Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/17/23)
Why, Trish, Why?!
Will we get a Stratusfactory answer from Trish?
In a shocking moment last Monday Night Raw, Trish Stratus turned on Becky Lynch! And tonight, she explains why! How will The Man respond?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio VS Solo Sikoa; Solo wins.
- Bianca Belair VS Dakota Kai w/ Damage CTRL; Bianca wins.
- Seth Rollins VS The Miz; Rollins wins.
- Austin Theory VS Bobby Lashley; No Contest.
- Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville VS Candice LeRae & Mia Yim; Chelsea & Sonya win.
- Six Man Tag: Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle VS The Judgment Day; Sami, Kevin & Riddle win.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is here!
Jimmy & Jey Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman walk down the ramp and to the ring. Fans are torn between boos and the fingers to the sky. The Bloodline get the mics and Jey says, “Little Rock, Arkansas! The Bloodline is now in your city!” Jey hands it off to OG Heyman and Heyman thanks him. Fans boo some more, but Heyman says, “Ladies- Heh, ladies in Little Rock. Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. And I serve as Special Counsel to your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman…! Reigns!” Fans boo as the fingers go to the sky.
Heyman says he is also honored to be the Wise Man to the entire Bloodline, and he has information that tonight, “history is about to unfold.” Wait! The Judgment Day shows up!? Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio and the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, all go right to the ring. Priest has a mic to say, “PAUL!” Priest and Solo stare down but Heyman has everyone step back. Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Judgment Day but Heyman shakes Priest’s hand. Heyman says it is an honor. “Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s a very good day to be a very bad guy. If there’s a Heaven, none of us are getting into it.
“A short-term deal engineered, conceived of and approved of by Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.” Jey takes the mic back to say that the Usos weren’t told about this. Heyman apologizes for that, but Roman didn’t want anyone else, outside of Solo, there’s no raised voices or sudden movements towards Solo. But Roman wanted his Usos to be caught off-guard by the enormity of this short-term deal. See, even Mr. Balor, from what Heyman understands, isn’t that happy about this. Mr. Balor has deep rooted anger issues towards Roman. Heyman doesn’t blame Balor for that, but Balor is willing to put those feelings aside in the name of “good, short-term villainy.”
Speaking of! The Judgment Day has a concern. There’s a Bad Bunny concern. Solo Sikoa is an expert at addressing concerns. Solo and Rhea are staring down…? Heyman asks Jey to switch places. Jey and Solo move around, but then so do Rhea and Finn…?! Mami wants after the Enforcer?! Fans like the sound of that! Heyman asks Rhea if everything’s okay here. Rhea says, “For now.” Heyman sighs, and wants to get to the point before things go the wrong way. The Judgment Day needs something taken care of in Bad Bunny. Solo will handle that before concerns become problems, because The Bloodline already has problems!
They have a Kevin Owens problem! They have a Sami Zayn problem! They have a Matt Riddle to solve! At Backlash, for the first time ever, it’ll be a Six Man Tag of The Usos & Solo VS Kevin, Sami & Riddle! If those three make it. Because tonight, also for the first time, Sami, Kevin & Riddle are in a Six Man Tag against the Judgment Day! Finn grins and fans cheer. Heyman says that FYI, “The Bloodline doesn’t mind extending a little credit, so we’re gonna take care of your concerns.”
Because right here, right now, in the “godforsaken city” of Little Rock, Solo will go 1v1 with, and in the name of the Tribal Chief, SMASH his opponent tonight! Heyman apologizes to Dominik, because he has to see this person in person. Solo is taking on the “deplorable” yet Hall of Fame worthy Rey Mysterio! The Enforcer of the Island is ready, but will he be able to “handle” the King of Lucha Libre?
Rey Mysterio VS Solo Sikoa!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Solo circles with Rey and fans rally up. Rey KICKS Solo in the leg but Solo keeps stalking him. Rey dodges, KICKS and CLUBS Solo, but Solo keeps pursuing. They go around, Solo captures Rey but Rey BOOTS back! Rey runs, slides under and comes back, but into an ELBOW! Solo storms up, scoops and SLAMS Rey, and then stomps away. Solo CLUBS Rey, HEADBUTTS him to a corner, but fans rally behind Rey. Solo rains down fists but the ref counts. Solo lets off to roar but fans boo. Rey drags himself up but Solo is on him with a whip corner to corner.
Rey goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE! Solo CLOBBERS Rey! Solo puts Rey on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo lets off, and he stalks Rey to a corner. Solo whips corner to corner hard and Rey bounces off buckles! Solo talks trash on Rey, sits him up, and clamps a claw into Rey’s shoulder! Fans rally up as Rey endures, and Rey fights up to his feet. Rey throws elbows, runs, but into a LARIAT! Solo snarls and he talks more trash. Solo stomps Rey around, stalks him to another corner, and he throws more hands. Solo whips corner to corner hard!
Rey falls back again and Solo soaks up the heat. Solo storms up, stands Rey up, and he whips corner to corner again. Rey stops himself, and he drop toeholds Solo into buckles! Rey climbs up top but Solo CLUBS him first! Solo Electric Chair Lifts but Rey throws hands! Rey headscissors Solo out of the ring! Both men hit the floor and Little Rock fires up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Solo has Rey down with another claw in the shoulder. Rey fights back up, throws body shots, but Solo throws Rey down by his mask! The ref reprimands but the damage is done. Solo sits Rey up to karate CHOP him in the shoulder! And again! And again! Then Solo clamps the claw back on! Rey endures again, fans rally up and Rey fights. Rey stomps away on Solo’s toes! Solo UPPERCUTS Rey! Rey staggers to a corner, and Solo rains down fists! The ref counts, Solo lets off, but fans continue to rally for Rey. Solo goes corner to corner, but Rey avoids the hip attack! Solo hits buckles!
