nathan crawls to a corner and Dragon stands at center. Dragon runs in, Nathan goes up and over, then under, then clinches to BUCKLE SHOT! Nathan hurries up top to FLYING FLATLINER! Cover, TWO!! Dragon survives and Nathan is shocked! Nathan grits his teeth, drags Dragon into a drop zone, then goes up the corner. Fans rally, but Dragon CLUBS Nathan first! Dragon climbs up behind Nathan, but Nathan holds onto the ropes. Nathan throws elbows and Dragon drops away. Nathan adjust, but Dragon gets him, SUPER GERMAN! But Nathan lands on his feet!
Dragon doesn’t realize it, he turns around into a SHOTGUN! Nathan runs but Dragon follows to DROPKICK! Nathan sits down, Dragon runs to HESITATION DROPKICK! Fans fire up, Dar rolls his eyes, and Dragon fireman’s carries. USHIGOROSHI, and then PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Nathan survives and fans can’t believe it! Dragon grits his teeth and fans chant for “NXT! NXT!” Dragon drags Nathan to a drop zone, goes up the corner, but Nathan springs up after him! Dragon fights the superplex, he trips Nathan, and Nathan’s in a Tree of Woe! WOE STOMPS!! Dragon aims, runs back in, but into a SUPERKICK!!
Fans are thunderous and Nathan hurries to cover! TWO!!! Nathan hurries to a corner, “This is Awesome!” PHOENIX- NO, Dragon dodges! Nathan comes back to JUMP KNEE, but Dragon JUMP KNEES back! Nathan ENZIGURIS! Nathan fires up, runs, LARIATS, but Dragon loops through it! Dragon drags Nathan up, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? Nathan survives and no one can believe it! Dar is actually impressed now! Dragon drags himself to a corner, takes aim, and Nathan stands into the DRAGON KNEE!! Cover, Dragon Lee wins!
Winner: Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Dar has to admit it, Dragon Lee got the fans into it. Dragon Lee proves why he’s an international sensation, but will he get that Heritage Cup Championship match with Dar down the line?
Class is in session at Chase University.
Professor Andre says that it felt great to kick the sh*t out of The Schism in front of the largest Stand & Deliver crowd ever on Saturday! The students are fired up, but Chase has them calm down. Speaking of Saturday, Chase gives a special shout out and thanks to honorary alumni, Tyler Bate. His hard work and dedication helped keep Chase U alive. Duke says, “Oh, okay, cool, yeah. Tyler Bate’s a great guy and all, the Big Strong Boi, whoop dee doo. He’s not the one who got the job done at Stand & Deliver, it was me.” Chase says that’s right, and he was in the process of honoring Duke’s special efforts, too.
But… Then Chase remembered what Duke said about awards and ceremonies, and just knew that that was something Duke wasn’t interested in. Oh, well, okay. Not really the same, though. This wasn’t just some trivial match, we’re talking about Duke outsmarting everyone at the biggest event of the year! With the biggest stakes, securing a historic win for the university. That kind of performance, the legacy Duke has created here, that is surely something worth honoring! The class cheers that, and Chase says, “You’re damn right that’s something worth honoring!” Next week, Chase U has a ceremony to celebrate Duke’s commitment! It’ll be the MVP TROPHY!
The students cheer and Duke says that’s the best! CHASE U~! Will Duke bleed black ‘n’ red then, now and forever?
Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn speak.
The Firekeeper says, “First, it was written. And now it is told. We have seized the seats of power, and now the rightful NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions sit on their throne.” The Wicked Witch says, “We vowed to burn all opposition to the ground at Stand & Deliver. We defeated our opponents, we seized the championships, but… We did not scorch the earth, Alba.” Alba says, “Nothing in NXT is ever that simple. There will always be ashes left smoldering.” Isla asks if Alba feels that. Isla senses they’re not done with their troubled souls. Alba says a challenge is hanging in the air. “And when it comes, we will welcome it.”
Isla says that now their unholy union has materialized and risen in NXT, “all challengers beware. We are merely beginning to crack the surface of just how perilous we can truly be. And I curse any team who dares to test the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions.” Alba says they saved their energy for that day. But for now, they celebrate. Cheers. They drink up, but will they prove to be the most dangerous team in NXT?
