Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/10/23)
The Big Time is Living Large!
The Man & The Legend defend their titles!
Becky & Lita put Damage CTRL away at WrestleMania, then Liv & Raquel did it last week on Raw! Now both teams battle for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio VS Finn Balor w/ Dominik Mysterio; Finn wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Becky Lynch &
LitaTrish Stratus VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; Liv & Raquel win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. - Bobby Lashley VS Bronson Reed; Double Count-Out Draw.
- The Usos VS The Alpha Academy; The Usos win.
- Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Piper Niven VS Mia Yim VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL; Sky wins and will challenge Bianca Belair for the title.
- Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos; Solo wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rey Mysterio is here!
Seattle fires up as The King of Lucha Libre makes his way to the ring. Rey gets the mic to say, “Oda ley, Seattle! Viva la Raza! And welcome to Monday Night Raw!” Rey has to pour his heart out, it has been a real crazy year. Fans chant for “REY! REY! REY!” and he says he’s had a lot of ups and a lot of downs. But last week, it should’ve been a dream come true, going into the WWE Hall of Fame. Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Rey thanks them, and says on top of that, he competed at the BIGGEST WrestleMania of all time. But instead, he ended up facing his own son, Dominik. Fans boo, and Rey says he really wanted things to be different.
But speaking of Dom, here he comes! “Keep my name outta your mouth. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what you want. Because that’s what you do. You make things about yourself.” Fans boo but Dom says Rey never cared about him. That’s why he’s better off with his REAL family, the Judgment Day! Fans boo and even chant ‘YOU SUCK!” So the Judgment Day, “those selfish idiots who are just using you,” are his family? Using Dom? Rey’s the only one who used Dom! Rey’s the selfish one! Because nothing else matters unless Rey Mysterio gets what Rey Mysterio wants. Just like with Bad Bunny! Dom would’ve won if Bunny didn’t screw him over just to help Rey!
Fans boo more but Dom says Rey is using Bunny just like he used Dom. But guess what happened? Roll the footage! First, replay of WrestleMania where Bunny snatches the steel chain from Dom to stop his cheating. And then last week on Raw, Rey was going to beat Austin Theory if not for Dom. Dom & Damian were beating down Rey, found Bunny ringside, and Dom swung on him, only to get decked instead. But The Punisher would hit his former friend back, and CHOKE SLAM him through the announce desk! Back in the present, Dom grins while fans boo. Dom says Bunny makes good songs, but when Priest put him through the desk, that was music to Dom’s ears.
Bunny needs to learn his lesson and keep his nose out of Judgment Day business. Actually, Rey spoke to Bunny last night. And Bunny said that he’ll be back! Dom and the Judgment Day are gonna regret putting their hands on Bunny. Fans like the sound of that. Dom says, “More empty words from a deadbeat dad. Instead of worrying about Bad Bunny, you should worry about what the Judgment Day is gonna do to you.” Rey says Dom talks big, but when is he gonna man up, get some balls, and take care of things on his own? Rey says he didn’t wanna fight Dom, but Dom seems like a lost cause.
So Dom should just step in the ring, and they can have a WrestleMania rematch right here, right now, in Seattle! Fans fire up for that! Dom sighs and tells Rey to hold on. Dom doesn’t wanna fight his own dad. But he knows someone who will. FINN BALOR! Ex-Con Dom is going to let The Prince take on the King, will this be the WrestleMania rebound Finn needs?
Rey Mysterio VS Finn Balor w/ Dominik Mysterio!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Finn kicks and CLUBS Rey, CHOPS him, then whips him hard into a corner! Rey bounces off buckles and falls, and the Judgment Day soaks up the hat. Finn stands Rey up to RAM into him, and again, and again! Finn climbs up, rains down fists, then soaks up more heat. But Rey trips Finn up! Rey ARMS Finn again and again, then rains down fists! Rey gets to TEN, then lets off. Rey wrenches, whips, but Finn reverses to kick and runs, sunset flip, but Rey rolls through to basement dropkick! Rey goes to a corner, Finn runs in but gets an elbow! Rey tilt-o-whirl RANAS!
Fans fire up and Rey whips Finn to ropes. Finn reverses, Rey wheelbarrows but Finn stops the arm-drag to ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO! Finn checks his forehead, given all those staples after Mania, and Rey crawls to ropes. Finn stomps Rey, spins him around, and springboard stomps! Finn says this stomps is for Priest! And then one for Rhea! And this one is for Dom! Dom soaks up the heat while Finn fires off! The ref counts, Finn lets off and Dom cheers him on. Finn drags Rey up, CHOPS him, then whips him to ropes. Finn CLOBBERS Rey, covers, TWO! Finn drops an elbow and clamps on a chinlock!
Rey endures, fans rally up, and Rey fights to his feet. Rey throws elbows, but Finn throws him down by his mask! The ref reprimands but Dom applauds. Finn drags Rey up, puts him on ropes and CHOKES him! The ref counts, Finn lets off, then CHOKES him again! Finn lets off again, snapmares and CLUBS Rey, then throws more forearms! Finn wraps on the chinlock, but fans rally up. Rey stands, throws elbows, and he whips, but Finn reverses. Rey KICKS back! Rey runs, RANAS, and Finn tumbles out of the ring! Fans fire up again, Rey runs to WRECK Finn with a dropkick! Dom hurries but Rey builds speed to SLIDE ‘N’ SPLASH!