Rey is on the apron, he GAMANGIRIS Solo! Then shoulders in! Then slingshots up and over to sunset flip! Solo stays up with flailing arms, but Rey avoids the hip drop! Rey runs to SEATED SENTON! And then basement dropkick! Cover, ONE?!? Solo is still in this but Rey fires off forearms! Solo shoves Rey, but Rey kicks back! Rey springboards, Quebradas, but Solo catches him for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Rey is still in this and Solo looks stunned! Solo snarls as he looms over Rey. Solo stands Rey up, fireman’s carries, but Rey fights! Rey slips free, runs, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS Solo to ropes!
Rey dials it up, 619! Fans fire up as Solo falls! SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Solo survives and Rey is the one stunned now! Rey brings Solo up, but Solo blocks the whip! Solo whips, Rey stops himself and dropkicks the legs out! Solo is on ropes again, Rey redials! But wait, the USOS return to ringside! Fans boo as Jimmy & Jey keep Rey from making the call. But the LWO jumps in outta nowhere! Escobar, Cruz & Wilde beat down Jimmy & Jey! DOUBLE ENZIGURIS take them down! Rey redials, but Solo blocks the call! For a pop-up, only for Rey to fight! DROPKICK and Solo’s back on ropes! Redial, 619!!
Rey hurries up top, aims, FROG SPLASH FLOPS! Solo stands Rey up, SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
The LWO hurry into the ring to keep Solo from going any further. But the Usos jump in to get them back for earlier! Fans boo as the Bloodline POSTS Escobar, CLOBBERS Wilde, and then gives Cruz the SAMOAN SPIKE! Escobar is then fed to the SAMOAN SPIKE! Fans boo as Solo drags Rey up again. Solo feeds Rey to the ONE AND DONE!! So far, the Bloodline has come through on their end of the deal. Will the Judgment Day be able to do the same later tonight?
Adam Pearce meets with The Alpha Academy & Maxxine Dupri.
Chad Gable says it shouldn’t even be up for debate. If Otis or Gable get drafted somewhere, the other should go with. It’s a package deal. Now bundle it up, a thank yew! But Maxxine says this is about branding. Who is to be the face of a brand? Does Pearce really want it to be Otis & Chaz? Uh, it’s CHAD! CHA-DUH! Maxxine ignores Chad to say, “Or do you want it to be Maxxine & Otíse?” Gable says SHOOSH! Maxxine shushes him back! They shush fight, and Gable says she isn’t doing it right. It’s SHOOOOSH! No, the O’s should be SILENT!
Pearce tells them both to stop! He will gladly take all of this into consideration, but The Judgment Day and Bloodline are making deals, Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar are in the same building, there’s a lot going on. So please, excuse yourselves. A thank yew. Just what will be the fate of the tree trunk?
Bianca Belair VS Dakota Kai w/ Damage CTRL!
The RawEST Women’s Champion is in Little Rock and she’s ready to rock! She may be facing the Evil Genius for the title down the line, but will she tune-up using #CobraKai? Or will this be where DMG CTRL finally takes control?
Raw returns and Kai makes her entrance, Iyo Sky and the Role Model behind her. The bell rings, Kai and Bianca tie up, and Bianca powers Kai to the corner. The ref counts, Bianca lets off and eggs Kai on. They tie up again, but Bianca powers Kai right back into the corner. The fans rally for the EST as she lets off again. Kai storms up, Bianca gets an arm and wrenches. Kai stomps a foot, wrenches the arm and wristlocks, but Bianca scoops! Kai slips free and throws Bianca down by her braid! Kai smirks but Bianca kips up! Bianca grab Kai’s hair buns and TOSSES her by them! Fans fire up and Bianca runs in, but Kai goes up and over!
Bianca blocks the roll-up, handsprings through, and she dropkicks Kai down! Bianca kips up and fans fire up again! Bianca brings Kai up, whips her to a corner, but Kai reverses. Bianca goes up and over, tells Kai to kiss this, and things keep moving., Bianca handsprings over again, sidesteps and hip tosses Kai down, to then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Sky and Bayley coach Kai up but Bianca has her in a corner. Kai dodges, runs back in, but into an elbow! Kai comes back but Bianca puts her on the apron. Kai grabs the braid gain! Bianca elbows Kai, runs in, but into a BOOT that sends her into the POST!
Kai goes after Bianca on the outside, and BOOTS her into the steel steps! Bianca is down and Kai taunts her while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kai has Bianca in a chinlock. Bianca fights up and JAWBREAKERS free, then rolls Kai up! TWO, and Kai hurries up. Kai swings, but into a wrench and suplex! Fans fire up but Kai fights to a cradle! TWO, and Bianca goes to a corner. Kai runs in, Bianca slips out and ROCKS Kai! Bianca then slingshots, runs and BLOCKBUSTERS! Fans fire up while both women are down! Sky & Bayley are worried for Kai as she stands up. Bianca runs Kai over with shoulder after shoulder, then DROPKICK! Bianca wrenches Kai, spins her around, suplexes and rolls through to suplex again!
Bianca holds Kai up and marches before the SLAM! Bayley is annoyed as Bianca runs, handsprings and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Kai survives and Bayley is relieved. Kai goes to the ropes, Bianca eggs her on and the fans fire up. Bianca grabs a leg, Kai holds the ropes, and the ref counts. Bianca lets go at 4, Kai rushes in, but Bianca blocks the Scorpion Kick! Kai adjusts, wheelbarrow and victory FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! DMG CTRL is frustrated, Kai runs in and she blocks Bianca’s boot. Kai ROCKS Bianca, runs side to side and BOOT WASHES! Kai pushes Bianca to a drop zone and goes up top!