Backstage interview with Wes Lee.
McKenzie congratulates him on retaining the title, he must be feeling good. Yeah, he is. He is riding on cloud nine right now, because NXT tore the house down in the City of Angels. “The entire match felt like a human pinball machine. All five of us were bouncing around the ring, it was the wildest match of my life, honestly.” Watching it back, Wes knew that he chose his opponents correctly. Every single person was on point. JD McDonagh, there’s nothing that man can’t do. Ilja Dragunov is a straight-up beast! And Dragon Lee, WOO! OMG, smoother than butter. But the one that stood out was Axiom.
Wes isn’t sure if it’s Axiom’s drive, determination, or the fact that he almost superkick’d Wes’s face off, but Wes just feels he owes Axion a 1v1. Now, he knows he’s sore, and Wes knows Axiom is sore, but they’re about to wake everybody up from the WrestleMania hangover, because they’re gonna go again! Wes VS Axiom, North American Championship, are you ready? McKenzie’s ready. She wishes Wes luck, Wes thanks her for that, but will luck not be a factor in how precise both men are?
NXT Women’s Championship: Indi Hartwell VS Zoey Stark!
#IndiWrestling finally won the big one to join the illustrious class of those who have held both NXT Women’s Tag Team and NXT Women’s Championship, and is willing to be a fighting champion! Will Indi truly be Impressive? Or will the Hunter sink her teeth into the gold?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Indi can still stand and deliver!
The bell rings and the two tie right up. Indi headlocks, Stark powers out, but Indi dodges and scoops to SLAM! And then scoops to SLAM again! And then short arm LARIATS! And then short arm LARIATS again! Indi drags Stark up but Stark dodges this time to springboard CROSSBODY! And SUPERKICK! And then Z 3- NO, Indi slips free to shove and BOOT! Stark flounders, but avoids the sliding forearm! Stark SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Stark fumes. Stark stomps Indi in the corner, lets off, then digs her knee in. The ref counts, Stark stomps a mudhole but lets off at 4.
Fans boo but Stark gives another stomp. Stark drags Indi to a cover, TWO! Indi grits her teeth but so does Stark. Stark brings Indi up but Indi fires off shots! Stark ROCKS Indi! Stark drags Indi up but Indi fireman’s carries! Stark fights free, to half nelson, but Indi arm-drags free! Indi runs at Stark in the corner, stomps away on her now, but Stark drop toeholds Indi into buckles! Indi checks her nose, but Stark KICKS her in the back! Stark whips Indi hard into the corner, then does it again! And then corner to corner to RAM into Indi! Fans sing, “OH~ Zoey is Awful!” Stark runs in, but into a KNEE!
Indi runs up, blocks Stark’s punch to kick and CLUB and CLUB and swing, but then Stark blocks! Stark swings, Indi blocks again, and DECKS her! Fans fire up and Indi covers, TWO! Indi stays cool and she puts Stark in the ropes. Stark avoids the uppercut, but Indi blocks the hotshot to HOTSHOT back! Indi grabs at Stark but Stark trips Indi! Fans rally for Indi but Stark tells them to shut up. Stark goes up the apron, INSIDE-OUT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Indi is still in this and Stark grows frustrated. Stark runs side to side to BLAST Indi out with a baseball slide! Fans boo but Stark soaks up the heat, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Stark hears the fans chant and asks, “I suck?” Stark goes out to fetch Indi, SMACKS her off the apron, then SMACKS her off it again! Indi staggers, Stark pushes her into the ring, and Stark soaks up more heat. Stark stalks Indi, brings her up, and ROCKS her with forearms! Stark snapmares Indi by the ropes, drops a knee, then grins. Stark runs, but Indi avoids the baseball slide this time! Indi BOOTS Stark, goes out after her, but Stark kicks back. Indi blocks the apron bump this time, and SMACKS Stark off the apron in return! And again! And again! And again! Stark staggers, but Indi SMACKS her off the apron again!