Dom scurries away but Rey dares him to do something. Dom stays back while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn whips Rey to a corner. Rey BOOTS back, goes up, and wheelbarrows, to BULLDOG! Both men are down and Seattle rallies up. Dom coaches Finn, a standing count starts, and both men rise. Finn swings but Rey counter punches! And again, and again! Rey whips Finn to a corner, runs in, but Finn puts him on the apron,. Rey shoulders into Finn, GAMANGIRIS, then goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Dom was even ready to slide in and break it! Rey calls his shot, but Finn SOBATS! Finn whips, but Rey slides under!
Finn runs in, Rey dropkicks Finn’s legs out! Finn is on the ropes, Rey dials it up! But Finn is ready and he LARIATS Rey down! Fans boo, Finn aims, and Finn SHOTGUNS Rey into a corner! Rey is in the drop zone, Finn climbs up! But Rey ROCKS him first! Rey throws hands, climbs up after Finn, and he throws down HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Fans count all the way to NINE, before the SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Finn is still in this and Dom is relieved. Rey keeps focus, he dropkicks Finn back onto ropes. Rey redials, 619! Rey stares Dom down, goes up the corner, and FROG SPLASHES onto knees!! Finn cradles, TWO!!
Rey escapes and Seattle is shocked! Both men stir, Finn checks his forehead, and fans rally for Rey. Finn stands Rey up but Rey KICKS, ROCKS, and ENZIGURIS! Finn staggers, Rey runs, but Finn ALLEY-OOPS him into buckles! Rey leans on the buckles, Finn CHOKES him! The ref counts, Finn lets off, but then he CHOKES Rey again! The ref has to pull Finn back, and Dom has the chain around his fist! Dom sneaks up, but Rey blocks! Rey DECKS Dom! Finn runs in, Rey sends him out! Rey DIVES onto them both!! Seattle is thunderous as Rey stands tall! Rey CLUBS Finn, SMACKS him off the desk, and again, and again!
The ring count is climbing, Rey puts Finn in. Finn distracts the ref, talking about his staples. Dom METAL CHAIN PUNCHES Rey!! Fans boo but Finn and Dom grin. Finn drags Rey over, goes up top, for the COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
Dom lies, cheats and steals this victory from his father so that Finn can stand tall! Will anyone ever humble the Judgment Day?
Backstage interview with The Alpha Academy.
Cathy Kelly is with Chad Gable and the now fashionable “Otíse.” They have a match against The Usos, how have they been preparing? Coach Gable says he has his guy ready, but then Maxxine Dupri walks in and says, “Cut!” Otíse looks delicious as always, but Gable, what are you doing? You gremlin! Maxxine’s the one dressing Otis in crap! Maxxine and Gable argue, but then there’s shouting around the way. The cameraman hurries over, and someone has attacked Lita! Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez shout for Adam Pearce, he and refs hurry over, and Lita tries to stand. Lita is too woozy, Becky and Trish hurry over and the challengers defend they only just arrived.
The Man says that’s a likely story, these two being the first ones to find Becky’s tag team partner. Liv & Raquel argue with Becky, but what will any of this mean for tonight’s tag title match?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Byron Saxton notes the attack on Lita, and he asks The Man about Lita’s condition. Becky says Lita is in a local medical facility, and though we don’t know who did it, Becky has her suspicions. When we do find out who, she guarantees us she will slap their head off. But she promised a title match, and The Man always delivers. So Becky was ready to do this all alone, but someone came along with a pretty good idea. TRISH steps in! Trish says they were a hell of a team at Mania, so she’ll do this for Lita. Adam Pearce makes it official, and Becky says this won’t just happen tonight. This match happens NOW! Will The Man & The Chick kick some lass?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Becky Lynch & Lita Trish Stratus VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez!
Raw returns and the challengers make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the Big Time is ready to live large!
The teams sort out, Raquel starts against Becky, but Becky shoves. She still thinks they were behind Lita’s attack! Raquel says she didn’t do it! Then she picks up and TOSSES Becky to a corner! Becky dodges, comes back, but into a scoop! Becky fights free, kicks low and SLAPS Raquel! Becky whips, Raquel blocks! Raquel whips, but Becky elbows back! Becky goes up and up, but leaps into Raquel’s arms! Raquel pops Becky up, Becky slips free, but Raquel RAMS her into the corner! Tag to Liv and she taunts Trish, before Raquel whips her in to back body block Becky! Liv then whips Raquel in to SPLASH! Feed to Liv’s ENZIGURI! Cover, TWO!
Liv keeps cool, brings Becky up, but Becky turns suplex into cradle! Liv rocks it, TWO! Liv sweeps to cover, ONE as Becky goes Matrix and mule kicks back! Fans fire up, Becky runs in at Liv, but Liv dodges! Becky hits buckles, Liv returns with a SHINING WIZARD! And DROPKICK on the ropes! Then IMPLODER STOMPS! Liv covers, TWO! Becky is hanging tough but Liv brings her up. Becky JAWBREAKERS, ROCKS then UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up, Becky point to Trish, and fans fire up again! Tag to Trish! Liv goes Matrix but Trish CLUBS her down! Cover, TWO! Trish whips Liv, Liv ROCKS Becky!