Kai aims, DIVING- NO, Bianca avoids the stomps! Bianca scoops Kai, to a GUTBUSTER! Bianca fires up, brings Kai back up and CLUBS her. Torture rack and- NO, Kai holds the braid! Kai lands on her feet, reels Bianca in, but Bianca dodges the kick to chicken wing! But Kai victory rolls Bianca into buckles! Kai runs Around the World but Bianca avoids the kick! Bianca torture racks, for the KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall
Bayley and Sky both sigh and shake their heads. The EST continues to be the strongest, the fastest, the roughest and the toughest, but will the Evil Genius still have a way around all that?
Bronson Reed speaks.
“People ask me what my problem is. Well, I have lots of ’em. Actually, I’m a really nice guy. That’s what my mum used to call me: Mr. Nice Guy. That’s me. Mr. Nice Guy, Bronson Reed.” But as the highlights show, this nice guy is rather brutal in the ring. Will this nice guy be the one to finish first?
The Judgment Day talks backstage.
Damian Priest says, “Isn’t that nice, guys? Bad Bunny’s returning to Raw next week. As long as he returns with a different attitude. For one, he knows what could happen. And, I’ll just stop being his friend.” Dom says Priest doesn’t need to be Bunny’s friend, just like Dom doesn’t need Rey as his father. “But watching Solo break piece by piece until there isn’t anymore Rey Mysterio…” Paul Heyman walks in and looks at the Judgment Day. Are they satisfied? What’s Finn think? Finn says, “Eh.” Eh?! Yeah. Eh. Well, alright. Then their turn to do “eh,” but do “eh” to Sami, Kevin & Riddle tonight so they don’t fall into debt with The Tribal Chief.
In debt? That sounds like an issue between Roman and the Usos. As far as the Judgment Day goes, they handle their business. Rhea then stands up and tells Heyman, “Bye, Paul.” Heyman gets his phone to call Roman Reigns, and inform him. Will things be a bit more than “eh” at the end of tonight?
Cody Rhodes heads to the ring!
Little Rock fires up for the American Nightmare as he’s ready to confront the Beast! Furthermore, he’s dressed in his ring gear! Is Cody expecting this to be more than just a verbal encounter? Cody gets the mic while the fans sing the song. Cody asks Little Rock, “Whaddya wanna talk about? I know exactly what I wanna talk about, and I know exactly who I wanna talk to, so go ahead! Bring yourself out here, please come to the ring, BROCK LESNAR!” But instead, Adam Pearce walks out, and he wants Cody to calm down and listen. Pearce appreciates the spirit of what Cody’s up to, but Pearce can’t let this happen.
Fans boo as Pearce reasons with Cody. No one is discounting what Cody wants to do, everyone respects what Cody wants to do, but he just can’t. Cody is NOT medically cleared to even be in the ring. Man to man, Pearce respects the spirit of Cody Rhodes. But fans chant, “We Want Brock!” Pearce tells everyone they can’t do this, Cody isn’t medically cleared. Pearce asks Cody to leave the ring and fans boo more. Cody says okay, and thank you for the respect shown. Cody will leave. Cody shakes Pearce’s hand, steps out of the ring, and fans boo again. Cody goes to the ramp, but then goes right back to the ring!
Cody grabs a chair from under the ring, and he gets in the ring! Pearce wants Cody to listen to him, to calm down and think about this! They don’t need this, or that chair! If Cody isn’t going to leave on his own, security will have to escort him out. Fans boo more but Pearce says this is for Cody’s own good. The security want Cody to put the chair down. Pearce wants Cody to think about this. It doesn’t have to go down like this. But here comes BROCK! Pearce wants Cody to get out of here, but here comes “Black Hat” Lesnar! Pearce says the match with Brock is happening at Backlash, so please just get out of here!
Lesnar smirks as he dares Cody to do something tonight. Cody has what he wants with a match at Backlash, but will he still get him some? He does! He beats down the security guards, SMACKS them around with the chair, and then fires off hands! Cody stomps away on the one with the man bun, and Lesnar grins. Cody rushes out of the ring, fights off more guards, sends a few into the steel steps, and he has a clear path to the Beast! Cody runs in, but even MORE security rushes in! They swarm Cody and push him back, all while Lesnar chuckles. Cody has a match, will he just have to wait for that night in Puerto Rico?
Lesnar leaves, Cody fights the guards off with all his pent up rage! Cody gets back in the ring, he TOSSES a guard out, then TOSSES another! And he fires haymakers on yet another, before he TOSSES him out! And then yet another one! Pearce wants Cody to calm down but Cody gets the mic again. Fans are thunderous for “CODY! CODY!” and Cody shouts, “I spent the entirety of last week throwing out positive platitudes about Brock Lesnar, and I left one out. Brock Lesnar can wear his silly cowboy hat all day long, but Brock Lesnar, I grew up around cowboys. You are NOT a cowboy! You are a COWARD!”
Fans fire up as the American Nightmare proves being less than 100% means nothing to him! Will Cody bulldoze Suplex City to get his revenge?
Seth Rollins VS The Miz!
The Architect won big over Logan Paul at WrestleMania while The Hollywood A-Lister lost on both nights! Will The Miz make a must-see comeback? Or will Rollins continue to #BurnItDown and head for bigger and better things?
The Miz attacks Rollins at the ramp! Miz sends Rollins into barriers, stomps away on him, then sends him into the steel steps! Fans boo as Miz RAMS Rollins into the apron, brings him around and SMACKS him off the announce desk! And again! Fans still sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” but Miz puts Rollins in the ring. Miz fires off hands, the ref has him back off, and Miz waits on Rollins to get back up. The bell rings, Miz runs in and fires off forearms! Miz throws knees, brings Rollins around, throws the jacket away, but Rollins tackles Miz! Rollins claws at Miz’s face, but Miz RAMS him into the corner!