Indi puts Stark in the ring, covers, TWO! Stark goes to ropes, Indi stands up and whips her to ropes. Indi scoops but Stark slips free! Stark LARIATS Indi down! Cover, TWO! Stark cravats and thrashes Indi around in the neck wrench. Indi endures, fights up, and NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally, Indi throws body shots, but Stark throws knees! Stark snapmares, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Stark grows frustrated, but she clamps onto the cravat neck wrench again. Fans rally, Indi endures and fights up, and she RAMS Stark into a corner! And again! And then arm-drags free!
Stark comes back, into an ELBOW! Indi steps up but into a kick! Stark suplexes, but Indi blocks! Indi wrenches out to LARIAT! And again! Indi starts to rally, she scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Fans chant “She’s Impressive!” as Indi takes aim. Indi runs in, but Stark goes up and over! Stark rolls, returns, but Indi puts her on the apron. Stark GAMANGIRIS Indi down! Stark catches her breath, INSIDE- NO! Indi blocks the senton to clinch! Stark fights with punches and Indi staggers away. Stark resets, springboards, but FLOPS as Indi moves! Fans fire up as Indi rises. Indi storms up on Stark and whips, but Stark reverses!
Indi is on the apron, Stark runs in but Indi dodges to UPPERCUT and BOOT! Indi goes up, leaps, PRETTY SAVAGE ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!?! Stark survives and Indi cannot believe it! Fans rally up, Indi throws a forearm but Stark gives it back. They go back and forth, then Stark CHOPS! Indi COHPS! Stark CHOPS, Indi swings but misses! HEEL KICK! Stark brings Indi up, “I’M the champion, Indi! You don’t deserve it!” Springboard, into a SPINEBUSTER!! Stacked cover, TWO!!! Stark survives and Indi isn’t sure what to do! Stark goes to ropes, Indi fires herself up, and Indi runs in, but Stark dodges! HALF ‘N’ HALF!
Stark hurries to bring Indi back up, Z 360!! Indi flops out of the ring!! Stark is furious but she hurries out after Indi! Stark puts Indi in, covers, TWO?!? AND GHOST PIN! INDI WINS!!!
Winner: Indi Hartwell, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)
Stark is losing it! She can’t believe she got caught, but she did! Indi is still champion, but wait, here comes Tiffany Stratton. The Center of the Universe says Indi shouldn’t be champion, it should be Tiffany! Indi says go ahead and try then. But then CORA JADE attacks from behind!! Generation Jade has been missing in action for months now, but she is shrieking as she drags Indi up for a FUTURE SHOCK!! Cora storms around the ring saying SHE should be champion, but fans boo. Indi has two very different kinds of mean girls coming for her title, will she be able to survive them both?
Brooks Jensen talks with Kiana James backstage.
He apologizes to her about the tag title loss. He should’ve been a man and stepped up. Oh, ya think!? When she asks for her bag, he should hand it to her! He was right there, yet wasn’t there for her. What even was that?! Jensen apologizes but then Fallon Henley & Josh Briggs walk in. Fallon asks why Kiana is yelling at Brooks. Jensen says it’s okay, but Fallon asks Kiana if she’s really making Jensen feel bad for not helping her cheat in the match when she’s cheating on him! Uh… what? Kiana’s cheating on him? Kiana says “cheating” is a bit harsh for this. Okay, maybe she was dating around, playing the field, like most people do.
But did they ever once say they were exclusive? Did they? She says no, they did not. They didn’t put a label on it. But do you know when things changed for Kiana? When they shared their first kiss. Really? Yes. That first kiss changed things. It showed Kiana she could trust him. But after Saturday, she isn’t so sure anymore. She and Fallon are not champions anymore. Fallon rolls her eyes and mumbles, “Oh, yeah, like it’s his fault.” Kiana says she thought what they had was special. Turns out, she was wrong. Kiana leaves, Jensen asks her to please come back, but Fallon tells him to wake up. Kiana is making it like Jensen’s the bad guy here when he’s not!
Briggs says at least Kiana is being honest now. Jensen shouts at them, “ENOUGH!” He didn’t know about the whole “exclusivity” thing, but he should’ve. He should’ve been more assertive. But guys, just stay out of his love life! PLEASE!? Jensen then hurries after Kiana. Fallon says she’s just been trying to help. Briggs knows that, but she and Kiana do get a title rematch next week. That’ll be fun… Will this romance drama have a happy or sad ending next Tuesday?