Liv ELBOWS Trish, goes up, but Becky tags in! Becky JUMP KICKS, Trish goes up to the STRATUSPHERE! Fans fire up as Becky climbs! Trish positions Liv for the MAN’S LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! The Man & The Chick are annoyed but still in control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the champs mug Liv. Trish snapmares Liv to wrap on a chinlock. Fans rally, Liv fights up, and throws knees! Liv arm-drags Trish away, runs in, but so does Trish! DOUBLE HAIR PULL FACEBUSTER! Fans fire up as both women are down! They crawl, hot tags to Raquel and Becky! But Big Mami Cool rallies on The Man! Becky ducks one lariat, but not the SOUTHPAW! Raquel scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Then a TWISTING VADER in the corner! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives but Raquel keeps cool. Raquel drags Becky up, has the leg, but Becky fights the bomb to a RANA!
Raquel ends up in the corner, Becky runs in, but Raquel puts her on the apron. Becky ROCKS Raquel, goes up top, and leaps, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Raquel goes to the apron but Becky nods. Fans rally, Becky hurries over, but Raquel HOTSHOTS her, to then bring her to a corner. Raquel drags Becky up, but Becky fights back! They brawl with body shots, and Raquel gets the edge! But Becky HEADBUTTS back, and again, and again, and again and again and again! Fans fire up as Becky staggers away. Tag to Trish, the champs go after Raquel together! Fans fire up, and Raquel SHOVES Becky away!
Trish fires off forearms and fists, but Raquel blocks the Steiner! Trish fights with more fists, STRATUSPHERE! Cover, TWO! Trish drags Raquel over, tags in Becky, and they put Raquel in ropes. Becky ROCKS, UPPERCUTS and SOBATS! Trish brings Raquel out for a DRAPING LEG DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Raquel survives and Becky is unsure what to do now! Fans rally, Becky fires forearms, then UPPERCUTS! SOBAT into the lift! BACKBREAKER, to a scoop! Liv tags in! BACKBREAKER again, feed to the ASSISTED TORNADO DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Another cover, TWO!! Liv tries a third, TWO!!!
Liv is beside herself as The Man is still alive! Liv pushes Becky around, pie faces her, but Becky gets the arm! Becky wrangles Liv, Liv rolls Becky, TWO! Liv goes after Becky’s arm now! Becky whips Liv hard into the corner! Tag to Trish, they hoist Liv up, and then tag back to Becky. The champs climb up together, Liv resists as best she can, and Raquel joins in! Fans fire up for the TOWER OF DOOM!! Double Powerbomb Superplex leaves all four women down and fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Liv crawls over. Becky stops Liv, and DECKS Raquel! But Liv rolls Becky! TWO!! Becky ROCKS Liv! Liv ROCKS Becky! Repeat!
Becky LARIATS Liv, drags her around, then goes up the corner. But Raquel storms in! Becky BOOTS Raquel, drags her into a dragon sleeper, and Trish adds on! They mug Raquel, but Raquel shoves Trish away! Becky still has Raquel, though! DIAMOND DUST LEG DROP COMBO!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Liv survives and Becky is at a loss for words! Becky gets the fans fired up, and she demands Liv stand. Becky clinches, but Liv wheelbarrows! Victory roll, TWO!! Becky grabs the arm! DISARM-HER!! But Raquel BOOTS her down! Trish fires off on Raquel! Headlock and STRATUSFACTION!!
Becky hurries after Liv, but Liv hits a CODE BREAKER! Liv runs up, ObLIVion- NO! Becky rolls through, MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, but Raquel drags her out! Becky ROCKS Raquel, runs in, but Raquel pops her up to the apron. Becky mule kicks Raquel away! Tag to Trish! Trish waits on Liv while Becky FLYING FOREARMS Raquel! CHICK- NO! ROLL-UP! LIV & RAQUEL WIN!!!
Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Seattle is stunned! Morgan & Rodriguez are TRULY #LivingLarge! They just dethroned The Man and her back-up teammate! Becky and Trish are both in disbelief, but Becky still helps Trish up. Becky raises Trish’s hand, it was a valiant effort from them both. Trish still feels bad, but they hug it out. But then Trish CLOBBERS Becky!! Fans boo but Trish aims to CHICK KICK!! Down goes The Man! Trish gets in Becky’s face, then leaves her down on the mat. Why did Trish do this?
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Cathy Kelly is with the Special Counsel to the Tribal Chief, and says last Friday, Heyman was asked to address Brock Lesnar turning on Cody Rhodes, but he dodged the question. Cathy would like to ask him as the former Advocate, can Heyman provide any insight as to Lesnar’s actions? Heyman repeats, ” Can I provide any insight as to Brock Lesnar’s actions? Yes, I can. Thank you. Question asked, question answered. Ask me another question. Like this: ‘Um, Mr. Heyman, what about tonight when Solo goes one-on-one against Kevin Owens?'” Great question! Thanks so much for that.
“See, Kevin Owens is not just a problem, Kevin Owens has a problem. Sami Zayn is not here tonight. Flight delays. Matt Riddle is not here tonight. Flight delays. Flight delays my tookus. Y’know what happened? Sami Zayn and Matt Riddle were in an airport, and they looked up and one of them says, ‘Bro, what’re we doing tonight on Raw?’ And the other one says, ‘Um, um, um, Solo’s looking for us.’ And they looked at each other and said, ‘Maybe the later flight, what do you think?’ Because they’re both smart enough to know now to mess with Solo, who solves problems for The Bloodline.
“Kevin Owens is not that bright. Not as bright as Riddle, not as bright as Sami Zayn, and that doesn’t say a lot about Kevin Owens. Kevin Owens comes in here tonight now with zero allies, and even fewer friends, and one leg. Which makes him not the proverbial but the literal one-legged man in an ass kicking contest against a two-legged, very capable Samoan, and not just any Samoan. We’re talking about Solo! We’re talking about the Enforcer! We’re talking about the Sergeant at Arms! We’re talking about the Problem Solver! Solo’s here. I’m here. The Usos are here.