Miz digs his shoulder in, lets off as the ref counts, and then he grinds his forearms into Rollins’ face. The ref reprimands and backs Miz off. The fans still sing for Rollins but Miz runs in, into a LARIAT! Fans fire up and Rollins clotheslines Miz up and out! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit into the barriers but Rollins keeps going! Another DIVE and back into barriers! Rollins goes again, for a DIVE! The hattrick hits and fans are thunderous! Rollins revels in the fans singing his song, and he watches Miz crawl. Rollins runs in, but Miz tosses him up and over! Rollins lands on his feet in the timekeeper’s area!
Rollins ROCKS Miz, goes up, but Miz shoves Rollins away! Rollins hits the ring bell on the way down! The Visionary is down while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Miz climbs up, and he leaps, into a kick! Rollins reels Miz in, underhooks, but Miz back drops free! Rollins sunset flips it, TWO! Miz swings, misses, and Rollins PELES! Miz and Rollins are both down and fans rally back up! Fans sing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins and Miz stand, Rollins runs in and rallies with clothesline after clothesline! Rollins then dodges Miz to kick, kick and DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up with Rollins while Miz goes to a corner. Rollins runs corner to corner, FOREARM SMASH! Rollins whips, Miz reverses but Rollins reverses back to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!
Miz is still in this but Rollins keeps his cool. Rollins goes to a corner, climbs up, but Miz throws hands first! “This is Awesome!” as Miz climbs up after Rollins. Rollins slips under to bring Miz out! But Miz fights free of the bomb! Miz runs in, into a BOOT! Rollins goes up but Miz trips him up! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rollins survives and both men are down again! Miz snarls as fans chant ‘TINY BALLS!” Miz KICKS Rollins, KICKS him again, then powers up. Miz kicks but Rollins blocks! Rollins picks Miz up for a BUCKLE BOMB! Miz flops down, Rollins goes up! FROG SPLASH onto knees! Miz covers, TWO!!
Miz fumes as he watches Rollins stir. Miz powers up, shouts, “MASSIVE! BALLS!” and then he full nelsons. Rollins victory rolls it! TWO! Miz sits with tights pulled! TWO, Miz rebounds and BOOTS! Rollins rebounds and SUPERKICKS! Rollins aims again, but Miz blocks! Miz puts the leg on the ropes to drop a knee on the knee! Rollins writhes and Miz hurries to get the leg! Miz steps through, FIGURE FOUR!! Rollins shakes his head as he endures! Miz puts as much pressure as he can on the hold, but Rollins hears the fans singing. Rollins powers his way over, reaches out, and he gets the ROPEBREAK!
Fans fire up while Miz lets go at 4 in frustration. Miz drags Rollins back out, steps through, but Rollins cradles! TWO!! Miz escapes, but Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS! Rollins turns Miz to DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Rollins runs in, but Miz avoids the stomp! Miz kicks the legs out, BASEMENT DDT! Miz rolls through, BIG DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and Miz can’t believe it! Fans again say “This is Awesome!” and Miz drags Rollins up with a fishhook. The ref reprimands, but Miz puts Rollins in a corner to dig in forearms. Miz puts Rollins up top, climbs up from the outside, and he full nelsons!
Rollins fights and he throws elbows! Fans fire up as Rollins turns around, brings Miz up, and SUPERPLEXES! Roll through! FALCON ARROW! Fans are thunderous as Rollins takes aim! CURB STOMP!! Cover, Rollins wins!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
A barn burner in Little Rock, but the one to burn it down was the Visionary! Will Rollins make his way back towards a title soon enough?
Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn talk backstage.
They all know there’s a lot on their plates. The big match against the Judgment Day tonight, the big WrestleMania rematch with The Usos next week, and now even a Six Man Tag at Backlash. But as far as tonight goes, Sami thinks they should get on the same page. Riddle had some ideas, and Sami wants to hear him out. Riddle says he has a pretty sweet idea, but Kevin says here’s a sweet idea: Why not leave the thinking to Kevin & Sami? Riddle rolls his eyes but Sami does his best to keep the peace. Kevin, we talked about this. If Riddle is helping fight the Bloodline, he deserves to have his voice heard.
Kevin isn’t sure what Sami is getting at, but Sami says Riddle can have his time. Riddle thanks Sami, and brings up how Solo has that Samoan Spike. But Riddle has some sweet kicks, so he thinks he could wrap up his big toe, kick Solo in the throat, BAM! Knockout! They can even call it the Toe Bro. What do they think? Sami looks at Kevin and Kevin says, “Toe Bro?” Yeah. Sami says that is… an idea. Kevin gets upset that Sami is encouraging this, but Riddle has them stop arguing. He wasn’t serious! He isn’t an idiot, either! Does no one remember what the Bloodline put him through? They took his best bud and tag partner, they took his tag titles, and then tried to end his career!
While Riddle was home for four months, he watched something awesome: two best friends went after the Usos and took their tag titles at WrestleMania! Riddle isn’t here to waste time, joke around and be some idiot. Riddle’s here to kick some ass! That’s what he’s gonna do at Backlash, and here tonight! Riddle heads out, and now Sami smiles. Kevin says they should’ve listened to Riddle. Sami says that’s what he said! But either way, Sami’s proud in himself that he brought this group together. Will they be the ones to bring down the Judgment Day on top of The Bloodline?
Austin Theory VS Bobby Lashley!
The Now is still high on himself after beating John Cena at WrestleMania, but the All Mighty is looking to humble him! Will Lashley earn himself another shot at the United States Championship with this win? Or will Theory keep Lashley in his past?