NXT mourns the loss of Bushwhacker Butch Miller.
NXT Media catches up with Cora Jade.
They ask her about her attack on Indi, and Cora says she already knows that they wanna know. But you’ll all just have to wait until next week to hear her reason why. So nice try. But then Lyra Valkyria walks over to “welcome” Cora back. But she’s not here to dwell on the past, but to remind Cora of her future. “You can’t escape fate.” Cora crosses her arms and leaves, but will the Morrigan settle the score with her before either of them goes for gold?
Ivy Nile VS Tatum Paxley!
The Diamond Mine accepted powerlifter Paxley into the pack, but she claims there was still something keeping her at a distance. She took that out on Ivy and left her hanging. Will Paxley show she never needed anyone? Or will Ivy show that Paxley’s only problem is Paxley?
NXT returns and Paxley makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Ivy throws Paxley down! Ivy drags Paxley up, Paxley shoves her away but Ivy rushes up on her. Ivy facelocks and wrangles Paxley, but Paxley RAMS her into a corner. The ref counts, Paxley lets off but SLAPS Ivy! Ivy ROUNDHOUSES Paxley down! Fans fire up, Ivy demands Paxley get up, and then she KICKS her down! And KICKS! And KICKS! Paxley is just a heavy bag for Ivy! Paxley dodges, ROCKS Ivy, but Ivy ROUNDHOUSES again! Ivy waistlocks but Paxley runs to ropes. Paxley sends Ivy to the apron, runs up, but into a shoulder!
Paxley comes back to BOOT Ivy in the ropes! The ref reprimands but Paxley drags Ivy out, for a DRAPING SUPLEX! Fans boo but Paxley scoops to SLAM Ivy! Paxley talks trash, “You should’ve put me in the group! We could’ve been great!” Paxley dribbles Ivy off the mat, but Ivy gets her for an ARMBAR! Fans fire up but Paxley kicks free! Paxley runs in, wrenches and WRINGS the arm, then JUMPING ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Paxley is furious, she wraps on a chinlock, but Ivy endures. Fans rally up, Paxley shifts to put more weight on the hold. Ivy still fights up, but Paxley pushes her back down.
Ivy keeps fighting up but Paxley thrashes the hold. Fans rally, Ivy stands, but Paxley thrashes her back down! Ivy fights up one more time, and she pries free of the hold to gut wrench and SLAM! Fans fire up while Paxley staggers up. Ivy clinches, and TOSSES Paxley to the corner for fast hands! The ref counts, Ivy lets off at 4, then SUPERWOMAN PUNCHES! Ivy just fires off knee after knee, the ref backs her off. Paxley BOOTS back, goes up, but Ivy CLUBS her! And then Canadian Racks, for the AK47! Paxley stagger sup, Ivy runs in, and she runs her over! And again! Paxley avoids the hammer fists, but not the SPINEBUSTER!
Ivy hammers away, Paxley pushes her back and goes to a corner. CALF KICK! Paxley falls out of the ring, Ivy goes out after her, and fans fire up for the PUNT! Ivy drags Paxley up, puts her in the ring, and fans sing the Diamond Mine theme. Paxley wants mercy, but Ivy wants Paxley to get up. Ivy kicks, but Paxley blocks! Ivy rolls to get the DIAMOND DRAGON!! Paxley flails, Ivy CRANKS on it! Paxley taps, Ivy wins!!
Winner: Ivy Nile, by submission
Ivy has payback on Paxley! The Creeds celebrate with her, will the Diamond Mine all be going for gold in the near future?
Backstage interview with Ilja Dragunov.
McKenzie is with The Czar and says it was an unbelievable showing at Stand & Deliver. Unfortunately for him, he did not walk out North American Champion. Dragunov says he was chosen to be in that match because he chases monsters. He seeks challenges, and there is no challenge too big for him to take on. Wes Lee is a great competitor, and a good champion. But at Stand & Deliver, Dragunov had unmatched energy. Did you see the look in his eyes? The trickle of blood running down his forehead. It was never going to be easy to win such a match, but nothing in life worth having comes easy.