What kind of people would take advantage of Kevin Owens in this vulnerable stage? What kind of people of the WWE locker room would be so deplorable that they’d take advantage of Kevin Owens when he’s like this? What type of people are so despicable? What type of people are so low they would follow the Tribal Chief’s orders to solve the Kevin Owens problem? Know who those people are? We the ones.” Heyman heads out, does Kevin not stand a chance of surviving the night?
Backstage interview with Trish Stratus.
Byron Saxton asks why she did that to Becky, but Trish just walks on by. The Chick does what she wants, it seems. But will Becky have a new head to slap right off?
Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky wait outside the General Manager’s office.
Bayley’s been in there for so long, what is the big deal? But Bayley walks back out and says she talked with Adam Pearce. She tried to get him to give Kai & Sky a tag title match, but all Pearce could go on about was the WWE Draft. So instead, Bayley made sure to tell him that he needs to ensure DMG CTRL sticks together. Which she is sure got through to him, because he then offered a Triple Threat match with Piper Niven and Mia Yim, the winner going on to face Bianca Belair for the title. That means when Bayley beats Bianca, she’ll have more leverage, and she can make Pearce keep them together!
Sky says no. What? Sky says in Japanese, and Kai translates, “What about us?” Bayley’s gotten her opportunities against Bianca. This time, it should be one of them. Bayley accepts that. She didn’t know they felt that way, but she can go talk with Pearce. Bayley goes back into the office, and we’ll see who it is that fights against Piper and Michin.
Bobby Lashley VS Bronson Reed!
Raw just got a whole lot bigger and stronger! The 2023 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner and runner-up run it back, but who proves to be the alpha male on Monday nights?
Raw returns and Auszilla makes his entrance. The bell rings, fans rally as Lashley and Reed stare down. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Reed claws the eyes! Lashley blocks the kick to elbow, kick and CLUB Reed! Lashley bumps Reed off buckles, fires off hands, then stomps! the ref counts, Lashley lets off, but Reed goes after eyes again! Reed HEADBUTTS then ROCKS Lashley, then fires off in the corner! The ref counts, Reed whips corner to corner. Lashley comes back to LARIAT! Fans fire up, Lashley clinches, COMPLETE SHOT! Fans rally, Lashley brings Reed up, but Reed fights the suplex!
Reed throws body shots but Lashley kicks low. Lashley tries again, but Reed is still too big! Reed suplexes Lashley and hangs him out to dry! Reed ROCKS Lashley, but Lashley hits back! They brawl at the ropes, the ref counts, and Lashley turns Reed around to CLUB him! Reed hits low! Reed pulls ears but so does Lashley! The ref reprimands, Lashley throws hands, and then Lashley bumps Reed off buckles. Reed staggers, but he KICKS Lashley in the ropes! Lashley sputters, Reed BLASTS him off the apron! Lashley staggers around, Reed goes to the apron! FLYING SHOULDER! Down goes Lashley!
Fans boo but Reed watches Lashley. Reed refreshes the ring count, roars but fans rally for “BOBBY! BOBBY!” as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Lashley whips Reed to a corner! Fans fire up as Lashley runs in, but Reed BOOTS him down! Reed huffs and puffs, then he raises his hands. Fans boo but Reed storms back over to Lashley. Reed drags Lashley up, fires off haymaker after haymaker, but the ref counts. Reed glares at the ref, then goes back to Lashley. Reed whips corner to corner, runs in, but Lashley dodges the splash! Lashley keeps moving, and he clotheslines in the corner! Lashley runs again to RAM into Reed! Lashley brings Reed out, turns him, but Reed powers Lashley away. Lashley comes back, dodges, and turns Reed for the NECKBREAKER!
Fans fire up and Lashley feels it! Lashley stalks Reed, brings him up, and suplexes him!! Fans fire up again and Lashley stalks Reed, for the HURT LOCK! But Reed’s so big and strong, the fingers can’t interlock! Reed jumps back to FALL onto Lashley! Reed hurries to cover, TWO!! Lashley survives but Reed drags him to the drop zone. Reed climbs up! Lashley hurries to get Reed first, but Reed rakes the eyes! Reed CLUBS Lashley, then LEAPS! FLYING THESZ PRESS!! Lashley flounders, Reed drags him up, and lifts, but Lashley slips free! Lashley dodges, runs, but into a KNEE! Reed runs but into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!!!
Fans are thunderous as Lashley throws off the elbow pads! Lashley stalks Reed yet again, and he puts on the HURT LOCK!!! Reed staggers, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! They FALL to the floor!! Lashley flounders up, Reed stands, but Lashley LARIATS first! The All Mighty drags Reed up to bring him around as the ring count rises! We’re at 7 of 10, Lashley fireman’s carries, but Reed is too big! Reed POSTS Lashley! THE COUNT HITS TEN!!
Double Count-Out Draw
Fans boo, they wanted a winner! So do these titans! They brawl at ringside and fans fire up again! The ref reprimands, but Lashley gets the edge on Reed! Lashley is wearing Reed out! More refs rush out and even some producers! Seattle wants to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two behemoths are pulled apart! Lashley breaks free to CLOBBER Reed! Seattle is rocking as the hands keep flying! Will these two look to tear the whole place down in order to settle the score?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Seattle fires up for the American Nightmare, and sing along with the song as Cody gets his pyro. Cody still clutches his ribs, feeling even more sore than before given what Brock Lesnar did to him last week. Fans cheer as Cody gets the mic, and he takes a moment to revel in it. Cody then says, “So, Seattle… Whaddya wanna talk about? Typically, bit of a redundant question. I usually have a singular focus. When I first came back, I was talking about Seth Rollins. After that, I was talking about my torn pec and my rehabilitation. After that, I was talking about the Royal Rumble, and of course, after that, I was talking about WrestleMania and finishing the story.”