Raw returns as Theory makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two approach. Theory dodges Lashley and flexes, but fans boo. Lashley keeps cool as he and Theory reset. They tie up, Lashley puts Theory in a corner, and the ref counts the break. Lashley lets off, Theory headlocks, but Lashley powers out to run Theory over. Theory huffs and puffs, runs back in but into a waistlock and SLAM! Lashley then facelocks to gator roll Theory around! Fans fire up, but Theory gets the ROPEBREAK. Lashley lets off, but Theory kicks low! Theory CLUBS away on Lashley, says he’s the man, but it’s Lashley who suplexes!
Lashley holds Theory up, with one hand! Then the SLAM! Fans fire up as Lashley bumps Theory off buckles. Theory staggers and Lashley clotheslines Theory out of the ring! Theory staggers up to the apron, Lashley grabs him, but Theory HOTSHOTS! Theory slides in, things speed up, Lashley hurdles and clinches for the COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up as Lashley stalks Theory, but Theory drops to KICK Lashley away! Theory runs in to clothesline Lashley! Theory throws elbow after elbow, then some knees! The ref counts, Theory lets off, to SUPERKICK! But Lashley just CLOBBERS Theory in return!
Lashley bumps Theory off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then CLUBS Theory! Theory flounders away but Lashley keeps cool. Lashley pursues Theory, but Theory ROCKS him at the ramp! Theory brings Lashley around, whips, but Lashley reverses to send Theory into the apron! Theory drops but Lashley picks him up. Lashley fireman’s carries and POSTS Theory! Little Rock fire up with the Rocky Mountain Machine as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Theory crawls. Fans fire up behind Lashley as he stalks Theory, and clamps on the full nelson! Theory grabs a hand to BITE it! The ref can’t see it with Theory’s body in the way! Theory POSTS Lashley! Theory POSTS Lashley again! And then roll-up, TWO! Theory grows frustrated, and he rains down fists on Lashley! The fans boo Theory but he just huffs and puffs again. Lashley drags himself up with the ropes while Theory soaks up the heat. Theory then CHOKES Lashley on the ropes! “I’m the champ! ME!” Theory lets off as the ref counts, and he brings Lashley around to snapmare and stomp! Cover, TWO!
Theory keeps on Lashley with a chinlock. Lashley endures, even as Theory grinds him down. The fans rally up, Lashley fights to his feet, but Theory wrangles Lashley back down! Theory squeezes tight with the chinlock, but Lashley still fights his way up. Fans rally, Lashley pries the chinlock open, but Theory CHOP BLOCKS! Fans boo but Theory DECKS Lashley! Cover, TWO! Lashley is still in this but Theory keep son him. Theory stomps away on Lashley, then eggs him on. Theory soaks up more heat from the fans, then goes back to Lashley. Theory ROCKS Lashley with hands, has him in the corner, and throws more shots.
Fans boo and chant “THEORY SUCKS!” but Theory runs in to RAM into Lashley! Theory goes corner to corner again, but Lashley dodges! Theory POSTS himself! Theory staggers out and Lashley CLOBBERS him! Theory gets up again, and runs into the MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up and Lashley clotheslines in a corner! Lashley RAMS his shoulder in again and again, then goes side to side to RAM again! And LARIAT! Fans fire up as Theory flounders away. Lashley aims from a corner, he runs in, but Theory hurdles over! Lashley hits buckles. Theory fireman’s carries, but Lashley slips free!
Lashley kicks low, gets Theory up, DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives but Lashley isn’t deterred! Lashley aims from the corner again, watches Theory go to the other end, but then Theory bails out. Fans boo but Lashley storms over. Theory shoulders in, slingshots, but into the HURT LOCK!! Theory RAMS Lashley back into a corner, and then BRONSON REED appears!? And he SPLASHES them both!!
No Contest
Fans boo but Bronson SPLASHES Lashley again! Bronson kicks Lashley to the floor, aims from the apron, and FLYING SHOULDERS Lashley down! Fans boo but Auszilla wants another go. And he SQUASHES Lashley against the post!! Fans boo but Bronson soaks it all up. “Mr. Nice Guy” puts Lashley in the ring, looms over him, and then picks him up for a fireman’s carry. But Lashley fights free! Lashley wants the full nelson but again, Bronson’s so big! Theory slingshot somersaults and SHOTGUNS Lashley from behind! Theory runs away, but Bronson doesn’t mind. He gets Lashley for the SAMOAN DROP!
Fans boo more but Bronson isn’t done! Bronson goes up the corner, TSUNAMI!! The Colossal Aussie tells Lashley they’re not done. Will Bronson not stop until he’s the top dog in the WWE?
Trish Stratus heads to the ring!
Fans boo The Chick, the Hall of Famer, and the one who turned on Becky Lynch even though she lost the tag titles! We hear what she has to say about last week, after the break.
Raw returns and Trish has the mic. Fans still boo, but Trish says, “We’re going to start with a little history lesson here, kids. When I first came to the WWE, women’s wrestling was a joke. And I proceeded to single-handedly change everything. I brought credibility to a non-existent Women’s Division. And I know some are gonna say, ‘But it was Trish and Lita.’ No, no, there was no ‘we,’ it was me. I was the Women’s Division, I was THE trailblazer, I was the first woman to main-event Raw, and I was the first woman to make you people give a crap about the Women’s Division.”
Trish says without her, there would be NO Women’s Revolution, and certainly no women main-eventing WrestleMania. “When Becky, Charlotte and Ronda were wrestling in the main event of WrestleMania, you guys were chanting, ‘This is Awesome~!’ But what you should’ve been chanting was, ‘Thank You, Trish.’ Because I changed everything, it’s true. You know it. But you wouldn’t believe that if you listened to Becky Lynch. Becky Lynch would have you believe that the Women’s Revolution started with the Four Horse Ladies. That they broke boundaries! That they made people care about the Women’s Division again!