That is why Dragunov is UNBE- Von Wagner says, “Hey, Dragunov. That’s a lotta words for going all the way to LA and not getting the job done.” Now look at his eyes, because this is the biggest monster Dragunov’s ever seen in his life. Dragunov says that he’d rather fight and lose at Stand & Deliver, than not be invited at all. Von says Dragunov won’t need an invitation for this one. But then Robert Stone hurries in and asks Von what the hell he’s doing. This is done! Von, what’re you doing?! He does what he wants. No! He’s picking a fight with a mad dragon! Listen, Von. Stone will get that match for him, okay? Just hear him out.
If Von doesn’t win, they are done! Suit Man Stone is laying down the ultimatum. Will Von finally get that big win he’s been after? Or will this be the end of the Robert Stone Brand again?
NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee VS Axiom!
The Cardiac Kid has always been a fighting champion, all to prove that he is still a worthy champion! He managed to defeat four opponents at Stand & Deliver, but will he have a harder time against just one?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly worthy!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Axiom waistlocks then snapmares, but Wes handsprings through. Wes and Axiom reset, go again, and Wes headlocks. Wes hits the takeover but Axiom headscissors. Wes kips free, but Axiom ghost pins! TWO!! Wes escapes by a thin margin and Axiom lets him know it. The two tie up again, Axiom headlocks for the takeover but Wes headscissors. Wes holds tight as Axiom tries to kip free, but then Axiom moves around. Axiom headstands, turns Wes over, and then floats back to tie up the legs. Axiom gets the arms, for CATTLE MUTILATION! Wes turns over, but Axiom still has the motorcycle stretch.
Wes endures, fights around, and he turns Axiom around. Wes has the stretch but Axiom fights. Axiom flips, kips and arm-drags! Then he runs, ducks ‘n’ springboards to flying arm-drag and ENZIGURI! Wes is dazed, Axiom covers, TWO! Another close call, and Axiom storms up on Wes, but narrowly avoids Wes’s Eddy Gordo kick! Fans rally up as the two reset and go again. Things speed up, Axiom hurdles, but Wes shoves him to then follow. Wes slides under the kick, rolls back to RANA, and then body shots! KICK! Whip, and DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Wes has the knuckle locks, pushes Axiom down to a cover, TWO!
Wes hops up but Axiom monkey flips that to go up to the top rope and FLYING RANA! Fans fire up as Wes bails out, and Axiom builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit to the ramp and fans fire up more! Axiom puts Wes in the ring, he goes up the corner, but Wes SHORYUKENS! Axiom falls to the floor and fans fire up again as NXT goes picture in picture.
Wes fetches Axiom, whips him to the apron but Axiom tiger feint kicks! Axiom then brings Wes around, only for Wes to RAM him into the apron! Wes runs in, Axiom pops him up to the apron, and Wes mule kicks! Wes then MOONSAULTS, but Axiom gets under! SOBAT! Both men are down on the ramp, but Axiom catches his breath to bring Wes up. Axiom puts Wes in the ring, but Wes avoids the elbow drop and KNEES Axiom down! Both men are down in the ring, fans rally up, and they stir. Wes pushes Axiom to a cover, TWO! Wes is annoyed but he knows Axiom’s tough. Wes brings Axiom up as fans rally more.
Wes suplexes, Axiom slips out and waistlocks. Wes bucks the O’Conner, Axiom kips up to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Wes just manages to push Axiom away in time. Axiom storms up on Wes, brings him up and whips him to ropes, to then HEADBUTT low! Wes sputters as he drops to his knees, but Axiom whips him to ropes. Wes sunset flips over the headbutt, but Axiom rolls through to roll Wes for a SLIDING LAIRAT! Cover, TWO!! Axiom is a bit stunned, but he clamps onto the arm! Wes fights the short arm scissor, moves around, and stacks, only for Axiom to shift into an omoplata!