Fans cheer, but Cody says after last week, that all feels a bit cloudy so let’s navigate the fog together. “At WrestleMania 39, under the brightest lights, in the main event, I lost. I lost to the Tribal Chief, to our champion, Roman Reigns.” Fans boo that, but Cody says, “This polarizing moment in WWE history, everybody pointing fingers, casting blame. I would ask that you point those fingers directly at me. You put blame nowhere else but squarely on me. I lost dead in the center. I did not calculate, I did not adjust not just for Roman Reigns, but for the lengths that Roman Reigns would be willing to go. I lost, and I’m sorry.”
Fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” and “You Got Screwed!” Cody says he heard to things. One was from his friend Matt, who said, “Well, being in the main event, that’s a win in itself, right? At this point in your career, do wins and losses even matter?” ABSOLUTELY! What is the point in stealing the show if you don’t walk away with the prize? The only people who say wins and losses don’t matter are Hall of Famers, men and women who have had their moment in the sun, who have finished their stories. Whether it’s the winner’s purse, or in Cody’s case, the WWE Universal Championship.
The other thing Cody heard might bother you as much as it did him. These words were not meant for his ears but they made their way to him. It was Mr. Heyman who said it. Fans boo that already. Heyman said that if he, meaning Cody, was to ever challenge for the title again, Cody’s gotta earn it. “Earn it? That basically refutes, dismisses not just my whole career, but my entire life!” Dashing, Stardust, Main Event. Undercard to EVP. A derelict wolf who threw himself to the wilderness and came back leading the pack! “EARN IT!? I AM IT!!” Fans cheer that! “And now, the unfinished tale has a whole new wrinkle to it: Brock. Lesnar.”
Fans boo again and Cody says the only thing more embarrassing than lying there surrounded by 80 thousand people with a rubber chicken a foot away from you and not the two titles is that when you wake up the next day, head held high despite you not wanting to get out of bed, going to work and looking for a modicum of satisfaction, a rematch, retribution, and not getting that. So instead, you look for anything else, offer up your innocence, offer up your trust to The Beast, and he repays it in destruction!
“Somebody tell me why. Somebody tell me why Brock Lesnar did what he did. I heard on SmackDown that Brock Lesnar was ‘unhappy’ with his spot on WrestleMania. An event that is usually synonymous with the Beast, the publicity, the key art, the old school intros, they weren’t about Lesnar. And that, Cody can almost understand. But Cody’s theory is that Lesnar has an uncertain feeling about Cody. “Uncertain about the hype that comes with The American Nightmare. Uncertain about the change that I brought to the WWE, change that would directly affect him. Why else would Brock Lsensar wait to get the drop on me? Why else would Brock Lesnar wait until my back was turned?
“But if you’re Brock Lesnar, and I know he’s listening, and I know someone who represents him is listening, as well. Why in the hell would you be uncertain? When Brock Lesnar looks in the mirror, he sees a predator. He sees a former NCAA Heavyweight Champion, that is the hardest tournament to win in folk style wrestling. He sees a former UFC, and a former Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. He is a Hall of Famer in both worlds.” When Lesnar was a rookie, he made The Rock into a victim. We’re all lunch to Lesnar! Lesnar saw John Cena, victim. Randy Couture, victim. THE UNDERTAKER and his Streak, and that was a victim.
Is that who Lesnar sees looking at Cody? A victim? Go ahead. Cody will be as honest as he can be. If the question is posed, “Are you scared of Brock Lesnar?” Cody says yes. He’d be crazy not to be scared. But Cody still wants to fight Brock Lesnar!! Cody is so scared of what happened last week, that when Lesnar blinks, Cody will strike. When Lesnar breathes, Cody will kick. When Lesnar stumbles, Cody will pounce! Cody won’t leave a stone unturned! So that when Lesnar looks into the mirror next time, he doesn’t see predator. For the first time, Lesnar will see prey! For the first time, Lesnar will see a victim! Cody’s victim!
It can be anywhere, anytime, any place, but Cody knows Lesnar isn’t here in Seattle. So how about face to face, eye to eye, 1v1 for the first time ever, The American Nightmare VS The Beast at BACKLASH!! “Answer the call!” Cody throws down the mic after having thrown down the gauntlet! Will Lesnar turn Puerto Rico into Suplex City? Or will Cody “earn” his rematch with Roman Reigns by taking down a man Roman knows well?
The Usos VS The Alpha Academy!
Jimmy & Jey are no longer Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, but there is always a way to get back up. Will they rebound from WrestleMania? Or will Master Gable and “Otíse” tell them to SHOOOOSH?
Raw returns as Gable & Otis make their entrance. The teams sort out, Jey starts against Otis and fans rally up. The two circle, and then fans rally behind Otis. Otis and Jey tie up, and Otis shoves Jey away. Otis flexes and fans cheer! Jey nods and Otis tells Maxxine, wherever she is, he’s ready, baby! Jey and Otis circle again, tie up, and Jey gets around to a waistlock. But Otis is too big to lift! Otis starts shaking! Otis breaks the hold to BOOTY BUMP! Otis flexes and poses, and Gable has him refocus. Otis whips, Jey sunset flips but Otis stays up! Fans cheer as Otis struts his stuff to the ropes, to shake it!