“Well, that statement, like you, Becky, is a joke! And I sat back for a long while and I let it slide. I get selling yourself, calling yourself ‘The Man,’ bragging about your accomplishments, and go on with your bad self. But after awhile, I was like, ‘Wait. Does she actually believe her own hype?'” Trish needed to find out, she buddied up to ol’ Becks, and y’know what? Not once did Becky say, “Thank you for opening the door for me.” Not once did Becky tell Trish thanks for everything and that she would be nothing without Trish. And not once did Becky say, “Thank you, Trish.”
But Trish has to give it to Becky, she’s very convincing. Becky even convinced Lita! Lita was eating out of the palm of Becky’s hand, when only one year earlier, Becky was calling Lita out. But there they were, dancing down the aisle, Lita happy to be Becky’s sidekick. “Trish Stratus is nobody’s sidekick. This…” She poses. “Not a sidekick.” Trish said it was getting sad, so she had to take Lita out of the picture. Yes, Trish attacked Lita. Did you just put that together? She’ll speak slower since they’re all slower: Trish. Did. That. And the reason Trish needed Lita out of the way so that Trish could make it crystal clear that the person who screwed Becky out of her titles was Trish.
Fans boo but Trish says, “And Becky, do you remember that moment when you put your arm around me and you said in your stupid little accent, ‘Good try, Trish. We’ll get ’em next time, friend.'” Trish is NOT Becky’s friend, there will be NO next time, and Trish made very clear in that moment that she was going to make everything right. Trish took out The Man just like that! Oh, do the fans not like that? Aw. Well, she doesn’t care! Trish wasn’t gonna let Becky or anyone else rewrite history. Trish is not some nostalgia act, childhood fantasy, and she sure as hell isn’t a nobody sidekick!
She is the greatest of all time! The single most important figure in the history of the WWE! And she will make sure no one forgets it! Trish drops the mic and takes her leave, but will Becky and Lita have a response?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Cathy Kelley says last week, Cody challenged Lesnar to a match at Backlash. Is he satisfied that the match was made official tonight? Cody says yes. Of course! He’s ecstatic to wrestle Lesnar at Backlash in Puerto Rico in three weeks. But Cody is also a bit confused by tonight’s events. In what world, in what mirror universe, is he in that he’s actually still standing here? He lost out on the Universal Championship at WrestleMania, and furthermore, he was the one being held back by 20 security guards, and not Lesnar! Lesnar is the one who walks away on Cody. Cody has to apologize to Adam Pearce for losing his temper.
But what is going on? The only thing to get through this was to smash through everyone, because that is what this is. Cody has backed the Beast into a corner, and the only way out of this is for Lesnar to win. Everything Cody knows, everything he has been through, Cody cannot allow that. Cody heads out, but will he be victorious against Lesnar in three weeks?
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are here!
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are here, ready to watch from commentary as their challengers are looking to tune-up. Will the Hot Mess & Pride Fighter have something to complain about after facing #CandiceWrestling and #Michin?
Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville VS Candice LeRae & Mia Yim!
Raw returns as Candice & Mia make their entrances first, followed by Chelsea & Sonya. The teams sort out and Chelsea starts against Mia. Mia blocks the slap, and she HEADBUTTS! Mia bumps Chelsea off buckles, tags Candice, and then Mia whips Candice in for a back body block! Candice snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS, then jackknife bridge! TWO, but Candice step-up SENTONS! Cover, ONE! Candice brings Chelsea up but Chelsea knees low. Tag to Sonya and the #ComplaintDepartment double suplex! They hold Candice up, but Candice shifts to hit DOUBLE DDTS! And then a step-up SENTON for Sonya!
Candice hurries to a corner and fans rally up, but wait. Nikki Cross is in the crowd? She smiles and waves at Candice and that distracts her. Chelsea storms up, Candice shoves her down, but Sonya YANKS Candice off the corner! Sonya runs to KNEE Candice down! Cover, TWO! Sonya drags Candice up, tags Chelsea, and they DOUBLE SUPLEX this time! Chelsea taunts Liv & Raquel, “You like that?” Chelsea jumps but Candice avoids the elbow drop! Tag to Mia! Chelsea tags Sonya, but Mia dodges Sonya to BOOT Chelsea! And BOOT Sonya! Mia goes up and RANAS Sonya away! Sonya returns, but into a flurry of forearms and CHOPS!
Chelsea storms in, Mia dodges, and the Complaint Dept. almost crash into each other! Mia then waits, DROPKICKS Sonya down, and Candice DROPKICKS Chelsea! Sonya returns, but into a strike fest! Mia SOBATS, hops on, CODE BLUE! Cover, Chelsea breaks it! Candice hurries in, chases Chelsea out of the ring, but Chelsea trips her on the apron! Mia runs in at Sonya but Sonya TACKLES her! High stack, but the ref sees the feet on the ropes! Sonya argues with the ref but Chelsea sneaks a tag. Mia wrenches Sonya, but Chelsea has the arms! Chicken wings for the UNPRETTIER! Cover, the complainers win!
Winners: Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville, by pinfall
Liv & Raquel stare down their challengers, but then Chelsea splashes water at Liv!! Liv is furious but Raquel keeps her back. Will the Complaint Dept. take those titles and finally have something nice to say? Or will the champs still be #LivingLarge?
The Street Profits, Elias and Rick Boogs talk backstage.
Boogs is so confused. Why? Well, he can’t be eligible for the WWE Draft! He just go there! C’mon, what’s going on? What? The Boogs Cruise, not eligible? C’mon, man, that’s not how it works. Every WWE superstar is eligible in the Draft. You can go to Raw or SmackDown. Champions could switch brands. Rivalries can be rekindled. Baron Corbin walks in and says, “And don’t forget: tag teams can get split up.” He pats the Profits on the shoulders, but they say, “Naaaah.” Corbin says, “Yeeeah.” Well, the Profits better talk with Pearce then. They head out and Corbin follows to keep trolling them.