Axiom gets the other arm, RINGS OF SATURN! Wes fights free, rolls, but into an ANKLE LOCK! Axiom leans on the hold, NXT returns to single picture, and fans rally as Wes endures! Wes powers up, rolls through and he kicks away on Axiom! Axiom lets go, Wes kicks him down! Fans rally up, but Axiom ROCKS Wes! Wes throws a body shot, but Axiom ROCKS Wes again. Wes ROCKS Axiom, Axiom ROCKS Wes! Fans rally and duel as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Axiom ROCKS Wes and Wes wobbles on his feet! But Wes UPPERCUTS! Wes blocks the punch, fires off a strike fest, then snapmares to BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Fans fire up with Wes as he watches Axiom rise. Wes runs in at the corner to UPPERCUT! And ENZIGURI! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! Axiom flounders, fans fire up, and Wes takes aim! Handspring, for the CARDIAC STOMP!! Wes anticipated Axiom’s dodge and changed it up! Wes then gets Axiom up, fisherman into the DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Axiom survives and Wes can’t believe it! Wes pounds the mat, goes to the corner, and fans rally up again. “Which side? WES SIDE!” Wes aims, handsprings, but Axiom catches him! REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Wes flails as Axiom has the body scissors, too!
Fans fire up as Wes rolls but Axiom just uses that to have a rear mount! Axiom leans on the sleeper but Wes fights up to his feet! Wes reaches out, but Axiom half nelsons! HALF ‘N’ HALF!! Wes tumbles, then sits up in a daze. Axiom roars, runs in, but Wes ducks the kick! Roll-up, but Axiom rolls through, so Wes KANGAROO KICKS! Wes drags Axiom up, but Axiom cradles!! TWO!!! Wes escapes, Axiom gets around, but Wes bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, into a SUPERKICK! Wes then hurries to put Axiom in a drop zone and go up top! “Which side? WES SIDE!” Wes SKY TWISTERS onto knees!!
Axiom saves himself, though maybe a bit double-edged! Axiom manages to stand, he roars and KNEES Wes right back down! Fans are thunderous as Axiom aims from the corner! Wes stands, Axiom runs in, GOLDEN- NO, Wes ducks! Handspring, CARDIAC KICK!!! Cover, Wes wins!!
Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
That was truly pulse pounding action from two of the fastest and the sharpest! But in the end, Wes was the faster, he pulls out the victory! He shows Axiom respect by helping him up, and fans cheer as Axiom raises Wes’s hand in victory. Will Wes keep running hard and fast until the wheels fall off?
Wait, SCRYPTS calls out Axiom! “Your mystique may blind most of your adversaries, but I can see you crystal clear. I see everything. I see your truth. I see the hidden corners of your mind. I. Know. You.” Scrypts slingshots in, but into the GOLDEN RATIO!! The fans go nuts as Axiom thwarts the monologuing menace’s master plan! Axiom says Scrypts may be trying to expose him, but Axiom is going to expose SCRYPTS instead! Will NXT soon have its own superhero movie come to life?
Backstage interview with Nathan Frazer.
McKenzie says that was a tough loss to Dragon Lee, and he was so close. Nathan says yeah, and it seems Stand & Deliver marks the end of the year for NXT, even though it’s in April. But even though Nathan didn’t start off on a good note, he believes that deep down in his core, he can turn it around. McKenzie says that is a great attitude to have. But at the age of just 24, he seems to be pretty wise beyond his years. Nathan thanks her for that. When you have a moment of enlightenment, your perspective changes. And when perspective changes, your reality changes. And Nathan is pretty sure that’s what happened here.
Nathan seems to have a newly refreshed and positive outlook on life. Will he be able to use that to climb back up and head after a title?
Coming soon to NXT!
Tank Ledger! Dani Palmer! Oba Femi! They’re all ready to level up, will they make a huge impact on the NXT landscape?
Trick Melo Gang heads to the ring!
Fans fire up for the NEW NXT Champion, and his right hand man who did have a hand in that win. They’re ready to celebrate, the fans are ready to celebrate, and Trick gets the mic. “The champ is here! The champ is here!” Fans chant for “MEL~O! MEL~O!” and Trick has them get louder. Melo says okay, okay, okay. “Ey yo, Trick.” “What’s up, Champ?” “Man, the biggest Stand & Deliver of all time.” “That’s right!” “In Los Angeles.” “That’s right!” “The City of Angels.” “That’s right!” “The city of stars!” “That’s right!” “The city that Kobe built.” “That’s right!” “And I was ballin’ all up in that-” WHOOOA~!