Jey gest away, mostly out of disgust. Jey jumps onto Otis but Otis RAMS him into the corner. Tag to Gable, Gable cravats and Otis struts. Otis runs to BELLY BUMP Jey down! Fans cheer, Gable says “A THANK YEW~!” Gable brings Jey up but Jey RAMS him into the Uso corner! Tag to Jimmy and Jimmy ROCKS Gable! Jimmy CHOPS Gable, Gable CHOPS back! Gable CHOPS again, but Jimmy UPPERCUTS Gable down! Jimmy puts Gable up top, says #WeTheOnes, and then swings, but into a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts but Gable lets off at 4. Jimmy scrambles away but Gable goes up top.
Gable CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Jimmy gets to ropes, Gable shushes Jey. Gable CHOPS Jimmy, “A Thank Yew~!” Gable climbs up to rain down fists, and fans count all the way to nine, then Gable winds it up. “SHOOSH!” for TEN! Gable whips, Jimmy slides, but Gable trips and slaps Jimmy around! “A THANK YEW~!” Gable brings Jimmy up, fires off forearm after forearm, then whips. Jey tags in, Jimmy reverses and scoops, BACKBREAKER to AX HANDLE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Otis! Fans boo but The Usos say #WeTheOnes as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Jey facelocks Gable. Gable fights his way over, but Otis is down! Jimmy keeps Gable from the ropes, Gable calls to Otis, but Jimmy throws Gable down by his head! Jimmy puts Gable in the ropes, CHOKES him, but lets off as the ref counts. Jey gets a cheap shot in! Fans boo but Jimmy goes to the opposite corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but into a clinch! EXPLODER! Both men are down and fans fire up! Because Otis returns! Gable and Jimmy crawl, hot tags to Jey and Otis! The tree trunk rallies on the Usos! Otis CLOBBERS Jimmy, scoops and SLAMS Jey, then KNEES Jimmy!
Otis KNEES Jimmy again, KNEES Jey, repeat! Otis runs, to DOUBLE BELLY BUMP! The fans fire up for Otis and he has Jey. Otis scoops, Jey slips free, tag to Jimmy! Jey leaps, into a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! But Jimmy CROSSBODIES, into a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives and Otis is surprised! Jimmy crawls to a corner, Otis runs in to SPLASH! Jimmy falls, Gable returns, and Gable tells his number one guy that this is his time! Otis rips the shirt off, gets moving, CATERPILLAR ELBOW!! Jimmy flounders and fans fire up! Hot tag to Gable! Otis Electric Chair Lifts, Gable goes up top, SUPER BULLDOG!! Cover, JEY BREAKS IT!!
Otis runs in, Jey dumps him out! Otis lands on his feet, Jey builds speed, and Jey DIVES! He bounces off of Oits!? Jimmy DIVES, he wipes out Otis! The Usos DOUBLE SUPERKICK Otis onto the desk! Then they push him over it! But Gable is up top! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Gable takes out BOTH Usos, and puts Jimmy in! Gable climbs, DIVING HEADBUTT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Jimmy survives and Seattle cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Gable and Jimmy slowly rise. Gable goes to a corner, he watches Jimmy then runs in, O’Conner Roll, but Jimmy bucks it! Gable blocks the superkick to an ANKLE LOCK!!
Jimmy scrambles, rolls, throws Gable away, but Gable comes back! Jey tags in, stops Chaos Theory, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The Usos double whip, ONE AND DONE!! Cover, The Usos win!
Winners: The Usos, by pinfall
No tricks or help needed, Jimmy & Jey did this all on their own! Will their brother, Solo, bring about a Bloodline sweep? Or will the Prizefighter be able to do this solo too?
Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Piper Niven VS Mia Yim VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL!
The decision was made, and it is a big contender’s match! The Scottish Viper, #Michin, or the Evil Genius of the Sky, who will win that golden ticket to take on the RawEST, Bianca Belair?
Raw returns and Mia makes her entrance, followed by Piper. The bell rings, the three approach, then Piper CLOBBERS Sky! Piper swings on Mia, Mia dodges, and Mia fires off forearms! Piper shoves but Mia rebounds to sunset flip! Piper stays up, drags Mia back up but Mia ROCKS Piper! Then PELES! Piper staggers, but Sky climbs! Mia brings Piper up, but Piper is too much to scoop! Piper scoops Mia, but Mia fights free. Sky MISSILE DROPKICKS Piper! Sky runs at Mia, Mia arm-drags her around, then FLAPJACKS Sky down! Sky staggers up and fans fire up with the Head Baddie!
Mia drags Sky up, ROCKS her, then CHOPS her! Mia whips Sky to ropes, Sky reverses but Mia DODGES onto Piper! Rough landing for them both, but Mia stands and fires up. Mia brings Piper up, only for Sky to ASAI MOONSAULT them both! Fans fire up and Bayley reluctantly cheers on her teammate, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Piper carries Mia to SLAM her down! But then Sky hops onto Piper with a SLEEPER! Piper stays up, even as Sky thrashes around! Piper just SLAMS Sky onto Mia! Piper then fires up, runs, and DOUBLE SPLASHES!! Double cover, TWO!! Sky and Mia both survive but Piper keeps her focus. Piper runs at Mia but Mia BOOTS her! Sky goes up another corner, Piper runs in but gets another BOOT! Sky brings Piper in, for a HANGING SLEEPER!! Piper flails, Mia SHOTGUNS Piper down! Sky sits back up, Mia TOSSES her off the top! Mia goes up now, but Piper SLAPS her!