Elias tells Boogs that Elias will probably go first in the Draft, and that probably gives Boogs some anxiety. But listen, don’t sweat it. No matter where Elias goes, he’ll put in a good word for Boogs so that Boogs can join him. Boogs thanks Elias for that. But then they turn around to see Akira Tozawa. “Boogs. Yeah, big star! Yeah, baby!” Thanks, man! But Elias… Last pick. Tozawa laughs at the Drifter, and then Corbin returns, saying that was a good burn. Corbin offers a handshake, but Tozawa says, “Nobody wants you. You SUCK!” Tozawa leaves and Corbin is beside himself. Will Elias really be Mr. Irrelevant? Will Corbin be a complete snub?
The Bloodline speaks.
Jimmy makes fun of the LWO, and Jey says he actually likes that teams are stepping up. But the problem is, they stepped up to the U-S-O! And what happened? They stepped up, but the Usos sat ’em right back down. YESSIR! And the same thing gonna happen at Backlash in San Juan, Puerto Rrrricooooo MY GOSH! Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Matt Riddle VS Solo & The Usos! YESSIR! This Bloodline run deep! ALL DAY! This Bloodline is forever! ALL THE WAY! You the twos, and #WeTheOnes!
Six Man Tag: Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle VS The Judgment Day!
Speaking of the all-star team of the Great Liberator, the Prizefighter and the Original Bro, they’re going to have their first test as a trio! Will they be able to survive all the way to Backlash? Or will the Prince, the Punisher and the Prodigal Son put them down on the Bloodline’s behalf?
Raw returns and Riddle makes his entrance, followed by Kevin, and then Sami. The trios sort out and Sami starts against Finn. They circle, feel things out, and Finn headlocks. Sami endures the grind, fights up, and powers out. Things speed up, Sami arm-drags Finn around, but Finn avoids the hattrick. Finn goes to his corner and “Ex-Con” Dom tags in. Fans boo as Dom flexes and circles with Sami. But then Dom tags out to Priest. Fans boo but Dom soaks up the heat. Kevin offers and Sami tags him in! Fans fire up as KO and Priest approach. Kevin kicks low, headlocks, but Priest powers out.
The two RAM shoulders, but neither falls. Kevin goes again, they RAM shoulders, but Priest just smirks. So Kevin DROPKICKS! And SENTONS! And tells Dom to “SUCK IT!” Kevin stands Priest up but Priest ROCKS him with a right! Tag to Finn and Finn throws hands. Kevin throws hem back! Kevin whips, Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, but leaps into Kevin’s arms! Kevin swings Finn for an AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO! Finn flounders but Kevin brings him up again. Kevin scoops, Finn slips off and he CHOP BLOCKS! Kevin falls to ropes and Finn storms over. Finn stomps the bad leg, and Kevin bails out.
Fans boo, Finn distracts the ref, and RHEA CLOBBERS Kevin! The Judgment Day soaks up the heat while fans boo, and Finn puts Kevin back in the ring. Finn keeps Kevin from Sami and Riddle, and he drives an elbow into Kevin’s head! Finn wraps on a facelock and Rhea says, “I know, I’m the best.” Kevin fights up as fans rally but Finn knees him low. Finn DECKS Sami with a sucker punch, but Kevin SUPERKICKS! Hot tag to Riddle! Riddle rallies on Finn with kicks, then Dom run sin, Dom gets a PELE for his troubles! Riddle kips up to forearm smash Finn! And forearm smash Priest! And one more for Finn!
BROSPLODER! BROTON! Deadlift FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Riddle scoops but Finn rakes eyes! Hot tag to Priest but Riddle KNEES Priest down! Riddle goes up and out and PENALTY KICKS Finn! Dom runs in, but Riddle clinches to drag him out! Finn helps Dom up, but Riddle goes up! Only for Priest to choke grip, and APRON CHOKE SLAM!! The Bro is down and Rhea says, “Sucker~!” The Judgment Day soaks up the heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again as Riddle and Priest trade forearm shots! They go back and forth, then Riddle KICKS! So Priest KICKS! Priest gets the edge, kicks and kicks and ROLLING ELBOWS Riddle into the corner! Priest taunts Sami and Kevin, runs in and back elbows Riddle! Tag to Finn, he slingshot STOMPS Riddle down! Tag to Dom, he slingshot SENTONS! Tag to Finn, tag to Priest, and the Judgment Day stands Riddle up for the BACKBREAKER LEG DROP COMBO! Priest covers, TWO! Priest tags back to Dom while Rhea complains about the count. Dom stands Riddle up, gives some Latino Heat, but Riddle gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX!
Fans fire up while Riddle and Dom are down! Riddle and Dom crawl, hot tag to Sami! Fans are thunderous as Sami rallies on Dom! Sami whips, back drops Dom, but Finn runs in! Sami tosses Finn out! Priest runs in, Sami dumps him out! Sami then goes up the corner, but Dom hurries after him! Sami CLUBS away on Dom, then SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives that hard landing, but Sami drags him to a drop zone. Finn gets back in as Sami climbs, but the ref intercepts Finn. That allows Rhea to SHOVE Sami off the top! Sami crotches on the ropes and Dom drags him down!
Kevin can’t hit Rhea so he just throws Riddle’s jacket at her! Dom is up top, for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Kevin breaks it!! Fans fire up but Rhea is furious! Finn SHOTGUNS Kevin! Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES Finn! Priest clinches to FLATLINER Riddle! Sami clotheslines Priest up and out! Fans fire up for Sami as he builds speed! But Rhea trips him up! The ref reprimands, and then EJECTS her!! Mami is furious that she got caught! But Dom rolls Sami up! TWO!! Dom swings, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Dom stays in this, but Kevin is back! Sami hot tags Kevin!