Trick says Melo did stand, and he did deliver. Fans cheer and Melo says 18 months was worth the wait. Now there’s no question on who the man is. Melo is THE NXT Champion, and he is… HIM. Trick says he got Melo one better. This is the HIM ERA! Melo likes the sound of that. Since day one, Melo stopped chasing championships and started attracting them. He had his eye on the number one spot all 18 months, and it wasn’t handed to him, he took it! What does it take to be number one? Melo is the winner, and two, nobody remember! Alright, alright, listen. They’re having fun with the Melobration and all, but…
Not to kill the vibe, but every great champion has a great opponent. And if it’s okay, Melo wants to give Bron Breakker his flowers. Fans bark and Trick says Bron does deserve that. Melo tells Bron he is one of Melo’s greatest opponents, one of his toughest opponents. And on the build up to this match, it wasn’t the same Melo y’all used to. Melo gave Bron his respect. And he meant it! When Melo said he respects Bron, he meant that. So Melo wants to invite Bron out to the ring to tell him something. Bron obliges and makes his way out to the ring. Bron gets a mic and joins Trick Melo Gang in the ring.
Melo thanks Bron for coming out here, and says at Stand & Deliver, they brought it to each other. At the end, Bron still presented Melo with the belt, and that was real cool of him. It really was. Bron didn’t have to do that. Fans cheer, and Melo puts it like this. He isn’t sure what the future holds, but on behalf of himself and NXT, thank you, Bron. Fans cheer that, and chant, “Thank You, Breakker!” Bron says that he appreciates that. “That title holds great legacy. And there always comes a time when the champion gets defeated by the next guy in line. It is my job and my duty to pass that torch the most respectful way I know how to do it.”
Tommaso Ciampa taught Bron that, did that for him, so that is why Bron did that for Melo. Fans cheer that, and Bron says he isn’t sure what’s next, either. But he’ll leave us with this. “NXT is just as much about the superstars as it is about them, the NXT Universe. We listen to you guys, alright? We hear you. We hear the Melo chants week after week. And it’s my honor right now, man, to congratulate you. Give it up for the new NXT Champion, Carmelo Hayes.” Fans cheer and Trick adds on, “Make some noise for the A Champion!” Fans get louder, Melo holds up the belt, and then Bron goes to leave.
Melo says hold on, before Bron leaves. Melo takes the sunglasses off and offers a handshake. Bron says okay, one more time. They handshake and even hug it out. Fans cheer again, and Bron raises Melo’s hand in respect. But then he reels him in for a LARIAT!! Trick is shocked, but Bron gets him for a BREAKKER SLAM!! Fans boo, some bark, but Bron SPEARS Melo back down!! Bron throws off his shirt, the dog in him just bit Melo. Trick crawls to Melo’s side, some fans chant “ONE MORE TIME!” Bron leaves it at this, for now. Will The Big Booty Nephew look to take back his spot as the number one guy in NXT?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT to follow Stand & Deliver, but it’s a bit of a shame that this fallout show ended up loads better than the Raw After Mania. Seems the reason for that is because, like a true Hollywood movie villain, Vince McMahon is back in charge of main roster. I could go on a rant about that crusty old monster returning, but I won’t. HBK at least has better sense with NXT. Great promo from Indi to start the show, as well as from Stark to get in Indi’s face. Great title match from the two of them, and Indi with the quick win was a great way to finish that. I should’ve figured Tiffany would come out to stake her claim, but what a great surprise that Cora is back. I also like that Lyra puts Cora on notice, those two should definitely have a match to determine a contender.
At the same time, I wonder where Roxie is. As Stark said, Roxie’s been quiet, even on social media, so I wonder what her NXT status is. Is she going to go to SmackDown in this round of call-up? As I said on Saturday, she did do pretty much everything in NXT, from the Breakout Tournament to the Iron Survivor to the tag and singles title. And in the wake of Vince slithering back in, I can’t be sure how well she’ll be booked on the main roster. Maybe Roxie’s going to actually rest up and come back to NXT after Indi has her run, as a way to ride it out and see how long Vince is actually back in charge. I’m hoping just this next month on the way to Backlash. Between the potential crap ideas and low viewership, maybe Endeavor can finally exorcise the demon that is Vince.