Sky runs back in, Piper pops her up to get Mia for a SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up with Sky and so do Bayley and Kai! Sky aims at Piper, runs in, but Piper puts her on the apron. Sky blocks a punch to SHOTEI! Then springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, Mia BOOTS it apart! Fans fire up while all three women are down! Fans rally, Mia aims and KICKS Sky! And KICKS her again! And HEEL KICKS! Then full nelsons to a DRAGON SUPLEX! Fans fire up again, Mia whips Sky at Piper, and Piper URENAGES Sky down! Mia DROPKICK SPLASHES! Cover, but Mia moves before Piper’s ELBOW DROP! Sky takes the hit!
Bayley tries not to smile, she’s supposed to feel bad for her friend. Mia hits CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Piper survives, but Mia drags her up to wrench and EAT DA FEET! But Sky is up top! OVER THE MOONSAULT breaks the cover!! Sky then covers Mia, and wins!!!
Winner: IYO SKY, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Championship)
Kai is elated and Bayley is “happy” for Sky, because now she’s going to face Bianca Belair! Will the Evil Genius succeed where The Role Model failed?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens.
Byron is sorry to bother him, but Kevin says it’s fine. Well, Kevin is going 1v1 with Solo Sikoa. They’ve faced 1v1 before but on SmackDown, it almost seemed like he was going to be on the shelf after that vicious attack backstage. Kevin knows where this is going. Kevin is pretty sure Byron is going to ask if it’s a wise decision to go through with this match. Kevin says he and Byron have known each other a long time, right? Has Byron ever known Kevin to be a wise person? Not really, right? Because Kevin admits, he’s not. Kevin is smart, street smart, hasn’t really taken an IQ test or anything, but he’s okay.
But Kevin knows he does lead with emotions. And that’s okay. Because tonight, Kevin’s heart tells him he has to beat the hell out of Solo for what happened on Friday. Sami’s not here, Riddle’s not here, there’s no one but Kevin. So maybe Kevin shouldn’t compete. His knee isn’t anywhere near 100%, and everyone knows. So tonight, all Kevin cares about is getting revenge. So maybe not the wisest decision, but he’s Kevin Owens. And do you know what Kevin does? Here, he’ll turn around and you can read the back of his shirt. #JustKeepFighting. That’s so good, Byron! Thanks! Okay, Kevin is gonna head out now.
Byron wishes Kevin luck, but will he need more than that when The Bloodline is in the building?
Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos!
Raw returns and Kevin makes his entrance. The bell rings and the hand start flying! Kevin gets the edge but Solo kicks the bad leg! And kicks it again! Kevin CHOPS and ROCKS in return, but Solo KICKS the leg out! Kevin hurries to a corner, he kicks back, punches back, but Solo ROCKS him! Solo grabs the legs, Kevin holds onto the rings, but Solo YANKS the bad leg! Kevin clutches the knee but Solo puts it on the ropes. Solo STOMPS it against the ropes! The Usos cheer but the fans boo. Solo wants the leg again, Kevin kicks but Solo still stomps the bad knee! Fans rally for Kevin but Solo HEADBUTTS!
Kevin staggers, he swipes at the Usos on the outside, but Solo throws hands. Kevin ROCKS and CHOPS and runs, but into an ELBOW! The Usos raise the fingers, and Solo kicks Kevin to more ropes. Kevin bails out, and he DECKS Jey! Fans fire up but Solo goes out to UPPERCUT Kevin! Solo has Kevin against barriers, whips, but Kevin reverses and Solo hits steel steps! Jey and Jimmy stay back while the ring count climbs. Kevin gets Solo up and in at 5 of 10, then tells the Usos to “SUCK IT!” Kevin runs to SENTON Solo! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, the Usos coach Solo, but Kevin brings Solo up.
Kevin reels Solo in, but Solo blocks the suplex. Solo wrenches out, clinches, and URE- NO, Kevin slips out! But the bad leg jams! Solo SWEEPS the leg! Kevin ends up in a corner, Solo HIP ATTACKS! Kevin flops over and the Bloodline soak up the heat as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Solo drags Kevin around to crank on the HEEL HOOK! Kevin throws hands, then kicks with the good leg! Solo just SLAMS the bad leg on the mat! Then MULE KICKS Kevin down! Kevin stirs and Solo demands he get up. Kevin goes to ropes, Solo brings him around and fireman’s carries, but Kevin fights free! Kevin reels Solo in for a DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up! The Usos coach Solo, fans chant “Let’s Go, KO!” Kevin drags himself up with the ropes, and he throws a forearm on Solo! Solo hits back, so Kevin throws a haymaker! Solo ROCKS Kevin, roars, but Kevin ROCKS Solo!
Kevin fires off on Solo, but Solo UPPERCUTS! Kevin staggers away, Solo runs in, but gets a BOOT! Solo comes back, but only gets POST! Kevin SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS! Solo ends up in the corner, Kevin runs, but the bad leg gives up! Solo SUPERKICKS back! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and the Bloodline is beside themselves! Solo snarls, storms up on Kevin, and stands him up. Solo hoists Kevin up top, ROCKS him, then climbs up after him. But Kevin facelocks first! Kevin throws down elbows, CLUBS away on Solo, then ELBOWS Solo down! Solo is in the drop zone for Kevin’s FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!!