Kevin goes up top, to SWANTON onto knees!! Dom saves himself and hot tags Finn! The Prince aims, to SHOTGUN Kevin into a corner! Kevin falls to the drop zone and Finn climbs up top! COUP DE- NO! Kevin dodges, to tag Sami! STUNNER for Finn! Finn ends up in a corner, Sami goes to the other! Priest runs in but into a STUNNER!! Sami runs and HELLUVA KICKS Finn! Riddle wants in, so Sami tags him! Riddle goes up, for the FLOATING BRO!! Cover, Kevin, Sami & Riddle win!
Winners: Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle, by pinfall
The Judgment Day fail their part of the mission, but here comes the Bloodline! Solo & The Usos attack Sami, Kevin & Riddle! Fans boo as each brother has someone in the corner! They mug Riddle, they mug Sami, but then here comes the LWO!! Rey, Escobar, Cruz & Wilde tip the scales as they go after the Bloodline! But then the Judgment Day get involved! It’s a chaotic 7v6 brawl! Referees rush out but they can’t stop the madness! Fans are losing their minds as they watch the melee! Fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but there’s nothing but fists and feet! Rey and Dom find each other, Rey puts Dom on the ropes! The LWO play defense, Rey dials it up, 619 for Dom!!
Kevin BACK SUPLEXES Priest on the announce desk! The LWO and the “problems” stand tall, will they be the ones to win out this faction warfare?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to really build towards Backlash. But there’s something I do need to say: WWE seems to have no idea what the color aesthetic for the logo is. The replay graphics used the golden one (for what I suppose was going to be WrestleMania Backlash), the match card graphics give a combination of red and blue, but the ones I’m seeing on their Twitter are just plain red. Now, the gold for the replay stuff makes some sense, they can’t have red on red. But in that case, it could’ve just been a plain white logo. But whatever, I’m sure they’ll settle on it within the next three weeks, and I’ll make the thumbnail accordingly.
Anyway, great opening promo involving the Bloodline and Judgment Day. For a moment, I thought this was the Judgment Day defending their territory, but nice twist of it being a quid pro quo deal. Solo and Rhea staring down got everyone fired up. Rhea has already been used to tease intergender combat in WWE, and Solo sure ain’t gonna back down from a fight. Solo VS Rey was great stuff, even with the overbooking of the Usos showing up and brawling with the LWO. Though, the LWO sure gets booked poorly in these situations. Maybe that’s just because they’re up against some really strong factions.
Good backstage promo with Heyman and the Judgment Day, and it teased that the Judgment Day can and should step to the Bloodline. After all, Rhea’s the SmackDown Women’s Champion, the Draft is coming, we could end up with both factions on Fridays. But also, great stuff from Kevin, Sami and Riddle. That was definitely the promo we’ve needed from Riddle. Great main event Six Man match, and Kevin had great interactions with Rhea. For one, he sold that clothesline from her so well. Great win for the Faces, but of course the Bloodline goes after them after. That brawl was awesome stuff, and as much as I’d love like a 10 Man or 12 Man Tag, I don’t see it happening.
Good promos to show the superstars are kayfabe worried about the WWE Draft, namely the tag teams. Gable wants The Alpha Academy to stay a thing, Maxxine wants Otis to end up Otise by default, and Otis is just stuck in the middle. This is actually the one time a tag team split up by the Draft would work for good story. Corbin trying to troll the Profits with that was good, but Tozawa (which it was great to see him back, for one) had the best part of the whole thing with how he got Elias AND Corbin. I hope Tozawa gets to do something, he has had great stretches in his WWE career but I would love if he got something consistent.
Pretty good promo from Trish. Everything she said was standard Heel stuff of being underappreciated, disrespected, etc. I just wish she had more energy in saying it. She should’ve been almost yelling, but she came off too calm. I’m pretty sure Becky and Lita will each get heated in their response promos, and I would think this leads to Becky VS Trish for Backlash, which is big for Backlash. And really good women’s tag match, though I cannot explain why fans do not get more excited for Candice LeRae matches. Chelsea & Sonya of course win to build momentum, and Nikki showing up, something needs to happen between her and Candice by Backlash.
Great match out of Bianca VS Dakota, but of course Bianca wins. She is building momentum towards her match with Sky, and I hope we get a promo next week for Bayley to be more passive aggressive about Sky having the title shot. Theory VS Lashley was a great match, for being a bit random and redundant, but that was awesome framing of Bronson’s surprise attack. Corey Graves said it himself on commentary, how does such a big man sneak up period? But this of course is leading towards Lashley VS Bronson in a rematch from last week, and I would hope that whoever wins gets a shot at a title. If Bronson stays on the same brand as Theory, I would love Bronson to get a US Championship match and humble “The Now.”
Rollins VS Miz was of course awesome, as the fans acknowledged. Miz reminded everyone that he has the wrestling skills, but this was a good win for Rollins to keep climbing up towards a title. And then great promos from Cody Rhodes, both in the ring and backstage. The latter was an odd move after he already did and said everything he really needed to tonight. But he does have a point, it is quite the role reversal where Brock is the cerebral one with his taunting and not fighting. I also liked that Lesnar added a long coat to the look, like he’s the villain in a Western. Too bad this isn’t a bull rope match, that’d be very AEW Cody of Cody.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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!
IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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!
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!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: One For The Road
The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! Tune in as we recap an excellent NFL season and touch on a...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Super Bowl LIX Preview
The culmination of a season long journey is upon us. Andrew, Rey and Tunney break it all down for you...
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
-
Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s WWE Vengeance Day Results & Report! (2/15/25)
-
AEW Coverage6 days agoMitchell’s AEW Grand Slam: Australia Results & Report! (2/15/25)
-
Coverage4 days ago
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
-
Coverage5 days ago
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)