Good match from Dijak VS Jones, though surprisingly fast. Dijak is fired up, he might move up to the top title scene in this new phase. Good promo from Jacy to call out Gigi, their feud is far from over and I think NXT Battleground at the end of May would be a great place for their blowoff. Great promo from Chase U, especially with Duke being passive aggressive again. The way this all went, it feels like Tyler Bate is not just done hanging out with Chase U but done in NXT, so is he going to be called up, too? I’m thinking to SmackDown, too, since Pete Dunne is there. Again, Vince being back, I’m not optimistic about British Strong Style happening, that’d be an HHH move.
Really good tag match from Tony & Stacks VS Pretty Deadly. I like the parody of twin magic Kit & Elton pulled off, though I am a bit surprised they won. Gallus are Heels now after Joe Coffey helped them cheat, aren’t they? So why would Pretty Deadly build up and potentially go for a title shot when they’re also still Heels? Or is HBK going to book outside the box and give us Heels VS Heels? Good promo from Gallus, by the way, and I would like to see Joe get a title here since he never got one in NXT UK. As such, what a great thing to see Noam Dar FINALLY here in NXT, and with the Heritage Cup! We need more British Rounds matches, and another midcard title is great for a stacked NXT roster.
Speaking of Dar, I like that he showed up during Dragon Lee VS Nathan Frazer. Nathan knows all about the Heritage Cup from facing off in those kinds of matches in NXT UK. But Dragon Lee is Dragon Lee, and he is also the new hot signee, he was gonna get this win. Dragon VS Dar would be awesome stuff, regardless of stipulation. And Nathan’s promo with McKenzie makes me think Nathan is going to take over the “think positive, be Zen” persona Bate was working on. Nathan seemed to really dig his own sort of enlightened, wise sage words. Kinda hope not, it didn’t really add much to Bate’s time in NXT, so Nathan should just be chill dude who does awesome things in the ring.
Good promo from Dragunov and even Von and Stone. Von does know Dragunov’s beaten a guy who’s bigger and badder in Gunther/Walter, right? Stone giving Von that ultimatum, I kinda hope Von loses just so we can explore Von all on his own again. Stone told Von to find a character, Von stubbornly refused. Will losing his manager force Von to figure himself out? And the drama of Jensen and Kiana continues. Personally, having to say the relationship is exclusive is a horrible thing society has created for itself. Kiana can live her life how she wants, but she’s definitely spinning things like Fallon said. Fyre & Dawn have a good promo to bring up the rematch, next week is going to be the final straw one way or another.
Ivy VS Paxley was a good match, though should’ve happened sooner. Ivy winning makes sense, it is payback for Paxley’s betrayal. I don’t see this as being the end but the next step, and we can have more from these two to build them both up in the division. And I like that there’s hype for Level Up call-ups. It technically gives reason for fans to watch that and see these superstars before they’re on TV. I still won’t because Fridays are busy enough with SmackDown and Rampage. Maybe I could do results only articles like I’ve been doing for AEW Dark and Elevation, but even then, I don’t really know how well that’d work.
Amazing title match from Wes and Axiom, and they did a good job teasing Axiom getting that belt with those close calls. Wes wins because there are still many possibilities for challengers, and then I just cracked up seeing Axiom punk out Scrypts. Scrypts as a character has been trying to be the mysterious villain, but it’s just come off more like edgy emo poetry guy. Axiom getting the better of him got the fans super hyped, and we already saw samples of what these two can do in the ring together, so this will still be a fun feud. Then we got a really fun closing segment where Melo is firmly face as he puts Bron over, and then Bron goes firmly Heel as he beats down Melo and Trick.
Given that reaction from the fans, I feel like they’ve wanted Heel Bron for a long time, so here he is, probably getting his rematch at Battleground. Now, that might still go Melo’s way, but keeping Bron on NXT a little longer is probably best for him with Vince suddenly back. If Vince got him, who knows how bland or cringey Bron would end up, so giving us Heel Bron in NXT, where he possibly embraces more of the Scott Steiner stuff, that could help Bron in the long run. Let’s just hope and pray Vince isn’t back for very long. Hmm, maybe I did end up ranting about him after all…
My Score: 8.8/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Grand Slam: Australia Results & Report! (2/15/25)
AEW goes down under!
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