Solo survives as Kevin’s bad knee may have held him back there. Kevin drags himself up with ropes and he watches Solo rise. Kevin hobbles over, kicks low, but Solo stops the stunner! Solo SAMOAN DROPS! Solo drags Kevin to a drop zone, he goes up top, but Kevin hits the ropes! Solo gets tripped up onto his enforcer! Kevin GAMANGIRIS Solo! Solo wobbles and Kevin throws hands! Kevin drags Solo up, but Solo resists the superplex! Kevin throws body shots, then haymakers! But Solo HEADBUTTS! Kevin ELBOWS, Solo haymakers, repeat! They brawl up top and fans fire up! Kevin HEADBUTTS again and again and again!
Kevin brings Solo back up, but Solo powers out! Solo HEADBUTTS Kevin down! Solo adjusts, but Kevin ROCKET LAUNCHES him off the top! Kevin hurries up top but Jey distracts the ref! Jimmy goes after Kevin but Kevin DECKS him! But Solo is up again! Kevin HOTSHOTS Solo away, and SUPERKICKS Jey! Kevin climbs back up top, to SWANTON BOMB!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Solo survives and Kevin is beside himself! Fans are thunderous for Kevin, and both he and Solo drag themselves up with ropes. Kevin brings Solo around to whip, but Solo holds ropes. Solo BOOTS Kevin, runs in, but into a POP-UP POWERBOMB?!!
Kevin kicks, Jimmy distracts, still no Stunner! SUPERKICK from Jey!! SUPERKICK from Solo!! Fans boo but Solo hits the SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Cover, Solo wins!!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
When you fight the Bloodline, you never fight them 1v1! And that was the case here for the Prizefighter, who could only do so much with one leg and no back-up! But the Bloodline then goes after him like sharks with blood in the water! Fans boo, there is still no one to help Kevin! WAIT! Riddle and Sami have finally arrived! And they are rushing right to gorilla! The Usos stand on Kevin’s chest, but the music hits! The Great Liberator and Bro rush up to brawl with the Usos on the ramp! Fans fire up, Sami and Riddle get the Usos out of the way, and they go 2v1 against Solo! Now Solo feels what it’s like!
Sami BOOTS Solo, Riddle KNEES, and Solo staggers, into a DOUBLE LARIAT! The Usos return, Jey gets a FINAL FLASH to EXPLODER into the buckles! Fans are thunderous again as Sami runs in, but has to block Jimmy’s superkick! Sami serves Jimmy up to Kevin’s STUNNER!! And now Sami runs in, but Solo drags Jey outta there! Sami DECKS Solo, the Bloodline brothers regroup! Solo may have won the battle, but the war continues! Will Kevin, Sami and Riddle be nothing but problems for the Bloodline and their Tribal Chief?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, even with the apparent mishap of flight delays because of weather keeping roughly half the roster from making it on time. But many times, WWE finds a way to make the best out of unexpected situations. For example, great stuff out of the Bloodline story tonight. It was apparently meant to be Sami VS Solo as payback, but Kevin having to fight Solo while selling bad leg made for great story, and we got to have Sami and Riddle make the heroic save. I am definitely looking forward to a Six Man Tag to come out of all of this. Then we probably get a rematch of Sami & Kevin VS Usos for the tag titles even further down the line.
Good opening promo from Rey and Dom, though Dom was stammering over his lines a bit. I think he was nervous because this was surely an adlib to make up for the superstars not present. But even so, Rey is adding implications that Bunny will want a match or at least a moment at Backlash. Rey VS Finn was great stuff, and of course Dom helps Finn win. As I said on Friday, I’d love if it was a Six Man Tag: Dom, Finn & Priest VS Rey, Escobar & Bunny. And great stuff out of Alpha Academy, both their little promo with Maxxine and that great tag match with The Usos. Fans are loving Otis and coming around on Gable, they’re almost certainly Faces now.
Great stuff out of the Women’s Division tonight. Good intrigue in “Who attacked Lita?” though I think we learned that at the same time Trish turned on Becky. Trish didn’t wanna be the third wheel, so she took out Lita to be Becky’s partner tonight. But then, when Liv & Raquel won, Trish no longer even needed to be on Becky’s side so she beat her down. Great surprise of Liv & Raquel winning, too, and now they can defend these titles against whoever else. Becky VS Trish is going to be some good stuff, would love if that was on Backlash. And Bayley is still here, so no one needs to worry about her going somewhere else. It was great story for her to be selfish and wanting her own shot, but then having her hand forced. The Triple Threat was awesome stuff, and it just makes sense for Sky to win here.
Really good match out of Lashley VS Reed, and I actually like them going with a draw. We’ll get an even bigger and better match to follow this, and there’s a chance the winner goes after a title. I’ve said before, but (assuming Vince doesn’t mess stuff up), HHH rly should push Reed to get the US title or something. The man beat Kazuchika Okada in NJPW’s G1 Climax, surely HHH promised Reed something to get him to come back. Plus, Reed can easily pivot to Face against Austin Theory, Theory has strong Heel heat right now, and they could call back to facing off in NXT just a couple years ago.
And of course, great promo from Cody Rhodes tonight. Though, maybe a little long, but he may’ve also been padding for time. Anyway, the bottom line is that we’re getting Cody VS Lesnar at Backlash, that is going to be great stuff, and Cody is somehow gonna find a way to win so that he will have “earned” his rematch with Roman Reigns.
My Score: 8.5/10
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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)
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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
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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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